on the behalf of the Truth for that therein is plainly demonstrated the Qualifications of such as Sathan hath made use of to rend and divide the Church of Christ SECT IX An Epistle evidencing the Qualications of such whom Sathan makes vse of to Rend and Divide the Church of Christ A Paper given forth by Edward Burroughs Anno 1661. Touching the Scattered in Israel wherein by a Parable is lively described a part of what hath happened amongst the Flock of God in these latter dayes The Conclusion manifesting Several Passages very material and worthy observation as a further discovery of the Fruit and Cause of Division An Epistle prefixed to the Historical Manuscript mentioned in the Preface to this Treatise Evidencing the Qualifications of such whom Satan hath made use of to rend and divide the Church of Christ THe great Evidence of pure and undefiled Religion is a Conscience void of Offence towards God but the contrary is attended with Anxiety and Trouble He that in the Light of Christ Jesus inclines to preserve such a Conscience must not so value his Repute and Name amongst men as thereby to loose his Peace with the Lord. The consideration whereof hath abundantly satisfied us to encourage the preparing of this Treatise knowing that the Long-suffering Patience and Warnings of many Faithful Friends have had little place with many such persecuting Opposers of the Friends of Truth as are under the Profession thereof And therefore it may be Just with the Lord to suffer their long-suffering to have an End We also know that the Unsavoury Testimonies and Unchristian-like Discourses of many such in our Meetings for the Worship of God have been so frequently as well as publickly manifested as that 't is thereby known both to Professors and Prophane that the People called Quakers are now Divided by which 't is to be doubted that some may really conclude that though their Name is not extinguish't yet that the Nature Doctrine and Life which accompanied them at their first coming forth hath of late suffered Shipwrack This having been seriously pondered by us hath encreased the concern of our Consciences thus to appear that so as the Door hath thereby been so far shut in some parts of this Nation as that there hath been of late but few gathered into a Belief of the Everlasting Light so it may again in the Lords time be more opened by a clear Discovery that there is yet remaining a Remnant of that Ancient Stock who have been and our Faith in God is that they will be preserved in his Fear to persevere in his unchangable Way Light and Life of Truth unto the End That now the Reader may have some short Account of what the Lord hath manifested unto us on this Occasion we further thus Declare The Original Cause of Division and Seperation between the Members of any Society once at Unity in the Truth touching Religious Matters hath sprung from Satan The Persons in whom he hath chiefly appeared to accomplish the same have been such as usually appear more publick than other their Brethren and that under various Qualifications some have had Zeal without Knowledge and some have had Knowledge without Zeal and others have abounded in Confidence without either Knowledge or Zeal and none of these whilst exercised under these Qualifications have found Acceptance with the Lord And as Satan hath made use of Persons thus variously Qualified for the Preservation of his Kingdom so Christ Jesus whose Appearance hath been and is to destroy the Works of the Devil hath and doth make use of such Instruments in his Hand whom he hath furnished with true Zeal and that according to Knowledge for though all have not the like Degree of Knowledge yet that Zeal which is exercised according to the Measure of Knowledge given by God and received by Man finds Acceptance with the Lord of Life Now forasmuch as in this Treatise variety of Matters is Discourst wherein Divers Persons have been concerned many of whom were once at Unity which we are perswaded consisted in the Everlasting Truth and that every one of them might reasonably have been taken to be under one of the aforesaid Qualifications 't is with us at this time considering that the Tree is to be known by its Fruit to note a few things attending such respective Qualifications and that Chiefly for the sakes of such as have Zeal without Knowledge and so if the Lord make us Instruments in his Hand to open the understanding of any whereby they may come to have a true Savour of and Unity with those who have so received the Spirit as to be exercising themselves in true Zeal and that according to Knowledge we then shall have our End We now begin to speak of those who have Zeal without Knowledge Charity obliegeth us not to conclude that they design any thing more than to Live well that so they may dye well or any thing less than to appear what they know they are not but yet this we certainly know that albeit these have professed Christ Jesus to be their Foundation yet many of them for want of Knowledge have been building thereon the Wood the Hay and the Stubble of other Mens Inventions whereby they have suffered loss having exalted their own Righteousness thorough a Zealous Submission to other Mens Lines made ready to their Hands as if therein the Righteousness of Faith consisted or that it were lawful contrary to the Counsel of the Apostle to Glory in Men The Apostle Paul Rom 10.2 thus saith I bear them record they have a Zeal of God but not according to Knowledge and from the next Verse we learn that they were such as being ignorant of Gods Righteousness and going about to Establish their Own Righteousness have not Submitted themselves to the Righteousness of God This was spoken of Israel for their Information that they might not have a dependency on the Righteousness of the Law as if thorough the Strict Performance and Observations of Outward Things Establisht under the Law they should come to know the Salvation of God thorough Christ but rather that their Dependency should be upon the Righteousness which is of Faith which according to the Apostles Doctrine Vers the 8th of the same Chapter informs us thus The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we Preach So that by this Doctrine and what Elsewhere is written in other of his Epistles it appears that the Apostles care for Israel was that they might be brought off those Outward and carnal Ordinances which were Established for a season untill the time of reformation unto the Word nigh in the Heart which undoubtedly was and is no other than that Law which according to the word of the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 31.33 Was to be put in their Inward Parts and written in their Hearts All which leads us to make this Observation that whosoever
THE Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate Innovator In FIVE PARTS WHEREIN RELIGIOUS DIFFERNCES amongst the People termed in Derision Quakers are treated on GEORGE FOX one at least if not the chief reputed Author thereof is detected DOCTRINES of TRUTH owned by the Children of Light and cleared from Objections are laid down according to Holy Scriptures and Revelation of the Spirit By WILLIAM ROGERS on behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned Eccles 2.9 There is no new Thing under the Sun Gal. 2.11 But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the Face because he was to be Blamed LONDON PRINTED in the Year 1680. THE PREFACE TO THE READER IT was the Saying of Christ As I Hear I Judge I hope that Christ's Example in that Case will be such a Bond on every one that may concern themselves touching this Treatise as that I may have no just Occasion to reflect on any Christian-Professor even as Nicodemus a Pharisee once did on those of his own Sect Joh. 7.51 Doth our Law Judge any Man before it Hear him In Confidence that this Treatise may meet with so much Justice at least from True if not from all Pretended Friends 't is now brought to Light And though some amongst the People termed in Derision Quakers appearing to stand as Neuters in the present Controversy amongst them not knowing the Christian and Orderly Proceeding of others may conclude That 't is an Untimely Birth Yet let such know that the Moderation of those who are concerned in the Publication hereof hath for many Years past been manifested Note The Divisions amongst the People called Quakers have been at least Eight Years encreasing to the Height they now are at by endeavouring as much as in them did lye as hereafter will more largely appear that those small Differences which at first seemed but like unto little Sparks might not arise unto so great a Flame as they now are And were it not so that many Meetings of the said People for the Worship of God in divers Parts of the Nation have been entertained with frequent Contention and Opposition and in particular that both Priest Professor and Prophane have become Eye and Ear-Witnesses of such Rude and Unchristian-like Deportments as of late have been mafested by many speaking at once in their Publick-Meeting within the City of Bristol before many Hundreds by which the Meeters have been reputed as in an Uproar and their Meeting-House accounted rather a Stage of Scolding than a Place for Worship of God It might not as yet have been brought to Light without some further Endeavour to have sought a Reconciliation if so be the least Hopes should have been given of its Acceptance But being void of all such Hopes Now so it is that so great a Concern of Conscience lyes on many to encourage the Publication hereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed That the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly Extinct amongst the afore-said People My Desire now is That the Reader may seriously weigh the Four following Notations and the Observations thereon and then 't will easily be savour'd at what Door the Publick Disorders have entred and whether or no they are not the very Birth of some Politick Unchristian-like Contrivance First Many in that City retain their Antient Respect for John Story and John Wilkinson Two Antient and Honourable Labourers in the Gospel of Christ whose Conversations and Doctrine I have not known or understood to be Exceeded in Godliness by any Mortal Man whatsoever and on that Foot are accounted such as Joyn to Separates or a Separate Spirit as the Term or Nick-Name sometimes is because some Upstarts and Innovators Adherents to George Fox have been pleased to disown the said John Story and John Wilkinson though they could not justly Charge them with Evil. Secondly In a Paper given forth by an Eminent Preacher and Opposer of John Story and John Wilkinson whose Name I omit for the Reasons herein after mentioned thus directed viz. To God's Friends every where concerning the present Separates and their Spirit 't is thus said Let not this Spirit be reasoned with enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Iudgment that is God's Decree So may the Souls that are deceived come by the Right Door into the Heavenly Vnity Thirdly The same Person that writ as aforesaid was also concerned in a Paper subscribed by Charles Marshall and Sixty-Five more given forth at Ellis Hooks his Chamber the 12 th Day of the 4 th Moneth 1677. wherein 't is thus writ with Relation to John Story and John Wilkinson Therefore Brethren every where stand up in the Power and Wisdom of God for the Testimony of Truth against that Wrong Iealous Murmuring and Dividing Spirit And where they come warn them in the Name of the Lord to go home and not go thus up and down to offer their Gifts Fourthly The very same Person that writ as aforesaid thus That is God's Decree did also some Years past threaten That Bristol should be as an Anvil to beat upon meaning with Respect to Religious Differences My Observations now are That in as much as the Meeting at Bristol hath become as an Anvil whereon many Apostates or Innovators Opposers of John Story and John Wilkinson have in a Disorderly Manner frequently beat it may not rationally be taken to be the Fruit of a Politick Unchristian-like Contrivance in the best Sense And that albeit they have been apt to stamp their rude Discourses and severe Judgments in the Name of the Lord resusing to reason with such against whom they strike or in a Christian Spirit to treat of the Differences yet therein I am fully perswaded that they act rather from the Line of Another than Their own And not only so but from the Line such an one as hath taken Liberty to Violate that which he would Impose as by a Decree from God on others For though he Imperatively thus said as aforesaid Let not this Spirit be reasoned with Enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Iudgment that is God's Decree Yet he himself did a few Moneths after accompany George Fox to the City of Bristol and there entred into Reasonings Proposals and Articles with such as owned John Story though termed a Separate or Separate Spirit which by the Scope of his Writing may reasonably be taken by those who understand his Meaning by these his words viz. This Spirit To be an Acting contrary to his own Counsel When I compare this with these kinds of Declarations frequently publish't amongst the aforesaid People viz. Let us Exclude the Reasoning the Wisdom and the Iealousie and let us have an Eye to the Brethren Further insinuating as if God had ordained Ministers amongst them that are to see and hear for the Body and common Members of the Churches as the Printed Terms are I cannot but be full of Jealousie that these
for the Reasons mentioned in this Preface to Publish the Second Part of the said Manuscript we instead thereof for the Satisfaction of all Friends do declare That 't is ready for the View of any Friend in order to prove the Reasonableness of the Reflections made or Objections raised Having thus premised I now come again to lay down the Three before-mentioned Queries and to give direct Answers thereto Quer. 1. Why hast thou omitted to mention the Names of some Persons and Authors of some Books and Papers reflected on in this Treatise Answ Though I have been reflected upon at an Ungodly Rate by many because I have been concerned to oppose an Erroneous and Persecuting Spirit which I have beheld entring amongst the Flock of God yet Blessed be the Lord he hath so preserved me by the Arm of his Power as that none of my Opposers have so far as I know laid any thing unto my Charge but for Matters wherein I have acted though misrepresented by them to keep a Conscience voyd of Offence towards God And as it became my Concern of Conscience to prepare the Manuscript first mentioned that so the Truth of some Material Matters occasioning or accompanying Division and Separation amongst the People called Quakers might lye on Record at least Vntil an Vnion might again be witnessed So also it hath been my frequent Breathing unto the Lord That I might not bring forth an Vntimely Birth but might so be led and guided in this Affair as that I might Answer the Witness of God in all Consciences And to my inward Peace and Joy in the Lord I can say That I have the Evidence of his Spirit notwithstanding what any Man may say to the contrary that he hath owned my Proceeding therein hitherto And not only so but that there hath been an Answer thereto in many Brethren And as I was seriously waiting on the Lord I became satisfied in my Conscience to forbear reflectingly to mention in this Treatise the Names of many reputed Quakers that as yet I doubt remain deviated in some things from the Line of Truth And I hoped such a Spirit of Mediation and Justice would have appeared amongst some of our Friends who would not be understood to be concerned in the Difference between others as that they might have been a Means to cause G. F. to stoop so timely to Justice as that there might have been no Concern upon me and others to discover any Part of his Errors so publickly as now they are The Considerations occurring in my Breast when I became so satisfied as aforesaid were these First Several of my Brethren as before is premised interceded to forbear and if for my thus doing any should reflect upon me they might as well reflect upon the Apostle's Counsel when he exhorted the Ephesians To submit themselves one unto another in the Fear of God For I was sensible that those who so concerned themselves had a true Sense that the Cause wherein I was concerned was the Cause of Truth On which Foot their Treatment of me was in much Love and Tenderness and forasmuch as I perceived they were not without hope that a little longer Forbearance might work for the better I became satisfied 't was my Place to submit and forbear a while Secondly Though Hardness of Heart hath so overtaken some as that they may still continue to oppose their Brethren in the Truth without the least just Ground or Pretence either from the Light of Christ within the Scriptures of Truth or Right Reason yet I am not without hope that some others concerned against their Brethren in the present Differences may in some time come to a Sense of their Failings and Repent and then either the Memory of their Offence may be blotted out or their Repentance therewith if timely known recorded and that according as Opportunity may permit and Truth require Thirdly 'T is hoped that this Treatise may become a Warning to many but more especially to such as have departed from the Anointing in themselves that they may Repent and turn to their First Love viz. The Appearance of Christ by his Light in them and not in neglect of God's Teachings lye doting on Outward Orders As if that which was promised to be written in the Heart were now to be sought after in Pieces and Scraps of Paper or that the Written Orders of any at this Day should become a Certain Rule through which a Heavenly Possession may be obtained by such as could not own the Scriptures themselves though by the Spirit given forth to be that Certain Rule but instead thereof the Spirit it self to be it And if any think themselves hereby reflected on unjustly because at some Times they have appeared of another Language yet if such by their Fruits have given the Lye to the Offering of their Lips the Deceit is the greater and more worthy to be discovered Fourthly This Treatise is chiefly intended for the Service of the People called Quakers amongst whom the Religious Differences are so publickly known as that I have no Cause to doubt but that the Matters treated on will be intelligible by them though the Names of some Persons and Authors of some Books and Papers be not mentioned However if any amongst them for want of that Publick Converse which others have had shall manifest the least Jealousie that there is no Reason so to Object or Reflect as in the ensuing Treatise I shall then be ready to give unto such particular Satisfaction from Matter of Fact relating to Person or Persons And forasmuch as it was not possible that all Papers and Books which may evidence the Reasonableness of all Objections and Reflections could lye at once in many Hands and are for the most part with me therefore this Treatise is Signed thus By William Rogers on Behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned And so the Names of those others my Brethren concerned with me in this Work are omitted partly because they might not be capable to give a ready and satisfactory Answer for want of the Books or Papers signified of as aforesaid Quer. 2. Why hast thou treated on Principles held forth by the People called Quakers since many Books have already been given forth by some amongst them treating on many if not all of those Things which thou hast done Answ 'T is the Duty of all Christians to clear their Consciences as by the Light of Christ in their Consciences they are directed which doubtless was the Real Ground whereupon many Antient and Honourable Friends already fallen asleep have given forth their Testimony touching the same Principles publickly held forth both by Word and Printing by some other Servants of the Lord before them And if no more were said to this Query it ought to suffice But yet for the Sakes of some I shall lay down the Considerations attending me when I became Conscientiously concerned so to do The Deportment of some Vnruly Women and Ignorant Self-conceited
