Fundamentals of the Christian Religion as it is for G. Whitehead to Address himself by Dedication to the Clergy and Universities personating a Schism which professes such Doctrine as tends to overthrow the Christian Faith Come George Answer me this Question how came you to be such a Man You know I could shew Books of your Friends Burrough Fisher Fox and others who tho' as great Imposters as any in the World ever knew yet they have Dedicated and Addressed and not only so but Dictated to Kings Lords and Commons Come G. what was your birth Whence came your breeding Were you not Rambling Pilgrims who like Gypsies lay in Barns lived upon Alms with your Feet at other Mens Tables See E. Burrough's Epist to his works What must none Address now but you Must none apply themselves to the Government but you Surely George you are a Pegg too high Come George let us reason together what power have you to summons all Ecclesiastical Courts and Officers more than I have to summon you What Power have you to Dialogue the Bishops and the whole Church more than I have to Dialogue you What Authority have you to Arraign Try Judge and Condemn all the Clergy in a Kingdom more than I have to Arraign you and Try you by your Fruit I tell you George I cannot see you mount the Stage and thus Insult Domineer and Exalt your selves not only above the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs and all Christians with respect to your so much boasted-of Sinless Perfection but above all the King's Subjects as if you and you only had right to Address Dedicate and Present Papers to the Parliament and that it were Treason to confront you I tell you as above noted that you are a pegg too high But George before you had Addrest your selves and Dedicated your Books to the King and Government you ought to have condemn'd your Books mentioned p. 154 157 167. And before you had Dedicated this Book to the Clergy you ought in prudence to have retracted your Books mentioned p. 217 249 250. And as to G. K's Book it was approved by the Quakers and you ought to have retracted the Doctrine of it as G. K. has and likewise W. Penn's and Alexander Skien's mentioned in p. 168 170. But your Temporizing is both seen and discovered to be seen by others And now for your Dedication to the Clergy A Rambling Pilgrim p. 3. An Epistle Dedicatory to those of the Clergy and of the two Universities whose kindness Fran. Bugg boasts of 30 th of the 4 th Month 1629. By George Whitehead Now George to shew you what a kind Reception your Dedication met with from my Benefactors I shall though I have no order present you with part of a Letter which one of them sent me which take as follows viz. March 11. 1699. Mr. Bugg I Cannot but thank you for the service you have done especially among the Common People by your way of Writing and for the plentiful materials you have furnish'd out to imploy others with respect both to the Principles and Practices of the Quakers and your laborious Attendance at Parliament as a Check to the Insolencies of the Quakers in their presenting their deceivable Papers in which they have been too much neglected wherefore be not dishearten'd but go on and Charge the Quakers Party through and through with their Blasphemies against the Blessed Trinity their Doctrine of Infallibility and Sinless Perfection their denying the Fundamental Articles of our most Holy Religion viz. The Incarnation of Christ the Resurrection of the Body and the Day of Judgment For to talk of Lenitives and Gentle Applications is like the old way of sowing Pillows under their Arm-holes and you may as well give Opium in a Lethargy as to fancy to cure some Men into their Senses by your mild and tender Remedies And therefore to deal plainly is the best way to work their Conversion from the Infidelity of Quakerism to the Faith of Christ Crucified which God of his Mercy grant them if it be his Will It was a notable Confession of St. Paul when he drew up an Indictment and Arraigned himself in the Murther of St. Stephen for his standing by and consenting unto his Death and holding the Garment of them that slew him I wish the Quakers were Humble enough to follow his Example whose malice I am afraid is greater and the dignity of the injured Person higher for they have Spirited away our Blessed Saviour and have left us nothing but a Notional and Chimerical Christ so that we may take up the Lamentation of Mary Magdalen They have taken away the Lord and we know not where they have laid him That was well noted in the Spirit of the Hat For I am perswaded there cannot be an Instance made in any Society of Men of that bigness that have gotten more Bastards and more unnaturally dispos'd of them that have drank deeper Draughts of stoln secret Intemperance that have fed higher and fared more deliciously every Day than have some of these Perfectionists in their shining brazen disguises of Religion I am heartily sorry for the poor Quaker I heard lately of who hanged himself * * viz. Will. Rust a Preacher at Chaterice in the Isle of Ely who opposed G. K. with G. K's Narrative in his Pocket and the more for the exact parallel I must make between him and Judas both in his Life and in his Death I pray God give them Grace to lay it to Heart and humbly to confess their Sins to God and to beg pardon by the Merits of Christ that God may give them Repentance unto Life SIR Your most Faithful Friend to Serve you c. It may be some may say why did you not Print his Name to it To which I Answer suppose I had a Friend in my Parlour and knew that if I did open the Door that the Dogs would come in and worry him can any think that if I lov'd my Friend I would not secure him from their Rage yea and with Just Lot rather venture my self out among the Sodomites than suffer my Friend to be torn in pieces And besides that I have Muzzled some and put others of them in a Cage so that they can only Grin Bark and shew their Teeth POSTSCRIPT To the Sincere amongst the Quakers whether they be Thousands Hundreds Fifties or peradventure but Ten who are of the true Berean Race FRIENDS BEsides the forenoted Six Books of the Quakers I have herein Examined and Refuted Four more at least in their principal parts VII Their Anguis Flagellatus or A Switch for the Snake VIII A Rambling Pilgrim c. by George Whitehead IX A Just Censure of F. B 's Address to the Parliament c. X. A Sober Reply c. in Answer to F. B 's Modest Defence To all which you will find in the foregoing and following such an Examination and Confutation as will give you some light into the
Israel 1 Sam. 17. as the Quakers do the Church of England her Bishops and Clergy And as a fresh Motive to this my Chace I saw Two Letters from Two worthy Clergymen to their Acquaintance in the City which complain'd of the Quakers Insolency An Abstract thereof is as followeth viz. I supply the Cure of I have with the Blessing of God upon my Pains preserved the People in our Communion except some few till now But at this time thro' the extraordinary Devices Craft and Subtilty of the Quakers that Parish and two or three more thereabouts are in great Danger of falling from the Church to Quakerism several of their New Converts go about to Houses importuning Men and Women to go to hear their Speakers They are so troublesome in this Nature as that I am perswaded some have turned and others must turn for a quiet Life I have observed them to be much more hot and eager in making Proselytes since the Peace than ever they were in the time of the War They challenge us to meet them and Dispute with them but if we should accept their Challenge without our Bishop's Leave I do not know how he would resent it besides I am not hasty lest the best Cause in the World should suffer thro' my Weakness And the Advantage they would bring to their Cause hereby is to have it universally believ'd that their Religion is so good and so much favour'd by the Government as that it neither can nor dare be oppos'd by us I believe the Intent of the King and Parliament in granting them an Indulgence was not that they should disturb the Professors of the Establish'd Religion by Law but rather that these Legal Professors should not be capable of disturbing or molesting them I pray God open the Eyes of our Governours and cause them to take into Consideration this too much and too deplorable unlimited and unbounded Toleration especially as the Quakers both claim and use it which notwithstanding all the Care and indefatigable Labour and Pains of the Watchmen of Israel will certainly if not timely prevented be the Overthrow of our Church and Christianity it self c. And to my own Knowledge they boast of having the Royal Ear and such Friends at Court as give them great Boldness especially in Country Towns and Villages where they ride Lord and Master and begin to think themselves interested in the Comprehension discoursed of But if so without first a general Retractation of the Errours by them broached and of their scandalous Defamations of our Kings our Parliaments Bishops Clergy and Protestants in general it will be no other than breeding a Viper in the Bowels of the Christian Churches which God of his Mercy divert Thus begging my Reader 's Pardon for this long Digression I shall now take Leave to renew my Chace in Hunting the Fox not so much to single out a single Person for that God knows of every Society there has been some Particulars under mistaken Notions pursuing wrong Designs as to shew that the Governing Party of the Quakers who sit at their Helm have been utterly against this present Government For as I told them Publickly in my Printed Letter to the Quakers Printed 1690. p. 2. i. e. This Government and the Protestant Interest are so linked together that those which are not true to the one cannot be true to the other whatever they may pretend c. I say not so much to single out of their Herd one particular Person as to shew that the Quakers in general who think themselves thus highly honoured as the Merit of their Innocency have all along been averse to the Government that so when they like the Peacock behold their dark Parts they may let fall their Plumes and be humbled and brought to a Confession both of their Sins of Omission and Commission against God and Man For I having observed the Discourse of the Quakers touching the late Happy Revolution found how their Pulse beat and in the general perceived a great Lukewarmness in them to the present Government I also went sometimes to their Meetings as I did to other Dissenters to observe whether they all pray'd for Their Majesties and to do the Dissenters Right both Presbyterians Independants and Baptists pray'd heartily for Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary but not a Word of such a Prayer amongst the Quakers By which I soon perceived that their Peoples Averseness to the Government proceeded from the Doctrine and Example of their Teachers upon which I Printed against this their Omission in a Letter to the Quakers 1690. p. 2. saying Why do you not Pray for and Address your selves to King William and Queen Mary as publickly and as heartily as you did to and for the late King James II. viz. as a brave King God and Cesar said Penn are both of a Mind pray God bless the King and his Royal Family These and many more were published thro' the Nations and from your Yearly Meetings too but no Salutation no Message no Prayer for nor Address to King William and Queen Mary as if you were struck mute at the Loss of your brave Popish King I do not charge this as an Evil in it self whilst our King but to shew the Quakers Zeal to that and Coldness to his present Majesty whom God preserve What can you say for your selves Are you like those 1 Sam. 10.27 viz. The Children of Beliel who said How shall this Man save us And they despis'd him and brought him no Presents no Prayers no Addresses but the King held his Peace O ye unworthy and ungrateful Persons Hath not King William granted you the Liberty of your Consciences What! Have you nothing to say for King William Nay you are so far from that that you have acted quite contrary for when King William appointed a Fast for the Prosperity of his Arms then you not only Preached against the Fast but also to weaken the Hearts and Hands of his Friends you vehemently cry'd down all Wars and Fighting * Mark this with the Juncture of Time and Occasion and the like Is you Zeal for the Protestant Cause quite gone or is it gone to Rome c. This Letter I grant put them into a Fume and Fret but they soon found a Salvo viz. Where said G. Whitehead are all required by Christ or his Apostles to pray for them i. e. Kings and all that are in Authority by Name c. The Content Apostate c. p. 17. as before observed But I soon Printed a Reply to G. Whitehead's Evasive Answer intituled New Rome Unmask'd p. 26 to 30. where I gave Instances of their Prayers and Addresses to the late King James II. as in the following Addresses is manifest but not one Anniversary Address to King William III. to August 1699. viz. The Humble Address of the People called Quakers to K. James II. June 1687. We cannot but with grateful Hearts both admire and acknowledge the Providence of
