broken mangled and perverted Quotations for our Principles and perhaps an Unapt Expression or two pickt up out of Good Matter And the main Things or Principles wherein we have all along even from the first chiefly differed from many of the Clergy are these viz. 1st Our sincere belief of the True Vrim and Thummim the Light and Perfection And 2dly Our Christian Testimony against Tythes forced maintenance and Persecution together with Popish Ceremonies and Superstitions not yet purged out as inconsistent with Christ's free Ministry concerning which we are manifestly the very same in Principle and Persuasion we were from the Beginning To the 2d part quoted against me I have already answered there may be various manners of wording and expressing the same matter and yet our Intentions 〈◊〉 â—he same As where I explain my Friends Meaning and Intentions 〈◊〉 be agreeable to mine and more fully distinguish and clear it according to the Harmony of his other Concurrent Passages in the same and other Books as sometimes in these precedent Observations As to Bugg's Postcript 't is according to his other Scribles Falshood and Jeers frequently repeated and mostly answered in the foregoing Observations and other Answers of mine He is so full of Tautologies Repetitions of the same Falshoods Boastings Scoffing and Flouting beginning and ending with Falshoods as observing us timerous about their Petition and that we make the World believe we fear Persecution Because we have endeavoured to prevent his and some Priests endeavours tending thereto against us to Authority this has disquieted him and them And therefore to be revenged he repeats his old detected Lies and Calumnies against us as that we call the Scriptures Serpent's Meat Beastly Ware c. with many more abominable Lies since often told of the same yet persists therein like a Hardned Wretch so that it is not worth the while to spend much more time in tracing the Crooked Steps of such a Mercenary Agent who gives no solid nor pertinent Reply to any serious Answer but clamours scoffs boasts vilifies and throws as much Dirt as he can upon us spending his precious time to seek our Ruin by Reproaches and Calumnies to enrage the Priests and incense Authority if he could against us But the Lord will Rebuke him and Reward him according to his Deeds I wish he may yet seek and find a place of Repentance if yet to be found before he be cut off and however that others may take warning by his Lamentable Relapse and Treacherous Apostasie A Brief Examination OF A Defaming Pamphlet Without Author's name to it Reproachfully stiled Some few of the Quakers many Horrid Blasphemies Heresies and their Bloody Treasonable Principles destructive to Government Delivered to the Members of both Houses of the LORDS and COMMONS in the Month of March 1698 9. PART II. THIS Title looks with Persecution Fury Deadly Envy and Blood in the Face of it it is like the work of certain Judasses and their Priests who are fallen into such a faint and feeble Condition as to be beholden to Apostates to help and assist them in their private Cabals to Plot and Contrive Mischief against the Innocent and to bring forth such furious Clamour Calumnies and Perversions thereby labouring to incense the Parliament and Government against the Peaceable People called Quakers Now let 's Examine some of their Principal Objections or Allegations quoted for Proof of their Furious Persecuting Title I. Concerning the Holy Trinity 1. Their first Objection The Scriptures do not tell the People of a Trinity nor Three Persons c. Against Geo. Fox Great Mystery p. 246. Here in the same Paragraph Period and Answer these Words are left out viz. And the Father Son and Holy Spirit are always one Observe hence what may be term'd the Scripture Trinity or Divine Three in the Deity the Father Son and Holy Spirit is plainly confess'd As also in Gr. Myst p. 99. As for the Unity we own and Christ being the brightness of the Father's Glory and express Image of his Substance we own As also in some Principles of the Elect People of God Printed 1671. p. 43. Of the Word Trinitas there is no mention made in Scripture yet the Scripture speaks of Father Son and Holy Ghost and all these are One. Now pray observe if any be offended at this and if our Adversaries will produce us plain Scripture-Proof for the Terms Trinity of Three Persons then 't is meet we should Retract those Words before i. e. That the Scriptures do not tell People thereof 'T is worthy our Observation what Dr. Burnet now Bishop of Sarum in the Life of John Earl of Rochester p. 104. speaking of the Trinity saith Which for want of Terms fit to express them by we call Persons and are called in Scripture the Father Son and Holy Ghost Whereby it seems then they do not think the Word Persons either a fit or Scriptural Term to express the Father Son and Holy Ghost by and therefore these Men should not be too severe in Imposing it or Uncharitable in their Censuring others about it to occasion Disturbance in Peoples Minds and such Disputes as probably they cannot well quiet or bring to a clear Solution By any of our Questioning or not using the Term Persons in this case we do not deny the Doctrine or thing intended i. e. the Father the Word and Holy Spirit which Three are one And we would not have any so Injurious or Disingenuous as to conclude we deny the same 2 Q. Against Will Penn's Sandy Foundation p. 12 13 14 15. they pick up some Pieces of his Arguments but Answer them not levelled against this Doctrine held by some which they leave out viz. The Trinity of Distinct and Separate Persons in the Unity of Essence This our Adversaries leave out and which by this time a Day we hope none will maintain such a Separation in the Deity between the Father Son and Holy Ghost being one God blessed for ever They also take no notice of what he Writes for this Scripture Trinity Sandy Found p. 32. viz. Mistake me not we never have disown'd the Father Word and Spirit which are one And in p. 36. As concerning Christ I declare on behalf of that Despised People Vulgarly called Quakers the Grace of which we testifie hath never taught us to acknowledge another God than he that 's Father of all things who fills Heaven and Earth Neither to confess another Lord Jesus Christ than he that appear'd so many Hundred Years ago made of a Virgin like unto us in all things Sin excepted or any other Doctrine than was by Him declar'd and practis'd and also being God's Innocent Heritage in Principles Life and Death to bear an Unanimous Testimony for the only true God true Christ and Heavenly Doctrine which in their Vindication is openly attested Thus far W. P. in his own and our Friends Vindication 3. Here is the Three Persons thou dreams of which thou wouldst divide out of
Bugg of late for Instruction to a right understanding of our Principles as they think what Dignity is he then promoted unto of late How is he advanced to be a Doctor of Doctors But the Truth of it is we have Cause to have the less esteem of their Learning whilst instructed by such a Tutor who has spent much time in scribling one Scurrilous Romancing Book and Pamphlet after another against us heaping and repeating Forgeries and Defamations so hardned in Mischief and so Fool-hardy as to Counterfeit a Court of Judicature of Oyer and Terminer therein to forge a Trial to ridicule defame scandalize and arraign for Perjury divers Citizens of London of our Friends by Name men of good Repute forging Answers acting both Accuser Judge and Executioner also condemning them to the Pillory as Perjur'd Persons with a Figure or Form of a Pillory and twelve Pictures in it with the first Letters of their Names and the Title of PERJURY over their Heads And under all this Defamation and Scandal to represent the Persons so highly Defamed by him as this gross and abominable Defamation and Forgery may be seen at large in F. Bugg's New Rome Arraign'd Printed 1693. As also his Figure of a Cage with many Names set cross-wise in it to represent a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird p. 50. This busie Agent has also presum'd to Print an-Impeachment against us in Behalf of the Commons of England without being Legally Authorized thereby or shewing any Legal Authority for the same And moreover in his late great Book his supposed Master-Piece Printed 1698. Stiled the Pilgrims Progress he takes upon him to contrive frame and forge a Ridiculous Romance calling it a Sermon for G. Whitehead to hold forth at their Convocation or Yearly Meeting which also he expresly calls George Whitehead's Sermon and in it he has a Figure containing many Pictures some with Names of our Friends over them and others with Deputies over their Heads And this Figure he makes to represent the Quakers Synod and in it has Inserted divers notorious Lies as G. Whitehead asking Are the Doors shut And W. Bingley Answers Yea the Doors are lock'd with divers more abominable Lies And this same Sermon which he calls George Whitehead's Sermon from page 108 to page 127. contains two Sheets of Paper to which pretended Sermon he also adds a Lying Romance and Invented Speech in W. Bingley's Name in Testimony thereto which Romance I do in good Conscience Testifie against as a horrid Piece of Forgery containing in it many gross Lies Absurdities and perverted Quotations also representing me as calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware c. and as Exhorting to throw down the Scriptures and to make no Confession of Sins c. with many more gross Lies and Absurdities And also his representing W. Bingley as Preaching That our design is the supplanting Christianity c. with divers more Falshoods and Absurdities in W. Bingley's Name and many more in my Name in his said Insolent Romance wherein he presumptuously uses and repeats the Sacred Name of God Christ the Lord c. What horrid Presumption abominable Prophaneness and Immorality is this Agent arriv'd to who dare thus audaciously take the Name of the Holy God in vain thus Prophanely to make use of the Sacred Name of God and of his Dear Son Christ the Lord in such his idle Forgery and scurrilous Stuff Oh horrid Prophanation Oh abominable Presumption Is this your Convert O ye Clergy-men who abet countenance and gratifie such an Impious Presumptuous Person who dare make so bold with the Sacred Name of God and Christ as thus Atheist-like to Prophane the same The Righteous Lord