not ashamed to call it an Idle Vain Testimony in the Name of the Lord. And yet in another place of the Narrative and other of their Writings they of this Spirit said John Story and John Wilkinson must be left to Act as their Lord and Master shall lead them And yet would not allow Elizabeth Sturridge to clear her Conscience as her Lord and Master might require her Doth not this manifest a partial and byassed Spirit in judging thus partially as he hath done And yet contrary to their former Judgment as some of them of that Spirit have said to wit That we must not judge of Spiritual things And how answers this also that which they say That all must be left to the Witness of God in themselves And from what 〈◊〉 do we say doth that Jealousie and Fear arise of having the Meeting entertained with Testimonies being the same also with that which made all the Bawling in the Meeting at Bristol when Friends were waiting upon the Lord for the Testimony of Life to arise amongst them that William Rogers said His Soul abominated such 〈◊〉 which was to wait to see if any thing might arise in any to Write to John Story about the reconciling the sad Differences risen as the Certificate imports Is not this the Spirit that 's gone from the Truth and likes not sound Judgment being gone from the Command of God Cain after he had done evil concerning his Brothers Blood his countenance fell and he thought that every one that met him would slay him But it is not so with the Righteous for they are bold and makes no such provision for the Flesh And is not William Rogers's Testimony more Idle and Impertinent and John Story' s also and John Wilkinson then Hers was who saith God hath raised them up to stand in the Gap and yet are opening Gaps for the Loose and Fleshly to enter in at out of the Way of Truth and their Testimony for it to wit William Rogers's making away part of his Estate from the Spoylers and says It s his Principle and John Story creeping in suffering times and John Wilkinson standing to justifie it and what an idle Testimony was that in John Story that condemned Friends Soundings and making an noise in Heart-Melody to God in their Meetings whilst others were Preaching or Praying and said He had born his Testimony against it and he would do it and bring it down or leave Preaching And was not John Wilkinson's Testimony Idle and Prophane and charged it upon the Lord too that said God will break us when we were in the exercise of Truth according to Gospel Order and yet it fell on the neck of his own Spirit for many not long after broke off from them and came away with joy Again in the Narrative it is said by them That from henceforth there may be no occasion to say that they are Men of Strife c. We say Would they be look'd upon not to be Men of Strife we can confidently say that William Rogers's work of spreading abroad this Narrative and others his contentious Papers sufficiently gives himself the lye if he say so and the Fruits of John Story and John Wilkinson and their Company in their Subscriptions and Separation and Contentious Work sufficiently manifests that they are not Men of Peace We further observe that it is said in the Narrative That the consideration of the present Differences amongst Friends and the sence they have that the Name of the Lord is dishonoured amongst the Heathen who at this Day may clap their Hands for joy and cry Ha! Ha! They say They have cause to enter into the House of Mourning rather then Joy In Answer we say it may be seen what a deceitful Spirit this is thus to pretend and use a deal of smooth Words in Hypocrisie that have no Answer in the Consciences of the Faithful to God For hath not John Story and John Wilkinson and other Partakers with them in this contentious VVork been the only cause of dishonour to the peaceable Truth and the Name of God Doth not the Separation and such work of Strife and VVrangling as is brought forth amongst them and William Rogers's sending abroad his contentious Papers up and down the Nation contrary to Covenant and Agreement made and signed testifie of what Spirits they are Their Resistance to the tender Advise and Judgment of the most of Friends in the Nation sheweth them to have a stubborn Heart far from the House of Mourning VVhat Kindness and Care hath been extended and used towards this People VVhat tender Entreaties have been made to them to be reconciled to God and the Brethren and to come off from the Separation And John Story and John Wilkinson have been desired that they would be instrumental in breaking up the Separate Meeting or testifie against it and yet with an imperious Spirit do they despise and resist all and this Hyprocrisie atop of all causes the Lord the more to abominate their doings Hath William Rogers forgot the Crys and Tears to the Lord for them at the Draw-well when he and they stood in that heardness of Heart that many were made to admire Let them say what they will the House of Mourning they are Strangers too yet the Day of it will come from the Lord God who sees their VVorks and will judge accordingly for neither their Spirit nor their VVorks do answer the Light of Christ nor the Grace of God that hath followed them and the Strife that is begun and which they still maintain shall be laid at their Doors let them look to it as they will answer the Lord in the great Day VVe observe also that William Rogers in the Narrative recites two Questions that were put to the Brethren at Draw-well by John Wilkinson and John Story to be resolved although we shall not concern our selves here much to give any Answer to them then what was delivered amongst the Brethren then yet we desire that the said Queries may be compared with the Paper of Prescriptions subscribed by John Story and John Wilkinson and them of the Separation The first Question Whether or no we and all Gods People ought not to be left in all matters of Faith and Discipline c. to the manifestation of Gods Spirit and Truth in our Hearts to Speak and Act therein as we are thereby Instructed and Perswaded and not otherwise The Answer was given Affirmatively viz. They Ought And our Sence and Judgment in the Truth closed therewith as that which we stand for and have maintained against every contrary appearance And yet John Story and John Wilkinson in their Paper of Subscription the foundation of the Separation in the North say together with others of the Separation That none of their own Country or of other Countries must sit amongst them to concern themselves in the Business of their County although it be about matters relating to Discipline but their chosen Men to whom they give
may be seen for it amongst such as may feed themselves in the wrong Spirit by the said Subscription and we desire our good Friends to take occasion to read the same to such as opportunity serves as also amongst the more simple minded that have been any way hurt thereby that the ancient Truth and sweet Society in the Gospel of Peace all who have ever known the same may be restored into again and blessedly kept therein to the Honour of God's Name and the Delight of Him who hath Loved us which to the breaking of our Hearts in the sence of Gods free Love we can say in the humility of our Souls the Lord hath given us the enjoyment of beyond what we can declare and in the Testimony of the Spirit we do really say that next unto our sweet and comfortable Peace with God which is blessedly renewed in our happy return unto him and hath rested with us since that day that the holy Fellowship and Unity of Spirit with our dear Brethren in the Life and Service of Truth which God hath given us again to pertake of is that which we highly Prize and do desire to Live in whilst we have a Beeing Subscribed by sincerity of souls and in true fear by William Ellery Richard Tompson Thomas Moore Richard Cadeson Simon Tompsou Charles Story Myles Bateman Thomas Pearsou Richard Atkinson Thomas Scaeife ' Authur Barrow Edward Sutton John Prestson Henry Skyring Edward Cragge We desire also that it may be further taken notice of that many more who were not concerned in puting their Hands to the said Paper that did adhere to them of the same Spirit in the hour of Temptation are clearly come off from them in their Hearts and Souls to their own great Satisfaction and Friends Refreshment as several of our Families and others for which thing we our selves have cause to Magnifie the Lord while we have a Beeing And also some there are who have declared that though their Hands were put to the said Paper yet they knew nothing of it neither had they ever seen or heard of the said Paper till long afterwards Here follows divers particular Heads taken out of the aforesaid Paper of Subscription and Ground of Separation And whereas it is said in the aforesaid Paper of Subsciption thus we whose Names are hereunto Subscribed do declare our utter dislike of the Late Proceedings in the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings c. And for that reason we met together to consider what was to be done in that Case c. And for the time to come do resolve that neither they so appointed by us nor we do trouble our selves any further c. And if things must continue thus we hope to do our Business our selves in our Respective Meetings c. We desire that all may take notice that as upon this Resolve inserted in the said Paper the Separation begun it may be seen what Dissimulation and Guile was in the Foundation of this ungodly Design thus to belie their own Consciences in saying That they whose names were underwritten met together on that Occasion or resolved together on that Wise as is therein expressed For we who have hereafter put to our Names do declare that although our Names were in the said subscription yet we never were at any such Meeting nor knew any thing of it as is made mention of in the said Paper neither were any of us ever acquainted with any such Meeting nor had we the opportunity to consider or discourse of matters of that Nature with them but were unadvisedly Surprized with it as the principal Actors therein met with us here and there on the high way or when we were upon some outward Business or coming from a Meeting c. and by their Subtil Allegations and pretences perswaded us to put our Hands to it William Ellery Richard Candeson Myles Bateman Thomas Scaife Authur Barrow John Preston Simon Thompson Edward Cragge Thomas Preston Henry Skyring Richard Sleddale The particular account of the manner of the 〈◊〉 Friends Subscribings was annexed to this Paper when first given forth in Manuscript which for Brevity sake we have forborn to insert here William Rogers in his Book also makes mention of a Letter from John Wilkinson to George Fox with George Fox's Answer to it upon which 〈◊〉 he hath abusively 〈◊〉 which we take no notice of as not worth regarding not questioning but that George Fox's aforesaid sincere and tender Letter unto John Wilkinson will have an Influence upon the Consciences of all the upright and tender Hearted to God where it may come with a Judgment also upon William Rogers his wicked and surmizing Spirit as his pervertions false Inferences and hellish Jealousies therein plainly observable fully demonstrate unto which we can freely refer the honest Reader for his Satisfaction William Rogers also Inserts in his Book two Letters of his own to George Fox and sayes George Fox would not Answer them and a great clamour he and those of party with him makes about that Matter We hope the honest Hearted Reader will excuse this if he doth but consider what care had been used concerning W. Rogers John Wilkinson and John Story and them of party with them from time to time as in this Treatise is declared what abuse William Rogers put upon the Brethrens Care and bowed Exercise in the North concerning them What a Seorn he put upon the Labours and Travels of Friends at Draw-well rendring them though the Antient and grown in the 〈◊〉 Truth like Children pleased with a Rattle that John Story and John Wilkinson with his assistance had given them and an abusive Narrative of the Transacting of the Affairs there himself gave out John Wilkinson if not he also calling the Relation given by all the 〈◊〉 Friends there a Lying Narrative his abusing the Brethren at London and others for their Exercise there in Relation to them and their separate 〈◊〉 with Bowels of Love and Life extended towards them manifested in a tender Epistle of Caution and Advice to them Yea if the honest Hearted do but take notice as is inserted in this Treatise how the Life of God in all the Churches throughout the whole Nation had a Testimony in Life and Practice against their opposite contentious work of Strife and 〈◊〉 and never a Church to stand by them as they have been often required to bring forth one of all the Monthly or Quarterly Meetings throughout the World that would own them considering also how the Testimony and Judgment of the eternal Truth was gone out against them through many Brethren Subscribed at Ellis Hooks ' his Chamber in London which William Rogers clamours against and would tread upon And minding also that they were cast out of the Fellowship of Brethren for their Works sake We can appeal to that in the Consciences of all sober People what Cause had George Fox or what necessity was there for the Brethren to take notice any more of the
