Quaking-Primer little Children are taught to take heed to the Light within them that the Scripture the Word of God the sure word of Prophesie may not be regarded by them as their guide or rule of their lives Q. p. 11. Q. Numb 29 Therefore cease from that which is evil and obey the Light within and then shalt thou be delivered from condemnation Pr. Pr. Here these Quaking Primmer-men are subtilly at work to corrupt the injudicious minds of children with gross Popery here is deliverance from condemnation not by faith in Christs Merits but by obeying the Light within them their worst guide It 's a sad case that little children are in danger to be thus basely taught to pronounce the Roman Sibboleth that man is dim-sighted who doth not see that Quakerism serves as a stepping-stone for Popery in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 13 14. Hearken not to the deceivers Q. Numb 30 who keep you from the Light of Christ Jesus believe them not that turn you from the Light for they are not the Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. Here you may observe how this Quaking-Primmer is mainly designed to foist these new Vessels by this bad liquor put into them other Teachers whether Archbishops or Bishops Priests or Deacons rightly ordained are but deceivers no Ministers of Christ to whom little children are here taught not to hearken nor believe them By this base suggestion it is here endeavoured to prejudice young children against the Ministry of Gods word by the lawful Ministers of it to make them be slighted as so many deceivers that would keep little children from the light of Christ Jesus to be slenderly regarded by them as being no Ministers of Christ as those that would turn them from the light I may truly say Here is the poyson of Asps with which these Quakers would infect the youth of this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 15. And such also are all deceivers who tell you Q. Numb 31 The only way to come to the knowledg of all truth is by the Scriptures for the knowledg of truth is by the Spirit of truth which doth bring to the knowledg of Jesus Christ and his Spirit leadeth into all truth Pr. Pr. The dangerous design of this Quaking-Primmer is to leaven the minds of young children with this abominably false doctrine That the Holy Scriptures are not the way to know the truth That Gods Ministers are deceivers who teach that the Scriptures are the way to know the truth Behold a sad case here is the Spirit of truth highly exalted to decry the Word of God the holy Scripture from being the way to the knowledg of the truth according to this Quaking-fancy any prophane despiser of the Scriptures may very boldly say That Timothy was ill-instructed in the knowledg of the Scriptures from his youth That St. Paul was grosly mistaken in saying That the Scriptures were able to make him wise unto salvation But you see these Quakers are strangely fond of the Light within so as to cry down the light of Gods own word as if nothing but deceitful knowledg were to be gotten by the Scripture which is Gods Book This Quaking-dotage doth plainly say In vain did Timothy know the Scriptures of a child in vain do any Parents train up their children in the knowledg of them if this be not what is the ready way to lay poor children open to the Spirit of Error to make them a ready prey to the Quakers deluding spirit of truth By pursuing this Quaking-fancy is not the Devil likely to have a rich ingathering in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 32 And such are deceivers who preach for money and tythes such cannot lead you out of transgression for they are in transgression themselves for Christ said to his Freely you have received freely give and Paul made not the Gospel chargeable but these Priests that preach for filthy lucre deceive people Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-Primmer here is a base charge drawn against all the Ministring-Priests of the Church of England here these Quakers have fired their Beacon that the youth of this Church and Kingdom may have timely notice to beware of their best soul-friends here the silly sheep are slily counselled against their keepers that the Quaking-Wolves in sheeps-cloathing may the better prey upon them Is it not very sad that the youth of this Church and Kingdom must be thus dangerously prejudiced against Gods Priests who are his Ambassadors by whom God doth beseech his Rebel-subjects that they may be reconciled to God Behold here little children are taught to look upon all teaching-Priests as so many deceivers as those Hirelings that preach for money and tythes which is a lying slander as those blind guides that are in the pit of transgression such as are not like Christs true Ministers as burdeners of that Gospel which plain Paul made not chargeable as those Priests that preach for filthy lucre as Cheats who deceive the people According to the baseness of these Quaking-lines it 's a shame for the King 's Sacred Majesty the Defender of the true Faith that such base Priests should be owned by him be suffered to preach before him Is it not likewise another standing-shame that the Priests of the Most High God should be thus basely reproacht in print to the corrupting of youth and as yet no exemplary notice taken of it By the way observe it well that the Most Reverend Fathers of this Church are some of those Priests that are thus stigmatized in these Quaking-lines as well as the other dignified and inferior Clergy of this Church and Kingdom The good