and Judge of all beholds such great Impiety and Wickedness and a Day of Reckoning and Account will come Ingenuous Reader these are but short Hints of the gross Abuses we have suffered from this prophane wicked apostate Spirit we patiently commit our Innocent Cause to Him that judgeth Righteously and thee to his Divine Grace and Light for a clear Understanding of and Conduct in the Way of Truth and Peace to thy Everlasting Felicity which is the Sincere Desire of Thy Friend in Christ G. W. A Table of the Heads of this Examination about which the People called Quakers are unjustly charged PART I. OF our Adversaries Title Page 1. Of the Light Christ c. p. 2. to p. 7. Of the Soul p. 7. to p. 9. Of Perfection and Infallibility p. 9. to p. 16. Of the Bible Holy Scriptures c. p. 16 17. Of Immediate Revelation p. 18 19. Of the Letter and Holy Scriptures p. 19. to p. 23. Of the Churches Power to determine differences p. 23 24. Of Christ in the Flesh and extent of the Word Type Figure and of Christ crucified p. 24 25. Of Baptism Carnal Ordinances Liberty Spiritual p. 26 27. Of Government Earthly Kings Princes Parliaments c. p. 28 to 36 Of Samuel Fisher's Message to Oliver Cromwell in 1656. p. 37 38 Of our Assemblies Contributions and the Innocency thereof p. 39 to 44 Of the Sufferings of the People of God p. 44 45 46 Of the same Intentions differently worded p. 47 Of Bugg's Postscript Old Lies and Calumnies p. 47 48 PART II. OF the Furious Title of the Libel p. 49 Of the Holy Trinity p. 50 51 52 Of Christ our Blessed Lord p. 52 53 54 55 Of the Blood of Christ p. 55 56 Of Christ and his Body p. 57 Of the Holy Scriptures p. 57 58 Of the Sacraments so called p. 58 Of the Resurrection p. 59 Of Equality with God falsly charged p. 59 60 Of Christ's coming to Judge the Quick and the Dead p. 61 62 Of Government and Christ's Kingdom p. 62 63 Of Kingly Government Parliaments Lords and Commons p. 64 Of Human Laws Authority Associating Governments Tythes c. p. 65 Of Divine Authority Governments Meetings Toleration Persecutors c. p. 66 67 68. Of Treatment of Kings Clergy and other Dissenters p. 68 69 William Penn's Answer to several Charges against him p. 70 71 72 Where any Literal or other Faults have escaped the Press 't is hoped the Ingenuous Reader will excuse the Author and rectifie the same by the Sense and Coherence of the Matter Truth and Innocency VINDICATED c. PART I. 1. IT is observable that the Title of the said Brief Discovery is a general and most severe Charge against some of the Principles and Practices of the People called Quakers without exception 2. That the said Brief Discovery consists chiefly of Quotations pretended to be taken out of their most noted and approved Authors unto which these Three Clergy-Men of Norfolk have given the Black and Odious Character Blasphemous and Seditious Principles and Practices of the People called Quakers on purpose to make the whole People as Offensive and Obnoxious as they could Mischievously Devise 3. That the said Clergy-Men have Humbly as they feign Offered their said pretended Discovery and bitter Charge against the said
which Created all things c. Where 's the Blasphemy in all these Surely none feeing God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all 1 John 1.5 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation Psalm 27.1 And there is one God the Father who is above all and through all and in you all Ephes 4.6 And know you not how that Jesus Christ the true Light is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 God who is Light and Christ the Light of the World is so in all as he enlightens all Mankind God who commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 Now it is evident what these Adversaries call Blasphemous is testified in Holy Scripture 3. Charge of Blasphemy p. 3. In Geo. Fox's Book styled The Pearl found in England c. Printed 1658. where speaking in the Person of the Quaker's Light he hath these Passages p. 15 16. I 'll break in Pieces I 'll make Nations like Dirt I 'll tread them into the Mire c. With divers other Prophetical Passages partially pick'd up minced and curtailiz'd and many Lines left out where the dashes are as against Pride Hypocrisie Covetous Practices Hypocrites False Prophets c. All within the Threats and Prophesied against in the Name of the Lamb and Life of God and if truly read agreeable to the Holy Prophets in Scripture Thou shalt crush them with a Scepter of Iron or with a Rod of Iron and break them in Pieces like a Potters Vessel prophesied of the Son of God Psal 2.6 7 8 9. And will not the Lord tread down his Enemies I will Tread them in mine Anger and Trample them in my Fury Isa 63.3 Now is it not great Presumption to deem such Prophesies Blasphemous These words are also quoted and included in their charge of Blasphemy i. e. The Wrath of the Lamb is risen upon all Apostates who are gathered in the Apostacy Apostatiz'd from the Prophet's Life the Apostles Life the Life of the Lamb the Lamb is Risen c. the pure Life of God is Risen c. the Just will Rule the Lamb will have the Victory Woes Woes and Miseries are out-going upon all the Heads of the Wicked What our Hands have Handled and what our Eyes have Seen what was from the Beginning the Word of Life this declare we unto you What a strange Presumption is it that these Men should charge us with Blasphemy for such passages as these which are directly concurring with Holy Scripture Prophecies against the Wicked and for the Lamb's Power Dominion and Judgment against them Apostates and others And for our handling and seeing the Word of Life which was from the Beginning we knowing and sincerely professing the Lord God and the Lamb to be our Light and no other see Isa 14.5 Jer. 21.5 Nahum 1.2 Zeph. 1.14 15. Zech. 7.12 John 3.36 Rom. 1 18. and 2.5 8. 1 Thes 2.16 Rev. 6.16 17. and 14.10 and 15.1.7 and 18.3 See Wo and Woes and to whom Isa 5.8 11. and 18.20 and 10.1 4th Charge of Blasphemy p. 4. Again G. Fox in his Book stiled The Teachers of the World Vnvail'd c. in p. 27. thus saith I am the Light of the World him by whom the World was made if you love the Light with which you are enlightened withall you love Christ who saith Learn of me But if you hate that Light there is your Condemnation from him who is one with the Truth in every Man who of the Lord was moved thus to write whose name of the World is called G. Fox Obs Here are several Lines left out before the last words relating to G. F's name wherein mention is made of what he means that 't was the Light which the Apostles were in Which could not be meant of G. F. himself who was not in the Apostles days nor born into the World until many hundred Years after their days thus perverse and impertinent are these Men in their Charge and Proofs 'T is evident G. F. here speaks in the name of Christ and for him and not of himself or in his own name but of Christ the Light who Enlightneth every Man and who is Lord over all And G. F. writes as his Servant moved by him and therefore 't was very unjust as well as great Envy in these Persons to make this an Instance of the Quakers Blasphemy see John 1.9 and 3.19 5. Their next Charge of Blaspemy against us p. 4. Is viz. And to This another of their Eminent Teachers one of their Prophets says Amen in his Book The Quakers Challenge c. printed 1668. Of G. F. 't is said who is a Prophet indeed and hath been Faithful in the Lord's Business from the Beginning It was said of Christ that he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not So it may be said of this true Prophet George Fox added whom John said he was not But thou wilt feel this Prophet George Fox again added one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee And altho' the World knows him not yet he is known p. 5. These words whom John said he was not we disown in that place they are confusedly misplaced And the Author was not one of the most Approved or Eminent among us as falsly represented tho a more Honest and well Intending Man than Skilful in Expression as in this case his Intention ought to be considered He could not intend that the World was made by G. F. as he did after explain himself in Print but by Jesus Christ by whom God Created all things Ephes 3.9 Heb. 1.2 but that the World knew him not he intended relative both to Christ and to his Servant as 't is said of the Sons of God 1 John 3.1 The World knoweth us not because it knew not him As there could be no Blasphemy or Reproach to God or Christ intended in the aforesaid recited Passage so neither can the People call'd Quakers be justly charged therewith That we-may see cause to word some things otherwise than some have and yet mean the same thing is often repeated by F. Bugg and these Persons tho I see no real advantage they get by it against us For suppose any one does unsafely or untelligibly or dubiously word any matter And I find his meaning to be safe and give a true Explication thereof according to the Honest or Innocent meaning of the Author from other passages his meaning therein is agreeable to mine which I safely and sincerely express tho' his words are not altogether the same 6th Charge of Blasphemy Edw. Burroughs In his works p. 149. Has an Answer to this Question is that very Man with that very Body within you Yea or Nay He saith the very Christ of God is within us we dare not deny him Obs To Instance this for a Proof of Blasphemy against us is to Charge the Holy Apostle with Blasphemy 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves
whether you be in the Faith Prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Quaery Was not this the very Christ of God suppose ye Or is there any more than one Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 8.6 though his appearance hath been in divers manners as in the Flesh and in the Spirit He who is the very Christ of God is truly Spiritually in true Believers see also Colos 1.27 Gal. 4.6 which is no Blasphemy to assert as we are unjustly aspersed Of the SOVL 7th Instance of Blasphemy charg'd p. 5. G. F. Great Myst p. 91. They shall see the Bishop of their Souls Christ the Power of God which is Immortal brings the Immortal Soul into the Immortal God Christ their Sanctification who Sanctifies their Spirits and Bodies and brings the Soul up into God from whence it came whereby they came to be one Soul Qu. Where 's the Blasphemy here pray 1. That Christ is the Bishop of the Soul is true 1 Pet. 2.25 2. That he is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God is also true 1 Cor. 1.24 3. That Christ of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption is also true 1 Cor. 1.30 1 Thess 4.4 The Rational Soul or Spirit of Man is Immortal and 't is Christ that Redeems and brings it up into God that gave it and they that are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit is also true See Eccles 3.21 ch 12.7 2 Sam. 4.9 Psal 71.23 Rev. 5.9 1 Cor. 6.17 I wish these Men that are so ready to call such-like Doctrine Blasphemy would more seriously read the Holy Scriptures As for G. F's Question Is not this that cometh out from God Part of God of God and from God c. and that 't is not horrid Blasphemy so to say Gr. Myst p. 100 273. The Term Part of God appears to be Originally by some Adversaries obtruded upon the Quakers and not G. F's but only admitted by him as from them and then Questions them in their own Improper Terms for God is not to be divided into Parts And where 't is said God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he became a living Soul and thereupon Question'd Is not this that cometh out from God or that which came out from God of God's Being Gr. Myst p. 100. This and that expresly relates to that Divine Inspiration or Breath of Life whereby Man became a Living Soul and not to the Creature Man himself or the Rational Soul or Spirit of Man as such The Question is not whether the distinct Souls or Spirits of Men are not of God's Being For that were as absurd as to ask if the Creature Man be not God About this Point our Adversaries quote Gr. Myst p. 91 100 273 100 90. Thus back and forward but still leaves our what 's most Material and Explanatory about the Soul or Spirit of Man and that which came out from God whereby Man became a living Soul as Gr. Myst p. 91. The Soul being in Death in Transgression so Man's Spirit there is not Sanctified and the Soul is in Death But he further declares on the other hand where the living of the Soul or Spirit is That 't is there Sanctified and the Counsel of God diligently hearken'd unto and stood in and Christ their Sanctification Sanctifies their Spirits c. And Gr. Myst p. 100. God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he i. e. Man became a living Soul These Passages our Adversaries leave out which shews their great Injurious Partiality and how inconsiderate they are of the distinction included between God and Man the Creator and the Creature between that Divine Breath or Spirit of Life which came out from God and the Creature Man who thereby became a living Soul The Soul is sometime put for God Prov. 6.16 Heb. 10.38 his Divine Life Breath or Spirit as the Great and Universal Soul of Mankind even the Soul or Life of the Soul as some Phrase it The Objection against G. F. in this Point is more fully Answered in my Treatise Entituled The Christianity of the People commonly call'd Quakers Vindicated from Antichristian Opposition Printed 1690 p. 4. as followeth Here the Doctor i. e. Forde has unfairly Quoted G. F. upon Trust leaving out what 's most Material both Distinction and Explanation about the Soul or Spirit of Man both with relation to its Creator and to the Creature Man being spoken of in both respects by our Friend 1. Where G. F. insists on the Words God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he became a Living Soul It was to this Breath or Spirit of Life as immediately coming from God that his Words related as his Question plainly shews i. e. was not that of God and of his Being which came out from God Meaning that Divine Breath or Spirit of Life by which Man became a Living Soul and from whence came not only Man 's Natural Breath and Life but also his Spiritual And this does distinguish between the Divine Being and the Creature Man and not confound their Beings And for the Soul or Spirit of Sanctified Man to center with God this is not to render it the Being of God or God Himself We know none professing the true God and Christ so grosly absurd as to say That Man made himself or was his own Maker Saviour or Redeemer 2. Our Friend speaks plainly in the same Book quoted against him Gr. Myst p. 90 91 100. That the Soul should be subject to the Power of God That Christ is the Bishop of the Soul who brings it up into God the Soul being in Death in Transgression Man's Spirit not Sanctified c. This could not intend the Being of God for that never sinned though there be something thereof in the Soul even in that Reasonable Soul or Spirit of Man which God by his Divine Word Breath or Spirit formed in Man Zech. 12.1 And so made Man a Living Soul The Quakers do not make themselves Equal with God and of Perfection c. 8th Instance Saul's Errand Printed 1654. p. 8. He that hath the same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ is equal with God We deny the Words as there Printed to be according to G. F's Sense or ours which is That the Holy Ghost and the Son is equab with the Father in Power and Glory then if any come to witness the Holy Ghost they come to Wieness that which is Equal in Power and Glory with the Father What if any come to Witness the Son of God revealed in them which he that hath not Him hath not Life do they not come to witness Him who is Equal in Power and Glory with the Father as in Gr. Myst p. 100. Therefore the Words He that hath in the said Instance should be left out being contrary to G. F's and our Principle and to his own very Words and Confession a little before in the
Doctrine of Devils to Preach That Men shall have Sin and not overcome it while on Earth but Sin is the work of the Devil and Christ is manifest to destroy it 1 John 3. Therefore c. 'T is the Devils work to lead into Sin but 't is Christ's work to lead out of it Christ's Ministers are sent to turn People from Satan's Power to God's Power consequently from Satan's work and service they are the Devil's Ministers who Preach up Sin to continue term of Life and that it shall not be overcome nor perfect Sanctification obtain'd during life which therefore tends to keep People in Unbelief of Christ's Power and Work 13th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy p. 7. And Will. Penn in his Truth Exalted Re-Printed 1671. Laughs at the Church of England Men for confessing themselves Sinners and praying to God for Mercy Alas poor Souls saith he are not you at Have Mercy upon us miserable Sinners there is no Health in us from Seven to Seventy Obs Alas poor Sinners is not a sign of Laughter at them but rather of Lamentation and Pity over their miserable State who are always confessing but not forsaking their Sins You may see what Proofs of Blasphemy these Men produce against us 14th Instance or Charge p. 7. And Edw. Burroughs p. 33. saith That God doth not accept any where there is any Failing all who do not fulfill the Law and Answer every Demand of Justice Though none are accepted in any Act of Injustice or Omission of real Duty required yet coming under Judgment for the same and repenting thereof as they ought to do they obtain Mercy and Forgiveness of God for Christ's sake whose Grace though it Pardons Sins past through Faith and Repentance yet does not Indulge or Justifie any in their Continuance in Sin nor in wilful Sinning after Conviction Obs His meaning is First God doth not accept them in their Failing in Duty and in their not doing what 's Just as when some complain their best Duties are sinful and they do not answer or obey Truth in their Actions For our Acceptance is in Christ the Beloved and not out of Him 2. If Men seek acceptance by their own Legal Performances they fall short See James 2.10 But these Adversaries have unjustly left out the fore-going Words in their Quotation viz. But those that love God keep his Commandments and they are not grievous And these left out within the same Period Now doth God accept of any that do not love Him who do Injustice and Iniquity Now these Adversaries having opposed the Vrim and Thummim Light and Perfection Typified in the Brest-plate of Judgment Exod. 28.30 as testified and witnessed in the Gospel-Dispensation they proceed to other Charges to prove the People called Quakers Blasphemous in Principle 15th Charge p. 8. In Truth defending the Quakers written from the Spirit of Truth in G. W. and G. F. Jun. Printed 1659. p. 7. The Question being put Whether the Quakers did esteem their Speakings to be of as great Authority as any Chapter in the Bible 'T is Answered That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth In any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater Observe Here they have unjustly quoted G. W. c. leaving out the Annexed Explanatory Words which are within the same Period viz. As Christ's Words were of greater Authority when He Spoke than the Pharisees reading the Letter and they in whom that Spirit speaks not are out of the Authority of the Scriptures and their Speaking we deny Thus far the Answer Note here that the Comparison is not plac'd upon our Speakings nor yet the Authority distinct from the Spirit of Truth but upon the Spirit of Truth speaking in Man in the first place and through and by the Ministers thereof in the next place And surely the Spirit has not lost his own Authority or Power since it first gave out the Holy Scriptures In the next place that the Spirit of Truth immediately Ministring In Man or by any Spiritual Minister is of greater Authority Power or Efficacy than the Chapters are simply considered as without the Spirit And as to the Division of Chapters and Verses can these Men say That was done by Divine Authority I suppose not Yet we sincerely still acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of Divine Authority as given by Divine Inspiration and prefer them before and above all other Writings or Books and in no wise question the Truth of them But we must needs allow the Holy Spirit from whence they came the Preference and its Immediate Teaching and Speaking in the Soul as of greater Efficacy Power and Authority to that Soul than the bare Writing or Scripture without or only reading thereof though it contain the same Words immediately taught And so Christ and his Apostles living and powerful Preaching in and from the Powerful Motion of the Holy Spirit as being of greater Efficacy Power and Authority than the outward Writing or Scripture it self simply or abstractly considered