God that made the King's retiring into our Native Country i. e. Scotland in 1679. give a Happy Turn to his Affairs to the defeating and disappointing the Designs of his Enemies We do justly conceive Oar selves obliged by a special Tie to praise God for his Goodness in carrying the King through and over all his Troubles since by the same Providence and at the same time by which the Lord began in that more observable manner to evidence his Care of him he made him the happy Instrument to deliver us from our Troubles so that the Prosperity of his Affairs and our peaceable Fruition of the Exercise of our Consciences bears the same Date c. The Humble Address of the People call'd Quakers to K. James II. from our Yearly Meeting 1688. We the King's loving and peaceable Subjects from divers Parts of his Dominions being met together in this City to inspect the Affairs of our Christian Society ††Which by Interpretation is Infect Throughout the World think it our Duty humbly to represent c. Now since it hath pleased thee O King to renew to all thy Subjects by thy last Declaration thy Gracious Assurance to pursue the Establishment of this Christian Liberty c. We think our selves deeply engaged to renew Our Assurances of Fidelity and Affection And as we firmly believe that God will never desert this just and righteous Cause of Liberty Nor the King in maintaining of it so we hope c. Thus Reader you see here is nothing wanting but bended Knees here is in All Humility in All Fidelity with All Affection yea All All All all Prayers for him for a long Life for a prosperous Reign Laud and Praise in the highest for His Deliverance for the defeating his Enemies i. e. Protestants besides by a modest Computation Ten Thousand Books spread up and down the Nation in favour of his Government See my Sober Expostulation with the Hearers of the Quakers c. p. 13. But since King William came to the Crown No Salutation No Message No Prayers for No Address to him from their Yearly Meeting †Unless this in 1698. now the War is ended and no Hopes left them No in all Humility No in all Fidelity No with all Affection No Publick Prayers for his long Life for his prosperous Reign No Laud and Praise that his Enemies are defeated Here is all No No No nor one Book wrote in Favour of the Government during this Reign But that my Reader may rightly understand which side of the Hedge the Quakers have to this Day hid themselves I will recite one Query to them anew as in that Book of mine I did New Rome Unmask'd c. p. 31. as I took it out of a Jacobite Catechism p 5. For as I would not write one Sheet which hath not a Tendency to shew either their Errours Hypocrisie Covetousness or Treachery to the Nation so shall I take in all that concur thereto tho' it be Twenty Sheets The Query is Query What made the Quakers no more concern'd for the Loss of those brave Patriots of our Country Essex Russel Sidney Cornish Bateman c. I could never get an Answer to this Query This was such an untoward knotty Question that all the Quakers were not able to answer it that ever I understood No no instead of being sorry G. Whitehead Fran. Camfeild Gilbert Layty and Alex. Parker deliver'd an Address to King Charles II. at Windsor about the time of the Execution of my Lord Russel This was the first Address they ever made to Authority crying out extreamly against all Hellish Plots and all Trayterous Conspiracies and that they had nothing but Love and Good-will to him and his Brother the Duke of York But to return to the Observation I have made on the Quakers Publick Prayers for and their Yearly Meetings Address to the late King James II. and their contrary Practice to King William III * No for what they do at their Yearly Meeting is is done by the Body I have something more to offer as an Aggravation of their Ingratitude for they made an Order for the calling in the Widow Whitrow's Books she being formerly of their Society and by her plain Dress some take her to be so still which was in Favour of this Government Now G. Whitehead what Scripture had you for that Or by what Authority did you presume to give out this Order Now I shall transcribe the Widow Whitrow's Paper concerning the Quakers Order for calling in her Books which is as followeth viz. December 1689. The Widow Whitrow ordered Andrew Sowle to Print a Book for her intituled The Widow Whitrow's Humble Address to King William III. And in December 1690. ordered him to Print another Book intituled For Queen Mary the Humble Salutation and Faithful Greeting of the Widow Whitrow †The very Titles of these Books were sufficient for the Ruling Quakers to Censure the Books c. Both which were well accepted and which Andr. Sowle * Sowle was the Quakers Printer and Bookseller sent into the Country to his Friends the Quakers and many of the said People did buy them and liked them well †This perplexed the Foxonian Quakers and sent for more But the chief Quakers in London at their Monthly Meeting at Devonshire-House the 7 th of January following made an Order to have all those Books called in and appointed John Ethridge and William Ingram to go to the Printer and acquaint him with the said Order which accordingly they did Too true Sons of the Foxonian Quaker-Church At which the Printers seem'd troubled saying They thought Friends would not have been against them i. e. such Books seeing they were mostly writ against the Pride and Wickedness of the Times And asked What it was they had against the Books They answered They * Meaning their Monthly Meeting had little against them Only that they were writ in Favour of This Government and reflected upon the former †i. e. Their brave King James II. and that Friends had Resolved not to Meddle with the Government c. It is to be observed That the first Book called The Address c. was Printed above a Year before and sold by their Booksellers and not any Stop put to them till some †Viz. The Lord Preston W. P. c. were endeavouring the Overthrow of this Government so that it is easily to be understood what the Meaning was of such an Order at such a Time and Season c. This Account is still ready to be attested if deny'd and which I signify'd something of formerly but now I thought fit to recite it at large See New Rome Arraign'd c. p. 30. Well this Order was made where G. Fox and the Chief Governing Quakers in London were present in January but in February following came out a Proclamation against one of their chief Men who upon the News of it and as a
as they say I should have proceeded to as many Instances of their Pretence to Spiritual Discerning but I shall mention but two viz. George Fox in his Great Mystery c. p. 89. viz. The Quakers can discern who are Saints who are Devils and who are Apostates without speaking ever a Word Another Place like unto it is in Judas and the Jews c. p. 58. thus None need to give us Discerning or Judgment Christ hath furnished us already and doth on all Occasions But that I may do the Quakers Justice let me give one Instance where I may shew that the Quakers differ in Doctrine from the Romish Church and if I mistake not from all other Christian Churches And indeed that is one main Reason why I thus Unmask New Rome For as A. S. the Roman Catholick said so say I as in his Reconciler of Religions c. p. 2. The true Church Militant is composed of Good and Bad of Wheat and Tares c. To this Josiah Coale in his Whore Vnvailed c. p. 10. replies like himself i. e. like a right Quaker saying Which thing I do abominate to acknowledge And it is Blasphemy the true Church is not composed of Wheat and Tares of Good and Bad but of Good only * See pag. 254 to pag. 284. whether their Church be all Wheat Another of their Teachers in his Book A Rod to drive out the Wild Boars c. says There is no Hypocrite in the true Church they that say there are Hypocrites in the true Church do erre from the Spirit of Truth c. Read the Fourteenth Chapter herein and see whether the Quakers have not Erred or whether that Grain looks like Wheat nay not so good as Tares but meer Darnel And as to their Fling at me about my Compounding as in their Anguis Flagellatus c. p. 432. I shall say little of it in this place but referr to Chap. 15. herein pag. 295 to pag. 307. only thus much I may add That there was but about a Third Part of my Creditors that Compounded at 10 s. in the Pound the rest I have and must Pay the Whole Nay some of those that did Compound I have since Paid the Whole And this Offer I now make That if the Quakers will Engage that those of their Profession shall Pay me what they Broke in my Debt or that Died in my Debt and have not paid me I then will promise to pay every Man to a Groat and if so the Quakers have no great cause to boast And yet I can in good Conscience say that great part of my difficulties have been by and through the great injustice and implacable malice of my Adversaries the Quakers who have yet no reason since my labour have been for their good though against their Wills and for which they have by all their endeavours sought my Ruin And their resolutions herein have been very strong and prosecuted with great vigour For as on the one hand they have used all possible means to render me unworthy of the Clergies notice a hint whereof you have in p. 299. so on the other hand some of them have suggested by private insinuations to my Creditors that they need not to comply for that the Clergy would assist me nay one Quaker nearly Related to me by Marriage and for whom I have done divers good offices it may be more than any Man living no nearer related than I was yet he reported to a Kinsman of his in order to blast my Reputation when I had most need of his good word and assistance that I designed to Sell my Estate and leave my Wife and Children which thing I call Heaven and Earth to witness I never designed nor did it ever enter into my heart And much more to this purpose could I relate which I shall not but desire to pass by all their Unkindness and Ingratitude in the Day of my Adversity being truly thankful to God in the first place and to his Servants in the next who have enabled me to continue to this Day not only to live free from want but to maintain my Family with all things necessary even beyond what I could have expected for in all Humane probability had not God raised me up Friends I had been miserable enough by reason my Adversaries rage was so extensive who thirsted after nothing more than my utter Ruin as I could shew were it needful in many cases And thanks be to God through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in whose Cause I have been ingaged though a weak and unworthy Instrument and for whose Sake nothing has been to dear too part withal he has raised me Friends and made me able to say as one of old did That I have been able to run through a Troop and to leap over a Wall which I once thought would have been too high for me so that I will not fear what Man can do unto me for God will scatter mine Enemies and confound mine Adversaries and raise me Friends in despite of the Rage of Satan and all his Instruments But since in their late Prints and Appeals the Quakers do so magnifie their own honesty I shall as I have in the Cage of Unclean Birds p. 249. to p. 286. once more add to the number a third sort not at present thinking it needful to add the fruits of others that lye snuge in the Cage and which as yet have not seen it needful to shew their Feathers since the hint already given have had some effect and I hope may have more towards their Humiliation and Amendment But that they may see if yet they do not see that they are left like other Men and overtaken with the same Infirmities I shall set forth not only Ten of their Teachers of great Note but likewise Ten of their Hearers for I love to proceed by number and weight not that I shall this time put John Kilborn and some others into the Cage to their fellow Birds but as I said in regard they so often brag of their honesty in meum and tuum I shall therefore briefly observe to them and for their Humiliation if by any means they may be wrought upon to be Humbled a few of their miscarriages on that Account that their vain pretence to a Sinless Perfection may be retracted and at last come to make Confession of their Sins and Repent thereof and Amend their ways 1. The first I shall name of this sort is Gerald Roberts who was the greatest Entertainer of G. Fox in that Day a great Preacher and one who kept the Publick Stock into whose custody was put a Rich Orphan worth 4000 l. namely Abijah Trot who by the consent of G. Fox and Alex. Parker got her Married to his Son against the Executors consent i. e. R. Cannam and Fran. Camfield against which clandestine proceeding of Fox Parker and Roberts I have much to say which at present I forbear But he broke 2. Tho
