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 Friends 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 of Life as immediately coming from God that our Friends 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. Fol. 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 On Jonathan Clapham's Authority and Report R. Hubberthorn is charg'd by this credulous Dr. That he expresly said The Soul was the Being of God Quoting R.H. his Truth and Innocency and Clapham's Discovery Epist. to the Reader for proof How envious and unjust is it thus to condemn Persons upon report of their Enemies who regard not Truth but revenge and perversness as in this We find not in all R.H. his Answer to Clapham any such Expressions as that the Soul of Man was the Being of God but rather the contrary yet that 't is immortal That the first Man Adam was made a Living Soul that the immortal Life in the Soul came from the same Being and so says Clapham that the Soul came indeed from God and is Immortal and that God breathed into Man the Breath of Life and he became a Living Soul that the Soul is to be watched over that Peoples Souls are to be redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb raised up by the Power of God out of Death R.H. his Collect. p. 30.38 How can the Charge before stand with these Passages i. e. That the Soul of Man should be the Being of God and yet to be watched over by his Ministers redeemed by Christ and raised up by his Power That divine Sense which he hath given us would never admit us so to confound the Being of the Creature with the Being of the Creator as to render them both one and the same Being For though the Soul of Man be a Spiritual Being it is not God nor Christ but is saved by him This Adversary by his Instance in his second Charge which he takes upon Trust from our old Adversary Jonathan Clapham his saying that R.H. in his Book against Sherlock p. 30. brings Phil. 2.5 6. To justifie the Quakers Equality to God We look upon this Charge to proceed from meer Malice and as a foul Abuse of R.H. his words for the same Mind that was in Christ to be in us Phil. 2.5 6. was in respect to his Humility and Obedience There 's no mention of the Quakers Equality to God in R.H. his Answer But of Christ being Equal with God on Phil. 2.5 See his Collect. p. 34 Charge 3. Against W.P. and R.H. about the Term Trinity That God is the Holy One c. That few are so blind as either to affirm or believe that there are three Subsistences and but one Divine Being c. Obs. Pray where is the Unchristianity or Antichristianity here If he believes the contrary Viz. That God is not the Holy One that there are three Subsistences or Bottoms in the one Divine Being This appears not to us either consistent with the Holy Scriptures or good Sense See Deut 6.4 Mark 12.29 32. 1 Joh. 5.7 Joh. 10.30 Besides he has dealt very unfairly in this Charge taking no notice either of the Doctrin opposed by our Friendâ— which was that of Three distinâ—t and separate Persons in the God-head which we do not find their own Articles of Religion will warrant nor yet of their Arguments to the contrary See our Friend's Book Divinity of Christ yet the Dr. grants they i. e. the Quakers seem to own the Thing but not the term Trinity he might have added of separate Persons in the Deity because the Father Son and Holy Ghost are One and Inseparable and then his Sentence or Charge against us is because we are not satisfied with those unscriptural Terms of Trinity of Three separate Persons or Subsistences in the God-head and reverently profess the Father Son and Holy Spirit in the words which the same Spirit hath taught us in the Holy Scriptures Thus uncharitable and envious some of the Priests have appeared against us to condemn us as no Christians because we could not in point of our Christian Conscience come under their imposing unscriptural Terms upon us whilst they cannot deny but grant that we own the Thing or Doctrin intended Charge 4 5 6 and 7. Against some of our Friends for manifesting their Dislike of the Terms Human Personal Christ and that he took to himself an Human Soul and some Adversaries terming Christ himself an Human Body and some Friends asserting the Oneness of Christ's Body 1 Cor. 12.20 and his Heavenly manhood and Christ as but one in all his Saints Obs. Here again the Dr. has condemned our Friends as Unchristian about Unscriptural Words and Terms imposed upon us whilst we deny not the Thing it self namely the real Manhood of Jesus Christ as he is compleat Man the Heavenly Man yet his Soul Divine and Body Heavenly Spiritual and Glorious And cannot the Dr. with all his Learning find out an Oneness between Christ in Heaven and his Members on Earth and between his Members or Church on Earth and his glorious Body in Heaven so as to admit his Body in the fulness of it in Heaven and Earth to be but One are not his Members in spiritual Union with him 1 Cor. 12.12 And why the Man should either Antichristian or Unchristian any of our Friends because they think the Term Human too low to give to the Soul of the Messiah whilst he cannot prove it so termed in Holy Scripture we are yet to seek He still imposes without Proof or Demonstration as if his
