Manual Certificates of two Ministers at least under pain of Confiscation of the whole Impression nor may you denounce any Excommunication against any Ministers and others who shall change their Religion for that of the Roman Catholick nor treat them reproachfully neither by word nor writing †{inverted †} †{inverted †} Hark G. W. then they were not to call such Beasts Dogs Wolves Children of the Devil Devils incarnate Enemies of all Righteousness Apostates self-condemned Apostates as you have called me and others for our forsaking you and conforming to the Religion Establisht Moreover when they speak of the Pope they are not to call him Antichrist ††But you call both Ministers and People Parliaments and Magistrates who either pay or receive Tythes Antichrist Oh hetrodox in all points c. nor to treat him disrespectfully nor shall they tax the Roman Church with Idolatry nor the Sacraments and Ceremonies thereof us humane Inventions and Idolatry c. * * But you tell the Protestants their Sacraments are dust and that they rose from the Pope c. And treat the Dispencers thereof as Witches Devils Antichrists and what not that is odious nor to make collections of Money c. And now I come to shew you the Christian Frame and Temper of the French Protestants in their Obedience to the Kings Commandment by their Moderator c. The Lord Commissioner having ended his Speech the Deputies returned their Answer by their Moderator Monsieur Garrissoles The Moderator's Answer WE thankfully acknowledge the great Goodness and Mercy of God Almighty in answering the Prayers of his poor Churches with his heavenly Blessing and their Majesties Condescention in accepting our most humble Petitions presented by the Lords of our General Deputies and granting us this Privilege of holding this Synod and committing the Inspection of it unto a person most illustrious for his Vertues and well deserving that high place of Dignity and Honour in the first and chiefest Parliament of the Kingdom all these and many other considerations more do enforce our Souls with a sweet and pleasing violence to break forth into enlarged Praises and enflamed Thankfulness unto their Majesties yea and in most ardent supplications unto our God for the preservation of their sacred persons his Benediction upon their Government the Glory of their Crowns under whose comfortable Shadows the Churches enjoying a sweet Peace will never have any other desire or thought than to practice faithfully and conscientiously that most express Command of our Lord and Saviour by his Apostle St. Peter To fear God and honor the King and that with a most entire and sincere Obedience And as we have no design to do it so we shall never admit any person to sit as a Member of our National Synod who hath not a Deputation c. Nor shall we hold any Correspondency nor receive any Letters coming from Foreigners ††See G. W the Quakers practice and how different herein as anon I shall shew nor return any Answers to them unless that my Lord Commissioner who represents his Majesties person shall have first perused them nor will we debate about Matters of State nor make any orders in relation to them * * Hark G. W. read your Edicts and compare them which resemble theirs as black does white nor shall we set up Proivincial Councels in opposition to his Majesties will Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer those Canons of our National Synods concerning the Approbation of Books that shall be printed on matters of Religion to be violated ††See and behold an Example the Protestants have regard to the Laws the Quakers none nor shall we excommunicate any of those persons who quit the Communion of our Churches for we do not arrogate to our selves any Jurisdiction over them from that minute in which they left us nor shall we tollerate any Sermons fraught with any injurious and reproachful Language against the Members of the Church of Rome whether in general or particular nor suffer that Moneys be collected c. From all which 't is self-evident from Scripture Reason and approved Authors that Christ and his holy Apostles commanded subjection and obedience to the higher powers their Commands are positive and not with a Proviso i. e. until you be convinced of this your duty c. No they are Scripture Commands and as such ought to be obeyed and so the Martyrs believed and practised and set examples And you see how these worthy Christians the French Protestants obeyed that wholsom doctrine they did not answer the French King that no Commands in Scripture are obliging unless a man be first convinced that what is there commanded ought to be obeyed as Burroughs and Pen teach and as the Quakers practice who run counter to the practice of Christ his Apostles Martyrs and all Christians to this day c. SECT XII AND thus the Quakers may see as in a Glass That first the French King was humbly sought by the Protestants to grant them leave to hold a National Synod upon which he answered their request provided first that he might have a Commissioner in whom he could repose trust and confidence to be resident there to hear and observe that their discourse did not tend to alienate the hearts of his Subjects from their obedience to him as their King and Governor Secondly That they did not meddle with State matters tending to beget disobedience to the Laws of the Land all which they as readily submitted to they promised they would not meddle with State matters nor excommunicate and revile his Magistrates and Ministers nor hold a Correspondency with Strangers to let other Nations espy the Fashions and Customs of their