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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90808	The holy scripture clearing it self of scandals: or, An answer to a book written by Richard Farnworth, who is commonly called a Quaker, bearing this title, Truth cleared of scandals. In this answer, you have the substance of a dispute at Harliston in Staffordshire, between Richard Faruworth [sic] and the author, in the yeer 1654. Written by Tho. Pollard, a member of the Church of Christ, gathered in, and about, Leichfield. Whereunto is added, Certain considerations and queries concerning those people called the Quakers; with desire of an answer. As also, a postscript, manifesting their folly in pretending a necessity of using the terms thee and thou to a single person. / By Henry Haggar, a servant of Jesus Christ, and of the congregation of his saints.	Pollard, Thomas, fl. 1655.; Haggar, Henry.	1655 (1655)	Wing P2775; Thomason E857_8; Thomason E842_10; ESTC R206619	43,888	64

also prove me perverse And Job 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now my eyes see thee Wherefore I abhorre my self and repent in dust and ashes From whence it is plain That Job did see imperfection in himself and repented of it but if Job had been wholly perfect then there was no need of repentance for to abhorre that which is good and to repent of that must needs be wickedness Secondly See what the Lord saith of David Acts 13.22 I have found David a man after my own heart And yet we never finde this man boasting of perfection but goes humbly to the Lord and earnestly begs of him Psal 19.12 13. Lord keep thy servant from presumptuous sins lest they get the dominion over me so shall I be innocent from the great offence And see Psal 18.1 How the Lord is his rock his fortress his God in whom he will trust And ver 29. For by thee have I run through a troop and by my God I have leaped over a wall And vers 30. As for God his way is perfect the word of the Lord is tried he is a buckler to all them that trust in him This whole Psalm David speaks out much of the Lords goodness to him but I do not finde one word of boasting Thirdly See what the Lord saith of Paul to Ananias Acts 9.15 He is a chosen vessel to bear my name and I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake Yet see what Paul saith of himself Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh there dwels no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I finde not For vers 21. When I would do good evil is present with me And saith Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief By all which we may see that Paul hath not a word of such boasting but rather cryes out against the fleshly part how it attends him and oft-times keeps him from doing that which he would Fourthly we will see what is said of John who was an eminent Apostle who is called that Disciple whom Jesus loved and the Scripture saith He lay in Christ's bosome John 13.2 yet we finde that he and Peter Acts 3.12 to 17. said unto the people Ye men of Israel why marvel ye at this or why look ye so earnestly on us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk No he tells them It is the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up His Name saith Peter through faith in his Name hath made this man strong not any thing in them it 's plain doth he set up but saith It was the man's believing in Jesus that prevailed with Jesus who gave him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all And in Chap. 4.29 they pray to the Lord for strength that they may speak his word with boldness By all which it 's plain That they had no dependance on themselves by their looking to the Lord the Rock of their strength and their Deliverer in their trouble And further see what John saith in his 1 Epist. 1.8 If we say We have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us Minde It is such a deceit that they that say so the Truth is not in them And James saith Chap. 3.2 In many things we offend all And now dear Friends we see what the Scripture saith of these men how high in the Lord's favour they were yet we do not finde that any of these holy men of God did so justifie themselves as this man Now consider Reader and the Lord give thee understanding If these men Job David Paul and John whose whole work it was as I may say to keep close to the Commandments of God to see how humbly they walked with God and how sweetly the Lord appeared to them in this their heavenly progress as the Scripture is full of Witnesses and that they did not boast of perfection This then we may learn that for these men in our days who boast of perfection and say they are free from sin and yet make it their whole work to turn away poor souls from the Truth I mean the holy Scripture and Ordinances that it's pride in them for they presume above what is written as to call the Scripture carnal and a dead Letter and say It will never bring a man to the knowledge of God Now that these are proud and presumptuous and self-willed see what Paul saith of the Scripture 2 Tim. 3.13 14 15 16 17. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but to keep thee from these saith he continue thou in the things thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus And he further saith All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works By all which it 's plain That these men are of another mind then the Apostle Paul for he vindicates the Scripture and Ordinances in all his Epistles then I say it is wickedness in these men to speak against the Scripture and Ordinances as they do calling it a dead Letter and carnal and say That all that is gotten from the Scripture is but brain-knowledge Now dear Friends may we not see plainly how they strike at Jesus Christ in his Ordinances which do so lively represent him and which he hath born witness to himself and confirmed it to us to be a sure Word of Prophesie by many Signs and Wonders and Gifts of the Holy Ghost And further dear Friends let us not forget how wonderfully the Lord hath preserved this Word from the rage of Enemies not onely in the Generations past but our days have spoken out much to us If we look back to those days of profanation wicked toleration when nothing but superstition had countenance and many for conscience-sake were sore oppressed now for us to consider what we then did see instead of pure Ordinances and to take notice of what we now through mercy injoy we may say the Lord hath wrought for us wonderfully which being laid to heart it may encourage us to follow the holy Commandments of Christ Jesus though we be reproached and called Pharisees by these men for observing the Primitive Patern for do but try them by their Works and you will finde that they carry on a design for Satan as it appears by the