if they find it so as that they may for I have ever been willing and still am to produce Book and Page to prove Matter of Fact then let them carry the said Books to their Teachers to condemn and censure as Heretical and tending to overturn the Christian Religion and if not let them if they be wise turn their Backs upon them forsake their Errours and imbrace the Christian Faith so shall the end of all my Labour and Pains be Answered but if they after all the Pains my self and others have taken will still shut their Eyes and stop their Ears my Reward will be with me and they shall bear their own Burthen in the Day of the Lord. CHAP. V. Giveth many Reasons both Negative and Affirmative That George Fox took himself to be a Second Moses and that the Heads of the Quakers attributed to him Divine Honour as Head of their Church and Lawgiver to it TO come to a right Understanding of this I shall first insert an Objection raised by W. Rogers The Christian Quaker distinguished c. Part I. p. 9. and by him taken out of a Manuscript with Names to it next George Fox's Answer and then proceed to other particular Reasons and Demonstrations Object 'T is true Friends in the beginning were turned to the Light in their own Consciences as their Guide but when it pleased the Lord to gather so great a Number into the Knowledge and Belief of the Truth then the Heavenly Motion came upon George Fox as the Lord 's Anointed and Chosen having the Care of the Churches as being the great Apostle of Christ Jesus and as one whom the Lord had ordained to be in that place amongst the Children of Light in this our Day as Moses was amongst the Children of Israel in his Day to set forth Methods and Forms of Church-Government and to establish Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Men and Women distinct from the Men and these Meetings since are called the Church whose Counsel Advice and Judgment is to be submitted unto by every one who profess himself a Member of Christ's Church and that we ought to believe as the Church believes as G. VVhitehead teacheth viz. I affirm That the true Church is in the true Faith that is in God and we must believe thus as the true Church believes or else it were but both a Folly and Hypocrisie to profess our selves Members thereof G. VVhitehead 's Book the Apostate Incendiary c. p. 16. This Objection W. Rogers made from the Strength of divers Arguments he found in the Manuscript from the VVords and VVritings of divers Persons whose Names he did forbear to mention but for the clearing up this Point VVhether G. Fox looked upon himself the Second Moses the great Prophet and Apostle see his Answer to W. Rogers The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator in Five Parts See Part 4. p. 83. George Fox's ANSWER VVilliam Rogers thou say'st There is a Spirit risen at this Day that gives many occasion to be jealous that I am look'd upon by some as that Prophet which Moses testify'd of that God would raise up Deut. 18.15 but who they are thou hast not mention'd And thou say'st Christ is that Prophet that is to be heard c. and he is the only Lawgiver and no Outward Man (m) (m) So W. Rogers said now mark his long-sided Answer Then is not this Prophet to be in Man to give forth his Law which comes after Moses But I cannot deny that Prophet which Moses spake of to be raised up for I know that it is he that is opposed and his Law too by many Talkers of him and the Light of his Glorious Gospel and the Order of it and what I am I am by the Grace and Love of God and will not deny (n) (n) Deny no there was no Body desired that But if he had not owned himself to be that Prophet he ought to have been plain and denied himself to be that Prophet as John did I am not the Christ said John Joh. 1.20 the Prophet which came after Moses nor the Election before the World began tho' all turn into the Jealousies in which they were before they were convinced for I believe few of them that does oppose knows this Prophet that comes after Moses tho' they may speak of him in Words of which Prophet I am not ashamed Reader The Text and Context being duly consider'd I mean W. Roger's Objection touching the common Jealousies which was amongst us at that Day besides the Letters in the said Manuscript c. I say that duly consider'd on the one Hand and G. Fox's Answer on the other Hand which was so far from denying himself to be that Prophet which Moses prophesied of Deut. 18.15 and St. Stephen testified of Acts 7.37 and St. Peter Acts 3.23 and St. John the Evangelist John 1.45 These and many others gave witness to the fulfilling of the Prophesie of Moses in sending the promised Messiah I say G. Fox's Answer was so far from denying himself to be that Prophet which Moses prophesied of that it confirmed us in that Day and since much more that he did not deny but rather owned the Charge But to strengthen my Argument I shall give some small Hints and but name them having been heretofore more large first What he said of himself next What his Followers said of him First 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 News coming up p. 1. which was Prophesied of (o) This is News indeed what Prophet prophesied of Fox's Rising in the North Secondly My Name is covered from the World and the World knows not ME nor MY NAME Several Petitions Answered p. 30. Thirdly HE that HATH the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the Dead is EQUAL with God Saul's Errand to Damascus p. 8. Fourthly All Languages are to me no more than Dust who was before Languages were The Battledoor c. Introd Fifthly 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 c. G. Fox's Tryal at Lancaster p. 21. Reader Here was Fulness of Glory if his Head and Ears was so filled c. However 't is plain it alludes to John 12.18 16.14 and 17.1 For nothing would please him but to be equal if not above Christ as One Hundred Instances might be given Next I may just name some few of those High Titles and Divine Attributes which his Disciples and Followers Men of greatest Note amongst them gave him which are only due to Christ who was the Prophet Moses Prophesied of and not the subtle Fox the doting Quakers so much admire and idolize First George Fox the Father of many Nations whose Being and Habitation is
so is TREASON c. Thus then is it apparent that what is in others Treason they themselves practice in the Face of the Government For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest neither any thing hid that shall not be made known and come abroad Luke 8.17 CHAP. VIII Shews the Executive Part of the Quakers Laws and Government in their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings I Join the Use and Service of their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings together for Brevity-sake as also because they are much the same in all Respects only the Monthly is inferior to the Quarterly because in one County there may be three or four Monthly Meetings much like Justices Monthly Meetings where the Party offending need not be Concluded but entering his Recognizance to appear at the Quarter-Sessions he may have a more full Hearing so it is with the Quakers he may Appeal from the Monthly to the Quarterly Meeting This I know very well not barely because I was Clerk in these Meetings many Years but also during my Controversie with Sam. Cater I Summon'd him first to the Monthly Meeting and when I found no Justice I Appeal'd from that to the Quarterly and indeed from the Quarterly to the Yearly and so twice or thrice round as I remember For it was the greatest Tryal that ever was amongst them in regard it struck at the Ministry viz. WHETHER THEY OUGHT NOT TO TELL THEIR NAMES AND HABITATIONS AND THEREBY SET THE MSELVES IN A LIKE SUFFERING CAPACITY WITH THE HEARERS †At large in my Book The Painted Harlot both Stript and Whipt c. And the Postscript stiled Reason against Railing c. c. since they advised us to be valiant and give up all c. But to the Matter When we came together which is commonly 9 or 10 a Clock then we sat awhile together Silent unless we have a Teacher with us and then it may be we may have a short Exhortation to keep to our Antient Testimony * i. e. George Fox's Commandments and some other things which in the next Chapter you 'll hear of so then the Doors being secured they proceed after this manner The Clerk calling over the Meeting I mean the particular Meetings of every Town which possibly may be Forty Towns more or less viz. Clerk Come Friends How is it as to your Town of Littleport A. and B. For there is to be two appear from every Town Things are pretty well with us only D. E. is married with a Priest Meeting Aye How came that to pass Did you not perceive his Relapse from the Truth and the Order of it till he made such a Revolt as to become an Apostate A. B. Truly we found he declin'd and some Friends in our Town spoke to him and warn'd him of the Danger of it but all would not do Meeting Well let some Body be ordered to go to him and admonish him if he Repent and acknowledge his Fault and confess to Truth †i. e. To them for if he confess his Fault to them they Absolve him and all 's well again Clerk How is it at your Town of Milden-Hall A. B. Things are pretty well with us but Francis Bugg still continues his Writing against Friends And he being examined by Samuel Fulbig whether he owns W. Rogers's wicked Book Which admits of Liberty of Conscience to pay Tythes or not to marry with a Publick Minister or not and he owns it And therefore we must take Care about him for he does much hurt to Truth and lays Stumbling-Blocks in the way of others Meeting Course we know not well what Course to take with him he will neither lead * Into blind Conformity nor drive †Into an Implicite Faith Indeed we have suffered him too long Clerk in this Meeting but he may thank R. S. J. A. E. L. and some of you his Friends or else he had been excluded long since for his very owning W. Roger's Book which admits of a voluntary Payment of Tythes which as our dear Brother Ellwood saith is a Mark of Antichrist a Denial of Christ come in the Flesh yea downright Ranterism Antidote p. 78. 139. But notwithstanding thro' such Arguments as W. Rogers use we have by woful Experience seen that some have been convinced Ten some Twenty Years and yet can pay Tythes without any Acknowledgment of Evil therein Christ Quaker disting Part 2. p. 42. And altho' we grant saith our Brother Ellwood in his Antidote p. 109. That our great Apostle G. Fox did say in his Several Papers given forth for spreading Truth Friends to you all this is the Word of the Lord †See Fox's Papers are the Word of the Lord whilst they say 't is Blasphemy to call the Letter i. e. Scripture the Word Take heed of judging one another judge not one another I command you in the Presence of the Lord See his Book entituled The Way to the Kingdom of God pag. 4. and judge not one another behind one another's Backs * Yet they passed Sentence on me behind my Back I not being there that Day i. e. 4th of June 1682. I command you in the Presence of the Lord this is the Word of the Lord unto you Neither lay open one another's Nakedness and Weakness behind one anothers Backs for thou that dost art one of Ham 's Family which is under the Curse c. This indeed continues our Beloved rother is a Warning to Friends not to judge one another †No let their Immoralities be gross do but keep in the Unity of the Corrupt Body But it is not a Warning to Friends not to judge those that oppose Friends being gone out of the Unity of Friends themselves and endeavouring to draw others out also and to divide and rend the Church so that you have mist your Aim and lost your Blow c. Thus Friends you have the Judgment of the Church and Francis Bugg has not only owned that Pernicious Book but has written two Books against Friends as Pernicious as that of W. Rogers Intituled De Christiana Libertate c. and The Painted Harlot both Stript and Whipt c. Nay not only so but hath wrote divers Letters Remonstrances and Queries to particular Friends to the Second-day Meetings And therefore 't is time to take some Course with him c. Meeting Content therefore let us draw up a Paper against him and when we have view'd it let us Record it c. This was done a Copy whereof is as followeth viz. At a Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham 7th Day of the 4th Month 1682. Whereas this Day there was inferred ††Notable Scholars INFERRED into our Meeting several Papers subscribed by Francis Bugg wherein he hath Unrighteously and Ungodlily reflected upon Antient Friends and greatly abused Faithful Ministers of the Gospel * * They can call other Ministers Witches Devils Thieves Robbers Antichrists Jesuits Bloodhounds Sodomites and what not But