Government and thereby take measures against it that they would observe his Laws in not printing Books without Licence nor gather up Money to weaken the Subjects to carry on designs against the Government But how far the Quakers differ in this point from the Christian both at home and abroad I leave the Reader to judge and that not from my bare say so but from plain matter of fact But still to make it more plain if more plain can be I shall in a few instances set 1st The French Kings method in commanding his Subjects 2d The manner of his Subjects Obedience and ready Compliance altho not of his Perswasion as to his Religion 3d. The Quakers Practice and Principles relating to Government 4th Some brief Observations from the Premisses SECT XIII French King YOu shall have no Communication with Strangers you shall neither read Letters from them in your Convocation nor return Letters to them other than what my Commissioner approves of Protest Nor shall we read any Letters coming from Foreigners nor return any Answer unless my Lord Commissioner approve thereof ut supra Quak. 〈◊〉 Epistle to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Friends in England and Wales or elsewhere from our yearly
Clergy as the fountain of wickedness the issue of prophaneness and the deceivers of the Nation and to lay them open that all people might see their shame and turn from them And now my work I am entered upon is to thresh down Quakerism as the pest of the Nation the fountain of wickedness the issue of prophaneness the deceivers of the people and the broachers of damnable heresies and to lay them open that all people may see your shame and in abhorrence of your abomination to turn from you Come G. W. look for the same measure for you are like to have it heaped thrust down and running over Come George remember your Brother Pen who in his Book The Skirmish defeated c. being told that the womb of Iniquity was in the Quakers Writings said p. 10. He has invaded my body and soul religion and life for I am said W. Pen by my doctrine if the Priest may be believed an Heretick a Blasphemer an Atheist c. And what remains but that the Dogs or the Lyons devour me the Rabble or the Government sacrifice me c. And I pray good Mr Pen what are the Priests if the Quakers may be believed are they not Witches Devils Blasphemers Antichrists c. I say if what you say may be credited what are they good for but the Dogs or Lions to tear them to pieces the Rabble and the Government to sacrifice them saying there ☞ goes a Witch read Exod. 22.18 which says 't is death here ☞ goes a Blasphemer stone him to death Lev. 24.16 Here goes a false Prophet who is not to live Deut. 18.20 knock him down thus in every Town where you come to get credit you have invaded their Soul and Body Religion and Life Come smooth G. W. is not this seditious in the nature of it You know Westmorland Petitioners told you so 2. That my shéet delivered to the House of Commons Dec. 1693. was malicious Answ Reader I will give you some account of the reason of it I having occasion to attend the Parliament by way of sollicitation about our Trade 1693. there was every day 4 or 5 Quakers up and down attending also at last they presented a fine smooth printed paper stiled The Case of the People called Quakers humbly offered to the tender Consideration of the House of Commons to incline them to grant the Petition of the said People c. The Petition was to have their Word pass for an Oath that they might be Rivals with the Peers of the Realm But when I saw it and considered how they but a little before had indicted me for printing a Book unlicenced when I was 60 miles off and they got them seized and taken from my Bookseller notwithstanding they frequently print and publish without Licence and also considering how by little and little they are getting ground and knowing what a litigious People they would be if there was not that Barr to keep them out of Government I took their printed fine wheedling sheet and answered it and did immediately deliver the Answer to it to the Members as I think it was my duty and it was as kindly accepted by the Members and the very same day I delivered my said Answer to their Case their Petition was thrown out to the great joy of all Christian People and notwithstanding G. W.'s belying Mr. Goldwell I had his leave and hearty ascent to deliver it and never had of him a word of dislike for all I have writ nor of none such as he was 3. That my Impeaching their yearly méeting was presumptuous Answ If so But why then did you teach me the way See Burroughs works printed by the order and approbation of Geo. Whitehead Anno 1672. p. 793. stiled Persecution Impeached as a Traytor against God Now all your wilful sufferings for your obstinate disobedience to the Laws of the Land by you are called Persecution and that you have the presumption to Impeach all the Judges Justices and Inferiour Officers under the odious Name of Persecution why may not I for once Impeach you who sit at Devonshire-house to null make void and repeal as unlawful what the King Lords and Commons make lawful at Westminster And whether I be most presumptuous for telling you of your faults or you in committing them for that 's the great case between you and me I will leave the Reader to judge when I have recited the said Impeachment and Proof as in the said sheet viz. The IMPEACHMENT That Geo. White and his Brethren at a Convocation at London the 5th of May 1693. ending the 8th day of the same month did contrive make and promulgate several Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical containing in them divers matters and things contrary to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm against the Rights of Parliament against the property of the subject and matters tending to Sedition and of dangerous consequence as may appear by the recited Epistle A few instances thereof as proof I shall recite The IMPEACHMENT PROVED The Quak. Yearly Epist 1693. p. 1. And therefore that all due care be taken against the Grand Oppression and Antichristian Youk of Tythes that our Christian Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all Respects and against Steeplehouse Rates as also against the Burthen and Imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their monthly and quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of the Sufferings of Friends to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tyths c pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what Goods are taken and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for truth sake they being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Record of Friends Sufferings c. Observation From whence we may conclude that the main reason why the Quakers refuse to pay their Tyths and Church Rates and other things which the Government calls for at their hands is the Authority of their Yearly Meetings and not Scripture Proof and where is there a Parish in England but feel more or less the sad effects and evil consequences of these their Antimagistratical Incroachments besides it looks very ill and ungrateful to charge the Government with Persecution for Tythes which is a civil right established by Law Yea even in that very Act of Parliament which gave them their Tolleration and which some if not all these Anti-Lawmakers know well enough 't is in fol. 308. thus Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persons aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other Parochial Duties or any other Duties to the Church or Minister or from
time in the same City used Sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria giving out that himself was some great one to whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest saying this man is the great power of God And said Justin Martyr Many adored him as the supream God they gave heed to him they believed and obeyed what he taught they placed their hope and confidence in him See Pool 's Synopsis of the Criticks p. 1462. for more of this nature And Erasmus in his paraphrase upon that place saith A man there was among the Samaritans called Simon a deceiver of the people and a practiser of delusions who before Philip came there practised in that City Magick Art and by his counterfeit Miracles had made the Samaritans fond of him who by means of such falshood and deceit avaunted himself before the simple and plain people boasting that he was an excellent Prophet unto whom the Samaritans from the highest to the lowest gave good heed but nothing had he done in Jesus name and therefore they as a people astonished at such monstrous sights said This fellow is Gods own right hand which is called Mighty Many a day had he been with them and long had he made them with his Sorcery to dote upon him and therefore when he had once gotten himself a name with them of great estimation many one believed him in all that he taught c. And besides as History saith Simon Magus was an early Blasphemer of the Blessed Trinity a slighter of the Scriptures and a denyer of the Law of Moses from all which four things are observable 1. That Simon Magus gave out of himself that he was some great man that he wrought counterfeit Miracles in his own Name and never in the name of Jesus of Nazareth 2. That all the Samaritans gave heed to him from the least to the greatest believing all he taught saying This man is the great power of God 3. That he got himself a name of great estimation to be an 〈◊〉 Prophet they at last adored him as the Supreme God 4. That he was a slighter of the Scripture and a denyer of the Law of Moses a blasphemer of the blessed Trinity c. Now how far G. Fox is of kin to Simon Magus will appear in the next Section for the tree must be known by the fruit men do not gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles this is a true measuring Line being laid to Scripture Rule SECT III. 1. THat Geo. Fox gave out of himself that he was some great one 2. That he wrought Counterfeit Miracles and never in the name of Iesus For proof of the first of these read his Journal p. 31. Being asked whether he was sanctified answered Yes for he was in the Paradice of God ibid. The power of God thundered said George amongst them And they the worlds people did fly like chaff before the wind p. 60. So that it was a dreadful thing unto them when it was told them the man in the Leathern Breeches is come Again p. 55. A woman said that an Angel or Spirit came into Beverly Church and spake the wonderful things of God to the astonishment of all that were there and when it had done it passed away and no man knew whence it came nor whither it went c. This G. Fox owned himself to be the man and left the relation under his own hand which must be to magnifie himself Again p. 47. Then did I see said Geo. Fox the heavens opened p. 45. Whilest I was yet in the house of Correction said G. F. there came unto me a Troop saying As I was sitting in the Steeple-house said the Troop hearing the Priest the voice of the Lord came unto me saying dost thou not know that my servant G. F. is in prison go to him for direction so I said G. F. spake to his condition and his understanding was