John Wilkinson amongst our selves only to see if vve could yet so order the Business by information to such as vvere out of the vvay that if possible an end of all Differences whatsoever amongst us might be made without any further trouble to the Churches and if at that Meeting there was not a determination concluded amongst us we might afterwards appoint another Meeting for the same end and take to our assistance therein some faithful Brethren of other Countries that matters might be heard before them who had personally been uuconcerned with the Exercise amongst us and this they judged might be orderly and seasonable because that they of us who where not of party with John Story and John Wilkinson c. were rendred in many parts of the Nation by their means to be in the wrong and condemnable and not they A Meeting amongst our selves was first agreed upon to be at the Draw-Well in Sedbergh Yorkshire at the House of John Blaykling and Friends being come together and the Meeting set after a while John Story and some of party with him asked What we had in Writing against him and John Wilkinson it was replyed That it was not our desire or purpose to exhibite matters of charge one against another in Writing if it could be avoided for we desired no memorial of any thing of that tendency to remain we were there met amicably as became Gods People to discourse of matters in which we were not at one amongst our selves by reason of which grievous Exercises and Divisions had been amongst us to the grief of the Innocent and Upright to God and we desired that things might be fairly spoken of that so we might come through Gods help to have a right understanding of one another that if possible the occasion of Differences might be removed and the ancient Unity might arise again and remain with us to our Comfort and Truths Praise But notwithstanding they said That they would not concern themselves with any discourse of that nature with us unless every thing to be discoursed upon were put in Writing We shewed our dislike thereof at present and desired that we might speak of things to see what could be done on that wise first and then if nothing were done this way as to satisfaction to us against the next Meeting it might be considered upon vvhich method to take or Words to that purpose But the conclusion on their parts vvas no discourse to be unless vvhat vve had to say against them vvere put in Writing We instanced some things that vve vvere dissatisfied vvith vvhich they had spoken in opposition to the Churches Concerns in the order thereof vvhich had been a great block in our vvay in the Work of God such and such passages had happened concerning them and such things done by them as vvas the Churches Grief and occasioned the breach of its Peace but nothing vvould they concern themselves vvith because they vvere not put in Writing only in some casual discourse amongst us at that time such Words came from them as gave great dissatisfaction to many there to the breaking their Hearts into Tears through a Testimony from God against them they reflected upon our Meetings to be Formal and not Gospel-like being constantly kept in the freedom of Gods Truth to be ready to attend Friends Concerns vvhen or of vvhat sort soever they might be they called our Practices therein Ceremonies brought into the Churches as they have often called them Mens Prescriptions other mens Lines made ready to our Hands Dictates of fallible men and the like And when all was done nothing did appear to us and many more there present of tender inclination in them to Reconciliation and Peace in any Gospel-Way and so we seeing clearly that they were resolved in relation to hearing of Matters to have all written down that must be spoken to We let them know that according to our Brethrens desire another Meeting was intended by us to be had with them with the assistance of some other Brethren of other Countries with us and then although it should be our last expedient we intended God willing to write down several things with respect to the Opposition made by them in the Church of God to the Order and Practice used amongst us therein and this was the issue of that days Meeting and let the Upright and the Lovers of Peace amongst Gods People consider whether this Spirit of theirs which is acted on this wise be that which is pure peaceable and easie to be entreated which through the Exercise of our next Meeting in relation to them and their work will be more plainly discerned a faithful account whereof we intend through Gods help to give At our next Quarterly Meeting in Kendal Friends being met there and in the sence and weight of the Truth amongst other things in persuance of the aforesaid desire of our Brethren at London was another Meeting agreed upon to be had with John Story and John Wilkinson and some Friends of other adjacent Countries who were nominated by the agreement of the Meeting and some were ordered to send word to the said Friends desiring them as they felt freedom in the Lord to come to be assisting to us The Meeting was appointed to be at a place called Pow-Bank in Westmerland the 24th Day of the 5th Month 1675. of which Meeting John Story and John Wilkinson they not being with us by the order of the Quarterly Meeting were to have notice as in the aforesaid Epistle from Lo don was desired and during the time before the said Meeting it was given out by them after they had notice of it That they did not intend to come at any more Meetings on that Occasion The certainty of their resolve not being known or if they had in their haste said so seeing it had been better to have judged that rashness then to have stood in it John Blaykling wrote a particular Letter to them desiring them upon several Considerations and Accounts to be there John Blaykling's Letter is as followeth Friends and Brethren THe Meeting agreed upon at the last Quarterly Meeting upon the account of the unhappy Difference amongst us although I heard that you had sufficient notice thereof yet I perceiving you had little purpose to observe although agreed upon according to our Brethrens desire at London in manner and form according to our sence of their Letter in that case to us and according to the order of Truth and you having notice given thereof accordingly and the election made of undetected Men amongst us and several others of our unconcerned Brethren wherefore I could see no justifiable Plea you could have in the sight of God and Friends to absent your selves Wherefore it was upon me to get Joseph Baynes to come over to one of you to advise you to take into consideration in self-denial what you do in this case least you render your selves to all the Brethren more and more otherwise then I
the Law nor the Executors thereof nor in the Kings Cause and the Nations Peace is the Witnesses Evidence although Complainers detectable nor the Sentence given accordingly to be Condemned and that this is the state of our Cause on the account of the God of Heaven and Earth the King of Saints his Peoples Peace and that our proceedings have been justifiable on the account thereof we do leave it before the Lord to be Judge and it s very clear that William Rogers has gained no credit to his Cause of Vilifying and Condemning the Discipline and Order used in the Church of God by his proclaiming these men in his Printed Book to be such as that he hath heard of none to exceed them in Doctrine and Life who are thus Stout and Ambitious Stuborn and Self-Willed And on what justifiable account before the Lord or amongst men he placeth the dreadful Judgment upon us of being Apostates from God and the Life of Christianity as he is pleased to do we yet see not let them appear boldly and 〈◊〉 themselves that do and give over this deceitful hidden Guile and creeping Work which the holy and just God abhors as an hateful thing and our first Principle condemns forever But to go on things running at this rate and they growing up to this height of Impudency in their opposit Work it now became the great concern of our Brethren at London and other parts of the Nation seeing what a Combination there was amongst John Story' s Adherents to rebel against the Lord and the ancient Truth that keeps in Unity such as abides in it and that it was the Practice of the Church of God throughout the whole Nation that with respect to our Monthly and Quarterly and General Meetings in order to the Discipline of the Church of God they were resolved to set themselves against with the might and force they could engage themselves into and that according to their former declared purpose they had set up a sign of defiance in a separate Meeting to be kept when they saw meet or as occasion offered as they themselves declared was intended by them to be done and they seeing that it was not the rafling loose sort that were readily drawn into their Snare that the Temptation only reached unto but that several also of the more Innocent to God that loved Righteousness were hurt thereby whose Names they had got into the List to subscribe amongst them to their Paper in their contentious Work many of whom blessed be the Lord to their Joy are comfortably come off again as hereafter may be more fully declared and they seeing also now how the design lay of gathering to them every where as the oppertunity served and knowing that their contentious Papers were sent abroad up and down the Nation where any reception could be obtained for them and that John Story principal in the whole design was very officious in the matter thereof in the Western parts where his Travels were wont to be and that in those parts he then was and had proselited into his factious Work several of the Earthly-wise and looser sort and that the Innocent also were in danger to be betrayed the Temptations being so guilefully laid whereupon at a Meeting on the account of suffering Friends held at the House of James Claypoole Merchant in London the 18th of the 8th Month 1675. It was agreed upon amongst the Brethren there and concluded as followeth Whereas there hath been depending an unhappy Difference between several Friends and Brethren in the North on the one Party and John Wilkinson and John Story on the other Part and that all the Endeavours hitherto have not prevailed to that healing composure desired and since the said Brethren in the North for the more effectual conclusion of the said matter have desired the Brethren of this Meeting to take it into their serious Consideration that if any thing can be further offered by them then what has been already done for the Service of the Truth and Peace of the Church of God It is from the deep sence of the thing and the sad consequences thereof unamimously desired by the 〈◊〉 Brethren that George Whitehead John Whitehead William Gibson and Alexander Parker or Gerard Roberts go from London and two from Bristol to be chosen by the Persons hereafter nominated either out of themselves or any other Friends of that City The Friends nominated to chuse two Friends as aforesaid are as followeth Dennis Hollister Thomas Gouldney Charles Hartford Richard Snead Richard Vickris 〈◊〉 Love William Ford Charles Jones William Rogers The said two Friends with the four before named to go into the North to give the Brethren a Meeting with John Wilkinson and John Story if they will be perswaded to return for the assisting the Church and Friends there to hear and determine the said Difference as in the Wisdom and Council of God they shall be directed for Peace and Unity in the Church Stephen Smith Stephen Crispe Thomas Green Ambrose Rigg and William Penn desired to meet together this Evening and draw up two Letters one to John Wilkinson and John Story and an other to Friends at Bristol aforesaid It may be taken notice of that Friends in the North although they were satisfied with the Labours and Travels of the Brethren concerned in the afore-mentioned Meetings from a true sence of the presence of Almighty God with them as also with the Testimony and Judgment aforesaid upon the afore-mentioned Spirit of Opposition and Strife and against all whomsoever that were found in the Works thereof being one and the same with that which had lived on their Hearts in relation to that Spirit as that which the pure God would never bless nor the Works thereof as also in a sence and knowledge of what a Noise was gone out through them of that Spirit against the aforesaid Proceedings of our Brethren and Judgment on the case to the leaving a jealousie upon the minds of some that probably things might not be so bad with respect to John Story and John Wilkinkinson as matters seemed to import and the Judgment given did imply We being also conscious to our selves of any deficiency on our parts whereby to invalidate the Judgment given or to have our selves detected in the matter of the occasion of the Difference amongst us having also a sincere desire that what dissatisfaction remained upon any with respect to the Judgment given without hearing c. although the default in that matter lay on John Story and John Wilkinson their part that our Innocence before the Lord which our Consciences bore record to might also the more appear and that whosoever had a mind might have the oppertunity of hearing matters relating to us on the score of being culpable as well as they as we had been rendred up and down the Nation by them of that Spirit and having also a sence of the continuation of the Exercise and Sorrow that we