as distinct from that Spirit Though the Words Preached and the Words Written may be the same As when Christ had opened the Scriptures unto his Disciples they said one to another Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us by the way and while he opened to us the Scriptures which concerned his Suffering and entering into his Glory Luke 24.32 But how many by reading Christ's Words and Exposition of the Prophets without his Spirit do ever cause Peoples Hearts so to burn within them The Gospel as livingly Preached came not in Words only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.5 For the real Authority Efficacy and Service the Holy Scripture has upon a Soul is from the Holy Spirit or Word of Life giving the true Belief and right Understanding thereof As Answered in my Treatise Intituled The Christianity of the People called Quakers Vindicated in Answer to Doctor Ford p. 13. And in Christ's Lambs Defended to the Reader p. 7. Their Inference in the Margent That they i.e. the Quakers have immediate Revelations equal with the Prophets and Apostles Is not truly inferred for we may have Immediate Revelation from the same Spirit yet not in the same Degree There are manifold Gifts Openings and Discoveries given by the Holy Spirit and yet some above and excelling others And so there are many Testimonies and Writings proceeding and given forth from the same Spirit yet some far excelling others as there are many Varieties in God's Creation And it ever was and is far from me to prefer any of our Books or Writings how true soever to the Holy Scripture or Bible 16th Charge p. 8. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 242. tells us that the Priest saith That the Apostles were Eye-witnesses and understood by immediate Revelation from God Inspired with the Gift of the Spirit more than any Man could hope for since and saith They do not pretend
any such Gift nor depend upon any such Immediate Miraculous Revelation from Heaven To which G. E. Answers Then all may see now in this what ye have receiv'd that hath been from Man which is not from Heaven Immediate nor the Gifts of the Spirit nor receiv'd the Gospel by the same Means the Apostles did who are not the Eye-witnesses as the Apostles were Neither have ye attained to the same Knowledge and Understanding as the Apostles did nor receiv'd it from Heaven Now let all People question Whether it is the same Gospel which is not receiv'd from Heaven nor immediately nor by Revelation for the Gospel is Immediate which is the Power of God Rom. 1. They i. e. Quakers are in the same Power Vnderstanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in Obs The last Part is Partially quoted to abuse us i. e. Quakers is added and the Sense perverted by leaving out the last Words of the Sentence as after the Words they are in the same Power Understanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in That Vnderstand the Gospel left out As also And they that be in another cannot understand the Gospel Now for these Men to charge us with Blasphemy for Confessing to Immediate Revelation and Inspiration from God by the Gift of the Spirit and thence receiving the Gospel and a Spiritual Understanding and Knowledge thereof by Revelation from Heaven Herein have they opposed the True Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and consequently charged his own and his Apostles Doctrine and Testimony as Blasphemous For neither knoweth any Man the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him Mat. 11.27 And the things of God knows no Man but by the Spirit of God as they are reveal'd unto us by the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.9 They who oppose this Evangelical Doctrine shew themselves both Ignorant of God of Christ and of the things of God and of his Teachings which he has promised his Children They shall all be taught of God John 6.45 Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.33 Where on Isa 54.13 It is noted in the Margent in the old Bible of Queen Elizabeth By the hearing of his Word and inward moving of his Spirit And on Jer. 31.33 it is also noted viz. Under the Kingdom of Christ there shall be none blinded with Ignorance but I will give them Faith and Knowledge of God for Remission of their Sins and daily increase the same so that it shall not seem to come so much by the Preaching of my Ministers as by the Instruction of my Holy Spirit 17th Charge p. 8 9. G. F. further tells us p. 213. That the Priest says Thou dost not speak in that degree of the Holy Ghost as the Prophets and Apostles did that spoke forth Scriptures To which he Answer Then thou must take heed of Exalting thy self above thy Measures for thou canst not know Scripture but by the same degree of the Spirit the Prophets and Apostles had Obs 1. The Caution against Self-Exaltation was Seasonable 2. The Scripture i. e. the whole Scripture cannot be truly known but by a high degree of the Spirit if not the same degree the Prophets and Apostles had who gave it forth But if any true Knowledge of Scripture be receiv'd it must be by a Degree of the same Spirit as I suppose the Words before cited should be so Transpos'd and so intended 18th Charge p. 9. News coming out of the North c. Printed 1655. p. 14. Your Original is Carnal Hebrew Greek and Latine and your Word is Carnal the Letter Obs The Letter it self is not made up of Spiritual Matter or Lasting Materials but of such as will decay and turn to Dust but the Matter contain'd that is the Holy Doctrine will continue and is permanent And this is no Vilifying or Contemning of Holy Scripture i. e. the Holy Doctrine thereof Though this News out of the North is quoted against us yet it is very Partially and unfairly done For in the same Book the Holy Scripture is clearly own'd As Spoken by the Lord and his Holy Prophets Christ and his Apostles p. 5.8 But the Promises and Words of the Prophets Christ and his Apostles misapplied by the first Birth and Serpent p. 11 12 13 16. The Law of God and the Prophet of the Lord who spake freely from his Mouth expresly so owned page 23 28. Though they that put the Letter for the Light Preaching their own Words and Imaginations thereupon are disowned page 12. Consequently the Holy Scriptures are own'd but the Perverters and Perversions disown'd 19th Charge p. 9. Tho. Lawson in his Brief Discovery of a Threefold Estate of Anti-Christ printed 1653. written from the Spirit of the Lord p. 9. calls the Ministers Babylon 's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price the Letter which is Dust and Death Obs Their Injustice and False Quotation in this Passage also and and how they vary it from their Agent Bugg's who often over has herein accused us with calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware in divers of his Books and also in his late great Sheet stil'd Some Reasons Humbly Offered to the Honourable House of Commons p. 1. col 1 4. He has this Gross Lie twice over after divers times detected for it So that these Three Priests and F. Bugg do not agree in what they witness like the False Witnesses against Christ For in the said Brief Discovery quoted the words are these Babylon's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price all the Week-time heaping up a Rabble of Notions into the Brain c. So that Beastly Wares relate to their Rabble of Notions of their own heaping up and not to the Holy Scripture nor to the Letter thereof but to their bruitish Imaginations and Divinations of their own Brain neither was this spoken of the Ministers without Exception as in the Quotation much less of Christ's Ministers or Ministery but of the False Ministers as the Title of that part is p. 7. 20th Charge p. 9. Saul's Errand to Damascus printed 1654. p. 7. Q. against G. F. All that study to raise a living thing out of a Dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers and draw Points and Reasons and so do speak a Divination of their own Brain c. Obs Here they are partial in Quotation again leaving out the preceeding Passages which distinguishing between the Letter and the Light the Letter and the Spirit judging them Blind that put the Letter for the Light and say The Letter and the Spirit are inseparable When the Spirit says The Letter is Death and Killeth according to 2 Cor. 3.6 7. now who will Study to raise a living thing out of a Dead or to raise the Spirit out of the Letter Is such studying warrantable Who dare justifie it And will not the Lord make Diviners Mad Isa 44.25 and does not such studying to raise a Living thing out of a Dead
somewhat resemble Conjuration And did not the Prophet Micah Prophesie against such Priests as Teach for Hire and such Prophets as Divine for Mony See Mic. 3.11 21th Charge Ibid. Truth 's Defence by G. F. and R. H. printed 1653. p. 101. It is dangerous to read viz. the Scriptures which the Prophets Christ and the Apostles spoke forth freely Obs Again what abuse this is in the Quotation for here they leave out the very Intent of the matter because it touches themselves as Persons Conscious 'T is not said in those general words that it is dangerous to read the Scriptures c. but it is dangerous to read and to make a Trade of that which the Prophets Christ and the Apostles spake forth freely and to give meanings to it contrary than it is And further it is said You wrest the Scriptures to your own Destruction Psal 56.5 These Men were willing to leave out what concerns their making a Trade of the Scriptures or of that which the Prophets Christ and his Apostles spake forth freely 'T is not said to be dangerous to all Men to read the Scriptures but to them that pervert them and make a Trade of them So 't is dangerous for any to read them for an unlawful end but not for any to read them for a good end For it is expresly said in the same page quoted Blessed is he that doth read and doth understand As to what they object in the latter part of their Quotation I answer that it is a great Evil to condemn either the Scriptures to the Fire or any other Books given forth from the Eternal Spirit of God the Evil in both is of the same kind tho' the Matter of Fact may differ in degree It was a great Evil and wicked Act in Jâ—hoiakim King of Judah to burn Jeremiah's Roll or Book writ by Barack Jer. 36. but it would be a greater Act of Wickedness to burn all the Books of the Holy Prophets or the whole Bible There are Degrees of Robbery