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.
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
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
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
under the hands of a persecuting generation in Colchester-Castle in the year 1656. Published 1675. Pr. Pr. This Quakers scribbles are in no small request with his quaking-friends here you see they are said to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord which is a profane equalling of them with the holy Scriptures this quaking holy man of God was in the Quakers account no less inspired by the Holy Ghost than the holy Pen-men of Scripture were it 's no slander to say that the Quakers are not a little fly-blown with spiritual pride not a little of it is here published in print behold this James Parnel was the Quakers martyr that bore a faithful testimony for God even unto death in Colchester-Jayl with respect to this Quakers great worth they were a persecuting generation who did persecute this Quaker according to his true demerit This Collection was published in the year 1675 to tell this generation that this Quaker was like Abel who being dead yet speaketh but I shall truly say not like righteous Abel Let us look into some of his Pamphlets for with them all I shall not trouble your patience The first of the Pamphlets is called A trial of Faith which is thus put to the test Q. p. 4. Q. Numb 53 You believe you shall never overcome your sins so long as you are here or be made free from sins here you shew your faith is not built upon Christ who came to destroy the works of the Devil and to cleanse from all sin Pr. Pr. This is the corrupt testimony of this quaking-martyr that they are no sound believers whose faith doth not cleanse them from all their sins that the faith of Christians is not built upon Christ if it doth not make them free from their sins peccatum ne sit a sinless estate reserved for the Kingdom of Heaven is no true Divinity in the Quakers School according to this high-flown Quaker we must either be wholly free from sin like the angels or we can be no true believers in Christ St. Paul burthened with his body of death was a wretched man in the worse sense one that was not built by faith on Christ no truly faithful Christian suppose this Quaker to be in the right what then then St. John was grosly mistaken in saying thus If we say that we have no sin which the Quakers usually do we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us this Quaker is certainly for a more holy faith than God himself did ever require it 's not the ruling power but the being of sin which this Quakers faith makes free from without doubt this is to be righteous overmuch in this world I leave it to others to judg if the ill spirit of the old Catheri was not gotten into this young Quaker however it 's most clear that unless the Quakers idolized perfection be owned as the true only touchstone of faith the best grounded the most stedfast and saving faith of any Christian is not worth a rush it is an unholy faith to speak this Quakers mind that doth not cleanse from all sin in being thus this Quaker being dead hath unrighteously spoken a lye in the name of the Lord by his false Doctrine he hath concluded the Church of England at home all reformed Churches abroad under unbelief for being of this right sound mind that they shall never be made free from all their sins as long as they are here Q. Q. The next Pamphlet of Parnel's is called Christ exalted into his Throne Pr. Pr. Here is seemingly great honour done to our Saviour Christ but it is only in shew not in truth as of old he was arrayed like a King to his own greater disgrace so he is now cried up by this Quaker to the high dishonour of the holy Scriptures which is no honour to our Lord Jesus Christ Q. p. 15. Q. Numb 54 The Scripture was spoken from the Light but is not the Light nor the word nor the life nor the judg nor the rule nor the guide nor the trier of spirits for all this belongs to Christ Pr. Pr. I may truly say without offence this is none of Abel the righteous his language nor a faithful testimony born for God except another Quaker Atheist or Antiscripturist none would have laid such base things to the charge of the holy Scripture except a Quaker no man did ever call Christ the rule this Quaker is guilty of weak reasoning because Christ is the word the light the life therefore Scripture is not the word of God a light the word of life a judg a guide a trier of spirits behold is not this rare quaking Logick is it not a great shame that such dull reasoning as this is should be fathered on the holy Spirit who is God without question it 's for want of good Catechizing that the Quakers vent such irrational things in print these quaking-lines are fitter for pity than a more serious answer however let it be duly considered that at this door hath been brought in all the filth that hath been cast upon the holy Scripture the Scripture is not the light what is it then darkness saith one Quaker not to be minded in any thing saith another not the word what then the letter a dead letter say several Quakers not the life what then putrefaction and corruption not the judg what then it's the spirit alone which gives true discerning saith another Quaker not the rule what then the Scripture is not the rule of my faith and practise saith another Quaker not the guide what then the Light within is the true guide say all Quakers not the trier of spirits what then the Scripture cannot help to discern betwixt true and false saith another Quaker Thus you see clearly how the Scripture the word of God is become like a dung-cart to receive what filth the Quakers and the Papists have to throw into it is it not very sad that the Quakers way of exalting Christ is by debasing the good word of God what manner of spirit it is that leads the Quakers let all wise men hence judg Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 55 Of this Light you people and teachers of the world are ignorant and so are doting upon the Scripture without with your dark minds there with the blind Pharisees seeking life where it is not to be found Pr. Pr. The voice of righteous Abel is not yet in these quaking lines with this Quaker both people and Priest are alike they are both alike ignorant of Christ the Light because neither people nor their teachers are fond of this Quakers false Christ the Light within therefore this Quaker saith they do fondly dote upon the Scripture without and this is done with dark minds behold as this Quaker thought this is our great fault because we make the Scripture not the Quakers Light within the rule of our faith and life therefore as this Quaker saith we are ignorant of Christ the Light doting on