were yet likely to be exposed to through the separate Meeting to the blemish of Truth and our holy Profession It s true we did signifie our inclination yea our desires that on some or all the aforesaid accounts our dear and respected Brethren might have under their tender consideration our continuing Exercises through the hardness and obstinacy of that wrong Spirit amongst us which as yet was likely further to occasion the Churches Trouble and the want of its Peace and for that end we moved if they pleased that some might come down into the North for their and others further satisfaction if they desired or saw cause for a further examination and hearing of matters relating to the depending Difference In order unto which Meeting agreed upon at London amongst our Friends there they signified unto us what was intended God willing to be done by them if all concerned would signifie their free and acceptable complyance therewith in answer whereunto Friends in the North signified by a Paper under many Hands a free and ready closing therewith unto the Meetings satisfaction there as in an answer to ours from them was signified It may be noted also that the Brethrens tenderness towards John Story and John Wilkinson was such they being then both in the West parts as also that they might the more readily be perswaded to submit to an hearing of matters and things relating to the Difference with Friends here in the North Face to Face which formerly they had refused to do in a resolve to come at no more Meetings on that score but that they again a little retracted that resolve and proffered as aforesaid to refer the matter to two chosen by each party one We say the afore-mentioned Friends being iealous whether they would submit to a Meeting or not for condescention sake gave the Friends at Bristol liberty to chuse two c. where John Story s and John Wilkinson's great Interest as was then expected stood and in persuance of the aforesaid agreement amongst Friends at James Claypool's London two Letters were writ Coppies whereof we have not inserted here but are produceable with many more material Letters of Advice Answers and Replies in Papers and Books in Maniscript Material and Satisfactory in order to the concern of a more large Hystorical Relation of matters on the account of the unhappy Differences occasioned through this ungodly Spirit as the day will declare which aforesaid Papers and Books in Maniscript are preserved ready for the service of Truth against the coming forth in Print of William Rogers s Book in Maniscript so often made mention of by him or upon what other occasion as the Lord may direct shall be seen meet with respect to all which this our present Relation of things may be taken only as a small yet perfect and impartial Abstract Yet upon the matter of the two Letters being sent as aforesaid the one to John Wilkinson and John Story in the West and the other to the Friends at Bristol William Rogers happening to be one for the Journey into the North on the aforesaid account without whose Company and Assistance 't is likely John Story had not been prevailed upon to have come being a man of a Turbulent Boysterous Spirit and one that likes the Applause of men and loves Preheminence as in his quarrelling contentious Work in the Ambition and Stoutneses of his Mind in several Papers and Concerns observable he hath manifested himself to be as many Ear and Eye Witnesses will Evidence to which also some of us are not Strangers with respect to our particular knowledge he now buckled himself to carry on the espoused matter of f. Story' s and J. Wilkinson's Cause even with all the eagerness he could work himself into like a Champion for the Work and desparate Design contrived and taken in hand which in plain words tended if the Lord had not blockt up their way to have laid waste the whole Heritage of God and not have left his People a-name where by to be known So that many opposite wrangling Papers and Letters past from him with some few more of his Adherents tending to delay the Journey into the North as was desired on the Meetings account to be had there which together with John Story' s and John Wilkinson's aversness and perverse replies to the London Brethren that were tender and friendly to them-wards gave daily a more and more perfect knowledge of what sort they were and what their Work tended to many also of the truly conscientious sort who were of their Adherents once having been hurt by them in and about the City of Bristol and the Country adjacent became in measure satisfied that they were wrong and that their Work did to Strife 〈◊〉 and began to draw back in the Spirit of their Minds from any such complyance with them as formerly they were inclined to and many in those parts of the upright hearted to God and lovers of Righteousness are come away from touching with them any more and are truly and livingly concerned in a Testimony for God against them and the Work they are concerned in which hath been their Hearts Joy and the Comfort of the Ransomed Ones Much ado 〈◊〉 was before any solid hopes our Brethren could be wrought into that any Meeting with them would be got but at last about the first Month. in the Year 1676. George Whitehead on purpose coming by them with the influence 〈◊〉 had upon them got John Story perswaded to give up to the matter desired for their lakes and for the 〈◊〉 of all Differences whatsoever that the Church might again enjoy its Peace The four 〈◊〉 from London and William Rogers only from 〈◊〉 being come into the North 〈◊〉 Benson of Kendal in Westmerland was added to them to be concerned in the aforesaid matter John Story and John Wilkinson being now come into the North also a Meeting was agreed upon to be the third Day of the second Month 1676. at the House of John Blaykling at Draw-well in Sedbergh in York-shire and accordingly that day begun and many good Friends and Ministers of the blessed Truth out of several parts of the Nation were there together with 〈◊〉 of the nine Friends that had heard the matters alledged in charge against John Story and John Wilkinson at Pow-Bank asoresaid and had given their Judgment upon that Spirit from which the said matters and things had proceeded not leaving John Story and John 〈◊〉 uncapable of clearing themselves thereof if they were able to do it and many Friends to the Truth were also come from Westmerland to the Meeting Gods eternal Power evidently broke forth through many in Living Testimonies for God and his Truth and in Heavenly Supplications that the Presence of the Eternal God might be with his People in that Exercise for which that Assembly was gathered which to the Comfort of many there present was truly felt during four days Exercise for the space of ten or twelve
What ever it may pretend to More Witnesses might be brought against William Rogers to prove the Charges of Treachery if he should deny these plain things but this is sufficient to detect him of being a notorious Dissembler with his own Conscience and yet would be unworthily charging others with that which he himself is guilty of But William Rogers to excuse his Unchristian and Disorderly charging behind the Back a Brother and an Elder in the Truth saith That John 〈◊〉 and Twenty five Persons whom he calls Accusers and Informers against John Wilkinson and John Story in order to obtain a Judgment against them behind the Back brought false Accusations against them in order to have Nine Persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Judgment against them when they denyed their Jurisdiction saith he Answ. This is a soul Aspertion and an unchristian Stating of the case which he is not able to make good against us as hath already in Manuscript been manifested sufficiently which might have satisfied him ere now had he been a reasonable Man we have also in part spoken to it in this Treatise We say again in the first place It was not John Blaykling and the other Persons as distinct from the Church of Christ in Westmoreland that had this concern upon them neither was it their particular distinct case but the case of the Church Assembled in the Quarterly Meeting at Kendal in Westmoreland and the Churches case throughout the whole Nation in the cause whereof an Information had been brought and laid before the Brethren in the North and afterwards in the South of the sad Work that John Story and John Wilkinson had made in Opposition to Church-care and the Order thereof they having been often particularly dealt withal as also in many publick preceding Meetings in Westmoreland in order to their Reconciliation to Truth and the Brethren and yet they still continuing Obstinate at the motion and upon the Agreement of the Quarterly Meeting in Westmoreland as also in persuance of the desire of our Brethren at London was there a Meeting appointed in order to the hearing and examining matters relateing to John Story and John Wilkinson and at the aforesaid Meeting was several Brethren of other Counties made mention of with a desire to have them there having been unconcerned Persons which thing also was desired by our Friends at London and John Wilkinson and John Story had notice of the said Meeting as is before in this Treatise inserted knowing also that matters in charge would be alledged against them because of their contentious opposite Work which for the Truths sake and the Unity of Brethren which they contemned could no longer be forborn and their denial to come to the said Meeting so orderly appointed was their contempt of the Churches Power and the Jurisdiction thereof in the Spirit of Jesus Christ for which Contempt together with the ungodly Work which that Spirit of theirs had wrought amongst Gods People the Judgment went out against them in the Authority of the Power which God blesseth the Work of amongst his People John Blaykling whom he mentions by Name is justified amongst his Brethren in the concern that he and many more have had upon them touching this Spirit and them led by it God hath blessed them with success in the Work they have appeared in whilst it goes ill with them of this evil Spirit who stick to it for they become more and more the Evil Men and Seducers that grow worse and worse And as to his saying That we brought false Accusations against them we say We admire