here thou must needs judge very many that thou didst never know or hear of and so art guilty of this sin in speaking evil of them that thou knowest not And thirdly thou givest all men to understand that thou ownest not the word of God for thy rule in condemning all that follow the Ordinances as they were delivered by Christ equally with those that observe traditions of men in the worship of God as Pope Prelate and other sprinklers do And again thou sayest Where did any of us water-baptizers cast out devils and drink any deadly thing and it not hurt us And where did we shake the room when we assembled And where did we give the Holy Ghost All such unlearned questions as these I shall answer in a few words thus These things at the first namely Miracles were for the confirmation of the Gospel and so we may see the Law was at the first confirmed by Miracles read Exod. 20.18 with Heb. 12.18 to the 22. so we finde Baptism was confirmed by Miracles Mat. 3.16 17. with Luke 3.21 22. and so was Prayer Preaching and Laying on of Hands at the first confirmed to us by Miracles and that it was for this end to confirm the Gospel read Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own will And this is such satisfaction to us that it is the word of God that we need not look for a new confirmation of it but we have recourse to all the Commandments and Ordinances of Christ as they are written and read Mark 16.17 18 19 20. and you will finde those signs were onely to confirm the word But it lies upon you Farnworth and all those that go about to destroy the holy Scripture and Ordinances thereof I say it lies upon you to shew us such a confirmation of that which you bring and then we may come to give more credit to your words But for many of these Questions I do not look upon them worth answering But one word to you of the Church of Christ I pray you let us minde what Israel did in the dayes of Hezekiah when liberty was proclaimed by the King that the Passeover should be kept at Jerusalem we finde that the people did not look for a new confirmation but they had a care to keep it in such sort as it was written And we finde that by reason of wicked Kings that was before the practise of it was lost in such sort as it is written from the dayes of Solomon to the reign of Hezekiah there was many yeers during the reign of about fourteen Kings was I say this practise lost as it is witnessed 2 Chron. 30.5 compared with vers 26. yet we finde notwithstanding what they had observed in the dayes of Tyranny yet I say when liberty was proclaimed they had then a care to keep it in such sort as it was written without looking for a new confirmation it being before confirmed unto them And see how this their practise pleased the Lord vers 27. Their voice was heard and their prayer came up to Heaven O! may not we in these dayes learn much from these words have not we lived in the dayes past under Tyrants and by their means the Ordinances of Christ as they were practised by him and his Apostles I say by reason of former Tyranny it hath not been of a long time observed in such sort as Christ hath commanded but now hath the Lord brought us to a day of liberty and that by establishment O then in the first place let us give the Lord praise who hath dealt so bountifully with us as to set us at liberty from so great Oppressors Secondly Let us learn to keep the Commandments and Ordinances of Christ according to his appointment Thirdly Let us be sure that we fight against false worships with spiritual weapons and no other wayes Fourthly Take heed of setting up your selves or your own practices in the worshiping of God to infringe the liberties of others and for thy help herein minde that sweet counsel of Christ Mat. 7.12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Fifthly Labour to walk humbly before God and thankfully to God continually speaking well of his Name it is the onely way to enjoy greater mercies from him We of this Nation have as great if not greater cause of returning praise to the Lord then Israel had O that we could in the fear of the Lord weigh our mercies with those spoken of by David Ps 107. And we may say that what the Lord then did for Israel he hath now done for England I desire the Reader to weigh those words well and we may plainly see that it is our duty to praise him for his goodness and declare his wonderful works done in our dayes to the sons of men O that we were wise to observe the dealings of God and his mercies bestowed upon us in this generation Sixthly You that profess to know God and Christ of what ranke or imployment soever ye be labour to be of a peaceable spirit as much as in you lies live peaceably with all men for let me tell you if any be otherwayes minded in thirsting after blood such I say will be very unfit to follow Christ at his coming who is the prince of peace And I pray you minde what Paul saith Tit. 3.1 2. Put them in minde to be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work to speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle shewing meekness to all men And again consider what Paul saith Rom. 13. When Rulers are for the punishing of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well then ought every one professing Christ to be subject not onely for wrath but also conscience sake O what cause of rejoycing have the Lords people to see how time after time there is a generation of men laying out themselves to deprive the Lord's people of this liberty that we at this day enjoy Consider how the Lord hath found out instruments all along to be as a wall between you and them O praise the Lord for such instruments Now in the next place I shall give an Answer briefly to that saying of Paul Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach 1 Cor. 1.17 I answer briefly first It is clear that Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ as is undeniable if so then he was as much concerned in the commission Mat. 28. 19. as any other then minde those words and you will finde preaching and baptizing joyned together And Paul commanded to preach the whole counsel

