GOSPEL LIBERTY Sent down from Heaven in a suffering Time OR Christian Tolleration given and granted by the Lord about the Worship of God and in matters of Faith and Salvation to the people of God and primitive Christians which is matter of comfort to them that are acquainted with God in the Spirit and have the Testimony of his Love and the signification of his acceptation who are true and faithful to God In the principles and practices of the Saints in Christ Jesus and primitive Christians according to the perswasisions of God upon their hearts and consciences though for so doing they be attended with a suffering condition which aforetime was and now is annexed to believing Philip. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake 2 Tim. 3.12 Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Written the 14th of the 3d moneth 1664. By R. F. FOr asmuch as God who is absolute in himself who hath jurisdiction over all flesh and spirits principalities and powers thrones and dominions created Colos 1.16.17 Act. 17.26.27 ordained and established by him and for him doth give grant and allow of a liberty to men and Christians as men and Christians First as men in the creation to answer the end for which they were created and Secondly as Christians in communion and covenant with him Gal. 4.31 being children of the free woman and are commanded and required by the Lord as a people in covenant with him to stand fast in the liberty of their tender consciences to God-ward in point of Religion and worship of God wherewith Christ hath made them free Gal. 5.1 They ought not to be denyed or hindred of that liberty which is given granted and allowed unto them by the Lord as men to hinder them for answering the end of their creation neither ought the true Christians and people in covenant with God to be denyed of liberty of Conscience in point of Religion and worship of God but to have liberty of conscience in matters of Faith and Salvation given granted and allowed unto them Gal. 5.13.14 Because they are thereunto called of God and it is against the doctrine of the Apostles contrary to the minde and will of the Lord and in opposition to the Scriptures and the practice of the primitive Christians to deny and refuse to grant it First because the Saints and true Christians are commanded by the Lord to stand fast in the liberty of conscience allowed in the gospel wherewith Christ hath made them free Secondly because they are forbidden to be intangled again with the yoke of bondage in point of religion and worship of God as by the Scripture is evident Gal. 5. To deny liberty of conscience in point of Religion and worship of God to any persons or people Act. 17.24.25.26.27.28.29.30.31 Gal. 5.1 Ioh. 4.23.24 is to deny that right which is given and granted unto them by the Lord for Religion and worship is that wherein Gods honour and glory is concerned and as it is God who is to be worshiped so the worship is the worship of God wherein conscience is concerned and not the worship of man and it belongs to the Lord to prescribe declare reveal or make known his own worship both in matter and manner and after made known to the conscience or a capacity in man conscience ought to stand free and not be forced threfrom that God may perswade it to own allow of and close in with the same and every man ought to be fully perswaded in his own heart as by the Scripture is evident and plain and who hath the like right power wisdome and skil to inform reform and perswade the heart of a man to him who made it and knowes best the frame temper and disposition of it and hath absolute power to punish it or be merciful unto it as it is disobedient or obedient to him in discipline worship and government for the right of heart searching and trying doth properly belong to the Lord and not unto man as by the Scripture is plain Therefore God ought to have his own right preserved and kept unviolated that he may inform reform and perswade the heart and conscience of man both to answer the end for which he was created and to fear reverence honour and obey him in conscience to God-ward as a worshipper of him and the right of men ought to be preserved that they may not be forced from but left to their liberty to receive and retain the trueth and teachings of God in matters of Faith and Salvation that they may continue therein and not be perswaded or forced therefrom by any man for the Apostle declares to the Galatians that they did run well but some hindred them that they should not obey the truth and they that hindred them did not well in so doing for saith he this perswasion cometh not of him that calleth you as by the Scripture is plain Gal. 5.7.8 They who are against liberty of conscience in matters of Faith and Salvation and would either by perswasions or threatnings hinder people from obeying and walking in the truth of the Gospel which God makes known unto them and perswades them to walk in do not well in so doing and though he that was born after the flesh did persecute him that was born after the spirit he did it without any right or authority from God and therefore the son of the bond woman must be cast out and not be heir with the son of the