so that nothing can be justly charged against them that is apparently Wicked and Gross yet in the mean time their Hearts not right nor â—ound before the Lord something that is â—bominable offensive and grievous to his Holy â—pirit Thus hath it been with many of the seperate party is secretly lodg'd â—nd privately enterâ—ain'd as their beloved Delila which at â—ast may be breaks forth into some Extravagancy or other I say one as a Hypocrite may be thus dressed up with a specious shew and fair cover appear so and so Yea and for their interest sake Conform to that which is good and praise-worthy and which in its self is commendable and laudible but in the bottom rotten and deceitful yet though these do so it will not follow in good reason that those who are truly and inwardly sanctified cleansed and purified in their Conscience from dead works and whose Hearts are Sincere Honest and Upright should not so and so appear as to the outward in an holy harmless Life and innocent Conversation and also in a Conformity and Submission to that which is Orderly and Decent and to be subject to follow that which is convenient needful and profitable amongst a People no more then that 's true though as the common Proverb is It is not all Gold that glisters And as we say All are not in the Possession of what they are in the Profession of Yet is there no true Gold that glisters And surely those who do possess of the living Vertue of Truth and are faithful to the Lord they are ingaged publickly to appear in Profession of and Confession to the same In the beginning of the Preface page 7 F. B. says The main thing intended by this Discourse is to shew the Mischief of Impositions on tender Consciences in matters Spiritual c. Thus he insinuates as a false charge upon the whole Body of our Friends to be guilty of which indeed is their main principal Basis or ground from whence doth proceed all their fierce violent Clashings bitter and malicious Invectives base and unchristian Reflections viz. Their Imaginary formed and groundless supposition and envious suspicion That we endeavoured to compel and force tender Consciences in matters Spiritual to be conform'd and in subjection to that contrary to the perswasion of their minds and Light of Christ in their Consciences this is easily disprov'd and has been fully confuted by many living Testimonies that we have given forth on this account both by word and writing and for a further confirmation thereof thus do I affirm on the behalf of all my dear Friends who are thus abused by these foul perverse and scoffing Spirits That the Almighty God the searcher of Hearts and tryer of Reins he knows we never endeavoured nor designed to compel any to subject in a Conformity to that which we know was both just and reasonable who were not fully satisfied in their own Consciences and not freedom and clearness in their minds thereto For they who received Truth in the love thereof and continue in subjection to it the power and force of it will inable and make them willing to obey the voice of God immediately in their own Hearts and in the Mouths of his Servants which Voice of God calls unto Holiness without which none shall see him and there being an aptness or proneness in many after they are reached to by the Lord to neglect that Duty he requires of them therefore in his tender Love hath he given Gifts for the work of the Ministry for the perfecting of the Saints for the Edifying of the Body till we all come in the Vnity of the Faith into a perfect Man unto the measure of his Stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.8 c. And well said the Apostle Peter Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up or to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance that we may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets and of the Commandement of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own Lusts 2 Pet. 1.15.3.1 2. c. Which also was practised by the Apostles in Exhortation Admonition Counsel Reproof and Condemnation as the Spirit of Truth Directed them and according to the several states of People to whom they Ministered by Word or Epistle And Reader it is well known that any who were really scrupulous from a true tenderness of their Spirits careful or fearful to do any thing but what they found to be their Duty and in the Light of Christ Jesus did see they were called to be obedient to the same over these we have been very tender and have encouraged and counselled them Singlely to wait upon the Lord for a sight and sense from him by the in shinings of his pure Light of that which they ought to do and if we could inform their understandings and in the good hand of the Lord be instrumental to clear their Judgments by opening to them the profit and great advantage reaped by those who have found it their place to be in Unity with their Brethren in a Christian Condescention to those things that are decent orderly and profitable in the Church of Christ that we have endeavoured to do and blessed be the Lord our labour of Love and pains therein hath proved successful and many have been helped thereby to see through the Mysterious wiles and subtle workings of the Enemy both immediately and instrumentally So thou mayst be assured we never pleaded for a conformity or submission of any to the Christian Order and wholesome Discipline amongst us but as they came to be Convinced in their own Consciences and well perswaded in themselves from a clear and sensible Conviction That it was their bounden duty so to do And therefore I say and thou mayst see that this Authors false Charge with all the rest of his confederacy in all their lying Clamours proceed from a base perverse Spirit that does surmise to People that we were bringing in an implicit Faith and blind Obedience by forcing a Conformity before Conviction which is opposed by us with our utmost endeavours and is of the Devil the Father of lyes who is the original Author of all this mischievous dark work of Separation c. and makes use of those his wicked Agents to defend the same under the specious pretence of Liberty of Conscience Liberty of Conscience and influences them to defame the Lords faithful and innocent Servants by malicious abusive Reflections and false Insinuations to amuse People as if the end of all their labours and travels in the Service of Truth for the preservation of Gods Heritage were to bring them into a Vniformity of such and such Canons Decrees and Orders that tended to an Apostacy Imposition and what â—ot Now I hope Reader thou wilt plainly see that the