words of one Foster to me at Coulton in Staffordshire who said It was all one to them if all Bibles were burnt as many of the Lord's people can witness But O you Saints of God! minde the progress of the Lords people how they followed after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness as Paul exhorts 1 Tim. 6.11 12. Again let us consider how patient Job was under the hand of the Lord saying The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord. And he is brought in by the Apostle James 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction and of patience and how they are accounted happy that endure Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy to all them that wait patiently on him And so we finde David an excellent patern for obedience he made hast and delayed not to keep God's Commandments Psalm 119.60 O saith David how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser then my enemies yea I have more understanding then my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more then the ancient because I have kept thy precepts I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy word Thus dear Friends mind David and these men and you will finde they as far differ as light and darkness and if David had so much wisdom in this way of keeping God's Commandments and Ordinances of Christ Jesus are proud men and fools because they consent not to the wholsome words of Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud or a fool as saith the margin 1 Tim. 6.3 4. O what will these scorners do when the Lord comes from Heaven with his Saints to render vengeance on all that know not God and obey not the Gospel minde that and you may easily see that all them that deride the Word and Ordinances of Christ under what term and title soever called whether Quakers Ranters or other Reproachers of God his Son his Saints his Ordinances and trample the Blood of Christ under their feet and do despight to the Spirit of Grace and sadden the hearts of his dear Ones and cause the Truth of God to be evill spoken of O to such I say it had been better for them that they had never known the way of Truth then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them but it is happened unto them according to the true Proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire as saith the Apostle 2 Pet. 2.21 22. But O ye Saints and spiritual Christians who are troubled to hear the Truth of Christ abused by such men See what Paul's counsel is 2 Thess 1.7 To you who are troubled rest with us abide in the doctrine of Christ quit you like men be strong in the Lord labour to be stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord for you know your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Rom. 1.15 58. The Lord hath promised to you such a reward that all these evil-speakers cannot rob you of And seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation on them that trouble you be incouraged to run the race that is set before you Follow the holy Commandments and the pattern of the Apostles as they followed Christ you may be born up above all the discouragements you meet with by such as speak evil of the holy Scripture and Ordinances which you own as a Rule to walk by for whatever is done against any of the Lord's people that are found doing his Commandments Jesus Christ will take all that is done against them as done to himself as you may see in that Acts 9. by the words Christ said to Saul for you are dear in his sight and are continually before him and his delight is with you his heart is towards you there shall be no want to them that fear him Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter into the gates through the city But O Farnworth and those with thee that so impudently boast of perfection and judge all to be in darkness that throw not away the rule of Truth as you do O call to mind your self-conceitedness Had you ever such ground of boasting as Job David Paul and John The Lord never said so of you or any that ever went your way as he saith of these men that you were after his heart as David or his chosen as Paul or his beloved Disciple as John or such a one for doing that which was good and hating that which was evil as Job that the Lord saith There was none like him in all the Land of Uz 〈…〉 Yet we do not finde any of these men thus justifie themselves as you do and they never judged so rashly of others as you do of all men that are not of your minde calling them carnal and saying that they are devils as I can shew under some of your hands surely you are coming on apace to them that say they are God but your glorying is not good for you glory in appearance having a kinde of voluntary humility but this will not stand you in stead because you go about to set up your selves and not the Lord your own way and not his way and therefore you are the greater Hypocrites And see what Iob saith of all such Iob 8.13 The hypocrites hope shall perish And Job 20.5 The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment And Solomon saith Prov. 11.9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour And do not you with your deluding tongues and out-side holiness throwing dirt in the face of Truth and as much as in you lies destroying all men by your Doctrine which had its rise from Hell and darkness and now raigns in the children of disobedience such as you who minde nothing less then the holy Commandments and Ordinances as they were delivered to the Saints and committed to faithful men and are of great use to all the Lord's people which word discovers all your wayes to be from Hell and darkness as in the following discourse it will be manifest that your Opinions are hatch'd in Hell and never came from above Whence Iames saith every good and perfect gift comes and then it will plainly appear that all that follow you are in the error and are under a great delusion to take your bare word for what you affirm yea though it cross the Scripture never so much But O consider ye poor deluded ones first The heart of man is deceitful above all things Jer. 17.9 Secondly He that trusteth his own heart is a fool Prov.