the Scripture observe it well to read in to meditate of to study to believe to live according to the Scriptures is as this Quaker calls it our doting on them and this is done with our dark minds there except Quakers who cannot but have a very good opinion of themselves who follow the Light within them as their Lord God and Saviour all others both people and teachers of this world do but dote on the Scriptures with their dark minds nay to take this Quakers mind more at large they are like the blind Pharisees the people being blind themselves are led by their blind teachers thus they go blind-folded seeking life in the Scripture doted on where it is not to be found I may now truly say according to this Quakers mind that the Scripture is basely accounted of either as a dead letter which hath no life in it or as Christs tomb or empty grave where Christ the true Light is not to be found Q. p. eâd. Q. Numb 56 Thus with your dark minds you would take the authority from Christ and would give it to the dead Letter Pr. Pr. Now this Quaker speaks plainly but not yet like righteous Abel he doth harp still upon his old string as if Christ were dethroned because the Scripture Gods Word is a light unto our feet behold if either people learn or are taught such true doctrine as this is then the people and their teachers with their dark minds do as this Quaker saith take the authority from Christ and give it to the Scripture which is saith this Quaker a dead letter Without doubt this is a base slander the Grand Seignior would not suffer his Alchoran to be thus reproacht however in this point their elder brethren the Papists and our modern Quakers are well agreed to both of them the Holy Scripture is no more but a dead letter By the way let it be observed that here is James Parnel a servant of God whose Writings were pretended to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord a Martyr one that gave his testimony for God who called the Scripture a dead letter is not this corrupt tree plainly to be known by this bad fruit do you not espy a wolf in sheeps cloathing are not those streams which make glad the City of God basely fouled by him I am sure the testimony of this Quaking-Martyr is not the testimony which the Scripture bears of it self no undeluded Christian can believe that it is from the true Spirit of the Lord to term the Scripture a dead letter without controversie it is a standing-shame to Christianity that Christ the light of life cannot be rightly exalted but the Scripture must first be declared to be a dead letter this abominable doctrine was first hatcht amongst the Papists and and is now maintained amongst the Quakers Q. p. 16 17. Q. Numb 57 Your Leaders cause you to err for their own ends and of the Scripture they make an idol to get money by which they lead you in blindness in vain are you worshipping a God whom you know not crying up the Scripture exalting it in the place of Christ Pr. Pr. By this Quakers testimony all Ministers of the Gospel are basely bespattered they are in this Quakers account such Leaders as cause the people to err they are no better than a base sort of self-ended Teachers who lead the people into error for their own ends nay worse they are Idolaters and the Scripture he saith is their Idol to speak this Quakers mind more fully as Diana of the Ephesians was Demetrius his Idol so the Scripture saith this Quaker is the Idol of all Gospel-Ministers to get money by by instructing the people out of Gods word Ministers if you can believe this Quaker do nothing else but cause people to err and lead them in blindness by following the Doctrine taught by Gods Ministers the people are like the heathen Athenians this Quaker saith they do in vain worship a God whom they know not by making the Scripture to be the rule of their faith and life this Quaker saith they cry up the Scripture to the Lord Christs high dishonour exalting it in Christs place if this be not high base doctrine then what is such The Turkish Alchoran was never so debased by any Mahometans nor Heathen Priests so vilified in any part of the world by their Vassals as the Word and Ministers of the Most High God have been by this deluded Quaker Q. p. 18. Q. Numb 58 He is the Word and the Scripture is not He is the Light and the Scripture is not He is the Rule and the Guide and Teacher and Judg and the Scripture is not Pr. Pr. Here we have this Quakers cramb the second part of the same tune this Quakers dream is double according to this Quakers mind his false doctrine is established if any are so foolish as to regard it it is an Oracle from this Quakers lying spirit That the Scripture is not the Word of God nor a light unto our feet nor the Rule Guide Teacher or Judg because Christ is so this is the Quakers old weak reason fit to be dismissed as such But whither doth this Quakers wild doctrine tend Is not this the true meaning of it That the holy Apostle St. Peter was grosly mistaken that the holy men of God mentioned by him did not speak the word of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost That the sure word of Prophecy is no light shining in a dark place That those primitive Christians did very ill to take heed to any such light without them as the Scripture the sure word of Prophecy is To speak a little more according to this Quakers mind by no means the Law and the Testimony mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah may now be our Rule we do all follow a blind guide if we are led by the Scripture Hath not this man quaked to purpose Is not the Scripture by him shaken to nothing for it 's no word of God no Light no Rule no Guide no Teacher no Judg. Surely it's matter of lamentation that a false Christ the Light within who is not God and Man in one person must by Quakers be thus exalted to lay the honour of the Scripture in the dust to make the word of God of none effect Q. p. 19. Q. Numb 59 Saying among themselves If we let go the authority of the Scriptures then all is gone that is to say Take away our Idol then take away our maintenance then down with our Ministry Pr. Pr. Here this Quaker pretends to be the Priests Cabin-Counsellor to discover their secrets he brings them to light as being such as do only hold fast the divine authority of the Scripture to save their main stake mark how he supposes them to say among themselves even that which none but this Quaker or others like himself did ever hear If we let go the authority of the Scripture then all is gone This he
takes for his Text now follows his gloss That is to say take away our idol then take away our maintenance then down with our Ministry Is not this rarely quaked What will not a real Quaker say to asperse the Ministring-Priests of the Lord This Quaker hath clearly for his own purpose hit this nail on the head well may none but Quakers cry Euge Jacobe Observe it once more here is the Scripture standing again for an idol and all Ministers of the Gospel because not quakerized for the Priests of this Idol the Scripture is there not here a sound like that of old Great is Diana of the Ephesians Do not the Priests like those Craftsmen make a great stir about their Idol the Scripture Do they not say in this Quakers hearing Take away our Idol then take away our Maintenance then down with our Ministry Surely it is new very clear that the Quakers have very mean thoughts either of the Scripture or of Gods true Ministers the latter are in scorn called Priests the former is more basely termed their Idol by this Quaker we are come to a strange pass seeing that no Ministers may stick close to the divine authority of the Scripture but their gain is their only end in so doing and the Scripture the word of God is their Idol which they worship for advantage sake that their maintenance may not be taken away and that their Ministry which some Quakers prophanely enough call their trade may not go down I need add no more but this Nigro carbone notetur without question this quaking-doctrine deserves a black mark Q. p. 22. Q. Numb 60 They have nothing