but all of the same kind 22th Charge p. 10. Edw. Burroughs p. 47. of his Works That is no Command from God to me what he commands to another neither did any of the Saints which we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was to another not having the Command to themselves Here they leave out the next words viz. I challenge to find an Example for it they were obliged every one by their own Command One was sent to Baptism and to preach the Gospel another was sent not to Baptise but to Preach the Gospel all these left out And then they go on with their Charge viz. And thou or any other who go to Duty as you call it by Imitation from the Letter without which was a Command to others in your Wills and Time your Sacrifice is not accepted but is abomination to the Lord for you go without the moving of the Spirit in your own Wills and Strength which God hates and which his wrath is upon Obs From what these Men have partially left out in their Quotation he intended Special Commands or Commissions as to Baptise to Preach or to pray c. which they that perform in their own Wills and Time and go to Prayer or other Acts of Worship or Devotion towards God without the Moving and Assistance of his Spirit 't is but Will-worship and they are not accepted therein but rejected of the Lord as Israel in their observing their Sacrifices Oblations Incense New Moons Sabbaths and calling of Assemblies and making many Prayers were rejected of the Lord and testified against by his Prophet tho' they imitated the Letter of the Law in these things Isa 1.11 12 13 14 15. But there are Universal and Moral Commands of Justice and Honesty and Prohibitions of the Contrary which are universally binding to Mankind but chiefly from Inward Light and Conviction And God has not left man without Light and Grace to oblige him therein it being Conviction that can Effectually only oblige to obedience W. P. who is also quoted in this Case against us out of his Quaquerism a New Nickname c. Printed 1673. p. 71 72. is further explanatory and distinguishing in this point as between Ordinary and Extraordinary Cases and I am persuaded these Adversaries cannot answer him in Justification of their Charge against us And therefore very partially quote him on the same Subject after these words viz. No Command in the Scripture is any further obliging upon any Man than as he finds a conviction upon his Conscience otherwise Men should be engaged without if not against Conviction a thing unreasonable in a Man They leave out these following viz. Therefore the Apostle when he wrote to the Churches exhorted them not to do those things whereof they were ashamed and to shun what was manifested to be evil and affirms That whatever might be known of God was manifested within for God had shewn it unto them To which I further add how can Man truly know that there is an All-seeing God who is Judge of all and that he is to be loved feared and worshipped And how can he truly believe the Holy Scriptures and obey the Good Precepts thereof without Inward Illumination and Conviction by the Holy Spirit Light and Grace in his Heart Charge 23. p. 10 11. A Shield of the Truth by James Parnel Printed 1655. p. 11. He 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 Edw. Burr p. 515. tells us That the Scriptures are not the Rule and Guide of Faith and Life unto the Saints but the Spirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures Obs These two Instances are both brought to prove that we slight or contemn the Scriptures which is very unjustly surmised For if they had honestly observ'd what both write upon the same Subject they might have seen there is no denial or slighting of the Scriptures As first J. P. on the place quoted confesseth that who are guided by the true Light cannot walk contrary thereto i. e. to the Scripture And Secondly E. B. on the place quoted also confesseth that the Scriptures are profitables and were given forth to be read and to be fulfulled and that the Spirit of God which is the Rule of the Saints Faith and Life leads them to walk in the fulfilling of the Scriptures and according to them Which therefore cannot Import any Contempt of them but the contrary And their Preferring the Spirit to the Letter and to the Scripture as the only or chief Rule of Faith and Life unto the Saints as it was before the Scripture was written this can be no undervaluing of the Scriptures seeing they testifie of Christ the Way the Truth and the Life and of the Spirit as that which guides true Believers into all Truth and even into a right Understanding and profitable Use of the holy Scriptures or Doctrine
And what Prophecies are for Christ's Kingdom or the Government of the Lamb This we must own and that He shall Rule the Nations and He shall Rule in the midst of his Enemies and that the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and of His Christ These and such like the Holy Scriptures do expresly warrant and testifie And to G. F's saying That the Quakers are in the Power of God and in the Authority of the Lamb above all Houses and into Houses creep not but are upon the Throne Gr. Myst p. 31. He meant Spiritually no doubt and not Literally for they are not upon an outward Throne They that suffer with Christ shall Reign with Him as Kings and Priests upon Earth though their Kingdom be not of this World And it is testified That HE God with-draweth not his Eyes from the Righteous but with Kings are they on the Throne yea He doth establish them for ever and they are exalted Job 36.7 Again these Adversaries charge G. W. and G. F. Junior out of Truth Defending the Quakers Printed 1659. p. 9 10. with Answering That the Magistrate that is sent of God he receives the Law from the Mouth of God and he is the Prophet whom Moses spoke of Deut. 18.18 We are very wrongfully quoted in this place for our Words are The Magistrate that is sent of God and is his Minister he receives the Law at the Mouth of God and hears the Prophet whom Moses said the People should hear in all things Deut. 18.18 Acts 3.22 And what Sedition are in these Words Pray or Blasphemy either seeing He that Rules over Men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23.3 And Divine Wisdom which is confest to be the Eternal Son of God saith By me Kings reign and Princes decree Justice Prov. 8. Must they not then receive Wisdom and Counsel from Him who is the Wisdom and Power of God And if his People must hear him in All things how shall Matters of Just Government be excepted As to what these Men quote against us in their sixteenth Page to prove us the aforesaid People Anti-Monarchical they are very broken in their Quotations with their many senseless Dashes like the Snake in the Grass Second Edition p. 220. but varying in the Citation of the same Passage These Men have the Words Are not all these Elders that will dote so much of an Earthly King But the Snake has it Are not all these Christians that will dote so much c. And both leaving out what may more plainly import the Intent of the Author And yet by what 's so abruptly quoted his meaning may be understood As some then doting so much on an Earthly King to rule over them as Christians he meant no other but such Earthly Kings as were persecuting Kings as he mentions Herod the King who was mad at the Child Jesus such Earthly Kings as would rule over Men's Consciences such as the Gentiles set up and such corrupt and wicked Kings as the Holy Prophets prophesied against as David Isaiah Ezekiel and others did see Psal 2.2 Psal 107.40 Job 12.21 Isa 63.3 6. Jer. 44.9 It 's said in Isaiah 24.21 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall punish the Host of the high Ones and the Kings of the Earth upon the Earth see also vers 22. and Isai 30.33 Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared c. Yet these Prophets were for Good Kings and Righteous Government and such Kings were foretold of who should be nursing-Fathers and Queens nursing-Mothers Isai 49.23 therefore these were not Anti-monarchical without exception And I am persuaded G. F. never intended to reflect upon any good Kings or such as were against Persecution and Oppression but against such as he compares to Herod who was mad at the Child Jesus And we have known him speak well and give good commendation of our present King with respect to his Moderation and Tenderness and the Liberty of Conscience in Religious Worship owned and granted by him When Christ told his Disciples The Princes of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them but it shall not be so among you Matt. 20.25 26. was he therefore an Enemy to Caesar as he was accused No sure he did not thereby preach Sedition against Caesar or the Kings of the Gentiles nor dissuade the Christians from their due subjection unto them We may further observe that those Kings of the Earth and those Great and Mighty Men and Chief Captains c. who have incurred the wrath of God and of the Lamb so as to hide themselves in Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains and to call to the Mountains and Rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Rev. 6.15 These no doubt were wicked Kings who were concern'd in this Prophesie But there 's another Prophesie which bespeaks a Great Reformation among the Nations And the Kings of the Earth when the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of the Holy City of God and the Kings of the Earth bring their Glory and Honour into it Rev. 21.24 26. Therefore all Kings are not condemnable as the wicked are We have been accused to be one while against another while for Kingly Government particularly in a Scandalous Libel stiled A Letter to the Quakers and also in the Snake in the Grass to which the following Answer was given which may now serve for a General Answer to these Adversaries viz. The first part of the Charge is false as 't is charged on us For tho' it 's true that some were rather in their judgments for a Common-wealth duly qualified for the Ease and Liberty of the People than such a Monarchy that might as they supposed be oppressive and persecuting for Conscience yet not against such a Monarchy as is justly qualified for the Good of the People under which they might enjoy their Liberties and Properties as Men and Christians such Monarchy and Common-wealth being not inconsistent as to the good Ends of Government i. e. Salus Populi in true Liberty and Property And it 's evident the Common-wealth or Weal of England is consistent with and allowed by Monarchy But many honest Men were in their judgments rather for such a Common-wealth-Government than an Oppressive Persecuting Monarchy And what then Did they sin against God therein No Did they offend against Man or any Humane Laws thereby They are pardoned by divers Acts of Indemnity which those Libellizing Informers manifestly violate by upbraiding them now in such Matters of State and Government Pray let this be observed And to obviate further Objections of Prejudice in this Case set Case some of our Friends in former days expressed their Respect to a Republick rather than a Monarchy then when they feared it would prove more burthensome and yet as Christians quietly
