and your practice of it is Idolatry and no part of the Worship of God p. 51. have you been bewitched from the obâ—dience of the truth within to obey the Letter without Will. Smiths Primmer c. p. 36. Quest How is it concerning these things called Ordinances as Baptism and Bread and Wine Answ As to those things they arose from the Popâ—s Invention who hath had power in the night of Apostacy and hath set up his dâ—viâ—es which are yet continued in England tho he seemingly is denied and the whole practice of those things as they use them had their Institution by the Pope and were never so ordained of Christ Quest How may I know when Christ is truly preached Answ They that are false Ministers preach Christ without and bid people believe in him as he is in heav n abâ—ve but they that are Christs Ministers preach Christ within See my Sheet to the Parliament p. 5. A Musick Lecture c. p. 25. For where they are I was in Performances in Ordinances in Family Duties in Hearing in Reading in Fasting but when I came to bâ—nd my mind to that of God in me then I began to learn to be a Fool insomuch that I durst not give thanks for the victuals that were set before me Concerning Election and Reprobation Truths Defence c. p. 92. We Quakers are elected to Salvation we have the witness within us praised be God who hath elected and chosen us before the foundation of the world but thou the Priest art ordained of old for Condemnation and for Perdition among the ungodly ones and art a Reprobate one that hates Christ and art blind Reader I have at large proved out of their Books that all Ministers that sprinkle Children with Water all that preach Christ without as he is in Heaven above at the right hand of God all that take a Text and preach out of the Scriptures all that either receive or pay Tythes as at large in my Second Summons c. p. 7 8. And now I am willing to give you the Quakers Faith and Perswasion concerning them as in their Book A brief Discovery of a threefold Estate c. p. 7 8. with the same Title set thus over their heads viz. Of the false Ministry The Priests of the world are 1. Conjurers raising dead Doctrine out of the letter which is death raising death out of death notable Conjurers 2. Thieves and Robbers 3. Antichrists the Priests of Baal cannot shew any Scripture for their heathenish ways and beastial worships 4. Witches blind Guides 5. Devils the Serpent is head in them 6. Liers the Commission and Call of Baals Priests come from Oxford and Cambridge A poysonous-fountain the Sir Symons of the age run to Oxford and Cambridge they run with Simon These are not Ministers of Christ but Stewards of the Devils Magazines Dissemblers and Liers 7. A viperous and serpentine generation going about to murder the Child Jesus hâ—lding a worm-eaten beastly form 8. Blasphemers yea of the Devil fearful Blasphemers 9. Scarlet coloured Beasts a Harlot full of abomination and filthiness 10. Babilons Merchants selling beastly ware for a large price the Letter which is dâ—st and death the day is coming when these Idol Merchants these costly Sermon-makers shall cry c. 11. Whited Walls prosessing nothing but poysonous stuff 12. Ravenous Wolves 13. Greedy Dogs really they are Blood Hounds still hunting and gasping after their prey like the mouth of Hell barking and raging like Sodomites 14. Eminent and ambitious Pharisees of the Devil wo wâ— wo was the portion of those Pharisees then and wo wo wâ— is the portion of these Pharisees now and wo and misery is the portion of the Upholders whether King or Parliament of that treacherous and decâ—itful generation The Guide mistaken c. per W. Pen p. 18 And whilst the idle germundizing Priests of England run away with 1500000l a year under presence of being Gods Ministers and that no sort of people have been so uâ—iversally thrâ—ugh ages the banc of soul â—nd body of the Universe as that abominable Tribe for whom the Theatre of Gods mâ—st dreadful vengeance is reservâ—d to act their eternal Tragedies â—pon c. About Goâ—ernors and Government Burrows Works c. p. 442. We believe that all Governors and Rulers ought to be accountable to the people and to the next succeeding Rulers for all their actions which may be inquired into upon occasion and that the chiefest of the Rulers be subject under the Law and punishable by it if they be Transgressors as well as the poorest of the people p. 507. But as for this people the Quakers they are raised of the Lord and established by him even contrary to all men and they have given their power only to God and they cannot give their power to any mortal men to stand or fall to any outward Authority and to that they cannot seek p. 501. We stand Witnesses against Parliaments Councels Judges and Justices who make and execute Laws in their wills ever the consciences of men to punish for conscience sake to such Laws Customs Courts or arbitrary usurped Dominion â— cannot yeild obedience p. 621. Nay their the Quakers Kingdom is from above and they reject the countenance of the Beasts authority and they reject any confidence that the Dragon and unjust power can repose in them p. 53. For we say the Quakers are gathered up into the life which the holy men of God lived in and are faln from the world and its ways and nature p. 50. for even the Father bears witness of us and therefore our witness is true p. 52. A running to the