none must touch the Hem of their Garment O Proud Hypocrites and also amongst the said Papers was one subscribed by twelve Persons directed to the Second-Day Meeting in London wherein Friends are misrepresented and greatly abused which said Paper we believe the said Francis Bugg promoted Now we being greatly grieved in our Spirits and truly sensible of his herein going from Truth do testifie We have no Unity with him nor can have whilst he is thus Acted OBSERVE First I was judged and condemned behind my Back without a Hearing Secondly The Papers subscribed by Twelve Persons they only supposed to be of my promoting Now if John Lilborn's Judges had been thus implicite in their Faith at his Tryal at Guild Hall in October 1649. he must have been Hang'd for writing The Naked Truth in Oliver Cromwell's time c. The next Instance I shall recite and which I think is to the Purpose is to shew the Quakers implacable Malice against not only W. Rogers but his Book too and no Passage in his whole Book came under the like sad Sentence as that of his admitting a Voluntary Payment of Tythes if the Supream Powers bestowed it on a National Ministry c. His Words are We are so far from condemning all those who freely pay them i. e. Tythes and not by Constraint that we look upon it to be the Duty of all professing Christianity to contribute towards the outward Maintainance of such whom they usually hear and account to be true Ministers of Christ in case they have need And if the Charity of any should be such as to bestow upon them one Fifth Part instead of a Tenth far be it from us to condemn it c. The Christian Quaker distinguished c. Part 2. p. 43. But this was such a horrible Tenet and so much of Liberty of Conscience in it that as you have heard First It was an Errour of Judgment 2 dly It came from an unsound Mind 3 dly That Truth i. e. the Quakers Light allows no Payment of Tythes at all under the New Covenant 4 thly They who do pay Tythes tho' Voluntarily do therein uphold a legal Ceremony abrogated by Christ 5 thly And thereby deny Christ to be come in the Flesh quoting 1 John 4.3 which speaks not one Syllable of Tythes 6 thly That it is downright Ranterism c. Ellwood's Antidote p. 78. 139. Well but W. Rogers was so modest as not to put this Book into the Bookseller's Hands to Sell lest thereby he might widen the Difference which both he and my self at that time thought might have been composed †For I did not then understand their Fundamental Errours but Thanks be to God that as their fair and smooth Pretences proved a Snare to catch me so their gross Dissimulations proved a Means to see them that he put it into the Hands of John Barnard a Merchant being one of the separate Quakers for him to dispose of and to disperse as he in Wisdom should see meet and some Hundreds of them he did disperse Well he was Summoned time after time to the Monthly Meeting in Devonshire-House London to Answer for his Fault and I think he as often appeared But being of too Masculine a Temper to submit to their Arbitrary Authority and Usurped Dominion he still continued selling and disposing of this so sad and so lamentable a Book of which you have heard the greatest Crime namely for admitting a Voluntary Payment of Tythes c. And to say true so it was for there is nothing upon Earth that the Quakers thirst more after than the utter Ruin of the Priesthood and the Abolishing the Maintainance thereof This is the Vein that runs fluently thro' all their Books and Sermons nay rather than the Priests should have it and that it might be a Means to starve them they are willing to pay Tythes to Secular Use For saith G. Whitehead if the King and Great Council of the Nation were pleased †The Case of the Quakers concerning Oaths defended c. p. 50. per G. Whitehead to repeal those Old Laws inforcing the Payment of Tythes and to convert them into some necessary civil Use as for the Poor Oh Judas or some National Service and Benefit Oh smooth George Here is the Face of a Lamb but the rough Paw of a Bear and the Claws of a Leopard it would appear whether we should not pay our Parts and whether the Royal Exchequer would not be conveniently supplied without the Tenths from the Priests c. Thus they could pay Tythes into the Exchequer to maintain a War which they equally Disclaim Oh but do what you will with the Tythes so the Priests do but starve and their Ministry fall and their Religion overturned then HEY BOYS UP GO WE But blessed be God the Fear of that is past Well but let us hear what became of this honest John Barnard Why in short he was Excommunicated ipso facto A Copy of it here followeth Verbatim From the Monthly Meeting at Devonshire-House the Fourth of the Eleventh Month 1681. Whereas there hath been some unruly Spirits gone out from Truth and the Unity of the blessed Power of God which hath gathered us to be a People Writing Printing and Publishing Things Hurtful and Prejudicial to Truth by corrupting of People's Minds tending also to draw them into Disesteem of many of the Lord's Servants ††A Preservative for their Teachers decaying Reputation whose Faithfulness hath manifestly appeared amongst us with whom our Unity stands to our mutual Satisfaction and Refreshment Upon Consideration of these Things we find our selves conscientiously concerned * * Oh! Deep Hypocrisie to take notice of something of this Kind befaln John Barnard Merchant formerly a Member of this Meeting who having dispersed into several Parts of this Nation divers of those Pernicious Books wrote by William Rogers called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator in Five Parts c. which hath manifestly been proved in many material Passages Erroneous and False both in the Historical and Doctrinal Part of it was privately and publickly reproved for that unrighteous Action by several Friends at divers times according to Gospel-Order as they found it on their Spirits from the Lord ††Never was God's Name more prophaned by a People professing Religion as also admonished against it yet after all the Labour and Travel Friends have had on his Behalf being desirous if possible to reclaim him out of the Enemies Snare into which he is fallen he hath from time to time resisted their Advice and Counsel so that now we being wholly clear having used our utmost Endeavours in the good Will of God to reclaim him as aforesaid do not only testifie against that Spirit which hath led him into that disorderly Practice but also against him whilst join'd thereunto * * Both the Man and his Spirit condemned nor can we have Spiritual Communion or
lately risen about the Money thou once told me was gathered amongst Friends for the Relief of J. C. Friends here * * At Cambridge are much concerned about it knowing right well that all honest Friends in that Day gave it freely expecting nothing again some are dead I suppose they did not make the Common Bankers their Executors the Donor's Will must be fulfilled in all things and not the Common Purse-Mongers ††But Fox Whitehead c. never liked those Friends at this Day that being contrary to true Religion to take Thought for to Morrow I have been examined by the Law Professors Whether we had a Common Purse or Bank I answered we had None ††A great Lie and with a Design to Deceive next to Perjury This gave so much Satisfaction that Friends in this Town * * Cambridge have been quiet Ever since ††Thus have the well-meaning Magistrates been all along deceived by the Quakers Lies for all may see she knew as well of their Common Bank their Common Purse their Dagon as I did only to blind the Magistrates and get Liberty she thus deceiv'd ' em The Magistrates look upon Common Bankers to be as bad as those that board up Arms and Ammunition and not said She without Reason for Money answers all things If Friends would put away this Dagon and take Money only for their present Necessities things would soon be better with them God will not bless those that break his Commands with Hoarding up Common Banks and Quarrelling with those that will not bring in Money fast enough to them I have observed it hath been frequent with some to reckon those that brought in most Money into their Common Bank to be the best Christians * * A sign she cannot plead Ignorance of their Fund if she had so long made that Observation and therefore her Lie looks the more designed Quaker-like who stick at nothing that may advance the New Catholick Cause c. Anne Docwra Thus Reader I have shewed by a Recital of Mrs. Docwra's Letter what Sence she had of their Common Fund i. e. that it was as bad as Hoarding up Arms and Ammunition and she is so far in the right on 't You see also what Testimonies hath been given out both Publick and Private against these private Purse-mongers and their raising Common Banks as that which is so pernicious to the Civil Government that it is as bad as Arms and Ammunition for Money asnwers all things For having this private Fund they can pay their Ministers and enable them to range the World over pretending to Teach freely to forsake their Father's Country Riches and Honours as you have heard and all to come and spend themselves their Strength and Years for the Good of Souls and all this freely without Money and without Price And you see your Teachers they must have their Tythes their Gleabe-Lands their Easter-Reckonings and their Midsummer-Dues by which you may see they are Followers of Balaam the Son of Bozer who loved the Wages of Unrighteousness Now by our Fruit and the Fruit of the World's Teachers you may try us and prove us Thus poor Hearts the very same People that give to these Collections †I mean innocent middle sort who are not admitted into the Knowledge of these things know nothing of their Teachers taking Money nay many of them will dispute strenuously against you on their Teachers Behalf That they take no Money that they Teach freely as above told And thus are these silly Sheep carried away with the Wiles of their Teachers and follow them as the Israelites did Rebellious Absalom in the Simplicity of their Hearts 2 Sam. 15.11 But Reader this Scourge did so torment this well-favour'd Harlot it did so sting and nettle her that poor Whitehead's dull Pen was not able to bear up Then came in Tho. Ellwood and tho' he wrote as much to the Point as his Craft could invent yet W. Rogers's Stroaks entered so deep and made such a Wound as that he i. e. Ellwood was forc'd poor Man full ill against his Will to confess their Ministers did take Money and their Clerks were paid out of their Fund which they had not only for Forty Years pretended to the contrary but by Ten Thousand Sermons solemnly declared that they neither take Silver Gold nor Apparel but freely they had received and freely delivered to the People O the horrible Deceit of this People However let it suffice that W. Rogers have whipt them into a better Temper who now confess the Fact and plead the Apostles But I deny that ever the Apostles Practice pretended to take neither Silver Gold nor Apparel and yet contrary to his Pretension took all he could lay his Hands on No this is the Practice only of the Quakers no Man questioning the lawfulness of the Ministers Maintainance save the Quakers only who yet take with both Hands their Fruit hath made them manifest Well let 's hear T. Ellwood viz. Regero Mastix p. 18. But that Christ's Ministers should be supply'd With Necessaries by the Church his Bride Is such a known and certain Truth as none Perhaps hath e'er oppos'd but thou alone That 't is the Church's Duty to supply The needful Wants of all her Ministry And Truth it is too plain to be deny'd Christ's Church should for Christ's Ministers provide What carps thou at then William Would thy Muse Plead that St. Paul did not this Priviledge use †No Thomas 't is Quakers Plea tho' for self-ends they now plead it That what was lacking to him privately The Macedonian Brethren did supply Thus it appears the Apostle did partake Of that Provision which the Church did make Pretend thou canst not that the Stock is given To such as have no need thereof but even Thy Flirt at Richardson * Their Clerk who had 50 l. per An. as much contrary to their Pretences as for their Teachers to take Money but now both confest for taking Pay For what As Clerk he writes does much bewray Thy Folly and Injustice Is' t not fit Who works for others should be paid for it And that by them who him to Work desire The Labourer is worthy of his Hire †'T is confest you have Hirelings in your Herd Observe Reader the Charge is confest First That they have a Stock by which they supply the Wants of their Teachers i. e. pay them yea and well too Witness their Increase of Wealth 2 dly That their Clerks take Money for writing and that they are Hirelings this I and others knew well enough but Whitehead had so denied the same that there was Thousands of Quakers would not believe a word of it But now W. Rogers's Scourge hath so lash'd this painted Harlot that she by her dear Son Ellwood hath confess'd it and spake more Truth in this matter than Whitehead and Twenty more of their Apostate Scribes have