These our Accusers appear most invidious against them as if influenced by some treacherous Judases or envious Apostates They begin to quote Mr. Bugg and Mr. Kieth as they stile them their Authority against us And what says their Mr. Bugg They tell us Mr. Bugg's Pilgrims Progress Chapters 7 8 9 10 11. give an account of their several Meetings and of their Fund Exchequer or Common-Bank And what says there Mr. Kieth to it seeing he is join'd with F. Bugg for a witness against us Mr. Keith say they who has been a Quaker above thirty Years more shame for him now to vilifie them in his Second Narrative p. 5. says I am not able to Print Books as they Quakers can they are many and have a Common-Stock I am but one To which we Answer we deny their Terms of Fund Exchequer or Common-Bank we know no Common-Stock we have that can properly be called a Fund or an Exchequer for improvement of a Stock or advancing and increasing Mony upon as a Fund Foundation or setled Bottom c. What Fund for Improvement can a Collection for poor be that is soon distributed and spent Tho' we have free and voluntary Collections in our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for the Charitable Supply and Relief of the Poor and Indigent among us that they may not be Chargeable or Burdensome to our Neighbours of other Persuasions nor to the Parishes wherein they dwell Thus we relieve our own Poor and also pay our share or Proportions severally to other Poor of the respective Parishes and Places where our Friends inhabit And now as we are a People we must needs have divers Charges upon us as Our Poors Rents and charge of Meeting-Houses Rents and Reparations in many Places As also for the necessary Supply and Relief of our Friends when impoverished or disabled under or by extream Suffering and Distress in this or other Countries as in Ireland when they had greatly suffered by reason of the late War and of late in Scotland where in divers parts they have wanted Bread and Subsistence through the late Years great Failing of their Harvests And also for the Relief of our Friends who have been for many Years Captives in Algiers Macqueness and Sally under sore and miserable Hardships and Extremities whereby many have lost their Lives Upon these and other Occasions and Necessities relating to our suffering Friends and Brethren our Friends in this Nation who are capable have been free and willing without any Compulsion to contribute their Christian Assistance Charitable and Necessary Supplies and accordingly Distributions have been made thereof pursuant to these good and necessary Ends So that we have no Fund of Improvement nor any Tax imposed by any of our Meetings but the necessary Occasions tenderly recommended in the Love of God in these Matters and accordingly left to every ones free Liberty as God shall incline their Hearts to consider the Poor and Needy and Distressed c. And if these our Accusers who seek to Jealous and Criminate us in these matters were charitably disposed as Christians they would not render us Criminal Dangerous or Seditious for such Religious Acts of Charity and Christianity But would better consider the Primitive Christians Practice in such Cases than to misrepresent our Meetings wherein such Christian Care is taken as opposite to the Government This Savours rank of an Uncharitable Persecuting Spirit as their long Marginal-Note on p. 22 23. doth beginning with these words They have a Government within the Government independant from it and opposite to it This is like Judas and the Priests and the False Witnesses against Christ to make him an Enemy to Caesar thus they would make us the People of God called Quakers greatly obnoxious as if we promoted Regnum in Regno not only Independent but Opposite to the Civil Government which none of our Meetings are being all Peaceable and Innocent both for the Worship of Almighty God and Service of one another in true Christian Love in order to promote the real Practice of Piety Christianity and true Religion among us as a People and to prevent the contrary as much as in us lies by Warning and due Admonition against all disorderly loose Conversation Immorality and Profaneness tending to the Scandal of our Holy Profession And for such good Ends there were Helps in Government in the true Church 1 Cor. 12.28 and all in Subjection to Christ's Government who is Head and Law-giver to His Church and upon whose Shoulders the Government is laid And this is not opposite to the Civil Government in the Nation neither hath the King the Government or the Nation ever sustained any Hurt or Prejudice by these our Meetings or by the Christian Care or Service thereof and their being Monthly Quarterly and Yearly is for conveniency of the Times and due Notice and in no wise to Confront the Government no more than our First-Days and Weekly Meetings for our Meetings are Innocently upheld in the Name of the Lord for his Worship and Service and have accordingly been manifest these many Years under the various Revolutions of Government and we hope we shall in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ stand for and innocently Vindicate our Christian and Just Liberty therein against this Persecuting Spirit which unjustly seeks to Influence Authority against us and our Religious Exercise in the Practice of our Christian Religion But blessed be the Lord who by his Power hath better inclin'd the King and Government to Moderation and Gentleness towards all their Peaceable and Serviceable People As we do not assume to our selves a Government or Dominion over our People or their Faith nor place a Supremacy or Headship in Persons or Assemblies but in Jesus Christ our Head and Governour so we know no such Supream Assembly among us as gives Laws and makes Orders for the Government of our People and suppressing Books writ against us as is falsly suggested we know no such Supremacy or Dominion exercised among us though we have Christian Assemblies both general and particular held only in the Name and Power of Christ Jesus Neither have we our Laws and Orders for the Government of our People to make by Assemblies but to see those put in practice which Christ our Head and Law-giver hath taught us and revealed to his Servants and that agreeable to the Holy Scriptures of Truth and no ways injurious to the outward Government But for the promoting of Truth and Righteousness in the Earth and as Fellow-helpers in Christ provoking one another to Love and Good Works And as for Passing Censure upon Offenders so did the Primitive Christians And what have they against Passing Censure upon Offenders Why may we not as a Christian Society Censure Offenders and Disorderly Walkers and such as cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel It is evident the Primitive Christian Churches did both Instruct Exhort Reprove Rebuke and Reject These our Persecutors over and over
that as the Serpent is a Spirit the Seed Christ must be Inwardly and Spiritually known by his Light Life and Power to bruise under and cast out the Serpent See how at large W. P. explains it and confesseth to the true Christ the promised Seed both as in the Flesh and in the Spirit Christian Quaker 1st part Chap. 19. 25. Let us but Soberly consider what Christ is and we shall the better know whether Moral Men tho' Heathen are to be reckoned Christians What is Christ but Meekness Justice Mercy c. Can any then deny a Meek Man to be a Christian This against W. P's Address to Protestants Second Edition Anno 1692. p. 119. Here they have added tho Heathen and after Mercy they leave out Patience Charity and Virtue in Perfection W. P. did not design thereby to lessen the Power or Dignity of Christ who is the Author of these Virtues no more than the Apostle did in saying He Christ is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption spoken in the Abstract And the Prophet saying God is my Light and my Salvation tho' God and Christ also be the Author of Redemption and Salvation III. Concerning the Holy Scriptures 26. Whether the first Pen-men of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these are not one c. This with more Questions quoted against John Whitehead Quakers Refuge p. 17. Thus these adversaries as F. Bugg and the Author of the Snake use to do to Defame us leave out these following words relative to each thing questioned viz. is not the subject of my Argument at this time Hence 't is plain the Person who recited the Questions which was not John Whitehead but R. R. waveth these Questions and cited them not as the Subject of his own Argument about the Scriptures but of some others he would not be concern'd to dispute those Questions or Doubts For he further confesseth in the said Quakers Refuge quoted That such Scriptures and Prophecies as have been Written and Prophesied by the Holy Men of God as they were moved by his Spirit Treating of the Mystery of God in the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind by Jesus Christ and the Duty of Man in his Obedience to and Worship of the same God as his reasonable Service for the Gift of so great Salvation are the great Concerns now under our most serious Consideration From hence it 's clear the Author was no Contemner of Holy Scripture nor intended any Contempt thereof as is more fully cleared in my said Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 83 84 85. 