flesh through much wantonness While they promise them liberty they themselves are servants of corruption For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they had known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them but 't is happened according to the true Proverb the Dog hath turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2. Every one of these passages are so Correspondent with and agreeable to the practices and wayes of this dividing opposite party who have seperated themselves from our blessed unity First as with respect to the good Spirit of God in their own particulars and next which of necessity and so naturally follows as to fellowship concord and Communion with his People and methinks one neer parallel and a more close comparison could not be drawn as to every circumstance betwixt those in the Apostles time and those in ours it is so apparent that people of small understanding may readily observe the same And it s my firm Faith and certain perswasion that as on the one hand they are daily discovering their own shame by their uncivil defamations abominable lyes and malicious suggestions so on the otherhand shall their folly thereby be the more laid open For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses So do these also resist the Truth but saith he they shall n = * Obs In Gods appointed time all the resiâ—â—ers and Rebellers are stopped in their envy and malice against his People proceed no further why so the reason is clear as followes for their folly shall be made manyfest to whom not only to a few or a little remnant who from that inward sense and true discerning the Lord hath indewed them with do see and have seen when first they began their wicked work of separation and before it was so notorious as it is now but unto all men as theirs was Now to return unto that which was most weighty in my view having made some little digression seeing it hath thus sadly befallen such who have not kept their habitation in the Truth by reason of their woful departure from that due constant subjection of their Spirits thereunto having also the advantage of observing the Rock they have split upon and as this F. B. saies in his word of advice to the Pennsylvanians in his last Chap. such a slender pitiful dry one as it is and indeed I think better could not be well expected from him for as I remember the substance of what he saies that's worth observing much like to the dead professors strain keep the Scripture in esteem amongst you c. But never so much as a syllable of the antient Principle of Truth viz. To mind the light of Christ you may perceive what hath been one Impediment to the increase of love and Charity which Blessed be the Lord God of Eternal Glory plentifully abounds amongst Friends in Scotland Ireland other places where this opposite dividing party hath not gain'd any Interest among them and so in most Counties of this Nation of England where it hath not prevailed there is great amity blessed unity sweet concord Peace Heavenly harmony daily increases amongst them O Blessings and glory and Honour unto the Lord our God for ever for the same Therefore my tender Counsel and brotherly advice in the love of our Lord Jesus unto you all is be very Careful that at all times above all things whatsoever and on all occasions you may be found in that holy Reverend subjection of your Spirits to the blessed Divine power of the living God that hath reached unto you and by which you are Called to be his holy pure People and then in this holy frame I do right well know shall you be kept neer unto and in unity with himself and in concord and fellowship one with another in the unity of his Spirit and in the bond of peace bundled up in the bundle of everlasting Life and so thereby shall you be preserved from that rending tearing and devouring Spirit and the same God of blessings who as he hath graciously attended you here in your various exercises will also favourably accompany and be present with you his faithful honest right-hearted ones in all your several services for the advancement of his glorious work even the Salvation of Souls the promotion of the pure name and the exaltation of the glorious fame of holy Jesus amongst the Heathen and all the World over And our Confidence is that notwithstanding of the great fury and wrath of the Devil the implacable malice and envy of his cursed agents against the Lord his faithful Children yet I am fully perswaded Truth innocency shall over all prevail as John saw and said behold a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went Conquering and to Conquer So I recommend you all to the saving Word of Gods Grace that by it you may be guided and under the safe conduct thereof preserved to the End of all those various Changes Tryals and troubles here that you may finish your time and testimony and lay down your heads in peace and in the close of all return to your God and my God the Father of Spirits from whence we came with all the Heavenly Host Laud and Extol his holy worthy Name with everlasting Songs of pure thanksgivings and living praises and so receive the product of all your labours and excercises in the Lord even the immortal Crown of eternal Glory and perpetual Renown is the sincere supplication of my Soul for you all as for my self and who earnestly prayes for the establishment preservation of all the Lords people upon the everlasting Rock that unchangeable Foundation against which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail The Conclusion AND now Francis Bugg I think I have done with thy book and spent more time then I Judge it either deserved or I designed in answer thereunto and indeed never expected to have been concerned with thee or any upon this Account in publick especially I being altogether a Stranger to unacquainted with thee and therefore assure thy self what I have written or may yet say unto thee and others of thy Adherents is not from any Rancour Heat or Prejudice but really from that good-will true tender love and earnest desire which the Lord hath begot in my soul for the eternal welfare and happiness of all the Sons and Daughters of Men but more singularly for the restoration of such whom God in any measure hath visited with his Glorious Blessed Day and reached unto by his everlasting pure power and thereby has tendered their Spirits and broken their Hearts and given unto them a feeling and sence of that Precious divine life the constant enjoyment of which is above and beyond all what this fading transitory World can afford But what shall I say unto
erecting Womens Meetings distinct from the Men to be constantly set up once a month about the 10th houre of the day This he brings in pag. 101 102. as in the name of the Professors but I look upon it rather as his than theirs and therefore shall apply my self particularly to him in what follows upon this Subject Tell me now F. Bugg honestly if there be the least dram of Ingenuity yet remaining with thee hast not thou in thy time performed divers lawful and may be with respect to thy particular satisfaction very necessary Duties and that upon a Religious account too and such as thou couldst not well omit without offending the Lord or breaking thy peace with him and yet if thou wert to be questioned by the professors for that hath been always then great plea against us to produce expresly Scripture Chap. and verse to prove the Lawfulness thereof if thou hast not I am sure I have and many have found it as a pleasure upon our Spirits being commanded of the Lord to go about such and such a service I could name many particulare for which we could not give express Scripture to prove the lawfulness of the same Pray what Chap. and verse from any of ther Four Evangelists can I give to any of the professours that would ask the same of me Suppose I were commanded of the Lord to go to such or such a Steeple-house in City or Countrey or it were weighty upon my Sprit to visit any one particular Meeting or County in this Nation this I hope thou wilt not deny but it s in the first place lawful for me so to do and in the second place necessary also with respect to the Command of God which I am bound to observe as duly as if it were set down in Scripture expresly R. S. I command thee to go to such a place at such a