the Spirit of Truth in the younger against the same Spirit in them that watched over their Souls and so to set Conscience against Conscience and the Spirit of God against it self Is not this the way to let in Liberty in the 〈◊〉 Atheism and the like amongst God's People that again would creep in on this wise under pretence of Want of Inward Conviction and the like and so under colour of Conscience draw back again out of the first Love Care and regard to God and the Spirit of 〈◊〉 in his People and lead into Rantertism and what not It 's a meer Slander in William Rogers to say and gather from hence That we would force a Blind Obedience without conviction Nay There is his mistake being gone from the Spirit 's Life and Sense of it's Motions and Requirings Exhortations Councel and Advice which in the Spirit of Truth we commend to that in all Consciences with whom we have to do in relation to Church-Rule 〈◊〉 der and Subjection Discipline and Judgment We deal with a people in this Matter not as blind but as having a measure of the Spirit which discerns the things of God The Apostle said What have we to do to Judge them that are without speaking in Relation to Church-power Discipline and Subjection in the Lord. It is a shame for William Rogers to talk on this wise and renders him a man that has lost his sight in the Spiritual concern of the Lamb 's Innocent life in which the exercise of the Church of God consists according to the manifestation of the Spirit as every one hath received in which the Rule the Government the Order the Counsel and the Judgment in the Saints in light standeth and in which the mutual Edification is the Helps the Governments in the Church the Unity the sweet Society the subjection one unto another to be each others Joy where the Lord is known to be One and his People one But William Rogers and they of his Party say That the Setling of the Churches in the Order and Discipline that we have amongst us is the way to introduce the Apostacy again yea we are proclaimed already and recorded to posterity to be the Apostates and 〈◊〉 and we see not yet upon what other ground then because we are a People in the Spirit of God Zealous in the matter of Discipline and Order in the Church to Answer the pure Religion in Body Soul and Spirit God requires of us For he hath confessed 〈◊〉 have not lost the Kernel of Christianity neither do we differ in that from them he accounts have kept the Life of it but in the Shell John 〈◊〉 sayes We hold the Truth 's Principles and the Doctrine of Christ and are in the Practice of those things that the Truth in the members of the Heavenly body leadeth into neither do we differ in those things but in Methods and Forms c. So then it must needs be in their Sense that the Church of God being Setled with the respect to the concerns of it relating to us as the visible Family of God under an outward Discipline and Order although the exercise therein be in the Spirit for we own none other i st he Mark and Badge of an 〈◊〉 and that thither we are gone as he Asserts Let us consider and take notice what was the Apostle's sense in his day with respect to that Gospel-order that he laboured for and was 〈◊〉 concerned that in all places it might be setled among the Churches He was of another mind then William Rogers and them of Party with him manifest themselves to be of For although he saw as 't is left upon Record that after his dayes grievous Woives would enter and that there would be a great departing from the Faith and that there would an Apostacy come over many Yet it may be observed what Care he used in the Churches as the opportunity served him that the Order Discipline and Government of the Spirit might visibly Demonstrate it self amongst them in the Tabernacle God had given them in it to be his praise the Godly fear that was upon him in Relation to an 〈◊〉 State was a departing from the Faith to fall among them And as he was desirous that if it was possible they might be kept there from for the Gospels sake and Glory of God it was his desire that every one in the exercise and Service of Truth according to the manifestation of it under a Gospelcare might be concerned and in it fastened and knit together to be each others help and directed them accordingly and that which they had heard and received from him with respect to Order in the Church they were to observe and hold fast and Answer the same in practice and writing to them on that wise with a 〈◊〉 of on such as were wilful and not subject to the Truth but caused Divisions amongst them which they were to beware of he said The rest will I set in Order when I come Much might be said with respect to this matter from the Charge he laid upon Titus and for which cause he left him in Crete to appoint Elders every where and to see that nothing was wanting amongst them Paul never feared the Apostacy to enter through a Setling the Churches by Instruments in Gods hand in that Order he was concerned in the matter of neither did the Churches that kept their first Love ever Brand them with the Character of Apostates for their Labour and Travel on this wise Neither do we read that the Faithful whether Elder or Younger did ever 〈◊〉 at their so doing nor ever slandred those Instruments in Gods hand for any Directions or Orders in Relation to discipline with the bringing in of mens Prescriptions Pauls Orders Lines made ready to their hands Innovations or the like as William Rogers presumes to do which will be his Burthen and 〈◊〉 shame in the end But in the Uuiversal Spirit which is one in all that believe was the Unity preserved and the Comfortable Society held under the Rule and Government of Christ 〈◊〉 and if any would have 〈◊〉 Dissension among them they were to be 〈◊〉 and withdrawn from according to Gospel-Order Hath not William Rogers shamed himself amongst all sober and Judicious people both as a Christian and as a Man to make all this Fluttering 〈◊〉 work against the Government of Christ Jesus in the Church of God which we do affirm is both immediate and Instrumental and that he Rules and Governs in his people the Church of God Immediatly and Instrumentally by his Faithful Servants as well as he instructs both Immediately and Instrumentally And as for this Cause he hath Ministers Pastors and Teachers Instrumentally to turn many from darkness to Light and from Sathan's Power to God to edifie and to build up in the most holy Faith So he hath Overseers Elders Helps and Governments in the Church Instrumentally to see that all things may be kept and
done in Order and that nothing may be lacking amongst his People that may shew forth his Praise that so a sweet Savour may be kept amongst all as the Ornament of the Gospel received and believed in Can it be a Repute to him thus to clamour against the Order and Discipline thereof under this Government and the good and wholsom Directions that appertain to it 〈◊〉 against a People once he was in Society with Zealous in the Matter thereof for a time whom he doth not charge with Apostacy though that 's the Character he is pleased to give us on the account of being departed from the Truth or on any other account but for the Discipline and Government we have amongst us And on that account also would he render us to have lost the 〈◊〉 of Christianity which all his works relates to For he gives not any Account what Principles of Truth we are gone from or wherein we have left the Doctrine 〈◊〉 Christ but retracting again or contradicting himself sayes We differ not about the Kernel but the Shell and John Wilkinson sayes God hath manifested to him that the Caufe is not in the principles of truth nor in the Doctrine of Christ nor any practice that the Truth in the Members of the Heavenly Body leadeth into If William Rogers would have convicted the family he hath set himself against in his 〈◊〉 work of being Apostates and Innovators c. he should not have steered this Course of Inveighing against the Discipline and Order of the Church of God being Justified therein as a commendable and comely thing which hath a sweet Savour in many Consciences even of those that are not of Proffession with us who cannot but see what 〈◊〉 work he hath made about it which declares him to be a man of a loose spirit and that likes not the Inspection nor Judgment of the naked truth Surely it had been more honourable for him to have let alone this clamo ring against us as Apostates c. till he had first convicted us of being gone 〈◊〉 the Power and life of our Principle or from the Doctrine of Christ for there the Apostacy enters But John Wilkinson and he has 〈◊〉 us of that in express words And the Testimony we have in many consciences that the Antient 〈◊〉 Power attends us in our Assemblies to the breaking of many Hearts and the gathering unto him in whom Salvation is known 〈◊〉 as shall be saved confirms this matter on our behalf And if they were not blind they might see 〈◊〉 Barrenness and Deadness attends the Testimonies and Concerns of them of this Spirit and how many scatter and fall away from them several wayes and the most of them that keep to them are but such as are a Reproach to Truth mark the end of them I say could William Rogers have convinced the world where he publisheth the Characterizing of us Apostaces and the like that we had lost our first Love and 〈◊〉 to our Antient Testimony for God and were departed from the Faith and our Zeal for God to satisfie the Flesh and that they were the entire and Faithful to him and the Life of Righteonsness Then had he done something in relation to that which he hath undertaken to do But the Lord will stop him therein and he shall not perfect that which he hath Attempted when he hath done his worst but Truth shall Florish over all when his Name shall be Reproachful every-where But let us go on and consider farther on what occasion we may suppose William Rogers Adventures to lay that infamous charge of Apostates at our doors seeing it 's granted that wee keep to the Principles of Truth and are in the 〈◊〉 of Christ and are in the practice of things that the 〈◊〉 leads 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 that Discipline and Order of Truth in the Church of God the Government thereof and Judgement therein which we