Men on the Part of our Opposers in publick Meetings for Worship of God have frequently been Cause of Stumbling to some so that 't is to be doubted that Jealousies have been ready to enter many that though the Name of Christianity is retained amongst the People called Quakers yet that the Nature Life and Doctrine thereof hath suffered Shipwrack amongst them if all under that Name ought at this Day to be measured by the Deportment and Doctrine of some The particular Instances of such Deportments and Doctrines whereof I have been Eye and Ear-Witness might fill a large Volumn And therefore if this be granted it cannot but by every Considerate and Impartial Reader be thought needful enough that a Testimony unto the Principles of Truth antiently held forth amongst them might once more be Revived and Committed to Posterity on behalf of that Party amongst them who account themselves Persecuted Reviled and evilly Intreated when they know no other Cause thereof than in their stedfast Adhering to and Persevering in the Way of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and having begun in the Spirit cannot be in Unity with such as to them seem to expect Perfection through a zealous Exalting of other Mens Lines made ready to their Hands And thus the Generations to come as well as at this Day may know that though some Lovers of Preheminence Innovators and Unskilful Preachers that know not how to divide the Word aright have been pleased to stigmatize others with these Terms viz. Dark Leavened Rending Dividing Separate Spirits yet it hath been manifest that 't is because such others cannot in a Temporizing Spirit change their Way and depart from their Antient Path which by the Spirit of God they have been led into and wherein they have had Fellowship with their Antient Brethren whom the Lord Anointed to publish his Everlasting Gospel and to gather others from the Lo here 's and the Lo there 's to take heed unto the Holy Unction in themselves as a Sufficient Guide unto the Father of Life Quer. 3. Whether thy Publishing this Treatise in Print may not in probability give unto others a Knowledge of the Differences amongst us and so obstruct the Encrease of our Meetings and the gathering of some yet walking in the Broad Way into the True Faith and cause many already gathered thereunto to stumble and fall Answ Nay The Considerations inducing me so to Answer are these Though this Treatise declares that there are Divisions amongst the People called Quakers yet that 's no more than what to my Knowledge is publickly known both to Professor and Prophane and that from Observations of such in the Publick Meetings for Worship for many Moneths if not Years past as are not reputed to be of the People called Quakers The Occasion of such Observations in some Meetings hath been so frequently given as that it seems to me to be as impossible to cover the Knowledge thereof as that which hath been Proclaimed by a common Bell-Man and the Instruments which for the most part have been the Proclaimers hereof have been such as under the Notion of Preachers in God's Name though in a Reality but idle ignorant Praters in the Will of Man by their Declarations run against the Friends of Truth sometimes by Name and other times not so particular though intelligible enough and yet incapable to detect such as is Evil either in Conversation or Doctrine Which being considered and compared with many Imaginary Discourses in Publick Meetings for Worship of God whereby the Publishers thereof appear Unlearned in the School of Christ 't is irrational to expect that any Person Conscientiously seeking after the Way of Truth should be gathered to such as are at Variance each with other and whose Publick Assemblies have been at some times the very Stages of Contention and if they should 't is most certain they would not therein be gathered unto such as are in an Heavenly Fellowship each with other but if on the contrary such as are seeking after the way of Truth amongst the People called Quakers have been disaffected with them in general from a certain Knowledge of their divisions and the unsound Doctrines held forth by some and yet shall but seriously ponder this Treatise it may become a means unto such to eschew the Evil and embrace the Good by inclining their hearts unto the Principles of Truth herein held forth and not suffering the offence given by such amongst them as have retained the Name but not the Nature nor yet in some respects the Doctrine of Christianity so to enter as to hinder their Perseverance and Growth in the true Faith untill at length they may come into Union and Fellowship with the faithful Friends thereof Moreover to me it seems impossible that the seasonable asserting the Truth and pleading for it can occasion any to stumble and fall from it but rather the Contrary However I must confess 't is probable enough that it may occasion many to disregard such kind of Preachers or rather Praters whose Doctrines and Practices have not only caused the Name of the Lord to be evil spoken of but whose Necessities have seemed to be a Bait unto them to Follow for the Loaves and no marvel if these instead of Gathering to God Gather to themselves and as a proper expedient to obtain such a gathering publish in the open Meetings for Worship of God such like Doctrines as these according as I have already hinted and which I am a witness from the hearing of my ear have in publick meetings for worship been publisht viz. Have your Eye to the Brethren meaning thereby Publick Preachers If you do not see your selves follow us that do see And frequently exhort to shut out the reasoning the Wisdom and the Iealousy without distinction which being compared with these primitive and wholesome Exhortations and Doctrines Wisdom is Iustified of her Children look not unto us but unto the Lord take heed unto the Light of Christ in your own consciences Draw water out of your own Wells let it be your own and not anothers it seems to me more like the Language of those Shepherds who as the Prophet said Sought for their gain from their Quarters than the Language of such whom the Lord hath anointed to cherish and feed his Sheep To Conclude this Preface 't is with me to say unto every one through the Nations called by the name Quaker on this wise Let the remembrance of the dayes that are past come before you wherein the Servants of the Living God Labourers in the Gospel in the beginning of the latter Day of the Ministration of Light sounded by his trumpet an Alarm to the Nations And what said the voice of the Eternal Power through them It spoke to this effect unto the inhabitants of the Earth Awake Awake from the sleep of Death that the Lord may give unto you Life He that was and is and is to come is arisen in a remnant and Christ the Son
viz. That 't is Folly and Hypocrisy to profess our selves Members of the True Church and yet not Believe thus as the True Church Believes Pag. 36. Sect. V. What we stand for viz. Truth and Righteousness and that Christ's Government may be exalted in every Heart under which we are Instructed not to depend on Man but on the sufficiency of Gods Grace Page 27. A Testimony against Tythes and for Meeting together in time of Persecution the neglect whereof may be the Fruit of Weakness or Disobedience Page 28. The Government of Christ and the Laws thereof are Inward some part of the Fruits brought forth under the said Government are Described Page 29. An Objection relating to the securing any part of a Mans Estate on a fore-Sight of a Premunire or Fines for Meeting Answered Page 31. Sect. VI. On the Occasion of an Objection raised touching the Sufficiciency of Gods Grace Unity is treated on from the words of Paul to the Corinthians that they should all speak one thing Page 36. Touching the Word Independency occasioned by a Publick Preacher Page 38. That leaving Friends to the Grace Light and Spirit of God is not the way to lead into Rantism Page 42 43. Sect. VII Touching Church Government and the meaning of the Word Church Government in the Sense of our Opposers as we on sufficient Ground take it layd down Page 44. Our denial of that meaning Page 46. Several Scriptures from whence a Proof for Church Government hath been pretended are treated on shewing that from thence no Pretence can be to claime a Power over Conscience or Outward Property Page 46 47. The Doctrine touching Power over Conscience and Outward Things relating to meum and tuum as R. B's Terms are which we therefore call Outward Property examined and testified against as contrary to the Principle of Truth and Liberty we have in Christ Jesus Page 47. Our Sense what ought to be done for the Decision of Controversy with Relation to Property between Brother and Brother Page 48. An Objection raised to this purpose that what is given forth by the Spirit through the Brethren ought to be obeyed and not accounted the Dictates of Fallible Men and that if thou see it not thy Duty to obey the reason is thy want of Diligence and not waiting in thy Measure and so no Plea for thy Disobedience is good Page 54. The said Objection Answered Page 54. An Examination from the Scriptures Whether Christ gave any Incouragement to his Disciples to become Rulers over one another Page 59. Sect. VIII A Manifestation that the variance hath originally Reason from a Different Sense touching George Fox the General Meeting or Womens Meeting Page 61. Sect. IX An Epistle evidencing the Qualifications of such whom Sathan makes use of to Rend and Divide the Church of Christ Page 68. A Paper given forth by Edward Burroughs Anno 1661. touching the Scattered in Israel wherein by a Parable is lively described a part of what hath happened amongst the Flock of God in these latter Days Pag. 78. The Conclusion manifesting several Passages very material and worthy Observation as a further Discovery of the Fruits and Cause of Division and in Particular what hath been the Bait whereby George Fox hath been Tempted and Ensnared Pag. 85. The FIRST PART OF THE Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator c. SECTION I. The INTRODUCTION Wherein the Case is stated manifesting That there was an Union and the Wayes and Meanes by which it came to be broken TO all the faithfull People of God called Quakers throughout this Nation of England or else where we your Brethren do send greeting in the Lord breathing unto the God of our Lives that the same Everlasting Arm and Power whereby we have been gathered unto God and into an heavenly Fellowship and Vnion one with another in the Life of Righteousness may preserve us all to the End of our Days in the Bond of perfect Love each toward other establisht upon that sure Rock of Ages Christ Jesus against which the Gates of Hell never did can or shall prevail And in this Love our Desires are that the Faithful unto whom this Treatise is directed may communicate the same unto others as in the Wisdom and Love of God they may see a Service thereof Dear Friends and Bretheren WE are truly sensible that all those who keep their Place and Habitation in the unchangeable Truth have with us a Sence of the many Snares and Temptations whereby Satan hath endeavoured to betray the Innocent whose Faces have been Zion-ward And that his most subtil Invention hath been to appear as an Angel of Light thereby to turn those whose Hearts have been inclined to follow the Lord out of the way of Truth And now Friends that which in the Grief of our Hearts we have to signifie to you is this We are sensible that the Evil Seeds-man is crept in amongst many of those called Quakers who as we believe have in Days past walkt together in true Fellowship each with other and that in the sensible Feeling of that Immortal Life whereby we with them were knit and united together as Bone of one anothers Bone and Flesh of one anothers Flesh having the Evidence of such our heavenly Union springing from that which neither the Carnal Eye nor the Carnal Ear could be Witnesses of In order hereunto we have this following Observation to make That the day was wherein those very Persons amongst the People called Quakers who now are at great varience and out of Unity each with other were once in Unity and therefore we think necessary to lay down Viz. First Some part of those things touching which the Faithful were at VNITY Secondly By what Wayes and Means that VNITY came to be broken And so leave the Consideration thereof to the Consciences of all who profess the Truth that so in the Light of Christ Jesus they may weigh and consider Whether their Vnity stood in the unchangable Truth and which of these Parties now at variance deviated therefrom The Consideration of this Observation doth lead us in relation to the first perticular thus to testify Viz. That about Twenty Six Years past it pleased the Lord to send forth many faithful Labourers of the Gospel of Christ Jesus who in his Name Dread and Power testified that their CALL was not of MAN but of GOD and that their Message was both to the Professour and to the Prophane To the Prophane crying on this wise Turn from the Evil of your Wayes and Doings and meet the Lord by sudden Repentance of your open Transgressions To the Professours who were not in the Common Pollutions of the World on this wise Your Outward Forms your Outward Ordinances and Outward Church Fellowships they are even but as Rudiments of this World and the Lord hath no Regard thereto And to both of them Turn in your Minds to the Light of Christ Jesus that shines in your Consciences exalting the Measure
on this wise Choose from amongst you the faithfull yet such a limitation we have cause to believe will not now be born by some 't is well if the ground thereof in our opposers be not to bring in the multitude if they can and that under a pretence that all Friends in Truth may have free access that so the Generality may be on their side for of late Mens Meetings are known to consist of many such who if any ought to be Governed are much fitter to be Governed then appear as Governours and who we are well satisfied in our Consciences would of themselves be more modest than to appear in such Meetings as Governours were they not prompted to be there The secret end thereof as we have cause to doubt is for the carying on that which we believe Truth will never own And as to the Apostacy never entering the generality more we say may the Lord preserve us all so stayd in his Unchangable Truth as that we may never apostatise from it nor be drawn away from the hope of the Gospel by false Prophets and seducing Spirits for we do firmly believe that as many of those who formerly were in the Truth and do now account us Dark Spirits because we cannot be at Unity with them in such actions as we account Persecution against antient Brethern are already Apostatized and doubtless they with their adherents account themselves the generality yet we hope better things than so We now come to say somthing to these foregoing words viz. That in London and other part of this Nation where such Meetings where usually held the sense of the Generallity hath been taken for the sense of such Meetings To this we answer if thereby is intended that the generality may claim power to declare that their sense is the sense of the Meeting it opens a Door whereby the Reputation and Honour of Truth as Profest owned and practized amongst the Freinds thereof may fall in one day For when these Meetings were assented unto we cannot say establisht by any man we lookt upon our selves all Servants one unto another and not Masters and Rulersover one another and so had then no occasion given us to discourse of Authority but when there was we well Remember that we ascribed all Authority unto the appearance of the invisible Power of God and so no encouragment was given by us that any one Man or Men should take upon him or them to Rule and Govern in such Meetings but our expectations were that every Member should there appear in subjection to Christ the Head and higher Power unto which as Members of his Body we owe Obedience In this sense we readily embraced the Counsel to Meet together to Serve but not to Bear Rule over one another's Consciences and the matters intended by us to be transacted in those Meetings and by others also as far as we understood were chiefly To take care of the poor the fatherless and the widdow And that if any professed the Truth and dishonour'd the same by prophane and evil Conversation we might by such ways and meanes as the Lord on every occasion might direct not then thinking that the day would ever come wherein an Outward Directory should be placed as a Judg over our Consciences Indeavor to reclaim such from the Evil of their Ways and for these Services we are sensible that Meetings are proper and therefore do continue in the services thereof yet never thought that we should have seen the Day wherein any professing the truth would have attempted to treat on such a Subject as this viz. How far doth this Government extend in matters Spiritual and purely conscientious and not only so but be approved as the aforesaid Book of Government wherein the said sentence is written hath been by a Meeting that takes upon them to take Care as they pretend that nothing be Printed whereby the Truth may be dishonour'd Alas Friends can such appear to us as men staid in the Unchangable Truth who have suffered and highly contended for Liberty of Conscience and that Christ alone is Lord over it and is its only Lawgiver and yet now reckon that Mens-Meetings which we or at least several of us do know having been much conversant therein even from the begining to this day have most usually consisted of Men Vncertain in Numbers as well as to Qualifications and Persons may assume a Power over Conscience under the Notion of the Church of Christ Truly Friends we cannot but testify that our Souls have no Unity with such things and cannot but look upon the Promoters thereof as Lovers of Preheminency more than Lovers of God having let in a dark seperate rending dividing Spirit from the Truth and opened a Door whereby as great Darkness may be brought over the People As ever was in any Age under the profession of Christian Religion Objection But perhaps some persons may thus Object We cannot but have more Charity for some at least of those who are concerned in these things you strike at and cannot believe they intend an imposition on any of our Consciences for when we have been in Meetings with them we have been Witnesses that the Life hath been raised and our Souls have been refreshed through their Ministry and in their Epistles they tell us how eminently the Lord appears amongst them unto which we cannot but give Credit because when they are with us the Life in us answers to the Life in them as Face answers Face in a Glasse but when those whom they oppose do speak then Deadness Dryness and Barrenness appears besides many of the Ministring Friends have exhorted us and as they say in the Name of the Lord that we ought to shut out Jealousies the Reasoning and the Wisdom telling us as before is hinted That the Apostacy shall never enter the generality more and that we ought to have an eye to the Brethren Answ This Objection may seem very weighty with some especially such who may conclude that if they are of the true Brotherhood the Lord will give them an inward sense when they wait upon him whereby a Testimony according to the Truth may arise from them in every Case wherein they may Concern their thoughts but alas 't is either the fruit of Weakness or Presumption so to conclude with respect to every Brother in what estate soever which hath been sufficiently evidenced to us by the Fruits of those who have taken upon them to Judge the Merit of a Cause without hearing of both Parties of which more anon Besides if we do but consider that the Scriptures of Truth do testify there are diversities of Gifts diversities of Administrations and Operations and yet by the same Spirit it were sufficient to prompt us to be so Serious and weighty in this day of Tryal as to be found waiting every one in his own Gift that so all may be preserved and not meddle with things that are too high for them He that is not