powers of the earth what have your Ministers lost the Lord to be your strength that you must flee for help to men must they mâ—ke â—aws to estaâ—lish you and set you up is not this the Where that rode upon the Beast and that the Beast carried And p. 524. to the Parliament thus viz. You do but cause people to drink of the Whores Cup and you are but them which carry the Whore viz. the false Church and this is plain dealing to tell you the truth c. reprinted by the order and approbation of G. Whitehead and others Anno 1672. For more of this see Geo. Fox to the Councel of Officers p. 7. Oh what a sincerity was once in the Nation what a dirty unto thing it would have been to have heard talk of a Hoâ—se of Lords Edw. Burroughs Advice to the Parliament c. It was through Ignorance that the people subjected themselves to hereditary Government or to the Government standing in a single person successively and our Nation hath been under the bonds of slavery in this respest c. See Fox's Papers to the Presbyterians p. 8 9. All Kings and Emperors have sprung up in the night since the days of the Apostles among the Antichrists There was no King owned among the true Christians but only among the Apostates since Christs
THE QUAKERS Set in their true Light In order to give the Nations A Clear SIGHT Of what they hold concerning Jesus of Nazareth the Scriptures Water Baptism the Lords Supper Magistracy Ministry Laws and Government HISTORICALLY COLLECTED Out of their most approved Authors which are their best Construing books from the year of their Rise 1650 to the year of their Progress 1696. By Francis Bugg Senior But evil men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth Men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole housholds but they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest unto all men 2 Tim. 3.8 9 13. Titus 3.11 LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by C. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls and J. Guillim Bookseller in Bishopsgate-street 1696. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND HENRY L. Bishop of London My Lord I Humbly conceive it my duty to discover to your Lordship what I apprehend may be of dangerous consequence either to Church or State And this emboldens me to offer the ensuing discourse to your Lordships pious consideration I must humbly confess 't is a great presumption upon your Honours Patience and Patronage But that which amongst other things gives me encouragement hereunto and which I hape may plead my excuse at least extenuate my offence is the Quakers frequent Dedications and Presentations of their Books to the King Lords and Commons and other Magistrates from year to year one Sessions of Parliament after another for thirty or forty years together beseeching begging and craving their aid support and authority whilst in their Books to their Disciples they utterly disclaim any such seeking to outward authority But instead thereof when not suiting their Interest they 'll Impeach and Condemn their proceeding as Antichristian and Arraign Try and Condemn the Learned Protestant Clergy as inconsistent to Christianity Thus like the Camelion they can turn themselves into all colours their Books being of two sorts carrying two different faces And it was by this method that the Arians of old deceived the Emperor Constantius who at last made Laws in their behalf against the Orthodox And that this is no new Artifice your Lordship may observe from the book of Exodus that notwithstanding Moses was divinely inspired and gifted witb Miracles to confirm his Commission yet the Magicians by their Magick Act and cunning Intreagues came very near him in shew likewise Simon Magus Acts 8. by his Sorcery and Juggling Tricks so bewitched the Samaritans that they gave great heed to all he said And History sufficiently informs us what hard work the Protestants had to confute the Papists whose Books were like the Quakers of two sorts professing in one sort what they utterly rejected in the other sort And this made Bishop Jewel in his Defence to the Apology c. propose to his Reader viz. Good Reader if thou wilt examine our doings I beseech thee search and prove what hath been wrote on both sides and do not suffer thy self by shews and shifts to be beguiled for what man will seem to deal so uprightly as a Juggler he will strike up his sleeves make bare his arms and open his hands and fingers and bid thee behold And thou wilt think him to be a good plain man and marvel thou shouldst possibly be deceived and yet indeed his whole design is nothing but to deceive thee and the more simply and plainly he would seem to deal so much the more he will deceive thee otherwise he were no Juggler c. And to this agrees that notable saying of Ireneaeus in his third Book against Hereticks viz. Whilst Heretick speak like the faithful they not only mean otherwise than what they say â—â—â— clean contrary And by their Tenents full of Blasphemy they destroy the Souls of those who with their fair words suck in the poyson of their foul opinions And no marvel saith St. Paul for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light therefore it is no great thâ—ng if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 13.14 And my Lord being sensible of the Quakers method not only of their unwâ—â—y'd sollicitation of the