but the Scripture without and are still without in darkness and confusion as all those appear to be who call the Scripture their rule and guide and yet know not the truth Pr. Pr. Here th's Quaker is still baiting the Priests of the most high God as if they were a sort of Letter-mongers that have only the Scripture without out-side teachers who are still without such as are in darkness without Christ the light of life such as are in confusion without divine guidance and all this dirt is cast on them by this Quaker because they call rather make the Scripture their rule and guide but in the mean time know not the truth by the way observe how fond the Quakers are of their Light within to exalt this Idol they count the holy Scripture to be what it is not an Idol it 's no less than darkness and confusion as this Quaker saith to call the Scripture the rule of faith and life surely the holy Spirit of God is in vain pretended to by the Quakers who do so basely abuse in print those who call the Scripture the Word of God who do so much decry the Scripture from being the Word of God a rule or guide Oh that the Quakers could lay this great sin to their hearts Q. p. 25. Q. Numb 61 You bring another Gospel calling the four Books Matthew Mark Luke and John the Gospel Pr. Pr. Here this Quaker is offended with us unjustly for calling the Books written by St. Matthew Mark Luke and John the Gospel this is as he saith no less matter than to bring another Gospel into the world suppose this to be what it is not a true charge then according to St. Paul's Doctrine this Quaker would make us accursed and all that have gone before us for this new Gospel surely this Quaker did not well consider what he wrote for no Quaker doubtless dare say that the matter of those Books is not true Gospel how then came this Quaker to talk of our bringing another Gospel by affirming these Books to be the Gospel of St. Matthew Mark Luke and John as the Church of England doth as the Reformed Churches do abroad this Quaker would make us to be faulty in an high degree for by bringing in another Gospel we have another Christ to be our Saviour than he that is God and Man in one person the word made flesh it is certainly very sad that we may not call the matter of those four Books the Gospel which was written for our instruction by those four Evangelists St. Matthew Mark Luke and John but we must be basely charged to bring another Gospel which St. Paul terms accursed Q p. 26. Q. Numb 62 That is a false light in you which leads you to profess the Scripture to be your rule but in life and practice deny it Pr. Pr. Without borrowing any of this Quakers Light within him to tell us it is a confessed truth amongst us That all those do hold the truth in unrighteousness that do not live according to it but it is no false light in any of us to profess the Scripture to be our rule and though men are never so wicked the Scripture is still the rule of a better life to them which they ought to follow certainly this Quakers spirit was very much in the dark to asperse the Scripture so as he hath done by Gods own appointment the Scripture is the rule of faith and life it 's folly to think that the sinfulness of any mans life can make the Scripture to cease to be the rule of life as God hath declared it to be without doubt it is a false light in any Quaker which guides him to say that the Scripture is not the rule of his life without the Light within to guide him The next Pamphlet of James Parnel is called Q. The Trumpet of the Lord blown or a blast against pride and oppression Pr. Pr. To be sure this Trumpet sounds nothing like those silver Trumpets of old there is no small danger in this Quakers blast I shall endeavour to cast some Church-mould upon it the first sound is a terrible long blast Q. p. 28 29 30. Q. Numb 63 Wo unto you that are called Lords Ladies Knights Gentlemen and Gentlewomen in respect to your persons who are exalted in the earth who are proud high and lofty who are called of men Master Mistris and Madam you are exalted above your fellow-creatures and grind the faces of the poor you live at ease spending your time in chambering and wantonness in hawking bowling carding dicing in eating drinking and sleeping you feed the lust eating drinking and rising up to play which is Idolatry your high and lofty horses are like your selves according to your lofty minds you sit at ease Dives-like devouring the Creation spending it upon your lusts your hearts being adultred from God your fellow-creatures labour like slaves under you you sit at ease and poor Lazarus lyes starving without you think scorn that a poor man should stand with his hat on before you you will be called Masters upholding that which Christs Doctrine forbids who saith Be not ye called Master you think scorn to be Thoued of your fellow-creatures but you will Thou God and Christ but though you be exalted as high as the Heavens and set your nests
What is the husk to the kernel what should Swine do with Pearls whose life is the husk and there they feed he who saith the Letter is the Word is a deceiver and errs not knowing the Scripture who putteth the Letter for the Word is blind and putteth the shadow for the substance he also that saith the Letter is the rule and guide of the people of God is without feeding upon the husk and is ignorant of the true Light Pr. Pr. Here the Holy Scripture is ill-guarded by this Quakers Shield of Truth Behold here are many black marks set upon the Holy-Scripture in the first place The Scripture by this Quaker is unjustly termed the Letter which is a dead lifeless thing 2dly The Scripture is termed the husk which is far short of the kernel Doth not this Husk say that the Scripture is unprofitable like an husk which is good for nothing 3dly They who make the Scripture their rule their guide are Swine feeding on husks 4thly That man is said by this Quaker to be a deceiver one that erreth one that knows not the Scripture who saith that the Letter is the Word or to speak more plainly this Quakers meaning That Christian is very much to blame and grosly mistaken who saith that the Scripture is the Word of God 5thly That man is blind that puts the Letter for the Word this is putting as the Quaker saith the shadow for the substance Doth not this Quaker in effect term all Christians blind Bayards that take the Scripture to be the Word of God Is it not hence clear that this Quaker counts the Scripture to be that shadow which other Christians mistaken take for the substance which is a base quaking assertion 6thly That man is without a Swine feeding on the husk one that is ignorant of the true Light who saith that the Letter is the rule and guide of the people of God The plain meaning of this Quakers words is this that the Scripture termed by him the Letter is neither the rule nor guide of the people of God and that man that saith it is their rule and guide is one that knows not Christ the true light Q. p. 73. Q. Numb 70 The Baptism we own which is the Baptism of Christ with the Holy Ghost and with fire but we deny all other now I see the other to be formal imitation and the invention of man and so a meer delusion all are heathens and no Christians who cannot witness this Baptism Pr. Pr. Here this Quaker tells us plainly that he and his fellow Quakers do deny baptizing with water that baptism with water is so far from being an Ordinance of Jesus