Lord rebuke this Quaking ill spirit Q. p. 17 18. And such are no Ministers of Gods word Q. Numb 33 who tell you the Scripture is the word of God and these are the Ministers of the Letter who are Ministers of the Scripture and not Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. You see these Quaking Primmer-men are still busie to sow their bad seed in the young Seminary whilst they do pretend to learn little children to spell they do likewise learn them these Devilish Lessons First That the Scripture is not the Word of God 2. That they are no Ministers of Gods Word who tell little children that the Scripture is the word of God 3. That they are the Ministers of the Letter and not the Ministers of Christ who are Ministers of the Scripture May I not say without offence to any If the Devil were incarnate it would well become him to teach such base Doctrine as this is By this Doctrine once imbib'd little children are well fitted to become bad Scholars in the Devils School Q. p. 25. Q. Numb 34 And these the Father Son and Spirit the world and their Teachers calls Three Persons but they speak they know not what even as they have imagined contrary to the Scripture therefore Children believe them not Pr. Pr. Here George Fox the younger comes on the stage of the Quaking-Primmer to
act his part to make little children believe this Doctrine to wit Three Persons and one God is a false doctrine That the Father the Son and the Spirit are no otherwise three Persons but as the world and their Teachers calls them so To say that God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are three Persons but one God this is to speak we know not what a meer fancy as we have imagined a false doctrine contrary to the Scripture Article 1 To say with the Church of England In the Unity of this Godhead there be Three Persons of one substance power and eternity the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost is in this Quakers account the Doctrine of the world and their Teachers a speaking we know not what a vain imagination a corrupt doctrine contrary to the Scripture If this be not pestilent doctrine for little children to learn let all sober Christians judg Q p. 21. Q Numb 35 Now Children the Scriptures of truth do declare of God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth which are one but the Scriptures cannot bring you to know God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-Primmer here is a train laid to blow up the knowledg of the Scriptures to prepare little Children to sleight them as being unable to bring them to know God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth according to these Quaking-lines St. Paul was mistaken when he said that the Scripture was profitable for Doctrine for wherein are the holy Scriptures profitable for Doctrine if they are unable to bring those that read them to know God Christ and the Spirit of Truth certainly it is either a true or a false knowledg that is to be gotten of God Christ and the Spirit by the Scriptures to exalt the Quakrs Idol the Light within little Children are here taught to sleight the holy Scriptures as a dull Book in the reading whereof there is nothing of God Christ and the Spirit of Truth to be known There are many more soul-endangering Doctrines in this Primer but I shall dismiss them at this present that I may come to the Quakers Catechism a Book of no less dangerous consequence as Popery of late hath spread in this Kingdom by Popish Catechisms so the Papal Quakers have set their Catechisms forth to gain Proselytes by this means Pharisee-like they make their followers twofold more the children of Hell Q. THe Book now under consideration is thus Titled Q. Two Treatises the one Entituled A New Primer the other A New Catechism both written by William Smith Printed 1668. Pr. Pr. The New Primer is that Book in which is demonstrated the new and living way a specious title this Book hath to catch unwary Readers to draw them cunningly into the Devils snare it 's written by way of Question and Answer the Child inquiring the Father informing which is a subtle way to dispense Quakerism the other is a new Catechism both are bound up together both Primer and Catechism are the sittest for Smithfield to receive the Hangmans Imprimatur there the Catechising new Primer is betwixt the Father and Child thus Q. p. 2. Q. Numb 36 Child But is there something of God in my own conscience that will give me the knowledg of him Father Yes and there is not any thing else that can do it Pr. Pr. In the first page of this new Primer this Quaking father endeavours to shew his child how he may come to know God his way and truth which he saith is thus done by something of God in his own conscience but so as that there is not any thing else that can do it as for the Scripture this stands for a cypher for a dead letter like a dumb Idol the Scripture can do nothing to make known God his way and truth the Light within this Quakers fondling is the childs only tutour to help him to know God his way and truth as for the Scripture which is given by inspiration of God which as St. Paul saith Is able to make wise to salvation which is profitable for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto every good work this very Scripture in comparison of the Light within is not able to help children in the least to know God his way and truth it doth still further appear that the Quakers spirit is not of God which doth thus debase the Scripture which is Gods word Q. p. 5. Q. Numb 37 Fath. Such