27. The Scriptures are not the Word of God Yet he says of his own Writings To you all this is the Word of the Lord. Against G. F. Gr. Myst p. 246. Ibid. p. 225. Note first by the Word of God he means Christ the Essential Living Word in the first place Secondly To you all this is the Word of the Lord in that place he speaks of the Light within and the Spirit that was in them that gave forth the Scriptures Gr. Myst p. 225. yet confesseth the Scriptures of Truth are God's Words which Christ the Word fulfills p. 246. And if elsewhere concerning what he gave forth from the Living Word that it was the Word of the Lord he intends only as Words immediately proceeding from the Motion of the Word of the Lord and not of his own Writings Abstractly as he is misunderstood and misrepresented What we are Charged with in their next Passages concerning the Authority of the Scriptures and concerning Beastly Wares the Letter c. p. 6 7. 'tis fully Answer'd and Distinguish'd in the first Part And our Adversaries injuriously dealing with us and misrepresenting us fully detected IV. 29. Concerning the Sacraments so call'd Circumcision Water-Baptism Paschal-Lamb Bread and Wine Sprinkling Infants c. These are spoken to before only this I propose That what any of our Friends have written heretofore against Sprinkling Infants as Unscriptural if they 'll please to bring us plain Scripture-Proof for that Practice as they use it then we are bound to revoke what 's written against it V. Concerning the Resurrection of the Body 30. They quote some Arguments out of W. P's Reason against Railing and his Invalidity of J. Faldo 's Vindication and Tho. Ellwood 's Answer to G. Keith 's First Narrative and Rich. Hubberthorn 's Opposing the Doctrine of the Glorified Saints in Heaven not being Perfect both distinguishing between the Natural Body and the Spiritual Body according to 1 Cor. 15. whose Arguments not being Answer'd by these Opposers I shall need say the less to them only would have them so Charitable as that if they believe that the Resurrection-Bodies of the Saints shall be the same Natural and Carnal Bodies that now they are upon Earth that they would not Condemn us as Blasphemers for Believing our Resurrection-Bodies shall be Spiritual and Glorious far excelling these Natural Carnal and Earthly Bodies For else how should the Saints Bodies be like unto Christ's Glorious Body VI. 31. That the Quakers make themselves Equal to God and a Part of God This repeated Falshood is detected and answered in the First Part and so are their Instances of the Soul against Gr. Myst p. 273. and p. 100. and p. 91. and p. 229. where the Word Soul is distinguish'd in a two-fold Sense First in Relation to God his Divine Spirit or Breath of Life Secondly to Man as thereby made a Living Soul 32. We are of his Flesh and Bones and have his Substance Against Gr. Myst p. 248. This is falsly Quoted 'T is not there said in the Affirmative That we are so but an Inversion upon the Adversary from Ephes 5.30 John 6.56 33. Christ is not distinct from his Saints Against Great Mystery p. 207. He means not divided or separate from his Saints as by his following Words Christ is in his Saints Gr. Myst p. ibid. 34. Christ is the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88. So saith the Prophet of Him Isai 42.1 G. F. also calls Christ's Sheep the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88 89. 35. The Light within is Christ Gr. Myst p. 310. True but not truly Quoted but thus viz. The Light which every Man that cometh into the World is Lightned withal is Christ Gr. Myst ibid. And Christ the Light saith I in them and Thou in Me John 17.23 26. 36. The Soul is not a Creature but Infinite in it self without beginning Gr. Myst p. 29 90. This is mis-cited and wrong mixt they turn and confound Questions into Affirmatives That which is Infinite in it self relates to that which came out from the Creator namely that Divine Life or Soul which gave Life and Being to Man's Soul 'T is not said Man's Soul or Spirit is not a Creature as distinguished more fully in the First Part. 37. They that have the Spirit of God are equal with God Er. Howgill 's Works p. 232. These are none of F. Howgill's
Words but his Adversary's what a Falacious Course do these our Adversaries take to prove us Criminal F. H's Words are He that hath the Spirit of God is in that which is Equal The Matter is Answered in the First Part and so is that Quoted out of Saul's Errand p. 8. 38. The Righteousness which God effects in us is not Finite but Infinite G. W. Voice of Wisdom p. 36. This was Inferr'd from the Priests owning That the Righteousness whereof Christ is the Subject and that whereof he is the Efficient are of one Species or Kind And from Galat. 4.19 Christ being formed in us And 2 Pet. 1.4 The Saints being made Partakers of the Divine Nature And Heb. 2.11 Eccles 3.14 I concluded Then God's Righteousness in us is not Finite but Infinite Voice of Wisd p. 36 37. Now I suppose they place the Mistake or Error supposed between the Words Effects and Infinite as if nothing could be said to be Infinite that had a beginning or that is effected which is to suppose whatsoever is Infinite has no Beginning as well as no End but Infinite is not always taken in that Sense for 't is sometimes apply'd to things that had a Beginning as in Nah. 2.9 chap. 3.9 But my meaning simply of the Word Infinite was That God's Righteousness which he effects in us is Everlasting and without End Psal 119 142. And Christ is said to be of God made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 I hope none will deny him to be Infinite or his Work of Righteousness and the Effect thereof to be Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa 32.17 VII Of Christ's Coming to Judge the Quick and the Dead P. 9. 39. But Three Comings of Christ not only that in the Flesh at Jerusalem and that in the Spirit but also another coming in the Flesh yet to be expected we do not yet read of Against G. W's Light and Life page 41. But is this to deny or oppose Christ's coming to Judge the Quick and the Dead 'T was never so intended And Questioning some Men's Carnal Expectations of a Fleshly coming of Christ to be seen with their Carnal Eyes was this to deny his coming in the Glory of his Father with his Angels to Reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16.27 Luke 9.26 No sure for that 's confessed and undeniable Likewise to question some Men's Notion of a Fleshly coming of Christ Personally to Reign a Thousand Years on Earth is this to oppose his Kingdom or that Prophecy of his Reign a Thousand Years mentioned Rev. 20.2 4 5 6 7 No sure Let our Adversaries produce plain Scripture-Proof in Terminis for Christ's Coming and Reign in that manner and the Question is Resolv'd To their other Citation out of Nature of Christianity p. 29 30. Thou may'st look until thy Eyes drop out before thou wilt see such an appearance of him meaning with his carnal Eyes This is true in Fact for those very Eyes decay and perish and Christ's last coming in Power and great Glory in his glorious Body accompanied with All his mighty Angels at the Resurrection must be seen with stronger clearer and more celestial Eyes than perishing Eyes of Flesh And though we have believed Christ's Second Appearance or Coming without Sin unto Salvation mentioned Heb. 9.28 that is to save Men from their Sins to be a Spiritual Appearance and Work yet this is not to deny Christ to be the Judge both of the Quick and the Dead or his coming to judge the Quick and the Dead in the great and last Day 40. And as for that 1 Thes 4.15 concerning the Coming of the Lord from Heaven which these Men would blindly put a-far off Q. against Brief Discovery p. 9. in Answer to John Horn c. Anno 1659. Here they leave out As to a coming of Christ with Flesh and Bones meaning without any Blood in it for such a Body they then held and The Apostle saith We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep These are left out also in their Citation In the Ancient Bible of Q. Elizabeth the words are We which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which sleep From my inferring the Saints knowledge of Christ's Spiritual Coming who is Lord from Heaven I would have none suppose that we at all doubt of the Coming of the Son of Man the Lord Jesus and shewing himself from Heaven at the great Day and all his Holy Angels with him as testified in Holy Scripture by himself and Servants On Phil. 20.21 after the words Their Conversations was in Heaven They add To wit a Heaven within them Thus the Quotation is wronged in this and divers other words 41. There is none have a Glory and a Heaven but within them Gr. Myst p. 214. Here they leave out what follows viz. Which was before Man had a Being The words should be Transposed viz. There 's none have a Glory and a Heaven within them but which was before Man had a Being For what true and heavenly Glory or Joy any have within them 't was before Man had a Being this appears to be the intent of the Author the word But being misplaced and yet what the Saints have and injoy in this Life is much short in degree of that more full Attainment and exceeding Weight of Glory in that which is to come VIII Concerning Government P. 10. 42. The Quakers hold none Lawful but in their own Hands for that they have only a Right to Rule over the whole Earth and that it is Lawful for them to Fight and subdue the World under them and that they expect it These we utterly deny and testifie against as gross Calumnies cast upon us contrary to our Peaceable Christian Principle and Practice both as to Rule and Fighting We seek no Worldly Kingdom or Dominion to our selves but the Promotion of Christ's Peaceable Kingdom in Men wherein we desire ever to approve our Selves his Innocent Subjects whose Weapons are not Carnal but Spiritual being Crucified with him to the Ground and Cause or War and Fighting And therefore in his Power testifie against this Malicious Persecuting Spirit which hath thus fouly misrepresented us as a People against all Civil Government and as holding it lawful for us to Fight and Subdue the World under us and that we expect it too O for Shame for Shame you Malicious Persecutors Cease Cease such your horrid Falshoods and Malicious Attempts to incense the Government thereby These Adversaries quote a piece of a Declaration of the Quakers as they call it beginning thus viz. We have chosen the Son of God to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People c. p. 10. Out of which Declaration they have here left out several material Passages to clear our Innocency from Fighting as charged upon us as His Kingdom i. e.