Christ as that it is in this Quakers eye but a sorry formal imitation the invention of man a meer delusion and that all those that are only baptized with water are heathens and no Christians according to these quaking-lines the Church of England is grosly mistaken to affirm that Baptism is a sign of profession a mark of difference to discern Christians from those that are no Christians if this Quaker shall be heard in our Baptism there is no such thing as a sign of Regeneration whereby as by an instrument the baptized are grafted into the Church Art 27 it 's a meer delusion to say that the promises of the forgiveness of sins of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost are signified and sealed to speak this Quakers mind once more it is but a formal imitation and invention of man a meer delusion to say that the Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ Thus you see how this Quakers doctrine hath quaked the Doctrine of the Church of England into a meer delusion it 's likewise clear that let Quakerism go uncontrouled it will soon unchristian any Nation it 's basely done both to bid defiance to Christs institution and unchristen a Nation Q. p. 75. Q. Numb 71 The bread which the world breaks is carnal and natural goes into the belly passes out into the dunghill so likewise the cup which they drink and so the communion of the world passeth away and here is no communion but natural outward and carnal which is the table of devils here they are without feeding upon the husk and shadow without Pr. Pr. This Quaker hath very mean thoughts of the Lords Supper he counts it but the worlds communion instead of an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ himself this Quaker saith it is the worlds communion which is natural outward carnal instead of the Lords Table this Quaker calls it impudently the table of devils as for the bread broken which is the body of Christ this Quaker calls it the bread which the world breaks and he speaks abominably of this bread blessed and broken calling it carnal and natural that it passeth out of the belly into the dunghill are not these base words fit only for a Quakers mouth as for the Cup in the Lords Supper that is no better esteemed by this Quaker than the bread is that which is indeed the cup of blessing with St. Paul is with this Quaker but the worlds cup in receiving Sacramental bread and wine all Communicants are told by this Quaker that they do but feed upon the husk and shadow without except a Quaker who did ever count receiving the Lords Supper to be feeding upon the husk and shadow without in a Quakers account the Lords Supper is a very empty Ordinance of the Gospel bread and wine are but the husk and shadow without Q. p. 78 79. Q. Numb 72 Those we deny and their Ministry who have gotten the letter and form to trade with who to get humane learning are certain years serving as it were an apprentiship pretending to study Divinity and when their time is expired go among blind people get a certain wage sell that which they get into the brain live upon dust which is the Serpents meat death feeding death feeding the carnal mind with the carnal letter but this Ministry works no reformation only hath the form leads into the form and denies the power such come by the will of man and are upheld by the will of man and not by the will of God their call and ministry we deny which is mediate and formal imitation and invention of man and so a meer delusion their Ministry is dark dead and cold Pr. Pr. Here the Ministry of the Gospel by those that are lawfully ordained by Bishops in this Church is denied by this Quaker as for such Ministers of the Gospel they are basely reproached by this Ammonite-like Quaker they are said by this Quaker to trade with the letter and form they do as it were serve a seven years apprentiship to get humane learning like hirelings they serve for a certain wage what they get by study into their brain they sell for money the letter or the Scripture is
from sin if not upon earth seeing that no unholy nor unclean thing can enter the Kingdom of God it is a great delusion of the devil to keep people in sin to tell them they shall never be made free from sin so long as they are upon the earth but he tells them Christ died for all and if they can but lay hold on him by faith he will not impute their sins unto them though they sin daily for the righteous man sins seven times a day and all the holy men of God sinned and so he takes Scripture to maintain his Kingdom this he delivers by the mouth of his Ministers here he carries them on an easie delightsome way to the flesh and so heals them up in their sins with a feigned formed faith here they settle upon their lees set up a rest in the devils Kingdom here all tenderness of conscience is done away whosoever witnesseth Christ their Redeemer shall witness that he is come to destroy the works of the devil to redeem out of the fall out of sin out of the devils Kingdom which is sin this we witness who through the Lamb our Saviour do reign above the world death hell and the devil none can witness this whose eye is outward looking at a Redeemer afar off and still live in sin try your faith and hope who plead for sin all your faith is vain and your hope which doth not purifie the heart it is feigned hypocrites faith not faith in God this the Apostle witnessed and that he was made free from sin and more than conquerour through faith in Christ Jesus they who dwell in the righteousness in Christ sin not this is the devil which pleads for sin your teachers which tell you you can never get out of sin nor be cleansed from sin here err not knowing the Scripture nor the power of God but deny the end of Christs coming bring another doctrine which they have from their father the devil and so are the deceivers which Paul speaks of who creep into steeple-houses and lead silly people captive full of sin and corruption they daub you up with untempered mortar divining lyes they have healed the hurt of the people slightly sowed pillows under their arm-holes these are your teachers that make your habitation in your sin while you are upon the earth so your leaders cause you to err the utter enemies of your souls who perswade your hearts in sin here all your feigned formed faith is unbottomed all your Priests found lyars deceivers antichrists in whom the false Prophet ruleth Pr. You see that the Quakers are accused justly Pr. for asserting a perfect freedom from all sin on earth of this false doctrine this Quaker is a sorry champion many Scriptures in his Pamphlet hath he heaped together to uphold this errour but very ignorantly many foul charges hath he drawn up against those that are not of the same weak mind with him man perfect without sin before the fall is the white which this Quaker hath in his eye he tells us pag. 98. that this was Christs work to redeem to man that which man had lost behold according to this Quakers mind nothing less than a perfect freedom from all sin on earth was the end and aim of Redemption by Jesus Christ to deny a perfect freedom from all sin in this life is according to this Quaker to make Christ only a part of a Redeemer and to establish a middle place betwixt earth and heaven in which to be made-free from sin to assert this great truth that there is no perfect freedom from all sin to be attained to in this life is as this Quaker doth basely speak