act his part to make little children believe this Doctrine to wit Three Persons and one God is a false doctrine That the Father the Son and the Spirit are no otherwise three Persons but as the world and their Teachers calls them so To say that God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are three Persons but one God this is to speak we know not what a meer fancy as we have imagined a false doctrine contrary to the Scripture Article 1 To say with the Church of England In the Unity of this Godhead there be Three Persons of one substance power and eternity the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost is in this Quakers account the Doctrine of the world and their Teachers a speaking we know not what a vain imagination a corrupt doctrine contrary to the Scripture If this be not pestilent doctrine for little children to learn let all sober Christians judg Q p. 21. Q Numb 35 Now Children the Scriptures of truth do declare of God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth which are one but the Scriptures cannot bring you to know God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-Primmer here is a train laid to blow up the knowledg of the Scriptures to prepare little Children to sleight them as being unable to bring them to know God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth according to these Quaking-lines St. Paul was mistaken when he said that the Scripture was profitable for Doctrine for wherein are the holy Scriptures profitable for Doctrine if they are unable to bring those that read them to know God Christ and the Spirit of Truth certainly it is either a true or a false knowledg that is to be gotten of God Christ and the Spirit by the Scriptures to exalt the Quakrs Idol the Light within little Children are here taught to sleight the holy Scriptures as a dull Book in the reading whereof there is nothing of God Christ and the Spirit of Truth to be known There are many more soul-endangering Doctrines in this Primer but I shall dismiss them at this present that I may come to the Quakers Catechism a Book of no less dangerous consequence as Popery of late hath spread in this Kingdom by Popish Catechisms so the Papal Quakers have set their Catechisms forth to gain Proselytes by this means Pharisee-like they make their followers twofold more the children of Hell Q. THe Book now under consideration is thus Titled Q. Two Treatises the one Entituled A New Primer the other A New Catechism both written by William Smith Printed 1668. Pr. Pr. The New Primer is that Book in which is demonstrated the new and living way a specious title this Book hath to catch unwary Readers to draw them cunningly into the Devils snare it 's written by way of Question and Answer the Child inquiring the Father informing which is a subtle way to dispense Quakerism the other is a new Catechism both are bound up together both Primer and Catechism are the sittest for Smithfield to receive the Hangmans Imprimatur there the Catechising new Primer is betwixt the Father and Child thus Q. p. 2. Q. Numb 36 Child But is there something of God in my own conscience that will give me the knowledg of him Father Yes and there is not any thing else that can do it Pr. Pr. In the first page of this new Primer this Quaking father endeavours to shew his child how he may come to know God his way and truth which he saith is thus done by something of God in his own conscience but so as that there is not any thing else that can do it as for the Scripture this stands for a cypher for a dead letter like a dumb Idol the Scripture can do nothing to make known God his way and truth the Light within this Quakers fondling is the childs only tutour to help him to know God his way and truth as for the Scripture which is given by inspiration of God which as St. Paul saith Is able to make wise to salvation which is profitable for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto every good work this very Scripture in comparison of the Light within is not able to help children in the least to know God his way and truth it doth still further appear that the Quakers spirit is not of God which doth thus debase the Scripture which is Gods word Q. p. 5. Q. Numb 37 Fath. Such as are not Christs Ministers have their power and authority from man and have each man a place of settlement which is called a Parish in that Parish they have Tythes allowed for their maintenance and they have a law made by man to compel it and if any for conscience sake cannot give it them then by their Law they sue them and imprison them and spoil their goods and these are wolves Child that are let loose among the lambs to rend and tear them and they have places builded in their several Parishes which they call Churches and they observe one day in a week for their worship and few hours in that day to perform it and they have an hour-glass and that is their time of Preaching and their eye will be oft towards the