maintain and are in the practice 〈◊〉 and in 〈◊〉 thereunto is Justified and commendable in the sigh of God and amongst them that believe according to Christ's Command and the 〈◊〉 Care and Practice in the Church of God and on that account it 's in vain for 〈◊〉 to Charge us with Apostacy if he think that any that fears God will stand by him therein And we take notice also William Rogers seems Doubtful in his own mind what Repute he shall gain to himself on the account of making so much ado against Church-Government lest he should be palpably thereby discovered to all to be a man of too loose a Spirit and pleading for the Liberty of the flesh and thereby throw dirt in his own face which he would cast at others to his reproach And therefore in the very height of his exclaiming against Order and Government wherein he is very abusive and wicked he Retracts again as a Smitten man and grants the Matter that he makes all this stirr in Opposition to See his 1 st Part page 43. and page 52 see also his 3 d Part page 19. And for a more clear manifesting of his Confusion and Contradictions about this Matter of Church-Government we refer the Reader we say again to the Anfwer to William Rogers Subscribed by Ellis Hookes c. He seems doubtful also what the Matter of his exclaiming against Church-Government we stand to maintain as consistent with the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostles practice will make for him on the account of proving us Apostates and Innovators c. And therefore to another shift he betakes himself that is to say to exclaim against the Discipline used amongst us and calling it George Fox's Form of Government 〈◊〉 making also an outragious Clamour against the Directions the Rules the Advice and Counsel given relating to Discipline and Order amongst us calling them Dictates of fallible men Mens Prescriptions Laws and Edicts other mens Lines made ready to our hands Innovations George Fox's Orders c. He is very extravagant also in his Reflections upon our Mens Meetings our Quarterly and our Yearly Meetings manifested at large and spoke to in the aforesaid Answer Subscribed by Ellis Hookes c. In Answer also whereunto we are led to the first particular head formerly made mention of a little to be spoken to that the honest unprejudiced and impartial Reader may consider and Judge whether with respect to what the Church of God directeth to in this our day amongst us and we are in the Practice of in the Discipline thereof William Rogers our and the Church's Adversary hath any cause to render us in Print Apostates from our first Principle and so from God and to leave the Infamous Badg thereof upon us to Posterity as much as in him lies The First Particular thing made Mention of to be spoken to and plainly proved in the First Part of the Antichristian Treachery Discovered and It 's Way Blockt up Viz. That the Care of the Church of God in this our Day amongst the Children of the
settled down again in their minds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things were to go on to be heard and examined in order to Judgment on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 matter and then to speak any more of 〈◊〉 and nine was at an end but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was to be the Brethrens the Church of God their assembled in the universal Spirit in which we are one through Christ Jesus who keeps their parts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where the good Understanding is received 〈◊〉 Judgment is given which 〈◊〉 sure the matters in charge alledged being 〈◊〉 through that day and 〈◊〉 two next days also and spoken to on all hands 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was seen and as 〈◊〉 required in order to proof on the one hand and liberty of desence on the other for the 〈◊〉 up of 〈◊〉 to the Impartial 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and let it be remembred the days we have to Live and let 〈◊〉 memorial thereof never Rot when this Generation is 〈◊〉 for the Praise of the 〈◊〉 God for ever and the 〈◊〉 of his precious Truth and the value of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and the Comfort enjoyed therein for the cause whereof the Lord the God of the Spirits of all Flesh unto whom Reign and Dominion belongs forever did 〈◊〉 appear amongst us in those four days Exercise in relation to the work in hand and determined the matter depending amongst us in the Hearts and 〈◊〉 of the unright to him to their Comfort It cannot be forgot what 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and rowling Bowels broke forth in those days Travels with 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 the Wounded and the Scattered Ones who were once in Unity with the Lambs in the safe Fold for the healing recovering and gathering back again of them that they might find Pasture and feed therein and lie down with them the Power and Life that sprung up on this wise melted the Hearts of the Sincere with Joy in the sence of Gods preserving hand over them yet to their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the pity of their Souls in relation to them that had been hurt by a wrong Spirit for there did not appear in them that bowedness of Soul nor heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as with respect to the offence to God and his People that they had given through the Distractions they had wrought in the Church of God was desired and expected from them yet such was the wonderful melting Glory of Israel's God amongst us that at last John Story and John Wilkinson were a little bowed down in their Spirits to the causing of them in some measure to see their Weakness and make some acknowledgment thereof as in a Paper given forth by them and here inserted doth appear viz. We are sencible that in the hour of Temptation that hath appeared through us which hath given occasion of offence to the Charches of God unto whom the knowledg of the Northern Differences are come and since the inward sence of our Brethren who we are sencible have a travel on their 〈◊〉 for the 〈◊〉 of Peace and Unity in the Church of God concerning 〈◊〉 is such that Jealousies have entered us and that we have been at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in things tending to oppose Friends in the practice of those things 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 are commendable in the Church of God We are sorry that any 〈◊〉 should appear in us to give occasion for any such Offence and as satisfaction to our travelling Brethren and the Church of God in general we do from the very 〈◊〉 of our Hearts condemn that very Spirit whether it hath appeared in us or any that hath given offence to the Church of God in general and that opposes the order of the Gospel or any faithful Brethren in the practice of those things they believe are their Duty John Story John Wilkinson This was publickly owned by the said John Story and John Wilkinson in the 〈◊〉 Meeting at Draw-well in Sedbergh After Friends unwearied Travels in the Love of God that 〈◊〉 all things and is not easily provoked but keeps in the Patience and 〈◊〉 not in which they were concerned the foregoing submission to Gods Power and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sence concerning them was all 〈◊〉 John Story and John Wilkinson were at 〈◊〉 inclined to demonstrate which said acknowledgment of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 surprised with and their Condemnation of themselves because thereof Friends for their 〈◊〉 were in some 〈◊〉 glad of hoping that afterwards they vvould 〈◊〉 see hovv a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 over them in which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Work had broken forth through them and that in time they would more manifest the same to Friends more full content and upon the product of all those four days concern on the morrow after Friends being again come together that they might demonstrate to all the honest hearted how things were in relation to the whole matter many of them that had heard of the aforesaid Divisions being under a concern and therefore desirous to hear what might be the Issue of this Meeting they unaminously agreed together William Rogers being gone and came no more to draw up this following Relation for Friends to make use of in the Wisdom of God as they saw meet viz. Dear Friends and Brethren In the universal Spirit of Life and Truth which from the God of Heaven is richly poured forth upon us and by which we have been quickned into a lively sence and hope and peaceable Fellowship is the endeared Greeting and Salutation of our pure and servent Love unto you all Whereas a long and lamentable Difference hath depended between several Antient Friends of the Quarterly Meeting of Westmerland on the one part and John Story and John Wilkinson of that County on the other part and that the said Division hath done great Mischief amongst the Friends of God in several parts of this Nation by filling their Minds with unprofitable Surmizings and dangerous Jelousies tending to absolute Rents and Divisions as too palpably appeareth in Westmerland to be the product thereof And after that the endeavours of the faithful Friends of the Quarterly Meeting of those parts both within themselves and by calling in to their assistance several faithful Men of adjacent Countries proved not so effectual as was desired by reason of the said John Story' s and John Welkinsons absenting themselves though in much tenderness sought to and entreated to appear by those chosen Brethren for the Churches Peace sake and their own real good in the Lord and though their refusal to meet those Brethren and denial of their Authority to examine the matter in difference and theirs that nominated and chose them to wit the faithful Friends of the Quarterly Meeting yet out of a deep sence of the Burden of honest Friends in those parts by reason of the Division and forefeeing the ill consequence to the Church of God of leaving such an example uncensured they passed a general Judgment upon that Spirit which led into Division and Separation leaving the said John Story and John Wilkinson to clear themselves if they could of such matters of fact as
