hath opened that there is not any other way by which all things relating unto the Kingdom of God and Salvation of mankind comes to be revealed and this appears agrecable to the Scriptures of truth John 14.26 2 Cor. 4.2 3 4 5 6 7. 2 Tim. 3.15 16. We are now sensible that some who may peruse the foregoing Scriptures may be ready thus to say You seem to propound two ways by which the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind have been and are revealed viz. the Spirit of Truth or Appearance of Christ by his Light as One Way and the Scriptures of Truth as Another Way To this we answer The Way we propose is but One though the Manifestation thereof may seem various to Man viz. sometimes through Instruments and sometimes through Himself For though Paul wrote unto Timothy unto whom he was made an Instrument and therefore called him his Son telling him 2 Tim. 3.15 16. That the holy Scriptures were able to make him wise unto Salvation and that they were profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness yet 't is spoken with respect to those Scriptures that are given forth by inspiration of God and with this limitation viz. thorow the saith that is in Christ Jesus Whereon we observe that the Scriptures given forth by inspiration are but as an Instrument made serviceable to the Reader through the Spirit whereby faith in Christ comes to be raised even as a Man indued with the Spirit of God may in the hand of the Lord be an Instrument through sound Doctrine and wholsom exhortation to open the inward Eye of the Mind which hath been darkned and to awaken the Conscience which hath been defiled that so man may come to be renewed in the spirit of his Mind unto God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the Conscience purified from Dead Works through the blood of the Covenant to serve the Lord in Truth and Righteousness and therefore we reasonably conclude That there is but One way though various in Operation and Manifestation through which the Things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind comes to be revealed which is by the powerful appearance of Christ by his spirit and light convicting the Conscience converting and renewing the Mind unto God sometimes through Scriptures given forth by inspiration sometimes through Man as an Instrument and sometimes by the appearance of the Spirit and Light in Man without the Assistance of such Instruments but yet the end of all is that faith in Christ may be raised wherein as the Evidence of things not seen by the Carnal Eye the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ is beheld which is that Treasure whereof the Apostle spoke that is hid in our Earthen Vessels that the excellency of that Power might be of God and not of man These things being duly considered this Testimony doth naturally arise that neither the Scriptures of Truth nor any other writings whatsoever though given forth by the Spirit of God itself can properly be termed so profitable a Rule unto us as the Light and Spirit from which they were given forth and therefore the Eye of our Mind ought chiefly to be unto the Spiritual Appearance of Christ by his Light and Spirit in us as that Unerring Guide which never can be removed into a corner Besides we find the Scripture itself testifying That no Prophecy of the Scripture is of any Private interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 that is it ought not to be interpreted but by the Holy Ghost through whose Motions 't was given forth for all other Interpretations may truly be termed Private From whence we observe that if the Prophecies in the Scriptures of Truth should be read unto us from Morning to Evening and from Evening to Morning again we might receive little Benefit or Profit thereby unless the Eye of our Mind come to be stayed in the Unchangeable Light and Spirit of God whereby the meaning of the spirit through them out of all Private Interpretations hath been and is signified unto Man CHAP. II. Touching the Light of Christ within and Exhortation to Obedience thereof THose Faithful Messengers of the Gospel of Christ whom the Lord in these latter daies sent forth for the gathering of the Nations unto the Faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life that their souls might be saved in the Day of the Lord frequently sounded in our ears on this wise Turn in your minds unto the Light within meaning thereby the Light of Christ within which shews you that a Tye is not of the Truth and as through Faith you come to be Obedient unto the Light Within and that measure of Grace given by God and received by you so will you come to be made Partalters of that great Salvation This Doctrine was acceptable to many who in the Love of Truth received the joyful Sound thereof but unto others mean and despised who notwithstanding that Testimony accounted the Scriptures of Truth a More Sure Rule and Guide unto the Father The consideration whereof at this time hath been as an obligation to examine whether the aforesaid Doctrine so acceptable to some and despised by others be consonant to the Scriptures of Truth which task is the more freely undertaken because the aforesaid Doctrine hath become so great a stumbling block unto many as that they have thought it a sufficient evidence that the professors thereof have been out of the path of truth readily objecting on this wise Objection Do you not think that those Jews who crucified Christ acted not from the Light Within Since some of them at least verily thought they did God good service therein Having thus premised 't is now needful to examine what may be spoken from the Scriptures of Truth for the Light within and to turn in the Mind unto the same to obey it c. In order thereunto we find John the Evangelist thus testifying Joh. 1.4.9 In him meaning the Word which was God was Life and the Life was the Light of men That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world I am the Light of the World John 8.12 he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 12.46 I am come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness These Scriptures plainly shew that we are to believe in and follow Christ who is that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world Objection However some objecting may say What 's this to a Light Within 't is very plain that John the Evangelist meant nothing of a Light Within in your sense but of the Personal Appearance of Christ Without as that Word which was made Flesh and as Evidence produce what the same Evangelist saith Chap.
away from the Truth as the setting up of a graven image through the want of Knowledge was under the Law and that at this day the words of the Prophet are again fulfilling Hos 4.6 My People are destroyed for lack of Knowledge because thou hast rejected Knowledge I will also reject thee 'T is now needful to signifie the occasion on which the Apostle Paul saith that Knowledge puffeth up 1 Cor. 8.1 Now as touching things offered unto Idols we know that we have all Knowledge Knowledge puffeth up but Charity edifieth And further in the same chap. ver 10 11. If any man see thee which hast Knowledge sit at meat in the Idols Temple shall not the Conscience of him which is weak be emboldned to eat those things which are offered unto Idols and through thy knowledge shall the weak Brother perish In this Chapter the Apostle Paul was a Reproof to such as abounding in Knowledge and clearly seeing that to put a difference between Meat offered unto Idols and that which was not was but the fruit of weakness had not a regard unto the weak Consciences of their Brethren and so he tells such Knowledge puffeth up but Charity edifieth From whence we cannot conclude that Paul meant strictly according as his words may be construed no more than he intended by his saying Let your Women keep silence in the Church that none of them though Members of the Church should prophesie when moved of God whenas in a few verses before he tells the Church which consisted of Women as well as Men They might all prophesie one by one and the reason seems evident because the Knowledge which the Apostle seems to hint at was a Knowledge sprung from a growth in the Truth that the weak had not attained unto which may be taken to be signified in these words of the said Chapter VVe know that we all have knowledge howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge for some with Conscience of the Idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an Idol and their conscience being weak is defiled All which being considered the Mind of the Apostle writing those words viz. Knowledge puffeth up but Charity edifieth may be taken to be this that though they had Knowledge yet they should not have their Eye so much to that as to exercise their Liberty to the offence of any that were weak lest the Enemy to true Knowledge should interpose and puff them up so as not to condescend through Charity for the sake of a weak Brother 'T is the work of the Enemy of man's Soul to puff up but the Word of Knowledge is one of the Gifts 1 Cor. 12.7 8. which through the manifestation of the Spirit are given unto every man to profit withal and therefore I conclude that the Apostle writing unto the Philippians thus exprest himself Phil. 1.9 10. I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in Knowledge and in all Judgment that ye may approve things that are excellent that ye may be sincere and without offence From whence it may reasonably be concluded that the contrary Fruits viz. things that are contemptible and vile insincere and offensive spring through the Want of that Love which abounds in Knowledge Obj. By this discourse you seem to exalt Knowledge as an excellent thing * See an Epistle evidencing the Qualifications of such whom Satan makes use of to rend and divide the Church of Christ being contained in the first Part of the Christian-Quaker How comes it then to pass that divers amongst you called Quakers have preached reflectingly on such as are indued with knowledge above many of their Brethren as if their Religion were in their Heads and not in their hearts telling us That the Tree of Knowledge was not good for Food and not only so but have appeared in such an invective Spirit against Reason also without distinction that in your publick Meeting this imperative Expression hath been uttered Away with all Reasoning Ans 'T is very true However that doth not prove that all such Expressions are according to the Truth Peoples tongues are their own and we cannot use Violence