considerations who desire to escape the error of the wicked and to attain to the resurrection of the just by patient continuing in well doing waiting for the appearance of Christ Consid 1. The words of Paul 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. that such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for the Devil himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers be transformed into the Ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works And that this is so Consid 2. That all the false Prophets that came to deceive did alwayes preach their lyes in the Name of the Lord saying Thus saith the Lord when the Lord had not spoken and thus they covered their deceits over with the Name of the Lord and by that means led people away from the word of God to walk after the imaginations of their own hearts or light within them and to despise the word of the Lord even as these people do see Jer. 23.16 17. Consid 3. That this is also the work of deceivers now under the Gospel to prophesie in the Name of Christ yea and to do wonderful works in his Name and yet Christ bids them depart from him for they were workers of iniquity and he knew them not see Matth. 7.22 23. Consid 4. That all those that teach in the Name of Christ are commanded to preach the word of God and Christ even the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation and if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is according to godliness is he proud or a fool knowing nothing see 1 Tim. 6.3 4.2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. ch 4. 1 2 3. Consid 5. That when Paul left the Church in a dangerous condition because of deceivers that he knew would come after his departure he did not commit them to the light within them to be guided by that but unto God and to the word of his grace saying That was able to build them up and to give them an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified see Acts 20.32 Consid 6. That when Christ had to deal with those that boasted of the light within them He answered that if the light within them were darkness how great was that darkness from whence we may observe that those that pretend to walk by the light within them were in the greatest darkness according to the words of Christ see Mat. 6.22 23. Consid 7. That God hath sent forth his Light and Truth into the World to lead and guide men to his holy Hill and to his Tabernacles and that the Light which he hath sent forth is his Word and Commandments Thy word is a lampe to my feet and a light to my path Psal 119.105 And the commandment is a lampe and the law is light and reproofs is the way of life Prov. 6.23 by all which it is clear that the light which is in a man is not able to lead a man to happiness but the Word and Commandment of the Lord is able to save our souls if we receive it with meekness James 1.21 Consid 8. That the Commandments of the Lord are pure enlightning the eyes and the entrance of his words give light and understanding to the simple Psal 19.8 Psal 119.130 therefore let us To the law and to the testimony and if any man speak not according to that it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 Consid 9. That none of the true Prophets of the Lord that ever came after God had given forth his Law and Testimonyes by Moses did ever open their mouthes against it to undervalue it or turn peoples hearts away from it to despise it and to walk after the imaginations of their own hearts and light within them as these people now do Consid 10. That it was the eminent work and evident mark of the false Prophets so to do for which cause the curse came upon them and all the people that followed their pernicious wayes Consid 11. That all those Teachers now that come after God hath given forth the Gospel of Grace and Peace by Jesus Christ and do labour to turn peoples hearts from the pure Commandments thereof by despising and undervaluing it by calling it ink and paper and a dead letter are false Apostles and deceitful workers although transformed into Ministers of righteousness as the Devil himself is transformed into an Angel of light which the Apostle Paul Gal. 1.8 6. saith Are accursed Consid 12. That all those Teachers that come from Christ which contend earnestly for the Faith once dlivered to the Saints and do preach the wholesome words of our Lord and Saviour and labour to perswade people to hear his sayings and do them and to walk in all his holy Commandments and Ordinances they are that true and faithful Servants of Jesus Christ the children of God and the seed of the woman that the Dragon was wroth with and made war against because they keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.17 Now I shall propound certain Queries with a desire of an Answer 1. WHether the Light that is in any man if it be of God doth not lead him to his Law and Testimony and not from it as some affirm See Isa 8.20 2. Whether these men that despise and undervalue the holy Scriptures preferring the Light that is within themselves above and before the Scriptures whether I say we may not justly conclude that their Light within them is darkness and then how great is that darkness for if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them see Matth. 6.23 compared with Isa 8.20 3. What true Light which is of God is there in any man that the holy Scriptures doth not speak and declare according to Psa 119.130 The entrance of thy words giveth light and giveth understanding to the simple see also vers 105. with Psal 19.8 Prov. 6.23 4. What doth that Light that is in any man teach him that is good more then the holy Scriptures teacheth him see Psal 110.96 I have seen an end of all perfection but thy commandment is exceeding broad Now if an end of all perfection then an end of that Light that these men pretend to have in them but no end of Gods precepts for they are exceeding broad 5. What evil doth that Light which is in any man reprove and forbid him to do that the holy Scriptures doth not reprove and forbid according to 2 Tim. 3.16 17. It is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto good works 6. Whether was there not a greater Light in the Lord Christ then ever was in any man else or ever shall be