c. at last tell it to the Church This is such a clear Case that even Children in the Truth are not Strangers to it If we have done you Wrong why do you not tell it to the Church according to Christs Rule but exclaims thus and nothing will satisfy you but your own Demands in your own Case c. We tell you for Conscience Sake the Authority of Gods Power and the true Churches Right we cannot do it we cannot give away its Priviledg at the request of a dissenting Spirit This is our Answer and is the second or third time we have told you so if this will not satisfy you tell it to the Church if the Spirit of Jesus be in you and give over this wrangling If the Church judg us in this matter and we hear it not let us bear the Burthen of the Wrong done unto you there you may have Right done unto you This we grant you for your Satisfaction and to remove the Prejudice you have begot in some of the simple-minded against us through your crying Injustice which is very abusive seeing you will not come to Tryal c. And if none of these Proposals will finde an Entrance upon you and work in you Satisfaction then will it be plainly manifest to all that knows these things that you are not onely separated from us in the Exercise of Truth 's publick Concern but also gon from the Nobility of the Power some of you were once honourable in in the Day whereof this detestable Work would have been cause of Lamentation to you and the Advice and Unity of Brethren precious in your Eye which you now detest and for your reflecting Postscript in which you shew a Discontent that we returned to you your unsubscribed Paper You may say we delt sivily with you that did not return it with the Name of idam flet that the Author therof were either ashamed of or timerous to stand by and doth argue a secret Guilt upon the Spirits of such as were principally concerned in it and good Cause had we to desire to know whose they were as thereby manifested to be the great Fomentors of the woful Strife and Division you are entered into and the principal Leaders of the Separation you persist in that such may be marked and taken heed of by the simple amongst you and by all every where that loves Sion s Peace and its Welfare in the Lord whose Blessing will attend such for ever more c. From our quarterly Meeting the sixth of the Eighth Month. Thomas Pearson Thomas Langhorn John Blayklinge Joseph Baines and Thirty more on behalf of the said Meeting It may be observed that the aforesaid Paper being delivered to them they returned no Answer to it to this day neither heard we any more of that 〈◊〉 Work they had before made about the demanding the Books as aforesaid 〈◊〉 for the Reasons we gave them as expressed so that what they do with respect to Business or when they keep their 〈◊〉 we are Strangers to them and with respect to our Meetings we can say of a Truth the Glory of Israel's God is with us and the shout of aking and in Dominion through God's Eternal Power our Life reigns over all dissenting backsliding 〈◊〉 and evil surmising Spirits and the Works thereof and in the Exercise of the Spirit in our men and womens Meetings a Care is amongst us for God's Glory and one anothers Advantage and Comfort to the Joy and rejoycing of our Hearts in the Unity of that Life and Fellowship of that blessed Spirit in which our Hearts are made right glad and have cause to bless the Lord the Days we have to live and now having cleared our Consciences in the Lord's Sight thus far concerning them of the separating wrong Spirit who will not hear and return to God that they may finde Mercy we are in perfect Peace in the Spirit of our Minds And they being gon out from us because they are not of us c. their Contentious troublesom Spirit and their Strife we being quit of the Children of God the Church of the First born injoys their Peace sitting under their Vines and Figtrees in that sweet Repose that does our 〈◊〉 good and with respect to the Churches Concerns and Care in the Exercise and Practice therein we do injoy that inward Satisfaction and that outward Quiet and Peace that we have long waited for Glory to God on high for ever more Several of the Innocent that loves Righteousness and waits for God's Salvation comes off again from that Spirits Work and from touching any more in the Defilements of it acknowledging the Weakness they gave up themselves into in which they became the Churches Grief and in a signal Testimony of their Repentance condemned the Spirit that betrayed them and the Fellowship of the Spirit with God's People are come again to injoy to their unspeakable 〈◊〉 and Joy beyond what can be uttered Our Meetings are become quiet and we are unanimously and 〈◊〉 Sociable in our Work the rending troublesom Spirit being gon out never to return And if any who have been of it should desire to come again it must be through Judgment and the Spirit of burning through which whosoever of them draws near again it will be our Joy and the Answer of our Souls Desires and that 's the Exercise we are now concerned in in relation to them being thus far Clear in the Lord's Sight Little more Occasion on the account of the outward Concerns of the Church of Christ have Friends with them but that as to Meetings on the account of Worship They of the Separation and other Friends continued yet together Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bowels that possiblely could be on the account of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods People Ministers and Messengers of 〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 had it on their Spirits to visit the Church of God in 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Advice to all and in a Reproof upon the Spirit of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Advice to them in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the antient 〈◊〉 and the comfortable Society and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein 〈◊〉 hearty 〈◊〉 for reuniting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 several wholsome Admonitions Counsel and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by such as came amongst us besides the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet 〈◊〉 with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parts concerning them Several printed Books came amongst us in relation to the matter occacioning the starting aside in Vindication of 〈◊〉 Care and Government amongst Gods People for the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 and tender of them that were led aside particularly Roburt 〈◊〉 Book of Government and Georg Fox's Book in 〈◊〉 to Womens Meetings in order to the 〈◊〉 of their Service in the Church of Christ in the Capacity under which they 〈◊〉 having 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Spirit in which to be prositable as the Lord should instruct 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Gospel of Christ
Jesus and many Papers and Epistles from several Brethren was the Assemblies 〈◊〉 Gods People 〈◊〉 with that all might fear and be 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 that was coming on upon the rebellious and self-willed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might 〈◊〉 clear of the Blood of them that would not take Councel in their 〈◊〉 And altho some of the honest-minded of them was bettered thereby and the Testimonies of the Power became a Savor of Life unto Life unto them to the working 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them yet with many of the old Subscribers against the Unity of 〈◊〉 in the concern of Church Affairs it was not so but they 〈◊〉 hard and seared as with an hot Iron and Incouragers still of the Separation John Wilkinson continued still in the Conspiracy with them manifested by his usually frequenting their occasioned separate Meetings as we have been credibly informed after their Meetings have been past And John Story being never willing that we could understand to shew any Dislike thereof and therefore a continuing 〈◊〉 of that Spirit and Work of it his Name and Spirit being in the 〈◊〉 Foundation thereof and Subscription to the agreement and resolve in relation to it But as to any publick or great matter of Work they of that Party in the North did or could do for the annimating or furthering the Design thereof in these Parts it was not much save what they did privately underhand with 〈◊〉 upon the Faithful to God and the Churches Care thereby to insinuate upon the Assections of the weak and loose sort whereby to keep their Confederacy on foot and their Design alive which with whisperings and watchings for Evil and making lies their Refuge they laboured to do and were as industrious in that matter and in spreading abroad any of their abusive 〈◊〉 Papers and Books where they would be received of them they could work themselves into But the Life of their Business and the ground of their Hopes in order to the carrying on and compleating the same now depended on the supposed Strength that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the West Parts of the Nation where John Story' s Time was mostly spent and of whose Cunning and Craft in the matter they in those parts were no 〈◊〉 to and the Aid that attended him through William Rogers Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the espoused Cause he had taken upon him and the politick furious and ambitious Minde he carried with him in the management of the Work they had in hand kept up their Heads here and their Eyes abroad to see what would become of the matter of it And now it became the Concern of them in those parts in a few Hands on whom the design hung and William Rogers buckled him to it with the pollicy and might he had he writ a Book in Answer to Robert Barkleys Book of Government which in this his Printed Book he often makes mention of and with clamorous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sets himself against the Testimony by him born therein inserted for the Government and Dissipline of Christ Jesus Instrumentally and Visibly amongst his People yet as said before clearly detected William Rogers stands in the Hearts of all sober Consciences and humble minded Men who have seen his Book and Work and the Answer to it called The Accuser of the Brethren 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the satisfaction of them that love God and a Christian Life And he is plainly manifested to have had an evil Design in his Bosom against the Image of God and an unspotted Conversation and which Christ Jesus the head of the Church and the sirst born of many Brethren hath the concern of upon him as appointed of the Father for that end to bring a People into the enjoyment 〈◊〉 whom he hath ruled by his Grace and hath accounted worthy to be blest with the priviledg and unspeakable Gain that doth attend the same for evermore and that his said Book of Answer William Rogers hath sent abroad to and again to the great reflection on Robert Barklay very abusively and not according to any Gospel Order or the just Law of doing to all as one would be done unto nor as becomes Brethren and the true Christian Quaker on the account of this Spirit and its Work many Transactions in Words were had and Writings were sent to and fro in the South to the great Exercise of the Church of God there and the Grief of the Upright-hearted every where who hath the knowledge of it because of the Destractions that this William Rogers and John Story made there aways with Books and Papers labouring to Proselite into their Faction and make Parties against the Unity and Body of Friends where they could prevail and after this manner Passages were the latter end of the Year 1676. and the beginning of the Year following at the geneneral Meeting 1677. the Concerns of the blessed Truth and the Affairs of the Church of Christ every where through the hand of the Almighty an opportunity being given being under the Care and Exercise of Friends and amongst other things the State of the Church in general on the account of John Story and John Wilkinson was at several Meetings upon the Spirits of many dear Brethren with respect to the Grieveances and Pressure it lay under on the account of the disregard that had been upon them of all the bowed Exercises the Labours and Travels and unwearied Indeavours that had been used towards them and their obstinate resisting of Friends Advice and Counsel to them to do their Indeavours to break up the separate Meeting in the North greatly occasioned by them and themselves to be reconciled to the Brethren before they any more offer 〈◊〉 Gift as also under the sence of their obstinacy in refusing to take notice thereof but on the contrary did the utmost as it appeared to beget more and more into the minds of the Weak through their evil 〈◊〉 and ungodly Surmisings in relation to Order and Government in the Church of God comfortably settled amongst us with Whispering and open Reflections against the Instruments the Lord had made use of in the Work thereof whereby many dear Friends throughout the whole Nation as it was demonstrated by many living 〈◊〉 was griveously afflicted therewith for the sake of Gods People his Heritage which 〈◊〉 Soul destroying Spirit would have laid waste and in as much as that Friends Labours Exercises and Travels Counsel and Advice had been such in pure Love and Patience Long-suffering and Forbearance concerning them which they had trampled upon and took advantage thereby to prosecute the design of Evil and Mischief which they were filled with that Friends unanimiously signified their sence that the Lord and his People were clear of them and if that Indignation from Heaven as the just desert of a Stiffnecked and Rebellious People were reveiled from the hand of the just God upon them the Lord should be clear and his People clear and in as much as that it was fully declared by the Brethren that the Minds of the
