testifie unto them the RIGHT-WAY Hear what Luther says about Opinions Vol. 2. Lib. 7. Fox Acts and Monuments p. 63. Let Opinions remain Opinions so they be not Yokes to the Christians let us not make Mens Opinions equal with the Articles of Faith and to the Decrees of Christ and Paul See the Epitome of Dr. Robert Barns p. 363. Augustine saith Because that those Men by such Observations were led from the Verity by the which they were made free whereof it is spoken The Verity shall deliver you It is a Shame saith he and unconvenient and far from the Nobleness of your Liberty seeing you be the Body of Christ to be deceived with Shaddows and to be Judged as Sinners If you despise to observe these Things Wherefore let no man overcome you seeing you are the Body of Christ that will SEEM to be meek in Heart in the HOLINESS of Angels and bring in Things which he hath not seen Also in his Works p. 298. Entituled Mens Constitutions which are not grounded on Scripture bind not the Conscience Hear him Mark That all Traditions of men which are against or not according to Gods Law must be destroyed Therefore let every man take heed for it belongeth to their Charge for both the Blind Guides and also they which be led shall fall in the Ditch It shall be no excuse for him that is led to say That his Guide was blind but let them hear the Word of God by his holy Prophets Walk not in the Precepts of your Fathers nor keep their Judgment but walk in MY Precepts and keep MY Judgements The other manner of Statutes be when certain Things that be called Indifferent be commanded as Things to be done of necessity As for Example To eat Flesh or Fish this or that day is indifferent and free c. These with all other Outward Works be Things indifferent and may be used and also left Now if the Bishops or Ministers will make Laws or Statutes That these Things shall be determinately used so that it shall not be lawful for us to leave it undone But that we must precisely do them and not the contrary under the pain of Deadly Sin here they must be withstood and in no wise obeyed for in this is hurt our Faith and Liberty in Christ whereby we are Free and not bound to any exterior Work but Free in all Things and unto all Men at all times and in all manners except it be in such a Case whereas Brotherly Charity or the Common Peace should be offended therefore in all these Cases we be free and we must withstand them that will take THIS LIBERTY from us with this Text of Scripture We are Bought with the Price of Christs Blood we will not be the Servants of Men. This Text is open against them that will bind Mens Consciences unto Sin for what is not of Faith is Sin in those things that Christ hath left them free in Brentious upon the 1st of Cor. Chap. 3. No man hath Power to make or give Laws to Christians whereby to bind their Consciences for willingly freely and uncompelled with a ready Desire and chearful Mind must they that come run unto Christ Dr. Taylor in a Discourse of Liberty of Prophesying p. 9. of the Christian-Plea Spir. Mar. I earnestly contend that another Mans Opinion shall be no Rule to mine and that my Opinion shall be no Snare and Prejudice to my self that men use one another so charitably that no Errour or violence tempt Men to Hypocrisy this very thing being one of the Arguments I used to perswade Permissions lest Compulsion introduce Hypocrisy and make Sincerity troublesome See his 16th Section Viz. For it may be safe in diversities of Perswasion and it is also a part of Christian Religion that the LIBERTY of Mens CONSCIENCES should be preserved in all Things where God hath not set a Limit That the same Meekness and Charity should be preserved in the Promotion of Christianity that gave it Foundation and Increasement and Formness in its first Publication And that Persons should not more certainly be Condemned than their Opinions confuted And also see a little of the Judgment of Bishop Taylors Cases of Conscience p. 301. Ecclesiastical Laws saith he must be imposed SO as to leave our Liberty unharmed Pag. 310. Laws of Burthen are always against Charity And Pag. 314. Ceremonies obliege no longer than they minister to the End of Charity Hear also what Bishop Hooper saith Scitis quod res Sancta vera quo magis examinatur per Verbum Dei Explicatur eo fit illustrior purior quanto purior illustrior tanto magis ab omnibus desideratur obviis Ulnis excipitur Nam quod variis modis tentatur ac probatur modo pium ac sanctum fuerit jacturam ab Hostibus nullam sentit sed potius Hostes conculcat ac interficit Nec est quod vobis ipsis metuatis modo re ipsa id prestetis quod ubique jactatis Nam quotquot vestras Partes non sequuntur aliquo gravissimo ignominiae genere nimis Superbe afficitis aequa justa petimus ut palam ac publice lites inter nos componantur nullis enim Legibus Sanctis Justis unquam fuit permissum ut una pars litigans de altera parte Judex constitueretur nos tantum Legem Evangelium Dei in Causa Religionis Judicem Competentem agnoscimus illius Judicio stet vel cadat nostra Causa Which for the Sakes of some is thus Translated Know ye that by how much the more the Thing which is holy and true is examined and by the Word of God expounded by so much 't is become more clear and pure and by how much the more 't is made pure and clear by so much the more 't is by all desired and embraced For that which is tryed and proved after various manners if it hath been pious and holy suffers no loss by the Enemy but rather suppresseth and destroyeth the Enemy neither is there any Cause why you may fear so that you perform in very deed that which you every where boast of For as many as do not take your Parts you too proudly afflict with some grievous kind of Infamy What we desire is both equal and just that these Contentions may openly and publickly be composed For it was never permitted by any holy and just Laws that one Party contending should be constituted a Judge concerning the other Party We do acknowledge that the Word of God is the only competent Judge in the Cause of Religion let our Cause stand or fall to the Judgement thereof CHAP. VII Shews that my self and others in this Country have used private Means about four Years and that no Accomodation or Condiscention was attainable neither Answer to Letter Answer to Query nor when I went to London with a Letter from Friends of our particular Meeting to the Second days Meeting in London and delivered it with my
to discover it if he perceives such things entring the Church Answ That both the Reading of the Scriptures and the care of Religion belongs not to the Pasture of the Church ONLY But that every one that would be Saved ought to make deligent Search whether any Corruption be already or is for the Future like to be Introduced and this to be done no less carefully I hope I shall perform this Duty than if he was perswaded that all besides himself were asleep Now forasmuch as the Profit will be small If some private Man shall observe that an Errour is Introduced unless he discovers the said Errour and lays it open Address to Prot. p. 163. Read pages 93. 94. 95. 144. 146. 141. 142. c. Query IX Whether the Barbadoes Order upon Record which is To give up our whole Concern if required both Spiritual and Temporal to the Judgement of the Spirit of God in the Mens and Womens-Meetings See Babels-Builders p. 5. And the Isle of Elyes Orders upon Record in our Quarterly Book which says Thath for time to come no Friends may permit or suffer Marriages without the consent of Friends at two Mens and two Womens-Meetings being distinct and apart each from other Be not Innovations and the Setters of them up and confirming them Innovators and do they not do violence to our First Principles of Union Answ Yea Whosoever brings in or Sets up other Precepts Constitutions Orders and Practices in Point of Worship and would set up other Traditions than the Apostle delivered either by Word or Writing such are manifest to have the Spirit of Errour and are Innovators See Francis Howgil's Works p. 236. And that he begun to see the Evil Effects of Councils See his Works p. 534. where he quotes Dr. Paraeus Gregorius Theologus and Gregorius Nazianzenus c. Who complained of the Lordliness of the Ministers and Bishops and that seldom any Good came of Councils as he there at large sets forth c. George Fox See if thou hast not as much Need of a Battledoore as the Scholars and Professors had Who art as much Apostatized from they former Principles for Liberty of Conscience as the Scholars and Professors were from the single Language viz. Thee and Thou to a single Person And therefore to bring People to that which is not of Faith is to bring them into SIN to make Shipwrack of Faith and a Good Conscience Gosp Lib. p. 23. wrote 1668. by G. F. And in his several Papers given forth for detecting Deciet 't is thus said The Worlds Guide is without them in the Traditions and Precepts of men which lead from God p. 5. c. But now Conform to Hadenham Orders or Record him out of the Unity c. As at large in Cap. 3. These Orders were made the 1st of the 10th Month 1675. This I set here not to Adore Because I do well understand He that gave forth the Battledore Now brings Grapes of another Land Which Sower be because not free From Force and Impositions Although as yet he will not see Them like Old Romes Traditions These Queries or the Substance of them I sent to G. Whitehead but never received any Answer from him only there came an obscure Letter to my hands from R. R. but who it was or where he dwelt he did not acquaint me and whether the said Letter may be accounted any thing of an Answer or whether he doth not rather manifest the obscure Author to be a Man full of Contempt Scorn and Disdain and Abuse in that he calls and accounts me Conceited Befooled my Ignorance blinded Lyes perverse Lyer and yet doth not particular one Instance to prove me to be such an one c. I shall leave with the Impartial Reader to weigh and consider when he hath read the said Letter and my Answer to it a Coppy of both hereafter follow Francis Bugg I Know thy Name and Nature though not thy Person A mean Sight may discern it through thy own Spectacles plainly enough to be Abusive Vnworthy and Foolish though conceited in this Matter at present I could be glad to know 't were otherwise now so would others If not I believe G. W. will send thy Papers to the Quarterly Meeting who I believe will see and disown thy Abuse both of this Meeting at London particular Friends and themselves and especially the Truth wherein they are concerned and wherein they Labour and Travel though therein thou abusively comparest them to the Abuses of Bishops Orders Constitutions Decrees Cannons Cheating and other Terms I cannot now remember nor thou understand else thou wouldst write them in truer English and better sense This I mention to meet with and abate thy Concietedness to help thee with Spectacles to see how unfit thou art to undertake to be a Judge of Learning in that kind as well as to be a Judge of such Friends in Truth and such Meetings of Friends in an incomparably higher in imperiously and menacingly requiring them to advise and consent to the altering the Quarterly Meeting Book in your Parts as if thou hadst both this and that Meeting at thy Devotion either to bend to thy hand at thy pleasure or else to undo by thy Publication The Bishoprick thou speakest of and the Promotion aspired to by the Bryar and Thistle in Lebanon which can but prick and rake the Skin cannot destroy as it would that within and that Nature thou art in can but blister it for a time and must in the end be crushed So turn from it in time and signifie it to those thou hast wornged is my Advice to thee they Lyes and Revilings are not worth Answering to be like thee they are so gross vain Thy Queries differ in the Principle from which they proceed and the End to which they tend from the thou makest thy Answer from Friends and that which is defective in two Principal Causes is far from Good which is from intire Cause Conceit hath so blinded thee thou canst neither see Beginning nor End If I did not see thy perverse willful gross Lyes I should answer to thy Ignorance But thus much at present is meet thou shouldst know how it hath befooled thee From him that hath learned so much from the Truth though by thee despised and belyed R. R. For Francis Bugg The Queries are before and the Letters wrote by me and other Friends which I suppose he takes the Imperiousness and Menacing from shall follow after the Answer I sent him for which he accounts me so foolish befooled blinded my Ignorance not wrote in true English c. To which I refer the Reader First then my Answer I sent him Viz. F. Bugg his Answer to R. R's Letter R. R. I Have received a few Lines from thee bearing no Date nor yet acquainting me who thou art otherwise than by R. R. nor yet where thou dwellest by which I perceive thou lovest Obscurity If these Lines of mine chance to find thee out