is very plain I believed and therefore I have spoken Psal. 116.10 2 Cor. 4.13 And there were many true Believers before the Scriptures were writ who wanted not a true Foundation or Rule 'T is wonderful strange this old great Doctor should represent such Doctrins as these either Antichristian or Unchristian The Lord teach him better and humble him unto Repentance for his unchristian and uncharitable Opposition Charge 14. Against E.B. for saying All who go before the moving of the Spirit their Prayers Preaching and Ordinances I deny c. We own the immediate Spirit of God which was before the Scripture was written to be the Rule of our Conversation And against G. Keith viz. We are to wait for an immediate Call Motion c. to preach pray or give thanks and forbear till it be given Charge 15. Against being infallibly guided by the infallible Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures and speaking from the Mouth of the Lord. Charge 16. Against that which was spoken from the Spirit of God in any being of as great Authority as the Scriptures or greater and our Friends pretending to speak or write by one and the same Spirit according to measure by which Christ and the Apostles and Prophets spoke Obs. We do not perceive any Antichristianity or Unchristianity either justly chargeable upon these Passages but rather on this Doctor for so judging them all From which it naturally follows 1. That he is for praying and preaching before or without the moving of the Spirit of God and so runs when the Lord never sent him contrary to the true Prophets Christ and his Apostles Doctrin and Christians Practice Jer. 23.21 22. 1 Pet. 4.11 2. He does not own the immediate Spirit of God and Christ to be the rule or guide of his Conversation contrary to Christ and his Apostles Doctrin 3. Nor waiting for any immediate Call or Motion from God to preach pray or give thanks so that he promotes only a Will-Worship which God never accepts 4. Though we always confess the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament to be given by divine Inspiration and prefer them before and above all other Writings or Books and in no wise question the Truth of them yet 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 tho' the Words preached and the Words written may be the same For the Gospel as livingly preach'd came not in Words only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 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 But we may suppose that our Adversary's Charge in this Point is from his not owning the immediate teaching of God or preaching by the immediate motion and guidance of his blessed Spirit in these days but only by Tradition his Acquirement by reading and study of other Mens Works and Lines made ready to his Hand and therefore that he wants divine Power Authority and Efficacy in 's Ministry And then he might be more ingenuous to lay aside his Trade of Preaching and leave the People to read the Holy Scriptures without his meanings or private Interpretations upon them Charge 17. In this he accuses our Paper asserting our Christianity with a Tedious and Obscure Harangue under pretence of enjoying the spiritual Part of Baptism and the Lord's Supper but neither Refutes nor Answers what we have writ in that Case both of our Christian Experience and agreeableness to holy Scripture so the less notice need be taken of his Charge against our Friends for Asserting the Baptism of the Holy Ghost Charge ibid. And that the Bread and Wine being no other than a Figure of a spiritual Thing which is the Substance which being witnessed the Figure or Shadow is not obliging being ended i. e. In the New Covenant Charge 18. Against some of our Friends telling them That they set up their Carnal Ordinances in Christ's stead calling them their Means and not witnessing the immediate Appearance of Jesus Christ in their Souls drawing them in his Life and Testifying against the beggarly Rudâ—ments of the World and their Carnal Observances Obs. What more than a Figure does this Doctor suppose the Bread and Wine which they minister to be in the Sacrament so called Does he think them to be the Substance which is Christ If not then 't was very unadvisedly and uncharitably done to charge our Friends as Antichristian or Unchristian either in this Point for calling the outward Elements of Bread and Wine c. A Figure only as Protestant Martyrs esteemed them Vid. Dr. Cranmer Disp. at Oxford c. 3. v. Mar. In opposition to the Papists affirming them to be the Substance Christ. Let him therefore tell us what he esteems them if not a Figure For the Spiritual Substance is Christ he is that One Bread John 6. 1 Cor. 10. and his Spiritual Baptism is The one Baptism Ephes. 4. and in him the Shadows and Figures are ended Charge 19. About the Resurrection That W.P. said To assert the same Body that falls shall rise is inconsâ—stent with Scripture Reason c. And against another Friend for saying The Seed of God is hid in thee c. Obs. He having not wherewithal justly to charge us with denying the Resurrection it self for that we never did but always believed it of both the Just and Unjust and that they shall come to Judgement every Man for himself Now our Friends are charged because they believe a Spiritual Resurrection in opposition to their Adversary's asserting a Carnal or Sameness of Bodies to rise wherein this Adversary's Charge reflects upon the Apostle's Testimony in this Case as well as on our Friends as Unchristian For the Apostle answers such Fools Questions by way of Allusion plainly And that which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body that shall be c. God giveth it a Body as it pleaseth him and to every Seed his own Body There is a natural Body and there is a spiritual Body 1 Cor. 15. ch and 35 36 37 44 Verses c. Which is no other than what our Friends believe and hold Charge 20. Of Christ's second coming to Judgment against this Question i. e. Where proves he that Christ's second coming without Sin to Salvation is a Personal Coming Obs. And where proves he that it is Unchristian to ask such a Question to any that holds it Or that