sensible of the Danger in running beyond his Gift and is so puft up with Spiritual Pride as to conclude himself more Faithful more Holy more Circumspect more Discerning than his Brother thinking of himself not only better than of his Brother but in other things above what is meet contrary to the Counsel of the Apostle who exhorted Not to think of our selves more highly than we ought may easily run himself on this Rock of Judging those whom the Lord Judgeth not especially if such an one give himself liberty to Judge from an apprehended Inward Sense grounded on no Outward Knowledge or Evidence That now which is with us farther to signify in relation to this matter is this we have great cause to doubt that this kind of Weakness or Presumption hath been and is yet like to be one meanes by which the variance amongst such as have been formerly at Unity may continue because 't is well known that when Testimonies have arisen against some persons in publick as dark seperate and dividing Spirits and that some such as have been dissatisfy'd have desired to know what is the Matter and what is the Fruit whereby it may be evidenced The Answer commonly is Let the Testimonyes of Friends arise this Word when it Springs from such who have been Instruments to beget into this Faith that we ought to shut out the Reasoning the Wisdom and Jealousy and that without distinction and that the Apostacy shall never enter the Generality more and that we ought to have an eye to the * We would not be understood that 't is not fit to have an Eye to faithful Brethren in any thing but yet we cannot but take notice that it sounds not very comely out of the mouthes of those with respect to themselves who have in publick frequently thus Testified We Preach not our selves look not unto us but unto the Lord and the measure of his Grace in your selves that 's given to you to profit withal Brethren easily raises the like Testimony that such an one is of a dark seperate Spirit and then this comes to be spread abroad as a Seal to that which cannot be evidenced either by Doctrine or Conversation as if the Tree were not now to be known by its Fruit as in daies past and so whilst they have been in the Exercise of one part of the Counsel viz. Excluding the Reason and the Wisdom by which means some have been betrayed to act contrary to all Reason and all Wisdom they have acted contrary to the other part of the counsel which was to shut out the Jealousy For had they not entertained Unrighteous Jealousy we are perswaded that they would not have testified against such as have approved themselves unto us no other then Faithful Ministers of Christ Sound in Doctrine and as Blamless in Conversation so far as ever we knew as any Friends And thus the Variance we fear is but too likely to continue Now we appeal to the Witness of God Whether this kind of proceeding be not the Fruit of a Dark Rending Spirit that seperates from the Truth But to come a little nearer to answer other parts of the Objection viz. When we have been in Meetings with them we have been Witnesses that the Life hath been raised and our soules have been refreshed and that When those whom they oppose do speake nothing but Dryness Deadness and Barrenness appears We desire every one who may thus affirm seriously to weigh and consider First Whether if contrary to thine own Principle thou hast let in Jealousy this Jealousy may not darken thee so as to take Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light and that to be True Refreshment which is no other but a rejoycing in those imaginary sparks which thou by a false fire hast kindled for when the eye is not single to God and fixt upon that Teacher that cannot be removed into a Corner but instead thereof hast an eye unto man and to things that are without weighing not the matters wherein thy mind is concerned in the equal Ballance of the Sanctuary it may be Just with the Lord to suffer thee to be overshadowed with a Vail of Darkness and to become ignorant of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God as they who are without are lest thou see with thine eye and understand with thy heart and be converted and saved even as it was said by Christ himself concerning them who are without Mark 4.11 12. For we know that when Truth was Preach't amongst us in the beginning and the Light of Christ Jesus shining in our Consciences magnified as our only Guide the Gift of the Father and Appearance of Christ Jesus the great Ordinance and Power of God unto Salvation our souls were wonderfully reacht and affected with the sound thereof believing that the day was then come unto us wherein the Promise of the Father according to the Words of Christ was fulfilled unto us viz. But the Comforter which is the Spirit of Truth which the Father will send in my Name he shall Teach you all things and Guide you into all Truth And thus the Eyes of our Understandings came to be opened that we saw most of the Professours then in being to be but in the Gentile nature and come no further than the Outward Court which the Angel as John Testified was not to measure for was not their Preacher Outward their Rule Outward their Order Outward their Ordinances Outward and the Tokens and Marks of Membership in their Church Outward And when those Outward Things were magnified and the Preaching of the Light of Christ Jesus as the Guide to the Father degraded by our Opposers we were even ready to fear on their behalf that they were of that number who saw but did not perceive did hear but not understand Our breathing now unto the Lord is That none of those who have formerly received the Truth in the Love thereof may continue so hardened as to see and not Perceive to hear and not Understand and so in a dark and vailed Estate conclude that as * Note This Sentence viz. as Heirs of the Gospel Life Salvation take your possessions hath been of late years srequently exprest by G. F. when speaking to friends by way of encouragement to continue Mens and Womens Meetings distinct from the publick Meetings for Worship by which meanes 't is much doubted that some ignorant People have concluded that their frequenting those meetings is an evidence that they are Heirs of Life and Salvation Heirs of the Gospel Life and Salvation they are entered into an Heavenly Possession whenas the Possessions they are entered into are but some outward Observations which may more properly be accounted to relate to the Outward Court than to the New Jerusalem and Heirs of the Kingdom of God but rather that they may so perceive and understand the things of God as to bow to the appearance of Christ Jesus in themselves as the only Lawgiver
was they should not forbear might thereby come to lose their strength in the Lord for that we believe 't is the duty of every Christian to think nothing too dear to offer up for the Lord when he commands or calls for it Mark We do not say at every time that any Informer that thirsteth after our ruin and Estates thorough Malice especially when not prompted thereto by such as are Ministers of the Law calls for it but we say when the Lord Commands or Calls for it And if peradventure any should be so overcome as through Disobedience Fear or Weakness not to stand stedfast to the Testimony of Truth in the day of Tryal even in that manner that the Lord willeth it is then the Duty of those that are strong to deal gently with such and in that Charity spoken of by the Apostle 1 Cor. 13. That beareth all things that endureth all things endeavour to convince them of such their weakness that so their Faith and Strength in the Truth may come to encrease and not be so remote from bearing the Infirmities of the Weak which was the Apostles Counsel to those who were Strong as instead thereof to publish such their Weakness by way of Recrimination through the Nation especially whilest such Weakness might truly be termed want of Sight or clear Conviction We also do believe that the Government of Christ is an Inward Government that the Laws thereof are Inward and that the only place wherein they are to be exalted is in the Heart of Man for that Christ's Appearance is there to be waited for and that this Government cannot be established by Man because 't is already on Christ's Shoulders and he that sits on the Throne of David is to establish it Notwithstanding 't is well known that some called Quakers by writing under their hands have declared themselves to be the Establishers of the Churches in the Holy Order of Truth We also do believe that those who have lived under this Government of Christ bring forth the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness strive not for Preheminence nor yet like the Gentiles exercise Lordship over one another but are meek gentle humble and easie to be entreated ready to pass by and forgive Offences even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us and so shew forth the Fruit of that Love whereof Christ our Lord and Master did declare when he said By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye Love one another But on the contrary we cannot but testify that those who are so far from following Peace with all men which was the Apostles Counsel as to raise Contention amongst their Brethren endeavouring to make them Offenders for those things which in the Sight of the All-seeing God are no Offence do not appear to be Subject unto Christ's Government though they may stile themselves Establishers of the Churches in the Holy Order of Truth Object But perhaps some may here Object How come you and those your Opposers who run against you as dark leavened superate Spirits thus to disagree for certain we are that we have heard them testifie to the sufficiency of Gods Grace in Opposition to the Teachings of Man magnifie the Light of Christ Jesus as the Guide to the Father and bear witness against Tyth-payers and Fleers in time of Persecution Answ Yes verily we believe so too but yet we are not of those who can hold an Unity with such who sometimes tell us We must walk according to the Measure of Gods Grace in our selves and that magnifie the sufficiency thereof as the only unerring Rule and yet be Judging their Brethren because they cannot have an Eye to some Outward Rules and Orders given forth by such who have said Look not unto us but unto the Lord when at the same time such as may be so Judged shall solemuly affirm it reaches not to their Consciences unto which all Papers Outward Rules and Prescriptions are to be brought that so by the Light of Christ Jesus therein they may be tryed and not our Consciences brought unto Papers or any thing Outward to be a Bond thereon before an Inward Conviction from the Measure of the Grace of God received neither can we be at Unity with the Appearance of that Spirit in any one that villifies others for Fleers in time of Persecution Backbiting instead of endeavouring to restore in the Spirit of Meekness such when such an one hath appeared a Fleer at such like times himself neither can we be at Unity with the Appearance of that Spirit be it in whomsoever it will that can recriminate men as Tyth-payers who have been Faithful in their Testimony relating to Tythes and yet advise a Friend to Purchase Tythes which is G. F's Case with relation to his Advice unto Nathaniel Crips and Robert Arch according as is treated on and proved by Certificates under their hands recorded in the 21th Section of the Manuscript first mentioned in the Preface ready to be seen We are now sensible that some of our Opposers may take occasion from a part of our fore going words thus to Object Obj. This your Language of Offering up all seems not according to the sence of some to square with the practice of securing any part of your Estates when you foresee a probability of incurring a Premunire or being fined for Meeting which as report saith hath been the Case of some of you and not only so but that you have Justified the same notwithstanding some whom we account faithful have in Publick Meetings for Worship declared against it instancing the words of Christ when he said unto Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an Offence to me for thou savourest not the things that be of God which was so spoken by Christ because Peter said unto him Be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee meaning as the Context shews that he would not have Jesus go to Jerusalem there to sufer though 't was manifested to him that he must go thither and suffer c. Read Mat. 16.21 22 23. and so by consequence it appears that Christ reproved that Spirit which exhorted to save Self Besides 't is well known that on this occasion the rebellions and condemned Action of Saul in saving Agag and he best of the Sheep and Oxen alive being a part of what by the Commandment of the Lord he took of the Amalakites hath frequently been brought as an instance against some of you to shew that all ought to be offered up Read 1 Sam. 15. Answ Forasmuch as this very Objection hath been made use of as a prevailing Argument to affect some ignorant People against the Friends of Truth 't is needfull it should receive a particular Answer and Observation which now followeth Peters words had a tendency to divert Christ from what he knew to be his Duty Sauls Action was known and confest Rebellion in saving that which was no part of his own proper Substance but
and Spirit of God may lead into Rantism and therefore 't is the Care of Faithful Brethren to appear as watch-men over the Flock that so none under pretence of being left to the Light may run into Loosness Lightness and Vanity saying The Light in my Conscience Condemns me not To this we say the Lord rebuke that Spirit that doth so much as Jealous that leaving People to the Light may lead into Rantism such a Sugestion is notoriously wicked since the Testimony of Truth hath been unto which we this day bear record that the Light is a Reprover of all Sin And as to the latter part of the Objection we say That those who are true Watchmen will as much as in them lyes use their Endeavours to bring the Flock to the Light to prove their Deeds whether they are wrought in God and not to Papers rather than to the Light as knowing this that every Work and Word brought forth by Man is but the Effect of what is first wrought in the Heart which nothing outward can be a Bond upon to alter and change and if we do but consider how Fruitless in daies and years that are past as well as in this present Age all Mans Outward endeavours under the notion of Church-Government hath been to preserve in a real true Heavenly Society it appears to us as a meer Badge of Apostacy for any to have a Dependency on any such meanes of Preservation And whereas it 's Jealous'd Some may run into loosness and say the Light in my Conscience condemns me not and therefore t is the care of Faithful Brethren to appear as Watchmen over the Flock We say so too and those who approve themselves Watchmen will endeavour to convince such who in very deed run into Loosness c. that though they may pretend the Light condemns them not yet that their deeds are Evil and that the Light doth condemn that same though they may be hardened and see it not and so endeavour to awaken the Conscience that Gods Witness may be heard for that nothing that is outward can be a Bond on such an one to forsake his Sin and imbrace the Truth SECT VII Touching Church-Government and the meaning of the word Church-Government in the sence of our Opposers as we on sufficient ground take it laid down Our denial of that meaning Several Scriptures from whence a Proof for Church-Government hath been pretended are treated on shewing that from thence no Pretence can be to claim a Power over Conscience or Outward Property The Doctrine touching Power over Conscience and outward things relating to Meum and Tuum as the Authors Terms are which we therefore call Outward Property Examined and testified against as contrary to the Principle of Truth and Liberty we have in Christ Jesus Our sense what ought to be done for the Decision of Controversy with relation to Property between Brother and Brother An Objection raised to this purpose That what is given forth by the Spirit through the Brethren ought to be obeyed and not accounted the Dictates of fallible Man and that if thou see it not thy Duty to obey the Reason is thy Want of Diligence and not waiting in thy Measure and so no Plea for thy Disobedience is Good The said Objection answered An Examination from the Scriptures Whether Christ gave any Incouragement to his Disciples to become Rulers over one another THis kind of Discourse we are ready to suppose may at length occasion from some such an Objection as this Object What are you not for Church-Government Answ To this we say We are for the Government of Christ knowing 't is his Right to Govern his Church Obj. This may some say is an evasive Answer to the Question and therefore may again reply Be plain and tell us Are you for Church-Government Answ For Answer then we say We ought to ask what is meant by the word Church-Government Since we find not the word in the Scriptures of Truth and it being a word mostly used under the profession of Christianity by such who have become Persecutors we are the more Jealous that Corruption Usurpation and Injustice may creep in by such who contend so much for Church-Government with respect to Outwards Forms of Government since the Form some take to Govern is in some respect worse than the Forms of Divers Apostate Christians take this for one instance amongst many more that might be given viz. Judging the Merit of a Cause without hearing both parties as may be sufficiently evidenced by the giving forth that Paper from Ellis Hookes his Chamber London the Twelfth of the Fourth Month 1677. and Subscribed by Charles Marshal and Sixty Five Persons more against two Antient and Honourable Brethren viz. John Wilkinson and John Story though not then present to speak for themselves nor yet ever spoken to by many of the said Sixty Six touching any Evil laid to their Charge Besides we do know that many of our Opposers who appear to us highly affected with Church-Government as in their account is established amongst us and that with respect to Outward Formes do in an high decree manifest a Spirit of Persecution by endeavouring to take away the good name of honest men by Lyes Slanders and False Accusations wherein our Opposers have been to our certain knowledge so industrious as that we have scarcily known their Peers in that evil Work which in many Sections of the Second Part of the first Manuscript made mention of in the Preface Particularly the 13th 18th 12th 22th is laregly evidenced and ready for the view of any Freind that may desire the perusal thereof though for the reasons mentioned in the Preface not herewith publisht And now as to the meaning of the word Church-Government in the sense of our Opposers we take it to be thus viz. That some who account themselves Members of the Body of Christ claime a Power to Rule over other some if not all the rest and to give forth Sentences Directions or Orders which they ought to own receive or obey though they may pretend they see it not their Duty If this be the meaning of the word Church-Government in the sense of our Opposers as we have cause to believe it is not only from R. B's Book of Government but also from what hath been said or propagated by others which we are Perswaded will appear to all impartial Readers who shall diligently and in an unprejudiced Spirit weigh the Second part of the said first Manuscript mentioned in the Preface which as we said before is ready for the perusal of any Friend desiring so to do though for the reason mentioned in the Preface not herewith publisht we then directly answer we are not for such a Church-Government This Subject whereof we are now treating being as some may comparatively say the very Hinge on which the present Controversy seems to depend we think it necessary to quote those Scriptures from whence so far as ever we