May walk in Love whil'st we are here And all unto him be Subjected That all may in him be Perfected That God o're all may Ruler be And Glorified Eternally But what art thou that art so bold That Womens-Meetings thus Control'd And thus dost seem to lay a Block Against the raising of a Stock Whereas George hath Infallibly Erected them to sit on High And that against their Government None should shew Discouragement Neither Direct nor Indirect Lest out of Vnity they be kept I tell thee I am a Labouring-Man And have been taught to Thresh and Fan And what 's the Chaff unto the Wheat Though it may serve some Beast to eat And to the Wheat may grow so near That both came forth of th' self same Ear And sent forth wrapt in Paper White Wise Men will look ON 'T in the Light And such whose Eyes are in their Head Can see it is not fit for Bread Therefore on it refuse to feed Lest it should ill Humours breed And such Distempers as Blind-Zeal Which noysom are to Common-Weal For when Mens Minds with it are heat Their Fellows they are apt to beat According to their Power and Might They with their Tongues begin to smite And he that is not of their Mind From Truth say they he is Declin'd And Womens-Meetings he doth slight How then can his Spirit be right And then saith one Let 's Mouth be stopt And others cry He must be knockt Another He doth blasting threaten And thus are Fellow Servants beaten From Cross-Bow of their crooked thoughts Which Blind-Zeal bent they shoot their bolts 'T is like I shall be paid with blows For smiting the Image on the Toes That Image of Authority Which Womens-Meetings signifie Although but two or three be there As more seldom do appear When Weather 's cold and Winds do blow I seldom see a bigger Show But I don't mean with them to fight Therefore to keep me from their Sight I 'le to my Refuge quickly fly Even God that Judgeth Righteously And with him also will abide Till he doth Remedy provide That Truth o're all may so prevail As Love to conquer may not fail That as God's one also his Name We all may be one in the same And he may Reign whose Right it is That nothing may be done amiss And then his Saints with Joy shall sing And sound forth Praises to their King Which was his due all times before To him be it given for evermore But now before I go my way Another word I have to say To such as would know my Intent Why this I writ 't is to prevent The further growth of Discontent Rais'd with the Female-Government Although a Charter firm they have And Grant and Confirmation brave Which Strengthen and Corroborate Their Jurisdiction obtain'd of late Yet if the Tree known now may be By the Fruit mine Eye doth see Charter and Confirmation both Are Innovations nothing worth Wherefore I say my Council take And to your selves no Image make Nor to a Likeness now Submit That no Foundation hath in it Now to Gods Grace I all Commend For teaching thereon to depend Which from all Strife can us defend And thus I here shall make an End Who am a Lover of Truth and Peace To all therein wishing Increase A Table of the Contents or principal Matters contained in the Second Part of this Book CHAP. I. Treats of Principles of Truth Received and Believed in the Beginning with an Epistle about Marriage and other Things not as a Form to walk by but as Advice suitable to the Nature and Tendency of the Testimony of Truth Received and Belieed c. Truths Entrance amongst us Pag. 24 25 26 27 28. The 7th Particular in an Epistle of Advice Pag. 29. 30. CHAP. II. Manifesteth an Alteration and Change Shews the Womens Charter for their Jurisdiction Sets forth the Grant and Confirmation made at a London Yearly-Meeting 1675 Viz. G. F. his Platform for Womens-Meetings Pag. 33 34 35 36. 37. The 1st Branch of the Grant Pag. 41 42. 2d Branch of the Grant P. 42 43 44 45. 3d. Branch of the Grant Pag. 48 49. 4th Branch of the Grant Pag. 50 51. Observations upon them Pag. 54. 55 56. CHAP. III. Treats of the Proceedings of G. Fox his Party in the Executive Part of the Charter Grant and Confirmation mentioned in the Second Chapter Their Proceedings against J. Ansloe An Opposition thereunto made by several Viz. Hadenham Orders Pag. 60 61. The Record against J. A. Pag. 63. A Letter to S. Cater by F. Bugg Pag. 64 65 66 67 68. F. Bugg his Protectation Pag. 68 69. Six Queries about G. F. being Head of the Church Pag. 75 76 77 78 79 80. One Query by J. A. Viz. What is Conformity Pag. 82 83. CHAP. IIII. R. Hubberthorns Reasons against Impositions Pag. 88 89. F. Howgils Discovery of Innovators Pag. 89 90 91. G. Fox his Old Doctrine and New Practice Pag. 93 94 95 96 97. A Huntingtonshire Certificate Pag. 97 98. Observations on G. Fox his antient Doctrine Pag. 98 99 100 101 102 103 104. CHAP. V. Shews the Opinion of several of the Clergy both Bishops and Ministers to be against Impositions and the Imposers are the Culpable Dividers and Authors of Schism c. Bishop Dovenants Testimony Pag. 105 106. Dr. Stillingfleets Iron Pag. 106 107. Archbishop Laud against Fisher Pag. 107. Bishop of Heriford Pag 107 108 109 110 111. Alsops Mischief of Impositions Pag. 111 112 113 114. CHAP. VI. Shews the Judgment of Antient Protestants and Martyrs against Forcing a Conformity to Mens Traditions not grounded on Scripture Authority Zanchy's Testimony Pag. 116. W. Tindal about Forms Pag. 116 117. R. Richardson Traced and found fallacious Pag. 118 119. W. Tindal about Services of Women Pag. 119. An Objection answered Pag. 120. Tindal about the Elders erring Pag. 121. Luther about Opinions Pag. 121. Barns against Imposition Pag. 121 122 123 124. Brentious upon Cor. 3. Pag. 124. Dr. Taylor about Liberty Pag. 124 125. Dr. Taylor about Ceremonies Pag. 125. Bishop Hoopers Speech Pag. 125 126. CHAP. VII Shews that my self and others in this Country have used private meanes about four Years and no Accommodation or Condiscention was attainable Neither Answer to Letter Answer to Query no when I went to London with a Letter from Friends of our particular Meeting to the Second-days Meeting in London and delivered it with my own Hand would neither answer the Letter nor so much as discourse me but when I had given them the Letter C. Taylor bad me be gone All which shews the Author to the Accuser his Pretentions to an Accomodation and Condiscention to be Fallacious Deceitful and Hypocritical A Letter from 11 Friends to the Quarterly-Meetings Pag. 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137. F. B's Letter to W. P. about a Composure Pag. 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148. F. B's Letter by way of Prologue to 9 Queries to G. W. Pag. 150 151 152 153. Nine Queries sent to G. W. Pag. 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162. A Battledore and Spectacles for G.F. P. 163. R. R's Letter to F. B. Pag. 164 165 166. F. B. his Answer to R. R's Letter Pag. 167 168 169 170. F. B. his Letter to the Second-days Meeting Pag. 172 173 174 175 176 177. 178 179 180. 11 Friends Letter to the Second-days Meeting Pag. 180 181 182 183. An Answer to Six Interrogatories Pag. 184 185 186. CHAP. VIII Shews that the Severity used by G. Fox and his Party exceeds that of the Judges Justices and Protestant Bishops who have Excommunicated J. B. for selling W. R's Book And if Application be made to them for Redress of Grievances they cry We are deluded and will sometimes refuse to read a Letter but seldom or never answer any And Advice to the Pensilvanians A Letter to Judge Turner Pag. 188 189. Another Letter to Judge Turner Pag. 190 191 192 193. J. B's Excommunication for dispersing W. R's Book Pag. 197 198 199. R. Bayfield burnt for dispersing the Books of Luther Tindal Hus and others Pag. 204. Sir Thomas Moor allowed to read and to answer those Schismatical Books Pag. 205 206. G. Whitehead allowed to buy have possess and read yea and answer W. R. his Book Pag. 205. B. Antribus or J. Fields Objection Answered Pag. 208 209. Advice to the Pensilvanians Pag. 210 211 212 213. A few of the most remarkable Errours corrected the rest are left to the Friendly Reader to correct ERRATA Pag. 4. line 9. for 8th Article r. Articles of Faith p. 5. l. 23. for their r. those p. 17. l. 15. for Woolwick r. Woolruch p. 24. l. 10. for Heavenly Spiritual r. Heavenly and Spiritual p. 26. l. 3. r. declared p 28. l. 22. r. from the Brethren to the Brethren p. 38. l. 16. for Grant or Order r. Charter for Womens-Meetings p. 40. l. 30. for Order r. Charter p. 47. l. 9. for how to r. and how to p. 56. l. 14. for partly r. purely p. 57. l. 3. for Order r. Charter p. 71. l. 16. for the r. their p. 84. l. 17. r. Wâ—tnesses p. 85. l. 20. for lying r. buying p. 93. l. 20 21. r. to wit the Spirit p. 105. l. 16. for Doveman r. Dovenant p. 119. l. 30. f. Little withdrawn r. his Book Entituled p. 125. l. 6. for Increasment and Formnesâ— r. Increment and Firmness p. 153. l. 22. for 1678 r. 1681. p. 206. l. 24. for Clark r. Clarks Shop p 196. l. 17. for discousing r. discoursing FINIS
and Recorder out of the Unity at her pleasure which manifests her to be the false Church for the true Christian Religion was introduced by Perswasion and ought to be so carryed on for if I believe and practice only because the Church doth so ad not from a convincement in my self my Faith and Obedience would be false and Idolatrous The Apostles who had the Mind of Christ became all unto all stooped to all Capacities to all Degrees of Knowledge valued what was good in all these were his Injunctions who said As every Man is fully perswaded so let him walk for what is not of Faith is Sin He did not Record out of the Unity such as saw not so clear as himself but became all unto all that he might save some but you that would force all become all to none you will not stoop at all nor condiscend at all but exalt and magnifie your Orders and written Prescriptions how many weak Brethren soever you offend You value not the good in any but Conformity to your Humour and to your Will and though some are otherwise minded about Discipline and Church-Government you will not let them alone but you will impose upon them Stigmatise and Record them out of the Unity which is no less than Excommunication Wherefore take W. P's Advice FLY ROME AT HOME and lay not Stress where God lays not Stress Thus twice over as it were have you herein the genuine sense of Dear W. P. And Oh! that every one concerned would make a diligent search in his own Heart and like the beloved Disciple smite upon his Breast and say Is it I Is it I that am guilty of this Severity of this Presumption if carrying things too high of setting up such Orders as prove a Snare or at least a burthen to the Conscientious yea of laying a Stress and a great Stress where God never laid any One that am the Cause of this Disturbance in the Church One that bears witness of my self and that will be both Party and Judge Oh! let me a little Examine my self Am I One that cannot become all unto all One that cannot condiscend at all to my Brother One that will value not the good in any but Conformity to my Will and Humour One that would have all believe and practice as I do whether I convince their Vnderstanding of the Truth of what I believe and practice or not and if not condemn them for Hereticks without any more a do I say Oh that every one would thus reflect upon himself that so you might consider of these things for many are offended and grieved with the continuance of the aforementioned Record against J. A. And again beseech and intreat you to reverse the same that so Love and Good-will Unity and Concord may spring amongst us as in the Beginning which is heartily desired by your Friends who subscribe their names hereunto Francis Bugg Elizabeth Bugg Joseph Masson Jane Masson Joseph Ellington Rachel Ellington John Thrift Joseph Tetsall William Bellsham Phillip Wing Mary Huggins Sarah Bird. Dated the 15th of the 3d. Month 1680. Note That John Thrift who carried the recited Letter to the Quarterly-Meeting said that they would not suffer it to be read but cryed out You are deluded Which by the Second-days Meetings own Rule if they approved W. P's small Tract Entituled A Brief Examination and State of Liberty Spiritual is a mark of Imposition For in the said Tract p. 4. 't is thus written I ask thee May I not exhort thee to the Practice of that I am moved to press thee to the Practice of If not thou are the Imposer by restraining me from my Christan-Liberty and not only so but away goeth Preaching and with it the Scriptures that are both appointed of God for Exhortation Reproof and Instruction Their Proceedings herein need no Comment being worse than the Magistrates ever served me who do as really believe me to be deluded as they could pretend to any such Thing and yet they will often hear and do Justice too And after I had waited more than a Year and saw no Redress I then wrote to W. P. thinking he might be an Instrument to compose things but what he did whether any thing or nothing I never had any Answer to this Day A Coppy of which now followeth Viz. This for W. P. with Care c. Dear Friend VVHen I consider the Nature of the Controversy betwixt W. R. and G. F. and the multitude of Friends on each side in almost all Counties together with the lamentable Consequences which will unavoidably follow the same if not timely put a stop to by a Brotherly Condiscention I am even bowed down and grieved to behold the same and under a sense thereof I desire to lay before thee my Apprehension both of the Cause and Cure that so thou together with G. W. to whom I have already wrote may endeavour a Composure of this Controversy and in remembrance of what thou didst declare at the Meeting at Devonshire House the 27th of the 3d. Month last after the Debate gives me Incouragement so to do as also they Printed Addr. to Prot. for saidst thou If I knew of such a Design as is surmised to bring in an Implicit Faith and Blind Obedience by forcing a Conformity before Conviction I would oppose it with my at most Endeavour or to that effect Now that thou mayst know if yet thou dost not as that thou shouldst not by thy positive Assertions in Alexander the Copper Smith pag. 10. 12. 15. I will give thee a Copy of Orders Recorded as our Cannon or Rule to walk by in the Quarterly Book for the Isle of Ely Verbatim Parenthesis excepted Viz. It is ordered at this Quarterly-Meeting and agreed upon that no Friends may for time to come permit or suffer Marriages without the consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come both to the said two Meetings to receive the Answer of Friends that so no disorderly a notable Hedge without parrellel I presume or Indirect Proceedings may be carryed on any more and yet never more disorderly than since contrary to the Vnity of Friends Written at a Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 1st of the 10th Month 1675. Behold the Nature Manner and Form of these Orders and compare them with the Condemnation of J. A. for not coming up to a strict Conformity who was Recorded out of the Unity the 4th of the 7th Month 1678. in the same Book as may be seen for not proceeding in his Marriage according to the Orders Now see whether we do not first make a Rule or Cannon to walk by and compel a Conformity to the same before Conviction nay not only so but pass Diffinitive Sentence too for Nonconformity to the utmost of our little Power we have and when any Body questions the Authority of these Orders and Practices G. F. is presently quoted and that being as some say moved to