to prevent any from delivering that which they may pretend they have to say and therefore for the clearing of the Truth in relation to the aforesaid objection we further add Pure Religion and undefiled is to visit the Fatherless and the Widows and to keep unspotted of the World wherein if our heads be not exercised our hearts will not bring forth the Fruit thereof As to to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil though the Scriptures do not positively declare whether it was good for Food or no as in itself yet it doth clearly import that Adam's Sin in eating of the Tree of Knowledge was the Sin of Rebellion for that he was commanded not to eat thereof A Father may command his Child not to eat an Apple and yet give him leave to eat of other food fitter at that season for him if the Child should therein disobey his Father his rebellious eating would be no Argument to prove the Apple in itself not good for food These things being considered it may reasonably be concluded that there is no Ground to assert that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was not good for Food as in itself Besides it hath been much observed that when the aforesaid doctrine hath been by some declared it hath been by way of Reflection on the Wisdom and Knowledge which some of the Publishers thereof account sensual and devilish though others have not thereby so intended but therein they have manifested their own Weakness because that which is a Discoverer of Good and Evil being in it self good as the Tree of Knowledge is cannot be a proper Comparison or Allusion to represent the thing that is devilish John the Evangelist testifies This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God John 17.3 and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent And yet many of those who cry up Life are apt to cry down Knowledge without distinction though 't is evident that Knowledge is the way to life These things being duly considered we know not on what foot of Truth any one can assert that the Tree of Knowledge is not good for food as in itself and that it can be a proper similitude to represent any thing that is in opposition to that Knowledge which is from above But yet I would not be understood to reflect on all that have used that expression viz. The Tree of Knowledge is not good for Food because I question not but many have so exprest themselves not thereby to represent that Wisdom which is accounted Sensual and Devilish but rather to shew forth that if we should feed upon or admire any excellent Qualification or Endowment whatsoever and not have the Eye of our Mind chiefly unto the Giver we might then come to a loss even as
ninety four Miles to London out of all the throng of his other Occasions or if in London to wait for George Fox's coming thither when near it to ask him by Word of Mouth that which hath been before asked by Writing and no Answer given signifying the least assent to meet as hereafter will appear This indeed will be a very ready way to bring Outward Blasting according to the Prophesies of some of my Opposers if they could but create a Belief in me that on I. C's notice that G. F. will be in London I must then run after him and attend upon him on no other Foot but to know whether he will meet me without any assurance that he would be willing notwithstanding I have laboured and endeavoured so long before to obtain it and all in vain On this Occasion two things are worthy of some Enquiry First Whether George Fox is really so dignifyed as that 't is an Additional Errour in one whom he accounts a lost Sheep not to run after and wait on him If he were in reality the great Apostle of Christ as esteemed by some methinks he should have in his Remembrance the Parable spoken of by Christ touching leaving the Ninety nine Sheep to seek the One that was lost and so account it his Duty to seek after much more be ready to meet one accounted a Lost Sheep that hath been so desirous to meet him as I have been Secondly Whether James Claypoole be in reality so dignifyed as that on his Notice 't is the duty of a friend having a concern upon him relating to George Fox to ride ninety four miles or wait out of all his urging occasions many days to attend on G. F. When not willing to Answer the end to be waited for or else must incar such like Censures as are pat upon me for such an Omission I cannot but conclude that the Lord hath not so dignifyed either of them and that the Occasion of this Enquiry is the Fruit of Pride or a Gentilian sort of Lordship which the God of Heaven is determined to abase As to the report That I came up to the City of London to read a Charge behind George Fox's Back I thus Answer as 't is above represented the Action seems vile and unchristian-like because from that Representation it may be understood as if I would in a Secret way endeavour to back-bite and reproach George Fox and avoid all Occasions of meeting him Face to Face which I abhor and as on the one hand I so do so on the other hand I account it vile and unchristian-like to spread such a Representation of the matter and not declare the whole Truth and End for which my coming then was which if it had I might not then have had Occasion to have added this Postscript but since it is so I think it needful to inform the Reader of the very naked Truth from whence I take that evil Insinuation or partial Report to arise After I had by several Letters signifyed to G. F. divers Things touching which I expected Satisfaction from him and had sufficient ground to believe that he would not give it and having a Jealousie that many under the Name of Quakers looked upon him as Infallible I was constrained in my Spirit to prepare a Manuscript to discover his Errours out still with this reserve that if Friends would so assist as that I might have Justice among them in relation to him I might forbear Amongst other Places I came to London and spread the matter before James Claypoole and three other antient Friends reputed of the chiefest from whom I could have no hopes that a Meeting would be assented to on the Occasion desired to clear my self and therefore a concern of Conscience was upon me to write the ensuing Letter to James Claypoole and those other three Friends to give cover unto the ensuing Remonstrance to the Friends of London from both which the purpose of my Mind may be collected and whether or no I did not therein Act Christian-like and do as much as in me did lie with a clear Conscience that G. F's Nakedness might not be so publickly discovered as now it is William Rogers his Letter to James Claypoole and three other Antient Friends of London London 25th of 12th Month 1679. James Claypoole c. FRiends you may remember that when I parted with you Yesterday you were desirous to know where I would be in the Evening I told you to this purpose I knew not certainly but yet also acquainted you to this purpose That if you would appoint me to meet you I should readily assent thereto and though you did not appoint me yet I was in Expectation that you or at lest some of you might have had a Desire to speak with me again but understanding nothing thereof I am clear in my Spirit to depart the City and to let you have the Enclosed with an earnest breathing unto the Lord that he may direct you to make that use thereof as may tend to his Honour And that I may not be wanting to open unto you that Counsel which I believe is the Counsel of the Lord in this Case I thus say that my Perswasion is 't will tend most to the Honour of God not to keep the enclosed from the Knowledge of the Friends of the City and if you are not free to appoint a Meeting for the reading thereof then to consider of some other Way to communicate the same unto the Flock of God in this City For you know not but that a Word from the Lord may arise out of the Breast of a Babe or Suckling that may in this Case be piercing as a Dart to cause the High and Lofty to bow to Justice and no longer give Occasions of Jealousy that any one amongst those who profess the Truth should stand as an Infallible and Justifyed Person when such an One being charged with things reproachful to the Truth endeavours to evade the stroke of that Justice which in like Cases he hath prescribed for others Oh Friends In the presence of the Lord I affirm the Sins of G. Fox to have been notorious God in his Mercy hath manifested him to be a Fallible Man and according to a Gospel Method his Errours have been laid before him and he will not hear and now my Concern of Conscience is to cry aloud for justice and to signifie that I am constrained to detect him for his Evil and Errours by a printed Record unless some Expedient may be found agreeable to Truth to satisfy my Conscience otherwise And if you and others appear not to take Notice of the Call and Cry so as in Truth you and they ought then since he will not hear the word of Truth from my Pen let both you and all such unto whom this Cry and Call may or shall come stop your Mouthes from gainsaying my proceeding to clear my Conscience in the method that may seem to me most expedient