that he dare to Sin against God and Dissemble with his own Conscience for he may remember that the matters in charge against them were proved at the Meeting at Draw-well as the Brethrens Narrative of the transacting of matters there with the Judgment given doth plainly demonstrate Now we come to take notice of what proof William Rogers makes of the Accusations which he hath alledged in Charges against George Fox seeing that George Fox declares them to be False and Malicious now it stands William Rogers in Hand to prove the same or else to lay his Hand upon his Mouth and confess he hath done him and many more Brethren great wrong it will not serve his turn to fly 〈◊〉 in the matter of Proof with saying He only asked the Question for the tendency of his whole Work is to Smite and asperse yea if ever Man was Guilty in the matter of accusing our Brethren William Rogers hath by these smiting Queries declared himself to be such a one There is no plea in the case for the contrary therefore it is expected by the Reader that this he should have done but he is fallen short in this Proud and Presumptuous attempt he makes himself a Reproach The first Query or Smiting Accusation runs thus Art not thou the Man that staidst almost a quarter of a Year or at least a considerable time from Meetings though held in the very House of thy Residence or if thou 〈◊〉 at any time come within the aforesaid space whether it was not so seldom that it became matter of Exercise to other Friends for thy sake and did not John Blaykling by name manifest his Burthen and Exercise of Spirit on thine and the Truths behalf for thy so doing and didst thou not after he had so done a little amend in that case Answ. The matter of Charge or smiting Accusation against George Fox in this Query is contained in the latter part thereof viz. It s being a Burden and Exercise to John Blaykling and that John Blaykling should signifie the same to him and as if George Fox did a little mend afterward If William Rogers had made out these things by the evidence of two or three Witnesses as he ought to have been able to have done then had there been matter of Charge against him but this George Fox and John Blaykling both denies in their Answer Let us see what William Rogers saith as to proof The Reader may take notice that the substance of what he saith as to proof is That George Fox saith he doth not deny but that he did so but pretendeth that he was so weak in Body that he was not able to sit in the Meeting But not any thing relating to prove the matters of Charge against him doth he bring forth and therefore detected as a false Accuser but of this more may be said afterwards William Rogers's Second Query relating to George Fox is this viz. Wouldst not thou have accounted this in another the Fruit of a Careless Slothful Negligent Dark Spirit that was either departed or departing from the Truth Answ. This is a smiting Accusation indeed and is denied by George Fox and by John Blaykling charged upon William Rogers or any that takes his part to prove this Charge against him if he can and yet we find not in all his Rejoynder any thing said by him whereby to prove this smiting Accusation
of the Innocent to discourage the Testimonies born for God and his Truth so that they of the Meeting he belonged to had many of them almost lost all relating to Truth but the form of Words and outside Profession and in that also a grief to the Faithful which many of the simple hearted amongst them came off from them since with Joy in true brokenness do tenderly confess And in this shrinking work John Wilkinson also publickly appeared to stand by them to the grief of many for his sake On these occasions as that which was needful least the Life of Christianity as William Rogers applies to the Faithful 〈◊〉 be quite let fall and extinct amongst us the Lord stirred up Zeal and Care in the Church of God amongst the Faithful and the Spirit of the Lord strove in that day with a gainsaying backsliding People who would not be subject to him in the spirit of their own minds and many Exhortations and good Advice they had in Love and Mercy mixed with sound Judgment upon the Spirit that had prevailed over them and upon the works thereof and the Hearts of many in other Countries were touched with sorrow for the Glory of Gods sake which this perfideous Spirit was striking at and in an holy Zeal for God many Brethren that came amongst us were moved in a Testimony for him to clear their Consciences in Gods sight to the comfort and heart breaking gladness of the upright amongst us but to the grief and vexation of the other sort whereupon they cryed ou against 〈◊〉 over-driving and urging things with Severity And Margaret Fox and some other Friends being come to visit Friends at our Quarterly Meeting very tenderly signified to us That she heard there was Divisions amongst us and that she partly believed it and was sorry therefore she desired also That if there was dissatisfaction in any on any account relating to Church Care and Gospel Order that they would speak that things might be openly Discoursed and none go privately under hand to work Discontents in any on the account thereof or words to that purpose John Story was not then amongst us but John 〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 himself and them of party with him replied saying 〈◊〉 What 〈◊〉 have we to practice things imposed upon us by man or in the will of man that there is no Scripture Proof or Example for In reply whereunto M. Fox asked him If 〈◊〉 would say that our Meetings relating to Church Care was set up in the will of man or words directly to that purpose unto which he gave no direct Answer neither would plainly and openly declare what it was that he and they took occasion to stumble at yet that which principally was upon him to make an opposition to 〈◊〉 afterwards was observed was Womens Meetings on the account of Church concerns thinking thereby to undervalue lessen the esteem and authority of our whole concern in the Church of God which practice in the Church was vindicated by the honest hearted as a very proper concern for them according to the measure of the Spirit received in their Place Order and Sex It seemed strange also to many why John Wilkinson propounded such a Question in opposition to Women's Meetings seeing that he twenty three more at a former Quarterly Meeting in Kendal had subscribed a Paper signifying their consent to the Womans Meetings with several Expressions in it tending greatly to encourage the same And upon the occasion of a Paper from G. Fox read in the said Meeting to encourage Women Friends to meet together on the account aforesaid the Meeting with an unanimous consent as appears by the Subscriptions expresses themselves thus viz. It is further agreed upon that this Paper be read in every particular Meeting That the Women Friends who are faithful may be stirred up into a serious consideration in the Light of the Lord To answer the Lord with diligence c. And in the Womens assembling together to see and consider that all Women Young and Old who profess the Truth do walk therein in Order and in Modesty out of the Customs and Fashions of the World Herein Male and Female are serviceable in our Place and Calling in our Day and Generation c. So all Women Friends who feel secret desires in themselves to be Instruments of good unto others let them meet together as aforesaid and in this desire certainly the Lord will assist you in his Wisdom and Counsel c. And so all the faithful Women who are thus enclined and affected herewith may signifie their Minds and Intents to the Mens Meetings and so be encouraged by us whose Names are hereunto subscribed viz John Wilkinson 1st Henry Story John Clearkson R. Pinder and 20. more And yet notwithstanding the said Paper it did appear that it was Womens Meetings that they were dis-affected with and smote at in their minds in the same Spirit that disliked also our Mens Meetings but that they were afraid to appear so openly against them for afterwards they broke forth into more disdainful terms against the Womens Meetings calling them an Idol a 〈◊〉 Invention Imposition and the like yet contradictorily to their own approbation and well-liking thereof as the aforesaid Paper demonstrates That earthly loose 〈◊〉 Spirit that had been all along stirring in some of the Rich and wiser sort in the VVisdom that is from below against the Churches Care and Discipline thereof was offended with it because of the Inspection of it and limit thereby to their wrong Spirit yet durst not publickly appear in opposition to it but in a private 〈◊〉 manner was working Contempt and Dis-esteem thereof where it could prevail till on these occasions it was forced either submissively to bow and fall under which it was not willing to do or else to appear with its open Face to manifest it self and stand up in its own defence The Lord suffered these things to be that Esau's hidden Guile might be found out and the way thereof blocked up what ever it cost the Innocent to God to accomplish the same and blessed be God things have wrought well and will do to the Glory of that Name that is the Strength and Crown of the Righteous that shall never Rot For in the Exercise that the Faithful met withal through this Spirit which the Lord hath blessed to us Life sprung in the Hearts of the Righteous and many Souls was tenderly concerned 〈◊〉 God and his antient Truth which had been the Glory of the North where many living VVitnesses had been raised for God to the glading of many Thousands and from amongst whom faithful Labourers sprung for the publishing the everlasting Truth where the Lord hath called them And the Glory of the Eternal Truth appearing even to lie at stake the Lord put Courage into the Hearts of several younger Brethren that from Babes and 〈◊〉 the Lords Praise might be perfected And the more the Lord appeared amongst us the more
from the Inspection Reproof and Judgment of the Church of God which they were often minded of and yet would not regard verified was the saying upon them There are none so blind as those who will not see Thus were we concerned on their behalf in Long-suffering and Patience many Months and some Years some laboured to cover them until they became their shame our Exercises and Sufferings sustained by them and the wrong done to the Church of God and the offence to his People was so open and publick among us by their means that the Exhortations and tender Reproofs upon J. S. and J. W. and them of party with them were so publick also that with respect to orderly dealing with them Friends were clear on that score if any breach of order was it was on their parts that went privately insinuating into the minds of the weaker sort to work a dislike of and a disrespect to the Churches care the Discipline and Order established throughout the Nation and would not concern themselves with our Antient Honorable and Elder Brethren in the matter thereof who had been Instruments in Gods hands for settling the Churches therein and from our Brethren at London many good Exhortations and Encouragements we had received on account thereof we often desired them that is any discontent was in their minds upon the account of any Practice that we were desirous or concerned to promote that they would be pleased to let the hearing thereof be referred to our Friends and Brethren of our general Meetings in order to a determination thereof which they would not be perswaded too neither did they after their opposition begun come there or concern themselves therewith Now besides these publick concerns amongst us in the North occasioned through the means of these two men together with their adherents that joyned with them J. Wilkinson may remember the Exercise that a Friend and Brother had with him in the Town of Kirbylonsdale in a private Chamber about the time