been ever made to do and I am willing to do him Right herein for according to the Proverb I am willing to give the Devil his due I need not quote Book and Page to prove their Preachers Pretences to Preach freely without Money c. their Books are full of Proof and their Sermons from Dan to Beersheba But I have said they pretended to write freely and this I ought to prove which I shall do from their Great Apostle and Second Moses namely G. Fox see their Book stiled Concerning Marriages c. p. 4 5 6. printed 1659. G. Fox viz. If any Friends go together in the Power of the Lord or find a Necessity thereunto that after the thing hath been made known between themselves before any thing be concluded it be declared to Friends who are able * * Viz. Their Teachers which practice came afterwards to be abhorr'd to see and feel into it and if they see the thing in the Light and Power to stand it may be declared to Friends in the Meeting as they are moved or as they are moved they may declare it in the mid-time of the Market on the Market-day in the next Market-Town as they are moved or they may not as their Freedom is Then after a convenient time and the thing be seen and felt and had Unity with then an Assembly of about 12 Friends met together they may speak their Testimony as they are moved how the Lord hath joyned them together in Marriage and then a Certificate by Friends then present may be given of the Day Month and Year that it may be Recorded and as they are moved they may declare it to the Magistrate and they will ††G. Fox was Infallible Sence or Nonsence tot quot omnes or they may not And that nothing may be Recorded for Money in these things but freely a free People and in Love serve one another and that is it that you should feel the Thing in the Power c. George Fox Now let me subjoin a Second Testimony of George Fox's against taking of Money c. Friends you are to do the Nations Business freely and that is the way to get into the Hearts of People c. Several Papers given forth per G. Fox An. 1659. I remember there is in one of the Quakers Declarations a Reserve left for Fighting afterwards We Yet say they cannot believe he will make use of the Sword by us but for the Present we are given to Bear and Suffer c. So had G. Fox said that as Yet let nothing be Recorded for Money but for the Present i. e. till you a fair Opportunity do things freely c. then there had been a fair Plea †As there is now for Whipping Fining Imprisoning and Fighting c. then As Yet might by George Whitehead have been rendered Adhuc and not Tamen for 't is manifest that their early pretence to Teach Preach write Certificates c. freely was but to get into the Affections of the People until a more fair Opportunity and then Experientia docet they can take 50 l. per Annum for writing Certificates c. 30 l. for writing Five or Six Sheets called a Primmer to teach Children 10 l. at a time for Preaching c. See New Rome Vnmask'd c. p. 58 to 63. where I have enlarged hereon from the Quakers Books But G. W. by his Book stiled The Contentious Apostate c. p. 22. he seems to deny G. Fox's Order for Marriage where it 's said nothing is to be Recorded for Money c. as above cited But G. W. I have it and you may soon see it in the Library of Christ's Church College in Oxford where that and many others of your Books which you would be glad were extinct will remain for Ages to see and be able thereby to detect your Falacies And now follows part of the recited Declaration viz. We have chosen the Son of God to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People and he might command Thousands and Ten Thousands of his Servants at this Day to Fight in his Cause he might lead them forth and bring them in and give them Victory over all their Enemies and turn his Hand upon their Persecutors but yet his Kingdom is not of this World neither is his Warfare of Carnal Weapons neither hath he chosen us for that end neither can we Yet believe * No stay a little longer that he will make use of us in that way tho' it be his only Right to Rule in Nations and our Heirship to Possess the utmost Parts of the Earth but for the Present †Ay be patient a little longer we are given to bear and suffer all things for his Names-sake c. To the present distracted Nation of England c. Printed 1659. p. 8. But Reader if you look back to Fox's Order for Marriage you may observe that he points to have the Matter laid before their Ministers and thereupon I shall shew you a brief Testimony of one of their Female Preachers a Woman of Note amongst them in a Letter I have by me part of that against their Hoarding up Money which is as bad as Hoarding up of Arms and Ammunition viz. * * Anne Docwra's Letter dated Feb. 26. 1684. I have heard something concerning this Controversie now on foot which I perceive arises from a Personal Quarrel about a Maid that was chusing a Husband for her self and also 't is expected she should give up her Concern in that Business to some of our Preachers which was never practis'd until of late ††Not since Popery till Quakerism came in its Room amongst any that profess'd true Religion it is that which hath made the Jesuits to be Abhorr'd amongst some of the wisest and honestest of the Papists themselves so that they would not let them come within their Houses If the Maid be a wise Woman and of Age to dispose of her self she will not let any of our Preachers meddle with her Concerns * * Why G. Fox advised to it look back of chusing a Husband for her they should only meddle with their own Business and let honest Friends make their Choice themselves c. Anne Docwra Reader The main thing I recite part of this Letter is to shew the Sense some still amongst them have of their own Teacher's Jesuitical Practice either in making or breaking of Matches according as they are pleased or displeased I could write a Book by it self only to shew the Baseness of their Teachers Practice not only in making Matches but in making Mischief in Families in setting Men and their Wives at Variance And more particularly G. W. my old Antagonist as may be seen in the Book quoted viz. The Conten Apostate p. 5. The Apost Incend p. 8. Judgment fixed c. p. 289. both relating to my self W. Muclow Tho. Crisp c. setting aside John
when the Times chang'd and the Second-Day Meeting came to Reprint the several Prophecies and Revelations of this remarkable Prophet Ed. Burrough amongst the rest you will find this Book you stiled The Trumpet of the Lord sounded c. Reprinted in the Works of Ed. Burrough p. 97. And First To thee Oliver Cromwell and his Council 2 dly To all Judges and Lawyers and their Train 3 dly To all Astrologers Magicians c. 4 thly To all Generals Collonels Commanders c. To all these four sorts the Reprint has it with some little Variation indeed enough to spoil the Predictions which had they been true ought not to have been added to or taken from And the Second-Day Meeting in 1672. pretended to believe them to be true by their Title in the Index viz. A Trumpet of the Lord sounded forth of Sion which containeth a Testimony from the Word of the Lord. But behold and be astonished at the Deceit of these Jugglers i. e. the Second-Day Meeters for the Fifth Prophesie directed thus To all you who are and have been always Enemies to the very Appearance of Righteousness who are called Delinquents and Cavaliers I say this whole Fifth Prophesie is left out in the Reprint tho' as positively Avowed to be the Word of the Lord as the other as certainly Sealed by the Spirit of the Eternal God as the other and every way Authorized by as ample a Commission from the Spirit of the Living God yea the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as the other and yet all left out in the Reprint And to make it appear so beyond all their Glossing I shall recite it Verbatim as it follows the preceding Title and Direction To the Delinquents and Cavaliers Page 9. in the Quarto Impression printed 1656. Thus saith the Lord my Controversie is against you even my Hand in Judgment is upon you already and you are become cursed in all your Hatchings and Endeavours and from time to time my Hand hath been against you in Battel and you have been and are given up to be a Prey to your Enemies for the Purpose and Intents of your Hearts have been known always to be against the Form of Truth and much more against my powerful Truth it self And because you attempted to take my Throne Conscience therefore I rose in my Fury against you and will have War with all your Followers herein for ever who shall attempt to take my Throne Conscience and tho my Hand hath been evidently against you yet to this Day you remain in Rebellion in your Minds in hatching Murder and Cruelty in your wicked Hearts Note All this to the Delinquents is left out in the Reprint 1672. And tho' your Kings and Princes have been cut off in Wrath and your cruel desperate Inventions and Plots of Wickedness conceived in your cursed Womb have been broken and you cut short in your Desires yet you repent not nor will not see how you are given up to be a Curse and a Desolation and a Prey in Houses and Lands and Persons to them whom I raised against you and gave Power over you yet you are hardned and your Cruelty in Persecution against my Servants cannot be measured where you have any Power you smite with the Fist of Wickedness and count it your Glory to despise my Name In the Valleys of vain Hopes do you feed and on the Mountains of foolish Expectations and conceive in your Cruel Womb of Tyranny the Overthrow of the Nations but in the bringing forth your selves are overthrown And it is not for well-doing that you suffer but my Hand is against you and my Judgments are upon you and except you Repent ††Then some Hope 's left Why then should not this have been continued for their Good shall continue upon Earth with you and follow you and pursue you to the Lake of Destruction where there is no Repentance and you and your Kings and Lordly Power by which you have thought to exercise Lordship over my Heritage shall be enslaved by the Devil in the Pit of Darkness in everlasting Bondage where he the Devil shall Reign your King and Lord for evermore c. Note That all this whole Chapter concerning K. C. II. and his Friends and Royal Family is left out in the Reprint of his Works Anno 1672. From whence it is evident That tho' this Prophesie was said to be as true as any Chapter in the Bible yea that the Word of the Lord came to Burrough the 31 st of December 1655 at the Fourth Hour in the Morning and Sealed by the Spirit of the Eternal God yet this Second-Day Meeting hath or claim to have a Power superiour and by Virtue thereof can silence the Prophet stifle his Prophesie cancel his Revelation and null and make void his Commission for as I said they either believ'd his Commission to be Real or Counterfeit It must be Real or Counterfeit if Real as so they always pretended then is it not great Wickedness that it should be thus smothered up and stifled and left out of his Works since tho' the Delinquents and Cavaliers were very wicked yet upon Repentance there seems to be some Hopes which now this Prophesie cannot be instrumental in since the Second-Day Meeting hath buried it in Oblivion in that they did not Reprint it with the rest of the same Book in his Works in Folio Printed 1672 If Counterfeit What wicked Wretches were these Members of the Second-Day Meeting in 1656. to Print it in Quarto as the Word of the Lord and Sealed by the Spirit of the Eternal God and thereupon and as such sent it up and down to us to deceive us by recommending a Counterfeit Commission for a Real Thus let them take it which way they will and it is wicked in the Superlative Degree But this is not all it shew'd their Cowardize and Temporizing for this was wrote in O. Cromwell's time designed I perceive to curry Favour with him and to shew that himself and his Brethren the Quakers were Enemies to Monarchy But when it was Reprinted it was done in K. Charles the Second's time and then they wheel'd about and complain'd of O. Cromwell and flatter'd the King Cavaliers and Court-Party and then this Prophesie Sealed never so strong Revealed never so clear the very Day Month and Year specified nay the very Hour in the Morning yet as I have said it not suiting with the Design on foot namely To root out Christianity and introduce Quakerism it must be suspended stifled and buried Thus then it appears how wickedly deceitful are these Second-Day Meeters who can thus prevaricate and dissemble with God and Man of which I could give many Instances but rather refer to The Snake in the Grass c. which doth most amply set forth their turning with the Times and their facing about with every Wind that might seem to blow a prosperous Gale for the Advance of Quakerism c.