seems to Glory in suffering their goods to be taken away and to speak in their Language account it the Fruit of a Dark Spirit to endeavour to save any though but from the thirst of Informers occasioning Persecution meerly to enrich themselves we cannot but Query Whether it be not more Christian like so to act according to ones plain Perswasion than to contend so much for offering upall yet after taken away to use divers means to get it again sometimes by Law open-faced as in the case of Appeals and sometimes by private and Secret Solicitations wherein not only Time and Breath is Spent but as is credibly reported the Purse opened too as some of our Opposers have done We shall now return and consider what in probability may be Objected touching the sufficiency of Gods Grace c. as in the next following Section SECT VI. On the occasion of an Objection raised touching the sufficiency of Gods Grace Unity is treated on from the words of Paul to the Corinths that they should all speak one thing Touching the Word Independency occasioned by a Publick Preacher That leaving Friends to the Grace Light and Spirit of God is not the way to lead into Rantism Objection T Is true may some say this Doctrine of exalting the sufficiency of Gods Grace squares with the Principle of Truth as Preach't amongst us in the Beginning and it had then and still hath an Answer in our Consciences but now several of those who have been Instruments to gather us increase in the Knowledge of the Mind of God and they now tell us that they doubt if there be no care taken to preserve an Vnity amongst the Professors of Truth Friends may be scattered and broken and run into a Seperation c. for did not Paul exhort the Corinthians that they should all speak one thing 1 Cor. 1. 10. Answ To this we answer that when Paul came to understand that the Church at Corinth were some for Paul and some for Apollo and some for Cephas and some for Christ there was great need for him on that Occasion to exhort them to speak one thing lest their Faith and Hope in the Gospel might come utterly to be destroyed did those who cry against such whom we account Faithful Friends as dark Spirits and plead so much for Unity and to speak one thing exhort those who were apt to pin their Faiths on an Apollo a Paul or a Cephas to be for Christ we should think it good Exhortation therein to speak one thing and that which would cast a great Line of Reflection on those Ignorant Zealots who of late Days have much exhorted us to have an Eye to the Brethren in which 't is evident to us their meaning is to some particular Brethren whilest others ancient and honourable are dispised by them Besides we cannot on this occasion but observe that the same Paul doth sufficiently evidence his dislike of any Plea for Unity save that of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace And though he exhorts to Unity Ephes 4.3 yet Vers 7. he saith But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ which clearly evidences to our Consciences that Paul never intended to magnify any * 1 Cor. 12.7 1 Cor. 15.10 Unity amongst Brethren but that which might be the natural product of this gift of Grace or manifestation of the Spirit as given to every one according to measure to profit withal and whereby they might in the language and according to the example of the Apostle Paul say each unto other By the Grace of God I am what I am We are yet sensible that another Objection may still arise Obj. What then are you for an Independency Yes verily we are for an Independency that is to say * Some may wonder why we raise this Objection but doubtless 't will come to the view of one and not a mean one too who manifested his doubt that some of us intended an Independency not to depend on the Counsel of one man nor yet to depend on the counsel of General Quarterly or Monthly Meetings but as there is sufficiency in the Grace of God that is given unto us to profit withal so to have a Dependency on that Grace to teach didirect and instruct in all things relating to the In ward man of the heart knowing that it s against the nature of that Principle in which we have believed to have a dependency on any thing that is Outward lest it prove unto us like the Reed of Egypt and Arm of Flesh that cannot save but yet we are not against appointed Meetings for the Outward services of Truth for that hath been and is our practice knowing that there may be a service therein as occasion offers provided all in such Meetings may be kept in humility as servants each to other and the Truth not exercising Lordship over the Conscience which is Gods Prerogative nor yet exalting themselves as if thereby they were entred into that Possession which can never be taken from them Object We are now sensible that some may be ready thus to say we can scarsely believe that any man of weight and under the name of one that may be accounted by any a faithfull Quaker would give occasion for such a discourse as this occasioned on the word Independency for that many may be apt to say 't is the Language of an Hypocrite that hath outward Power to uphold it because some who are accounted seperate from it are called Independents Ans This occasions us to signifie that * Note his Name is omitted for the reason in the Preface an eminent Person writing to Friends in Wiltshire by way of Reply to an Answer they gave to the Paper from Ellis Hooks his Chamber signed by Charles Marshall and sixty five more against two ancient and honourable Friends in truth viz. John Story and John Wilkinson c. thus repeats part of the words of the Friends of Wiltshire And what if we in this County or any Friends elsewhere should say to any of you of London or other Cities or Countries as to our Publick Concerns in the managment of our Affairs * Note Though 't is recited meddle not with us yet the very following words are thus unless concerned but if the Word of the Lord be really with any of you we are ready to hear it which being left out by the replyer we appeal to the righteous Judge whether he hath not therein acted notoriously unjust since there could not have been the least Pretence for him to have written as he hath on that Subject had the whole Sentence been repeated Meddle not with us if we should so say unto you we cannot think that this is of the nature of Imposition having no Penalty annexed thereunto neither do we understand theirs to be any otherwise These words being thus repeated the Replyer proceeds and gives this Answer To this I
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
9th and 5th As long as I am in the World I am the Light of the World And Chap. 12.35 Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while you have the Light And ver the 36. While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light To this may be answered That these last recited Scriptures do in the most favourable construction on the objectors part intimate that Christ the Son of God while he was in the World was the Light of the World but doth not say that he is or would be no longer the light of the world Such a saying or sense would limit the Appearance of Light to that Body only and dispensation of time wherein the said Body appeared on Earth which is contradictory to the very words of the Evangelist before quoted viz. That was the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World Which Scripture sentence relating to every man is so universal that it cannot but extend to those who never beheld the face of Jesus in his fleshly and Bodily Appearance nor yet came to be informed by any outward Instrument of his Doctrine though Partakers of his Light which therefore may properly be termed by such his Light within that is the Appearance of Christ by his Light shining in their hearts agreeable whereunto in effect we take the Testimonies of the Apostle to be viz. That which may be known of God Rom. 1.19 is manifest in them For God hath shewed it unto them Seeing you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me 2 Cor. 13.3 which Riches is Christ in you Col. 1.27 the hope of Glory Who shall descend into the deep that is Rom. 10.7 8. to bring Christ again from the dead but what saith it the Word is near thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart this is the word of faith which we preach And all this appears agreeable unto what the Prophet Isaiah hinted at who speaking of what should be in the last daies signified Isa 1.2 3 5. That the God of Jacob will teach us of his Ways and therefore said Oh house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord which being compared with what the same Prophet said in relation to a people Isa 5â— â— In whose hearts was the law of the Lord and with what the Prophet Jeremiah saith I will put my law in their Inward Parts Jer. 31.33 34. and write it in their Hearts and they shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest 'T is evident to us that this written Law in the Heart is that Light Within whereof the faithful Messengers of the Lord in our day have born witness unto and whereof the same Prophet gave testimony when he said as before O house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord. Besides such a limitation as aforesaid would have a tendency to make void the virtue and efficacy of the blood of Christ who was offered up a sacrifice to take away the sins of many and on this score doth the author to the Hebrews testify Heb. 9.28 that unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without Sin unto Salvation which is a clear Evidence unto us that the benefit of the blood of Christ is not witnessed effectually in this our day but by those who having looked for his second appearance have received him in his Appearance this Appearance we take to be his Appearance by his light and spirit in the hearts of those who through faith in his blood have known their Consciences purified from Dead Works and so come to serve the living God in Truth and righteousness 'T is now to be considered Whether these words Turn in your Minds be agreeable to truth for that this kind of objection may be raised Objection Doth not this put the Creature upon Action in his own Self-will when as the Will of Man cannot bring forth that Birth unto which power is given to become the Sons of God For answer hereto 't is necessary to consider that the faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Christ commended their Exhortations and testimonies to the Consciences of the Hearers in the Sight of God and the reason doubtless was because there is a Capacity in Man which through the assistance of the Grace of God renders Man capable to do the will of God in righteousness unto life and those who are so acted cannot be said to be acted in the Self-will of Man And on the contrary the same Capacity letting in Tempration and joyning thereto renders Man a servant of Sin unto Death and being once so dead in Sin no redemption comes to be obtained but through Christ as the Apostle testifies Ephes 2.1 You hath he quickned that were dead in Trespasses and Sins These things considered 't is evident that through the Appearance of Christ those who have cast off the Old Man are become renewed in the Spirit of their Minds unto God and so have put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true holiness and therefore since there is such a capacity in man as aforesaid 't is agreeable to Truth to exhort the sons of men to turn in their Minds unto the appearance of Christ by his Light that through the Assistance thereof the will of God may be done in their earthen vessels The next thing to be considered is whether there is any weight in this objection Do you not think that the Jews who crucified Christ acted not from the light within since some of them at least thought they did God good service therein To this may be answered That the friends of Truth never preached up the Light Within but with respect to the Appearance of Christ by his Spirit as that Light Within intended by them and since Christ cannot be divided to act against himself therefore the Jews did not therein act from that Light Within unto which we have been directed From what then may the objector say did those of them act who verily thought they did God good service therein Ans Phil. 3.6 From Zeal without knowledge not having their Minds staid and ordered according to that universal Principle of Truth Acts 26.9 11. which if hearkned unto would teach all men to do as they would be done by in which zeal Paul verily thought in himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus and in that Self-thought being exceeding mad persecuted the Church of God consented to the death of the Saints and compelled them to Blaspheme but when the Lord was pleased to appear unto him and to make him a Minister of his everlasting Gospel he was sent unto the Gentiles to open their eyes that they might turn from
darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.16 17 18. This eye that was to be opened was not the Carnal Eye that so thereby they might be turned from outward darkness to outward Light for though Paul beheld the Light that shone from Heaven which we take to be a Light visible to his Carnal Eyes yet he after continued three days blind through the Glory of that Light and then afterward the Lord appointed him to be his witness and sent him to the Gentiles to open their eys that they might turn from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God This Eye that he was sent to open was the inward eye of the mind and the Darkness spoken of was that wherewith their Hearts and not their Outward Eyes were overshadowed so that they could not behold the Light of the Glory of God shining in their Hearts to give unto them the knowledge of the Truth CHAP. III. Touching Infallibility and Perfection THe Doctrine of Infallibility held by the People called Quakers hath been accounted ridiculous because either Occasion hath been given through Weakness amongst them or else taken by their Opponents whether given or no to assert that the People called Quakers are infallible Be it as it is such a bare Assertion without Distinction or Explication must be either the Fruit of Weakness if proceeding from any really of that People called Quakers or else Slander and envy if proceeding from their opposers without occasion given them so to say That therefore the enquiring Reader may be truly informed what Doctrine in relation to Infallibility is held forth owned and received by such amongst them unto whom God hath revealed of the mysteries of his Kingdom 't is not remote from the present purpose on this occasion to give this ensuing Testimony There is an outward man and an inward man according to the Apostle's Testimony 2 Cor. 4.16 and therefore the word Infallible or Infallibility may have relation to External and Internal things Touching External things the outward man with his outward senses is excreised but as to things internal the inward man with his inward senses Acts 1.3 't is thus said To whom also he presented himself alive after that he had suffered by many Infallible tokens being seen of them by the space of forty days and speaking of those things which appertain to the Kingdom of God Obj. This shews there is an Infallibility but then it may be said This seems to respect the outward senses of the Apostles in seeing Christ their Lord and Master and in hearing the things he spoke which appertained to the Kingdom of God and this Infallibility is readily confest unto but how can it be proved that there is an Infallibility accompanying the inward senses of the inward Man seeing many have pretended to give true Infallible Judgment from their inward Sense which hath proved notoriously wrong and detectable by our outward Senses Answer It must be confest if any should so object 't is very true but yet it may in truth be asserted that there is an Infallibility viz. the Spirit of God accompanying the inward Senses of the inward Man whereof the Faithful have an Assurance from the Evidence of the Light of Christ and Spirit of God in their own Hearts and if any pretend to any other Infallibility accompanying them we understand it not Obj. How then comes it to pass that men endued with the Spirit of God are deceived and fallible Ans We ought to distinguish betwixt Man and the Spirit by which he came to be renewed in the Spirit of his Mind unto God That by which man comes to be renewed and circumcised in Heart which is the Spirit of God is infallible but that which is so renewed may be deceived if not exercised in and by that Spirit in which preservation is for there is no Estate on this side the Grave wherein it is not needful to watch and therefore did Christ our Lord thus say What I say unto you I say unto all watch It hath been a common Assertion That the Church of Christ is infallible and cannot err and therefore have many assemblies of men assuming the title of the Church of Christ declared their Sentences Judgments and Decrees infallible To this may be said That since the Apostasieentred it is not unknown what Visible and Outwardly Glorious Church hath publish'd this Doctrine with Application to her self by which Door a Body of Darkness Usurpation and persecution hath entred and on this score thousands have been deceived and led from the Gift of God in themselves to follow the Dictates of fallible men But yet as it hath been so 't is the Faith of many that the Lord never will raise any people whom by his Spirit he will lead to publish such a Doctrine with respect to outward and visible Societies of Men on Earth that may be outwardly describable as needful to be believed in order to the building up one another in the most holy Faith this Faith being not inconsistent with the Testimonies of the Scriptures of Truth is grounded on the Evidence of the Light of Christ within for that the contrary would have a plain tendency to draw the Sons and Daughters of men from the Anointing in themselves to the Lo here 's and the Lo there 's again For what religious assembly in Unity and professing themselves Christians will scruple to say We are the Church of Christ And albeit we must acknowledge that that Church which is built on the rock Christ cannot whilst abiding on the rock be prevailed against yet no Argument from hence may rationally be brought to prove any one Member of this Church whilst on this side the grave not liable through temptation to Err and depart from the Rock whilst there is an enemy ready to enter all if they watch not And now as to Perfection we have this to say Though we do believe that all the Gifts of God and Works of Righteousness brought forth through the Operation of his Spirit are perfect and that in that sense it may be said we are Partakers of a Measure of that which is Perfect even as the Apostle testifies Jam. 1.17 Every perfect gift is from above if any man offend not in word Jam. 3.2 the same is a perfect man Yet we do not believe that there is any such perfect estate attainable on this side the Grave wherein it is not needful for man to watch and wait in the Light of Christ that so he may not only be preserved in that perfect state whereunto in measure he hath already attained but also come to know a Growth and Encrease in the Encreases of God For though Paul had attained unto such a state as appears by these his words Let us therefore Phil. 3.15 as many as be perfect be thus minded Phil. 3.14 Yet we find that that very exhortation had relation unto a pressing toward the
Adam did through his Rebellion in eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge CHAP. V. Touching Magistracy and Obedience thereto ON this Subject 't is necessary to treat as it relates to the Magistracy and People of England whereof the people called Quakers are a part 1. We acknowledge that we owe Obedience either Active or Passive unto this Magistracy and that such obedience is as well grounded on the Light of Christ within as warrantable from the Scriptures of Truth without for when the Magistrate doth command Obedience unto any Law which is agreeable to the Law of God as indeed no Laws of England according to the Constitution of its Government and those maxims which are declared for Law ought to be contrary thereto then we ought to yield Active Obedience and whilst the Magistrates are in Execution of such Laws they are as occasion requires Punishers of those that do Evil 1 Pet. 2.13 14. and a Praise unto them that do well which is agreeable unto the testimony of the Apostle's touching Magistracy unto whom in such cases Active Obedience is to be given for the Lord's sake Obj. You speak very well so far as you have limited your Obedience to Good Laws but what if those in power should make such Laws which you account bad and not grounded on the Law of God but directly against those whom you term God's People dare you then say that 't is agreeable unto the Light of Christ within and Scriptures of Truth without to yield Obedience in such Cases To this we answer 't is agreeable to the Light within and Scriptures of Truth without that a Christian yield Passive Obedience since for Conscience sake chusing rather to obey God than man Act. 5.28 29. which was the Apostle's Case he cannot yield Active Obedience For we find the Counsel of Christ to be on this wise Resist not evil Mat. 5.39 but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other which clearly shews 't is against the Doctrine of Christ to resist and so consequently we ought to be Passive and therefore since we have not at any time pleaded for any other Light within save the Light of Christ it is as well agreeable unto the Light of Christ within as with the Counsel of Christ in the Scriptures of truth without that men under the profession of Christianity put in practice that wholsom Counsel which was given by Christ the Son of God whose ways are unchangeable viz. Resist not evil Obj. This shews you principled against outward Wars and Fightings to work your own deliverance from under oppressive Magistrates Ans Yes verily for so we the People of God and Children of Light are desiring to walk in the Light of the Lord according as the Prophet said Isa 2.5 O house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord when he spoke of the last days touching which the same Prophet thus prophesieth Isa 2.4 He shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares and their Spears into pruning-hooks Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more This being spoken Prophetically of Christ and his reign in the hearts of men shews that all outward Force and Wars is to be denied by the Members of his Body which is his Church to work their own Deliverance A farther proof whereof is manifested unto us by Christ himself when he said unto Peter Put up thy sword into thy sheath and therefore in a sense of the Mercies of God unto us whom as his peculiar People he hath chosen to follow his Precepts and Example We can say blessed be the Lord many there are in this our day who by the peaceable Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ that was led like a Lamb dumb before the shearer are retired in their Spirits unto the Lord out of all outward Warrings and Fightings resigned up unto him in whom preservation is Knowing this that the same occasion may be given in this our day to testifie as Paul did in his day 2 Tim. 3.12 viz. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and so on this score are led by the Light of Christ not to resist evil lest they should be found Opposers of that which the Lord hath thought good to suffer to come upon his Heritage for the Tryal of their Faith and Patience which is much more precious than Gold That now also our perswasion touching Government in general might be fully known we refer to the 3d part of the Christian-Quaker being a Treatise on that Subject CHAP. VI. Touching Respect of Persons Plain Language disuse of the word Master unless by a Servant to his Master of Customs and Fashions of this World and of the Cross of Christ IT is not unknown that the Outward Deportment of Friends in Truth hath become as a Stumbling-block to many concluding that our manner of Habit Gesture and Language distinct from others was either the Fruit of Pride or Ignorance or else of both and therefore on this occasion it was thought needful to add something in relation to this Subject wherein our intent is not to make an Apology for any Action that in itself is really Rude Whimsical or Imaginary but rather to give in our testimony on behalf of our selves and all those who through Obedience unto the In-shinings of Christ's Light in their Consciences are made or making Partakers of the Vertue and Efficacy of the Blood of Christ by which those whose Consciences are purified from dead works come to serve the living God in Newness of Life and therein to have their Conversations ordered aright so as not to give any just Occasion of Offence either to Jew or Gentile or to the Church of God but that keeping themselves unspotted of the world nor yet fashioning themselves according to their former lusts they might not have whereof to glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified to them and they unto the World On the behalf of our selves and all such our Testimony now is that when the everlasting Light of our Lord Jesus shining in every Conscience was exalted as that Spiritual appearance of the Son of God which was to lead and guide into all truth we are witnesses that it became a Discoverer that man in his fallen estate was puffed up in Pride using many Vnnecessary Attires and Complemental Expressions to please and affect that mind which was alienated from God and estranged from the Cross of Christ neither did this Light only make such a Discovery but also prompted to bear a Testimony against the same by Example and Conversation and therefore we did not dare to go after the vain Fashions and Customs of this World but rather had our eye unto that which was incorruptible viz. The ornament of a Meek and Quiet
the Name of Jesus who is given of the Father to be Salvation to the Ends of the Earth I now come to give the Reader a perticular Account of some Assertions and Scripture Quotations relating to Government amongst one part of the People called Quakers published in Print by Robert Barclay together with Answers thereto contained in a Manuscript given forth by my self who was concerned in my Conscience so to do for the sakes of such as being weak are apt to be precipitated into a Zealous Observation of other mens Lines made ready to their hands when not led thereinto by a Measure of Gods Gift and Grace in themselves and so may justly be termed like unto those who render for Doctrine the Traditions of Men. The aforesaid Assertions Quotations and particular Answers thereto some Years past sent to Steven Crisp and another publick Person as well as the Author of the said Book doth follow as proper in relation to this Treatise touching Government and if the Reader shall find any thing therein which hath been herein already treated upon or in the first part of the Christian-Quaker distinguish'd from the Apostate and Innovator I hope he will not be offended thereat since the ensuing Lines were written on a Particular Occasion though of a General Concern relating to the People called Quakers and that also before it was designed that the said first part should be prepared much less committed to the Press However that which may well plead my Excuse for the Readers Expence of Time on such an Occasion is this There is very little Discourse of which hath been mentioned before and that which is is very material to be observed as a proper Looking-Glass in some respect to distinguish the true Christian termed in Derision Quaker from the Apostate and Innovator The Innovations AND Scripture-Misapplications of R. B. Detected BEING Part of some Observations on his small Treatise Intituled The ANARCHY of the RANTERS c. Wherein he saith The Antient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ is Re-establisht amongst them meaning the People of the Lord called in Derision Quakers This small Treatise being weighed in the equal Ballance this ensuing Discourse is become a two-fold Defence for those of the People of God called Quakers who have retained their First Love and Integrity for the Truth and Right Understanding of the only Fundamental Principle thereof viz. the Light Wherein they are vindicated from the Aspersions of those who may accuse them of despising of Christ's Government and indulging that Liberty which Truth condemns on the one hand and from such who may calumniate them for endeavouring to establish the outward Orders and Prescriptions of Men under the Notion of the Orders of the Church of Christ to become a Bond on others to obey though they see it not their Duty on the other hand Shewing that the Place where Christs Government hath been is and ought to be exalted is in the Heart and that 't is not in the Power and so cannot be the Duty of man to establish that Government which is already on Christs Shoulders Given forth in the Year 1676. By WILLIAM ROGERS 1 Cor. 3.11.21 For other Foundation can no man lay than that which is already laid Let no man Rejoyce in Men. To the READER THE afore-mentioned Treatise of R. B. is the first that to my Remembrance or Knowledge is under the Name of one called a Quaker extant in Print whereby the Adversaries to that Antient Truth whereof they have been Witnesses may have Cause to be Jealous First That that People who have been so great Contenders against that Spirit which would have enforced Outward Forms and Orders of Men relating to Conscience though under the Notion of Assemblies calling themselves the Church of Christ should now be more exercised to encourage their Brethren to follow the Orders Traditions Examples or Commandments of any relating to Matters of Conscience and the Things of God though under the most plausible Pretences whatsoever than that never-erring and infallible Guide which hath been so often exalted amongst them viz. Christ's Light in the Conscience Secondly That though the People called Quakers have pleaded much for the Exercise of their Consciences and for the Liberty thereof which one Eminent amongst them hath described to be a meer Liberty of the Mind in believing or dis-believing c. Yet there is amongst them who hath endeavoured to insinuate a Belief that the Church in matters of Conscience may not only give positive Sentences which may be Obligatory upon Believers but also that the Pretences of any refusing to submit on account they see it not will not excuse them from being really guilty of disobeying God and yet doth not manifest by any outward Description Where or What Assembly is the Church of Christ Now though I cannot vindicate the Author of the said Treatise from giving occasion of these and such like Jealousies yet I know there are many of those People yet in being whose Integrity to God is so great whose Steadfastness in the Unchangable Truth is so sure and whose Understanddings in the pure Principle thereof are so clear that they give not occasion for such Jealousies but have a Testimony in their Hearts against all such that do knowing this that whosoever builds on any other Foundation than that which hath been already laid viz. Christ the Lord to whom all Power is given to Rule and Reign and who alone is Lord over the Conscience and the only Law-giver shall be confounded and brought to nought W. R. The matters occasionally discourst in this ensuing Treatise are in some measure described in what followes First I Affirm that though there hath been and ought to be a Government in the Church of Christ unto which every Member of the said Church ought to be subject yet it doth not appear that the Outward Form thereof and all Matters cognizable thereby are so exactly described in the Scriptures or else where as that the Members thereof by any such outward Description as a sufficient meanes may so exactly be exercised therein as to find acceptance with the Lord of Life That at this day nothing can be truly called the Exact and perfect Order of this Government but the Power of God and so hath it often been testifyed by the People of the Lord called Quakers which power is of Ability to establish Man but Man not of Ability to establish it and that the Power brings forth its own Form in every Member according to the measure of God's Grace inwardly given received and obeyed and yet I am abundantly satisfyed that Set and Appointed Meetings on certain Prefixt Days being with the joynt concurrence of those Members assembling and from time to time to be assembled to take care of the Poor and discharge other charitable Duties to inspect Marriages that none come together disorderly and to take care that Truth may not be Scandlized through the Backslidings of such who have been in