glass to see when it is run because it is a long hour to them when the glass is run they tell their people the time is now spent and what hath been spoken must suffice for that time and this is not the practice of Christs Ministers Pr. Pr. By this Quaking father the children of this Church and Kingdom are basely taught in a ridiculous manner to despise all Gods Ministers of what degree soever throughout this whole Kingdom from the Kings Chappel to the meanest Congregation we are all alike none of Christs Ministers like Jeroboams Priests or Baals Prophets this Quaker saith we derive our authority from man the Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops the Ordination of Priests and Deacons is no more but an humane invention for they have their power and authority from man in this Quakers account there is no true Ministry belonging to the Church of England the Priests are but so many Tythmongers setled in every Parish bloody wolves let loose among the lamb-like Quakers to rend and tear them like the Jews they have a law made by man to compel that which is unjust they are time-servers who do observe one day in a week for their worship and a few hours in that day to perform it an hour-glass measures the time of their Preaching which their eyes are oft upon their glass run and their time are both spent together thus in this Quakers eye they are no better than so many hour-glass-Preachers behold what a silly scandalous charge is here drawn up against all the Ministers of Gods Word in this Church and Kingdom who can believe that the foregoing discourse was indited by the infallible spirit who is God
Quaking-Primer little Children are taught to take heed to the Light within them that the Scripture the Word of God the sure word of Prophesie may not be regarded by them as their guide or rule of their lives Q. p. 11. Q. Numb 29 Therefore cease from that which is evil and obey the Light within and then shalt thou be delivered from condemnation Pr. Pr. Here these Quaking Primmer-men are subtilly at work to corrupt the injudicious minds of children with gross Popery here is deliverance from condemnation not by faith in Christs Merits but by obeying the Light within them their worst guide It 's a sad case that little children are in danger to be thus basely taught to pronounce the Roman Sibboleth that man is dim-sighted who doth not see that Quakerism serves as a stepping-stone for Popery in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 13 14. Hearken not to the deceivers Q. Numb 30 who keep you from the Light of Christ Jesus believe them not that turn you from the Light for they are not the Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. Here you may observe how this Quaking-Primmer is mainly designed to foist these new Vessels by this bad liquor put into them other Teachers whether Archbishops or Bishops Priests or Deacons rightly ordained are but deceivers no Ministers of Christ to whom little children are here taught not to hearken nor believe them By this base suggestion it is here endeavoured to prejudice young children against the Ministry of Gods word by the lawful Ministers of it to make them be slighted as so many deceivers that would keep little children from the light of Christ Jesus to be slenderly regarded by them as being no Ministers of Christ as those that would turn them from the light I may truly say Here is the poyson of Asps with which these Quakers would infect the youth of this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 15. And such also are all deceivers who tell you Q. Numb 31 The only way to come to the knowledg of all truth is by the Scriptures for the knowledg of truth is by the Spirit of truth which doth bring to the knowledg of Jesus Christ and his Spirit leadeth into all truth Pr. Pr. The dangerous design of this Quaking-Primmer is to leaven the minds of young children with this abominably false doctrine That the Holy Scriptures are not the way to know the truth That Gods Ministers are deceivers who teach that the Scriptures are the way to know the truth Behold a sad case here is the Spirit of truth highly exalted to decry the Word of God the holy Scripture from being the way to the knowledg of the truth according to this Quaking-fancy any prophane despiser of the Scriptures may very boldly say That Timothy was ill-instructed in the knowledg of the Scriptures from his youth That St. Paul was grosly mistaken in saying That the Scriptures were able to make him wise unto salvation But you see these Quakers are strangely fond of the Light within so as to cry down the light of Gods own word as if nothing but deceitful knowledg were to be gotten by the Scripture which is Gods Book This Quaking-dotage doth plainly say In vain did Timothy know the Scriptures of a child in vain do any Parents train up their children in the knowledg of them if this be not what is the ready way to lay poor children open to the Spirit of Error