R. that it was the Advice of such an Eminent Friend as it was of Party with G. F. Viz. Let not this Spirit be reasoned with enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Judgment that is Gods Decree Which gives me occasion to write to you at this time to DESIRE then not to require as R. R. says a Letter from you whether you will Advise and Consent to the Racing out the said Orders which prohibit Marriage to the manner of the Publication of the Parties Intention and whether you will advise and consent to the Racing out the Record against J.A. for his Nonconformity to the said ORDERS or else maintain and prove them Apostolical and agreeable to the Way and Manner of the Apostles and Primitive Christians Proceedings by answering my Queries sent to G. W. c. But if you refuse to do either That is to say To race out the said Orders for Marriage on Record and the Record against J. A. or else maintain and prove them Apostolical Then I do hereby let you know that I purpose if the Lord will to bear a publick Testimony against your Innovations Usurpations Directories Orders Decrees Cannons and Constitutions But on the contrary mark my Terms of Submission If you shall race out the said Orders and Record against J. A. or shew mark I pray you your Advice and Consent by Letter to me to the Friends belonging to our Quarterly-Meeting to and for the racing out the said Orders for Marriage and Record against J.A. for his Nonconformity to them so that it be done effectually OR mark the reasonableness of my Proposals prove them Apostolical by answering my Queries sent to G. W. or otherwise as aforesaid Then I do hereby promise to forbear such publick Testimony whether by Printing or otherwise and to wait in hopes that Things which are amiss may be mended And why you refuse this Request which would tend to the gladning the Hearts of many I know not Christ said to the lofty Professors in his Day If you Believe me not yet Believe me for my Works Sake And I say though you may slight me yet for the Reason sake that I offer for Liberty of Conscience as an Expedient for Reconciliation and for the Peace of the Church and that Liberty of Conscience in the Free Exercise of it where neither Christ nor his Apostles have set a Limit may be enjoyed and preserved from Violence and Usurpation Have some Regard to what I say It is not unknown to you how our Practice hath been sometimes to the King and his Council sometimes to the King and Parliament for Liberty of Conscience and the Free Exercise of it and that we might be exempted from the Penalties assigned for our Nonconformity to the Rites and Ceremonys of Prelatical Institutions Established by the Laws of the Land This hath been still is and ought to be our Practice WELL THEN How comes it then 〈…〉 pass that we should be such humble Suiters for Liberty of Conscience and now such severe Imposers on each others Consciences and to such Orders as G. W's Learned Friend R. R. in his Perplext Vnlearned and Ill-compos'd Ingredients p. 11. 12. had no better way to vindicate than by two Proofs The one from the Popes Nunnery a Place I do not like at all and I pray God preserve me in that Faith and Practice which may be defended by the Holy Scriptures and Primitive Christians Example that so I need not be put to that Shift and Extremity as to go to the Popes Nunnery to defend the same but as W. P. elsewhere saith though to his own Confutation in that he handed the Grant and Confirmation mentioned in the Second Chapter Errour is only upheld by Errour and so he may see in time The next Proof of his is That in the Jews Apostacy to Idolatry the Women wove Hangings And that as the First Implyes some Womens Service amongst the Primitive Christians So the last shews that Women did some Service in the Temple Oh profound Learning And if this way of Reasoning was pursued What Heathenish Practices and Popish Superstitions may not be Introduced But says he These are * * Note Imperfect Footsteps Imperfect Footsteps And I think as Impertinently Quoted and if R.R. hath no better Logick he need not be admired by G. W. in Print for his great Learning nor perhaps had not only he hath found out some History or Popish Author which says There were Deaconesses as well as Deacons Which was helpful to G.W. in his Preaching and Disputing for Womens-Meetings lately in Huntington-Shire and elsewhere where he took too much upon him and behaved himself more like a Lordly Bishop or Popish Prelate than an humble Minister of Christ and by me at this time is and stands Impeached as an Enemy to Christian-Liberty a Vsurper over the Conscience the which I stand ready publickly to assert maintain and vindicate And as you have in your Solicitations for Liberty of Conscience shewed our King at the latter End of the Treatise of Oaths the Example of the Grave of Nassau and the Prince of Orange and divers others who in their time gave Liberty so may I and with great reason too set the Example of our King before your view who though he hath not granted all you ask yet hath done much more comparatively than you will do for your Brethren and that in a twofold manner that is to say First In that about eight or nine Years since by his Letters Pattent was graciously pleased to Release many of us out of Prison who lay under the Sentence of Premunire Secondly By racing out the Exchequer Records where many of us stood convict of Recusancy and thereby out of his Princely Clemency set us free from the Censures issuable thereupon These Things are manifest Why then will you not bear with a little Nonconformity to one Ceremony and that such an one too for which there is neither Precept nor President in all the Holy Scriptures Why will you not learn of the King who raced out and made void the Judges Sentences which were severe enough and blotted out the Exchequer Records that so you may thereby give us some ground to believe that if you were in Power to Inflict Corporal Punishment for our Non-conformity to your Church-Government YOU WOULD NOT c. Oh that you would consider these Things in a Christian Spirit which would lead you To do to others as you would that others should do unto you So desiring your speedy Answer I rest your Friend who cannot sow Pillows under your Arm-holes Milden-hall The 12th of the 9th Month 1681. F. Bugg Thus it is left with the Reader to Judge what Imperiousnes is herein manifested considering my former Endeavours and Patience therein for nigh four Years The next is a Letter sent by a dozen Friends that belong to our particular Meeting And then after some Remarks upon their Procedure I shall conclude this
Chapter To the Second-days Meeting of Friends Assembled in London Friends and Brethren FOrasmuch as some of us know and others of us are credibly informed that there is an Order Established in our Quarterly-Meeting and that upon Record in our Register-Book belonging to the same Meeting which shuts but and excludes all Marriages amongst us SO as neither to Permit or Suffer them except the Parties both Man and Woman shall go twice to the Mens-Meeting and twice to the Womens-Meeting distinct and seperate one from the other both at Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to publish their Intentions to each Meeting respectively and by reason that some Friends have refused for Conscience sake a Conformity to the said Orders great and many have been the Debates Disputes and Controversial Contentions about the same insomuch as that in the Case of J. A. Friends put it to the Vote Whether he should be Condemned by publick Censure for his Nonconformity to the said Orders or not Whereupon it was determined by S. Cater and about nineteen more they being the Major Part that the said J. A. should be Recorded out of the Vnity although at the same time they did confess they had nothing against him only he did not take his Wife according to the Order of Friends And as some of us know and others of us are credibly informed that there hath been Suite made For several of their Hands are to the Letter sent to our Quarterly-Meeting mentioned in the Third Chapter by many Friends for the racing out the said Record which was obtained by the Major Part of Votes as aforesaid against J. A. But all Endeavours have proved ineffectual Wherefore we at this time desire a Letter of Request from you to the Friends that belong to our said Quarterly-Meeting for the racing out the said Orders which prohibit all Marriages to the manner of the Parties publishing their Intentions and for the racing out the Record against J. A. that so those Friends which reckon it a Duty incumbent upon them to go to the Womens-Meetings to publish their Intentions according to the said Orders may and those that are otherwise Minded may be let alone and not impos'd upon beyond their Freedom and yet nevertheless Remain as Brethren In Vnity except other Matter appear than that of Nonconformity and thus we conclude desiring your Answer to the Premises by our Friend Francis Bugg the Bearer hereof and rest your Friends who subscribe our Names as followeth Viz. Josepb Ellington John Thrift Elizabeth Bugg Rachel Ellington Joseph Mason William Bellsham William Handslip Joseph Tetsall Jane Mason Margaret Belsham Elizabeth Thrift Kat. Handslip c. The 20th of the 11th Month 1681 2. And persuant to the Trust reposed in me I went to London and carryed the said Letter my self and delivered it to the Meeting with my own Hands the 6th of the 12th Month 1681 2 where were Assembled G. Fox G. Whitehead C. Taylor and about a dozen more to whom I said Friends about a Month or two since I wrote to this Meeting and since that time I have received no Answer and now there are several Friends belonging to our Meeting have sent you a Letter and desire your Answer by me and so laid the Coppy of the abovesaid Letter on their Table and as soon as I had delivered it C. Taylor told me That I had done my Business and might be gone and so after I had told them that I should stay in Town two or three days I went away as Christopher bid me saying I might be gone c. So at night came Benjamin Antrobus and John Field and examined me about many Things but at last I took their Particulars in Writing a Coppy whereof followeth with my Answer which I sent the next day to Benjamin Antrobus as I promised and how much they tend to an Answer either to the Letter I sent them or the last recited Letter of Friends I shall leave to the Conscience of every Impartial Reader An Answer to these six Interrogatories put to F. B. by B. A. and I. F. the 6th of the 12th Month 1681 2. Query I. In whose hands are the Original Subscriptions Answ In Francis Bugg his own Hands or Keeping Query II. Whether they are the Friends own Hands respectively that are Subscribed Answ Yea. Query III. And whether those other Friends concerned in and for the Record complained of do refer the Matter to the Second-days Meetings Advice for the Racing out their Order or not Answ That Question I never asked those Friends so refer you to the Persons concerned and the sence you have of the Letter Query IV. And what others are the Subscribers that complain of the Order upon credible Information and not on their own Knowledge Answ I cannot tell exactly their number Query V. And whether doth F. Bugg esteem it fair and Judicial for all Friends here to determine this Case without hearing both Parties Answ If you upon Sight of the Orders find them not Apostolical and according to Scriptures and Proceedings of the Apostles you may determine them Antichristian Vnscriptural and Erronious Query VI. And where is a Coppy of these Orders Answ They are Recorded in the Quarterly-Meeting Book in Hadenham in the Isle of Ely A Coppy of them I here send you Verbatim Viz. It is Ordered and Agreed upon at this Quarterly-Meeting that NO Friends for time to come may PERMIT or SVFFER Marriages without the Consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come both to the said Meetings to receive the Answer of Friends that so no disorderly or Indirect Proceedings may be carryed on any more con … y to the Vnity of Friends These Answers were delivered and I stayed in Town two or three Days but heard no more of them And in regard I would leave Things plain I am constrained to be large which hath swelled my Book beyond what I at first intended so that I shall leave the Paraphrase hereof to the Reader and so proceed to the next Chapter where I intend to conclude c. CHAP. VIII Shews that the Severity used by G. F. and his Party exceeds that of the Judges Justices and Protestant Bishops who have Excommunicated J.B. for Selling W.R. his Book And if Application be made to them for Redress of Grievances they cry You are deluded And will sometimes refuse to read a Letter but seldom Answer any Also some Advice to the Pencilvanians HAving treated at large about the Cause of the Differences amongst us the People called Quakers and of our Endeavours to have prevented the Increase thereof which might have been if Brotherly Condiscension according to our Pretentions thereto might or could have taken place and inasmuch as I have at times mentioned the Kings Indulgence and in the Letter I sent G. W. about a Composure which is recited in the 7th Part of the Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. By W. R. mentioned my Writing to Judges Justices and Men