according to these Scriptures John 1.9 chap. 8.12 7. Whether did he not declare it and make it manifest to the sons of men both by his words and actions more then ever any man else could do according to these Scriptures Joh. 12.49 50. Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so speak I and as the Father gave me commandment even so do I chap. 14.31 Again All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 15.15 8. Whether did not the Apostles of the Lord declare and testifie the same things to others that they heard and saw and learned of him according to these Scriptures 1 John 1.3 That which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you and Acts 20.27 Paul saith He had not shunned to declare unto them all the counsell of God 9. Whether we came to know any of these things that Christ or his Disciples did or whether we can know them but by the holy Scriptures or how can we know that either Christ or his Disciples were ever in the world but by the holy Scriptures consider and judge If these things be so 10. Then whether is there not a greater light shining to us in the face of Jesus Christ through the New Testament which he hath sealed with his own blood then we can possibly expect to come from the heart or brain of any man now living or to live untill Christ himself shall again appear 11. If a greater light now shineth through Christ by the New Testament then ever hath or by men or Angels can shine to the sons of men then whether is it not folly and madness for any man now to refuse this light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to walk by the light and dictates of his own heart which is deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17.9 even as a man should light a candle to walk by when the sun shineth in his full strength 12. Whether may we not now according to Paul's directions Gal. 1.8 9. account all men or Angels accursed that refuse the light of the glorious Gospel thus shining unto us and chusing rather to walk by another that is to say by the light within them Lastly if the spirit of truth when it cometh into a soul shall lead him into all truth then whether may we not safely conclude that they have none of the spirit of God which err from the truth of the Gospel as it was once delivered to the Saints and under value those words of Christ which himself who had the spirit without measure said They are spirit and they are life and if they were not so to any man it was because they believed not John 6.63 64. For how can we know that the dead shall rise and come to judgemens but by the holy Scriptures of Truth This much by Henry Haggar a Servant of the Lord JESUS CHRIST and the Congregations of his Saints with a desire of an Answer by any who will or can POSTSCRIPT ALthough there is much spoken in the former part of the Book in answer to the vain conceit impudedent practise of these foolish men in using the term Thee and Thou to all single persons whatsoever by which they break the Commandment of the Lord which is That we give no offence to Jew nor Gentile nor to the Church of God Therefore I thought it fit to put down these following lines to make their folly manifest First They affirm that the word Thee and Thou is onely proper to a single person and none else in which they belye the Scriptures and deceive themselves and others as appeareth thus Deut. 25.17 18. Remember what Amalek did unto Thee how he met Thee by the way and smote the hindmost of Thee when Thou wast faint and weary c. Thus you see plainly the word Thee Thou is as well proper to thousands as to a single person see also 27.9 10. Secondly That the word or term You was used by Christ and that to a single person is evident Luk. 22.31 where Christ saith Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have You that he might sift You as wheat but I have prayed for Thee that Thy faith fail not Here we see that the Lord Christ used the word You as well as the word Thee to a single person by all which it is evident that it is no sin nor yet an improper speech and therefore the people of God may and ought to use it upon occasion and they which do affirm it to be a sin do blasphemously conclude that Christ was a sinner And thus is their folly made manifest Henry Haggar FINIS

THE Holy Scriptures Clearing it self of Scandals OR AN ANSWER To a BOOK written by Richard Farnworth who is commonly called a QUAKER bearing this Title Truth cleared of Scandals In this ANSWER You have the substance of a Dispute at Harliston in Staffordshire between Richard Farnworth and the Author in the yeer 1654. Written by Tho. Pollard a member of the Church of Christ gathered in and about Leichfield Prov. 18.17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him Whereunto is added Certain Considerations and Queries concerning those people called Quakers with desire of an Answer As also a POSTSCRIPT Manifesting their folly in pretending a necessity of using the terms Thee and Thou to a single person By Henry Haggar a servant of Jesus Christ and of the Congregations of his Saints Printed at London by J. C. for R. Moone at the seven Stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1655. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Courteous Reader THe LORD hath been pleased to bring us into the World in such an Age that if we throughly weigh our Mercies they have been and are very great Surely we may say in this Nation That we are p●rtakers of such Blessings and high Favours that the Generations past have not enjoyed 〈…〉 If we call to minde the dayes past what Superstition instead of a pure Worship our eyes beheld and what Tyranny was then exercised in forcing Men's Consciences to such a Worship that was so exceeding contrary to the Word of GOD. O that we were so sensible as we should who it is that hath wrought such a deliverance for us surely we may say This is the LORD 's doing O that every Soul that partakes of this Mercy by being delivered from such Tyranny that I say this godly resolution were in us as was in the Prophet David Psalm 71.6 My praise shall be continually of thee And Psalm 145.2 Every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever O I say if we consider how many snares have been laid to insnare poor Creatures with but we may say Hitherto hath the LORD been with us and hath broken the snares and set us at liberty yet my dear Friends the great Enemy of our salvation will be working and if he cannot carry on his designe by Instruments that are openly profane or in a superstitious habit he can present himself in a shew of glory and pretend high things and surely that day is now come upon the earth that Paul speaks of 2 Cor. 11. of a subtil people that was endeavouring to beguile the Corinthians as the serpent beguiled Eve and from what minde the simplicity that is in Christ but saith Paul vers 13. For such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is tranformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their work But as Paul saith to the Churches of Galatia so I say to you chap. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed and John saith in his 2 Epist. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God-speed O I say with the Prophet If any speak not according to the Scripture it is because they have no light in them And Reader whosoever thou art that perusest this small Treatise labour for an impartial Spirit if any thing be to thy satisfaction herein let GOD alone be glorified I have desired plainness of Speech and to speak the words of Scripture to answer him whom thou wilt finde is an opposer of the Truth as it is in JESUS and the LORD give thee understanding Farewel Thine in the work of the Lord to my poor power Tho. Pollard The Method observed in this BOOK is as followeth 1. YOu have the unsoundness of Richard Farnworth's judgement laid down in six Particulars as he at the meeting stood by to make good and these I desire the Reader to observe 2. You have an Answer to those things he charges me with in his Book where the Reader may see that this poor man is full of lyes that instead of being free from sin he too much takes delight in it 3. You have that Scripture answered that they so dwell on against that Ordinance of Water-baptism 1 Cor. 1.17 4. To make their folly manifest you have that Cavil answered about the term Thee and Thou to single person Which say they is a sin to use any other but by the Scripture in all ages you will as it is plain finde it to be no such thing as is proved 5. You have a discovery of the Church of Christ how it cometh to Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 And what perfection I own and how attained 6. You have what he saith in his Book he owns proved to be lyes and not according to Truth 7. You have his folly manifested and the holy Scripture counselling you to shun the way of such men 8. Some Queries propounded with a desire of an Answer And Reader for your better satisfaction you have the testimony of three faithful Witnesses that these six things Farnworth did utter and also what is laid down in his Book that I here say he speaketh falsly of me they are my witnesses and upon what ground I then spoke you have it laid down and witnessed and for all the rest of the company there was out of Gospel-order Lawrence Spooner Vrsula Spooner Richard Clewly The Holy Scripture clearing it self of SCANDALS FIrst you have in this Book the unsoundness of Richard Farnworth's Judgement in fix Particulars laid down which being weighed will discover that those Principles in his Book that he saith He holds are not really according to the Rules of Truth owned by him but laid down on purpose to deceive First Richard Farnworth said He was a man wholly free from sin and not subject to any one temptation Now dear Friends let us first make search into the Scripture to see if any of the Lord's people have so boasted of themselves to be in such a condition while they carried about with them an earthly Tabernacle And first we will take notice of Job for it 's clear that he had more ground to have boasted of perfection then any of these men if we minde what the Lord said of him unto Satan Hast thou considered my servant Job how there is none like him in all the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil Job 2.3 Yet though the Lord had so said of him let us see what Job saith of himself read Job 9.20 If I justifie my self my own mouth shall condemn me If I say I am perfect it shall