of the said Friends going to London it was towards the beginning of the opposition to Friends care in the Church and the division occasioned by him and them of party with him And he may remember what a tender frame of Spirit the Friend was in towards him we are bold to give a relation of it here having a tender account from the Friend concerned with him which John Wilkinson may have liberty to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he please Was he not told what a danger he was running himself into through the straitness that he had let in upon him against the practice of the Church in the Discipline thereof which through evil Surmisings and groundless Jealousies had prevailed upon him wherein he was not only a discourager of the tender hearted in relation to their concerns in the care and order of the Gospel but an encourager of a loose sort that were gratified thereby and emboldned to make Opposition and work Strife Was he not also told that there was upon that Friends Heart and many more a sence of the decay of Life and the fresh power of God in their publick Preaching and Testimony for Truth which formerly had accompanied John Story and him and that into the Letter and Wisdom of the Flesh their ministerial Exercise was of late Years much what turned to the trouble of many so that the pure Wisdom being withdrawn in a great measure they were darkned as to the knowledg of the sufficiency of that Grace which preserved pure to God in his Service and to his Praise all that keep to it in whatever Exercise they were concerned and on that account had the groundless Jealousies risen and wrought them into a fear of that to enter amongst us on the account of Order and Discipline in the Church of God which he was 〈◊〉 could never do on that occasion as Friends kept to the Power and Grace of God where no Apostacy could every prevail John Wilkinson may remember how his Heart was broken then into many Tears without a word of reply in opposition to what was said on that account And we do testifie that the Opposition that hath been in the Church hath not been from a real fear of a going back into the Apostacy again through the Churches being settled in Order and under a Government in the Family of God but a wrong loose backsliding Spirit from the Power and Life of Truth that would be at Liberty from under the Yoke thereof pretended a fear of settling of Forms and visible Order amongst Gods People to be the way to introduce the Apostacy again that on that account it may slight and reject the same to have its Liberty in that which the Truth and the pure Gospel doth condemn But to go on let John Wilkinson be asked whether he was not desired to go to London to discourse these matters amongst the Brethren there by reason whereof his and others Discontent and Straitness had risen which would work them under into Misery and Ruin as to Truth it was told him if they were not aware that if possibly amongst the many Brethren there satisfaction might be given him as to any matter which he scrupled Many ontreaties there were we have cause to believe on that wise yet none could prevail with him to make him willing to go Yet notwithstanding in a tender broken frame of Spirit at that time was he subjected through that eternal Power that was over all in which the Discourse ended and they parted asunder Little did our Friends and Brethren at London think that things were working thus in the North amongst the ancient Brethren where Gods Power and blessed Gospel had gloriously broken forth and been received and testified to and loath were the Innocent to divulge it there or else-where for the Unities sake which is a precious thing amongst Brethren and to have had matters composed amongst our selves in Westmerland was our desire and our hopes as yet failed not and the more because of that tenderness and bowed sence John Wilkinson was wrought into which for a time did continue with him to the glading of Friends on his and the Churches behalf and although the Brethren at London had had some little knowledge of these things amongst us yet they also under an hope that matters in time would be allayed amongst us were not enclined to make any publick concern thereof therefore nothing unless in private was said or done in relation to it which was then but as a Spark with respect to the Flame of the Exercise it wrought in the Church more generally afterwards through them betrayed into that Spirit that would work mischief if it could get entrance any way But to go on in short with the concerns in the North with these two men as them on whom here the dependency of those hung who to work Distraction and Trouble among Friends were set at work It fell out that John Story who had been in the South 〈◊〉 to his Faction secretly as
he used to do in the North where he could prevail which the sad experience afterwards that some of the Churches of God had in those Parts of this Spirits work does declare came into the North who of a certain truth hath been the Grandee in the whole Design and blew up the Sparks 〈◊〉 kindled by him and others into a vehement heat of Discontent and Grief because of our Gospel concerns having encouraged himself with those who were entred into Faction with him where his Travel and Work had been he set a work to drive all before him discouraged the concern and tender practice of Friends in relation to Testimony against Tythes judged the recording Condemnations with the Repentance of such as had been out of the way of Truth to the open blemish thereof judged the Paper in relation to Womans Meetings which John Wilkinson as said before with many more had subscribed encouragement to some of whom he afterwards brought off to abet his Design and Work so that Friends Books were to have been altered according to his motion but that being stopt one of Party with him and a princiqal Stickler and Preacher amongst them but since quite turned out tore his Condemnation for being Married with a Priest out of the Book and such work as this he occasioned amongst us and John Wilkinson turned his back-side of that tenderness that had been upon him and became with him a resolved man to stand it out several Friends had a private Meeting with him in Kendal to have done him good occasioned through George Fox's means but he shewed himself an angry perverse man When Friends tenderly asked him whether such or such things were true which he had said or done as was repeated in relation to a manifest mark of his being departed from the Life of Truth to oppose the order thereof in order whereunto Friends desire was to have dealt with him as a Brother and an Antient amongst us and the brokenness that was on Friends in their Exercise with him testified the same and the Bowels that earned towards him that day would have broken many Hearts yet in a wilful stubborn disquieted frame and indisposure by reason thereof he broke away very aburtly and unchristian-like treading upon his Brethrens Care and Good-will towards him telling them That he would stand upon his own Legs and not be beholden to them for their Curtches Not long after John Wilkinson being grieved and his Spirit much discomposed writ a Letter to one of us which he called The Word of the Lord and by his order to be shewn to many Brethren full of enveighing Language such as becomes not a Minister and Servant of Christ to his fellow Servants telling us That we had begged Authority from others to make our selves work withal and to be commissionated to act therein to get favour of Persons or an Office or a piece of Bread and was puffed up therein and then places this Judgment upon us and our work saying That our Office would cloath us with Raggs and that Worms would breed in our gathering and that our Bread should consume with this final Sentence upon us That the Lord would break us The Friend to whom this was directed to be communicated to others writ privately to him before he shewed it to any and desired him to take it back again and consider better of it otherwise it would be his shame tend to his great dammage many ways but nothing would serve him but that it must be delivered Mark the end of it So that it plainly appeared they were resolved to try their strength with that which proves too strong for them After a while at the request of some of our ancient Brethren and sincere to God who had private knowledg of the difference amongst us it being also our inclination a Meeting was had with them of that Spirit John Story and John Wilkinson being amongst us we being desired also to have with us other three Neighbouring Friends who had been true and faithful to God from the beginning never detected upon any account who being come and set amongst us they also being privy to the Transactions amongst us John Story and John Wilkinson shewed their dislike of having them with us and resolved not to concern themselves with any discourse relating to the matter unless the said Friends would with-drew but those Friends having a sincere Exercise in the motion of God as by them it was signified to us durst not with draw upon the motion of that wrong Spirit being otherwise preswaded in their Hearts consistant also with the aforesaid Brethrens request as also comfortably agreeable with the sence and desire of the sincere hearted and truly sensible of that Spirit 's opposite work amongst us whereupon John Story and John Wilkinson with-drew any further concern in the matter and took a party of the dark sort after them so that after a while the Meeting ended without any effectual work relating to an Agreement and Peace amongst us The Spirit of Contention prevailing in them animated also through the Adherents John Story had wrought into the Strise with them in the South where his and John Wilkinson Travels had sometimes been such as they had stampt their Image upon and that readily complyed with them against the Unity of 〈◊〉 in the Exercise and Practice of Truth in the Church of Christ the Brethrens Troubles hereaways encreased and our Tryal became great John Story making his boast vainly how many he could have to stand by him and yet have but proved as Egypts broken Reeds unto him for all his boast and the same Spirit in William Rogers and others thereaways that espoused the Quarrel on the two John's behalf of whom he became chief fell upon us with such Force and Courage as if nothing could stand in their way but the Lord was in our Eye and our expectation waited on him who had been our help and refuge to that very time to whom be Praise for evermore so that now the Exercise in the North became such which we had long born in the Patience which God gave us and in which we desired to see the end of that Spirits Work which had occasioned the same and that the knowledge of the Differences hereaways might not be spread abroad and the Strise occasioned through them being risen to that hight and the distance with respect to Unity became such and the knowledge of it abroad that it began to touch the Hearts of many Brethren in several parts of the Nation seeing that the 〈◊〉 of this Spirits work would be sad if the way of it were not blockt up And now our Friends and Brethren at London having a certain knowledg that the Difference in the North was come to be such as that it appeared to grow higher rather then an end thereof was like to be suddenly composed they writ to Friends and desired that we would appoint a Meeting on purpose with John Story and