his People was our Principle the very Foundation Principle and Corner Stone in our Building there are yet many Living Witnesses and our Work and Labour in that day was to turn Peoples minds thereunto as to the more sure Word of Prophesy whereunto as many as took heed did well and that there was Sufficiency in it being obeyed to lead to Salvation And as our Minds came to be turned to this Inward Teacher And as we came to experience the Vertue and Excellency of this Holy Vnction so we held a publick Testimony thereof to others that they might thereby be provoked to make tryal thereof that so they might have the Witness in themselves and see for themselves and tast for themselves and to this Word nigh in the Heart were we committed and recommended suitable to the Doctrine and Antient Prophesies of Christ Jesus our Lord and his Blessed Apostles and Prophets and in that Day How did our Harmony sound in our Assemblies And how did our Love abound one towards another And our Zeal for the Holy Name of our God In this stood our Unity in this stood our Fellowship even in that Inward Testimony which God committed to us to bear for his Names sake here was the moving Cause of our Love to God one toward another even the Inward Testimony or Manifestation of his Spirit which God in his Infinite Love hath given us to profit withal persuant to his former Promises to our Fathers by his Prophets saying I will give Him for a Light to the Gentiles and to be my Salvation to the Ends of the Earth I will give him for a Commander and a Leader to my People Israel And as we came to believe this Report and to experience the fulfilling of these Promises and to be Witnesses of the Vertue of this his Blessed Appearance so we declare to others that they also might believe and have Fellowship with us therein and the more we came thus to be Spiritually-minded and Spiritually-exercised and the more we came to take delight therein and to meditate therein the more the Lord manifested his Love unto us and his pure Power amongst us and became a Hedge about us and a Wall unto us and gave us Favour in the Sight of the People Blessed and Praised be his Holy Name for ever And in that Day when others would boast of their Church Authority and Church Discipline Vseful Ceremonies Comely Orders and Decent Vestments c. We told them the Spirit of God was the Foundation of our Church as well as the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles That Christ Jesus the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven who is a Quickning Spirit was Head of our Church Lawgiver to our Church on whose Shoulders the Government and Authority of our Church is laid yea the Hedge and Pale of our Church and able to preserve our Church and in this Faith we lived and walked in pure undefiled Love If any said to us Lo here is Christ in this Ordinance or in that Observation We told them Nay Christ is within and there they must wait to know Him except they were Reprobates for the Kingdom of Heaven is within and there they must wait to receive the Earnest of it for it comes not by Outward Observations This we told People this we proved to the People out of the Holy Scriptures This upon all occasions we testified to all People Professor and Prophane Bond and Free Noble and Ignoble When they told us of their Articles of Faith and how many they had and of the Scripture being the Rule c. We told them That Faith was the Gift of God and to be waited for and that Faith was the Evidence of things not seen and that although in the World there were Faiths many and Lords many yet to us there was but one Faith and one Lord Jesus Christ who was the Author of that Faith And that although the Scriptures were good and a true Declaration of those Things which were most surely believed by the Apostles and by us ought to be believed yet not the only Rule But still the Spirit of God which was the First Principle the Foundation Principle the Palc and only Hedge of the Church and Sanctified People of God so likewise it was the Rule of Life Practice first and before any other Rule and always had the Preheminency in our Testimony from the Beginning And if any question the Truth of what I have here affirmed then for Proof thereof I refer them to the Testimonies of Isaac Pennington Edward Burrough George Bishop c. Published by T. Crisp together with the Writings of Francis Howgil Richard Hubberthorn and many other Antient Friends c. And in that Day if any Brethren gave forth a Letter of Advice and Counsel for the Help and Information of the weak and lately Convinced It was so worded as that Christian-Liberty was preserved and the People not Impos'd upon beyond their Freedom And that it was so I shall prove by an undeniable Instance in a Letter of Advice from the Brethren in the North about twenty Years since containing twenty particular Things wherein Advice and Counsel is given yet SO as to leave them to their Freedom and not to impose them further than Friends to whom they wrote could receive them or see a Service in them as is evident both from the Title or Direction of the said Paper and also from the Closure and Conclusion of the said Letter both which I shall here insert as also that Clause or particular Advice about Marriage which is the seventh particular thing wherein Counsel is given in the said Paper or Letter of Advice That is to say The Elders and Brethren sendeth unto the Brethren in the North these necessary Things following to which if you in the Light wait to be kept in Obedience you will do well Fare you well This is the Title or Direction of the said Letter of Advice now follows the 7th Particular which is about Marriage c. That as any are moved of the Lord and in his Light called to take a Brother or Sister in Marriage Marriage being honourable in all and the Bed Vndefiled let it be made known to the Children of Light especially to those of the Meeting of which the Parties are Members that all in the Light may it witness to be of God and being in the Light made manifest to be of God let them be joyned together in the Lord and in his Fear in the presence of many Witnesses according to the Example of the Holy Men of God in the Scriptures of Truth recorded which was written for our Example and Learning and that no Scandal may rest upon the Truth nor any thing be done in secret but all things to the Light brought that Truth may triumph over all Deceit and that they who are joyned together in the Lord may not by Man be put asunder whom the Lord hath joyned together That there may
be a Record in Writing witnessing the Day Place and Year of such things to be kept in that Meeting the which the one or both of them are Members under which Writing the Witnesses may subscribe their Names or so many of them at may be convenient for the stopping of the Mouths of Gainsayers and for the manifesting of the Truth to all who are without This is the seventh Particular mentioned in the said recited Epistle of Advice to the Brethren in the North which in number were twenty wherein it is manifest what regard they had to the Practice of the Holy Men of God recorded in Scripture and yet by the Conclusion of the said Epistle it is manifest that they were far from limiting Friends in that Day to a prescribed Rule or Form and that under the greatest Penalty too that they were able to inflict as of late days hath been the Practice of George Fox and those of Party with him as hereafter will be manifest see the Conclusion of the said Letter of Advice which is as followeth Viz. Dearly beloved Friends these Things meaning the 20 Particulars advised to we do not lay upon you as a Rule or Form to walk by but that all with the measure of Light which is pure and holy may be guided and so in the Light walking and abiding these things may be fulfilled in the Spirit not from the Letter for the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life c. Thus the Reader my see That in the Beginning our Advice by Letter did concur with our publick Testimony and both with the Scriptures and Evidence of the Spirit in the Hearts of the People to winch our Ministring Friends in that Day both by Word Epistle and Doctrine desired to be made manifest for they then did not desire to exercise Dominion Gentile-like c. CHAP. II. Manifesteth an Alteration and Change Shews the Womans Charter for their Jurisdiction Sets forth the Grant and Confirmation made at a London Yearly-Meeting 1675. I Am now come to manifest the Alteration and Change and the cause of Divisions amongst us about Matters of Faith and the Exercise of it Church-Discipline and Conformity to it whereby William Penns Saying in his Address to Protestants pag. 149. is fulfilled Viz. For all Societies are to govern themselves according to their Institutions and First Principles of Vnion where there is Violence upon this part Tyranny and not Order is introduced Now since Perswasion and Conviction began all true Christian-Societies All Christian-Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom or they turn Antichristian c. And for proof that we so find and by woful Experience know there is an Alteration and Change and Violence done to our First Principles of Union I am now about to manifest and in order thereunto I shall here insert George Fox his New Order which was wrote about the Year 71. for Womens-Meetings to be held distinct from Mens Meetings and was confirmed afterwards by a general Council or Yearly-Meeting c. VIZ. Dear Friends TO whom is my Love in that which changes not it would do well and be of Service for you to have a Womens-Meeting as they have in other Parts that the Women may come into the Practice of the pure Religion which is to visit the Fatherless and Widdows and to see that all be kept from the spots of the World and so the Lord Jesus redeeming you by his Spirit out of the Old Adam in the Fall into the Image of Gods Righteousness and Holiness that Man was in before he fell in which you are all Helps Meet to the Men in Righteousness and Truth and Holiness and Justice and the Wisdom of God and you may assist and inform the Men of Necessities in what you cannot do your selves for Man and Woman being both in the Power and Seed of Christ they are both Helps Meet and so it would do well for the Women to have a distinct Meeting by themselves as it is in other Places and to set that nothing be lacking then all is well amongst you that you all may be perfect and compleat in Christ Jesus your Heed holding Him from whence you have Understanding and Wisdom to order all things toh is Praise and Glory and when you do see that all is well and nothing is lacking to honour God that all may be kept out of that which dishonoureth Him and all may be kept in your Testimony of Jesus and to see that nothing is lacking outwardly in Gods House in his Family who have the Mind of Christ to do good unto all especially the Houshold of Faith and when you see that all is well then whose mouth the Lord opens in the Womens Meetings 〈…〉 praise confess him to his Glory they are to be obedient as it is in other Womens-Meetings so once a month to have a Womens-Meeting in the County Town or other Places convenient then the other Neigbouring Women may come and go home they Meeting together about the tenth Hour of the Day And so they may keep a little Stock among themselves to help the Poor and those that be in necessity and what they cannot do themselves they may inform the Men of all the poor Widdows and poor Mens Children that are fit to go to be Apprentices and to Services to Friends that they may be trained up in the Fear of God and in the New-Covenant He might have said in the New-Governmet that they may be the Children of the New-Covenant where all may come to know the Lord who is Blessed for ever Amen George Fox having thus laid a Foundation on for the Womens-Meetings distinct and apart from the Men to be once a month at the tenth hour of the Day and to get a little Stock by them under many specious Pretences and Fine Coverings insomuch that many began to assemble and to meet together accordingly in several Parts of the Nation yet there were also very many that waited to see the End and Purpose of their so meeting it being a New Thing and also knowing that the very Papists at their raising and first ordaining the several Orders of Fryars and Religious Nuns were not without as fair Pretences and fine flourishing Shews as this Grant or Order of George Fox for the ordaining these Womens-Meetings so that after a little season several Friends perceiving that these Women thus assembled aspired after the comly and beloved Apple of Rule and Government they shewed their Dislike and it began to be too hard for George Fox to carry them on on his own sole Authority so that at a Yearly-Meeting or General Council held at London in the Year 1675 the said Grant or Order was strengthened and confirmed in all Points and with as much Policy as ever the Learned Bishops or grave Senates used to Establish their Monarchical Governments c. And that the Reader may be assured of the Truth thereof and that it is not of my own devising to accuse