as are not Christs Ministers have their power and authority from man and have each man a place of settlement which is called a Parish in that Parish they have Tythes allowed for their maintenance and they have a law made by man to compel it and if any for conscience sake cannot give it them then by their Law they sue them and imprison them and spoil their goods and these are wolves Child that are let loose among the lambs to rend and tear them and they have places builded in their several Parishes which they call Churches and they observe one day in a week for their worship and few hours in that day to perform it and they have an hour-glass and that is their time of Preaching and their eye will be oft towards the glass to see when it is run because it is a long hour to them when the glass is run they tell their people the time is now spent and what hath been spoken must suffice for that time and this is not the practice of Christs Ministers Pr. Pr. By this Quaking father the children of this Church and Kingdom are basely taught in a ridiculous manner to despise all Gods Ministers of what degree soever throughout this whole Kingdom from the Kings Chappel to the meanest Congregation we are all alike none of Christs Ministers like Jeroboams Priests or Baals Prophets this Quaker saith we derive our authority from man the Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops the Ordination of Priests and Deacons is no more but an humane invention for they have their power and authority from man in this Quakers account there is no true Ministry belonging to the Church of England the Priests are but so many Tythmongers setled in every Parish bloody wolves let loose among the lamb-like Quakers to rend and tear them like the Jews they have a law made by man to compel that which is unjust they are time-servers who do observe one day in a week for their worship and a few hours in that day to perform it an hour-glass measures the time of their Preaching which their eyes are oft upon their glass run and their time are both spent together thus in this Quakers eye they are no better than so many hour-glass-Preachers behold what a silly scandalous charge is here drawn up against all the Ministers of Gods Word in this Church and Kingdom who can believe that the foregoing discourse was indited by the infallible spirit who is God
except a Quaker none can how are the youth of this Kingdom instructed by this Catechizing-Primer to slight all Gods Ambassadors Pudet haec opprobria dici it is a shame of no mean size that such base things should be printed and not signally taken notice of Q. p. 10. Q. Numb 38 Child But are not the Scriptures given forth for a rule to walk by Fath. The Scriptures are a true testimony of what the Saints were made witnesses of but the spirit is the rule the rule unto them that gave forth the Scriptures Pr. Pr. Here the youth of this Nation are taught by this quaking-Quaking-father that the Scriptures are not the rule of faith and obedience according to this Quakers vain mind no children shall do well to take heed to the sure word of Prophesie Unto the Law and the Testimony is no rule for any children to walk by the spirit that doth infatuate the Quakers is the foolish guide whom this quaking-Quaking-father would have his child to follow is it not lamentable that the youth of this Kingdom together with those who are children in understanding are thus decoyed into the Devils net Q. p. 12. Q. Numb 39 Ch. Then I perceive it is the spirit alone that I am to mind in all things Fath. Yes child for by minding the spirit alone in all things thou wilt come to a good understanding in all things and be able to put a difference betwixt that which is true and that which is false Pr. Pr. Here we have this quaking-Quaking-father Catechizing his child so as to undermine the Scriptures to render them good for nothing for he saith the spirit alone is to be minded in all things therefore the Scriptures to speak like this Quaker are to be minded by children or others in nothing observe it well it 's not the Scripture but minding the spirit alone in all things that helps to a good understanding in all things it 's not the Scripture but minding the spirit alone in all things that enables to discern and put a difference betwixt true and false it 's now obvious that the Scripture is basely bespattered by this quaking-Quaking-father for there is no coming to a good understanding by minding the Scripture in any thing the Scripture to speak this Quakers mind hath no true light to help any to discern and put a difference betwixt that which is true and that which is false the Quakers ill spirit is to be minded in all things this alone is the true discerner betwixt truth and falshood but pity those poor children that have no better guide to follow Q. p. 33. Q. Numb 40 Ch. Why is not their time and place and person right seeing their time is upon that day called Sunday and their place that which is called a Church and the persons such as are counted the Ministers of Christ Fath. Nay the Lord God of Power is not limited by any of them and as for their Sunday the Heathen named it and the Pope named their Church and their Schools and Colledges made their Ministers Pr. Pr. In these lines this Quaker doth Catechistically teach his child to look upon time place persons necessary circumstances belonging to publick Worship as those that are Heathenish Popish and of mans making the whole Quaking-discourse is a base charge drawn up against the Church of England