have desired you should have done to your further disparagement and great loss it is upon me once more to let you know that it seems strange to me that it should be so upon you being as you may remember at the last Meeting we had I told you seeing no other means would do we must now be constrained to bring things to open view against you which I desired we never might have been caused to have done if it could have been avoided and should be our last shift I told you also that all that ever you have by any of us been charged with would be proved against you and you have altogether accused us both before that Meeting and since for not doing so wherefore now in our own defence and in the defence of Truth 's Testimony at this Meeting you may expect sufficient proof of such things as I know the Brethren will be sorrowful for upon your accounts considering the honorable esteem we have 〈◊〉 of you unless you can pretty much clear your selves and as I judge that which will be your strongest plea in your defence in the case will be to make out that against us or others of the Brethren which in many Expressions and Passages that have come from you in opposition to Friends holy Care and Exercise you have pointed at to wit our imposing things in the will of man which undoubtedly in the straitness and opposition of you Spirits you have rendered us to be in both hereaways and in many parts of the Nation which charge if you can make good against us then you may be some little more excusable though not one fold of many sufficiently in what you have done which said Charge against us and the Unity of the Brethren hath such a reflection upon us and hath jumbled the Minds of the Weak to the Churches great Trouble breach of its Peace that it is expected you should appear to make it good against us if you can which if so that it can be proved against us we shall willingly acknowledge if required and no occasion of Discord shall remain upon our part otherwise and that which I doubt not but we shall be able to do through Gods help we may clear our selves of all such Aspersions in the sight of the Lord and before our dear Brethren to Truth 's Satisfaction and in the Unity of Gods Life we may stand to go on in our Exercise for God against whatever may oppose the same wherefore Friends in true love I would have you to mind things and consider what you do in these cases for undoubtedly the God of Heaven is at work to carry on his own Cause in Righteousness who will be found too strong for all that lifts up a hand against him and the Unity of his own Life I am thus far clear in the Lords sight concerning you remaining still Your Friend in singleness of Heart John Blaykling The Meeting gathered at Pow-Bank aforesaid and many good Friends there with them also of other Countries agreed upon to be with us as the Lord made way John Wilkinson and John Story came not but only sent a Paper of slight and disregard of Friends weighty concern in relation thereunto alledging That at the Meeting at Draw-Well we had no matter in charge against them in Writing which in Truth and Righteousness was no plea for their absenting now because we told them how unwilling we were to appear on that wise if it could be avoided and an end put to things without it but seeing they said they would not take any notice of any thing we would say unless it were writ we told them then before the breaking up of the Meeting that we would do it at our next Meeting which we were to have with them by the advise of our Brethren seeing nothing would be effected there that day we told them also we did believe forty matters would be brought against them to manifest their Opposition and John Story replyed You must prove them it was answered he need not question that for it was so intended and several things we told them then by word of Mouth when together in order to the proof that should be made thereof They alledged also in the said Paper That they told us at that Meeting that they intended to meet no more about such matters the truth of which we own not for we cannot hear that any one of all the Meeting heard any such Words amongst us and if any thing of that nature was spoken vve believe it vvas privately to some after the Meeting broke up upon their jealousie hovv things vvould go All vvhich signifies nothing but meer Deceipt and an absolute unvvillingness to come to Tryal at all as aftervvards vvill be more clearly manifested alledging also That if they had been clear of the purpose of giving no more Meetings they did not find themselves obliged to take notice of our summoning of them who were both Accusers and Witnesses and chose the Judges Which is all impertinent and silly Discourse seeing the Persons chosen vvere chosen by the agreement of the Quarterly Meeting long before they separated from us and they might have been there as usually they vvere vvont to do if they had not at that time absented on purpose and vvhat vve did vvas also in persuance of the Brethrens request from London and to object against the Witnesses vvas not only 〈◊〉 as amongst men but also frivolous inconsistant with Truth 's Power and order thereof as also insufficient in the sight thereof to ground a plea upon for their contemptuously absenting themselves and thereby avoid the Tryal and Judgment as probably they expected it might do in that it vvas the Cause of Almighty God the King of Heaven and his Subjects Peace hovvever right or vvrong it served them to absent upon But to proceed the Exercise that the Friends chosen for to hear and examine matters in order to give their Sence and Judgment as they found the Case had that day and the day following at Milnethorpe a Meeting being there appointed for that end we shall refer the knowledge thereof to what hereafter follows as an abstract taken out of the former part of their own Paper to which their Sence and Judgment is 〈◊〉 The Friends of Westmerland according to what was intimated at Draw-Well asoresaid and in persuance of Friends advice from London as also what John Story and John Wilkinson called for at the said Meeting had there fairly writ down several matters in charge against them which they gave to the Friends there which notwithstanding the two John's abstance in contempt of the Churches Order and Care they the aforesaid Friends chosen by the Quarterly Meeting could not but take notice of it being the general concern of the Church of God taking notice also what proof could be made thereof which said matters alledged in charge related to prove viz. First That John Story and John Wilkinson had opposed our
hours a day as to the matter of the Articles in charge alledged and writ down against J. Story and John Wilkinson little was said of them the first day but some other Discourse the Friends of London had with them relating to the ground of the Controversie depending in relation whereunto there was two Queries proposed by J. Story and 〈◊〉 Wilkinson writ down desiring that the Friends there would give their Answer to them whereby it was supposed they expected to have an understanding given them of Friends 〈◊〉 and Aim with respect to Church Government and the Order and Practice of Friends in relation to it about which the Wrangling and 〈◊〉 by them had been made and against which the Opposition in them had stood to the Exercise and Grief of Gods Faithful People and upon the Brethrens-Resolve and Answer thereunto no Dissatisfaction from them appeared in any respect and John Story 〈◊〉 acknowledged his good Satisfaction therein After all this concerne Friends desired to come to the matters in charge John Story and John Wilkinson seemed unwilling on a jealousie that remained with them that the Friends concerned in the former Meetings intended with the six last nominated as 〈◊〉 c. to concern themselves in the present hearing of matters amongst us in order to a final determination and shewed the same by some words cast out by them now and then although the said Brethren did not at present appear to concern themselves in the matter of the tryal relating to them concerning which as the Friends in the North did not desire to put them thereinto neither did in their minds conclude it rational nor according to the order of 〈◊〉 to have them excepted against from any concern therein without their own desire or free consent thereunto being formerly chosen by the Quarterly Meeting for that affair and exercise therein and what had been done by them in that case not detectable in the Truth nor their Sence and Judgment impeached in the matter thereof or which to be cast out and our Brethren of London shewing also their desire that many weighty Friends being 〈◊〉 on that 〈◊〉 occasion which was the Churches 〈◊〉 ral concern they might in the exercise of the universal Spirit of Truth have a share with them So that as to that objection against any from being 〈◊〉 in measure with others in the case of hearing and giving Judgment 〈◊〉 matter was that Night letalone until the next Day On the Morrow Friends being assembled and the Lords Power with us to the breaking many Hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tender frame of Spirit and in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desires that a sweet composure might be wrought to Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Churches peace after a little time the hearing and Tryal of matters in 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 was fallen into and the 〈◊〉 concerned in the matter 〈◊〉 against John Story 〈◊〉 John Wilkinson and those of Party with them 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 of heart that if in any thing it could be made appear that they had 〈◊〉 just cause of 〈◊〉 to them from whom the opposition had arisen and 〈◊〉 on that occasion by them given they had appeared on that wise and that 〈◊〉 they also had been the cause of the Brethrens Trouble and the obstruction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Churches Peace they should freely acknowledg the same and give the Church and the Children of God that saisfaction which the Truth should require of 〈◊〉 that so no occasion of discord by them or disunion with the 〈◊〉 should remain on their part The first and second matter as with down in charge against them was read and heard amongst all there and proof made thereof to the satisfaction of them concerned whereupon William Rogers having a sence and as we may reasonably conclude afear and jealousie upon him how things would go on John Story' s and John Wilkinsons account withdrew himself into the Garden and sent for a Friend to come to speak to him who when the Friend came to him told him He was sencible that John Story and John Wilkinson were under a mistake thinking that none but 〈◊〉 six last named Friends would be concerned in the 〈◊〉 and giving judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and yet said he it was by them appearing against them 〈◊〉 that the other that formerly had the matter in hand should be now also equally concerned with them which was a 〈◊〉 needless evading scruple that John Story and John Wilkinson during the time of the proof aforesaid seemed not to take any notice of 〈◊〉 had any of those 〈◊〉 Brethren as yet given any cause for it that we know of William Rogers desired the Friend to come in and clear that point but the Friend 〈◊〉 to do it 〈◊〉 Let things go on all is quiet and cool or words to that purpose and said If this would not satisfie him he might go and speak himself Whereupon William Rogers 〈◊〉 for John Story and John Willkinson or at least they wanting him drew forth to see what the matter was or to consult with him and 〈◊〉 a little while came in again and one of them or both signified That 〈◊〉 they might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beforehand that those nine formerly concerned should not meddle in the 〈◊〉 of examining matters concerning them c. they would for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 to it and also would with-draw and did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into their places but they and their Company 〈◊〉 ready to go away and the most of Friends expected the same seeing what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in their Minds they were 〈◊〉 into as appeared by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 