him and that the Author of the Accuser c. in Answer to W. R's Book may not say to me as he in pag. 86. Viz. Howbeit W. R. produceth not any now Prescriptions Methods Rules Orders and Forms of Church-Government Now saith the said Author of the Accuser c. Now he should have produced some new Orders and Forms of Church-Government Introduced amongst in since that time meaning the Year 1673. to prove his Charge of Apostacy and Innovation against G. F. and those he calls his Party c. And Pag. 133. We affirm that his meaning W. R. crying out Impositions Form of Church-Government Orders Prescriptions c. in general is no Answer nor any Proof of his Charge of Apostate and Innovator against us let him either specifie saith this notable as well as confident Author of the Accuser c. the Particulars thereof that he condemns us for as Apostates and that we practice as Church Discipline or else for ever be ashamed c. And Pag. 3. And what New and Unchristian Doctrines and Practices are they meaning G. F. and his Party fallen into we find no Proof nor Discovery thereof in all his Books c. And Pag. 128. of the said confident Author of the Accusers c. We do profess seriously a notable serious George if we may believe him we see no real Cause or valid Reason our Opposer meaning W. R. shews for the great Noyse and Rumble he makes about Outward Laws Prescriptions Orders Edicts or Decrees Outward Form of Government Apostacy Innovation Impositions Lording over Faith over Conscience c. whil'st he shews us no unjust no unlawful nor uncomly Order or Proceedings amongst us as a People nor yet gives us any Instances or Catologue of those Impositions Innovations New Doctrines or Practices brought in and received amongst us which are inconsistent with our First Testimony to the Light and Grace of God within and Teachings thereof c. I say things considered as practised amongst us I marvel that the said Author which is said to be G. Whitehead should have the Confidence thus to call for a Proof to call for a Catologue of the New Orders that are Introduced amongst us when he at the time of his Writing could not be ignorant of the Things complained of by W. R. who 't is probable thought there was no need to produce such Proof such a Catalogue and such manifest Instances to prove the same and that none would have the Confidence or rather Impudence to deny such Things as are every Month put in Practice amongst us But as I said that be may not say so to me I will bring him both Proof and President and if he will call them a Catologue he may But first the Confirmation of the Foundation of the Womens-Meetings Namely George Fox his Order above recited by a General Council held at London Anno 1675. Concerning Propounding Marriages London the 27th of 3d. Mon. 1675. IT is our Judgment that for better Satisfaction to all Parties that there may be due time for Inquiry of clearness of the Persons concerned it is convenient that Marriages be at twise propounded to the Meetings that are to take care therein both to the Mens and Womens Meetings where both are Established before they are accomplished and when Things are cleared that the Marriage be accomplished in a Grave and publick Assembly of Friends and Relations Observations And now set the Authority and Confirmation of the Womans Meetings and how G. F. his pretended Motion is corroborated and strengthed I am necessitated to transcribe more of the Transaction of this notable if not Universal Council than I am willing lest G. Whitchead should again call for a Proof or Catologue of their new stamped Government c. Concerning Mens and Womens-Meetings IT is our Judgment and Testimony in the Word of Gods Wisdom that the Rise and Practice Setting up and Establishment of Mens and Womens-Meetings in the Church of Christ in this our Day and Generation is according to the Mind and Counsel of God and done in the ordering and leading of his Eternal Spirit and that it is the Duty of all Friends and Brethren in the Power of God in all Places to be diligent therein and to incourage and further each other in that blessed Work and particularly that Friends and Brethren in their respective Countries incourage their Faithful grave Women in the Settlement of the said Meetings and if any professing Truth shall either directly or indirectly discountence a notable Warning and little obeyed except by G. F. his Men of War or weaken the Hands of either Man or Woman in the VVork and Service of the Lord let such be admonished according to the Order of the Gospel and if they receive it not but resist Counsel and persist in the work of Division we cannot but look upon them as therein not in Unity with the Church of Christ and Order of the Gospel Therefore let Friends go on in the Power of God and in that Work for Him his Truth and People and not to be swayed or hindred by them or their Opposition Observations Behold the difference between this Decree and the Letter of Advice and Counsel in the First Chapter of this Treatise that hath a particular relation to the Scripture and the Practice of the Holy Men recorded therein but this is wholly a stranger to any such Authority yet that was not proposed otherwise than Advice and Counsel and not as a Form or Rule to walk by notwithstanding there was so much in it to justifie the pressing of it both as being bottom'd on Scripture Authority and the Practice of the holy Men of God recorded in Scripture but this no relation to Scripture Authority Precept or President no relation to the Example of the holy Men of God recorded in Scripture nor any Command of God or Jesus Christ who is Head of the true Church and Lawgiver too but notwithstanding the Authors of this Decretal Order are peremptory and positive none must refuse a Complyance none must discountenance the Observatition of it directly or indirectly for if they do they are not to be lookt upon in Unity with the Church that is not to be lookt on as Christians and Members of Christs Church and so at once made Heathens by this new fashoned Edict But to make good Provision against any that shall yet dare to slight this new Model or new found Method of Church-Government or call in question their Power or Authority See what a strict and severe Admonition is uttered forth even as if it had come from the Popes Council of Jesuits and crafty Fryars I Know that some will be mighty angry and sore displeased with me for transcribing so much of their hidden Mysteries but in my apprehension there is no reason for it for if Womens-Meetings be of such Excellency and their Government and Jurisdiction so vertuous amiable as that whoever comply and yield obedience to them are in
before the Mens and Womens-Meetings being distinct and apart each from the other according to the Platform of G. F. c. Secondly That the Rife Practice Setting up and Establishishing of the Womens-Meetings is according to the Mind and Câ—â—nsel of God and done in the Leading and Ordering of his ETERNAL-SPIRIT whereby G. F. his Erection of this as new as needless Ceremony is ratified and confirmed and absolutely corroborated and strengthened by these Presents according to their true Intent and meaning No Pope ever had a more true and loyal Council or one better skil'd or more politick to save his Holiness from any Danger or confirm his Infallible and Unerring Institutions nay further they have granted I think to him his Heirs and Successors for ever for I see no limit in the whole Ecclesiastical Cannon that whosoever directly or indirectly discountenance these Womens-Meetings cannot be look't upon as in Unity with the Church of Christ and then to be sure no Members which if I believed it would be sad News for me Thirdly And lest any should yet chance to call the Proceedings of these New Spiritual Lords in Question or call their Meeting Synodical or the Members thereof like Popes Bishops c. their Epistle Decrees Cannons or Edicts of Men c. it is Ordained by the Authority aforesaid that such are not to be permitted i. e. to be at Unity with them for alas that is all they can yet do Viz. Reckon us as Heathens and I look upon it better to be under that censure than after all private meanes used and they not reclaimed to let them go undiscovered Fourthly But lest all this should not do here is one stratagem more and that is To Record those disobedient Sons to all Eternity for it is further Enacted by this New arbitrary Authority who did without the consent of the People perhaps forgetting that we are English-men that the Testimony of the Church shall be recorded and the Condemnation of the Transgressors of these Ordinances and infallible Laws to which indispensible Obedience is required which is partly and plainly and very truly so interpreted if their Intents may be measured by what hath followed as the event of these Things which this Treatise will yet further manifest So that upon the whole matter I cannot see what could have hindred the compleating this Grant and Confirmation had they but put these four Branches to the remaining eight for there are in all 12 Particulars and obtained their passing both Houses of Parliament and the Royal Assent the neglect whereof hath been greatly disadvantagious to their carrying on their then notable Designs CHAP III. Treats of the Proceedings of George Fox and his Party in the Executive Part of the Order Grant and Confirmation mentioned in the Second Chapter their Proceedings against John Ansloe an Opposition made thereto by several Viz. HAving in the two former Chapters manifested the Way Manner and Method of our Church-Government first as it was in our primitive Gathering when as we pleaded to the Magistrate for Liberty of Conscience so we had the free Exercise of it allowed amongst our selves in Matters Spiritual And Secondly with reference to latter Years when Liberty of Conscience is only pleaded for to the Magistrate but utterly denyed to be put in practise amongst our selves which I hope may serve for a Proof to the Author of the Accuser c. and a convincing one too that W. R. when he published his Book Entituled The Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator In Five Parts Was not without ground when he cryed out of Forms Impositions Orders Prescriptions Rules Cannons c. But that it may yet more plainly appear I shall now descend to the Proceedings in our own Country which I am an Eye-Witness of where these Laws Rules Cannons and Directories have been put in practice on the greatest Penalties we are capable to inflict and then perhaps the Author of the Accuser may accept of my Endeavours both for a Proof and Catalogue of the unparrelled severity according to the State and Capacity we stand in to the Members of our own Society considering how liable we are to the Persecution of so many penal Statutes every day yea I say I know not where to find a Parrellel for our Proceedings our State and Capacity rightly considered we that differ from others and desire their Forbearance yet at the same time differing among our selves cannot nay will not bear one with another we cry to the Magistrates for the Liberty and the free Exercise of our Consciences in Matters Spiritual and will not nay resolves not come what will come to allow the free Exercise of Conscience in matters Spiritual to our discenting Brethren as this Treatise will make manifest Oh! depth of Hypocrisy and Fore-runner of Tyranny Should you have Power put into your Hands before the Peoples Eyes are a little opened to see your Treachery your double dealing your antichristian dealing You are like the deaf Adder you will not hear How often have I wrote unto you How have I wooed and intreated you to race out one Cannon To condiscend a little Which I had great hopes of when I saw W. P's Addr. to Prot. But alas he hath told us by his Liberty Spiritual p. 13. his meaning Viz. Nor is it the least Evil this Spirit of strife is guilty of even at this day that it useth the words Liberty of Conscience and Imposition against the Brethren in the same manner as our Suffering Friends have been always accustomed to intend them against the Persecuting Priests and Powers of the Earth Whereby it is manifest that it is accounted a great Evil if not the least to call for Liberty of Conscience since they are accustomed to intend it only to the Magistrates for themselves and not by that Expression to any that shall call for it to them Well I am loth to trouble my Reader with my single Coment upon these things but shall come more close to the matter even to what is upon Record and Proceedings thereupon and then leave it to the Conscience of the Impartial Reader First then see a Copy of the Orders Recorded in our Quarterly-Meeting Book in the Isle of Ely which is as followeth Viz. IT is ordered and agreed upon at this Quarterly-Meeting that no Friends for time to come may Permit or suffer Marriages without the consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come both to the said Meeting to receive the answer of Friends that so no disorderly or indirect Proceedings may be carried on any more contrary to the Unity of Friends Dated the 1st of the 10 Month 1675. This Cannon or Directory being usher'd in amongst us under the specious Pretence of Good Orders and to keep things clean It was by our Meeting generally received and by me recorded I being Writer at that time but many of us little thought that it was intended for a Rule and