opened Again p. 67. I call'd the Accuser Judas and said Judas 's end should be his and that was the word of the Lord and of Christ thro me to him and shortly after he hang'd himself Again p. 74. Then said Fra. Howgill of me this man G. F. speaks with authority and not like the Scribes Again p. 63. Now I sat on a Hay-stack and spake nothing for some hours the professors being desirous to hear me speak asked when I would begin and when I would speak One present bid them wait and told them that the people waited upon Christ a long while before he spake Again p. 278. At Leith in Ireland the Inn-keeper told me that the Council had granted forth Warrants to apprehend me to whom I said What do you tell me G. F. of their Warrants against me if there were a Cart-load of them I do not heed them Again p. 431. The takers and payers of Tythes must be testified against in the Lords power Again p. 438. Many friends were imprisoned at London and other places for opening their Shop-wndows on Holydays and Fast-days which friends could not but do for we were redeemed out of days by Christ Jesus c. Thus Reader I have given thee a small sample of G. Fox's own words of himself in his Journal shewing that himself was some great one I am next coming to his Books for another sample and when you have them compare them to Simon Magus touching that particular and see which outstrips and exceeds each other in magnifying themselves The Tryal of G. Fox at Lancaster Assize p. 21. And before I came to the Bar I was moved to pray and the thundering voice answered I have glorified thee and will glorifie thee again And I was filled so full of Glory that my head and ears were filled full of it And when the Judges came up they appeared all as dead men under me c. Alluding to Christ John 12.28 16.14 and 17.1 News coming up c. Written from the mouth of the Lord from one who is naked and stands naked before the Lord cloathed with Righteousness whose name is not known in the world risen up out of the North which was prophesied of but now it is fulfilled G. Fox Several Petitions Answered p. 60. My name is covered from the world and the world knows not me nor my name Saul s Errand to Damascus c. He that hath the same spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead is equal with God A Battledoor c. Introd All Languages are to me no more than dust who was before Languages were c. Alike to James Parnell one of his Disciples The Watcher c. p. 37. But to the end of all disputes and arguments I am come for before they was I am See W. P.'s Christ Qua. and Dev. Test p. 96. And you will find both Fox and Parnell call themselves Christ in W. Pen's sense And that in W. Pen's sense he that suffered at Jerusalem was no more Christ than they i. e. G. Fox and Ja.
Meeting held in London the v. vi vii and viii â—â—ys of the 4th month 1693. p. 2. Several other Epistles from forâ—ign parts as Barbadoes Maryland Pensilvania Virginia Scotland and Holland were read an Epistle from Amsterdam in Holland Ja. Dickinson and Tho. Wilson at this Meeting gave an account of their Travels in Barbadoes East and West Jersey Pensilvania Maryland Virginia New England North Carolina Rhoad Island Long Island Antego Nevis c. Four Epistles from Ireland one from the last year Meeting in Dublin another from Ulster Province another from Munster Province the fourth from Conought Province Meeting An account was given of Dantzick friends A Letter also from Jamaica that there are a People rais'd up and increased in Germany from among the Lutherans called Pietists by some called Quakâ—râ— persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the Priests several of our Friends Books have been spread amongst them Again p. 3. Friends appointed to view the â—ccounts report that they find they are truly stated and right kept and friends are again advised to bring up with them the tâ—tal sum of each Counties Collection Query did Wm. Crouch not forget the 5 l. he disbursed Again p. 4. the six friends of the City appointed and intrusted this Year with the accounts are William Crouch John Staploe William Macket William Chandler William Beech Nathaniel Marks Observation Reader A small Remark will serve 1st 'T is plain they hold a Correspondency with and receive Letters from Foreigners return Answers spread their Books into foreign parts pretending to spread truth as if the Scriptures were deficient 'T is also plain that they have a Fund or Bank and a yearly Tax collected to maintain their Teachers Travellers and Spies both at home and abroad see my Books Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 14. New Rome unm p. 60. 'T is also plain that they have Common Bankers with whom the keeping of the Exchequer is intrusted their Names are W. Crouch J. Staploe W. Macket W. Chandler W. Beech Nath. Marks See W. R.'s Second Scourge for G. Whitehead c. on this Head SECT XIV French King YOu are not to meddle with State Affairs or matters of Justice Protest Nor will we debate about State Affairs or make any orders in relation to them The King and Parl. of England An Act of Parliament made the first year Gulielmi Mariae intituled An Act for exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. Numb 308. Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persâ—ns aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other parochial duties or any other duty to the Church or Minister nor from any prosecution in any Ecclesiastical Court or elsewhere for the same Quakers Yearly Epist p. 1. And therefore that all due and godly care be taken against the Grand Oppression and antichristian Yoak of Tythes that our Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all respects and against Steeple-house Rates as also against the burden and imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of Friends Sufferings to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tythes are pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what goods are taken by distress for non-payment and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for Truths sake They the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Records of Friends Sufferings and therefore the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are desired to take more care for the future that all Friends Sufferings for truths sake may be brought up to London as full and compleat in all Respects as possibly may be A complaint being made that some that profess truth carry Guns in their Ships 't is therefore recommended to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to deal with them c. Observations Reader the disparity between the Quakers and the Christians in their practice behaviour gratitude and duty is obvious 1st The French King commands his Subjects not to meddle with State Affairs the Protestants with all complacency answer him no they do not desire it neither will they so much as make orders about State matters as not being their present station being Dissenters from the Religion by Law established Thus you see the harmony of the French King and his Subjects and so much for that next you see in the first year of his present Majesty he with the advice and consent of his Parliament indulged the Quakers the free exercise of their perswasion from the penalty of poenal Statutes but in the same Act for their Indulgence there is a clause as above told which ratifies and confirms the payment of Tythes and all Church dues as firm as ever In the next place you see what the Quakers say of it They tell you That Tythes are a grand oppression and not only so but which is worse an Antichristian Yoak yea such a yoak as that whoever receives or pays Tythes does therein deny Christ to be come in the Flesh by their doctrine And thereupon by this Epistle which is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere they warn their Disciples to maintain their Testimony against the payment of Tythes in all respects the like against Church-wardens Rates and withal stoutly to oppose the Imposition of Oaths Nay this is not all yet but being sat in state to hear the grievances of the Nation there is a Complaint come up to the yearly Meeting that some who profess truth as if there were none who profess truth but the Quakers carry Guns in their Ships Well they hear this Complaint but refer that business to the Country Sessions I mean their Quarterly Meetings for they have business of great moment and thus instead of thankfully enjoying the Governments kindness they are privately undermining it by alienating the Kings Subjects from their active obedience to the known Laws of the Land for this Epistle alias Edict is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere this elsewhere is through the world for as Rome is the Papists Metropolis whose Decrees reach to the ends of the earth where Papists live so is this yearly Meeting in London the Quakers Metropolis and from thence goes forth their Law which is obliging and binding as far as there are any Quakers And if any desire to stay until they be convinced Oh no! says W. Pen away with this loose plea for it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the true Religion And which is worse The Examin
of receiving them and their Testimony you have caused them * Here Sam. thinks to blind the poor Quakers and make them believe he was a 20 l. sufferer when he lost not a groat to suffer And them also that did receive them and their Testimony The Lord forgive you is the desire of him that chuses rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God than to live in the pleasures of this world Sam. Cater I have laid a snare for thee and thou art taken O Babylon and thou wast not aware thou art found and also caught put your selves in array against Babylon round about all you that bend the Bow shoot at her spare no Arrows for the Lord hath opened his Armoury and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts Jer. 50.14 24 25. SECT XVI Fr. King WE do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning Religion which are not Attested i. e. Licensed by two Manual Certificates at least under pain of losing the whole Impression Prot. Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer thâ—se Canons of our National Synod concerning the Approbation i. e. Licensing of Books that shall be pâ—inâ—â—d on matters of Religion to be violated it being our sincere and most fixed Resolution to obâ—erve in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lâ—ad a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Quak. Epist ibid. p. 3. It 's desired that the monthly and quarterly meetings respectively takes notice of all Friends Books that are or may be sent to them according to former agreement and take care for the dispersing the same for the service of Truth c. and take care to advise the Correspondents for the Counties to write only to your Correspondents in London about their sufferings lest their suffering case be delayed Renewed advice to the respective Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England and Wales and for the preserving and spreading Friends Books for Truths service Dear Friends THese are to let you understand that our Friends have at several