understood the most pertinent Arguments might be produced to prove Church-Government or a Government in some Member or Members over the rest Mat. 18.15 16 17. We find Christ thus saying Moreover if thy Brother shall trespass against thee go tell him his Fault if he will not hear thee take with thee one or two and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it to the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind in Earth shall be bound in Heaven Comparing this Scripture touching the Trespass of one Brother against another with what Paul Writes 1 Cor. 2.4 Dare any of you having a matter against another go to Law before the unjust do ye not know that the Saints shall Judge the World if then ye have Judgment of things pertaining to this Life set them to Judge who are least esteemed in the Church we reasonably conclude that the words of Christ and of the Apostle only hinted at either Personal Offences or Differences touching Worldly Matters and that therein the Duty of the Church was only to exhort to submit to their Counsel which If they did not they might Justly be esteemed as Heathen Men but this is nothing to the purpose of those who have approved a Plea for such a Church-Government as Claimes a Power of Deciding Matters relating to Conscience and outward things also on the occasion of Differences raised touching Worldly Estate and that others ought to obey such Decisions which in its natural Consequence hath as we take it no Less Tendency than to claim Power over our Properties as well as Consciences We are now sensible that many Friends who have not been acquainted with the secret Cause of all the Differences amongst Friends will be even startled at this and be ready to query Are there any such amongst the People called Quakers We Answer Yes Verily and that those who may be accounted Christians too viz. those who approved in the Second Dayes Meeting at London the before-cited Book of R. B. relating to Government in the Church We shall begin first with the Matter of Conscience the Title of the sixth Section thereof runs thus How far this Government doth extend in matters Spiritual and purely Conscientious and then treating thereon the Author thus saith in which the great Question is How far in such Cases the Church may give Positive Orders or Rules and so proceeds to ask this question viz. Whether the Church of Christ have Power in any Cases that are Matters of Conscience to give a Positive sentence or Decision which may be Obligatory upon Believers and then goes on thus answering viz. I answer affirmatively She hath which being compared with what he writes Page 68. of his said Book on this wise viz. that their De facto giving a Positive Sentence in such Cases will not import Tyranny and Usurpation neither will the pretences of any contradicting them or refusing to submit on the account they see it not excuse them of being guilty of Disobeying God clearly shewes to us his meaning to be That in some Cases the Consciences of Believers ought to be bound by the Positive Sentence of Others without leaving any Liberty for a Believer to refuse to submit on account of not seeing it his Duty to submit This Meaning and Government over the Consciences of Believers we take to be contrary to the Principle of Truth and Liberty we have in Christ Jesus for that no Outward Sentence or Matter whatsoever can obliege the Conscience to be approving this or that Exercise or Practice or to be in the Belief of this or that Judgment Sentence or Decree until such time that the Conscience thorough the inshining of Christ's Light therein comes to be satisfied and thereby to be bound and obleiged and though we find the Author to the Hebrewes Chap. 13. Vers 7. saying on this wise Remember them which have the Rule over you yet he doth not say Such who had the Rule were the Church but discribes them in the next following words to be such who had Spoken unto them the Word of God so that if any Authority be given to any to Rule as Members of Christ's Body it appears from the Scriptures of Truth to be unto such who had Spoken the Word of God unto them over whom they had the Rule and therefore can be no President or Proof that mixt and uncertain Assemblies as to Number and Qualification may call themselvs the Church and under that Notion give forth Orders Rules and Sentences telling the rest of those whom they may account their Fellow-Members 'T is your Duty to Obey though you pretend YOU SEE IT NOT. Besides it doth not appear that those who spoke the Word of God did give forth any Sentence by vertue of their Authority that might become a Bond on the Conscience before Conviction by the Grace of God and Why Because it is by that Grace that the heart comes to be Established according as the Author to the Hebrews writes Vers 9. of the same Chapter For 't is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace But Perhaps some may quote Paul 2 Thes 3.6 Who thus saith Now we Command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you with-draw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition which he received of us To this we say Paul in the following Verse gives the Reaon for the Urging Obedience to his Precept viz. For ye your selves know how ye ought to follow us hence we may conclude that their Hearts were so established in the Grace of God as that the Knowledge of their Duty became a greater Obligation upon them then Paul's Command Verse the 14th of the same Chap. Paul saith If any Man obey not our Word by this Epistle note that Man and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed This may some say seems very positive to imply that God hath given Authority to some to Rule in the Church Our Answer to this is Paul's words related to such of whom Vers 11 12 13. of the same Chapter he saith We heard that there were some amongst you that walked Inordinately and work not at all but are Busy-Bodyes therefore them that are such we Command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work with quietness and eat their own bread and ye Brethren be not weary in well-doing and then he exhorts Vers 14th If any man obey not our Word by this Epistle note that Man and have no company with him This clearly shewes what the Apostle had relation unto viz. to that necessary and commandable Duty mentioned in Vers the 11th that such who were Busie-Bodies walking inordinately might not in their busie inordinate Spirit eat the Bread of others but work that they might eat their own Bread were this Command of the Apostle obeyed by many of those who run
by the same Rule He that savours the things of God may easily perceive that the meaning of the Spirit through Paul unto those Philippians was that those who were come to a state of Perfection should walk by that Rule whereunto they had attained but those who had not attained so far and were otherwise-minded were to wait for the Revelation of the Son And now to conclude as to this Objection we have this further to add that we do know many of our Opposers or at least such who are not at Unity with us have very confidently made use of such Discourse as is contained in the last recited Objection to induce us to follow outward Prescriptions and Orders though not convinced of its service which occasions us to be Jealous that in process of time the enemy may so enter in at this Door as that Darkness may more generally overshadow again than it yet doth though our Hope in God is that he will lay such a constraint on many of those whose Eyes are open beholding the approached Apostacy as that they may be raised in a sense of Gods Indignation and appear as Lyons on the behalf of the Lyon of the Tribe of Juda to oppose every appearance of that Spirit which would be exalting Self or any Form Observation Prescription or Order to be as a Bond on the Members of Christs Body when by the Light of Christ their alone Lawgiver they are not fully perswaded thereof in their own Consciences which undoubtedly was the meaning of the Spirit through Paul when he writ unto the Romans Chap. 14. Vers 5 23. Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin And to come a little closer to the matter in hand 't is too too evident that Non-conformity to Outward Prescriptions is taken as a mark of Apostacy even amongst those who have Been under the profession of Truth of which many instances too too Large here to insert might be produced which is now forborn because we suppose there are very few amongst the People called Quakers for whose sakes this is chiefly written who are ignorant of the Truth hereof Besides it hath been an Observation of late that these Questions or Questions to the like import have been frequently askt by such with whom we cannot be at Unity in all things viz. Are you for Womens Meetings Meaning distinct Womens Meetings from Men amongst whom Under Pretence of taking care of the Poor another thing seems to be more chiefly aimed at as anon will be made appear Are you for Recording Condemnations Meaning thereby whether the Partyes who have Condemned their Failings and through the Mercies of the Lord have been restored and their Officence blotted out and forgiven by him assent thereto or no. Are you for settled Monethly and Quarterly Meetings touching Outward Business since those who would have Meetings as occasion offers are accounted Designers to through down all Meetings for Outward Business relating to the Affairs of Truth And when these or such like Questions have been a skt of Friends in Truth that could not Answer thereto Yea we are sensible that it hath been taken by many as a sufficient token of a Dark Leavened Rending Dividing Spirit and meerly as we take it form an apprehension that the Form they stand for is thereby struck at though the Services would be effectually performed in another method as experience in the Counties of Westmoreland and Wilts hath of late testified for were it not so that great stress is laid upon the Outward Form of things prescribed to be practised how comes it to pass that J. S. was articled against by Robert Barrow and twenty six Persons more in the north on this wise viz. J. S. speaking amongst many Friends of the Danger of Forms because of the Consequences that might follow said that amongst the Christians of Old the Differences that did arise was about Forms which could not be seasonable words when we were establishing the Churches in the Holy Order of Truth Much more might be collected from the Articles being forty four in number exhibited by Robert Barrow and twenty six Persons as aforesaid to shew how earnestly and zealously the very Outward Form of things are contended for which occasions us in all seriousness of Spirit thus to say May the Lord God of Heaven and Earth so preserve his People that they may not be ensnared by those who have raised so great Contention about the Outward Forms of things prescribed to be practised amongst the Professors of Truth lest they with them prove to be Boasters proud Blasphemers false Accusers Despisers of those that are Good which are the very Marks and Tokens of those who had a Form of Godliness but denied the Power thereof from whom the Apostle Exhorts to turn away and how far these Marks rest upon many of those who so earnestly contend for their Outward Forms we leave to the Impartial Reader with the Light of Christ to Judge when he hath thorowly informed himself of their Fruits Oh Friends the serious Consideration of these things bows us before the Lord and in a Sense of his Mercies to us we can no longer keep silent but in his Fear declare that our Consciences are concerned for the Cause of God and his Truth and since it is so that an ill use is made of that Spirit of Forbearance and Condescension which we are sensible hath been used by many of our Brethren it is now become our Portion to unburthen our selves of that which hath been our Burthen believing that the Lord is not only arisen but will yet more and more arise against that Spirit that would exalt it self over the Heritage of God endeavouring to rule over their Consciences whenas Christ alone is Lord thereof It may now be worthy our Observation to consider whether any Encouragement was given by our Lord and Master Christ Jesus whilest on Earth unto his Disciples to become Rulers one over another We find that he Exhorts his Disciples Judge not that ye be not Judged be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ And all ye are Brethren but he that is greatest amongst you shall be your Servant and whosoever shall exalthimself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted Here is no ground to believe that Christ Intended that when he was departed his Disciples should be exalting themselves one over another as Governours and Rulers and if we consult the Scriptures of Truth we shall find that though his Disciples had a Dependency upon him whilest in his Bodily Appearance to be their Leader yet he tells them John 16.7.13 It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you and he will guide you into all Truth for he shall not speak of himself Had it been so that Christ Jesus intended the
process of time some Friends thought it necessary that Marriages might be proposed to the Womens Meetings but yet several Friends in divers Countryes would not assent that the Distinct Meetings of Women should be concerned in Marriages at length several of those who had appeared for those Distinct Meetings to be concerned said * Note It appears in a reply Written against John Story 's and John Wilkinson's Answers to the 44 Articles this is that which G. F. Exhorted to in the Beginning and Blessed be the Lord the Faithfull see a Necessity and Cause to propose the Marraiges to the Faithful Men and Womens Meetings and whether their sight is not Dark that see not the Necessity of proposing their Marriages to the Faithful Men and Women in their Distinct Meetings This being uttered by those of party which G. F. as we take them was thought very strange for that as divers Friends of Bristol have testifie G. F. proposed not his Marraiges to the Womens Distinct Meeting in Bristol where his Marriage was accomplished though such a Meeting was held there many years before Besides in a Paper of Direction given forth by Gorege Fox he Directs that the mens Meeting may be acquainted with Marraiges and saith nothing of proposing them to the Womens Distinct Meetings which clearly shews that those who writ the aforesaid Answer and G. F. seem not at Unity therein But this as we suppose not being known to many some were very urgent to impose that Practice on Friends or else to render such as Opposed Dark Spirits which occasioned many Friends to be Jealous that a Submision was not only intended to Meetings of Men but Womens Meetings also and therefore Friends who in simplicity assented to the latter Meetings as supposing Women insome Cases fitter to pry into the Necessities of the Poor than Men considering also what weak People have frequented Mens Meetings did at length begin to be Jealous that the words of the Prophet Isaiah 3.12 were again fulfilled in our Age As for my People Children are their Oppressors and Women rule over them Oh my Poeple they which lead thee cause thee to Err. This Jealousie encreasing many of those who were contented that Women should hold their Meetings apart from the Men to take care of the Poor in some Cases became less affected to such Meetings lest instead of being Servants to the Poor for the Truths Sake and taking the weight and Burthen of that Care from the Men they should become Rulers over both Men and Women and that which seemed to confirm the Reasonableness of the said Jealousy was this It hath been observed that though Womens Meetings were assented to to take care of the Poor in some Cases as the chief if not the only end thereof yet there is so little said concerning that End in a Book relating to Womens Meetings given forth by G. F. that 't is now a Question with many whether that be not one of the least Services intended at this day thereby because we do not find but that all spoken in Relation thereto in the whole Book consisting of ninety six Pages in Octavo might be comprehended in less than half a side of the said Book and the drift and scope of the Book seems to be chiefly for Proof of Womens Offering Sacrifices Preaching Teaching Instructing Exhorting Admonishing Prophesying Governing Judging Singing Dancing Playing upon Musick and that Micahs Mother an Idolotrous Woman spoken of Judges 17. was a virtuous one and that the Assemblies of Women did continue among the Jews til they went into Transgression but for Proof quotes only 2 Kings 23. where we find nothing spoken of any Assemblies of Women save only of those Women who in the Houses of the Sodomites which good King Josiah broke down wove Hangings for the Groves which the same King caused to be burnt To conclude as to this third Particular we have this further to say so it is that many Jarrs and Jangles have arisen touching Meetings of Women and the End and Service thereof some think them useful in Cityes where many Poor are and the Women Meeters near together but yet divers of the same Persons think them useless in the Countries where few Poor are and the Women live Far assunder and for ought we know some observing the ill consequence that hath attended them in divers Places may think it had been better they had never been held amongst us For our parts on the whole matter we say 't is a Shame for a Man to become an Instrument that Womens Meetings should be held Chiefly if not only under pretence of serving and relieving the Poor in some cases more effectual then before and yet Publish a Book under pretence of incouraging the said Meetings whence it is thereby apparent that some other End is now at least if not from the Beginning aimed at than was manifested plainly in the Beginning This in short seems not like plain dealing and the Fruit thereof is manifest to be Evil for many who have been as Pillars in those Meetings to this Day have been reflected upon as Discouragers of the said Meetings not because their Persons and Purses are wanting therein but rather because they cannot be at Unity with such airy Imaginations which some who as they may take it seem Affectors of Government and Lovers of Preheminence do bring forth concluding they are entred into the Possession of the Power of God because they take upon them to be Members of a Womans Meeting distinct from the Men those who on that foot so conclude we cannot but take to be Ignorant of the Power of God notwithstanding they may quote G. F. for Proof of such their Reason who writing to Thomas Goldney signifies that he was moved to set up Womens Meetings that all might be in the Possession of the Power of the Lord. That now which is upon our Spirits to recommend unto all in the Love of our God as the only Expedient for the healing of these Breaches in a few words is this Let every one lay down their Crowns at the Feet of Jesus our Lord and those who have striven for Outward Rules Government and Preheminence over their Brethren when the Lord hath not called them thereto say in their Hearts Let the time past be sufficient and for time to come let us study Peace as Servants to one Lord and Master Jesus Christ the Righteous one who by his inshining Light is become our Lawgiver that so the antient Love towards all our Brethren in the Truth may be Witnessed and renewed each towards other to the Consolation of one anothers Souls in the Lord. Having thus far proceeded to manifest a part of those things touching which the Faithfull were at Unity and the ways and Meanes whereby that Unity was Broken we think meet now to cite an Epistle perfixt to the Historical Manuscript made mention of in the Preface to this Treatise being a Proper Testimony on this occasion for and
Mouthes of his Prophets or from the Appearance of Christ by his Light in us or from the Scriptures of Truth given forth by inspiration since the appearance of Christ in the flesh to Expect that any should be Invested with Power from on high to Establish such things relating to the Conscience much less to Expect that the Children of Light under the New Covenant should be led by the Eternal Spirit and Word nigh in the Heart unto such a conformity Moreover 't is Observable Pauls Plain confession thus was After the Way which they call Heresy so Worship I the God of my Fathers Believing all things which are Written in the Law and the Prophets c. And herein do I Exercise my self to have always a Conscience Void of offence towards God and towards Men. If all those unto whom God hath given the Knowledge of his Truth in this Gospel-day had had so much Zeal as to have walk't according to this example they might have all become Honourable in their day have kept a Conscience Void of offence towards God and towards men and then none of them would have been afraid of being Stigmatized as Sect-Masters by such who Like the Outward Jew have Gloryed in things Outwardly Pretended to be Established in this Gospel-day and have made such things to be as a Rule whereby they have indeavoured to try their Brethren who at this day have approved themselves Jews in Spirit Zealously exercising themselves in the Word nigh in the Heart according to Knowledge even as the outward Jews would have done by Paul For such a Reflection would never have hurt them in the Breasts of those that had continued truly Faithfull and this many are given to Understand from that Honourable esteem that some antient and faithfull Brethren have in the Hearts of such as have not in a Temporizing Spirit changed their Way notwithstanding they are Stigmatized with the name of Sect-Masters even by those who Like the Gentiles appear to Exercise Lordship over their Brethren In the Next Place we come to take a little notice of those who abound in Confidence without either Knowledge or Zeal this sort may be well compared unto those Beasts with whom 't is reputed Paul Fought at Ephesus which if it were so was doubtless a contest had with Unreasonable Men. The bait by which this sort are enticed to appear Some-Body in probability is this The Door is open for any under the Profession of Truth whose Lives are not Outwardly Scandalous to appear amongst some of the Society of the People called Quakers as Governours and though 't is hard for us to suppose who amongst such are the Persons that are to be Governed when Liberty is taken and admitted as aforesaid whereby none of the society is excluded to appear as Governours yet so it is and of this have our Eyes and Eares been Witnesses A Part of the Doctrine of this sort we have understood to be on this wise If you do not see your selves you must follow us that do see Alass 't is easily to be savoured where all may then run if such an Exhortation from any one thus qualified and that with respect to follow the Exhorter should take place he then that leads and those who might be led would quickly fall into the Ditch together and so the Kingdom of Sathan come to be advanced instead