a great delusion of the devil to keep people in sin pag. 98. He that saith he hath no sin deceiveth himself and is a lyar behold what this bold Quaker saith to this what saith he he saith this is no other but a Scripture brought by the devil but observe him a little further he saith that the devil tells men that Christ died for all that if they lay hold on him by faith their sins shall not be imputed to them though they sin daily that the righteous man sins seven times a day that all the holy men of God sinned that the devil doth thus take Scripture to maintain his Kingdom and that this is that doctrine which the devil delivers by the mouth of his Ministers behold how Gospel-truths are by this Quaker said to be told men by the devil and how Gods Ministers are said by him to be the devils mouth in delivering the foresaid truths except Quakers who dare affirm it that all those Ministers of the Gospel are the devils mouth in saying that Christ died for all that their sins shall not be imputed to them that believe in Christ though they sin daily that the righteous man doth sin often in one day that the holy men of God have sinned that do deny a perfect freedom from all sin attainable in this life But now let us observe what this Quaker saith further to teach that there is most certainly no quaking freedom from sin in this world this is according to this Quaker that doctrine whereby the devil carries on people in an easie delightsome way to the flesh a doctrine which heals them up in their sins with a feigned faith a doctrine which settles them on the lees a doctrine which sets up a rest in the devils Kingdom a doctrine which destroys all tenderness of Conscience to speak this Quakers mind without being perfectly cleansed from all sin no man can witness Christ to be his Redeemer nor witness that he is come to destroy the works of the devil nor can he witness that Christ is come to redeem him which are his own words out of the fall and out of the devils Kingdom it 's no marvel that the Quakers do ignorantly plead for a perfect freedom from all sin in this life for this is their top-gallant errour which makes them as this Quaker saith to reign like Kings above the world death hell and the devil which makes them I may more truly say miserably proud in their own eyes no less holy and happy than Christ himself is without this haughty over-holy dotage of this Quaker all other Christians are of no account they are saith this Quaker such whose eyes are outward they do look at a Redeemer afar off still living in sin by this quaking doctrine of Perfection this Quaker saith pag. 101 That the children of God and the children of the devil are made manifest behold in this Quakers account they are manifestly the children of the devil who do not hold a perfect freedom from all sin on earth thus this idolized Perfection of the Quakers serves to unchristian all but themselves according to this Quaker the faith of all Christians is vain and their hope is no better their faith is the faith of all hypocrites no true faith in God if they do not
own a quaking-perfection as for St. Paul this Quaker tells us untruly that he did witness this perfect freedom from all sin that this was his being more than a conquerour surely this Quaker never understood Rom. 7. in vain doth this Quaker tell us that they who dwell in the righteousness of Christ sin not for the Scripture records no such over-holy inhabitants it 's true it 's the devil who pleads for sin and let that mans mouth be stopt for ever that doth so but to affirm the in-being and dwelling of sin in the best of men in this world is no siding with the devil in the same plea but this Quaker hath laid a foul load on those Ministers of the Gospel who teach that none can be perfectly cleansed from all sin in this life he saith to this purpose like the Sadduces they do all err not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God they do deny the end of Christs coming they bring another doctrine a doctrine which they have from their father the devil they are deceivers who creep into steeple-houses and lead silly people captive but this Quaker is mistaken for St. Paul never said so pag. 103. he saith they are such teachers as are accursed they are daubers with untempered mortar such seers as see vanity such as divine lyes such as heal the hurt of the people slightly such as sow pillows under their arm-holes such as sooth people up in a false peace such as make the people to take up their habitation in sin as long as they live such leaders as cause them to err the utter enemies of their souls such as perswade their hearts in sins now give me leave without offence to say oh quaking-perfection from all sin in this life oh brain-sick whimsie to what extravagant assertions to what devilish expressions to what foul aspersions hast thou transported this poor deluded Quaker let all wise unquakerized persons judg if this quaking-error can be that unbottoming doctrine which declares our faith to be feigned our Priests to be lyars deceivers antichrists such in whom the false Prophet rules surely because this Quaker was not rightly instructed to distinguish well betwixt the being and ruling power of sin therefore the holy Scriptures have been sorely tortured to speak what he would have them in favour of his false doctrine hence I hope was the true rise of this Quakers gross mistakes base assertions and foul charges but I have done with this Pamphlet not for want of more pitiful matter but because I hasten to the next Pamphlet of this James Parnel called The Watcher it 's a conceited Title in it the baseness of Quakerism is drawn to the life but I shall not dwell upon it I shall only transcribe so much as may serve to lay open the Quakers pitiful teachings you will soon perceive that this Watcher is none of the watch-men of the true Israel Q. p. 138 Q. Numb 79 to p. 145. Antichrist hath reigned ever since the Apostles days over the world under a Gospel-profession here hath been a long time of cruel darkness and ignorance the Lord hath been a long time as a stranger in the earth they that were accounted to believe on God or Christ looked at him as a God afar off in the Heavens without far off they know not where they that said they believed that that was the Christ that died at Jerusalem and that he died for their sins and rose again and was sitting at the right hand of God c. were baptized with water and called Christians when as before they were called Heathen and those had the writings of the Prophets and Apostles which are called Scripture and so were the keepers of the Letter that they look for their rule to walk by they gave their own meanings and imaginations upon it they sprinkled their children and by that were they entertained into their Church and Faith thus came up Infant-baptism for which there is no Scripture nor example they call this an ordinance of Christ they had their two Sacraments for which word they have no Scripture they had the carnal bread and wine as the Priests and people have now thus they planted their Church in England and other places then Bishops were set up and Archbishops and Deans and Priests and Deacons and Popes and the Bishops bore rule by their means and the Priests preached for hire thus Antichrist set up his Kingdom under a profession of the Gospel then Tythes came up to maintain the Priests contrary to any rule of the