resolve about the matter for there was a secret Dread and Terror upon them which 〈◊〉 but sometimes surprize such more especially on such a 〈◊〉 as they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 come unto The Lords Power arose amongst Friends under 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 way of 〈◊〉 and Peace for them should be blockt 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 if they 〈◊〉 not And it was 〈◊〉 of them in the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to give up themselves to the Exercise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon them in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 Good in which they had a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God to lay before them for their Souls sake and if they did so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same as 〈◊〉 Words and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to import it should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lamb Slain at their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also that in the 〈◊〉 Love and 〈◊〉 of God the Brethren 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on that concern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A 〈◊〉 of Christ Jesus and in the Authority of 〈◊〉 Spirit they required and 〈◊〉 that things might go on as to hearing and examination on all sides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a 〈◊〉 thereof or Words 〈◊〉 to that 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 of the Lord that subjects and none else was 〈◊〉 all Knees 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was given and that by 〈◊〉 Rogers to give all men their due 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his consent and free closure with that 〈◊〉 was proposed and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John Wilkinson acquiessing in it
truly comforted whatever the Issue of Matters would be with respect to those entangled in the Snare of a guileful Spirit that it was well with them in that they had a certain Knowledg of the Peace and Blessings of God into their Bosoms who had aceompanied them with his glorious Power and over-shaddowed their Exercise therewith to their Hearts Joy and to the causing of them to give God the Praise who is worthy for ever and in the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit upon the 5 th day of that Exercise Friends parted asunder being the 7 th day of the Week Several of our travelling Brethren stayed some days in the Country amongst Friends and had several blessed Meetings here-aways in a Travel upon their Spirits during their abode in the Country for the Churches Peace and the Return of the strayed ones and giving up the whole Concern to Almighty God and to the Word of his Power who alone gives the Encrease of all planting and watering and spiritual Exercises on every Account God over all in Heaven and Earth blessed for ever In many particular Exercises that the aforesaid Friends had with John Story and John Wilkinson and them of Party with them they were very desirous that they would break up again their separate Meeting as that which they testified against which also God would never bless There was that measure of Love and Tenderness raised up in John Story and John Wilkinson in the aforesaid Meeting that they took an Occasion to go to George Fox then at Swathmoore who we perceive by good Information was very loving to them and tender on their behalf letting them see the Danger they were in if they did not return to the antient Power in it to become one with Gods 〈◊〉 again in the Service and Labour of the Truth and for that end desired them to break up the separate Meeting c. But upon the matter thus it was that the separate Meeting they still continued and the Expectations of dear Brethren became frustrated on John Story' s and John Wilkinson's account for any thing that could be observed for they quickly trampled upon the whole Concern and Endeavours that had been had with them and used towards them John Wilkinson presently denyed that they had condemn'd any thing at Draw-well or that they knew of any thing of which they were guilty that was condemnable At the next yearly Meeting being about the 3 d. Month 1676. The Concerns of the Church of God throughout the whole Nation and of many Countries and Islands beyond the Seas being under Friends tender Care and great weight of Spirit the estate of the Church of God in Westmerland came before Friends as some of us were Ear-Witnesses and an Exercise of Mind was upon them in relation to the Grievances that Gods People in these Parts were still exposed to through the Spirit of Contention and Strife that had led into Separation from the antient Brethren in the Service of Truth and the deplorable State also of John Wilkinson and John Story with them of Party with them they were touched with In the Consideration of their trampling upon all the tender Endeavours used towards them at Draw-well in the 2 d. Month of the same Year and their obstinate and wilful rejecting the Admonition the Reproof the good Advice and Councel of their antient Brethren in order to a happy Return of them to God again and into the Unity of the Spirit with the Faithful in the practice of things relating to the Concerns of Truth and the Church of God amongst them And understanding that the separate Meeting continued still contrary to the general and particular Advice of the Friends when in the North more particularly on the account of their Souls Concern tenderly laid before them to the great danger of their utter undoing over and besides the Obstruction which that Spirit laboured to make in the way of Truth with respect to a gathering more unto God as also the Hurt its Design tended to produce amongst the young and tender not fully established upon the Rock the Habitation whereupon cannot be shaken The Brethren with respect to that secret Hope that sprung up in them at Draw-well when there concerning these two men in particular and on behalf of others greatly hurt by the same Spirit that the Lord might have wrought them into a further sight and sence of things as to their inward of late Years deplorable State and into a tender acknowledgment thereof under the hand and stroke of Gods Power to the working of them from the Bondage thereof that the liberty of the Power in the love 〈◊〉 God they might again come to partake of and so be brought into Fellowship with Gods People again to their Comfort and the Churches Ease and Peace On these Considerations it was yet upon their Spirits to visit them with a tender Epistle of Brotherly Advice from the yearly Meeting under the great Lamentation that the Souls of many were bowed in because thereof The Epistle from the yearly Meeting the 22d of the 3d. Month 1676. John Story and John Wilkinson FOR whom our Souls have travelled as for our own the God of Heaven is Record yea bitterness and anguish of Spirit hath overtaken us for your sakes that in the blessed Unity of the Life and Love of God with the Brethren you may come and dwell for ever And let us tell you in all plainess for we are bound yea we are bruised men for your sakes and deeply afflicted to hear by your Northern Brethren of the continuance of the Separation in those Parts for that Sp rit despiseth our Travels tramples upon our Labours sets our Life and Love at nought and with that Spirit hath God a Controversie and Will forever Ah! what do you mean to do Oh! our antient Friends Sorrow girds us to hear that you are got no nearer your antient Brethren nor receive our Councel while our Life strives with you least your Day go off and our Bowels be shut up against you Bow to that Power that visited you at Daw-well and let not up any Slights against it in your Minds For we are satisfied in our Souls 〈◊〉 it was the Day of your Visitation And in the Name of the Lord away with that Separation which to our great Grief we hear is not only continued but countenanced at least by one 〈◊〉 you for the Determination of the Lord is to blast it for ever Ah! you and they are sought in the Spirit of Meekness and in Love unseigned and in that Patience that was not provoked Oh! strive not against your own Mercies neither exclude your selves from the Fellowship of your Brethren but judge down all Strife Jealousies and Surmises in the name of the Living God that you may be made nigh and be Instruments to bring those nigh that are also with you at a manifest distance from us otherwise the Jealous God will stretch 〈◊〉 his Hand against you and you
c. at last tell it to the Church This is such a clear Case that even Children in the Truth are not Strangers to it If we have done you Wrong why do you not tell it to the Church according to Christs Rule but exclaims thus and nothing will satisfy you but your own Demands in your own Case c. We tell you for Conscience Sake the Authority of Gods Power and the true Churches Right we cannot do it we cannot give away its Priviledg at the request of a dissenting Spirit This is our Answer and is the second or third time we have told you so if this will not satisfy you tell it to the Church if the Spirit of Jesus be in you and give over this wrangling If the Church judg us in this matter and we hear it not let us bear the Burthen of the Wrong done unto you there you may have Right done unto you This we grant you for your Satisfaction and to remove the Prejudice you have begot in some of the simple-minded against us through your crying Injustice which is very abusive seeing you will not come to Tryal c. And if none of these Proposals will finde an Entrance upon you and work in you Satisfaction then will it be plainly manifest to all that knows these things that you are not onely separated from us in the Exercise of Truth 's publick Concern but also gon from the Nobility of the Power some of you were once honourable in in the Day whereof this detestable Work would have been cause of Lamentation to you and the Advice and Unity of Brethren precious in your Eye which you now detest and for your reflecting Postscript in which you shew a Discontent that we returned to you your unsubscribed Paper You may say we delt sivily with you that did not return it with the Name of idam flet that the Author therof were either ashamed of or timerous to stand by and doth argue a secret Guilt upon the Spirits of such as were principally concerned in it and good Cause had we to desire to know whose they were as thereby manifested to be the great Fomentors of the woful Strife and Division you are entered into and the principal Leaders of the Separation you persist in that such may be marked and taken heed of by the simple amongst you and by all every where that loves Sion s Peace and its Welfare in the Lord whose Blessing will attend such for ever more c. From our quarterly Meeting the sixth of the Eighth Month. Thomas Pearson Thomas Langhorn John Blayklinge Joseph Baines and Thirty more on behalf of the said Meeting It may be observed that the aforesaid Paper being delivered to them they returned no Answer to it to this day neither heard we any more of that 〈◊〉 Work they had before made about the demanding the Books as aforesaid 〈◊〉 for the Reasons we gave them as expressed so that what they do with respect to Business or when they keep their 〈◊〉 we are Strangers to them and with respect to our Meetings we can say of a Truth the Glory of Israel's God is with us and the shout of aking and in Dominion through God's Eternal Power our Life reigns over all dissenting backsliding 〈◊〉 and evil surmising Spirits and the Works thereof and in the Exercise of the Spirit in our men and womens Meetings a Care is amongst us for God's Glory and one anothers Advantage and Comfort to the Joy and rejoycing of our Hearts in the Unity of that Life and Fellowship of that blessed