Christ's second coming without Sin unto Salvation mentioned Heb. 9.28 is called in Scripture A Personal Coming This he should have prov'd before he had assumed the Charge of Unchristian or Antichristian against any of our Friends for such a plain question See what the Scripture saith Heb. 9.28 Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation They who then looked or waited for Christ's Appearance the second Time to their Salvation surely were not disappointed of their Hope and Expectation in him For he did spiritually appear to their Salvation to save and set them free from Sin See Tit. 2. Charge last Of the Judgment it self and Heaven and Hell 1. Against Wm. Dewsbury For saying Mind the Light in thy Conscience and it will bring thee to Judgment and the Righteous law and the Book will be open'd in thee wherein thou shalt see all thou hast done and give account for every idle word and the Law will cut thee down and cast thee into Hell where is weeping and wailing for want of the Presence of God 2. And then the Dr. addeth Mr. Jonathan Claphan taxeth the Quakers that they granted no local Heaven or Hell none but what is now within Men. 3. And that R. Hubberthorn in a Book in answer to Mr. Clapham called Truth and Innocency spends many liâ—es in proof that there is something of Heaven and Hell felt here which Mr. Clapham denied not Obs. 1. For Men to mind the Light of Christ in their Consciences this is no Unchristianity but their Duty even to believe in the light and walk in it John 12.35 36. This Divine Light of Christ and Law of God in the Heart if minded will discover and reprove all evil Deeds and bring the evil doer to Judgment and to feel Condemnation and Sentence of Death Tribulation and Anguish upon the Soul the Terrors of the Lord and Sorrows and Pains of Hell in some degree because of Sin and Iniquity that through Judgment men may be prepared for Mercy No true Christians will count these being their manifest experiences either Antichristian or Unchristian 2. The Charge he has from our Old Adversary Jonathan Clapham against the Quakers is not true i. e. That they grant no Heaven nor Hell but what is Now within Men. For we really believe that the Righteous shall know and enjoy more of Heaven hereafter than now they do here in this Life though they have the earnest thereof here And that the Wicked shall know more of Hell hereafter than now Yet some degree or earnest thereof many feel before they go hence as Tribulation Anguish and Terror comes upon them and they receive in themselves the Recompence of their Error 3. To his Charge of granting No local Heaven or Hell we know no ground for it If by Local he means Place we grant to what the Scripture saith i. e. Hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling Place 1 Kings 8.30 And Dives being in Hell in Torments calls it this Place of Torment Luke 16.28 4. That there 's something of Heaven and Hell felt here is certainly true Our Conversation is in Heaven Phil. â—3 20 This was experienced by true Christians who were made to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Ephes. 2.1 And did not David feel something of Hell when he said The Terrors of Death compassed me and the Pains of Hell took hold on me Psal. 116.3 See also Psal. 18.5 and 49.15 and 86.13 But 1 st what does the Dr. mean by Local Heaven and Hell 2 d. Whether there are not more Heavens and Hells than One Else what means the Heaven of Heavens and the Lowest Hell 1 Kings 8.27 Deut. 32.22 3 d. Whether Hell be always spoken of or intended in Scripture as a limited Place as where it is said Hâ—ll hath enlarged her self and open'd her Mouth without measure Isa. 5.14 And Hell beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming Isa. 14.9 And Death and Hell wâ—re cast into the Lake of Fire Rev. 20.14 God has no doubt prepared Degrees of Punishments and the Limitations thereof suitable to the Degrees of Wickedness which the Finally impenitent and wicked are justly condemn'd for II. Henry Osland's abusive and insulting Manuscript examined and briefly answered HEnry Osland saith Few in these parts knew them the Quakers sooner than I did some years ago and then so far as I could judge their Religion was composed of some Pagan some Popish and some Christian Points of Doctrin Ans. This is a blind Charge without distinguishing which he calls Pagan and which Popish points and we deny his Judgment against us H.O. They then held The Christ that dyed at Jerusalem was a Christ without but the Christ within was all in all Ans. This is a false Charge as if they held two Christ's whereas they own but one and the same Christ who died and rose again and ascended c. and is revealed within was and is Spiritually in the Saints their Hope of Glory 1 Cor. 15.8 2 Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 H.O. They denied the Resurrection of the Body Ans. This is a false Charge also the Resurrection was never denied by us H.O. You cannot perswade some of us that you own Christ for your Lord and Lawgiver and the Scriptures Ans. That 's because of your prejudice envy and unbelief we own Christ for our Lord and Lawgiver nevertheless H.O. I hear not that you baptize any with Water Young or Old Ans. We have no Scripture for sprinkling Infants nor commission to baptize Believers any more than Paul had 1 Cor. 1.17 H.O. On Acts 10.47 Can any Man forbid Water c. Had there been any Quakers there they would have forbid the Water Ans. That 's more than he knows what they would have done at that Time and Occasion H. O Perhaps you will say that this is of the same Nature as the other Signs and Shadows and Figures which were of a decreasing Nature Ans. Water-Baptism is confest to be an outward and visible Sign and it was but a Shadow or Figure of a decreasing Nature for so John's was H.O. Hath not our Lord promised his Presence and to be with us to the End of the World that use and are sound in his Ordinances Go saith he Teach and Baptize and I will be with you Ans. 1. The Lord is with his Ministers that preach freely not with the Covetous nor with Hirelings who make a Game and Trade of their Preaching 2. Christ mentions not Water in his Commission but Teach Baptizing them into the Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Father Son and Holy Ghost H.O. Pray tell me who can Baptize with the Spirit Is it not John 's Work or any Man's or Christ's Work alone Read Matt. 3.11 12. Ans. It is Christ's Work to baptize with the Spirit to convert to save c. Yet his Ministers attended with his Power and