to make them a ready prey to the Quakers deluding spirit of truth By pursuing this Quaking-fancy is not the Devil likely to have a rich ingathering in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 32 And such are deceivers who preach for money and tythes such cannot lead you out of transgression for they are in transgression themselves for Christ said to his Freely you have received freely give and Paul made not the Gospel chargeable but these Priests that preach for filthy lucre deceive people Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-Primmer here is a base charge drawn against all the Ministring-Priests of the Church of England here these Quakers have fired their Beacon that the youth of this Church and Kingdom may have timely notice to beware of their best soul-friends here the silly sheep are slily counselled against their keepers that the Quaking-Wolves in sheeps-cloathing may the better prey upon them Is it not very sad that the youth of this Church and Kingdom must be thus dangerously prejudiced against Gods Priests who are his Ambassadors by whom God doth beseech his Rebel-subjects that they may be reconciled to God Behold here little children are taught to look upon all teaching-Priests as so many deceivers as those Hirelings that preach for money and tythes which is a lying slander as those blind guides that are in the pit of transgression such as are not like Christs true Ministers as burdeners of that Gospel which plain Paul made not chargeable as those Priests that preach for filthy lucre as Cheats who deceive the people According to the baseness of these Quaking-lines it 's a shame for the King 's Sacred Majesty the Defender of the true Faith that such base Priests should be owned by him be suffered to preach before him Is it not likewise another standing-shame that the Priests of the Most High God should be thus basely reproacht in print to the corrupting of youth and as yet no exemplary notice taken of it By the way observe it well that the Most Reverend Fathers of this Church are some of those Priests that are thus stigmatized in these Quaking-lines as well as the other dignified and inferior Clergy of this Church and Kingdom The good Lord rebuke this Quaking ill spirit Q. p. 17 18. And such are no Ministers of Gods word Q. Numb 33 who tell you the Scripture is the word of God and these are the Ministers of the Letter who are Ministers of the Scripture and not Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. You see these Quaking Primmer-men are still busie to sow their bad seed in the young Seminary whilst they do pretend to learn little children to spell they do likewise learn them these Devilish Lessons First That the Scripture is not the Word of God 2. That they are no Ministers of Gods Word who tell little children that the Scripture is the word of God 3. That they are the Ministers of the Letter and not the Ministers of Christ who are Ministers of the Scripture May I not say without offence to any If the Devil were incarnate it would well become him to teach such base Doctrine as this is By this Doctrine once imbib'd little children are well fitted to become bad Scholars in the Devils School Q. p. 25. Q. Numb 34 And these the Father Son and Spirit the world and their Teachers calls Three Persons but they speak they know not what even as they have imagined contrary to the Scripture therefore Children believe them not Pr. Pr. Here George Fox the younger comes on the stage of the Quaking-Primmer to
except a Quaker none can how are the youth of this Kingdom instructed by this Catechizing-Primer to slight all Gods Ambassadors Pudet haec opprobria dici it is a shame of no mean size that such base things should be printed and not signally taken notice of Q. p. 10. Q. Numb 38 Child But are not the Scriptures given forth for a rule to walk by Fath. The Scriptures are a true testimony of what the Saints were made witnesses of but the spirit is the rule the rule unto them that gave forth the Scriptures Pr. Pr. Here the youth of this Nation are taught by this quaking-Quaking-father that the Scriptures are not the rule of faith and obedience according to this Quakers vain mind no children shall do well to take heed to the sure word of Prophesie Unto the Law and the Testimony is no rule for any children to walk by the spirit that doth infatuate the Quakers is the foolish guide whom this Quaking-father would have his child to follow is it not lamentable that the youth of this Kingdom together with those who are children in understanding are thus decoyed into the Devils net Q. p. 12. Q. Numb 39 Ch. Then I perceive it is the spirit alone that I am to mind in all things Fath. Yes child for by minding the spirit alone in all things thou wilt come to a good understanding in all things and be able to put a difference betwixt that which is true and that which is false Pr. Pr. Here we have this quaking-Quaking-father Catechizing his child