day in such an hour c. And next F. B. where will thou find expresly Chap. and Verse in the Scriptures that thou should meet in such a place on the First day or Week day at such an hour either for Mens Meetings to take care of the Poor c. or other Solemn Meetings on the Account of Gods Worship And further to come closer to the Matter if Professors should Query of thee Come F. B. give us Chap. and Verse expresly to prove thy Practice of keeping on thy Hat or disprove our taking it off to persons as a Vain Vnchristian Practice and as to many other things I might mention Moreover as concerning Womens Meetings something further As the Christian Women in the Primitive Gospel-times had their Services in the Church as the Spirit of Truth then led and guided them which was and is unlimited and what does thou know Fr. but the Lord Jesus did then encourage them in the same So the Christian Women in this our Gospel day having received a measure of the same Spirit and as they walk in the Leadings and Guidings thereof which I believe certainly many do know and see their Services appointed them of God and by him are enabled to perform their Duty Observe The Apostle speaks of the Elder Women as Mothers and the Aged were to Teach the Young Women to be sober c. Tit. 2.3 4. Josephus in his Antiquites p. 706. speaks of a peculiar place destinated for Women for Religion sake where as they exercised their Devotion so no doubt but they performed their Services for the Edification one of another and doing good to such as they were related to and concerned with And p. 60. he saith The Women also strove with Emulation to exceed each other in the Work and Service to the Honour of God In the Third Volumn of the Book of Martyrs p. 24. Ann. 1563. And in Queen Elizabeths Reign It s said as followeth An outrage done to poor Women who met together to comfort one another viz. There was an Honest Woman of the â—ity of Bois whose Name was Nichale the wise of one John Lemancheâ— a Maker of Sun-Dials in whose House certain Neighbours meeting together to Comfort and Edifie one another and to pray one with and for another to the number of Nine or there-abouts with their Daughters these Murderers hearing of it ran violently in among them thinking to have found a Minister Preaching to them but when they saw how they were mistaken they dragged them out by the Hair of the Head into the midst of the Street where leading them with abundance of Stripes they cast them into the River in which Calamity God endued them with such strength and skill being unbound that endeavouring to swim at length they arrived at an Isle they being seized upon by some Ferry Men they were stript naked and then thrown again into the River and thinking yet to save themselves they were in the end knocked down by the seditious in the Suburbs of Vienna Now by this Spirit of Truth the Christian Women are directed and lâ—d to meet together to discharge theâ—r Duty aforesaid in their taking care of the Poor Fatherless other good Christian profitable Services as the same directs them and the Lord both attends them by his Counsel and Wisdom and also countenances them with his Living Divine Refreshing Presence in their Meetings and by him are the Faithful Women justified whoever may condemn them And we do very well know that as his living eternal power hath set up and established our publick solemn Assemblies and our Mens Meetings so I do confidently affirm from senblesi well grounded experience as I have been many times an eye-witness the same hath established Womens Meetings and I am fully satisfied without the least hesitation or scruple in my mind that now which hath and doth give authority to the former to render them lawful attends the latter to authorise and render them both lawful and laudable Therefore I may safely say that Spirit which opposes abuses and despises the Women in their respective Christian services and would not allow them the liberty which they have in Christ their Head and Husband is the Dark wicked Spirit of Imposition c. which condemns that which God justifies and approves of and so an abomination before him and I am truly sensible that those joyned thereunto I mean thee F. and such like to thee who through that rancour and radicated Malice have hardned your selves I am afraid to destruction and not all who through ignorance or simplicity are betrayed by your crafty designs and subtle insinuations to favour your work such as stand in opposition to and separation from the Womens Meetings that though they seem first and mostly to envy against Womens Meetings and as I remember follows or imitates the old Serpent who first set upon the Woman by his Temptations with a Design to gain ground upon the Man afterwards yet the same wicked ranting loose libertine Spirit that cries out so vehemently away with our Womens Meetings as thou in thy scoffing
Advertisement THere is now in the PRESS a Book Entituled The Liberty of an Apostate Conscience being a plain Narrative of the Controversie long depending Between Francis Bugg on the one part and Samuel Cater and George Smith on the other part whereby F. Bugg's Liberty of Conscience is proved not only Unchristian but Immoral and Injurious Righteous Judgment Placed upon the Heads of Malicious OPPOSERS AND Persecuting Apostates In some brief Animadversions upon Francis Buggs Book entituled De Christiana Libertate In which his great Weakness and gross Wickedness is Detected his foul Defamations and uncivil Reflections are Reprehended With a seasonable Warning to him and the rest of his Abettors in their Mischievous Work of Opposition to and Separation from the Lord and his People By a Lover of Peace Robert Sandilands Together with an Ingredient by another hand Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them Rom. 16.17 For there are many Vnruly and Vain Talkers whose Mouthes must be stopped T it 1.10 11. I will remember his Deeds Prating against us with Malicious Words 3 John London Printed by John Bringharst at the Sign of the Book in Grace-Church-street 1683. THE PREFACE TO THE READER READER ALthough this with divers other Testimonies may prove as Water spilt on the ground and seem altogether as ineffectual so as to produce any real conviction upon the Spirits of some of our Opposers who are become many of them so obstinate stout and hard-hearted that the most clear demonstration that may be produced to convince them of their folly appears partly impossible to prevail so as to perswade or bring them to a true sense of their unchristian proceedings and malicious endeavours Yet I am not without hope but the sober unbyassed persons whose minds are not pre-possessed neither with partial selfish designs of Interest on the one hand nor with private Affection on the other hand may reap of the profit and gain a right understanding by their serious perusal and deliberate examination of this and other Testimonies And therefore is it mainly for such we are incouraged to open and give a true naked relation of matters as plainly before the All-seeing Heart-searching Divine Majesty Who will bring all the hidden things of dishonesty to Light and indeed had it not been upon this Account I do reckon that the confused rambling impertinent stuff made up with most notorious lyes and malicious Insinuations grievous Slanders and Reflections were not worth while to take notice of for I mind well the saying of a Wise