THE CHRISTIANITY OF THE PEOPLE Commonly Called QUAKERS Vindicated from Antichristian Opposition I. In a serious Examination of Doctor Ford's Preservative against Quakerism in a large fallacious Scheme Tendered by S.F. D.D. as he stiles himself II. In a brief Answer to Henry Osland's Manuscript against the said People III. In a brief Consideration of an Epistle directed to Friends and Brethren at their next General Meeting in London Signed N.N. but no Name to it Sincerely Tendered in behalf of the aforesaid People and their Ancient Friends by some of them Psal. 35.20 They devise Deceitful Matters against them that are Quiet in the Land LONDON Printed for Thomas Northcott in George Yard in Lombard street 1690. THE CHRISTIANITY OF THE PEOPLE Commonly called QUAKERS Vindicated from Antichristian Opposition In a serious Examination of Doctor Ford's Preservative against Quakerism in a large Fallacious Scheme THE Industrious though fruitless Attempts of this Profound Doctor as he would be esteemed to unchristian or rather Antichristian the People called Quakers especially those of their ancient Friends is in this wise Methodized in three Columns on one large Sheet small Print The first contains a Recital of a Paper Entituled The Christianity of the People commonly called Quakers asserted against the unjust charge of their being no Christians writ by some of the said People by which the said Doctor S.F. saith They seem to be of a New Edition compared with the Vnchristianity or rather Antichristianity of their ancient Friends as he unjustly charges them in his Title set over his two other Columns and yet in contradiction falsly stiles our said Paper a Partial and Fallacious Scheme of their Doctrins Thus his Design appears malicious and uncharitable to endeavour not only to unchristian but to antichristianize an Innocent People that truly fear God and to render them contradictory to their Christianity sincerely asserted by them And whereas contrary to the Title over his first Column which is The Christianity of the People called Quakers over his second and third he has put the Title of the Vnchristianity or rather Antichristianity of the Quakers ancient Friends Hereby its apparent â—â—rst That all those Doctrins are by him rendered Vnchristian Antichristian which he has placed under the same Title and charg'd the Quakers ancient Friends withal in his two last Columns Secondly we may therefore rationally take him as holding the contrary and need give the less Remarks on the Particularâ— where his Unchristian Doctrins and Errors appear most obvious Thirdly most part of his charges are but what some of our old Adversaries and Persecutors have enviously and blindly Objected which long since are answered and the Truth fully clear'd in our Friends Books whereby he seems to have been one of them and since turn'd about from his Presbytery to the now Church of England for his own Interest yet retains his old Enmity And why is he now in 's old Age so disturbed and angry against the Quakers What 's the matter now Is he afraid to lose some of his Benefactors seeing he directs his Scheme to those of his own Neighbourhood and all others who are newly made or endangered to be made Quakers But he takes not the Course to oblige them that mean honestly by his abusing an innocent People in Print Fourthly Many Things are very unfairly and partially Cited by him leaving out the most material which are for Explanation of the Matters charged which we do not find but our Friends Books themselves which he quotes sufficiently and plentifully clear Others he has taken upon Trust against us out of our Adversaries Books without any impartial Enquiry what we could say for our selves or representing our Answers thereto But selfish Temporizers are commonly the most envious and apt to pervert Truth Now let 's examine his severe charge of Vnchristianity and Antichristianity against the Quakers ancient Friends in the several Instances given by him the said S.F. D.D. as he stiles himself that we may see what contrary Divinity he is Doctor of Charge 1. Is against our deceased Friend Ed. Burroughs viz. That God is a Spirit not distinct nor far from living Creatures for in him they live move and have their Beings Observation The Doctor 's deeming this Antichristian is to tell us he believes the contrary i. e. That God is not a Spirit That he is far from living Creatures Distinct or divided from them c. This being in his first Charge may be thought to be his Chief but his Divinity herein is expresly contrary to the Doctrin of our Lord Jesus Christ who Testified that God is a Spirit Joh. 4.24 and please to take the words not distinct to intend not divided or separate as E.B. intended and has explain'd That God is not far from his living Creatures and we see no Reason to render this Doctrin of God's Omnipresence either Antichristian or Unchristian but him to be both who so renders it For doth not God fill Heaven and Earth with his Presence and uphold all Things by the Word of his Power Jer. 23.24 Heb. 1.3 In whose hand is the Soul of every living Thing and Breath of all Mankind Job 12.10 And in him we live move and have our being Acts 17.28 If this Doctor had either known God or his Power and Omnipresence truly or seriously consulted holy Scripture he durst not have rendred such Doctrin either Antichristian or Unchristian Charge ibid. Against E.B. That