of being Destroyed But Blessed be the Name of the Everlasting God that Sun which hath arisen amongst us that Glorious Appearance if the everlasting Light which hath shined in many Hearts is not yet set in Obscurity and our Faith is that it will not The Lord hath had a regard to his own Name and to the Glory of his Eternal Power so that though many ancient and honourable Brethren whom the Lord Commissioned in these latter Days to publish his Everlasting Gospel Exhorting all to yield Obedience unto the Appearance of Christ by his Light in them are fallen asleep yet there are many of the same Stock yet remaining upon whom he hath not only poured forth of his Spirit and Anointed them to publish his Everlasting Gospel but also hath kept them in Integrity and their Garments undefiled from the Spots and Polutions of this World and not only so but hath given unto them True Zeal according to Knowledge thorough which the Way unto the Kingdom of God in the Demonstration of his Spirit hath been declared and hath continued them in the Service whereunto they have been called and these have not in a Temporizing Spirit for fear of the Threats and Frowns of Men changed their Way nor yet followed any for the Loaves and though some of these have of late been accounted dark Spirits leavened Spirits Troublers of Israel Sect-masters Leaders into a Seperation and into down-right Independencies Parishes and Schisms yet this Testimony lives with us that the Power of the Eternal God on which alone we are perswaded their Dependencies have been and are hath accompanied such when thus Judged Despised and Reviled by that Generation who unto us appear as if their Dependencies were upon Men that labour and travel to gather unto themselves To conclude this further Testimony lives with us that the Righteous God bears us this Day Record that the very Reason wherefore this Treatise is now prepared is because our very Consciences on the behalf of God's Truth and People are concerned and therefore we cannot but encourage this so necessary a Work having amongst many other our Brethren long waited and born in Patience to see if peradventure the Lord might change the Hearts of those who have occasioned Contention Strife and Division to arise amongst the Families of the Lords People for what-ever Measures others may take of us yet this Evidence we have in our selves that our Souls Desires are That the bright Appearance of the Everlasting Day might not set in Obscurity in any Heart where it hath been both manifested and received nor yet that any of the Lords People might be ensnared to build again the things which in the Light of Christ our Lord they have destroyed William Rogers William Forde Here now follows that Paper made mention of in the Title Page touching the Scattered of Israel given forth in the Year 1661. by Edward Burroughs Minister of the Everlasting Gospel ON the 22th of the 8th Month 1661. I was grieved in my Spirit for the Scattered of Israel and my Thoughts troubled me very much for the Afflicted in Jerusalem for I also was greatly afflicted with them and I prayed unto God that he would shew me his Purpose concerning them and these words came unto me Abide thou in me thou helpless Lamb and I will shew thee great things only stir not from me for thou hast no Helper but me and if thou goest never so little from me behold a Wild Beast seeketh to devour thee therefore I say Abide and then I weeped greatly because I saw what great danger I was in for I
their Hunting Biting Devouring Spirit nor yet Weary themselves for meer Vanity lest the Eternal Decree of God should be sealed against them to their Destruction for ever more To conclude this first part we have yet to add that since 't is signified that the forty four Articles before cited relate to Church-Government and that we say they were drawn up against two Antient and Honourable Friends in the Truth viz. John Story and John Wilkinson we think it proper to cite one Passage as an evidence thereof out of the 4th Section of the Second part of the Historicall Manuscript Mentioned in the Preface to the Reader with the omission onely of the Names of Persons for the Reasons already given in the said Preface The Passage is as Followeth Before we shall make any Observation on the aforesaid Articles or Preamble thereto 't is needfull to Inform the Reader that nine Persons Concerned in Exhibiting the said Forty Four Articles against the two Friends spoken of before thus Declare concerning them in a Letter to nine others Chosen by the Accusers to be Judges over them viz. And Friends it is not any Personall Trespass against any of us that we Charge them with nor any Particular Concern of our own as Men that we are in the Defence but the Cause of Almighty God and in the sense of the Wrong they have done to him but yet notwithstanding in the same Letter they say that they have born a dear Love and Honourable respect unto them in the Holy Truth comparing his with what is Written in the third Article of the 44 Articles before cited viz. Slighting the Heavenly Motion on George Fox his Spirit in that Case in the Unity Pretiously felt and closed with meaning the Rule or Form of Church-Government set forth by George Fox pretending the motion of the Spirit as by the said Article appears 't is evident to us that in their sense a slighting of George Fox Rules Methods and Orders with Respect to Church-Government is a slighting of the Cause of God And though 't is said in the Unity Preciously felt and closed with yet that is Notoriously Erroneous if thereby is meant in the Unity of all Friends for that some of his Papers and Prescriptions in many Parts of the Nation amongst Friends have been little taken notice of as is well Known to us and credibly reported by many Moreover 't is evident to us that some have had so great esteem for the Prescriptions or Papers given forth by him as that they have concluded it to be no less than the Fruit of Confusion and Darkness to Believe that what he hath given forth was not intended by him to be urged with Severity which is no other than an inforcing and this doth thus appear John Story One of those two Brethren Articled against as aforesaid in their Answer to the said Forty Four Articles took occasion to give his sense touching such things which George Fox had given forth on this wise viz. That he did not Believe that George Fox intended any such thing that they Meaning his Papers Directed to the Churches should with Severity be urged upon any of Gods Faithfull People but as Instructions or Directions Commended them to the Churches Leaving the Effect thereof to God and his Leading Grace in his People to make use thereof as he should manifest a need of such Direction Counsel or Advice To this sense Robert Barrow and eight Persons Part of those who were Concerned in Exhibiting the said Forty Four Articles Replied a part whereof was on this wise Truly thy Darkness and Blindness is easy to be felt and they must be very dim of Sight that see thee not oh the confusion thy Dark Spirit is in To this we say This Answer seems so very Dark as if Blindness were the Lot of their Inheritance who so writ forwe well remember that the Testimonies of our ancient brethren who were skil'd in gathering and carefull not to scatter the Flock did not encourage any to follow any Outward Directions whatsoever without an inward Conviction from the Leadings of Gods All-sufficient Grace Freely given to Profit withall of the needfulness of the Direction Counsel or Advice contain'd therein and Why But Because an Observance not grounded on their Sufficiency of Gods Leading Grace in our selves of Outward Instructions or Directions in this Gospel Day may find no more Acceptance with the Lord of Life who is now to be worshiped obeyed and reverenced not otherwise than in and by the Spirit and Light thorough which he doth appear in Man than an offering of the Halt and the Blind which was forbidden in the time of the Law for a Sacrifice might and this our sense may well be vindicated from such like Testimonies as these frequently utter'd by our antient Brethren We Preach not our selves Let not your dependency be on us we are not neither desire to be Lords over your Consciences you ought to Be lieve for your selves and see for your selves and therefore we Counsel you to draw Water out of your own wells let it be your own and not anothers We now appeal to Gods Witness in all Consciences how this Kind of Language and Discourse can agree with such as render it the Fruit of Confusion and Darkness not to believe that the Outward Instructions or Directions of G. F. amongst the People called Quakers were Intended to be Urged with severity upon Gods Faithfull People Besides that which seemes to aggravate the Darkness is this That the Faithful must have Outward Precepts Directions or Instructions Imposed upon them Had the sense of those whose sense we cannot own been only with relation to the Unfaithfull it might have seem'd a little better The Consideration of these things is great cause of lamentation and mourning especially when we Consider that we have no Ground to believe either from the Scriptures of Truth given forth by Inspiration or from the Light of Christ in our Consciences that any man according to the motion of Gods Spirit in this Gospel-Day ought to take upon him the giving forth any Outward Rules or Prescriptions relating to Faith or Discipline in the Church with an intent that they should become a Bond upon others to submit thereto further than from a recommendation unto the Conscience a service may be seen therein according to the measure of Light given from him who is the fullness but whether this our sense is not by many others besides the aforesaid nine Persons amongst the People called Quakers slightly esteemed and a combined sort of Submission contrived as we suppose by a few though entered into by many at this Day we shall leave it to the unprejudiced understanding Reader to Judge on mature Consideration of what yet Follows Some few yeares past many Friends in the County of Westmoreland having been a long time burthened in monethly and quarterly Meetings by such as endeavoured to introduce the practice of some things under the Notion of Church-Government
4th Month 1677. which now follows We whose Names are here unto Subscribed do Testify that on the Sixteenth day of the Fifth Month 1677. we were present in a Meeting usually held in the City of Bristol for the taking Care of the Poor and promoting of other Christian Duties when a Paper Subscribed by Sixty Six Persons and Dated from a Metting held at Ellis Hookes his Chamber in London the Twelfth of the Fourth Moneth 1677. was there Read and therein John Story and John Wilkinson are Reproved and Judged in these Words viz. We do hereby Reprove and Judge that Jealous Rending and Separating Spirit and them meaning John Story and John Wilkinson and their Separate Company as being in that Spirit of Separation and that by the Power and Spirit of our God and we warn all to whom this Comes to beware of the said John Story and John Wilkinson whose way at present is not the way of Peace c. The aforesaid Judgment we do now Declare that we do not own to be Righteous nor yet dare we deny the said John Story and John Wilkinson lest we sin against God and despise those unto whom a Dispensation of the Gospel of Christ is committed especially since that the aforementioned Paper doth sufficiently manifest to our Consciences That the Spirit of God did not move in the hearts of the sixty six Subscribers to give forth the same though the Name of the Lord his Power and Spirit is frequently made mention of in the said Paper and that this is so we thus manifest First The great Crime against John Story and John Wilkinson is for that as report saith They have been instruments to set up or at least incourage a Separate Mens-Meeting in the North wherein the outward affairs of the Church are managed and so consequently is esteemed besides that Form of Government which is contended for Now it doth not appear to us from the said Paper that the Meeting from which the aforesaid Paper was given forth was a Meeting held according to the Form of Government contended for and so we are dissatisfied that the Actions of that Meeting are Justifiable by the Rule of those who oppose John Story and John Wilkinson on the foot of the Separate-Meeting so called For it doth not appear that the aforementioned Meeting was the General Meeting by any thing therein contained not being so much as Dated from thence nor yet within the time wherein it was appointed to be held besides if the Paper did not prove that yet by a Post-script thereto it appears that there were several Brethren that had left the City before the said Meeting wherein the said Paper was Subscribed and so had it been within the appointed time of the General-Meeting it could in the best sense be but from a part of the said Meeting The aforementioned Meeting by the said Paper Appears not to be the second day's weekly Meeting for its Date is on the Third Day and when any thing is given forth from that Meeting 't is usually Dated from the said Meeting Besides we find that the Hands of many Antient Labourers in the Gospel and the greatest part by many of the Body of the Elders and Ministring Friends dwelling in and about the City of London are not thereto Subscribed and not only so but we are Credibly Informed that though 't was discoursed in the Second Days Weekly Meeting yet 't was not unanimously Assented to therein And if so it follows by natural Consequence that it could not be the action of the said Meeting had it been Dated on that Day and that this Expression in the aforesaid Paper viz. And blessed and sweet and very pretious to our Souls is the Heavenly Unity of Life amongst us wherein at this Meeting the Lord our God hath Crowned us with Glory Dominion and Peace cannot in Truth be spoken with respect to the aforesaid Second Days Weekly Meetings Unity as to the matter contained in the aforesaid Paper The afore-mentioned Meeting cannot be reasonably supposed to be from the Mens-Meeting of the City of London for that the generality of the Members thereof have not their Hands thereto neither is it said Signed on behalf of that Meeting or any other setled Meeting in England nor yet from it or any other such Meeting All which Considerations confirm us in this Perswasion that the aforesaid Paper was given forth from a Meeting held out of the Form of Government contended for and so by their own Rule ought to be disowned by the Meetings to whom it is directed Secondly It appears that the Sixty Six Subscribers in their Paper have given forth these Sentences viz. At this Meeting the Lord our God hath Crowned us with Glory Dominion and Peace at this time as on the like Occasions hath been frequent with us the Care of the Peace and Welfare of the Churches of Christ came upon us And are your Servants for his meaning Christs sake By that Salt that we have in our selves from the Lord are we enabled to savour between the Transformation of the Enemy and the Scruples of the Innocent And as to be tender of one so to give Judgment against the other And truly that which hath encouraged us in this Epistle is that good success God hath blest our like endeavors in his power with We are Unanimously your Dear and Faithful Brethren in the labour travel tribulation patience hope and rejoycing in the Kingdom of Jesus our Lord. On these last Six Sentences we thus Observe that where they have Credit it 's but too probable that it may gain a Perswasion or Belief that the Sixty Six Subscribers are Apostles and so may become a means to obtain the better Credit to their Paper Should any thus be Perswaded they therein would be Mistaken for three or four from the City of Bristol who are well known to us are not Exercised in the work of the Ministry besides others from other Countries and Places Thirdly We find in the said Paper these two following Sentences And forasmuch as it appears to us that they will not come to us nor near us in the peaceable Truth which we have frequently truly desired for their good but that they will go on in their Opposition refusing to dissolve their Separate-Company in the North c. And because we are sensible that they have made an ill use of our Forbearance even to strengthen themselves in their Separation c. On which we thus Observe That these two Sentences are assigned as a part of those considerations wherefore the Sixty Six Subscribers were as they say constrained after continued Waiting and Exhortation slighted by them meaning John Wilkinson and John Story more publickly to Reprove and Judge them in these things as by their Paper doth plainly appear which being duly considered it naturally follows that if every one of the Sixty Six Subscribers have not frequently desired John Story and John Wilkinson to come to them they are
Brethren their Sin will Cry aloud in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts Dated this 20th of the 3d. Month 1677. Thomas Gouldney William Ford William Rogers POST-SCRIPT WE whose Names are hereunto Subscribed do thus Testify that though all things are not so within the compass of our Knowledge or Remembrance as to Subscribe all that is in the above-written Paper yet being also present in our Mens-Meeting where the first above Recited Paper against John Story and John Wilkinson was Read it is with us to give this Testimony that we do not own the Judgment against John Story and John Wilkinson contained in the said Recited Paper neither are we in our Consciences convinced that the said John Story and John Wilkinson have so behaved themselves in the Church of God or elsewhere as in the aforesaid Recited Paper as Consideration for the Judgment against them is Rehearsed To Friends Assembled at Ellis Hookes his Chamber the 12th of the 4th Month 1677. London Cornelius Serjant William Dawson Thomas Watkins And diverse other Friends According to the aforesaid Direction the Answer of the Friends of Bristol was sent to London to be Communicated to the sixty six Subscribers that met at Ellis Hooks his Chamber whereof Charles Marshal was one and though several General Meetings have since been yet no general Reply thereto is come to any of their Hands concerned in the aforesaid Answer nor yet any Excommunication for their so doing But yet we must confess that the Four Subscribers thereof living in Bristol took upon them to say something to one part thereof to which a Reply was made manifesting at least their notorious Weakness if so be Charity may excuse them from willful Wickedness for their replying in the manner they did and occasioning others to affirm whereof they knew not And forasmuch as no Rejoinder is come from them to the said Reply we hope that the Reason thereof is from a Convincement of their Errour in concerning themselves as they have done We also must confess that Jasper Batt of Somersetshire and three other Subscribers to the said Paper from Ellis Hooks his Chamber did concern themselves to give Answer unto some other part thereof and by their Answer it Appears that they cannot own the sence of Bristol Friends in Denying that it came from the general Meeting But were it so that in reality it came from them no Doubt but the said Jasper Batt and his three Companions would have obtained from the next General Meeting a Testimony to that purpose but no such Testimony or Approbation of the said Paper from Ellis Hookes his Chamber Subscribed by Charles Marshal aad sixty five more hath to this Day been given forth as ever we could understand We also Confess that one other Subscriber of the said Paper writ something in Vindication thereof by way of Reply to divers Friends in Wiltshire who had given their Testimony against it likewise But further Testimony in Writing in Vindication thereof against such as have opposed it we understand not But yet ye must further Confess that Charles Marshal by his late keeping on his Hat when John Story hath been in Prayer is no Token of his Repentance The Consideration of what is thus Observed is some ground of reasonable Hope that Fifty six of the said sixty six Subscribers are come to a Sense of their Weakness and that their Understandings are opened to behold their Errour That now the Reader may have a little taste of that Spirit in which Jasper Batt and his three Companions Writ their Reply we think meet to Note a part thereof The said Jasper and his three Companions take notice of this Position contained in the Answer of Bristol Friends to the said Paper Subscribed by Charles Marshal and Sixty Five more Position of Bristol Friends viz. Were it so that these Sixty Six were such qualified Members in the Church of Christ as that none on the Score of Apostleship or Eldership might have a greater pretence of Power to call John Story and John Wilkinson before them yet we Affirm that neither the said Sixty Six nor any other Assembly on Earth have Power to give Judgment in such a Case other than for Contempt of Authority and not a judgment on the Merit of the Cause though it were on the Hearing of One Party Answered by Jasper Batt and his three Companions viz. Do you not shew your selves ignorant of the Scriptures and of the Power judgment given to the Saints of the most High and of the Anointing by which the Saints did know and were to try the Spirits And was this Tryal to be without Judgment Or were not the Saints to Judge or was that Judgment which they were to give only in Contempt or whether did not they judge the Merits of the Cause as well as Contempt of Authority Though we grant they did Judge Contempt of Authority which also is for Judgment as you may Read both in Peter and Jude for we see there were such in those Days as is now Who did despise Government Presumptuous Self-willed they are not afraid to speak Evil of Dignities which have forsaken the right way and gone astray and so Wells without Water and Clouds that are carried with a Tempest c. Jude saith These be they who separate themselves Read Peter and Jude through and let those Scriptures be rightly applied and see to whom they belong And further did not Paul judge the Merits of the Cause when he Wrote to them at Galatia and told them of being removed to another Gospel and to be bewitched for not obeying the Truth Did not he judge them for a Perswasion that did not come from him that called them And was not this a Judgment on the Merits of the Cause Did not he say He that troubleth you shall bear his Judgment whosoever he be Did not he Judge Dissimulation and some for not walking according to the Truth of the Gospel Gal. 2.13 14. Did not Paul Judge Hymeneus and Alexander for putting away Faith and good Conscience and Delivered them unto Satan Was not here a Judgment on the Merit of the Cause And we further Query Have not they put away Faith and good Conscience who Flee in time of Persecution Pay Tythes and Countenance them that do Which through Faith and for a good Conscience Friends in the beginning were led to bear Testimony against Our Observation on the aforesaid Position written by the Friends of Bristol and the Reply thereto is this First 'T is impossible that Queries can be a Positive Answer to a Positive Position Secondly That whosoever peruses the Answer of Bristol-Friends shall find that the words Iudgment in such a Case relates to a Judgment given without a Hearing for that 't was impossible John Story and John Wilkinson could be heard in their Case by those before whom they appeared not to state their Case And therefore if Queries might be a proper Answer yet those proposed as Answer are