Man Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis We are not to contest by words against windy Men or Men of words and he gives a good Reason Sermo datur cunctis animi sapientia paucis Many have the Gift of Speech but few comparatively attain to Wisdom and therefore we are advised in the Holy Scriptures Answer not a Fool in his Folly lest thou become like unto him But lest advantage should be catched the simple ensnared and the true Enquirers misinformed we are not willing to be quite silent The Reader may also take notice what dreadful hardness of Heart some of these contrary opposite Spirits are fallen under that they have had the daring boldness most insolently to deny the very power of God in its Operations and Effects when it hath wrought upon his people true tenderness and brokenness of Heart and if they have thus impudently slighted the same no wonder then that they so basely abuse us at such a rate as W. R. T. C. and this F. B. and others have done Now Reader if so be that through he good hand of God thou art not one tinctured with this dirty foul prophane flouting and I may say in some respect Blasphemous and Atheistical Spirit O! praise it highly I beseech thee as thy great mercy as I do and I pray God keep thee with my self and all Gods faithful honest-hearted people from the Snares of this murdering Spirit that hath destroyed in such in whom it hath prevailed the inward tender sense of the precious life of Jesus that they have as openly denied and violently opposed the same as any of our former or present publick Enemies among the Professors ever did or can do Obs Crying out Away with our inward sense away with our discerning of Spirit which I have heard some of them to say And if Reader thou be one of a mild sober retired mind and desires not to be much concerned with these Controversies then Ladvise thee regard well the prosperity of the work of Truth and feel thy daily experience thereof in thy own particular and Oh! well had it been this day with many That they had looked more at home than abroad Beware I pray thee of a cold luke-warm indifferent Spirit which would appear neutral and it is not but is neerer to that which is wrong than right and this I know lies neer to enter many well-disposed persons who are of a good natural temper and mean well and if it happen thou be at any time exercised concerning the differences of Opinions or in things in themselves indifferent be not stiff in maintaining thy own Judgment of them but rather be of a condescending mind and so let thy humility and meekness appear thereby that thou art rather willing to acquiesce in thy Sentiments to the understanding and sense of others when especially there is a reason and a cause requires the same then seem to be of such who are heady high and self-conceited in their own imaginations there is a notable expression of a certain Devout Person wort by of observation It s true saith he that every one willingly inclines to follow those who are of the same Opinion with him Sedsi Deus est intra nos â—ecesse est ut relinquamus etiam quandoque nostrum sentire propter bonum pacis i. e. But if God be amongst us there is a necessity that we sometimes also for the good of Peace forsake or leave our own Opinion for who is he that is so Wise that can fully know all things And if so be thou art one that hath suffered thy Affections to corrupt thy Judgment and cloud thy Vnderstanding that thou cannot discerne nor judge of things clearly as they are on neither sides and yet some true tenderness and good-will to both and a reverend regard to the Testimony of Truth remaining in thy heart Well Reader I would counsel thee in the first place be still patient and quiet in thy mind and then draw in the Affections of thy Soul from all visible presentations and so singly wait upon God to feel him reveal that to thee which thou sees not and in the interim have a special care that hardness of heart insensibly come not over thee and steal in upon thee as too many have been thus sadly betrayed especially after once that their Affections have been catched with
that transforming cunning and alluring Spirit of Envy and Discord For Anguis later in herba Moreover Reader I would by way of Caution premonish and intreat thee not to entertain harsh thoughts of me when thou reads some Expressions that may seem somewhat hard and thereby judge I want Charity I can uprightly say in the singleness of my heart and do in the presence of the allseeing great God ingenously profess That what I here wrote in this following Testimony proceeds not from any kind of pieque prejudice or envy to the persons of any of these contrary party being both altogether a stranger to this Francis Bugg having no occasion to entertain any such thing nor no temptation as upon an outward account to lead me thereunto and also being of another Nation and truly it was contrary to my disposition having no delight or satisfaction for my life is not in these Controversies and Contentions to have meddled at all with them to appear thus in publick but F. B's Book coming to my hand beyond either what I was in the least expecting or desirous of and after my perusal of the same I found a Holy Zeal and Indignation arise in me against that most malicious mocking Spirit of the Author and I could not but shew an Absolute Antipathy and utter Abhorrency of that base scurrilous abusive Spirit that hath prevailed upon such as are Adherents to this proud conceited man to vent forth so many lying Insinuations uncivil and unchristian Reflections abominable Forgeries and Defamations as well against the whole Body of Friends in this and other Nations as against divers particular honest Friends viz. G. F. G. W. R. R. I. F c. And I can say Blessed be the Lord as for my self so for many of his Servants that what we have given forth as the sentence and judgment of Truth against this disorderly loose libertine Spirit and such as walk therein is in measure from the same Good-will Meekness and tender regard to the Eternal Well-being of the Souls of our envious Detractors as appeared in our blessed Head the Lord Jesus in whom there was no Spleen Bitterness or Envy against the Persons of those Hypocrites the Scribes and Pharises in his time notwithstanding he denounced such and such dreadful Woes unto them And Reader there are divers other passages I could have taken notice of which I have omitted being somewhat straitned at present with the conveniency of leasure and engaged in another service more delightsome to me as concerning the lamentable Apostacy and Backslidings of these Separates vho are but wheeling round about again into their old Center so that indeed I may say the Scale is turned and the Scene is changed with them and those things which formerly they testified against they are found in the practice of building again the things which they once destroyed thereby making themselves Transgressors as divers instances could be produced but these two or three may serve as a sufficient proof at present First I know divers of them have fallen back from the pure Scriptural language of Thou to one which Friends of Truth in our day have been led into by the Spirit of the Lord and in obedience thereunto continue in the same into the corrupt Babylonish Speech as You to one person c. Secondly They have degenerated from their Testimony and fallen in again with the World in their Observation of the heathenish Names of the Months as