the nature and glory of the Elect differs not from the nature and glory of the Creator The Elect are one with him enjoying his glory c. Obs. These being also put under the Title Vnchristianity or rather Antichristianity we may take this Doctor as holding the contrary i. e. That the nature and glory of the Elect differs from the nature and glory of the Creator That the Elect are not one with him in his nature that they enjoy not his Glory contrary to Christ's own Testimony John 17.21 22 23. That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us c. And the Glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one And see 2 Pet. 1.4 That by these you might be Partakers of the Divine Nature Tho' we be Creatures still yet by the work of God's Grace and making good to us his precious Promises we are in some measure Partakers of his Divine Nature being Partakers of Christ Heb. 3.14 and so far united unto and in Union with him and is not this divine Nature the nature of the Creator Charge 2. Against our ancient Friends G.F. and R. Hubberthorn Of the Soul coming from God and returning to God again as of his Being c. And E. B's saying when dying Now my Soul and Spirit is Centered into its own being with God Obs. Here the Doctor has
Presence are instrumental therein even in Spiritual Baptism as well as the Conversion of Sinners H.O. Other Christians sit under these Ordinances with great delight and they are sweet to their Taste Answ. The converted Souls great Delight and the Fruit that 's sweet unto the Taste thereof is in sitting under the Shadow of her Beloved and partaking of his Living and pleasant Fruit Cant. 2.3 H.O. You do not own Christ for your Lord and Law-giver and the Scriptures for his Law seems plain to us in that you Communicate not in the Body and Blood of Christ at the Table as other Christians do Answ. We both sincerely own Christ for our Lord and Law-giver and the holy Scriptures and do communicate with all spiritual Christians at the Table of the Lord where we livingly partake of Christ that one living Bread from Heaven and the Cup of Blessing which only can and doth comfort strengthen and nourish our Souls to eternal Life as we daily in his Light do wait upon him H.O. On Acts 4.8 and 13.9 These had then Christ within them and yet they sat down at the Supper Acts 2.4 Others fill'd with the Spirit of Christ yet came together to break Bread 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.26 Paul gives them Directions c. Answ. It s not question'd that they who receiv'd the Word and believed mentioned in Acts 2. did continue in Fellowship and breaking of Bread and daily in the Temple and breaking Bread at home did eat their Meat together with gladness and singleness of Heart which we truly own but also they had all things common they sold their Possessions and Goods and parted them to all Men as every one had need And that the Disciples came together to break Bread Acts 20.7 But the Question is 1. Whether because these Things were done by Believers then they must be practised by the Church of Christ as long as the World lasts if so why are they not all Are all their Temporary Practices Commands If so why do not the present Priests and Professors sell their Possessions and divide them and have all things common 2 And whether Christ's Practice as to the Bread and Cup and Passover in his Supper Luke 22. was therefore an Institution injoyn'd by him to be observed and practised in his Church while the World lasts Christ took brake and gave them Bread and Fish likewise after he was risen Luke 24.30 John 21.13 But we find not that he imposes these as a Sacrament or perpetual Institution to be allways observed in his Church 3. And Paul having recited Christ's Practice says to the Corinthians As oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 Was this an universal and perpetual Command to the Church Or was it not fulfilled in Christs COMING which those very Corinthians waited for 1 Cor. 1.7 and 4.5 and which coming of Christ they had then great need of to remove and end the Strifes Divisions Carnality Drunkenness Sleepiness and Disorders among them 1 Cor. 3.3 and 11.21 30 We farther seriously ask 1. If the outward Bread and Cup were not figurative visible Signs or Shadow of something more excellent 2. If outward Types Figutes and Shadows be not of a decreasing and vanishing Nature 3. What perpetual Command and Necessity is there of the Shadow to continue the Substance being come and manifest in Christ's Church 4. Is not Christ the Sum and Substance and end of all outward Shadows Types and Figures and the Bread of Life from Heaven the spiritual Meat and Drink of every sanctified Soul 5. Is not the inward Living and spiritual Enjoyment of Christ and our being truly partakers of Christ far more excellent than the outward Observation of the Shadow to put us only in remembrance of him 6. If the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in Spirit and Power and his Members and Saints spiritual Communion with him their eating and drinking at his Table in his Kingdom Luke 22.16 30. and partaking with him of his spiritual Supper or supping with him Rev. 3 20. do not fully answer and fulfill the end of the Figures and Shadows as being a far more excellent Dispensation Shew us any Thing figurative or shadowish mentioned in Scripture that we cannot shew the substance thereof under the same Term or Title 7. Can any Bread Cup or Wine give Life unto or nourish the Soul unto Eternal Life then that which is spiritual the Bread of Life and Wine of the Kingdom of Christ even the same Bread and Wine in Wisdom's House Prov. 9.5 Pray seriously consider these Questions for they are serious and to us of concern H.O. Say they i. e. the Quakers That Christ enlightens every Man that comes into the World I told them