so as to undermine the Scriptures to render them good for nothing for he saith the spirit alone is to be minded in all things therefore the Scriptures to speak like this Quaker are to be minded by children or others in nothing observe it well it 's not the Scripture but minding the spirit alone in all things that helps to a good understanding in all things it 's not the Scripture but minding the spirit alone in all things that enables to discern and put a difference betwixt true and false it 's now obvious that the Scripture is basely bespattered by this quaking-Quaking-father for there is no coming to a good understanding by minding the Scripture in any thing the Scripture to speak this Quakers mind hath no true light to help any to discern and put a difference betwixt that which is true and that which is false the Quakers ill spirit is to be minded in all things this alone is the true discerner betwixt truth and falshood but pity those poor children that have no better guide to follow Q. p. 33. Q. Numb 40 Ch. Why is not their time and place and person right seeing their time is upon that day called Sunday and their place that which is called a Church and the persons such as are counted the Ministers of Christ Fath. Nay the Lord God of Power is not limited by any of them and as for their Sunday the Heathen named it and the Pope named their Church and their Schools and Colledges made their Ministers Pr. Pr. In these lines this Quaker doth Catechistically teach his child to look upon time place persons necessary circumstances belonging to publick Worship as those that are Heathenish Popish and of mans making the whole Quaking-discourse is a base charge drawn up against the Church of England as if the Lord of Power were limited by the same as for the Lords-day this Quaker calls it our Sunday which the Heathen named as for the publick place where the members of this visible Church do meet to worship God in a material Church this he saith was made by the Pope as for the persons the Ministers of Gods Word he gives us to understand that they are none of them sent of God for our Schools and Colledges made them all do not these Quaking-lines eat like a canker is not the Church of England debased after a strange manner Q. p. eâd. Ch. Q. Numb 41 But do they not preach sound Doctrine Fath. Nay their Doctrine is after the tradition of men and not after Christ and they get their Doctrine by their arts and languages that they have learned at Schools and Colledges and then they read it or speak it forth in their own wills that are corrupted and there is no soundness in it Pr. Pr. According to the instruction of this Quaking-father all the Preachers of the Gospel within the Church and Kingdom of England are a sort of pitiful fellows for their Doctrine is not from Heaven like the old Pharisees they teach for Doctrine the tradition of men none of them do teach that Doctrine which is after Christ arts and languages learnt here below at Schools and Colledges is the whole skill which they have in the doctrine of Salvation they are all a sort of pitiful readers or speakers out of their own corrupt wills as for their Doctrine it is corrupt like themselves there is no soundness in it to speak after this Quaking-rate they are like so many corrupt trees they bring forth corrupt fruit they are all bad stewards of the Mysteries of the Gospel If this be not base railing let the world judg Q. p. 34 35. Q. Numb 42 Ch. But is not their praying a service which is accepted of God Fath. Nay for they pray not with the spirit nor with the understanding and some of them cannot pray at all but as they have prayers made by others and have them set in a book to read as in the Common-prayer-book so that neither their preaching nor praying is accepted of God Pr. Pr. From this Quaking Catechizer we may truly gather that the preaching and praying of all the Ministers of the Church of England is altogether naught as their Preaching so their Praying is a service which is not accepted of God their prayers are carnal for they pray not with the spirit tremulo judice in their praying they do but offer the sacrifice of fools for they pray not with the understanding as for those ministring Priests that do warrantably use the Common-prayer-book either in the Kings-Chappel or elsewhere to speak this Quakers mind or sense they are a company of dull Ignoramusses they cannot pray at all behold a sad case except it be in the Quakers dumb meeting or amongst those that are acted by the spirit of the Hat there is no calling on the name of God in faith any where besides according to this Quaking rant is not the Kings Majesty basely reflected on hath he not a dull Clergy to minister in his Presence is not this Church whereof he is a nursing-father in a bad case for neither the Preaching nor praying of her Priests this Quaker saith is accepted of God surely the true Christian Religion is at a low ebb in this Kingdom that Quakerism must thus carry the bell according to this vain-minded Quaker we are in a great strait we must now either all turn Quakers or else in Preaching and Praying we do but perform the