free woman as saith the Scripture Gal. 4.29.30 Christ hath purchased a liberty Gal. 5.1 and fredome for the Saints and believers in him in point of religion and in matters of faith and salvation and therefore they ought not to be deprived of it but ought to have it granted and allowed unto them by such as are professors of him that as they have begun in the spirit Gal. 3.1.2 3. they may not be forced and carried back again into the flesh But may have the liberty of their consciences in matters of Faith and Salvation allowed and granted to obey the truth of the gospel according to the manifestation and perswasion of the word and spirit of God and that they may run well in the way of the Lord without molestation or hindrance by them that professe the truth For in Jesus Christ neither Circumcision availeth any thing Gal. 5.7.8 nor uncircumcision but a new Creature and Faith which worketh by love Gal. 5.5.6 Gal. 6.15.16 And as many as walk according to this rule that is to say the rule of the new creature Gal. 4.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 Gal. 6.15.16 which is the spirit of Christ Jesus Gal. 4.6 Peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 So many and no more
as by the Scripture is evident Rom. 8.9 Rom. 8.15.16.17 And as the children of God are led by the Spirit of God so therein they are in the liberty given and allowed of God 2 Cor. 3.5.6.7.8 2 Cor. 3.17.18 To serve and worship him in the glorious ministration of the spirit which exceeds and excels that of Moses in a far greater glory and therein they ought to continue and not be forced from it by men And as for the people of God reproachfully called Quakers they have under every government peaceably demeaned themselves ever since they were brought into covenant with God and have suffered for their obedience and faithfulnesse to the Lord more then any people in this Nation for many years by past and the Lord hath hitherto tryed them and they have been found faithful to the Lord upon tryal and they have been tryed by men and by the power and authority of the kingdome and do appear upon every tryal to be a people true to their principles to God-ward and honest and upright in their dealings with men it is well known to the Nation that they are a harmlesse people and very industurous and profitable to men and of an honest and good conversation unwilling to be burthen some unto them wherefore there is no just cause why they should be injured wronged or destroyed either in their principles persons or estates for their tender consciences and faithfulnesse to God in matters of Faith and Religion but ought to be defended and preserved therein And as for their meetings upon the account of religion to wait upon God as his people there is as much and more of the spirit and life of truth and of the refreshing vertue of the word and power of God amongst them made known from the Lord unto them for their satisfaction and souls consolation as amongst any professing people in the Nation And it doth appear after several years trial had of that people that their meetings never produced any bad effects either to the terrour of the people or endangering the peace and safety of the kingdome And therefore they ought not to be suppressed and broken but rather countenanced and preserved in their principles and practises which are so faithful and honest both towards God and man And whereas it hath been said by some of them in authority that the Quakers are in some part of their principles much like unto the primitive Christians who would not take up arms to fight either for or against the best of Kings or worst of Tyrants And therefore the Quakers say they are to be commended in that and others of the Magistrates have said as concerning the Quakers having any hand in plotting or designing mischief against the King and his government they are so innocent and harmlesse that they durst put them into the Magazin so that me thinks they should have no cause to suspect them for indeed they are a people that wishes no man any harm but would rather do good unto all men therefore they ought not to be destroyed or banished but countenanced and preserved in their principles and practises which are good and answers to the witnesse of God in the consciences of men It is more consistent with trueth and well pleasing to God and agreeable to the other part of the principles of the people of God and primitive Christians 2 Tim. 3.10.11.12.14 to suffer persecution for their faithfulnesse to God and their continuation in the trueth of the Gospel and meeting together to wait upon God in the way of his worship and have the love and favour of God then to be unfaithful to God and untrue to their principles by forsaking the same for fear of the frownes and rebukes of the spirit of the world or an outward suffering from men and incurre the Anger and displeasure of God for so doing Heb. 10.26 Heb. 10.24.25.26.27.28.29.30.31 God had a people in Egypt under great bondage Exod. 3.1.2 to the 13. and in great captivity bowed down and oppressed but he remembred them in his mercy and sent his servant Moses as his messenger to acquaint them with it Exod. 8.1 Exod. 9.1 and also to