Spirit in which our Hearts are made right glad and have cause to bless the Lord the Days we have to live and now having cleared our Consciences in the Lord's Sight thus far concerning them of the separating wrong Spirit who will not hear and return to God that they may finde Mercy we are in perfect Peace in the Spirit of our Minds And they being gon out from us because they are not of us c. their Contentious troublesom Spirit and their Strife we being quit of the Children of God the Church of the First born injoys their Peace sitting under their Vines and Figtrees in that sweet Repose that does our 〈◊〉 good and with respect to the Churches Concerns and Care in the Exercise and Practice therein we do injoy that inward Satisfaction and that outward Quiet and Peace that we have long waited for Glory to God on high for ever more Several of the Innocent that loves Righteousness and waits for God's Salvation comes off again from that Spirits Work and from touching any more in the Defilements of it acknowledging the Weakness they gave up themselves into in which they became the Churches Grief and in a signal Testimony of their Repentance condemned the Spirit that betrayed them and the Fellowship of the Spirit with God's People are come again to injoy to their unspeakable 〈◊〉 and Joy beyond what can be uttered Our Meetings are become quiet and we are unanimously and 〈◊〉 Sociable in our Work the rending troublesom Spirit being gon out never to return And if any who have been of it should desire to come again it must be through Judgment and the Spirit of burning through which whosoever of them draws near again it will be our Joy and the Answer of our Souls Desires and that 's the Exercise we are now concerned in in relation to them being thus far Clear in the Lord's Sight Little more Occasion on the account of the outward Concerns of the Church of Christ have Friends with them but that as to Meetings on the account of Worship They of the Separation and other Friends continued yet together Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bowels that possiblely could be on the account of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods People Ministers and Messengers of 〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 had it on their Spirits to visit the Church of God in 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Advice to all and in a Reproof upon the Spirit of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Advice to them in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the antient 〈◊〉 and the comfortable Society and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein 〈◊〉 hearty 〈◊〉 for reuniting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 several wholsome Admonitions Counsel and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by such as came amongst us besides the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet 〈◊〉 with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parts concerning them Several printed Books came amongst us in relation to the matter occacioning the starting aside in Vindication of 〈◊〉 Care and Government amongst Gods People for the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 and tender of them that were led aside particularly Roburt 〈◊〉 Book of Government and Georg Fox's Book in 〈◊〉 to Womens Meetings in order to the 〈◊〉 of their Service in the Church of Christ in the Capacity under which they 〈◊〉 having 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Spirit in which to be prositable as the Lord should instruct 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Gospel of Christ
there reflecting upon Friends notwithstanding the Godly Care they had upon them at that Meeting for Unity and Peace As if John Story John Wilkinson and himself had cheated Friends in pretending to condemn when it seems in reallity they did not But William Rogers said they had given them a Rattle to please Children with and John Wilkinson if not he also calling the Brethrens Relation given at 〈◊〉 a lying Narrative trampling upon all the Godly Endeavours that had been used towards them of that rebellious backsliding Spirit God and many dear Friends are Witness and that in their Consciences also what true and tender Care George Fox and others have had and also extended towards them which William Rogers hath some times confessed to before he became thus hardened to do Mischief so that in very deed his Treachery had been such that many may say he was not worth such Treating with William Rogers had Opportunity enough to have met with George Fox face to face on the account of the Accusations that he cast upon him and published them up and down the Nation in Manuscript before ever he dealt with him according to the Command of Christ and the Apostolical Order in relation to most of them some of his abusive Papers or Book out against George Fox amongst his Abettors before ever George Fox heard of them to the Shame of Christianity and the Rule of all Christian Societies as will be hereafter made manifest which he hath published in Print to Posterity and a Meeting was given him and others of Party with him at Bristoll John Story being there in relation to Matters in Difference betwixt them and the Church of God George Fox being there also with William Penn George Whithead William Gibson and others of George Fox's Friends and Brethren as in Manuscript hath been made mention of and in the discoursing of Matters at that time amongst them William Rogers was so abusively clamorous and extravagant and loud in Words and in his Concern and Exercise so burthensom amongst them in the heat of his Spirit as that Friends were astonished thereat and some of his own Party so dissatisfied at his running out of Doors to and again that some of them were glad for Moderations sake to go out to qualify him and get him in again of this we shall speak more afterwards as to Proof thereof if any should question the same such Confusion there was principally occasioned through him as that little effectually could be done William Rogers bringing in Accusations against George Fox in that publick Meeting which George Fox was a Stranger to neither knew he of any such Designe that William Rogers had upon him as to impeach him on that wise and not have dealt with him before according to the Order of Truth which was shameful in the sight of good Men that was privy to it William Rogers had the Opportunity often to have done with George Fox as became a Brother and a Man if he had been of a right Spirit as Hundreds will testify which he took no notice of he hath published in Print and exposed the same to Posterity most of the Accusations against George Fox upon Reports saying If Reports be true after a disingenious sort which manifesteth what a Spirit he hath and whether or no he be worth much taking notice of with respect to much he hath had in hand he pretends want of the Opportunity of a meeting with him was one great Occasion of his publishing in Print his horrid Work and yet he had a Meeting proffered him freely with George Fox which George Fox signified to stop his Mouth withal and sent him word if he would come in any confiderable time before he left the City of London as may be seen by William Meads Relation of the matter relating to it and for all William Rogers his 〈◊〉 now in a wicked excusive way he would not give consent to meet with George Fox on Notice given to him unless George Fox would give it under his hand which 〈◊〉 Fox was not willing to do neither did the Truth require him so far to follow such a false Spirit as his he believing also that he would make an evil use of it in Print and although William Mead proffered to 〈◊〉 God Willing that George Fox would meet him c. Yet he denyed to do it unless he would give it under his Hand though George Fox never desired that of him What a shameful wicked thing is it for William Rogers to put this detestable wicked Book in print stuffed with such abusive horrid clamouring Accusations and Aspersions to the shame of his Principle and Profession and the Fellowship of Brethren pretending George Fox would not give him a Meeting and yet did evade it thus pitifully and unlike a Man or the Concern it related to this surely is treacherous dealing with much such like he hath in hand but the great God the Judge of all will reckon with him in the end for all whose Damnation slumbers not he hath shamefully abused and wronged the Exercise that William Mead and Nicholas Lucus an Agent for William Rogers had about the matter and manner of George Fox's being willing to meet William Rogers c. as may be seen in the Relation William Mead gives of it incerted in the Treatise called The Accuser of the Brethren cast down to which we refer the Reader for more satisfaction about this matter And William Rogers in his Conscience to which we also refer the matter knows that he might have had a Meeting with George Fox if he would but take the Opportunity proffered him Yet his 〈◊〉 hath been such to watch for Advantage that many antient honourable Brethren were not willingly inclined that George Fox should take much Notice of him and some private Discourse that George Fox and he had at London at William Roger's earnest Request he hath made an evil use thereof in print against him which doth not become a Man of his supposed Parts 〈◊〉 Reputation to have done that he might publish abroad his printing thereof William Rogers reflects upon George Fox also in his Postscript because when Daniel Smith of Malborrow told him that William Rogers had propounded to have a meeting with him c. George Fox should say He judged it would but be a jangle as it was at Bristol Let the sober minded but consider whether George Fox had not ground to expect no better from him whose Iniquity was hastening to an height who had been so abusive to Friends with respect to former Meetings at Drawel with his false abusive Narrative and at Bristol manifesting such bauling clamorous Work as many were ashamed of And whether George Fox had any ground to take notice of the uncertainty of this mans tosticated Spirit as he manifestly appeared in and more especially seeing he might have had the Opportunity of meeting George Fox at London who was ready to come into the City when William Rogers was