Realms nor yet Sign'd their Paper And therefore they must go home and get another more Authentick or their Bill for their Affirmation to pass in lieu of an Oath would be rejected Well away they went very sorrowful and I conceive might have amongst themselves a Discourse of this Nature viz. G. Whitehead Friends our Paper is rejected for yonder was our old Antagonist Francis Bugg and he has deliver'd to the Peers a Paper suggesting that we Prevaricate he has also delivered about an Hundred of his Books to the Lords intituled The Quakers set in their True Light c. and therefore we must get another Ancient Testimony more full to the Matter lest we lose the Advantage of our Bill but let us stay awhile for if we go presently who knows but that Apostate may reply to our next Paper for he is so Eagle-ey'd that if he espy any thing that 's defective he may be instrumental in throwing out our Bill You cannot but remember that we were fair for the same Bill to pass in Anno 1693. but he then Printed a Sheet and deliver'd it to the House of Commons and in Three Hours time our Bill was thrown out of the House Indeed we Printed a Sheet stiled The Quakers Vindication c. but he having printed a Thousand of those Sheets and gave to the House about 500 and sent to all the Coffee-Houses from Westminster to Bishopsgate about 400 more he prevail'd against us Nay this is not all but presently wrote a Book intituled Quakerism Withering and Christianity Reviving c. and deliver'd about Two or Three Hundred of them to the House of Commons We saw our selves so baffled that we thought it not meet to revive our Bill that Sessions of Parliament and therefore let 's be wise let us stay until we think he is out of Town for he has been here Two or Three Weeks already and what with his Charge in Printing the Papers he gave to the Lords and the Charge of giving in so many of The Quakers set c. together with his Charges of staying one way or other it will cost him not so little as 6 or 7 l. and he having no Publick Fund to go to it will make him weary c. I say after this they got another Paper and presented to the House of Lords a Copy thereof is as followeth The Ancient Testimony and Principle of the People called Quakers renewed with Respect to the King and Government presented to King William III. We the said People do solemnly and sincerely declare That it hath been our Judgment and Principle from the first Day we were called to profess the Light of Christ Jesus manifested in our Consciences unto this Day That the setting Up and putting Down Kings and Governments is God's peculiar Prerogative and that it is not our Work or Business to have any Hand or Contrivance therein nor to be Busiebodies above our Station much less to Plot or Contrive the Ruin or Overturn of any of them but to Pray for the King and Safety of the Nation and Good of all Men * * No hold not for the Priests nor Governours unless they please you that we may live a Peaceable and Quiet Life in all Godliness and Honesty under the Government which God is pleased to set over Us And according to Our Ancient and Innocent Principle We often have given forth Our Testimony and now freely and sincerely do the same against all Plotting Conspiracies and Contriving Insurrections and against all Treacherous Barbarous and Murderous Designs whatsoever against the King or the Government as being Works of the Devil and Darkness And We believe that the timely Discovery and Prevention of the late Barbarous Design and Mischievous Plot against King William * * A forc'd put First time and the Government and the sad Effects it might have had is an eminent Mercy from Almighty God for which We and the whole Nation have great Cause to be humbly thankful to Him and to pray for the Continuance of His Mercies to Them and Us And We sincerely bless God and are heartily thankful to King William ††O brave This is the second time and the Government for the Liberty and Priviledges We enjoy under them by Law And further We are really satisfied that God by His Special Providence did bring in and set up King William * * This is News indeed Third time over these Realms and do own Him Rightful and Lawful King ††But George why did you not say so freely without Whip or Spur and are obliged in good Conscience to be True and Faithful to Him and the Government as becomes Obedient Followers of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ At a Meeting of the said People in London the Third of April 1696. Signed by many of Us on Behalf of our selves and the rest of our Friends and presented to the King Apr. 8. 1696. Thus endeth their April Ancient Testimony Reader before I come to make Observations upon these two March and April Ancient Testimonies of the Quakers there is one thing very remarkable and worth your noticing in the whole Conduct of Quakerism and that in two Respects the first is past the second 's still to come and ought to be guarded against and which makes me so long on this Head and so plain with them in this Matter and briefly thus That altho' no one People in England did so flatter Oliver Cromwell Richard his Son the Rump and all the several Changes of Government during the Usurpation as the Quakers did nor more oppose the Restauration of K. Charles II. Nay not only so but justifying Oliver in his Murthering K. Charles I. and in carrying on the War with all Vigour against the Cavaliers and Delinquents But when the Times turned Oh! how they laid all the Blame of both the War and Usurpation upon the Presbyterians Independants and Baptists as if they themselves had all along been as Innocent as New-born Babes This puts me in mind of a pleasant piece of News we had run thro' our whole Camp when I was a Quaker viz. Anno 1674. W. Penn put forth a Book stil'd A Just Rebuke to Twenty-one Divines c. P. 25. Was it not a great Reason of the Wars that divided so many Families shed so much Blood and exhausted so great a Treasure Did it not lay Episcopacy in the Dust and excite the Parliament in these very Terms Elijah opposed Idolatry and Oppression so do ye down with Baal's Altars down with Baal's Priests do not I beseech you consent unto a Toleration of Baal's Worship in this Kingdom which is as much as to say said Penn away with Arch-Bishops Bishops and the whole Ministry and Worship of the Church of England Again The Mouths of your Adversaries are opened against you that so many Delinquents that is to say said W. Penn Royalists are in Prison and yet but few of them brought to Tryal Did
c. p. 14. That to say Christ is God and Man in one Person is a Lie The Sword of the Lord drawn c. p. 5. But as I said We may sometimes see cause yea and great cause too otherwise to word the Matter yea contrary to our Ancient Testimony and yet mean the same thing c. The Counterfeit Convert c. p. 72. that is to say mean not a word we say And now to the Consequence and for which we prefer the Bible For Friends we no sooner Signed this Confession but we had our Liberty and we no sooner had our Liberty but all our London Preachers spread themselves like Locusts all over England and Wales * * Like Mice uncall'd for and like Flies unsent for and fall upon their Provision some went East some West yea North and South and being generally Tradesmen We not only got our Quarters free our Horses free and well maintain'd in our Travels a Silver Watch here a Beaver there a piece of Hair-Camblet and sometimes other Gifts Moreover by our Liberty obtained by the recited Confession we got into great Trades and by spreading our selves in the Country into great Acquaintance and thereby received Orders of the best of the Country Tradesmen for Parcels whilst the Protestant Tradesmen in London ††Londoners look about you for none like the Quakers but Jews and Jesuites as time will farther shew who had not this Advantage stood still and in their Shops had little to do whilst we fill'd our Coffers Witness Tho. Greene for one Instance whose Wife would scarce suffer him at home she being willing according to the Proverb to make Hay whilst the Sun shines insomuch that in a little time he raised his small Beginning to many Thousands Since I printed this Tho. Greene is dead and died worth as is said Six or Eight Thousand Pounds who was a poor Mason when he set up for a Preaching Quaker All which shew that the Scriptures are accidentally good c. And this leads me to the second Proposition namely The Authority of our Friends Books and Sayings c. First I shall shew you that as 't is Blasphemy to call the Scriptures the Word of God To all that would know the Way to the Kingdom c. p. 4. Mene Tekel c. p. 22. so I shall shew you that our Scriptures for as I told you in my Serious Apol. p. 48. Writings signifie Scripture are the Word of God and this you will find written in the Epistle of our Second Moses in these Words Friends to you all this is the Word of the Lord take heed of judging one another this is the Word of the Lord unto you I charge you in the Presence of the Lord God to send this Epistle among all Friends and Brethren every where to be read in all Meetings to you all This is the Word of God Several Papers given forth for spreading Truth c. p. 60 61 62. Again that I may corroborate and strengthen your Faith in the Exercise of our Ancient Testimony * * G. W. keeps to his Text. Read in the Gospel of our Great Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Geo. Fox where you 'll find these Words viz. You may said G. F. to the Priests as well condemn the Scriptures to the Fire as our Writings for our giving forth Papers and Printed Books it is from the IMMEDIATE ETERNAL SPIRIT of God Truths Defence c. p. 2 102. upon which our Dear Brother Thomas Ellwood saith That none can squirt any Filth on the Epistles of Friends but it will tend to be spatter the Apostles An Antidote against c. p. 1 44 57 125. And in Confidence thereof our Brother Robert Barclay hath these Words That as the true Principles of the Gospel by their i. e. Quakers Testimony are restored so is also the ANCIENT Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ re-established amongst them i. e. Quakers and settled upon its right Basis and Foundation that as thro' our Faithful Testimony in the Hand of the Lord that Antichristian and Apostatized Generation the National Ministry hath received a deadly Blow by our discovering and witnessing against their Forced Maintainance and Tythes so that their Kingdom in the Hearts of Thousands begin to Totter and lose its Strength and shall assuredly Fall to the Ground So on the other Hand we do weaken the Strength of their Kingdom who judge for Reward The Nation shall come to be disburdened of that deceitful Tribe of Lawyers as well as Priests * * Let all Lawyers Tradesmen Clergy and Magistrates guard against the Prevalency of Quakerism for they are all highly concerned I never knew any that left us prove steady to those to whom they go I find other Professors make but small Boasts of any Proselytes they get out from us I hear little of their proving Champions for the Principles of others against us The Anarchy c. p. 1 16 42. Thus Friends you see that upon Confidence of the Truth of our elder Brother Geo. Fox's Ancient Testimony viz. That it was Blasphemy to call the Scriptures the Word of God and yet laudable to call his Papers sent up and down to be read in Meetings The Word of God the Word of the Lord God I say you see how stoutly our Brother Ellwood avouched that none could squirt any Filth on the Epistles of Friends but it must inevitably fall upon the Epistles of St. Paul and he was in the right on 't ††G. W. is no Changling he keeps to his Text. and likewise R. Barclay in confidence of the Truth of G Fox's Testimony viz. That to call the Scriptures The Word of God was no less than Blasphemy whilst his own Writings sent up and down to spread Truth and in order to it to be read in Meetings was The Word of the Lord and as such to be read and as such to be receiv'd You may see I say how he built his Hopes of our Restoration and the Downfal both of the Clergy and Lawyers insomuch that he did not once think any should ever go from us to prove Champions for the Principles of others against us And therefore I exhort you this Day to stand Faithful to your Ancient Testimony which is to throw down the Scriptures and exalt our own Books and so will the Work of your Light prosper in your Hands Besides for your Encouragement and that you may see my Sincerity and Seriousness which is the sign of my writing in every of my Epistles look into one of my Gospels and you shall find these VVords That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater c. Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 7. VVherefore ye dear Lambs be ye encouraged and go on boldly and if any Apostate write against us besure you warn all our Friends in the Country not to