speak to Pharoah then King of Egypt by whose power they were oppressed Exod. 5.1.2.3.4 to require of him their liberty and freedome in the worship which God made known and required to be performed and done But King Pharoah denyed the Lord in that thing Exod. 8.8.12.13.14.15 and gave the Lord an occasion against him who brought great judgement upon his kingdome because he refused to give liberty to the people of God in the worship or service of God and said they were idle Exod. 8.8 12.13.14.15 and yet when he was under the sense of the judgements of God he promised them liberty but he did not regard to make good his promise which signified nothing but as a testimony against him and to provoke the Lord to wrath Exod. 8.25.26.27 who renewed his judgements and weakned the power and policy of Egypt for withstanding the liberty which God required of Pharoah on the behalf of the oppressed Israel Exod. 12 29.30.3â—.32.33 and in his own time made Pharoah to know that he was too strong for him and by his power alone wrought their deliverance after many trials that they might give glory unto him as by the Scripture is plain Exod. 12.40.41.42 Though Pharoah the King Exod. 1.15.16.17 Exod. 1.20.21 commanded the Hebrew Midwives to destroy all the male children of the Hebrews when they did the office of a Midwife yet because the fear of God was in their hearts they durst not do it so that they rather chused to obey God in preserving the lives of the innocents then to obey the command of the King which was so contrary to the minde of the Lord who would have had the seed destroyed which the Lord preserved and blessed King Pharoah could have been content to have letten the old stock of Israel have lived Exod. 1.8.9.10.11.12.13.14 c. if there had been no encrease but policy taught him to put a stop to that and if the Lord had not put a stop to that design Israel had been cut off and destroyed in the seed Exod. 1.17 For if the Hebrew Midwives had not feared and obeyed God rather then man the male children had been destroyed when they had come out of the womb Daniel was a man beloved and blessed of the Lord and there were such as sought an occasion against him with an intent and purpose under the colour of transgressing a known Law to have cut him off and destroyed him as there have been and are now such as seeks an occasion against the Daniels and beloved people of God with an intent to destroy them And as they could finde no occasion against Daniel but for the law and worship of his God so they can find no occasion against the Daniels or beloved people
of God now but for their obedience to the law and worship of their God according to the manifestation and perswasion of the spirit and word of God And when they wanted a Law to destroy Daniel by for his worship of God then all the Presidents of the Kingdome the Governours and the Princes the Counsellours and the Captaines Assembled together to the King Dan. 6.4.5.6.7.8.9 and consulted together to establish a Royal Statute and to make a firm decree and the King signed the same against liberty of conscience in matters of faith and religion to bind the conscience and force it from the worship of God for a certain time under pain of death or by being cast into the Lions den as by the Scripture is plain Now when Daniel knew that the law was made against liberty of conscience in point of religion and worship of God or the writing as aforesaid was sealed Dan. 6.10 he was faithful to God in disobeying such a Statute law against liberty of conscience rather then disobey God and offend his tender conscience as by the Scripture appeareth Dan. 6.5.6.7.8.9.10.11 c. And God did own and countenance Daniel in that thing by preserving of him forasmuch as innocency was found in Daniel before the Lord in so doing Dan. 6.22 Whereby it appears and remaines true that Daniel was innocent and justified in the sight of the Lord for disobeying the Statute or decree which was made against liberty of conscience in point of religion and worship of God And it is not unwarrantable or without Scripture example for the people of God to obey God rather then man in matters of Faith and Salvation when a law is made against Liberty of conscience in point of religion and worship of God as aforesaid The Priests were grieved at Peter and John because they taught the people Act. 4.1.2.3.4 and after the Priests and the Rulers had taken knowledge of Peter and John that they had been with Iesus they was unwilling that the truth should spread any further and to the intent that the truth might be suppressed and spread no further Act. 4.15.16.17 First they consulted together and said let us straitly threaten them that they henceforth speak to no man in this name as if Peter and John had been afraid of threatning to have left their Ministry like the Priests of this time And secondly Act. 4.18 they commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Iesus for the Priests would have none to be teachers but themselves and whom they appoint but Peter and John answered and said Act. 4.19.20.21.23 whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more then unto God judge yee for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Act. 