Basis and Foundation To which I thus say This kind of Language with respect to divers Practices in Discipline amongst the People called Quakers or any outward Form and Order which is or hath been by any called the Order of the Gospel I do not understand to be rightly applicable to those amongst the said People who have retained their first Love to and Savour of the Truth and right Understanding of the Principle thereof not that I would hereby be understood that it s not necessary to be in the Exercise of Outward Order with respect to that Gospel-discipline which becomes the Church of Christ but that which I understand not to be rightly applicable unto them is manifested in what follows Though the principle of Truth in these latter dayes hath and may further lead into the Practice of Outward Order in Discipline with relation to the Church of Christ yet I affirm that part of that Outward Order in Discipline wherein divers of the People of the Lord called Quakers have been acted is such as that there is not the least Footsteps thereof to be found in the Scriptures as exhorted to or as practised by the Apostles I could give many Instances hereof but one shall suffice viz. The Form of Proceedings in Marriages wherein the Scriptures are wholly silent as to the Primitive Christians and tho the Papists pretend to Tradition yet the People of the Lord called Quakers do not Besides 't is evident by the Scriptures of Truth that the Apostles were found in the Practice of that which the People called Quakers do not only out of Conscience to God forbear but have had many Contests with others touching the same as esteeming it though permitted for a season by reason of the Weakness of the People amongst the number of those Outward Ordinances out of which the Lord hath at this day gathered his People witness Water-Baptism The word Order with respect to Outward Government Establish't by the Church of Christ over it self I remember not in the Scriptures of Truth yet much of late is spoken of the Order of the Gospel and of establishing the same and that with respect to Outward Prescriptions and Orders practised or endeavoured to be introduced amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers and in perticular R. B. Page 40. speaks of the Truth and Faith we have been and are in the Lords Hands building up To which I say The Consideration that Christ is the Truth and the great Power of God and that an Establishing in the Faith cannot Properly be termed A building up of Faith gives me occasion to treat a little touching the words establish and build up We know from the testimony of truth in our selves as well as from the Scriptures of Truth without us that we may be Instruments in the hands of the Lord to build up one another in the most Holy Faith in Christ the Truth the Power of God but 't is neither agreeable to the Testimony of Truth in us nor yet the Scriptures of Truth without us for any to account themselves of Ability to establish God's Power for its that by which the World was made Now the Order of the Gospel is the Power of God and nothing else according to the declared sence of our ancient Friends can properly be called the Order of the Gospel but the Power of God for though some outward Form or appearance may be according to the Order of the Gospel yet it can no more properly be called the very Order of the Gospel than the Fruit of a Tree can be called the Tree it self and therefore those who pretend to establish the Order of the Gospel may as well pretend to establish the Power of God it self 'T is true this Power is of Ability to establish Man in the Faith of God's Elect but Man is not of Ability to establish it those who understand the Nature and Tenours of the two Covenants may easily discern the Truth hereof Under the First Covenant which was outward the mind of God was manifested to the People from the Priests Lips which were to preserve Knowledge and this Covenant did consist in divers Outward Ordinances c. establisht and impos'd upon the People until the Time of Reformation Under the Second Covenant being the New Covenant or Gospel dispensation the Mind and Will of God is manifested in his People through the Revelation of his Spirit according to that of Paul Rom. 1.19 That which may be known of God is manifested in them Christ also said John 14.26 The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things The Law under this covenant is written in the heart Heb. 8.10 11. I will write my Law in their Hearts they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall Know me c. Here 's not the least ground of encouragement for any man under the New Covenant which was not to be like unto the Old to pretend that Gods Spirit doth or will lead any to establish Outward Orders relating to matters of Conscience as the Order of the Gospel for if that which is to be known of God is manifested in us then though it may be needfull to stir up according as the Lord shall move in his servants the pure Mind in us that so we may be in the Exercise of what God requires through the maifestation of himself in us there is no need to establish any thing without us to shew it If the Spirit of Truth is to lead into all truth those who would be leading us in another way will prove little better then Thieves and Robbers which Climb up another way to enter in than by the door If the Law be written in the heart and that no Obedience finds Acceptance with the Lord but Obedience to his Law from an inward Impulse and Drawing of his Spirit thereunto in our selves there 's no need of establishing Outward Indispensible Rules which may relate to the Conscience to walk by for were it possible so to do and any should yield Obedience on no better ground then because'tis so establish't by such a Man or Assembly of Men this sort of Obedience would find no more acceptance with the Lord than the offering of Swines flesh or the Halt and Blind for a Sacrifice under the First Covenant did For though many may be so Weak as not to know the difference between the two Covenants in some respects yet there are Few of the Lord's People called Quakers but have this undoubted Truth sealed in their hearts That none of their Outward Practices under the Exercise of Christ's Government find's acceptance with the Lord but as they have an Evidence in their Consciences that therein they Answer the measure of Truth in themselves Paul writing to the Colossians thus saith As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him Rooted and built up
sprang through an Inward Departure from the Anointing in themselves Obedience whereunto according to the respective Measures of Grace given of God and received by each Member was a manifestation of that wherein the Unity of the Body stands and as the Apostacy entered no doubt but the Traditions and Rudiments of Men came to be exalted against which the Apostle Paul cautioned the Colossians saying Col. 2.8 Beware lest there be any that spoyl you through the Traditions of Men according to the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ but yet notwithstanding I Question whether any have been greater Pretenders to Unity than those who have been exalting the Traditions of Men and shall leave it to the Judicious Reader to consider whether a sufficient Evidence hereof appears not in divers Apostatised * Note * Men of prejudiced Spirits may conclude that I herein strike at the true Church God forbid I should so do for the true Church never exalted the Traditions and Rudiments of Men for though the Apostle said in 2 Thes 2.15 Hold the Traditions which ye have been taught yet his very Prayer in the next verse That the Lord would establish them in every good Word and Work shews that his Desire was not that any should follow the Traditions of any further than the Lord might establish them therein and this was far from following the Rudiments and Traditions of Men of Imposing his Traditions otherwise than according as they should be establish't therein by the Lord. Churches professing Christianity wherein is establish't by Outward means what is to be Believed and what is to be practised and yet doubtless as remote from the Unity wherein the Fellowship of the Saints in Light doth consist as the East is from the West and so in their Unity being but Outward have found no more acceptance with the Lord than the Vnworthy Eaters did whilest they discerned not the Lords Body Many of Gods People yet in the Body are Witnesses that one part of that Testimony which accompanied the Servants of the Lord in those latter Days was against Outward Forms Traditions Prescriptions Decrees Ordinances of men with relation to Matters Spiritual and Divine and wherein the Consciences of Gods People might be concerned as being those Rudiments of the World out of which he hath determined to gather his People for to the Children of Light they appeared more agreeable to the Nature and Tenour of the First-Covenant than the Second and not only so but to establish his Church on the Rock Christ that so as they received him they might walk in him according to their respective Measures of Grace given them of God to profit withal and which as the Apostle declared was sufficient for them Now Inasmuch as the Testimony of Truth hath been that what God leads out of he usually leads not into again I appeal to Gods Witness in all Consciences whether an Indispensable Establishment of Outward Orders Prescriptions and Decrees for the Members of the Church of Christ to walk by and submit unto at this Day and wherein the Liberty of their Consciences may be invaded of which my meaning is no other Liberty than what the Gospel allows doth not seem to exalt that sort of Unity wherein the Fellowship of the Saints in Light doth not consist and so consequently may become the means to draw the Minds of Gods People outward and to cause them to look at Outward things under the notition of Things establish't in the Church more than to the Anointing in themselves let Gods Witness in every Conscience Judge Objection But perhaps some may object and say May not a false Liberty get strength by a Plea for a Gospel-Liberty I answer nay For such a Plea being righteous Sin and Iniquity which is a false Liberty cannot get strength thereby And though I do confess the Enemy of mans Soul may make use thereof as the Devil did make use of Scripture when he tempted Christ to throw himself down from the Pinacle of the Temple saying The Lord shall give his Angels charge concerning thee yet 't is not reasonable to conclude a just Plea can strengthen any in a fleshly Liberty but the Tempter may if he prevail However I cannot see it yet to be my Duty to cease to do good though another may pretend