28.26 The second thing that this Farnworth affirmed That when Paul spoke those words in the seventh of the Romans where he cries out of a body of death and of the warfare he had in himself he said That Paul was not converted To which I answered O man minde thy error what Paul a Messenger of the Gospel and so eminent an Apostle of Christ and unconverted Here let us try by the Scripture whether it be so or no first see Acts 9.5 6. When the Voice from Heaven which Voice was Christ that said to him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me He trembling and astonished said Lord what wouldst thou have me to do The Lord sent him to Ananias and when he had manifested his Faith in Christ by his obedience to Christ he straightway preached Christ in the Synagogues to be the Son of God And further see vers 27. of this ninth Chapter where it was made plain to the Apostles And he was with them coming in and going out at Ierusalem and he spake boldly in the Name of Iesus Christ and disputed against the Grecians And this whole Chapter makes it evident both in what he did and suffered that he was converted And further see Rom. 1.1 Paul a servant of Iesus Christ then sure converted else no fit Servant for so great a work and not onely so but called to be an Apostle separated unto the Gospel of God And pray you minde who called him to this great work not himself but the Holy Ghost Acts 13.2 The Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them By which it is plain he was converted before as I at that time told thee Then thou wouldst turn it and didst say that he spake of his condition before conversion in that Rom. 7. And this is as false as the other if the words be weighed vers 22. to 25. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man Pray you minde at that time he did see a law in his members warring against the law of his minde Nay further if all this had been before conversion then how could he have said as he saith vers 25. that with his minde he served the Law of God for it is evident that his minde before conversion was onely to persecute the Church and people of God And here we will bring his own words to witness 1 Cor. 15.9 I saith Paul am the least of the Apostles not worthy to be called an Apostle minde the reason Because I persecuted the Church of God By all which we may plainly see how contrary to the Scripture and unfound this opinion is Therefore take heed poor souls of following men any further then they follow Christ and keep his way And you deluded ones that speak against the holy Scripture in the whole it is no wonder that you make such tearing it in pieces as you do And though you use the Scripture so frequent in your writing it is out of subtilty to ensnare souls as that great deceiver did to Christ Mat. 4.6 But one word to the Lords people Take Scripture-arguments to fight against Deceivers and for your progress in the Lords way take Jeremiah's counsel Chap. 6.16 Stand ye in the way and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein And then minde the promise Ye shall finde rest for your souls And how we may find the way of the Lord read Isai 8.20 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Compared with Gal. 1.8 9. The Third thing Farnworth affirmed that where John spake those words If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves he said John did not here speak of himself but the people to whom he spake these words were unconverted In answer to this minde the Apostles words 1 Iob. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard that we declare unto you that ye may have fellowship with us and truely our fellowship is with the Father and the Son And These things we write unto you that your joy may be full and this was joy to them Chap. 3.2 Now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And in Chap. 2.24 25. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that shall abide in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father and this is the promise he hath promised us even eternal life And John saith vers 21 of this chap. 2. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it By all which it is plain they were built on the foundation for else it had been absurd for the Apostle to have exhorted them to abide in Christ and his commandments if not converted for then the exhortation was of no use and beside it is very improper to advise any man to keep that which he never had Again 2. The Apostle doth here press them to persevere and to go on and to walk in the light then they must know it before 3. I do not finde any Epistle written to any but to the Saints as Rom. 1.7.1 Cor 2.2 Cor. 2. By all which it is plain To the Saints at Rome To the Church at Corinth To the Saints at Ephesus To the Church at Galatia Saints at Philippi Saints at Colosse Saints at Thessalonica 4. The Apostle put himself in If WE say WE have no sin WE deceive our selves Here he puts himself one of the number Not that I go about as Farnworth falsly saith to plead a continuance in sin for I do own that believers as they are in Christ are justified from sin and God is satisfied with his Son as Isaiah saith he looked on the travel of his soul and was satisfied But that which I say is this That believers do see some defect in themselves in their outward man as they carry about with them an earthly tabernacle but through grace they overcome all defects by degrees And we will see what the Scripture faith from the mouth of other godly witnesses See Solomon 1 King 8.46 There is saith he no man that sinneth not with Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin With Eccl. 7.20 Saith the wise Preacher There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Now then I say with the Apostle Let God and his Word be true and all men lyers And I do appeal to every godly soul for to witness this who are sensible of flesh and self appearing in them at one time or other But dear Saints look up to the Lord for strength and let us be sure if we would conquer to fight with spiritual weapons and let us