the one when the Lords secret Hand smote the Hearts of the other so that to another kinde of working in the fame Spirit they betook themselves as 〈◊〉 shall be made appear But first we defire that on the Consideration of what hath been said at large and yet things but hinted at with respect to the multitude of Exercises that have been met withal in relation to the Sorrows Grievances various Troubles and great Afflictions that hath attended the peaceable People of God these several Years through the Spirit of Opposition 〈◊〉 and Mischief that hath wrought amongst them by a sort that hath been acted thereby having let in an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from Gods eternal Power and with respect to the Care long-Suffering Forbearance and great Patience that hath been used towards them with Exhortations Cautions Counsel and Advice in the day of their declining Age and with Reproofs of Instruction and the pure Judgment that hath been ministred in unto them with Line upon Line Precept upon Precept here a little and there a little as it was in the Prophets days in the case of the rebellious and backsliding People We say it s our Desire that these things being tenderly weighed in sincerity of Heart amongst all where-ever this may come and Occasion may be given to inspect the same may speak whether William Rogers whom we are 〈◊〉 with have justifiable Cause to render this Family in the Church of God and tenderly bowed down and broken with respect to them of his Party whilst a Door was seen to be set open to them the Apostates from God and such as in whom the Doctrin and Life of Christianity is extent and to publish the same in Print and leave the infamous Badg thereof upon us to Posterity or that the Witness of God in all your Consciences do not testify that he is a man of a corrupt Minde and hath set himself to work Mischief amongst the People he was once in Unity with and to work Destractions amongst them and expose a People more justified in Gods sight and amongst the honest hearted than 〈◊〉 to as much Infamy and Disgrace as he can any way do and to bring an Odium upon their Principle and Practice as much as in him lies and that he appears to be in the Enmity of his Minde against them he hath turned his Back of and the just Principle also in himself that would rejoyce to see Evil of any sort befall them and therefore hath set himself to render them the worst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 devise we leave it also for them to judge whether the Apostate and turning back from the Doctrine and Life of Christianity be not truly applicable to him and them of that Party with him which in the Sequil of this our Concern we shall further demonstrate as the Lord shall be pleased to give us Leave Now to go on and that which is before us further to do is to manifest What other Course William Rogers hath betaken himself unto in the matter of his proving this People whose Testimony and Practice stands to maintain that 〈◊〉 a Gospel Dispensation through Gods invisible Power Church Order and Government visiblely and instrumentally is justificable and commendable amongst Gods People during their Abode in this World as a visible Family to shew forth Gods Praise The Course he takes to effect this matter if he could is to asperse and caluminate with malitious Accusations with all the Eagerness he can devise and work himself into such as the Lord hath been pleased to make most instrumental in the matter of setling the Churches in the aforesaid Order of the Gospel and Government of Christ Jesus many whom he names not yet palpably known to many of Gods People who they are he smites at and several whom he by Name makes mention of and for the cause of his looking upon them to be such as there are no Hopes of any Recovery for meaning out of the apostate State he declares and publishes in Print they are gone into and particularly George Fox he hath very abusively and not like a Christian or a sober Man inveighed against and cast very odious Aspersions upon him to his 〈◊〉 as he intends thereby and indeed if true did very much leave him under the aforesaid Character that he hath given him and many Thousands more It is our Purpose God willing to insert herein the principal Accusations which in his printed Book he hath published against George Fox and to demonstrate by Answer thereunto to all conscientious sober People the Fallacy thereof together with his ungodly perverting George Fox his honest and Christian Sence and Intents in relation to Matters and Words upon which William Rogers grounds his Accusation which his aforesaid Sence and sineere Intents in any charitable and Christian Construction is naturally deducible from 〈◊〉 Fox's Words and Exercises 〈◊〉 thereunto from which William Rogers having perverted them draws his 〈◊〉 Inference whereupon he often makes an Occasion against him It may be observed also how unbrotherly and unchristianly he hath appeared in the matter of the aforesaid Charging of him contrary to all Gospel-Order for the most part and the rule of all profest Christian Societies yea beyond all Bounds of humane Sobriety and Moderation so that if he could but get any colourable Occasion from whence to ground his open and implicit Reflections and malicious smiting Charges against him that as much as in him lies he may bring a Defamation upon his Christian Repute and also a Blemish upon him as a Man thereby also to invalidate the Esteem that remains in the Hearts and Consciences of many Thousands of Gods faithful People of the Christian Care that lives upon his Heart in an innocent Life in relation to Church Government and Order and Discipline thereof setled amongit Gods People in this Gospel Day It is also with us to manifest what malicious smiting Accusations he hath cast upon several others of our Friends that tenderly and yet in a godly Zeal for God the ancient Truth and Unity for Brethren have stood in the Vindication and in behalf of the Government of Christ Jesus instrumentally and visibly amongst Gods People relating to the Tabernacle in which we have a Day therein to shew forth the Glory and Praise of him that created us against the ungodly Workings of a wrong Spirit in Opposition 〈◊〉 And more particularly have shamefully abused 〈◊〉 of our Brethren in the North on the account thereof In relation to which also through Gods Help we doubt not but give the unprejudiced Reader that Satisfaction by a plain and honest Relation of Matters which he grounds his Accusations upon that an Understanding will be opened in them rightly to judge and testify that there is abundantly more Malice against the Particulars he is set against in his Clamouring Work than any real Matter upon which to ground the base Reflections and abusive Accusations that he hath treated them with which declares
of the Lords Power that reached them on this wise George Fox Testified to and that there was a Spark of Life kindled in them the Charitable Christian Reader we are satisfied will confess to to the Praise of the rich Grace of God and to mind all of the manifestation of it in themselves according to the measure thereof to be 〈◊〉 therewith whilst they have a day given them to Labour in and if Micha and his Mother had been faithful to what was then made manifest in them in that dark 〈◊〉 Day the sparke of Life kindled in them God would have blown upon to a further clearing of them in the knowledge of him from whom Life Springs However this Testifies to the reaching forth of the Grace of God to all and of the sufficiency of it to work Vertue in the Souls of all in every Age and Day that have a regard unto it And this was that which George Fox Testified to that William Rogers hath made such cluttering Work about as also concerning the Woman of Tekoa and other Quotations not worth taking notice of here which is further spoken to by our Friend R. R. in the short Treatise called Some Ingredients against the Venome in William Rogers ' s Book To which we refer the Reader and very largely also are they spoken to in a Treatise in Manuscript given forth by G. W. to be seen if further occasion require And wherefore George Fox should be by William Rogers and others of his 〈◊〉 Party for this cause so run upon we see not and slanderously treated by them up and down the Nation Broyling themselves therewith these two or three Years and at last William Rogers to put that in Print to Posterity which hath in Manuscript formerly been spoken to and cleared to the understanding of the Innocent to God But the Lord suffers this to be that his Folly and Envy may be the more manifested to all that take notice thereof 〈◊〉 an Holy man of God makes mention of 〈◊〉 Faith the Harlot into whose House the Spies went and were preserved in Joshuas Days This is recorded in the Praise of God and that Faith which God gives and the touchings of his Power upon the greatest Sinners as he pleaseth to do Had William Rogers had the Spirit of Jesus and that Mind that Paul was of he would not have made such a bauling Work against George Fox for the concern he had upon him in making mention of the Work which God wrought upon this Idolatrous Woman Micah's Mother and the Confession she made to Almighty God for the Work God had effected upon her Son who confessed and restored the Money Stolen by him neither would he have recorded the same in Print to George Fox's Disgrace if it would effect the same nor to the slighting the Grace and Power of God in Micha and his Mother as he hath abusively done Mention is made of Marcus Aurelius Ant. one of the Roman Antichristian Emperors during the time of the Roman Monarchy and in the time of the Ten Persecutions raised against the Christians who upon an Advantage that he received through the Prayers of the Christians as he himself confessed in a Victory against his Enemies by 〈◊〉 of whom he was in Distress was made to confess to their God mention is made of him to have said That they Prayed to a God that they carried about with them in their Consciences and that eternal Power that accompanied them he acknowledged also which had that virtuous opperation upon him though an Heathen Man that he caused an Edict to go forth on the behalf of the Christians whereupon the Persecution they were Afflicted under ceased and so the People of God enjoyed their outward Peace Why should William Rogers 〈◊〉 offended at the Grace and Power of God upon any God is pleased to touch therewith and what a Spirit is it that reflects upon and abuses such as makes mention of the Lords doings on this wise the honest hearted may easily see William Rogers further in his Historical Relation touching the Division in Westmerland to cast Aspertions upon the Church of God there 〈◊〉 the matter also to an Accusation against George Fox saith thus in the 4 th Part of the Christian Quaker c. Page 107. The Fire of Contention encreasing and it being rumored that there 〈◊〉 a Separate Meeting in the North John Story writes to the two Meetings in the North viz. that called Separate and that called Quarterly as he saith proposing 〈◊〉 of re-uniting c. But he saith Robert Barrow and Fifteen others Condemned John Story' s Proposition unheard