that thereby evil may abound and since R. B. speaks Page 28. of a false Pretence of Liberty and that as I take his Lines to import with respect to Disobedience to certain things ordained relating to Order in the Church it s with me to describe What that Liberty of Conscience is which is according to the Gospel And in order thereunto 't is necessary to consider that the Gospel is Glad-tidings of Salvation which is not attained but by witnessing the end for which Christ was manifest in the Flesh and that was to save People from their Sins hence I conclude a Pleafor a Gospel Liberty of Conscience is a Plea for a Freedom of the Conscience from Sin and so consequently a Plea for a false Liberty of Conscience is that which pleads for Sin Objection I am yet Sensible that some may yet further thus object The difference lies not here for we find many who contend for Liberty of Conscience to plead against all Sin and that many who would not have it extend so large as thou seemest to plead for do also plead against all Sin and therefore thy distinction doth not yet satisfie To this then I thus say The true Professours of Religion say Heaven is the Mark they aim at and that this is not attainable without Peace of Conscience and that every man must give an account of himself to God Hence the Law of Divine Nature teacheth us that since we must give account for our selves we ought not to be imposed upon but suffered to believe for our selves and whosoever on that score and no Evil End claimes a Liberty of Conscience it ought to be granted him and this is not contrary to that Liberty which the Gospel allows If then any who deny all Pleas for Sin rest disatisfied in their Consciences touching certain Orders ordained by some for the Church to practise and refuse the practise thereof on this score that they have no Faith touching their Service in the Church this cannot properly be called a Plea under a false Pretence of Liberty but rather a just and righteous Plea according to that Liberty of Conscience which the Gospel allows To conclude let us all watch against that Spirit that would insinuate a Belief that we ought to follow the Commands Traditions and Examples of Men when Gods Witness in our Consciences answers not otherwise such Insinuations though none of the ancient Labourers in the primitive gathering may either stand by or own the same may make way for men principled as R. B. by his small Treatise seems to be to assume Authority to Command and Rule not only over such their Brethren whom they have been
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
supposed to be the Church of Christ where either the true Doctrines and Principles are wanting or the true Life and Power in some good measure is not felt and known is far from my Thoughts Yea how far I am contrary-minded may be seen at large in my Apology upon the 10th Proposition now published in English Page 194 195 196 200 201 202 c. [g] [g] R. B's Discourse now shews that he holds forth TWO BONDS by which the People of the Lord are centered into one Body But the Apostle's Doctrine was that by one Spirit we are baptized into one Body and so the Bond but one And though R. B. terms my Comparison a Scornful Reflection yet I affirm 't was Christian-like enough so to say if the Reason given in my Answer be but duely considered which was That the main Scope of his Treatise relating to that Matter both from Scripture and Reason tended as it were chiefly if not wholly to evidence that Principles Doctrines and Practices necessarily depending thereon are the Bond by which we became Centered into one Body and Fellowship though he nameth not what those Principles Doctrines and Practices are For a further Manifestation of his weakness on this Subject I referre unto my Answer Thirdly W. R's Seventh Observation Whereas it was thought strange that I should call Doctrines and Principles the Bond and Terms of our being together I understood it only of an Outward Bond and that I laid the stress upon it no further appears in that I affirm these Principles and Doctrines to be the Product of Truths Power and Virtue upon the Heart which appears by what is Printed upon the Margent and W. R. saying in his Papers that this was but like the Entertainment of Christ in the Manger shews too little of Christian-Sobriety and too much of a Scornful Reflection for which I will rather choose to forgive him than therein to contend with him For how much I value that Inward Bond to wit the Life of Righteousness beyond the Outward and that I esteem the Outward not at all to be valued but as it comes from the Inward may be seen thorow out all I have written in my Apology upon the 10th Proposition W. R's Eighth Observation and elsewhere [h] [h] If this be his meaning yet his Book doth not so declare And my affirming that any denying of any of Truths Principles and Doctrines is a ground of disowning was only in respect that who do so do manifestly thence make it appear they have broken the Inward Bond first from which that Outward did naturally spring and arise W. R 's Ninth Observation [i] [i] Experience tells me that the great Difference among Friends in the Nation is about Outward Orders pretended to be Establish't by G. F. and by the aforesaid Letter which R. B. accounts a clearing of himself 't is signified that R. B. declared his meaning to be not only with respect to all the Outward Orders and Forms of Discipline in Government amongst us but also with respect to the Power of God which being Compared with his now declared Meaning on the same Subject shews again that he doth not by this confirm notwithstanding his pretence so to do what is signified in the aforesaid Letter because here is no mention made of any Outward Orders Establish't and Practized by the People called Quakers and that he pretends his Meaning to be an Establishment on the Spirit only and such as are led by it which is a clear discovery of his Fallaciousness and will so appear to such as may peruse his words whereon the Fifth Observation is made for therein he pretends to give the same Satisfaction as is signified in the same Letter Besides 't is worthy our Observation that from R. B's words some Persons are intended Establishers of the Government upon the Spirit only but yet with this Addition notwithstanding his word only and such as are led by it which to me seems a two-fac'd kind of Expression for if the heart of a man be the place wherein the Laws of Christ are writteu and his Government is to be exalted and that we have no ground to expect any other Government or Governours to be like unto Moses save Christ Jesus by the Manifestation of his Spirit in us why could not he have been contented to have stopt his Pen at the words SPIRIT ONLY but forasmuch as he makes this Addition and such as are led by it I must confess I am in some measure at a stand touching his meaning thereby and have a Godly Jealousie that notwithstanding his pretence to the Spirit and that nothing done by meer Imitation will any thing avail yet when it may serve his turn he may from his own Lines bring forth another Conclusion and inferr a Subjection to others under the Notion of Governours over the rest and that the Dictates of the Spirit in us must give way to the pretended Dictates of the Spirit in others by which means at length it may so happen that the Profession of the very Principles of Truth as held forth amongst us in the Beginning may be Irradicated for if once the Day come wherein the Faith of any is that certain Persons above or distinct from any others are the Men who are led by the Spirit and that the Government of Christ is Establish't on them then in probability it will naturally follow that instead of Embracing this Primitive Exhortation turn in your Minds unto the Light that shines in your own Consciences many will be turning their Minds out unto unto the Dictates of others and were it so that what R. B. aims at should be granted viz. the Establishment of Christs Government on men led by the Spirit this then might be objected that many might pretend thereto who were not led by the Spirit and where the Spirit of Discerning is wanting in such as are to be Governed they may be in a ready and open way to Destruction But on the contrary let this undoubted Truth be held forth viz. Let every one be obedient to his measure of Grace and Light received from God and that the Light and Grace is a Reprover of all Sin then there will be no Stumbling nor By-Path walked in Moreover his Language in another respect seems to me inconsisting with the Truth because the Government treated upon to be Establish't is pretended to be Christ's Government that the Establishers are certain Persons signified by these R. B's words We did Establish it that the Object whereon it is Establish't is the Spirit all which considered I may truly say that 't is a work not fit for poor Mortals to pretend to especially if we consider that 't is already Established by God himself on Christ's Shoulders But if instead of that which occasions this Observation R. B. had signified that those who are led by the Spirit are subjects under Christ's Government I know that such Language would have