yearly Meetings had under their serious consideration hw all those Books that are printed for the service of Truth and the unity of Friends might most effectually be spread for a general service to Truth and Information unto Friends and others And at the last yearly Meeting it was left unto this meeting who have settled as followeth viz. That those that print friends books shall the first opportunity after printed within one month at most send to one of the Correspondents in the several Counties viz. For each Monthly Meeting two Books of a sort if under Sixpence and one of a sort if above Sixpence for these reasons 1. For Friends to have general notice of what Books are printed 2. That they may send for what other quantities they may see a service for 3. That the Printer may be encouraged in printing for friends 4. That one Book at least of a sort that shall be printed except Collections may be kept in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting for the service of Friends and Truth as there shall be â—ccasion for the future 5. It 's agreed that the Printer will allow two pence in the shilling for all such Books 6. It 's Agreed That some here shall be appointed to examine the Printer to see that they send no Books but such as are appointed by Friends 7. It 's Agreed and Advised that the Printers account be fully cleared once a year at least by those Friends the Country shall send up to the yearly Meeting 8. It 's Agreed That the name of the Printer imployed by Friends should be sent with directions how to write to him Dear Friends and Brethren it 's tenderly advised and recommended to you that you be careful and diligent in the spreading of all such Books that are printed for the service of Truth and are written either in defence of it or Christian Doctrine or Holy profession or by way of Epistle Warning Caution Exhortation or Prophecy that so we may not be remiss or negligent in promoting the holy truth that nothing may be wanting on our parts to promote it and the spreading of it that the Nations may be informed and brought into the knowledge of it that in the end we may give an account with joy An ancient friend the Printers name is as follows to whom direct thus For Andrew Soale at the Crooked Billet in Holy-well-lane in Shoreditch London Or to Thomas Northcoat at his Shop in George-yard in Lombard-street London And this we think needful you should record in your Quarterly Books and sometimes read it for remâ—mbrance and notice Signed in the behalf of the Meeting the 18th of the â—â—th mâ—nth 1693. by Benjamin Bealing The yearly Meeting Epistle the 27th of the 3d month 1675. It is our Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the fear of God and the authority of his Power and Sprit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings that no such slight and contemptible names and expressions as calling men and womens Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burthensome And that faithful Friends Papers which we Testifie have been given forth by the Power and Spirit of God are mens Edicts or Canons or embracing them bowing to men Elders in the service of Truth Popes and Bishops with such scornful sayings be permitted among them But let Gods power be set upon the top of that unsavoury Spirit and them that use it Signed by George Whitehead William Pen and others I am the larger in this Citation to convince the world that the Quakers prefer their own Books before and above the Scripture contrary to their pretence in their sheet they delivered to the Parliament as also to shew the impudence of some amongst them that tell people they have no Epistles read amongst them as Francis Bugg sets forth which I know they can no more be ignorant of than of the Suns shining at noon-day And in order to a further discovery thereof I shall recite the Titles of some of their Epistles as I did in New Rome Arraigned p. 41. which to this day they have not denyed c. 1. Two General Epistles to the Flock of God where-ever they are dispersed by M. Fell and J. Park printed 1664. 2. To Friends in England Ireland Scotland Holland New England Barbadoes or any where else where the Lord shall order this to come c. 3. A General Epistle to be read in the fear of God in the Assembly of his people by W. D. 4. The word of the Lord to Syon the New Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs Wife the excellency of all the Glory that is amongst the people by W. D. printed 1664. 5. An Epistle to Friends every where to be read distinctly in their Meetings by K. W. printed 1681. 6. All Friends every
where this is the word of the Lord unto you all this you may read amongst the children of the light and of the day per G. Fox 7. This is only to go amongst Friends 8. An Epistle to Friends in England to be read in their Assemblys 9. An Epistle to the Remnant of Friends per G. Whitehead concluding thus Let this be read distinctly in the life and authority of God from whence it came among Friends in and about the City of London and elsewhere as any Friends are moved in the same Life 10. To all people who meet in Steeple-houses in England and elsewhere p. 2. A message from the Lord Jesus Christ in England or elsewhere into all the Steeple-houses to be read 11. To the Children of Light c. I desire this Epistle may be read in your several Meetings William Pen. 12. Several papers given forth for the spreading of truth c. I charge you in the presence of the Lord God to send this Epistle among Friends and Brethren every 〈◊〉 to be read in all Meetings to you all this is the word of the Lord God Geo. Fox