Member or Members of the Church may be Witnesses thereof in their Own Hearts we are sorry for such weakness However it gives us occasion to add this Testimony That if we consult the Scriptures of Truth and Light of Christ we have no Ground to believe that under the dispensation of the second Covenant God hath or ever will move by his Spirit in any Mortal Man or Men to take upon him or them so to appoint certain dayes for others to meet upon to manage the outward Affairs of a Christian Society as that if any of that Society assent not thereto or endeavour to alter them to another day then such may be Justly censured as men of loose Spirits or led by a corrupt Spirit of Darkness for every Member of such a Society ought first to be fully perswaded in their own minds in all things relating to Faith or Discipline and not to be Judging one another about any thing wherein they may differ when the matter it self springs from a Conscientious Scruple and not Obstinacy contrary to Knowledge for from the Holy Scriptures we learn that that which is not of faith is sin and that there was the Day of Ignorance accompanyed some at which the Lord Winked And yet to our Greif we may say that such a Day of gloominess and thick Darkness hath overtaken some amongst the People called Quakers who appear zealous for some Outward Forms of Discipline which they as we take it foollishly imagin are establish't as by a Decree from Heaven that they seem to make void the Law of Charity and humane Society and as if their Religion were most Effectually demonstrated by appearing in such a kind of Spirit that Christ reproved in his Disciples when they asked him on this wise Wilt thou that we Command Fire to come down from Heaven and consume them meaning the Samaritans that did not receive Christ because his Face was as though he would go to Jerusalem To return again we farther say That whoever hath given Occasion for such an Objection to be raised as aforesaid 't is to be doubted it sprange from one that aspires to give Rules to others whilest he will not be subject to the same himself for if it were not so it s very probable we might have escaped the severe judgment of being guilty of Corahs sin and that only because we have endeavoured to convince some that that * Namely G. F. one Person intended in the Objection See the fourth and fifth Parts of the Christian-Quaker hath acted contrary to the outward Rules and Orders that he himself hath prescribed for others to walk by As to the word Establish't we further add That the word as used in the Objection is disowned by us for though the Children of God may be Instruments in the hand of the Lord to establish one another in the Faith of God's Elect yet 't is not in their power or of any one of them positively and without exception to establish what ought to be believed and practiced whether it respect Doctrine or Discipline and if any one or more have atempted so to do it may Justly be said of such that he or they have endeavoured to invade Christ's Prerogative Besides we observe That the Objection is made with respect to one man which to us seems as if in the Objectors sense that one man amongst the People called Quakers had Power given him of God to establish an Outward Form wherein all God's People ought to walk or else severely to be censured for Rebellion whether they see it their Christian Duty or not but this we deny as that which may Justly be termed an Abomination either so to endeavour or so to submit Secondly If we enquire what is establish't we know if any Answer be given to what by the Question we intend it will be on this wise Certain Meetings to be held by the People called Quakers or at least some of them on certain prefixt dayes But if we ask Who are the Meeters that are to make up the establish't Meetings none can give such a certain Discription as that the Meeters may be certainly known and therefore the use of the word Establish't applicable to outward Societies of People so uncertain to be known or outwardly describable seems to us vain and ridiculous By this discourse the Reader may gather that we are remote from owning those Meetings mentioned in the last Objection to be establish'd as a part of Christ's Government and as to their having any share as a Church in Church Government 't will be time enough for us to answer when any shall pretend that they have manifested that those uncertain qualifyed Persons usually Assembled in such Meetings were then Members of the Church of Christ and that as Members thereof they had right to stile themselves Church-Governours However we think it needful to signify That the chief Ends as we understood wherefore the said Meetings were assented to by many Friends were to relieve the Poor and to perform other necessary Services relating to the Truth and Friends concerned therein in which we thought our selves and doubtless all the Faithful with us Servants one unto another and not Masters Governours or Rulers over one another for that did not so much as enter into our Hearts But when we perceived that some Upstarts that to us seemed to love Preheminence as Diotrephes did lookt upon themselves as Somebody from their appearing and being encouraged to appear Members in such Meetings and to lay a stress on the prefixt Dayes for Meeting affirming that they were Established by the Power of God that Friends who were Heirs of the Power might come and take their Possessions therein a sort of Language not well understood by such as are Indued with Wisdom from above then many Friends began to startle thereat fearing that some through Weakness and Blind Zeal would Idolize the same and run into an indispensable Form and endeavour to bite and devour one another about Outward Things and so at length some Friends in Truth moved to alter the Days of Meeting in some places but others not assenting thereto Contention arose and a Fire hath been kindled about Church-Government at so high a rate as that Publick Meeting Places for the Worship of God have sometimes become meer Stages of Contention and other times the keeping on of Hats in Prayer by some whilest others have been uncovered hath become as an Ensign of divisions the knowledge whereof being no longer to be hid hath more vigorously occasioned the bringing forth of our Treatise Intituled the Christian-Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator in five Parts whereof this Treatise touching Government is one that so all may now know that Darkness is not so overshadowed but that the Lord hath preserved a Remnant amongst the People called Quakers that cannot bow their Knee to any Image or Image-Maker nor yet to acknowledge that Salvation is attainable through Faith in any other Name than
fellowship with the Children of Light are not inconsistant with that form that the Power of God may lead into For I am a Witness for many years past even to this day that such Meetings have been serviceable to answer those Righteous Ends. But if the Members of any such Meetings shall by their Practices therein not only assume as some there are who to my Knowledge have too manifestly so done but continue to assume another place in the Body than that wherein God hath placed them or shall endeavour so to establish Outward Indispensible Rules and Orders therein relating to Conscience as that such of the Brethren who submit not thereunto shall be accounted not of the Body though they see it not their Duty it may be Just with the Lord as a token of his Indignation and Displeasure to withdraw his refreshing Presence from such Assemblies and then their Meetings may become as useless as a Body without a Spirit is But yet Robert Barclay undertakes to describe the Order of the Government and how far it extends and also testifies the Antient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ is Re-establisht amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers Notwithstanding which his saying I Affirm they are in the Practice of many things with respect to Church-discipline wherein the Scriptures treating of those things given forth by Christ and his Apostles are silent and are not found in the Practice of some other things which were either practised exhorted to or commanded by the Apostle Secondly I Affirm that as Christ's Kingdom is not of this World so the Members of Christ's Church have not Power in Cases of Difference arising amongst themselves touching outward things to assume Jurisdiction over the Properties and Worldly Concerns each of other when not chosen for that Service by the Consent of the Members Differing and yet I do say 't is the duty of fellow-members that are at variance to refer by mutual choice their Cause unto other Brethren But Yet R. B. saith As a People gathered together by the Lord unto the same Faith c. that we have Power and Authority to decide and remove these things Thirdly I Affirm That nothing can become a Right and Christian Bond upon Believers to be Exercised in any practical duty relating to the things of God and Matters of Conscience until convinced by the Witness of God in their Consciences of the service thereof Fourthly That the Belief of Certain Principles and Doctines though believed through the force of Truth on the understanding and Practices depending thereon are not the very Bond by which the People of the Lord called Quakers are become centered into the Fellowship of Christ's Body nor yet the Cause that gather'd them but the Spirit is the Bond and in the best sense such Principles c. are but the Fruit of the Bond and the Cause that gathered them was Gods Love That the Sentence and Judgment of any man or men whatsoever relating to Matters of Conscience ought not at this day to be given forth but by way of Recomendation to every mans conscience in the Sight of God and that when the Conscience is sensible that Gods Witness therein doth Answer thereto then the Conscience is bound and not before But Yet R. B. tells us That Principles and Doctrines believed thorough the Force of Truth on the Understanding and Practices necessarily depending thereon are the Terms that have drawn us together and the very Bond by which we became centered into one Body and Fellowship or are linked to the Body and the Cause that gathered us as in his Treatise Page 48 49 may appear And whether in R. B's Sense the Centure of a part of Christ's Body ought not to become a Bond on all the Members and that in Cases of Conscience too I refer the Reader to peruse his sixth Section Fiftly I Affirm That the Qualification of a Member of Christ's Body is Sanctification through the Spirit that where any number of such are assembled together in Christ's name though but of the lesser Rank in the Body there is the Church of Christ that before such an Assembly Cases of Differences may be brought which may be besides the Gift or Capacity of such to determin and Judge and therefore infallible Judgment which is unalterably seated in the Spirit in some cases may be wanting to appear through any one Member in such Assemblies as properly may be called the Church of Christ But yet R. B. saith in his Treatise Page 68. That there never will nor can be wanting in Case of Controversy the Spirit of God to give Judgment thorow some or other in the Church of Christ so long as any Assembly can properly or in any tollerable supposition be so termed Sixthly Since 't is commonly reputed that none but Papists pretend Tradition to Justify their Actions wherein the Scripture is silent and that we have no President in the Scriptures that the Apostles and Elders under the Notion of the Church of Christ did take upon them to determin Controversies arising amongst the Apostles and Elders in the Church of Christ touching Cases of Conscience without the assent of the Differing Parties who especially if Equals and once at Unity and their Cases Matters of Conscience arising from occasional differing Sense and Judgment have by the Law of Divine Nature Equal Right to nominate a part of those who shall have the hearing of such Cases Therefore I affirm if any shall without the assent of such Partyes differing take upon them to be a bond that the differing Partyes must subject such their Case to their dicisive sentence and accordingly submit and be subject though they are not clear in Conscience so to do such do Justly subject themselves to the censure of being Imposers and Usurpers Seventhly That submission to the positive sentences of others touching matters of conscience though supposing themselves the Church of Christ before the conscience is convinc'd by God's Witness therein is an abuse to the Profession of Truth an antient mark of Apostacy and an infallible token that such who so submit have no inward sense that they are led thereunto by the Spirit of the Lord but notwithstanding these two last particulars are evidently true yet whosoever reads what R. B. hath asserted in Page 68. may find that according to his Lines and Assertions this short ensuing sentence may be collected without the least abuse of his words viz. That any ones not submitting to the positive Judgment touching Controversy given by any Assembly or at least by some or other of them which may in any tollerable supposition be termed the Church of Christ is disobedience to God though the persons refusing pretend they refuse on the account they see it not The Innovations and Scripture-Misapplications of R. B. Detected I Shall begin with the Title Page wherein R. B. thus saith So is also the Antient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ Re-established and settled on its right
of Gods Spirit to publish unto the World for God be over-ruled by Timothy a Son when according to the aforesaid Author he ought to be ruled by Paul the Father nay perhaps by one that is of much lesser rank in the Body if so be he hath a word of Exhortation on the behalf of Gods Truth is usually exercised therein in publick But suppose no such Obstruction hath or may appear yet I query Whether it looks like a part of Christ's Government for Timothy the Son to be admitted as a Judge over the Writings of Paul who as a Father begot him unto the Truth Paul 1 Cor. 12. Treats of the diversities of Gifts by one and the same Spirit mentioning several of them viz. The Word of Wisdom the Word of Knowledge Faith Gifts of Healing Working of Miracles Prophesy Discerning of Spirits divers kinds of Tongues Interpretation of Tongues and then at length saith God hath set some in the Church First Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers and after that Miracles c. and then saith are all Prophets are all Apostles are all Teachers c. And again Rom 14.6 7 8. He thus saith having then gifts differing according to the Grace that 's given to us whether Prophesy let us Prophesy according to the Proportion of Faith or ministry let us wait on our Ministry or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on Exhortation From all which 't is evident that God hath given diversities of Gifts and that those Members who may be skilful through the Grace of God to Exercise one Gift may be unskillfull to exercise another and so every own ought to wait on their own Gift that therein they may be exercised and that also not beyond but according to the Proportion of Faith for doubtless the Apostle was sensible there was a proneness in some to run beyond their Gift and therefore he saith according to the Proportion of Faith Now should any number of Persons amongst whom there should be only such whose Gifts are either to Prophesy Teach or Exhort but not to discern Spirits sit together and take upon them to consider whether that which is given forth for publick Service by any Brother seriously declaring that God moved thereunto ought to come to publick View and be found hindring the coming forth of the same when nothing unsound appears they would therein make a Breach on that Christian-Liberty which ought to be preserved inviolable in the Church of God Nay if peradventure there should be some amongst them whose Gifts are to discern Spirits and so accordingly gives their approabation or disapprobation it becomes not others not gifted therein to concern themselves because their Duty is if Paul's Counsel be good to wait on their own Gift and though such may declare they have Unity therewith in the Life Yet that may be only the Fruit of their Lips or of a hasty Spirit that may have Zeal without Knowledge when the Matter wherewith they declare themselves at Unity is without the Compass of their Gift Knowledge or Capacity to Judge of But yet I would not be understood that it is unnecessary for the Members of the Church of Christ to take care that nothing Scandalous to the Truth come forth in Publick under the name of any who make profession thereof and were it so that I had ought upon me on Truths behalf to bring to publick View I should be glad of the Opportunity to lay it before such Brethren with whom the Word of Wisdom Knowledge and Discerning of Spirits dwelt yet am perswaded the Lord would preserve me from suffering the Counsel of any to lead me contrary to what I believed the Lord moved unless through the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge they could convince me of Errour and so come to see it my place to forbear And this I account agreeable to the Truth which preferrs Obedience to our own Measures of Grace before Obedience to the Measures of others and to wait on our own Gifts and not the Gifts of others even as I account it contrary to Truth and as a Branch springing from that Spirit which would limit the Holy One of Israel to subject the Approbation of Coming or not Coming of all Writings whatsoever given forth on a Religious Account to publick View unto the Judgment of any unless such as are perfectly skilful in all Spiritual Gifts Mysteries and Knowledge relating to the Matters appertaining to Gods Kingdom and the Salvation of Mankind Had this uncertain unselected Assembly spoken of been such at the time when R. B's small Treatise was approved doubtless it would never have past as that whereby Truth would be promoted through a Belief of all the Matters which therein he asserts for Truth Moreover when I consider that all Miscarriages in Writings approved at that Assembly doth not only become the error of a perticular person but of that Assembly also not only so but peradventure may be reflected though unworthily on the whole Body of the People called Quakers on a common Presumption that having past the Test of that Meeting the whole Church approves thereof I am even ready to query Whether it were not better to let every Man stand or fall to his own Master in this respect unless some better Expedient might be found than such an one as hath admitted of such Erroneous Assertions as to the dishonour of Truth are contained in R. B's Treatise And if any one should object and say What wouldst not thou submit to the Sentence of such Apostles with whom the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge dwelt Yes verily I should and ought so to do if my Faith were such as certainly to believe they are such Apostles to me but not before read 2 Cor. 10.13 14 15 16. From all which I do according to Truth thus conclude That it is groundlesly asserted by R. B. in the Sense I take his Lines to import viz. with respect to Outward Orders that the ancient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ is Re-established amongst the People of God called Quakers Yet I do testify that the Government of Christ ought to be exercised in and over his Church and that though the Order of this Government is not so described as that by any Outward Rule or Written Prescription as a sufficient Means Man may exactly walk therein Yet I am perswaded that there are many of Gods People amongst those who in Derision are called Quakers that have been so Obedient unto that Grace which hath been given them according to the Gift of Christ as that it may be truly said of them That they are Established in the Faith of Gods Elect and that they are in Subjection according to their Measures to the Government of Christ which by the Authority of his own Power and Spirit he hath Establish'd in their Inward Parts so that through that Obedience which is of Faith other Obedience availing not they are exercising themselves according to the Leadings of