that was with the Light of Nature Answ. Where proves he that Light of Christ in every Man John 1.9 is but the Light of Nature By what Scripture proves he this when 't is expresly said In him was Life and the Life was the Light of Men John 1.4 which rather proves it a divine and spiritual Light for that Life that was in Christ the Eternal Word was the Light of Men. Can this be the Light of Nature How great is the Darkness of such Preachers who so teach H.O. That you do not own Christ for your Lord and Teacher you do not own the Ministry of such men who are lawfully called set apart by such as have lawful Authority in the Church It is plain in Scripture Christ gave some Apostles some Prophets and some Evangelists c. for the perfecting of the Saints c. Answ. The first part charged against us is not true we do own Christ's Ministry and Ministers sent by him who are gifted and qualified for the Work of his Ministry but such Ministers as were never called gifted nor qualified by Christ but made and authorized only by Men and who deny any immediate Call or Revelation from Christ in these Days and who in their Preaching oppose Perfection and living without sinning in this Life such we do and shall deny and testifie against H.O. Are all Apostles are all Prophets What may every Man or Woman speak in the Church Oh no. Answ. Though all are not such yet if the Spirit of the Lord be upon them to speak or prophesie as he has promised Joâ—l 2. that 's not to be limited nor quenched Ye may all prophesie one by one 1 Cor. 14.31 And there were Women among them Chap. 11.5 Therefore the Prohibition to their Women 1 Cor. 14 34· was not General nor comprehending all States and Attainments of Christian Women nor yet to make void that Prophecy Joel 2.28 29. nor to hinder godly Women gifted and qualified from their Duty of being Teachers of good things Titus 2.3 H.O. Take heed to thy self and thy Doctrin continue in them 1 Tim. 4.15 16. That is be constant in Preaching noâ— in your Study one day and at Plow the next
Answ. There were better and more effectual Preachers who were Plow-men Shepherds Herds-men Fishermen c. 1 Kings 19.19 Amos 1.1 and 7.14 Mat. 4.18 19. John 21.7 1 Cor. 4.12 than you who by the help of your acquired Arts and Learning contrive and study Sermons and fill your Heads out of other Men's Books and Authors instead of waiting upon God for Light and Understanding in divine Matters The true God is not limited he teacheth the Plowman Discretion and is more felt and known by an honest Plowman at his Plow than by a corrupt Priest in his Study or Closet setting his Imaginations at work filling his Head with Notions out of other Mens Works and Lines made ready to his Hand H.O. Where is your Presbytery Who lays on Hand Who sets apart among you Who is set apart to the Work I know them not Answ. We have true and faithful Ministers among us called and set apart by Christ Jesus and owned and approved of by faithful Elders in Truth and the Church of Christ though they do not come under the Hands of your Presbytery H.O. Some say John Payton of Dudley speaks sometimes yea and the Women often talk in your Churches an hour together is this your Christianity Ans. Good Christian Women to whom God has made good his promise Joel 2.28 29. may be required of him sometime to speak among his People in Humility and Godly Fear and be no worse nor less Christians for that There were Prophetesses and Godly Women in the days of the Holy Prophets and among the Primitive Christians who were also Teachers of good things H.O. When you turn Quakers you forsake all Fellowship and Communion with all other People whatsoever Is this a part of your Christianity c. Is this Obedience to the Apostles Doctrin forsake not the assembling of your selves together Ans. Israel shall dwell alone and not be numbred among the Nations the Lord 's peculiar People are a chosen People called and chosen out of Kindreds Tongues and People and must be separate from the unclean God has called and gathered us by his Arm of Power out of all empty Professions and to turn away from all such as have a Form of Godliness but deny the Power from all the proud and covetous hireling oppressing Priests and Teachers made by the Will of Man And we are required to assemble our selves inwardly to wait upon and Worship God in Spirit and Truth distinct and separate from them who are But formal outside traditional Worshippers H.O. You will have no Communion with any other above ground or below you have in Stowerbridge a constant able ancient profitable Preacher able to divide the Word aright in the publick Assembly you have also others in the licensed House that preach Truth there frequently Ans. If this his able ancient Preacher at Stowerbridge be Dr. Ford who he pleads for and the same S.F. D.D. who has printed the perverse fallacious and abusive Scheme to prove our ancient Friends unchristian and antichristian And if the Preachers in the licensed House he talks of be such as H. Osland himself we have but very poor Encouragement to go to hear or learn of either because of the Envy and Abuse of the one and the Ignorance of the other H.O. But you have built you a Fabrick to binder from attending at either Ans. Our Meeting House or New Fabrick as he calls it is one Cause of Dr. Ford's and H.O. his present Envy and perverse Scribling against us they envy our Liberty and Prosperity and have now begun the Quarrel with us to misrepresent and defame us which shews a partial persecuting Spirit in them which is far from either a true Christian Spirit or State of Saints H.O. What are there no Christians no Saints in either Are ye the only called and chosen How went the Spirit and the Grace of God by the other Assemblies to sit down with you Ans. This Question is much like that of Zedekiah the false Prophet