limited Form to walk by as it seems as if it was designed by the Projector thereof by the Event for we had so long disputed against the Holy Scripture being a Rule that we never thought that instead thereof we had been introducing a Rule of our own making neither did we once conceive it to be the product of a London Consult as afterwards we found it was when it came to be imposed as a Rule to be indispensably obeyed under the Penalty of being Recorded out of the Unity But when J. A. came to be concerned in taking a Wife and perceiving the ill tendency such Records might produce in after times and being willing to maintain Christian-Liberty and like the Apostle would not be brought under the Power of any thing that might prove a Yoke to his Brethren he would neither touch nor tast nor in the least conform to it whereupon many Contests arose and strong Debates about it some crying out That he must own his Condemnation for not Marrying according to the Order of Friends others said nay but what Evil hath he done What Commandment of God or Precept of Christ hath he broken others said If we let him alone others will take Example by him and then the Orders will not be regarded And amidst these Controversies it was put to the Vote Whether he should be condemned by publick Sensure or not Whereupon Samuel Cater and about nineteen Friends more they being the major part Voted That he should be recorded out of the Vnity Which accordingly was done a Copy whereof followeth c. At a Quarterly-Meeting in Hadenham the 4th day of the 7th Month Anno 1678. We at this Quarterly Meeting having the Business of John Ansloe his taking his VVife contrary to the Order of Friends brought before us and Friends having several times spoke to him about it and he not giving Friends satisfaction we do testifie that we have no Union with him in this his so doing This unrighteous and unchristian Precedure was testified against at the same time by Edward Love Thomas Wright Francis Bugg Phillip Taylor and some few others which told them That all Vnrighteousness was Sin and Sin was the Transgression of the Law and if they could make it appear that he had committed Sin in disobeying their Order we were ready to hear them Edward Love told them they had exceeded the Deeds of the Wicked But notwithstanding they being the Major part and the Poll over they resolved to pass that Sentence on him above recited although they then did confess that they had nothing against him save his not taking his Wife according to the Order of Friends Whereupon soon after Francis Bugg wrote a Letter to Samuel Cater a Copy whereof here followeth Viz. Friend I Having since our last Quarterly-Meeting weighed and pondered the Recording of J. A. and upon a deliberate Consideration thereof do find it not Apostolical nor agreeable with our Profession at least in my Apprehension but that it rather seems to be the Product or Fruit of that Spirit which doth Apostatize and draw back into the old compelling Path where Dominion is exercised over the Faith and Perswasion of others which is not a Doing to others as we would that others should do unto us It is true I do think that publishing our Intentions of Marriage is very meet and for my part if it were my concern I know not but that I should do it as desired But that mine or any other Man or Mens approbation herein should be an absolute Rule for others under the Penalty of being Recorded to Perpetuity I know no reason at all for 't is my Judgment That no Imposition ought to be upon Mens Consciences by any but the Lord for the Apostle in his Day said Let every Man be fully perswaded in his own Conscience and did not go about to force People to conform to such Things that they were not perswaded of in their own Consciences and whatsoever People or Church though they claim Infallibility that teach a contrary Doctrine unto this we have good reason to suspect it to he that hasty driving and over driving Spirit that would force a Faith where God hath not given it Even like the Church of Rome c. This is my Judgment and Opinion the which I am very free to communicate to thee or any one as not being ashamed thereof and if upon thy serious consideration thou seest Cause to race out the said Record lest it prove an ill President to Posterity as well as great Injustice to the Party concerned then I desire thee peaceably and quietly to joyn in the racing of it out again forasmuch as thou hadst a chief Hand in the obtaining of it through the Influence thou hadst upon the Meeting and doubtless caused them to err But if thou shalt stand to maintain it or justifie it then it will stand thee upon to appear at the next Quarterly-Meeting there to vindicate it by sound Arguments for many are offended at it and burthened with it and by the same Spirit that opposed the Papists Antichristian-Impositions it will be opposed and withstood And this I thought good to let thee know for divers Reasons partly because thou mayst consider of it and not be surprised and partly because thou mayst not do as several Bishops and Teachers have done who as soon as they have broached any Heresie as ever more they were the Original Cause thereof and kindled a flame amongst the People then they slank away and seldom or never manfully maintained the same as Socrates Scholastious Evsebius and Evagrius Scholasticus and divers other Historians make mention of in the Church-History Thus in a few Words I have cleared my Mind thus far and rest a Lover of all such as serve our Lord Jesus Christ purely for for his Name-Sake F. Bugg The 22d of the 9th Month 1678. But although Samuel had the recited Letter time enough yet he did not appear at the next Quarterly-Meeting but I being there did endeavour what I could to have raced it out as well as some other Friends but we could not then I desired that some one of them who was for its continuance would prove it Apostolical but none would adventure to take that Task upon them whereupon I entred my Protestation in Writing and several Friends put their Hands to it on the backside the substance of it followeth the which I left among them c. F. B. his Protestation FOrasmuch as that on the 4th of the 7th Month last past J. A. a Minicter of the Gospel was by S.C. and divers others they being the Major part by Vote adjudged and that in his absense Condemned and Recorded out of the Unity for not observing the prescribed Rule and Order of Friends in taking his Wife and none of you will adventure to prove the said Rule Apostolical nor the Proceedings against J. A. according to Gospel Order And thereupon I Francis Bugg do offer to prove
who is both Head and Lawgiver to his Church which are frequently laid down in Scripture by the four Evangelists and other his Prophets and Apostles Rather than the Practice Precepts Commands Prescriptions and Exhortations of G. F. or any other Mortal Man QUERY IV. If you say That the Commands Precepts Prescriptions and Exhortations of Christ Jesus ought Rather and in the first place to be obeyed as I hope you will not dare to say otherwise Then I further Query Whether Christ or any of his Apostles commanded that a Womens-Meeting should be set up Monthly distinct and apart from the Men and a Power committed to them to hear examine and determine Matters relating to the Government of the Church as now practised by many of us and that if any did not subject themselves to the Skill Prudence and Approbation of such Women-Governours and Government of the Church that they should be Judged and Condemned and Recorded out of the Vnity OR hath Christ or any of his Apostles left a Precise or particular Command that when any are intended to joyn in Marriage that first and before the Accomplishment thereof they the said Couple should always twice go to a Mans-Meeting and Womens-Meeting they being distinct and apart from each other for so they must be or else not according to G. F. his Orders and then all is in vain to publish their Intention of Marriage and when so done to stay a compleat Month and then go again to the said Meeting Viz. first to the Womens-Meeting for they have the Preheminence in our New Church Procedure and then to the Mens-Meeting they being distinct as I observed before which is a MAIN PRINCIPLE in this New Frame of Church-Government to ask and receive their Approbation and Licence to Marry and this to be done under pain of the Church's Censure which peradventure may be to Record them out of the Vnity If there be such a particular or general Command pray shew it us Or Whether did not Christ leave his People to their Liberty and Freedom How and in what manner they perform and compleat the Outward Ceremony provided they come together Chast and Clean as becomes the Gospel and the Professors of it QUERY V. If you say That Christ nor his Apostles left neither Command Example nor President for Womens-Meetings a part from the Men to be set up Monthly any way to intermeddle with the Government of the Church as that you must confess how angry soever you may be at the Discovery of these hidden Mysteries then I do further query of you the said Imposers Where had you your Power And from whence had you your Authority to Institute and ordain such a Way of Government in the Church by Women or otherwise containing such Rites and Ceremonies as have no President in Scripture And in whose Name do you compel to a Vniformity and Conformity thereunto And whether is not Christs Doctrine and Commands laid down in Scripture of more Authority than the Commands Institutions and Prescriptions of G. F Which if you grant they be as I know in words you dare not deny whatever you think Then I still further Query of you Directory-Makers What is the Reason and what doth it mean That neither Mathew Mark Luke nor John nor any one Chapter of any of those Books are Recorded in our Great Book of Records first and before the Epistle of G. F. as that which is more Powerful more Binding and of much more Authority Answer these Things QUERY VI. Whether were not the Bereans commended in that they searched the Scriptures to see whether Pauls Testimony accorded therewith yea and accounted more Noble than they of Thessalonica who were not so Inquisitive And is it not more commendable to search the Scriptures to see whether the Institutions Orders Cannons Degrees Traditions and Ceremonies of G. F. and other Innovators of Party with him Together with the Compelling a Vniformity and Conformity thereunto which hath occasioned so much Division Discord Strife and Contention since their Arrival be according to Scripture yea or Nay Seeing it is written Try all Things And if upon a diligent Search they be found directly contrary to Scripture and the Practice Doctrine and Example of Christ Jesus and his Holy Apostles Saints and Martyrs in all Ages Then I further Query Whether they ought not to be opposed withstood and testified against by all those that have a certain Sight thereof Alledging constantly according to Scripture That every one should be fully perswaded in his own Mind and if any be otherwise or contrary Minded they ought to be let alone until it pleases God to reveal and make manifest his Will unto them For what is not of Faith is Sin as saith the Apostle So answer these Things touching the Point of Church-Government for your Practice brings you into Suspition and you must come to Tryal as others have done before you F. B. The Twelfth Month 1678. To these Queries there were some Testimonies of Friends added which for Brevity sake I here omit likewise the Letter wherein I inclosed them to S. Cater I also at present omit for some Reasons And to this day I never had any Answer to the said Queries whereby I perceive what Effect the Advice given by a Publick Preacher of Party with G. F. hath taken Viz. Let not this Spirit be reasoned with enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Judgment that is Gods DECREE Which Advice when compared with this kind of Doctrine frequently published as W. R. avers in his Preface to the Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. Viz. Let us exclude the Reasoning the VVisdom and the Jealousie and let us have an Eye to the Brethren I say when I compare them and many other like Exhortations it is the less marvel that they should refuse any Answer especially considering that if they should answer there is no way to evade being discovered and Errour loves Obscurity for its Habitation is Darkness and Ignorance is the Mother of its Devotion and Conformity the Monstrous Womb that produc't it and when attended with the Secular Power supports all its deformed Parts with great Admiration crying Who is able to make War with the Beast c. I shall add one Query which J. A. put forth to which I never heard that he had any Answer and by that the Reader may understand his Sense about the Proceedings of our Quarterly-Meeting against him and then I purpose to conclude this Chapter c. A Question propounded to S. Cater and others of the Isle of Ely and elsewhere who force a Conformity to Church-Discipline and say Without Conformity no Unity The Question is What is Conformity A very short Question and easily answered it may be S. C. and others may say It is to the Spirit but not mean so but intend the Wills and Edicts of Men as in Example the late Proceedings against J. A. concerning taking his Wife who in every particular
