to be innocent from these false Accusations 2. That we did arise from the Papists or that they are our Original in Doctrine Faith or Practice this is utterly false for between us and them is perfect separation and we are of another Spirit and divided from them as appears every way even by their persecuting of us for our Testimony bearing against them and their Religion and they have written against us and we against them divers Controversies and they have imprisoned divers of our Friends in their Dominions for giving Testimony against their wayes By all which it doth appear that we are not of the Papists line nor arisen from them for if we were of them they would love us and not persecute us and that herein we are falsly accused as in other things And this is an old out-dated Accusation and is of no account for now we are otherwise known through these Kingdoms and we are manifest to the Consciences of men in the sight of God to be such as fear the Lord and walk in his wayes 3. And as for our Original It is the Lord God alone that hath raised us up and planted us a People that were not a People in times past And not from the Apostate Christians neither of Papists nor Protestants so called are we sprung but are of the Apostles line and of the stock and race of the true Christians that believed in Christ and followed him and in every part of our Religion both in Faith and Practice and in Conversation we are agreeing with the holy Apostles being witnessed unto by the Scriptures in all that we profess and practise and the Lord hath raised us up out of the Apostacy into which all Christendom hath been fallen since the Apostles dayes whilest Antichrist hath reigned over the World and we are as the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb since the falling away from the true Faith and Truth and Righteousness is our Original and Christ Iesus is our Foundation on whom we are builded and the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against us and this Testimony the Spirit of God giveth for us and in us in Contradiction of the false Accusations of all our enemies 4. And if it be an offence to be risen from the Papists and if all that be evil which they are the Original of then the Protestants so called are in the offence and their Ministry and the chief part of their Church-Government Worship and Ordinances are evil for did not the Protestants spring from the Papists and did not the Papists institute the Way by which the Protestants make Ministers at Schools and Colledges And was it not they that first instituted Sprinkling of Infants and calling it Baptism into the Faith and into the Church And was it not the Papists that first taught the Protestants to keep holy dayes as Christmasse and Candlemasse so called And many other particular things relating to the Protestants Church Ministry and Worship were originally ordained and first practised by the Church of Rome and Papists And so while this false Accuser is charging others himself and the men of his way are found guilty of the same things and the Papists may justly say to the Protestants that they are false-hearted to them in denying of them and their Church when as their fathers were the Instituters of the principal parts of the Protestants Worship and Ordinances and so they like unnatural Children have denyed their Mother that bred them up and ordained them a way of making Ministers and maintaining them and many other parts of their Religion But because she hath not been the National Interest for these many years therefore the Church of the Protestants have denied the Church of Rome though originally they rose out from her The next thing in his Book I take notice of is where he seemeth to charge us with boasting that we talk with God and God with us and have Revelations and as if God commanded them to kill all the Wicked and to make a new World A Sect in Saxony saith the Accuser arose that held this and the Quakers now are like them which is as much as charging all this upon us Answ. 1. That we do boast of talking with God or of Revelation This is another of his false Accusations for we boast not nor do we glory in any thing saving in the Lord and this is no Error but that which we must acknowledge unto or else deny the Truth to talk with God and God with us in and by his own Spirit for all the Saints have converse with God and union and fellowship with him in his own Spirit as the Scriptures do declare And as for Revelations we do acknowledge according to Christs words that we had never known the Father not the Son but by Revelation For none know the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him as it is written and all such as have not converse with God and that have not Revelation are not in the way of Eternal life but are ignorant and without God in the world and neither know him nor have fellowship with him 2. As for killing all the Wicked this is another false Charge for it is not our principle to war against the persons of any men and kill them with carnal weapons about Church and Ministry and Religion as the Papists and Protestants do one with another but it is our Principle to war against the evil spirit in men and to smite that with the Spiritual Sword of Gods Word and we would have mens Wickedness killed and their Persons saved and their Souls delivered and this is the War we make even till men be changed by the Power of God and all things made new even a new World and a new Earth we do expect according to the Lords promise so that it 's no errour to expect a New Earth and a New World for there is a New Creation which the Saints do witness created a new in Christ Iefus to bring forth good fruits unto the living God and all that do not witness this are in the transgression of the old Creation which brings the Wrath of God Again The Accuser tells a story of one that prosessed the gift of discerning Spirits and to know the Elect from Reprobates and that made Holiness to consist in speaking little and living homely and sordidly as our Quakers do saith he Answ. 1. As for discerning of spirits that is gift which the Saints of God do receive in all Ages for the Apostle said to some was given the discerning of spirits by the manifestation of the Spirit of God So to profess discerning of spirits is no errour in us though it be stated as a great errour before you by an ignorant man who knows not what he saith nor whereof he affirms And it 's possible to know the Elect from Reprobates by their fruits and works for the Children of God who are the Elect are known by their