not believe that we ought to expect that any such Motion from the Spirit of God should appear through any one or more Members of the Body of Christ with respect to other Members of the same Body And our Faith is That all those who are Heirs of that Kingdom which is Everlasting are entitled to a like Freedom not to be imposed upon each by other contrary to that Divine Sense and Heavenly Understanding which as Co-heirs and Co-workers together they are made Partakers of And this in the ensuing Discourse will evincingly be manifested from the Scriptures of Truth However we must confess he that is not diligent to wait upon God in the Exercise of his own Measure of Grace received is by the Light of Christ Condemnable not for refusing to perform that which he sees not to be his Duty with respect to the Observation of Other Mens Lines made ready to his Hand wherein he is not satisfied but for his Neglecting to wait upon God because 't is manifest in every one that hath been convinced of the Truth that 't is our Duty to wait upon God And this our Sense and Reason answers to the Testimony of the Scriptures of Truth where 't is said Rom. 1.18 19. The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them So 't is clear to us from the Scriptures of Truth without us as well as from the Light of Christ within us that the Wrath and Condemnation of God goes forth against such as live not answerable to what God hath manifested in them But 't is neither agreeable to the Scriptures of Truth or Light within for any to pour forth their Judgments against any for not following or giving heed unto this or t'other Outward Prescription or Observation wherein the Conscience is concerned when such are Not convinced thereof to be their Duty from the Mainfestation of God's Spirit in them The next thing to be considered is this That in all the last mentioned Objection there is no Plea for Obedience unto or following any thing but the Spirit in its Appearance whether through the Brethren or thy self From whence we observe First That there is no certain Description who are meant by the word Brethren Secondly That 't is the Appearance of the Spirit that we ought to follow Now should this Question be asked of such who may so object as afore-said Wouldyou have us follow we know not what We are ready to believe that they would say Nay if they answered any thing to the Question And if so then the Force of the Objection falls for that we account it our Duty to follow the Appearance of the Spirit of God through the meanest Member when our Consciences are convinced that 't is the Appearance of that Spirit But before we cannot say in Truth though we should do as such an one would have us That we are Followers of and led by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 12.13 No more than Jesus can in Truth be called Lord and not by the Holy-Ghost Besides we cannot on this Occasion but testifie That as that Obedience which is of Faith in Christ finds Acceptance with the Lord so that Obedience which is not of Faith being Sin is but a Dead Performance Rom. 14.23 not the Fruit of a Living Member who through the Obedience of Faith unto Righteousness is made alive unto God And therefore it cannot be the Duty of any Member of Christ's Body to run before his inward Guide but to wait upon the Lord that all his Actions may be regulated according to the Manifestation and Revelation of the Spirit of God in himself Which seems clearly agreeable to the Testimony of the Apostle where he saith Phil. 3.15 16. If in any thing ye be otherwise-minded God shall reveal even this unto you Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained let us walk 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 over-shadow 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 God's Indignation and appear as Lyons on the Behalf of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah to oppose every Appearance of that Spirit which would be exalting Self or any Outward Form Observation Prescription or Order to be as a Bond on the Members of Christ's Body when by the Light of Christ their alone Law-giver 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. Ver. 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 out of the Second Part of this * Meaning an Historical Manuscript made mention of in the Preface to The First Part of the Christian-Quaker Treatise unto which we refer the Reader However that the Impartial Reader may here have one Instance that this our Sense is not wholly groundless we say John Wilkinson and William Rogers testify That a Friend at the Meeting at Drawell which Meeting is spoken of in the Second Part of this ‖ Meaning the afore-said Historical Manuscript Treatise signified that G. F. should say to this Effect He that is not for Womens Meetings meaning as was understood Womens distinct Meetings as exercised amongst Friends was not fit to fit in Mens Meetings By which Sentence 't is evident if the End wherefore Womens-Meetings were by many first assented to be considered that if the Form of Relieving the Poor prescribed by G. F. should not be Assented to by any Elder in
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
thereof as given to every man to profit withal to be that Law that Order that Rule of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus unto which every one respectively ought to be subject and yield Obedience not by Constraint but of a willing Mind and that for Conscience sake And as we were so subject we became Members of that Body against which the Gates of Hell never did or can prevail nor yet against any one Member thereof whilest abiding on the Rock Christ which is that Body the unworthy Eaters discerned not And thus for many Years it continued amongst the Friends of Truth or Children of Light for so were we called in the beginning magnifying by their Testimonies Obedience unto the Light of Christ Jesus which as the Scripture Testifies lighteth every man that cometh into the World as the only RVLE and GOVERNOVR in the Church of God unto which whosoever took heed and was obedient was esteemed to live under the Government of Christ knowing and believing that as Christ's coming is to be waited for in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men so there his Governments to be exalted and that whosoever should endeavour by outward Ways and Means to establish an Outward Government and Outward Rules Orders Laws or Prescriptions over the Heritage of God under the Notion or Pretence of Christ's Government would be found Invaders of Christs Prerogative and building the things which in the Light of Christ Jesus had been often testifyed against as more agreable to the First Covenant than the Second under which we are and touching which 't is thus said by the Prophet I will put my Law in their inward Parts and write it in their Hearts and they shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. Jer. 31.33.34 In these things we with many others were at Unity We now recommend the same to every Conscience in the Sight of God whether this our Unity was not and yet is consisting with and agreeable to the unchangable Truth The next thing we are to treat upon is By what ways and means this Vnity came to be broken In order to the Discovery thereof we think it necessary to answer one Question which probably may be asked by some Persons who may not be sensible of such a Variance hinted at Viz. How doth it appear that there is such a great Difference and Dis-union To this we say The publick Testimoneis of many Persons in those publick Meetings for Worship where we have been conversant and that when many others not under the same Profession with us have been present against dark bad leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits with Application to such who are under the Profession of Truth and as we believe have born the Brunt and Heat of the Day and do yet continue unchanged as to the Principle of Truth and as blameless in Life and Conversation as ever they were in dayes past when their Opposers were at Unity with them so far as we know doth evidently demonstrate that the Breach is not only very wide but so publick as it cannot but concern some of the wrongfully scandalized Party whereof we are a part as Men and as Christians for our Reputations or at least the Reputation of some of us in both respects have been struck at to appear thus publick in the Vindication of Truth and therefore having long born the Reproach and Scandal of Scandalous Tongues hoping that those who have so persecuted us and others our Brethren for whose sakes we also are the more concerned would have come to see their Error and repented do now think our selves oblieged for the Honour of Truth and Information of all the Friends thereof as well as for the sakes of such as have been betrayed and led from the Simplicity of the Gospel of Christ to proceed to manifest for what Cause both we and many other our Brethren in the Vnchangable Truth are accounted such dark leavened rending dividing and seperate Spirits which being truly stated the impartial Reader will easily discover by what ways and means the aforesaid Unity came to be broken and at whose Door that will lie and which of those divided Parties do yet stand in and for the unchangable Truth That the aforesaid Cause wherefore we and others are accounted dark leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits may be the more clearly manifested 't is needfull to consider that some enquiring Reader may be ready to ask this Question What do you believe is meant by the words dark leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits To this we answer that many signal and outward Demonstrations both by Words and Writings too large here to insert have been given us to believe that the Publishers of such Reflecting Expressions on many ancient and honorable Brethren who we believe have approved themselves to this day Faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Christ do intend that if any one who hath been convinced of the Truth as preached amongst us in the beginning doth scruple though conscientiously to put in practise the Outward Orders and Prescriptions of some Person or Persons taking upon him or them to give forth the same such an one may justly be accounted of a dark leaven'd rending dividing or seperate Spirit And though of our certain knowledge we can declare that the understandings of many are so enlightned by the Truth as clearly to discern a deceivable Spirit entring in by this Door yet we are sensible that there are many Honest-hearted Friends who being ignorant of many things that are come to our Knowledge may have a Dread upon them lest they Err in taking part either with one or tother Party until they have further enquired and satisfyed themselves and these peradventure may be ready thus to object and tell us Objection That they are informed that some of those whom we term some Persons taking upon them to give forth outward Orders and Priscriptions are such as usually frequent the General Meeting and have been ancient Labourers in the Gospel and have been Instruments to gather us from the Lo henes and the Lo theres to follow that Teacher that cannot be removed into a Corner and that the General Meeting is an Established Meeting and that they have Power to Command Govern and Rule over others and that 't is the Duty of others to Obey for we find as they may say Robert Barclay in his Book of Government which Friends ought not to Judge because 't was approved by the Second Days Meeting in London which is a Meeting of Ministring Friends to inform us Page 27 28. That the Apostles and Primitive Christians practised Order and Government in the Church that some did appoint and ordain certain things condemn and approve certain Practices as well as Doctrines by the Spirit of God that there lay an Obligation in point of Duty