Members of Parliament both Lords and Commons for many years but also in sending their Books into all Counties Shires Cities Towns and Villages in England and Wales as well as parts beyond the Seas I thought it my duty to let the World know their principles from their Printed Books For as simple as they look and as innocent as they seem to appear for deep subtilty they outstrip both Jew and Jesuit and notwithstanding their many and great pretences to meeknesâ— charity and long-suffering there is not a more uncharitable and censâ—◠〈◊〉 people under heaven I am My Lord Your Lordship 's most humble and obedient Servant Fr. Bugg An Apologetical Introduction to the History of the Rise Growth and Progress of QUAKERISM Friendly Reader IF Athanasius made an Apology for his writing against the Arians and other of late for their exposing the errors of the Socinians nay if the Church of England thought herself oblig'd to Apologize in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth for writing against the errors of the Papists 't is but reasonable for me to think myself under the same Obligation for writing against the dangerous errors of the Quakers for surely there has not appeared a more compleat Monster upon the Stage since the days of Simon Magus than George Fox was in his day nor did Simon Magus more applaud himself nor more of his Followers adore him nor take greater care to continue the Memory of him than the Quakers have done of G. Fox witness the reprint of his Labours his Travels his Miracles and Wonders Insomuch that what many Ages have perplexed the Church withal singly we are assaulted with at once as if the scattered Limbs of Heresy had rallied and reinforced themselves for a fresh Battle I have seen Muggleton's Transcendent Spiritual Treatise c. and I cannot find that he holds pace with George Fox in his Books Truths Defence c. Sauls Errand c. A Threefold Estate of Antichrist c. and divers other Books wrote formerly and which they â—â—ill own commend and recommend to their Disciples as Books wrote by divine Authority yea from the Eternal Spirit and Power of God see Sect. the XVI Nay in many things Muggleton and the Quakers seem to be Twins For Muggleton says 't is not lawful to fight with a Sword of Steel so say the Quakers at least until they get power into their hands as in Pensilvania where they can both fight with a Carnal Sword fine imprison and persecute their Brethren as the Trial of G. Keith and others sets forth at large Muggleton denies the Blessed Trinity
and shewed by what arts they have come on and advanced their Errors I am now coming to shew the way of Lucius the first Christian King as History saith that the world ever knew to propagate the Christian Faith he did not stay at this place and that to write Papers and Books to spread truth nor did the Bishop of Rome at that time order him so to do as was the practice of Geo. Fox no to the Law and to the Testimony this was the way that every planter of the true Christian Faith took of which I will give you a noble instance * Eng. Chron. by John Heath p. 19 20. This Royal King Lucius being mindful of Religion that dearest part of Government more than any other consideration the better to prosper the work so prosperously begun sent two learned men to Elutherus then Bishop of Rome to be farther instructed in the Christian Faith who thereupon sent him Fagarius and Damianus with his Letter in the following words as saith the Historian viz. You have received in the Kingdom of Briton by Gods mercy both the Law and Faith of Christ you have both the Old and New Testament out of the same thro Gods Grace by the Advice of your Realm take a Law and by the same through Gods Sufference rule your Kingdom of Brittain c. Having such a good example from this Learned Bishop and Religious King I shall first set down some Scriptures which have been both by Kings and Subjects thought special commands and binding and obliging all men whether all have been so perswaded yea or nay yet I say the faithful Christians in all ages and generations have taken them as their Rule of Obedience and to be of that authority to quell and subdue all those diabolical delusions which will suggest the contrary viz. Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods St. Paul to Tit. 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates to be ready to every good work 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well Honour all men love the brotherhood fear God honour the King Rom. 13.1 2 3. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation for rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil Wilt thou * G. F. heed not a Cart Load of Warrants then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same †W. Tyndals works i. e. of the obedience of a Christian man p. 111. For God hath made the King in every Realm judge over all and over him there is no Judge he that resisteth the King resisteth God If the Subjects sin they must be brought to the Kings judgment if the King sin he must be reserved unto the judgment of God and as it is to resist the King so is it to resist his Officers which are set or sent to execute the Kings commandment for it is written let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers * G. W. what think you of this Doctrine here is no man exempt but all souls must obey Thus I