that love him and to them that keep his Commandments WE have sinned and committed Iniquity and have done Wickedly and have Rebelled even by Departing from thy Precepts and from thy Judgments and whilst I was Speaking and Praying and Confessing my Sins and the Sins of my People Israel and presenting my Supplication before the Lord my God c. Dan. 9.4,5,20 Yea John the Evangelist said If we say that we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us 1 John 1.8 Moreover St. Paul himself cried out of a Body of Sin saying For the Good that I would do I do not but the Evil which I would not that I do I find then a Law that when I would do Good Evil is present with me O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death This is a faithful Saying and worthy of all Acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners of whom I am Chief Rom. 7.19,21,24 1 Tim. 1.15 All which Practice is according to Christ's Command and Precept Matth. 6. Luk. 11. who said Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you John 6.23 And when our Brethren the Donatists and Pelagians who professed a sinless Perfection as we do told the Ancient Christians that a constant Practice of Confession implied a constant Course of Sinning St. Augustine replied to them saying Confess always for thou hast Matter always to confess Augustine in p. 99. Tho. Bilney confessed that he was a miserable Sinner And said he therefore with all my Power I teach that all Men should first acknowledge their Sins Fox's Acts and Mon. Ps 467 468. Dr. Robert Barnes said The whole Church prayeth Lord forgive us our Sins Wherefore she hath Spots and Wrinkles but by acknowleding them thro' the Merits of Christ her Wrinkles be scratched out See his Works p. 254. Martin Luther saith But thou wilt say the Church is Holy the Fathers are Holy it is true notwithstanding albeit the Church is Holy yet is she compelled to pray Forgive us our Trespasses So tho' the Fathers are Holy yet are they saved thro' the Forgiveness of Sins See Luther's Commentary upon Gal. p. 36. Next hear what Humble Bradford said to his London Friends John Bradford an Unworthy Servant of the Lord be merciful to our Sins for they are great Let us heartily bewail our Sins repent us of our former Evil Life c. Fox's Acts and Mon. p. 1167. Thus my Well-beloved Friends and Brethren I have shewed you many Instances both of the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Primitive Christians and Martyrs who have all along confessed their Sins to God and begg'd Pardon for Jesus Christ's sake and go you but to the Windows or Doors of the Churches and other Christian Assemblies but besure you go no further and you may still hear them i. e. Episcopal Presbyterians Independants and Baptists crying out of a Body of Sin saying They have erred and strayed from the Ways of God from Seven to Seventy as our Brother Father Penn has well observ'd we have done Despite to the Spirit of Grace we have broke thy Commandments we have added to the Guilt of Original Sin by our many and repeated Actual Sins and therefore we prostrate our selves and humbly beg thy Pardon for the alone sake of thy dear Son and our blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ our only Advocate and Mediator to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit be all Honour Glory and Dominion for ever Amen Truth exalted in a Short but Sure Testimony c. p. 9. Now Friends what a happy thing is this that you need not trouble your selves with any Confession of Sins since you are not like other Men nor like these Publicans And therefore I exhort you to keep to your Ancient Testimony in all the Parts of it make no Confession of Sins nor besure you do not recommend the Practice of it by Word or Writing but keep to our Ancient Practice nor is there any need for our Hearers to follow those Christian Precepts viz. And whatsoever you do in Word or Deed do all in the NAME of the LORD JESUS giving Thanks to God the Father BY HIM whether therefore ye EAT or DRINK or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God Col. 3.17 1 Cor. 10.31 Matth. 15.36 First Because the Name Jesus belongs to every Believer I should say Quaker as well as to him that suffer'd at Jerusalem according to our Ancient Testimony A Question to Professors c. p. 20 27 33. Secondly Because you know that we our selves to be seen of Men do make a kind of a Prayer to our Light within when we are at their Tables when Company is present but if alone either at Home or Abroad we seldom give Thanks for our Food and seldomer with our Eyes towards Heaven as Christ did as Stephen did or as the Martyrs did No you know we are of another yea of a different Faith and Practice from all the Ancient Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Holy Confessors and all Christian Churches to this Day being exalted above them for we sit in Heavenly Places singing the Songs of Sion in the Beauty of Holiness without Sin or any Imperfection which all the Recited were chargeable with as imply'd by their Confessions and their relying upon the Merits of another to wit The Man Christ Jesus as believing they shall one Day appear before his Tribunal and be judged by the Law of God recorded in their Scriptures but for our parts we differ from them in all Respects having our whole God within us as safely as the Papists have their Crucifixes in their Pockets And thus much to shew you the great Happiness and Excellency of our Dispensation so no need of Confession according to our Ancient Testimony The Second Inference i. e. The Ten Commandments And Friends whereas the Christians propose to us sometimes the Use of the Ten Commandments whether we own them as a Rule to a Christian Life look into one of my Gospels and you will find it thus written Thou may'st as well ask if the Moral Law or Ten Commandments be a Rule for Christ c. Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 18. Again Ed. Burrough one of our Prophets said That is no Command from God to me what he commands to another neither did any of the Saints which we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was to another not having the Command to themselves I challenge to find an Example for it they obey'd every one their own Command Burrough 's Works p. 47. And in Defence of this Position hear what Father Penn says i. e. No Command in the Scripture is any further obliging upon any Man than as he finds a Conviction upon his Conscience otherwise Men should be engaged without if not against Conviction a thing unreasonable in a Man Quakerism a new Nick-Name c. p. 71. And now that none
tender Ones in their Bodies Souls and Spirits This Language hath mine Ears heard this Practice hath mine Eyes seen to the grief and wounding of my Soul P. 11 12 c. This Witness is true This Spirit of Antichrist in G. Fox c. would wrest from me what I am not willing to part withal to wit my Conscience under no less Penalty than Excommunication c. P. 16. This Witness is true These ill Ministers i. e. G. Fox c. conjoin together to subvert our Laws and Liberties given by the Great Jeâ—ovah And assuredly though they are lifted up as it were into Heaven in their Proud Imaginations the Righteous God will Blast all their Exalted Expectations and they shall Die and Perish in the General Dissolution because they have not regarded the Fatherless nor pitied the poor in Spirit nor compassionated the tender Conscience which feared to Sin against the Lord but Crushed Spoiled and Oppressed without Bowels of Mercy those that had little strength to help themselves invaded their Rights violated their Liberties and endeavoured to take the Meat from the Children and give it unto Dogs P. 26. This Witness is true And although they daily exercise the Oppressions before-mentioned yet by their deceitful Flatteries they make People believe that they are a Harmless Innocent and Peaceable People suffering and bearing wrong but not doing any Or if any Persons write or speak their Grief that the Publick take notice of they will represent them under such terms as may render them odious and the more effectually to weaken their Testimonies they will fix upon them scurrilous and contemptible Appellations as Scotch-men Welch-men Tinker Taylor c. some of them utterly untrue and to prevent an Inquisition into the Truth of the matter they would make People believe that they are Envious Malicious and Discomposed Spirits Bad Dirty Factious and Ranting Spirits who are gone from Truth and are out of Truth This Witness is true Such is the Portion of those that appear in the least against their Imperious Tyrannical and Lascivious Actions and whatever Man detected the Fallacies and destructive Cheats of Imperious and Disdainful Men but was thus reproached Must it be Justice in them to complain of their Oppressions and Envy and Malice c. in us to complain of ours Their Years are but few yet verily they have been exceeding expert in learning of the Papists Subtilties P. 36 37. This Witness is true It appears plainly unto the Just and Righteous Man that G. Fox and the rest of his Counsel have endeavoured to subvert the Royal Law of Liberty and to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government over the Consciences of the Flock of God These are the Ravening Wolves which Prey upon the little Ones in a Lordly Spirit This is that envenomed Spirit which hath tainted their Judgments poysoned their Hearts and blinded their Eyes P. 38. And I affirm the Lord did not raise them up to bring us off from the Barren Mountains to feed upon them who are now become a Desart nor from under our Oppressors to turn Oppressors themselves Let them remember the Army it is their Figure ☞ And if the Lord's Anger waxed hot against them for their unfaithfulness what will be the Portion of these who have so deeply Apostatized from clearer Manifestations P. 41. Dear Friend It hath pleased the Lord to raise thee up to bear a Testimony against an Adulterous Tyrannical and an Hypocritical Generation P. 44. W. Mucklowe an Eminent and Ingenious Quaker in a large Letter with abundance more to the same effect Printed 1673. Intituled The Spirit of the Hat c. and is Reprinted this Year 1700. Titled A Bemoaning Letter c. III. THE Day is come that as they have laid open the Deceit Wickedness and Hypocrisie of other Professors that went before them so must their Deceit Wickedness and Hypocrisie be also laid open for the Lord whom I serve is no respecter of Persons This Witness is true Printed 1671. in a Letter to G. F. by J. P. IV. YOur Day into Darkness is turn'd the Sun is gone down over you You have had a large Day and Power given you to have done the Will of God but you have abused the Power and slighted your Day and have refused to do the Lord's Work and have sought your selves and not the Lord Therefore in Justice and Righteousness is the Day wherein you might have wrought for God taken from you and the thick Dark Night of Confusion is come upon you wherein you are groping and stumbling and cannot Work The Decree is gone out and sealed against you and it cannot be recalled you are not the Men as ye stand in whom God will appear to work deliverance for his People and yet deliverance shall come but as for you ye have rejected the Counsel of the Lord and grieved his Spirit and he hath long born you yea you are departed from the Lord and his presence is departed from you Indeed he hath Hewed with you and if you had been faithful to the end he would have honoured and prospered you and have been your sufficient reward ye were his Ax but ye have boasted your selves against him therefore as you have Hewed and Broken others even so must you be Hewed and Broken This was Printed 1673. and Reprinted 1677 8 1692 and 1696. directed for the Preachers and Leaders of the People called Quakers By J. P. V. WHat will you do You Scribes Pharisees Hypocrites you that have been long making clean the outside of the Cup and Platter but inwardly are as Ravening Wolves your Fruits will make you manifest You Hypocrites your Name will be a stink among the Heathen for the Lord will find you out whose Glory he will not give to any other nor his Honour to any of your Graven Images my Soul loaths all your false Covers I cannot but declare against all your false Ways M. D. an Ancient Quaker and is Printed in a Letter to G. F. 1682. VI. I Being ingaged as well as some others to manifest and lay open deceitful Workers and Hypocrites I am farther to appear to manifest thee to be one of the greatest Hypocrites and Deceivers in this Nation and until thou own thy Condemnation and leave off Deceiving the People assuredly the Sword that 's now drawn is not to be nor must not be sheath'd till thou and such Deceivers as thou art be brought down This Witness is true In a large Letter to G. F. by J. P. 1674 5. and Printed 1682 1691 and 1696. VII THe Day is come and now is that the hidden things of Esau's Nature are to be and must be brought to Light See Quakers Unmask'd c. Title Page writ to G. Fox G. Whitehead c. 1677. and Printed 1682 and 1691. VIII AND let G. Fox and those that uphold him remember that it was Jeroboam the Son of Nebat that caused Israel to Sin and as his Name was Branded to Posterity so shall theirs