this F. B. particularly says page 206. Being in London in the Month of February And Lastly Their woful Apostatizing from their antient Testimony as to paying of Tythes and going to the Priests to be married See T. C's 2d Part Bab. builders p. 5. and 4 Part p 9. where he saith expresly It is his Principle to do so and so both as well practised as professed to be T. C's Principle justifying the same And Reader for thy further satisfaction I refer thee to read that Book called The Accuser of the Brethren cast out c. and Tho. Elwoods Antidote against the Infection of W. Rs. Book lately printed of special service wherein his and the rest of his Brethren in Mischief their Confusions and Contradictions are plainly discovered and the charge of Apostacy and Innovation is justly retorted upon them Finally Reader I leave thee to the serious perusal of this insuing Treatise and desire that it may be in the holy Fear of Almighty God and with a calm moderate and impartial mind and so recommend thee to the word of his saving Grace which alone can open to thee both the Mystery of Godliness and also of Iniquity that thou may duly attend and obey what it teacheth and so thereby thou may attain to the one and escape the other is the end of this labour of Love through him who is a real Well-wisher of all the Sons and Daughters of men R. S. London the 12th of the 5 Mo. 1682. THE INTRODUCTION THat Exercise which through Divine Assistance I am now about in undertaking to discover the Hellish Enmity and most malicious bitter venemous Spirit of Deceit and Discord that hath possessed and prevailed upon too too many of those with heavy sadness of Heart and great grief of Soul do I express it whose minds are Adulterated from the Experimental living Sense of the Holy-Divine Gift of God As it is truly in the Cross to my own will or natural Inclination who would have more gladly been contented to be silent in such a work so was it very contrary to my expectations when it pleased the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth first to draw me forth into the Service and Labour of his blessed Truth of ever being concerned with such hard and grievous Exercises amongst false Brethren occasioned by the subtle Stratagems of the old Troubler of Israel in his wicked Agents what by their unchristian and inhumane Reflectionâ— whereby I might be liable to the Censure of the Civil Powers Obs. I was more than once reproached by them as a Jesuit of which many Witnesses I could produce and what by their disdainful uncivil behavour other ways that for my part they have fully evidenced to me though outwardly Strangers to most of them to be in the first place persons altogether void of the living Vertue Power and Efficacy of the Truth and true Religion and so far from being Christians in Nature and Possession however under the bare Name and empty Profession thereof The second place destitute of that common Discretion Prudence and Civility as amongst Men and so far from the Reason or Rational Principle in Man whereby that saying is verified Man that is in honour and understandeth not is like the Beasts that perish Psal 40 20. But what shall I say hath not this been always the lot and the very portion of the Righteous in all Generations under e-every Dispensation As there was a Cain against an Abel an Ishmael against an Isaac a Esau against Iacob and
a Judas amongst Christs Disciples from the beginning of the Creation since the Lord gather'd a People to himself to this our Day or Age thus to be attended with various deep Exercises by Oppositions Violence and Persocutions from the World on the one hand and by Distraction Discord and Separation on the other hand of those who have appeared as amongst us but were not of us and therefore that they might be made manifest what Bottom and Evil Spirit they were of notwithstanding they lurked under and were cover'd for a time with a Profession of the Way and Holy Truth of God they have gone away from us as the Apostle writ concerning the Antichrists They went out from us but they were not of us and the Reason he gives is clear For says he if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us But they went out to what end That they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2.19 We may observe the Church of Christ in his time was then sadly troubled with these Antichrists such as rose up in Appearance for Christ against Christ in opposing the Blessed Divine Manifestations of his Spirit through the Members of his Church And I remember he makes particular mention of one Diotrephes who it seems as many like unto him in our day following his very foot-steps Ioved to have the preheminence and who prated against them with malicious Words and good Paul was he not very sensible in fore-seeing that this would attend the Churches and therefore forewarned them thereof in his farewel to the Elders of Ephesus Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers for I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves under the form or appearance its like of Lambs not sparing the Flock also of your own selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Acts 20.25 26 c. And in his Salutation to the Romans Chap. 16. v. 17. saith Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine which you have learned and avoid them So that we may clearly perceive it is no new or strange thing that hath happened to be our sad Exercise as indeed I do look upon it to be the most grievous of all the Exercises that could have befallen us I mean as with respect of the Body of Friends And now amongst many of the chief Agents of Cruelty Slander and Envy whom the Devil that great Enemy to the Peace of Christs Church hath made use of and this pernicious work of opposition to and seperation from the good Order and wholesome Discipline thereof I find lately one called Francis Bugg in Aragon a proud self-conceited person and yet as confused and malicious as any which I hope anon to Evince by some brief Animadversions on the Second Part of his Book called De Christiana Libertate the first part only relating to Liberty of Conscience none of his Work but by a nameless Author So far now as I feel my self concern'd for the Truths sake and the vindication thereof to give forth my Testimony as well against the great weakness as the gross wickedness of this Hellish dark piece of deceitful work of Envy and Folly and to detect his groundless Suggestings unchristian Reflections and uncivil Informations not at all designing thereby to undertake the Answering of every particular passage that hath relatition to particular persons ingaged in the differences betwixt our Friends and the separate party for that would be a work both more tedious and also would require more pains then at present I can take to undertake the same which I leave to them as they find themselves concerned in Truth to take notice of my present work then only is to make some shor Observations of that which in General I am concerned with and lies most obvious in my view Righteous Judgment placed upon the Heads of our Malicious Opposers CHAP. I. HAving perused the Second Part of Francis Bugg's Book he miscalls De Christiana Libertate I do not so much as find any one page or passage to have the least resemblance of I doubt very much whether he knows what the true Chrsstian liberty means or Relation to Christian Liberty in a true and proper sense I mean what he has