have given a brief account of the Christian Faith First what Christ who is the Head of the Christian Church and Author of the Christian Faith he said Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and his Apostle Paul bid Titus put the believing Christians in mind to obey Magistrates and to confirm this point St. Peter is very express Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake not so much that he favours us or is kind and governs gently by wholsome Laws these things indeed are good and great mercies to a people but our submission ought to be for the Lords sake who hath ordained Magistracy and Government for so saith St. Paul the powers that be are ordained of God and whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God Likewise you may read the Doctrine of W. Tyndal in his Book entitled The Obedience of a Christian man and see how the blessed Martyrs espoused and maintained the same delivered by the Apostles SECT XI NOW in order to give a right understanding and that from plain matter of fact of the difference between the faith and practice of the Quakers of the one part and the faith and practice of the Christians in all ages since the days of Christ I have a purpose to set forth as a particular instance the practice of the Reformed Churches of France in regard they live under a Popish King rather than the Church of England and chiefly for this reason beeause the Quakers are so prejudiced against our Clergy Tho I believe there is not sounder men nor a better disciplined Church in the world yet I say they having always been so prejudiced against them as to call them Beasts Dogs Baals Priests Witches Devils Antichrists Blasphemers and a thousand such unchristian and horrible names on purpose to beget an ill opinion in the people of them as Burrough in his Epistle to Fox his Mystery confesseth that so they might leave and forsake them also considering how frequently they have in their Books arraigned impeached and condemned the Magistracy of England under the odious names of the Beast which carry the Whore the Persecuters of Gods People the Antichrists c. That I think it more proper to take a foreign parallel that if possible they may at last be brought to a confession of their Errors burn their Books renounce their Religion and bethink themselves where they have been what they have been doing and how scandalous their antimagistratical principles have been to the Christian Religion not that I have leisure or parts to set forth this matter as it ought to be done but am content to be as a Carpenters Man to hew off the knots and make the work fit for better Workmen to compleat what I leave imperfect and in order to this I shall abstract some few passages of the 28th Synod held at Charenton in France viz. The Acts of the 28 Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by his Majestys Permission at Charenton near Paris on Monday the 26th day of December 1644 and ended Thursday the 26th of January 1645. See the Acts Decisions and Decrees of the Reformed Churches of France per John Quick vol. 2. p. 425. First Monsieur Drelincourt opened the Sessions with Prayer and then the Lord Marquis of Clermont General Deputy presented
the Writ given forth by his Majesties Command for calling the Synod as followeth This day being the 12th of February 1644. the King being then at Paris upon the most Humble Petition of his Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to permit them the calling and holding a National Synod desiring to gratify and treat favourably he said Subjâ—cts hath permitted and doth permit them the Convocation of a National Synod next at Charenton but with this condition that they treat in it of none other matters but of those which be allowed them and that the Commissioner whom his Majesty shall please to appoint be personally present in the said Synod as hath been decustomed In witness whereof his Majesty hath commanded me to issue out this Writ which he hath signed with his own hand and caused to be counter-signed by me his Councellor and Secretary of State and of his Commands Signed in the Original Louis And a little lower Phelippeaux Assoon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord Cumont Councellor for the King in his Council of State and Parliament of Paris deputed by his Majesty presented Letters Patents which did commissionate him to represent his Majesty in this Synod these being read were incerted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod as followeth Louis by the Grace of God King of Navarre to our trusty Councellor in our Council of State and Court of â—arliament gréeting We having granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the 26th day of December next coming composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of our Kingdom to treat of affairs concerning their Religion And being to make choice of a meet person and of approved fidelity to us who may precide in the said Assembly as our Commissioner and may Represent us in it we have commissioned and deputed you and we do commissionate and depute you by these Presents signed with our own hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there assembled and to Represent our Royal Person in it and to propose and determine whatever matters we shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions we have now