own Hand would neither Answer the Letter nor so much as Discourse me but when I had given them the Letter C. T. bad me be gone All which shews the Author to the Accuser his Pretentions to an Accommodation Condiscention to be fallacious Deceitful and Hypocritical Object BY this time some may be ready to object and say It is true these Things as Stated cannot be denyed but to have used a more private way might have been as convincing and not have ministred that occasion to such as are Enemies to all Religion as this way of Proceeding perhaps may especially since the Author of the Accuser says p. 127. We can the more easily concur and accord as to Circumstances and Outward Methods and in the Wisdom of God so condiscend one to another and accommodate Matters as not to divid about them Answ That I with many other have used private meanes for about the space of four years without any Redress nay not so much as a Christian Answer and that the Pretence of the Author of the Accuser to Condiscention and Accommodation is fallacious and false and a meer piece of feigned Hypocrisy to amuse his Reader and delude the World I shall make evidently appear before I pass this Chapter especially considering what meanes I used at our Quarterly-Meeting in the Case of J. A. made mention of in the third Chapter both by Letters and Queries First then see a Letter that eleven Friends belonging to our Meeting in Milden-Hall sent to our Quarterly Meeting who were so far from Condiscention Accommodation as that they refused to have it read amongst them but said We were all deluded A Copy whereof followeth To Friends at the Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 4th Mo. 80. Dear Friends THese Lines are to put you in Mind that many Friends belonging to our Meeting as well as in divers other Places are offended and burthened by reason of the continued Record against John Ansloe which exclude him what in you lye out of the Unity of Friends which is nothing less than Excommunication to the utmost of your Power whereby we are constrained to visit you in this manner entreating you to race out the said Record out of your Quarterly Book Indeed had J. A. denyed Marriage the very forbidding of which is a Doctrine of Devils you might justly have thrown him out for Marriage is Gods Ordinance But the Controversy is not here but about manifesting his Intention to Marry Behold the Crime as you account it and consider of it we beseech you for Peace sake and lay not such a Stress where Christ nor his Primitive Followers laid none And that thereunto you may be encouraged ponder the saying of W. P. in his Address to Prot. p. 77. I beseech you Protestants by the Mercies of God and Love of Jesus Christ ratified to you in his most precious Blood FLY ROME AT ROME Look to the Enemies of your own House have a care of this Presumption carry it not too high lay not Stress where God hath laid none The Impositions of such Opinions is the Priviledge of Hypocrites and the Snare of many honest Minds And p. 93. If we consider the Matter well I fear saith W. P. it will be found that the occasion of Disturbance in the Church of Christ hath in most Ages been found to lye on the Side of those who have had the greatest Sway in it And Pag. 94. If the Spiritual Guides and Fathers of the Church would be a little sparing of incumbring Churches with needless Supersluities there were far less danger of Schism and Superstition And Pag. 144. Nay Christ himself to whom all Power was given in Heaven and Earth submitted himself to the Test He did not require them to believe him because he would be believed he refers them to the Witness that God bore of him saying If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true He also sends them to the Scriptures but an Imposing Church bears witness of her self and will be both Party and Judge require Assent without Evidence and Faith without Proof therefore false But Christian Religion ought to be carryed on only by that way by which it was Introduced which was Perswasion If any Man will be my Disciple let him take up his Cross and follow me Pag. 146. For if I believe what the Church believes only beause She believes and not because I am convinced in my Vnderstanding of the Truth of what She believes my Faith is false though hers be true I say 't is not true to me I have no Evidence of it And Pag. 141. The Apostle became all unto all that he might win some but this is becoming all unto none to force all he therefore recomends the utmost Condiscention that can be lawful he stooped he became all unto all that is he stooped to all Capacities and humbled himself to those Degrees of Knowledge that Men had and valued that which was good in all These Allurements were all his Injunctions nay in this Case he makes it an Injunction to use no other Let us therefore saith he as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you you shall not be Imposed upon Stigmatized or Excommunicated for want of full satisfaction or because you do not consent before Conviction Thus far William Penn. Now let us a little animadvert upon this Noble Mans Words Lay no Stress saith he where God hath not laid Stress as if he should have said Friends God never laid any such Stress about publishing the Intent of Marriage Why then do you Have a care of this Presumption carry not things too high neither Smite Record nor Excommunicate one another about such Things which are at best but Mens Traditions and Impositions which may prove a Snare to the Honest and Conscientious but a seeming Priviledge to the conformable Hypocrite for you see that such as have the greatest Sway in the Church are evermore the cause of these Disturbances who pretending themselves Fathers and Spiritual Guides are not sparing of cumbring the Churches with needless Superfluities and such Orders as Christ never commanded nor his Apostles ever practised which had they been so useful as you pretend they be surely Christ and his Apostles would not have been so forgetful of Prescribing such Outward Observations nay but on the contrary they have told us in Holy Writ The Kingdom of Heaven comes not that way neither consists in such things You also may perceive that Christ was such an Example of Meekness and Self-denyal and so far and free from Force and Imposition that he only said If any Man will be my Discipie let him take up his Cross and follow me but an Imposing Church bears witness of her self and though She sets up such Orders as Christ never commanded yet She requires assent without Evidence and Faith without Proof for She will be both Party and Judge
give forth such Orders who ever oppose them they oppose the Power of God and thereupon call us Men of an Opposite Spirit I say take a special view of what is said and then impartially peruse this following Advice of Friends in the Case of Marriage which was amongst many other things in the Beginning given forth by the antient Labourers in Gods Vineyard whose Care and Skill was manifest and then see if we govern our selves upon our first Principles That is to say The Elders and Brethren sendeth unto the Brethren in the North these necessary Things following to which if you in the Light wait to be kept in Obedience you shall do well Fare you well c. 7thly ' That if any one moved of the Lord and in his Light called to take a Brother or Sister in Marriage Marriage being honourable in all and the Bed undefiled let it be made known unto the Children of Light especially to those of the Meeting to which the Parties are Members that all in the Light may witness it to be of God let them be joyned together in the Lord and in his Fear in the presence of many Witnesses according to the Example of the Holy Men of God in the Scriptures of Truth Recorded which were written for our Example Here is true Humility and Learning and that no Scandal may rest upon the Truth nor any thing done in secret but all things brought to the Light that Truth may triumph over all Deceit and that they that are joyned together in the Lord may not by man be put asunder whom God hath joyned together that there may a Record of the Time and Place in Writing witnessing the Time and Place of such Things be kept within the Meeting of which the one or both are Members under which Writing the Witnesses present may subscribe their Names or so many of them as may be convenient for the stopping of the mouths of Gain-sayers and for the manifesting the Truth to all who are without Now observe the Conclusion of the said true Christian-like Epistle Dearly Beloved Friends these Things for there were many besides Marriage we do not lay upon you as a RVLE or FORM to walk by but that all with the measure of the Light which is pure and Holy may be guided so in the Light walking and abiding these Things may be fulfilled in the Spirit not from the Letter for the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life c. Now consider I pray thee First our Primitive Principle and Institution Direction and Christian-Liberty and see if the late Orders and Imposing them and Compelling a Uniformity to them have not doe violence to them see thy own words and how our Practice contradicts them Addr. to Prot. pag. 149. 150. c. That is to say For all Societies are to govern themselves according to their Institution and first Principle of Vnion where there is violence upon this part Tyranny and not Order is Introduced Now since Perswasion and Conviction began all true Christians Societies all Christian-Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom or they turn Antichristian Thus saist thou and I say the same pray consider on it and endeavour a Reformation I could further paraphrase hereupon and many other Places of thy Address c. Some Pages whereof with some others I may quote and leave to thy perusal being loth to be too tedious concluding with thy Address Pag. 221. That 't is base Coyn that needs Imposition to make it current but true Metal passes for its own intrinsick value Oh miserable Imposition and the mischief of it What Censuring Sentencing Recording Judging Yea What Superstition Formality Idolatry and Hypocrisy hath it begotten And what Animosities Heart-burnings Persecution and Bloodshed hath it been the Cause of Which had People been left to their Christian-Liberty had never been As these following pages shew Address to Protestants pages 122. 156. 143. 67. 68. 77. 93. 94. 95. 97. 98. 99. to the 104. 141. 148. 142. 144. 145. 146. 185. 190. 192. 193. Francis Howgils Works pag. 534. 617. 620. 236. 625. Richard Hubberthorns Works pag. 188. Josiah Coal's Whore Vnvailed pag. 71. 72. Coloss 2. 16. 17. 18. Eccle. 12.13 Joh. 14.15 Mat. 5. Mat. 28. Christs Sermon 5.6.7 Phil. 8.15 Rom. 14.5 Indeed thy Book alone is so full of matter against Imposition against Force and compelling a Conformity to Outward Rules Cannons and Prescriptions of Human Invention and for Christian-Liberty that I know not well how to leave it I pray God keep thee steady and with a continual Dependency upon the Divine Revelation of Gods holy Spirit which is the Rock upon which the true Church is built and every Member of it that so an Understanding of thy Duty may every day be received and a necessity therefrom come upon thee to perform it that so thou mayst not look one way and row another a thing some suspect by thy disputing on G. F. his Part when he some think was ashamed to appear himself But for my part when I consider thy Labour and Service in the Truth therein spending both thy self and Estate together with thy Zeal in vindicating Truth against all Opposers I cannot have any Suspition Object But perhaps thou mayst say to me How is it possible that a Composure of this Controversy can now be c. Answ If I may not be too tedious I will give thee my Answer thus Let there be a present Cassation of all Controversy for three Months proclaimed on both Sides and a Day set and Place appointed Mutually by G. and W. to have a Meeting equally constituted with ten or twenty Friends more or less on each Side by them respectively chosen and when this is agreed upon let them exhibit their Charges in Writing by way of Declaration and send it to each other a Month or more before the said Set Day that they may both know what to plead to and how to make their Defence and what Witnesses to bring to prove their several Charges so exhibited And then where either of them are found guilty let them make that Satisfaction which is suitable to the nature of their Crime and wherein clear let them be acquitted This on W. R's Account I dare Engage shall be performed and that this is both a just and reasonable Method I dare appeal to all Judicious Persons in the World Why then shall this intollerable Controversy be continued Why should there be occasion ministred for those grievous Animosities Rents and Divisions which every day increase And taking all Advantages against each other by Printing Preaching or otherwise as if the one Side were infallibly all Christians and impossible for them to Err and the other Side Heathens Infidels and Pagans and that by Predestination too without any Recovery by that figure of using no Endeavour Oh dreadful Work But if any shall say to me no George shall never be thus brought upon the Stage or be thus made publick for he cannot