4. Whereby it is evident and remaines true that the people of God are to obey God in matters of faith and salvation though they be threatned and commanded to the contrary by men and it is right in the sight of God to obey God in such cases rather then the commands of men that are contrary to the mind of the Lord and it would be wrong to disobey God because of the threats of men as aforesaid and it was the principle and practice of the primitive Christians so to do and rather suffer by Priests Rulers and Magistrates for their obedience and faithfulnesse to God in matters of faith and salvation then to deny their testimony and comply with the sins of the times for any by ends and to avoid a suffering condition Concerning the Primitive Christians both Ministers and People The Ministers of the gospel in the primitive times were called in question about their doctrine and Ministry by the Priests Rulers and Magistrates and threatned and commanded to preach no more in the name of Jesus Act. 21.13 to the end Act. 22. 2 Cor. 6. Act. 4. which was indirect opposition to liberty of conscience granted and given by the Lord unto his Ministers in matters of faith and salvation but obstructed and denyed by Priests Rulers and Magistrates then who commanded them contrary to the commands of God in such cases but the Ministers of the gospel in the primitive times could not be subject to such commands of men as would have forc't conscience from performing its duty and service to God in matters of faith and salvation and they said in plain terms without any evasions we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Act. 4.18.19.20 it was matter of conscience to them and they would rather suffer by men then disobey God and offend a good conscience to God-wards as aforesaid as by the Scripture is evident and plain The Ministers of the gospel and primitive Christians was no persecutors but were persecuted for said Paul to Timothie thou hast fully known my doctrine manner of life faith long suffering charity patience persecutions afflictions which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra what persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. But evil and seducers shall wax worse and worse 1 Tim. 3 10.11.12 2 Tim. 3.13 So it appeares and is plain by the Scriptures that the godly were and are attended with persecutions both Ministers and people and that by reason of evill men and seducers which are and were persecutors The Ministers of the gospel in the primitive times were to continue in the things which they had learned of God and were assured of as by the Scripture appeareth 2. Tim. 3.14 So were the Primitive Christians to continue in the word and doctrine of Christ by which it might appear that they were disciples indeed and lovers of Iesus And said the Apostle stand fast in one spirit with one minde striving together for the faith of the gospel and in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of Salvation and that of God for unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.27.28.29 Whereby it is evident and remaines true that the true Christians are not persecutors but are true believers in Christ and subjects unto him and a suffering condition is anexed to believing and as none can truly believe unto salvation but them to whom it is given so none can truly suffer for Christ and the Gospel but them to whom it is given and therefore they need not to be terrified by their adversaries for it is to the persecutors an evident token of perdition but to the true believers in Christ who are the true sufferers it is to the man evident token of salvation and that of God as by the Scripture is plain as aforesaid Phil. 1.27.28.29 The Ministers of the Gospel of Christ who have received
understood that they intended to make us so for continuance and perpetuity Then what Right have they to Excommunicate and Persecute us For if they cut off the Members of Christ either by Excommunication or Persecution do they not destroy Christ in his Members in so doing And is not that contrary to the Minde and Will of God and against the Innocency and true Intent of the Liturgie of the Church of England And doth not such proceedings beget a dislike and dis-esteem to them who so openly and manifestly erre from their owne Principles or Fundamentals in matters of Religion and Practise as aforesaid And for as much as the Bishops and Priests doe promise to People that by the Act of Baptisme so called they do Regenerate their Children and do thereby conclude them Regenerate saying Dearly Beloved Seeing this Childe is Regenerate and Borne again let us give Thanks Then if by that Act they do not Regenerate them they doe neither truly Baptize them nor Admit them into Church Fellowship Do not they therefore pretend to do that which they neither intend or really do not perform And is it not time for people to take notice of them For if no Priest in England can Regenerate any then no Priest in England can Baptize any who promise and pretend to Regenerate them by that Act as aforesaid and do not And seeing that by the Liturgie of the Church of England the Church is declared to be the Houshold and Family of