wrote himself and not what is Transcribed from other Authors abstracting which there will be but a small parcel of his remaining Besides thou may take notice of the Pride and Self-conceitedness of this vain Man who gives his Book a Latin Title which signifies no more in Latin then in English and has no more Emphasis nor Authority in it therefore only useful for Vain Ostentation especially considering that the Book it self is no ways correspondent to the Title In his Epistle page 4. He alledges two principal Reasons why we look upon him and his Adherents to be no Quakers or consequently as he says no Christians First He says Our Non-submission and Non-conformity to the New Order of the Women He begins thus in his flouting Airy mind And Secondly That their way of compelling and Antichristian way of proceeding to bring to and force Vniformity is by us slighted and contemn'd Answer But we know right well there is a Third and a more weighty Reason than either of these and that is We have a certain inward sense and sure discerning from the Infallible Spirit of Truth which I know they will not regard or admit of that the wrong wicked perverse Spirit hath entered into them and thereby are Adulterated in these minds from the blessed pure Spirit of Christ Iesus and departed from the Truth in the inward parts whereby they are degenerated and were so in their Spirits before ever they durst publickly appear in this treacherous work of Separation and before it waâ— so notorious as it is now And so they having Apostatized from the Truth and the living Vertue and sensible Operation and Experience of the Life thereof firsâ— in their own particulars thus They and not We have rendred themselves nâ—â— Quakers or no Christians For we never concluded any person to be truly a Christian simply because of his outward Conformity to the Profession of Truth and because of his Submission to the Holy and Decent Order of Christs Church in respect there is nothing visible can rightly constitute and properly denominate any Man or Woman True Christians in the sight of God who regards more the inward bent frame and disposition of the Minds of People than their outward appearance however glorious it may be and therefore it is of absolute necessity that their hearts and spirits be uprightly stated in his sight if ever they attain to the Nature of true Christianity Now though it be confest that many outwardly may appear in the view of others for a time seemingly strict and serious in their Conversations
exercise of it Church Discipline and Conformity to it Poor Man Thou look'st far abroad to seek the Cause of Division and little minds to look at home in thine own House and for all thy vain insolent Braggs and proud Boastings in bringing thy proof That there is Violence Tyranny and what not done to our first Principles of Union citeing W. P's Saying in his Address to Proâ—â— pag. 149. That Perswasion and Conviction began all true Christian Societies and whether his violence upon this part Tyranny and not Order is introduced c. I say it is a Lie in thee to insinuate the contrary as to us and Reader to evince the same consider but the weakness of his Proof for which he inserts G. F's New Order as he in his flouring mind terms it wrote about the year 71. for Womens Meetings to be held Distinct from Mens Meetings and was confirm'd afterwards as he says by a General Council or Yearly Meeting c. viz Dear Friends To whom is my love in that which changes not it would do well and be of service for you to have a Womens Meeting as they have in other parts c. I refer thee to the perusal of the rest of G. F.'s Epistle which I believe he wrote from a sense of the holy Power and see if thou canst find any thing therein like unto imposition violence or alteration done to our first Principles of Union In page 38. he scoffingly and impertinently says At the Yearly Meeting or General Council held at London in the year 75. The said Grant or Order was strengthneed and confirmed in all points and with as much Policy as ever the Learned Bishops or Grave Senates used to establish their Monarchical Governments c. The understanding Reader may perceive his weakness and folly herein And in page 40. he greatly braggs to give both proof and president of what he insinuated and so transcribes something concerning propounding of Marriages which he calls the confirmation of the Foundation of the Womens Meetings namely G. F. his Order above recited by a General Council held at London Anno 1675. London 27. 3 Mo. 75. IT is our Judgment That for better satisfaction to all parties that there may be due time for Enquiry of Clearness of the persons concerned it is convenient that Marriages be twice propounded to the Meetings that are to take care therein both to the Mens and Womens Meetings where both are established before they are accomplished and when things are cleared that the Marriage be accomplished in a Grave and Publick Assembly of Friends or Relations I have set this down verbatim as I found it in F. B's Book wherein thou maist observe First It 's said It is our Judgment that for better satisfaction to all parties c. not for Imposition upon any Secondly It is convenient here 's a good cause and reason And Thirdly Where both are established c. For my part he must see further than I can that draws such an Unnatural Conclusion from the premises of Imposition Violence or Tyranny done to the first Principles of our Union But to prove yet the same it seems he is somewhat pinched for he strains and snatches greedily every thing he can to make out his matter In pag. 42. he saith I am necessitated to transcribe more of the transactions of this Notable if not Vniversal Council than I am willing Alas that ever thou should'st have been so willing to serve the Devil at such a rate as thou does too too willing Francis to make use of all thy strength to hatch out of Hell and plod in the dark if thou canst thereby but abuse an innocent people lest G. W. should again call for a Proof or Catalogue of their new stamped Government And to this end he inserts another paper which Friends wrote concerning Men and Womens Meetings It is our Judgment and Testimony in the Word of Gods Wisdom that the rise and practice setting up and establishment of Mens and Womens Meetings in the Church of Christ in this our day and generation is according to the mind and counsel of God and done in the endearing of his eternal Spirit and that it is the duty of all Friends and Brethren in the power of God in all places to be diligent therein and to encourage and further each other in that blessed work c. I refer the Reader to consider the rest of this and compare it and the former with a Letter of advice and counsel for the help and information of the weak and lately convinced pag. 28. wherein in he says It was so worded as that Christian Liberty was preserved and the People not imposed upon beyond their freedom And see if there be such a vast difference as he would insinuate in pag. 45. Behold says he the difference between this Decree and the n = * Yet in that I do not find Chap. nor verse of Matthew Mark Luke or John which he calls for so much Letter of Advice and Counsel inn the first Chapter c. That was not proposed otherwise then Advise and Counsel and not as a Form or Rule to walk by c. CHAP. V. ANd Reader That thou maist see whether this Author either looks like to be a sober discreet prudent Man or like a true