to Micaiah the true when he had smote him on the Oheek Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee 1 Kings 22.24 But this was no proof against the true Prophet nor for the false and as poor an Argument for H.O. against the Quakers H.O. Must you be Christians because you deny the Communion of Saints Ans. A false Charge the Communion of Saints which is Spiritual we never denied but are come in measure into it through the Power and Goodness of our God in Christ unto us H.O. Doth the Preaching of Dr. Ford and our hearing of him unfit us for Fellowship with you Or our hearing a young lively Non-conformist Ans. Which does he prefer here as better Preacher the Learned Dr. or Lively Non-conformist by this distinction His thus pleading for hearing Dr. Ford the Parish-Priest at the publick Assembly or Parish-Church so called or a young lively Non-conformist as he calls him at the licenced Meeting House does bespeak such an indifference between Conformity and Non-conformity as thereby he has at once given away and betrayed the Cause of all consciencious Non-conformists and Dissenters into the Hands of their Persecutors and Adversaries so as to give them occasion the more to insult and persecute if they have opportunity But we hope all that are conscientious and mean honestly will see and refuse such Indifferency such Insincerity such Medly such Neutrality and Hpocrisie as this Lukewarm Temporizer and Hypocrite has here pleaded for His zealous Brethren of the Presbytery of Scotland c. would not endure such his Indifferency and detestable Neutrality as being a Violation of their solemn League and Covenant which it seems he has dispensed with H.O. Doth the Preaching of John Payton and such as he make you only Saints or is it the Preaching of the Women Ans. These are but silly Scoffs and Flouts from a proud and scornful Spirit and prove nothing against us we are a Religious People who conscientiously dissent both from the Parish Priests and such Linsy-woolsey Temporizers as himself and doubt not but the Lord has inspired and rais'd up and made better and more powerful Preachers probably some poor industrious Men and Women than himself or his said Dr. ever were H.O. Nay you will have no fellowship with us in the Bowels of the Earth you will not sleep with us in the Dust for you have many Grave-Yards up and down Ans. What sad Complaint is this what Cause has he for it what great hurt do we do them in not burying our Dead with them surely none at all they have the more room then And 't is no new thing to purchase Burying Places some of the Holy Ancients have been presidential in that Case See Gen. 23.4 11. and 49.30 and 50.13 H.O. Now your Belief of God and Christ and other good things you express in your Paper prove you only Christians in part but not that you are compleat in him Ans. 'T is well he has
and Robert Barcley especially G.K. in opposition to several of their and our ancient Friends and Brethren i. e. R.H. Ja. Parnell E.B. W.D. I.N. G.F. G.W. W.P. T. Speed c. The first Five being deceased And we have cause to assure our selves that both G. Keith and R.B. would abominate this false Brother's Attempt to make Divisions between them and their ancient Brethren divers whereof are gone and have laid down their Head in Peace And as to his giving these Commendations of G.K. as agreeing with them i. e. Protestants in this important Truth of the Divine Word assuming the true Nature of Man in Soul and Body into an immediate Vnion c. That Jesus Christ is true and perfect God and true and perfect Man c. very largely and fully c. All which Truths we firmly believe and own But says the false Brother Others in as great Repute among us as G.K. clearly contradict him which we do not believe Whereupon we solemnly declare that we find nothing asserted by G.K. and R.B. where rightly cited but we really own in the matter and intent thereof as about the Holy Scriptures the Word the blessed THREE in Heaven Christ's Divinity and Manhood Body Sufferings c. And also we do not find but what our Ancient Friends have written in these Points are reconcilable to the other upon a fair and rational or charitable Interpretation of their true Intentions and Meanings and taking due and serious Notice of the Tenor and Import of what they writ upon each Subject without mangling or curtailing as this and other Adversaries are apt to do where any things seem to oppose or vary as to some Terms or Expressions no doubt they may be easily reconciled by the Authors i. e. some of our Ancient Friends and G.K. and R.B. though many cannot so learnedly express their Minds and Meaning as they Howbeit this false Brother N.N. who seeks Division and Discord among Brethren feignedly pretends to defend G. Keith and the Protestant Churches against G.F. E.B. and others and says that G.K. owns as fully as they can desire the Doctrin intended by the Word TRINITY which he says they contend not for but the Doctrin intended the Truth of the thing it self we deny not says G.K. That these THREE are one in Nature and Substance yet Three otherwise than by mere Name Operation or Manifestation c. Being distinct in their relative Modes and Properties G.K. and R.B. are for us says he and hopes some of us are of their Mind and so far we may very well be call'd Protestant Quakers and says God forbid that we or the major part of us should approve such as say they are Prophets but are not but have said and done such things as are not to be named among Christians or Men. By these partial Insinuations this false Brother would still render us a divided People and some who are esteem'd as Ministers of Christ among us very suspicious and odious Though we know no reason to disown or protest against either W.D. E.B. R.H. I. P G.W. W.P. or the rest named by him because he has reviled and