Christ's Kingdom is not of this World neither is his Warfare with Carnal Weapons c. neither hath he chosen us for that end neither can we yet believe that he will make use of us in that way c. but as for Christ's Right to Rule the Nations he being the Prince of the Kings of the Earth and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the Holy Scriptures are very clear and full And we could heartily wish the Nations and the Princes of the Earth more Subject to Christ's Government than generally they are then there would be more universal Love Charity Tranquility and Amable Correspondence in the Nations and Kingdoms of this World than as yet there is As to S. Fisher's Message in 1656. again recited in part For the Reign of Christ and his Saints 't is cleared in the First Part. As to what they recite out of E. B's Epistle To the Camp of the Lord in England p. 67. containing many Warlike Expressions he was never understood to mean Litterally amongst us or by any of us that ever I could perceive but of a Spiritual Warfare with Spiritual Weapons as when the Lord said I have hewen them by my Prophets and slain them by the words of my Mouth Hosea 6.5 and Psal 149.6 7 8 9. Let the High Praises of God be in their Mouth a Two-edged Sword in their hand to execute Vengeance upon the Heathen and Punishments upon the People To bind their Kings with Chains and their Nobles with Fetters of Iron To Execute upon them the Judgment written this Honour have all his Saints Though these Doctors are pleased to take these Litterally against us in S. Fisher's Message Thus they shew their Learning and how they are Principled for Fighting against Kings and Nobles if they esteem themselves Saints as we may presume they do which still shews how Ignorant they are of the Voices of God's Prophets To their Marginal Note upon E. B's said Epistle To the Camp of the Lord viz. N. B. It was a Secret of their Government not fit to be divulged What a manifest untruth is that when they see it divulged in his Works quoted by them p. 64. to 67. IX Concerning Kings and Kingly Government What is recited under this Head is answered in the First Part except this Prophetical Passage viz. The Lord will cleanse the Land of you Rulers Priests c. This was prophesied against the Persecutors and Oppressors of God's People in 1655. which in a great Measure is come to pass and may yet further be fulfilled if any should rise up to renew the like work of Persecution against the Lord's Heritage X. Concerning Parliaments Many are so doting on the Name of a Parliament c. against Fra. Howgill's Works p. 5. with more words abruptly cited so that the sense and intent of the Author cannot be understood and I find them not in the place cited XI Of the Lords What a dirty nasty thing it would have been to have heard talk of a House of Lords amongst them To the Council of Officers p. 7. that was among them in O. Cromwell's days which was about 1656. 'T was spoken ad Hominem as their Principle who were against O. C's making Lords or having a House of Lords among them there was once more Sincerity and Humility among them than so to exalt themselves contrary to what they had professed XII Of the Commons The Recitations under this Head are answered in the First Part in which I would not be understood in any wise to oppose the Peoples Legal and Just Rights to Elections or chusing Members of Parliament according to the Just Intent of Parliaments chosen to make Laws for the Safety and good of the People knowing that Salus Populi Suprema Lex est XIII Of the Quakers rejecting all Humane Laws and Authority but their own This is a notorious Calumny and the Contrary publickly testified by us as a People for our owning and obeying Magistracy as God's Ordinance and by our peaceable Conversation and Submission to Authority ever since we were a People And I cannot see what Offence can be in these words It is God's proper Right to give Laws unto Man seeing 't is by his Divine Wisdom that Kings Reign and Princes Decree Justice Prov. 8.15 The other Passages recited under this 13th Head are also answered in the First Part. XIV Of the Quakers taking upon them Authority to abrogate the Laws of the Land and Associating for the same with their Hands Lives and Estates What they brokenly recite under this Head in several Passages is chiefly against the payment of Tithes under the New Covenant and against such Preachers as Preach for Tithes and Mony to be testified against in the Lord's Power and Spirit which has been according to our Christian Testimony as we really believe and are persuaded in Conscience ever since we were a People Which is not to take upon our selves Authority to abrogate the Laws of the Land as is wrongfully charged upon us under this Head For we neither take upon us such Authority nor do we pretend to any such Power nor do we Associate our selves for that end 't is an unjust Calumny cast upon us But only as the Lord has persuaded us in our own Consciences by his Light and Grace we are obliged to be Faithful in our Testimony though many have been and are Sufferers for the same We do not resist Authority but rather possitively Submit wherein we cannot actually obey with Safety and Peace of Conscience And further we are persuaded our Adversaries cannot make it appear by plain Scripture that Christ's Ministers who are Ministers of the New Covenant are allowed by him to Preach for Tithes Hire or forced Maintenance or that he requires their Hearers to pay Tithes for this is contrary to his own precept freely ye have received freely give And to his Changing the Priesthood of Levi that took Tithes and disanulling the Law that enjoyned the payment of them Heb. 7. and Mat. 10. Divers of the Martyrs and eminent Reformers as in the first Part noted bore the like Testimony with us against the Payment and Imposing of Tithes under the Gospel But this grates hard against such avaricious Priests whose Interest and Trade is therein concerned And seeing T. Ellwood is quoted against the Payment of Tithes under the New Covenant I refer the Reader to his Treatise in that case entituled The Foundation of Tithes shaken XV. Of the High and Divine Authority which the Quakers arrogate to themselves and that they do intend when able to root up and destroy all other Governments This is still as bitter as false and calumnious as the other to render us Obnoxious and to incense to Persecution against us We arrogate no such Authority to our selves but desire Humbly to Meet in the Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus whose Presence is in our Assemblies in the midst of us as we humbly Meet in his Name And our giving
Christian Counsel Admonition Instruction and Recommendation of things just and honest in his Name unto our Friends under the same Christian Profession with us this is no Design to root up or destroy any outward Civil Government in Temporal Affairs or for a Terror to Evil-does but tending to the Ease and Praise thereof by due and timely Admonition to prevent Disorders and Scandal as that termed Preventing Justice doth prevent Enormities Mischiefs and the Penalties consequently must needs be an ease to the Civil Government And as for our Admonishing against unruly disorderly Spirits who either lust to be Contentious or to cause Divisions contrary to the Gospel of Peace or reprehending such who slight contemn and scorn wholsome Advice and Christian Counsel This our Christian Care and Practice for good Order Peace and Vnity in the Churches of Christ among us is both necessary and warrantable and according to the Practice and Example of the Primitive Christians and Churches of Christ So that as hath been testified already in the first Part of this Examination all our Meetings both Yearly Monthly Quarterly c. are for Innocent Good and Christian Ends and Religious Exercise and Service And these Adversaries saying These Meetings are not for Worship but only for their Government p. 17. Is a known Falshood we having in them often-times both earnest Prayer and Supplication to God and Edifying one another in true Faith and Love and provoking one another to Love and good Works To their Charging our said Meetings That we keep them with our Doors shut or guarded expresly against the Act of Toleration that extends only they say to Meetings for Religious Worship and excludes all from any Benefit by that Act who keep their Doors shut at their Meetings p. 17. Thus far against the Quakers See how hard these Persecutors are put to it and how strenuously they endeavour to exclude us from any Benefit of the Act of Toleration consequently to raise Persecution against us But they are very narrow and partial as well as mistaken in their Construction of it For I hope in the Exercise of Religion Meetings for promoting the Practice of pure Religion may be included and allowed together with those intirely for Religious Worship And it is a false Construction to say The said Act excludes all from the Benefit thereof who keep their Doors shut at their Meetings This is a wrong Construction upon the Statute the words whereof being With the Doors lock'd barr'd or bolted 't is not with the Doors shut for there may be need for that sometime to keep out the cold Wind. It seems the Malice of these Persecutors is so deadly against us that they do not only harp upon their repeated Rendering the Quakers as setting up a Government within the Government to make them Seditious but also Treasonable for which end they cite the following Passage out of West answering the North p. 80. viz. Any Party of Men under a Government to make Laws not being Lawfully Authoriz'd so to do for the binding of others and thereunto to require Obedience is the setting up of themselves above the Law and treading it under their Feet and rendering of them whom they do so bind their Slaves and Vassals and so is Treason 'T is probable these Persecutors think they have given us a deadly Blow with this Passage and therefore have put Treason in great Letters But they greatly misapply and pervert the same For being printed about the Year 1656 it was directly intended as a Stroke upon the Persecuting Justices and Magistrates in those times in the West of England who contrary to Magna Charta Chap. 29. and the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of this Nation did in their own Arbitrary Wills issue out Orders of Sessions or Warrants to apprehend and Imprison our Friends and so to confine them and bar them from travelling on the High-ways and some have been taken up and whip'd as Vagrants in those times by such as were intrusted with the Execution of the Law and due Administration of Justice 'T was against such and those their Arbitrary and Unwarrantable Proceedings that the said Passage perversly recited against us was directly intended and levelled And therefore what these Men have recited out of News out of the North p. 18. printed 1654. containing matter of Prophecy against those and such corrupt Persecuting Rulers Judges Justices Priests c. in those days charged with such Persecution and Vsurpation importing their Downfall I see no cause for these Prophesies now to be alledged against us seeing they are in a great measure fulfilled After the words And thou Beast these Men add the Civil Government See what Picking and Botching work they make to throw dirt upon us XVI Their Treatment of Kings p. 19. You and your Kings and Lordly Power by which you thought to exercise Lordship over my Heritage shall be Enslaved by the Devil c. against E. B's Trumpet printed Anno 1655. Obs This is not of all Kings but all Persecutors of the Saints of God who would Lord it over His Heritage are Enemies to Christ and under the Dragon's Power consequently such are enslaved by the Devil already how Great and High soever they are in the Earth and will go down with the Uncircumcised into the Pit if they repent not see Ezek. 32 chap. And dare any of these Priests affirm the contrary XVII Their Treatment of the Clergy c. p. 19. The Idle Gormandizing Priests of England run away with One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds a Year under pretence of God's Ministers c. against W. P's Guide mistaken p. 18. Anno 1668. I confess many things were Zealously and Sharply writ against the Covetous Mercenary and Persecuting Priests pretended Watchmen and Shepherds in this and other Nations but in Language according as the Holy Prophets did against the Shepherds of Israel and their Covetous Priests and False Prophets see Isa 56.10 11. His Watch-men are blind they are all ignorant they are all dumb Dogs they cannot bark sleeping lying down loving to slumber Yea they are greedy Dogs which can never have enough and they are Shepherds that cannot understand They look to their own Way every one for his gain from his quarter And Jerem. 5.30 31. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the Land the Priests bear rule by their means See also Chap. 23.9 10 11. And Micah 3.11 against the Priests that teach for Hire and the Prophets that divine for Money 'T is very strange these Doctors should expose the aforesaid Complaint against the Priests of England unless they had clear'd themselves thereof for such Recitals against their Corruptions do excite People but the more to inspect their ways and to consider whether they are warrantable according to Holy Scripture I refer the Reader to W. P's own Answer at the end of this Treatise XVIII Their Treatment of the Dissenters An Ill-bred Pedantick Crew the Bane of Religion and Pest of the World the