Christ's Light and in Subjection unto the Laws appertaining unto his Government which are not written in Tables of Stone but in the Heart according to the Tenour of the New-Covenant Heb. 8.9 10 11. And that those who are Invested with Power from on high may be Instruments in Gods Hand according to the Dispensation thereof given them of God to stir up the Pure Mind in others sometimes by way of Admonition Exhortation and sound Doctrine and sometimes by Charge or Command according as the Spirit of the Lord moves and operates and yet every one of these Operations according to the Dispensation of God is only to stir up the pure Mind that so through a sensible Closing with the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God shining in the Heart God's Witness in the Conscience may be raised in Dominion for that 't is according to Truth to affirm that the Admonition Doctrine and Exhortation Charge or Command of any whatsoever cannot be rightly received and imbraced otherwise than according to the Leadings of Christs Light that so it may appear that the Excellency of that Power is of God and not of Men read 2 Cor. 4.5 6 7 8. That the Holy Scriptures give not the least Testimony that the Apostles nor any Persons under the Notion of the Church of Christ endeavoured to Establish any Outward Orders and then term them the Order of the Gospel the Power of God much less so to Establish any Outward Order or Form of Discipline in the Church as that not only a Deviation therefrom but a not Imbracing those Outward Forms or Orders by such Believers who were never in the Practice thereof should be a Token that they were departed from the Faith but their Labours were to Establish the Churches in the Faith and in the Power rather than to build up Forms or Orders having them so Establish'd to be in the Practice of that Form which the Power either had or should lead them into and therefore the Apostle might well say Be ye not unwise but understand what the Will of the Lord is he doth not say what the Will of the Church is but what the Will of the Lord is submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God According to which Submission I appeal to Gods Witness Whether it may not become as well the Duty of the Brethren to submit to one or two as one or two to submit to the Brethren and whether these kinds of Submission have not been practised amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers in these latter Days And though I say as aforesaid not the Church but what the Will of the Lord is yet hereby I would not be understood to render Christ and his Church divided but rather to shew that his Will who cannot Err is a surer Foundation to Build upon than the Wills of those who if they depart from Christ their Rock may Err. R. B. in his sixth Section treating how far this Government extends Page 39. thus saith This Order reacheth the composing differences as to outward things And further saith We do boldly aver as a People gathered together by the Lord unto the same Faith c. that we have Power and Authority to decide and remove these things amongst our selves On which I thus observe If Differences happen between two Brethren and not through the least intention to wrong each other then the Power of Truth in themselves will constrain such to choose Faithful Brethren skil'd in the Matters wherein they differ to decide the same and accordingly to submit and all this of a willing and ready Mind through the Power of Truth in themselves and not through constraint of others and so in this case here 's no need for any to come to their Brethren and say We do Boldly aver we have Power and Authority to decide c. But suppose this ensuing case should happen viz That two Brethren are at variance touching their Properties and Outward Concerns relating to Meum and Tuum as R. B's terms are and one of them is so departed from Truth in himself as that he will not of a ready Mind submit his Cause to the hearing of Persons to be chosen by themselves indifferently but being Contentious will either go to Law or else so abound in his own sense as nothing shall serve but to be Judge in his own cause If we now enquire what Christ the Truth doth in general direct and wherein this Case may be comprehended which is so great an offence to the other Brother whom Truth constrains to submit his Cause to the Hearing and Judgment of Persons indifferently chosen and that of a willing and ready mind we shall find he thus saith Mat. 18.15 16 17. If thy brother shall Trespasse against thee go tell him his fault between thee and him alone but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church if he hear not the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man Christ's words do not here import that the Church hath Power over any man's Worldly Property or Outward Concerns it only saith If he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen Man And when a Brother is through the declaration of the Church become so to the other Brother against whom he hath trespassed then the Offended Brother may Justly seek his Remedy if the Offence and Trespass be touching Outward Concerns according to the Just Lawes of men relating to Property But perhaps some may Object thus This relates not to Outward Affaires but to Offences that are of a Spiritual Nature In Answer it may be said As to that the Scripture is wholly silent and therefore every Case wherein one Brother may trespass against another may according to Right Reason be comprehended in it and since the Case is stated between two Brethren and that on an orderly proceeding and admonition of the Church the sentence for not hearing the Church is Let him be unto thee as an Heathen Man to me it seemes to import that the Trespass intended was such an one as in a particular manner is against one Brother more than another and so as probable to be about their outward concernes as any thing else Besides if we do but consider that if a Brother be so much departed from the Truth as after Admonition by the Church not to Joyn with his Brother with whom he is at Variance in the choice of one or more to decide the matter 't is a certain Token that he is out of that which was the bond by which he became center'd into the Heavenly Fellowship of Christ's Body the Church And so then if it really were so that any Assembly under the Notion of the Church of Christ should assume to themselves Power and Authority to decide in Cases relating to Property yet in this and the like Case there can be no
cannot account Sound Language if Pauls Testimony Phil. 1.15 18. was Sound who said Some Preach Christ of Envy and Strife What then Notwithstanding every Way whether in Pretence or in Truth Christ is Preached and I therein Rejoyce yea and will rejoyce Secondly That to pretend want of clearness in Sight will not excuse any from Disobedience to God who submit not to the Sentence of an Assembly or some or other of them which may in any tolerable Supposition be termed the Church of Christ and so are ready to Judge their Brethren as Apostatized from the Truth if they walk not according to the Lines and Measures of others though they have no Faith therein contrary to that of Paul who to the Corinthians said 1 Cor. 10.15 Having Hope when your Faith is Increast that we shall be inlarged by you according to our Rule And whether these are not of that number who bring another Gospel than what we have already received and so subject themselves to the Curse whilest they are endeavouring to manifest others Accurst Let Gods Witness in all Judge There are at this Day who seem to make no Distinction between such as would have no Iniquity reproved and those who Conscientiously scruple to submit to the Dictates of others till their Vnderstandings are Illuminated these are of that number who divide not aright and seem so void of Charity as not to distinguish between the Precious and the Vile for though it was so that Paul in Thes 3.6 a Scripture quoted by R. B. thus saith Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Traditions which he received of us and then Comments upon it what more positive than this and yet the Apostle was not here an Imposer To which I thus say that this Scripture is no Warrant for any to follow the Commands or Traditions of others at this day until convinced of the Truth and real Service of Obedience to such Commands or Traditions which is evident by the reason that Paul in the following Verse gives for the urging Obedience to his Precept viz. for ye your selves KNOW how that ye ought to follow us So the Knowledge of their Duty was the Bond rather than Pauls Command Vers 14. of the same Chapter being another Scripture quoted by the aforesaid Author Page 27. Paul saith If any Man Obey not our word by this Epistle note that man and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed This related to such of whom Paul Vers 11 12 13 of the same Chapter saith we have heard that there were some among you that walked inordinately and work not at all but are Busi-Bodies therefore them that are such we command and Exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work with Quietness and eat their own Bread and ye Bretheren be not weary in well doing and then he exhorts Vers 14. If any man obey not our Saying c. which plainly relates that to so undoubted necessary a Duty mentioned Vers 11. That such who were Busi-bodies walking inordinately might not in their busie inordinate Spirit eat the Bread of others but work that they might eat their own Bread but whosoever they are that shall bring such Scriptures as these to manifest that we ought to submit to the Outward Forms Prescriptions Ceremonial Dictates or decisive Sentences of others when they are or may be Matters of Conscience and that there lies an Obligation in point of Duty to Obey in every or any of such Things though we see it not shews themselves a sort of Busie-bodies wanting work Paul 1 Cor. 14.37 a Scripture quoted by the aforesaid Author thus saith If any man think himself to be a Prophet or Spiritual let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the Commandements of the Lord and Vers 34. of the same Chapter Paul saith Let your women keep silence in the Church c. Here 's a positive proof that women ought to be silent in the Church and that by the Command of Paul and therefore me thinks it should be a shame for such who plead for Womens speaking in the Church and not only so but for their Service with respect to Exercise in Discipline to pin so much as to me appears the aforesaid Author doth in his Treatise on the word Command us'd by Paul when according to the measure of Gods Grace and Truth which the Children of Light have received they have and do testify and that according to Truth notwithstanding what Paul saith and hath Commanded that * Note I would not hereby be understood to justify All Women that have spoken in our Meetings because many of them have of late been so rude in their Opposition to John Story as that I take it to be a meer Scandal to Religion and am perswaded that by Pauls Command the meaning of the Spirit was not positively according as his own words seem to intiate not only because the Prophet Joel 2.28 prophesied that the Lord would pour out of his Spirit upon Sons and Daughters and that they should Prophesy but also for that in the same Chapter 1 Cor. 14. he exhorts the Church who doubless consisted of Women as well as Men to Covet Spiritual Gifts but rather that they might Prophesy saying Ye may all Prophesy one by one all which considered t is rational to take the Mind of the Spirit to he that there were some unruly disorderly Women then in the Church as in these our Days are who then had need as some now have to be warned to keep silence though others that had received a Revelation from God might declare the same in the Church when met together Women as well as Men and Men as well as Women may speak in the Church of God according to their respective Measures when the Spirit of the Lord moves And since as the Apostle Paul himself testifies 1 Cor. 10.8 That his Authority was given him for Edification and not for Destruction I cannot but be more Charitable than to think Paul ever used the Words Command Ordain Traditions and such like on any other account but that the Churches should be followers of him according as in their own Measures they had a Sense or Savour that he was a Follower of Christ and not otherwise which comparing Phil. 3.17 with 2 Cor. 10.13 14 15 16. doth evidently appear The forementioned Scripture to the Philipians thus saith Brethren be Followers together of me and mark them that walk so as you have us for an Ensample that to the Corinths saith But we will not boast of Things without our Measures but according to the Measures of the Rule which God hath distributed to us a Measure to reach even unto you for we stretch not our selves beyond our Measure c. not boasting of things without our Measures that is other mens Labours but having hope when
lyable to err than a treating on this Scripture Take eat this is my Body and apply it to outward bread would And though none amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers as ever I yet heard treated on the later Scripture in Approbation of the sense and application before recited yet I find the aforesaid Author treating on the former Scriptures and that as to me appears with respect to settled Assemblies who if they watch not may err which is easily to be savour'd if the whole scope of his Treatise be but duely weighed The service for God and his Truth in his so doing at this day is hard to be understood by many who have an Honourable esteem for Truth as preach't in the beginning especially since it may occasion many to stumble and fall through a Jealousy that those Scriptures in process of time may be used to enforce Obedience to Outward Sentences and Decrees relating to Conscience whether the Understanding be so illuminated as to see the service of such Obedience for God and his Truth yea or nay And since it is so that of late much is spoken touching the Authority of the Church and that the Church is not lyable to err and that the Apostacy shall never enter the Generality more it is at this time with me to treat a little further touching things of this nature And though I would not be understood to say that the Church of Christ is not invested with Power from on high for every Member thereof according to measure stands in the Power or that the Apostacy shall enter the Generallity again yet I have this certain sense that in Asserting the Authority of the Church and her infallibity c. time hath not been so well imployed as might have been in an inward exercise to be comprehended in the Power thereby to be preserved out of all Apostacies and error but to proceed We read that the Author to the Hebrews tells them They were come to the * Heb. 12.13 General Assembly and Church of the First-Born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all we do not find that the Scripture speaks of the Authority of this General Assembly so that their Sentences and Decisive Judgments should be a Bond on Believers to obey though they see it not but saith God is Judge of all Neither do I find that the Scriptures make mention of any General Assembly of the Church of Christ other than in this place And since the word Church is mostly used in Scriptures with respect to particular Congregations or Assemblies what ground is there to exalt the Power of a General Assembly above any Particular one especially since no such Assemblies whether General or Particular as Assemblies of men have Power one above another further than the Power of God appears more eminent in Degree in one than another for God by his Spirit alone is Sole Judge which appearing though but through an Handmaid or meanest of the Flock in the least of Assemblies ought to be submitted to when God's Witness in the Conscience Answers whether an Assembly esteemed a General Assembly approve thereof or no. Where two or three are gathered together in Christs Name there is the Church of Christ * Matth. 18.19 20. Christ saith If two of such agree on Earth as touching any thing they shall ask the Father it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven Can the Agreement of a General Assembly do more than this viz. than Prevail with the Father and therefore I may well query Why the agreement of Two in any Case who in Christ's Name agree ought not to have as great a Prevalency amongst their Brethren as the Agreement of an Assembly esteemed a General one ought And why the People of God at this day may not have an Eye as well to two Brethren who in Christ's Name agree and are at Unity in the Truth as unto an Assembly esteem'd a General One Though particular Societies of Men may constitute some Persons or Person to represent them and so may conferr a Power on them to negotiate Outward Worldly Affairs and by reason of such Constitutions there may be Assemblies which in that respect may be called General Assemblies yet I query Whether any Assembly of the People of the Lord can in a proper Sense be called a General Assembly of the Church of Christ unless such a one where every Member of Christ's Body is convinced because as they pretend to the Exercise of no Power in their Assemblies when negotiating the Affairs of Truth as Members of the Church of Christ and not barely as men but Gods Power so they do not profess that as such they have Power to confer Gods Power and Spirit on any for they account that only proper to Christ the Lord and therefore if any particular Congregation should attempt to send Persons as their Representatives to any particular Place in order to meet together as a General Assembly of the Church of Christ or that any part of the Church without such particular Election or Mission should Assemble together and call themselvs the General Assembly of the Church of Christ I Query Whether those so affirming would not therein manifestly erre Yet I would not hereby be understood to Judge it as an Evil for any whether Apostles or Elders or any else to meet together when where and as often as they in the Spirit shall find Freedom from the Lord so to do nor yet being met together to judge them for giving forth any thing by way of Recommendation to the Consciences of their Brethren when they find freedom from the Lord so to do Yet in this Case every one had need to wait in their Own Gift that so they may not exercise themselves in things beside their Gifts and then what such bring forth may have an Answer in the Consciences of their Fellow-Brethren But should such Assemblies take upon them to give forth Positive Sentences Decrees or Decisive Judgments in Matters of Conscience in order to become a Bond upon Believers to Obey though they see it not and in defect of Obedience to such their Sentences pronounce all such their brethren who may refuse to obey the same Rebellious against the Lord they would therein manifest themselves to be laying another Foundation than that which hath been already laid and so it might be Just with the Lord to withdraw his comforting Presence from them R. B. Page 63. treating of the Liberty of Conscience which may be exercised by the Members of the True Church diversly without Judging one another thus saith There is a certain Liberty and forbearance also that is more perticular and has a relation to the Circumstance of Times and Places which will not hold universally the first was in suffering Circumcision to the Jews the second was in Observation of certain dayes the third Abstaining from meats To which I say The aforesaid Author as in other things