SECT XVII HAving in the foregoing Section proved from plain matter of fact that the Quakers prefer their nonsensical Pamphlets before the Scriptures being compared with the contemptible expressions they give them as beastly ware death dust and serpents meat c. notwithstanding their Hypocritical Sheet they delivered to the Parliament and as a proof it will stand against them beyond all their glossing I think I need to make no other Remark or Observation having largely shewed their practice from their own works and therefore I come now to answer an Objection viz. Object Possibly some may say that tho they take the liberty of the Press to spread their Heretical Doctrine and defamatory Libels as the Battledoor for the Magistrates Teachers and Professors in the form and figure of a Childs penny horn book to learn the English of tu and vos As likewise their Primmer put out by G. Fox formerly a Journeyman Shoemaker containing 2434 Queries as what is a Noun a Pronoun a Participle an Adverb c. as at large recited by me in my book Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 16 17. yet they often pretend to moral vertues and they pretend they do not hinder the Sale of your Books as in W. Pens Rejoinder c. part 2. p. 404. I do aver says W. Pen in the name of the Quakers we never endeavour any such thing as to prevent the sale of an Adversaries Books Therefore in so many words they who say we do have certified an absolute Lye c. Answ Now for proof that the Quakers do hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books I will give you three instances whereby it will appear how false William Pen is in this case as well as in many more that might be mentioned but what will they not say for holy Church Oh the deceit the fraud and religious cheats that are to be found amongst the Teachers of this people but as he himself observes in a little Pamphlet of his stiled A Brief Answer to a false and foolish Libel c. p. 25. But the truth is error can only be maintained by error And what can we expect from W. Pen who has vindicated as gross Idolatry wrote by Jos Coal to G. Fox as ever Muggleton uttered in his Book Judas and the Jews c. p. 44 to 47. I say what can we expect of such men as Pen and Whitehead who will say and unsay this to day and that to morrow and by and by stand to neither well but let me proceed to prove W. Pen a Lyer for once since he avers in the name of the Quakers that they never hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books c. Instance 1. About the year 168â— William Rogers put forth a Book against the Foxonian Quakers Usurpation of their Womens Meetings c. intituled The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovate in five parts This Book John Barnard a dissenting Quaker sold and for which thing only they excommunicated him as at large set forth in my Book de Chr. Lib. c. part 2. p. 179. An Abstract thereof I shall recite viz. From the monthly meeting at Devonshire-house the 4th of the 11th month 1681. Whereas there have been some unruly Spirits gone out from the truth and the unity of the blessed power of God writing printing and publishing things hurtful to truth by corrupting of peoples minds tending also to draw them into disesteem * Mark the two things this excommunication are bottomed upon viz. first corrupting of peoples minds next tending to weaken the esteem the pâ—or ignorant Quakers have of such Deceivers of many of the Lords Servants we find our selves concerned to take notice of some of this kind befaln Jo. Barnard formerly a member of this Meeting who hath dispersed into several parts of this Nation divers of those perniâ—ioâ—s Baâ—ks in print wrote by W. Rogers called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovater So that now we being wholly clear having used an utmost endeavour to reclaim him do not only Tâ—stifie against that Spirit which hath led him into that disorderly practice but also against â—i while joyned thereunto nor can we have Spiritual communion or fellowshiâ— with him until unfeignedly he shall return unto the truth by condemnation of that Work and Spirit c. By which 't is plain that the Quakers do endeavour to hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books as this excommunication out of their Fellowship and Spiritual Communion for selling the said Book is an evidence and sufficient proof c. Instance II. Whereas G. Keith wrote several Books against the errors of the Quakers in Pensilvania and for which they persecuted him as their Book stiled The Tryals of Peter Boss George Keith Tho. Budd and William Bradford before a Court of Quakers at the Sessions held at Philadelphia in Pensilvania c. at large set forth But the said Geo. Keith coming into England was examined by the yearly meeting June 1694. Where they advised G. Keith in these words And therefore it is the tender Advice and Counsel that Geo. Keith should either call in these Books or at least publish something effectually to clear the body of the people called Quakers and their Ministers from those gross errors charged on some few in America c. This continued until May 1695. And G. Keith not calling in his Books nor clearing the body of the Quakers from those gross errors which G. K. had charged on them they excommunicated the said G. Keith May 17. 1695. As acted by an unchristian Spirit and it is the sense and judgment of this méeting say they that the said Geo. Keith is gone from the Blessed unity of the peaceable spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ and hath thereby separated himself from the holy fellowship of the Church of