This also is thus hinted because I doubt not saith he but that it may come to the view of Robert Barrow who if he please may thereupon take occasion to signifie to me that George Fox was not concerned in that Counsel 〈◊〉 Answer In the first place we Answer to the latter part of William Rogers's Reflections touching this matter and that which he would desireably make an Accusation of against George Fox as being privy in Counsel to the aforesaid matter and we 〈◊〉 that the honest hearted may take notice of the mans prejudice watching for Evil and seeking occasion against George Fox whom he is ever smiting at and when he wants matter to ground an 〈◊〉 upon begs a Question to advantage the Design he hath in hand And we say if what the Friends in Westmerland had done in the matter of John Story' s Paper had been matter of evil Fact why should William Rogers in an evil and jealous mind without the Charity that thinks no Evil labour to have the Innocent brought under the Guilt thereof and for satisfaction to the Innocent and the more to manifest William Rogers's uncharitable jealous Heart we do testifie that George Fox had no hand at all in the concern we had upon us with others of our Brethren touching that matter we desire William Rogers may be the more Charitable and Prudent hereafter But to come to the matter touching the Meetings Concern on the account of John Story' s Proposals as expedients for Peace as William Rogers terms them William Rogers has dealt very unfairly and unchristianly with us First in not stating the Case aright in that he gives no account of the Reasons we made mention of given to him and others wherefore we could not take any notice of any Proposals sent by him for uniting the two aforesaid Meetings in the Captivity he then stood as we fairly signified unto him and them of Party with him at Bristol with them also of the Separation here in the North in a Paper sent to them which might have stopped all their Mouths until they had detected the said Reasons as insufficient for our denial which they never yet have done And Secondly we say he abuses us in saying That we Judged the Paper unheard for we Judged not the Matter contained in John Story' s aforesaid Paper but the Spirit in which
in which he said he had detected him of Lyes and Forgery c. As he is pleased to require or else threatned that he would Print against him c. Of this we have formerly hinted and have manifested also the naughtiness yea the deceit of his Spirit touching this matter for long before his said Book was in Print did William Rogers's Wife intimate to John Blaykling the receit of an Answer thereunto and some discourse we understand they had concerning it and yet the Man's dishonesty hath been 〈◊〉 that he hath Printed his Rejoynder in which he saith He hath detected George Fox of Lyes c. But not any thing of the Answer to it to the clearing of George Fox hath he taken notice of Wherefore for the Clearing of George Fox of the Accusations by William Rogers laid against him in his Paper of smiting Queries as also in his Rejoynder to George Fox's Reply and John Blayklings Postscript we shall as the Lord enables insert 〈◊〉 some part of George Fox's Reply and the aforesaid 〈◊〉 annexed to it as also something of William Rogers's Rejoynder with the Answer to it and leave the whole Matter to the Upright Unprejudiced Sincere-Hearted to judge thereof We shall not trouble the Reader with inserting in this place William Rogers's Smiting Queries Relating to Accusation and high Charge against George Fox because we have occasion in the Answer to his Rejoynder to make mention thereof and in order insert the same which the Reader may turn to and take notice of to help his understanding concerning this present Discourse which by the way we have occasion to handle before we come to the Charges themselves William Rogers in his said Paper of Smiting Queries tending to Charge against George Fox and Read in a publick Meeting at Bristol against him by 〈◊〉 on the occasion of the aforesaid General Epistle relating to Exhortation and Advice to Friends to be Faithful to God in their Testimony for Truth in time of Persecution he saith thus viz. As to the Exhortation it is in it self Good but would much better become the Mouth of George Fox if when the Persecutors came up one pair of Stairs in our Meeting-Room in Broad-meade whilst he was Speaking he had not been of such a Spirit which some may call Distrusting and Despairing as on a sudden to step down and hasten out at a back pair of Stairs as he once did of which mine Eyes with many more were Witnesses Besides saith he I Query of George Fox ' Whether he doth not remember that when the Souldiers or some other Persecutors came unto a Meeting in or near London at a certain time when he was there he did not go out of the Meeting c For so saith he I have been informed by a Person of known Credit and Reput then present at the Meeting c. And if Reports be true saith he this is but a very little of what might be at large manifested to prove George Fox one of the greatest Flyers in time of Persecution that ever I knew professing Truth c. Now as to this matter let the Sober-minded consider and speak whether this be Christian and orderly dealing with an Elder thus to Impeach in a Publick Meeting and so highly to Charge upon such slender Evidence as this vis If Reports be true c. Wherein doth William Rogers manifest the Life of Christianity 〈◊〉 remain with him when such shameful disorderly Work proceeds from him contrary to the Command of Christ and the Apostolical Practice Where was the private dealing with him in the first place betwixt them two George Fox as we understand knew nothing of this charging of him till several Weeks after Where was William Rogers's care according to the Apostles Advice not to receive an Accusation against an Elder but before Two or Three Witnesses who receives an Accusation against George Fox and Publisheth the same by a Smiting Query behind his Back in an open Meeting from the report of one Man and never privately asked him as we are well satisfied whether it was so or no but publisheth him in the aforesaid Meeting yea in Manuscript up and down the Nation and in Print to Posterity on the Evidence of If Reports be true to be one of the greatest Flyers in the time of Persecution that ever he knew professing the Truth c He goes on further and saith If any of you unto whom these 〈◊〉 may come may think that this my sence of George Fox be not true I desire such for the Truths sake to use their endeavours that George Fox may Answer these following Queries The Queries we say we shall insert in their place as they come to be Answered on the occasion of his Rejoynder to George Foxs's Reply to his Smiting Queries part of which Reply together with his Rejoynder and the Answer to it 〈◊〉 given forth we say we shall hereafter insert with some more Addition as cause may seem meet Unto which Queries of William Rogers in way of Smiting Accusations we say George Fox gives a sincere plain and tender Answer to the Satisfaction of the 〈◊〉 to God who have seen the Queries and the Reply thereunto which Reply in Manuscript we have by us to produce if any should desire the same and this we Testifie in relation to the Queries and the Reply to them that the wickedness manifested on the one Hand yea the palpable malicious disorderly proceedings on the Account thereof to wit by William Rogers being such in the matter thereof and the plain humble broken and self 〈◊〉 Demeanour demonstrated on the other Hand doth so clearly discover in the Eyes of the Upright to God the Spirit from whence the proceedings have been in relation thereunto That if little else 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said but the Tryal thereof only committed to 〈◊〉 in all 〈◊〉 from what may be 〈◊〉 and observed out of the Smiting Queries and Reply thereunto on the score 〈◊〉 that sufficient satisfaction would arise in the 〈◊〉 of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who may have occasion to inspect the same 〈◊〉 to ground the same determination thereupon In George Fox's aforesaid Reply to 〈◊〉 Rogers's Queries and smiting Charges against him which he denies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against his salse and malicious Doings on the account thereof letting William Rogers also see how he had confessed that the 〈◊〉 General 〈◊〉 to Friends or Paper that he was so offended at was a good Exhortation in it self asking him also why then he did not take more tender notice of it but brake forth so out-ragiously against it and him also by reason thereof telling him also that he had given forth many Queries concerning him but they appeared to be Charges against him c. as in the aforesaid Reply may be seen Unto which Reply William Rogers Rejoyns in Answer thereunto in which he saith thus For as much as George Fox hath laid down two false Assertions upon which saith he he hath builded all or
to Gods tender Suffering People thereby whose Bonds by such his fleshly arguing and doings as this he adds Affliction unto which the Lord takes notice of as done to him and William Rogers may be ashamed to cover his shrinking Work with the plea of paying his Debts and maintaining his Family being a Man of such an Estate and Repute as he would appear to be having so many Hundreds of Pounds else-where as he makes mention of and his real Estate besides and the Occupation he is of viz. a Merchant as he renders himself It s well if these Doings and Provision in the Flesh out of Gods Council in a distrustful Mind be not a block in his way as to success therein and straiten those Blessings upon him as to things of this World without which that which we visible enjoy is but an empty thing the Lord is Just and will be justified in the Day in which he meets with all the Sons of Men. William Rogers's eight and ninth Queries or smiting Accusations against George Fox being so frivolous as not worth much taking notice of George Fox denies that they touch him and William Rogers ought in point of Christianity to have made good out of the Mouth of two or three Witnesses but falling short in the matter thereof he passeth by them in his Rejoynder without taking notice thereof and thereby hath rendred himself to be a false Accuser must be accountable before the Lord because thereof unto whom the Cause of the Innecent is committed to be pleaded when he sees meet William Rogers shaving gone by the four last mentioned Queries or smiting Charges alledged against George Fox without concerning himself therewith or making any proof thereof and therefore shall they be left at his Door the Fruit of his false and malicious Spirit saith Now I come to reckon with George Fox for his Answer to the tenth Query the Query runs thus The tenth Query Whether it be fit for one that feeds on the Fat of the Land and lives in fulness of Plenty attended in many respects like an Earthly Prince and hath Twelve or Thirteen Hundred Pounds with the encrease thereof well secured for many Tears if any be out of the reach of the Spoylers and Persecutors to admonish a few Poor Innocent Harmless Friends that may have three or four Cows apiece to feed themselves and Children not to secure them from the Spoylers and if it be not fit for such an one to Admonish then I Query whether thou art not the Man that art so qualified and who in effect hath so Admonished Answ. This Accusation as William Rogers confesseth Queries may be and a foul Aspertion were it indeed were William Rogers able to prove it however it 〈◊〉 a false treacherous Spirit to his Principle and the Unity of Brethren to lodge in him in bringing 〈◊〉 the same thus maliciously behind the Back of an Elder in a publick 〈◊〉 amongst many People without first dealing