about a Fleshly Uniformity which insnares and overbears the tender Conscience this is not Lovely nor Spiritual nor Christian And the Apostle who Exhorts Christians to one Mind yet doth not bid them force one another to one mind but walk together sweetly so far as they had attained and wherein they were otherwise minded God in his due time would reveal more to them Phil. 3.15 16. He that hath to him shall be given and the Intent and Work of the Ministry with the several Ministrations of it is to bring into the Unity Ephes 4.13 as Persons are able to follow and not to force all Men into one Practice or Way that 's the way to destroy the Faith and the true Unity and at best can introduce but a Fleshly Appearance of Vnity into such a Form of Worship and Godliness as eats out the Power And for being of one Heart and one Way Blessed be the Lord this is in measure known and witnessed The Way is one Christ the Truth of God and he that is in the Faith and in the Obedience to the Light which shines from his Spirit into the Heart of every Believer hath a tast of the one Heart and of the one Way and knoweth that no Variety of Practices which is of God can make a Breach in the true Vnity This is the one Way for every one to be subject to the Light of Christs Spirit which he hath received from Christ and every one keeping here there is also one Heart kept in the midst of all the Variety and diversity of Practices 'T is needful to be observed that in the City of London a Free Meeting was held between R. Barclay and me in the presence of G. F. and many others wherein we treated on many things contained in R. B's Book of Government which I then did and ever since have accounted Erroneous and on the whole matter one part of the Meeting viz. Charles Marshal with thirty six Persons more advised R. B. as anon by their Paper cited will appear on this wise It is the desire of this Meeting that the said R. B. as he feels in himself the Openings of Life thereunto will in Christian-Condescension to the Capacities of the Weak write an Explanatory Postscript to the said Book for the Sakes of all such as may be supposed to have misapprehended any Expression therein Now forasmuch as the said R. B. hath by way of Epistle to Friends written an Explanatory Rostscript though not Printed the same I thought meet to cite it together with my Observations thereon as followeth Aberdene Prison the 6th of the 1st Month 1679. Dear Friends and Brethren UNto all my Dear Friends and Brethren unto whose hands this Paper may come or who may be any ways more particularly concerned in the Contents hereof is the Salutation of my unfeigned Love in that unchangable Truth whereunto it hath pleased the Lord to call me according to his great Mercy so as to be a Partaker in some Measure of the Peace and Glory which in this Day is revealed wherewith my Heart hath been often filled as I have waited in Faithfulness according to the Dispensation of Light manifested in me and to me And since it pleased God to make me a Living Witness of the Precious Truth and to commit unto me my share of the Ministry thereof my Conscience bears me Witness in the Sight of God that I have Laboured according to my Knowledge to follow Love and Peace with all my Brethren and to do those things which might tend to Advance Strengthen and Confirm Unity and Brotherly-Love as also to avoid what had a Tendency to beget Strife Jealousie or Evil Surmises like as I have studied as well in my publick Testimony as in my Writings to beware of any thing that to my Understanding might minister just Occasion of Stumbling or Offence to the least of my Brethren or the youngest and weakest Babe in the Truth as such as are conversant with me in my own Country as well as those elsewhere where I have travelled can bear Witness Nevertheless as I cannot shun any part of that Labour and Service which my Lord and Master Jesus Christ calls me to so in Obedience to his Requirings near five Years ago I wrote some Sheets concerning the Lawfulness and Necessity of the Government and Order of the Truth having principally and only in my View therein to bear a Faithful Testimony against all false Liberty and Disorder on the one hand and against Imposition and Dominion on the other Intending no less to guard against the one than the other and this I did with particular Respect to some of my near Friends whom I found liable to some Mistakes in that matter And I do sincerely declare before God who knows I speak the Truth and lie not That in the writing thereof I had not the least Purpose nor Intention to meddle with nor concern my self in any of those Debates that have since fallen out amongst Friends in Westmoreland or elsewhere relative thereto much of which as it had not then a being when I wrote that Book so the Substance of that Matter was then unknown to me so I can safely say that I had not so much as one remote Thought or any Remembrance of the lest beginnings of that Affair which I knew during the time of my writing of it so that nothing could be Intended by me therein relative to that matter which as it is sufficient to vindicate my Innocency and Integrity to all as to my Intentions so I cannot forbear also to signifie that as often as I have had Occasion seriously and in the holy Fear and Dread of God to reflect upon those Papers which I have often done because of the Opposition they have met with from some W. R's First Observation [a] [a] This shews that R. B. doth not only Justifie what he hath done but also signifies that he laboured with all the Care and Circumspection he could so to express himself as not to offend in a word and therefore since I know he is well skil'd to word his meaning I might reasonably have expected that he would have cited out of his Book of Government those Passages therein contained which will Evidence that all his Explications by this his Postscript may he found in his Book which was needful to have been done if he so could but I certainly know he cannot that his circumspection might appeare especially since he hath affirmed that the very Explications of his words given in a Letter hereafter cited as his own Explications are to be found in his Book as appears by the said Letter sent abroad by himself and that as may reasonably be taken intended by him to be in his Favour But if the Impartial Vnderstanding Reader wiâ—l be at the pains to compare R. B 's Book of Government with this his Postscript and the Explications given of his words in the aforesaid Letter I may with
the Truth those who refuse so to Assent may be subject to an Excommunication by G. E. and his Adherents from the Meetings of the Men. Besides it hath been an Observation of late That these Questions or Questions to the like Import have been frequently ask't by such with whom we cannot be at Unity in all things viz. Are you for Womens-Meetings Meaning distinct Womens-Meetings from Men Amongst whom under Pretence of Taking Care of the Poor another thing seems to be more chiefly aimed at as anon will be made appear Are you for Recording Condemnations Meaning thereby whether the Parties who have Condemned their Failings and through the Mercies of the Lord have been Restored and their Offences blotted out and forgiven by him Assent thereto or no Are you for Settled Mouthly and Quarterly-Meetings touching Outward Business since those who would have Meetings as occasion offers are accounted Designers to throw down all Meetings for Outward Business relating to the Affairs of Truth And when these or such like Questions have been askt of Friends in Truth that could not answer thereto Yea we are sensible that it hath been taken by many Adherents to G. F. as a sufficient token of a Dark Leavened Rending Dividing Spirit and meerly as we take it from an Apprehension that the Form they stand for is thereby struck at though the Services would be effectually performed in another Method as Experience in the Counties of Westmoreland and Wilts have of late testified for were it not so that great Stress is laid upon the Outward Form of Things prescribed to be practised How comes it to pass that John Story is Articled against by Robert Barrow of Kendal and Twenty-Six other Persons as in the Second Part of this ‖ Meaning the afore-said Historical Manuscript Treatise Section the Fourth appears on this wise in the Fifth Article viz. John Story speaking amongst many Friends of the Danger of Forms because of the Consequences that might follow said That amongst the Christians of old the Differences that did arise were about Forms which could not be seasonable Words when we were Establishing the Churches in the Holy Order of Truth Much more might be Collected from the Articles being Forty-Four in Number Exhibited by the afore-said Robert Barrow c. to shew How Earnestly and Zealously the very Outward Form of Things is contended for Which occasions us in all Seriousness of Spirit thus to say May the Lord God of Heaven and Earth so Preserve his People that they may not be ensnared by those who have raised so great Contention about the Outward Forms of Things prescribed to be Practised amongst the Professors of Truth lest they with them prove to be Boasters Proud Blasphemous False Accusers Despisers of those that are Good which are the very Marks and Tokens of those who had a Form of Godliness but denyed the Power thereof From whom the Apostle exhorts to turn away And how far these Marks rest upon many of those who so earnestly contend for their Outward Forms we leave to the Impartial Reader with the Light of Christ to Judge when he hath throughly perused this †Meaning the afore-said Historical Manuscript Treatise especially the Second Part. Oh Friends The serious Consideration of these things bows us before the Lord and in a Sense of his Mercies to us we can no longer keep Silence but in his Fear declare unto all That our Consciences are concerned for the Cause of God and his Truth And since it is so that an ill Use is made of that Spirit of Forbearance and Condescension which we are sensible hath been used by many of our Brethren it is now become our Portion to unburthen our selves of that which hath been our Burthen believing that the Lord is not only Arisen but will yet more and more Arise Against that Spirit that would Exalt it self over the Heritage of God endeavouring to Rule over their Consciences whenas Christ alone is Lord thereof It may be now worthy our Observation to consider whether any Encouragement was given by our Lord and Master Christ Jesus whilst on Earth unto his Disciples to become Rulers one over another We find that he Exhorts his Disciples Judge not that ye be not Judged Be not ye called Rabbi Matth. 7.1 23.8 for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren But he that is Greatest amongst you shall be your Servant and whosoever shall Exalt himself shall be Abased and he that shall Humble himself shall be Exalted Here 's no good ground to believe that Christ intended that when he was departed his Disciples should be Exalting themselves one over another as Governours and Rulers And if we consult the Scriptures of Truth we shall find that though his Disciples had a Dependency upon him whilst in his Bodily Appearance to be their Leader yet he tells them John 16.7 13. It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you But if I depart I will send him unto you And he will guide you into all Truth for he shall not speak of himself Had it been so that Christ Jesus intended the Exaltation of one of his Disciples as an Head or Supreme unto whom the rest ought to have had an Eye in a more particular Manner than ordinary he would have undoubtedly signified so much But doubtless he saw that their Eye and Dependency was too much on his Outward and Bodily Appearance and therefore signified 'T is expedient I go hence that the Comforter come Agreeable to which are the Apostles Words Though we have known Christ after the Flesh yet hence-forth know we Him no more that is to say After the Flesh no more All which doth clearly demonstrate unto us It 's not according to the Will of God that under this Administration we should have our Eyes out unto Man but that our great Dependency should be on that Comforter the Spirit of Truth which Christ testified The Father would send in his Name to teach us all Things and that this Comforter should be In us And therefore on this Occasion 't is with us to give this further Testimony That every Member of the Body of Christ is through the Death of Christ made Dead unto any other Law save the Law of the Spirit of Life manifested through the Arising of Christ by his Appearance in every such Member and so as particular Members are become Marryed unto him And having all Fellowship each with other in the Spirit those who are such ought to demean themselves each towards other full of Love Charity Bowels of Compassion Long-suffering Forbearance Meekness Humility Patience Gentleness and of all other Virtues that are the Fruit of the Spirit of God But as to Obedience every Member owes that unto Christ his Head unto whom 2 Cor. 10.5 Every Thought according to the Testimony of the Apostle Paul ought to be brought into Obedience Thus
into the North much Writing was occasioned in Relation thereto which being not my present Purpose to Treat of I here omit That now the Reader may have an Understanding of that Sense and Judgment that was with John Wilkinson and John Story in relation to those Five Heads from whence all the before-mentioned Forty-Four Articles do spring I think meet to Cite their Testimony in Relation thereto read at the Meeting at Drawel And then comparing such their Sense and Judgment with those Antient and Faithful Testimonies of many labouring Friends in the Gospel of Peace who changed not their way since they became Publishers thereof to the Day they fell asleep it may then easily be savoured from what Spirit all the Mire and Dirt that hath been cast up against our Antient and yet Honourable Friends John Wilkinson and John Story hath sprung Their said Testimony now follows ON the whole Matter in the Fear and Presence of the Amighty God we declare That as we do approve of Monthly and Quarter-Meetings for the necessary Service of the Truth so we further say That as these or any other Meetings of Friends in Tenth shall be continued to answer these Services we believe that as it now is it also will become our Duty to be at Vnity with our Brethren in the Services thereof And though one of us viz. John Wilkinson did condescend to subscribe to a Paper for the Execting a Womans-Meeting in the Country to answer the Ends in the Paper proposed which he testifies he then did in Singleness of Heart for Vnity's sake Yet according to that inward Sense we now have there appears to us no Absolute Necessity to continue Womens-Meetings in this Country distinct and separate from the Men and therefore do Conscientiously forbear to Assent or Encourage to lay the Intentions of Marriages before them Yet that Inward Sense and Heavenly Vnderstanding we haue received from God hath and yet doth confirm us in this Iudgment That 't is not agreeable with the Line of Truth to oppose others in the Exercise and appointed Service of the said Meetings as here-to-fore and yet settled and agreed upon who being Conscientious therein are otherwise minded than we are And if any of our Words and Actions have had any Tendency to oppose c. which we are not Conscious of but if we were we would readily confess we say the Truth in us would have Condemned it even as it now doth And if it shall please the Lord to manifest unto us a Service in those Meetings in the Country as well as Cities the same Integrity towards God which hath dwelt with us these many Years past we believe will become a Bond on us to joyn Hand and Heart with others our Brethren and Sisters therein But till then our Desires are That this may not become an Occasion of Straitness of Spirit each towards other but that Embracing the wholesom Counsel of the Apostle in another Case If in any thing ye are otherwise-minded wait till God reveal we may walk together in that pure undefiled Love of our God which thinketh no Evil. That though many of our Brethren see a Service in Recording Condemnations and Leaving them upon Record to Posterity yet from that Inward Sense and Heavenly Vnderstanding we have we see no Necessity to leave them upon Record to Posterity or retain them when the Sin is blotted out and remitted by the Lord neither to be extended further than the Offence is known nor yet to continue longer than the Memory of the Offence abideth But if any see meet from an Inward Sense of Truth in themselves to leave such Testimonies relating to themselves to Posterity we have there-with Vnity That this our Sense may be no Occasion of Straitness of Spirit each towards others is the Earnest Desire of our Souls who desire the Prosperity of Truth and Peace amongst all the Churches of God As to Tythes We can in truth say 'T was never so much as in our Hearts to speak any Words whatsoever with the least Intent to Strengthen any in the Payment thereof nor yet to weaken the Faith of any having a Testimony in our Hearts that Tythes as at this Day paid are Anti-christian That as Groanings Sighing Soundings and Singings may proceed from Deceitful Spirits so also we declare Groanings Sighing Soundings and Singings may be the Fruit of the Spirit of the Lord amongst God's People And that as the First is Discouraged the Second ought to be Encouraged And the Earnest Desires of our Souls are That as to these Things nothing but the Spirit of Truth and sound Iudgment may appear either to Reprove or to Encourage And though we have been Accused as if we were Opposers of such Groanings c. which the Truth approveth yet God is our Witness we know it not That though we have been represented as Persons Encouraging Fleeing in Time of Persecution We say we are not Conscious to our selves of so doing For we believe those who stand not to their Testimony but flee there-from in the Day of Persecution may truly be accounted either Weak in the Faith or Departing from the Faith And thus having given our Inward Sense according to the Vprightness and Integrity of our Hearts concerning these Five General Heads from whence all the Forty-Four Articles do arise we shall with this conclude That the God of Heaven is our Witness our Desires are to approve our selves Men of Peace in the Abhorrency of all Fleshly Liberty and Loosness and to follow after Truth and Righteousness that the Regin of the Power of the Eternal God may be over all so will the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ As to the Two Questions Answered by the Friends and Brethren met on this Occasion We in the Fear of the Lord say We in the Proposing thereof had not the least Thoughts to obtain your Yea and Nay with intent thereby to strengthen such who may be accounted our Party in any thing that 's contrary to Truth nor to encourage Loosness or Bad Spirits But conscientiously to remove the Scruples of some And further we say We are better satisfyed with your Explication therein than with your bare Yea and Nay For that we as well as you are sensible Apostates and Bad Spirits seeking a Fleshly Liberty have made use of Arguments deducible from such Principles of Truth to oppose the Power of God it self and the Practice of God's People in the Power John Wilkinson John Story 'T is now worthy the Readers Notice That G. F. takes occasion to write unto John Wilkinson and John Story sometime after the Meeting at Drawel which being Cited in the Eighth Section of the Second Part of the before-mentioned Manuscript together with Answer thereto pertinent on this Occasion I think meet here to Transcribe the same together with those Observations that are made thereon in the said Section THis is the Word of the Lord to you John