abused them as no Protestants nor to disown our Friends G.K. or R.B. whom he pretends to defend for we have a true tender and Christian esteem of both even of them all and of their Christian Testimonies and innocent Conversations and Sufferings for Christ. The Author of the Libel or false Brother condemns many things he neither answers nor refutes He supposes Contradiction in Matters reconcilable He reproaches the Dead whom he did not answer nor confute when Living One principal Contradiction supposed is this Title of a Paper i. e. Certain Papers which is the Word of the Lord and yet may not the Scripture be so called We say such a Title to any Paper or Writing is improper from the word should be instead of which is the word we shall not stand by the said Title as 't is worded without such Amendment Yet charitably think it was worded contrary to the intent and meaning of the Author for Paper and Ink cannot be the Word of the Lord nor can the Eternal Word be contained therein Yet that Word hath and may immediatly move upon the Spirits of some to speak and write and that 's our case The words cited against G.W. and others Thus Viz. and here thy Antiquity thy Reasons and about the 3 Persons thou dreamest of which thou wouldst divide out of one like a Conjurer are all denyed and thou with them i. e. his dark Reasons and Imaginations shut up in perpetual Darkness c. G.W. positively disowns the Words and affirms they are none of his and that he writ not that part of the Answer to Townsend which was about the Year 1654. yet looks on the words as wrong writ or wrong printed and that he raced them out or corrected them long since where he has met with that Answer For instead of and the 3 Persons it should have rather been about the 3 Persons And G.W. shall neither stand by nor own those words as charged after he see them in Print he was sorry his Name was to that Paper without distinction between what he writ and what he did not write in it wherein those words are which give the Occasion Let this Advertisement clear G.W. and others and suffice wâ—ry charitable and ingenuous Reader as we hope it will And now seeing this false Brother has so much commended Geo. Keith and Robert Barcley as to their Soundness in Doctrin c. We say there is matter sufficient in their Books in Vindication of the Doctrins Principles and Christian Religion of the People called Quakers which if this false Brother should oppose he 'll run into further self-contradiction against them he has so highly applauded Besides his Misquotations uncharitable and unjust Reflections and Falshoods here omitted and his wicked Attempts to sow Discord cause Divisions and Contentions among Brethen he most unfairly picks and nibbles here and there at our Friends Books and Words taking them in Pieces Bits and Scraps here and there leaving out the stress and explanatory Part of the Matter in divers things we could evince And thus 't is possible for a disingenuous Person to do by the best of Writings And lastly Whereas this false Brother would hear whether we would protest against the Errors his Letters implead c. Yet neither tells us his Name nor Residence nor how to direct to him nor who this N.N. is that 's subscribed to his Letters nor what religious Society he belongs to we have more to say or write to him for his better Information if we knew his Name and where he lives to direct to him and we should not be unwilling to subscribe our Names to such Defence as we have Cause to make in Truths and our own behalf for we are only defensive in these Controversies which this and other obscure and sculking Adversaries have begun against us the peaceable People called Quakers now in a Time of Liberty and Freedom from open Persecution which is an Indication that these secret peevish Smiters do secretly envy our present Liberty and therefore are in the same persecuting Spirit with our open Enemies and Persecutors This N.N. should come forth like a Man and discover himself that some of us whom he has accused might have some friendly Discourse with him which probably might tend to his Convincement and better Satisfaction if not obstinately set to oppose For hitherto he lurks he smiteth privily in the Dark he sitteth in the lurking Places to murther the Innocent he skulks privily to shoot at the Vpright in heart like the wicked If he would be plain and let us know how and whither to direct to him by his right Name it would give us Opportunity to let him hear more particularly from us till then excuse our Brevity FINIS Books Printed for and Sold by Thomas Northcott in Georgh-Yard in Lombard-street RObert Barclay's Apology for the true Christian Divinity as the same is held forth and Preached by the People called in scorn Quakers being a full Explanation and Vindication of their Principals and Doctrins c. G. Keith's Way to the City of God His Way cast up and the Stumbling-blocks removed His fundamental Truths of Christianity His true Christ owned as he is true God and perfect Man His Rector corrected His Truths Defence G. Fox the Younger's Collections E. Bathurst's Truth 's Vindication G. F's Heavenly Salutation His true Christian distinguished from the false A Narrative concerning Grace Watson's Death Abigal Fisher's Salutation of true Love Buds and Blossoms of Piety with some Fruit of the Spirit of Love and Directions to the Divine Wisdom Mankind Displayed or the History of the Little World being curious Collections out of the best Authors of the most wonderful and remarkable Things that have been performed by Men and Women in the several Ages of the World c. Scephen Strisp's Epistle concerning Present and Succeeeding Times Grammatista or the young Grammarian being a very useful selling Book containing Bills Bonds and Receipts c. * To this †I subscribe Geo. Whitehead Psal. 10. 11.2