God and by the Act that none may meet out of their owne Family above the number of five under pretence of Religion and Worship of God contrary to the Liturgie of the Church of England Then it seems that they who are of that Family and the whole Houshold and Family of God may meet together by that Act and not above five amongst them that are not of the Houshold and Family of God And the Liturgie of the Church of England doth plainly say that the whole Body of the Church is governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God So that the Houshold and Family of God are under the Teachings Sanctification and Government of the Spirit of God And by the Act it seemes all such may meet together to Worship God and not above five joyn with them that are not Governed and Sanctified by the Spirit of God for they are not Members of the Church nor of the Houshold and Family of God who are not Governed and Sanctified by the Spirit of God because the whole Body of the Church is said to be Governed and Sanctified by the Spirit of God and that according to the Liturgie as aforesaid Is it not evident then or may it not be concluded that by the said Act there is a toleration given for all to meet together who are under the administration and teachings of God who are governed and sanctified by the spirit of God and then what will this be against the meeting of the Quakers and innocent people of God if rightly understood and not perverted because they are the onely people that meet together in point of religion and worship of God according to the Liturgie because they are under the administrations and teachings of God and are governed and sanctified by the spirit of God And doth it not remain true that those who are prohibited by the act to meet above the number of five contrary to the Liturgie of the Church of England under pretence of religion are such as are not of the houshold and family of God that is to say such as daily errs and goes astray from the wayes of God and are not governed and sanctified by the spirit of God as aforesaid Concerning Infants Baptisme And as concerning Baptisme if the thing thereby promised and pretended be not effected the end doth not answer the means as they call it or indeed the meanes doth not lead to the end so that it is more a pretence and shew or shadow then any thing of substance and as necessary unto salvation and when the means leads to the end or the end answers the means so that the Priests do make it appear that they really can and do regenerate people by that act of baptisme so called as they pretend then we shall beâ—â—â—â—â— them and bring children unto them to have that conferred upon them and in the mean time it is but resonable to be excused for not bringing little children unto them whilst that part is more pretence then real practice or substance and we judge it a reasonable thing to be freed and clearly acquitted from all Ecclesiastical censures and temporall punishments concerning the same and if you think otherwise let the Lord and all true experienced sound upright hearted Christians judge between you and us in this case Concerning the Sacrament so called Is there any true spirituall right or gospel authority whereby any should be punished by Ecclesiastical censures or temporal punishments for not receiving that as an Ordinance of Christ which the Scriptures no where makes mention off if you say no Then we say the Scripture nowhere makes mention of the word Sacrament in any place that we ever read of and if you can produce any place of Scripture that plainly makes mention of the word Sacrament when you have produced that Scripture we shall take it into due consideration and if you say there is no such Scripture to be produced but the word sacrament is a significant word and it signifies the receiving of Christ Iesus and of an inward and spiritual grace which are holy things if so then to receive Christ Iesus in spirit and the grace of God is to receive the signification of the word Sacrament and so effectually to receive the Sacrament or the thing signified which is the end of the sign and we have received and do receive Christ Iesus and the inward grace of the spirit of God and so in effect do receive the Sacrament or signification of the sign and ought to be freed from all Ecclesiastical censures and temporal punishments concerning the same 1. Then to meet together in point of Religion and worship of God with them that are governed and sanctified by the spirit of God is to come to the Church and that according to the Liturgie or common prayer book therefore such are to be tolerated and ought not to be molested or troubled but rather freed from all Ecclesiastical censures and temporal punishments concerning the same 2. To meet together to preach and pray and perform duty to God in point of Religion and worship of God is not to meet contrary to the practice of the Liturgie of the Church of England because they pretend to do the same therefore they who meet together in the fear wisdome and spirit of God to preach pray and perform duty to God in point of Religion as worshippers of him ought not to be molested disturbed or called in question for so doing THE END