Christians and that there is no resurrection of the body from the grave unto life everlasting See Numb 20. ARTICLE VIII We Q. do believe That after this bodily life is ended there is no life everlasting for faithful Christians that there is no resurrection of the body from the grave that there is no coming of Christ as a Judg at the last day that they may look till their eyes drop out who look for the Son of Mary to be their Saviour at his last coming to Judgment See Numb 21. ARTICLE IX We Q. do believe as the Papists do and do approve their faith herein That true Justification is only by inherent righteousness that the righteousness by faith is when the law is performed in us by the works of the Spirit See Numb 22 23 24. ARTICLE X. We Q. do believe That Jesus our Saviour is not the Son of Mary nor the Son of the substance of his Father that he doth not exist bodily without us at Gods right hand that he doth not sit at Gods right hand in heaven that he is not a distinct person from God the Father that Christ the Son of Mary is not to be worshipped as being God that Christ is not God and Man in one Person that the Son of Mary is not glorified at Gods right hand that Mary is not the Mother of God it is Popery to call Mary the Mother of God and Christ the Son of Mary See Num. 25 26. ARTICLE XI We Q. do believe with our friends S. C. and George Fox the younger That the fear of God is learnt not from the Scripture Num. 27 28. ARTICLE XII We Q. do believe That deliverance from condemnation is not by believing in Christ who died to save sinners by his blood but by obeying the Light within See Num. 29. ARTICLE XIII We Q. do believe That all the Priests of Englands Church are deceivers and no Ministers of Christ See Numb 30. ARTICLE XIV We Q. do delieve That there is no knowledg of any truth to be gotten by the Scripture and that they are deceivers that do teach otherwise See Numb 31. ARTICLE XV. We Q. believe That the Priests do preach for filthy lucre and are deceivers and in transgression and that they are contrary to Christ and Paul See Numb 32. ARTICLE XVI We Q. do believe That they are no Ministers of Gods Word nor Ministers of Christ who teach that the Scripture is the Word of God See Numb 33. ARTICLE XVII We Q. do believe That there are not three distinct Persons in the Godhead that the doctrine of the Trinity is an imagination contrary to the Scripture a doctrine only taught by those who know not what they say Numb 34. ARTICLE XVIII We Q. do believe That the Scripture cannot bring any to know God and Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Truth See Numb 35. ARTICLE XIX We Q. do believe That there is no knowledg of God to be gotten by the Scripture as our friend W. Smith doth in his new Primer write See Num. 36. ARTICLE XX. We Q. do believe That all the Priests of England have their power and authority from man that they are no Ministers of Christ that they are wolves and time-servers See Numb 37. ARTICLE XXI We Q. do believe That the Scripture is no Rule to walk by and that we Quakers are to mind the Spirit alone in all things which Spirit is the Rule See Numb 38 39. ARTICLE XXII We Q. do believe That the time called Sunday or the Lords-day that the place called a Church that the persons belonging to the publick worship used in England are Heathenish Popish and of mans making See Numb 40. ARTICLE XXIII We Q. do believe That the Priests of England do preach no sound doctrine that their doctrine is after the tradition of men and not after Christ See Numb 41. ARTICLE XXIV We Q. do believe That their praying in England is not an acceptable service to God that they do neither pray with the Spirit nor with understanding that neither their Preaching nor their prayers are accepted of God See Numb 42. ARTICLE XXV We Q. do believe That singing of Davids Psalms in Court City Country is but a prophane thing it is a singing lyes in hypocrisie See Numb 43. ARTICLE XXVI We Q. do believe that Baptism and the Lords-supper rose from the Popes invention that the whole practice of them as they are used had their institution by the Pope and not by Christ that the wine is another of the Popes inventions that they are devices of the Popes setting up false things not to be regarded by any true Christians See Numb 44. ARTICLE XXVII We Q. do believe That a material Church is of the Popes invention who is the head thereof See Numb 45. ARTICLE XXVIII We Q. do believe That the People and Priests of England are no true Christians that they are not in the Christians life and way that they do practise that which God requires not at their hands nor doth accept See Num. 46. ARTICLE XXIX We Q. do believe That there is no outward civil honour due to the King or any others that they are not in the power of God