Gospel then Universities were set up to make Ministers or Priests thus they were set by the will and tradition of man as the false Prophets always were then they had long robes like the Pharisees then they set up Idols-Temples which the blind now call Churches or houses of God then they got up into their Pulpits the chiefest places in the Synagogues called of men Master Doctor had the uppermost rooms at Feasts and greetings in the Markets as it is now and then they stole the Apostles words as the false Prophets stole the word from their neighbour so did and do those took a verse and studied from it a divination of their own brain and so do the Priests vow they run like the false Prophets then with feigned words through covetousness they made merchandize of the people made a prey of the sheep as they do now began to seek about for great Livings and fat Benefices left a lesser ran to a bigger there was their beloved which they sought for as the false Prophets who sought for the fleece not for the flock cried peace to those that put into their mouths but they that did not put into their mouths they prepared war against them haled them before Courts and Benches as they do now thus they sought their gain from their quarters and ruled them with rigor so that the Priests reigned like Lords over the people thus your Priests old fathers planted their Church and so set every thing in form and tradition according to their own imaginations here is the ground and foundation of the Faith and Church of England here are the old Fathers and old Authors that your Priests have so much talked of even the Popes and the Bishops thus Antichrist hath long deceived the Nations under the profession of the faith of Christ one generation hath gone and another come and have not known the Lord that bought them many may see by this what lyars the Priests are how they came up and were ordained they will be found the Ministers of Antichrist such as shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men all people may now see how ignorantly you have been led as strangers from the father of light after the vain traditions customs forms ordinances and imaginations of man with a vain profession and feigned faith still strangers from the God of life and from Christ the Saviour and Redeemer thus you lye under the power of
darkness and delusion of Antichrist both Priests and people your leaders cause you to err by their lyes you are lost for want of true knowledg only differing from the heathen in name and profession Pr. Pr. These quaking-lines serve to tell us that this quaking-watcher hath seen a base vision concerning the true Christian Religion and the Church of England in particular according to this brain-sick Quaker there hath been in the whole world no true profession of the Gospel since the Apostles days behold a black mark is set by this Quaker upon all Christians since that time to speak this Quakers mind more fully in all ages of the Christian Church since the Apostles days instead of Christ Antichrist hath reigned over the world under a Gospel-profession instead of true Gospel-light he saith there hath been only a long time of cruel darkness and ignorance as for the Lord this Quaker saith he hath been a long time ever since the Apostles days as a stranger in the earth behold according to this Quaker there hath been no true Christianity nothing but Antichristianism cruel darkness and ignorance and estrangedness from the Lord in all ages of the Christian Church ever since the Apostles days now let us proceed this Quaker is still bold to tell us that ever since the Apostles days all the believing on God or Christ hath been nothing else but an unprofitable looking at him as a God afar off in the Heavens without they knew not where according to this Quaker you may perceive that there have been no truly faithful Christians in the world since the Apostles days to speak this Quakers mind ever since the Apostles days they were only vain believers who said they believed that that was the Christ that died at Jerusalem rose again sits at the right hand of God c. who thus believing were baptized with water and called Christians behold how by this Quaker believing in Christ that died c. is slighted and likewise the baptizing of those Christians who did so believe in Jesus Christ in effect all this is lookt upon by this Quaker to be a pitiful piece of Christianity as for the Scripture this Quaker saith that was the Letter whereof these called Christians were the keepers which they took for their rule according to this Quakers mind the Scripture hath been the mistaken rule of all Christians to walk by ever since the Apostles days as for any Commentaries written upon the Scriptures since the Apostles days this Quaker saith they were but their own meanings and imaginations behold how all Expositors of the holy Scriptures both ancient and modern are basely asperst by this Quaker their Expositions have been no more but their own meanings and imaginations obtruded on the Scripture As for Infant-baptism used in all ages of the Christian Church this Quaker like an Anabaptist saith there is no Scripture nor example for it that it is in vain called an Ordinance of Christ then saith this Quaker that is in the reign of Antichrist they had their two Sacraments but without any Scripture-warrant for the word Sacraments as for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper this Quaker calls it only carnal bread and wine thus in the reign of Antichrist this Quaker saith the Church was planted in England and other places behold according to this Quaker both the Church of England and other particular Churches planted since the Apostles days in any part of the world are all under the dominion of Antichrist their baptism with water is no Ordinance of Christ the Lords Supper is only carnal bread and wine both Sacraments without Scripture-warrant but mark what follows Then that is in the reign of Antichrist in the long time of cruel darkness in the time of the Lords absence from the earth were as this Quaker saith Bishops set up and Archbishops Deans Priests Deacons Popes the Bishops bearing rule by their Means Priests preaching for hire Behold how this Quaker gives us a distinct sound of the Antichristian Hierarchy which hath continued since the Apostles dayes Thus according to this Quaker in all Centuries of the Christian Church since the Apostles days not Christ but Antichrist hath set up his Kingdom under the profession of the Gospel thus the Christian Church hath since those days had no Ecclesiastical Governours but such as were Antichristian thus all Bishops Archbishops Deans Priests Deacons as well as Popes have been in this Quakers account Antichristian for above sixteen hundred years by-past being masked under a vain profession of the Gospel Then that is when Antichrist reigned Tythes saith this Quaker came up contrary to any rule of the Gospel behold how Tythes are made by this Quaker to be Antichristian too a maintenance contrary to the Gospel Then that is in the Reign of Antichrist Universities saith this Quaker were set up to make Ministers or Priests behold Universities by this Quaker are all made to be so many Antichristian Schools thus according to this Quaker after an Antichristian manner were Priests set up by the will and tradition of men as the false Prophets always were of old then in the foresaid reign