to take heed of Heb. 3.12 Or more briefly thus The Pharisees they boasted more of themselves then any other people as you may see in Luke 18.10 11 12. and all along in Christ's progress they were his great Enemies and by their resting in the Law and speaking against the Gospel it is clear they were corrupted in their judgement And so are these men boasting of perfection more then any other people as this Book declares and in their whole progress they make it their whole work to overthrow the rule of Scripture and all the Ordinances thereof as they are recorded and as Christ hath commanded us to observe to the end of the World and so set up themselves and their own fancyes as the Pharisees did Secondly As to Mercy this was far from the Pharisees read John 9.22 This they agreed of that if any man did confess Christ he should be put of the out Synagogue implying that such men were not fit to be communicated with by which it is evident that all mercy and pity to such as forsaked them to follow Christ was turned into hatred And is not your mercy and pity turned into hatred towards all men that go not your way but declare against it as they commanded your mercy is turned into bitterness as appears by your words calling men devils and Saints deceivers and the Church of Christ Antichrist and the Gospel Letter and the Ordinances carnal and so by your words we may easily see what your hearts be full of instead of mercy malice instead of pity persecution I mean with the tongue which is a weapon that strikes deep and such hands I shall suspect if they had power because I cannot but see the heart filled with malice by the filth that proceeds from their mouth for see what Matthew witnesses chap. 12.33 to the 38. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things but an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things And if this be not evil to say the Scripture is of no use to bring men to Christ and that Christ hath not a visible Church in the World and that all Ordinances ceased when Christ ascended I say it is evident this poor man is such an Enemy to himself in so speaking against the Truth that mercy and good fruit is I fear far from him Thirdly As to Faith the Pharisees must needs be far from it because they were such enemies to the Gospels preaching by which Faith comes and that they were so read Matth. 12.24 Mark 8.31 Acts 4.18 and by their putting the Gospel far from them they were in such a sad condition that Paul saith They were broken off and how through unbelief minde and read Rom. 11.20 And thus by putting away the Gospels preaching they were without faith and so all they did in the worship of God was nothing worth So you in denying that the Gospel should be preached or heard to this end that men may believe in Christ I mean the word of the holy Scripture you your selves must needs be Pharisee-like far from Faith and so like them also in this in hindring others as much as possibly you can Now as Faith in Christ is manifest in obedience to Christ so ought all men to take the Scripture for their rule in Faith and Obedience and to observe what Christ hath in his word of Truth commanded Then thou Farnworth and all the rest that speak against the words of Christ as they are recorded are Pharisee-like without faith also And to that Scripture Heb. 12.22 23 24. where the Author tells the Church of the Hebrews They are come to mount Sion and to the City of the living God and to the heavenly Jerusalem c. I say the Church of Christ are so come to mount Sion as the Church of the Jews was come to Mount Sinai Now let us minde what the Lord said to Moses Exod. 19.2 And the Lord called to him out of the mountain saying Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel Ye have seen what I did unto the Aegyptians and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you unto my self now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then see what the Lord promised unto them then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of Priests an holy Nation These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel And compare this with Deut. 4. at large but minde vers 2. Ye shall not add to word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it but keep the commandments of the Lord your God as I command you And minde two great encouragements The first is from vers 7. What people is there that have God so nigh unto them as he is to us if we walk in obedience to him Secondly he tells them That all this Law is righteous which he set before them that so they might be in love with it And you may see in chap 5 and 6. how fully Moses holds out the Law to them and they that were found abiding in it and walking by the rules thereof all those priviledges and promises aforementioned they had an interest in but those that turned aside from the holy Commandments as the Lord had commanded by his servant Moses they I say were deprived of all those priviledges and promises there spoken of for with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness and read Psal 106. and 1 Cor. 10.5 to the 13. So I say to the best of my understanding is the Church of Christ come to Mount Sion and it is clear that Christ is King there by the Father's appointment Psal 2. Isaiah 9. Rev. 15.3 And when Christ came into his Kingly Office he gave out Ordinances for his Church to continue in and to such as are found doing his Commandments and continue therein they I say and only they are within the pale of all those priviledges promises that the Scripture bears witness to and declares of Now see Acts 3.23 That soul that will not bear Jesus Christ that soul shall be cut off And this is the winde of the Father That his Son we should hear in all things And see what Christ layes upon his Church Mat. 28.20 by way of duty That they are to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And they that come up to him in obedience they I say have an interest in all those priviledges and my Reasons are these Reas 1. Grounded on vers 25. having before held out the Promises Now saith be see that ye refuse not him that speaketh and then see how the holy Ghost in mindes the Church what sad judgements befell them that refused him that spake on earth which words