in Authority and of their hearing and doing Justice and Intimated as if their Moderation in some Cases had exceeded whatever yet hath been manifested from G. F. G.W. and those of Party with them I now deem it reasonable to give a Demonstration of it lest it should seem incredible c. I shall begin with a Coppy of a Letter I wrote to Edward Turner Judge of Ely Assizes and the rest of the Kings Justices VIZ. A few words presented in the Love and Fear of the Lord to the Judge of the Assizes and Justices serious Consideration by us who have been Sufferers about three Years only and alone for keeping of a good Conscience c. As for our refusing to Swear we would have you all to understand that it is not out of Obstinacy or Wilfulness that we do refuse or as though we had any Reserve to our selves c. with pritty much on that Subject of not Swearing we being that Assizes to be Premunir'd which for Brevity I here omit But see the Closure and the Effect that followed Thus in short have we endeavoured to satisfie you by shewing you the Cause of our not Swearing which if you weigh our Sufferings in an equal Ballance you will find that you have dealt very hardly by us in keeping of us in Prison one Year after another In which time of Confinement one of the Servants of the Lord Thomas Richardson hath finished his Course and dyed a Witness of Jesus and a Prisoner for his Name-sake And the last Summer the Prison being close was so thronged with Prisoners that it was Gods great Mercy to preserve us from the Contagious Disease of the Plague Thus much in short may serve as a Motive to stir you up to let the Oppressed go free From us who subscribe our Names George Thorrowgood John Ives Francis Bugg William Custance Clement Crabb And others The 10th of the 11th Month 1666. This Letter we sent to Judge Turner by a Woman Friend and the Judge bid his Clark read it which he did deliberately and he leaning upon the Table heard it all and instead of telling us we were deluded the next day or the day after released us all And when our Meetings in Ely were disquieted by the Pesecution of the Act against Conventicles when it came first in Force where I then lived I then again wrote to Edward Turner when he came the Summer Assizes 1670. And he hearkned and heard our Complaint in our Sufferings and after we sent that Letter I do not remember that ever a Warrant was granted during the time of that Storm and because the Letter is short and that his Example may be of Service I may transcribe the most of it which is as followeth Viz. To Edward Turner Judge of Ely Assizes These FRiend as our manner hath been so it is once more in our Hearts to lay before thee in short our Oppressive Wrong and Injury which we have met withal from some Magistrates in Ely Knowing thou art not a Stranger to the Letter nor nature of the Law lately made against Seditious Sectaries who under a Colour of Tender Consciences may contrive Mischief c. That so thou mayst hear consider and do us Justice as in other Cases we perceive thou art very willing to do yea though to Thieves and Murtherers by searching out the Truth in every Testimony or Evidence before thou passest Judgment c. Now as for us who are in Scorn called Quakers who meet together to worship God in Spirit and Truth Not under Colour but in the Reality of our Hearts the Lord is our Witness Whether we be the People against whom the late Act was made or no remaines a Question Seeing in the Preamble of the said Act it is said to be For the suppressing of such who under Pretence of Tender Consciences may contrive Insurrections c. Or words to that purpose which we are clear of Blessed be the Lord having not the least Evil Intention in our Heart against the King nor the Present Government Established But notwithstanding we are clear from the Facts therein provided against and so consequently free from the Punishment therein prescribed for the Fact is the Cause of the Penalty Yet notwithstanding there are many are willing so largely to construe it as to stretch it to us having nothing whereof justly to accuse us save concerning the Law and Worship of our God and whether the Justices be informed against us we certainly cannot tell Yet this we know that whereas the Law says We should be first Convicted We never were so much as brought before them to hear our Accusers and answer for our selves a Priviledge not denyed Thieves and Murtherers nor us in some Places where they have any respect to Justice And thus are we disinabled to go on with our several Imployments through the false Construction of those who are not willing To do as they would that others should do to them By whose meanes our Cloth both Wooling and Linning our Stuffs our Peuter and Brass Boots and Shoes are taken out of our Shops we being of several Trades yea our Feather-beds from under us with other Bedding and Houshold Goods And all this severity extended towards us altogether without any just Cause ministred on our Parts Oh that ever Judgment should thus be turned backward as we have just Cause to say it is and Justice find no Place in the Hearts of those who profess Christianity surely if Turks Heathens and Pagans should be suffered to deal thus with us it would be no other Cruelty than what we should expect at their hands But for our own Country-men our own Neighbours professing all one God Christ and Scripture only differing in some things to deal thus with us contrary to Justice contrary to Law contrary to Reason and Neighbourly Affection Oh surely Will not these Proceedings these Rendings and Tearings Selling Goods not half to their value laying Families Wast and Desolate be a Cause for other Nations to have Christianity in Derision Much more might be said of this Nature but being loath to be tedious at present conclude greatly desiring that both thou and others would lay these Things to Heart which are writ in Love and in the same sent from the People in Ely called Quakers This Letter was given him he likewise ordered his Clark to read it and that in the presence of several of the Magistrates who had Persecuted us so that one would think it might have been the worse for us but from that time no more Warrants as above observed Likewise about three years after many of us were Sufferers in this Town of Milden-hall at which time I wrote a Letter to Judge Hales who was a very courteous man who received my Letter at my Wifes Hand and read it and said Truly Sweetheart the Execution of this Law is left with the Justices and is out of our Power but if I could do you any good I would My
by them I am willing to inform thee that I do not pretend constantly to write true English but thy Pride and Contempt is manifest which becomes not a Man of thy Pretences and whether mine and other Friends Desire to have that Cannon Rule or Order Recorded in our Quarterly Meeting Book which prohibits all Marriage to the manner of the Parties publishing their Intentions and the Record of Condemnation against J. A. for his Non-submission to the said Orders Reversed and Raced out be such a piece of Imperiousness and Menacing as thou seems to apprehend I shall leave to the Consciences of others Especially since it is the declared Judgment of Friends and hath past the Second-days Meetings Approbation That all Rulers are accountable to the People See pag. 442. of Edw. Burroughs Works where it is written And we believe that all Governours and Rulers OUGHT to be accountable to the People and to the next Proceeding Rulers for all their Actions which may be enquired into upon occasion c. What Is it our Opinion that Constables and all other Governours and Rulers are accountable to the People and is it such a piece of Imperiousness and Menacing in me and others to write a few Lines to the Second-days Meeting desiring not requiring them as thou fallaciously words it the annihilating and repealing of such an Antichristian Yoak of Bondage meaning the Orders as anon will appear If I have wrote Queries so foolishly as thou imaginest let thy Grave and Learned Answer to them instruct my Ignorance If thou thinkest I miss the Matter then shouldst thou shew me wherein by a distinct solid and an Intelligeable Answer As for G. W's sending to our Quarterly-Meeting that cannot fright me for except he lays his Indictment True and Legal I shall Demur to their Jurisdiction as believing that they have not the Kings Broad Seal to Commissionate them to call Delinquents to an account if such an one I were nor yet one Verse in the Holy Scripture the great Visible Charter of our Christian-Liberty that Authorises them to give a Summons thither But if he will admit of a Meeting rightly constituted and Men by him and my self equally chosen I do hereby offer to prove the Verity of whatever I have wrote to him or others on the Foot of this Controversy and this I desire thee to let him know Thy Lines I look upon impertinent and in several places false and unsound But in regard I am not certain that they past the Approbation of the Second days Meeting in London and also considering they are produced through such Obscondency I have wrote enough in answer to such a hidden conceited Projector although perhaps not in such true English as that every word is right spelled which piece of Fallibility I must confess attends my Writing often and better Schollars than my self or thou either So let this Acknowledgment suffice and when thou writest again write more to the purpose and let me know who thou art for many Names begin R. R. and also where thou dwellest that I may the better know how to give thee a suitable Reply And thus I conclude and rest accounting it my Duty to discover Errour publickly when all private Endeavours will not avail and Hypocrisy how hiddenly soever it makes its Progress Known by the Name of Mildenhall in Suffolk the 2d of the 1st Month 1681. F. Bugg Now followeth a Coppy of a Letter which I wrote to the Second-days Meeting out of which I presume he apprehends my Imperiousness as by his Letter to me appears the which also I will leave to the Readers Conscience that therein I may have a Witness against such unrighteous Reflections for I begin to see the Truth of Robert Rich his Words in a Letter from Barbadoes to his Friends Abstracts c. p. 20. And I can assure you that who meddle with the Quakers had need be fenced within and without with the whole Armour of God Truth and Love to Righteousness Davids Sling and Stone and enabled to use both Hands the Left as well as the Right c. So that to the Witness of God in the Readers Conscience I commend the following to see whether I did Imperiously and Menacingly require or Friendly desire their Annihillating of the said Order especially considering what private means by my frequent Letters Queries Protestations Debates I have had with them near four Years together as this Chapter and the 2d and 3d. Chapters sufficiently manifests Viz. To Friends of the Second-days-Meeting in London Friends FOrasmuch as it hath so happened that a Difference amongst us the People called Quakers is risen about Church-Discipline Church-Government and Outward Orders Forms and Prescriptions and that by no meanes a Condiscention can be admitted of whereby a Christian Composure may be obtained in order to the settling a Happy Union and Blessed Fellowship amongst us as in the Beginning but instead thereof begin to Excommunicate and Censure one another for that which is no Sin against God but meer Formality no Breach of Gods Commandments but Mans Traditions I say inasmuch as it hath thus happened and that there yet appears no probability of a Reconciliation and that as you look upon your selves the Heads of the People and chief Governours of the Church and as such assume the place of Approbation of what passes the Press and other Epistles directory to the Churches for their Information how to proceed in Matters Ecclesiastical c. So that it is with me at this time to write a few Lines to you not that I admit you to have any Power or Lawful Authority over the Consciences and Perswasions of your Brethren or any particular Right of Dominion transmitted to you beyond your Brethren yet I say Inasmuch as you assume the Place and Authority aforesaid although Vsurped I hereby signifie to you that whereas there is a Decree or Cannon called Orders Recorded in our Quarterly-Book Dated the 1st of the 10th Month 1675. which say That NO Friends for time to come may PERMIT or SVFFER Marriages without the Consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come twise to the said Meetings c. And that J. A. stands Excommunicate or Recorded out of the Vnity for his Nonconformity to the said Orders Decree or Cannon and I having wrote to several Friends particularly and to Monthly and Quarterly-Meetings touching these Things and being for several Years dissatisfied with these Proceedings have desired to know by what Authority Womens-Meetings are Set up Monthly distinct and apart from Mens-Meetings with a Power committed to them to hear examine and determine Matters relating to the Government of the Church as in particular in the Cases of Marriage and in whose Name a Conformity is required to their Jurisdiction And to this Day no man hath given me one Line in Answer I not then knowing what I now understand by the Preface to the Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. put forth by W.