delivered unto you And you are to take héed that none other affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with our Authority and to give us speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as we shall judge most convenient for the doing whereof we give you Power and Commission and Special Commandment by these Presents Given at Paris the 28 of November in the Year of Grace 1644 and of our Reign the second Signed in the Original Louis And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions made in their Majesties Name c. Messieurs As it is a very great honour to me to be commissionated by his Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with his Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of joy and satisfaction to behold this illustrious Assembly chosen out of all Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of mouth what was expresly charged and commanded me by the King and the Queen his Mother which is to assure you of their good will unto you and protection of you and of all your Churches and of the entire execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within the bounds of your duty subjection and fidelity which you owe unto their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the supream Authority and your lot and portion being the honour of obedience to them whereunto you stand obliged * * I am the longer in this recital that the Quakers may see and in seeing may learn to know both their place and duty both from Scripture and the Practice of the Martyrs and all true Christians thro all Centuries c. by your birth the dictates of your Consciences and the favours you daily receive from their Majesties and by all kinds of consideration both general and particular and observe it I beseech you as a singular mark of their Majesties favour unto you that there be of your Religion in the Kingdom ††It was their obedience to the Laws brought them to that dignity it is the disobedience of the Quakers and their antimagistratical principles which keep them out of all places of trust in the Government persons of the highest quality there be amongst you most noble and illustrious Dukes and Peers Mareschals of France Generals of Armies Magistrates and Judges in Soveraign Courts and their Majesties now this very day out of that great confidence they have in your Loyalty and Fidelity have granted you this Assembly at the very Gates of the Metropolis of this Kingdom in the very face and view of all France and of this infinite people of Paris vastly different from you in manners and humours inclination and religion who will be severe Witnesses and Judges over all your actions And that all things may be done in that order prescribed me by their Majesties I am in their Names commanded to acquaint you That all Ministers who are not natural born Subjects but Strangers are to be excluded this Synod and that none may assist to vote in it who hath not Letters of Deputation from his Provincial Synod and that during the time it be held you may have no communication with Foreigners or other suspected persons and forasmuch as your Assemblies are not by any legal constitution a Body Politick their Majesties have forbidden you to meddle in State Affairs * * Come G. W. look and learn you are strangers to these limitations you have the face to absolve his Majesties Subjects from their active obedience to the Laws which require them to pay Tyths to pay to Church Wardens Rates to take lawful Oaths to carry Guns c. by which 't is plain that as you increase the strength of the Nation will decrease or matters of Justice because your Synod hath no power to judge of such matters but only to treat of points of Doctrine and Church Discipline ††G. W. so do the Kings Laws forbid you but whether you like the French Protestants do regard those Laws I shall shew by and by no the Law what is the Law to you for as G. Fox did not heed a Cart Load of Warrants no nor do you a Waggon Load of Laws Moreover their Majesties do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning your Religion whieh are not attested i. e. Licenced by two
of receiving them and their Testimony you have caused them * Here Sam. thinks to blind the poor Quakers and make them believe he was a 20 l. sufferer when he lost not a groat to suffer And them also that did receive them and their Testimony The Lord forgive you is the desire of him that chuses rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God than to live in the pleasures of this world Sam. Cater I have laid a snare for thee and thou art taken O Babylon and thou wast not aware thou art found and also caught put your selves in array against Babylon round about all you that bend the Bow shoot at her spare no Arrows for the Lord hath opened his Armoury and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts Jer. 50.14 24 25. SECT XVI Fr. King WE do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning Religion which are not Attested i. e. Licensed by two Manual Certificates at least under pain of losing the whole Impression Prot. Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer thâ—se Canons of our National Synod concerning the Approbation i. e. Licensing of Books that shall be pâ—inâ—â—d on matters of Religion to be violated it being our sincere and most fixed Resolution to obâ—erve in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lâ—ad a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Quak. Epist ibid. p. 3. It 's desired that the monthly and quarterly meetings respectively takes notice of all Friends Books that are or may be sent to them according to former agreement and take care for the dispersing the same for the service of Truth c. and take care to advise the Correspondents for the Counties to write only to your Correspondents in London about their sufferings lest their suffering case be delayed Renewed advice to the respective Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England and Wales and for the preserving and spreading Friends Books for Truths service Dear Friends THese are to let you understand that our Friends have at several yearly Meetings had under their serious consideration hw all those Books that are printed for the service of Truth and the unity of Friends might most effectually be spread for a general service to Truth and Information unto Friends and others And at the last yearly Meeting it was left unto this meeting who have settled as followeth viz. That those that print friends books shall the first opportunity after printed within one month at most send to one of the Correspondents in the several Counties viz. For each Monthly Meeting two Books of a sort if under Sixpence and one of a sort if above Sixpence for these reasons 1. For Friends to have general notice of what Books are printed 2. That they may send for what other quantities they may see a service for 3. That the Printer may be encouraged in printing for friends 4. That one Book at least of a sort that shall be printed except Collections may be kept in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting for the service of Friends and Truth as there shall be â—ccasion for the future 5. It 's agreed that the Printer will allow two pence in the shilling for all such Books 6. It 's Agreed That some here shall be appointed to examine the Printer to see that they send no Books but such as are appointed by Friends 7. It 's Agreed and Advised that the Printers account be fully cleared once a year at least by those Friends the Country shall send up to the yearly Meeting 8. It 's Agreed That the name of the Printer imployed by Friends should be sent with directions how to write to him Dear Friends and Brethren it 's tenderly advised and recommended to you that you be careful and diligent in the spreading of all such Books that are printed for the service of Truth and are written either in defence of it or Christian Doctrine or Holy profession or by way of Epistle Warning Caution Exhortation or Prophecy that so we may not be remiss or negligent in promoting the holy truth that nothing may be wanting on our parts to promote it and the spreading of it that the Nations may be informed and brought into the knowledge of it that in the end we may give an account with joy An ancient friend the Printers name is as follows to whom direct thus For Andrew Soale at the Crooked Billet in Holy-well-lane in Shoreditch London Or to Thomas Northcoat at his Shop in George-yard in Lombard-street London And this we think needful you should record in your Quarterly Books and sometimes read it for remâ—mbrance and notice Signed in the behalf of the Meeting the 18th of the â—â—th mâ—nth 1693. by Benjamin Bealing The yearly Meeting Epistle the 27th of the 3d month 1675. It is our Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the fear of God and the authority of his Power and Sprit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings that no such slight and contemptible names and expressions as calling men and womens Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burthensome And that faithful Friends Papers which we Testifie have been given forth by the Power and Spirit of God are mens Edicts or Canons or embracing them bowing to men Elders in the service of Truth Popes and Bishops with such scornful sayings be permitted among them But let Gods power be set upon the top of that unsavoury Spirit and them that use it Signed by George Whitehead William Pen and others I am the larger in this Citation to convince the world that the Quakers prefer their own Books before and above the Scripture contrary to their pretence in their sheet they delivered to the Parliament as also to shew the impudence of some amongst them that tell people they have no Epistles read amongst them as Francis Bugg sets forth which I know they can no more be ignorant of than of the Suns shining at noon-day And in order to a further discovery thereof I shall recite the Titles of some of their Epistles as I did in New Rome Arraigned p. 41. which to this day they have not denyed c. 1. Two General Epistles to the Flock of God where-ever they are dispersed by M. Fell and J. Park printed 1664. 2. To Friends in England Ireland Scotland Holland New England Barbadoes or any where else where the Lord shall order this to come c. 3. A General Epistle to be read in the fear of God in the Assembly of his people by W. D. 4. The word of the Lord to Syon the New Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs Wife the excellency of all the Glory that is amongst the people by W. D. printed 1664. 5. An Epistle to Friends every where to be read distinctly in their Meetings by K. W. printed 1681. 6. All Friends every