that do give civil honour to the King or any man else that they are Apostates who do give civil honour to any others be they King or subjects See Numb 47. ARTICLE XXX We Q. do believe That there is no civil honour belonging to Magistrates and men in Authority that this is that respecting of persons which is sinful that there is the Lords curse which attends hat-honour that this civil honouring of Magistrates and men in authority is not required by God that the beggar-Quaker is as honourable as he that rules that there is no honour due to the Kings Person for the honour is due to the power which in is us Quakers See Numb 48. ARTICLE XXXI We Q. do believe That Thou to the King or any other man is the true language that they are not guided by the Spirit of God who do not use this language Thou that this is the language of truth that the Spirit of God teacheth to speak this language that they do not mind the teachings of the Spirit of God who do use any other language than Thou to the King or any others that You to any one man is an apostate-language See Numb 49. ARTICLE XXXII We Q. do believe though it be not true Gramar That good manners is to speak true words which is mannerly and is spoken in the manner of truth that those people do not know what good manners is who do in their words give civil honour to the King or his Subjects that they do not speak in the manner of truth but in the false spirit which corrupts good manners See Numb 50. ARTICLE XXXIII We Q. do believe That all manner of swearing is altogether unlawful that Christ Jesus hath forbidden all oaths that it is not lawful to swear upon any
us is no less matter in this Quakers account than the Doctrine of a Counterfeit Christian a Doctrine that hath not one place of Scripture to prove it a Doctrine which is denied by this real Quaker a Doctrine which is not expressed in Scripture To make sure work this real Quaker saith in effect That he is a fool or a mad-man a man void of common sense that would prove the Quaker to be no Christian for denying that Christ is a distinct person without us According to this Quakers false measure all the Members of the Church of England not to mention the Reformed Churches abroad are all fools and mad-men they are all void of common sense for they do unanimously affirm That Christ is a distinct Person without them To touch at this Quakers Verily c. Verily that man is a Braggadochio one that doth vainly magnifie the Scripture to be his sole rule nay he is a laughing-stock to all wise men that would prove a Quaker to be no Christian for denying Christ to be a distinct person without us If this be not one of the Quakers base Doctrines asserted by W. P. alias William Pon let all wise men judg According to this real Quakers mind we have no such Saviour as Jesus Christ who is God and Man in one Person distinct without us Q. pag. 79. Q. Numb 2 'T is granted That Christ is a distinct Being though not at a distance from the Saints Next we never said that Christ was not as well without us as within us we never set any limitations to Christs presence they are the false inferences of our enemies let the Reader beware that he be not abused by them for the word Person as thou usest it in telling of Christ God-man a distinct person without thee it is no Scripture-phrase Pr. Pr. In these Quaking-lines we have the way of a Serpent upon a stone here is Christ a distinct Being from the Saints but no distinct person without them this is a point of base unscriptural doctrine the Real Quaker justified saith so in effect The Person of Christ God-man a distinct person without us this is no Scripture-truth nor phrase According to the vain-glorious title of this Quaking-Pamphlet they are Counterfeit-Christians that do affirm Christ to be God-man a distinct Person without them Is it not high time for the Kings Sacred Majesty to arise and judg for by his Quaking-subjects Christ the King of Glory is basely dishonoured this Quakers Pen hath published this high dishonour Q. pag. end i. e. 79. Q. Numb 3 Such-like expressions occasion people to retain mean and dark apprehensions of God and Christ and his place of residence Pr. Pr. W. P 's false spirit doth here put him upon writing in good earnest against Christ God-man a distinct person without us for these are some of those such-like expressions as are of dangerous consequence as this real Quaker saith they do occasion people to retain dark and mean apprehensions of God Christ and his place of residence Without doubt it may be truly said That the Quakers light within is not of God for it prompts them to write so dishonourably of God the Son who was sent by God the Father in the likeness of sinful flesh thus to be God-man a distinct person without us to save us by faith in his Name Take it for a most certain truth It was the Light from below which served this Quaking Pen to write so basely concerning Christ the Word made flesh God blessed for evermore Q. pag. 