if it were necessary or would edifie or were a matter of pertinency I could say somewhat more concerning that Peoples appearing in Germany but being a matter not suiting my occasion I do forbear it 2. As for them called Anabaptists of this our Age and Country I shall not plead their cause at this time though I cannot believe that they are of that spirit of Murder and Tyranny c. as is reputed by your Informer though their Judgment in every Case neither about Civil or Spiritual things I dare not justifie nor may I lawfully clear all of them from a large measure of the spirit of Ambition and Covetousness Vain-glory and Self-seeking for which the Lord hath justly brought them under a just reproof and by this time I believe some of them may see some errour in their own way andmore I may not say of them but that I believe the present Accusation against them by your present Informer is more out of bitter and perverse enmity and devouring malice that he bears towards them than out of any other end and I doubt not but they are sufficient to answer for themselves and to clear their Innocency in things wherein they are not guilty and if they are guilty let them fall in their tryal I leave them to speak for themselves thus omitting any further Answer on their behalf 3. As for us whom in scorn the Accuser calleth Quakers and whom he hath accused as guilty in all things with the Anabaptists so called in Germany and in this Nation I say there is great difference both in Iudgement and Practice in things Civil so accounted and things Spiritual between us and them as is well known and were they fully guilty of all what is said of them which I dare not believe yet how can we be charged guilty of their Crimes being they and we are different in Iudgment and Practice as I have said Surely your Informer hath neither shewed good Conscience nor yet pure Reason in his proceeding who hath laid things to our charge which we never knew and hath accused us guilty of that which never entred into our hearts to practise and hath as it were charged other mens crimes upon us being wholly innocent as will appear in the prosecution of this matter and I hope to make it plain that he hath wronged us and abused you by dedicating Falshoods for your approof and sent Slanders abroad as it were under your Name or Patronage 4. As concerning the Charge it self included in these words saith your Informer And considering how instrumental your Honours have been to suppress their Insolent Tyrannical Usurped Authority which they exercised over Gods People in this Nation to enslave us c. In these words there are very deep Accusations Slanders and unjust Reproaches vented against us and with what face except Impudent we can be thus charged is almost wonderful especially considering that we have been our selves a suffering people by every Authority since the time the Lord raised us up and never had any outward Authority in this Nation but all were cast out of all place and power both Civil and Military when as they have become one with us in our way and this hath been the manner of dealing with us by all that ever have ruled and yet we are charged most unjustly with exercising insolent tyrannical usurped Authority in this Nation c. for it 's said Their insolent and They exercised to wit the Quakers when as it is manifest as I have shewed that we never exercised any outward Authority at all but have been a suffering People by all Authorities unto this day therefore I do appeal to the Witness of God in your own Consciences how great is this Slander and how false this Accusation and how wicked is our Adversary in thus accusing us before you in the things which you so well know are utterly and detestably false and the Accuser and his Accusations are to be condemned together 5. But and if it had been so or should be so in time to come that we had any or all outward Authority in our hands I may suppose impossible things to manifest the truth of our Principle our Principle is not to be in insolent tyrannical nor to be Usurpers over Gods People to enslave them but far the contrary even that Iustice Mercy and Truth may sit in the Throne and that Peace and Freedom may be held forth unto all that no Usurpers nor Tyrants but Iust men and men that fear God and hate Covetousness and every evil way that such alone may sit in Judgment whom God calleth to that place who will rule in Righteousness and Justice and regard the Cause of the Poor and Needy we would that such only ruled who were ruled by the Lord who would be a blessing in the world and to all people not desiring more liberty to our selves than what we would give unto all others in all just wayes This is our Principle as to matters of outward Authority among men and not as this false Accuser hath suggested out of his evil heart 6. As to the matter of your suppressing us which your Applauder saith you have been instrumental to do This is as false as the rest for we are no more suppressed than before you exercised your present Authority but are every way in as much liberty of persons and otherwise as in their dayes before yours and are no way suppressed nor fearful of it So the Author of such Lyes hath but flattered you and fawned upon you in telling you ye have suppressed us when as it 's nothing so but and if it had been in your hearts or be at this day to suppress us and to hinder us of our liberties and to persecute us the Lord shall plead our Cause against you and give no success unto your work but it shall be turned to our Renown and to your Overthrow and the secret hand of God shall confound you and break your purposes and deliver his People out of your mouths Thus it shall come to passe if that your hands should be stretched forth to hurt us who are Gods Heritage and the Sheep of his Fold And thus much in answer to his Epistle Now I come to a second Accusation of his stated in his first Page in these words We may see from whence Anabaptists Quakers Ranters and Levellers all had their Original namely from the Papists c. Answ. 1. As for the Anabaptists Ranters and Levellers I leave them to plead their own Cause and though we are accused with such yet there is much difference in Iudgment and Practice between us and them though I believe they are all further from Popery both in judgment and practice than is this Accuser of them but yet they shall answer for themselves and I shall only mind the matter I have in hand which is to clear the People of God called Quakers from the Accusations charged falsly against them whom I know