Christian Quaker as he and W. R. and some few of their party would be reckoning themselves as only such I will here insert something of his flouting Mockery and idle Drollery in his Observations upon the fore-going paper and indeed the greatest part of his Book I mean this Second part and what properly may be termed his is stuffed up with such impertinent Stories and uncivil Reflections In pag. 46. But says he to make good provision against any that shall yet dare to slight this new Model or new found Method of Church Government or call in question their power and authority see what a strict and severe Admonition is uttered forth even as if it had come from the Popes Council of Jesuits and Crafty Friars c. In pag. 47. and speaking of Womens Meetings I say if it be so why should not the Episcopalians Presbiterians Independants Baptists c. know of them and why not as many of them do of which we are not ashamed if all the World knew it and by the sober part of them are commended therefore but if it be a meer Imagination of their own brain I think strange Francis thou hast now so much discretion as but to suppose it and say If to it it seems it sticks a little in thy throat and thou wouldst fain come out with a positive Assertion if it were not an absolute down-right Lie of which it may be thou art conscious thy self to the contrary and therefore couldst not determine that it is meer Imagination c. and an Idol of their own erecting why should it not publickly be brought to Light and made as manifest as the Lord Crumwel made the Papists
that hath called them c. and that that is not a necessary occasion And furthermore observe we have mens monthly meetings and must they not meet at the time appointed if no business should present And if they meet not pray how should they know whether they have business or not And if they may meet why not the women likewise If neither except as before why is any time appointed This looks as if they would have Friends only meet when they can tell of outward business to be proposed so if any but say he knows no business he is excused Oh what a disorder and confusion would they lead into Well may they be termed Babell's-builders and compared to the foolish woman c. 3 ly Moreover Reader I desire thee to consider that notwithstanding F. B. so much abuses that Epistle of G. F's concerning Womens meetings which he transcribes in p. 33. and brings in as a proof of an alteration and violence done to our first Principles of union whereof I have already taken notice See Chap. IV. p. 50. Yet this very same paper was approved of by John Wilkinson and others of his party and for thy further satisfaction and to shew thee both how much they have contradicted this foolish conceited man F. B. and likewise thou mayst clearly see how much they are degenerated and Apostatized from what they once owned I shall present a paper writ from the Quarterly meeting at Kendall the 6th of 8th month 1671. where the foresaid Epistle of G. F's was read and joyned with and with an unanimous Consent to be Practised as appears by what follows It is further agreed upon that this paper be read in every particular Meeting that the WOMEN-friends who are faithful may be stirred up to a serious consideration in the light of the Lord to examin themselves and feel his requirings and so to answer the Lord with diligence and willingness of mind that so every one that profess the living truth of God may be serviceable Instruments in his hand to Extol his Name and to perfect his praise in our day and time And in the womens assembling together to see and consider that all women young and old who profess the Truth do walk therein in good order in modesty and moderation in Charity out of the Customs fashions of the World and that nothing be lacking and so herein the femals will become very sensible of the necessities of the body and so you will rejoyce with them that do rejoyce and suffer with them that do suffer and mourn with them that do mourn who are not gotten out of the bondage and Captivity of the adversary and so be ready to lend unto such a helping hand and encourage every such good desire and reprove the willful and obstinate And so every one acting in the just Principle of God in our selves justice will be exalted and righteousness established and herein Male and Female is serviceable in our place and calling in this our day generation And so all Women-Friends who feel sincere desires in themselves to be instrumental of good unto others let them meet together as aforesaid n = * viz as is expressed in G. F's paper wherein it s found thus so it would do well for the Women to have a distinct meeting by themselves as it is in other places and to see that nothing be lacking So once a month to have a Womans meeting in the County-Town or other places convenient then the other Neighbouring Women may come go home they meeting together about the 10th hour of the day c. and in this desire certainly the Lord will assist you in his Wisdom and Counsel to act speak that which is convenient and all the faithful women who are inclined and affected herewith may signifie their minds and intents to the Mens meetings and so be encouraged by us whose names are hereafter subscirbed John Wilkinson Henry Story Richard Stephenson Henry Garner c. CHAP. XI THE last part of my present business is in something by way of tender Counsel and Brotherly advice unto all Friends of truth both here and also beyond Seas c. That which will render you in a true Capacity in your several stations to be a good savour in your places before the Lord and Instrumental in his Blessed Hand to be serviceable in advancing this great and glorious Work of the universal Restoration of the Sons and Daughters of men is as you are kept in the continual daily subjection of your Spirits to the Leadings of that holy pure power of Almighty God who hath called you unto a high and Honourable vocation For that hath been as well the ground of our preservation in a right state and good condition as the alone foundation of the infinite loving kindness and continuation of the tender Care of our heavenly Father towards us till this moment of time And because of the want of this holy subjection in the particulars of those who have been convinced of the blessed Truth and publickly have appeared for it but having gone from the life of it in themselves and because that they have not kept in the Constant dependency on the Lord in the dayly self-denyal and in the Cross to their own wills and so have not abode in the lowlike humble meek and quiet peaceable Spirit of Jesus therefore is it that a disorderly treacherous loose libertine reaching high perverse Spirit hath entered into them and hath so far prevailed upon them as to influence them thus to appear in such an abusive heady Cross opposite willful and stubborn mind that they become like those mentioned in Jude likewise also saith the Apostle These filthy dreamers mark well the sayings they are so apposite to illustrate and clearly demonstrate the very Characters of these Apostates defile the flesh despise dominion and speake evil of dignities and of those things which they know not and what they know naturally as bruit Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves Wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and perished in the gain-saying of Core these are Spots in your feasts of Charity feeding themselves without fear Clouds without water Carried about with Winds Trees whose fruit withereth twice dead plucked up by the roots raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame wandering starrs to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever But beloved Remember ye thâ— words which were spoken before by the Apostleâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ How that they told you there should be Mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts and at last very evidently concludes demonstrating what persons these are as a signal mark to know them by These be they that SEPARATE themselves sensual having not the Spirit And Observe further how the Apostle Peter describes them more fully for when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the