with him in private about it and now exposing the same with the rest of his malicious Accusations to publick View in Print and it is utterly denied by George Fox Let us see what proof William Rogers makes thereof which in Conscience he ought to do or confess himself to be a false Accuser Object William Rogers says for his Proof That part of George Fox's Answer is The Lord knows I never had Twelve or Thirteen Hundred Pound secured c To which William Rogers says again That George Fox denieth that he hath Twelve or Thirteen Hundred Pound secured c. But saith he denieth not but that he hath so much Answ. We say this denial and William Rogers not being able to prove the smiting Accusation about this matter proves the falshood of the Charge and leaves him detected as a false Accuser But it appeareth that William Rogers is grieved that George Fox doth not tell him how much he hath and therefore most sad unchristian like and inhumane Work he makes with himself about this matter whereby he cannot but incur to himself the reproach of Fools It may be plainly seen that the matter that toucheth William Rogers is the Judgment of Truth through many Berthren that rests upon him for securing a great part of his Estate from the Spoilers in the time of Persecution on Truths account and to avenge himself in his discontent he labours to make others as bad as himself if he could and George Fox is the Object in his Eye to revenge himself upon he states his smiting Accusations by way of Query it s answered in the Negative and if he could not prove the contrary as he hath not attempted to do this might have satisfied him if he had been a reaonable Man but the unsatiableness of his revengeful Mind is such that to get occasion to pervert and to get matter of Accusation in a busie unmanly Spirit he 〈◊〉 to know what outward Estate George Fox hath in reply whereunto the Proverb may be properly observed in relation unto him Answer not a fool according to his 〈◊〉 What is it to William Rogers what George Fox hath Unless he could detect him of coming to it by some Indirect means could William Rogers detect him of coming to or keeping that which he hath dishonestly or by securing the same 〈◊〉 the Spoilers as he himself hath done and if William Rogers had been a clear Man himself then had there been somthing to have grounded an Accusation upon against George Fox which if he had been able to have done we might no doubt have heard positively thereof and never have had the case Queried though Smiting surely was in his Heart And notwithstanding his being frustrated with respect to proof yet will he not be quier but any way 〈◊〉 the line of Reflection to the utmost bound thereof against him If this Work he hath made in his Rejoynder upon George Fox's Answer be but in sincerity looked thorow his Wickedness and Impudence therein is such that little more need be said then what it manifests to leave him convinced of being a Scornful Impudent Malicious Aceuser of our Brethren as the like hath scarcely buen heard of amongst Men much less amongst People professing the Truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus let but any sober Man read over what he hath said in relation to this matter and he will admire and be ashamed of it He reslects upon George Fox and renders him Ambitious because he saith He had something left him as his Bith-right but he gave it away to his Relations as not mattering to concern himself with it when he came to be publickly concerned on Truths account and his Relations were no less 〈◊〉 towards him but ministred to him for all that But William Rogers in the wickedness of his Mind as his Words demonstrateth would have all to inser as he doth from George Fox's Words as that he would have People believe he was descended from Rich Parents that 12 or 1300
the second Beast that comes out of the Earth and leadeth thither again they that Runs may see it it bewrayeth it self in all its undertakings and 〈◊〉 on its own Ruin Blessed are they who fear God and love his Appearance And as for that Reflection which R. W. casteth upon George Fox upon the Occasion of James Nayler's fall he cautioning John Story and John Wilkinson lest they should become as bad as the old Apostates before them their Examples Instancing amongst others James Nayler's darkened and hardned State by reason of which he became the Grief of many and a great Stumbling Block in the way of Truth to the hurting of many simple Ones and the utter undoing of some to the causing the Name of the Lord to be evil spoken of by such as became hardened thereby William Rogers would make an Accusation against George Fox on this score because James Nayler came to be restored again Surely it may be said there is much more Malice then Matter in this against George Fox who did no otherwise in this case then the holy Men of God have done who gave forth the Scriptures who have left on Record Noah's David's Manasse's Peter's Fallings to be a Caution to others and James Nayler's and others fall and cause of Reproach to Truth in this our day is William Rogers and John Story' s and John Wilkinson's Example and if they were not hardened they might see it and take heed lest at last it come to be with them as it happened to most of other Apostates to their Total Ruin and James Nayler's Restoration was the joy of the Faithful to God and so would the Restoration of them be which hath been truely sought for And thus much concerning William Rogers Catalogue of his thirteen Queries manifested to be smiting Accusations and so his Thirteen Lyes which he would have detected George Fox of are wiped away the reward of the Slanderous wicked Work he hath had in hand on that score to turn back upon his own Head And that they are False and Malicious it s plainly demonstrated to every Eye that 's single to God without prejudice or watching for evil against the Innocent that may have occasion to inspect the same together with George Fox's Answer thereunto in which he hath denyed them all as False and Malicious and not touching him to which Answer William Rogers undertaking to Rejoyn in order to prove the Accusations alledged by him falls totally short in the matter thereof and all his Evasions Pervertings and drawing his false Inferences upon George Fox's innocent and plain Words doth not serve his turn in the sight of the upright to God to make out any matter of Fact against him as the Answer to his Rejoynder here inserted plainly demonstrateth and so leaves William Rogers detected as a Treacherous Man to his Principle and his first love to Truth and the unity of Brethren a false malicious Accuser of the Innocent a shame to Christianity and not fit for human Societies whom the Lord will recken with for all in a day that hasteneth on which he cannot evade But to go on it may be noted that William Rogers is not satisfied with his Thirteen Queries and smiting Accusations against G. Fox but raising up more matter on the same score goes on and says Now I take notice of what George Fox sayes to my Query Note It s inserted in his Paper of smiting Queries which George Fox gave Answer to viz. Whether thou George Fox didst not advise Nathaniel Cripps to buy off his Tythes both of Priest and Impropriator if thou deny it I will undertake to prove it or bring it under the hand of Nathaniel Cripps that thou so did Answer This is an high charge as the rest were it s expected that William Rogers make good proof thereof more especially seeing that contrary to all Gospel Order he hath been concerned in the publication thereof as said before The Reader may take notice that William Rogers for proof of this smiting charge repeats some part of George Fox's Answer which he thinks may most help his Design in this matters viz. But for him to turn this and say I advised him to buy his Tythes he doth me a great deal of wrong and so might have been sparing to have 〈◊〉 me And what can William Rogers make of this for its a flat denial of the Charge and if there were but an opportunity to look over George Fox's Answer which demonstrates the sincere Exercise no way condemnable that he had with Nathaniel Cripps touching this matter it might be plainly seen that he was as clear of any matter of evil fact in the matter of this Charge as a Sucking Child which said Answer William Rogers detects not any further then the following Words by him recited out of George Fox's Answer thereunto may viz. In the Morning when I was in the Chamber I saw this Spirit made some like Devils that they mattered not what they said to blemish the Reputation of them that sought their good both Spiritually and Temporally William Rogers to prove his Charge against George Fox maliciously from these Words infers thus It may be reasonably said He supposed that George Fox for the temporal good of Nathaniel Cripps might Advise him to buy his Tythes Now consider is this manner of Work any way beseeming a Christian Spirit or is this sufficient proof to detect an Elder upon but however it helps to manifest William Rogers's Spirit who it seems would measure others by himself as if it were good Advice to Advise Friends to buy off their Tythes to avoid Sufferings thereby like the Advice he gave himself to save his Goods from the Spoilers by selling them or making them over to his Servants If William Rogers think that with respect to ones Temporal Good this kind of Counsel were best to be given and taken George Fox is not of such a Mind or Spirit and if William Rogers were not full of Perjudice and watching for Evil that blinds his Eye and eats out the good in him he might see by George Fox's Epistle to Friends by way of Query That to be Faithful to God and to trust him with our All is the best way to do well with respect to Temporal things as to Blessings from God therein and a sincere upright Man would have said on George Fox's Account considering his Spirit and Testimony born and his usual Exhortation accordingly That for the good will he bore to Nathaniel Cripps both Spiritually and Temporally its probable he would Advise him to be Faithful to Truth and his Testimony therein and trust God with all that love which thinks no Evil would have made this Construction of George Fox's Words to him It s plain William Rogers hath yet done nothing with respect to prove the Charge against George Fox alledged on this score he hath only thereby manifested his own folly and what Spirit he is of And when William Rogers hath said all