82. Q. Numb 4 I grant the Scriptures are to be fulfilled and that many Heavenly exhortations reproofs and instructions therein contained are to be regarded by us But that which is my Rule to direct my understanding what is fit for me to embrace and what to reject and how to understand that which is to be received must be the Spirit of Truth which alone gives a true discerning Pr. Pr. The Real Quaker having written so ill concerning Christ God-man a distinct person without us it cannot well be expected that he should write well concerning the Holy Scriptures Like the Devil concerning Christ himself this Quaker ushers in his pestilent discourse with some truth concerning the Scriptures which serves as a blind for fools Notwithstanding Joab's fair words at first Abner was smitten to death by him at last Though this Quaker hath spoken well of the Holy Scriptures at first yet in his last lines they are basely thrust through he saith plainly that they are not the rule to direct his understanding nor to govern his life by it 's not the Scripture but the Spirit of Truth which is this Real Quaker's Rule it 's the Counterfeit Christian who holds the Scripture to be the Rule of faith and obedience This Real Quaker takes the Scripture to be but a blind guide for it 's the Spirit of Truth that doth alone give true discerning According to this Quaking-doctrine the Holy Scriptures do give no true discerning But hearken what follows Q. pag. 83. Q. Numb 5 The Light within ought to be the rule of faith and practice Pr. Pr. This is the Real Quakers upstart rotten doctrine this Quaking-dotage is not yet thirty years old this is in truth the Real Quakers Golden Image before which all if they are so filly should fall down and worship In the Quakers blind estimate the Holy Scripture is not the Word of God that this Quaking-fondling the Light within them may be set up for the Rule of faith and practice Q. pag. 84. Q. Numb 6 I further told thee That those who gave forth the Scripture came to the enjoyment of those things through the Light and Spirit of God or they could never have writ them therefore the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith Pr. Pr. Here W. P's best reason assisted with his Light within is fondly at work to prove That the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith that gave forth the Scripture Surely it 's matter of lamentation in our Israel that the Quakers false light and their lying spirit do counterfeit the true Light and the Holy Spirit who is God to decry the Scriptures from being the Rule of saith and life Who can read these lines without bleeding hearts Whose hearts are not touched to find the Holy Scriptures reproached in this scurvy manner Let wise men judg what hard measure the Holy Scripture meets with from the Real Quaker Q. p. 95. Q. Numb 7 We do receive and believe the Scriptures given forth by holy men of God as they were moved of the Holy Ghost and that they are profitable for doctrine for reproof and for instruction in righteousness yet since they are Writings relating to the things of God no man can understand them or have an assured testimony of them but by the Spirit of God It was not the Scripture but the Father that revealed Christ to Peter Pr. Pr.
Mind it well this is no piece of a Quakers faith That the Scripture is the Word of God or that it is the Rule of faith and obedience to any Real Quaker amongst them Behold this Quakers Logick Because St. Peter knew Christ to be the Son of the living God by a special revelation from Heaven therefore the Scripture is not the Rule of faith May it not be said without offence Surely this Quakers Light within burnt dim in his socket he saw not well to write by it It 's no imposing upon the weakest understanding to say That the Light within is no such infallible Teacher as the Quakers brag of like the Papists infallible Judg it 's not without its gross mistakes Q. pag. 103. Q. Numb 8 And for Christs bidding his Disciples Go teach baptizing Mat. 28 I told thee that no water was mentioned and that Luke in Acts the first says before the Commission mentioned by Matthew could be given at least executed John baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence and then comes the Commission in force Go teach baptizing how with the Holy Ghost turning people from darkness to light from the power of Satan unto God Pr. Pr. The full import of this Quaking-Harangue is to tell that there is no such thing as Water-baptism You see plainly that baptism with the Holy Ghost thrust strangely by this real Quaker into Christs Commission hath outed Water-baptism from being a Divine Institution observe it well no water was mentioned a pitiful Cavil what then therefore Go teach baptizing is no part of Christs Commission according to the title of his Book this Real Quaker saith they are all Counterfeit Christians that hold baptizing with water the Real Quaker is for Go teach baptizing how with the