Quakers say they are Iews and are not but are of the Synagogue of Satan and thou chargest Iames Naylor with saying that he was Christ and that one should say George Fox was Iohn Baptist and such false Prophets and Prophesies we have heard too much of c. Answ. 1. That they say they are Iews and are not are such as have a name to live but are dead who say and do not but we are not such so this his Charge is false and wicked and of the Synagogue of Satan he doth manifest himself to be by his accusing of the Brethren And as for Iames Naylor he never said he was Christ though this hath been cast as a foul reproach upon him by others yet it never was proved against him lawfully nor any thing tending thereunto saving that he said Christ was in him as he is in every Member of his Body according to measure And as for the story of George Fox there are many such lying stories that have gone abroad in these Nations in opposition to the Truth of God made manifest but over all these things Truth hath gotten the victory and the Lords Work must prosper in the Earth and all Lyars must be confounded and have their portion in the Lake And this is our portion from the World as Christ said They shall speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my Name sake but great shall be your reward in Heaven And this is for a testimony against them that our Enemies are of the Devil and for a testimony to us that we are of God And thus I have returned Our Defence before you against his several Lyes and Slanders and it is left to the Witness of God in your Consciences to be Judge in this Case between us and him and if you be cloathed with the Spirit of Moderation and Meekness and will judge according to Equity I doubt not but the Case is clear against our Adversary who wrongfully and to a wicked and evil intent hath hatched mischief against us and brought it forth before you and we desire nothing of Revenge towards him for his evil work but do leave him to be rewarded of the Lord who will justly give him and all men according to their deeds And now I have a few Considerations to present unto you Three in particular as such in that capacity who bear Rule in this Land 1. Consider how that you are set in Place and Authority and ought to judge and govern for God alone and to be a Terror to all evil-doers and a Praise to all that do well and the living God requireth of you to do Iustice Truth and Righteousnesse in the Land to hear the Cry of the Widow and Fatherlesse and to judge uprightly the cause of the Poor without respect to your own self-ends and ye ought to be meek and humble men in your Places of Care and Trust which is committed unto you and take heed that your hearts be not lifted up in the honour of high places and so Iudgment Mercy and Truth be neglected and Oppressions and Cruelties be brought forth Consider that if ye do Iustice and Righteousness and walk humbly with the Lord and exercise Mercy and Truth in the Land and hear the Cry of the Poor and deliver the Afflicted then the Lord can make you a Blessing to your selves and to the People But if you be proud and exalted and ambitious and vain-glorious and exercise Cruelty and Oppression and tread down the Poor and vex the Needy and grieve the Lord God by your Iniquities then God will cast you down and lay your honoue in the dust and make you a Curse and a Reproach and your Names and Memorial shall be a stink and the justice of the Lords hand shall effect it 3. Consider that yeare men and not God and your strength flesh and not Spirit and there is a God greater than all who is above all who can suddenly in a moment save his People and destroy his Enemies and he can break you down and never raise you up he can turn his hand upon you and all mankind as the Potter doth with his clay even tread it and mould it for honour or dishonour and if his Spirit blow upon you and if he smite you you perish and none can restore you Take heed to this God and have respect unto him and remember you are but as dust before him and you now have a time for a moment which the Lord hath given you to try you what you will do and how you will walk towards him an Account unto him must you give of all your wayes Remember this now in your life-time while you have time and the day of your visitation is not quite extinguished 4. Be tender and compassionate towards all men not perverse hasty and froward thinking to bow men to your wills by rigour but rather win them by love and this is of good report to you to be humble meek and tender towards all even towards your enemies and insult not over the Afflicted neither add to their sufferings for the Lord can raise up and bring down whomsoever he will according to his pleasure and remember that Law to walk by it Do to others but as ye would have others do unto you in the same case and be not too cruel to such who cannot conform to times and things and men for what know you but some mens Consciences may be tender in things which you yet make no conscience of Meddle not to persecute any for their Conscience-sake in Religious matters but rule and govern well in outward affairs according to the Law of God but afflict not nor persecute any for their Conscience-sake towards God while they walk justly as men in things between man and man take this Counsel lest ye vex the Lord against you to destroy you 5. Be moderate and compassionate towards this same People that are accused before you though they are at this day a People under great afflictions and sufferings every way yet shew not the height of Rigour and Oppression against them though you have power to imprison them and to deal hardly with them yet be tender and meek and shew bowels of mercy and forbearance and use not the extent of your Power to seek their destruction lest ye provoke the Lord against your selves for the God of Heaven remembreth their Cause and doth give ear to the cry of their Innocent groanings under their heavy burdens and Deliverance may he work for them whether you will or no Though it be an hour of Affliction and a day of great Tryal upon them yet Wo unto them that shall be found adding to their Afflictions by encreasing their burdens through Injustice and Persecution Therfore as ye hope to receive mercy from the Lord and as ye would have his compassion shewed to you do the same to his People for power is in your hands to be merciful or cruel to relieve them or persecute