personal visible Estate to his Servant out of the 〈◊〉 reach in his Answer of Smiting Queries also made mention of in the beginning of our Reply said This Exhortation I say is in it self good but would much better have become the 〈◊〉 of George Fox if when the Persecutors came up one pair of Stairs into our Meeting-Rome in Broad-Mead whilst he was speaking he had not been of such a Spirit which some may call distrustful and disparing as on a sudden to step down and hasten out of the Meeting as he once did of which my Eyes with many more were Witnesses It may be noted that this smiting Accusation which George Fox utterly denieth as in his Answer may be seen William Rogers asserts upon the sight of his own Eyes with many more as he saith Now of what force this his own evidence touching this matter is let it be judged considering what a spirit all along he hath manifested himself to be of full of Envy and watching for Evil that he may caluminate and asperse the Innocent as the many Accusations upon this pittiful insufficient Evidence brought in do demonstrate but in as much as that he saith His Eyes with many more were Witnesses upon George Fox's denial thereof amongst all the other before mentioned he hath brought and published in Print several Certificates to prove the aforesaid matter which we shall hereafter insert with what Observations we have made thereupon The first Certificate WE do cerifie hereby that we were present at a certain Meeting in Broad-Mead within the City of Bristol on the account of the Worship of God and that it was at a time when Persecution attended Friends in their Meetings and that at that Meeting George Fox stood up and spoke in the Meeting and afterwards departed out of the Meeting at a back pair of Stairs a very considerable time before the Meeting broke up and was not taken Prisoner that Day and the ground of his departure at that time we have cause to believe was to avoid being taken Prisoner Mary Goldney Mary North Ann Day Upon this Certificate the Reader may observe that here is not one Word of 〈◊〉 coming up one pair of Stairs nor of his leaving speaking as by William Rogers is inserted in the Charge which if it had been proved had been material Evidence according to the Charge as the leading cause that might have produced such an effect and as to the back pair of Stairs made mention of Eight and Twenty Friends of the City of Bristol who have certified on this occasion the substance whereof we shall hereafter insert do affirm under their Hands That both pair of Stairs were common for Friends to go up and down at and George Fox was known to come up and down also one and the same pair of Stairs into the Meeting and whether these Certifiers have demeaned 〈◊〉 like Gods People of a tender Christian Spirit it may be noted in that we cannot hear that ever any of them dealt with George Fox according to Gospel Order touching the same till they put this Certificate into the Hands of a known Enemy to George Fox that 〈◊〉 after his precious Life although probably they had ten Years time to have taken the oppertunity for it and whether the Conclusion of the Certificate doth not demonstrate of what Spirit they are by these Words And the ground of his departure at that time we have cause to believe was to avoid being taken Prisoner Doth not this we say clearly demonstrate a Spirit to be in them that watcheth for Evil and is void of all Christian Charity which the Honest and Unprejudiced retains and do clearly discern them to be of party with William Rogers and that a malicious Smiting was in their Hearts and their Charge aggravated with giving their Sence and Judgment thereupon and that their Evidence is false and Belief erronious we have ground to believe from a Testimony in our selves confirmed by a certain knowledge of George Fox's Integrity to God in his Testimony and Practice far remote from such a Spirit although William Rogers hath himself confessed to his own creeping Work confirmed also we are belief concerning him against William Rogers's smiting Charge and this Certifieate also from the Testimony of the forementioned Twenty eight Persons touching this matter as hereafter we may speak of viz. That they never saw any just occasion given by him for such a Charge as VVilliam Rogers hath so wickedly aspersed him with If we should give a relation who these Certifiers are it would abundently abate the force of the the matter they have brought forth if there were any occasion for it but the observable Circumstances materially to be noted on the account of what they have said do testifie that there is Malice and Prejudice in the Ground as the Innocent cannot but see The next Certificate TO this Testimony we say meaning what the other have said I also can bear Witness with this further addition viz. That after he stept down from the place he stood upon and was departing some Friends were moving to go with him and he perceiving as I took it said holding out his Hand Keep your Meetings Keep your Meetings and the Meeting continued a considerable time longer after his departure William James Answer Upon this also it may be observed here is no Evidence given answerable to the Charge nor no Proof made touching any Persecutors coming up whilst George Fox was speaking neither that on a sudden he left speaking and stept down nor any Persecutors spoken of that came at that Meeting that these two Certificates relate to And this Mans unchristian like belief void of that Charity that thinks no Evil nor watcheth for it that George Fox went out to avoid being taken Prisoner manifesteth a prejudiced Spirit and an evil Mind that seeketh occasion against the Innocent whose Testimony and Sufferings all along fince the Lord gave him a Testimony to bear for Christ Jesus manifests the fallacy of William James's Testimony which is plain Accusation upon the slender evidence of his own belief neither doth he demonstrate which were material to a Charge how long it was betwixt the Crime which he chargeth George Fox with the time of his 〈◊〉 forth the Charge against him And did William James deal with George Fox duing the said time in relation to it before he put it into William Rogers's Hands to be published in Print against him And did ever William Rogers take the Accuser and the Accused Face to Face to examine the matter 〈◊〉 he ought to have done according to Truth and the Law of Nations before he had published such a Judgment against him to Posterity as he hath done And as for William James's saying that George Fox should say to Friends when he was going away Keep your Meetings Keep your Meetings this signifies nothing as to proof of the Charge that he went away to avoid being taking Prisoner or that he
William Rogers is a Stranger to being gone from the Royal honourable Seed of Life and stumbles at the Testimony born on this wise these things with many more that might be said in relation to George Fox and others for which God hath the praise given together with the Testimony that lives upon the Spirits of many Thousands with respect to his continuing steadfast to God and his Truth as in the day of his first Love being given up to serve the Lord sufficiently evidenceth that William Rogers if he lay a careless libertine negligent dark Spirit to George Fox's Charge and as one that is either departed or departing from the Truth standeth detected as a malicious Slanderer of the Innocent and a false Accuser to receive the Reward that God sees meet to recompence such withal This is the Testimony I have not been 〈◊〉 to bear for this our Antient Friend with many Brethren more and it remains with me which in the Spirit of Truth in which we are known of God and one unto another at this day I stand by on his behalf though it be William Rogers torment and although for this cause and for the Testimony also that I have to bear against that Spirit in him that dispiseth the Government and Order of Truth in the Church of God and hath presumptuously exposed to public view his contempt thereof I be reproached amongst them my Life treads upon it as the Dung upon the Earth which toucheth me not Several unworthy Reflections and smiting Accusations he hath been pleased to treat me with in his Book Printed to Posterity but they touch me not I Bless God it s for mine Integrities sake which I pray God keep me to whilest I have a Day to Live and that my Testim 〈◊〉 may stand sure and steadfast to the End of my Days against his 〈◊〉 shrinking Spirit and them of party with him and his Reproaches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 and I Bless God that he accounts me worthy and amongst my Antient and more Worthy Brethren I tread upon his worst in the strength of Almighty God to whom I can commit my Cause and that Peace I enjoy over all that none can take away But to go on to his Paraphiasing Discourse upon mine Answer to his Smiring Charge I am Charactered by him for my Testimony which I was in Conscience 〈◊〉 to bear for an Antient and Worthy in the Truth of Christ Jesus in the Sincerity of my Soul to be one that flatters for the Belly and saith and doth in all things to please the humor of another to have a repast or small Dinner so I understand his meaning may be upon the Tearm he gives me Answer In the first place I take this to be a Smiting Reflection on George Fox on whose Account I having been thus concerned against whom he thus appears for whom I am bold to say he is a Man of no such Spirit it s an abhorence to him to Correspond with such or to be gratified with such Dissembling as this If William Rogers's Spirit by which he judgeth others be such let him take it to himself and get such treating and flattering where he can have it he shall have none of it from me and therefore is he grieved and George Fox is known to be a Servant of Christ Jesus and for Christs sake to the least of Gods little Ones and there the honour that is from above attends him which William Rogers with all that Death and Hell can do cannot eclips nor he have a share in whilest such Works are done by him let that stand over his Head And as to the Reflection yea the Gross and Infamous Charge that relates to me as I have a Record in my own Soul over this foul Abuse I do appeal to the Testimony of Truth that lives in the Hearts of my Brethern Familiers and Acquaintance in the Truth who knows my Spirit and are out of this prejudiced malicious Work to speak on my behalf as they have felt and known my Life and Demeanour amongst them in relation to my plain-dealing with all with whom I have had to do I have cleared my Conscience in God sight in faithful dealing with all without flattery or fear though I have Suffered thereby I was never accused on the account of flattering or self-seeking or speaking any way in favour for a Repast or small Dinner till I met with William Rogers's Spirit which is the same which accused Christ Jesus to be a Friend to Publicans and Sinners and as John Wilkinson Impudently said to me and others because of our care in the Church of God That we had got an Office and were puffed up in it and acted therein to get favour of Persons or a piece of Bread and said also that our Office would but cloath us with Rags and Worms would breed in our gatherings and our Bread conjume I bless God as a Mercy I prise I never stood in need of treating any for any such Reward nor my Ancestors before me neither were they of such Spirits as my Country-Men and Neighbours knows from the relation that hath been given of them who have been known in Hospitality open and free and that to the best of People for Religions sake some Generations past and if I have been of another Spirit it s not well for God hath been no less kind to me in giving me of his Truth and the best of things and 〈◊〉 enough as to the World and a Spirit also I bless the Lord in which I-detest the the State he applyes to me and loaths the occasion for such a scandal as he would leave me under I have done something for the Trnth out of that 〈◊〉 God hath given me and it s my Gladness that I have thereof and an Heart prepared even as the Lord shall direct and my Exercise and Travels in my Testimony on Truths account have been a Burthen to none that I know of for I challeng the whole World to lay it to my charge and prove it against me that I have ever received one Penny from any one on the account thereof though I have met with a charge from a corrupt Spirit on that score which I deny If I have been a But then to any on the Gospels account any way let it be made appear and it shall be repaid double I desire to be excused on this wise I am 〈◊〉 as relating to the charge against me of which also I make no Boast but in the Lord and on the riches of his Grace alone by Which I am what I am and the Lord never made William Rogers nor the Spirit he is of in any judge over me I stand to God whose peace I have which comforts my Soul over all In the Answer to William Rogers's 〈◊〉 to George Fox's Reply and my Postscript it is Inserted by some Brethren thus Let William Rogers be asked whether he had not another Testimony in his Spirit for John Blaykling when