Holy Ghost and with fire yet neither of them are by name exprest in Christs Commission If this be not in some measure to turn people from light to darkness from God to the power of Satan let the sober-minded Reader judg However this is most certain that to deny Water-baptism to be a Sacrament ordained by Christ himself is not the received Doctrine of the Church of England nor of any other serious Christians under Heaven Q. p. 105. Q. Numb 5 Now as for Water-baptism what Paul says of himself I may say of his Commission It was not behind any of the rest yet he denies Water-baptism to be any part of it and is as plainly rejected by him in point of institution as any thing in Scripture So that either Water-baptism is none of Christs Institutions or else Paul had no Commission to perform Christs Institutions which were strange Pr. Pr. I may without just offence ask Is not this stoutly argued from the Light within this Real Quaker to evince Water-baptism to be none of Christs Institutions Is it not a dishonour to an ordinary understanding to encounter such child-like reasoning May I not truly say Surely W.P. was at Oxford to lick glass-windows Is it the manner of his Light within of his bosom-teacher to dictate at this low rate However let it be duly considered that it is the avowed judgment of a real Quaker That Water-baptism is none of Christs Institutions and that this Quakers Paul was of the same mind which is a most gross mistake Q. p. 106. Q. Numb 10 C. i. e. Counterfeit Thou supposest the Doctrine of Justification by that righteousness which Christ fulfilled wholly without us to be a sin-pleasing and dangerous notion Quaker I do so Pr. Pr. Here we have consitentem reum the Real Quaker confessing himself guilty of a base Doctrine That Justification by that Righteousness which Christ fulfilled wholly without us is a sin-pleasing and dangerous notion Thus this great Gospel-truth Justification by faith articulus fidei stantis vel cadentis Ecclesiae a main Article of the Christian Faith in Luther's eye is but a sin-pleasing and dangerous notion in this Quakers account as the Papists call it a Putative righteousness so the Quaker accounts it no better than a sin-pleasing and dangerous notion Thus Justification by Christs righteousness imputed by faith which is a comfortable doctrine in the Church of Englands eye is basely murdered betwixt these two thieves Q. p. 107. Q. Numb 11 C. i.e. Counterfeit It is horrible wicked to conclude That what Christ hath done and suffered without us is to speak peace to the wicked whilst such Quaker Right Pr. Pr. To pick up the plainest sense out of these dark lines it seems to be this That it is horrible wicked to conclude that any are made righteous in Gods sight by what Christ hath done and suffered without us that it is no less than speaking peace to the wicked Thus the received Doctrine of Justification by faith in Christ is run down at a base rate Unless the perverting sense of a deluded Quaker be received that man commits an horrible wickedness that holds justification by Christs righteousness without him This is that daubing with untempered Mortar a sinpleasing-notion a doctrine which speaks peace to the wicked At this rate the Church of England is highly to blame for affirming that we are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith That we are justified by faith only Artic. 11 is a most wholsome doctrine and very full of comfort Without doubt the Homily of Justification referred to in that Article is tainted with no Quakerism in this point Behold the Case is sad that imparted Righteousness may not be retained but imputed Righteousness like Ishmael the bond-womans son must be cast forth yea loathed as a sin-pleasing notion which is dangerous rejected as that which is horrible wicked Q. pag. eadem Q. Numb 12 But what sayest thou to my distinction about Justification Christs work was twofold First to remit forgive or justifie from the imputation of sins past such as truly repent and believe Secondly By his power and spirit working in the hearts of such to destroy and remove the very nature of sin to make an end of it to finish transgression present and to come the first removes the guilt the second the cause of it Methinks this should a little allay thy clamours Pr. Pr. It 's an old truth qui bene distinguit bene docet but this Quaker hath missed the Cushion With this distinction he doth only play the Mountebanks part he doth vainly please his fond admirers this counterfeit Balsom is ineffectual he juggles here is neither the whole truth nor nothing but the truth Like the Devil this Real Quaker hath the knack to deliver some truth according to the Scripture that he may the better manage his devilish design and put off his bad Wares The first part of this Quaking-distinction is very lame which any sober Christian will soon perceive The latter part of it is full of false doctrine the base design of this distinction is to make