Chap. 11.4 See also The Picture of Quakerism drawn to the Life Part 1. Page 60 to 70. Well I say let us hear what the Commands of the Quakers are That whoever amongst them pleads for their Liberty whether to obey or not to obey are Ranters Rebels and what not See his Brief Examination c. Page 11. And this I affirm from the Understanding I have received of God not only that the Enemy is at work to scatter the Minds of Friends by that loose Plea What hast thou to do with me Leave me to my Freedom and to the Grace of God in my self and the like But this Proposition and Expression as now understood and alledged is a Deviation from and a Perversion of the Antient Principle of Truth For this is the plain Consequence of this Plea If any one shall say I see no Evil in paying Tythes to Hireling Priests in that they are not claimed by Divine Right but by the Civil Laws of the Land I see no Evil saith another in marrying by the Priest for he is but a Witness I see no Evil saith a third in declining a Publick Testimony in Suffering-Times for I have Christ 's and Paul 's Example I see no Evil saith a fourth in respecting the Persons of Men for whatever others do I intend a sincere Notice that I take of those I know I see no Evil faith a fifth in keeping my Shop shut upon the World's Holy-Days Fast-Days for I would not willingly give Offence to my Neighbours c. Reader I have been the larger on this Quotation because it may evidently appear beyond all their Glossing that like the Pharisees their Forefathers they make void the Commands of God by exalting their own Traditions above them saying None are any further obliged to obey the Commands of God in the Holy Scripture than they are convinced or perswaded by their Light to obey but their own Commands such as not paying Tythes not marrying with a Priest not putting off the Hat not shutting up their Shop-Windows on Holy-Days and Fast-Days this is highly Criminal to plead their Liberty in these Things is Ranterism and Rebellion To confirm this George Whitehead said in Answer to a Minister's Question i. e. Is the Moral Law or Ten Commandments a Rule to the Christian's Life or is it not Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 18. I answer says G. W. thou might as well ask If the Moral Law be a Rule to Christ For the Christian's Life and Rule is Christ c. meaning the Light within Quest to Professors c. p. 27. And this is much like Is Pennington who said That the Name JESUS and CHRIST belong to every Member as WELL as to the Head and if so Whitehead is in the right on 't they might as well indeed carry the Ten Commandments to Christ as to the Quakers For on their own Hypothesis there is as much Reason for the Quakers Love to be equal with Christ if not above him See p. 10. What is attributed to that Body meaning the Son of Mary we acknowledge and give to that Body in its Place according as the Scripture attributeth it which is THROUHG and BECAUSE of THAT which dwelt and acted IN IT but that which sanctify'd and kept the Body pure (e) Mark kept Christ's Body pure and made all acceptable in him was the Life Holiness and Righteousness of the Spirit and the same THING which kept his Vessel pure it is the same THING that cleanseth us the Value which the Natural Flesh and Blood of Christ had was from THAT in its coming from THAT in its acting in THAT in its suffering thro' THAT p. 33. Now the Scriptures doth expresly distinguish between CHRIST and the GARMENT which he wore between HIM that came and the BODY in which he came between the SUBSTANCE which was VAILED and the VAIL which VAILED it there is plainly HE and the BODY in which HE came there was the OUTWARD VESSEL and the INWARD LIFE This we certainly know and can never call the BODILY GARMENT CHRIST (f) Viz. They can never call the Son of Mary Christ but THAT which appeared and dwelt IN the BODY Now if ye indeed know the CHRIST of God tell us plainly what THAT is which appeared in the Body whether THAT was not the Christ before IT took up the Body after IT took up the Body and for ever I am the larger on this Head to shew first George Whitehead's Pride in saying That the Commandments of God might as well be carried to Christ as the Quakers next that the Christ which the Quakers own only is the Light or Spirit which was in Christ and is in them lastly that they can never call him that was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary Christ but a Vail or Garment an Outward Vessel and the like Compare the last Quotation to G. W.'s Sermon And for more of this Tendency I refer to George Whitehead's Sermon hereafter expressed c. Having by this time shewed That the Quakers have rejected the Government and Guidance of the Light in the Particular to be sufficient but that the Light in the Particular must vail to the Light in the Body or Church I am now come to set forth their Authority for it which was the Sentence and Judgment of their Synod held at London May 1666. The Sentence of their London Synod 1666. Contracted First We having a true discerning of the Working of that Spirit which under a Profession of Truth leads into a Division from or Exaltation above the BODY of Friends who never Revolted from their Principles from the constant Practice of good ancient Friends who are sound in the Faith once delivered to US (h) (h) 'T is well they tacitly confess it is not the Faith once delivered to the Saints We do unanimously declare and testifie That neither that Spirit nor those that are joined to it ought to have any Dominion Office or Rule in the Church of God Secondly We do declare and testifie That the Spirit and those who are joined to it who stand not in Unity with the Ministry and Body of Friends have not any true Spiritual Right nor Gospel Authority to be Judges in the Church and of the Ministry so as to condemn them or their Ministry neither ought their Judgment any more to be regarded by Friends than the Judgment of any other Opposers which are without for of Right the Elders and Members of the Church ought to judge Matters and Things which differ and their Judgment which is given to stand good and valid amongst Friends And we do further declare and testifie That it is abominable Pride which goeth before Destruction which so puffs up the Mind of any PARTICULAR that he will not admit of any Judgment to take place against him FOR HE THAT IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WITNESS OF GOD IN FRIENDS IS CONDEMNED BY IT IN HIMSELF New Rome exactly Thirdly If any Difference arise
in the Church or amongst them that profess to be Members thereof WE do declare and testifie That the Church with the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ HAVE POWER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SUCH WHO DISSENT FROM THEIR DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE TO HEAR AND DETERMINE THE SAME All Property is now lost unless there be Conformity and Submission like the Star-Chamber and High Court of Justice c. And if any pretend to be of us and in Case of Controversie will not admit to be TRIED by the Church i. e. the Body nor SUBMIT to the JUDGMENT given by the Spirit of Truth in the Elders and Members of the same but kick against their Judgment as only the Judgment of Man WE testifie in the Name of the Lord That if any Judgment so given be risen against and denied by the Party condemned then He or She ought to be rejected as having erred from the Truth and persisting therein presumptuously are joined in ONE with Heathens and Infidels George Whitehead Josiah Coale Stephen Crisp John Moone Thomas Loe Thomas Greene John Whitehead Thomas Briggs James Parke Alexander Parker Rich. Farnsworth c. Having by this time shewed First How our Teachers in order to bring us over to them and to decoy us told us the Light within was a sufficient Guide Teacher and Leader even sufficient to lead to Salvation yea above Scriptures above Fathers above Councils and above Churches I have in the last Instance shewed the Fallacy of their so early and smooth Pretences and that from the beginning they have been a false perfidious and treacherous Tribe of Deceivers as ever the World produced Well now they appear plainly to be a Body and I having found who is the Head of this Body namely George Fox it will not be amiss to recite the Quakers Creed and his Commandments which whatever Quaker do not submit to convinced or not convinced of the Reasonableness of their Obedience it 's now plainly seen what will befall them I need not Comment upon the recited Canon Creed Fox's Commandments nor their Zeal to maintain them as their Ancient Principles altho' God's Commandments by Moses the Apostles Creed and all the Scripture the Quakers slight and reject as not to be read in their Meetings not to be taught their Children nay so proud is G. Whitehead that he tells you as above The Jews might as well have carried them to Christ in the Days of his Flesh Viz. the Ten Commandments for him to learn observe and obey them as for the Christians to carry them to the Quakers to learn observe and obey them Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 18. For saith he What is spoken by the Spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Bible and Chapters are and greater Burroughs Works p. 47. This is the Tenure and Purport of his Doctrine and I do affirm it 's right Quakerism For Edw. Burroughs said That was no Command from God to me what he Commands to another And W. Penn confirms the whole saying No Command in Scriptures is any further obliging upon ANY Man than as he finds a Conviction upon his Conscience otherwise Men should be engaged without if not against Conviction a thing unreasonable in Man c. Quakerism a New Nick-name for old c. p. 71. But for their poor infatuated Disciples to plead whether to conform or not whether to obey or not the Commands of G. Fox i. e. not paying Tythes not to be Married with a Priest not to put off the Hat not to open their Shops on Feasts or Fast-Days I say to plead to be left to their Freedom herein and the Grace of God in their Hearts Oh! no Says W. Penn This is a dangerous Principle this is a pernicious Plea this is perfect Ranterism VVhat to have Liberty whether to obey the Commands of the Body given out by the Head thereof This is wicked indeed as by their Yearly Epistle above-recited is plain However I shall recite both the Quakers Creed and the Commands of G. Fox Viz. 1. The Quakers Creed WE believe that the Light within us is the True and Eternal God which Created all things and that by me the Light all things are upheld and that there is not another besides me that can save and thereupon we believe we are endued with the Almighty Power of God and thereby have wrought Miracles and conclude we are equal to God and that our Speaking is of greater Authority than the Bible VVe believe our Light within is Jesus Christ the Son of God the Man Christ Jesus to whom all Power in Heaven and Earth is committed tho' we cannot believe that this our Light within to whom we direct our Disciples to expect Salvation by was ever crucified by Nailing to a Cross nor that he Died or was Buried nor that he was Buffered Spitted upon Smote with the Palms of the Hands of the Jews for he never was seen with Carnal Eyes nor that he Rose from the Dead the Third Day nor that he Ascended in the Sight of the Galileans into Heaven and there Sit at the Right Hand of God but that all Apostate Christians that so teach are false Ministers nor do we believe that our Light within shall come at the last Day to judge both Quick and Dead For the Light within us is the Judge and the Book is opened within the Sentence of Death and Judgment is pronounced within from the Mouth of our Light within against every idle VVord and all the Deeds of the Body within and Judgment is executed within and the flaming Sword within which proceedeth out of the Mouth of the Lamb i. e. our Light within which will cast thee into Hell within where is weeping and wailing within sealed down under the Wrath of God's Eternal Judgment within We believe the Light within us is the Holy Ghost and that these three are one and not distinguishable and that such as talk of three Persons in the Godhead like Conjurers are to be shut up with their three Persons they dream of which they would divide out of one in perpetual Darkness in the Lake and the Pit That the Scripture which the Apostate Christians build their Faith upon for this their Trinity of Persons in the Godhead is a rotten Foundation yea Dust Death and Serpents Meat and therefore their Ministers that tell their People the Scriptures are the Word of God are Deceivers For the Father Son and Spirit the World and their Teachers call three Persons but they speak they know not what therefore believe them not We believe our selves the only Catholick Church and Elect People of God and that none are in the Truth but we our selves We never did in any of our printed Books or printed Prayers from 1560 to 1690 make any Confession of Sin nor ask Pardon of God for Jesus Christ's sake who was Born of the Virgin and why We testifie that the outward Person that suffered at Jerusalem was