thee Francis Bugg alas how hast thou betrayed thy great weakness folly and envy had it not been farr better for thee thou hadst never set Pen to Paper in bringing forth such a wicked piece of work hast thou not clearly evinced there how aptly thy name answers to thy crooked perverse nature and thy devlish venomous disposition the enemy hath wrought in thee for thou hast done what thou could to wound hurt and spoil not only the good name and reputation of particular persons but hast endeavoured with all thy strength and policy to bring a lash and blur upon many thousands of faithfull Friends however all thy Malicious smitings in the dark and thy open notorious abuses and scandalous reflections will be in vain and return as a weighty load upon thy own head for I know that the Innocency and uprightness of the one with the honest circumspect conversation of the other will out-live confute and disprove all thine and the rest of that hellish Combination your forged callumnies and lying stories and all your malicious insinuations and false suggestions shall but redown to your own utter ruine and everlasting shame perpetual defamation and eternal Confusion if you repent not but stoutly persevere and obstinately continue in this wilfull wicked work of opposition to and separation from the Lord and his People and be of such who have sold themselves to do wickedly and so devoted to the Devils service to be his Vassals Slaves and subjects Oh! for shame for shame that ever it should thus befall any who have made profession of Gods Truth and confession also to the Testimony thereof through many sufferings and hardships and yet to become the absolute greatest enemy to the Profession and Progress of it which I am perswaded had more gloriously shined and that more universally in the Nations had not these Clouds of Division and separation loosness indifferency and dishonest conversation of many convinced of and who have appeared for the same come over to Ecclipse the Splendor of this glorious day but I know in due time the Sun of Righteousness will so arise and shine in that brightness and Glory as that all these Mists and Clouds shall be dispelled and scattered And therefore this is that which is weighty upon my spirit in the Powerfull Name of the Dreadfull God of Heaven and Earth to warn you all to cease from the evil of your doings and O return return so long as it may please the Lord to strive in you by his Holy gentle spirit and bow every one to his righteous Judgments in your hearts to destroy that wicked perveâ—se opposing and separating Spirit that 's prevailed upon you and remember what the Apostle said that is very weighty For if God spared not the Angels that Sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into Chains of Darkness and spared not the old World and turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorah into Ashes and in his Exhortation to the Hebrews 10 25. Says Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is For observe well what follows Oh! how near and close a Sentence is it IF WE SIN WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sins but a certain fearfull looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation which shall devour the adversaries Oh! dread fear and stand in awe of the living Almighty God who is a consuming fire to all the workers of iniquity and who knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of Judgment but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and dispise Government who are Presumptuous self-will'd they are not affraid to speak evil of Dignities mark these sayings And let me tell you plainly that for all your fair specious pretences Plausible Eloquent Orations smooth speeches cunningly contrived your great and high Notions glorious-like appearances and Mysterious Transformations may be as an Angel of light or like unto a lamb covered with a profession of Truth it self and Preach up the words and Principles thereof in the manly part and with the Wisdom from below that 's your beloved darling endeavours thereby to catch the affectionate itching part of simple People and such as are but young raw and unsettled in their minds For all this know as certain and which I am constrained in the holy fear of God to forwarn you off You that are the workers of iniquity however you may cover and hide your selves for a time from the Eye of Mortals if you dye as thus you have lived in opposing the Work of Truth in separation from the Lord and his People you I say shall be eternally excluded and forever shut out from entering into the Pure everlasting Kingdom of Eternal Glory rest and Felicity and the Lord Jesus will no more acknowledge you than he did those that though you as they did Cry Lord Lord have we not Eaten and Drunken in thy presence have we not Prophesied in thy Name and cast out Devils and done many wonderfull works yet you shall meet with the same dreadfull Sentence depart from me I know you not for all your fair Plea ye workers of iniquity Wherefore this is a seasonable warning to all you gain-sayers who are in the work of Corah in the Devils work of Division opposition of tearing rending and devouring of disorder and confusion and innovation who are become mockers scoffers and abusers of the Lords work and his Innocent People and that in a higher Degree than any of your former Predecessors if you come not sadly to mourn deeply to lament for and unfeignedly to repent of the same a most terrible heavy stroke and dreadfull cup of weighty vengeance shall be your Portion from the terrible hand of the mighty Pure God of righteousness the just Judg of Heaven and Earth who shall reward every man according to his works This from the Lord I lay before you receive or reject it as you please however I shall enjoy Peace with him in clearing my Conscience to you and discharging my Duty before him and so shall be clear of your Blood who sincerely wisheth and earnestly Prayeth for the Recovery of backsliders and Restoration of all such whose gracious day of Visitation is not quite expired By one that heartily prays for the daily increase of the Peace of Jerusalem and the prosperity of Sion and for the Advancement of Holy Jesus over all throughout all the Earth R. Sandilands Postscript FRANCIS BUGG I desire to advertise thee that what I have now wrote in Answer to thy Book was in the First place with a regard to the clearing of my Conscience inthe sight of God as a Testimony against Malicious Opposers and crued Hard-hearted Apostates and in the Second place it was with a true desire and real intent of mind for thine and others good if perhaps thou maist be thereby perswaded