of Antichrist University-Priests had their long robes like the Pharisees according to this Quaker Ministers habits are both Antichristian and Pharisaical then that is when Antichrist reigned Idols Temples called Churches or houses of God were set up according to this Quaker all publick places consecrated and set apart for Gods publick Worship are neither the material Churches or Houses of God but Idols Temples and Antichristian too then that is in the reign of Antichrist the Priests got into their Pulpits the chiefest places in the Synagogues being proudly called of men Master Doctor according to this Quakers mind Pulpits for Priests are become Antichristian too and the Antichristian Priests are got into them like so many Scribes being proud Masters and Doctors having the uppermost rooms at feasts and greetings in the market like the old Pharisees Scribes and hypocrites then that is in the reign of Antichrist began to speak this Quakers mind the Ecclesiasticall thieves who stole the Apostles words as the false Prophets did who took a verse and studied from it a divination of their own brain just as the Priests do now they run like the false Prophets according to this Quaker ever since the Apostles days all Gods Priests have been thieves like the false Prophets preaching a divination of their own brain like false Prophets running without God sending them then that is in the reign of Antichrist thorough covetousness they made merchandize of the people with feigned words like wolves upon sheep they preyed upon the people they sought about for great livings for fat benefices they ran from a lesser to a bigger living the beloved which they sought for like the false Prophets they sought for the fleece not regarding the flock they cried peace to them that put into their mouths they prepared war sued lawed those that did not feed them
shall only glance at new matter as I pass along it 's a scurrilous Pamphlet but I shall leave them to answer to another for their hard speeches Q. p. 2. Q. Numb 88 You might as well have condemned the Scriptures to the fire Pr. Pr. When these Quakers had understood that some of their Papers had been condemned to the fire to be burnt then they told their adversaries that they might as well have condemned the Scriptures to the fire behold are not the Quakers scribbles in great esteem amongst them do not the Quakers take their writings to be given by the inspiration of God are not they the holy men of God who speak as they are moved what difference do they make betwixt the Scripture and their Pamphlets do you not see it plain that as these Quakers say the Scripture may as well be burnt as their Books may Q. p. 14. Q. Numb 89 How fain wouldst thou have a place in the earthly letter Pr. Pr. In these quaking-lines you see that Scripture is no more but the earthly letter I may truly say to pass by the meanness of this expression that till Quakerism arose an earthly letter was never read of nor did any Christians ever call the Scripture an earthly letter surely the holy Spirit of God did not breath forth those words Q. p. 15. Q. Numb 90 Neither dost thou know the letters that are given forth by us now which are given forth by the same spirit Pr. Pr. The import of these lines is this That the letters of Quakers are of the same divine authority with the Apostical Epistles that the same Holy Ghost is the author of both that the divine inspiration of both is alike for substance if this be not an abominable assertion then what is Q. p. 39. Q. Numb 91 As the Apostle said Take heed to the light of God within you Pr. See how vainly these Quakers do pretend to the same spirit that the Apostles had for they have in those words belyed the Apostle no Apostle did ever say Take heed to the light of God within you this is only a whim of the Quakers brain which hath no foundation in any Apostolical writings in Scripture we find mention made often of Christ the light and sometimes of Christ in you but no Apostle did ever say Take heed to the light of God within you this is only the Quakers false doctrine Q. p. 44. Q. Numb 92 If thou couldest see but thou art blind thou mightest see the same gift amongst us as was amongst the Apostles Pr. Pr. Behold how the Quakers do boast of themselves that they are endued with the gift of the Holy Ghost to work Miracles as the Apostles were if this be not a gross piece of spiritual pride then what is so Q. p. 57. Q. Numb 93 But him we own as one with us in the eternal unity Pr. Pr. These quaking-words are spoken with reference to George Fox in them we have this account of Quakers that they are in the eternal unity and that George Fox is owned by them to be one with them in the same eternal unity surely these lines smell strong of Parnel's partakers of Christs divine nature that God is with us manifested in the flesh all which is abominable blasphemy Q. p. 64. Q. Numb 94 The dark time and power of Babylon hath long reigned and the works of the Beast by which ye are descended that profess Scripture to be your rule Pr. Pr. Behold how these Quakers deny the Scripture to be the rule of faith how they look upon them with an evil eye that do profess the Scripture to be the rule of faith behold here is mention made by them of the dark time and power of Babylon and the works of the beast to use their own words by which they are descended according to these Quakers they are basely descended who do profess the Scripture to be the rule of faith Q. p. 69. Q. Numb 95 When thou comest to go through Moses and through the Prophets and through John to come to Christ then shalt thou see that the light is but one Pr. Pr. Behold how these deluded Quakers do write non-sense do cut out a strange new way to come to Christ he that reads these lines must baffle his reason corrupt his judgment to conclude that these Quakers were in any wise moved by the Holy Ghost which they do proudly pretend to here is too much gross ignorance to be fathered on him who is God Q. p. 75 76. Q. Numb 96 All the Ministers of the Letter are persecutors of the Spirit Pr. Pr. In these Quakers account the Ministers of the Gospel are no more but Ministers of the Letter and persecuters of the Spirit thus the Quakers do basely undermine the preaching of the Gospel to the great scandal of true Christian Religion to be termed persecutors of the Spirit is a most base disparagement Q. p. 78. Q. Numb 97 Thou wouldest know whether Jesus Christ have a body in heaven he remains in the heavens whereas thou wouldest know whether it be the same that appeared amongst men it is the same that did descend the same did ascend whereas thou wouldest know what manner of body he hath here thou art disputing as the devil was about the body of Moses with Michael the Archangel who said The Lord rebuke thee so say I now the Lord rebuke thee who art disputing about the body of Christ for the body of Christ is but one and he is the head of the body which is the Church Pr. Pr. In these quaking-lines it is not said that Christ hath any body in heaven nay the Quakers are of this vain mind that Jesus Christ is not God and Man in one Person the substance of these Quakers words is plainly this that Christ Jesus his body is one which is his Church behold except the Church which is Christs mystical body our Saviour hath no other body to speak the Quakers mind more fully two of my Neighbour-quakers told me That Christs body did vanish at his Ascension and that now he hath no other flesh or body but the flesh or body of his people behold according to the meaning of Quakers how the Lord Jesus since his Ascension into Heaven hath no true body united to his Godhead in his own person that the body or flesh of Quakers his pretended people is the only body or flesh of our Saviour or to use these Quakers words the Church in their sense is the one body which Christ now hath Q. p. 80. Q. Numb 98 Who redeems and makes free from sin and the law with the body of Christ he that hath an ear may hear Pr. Pr. Here is Christ according to these Quakers made a strange Saviour who makes free from sin and the law with the body of Christ if this be not unscriptural Divinity what is according to these Quakers Christs body is the Quakers Church but surely this is not the body of