on purpose to put Friends by their Testimonies in that matter he had almost over-run the Proposals for Peace William Penn stetp to the Table and writ down a 〈◊〉 to be read in the Meeting that if it Answered the sence of Friends there Assembled it might be 〈◊〉 by them and sent to John Story as their Christian offer towards the Reconciliation of those sad Differences but William Rogers notwithstanding he knew not the contents thereof judged it an unfit Paper to be read and as we conceive contrary to all Truth Justice and common Sobriety said I will oppose it it shall not be read again I say it shall not go as from the Meeting Which we took to be in high Arrogancy and Vsurpation upon the Meeting raising and continuing his voice when it was begun to be read so loud on purpose as to drown the reading of the Proposition his behaviour being so Rude that we never had the like in our Meeting before which rude practice we look upon to be condemnable in all sober and free Societies c. This is testisied to by Twenty Eight Friends of Bristol who were present at the Meeting before mentioned And therefore what credit can be given to William Rogers and them that gives forth such false Certificates to make People believe Lyes which they are glad to make their Refuge let the wise in Heart consider Again as we hinted before William Regers saith in his Narraitive That the Second Days Meeting at London have allowed that which they are not satisfied can stand justified c. The matter is something concerning Robert Barclay's Book In his Narrative he saith thus Robert Barclay speaking of the Order of Government thus saith c. In his Book Entituled the Anarchy of the Ranters in which Book it seemeth as he says is that which he and others are dissatisfied with This is mentioned in his Narrative written at Bristol the Eleventh Month 1677. This is a Passage that happened at London and not at Bristol and so contradicts the preamble to his Relation The Reader also may take notice that in the Third Month 1677. being Seven Months before his Narrative was writ William Rogers by a Paper under his own Hand acknowledgeth that touching Robert Barclay's Book a fair and Christian debate was had before many Friends at a Meeting in London to both Robert Barclay's and his Satisfaction and the things by him objected was fairly and Brotherlike and in much love discoursed and he saith that upon the whole matter he was satisfied that Robert Barclay was not principled as he and others took him to be And further William Rogers saith in his own Paper That it lies upon him to signifie on the behalf of Robert Barclay Since many have taken occasion of Offence against him for that cause and as may be doubted so far as to reject the Testimony and service for Truth it lieth upon me as my duty for his and the Truths sake to warn all to take heed not to entertain a prejudice against his Testimony on jealousies that may enter on score of my apprehensions or mistakes of his Book or that Answer that I have given thereto but rather in an unprejudiced Spirit to wait upon the Lord to feel and savour his Testimony even as if the occasion had never been And further saith William Rogers I freely confess in as much as I published my Book before I gave Robert Barclay notice of my Objections and Intentions therein I acted in that Respect not according to Gospel order but am justly worthy of Blame therein Thus far William Rogers Now let it be considered what a restless unsetled Spirit this Man hath void of Christian Behaviour and Humanity it self Who notwithstanding that under his own Hand he hath cleared Robert Barclay and the 〈◊〉 Days Meeting also and declares himself to be satisfied about Robert Barclay's Book and acknowledgeth his Unchristian carriage touching him c. Yet in his Narrative seven Months after in which he hath spread Robert Barclay's Name up and down the Nation and in his Printed Book thus reflects again upon the second Days Morning Meeting and upon Robert Barklay before he sent to them also concerning it that ever we heard of Now let all see whether these proceedings of William Rogers come from any Honesty or Conscientiousness or whether this restless unsetled 〈◊〉 Spirit of his doth manifest him to be one that can stand for the Kingdom of Christ Jesus as he would be looked upon to do which stands not in Words but in Unity and Peace And for the Readers further satisfaction concerning William Rogers's deceitful dealings with Robert Barclay and the second Days Meeting at London we refer him to William Rogers's own Paper which is a relation more at large of Robert Barclay and his discourse in the presence of near Forty Friends with their advice to him and the sence they had touching William Rogers Objections against Robert Barclay's 〈◊〉 which William Rogers at large confesseth his Errors in as his Paper under his own Hand dated the third Month 〈◊〉 demonstrateth And therefore what credit can ne give to or any confidence have in such an uncertain unsetled Man as this William R gers is Who also is the chief promoter of John Story and John Wilkinson their cause and what matter is it whom he stands for or whom he is against or what he says or Writes or any thing else he does as these things before-mentioned testifie for they have no Witness in the Consciences of the Faithful and that they are not Men of tender onsciences it plainly appeareth what ever they pretend to nor that William Rogers stands in the Gap as he pretends unless it be to turn People out of the right way nor 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of Christ its clear as these his Fruits with many more that might be instanced do manifest Hereby also is the badness of John Story' s and John Wilkinson's Work manifested to all the honest to God which 〈◊〉 Rogers so much quarrels about And further in the Narrative William Rogers saith as followeth viz. We cannot but tell you that we hae Sufficient cause to doubt that under pretence of this Proposition the Meeting will be entertained on your part with such Idle and vain Testimontes in the 〈◊〉 of the Lord as came out of Elizabeth Sturrige her Mouth in our publick Meeting c. Now let it be considered that this is one that cryes so much for Liberty of Conscience and against Imposition and yet see how these would limit the Consciences of Friends and not permit them to clear their Consciences and exercise their gift contrary to the tendency of his Paper of Queries in which Liberty of Conscience is so much cryed for when Elizabeth Sturridge must thus be struct at who spoke nothing that ever we heard of from honest Men then what she might be required of the Lord to do to the clearing of her conscience and yet William Rogers is
there and was desired of Friends to stay till George Fox came in for that end as William Rogers denys not but no Notice would be taken of it 〈◊〉 hastened away to 〈◊〉 and then at a distance makes a Fluttering on this wise We have stood a little more than ordinarily on this matter because some amongst us here-aways that sees not beyond his treacherous dealing in matters of this and the like sort cries out and says George Fox would not give William Rogers a Meeting and therefore is it that he proceeded to print c. we hope the honest Hearted will see beyond this Guile We 〈◊〉 notice that William Rogers 〈◊〉 saith in Relation to an Apology for his printing and publishing this clamorous abusive Work against George Fox and his appearing thus with his malicious Accusations for so indeed they are against him in his Postscript pag. 16. he saith thus But thou hast further and that at a large rate 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Lies and Slanders c. to 〈◊〉 the Truth as I have sufficiently manifested in my 〈◊〉 which thou hast not Answered so far as ever I understood to thy 〈◊〉 and John Blayklings Postscript which was writ in Answer to what I writ to thee And in his Postscript he saith However I doubt not but I may yet forbear to Print if thou give that satisfaction c. and accknowlege thy Errers Lies Slanders and Forgery whereof I have detected thee in my aforesaid Rejoynder sent unto thee several Months past with direction that it might be read amongst Friends as publickly as thy falce 〈◊〉 have extended c. and f thou shouldst pretend that thou art not guilty of Lies c. if thou furnish me before the genera Meeting with so many fair Copies in Manuscript to be sufficient to inform all such of the Truth as have been mis-informed by thy falacious Reply c. From hence it may be observed that William Rogers in the aforesaid Apology for his Printing makes mention of Letters that past too and again betwixt him and others dated the 17th of the 4th month 1680. also the 6th of the 5th month 1680. and Bristol the 3d. of the 9th month 1680 Bristol the 8th of the 9th month 〈◊〉 signifing his inclination yet not to Print c. He saith also He may yet forbear to Print if George Fox will 〈◊〉 his Lies 〈◊〉 and Forgeries of which he saith he hath detected him of in his Rejoynder not yet answered that he heard of or otherwise produce him so many fair Copies in Manuscript as to be sufficient to inform such of the Truth as have been mis-informed by his fallacious Reply In Answer we say that George Fox's Reply was to what William Rogers writ in opposition to a general Epistle of his in a tender advice to Friends which opposite Answer of William Rogers's was stuffed with many wicked fallatious smiting Accusations against George Fox which also William Rogers caused to be read against him in a publick Meeting at Bristol whilst George Fox was in the North and was read the same day in Bristol that William Rogers's Letter bare date sent from Bristol in which Letter the aforesaid siniting Accusations in Manuscript were inclosed and sent to him And the same also was to and again amongst them of William Rogers's Party in the North before ever George Fox had it given him or knew of its being come which is all unchristian and disorderly Work behinde the Back which George Fox gave the Answer to by way of Reply desiring it might go too where William Rogers's Accusations had been spread to which Reply William Rogers puts forth his Rejoynder the wickedness and abusiveness whereof by his perverting George Fox his Answer and puting his own Constructions thereupon and drawing ungodly Inferences may be more spoke to and manifested hereafter in this our Treatise unto which Rejoynder William Rogers speaks of his having no Answer and therefore except George Fox will acknowledg the things whereof he saith he hath detected him therein or procure him so many fair Coppies of his Rejoynder c. he will proceed to print Now let all sober Men consider if William Rogers have not unchristianly done and not like a Man or the just Law of doing as one would be done unto that notwithstanding an Answer to the aforesaid Rejoynder was given and delivered for him some Months before and of which Answer John Blaykling and William Rogers's Wife discoursed in the beginning of the 〈◊〉 Month 1680. long before the aforesaid Letters of his about not Printing c. were writ as by the Date thereof in his Book may be seen and yet William Rogers has printed his Rejoynder whereby to manifest he saith George Fox s Lies aforesaid c. as he renders them which also we 〈◊〉 abroad up and down the Nation by them of Party with him and yet the Answer thereunto not incerted in his Book which had been reasonable 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 have done that all might have seen whether George Fox had 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 aforesaid Crimes whereof William Rogers had accused him or that George 〈◊〉 was sufficiently cleared thereby of the aforesaid Matters in charge against him 〈◊〉 much more rather because William Rogers had the Knowledg thereof long before his said Book came forth or a considerable part was printed Now if this be not abusive and malicious Work without morral Honesty and contrary to the Rule of Christian and Human Society the unprejudiced Reader may speak and that William Rogers hath no sufficient Ground to make all this Work against George Fox for not giving him the opportunity of a Meeting with him in relation to Matters he had in charge against him or whether it be not a meer shuffling Pretence only a little to hide the Iniquity of his Work which he hath brought forth seeing also he caused the chiefest part of the Accusation against George 〈◊〉 to be published in a publick Meeting and sent them abroad that Copies might be taken thereof if them of his Party pleased long before he sent them to George Fox or before he knew any thing of them and seeing 〈◊〉 that a Meeting was had with him at Bristol and that another Meeting was 〈◊〉 him and William Mead ingaged accordingly on George Fox's behalf 〈◊〉 yet William Rogers would not but after a shuffling manner did evade the 〈◊〉 And whether it became a Man professing the Life of Christianity to 〈◊〉 in Print so many aspercing Accusations against an Elder in the Truth as he hath done in this Book by printing the aforesaid Rejoynder to George Fox's Reply and yet hath not published the plain and pertinent Answer thereunto in vindication of George Fox's Innocency in the Matters laid to his Charge which said Answer he had the Knowledg of his Wife plainly intimating the recept thereof long before and Opportunity also he had to have perused it if he did not on purpose evade the same which God and his own Conscience best knows