Father this is no point of this Quakers Faith this is only the confession of Presbyterians and Independents who are his adversaries brethren 4ly Jesus the Son of Mary doth not to use his own words exist outwardly bodily without us at Gods right hand according to this Quaker this is a false doctrine for which there is no Scripture-proof as for Gods right hand this Quaker doth scoffingly ask what or where is it is it visible or invisible within us or without us only Thus Jesus the Son of Mary sitting on Gods right hand in Heaven is no article of this Quakers faith 5ly Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is no outward bodily existent person without us distinct from God to hold Christ our Saviour to be a distinct person from God the Father is no part of this Quakers faith The light within guides no Quakers to own this great Gospel-truth their spirit inspires none of them to be sound in this doctrine of faith Light of Light very God of very God is none of their faith 6ly Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is not to be worshipped as God Mind it well the Hypostatical Union on is not owned by any Quaker because the Quakers do deny our Saviour to be God man in one person therefore they deny that the Son of Mary is to be worshipped as God 7ly That Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is outwardly bodily glorified at Gods right hand is no Scripture-truth Lastly to call Mary the Mother of God is a Popish saying which to be sure is not Scripture-language in this Quaking discourse the learned may observe many old Heresies revived however by this Quakers golden Calf the nature of true Christianity is made naked it is stript off its primitive glory it may now truly be called Ichabod for by this Quakers most ugly doctrine the glory is departed from it Q. p. 51. Q. Numb 26 Whereas thou goest so often over with these words Jesus Christ the Son of Mary whom thou callest God-man I ask thee if this be not of kin to the Papists calling Mary the Mother of God and where did the Apostles so often or ever use these expressions Jesus Christ God-man the Son of the Virgin Mary and who were they that said Is not this the Carpenter the Son of Mary But Peter gave an higher testimony of him when he said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God But do not the Papists honour him as much as thou in their frequent calling him the Son of Mary as thou hast done Pr. Pr. This Quakers discourse serves to tell us that it is no piece of this Quakers Christianity to hold that Jesus Christ our Saviour is either the Son of Mary or God-man for he is angry with his adversary for going so often over with these words Jesus the Son of Mary and for calling him God-man this Quaker tells us to call Jesus the Son of Mary is that which is neer of kin to the Papists who call Mary the Mother of God Certainly this Quakers Light within is very dull-sighted which can neither discern Jesus to be the Son of Mary nor Mary to be the Mother of God the Son according to his Manhood Jesus Christ God-man in one person is a great stumbling-block in this Quakers way it 's against his Light within him to acknowledg Christ to be God and Man in one person therefore it must in his eye be Popery to call Christ the Son of Mary and Mary the Mother of God the communication of properties is a doctrine of which this Quaker takes no notice it 's not to tell whither an ignorant confidence will hurry those that are led by it to call Jesus Christ the Son of Mary God-man are those expressions saith the consident Quaker which were never used by the Apostles Behold what is the result of this ignorant confidence is it not this abominable assertion to the shame of true Christianity that Jesus Christ God-man the Son of Mary is no Gospel-truth taught by Christs own Apostles To go one step further to call Jesus the Son of Mary is according to this Quakers language to honour Christ no otherwise than those that said of him Is not this the Carpenter the Son of Mary Let us remark it once more it 's but a slight a vulgar dishonour put on our Saviour to call him Jesus the Son of Mary nay it 's Popery which is commonly counted Antichristianism to call Mary the Mother of God how ignorantly doth this Quaker decry Jesus from being the Son of Mary because St. Peter testified of him saying Thou art the Son of the living God therefore it is a false Popish testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Virgin Mary Tremulus naviget ad Anticyras this pitiful Quaker wants a necessary dose for his pericranium common sense is ashamed of such mean arguing at this day no serious Christians none but deluded Quakers do deny Jesus Christ to be the Son of the Virgin Mary the Papists who believe many lyes are not so grosly deceived as this Quaker hath shewed himself to be in this point Q. Q. Numb 27 THe next Book to be considered is the Quakers Primer by S. C. and George Fox the younger Pr. Pr. Like the canker to the trees in the nursery so the mischievous design of this pitiful Primer is to corrupt from their infancy the young striplings of this Church and Kingdom under pretence of right-spelling to poyson them with Quakerism in their minority this is that leaven which is designed to sowre the whole lump to diffuse Quakerism through the whole body of this Nation a mischievous design if not timely prevented by his Sacred Majesty and those that are in authority under him there is in this Quaking-Primer magnum in parvo very much base doctrine contained in a few leaves Q. Q. It is called a new Book for Children to learn in by S. C. and George Fox the younger Pr. Pr. This latter hath shewed himself to be a crafty seeds-man by whose means little children are cunningly imposed upon therefore the more care is fit to be taken to prevent his dangerous attempt Books not so dangerous as this is have been burnt by the hand of the common hang-man as the Author is gone to his Judg so this Book deserves a black mark for his sake and its pestilent doctrine Q. p. 6. Q. Numb 28 A child may learn the fear of the Lord by taking heed unto the Light Pr. Pr. I might truly say that this Quaking-Primer begins with a lye thereby to corrupt childrens minds the Light within which is no express Scripture-phrase is indeed a meer fancy the real Quakers Idol which all children are early taught by these Quakers to fall down to and worship it 's false doctrine to make the Light within to be the teacher of the fear of God the holy fear of God which cleanseth both heart and life is taught by taking heed to Gods Word in this