as if the Lord of Power were limited by the same as for the Lords-day this Quaker calls it our Sunday which the Heathen named as for the publick place where the members of this visible Church do meet to worship God in a material Church this he saith was made by the Pope as for the persons the Ministers of Gods Word he gives us to understand that they are none of them sent of God for our Schools and Colledges made them all do not these Quaking-lines eat like a canker is not the Church of England debased after a strange manner Q. p. eâd. Ch. Q. Numb 41 But do they not preach sound Doctrine Fath. Nay their Doctrine is after the tradition of men and not after Christ and they get their Doctrine by their arts and languages that they have learned at Schools and Colledges and then they read it or speak it forth in their own wills that are corrupted and there is no soundness in it Pr. Pr. According to the instruction of this Quaking-father all the Preachers of the Gospel within the Church and Kingdom of England are a sort of pitiful fellows for their Doctrine is not from Heaven like the old Pharisees they teach for Doctrine the tradition of men none of them do teach that Doctrine which is after Christ arts and languages learnt here below at Schools and Colledges is the whole skill which they have in the doctrine of Salvation they are all a sort of pitiful readers or speakers out of their own corrupt wills as for their Doctrine it is corrupt like themselves there is no soundness in it to speak after this Quaking-rate they are like so many corrupt trees they bring forth corrupt fruit they are all bad stewards of the Mysteries of the Gospel If this be not base railing let the world judg Q. p. 34 35. Q. Numb 42 Ch. But is not their praying a service which is accepted of God Fath. Nay for they pray not with the spirit nor with the understanding and some of them cannot pray at all but as they have prayers made by others and have them set in a book to read as in the Common-prayer-book so that neither their preaching nor praying is accepted of God Pr. Pr. From this Quaking Catechizer we may truly gather that the preaching and praying of all the Ministers of the Church of England is altogether naught as their Preaching so their Praying is a service which is not accepted of God their prayers are carnal for they pray not with the spirit tremulo judice in their praying they do but offer the sacrifice of fools for they pray not with the understanding as for those ministring Priests that do warrantably use the Common-prayer-book either in the Kings-Chappel or elsewhere to speak this Quakers mind or sense they are a company of dull Ignoramusses they cannot pray at all behold a sad case except it be in the Quakers dumb meeting or amongst those that are acted by the spirit of the Hat there is no calling on the name of God in faith any where besides according to this Quaking rant is not the Kings Majesty basely reflected on hath he not a dull Clergy to minister in his Presence is not this Church whereof he is a nursing-father in a bad case for neither the Preaching nor praying of her Priests this Quaker saith is accepted of God surely the true Christian Religion is at a low ebb in this Kingdom that Quakerism must thus carry the bell according to this vain-minded Quaker we are in a great strait we must now either all turn Quakers or else in Preaching and Praying we do but perform the
due as this Quaker doth ill understand this point Besides this quaking-father is grosly mistaken for dominium non fundatur in gratia it 's not true grace that doth intitle any Princes only to their Crowns and Scepters Cyrus that was no truly gracious man was King of Persia and the Lords anointed King Darius an heathen was owned and honoured by Daniel But this Quaker hath not yet done here 's more lamentable bad doctrine against the Lords anointed I hope I may write without offence that here are Treason and Rebellion taught against our Soveraign according to the tenour of his own words you may take this supposition Suppose the King were a proud heady high-minded man what then in this case what is to be done This Quaker saith there is no honour due to him though he be great in the world and be in place to rule Is it not plain according to this quaking-doctrine that without goodness there is no true honour due to the Kings greatness nay behold more of this abominable stuff here is the power of God mentioned by this Quaker in which power enjoyed or lived in the poor is as honourable as the rich and the beggar as he that rules according to the true meaning of this Quakers words the Kings high honour is basely degraded his Majesty is ranked with the meanest of his subjects that is a Quaker one that is in the power of God for unless that this Quakers power of God be in the King or more plainly thus unless the King be a Quaker the beggar-Quaker is as honourable as himself and the reason of this Levelling-Quakers vile doctrine is this for the honour is given as due unto the power and not to any mans person is it not plain from this wild reason that there is no true honour due to the Kings person at all But suppose the power of God as this Quaker cants were in the King what would be got by it he would not be one jot better than the meanest dry or wet Quaker the poorest Quaker in the same power of God would be as honourable as his Soveraign that rules Surely this wretchedly base doctrine is not fit to be told in Gath nor published in Ashkelon the greater is the shame of Quakerism that it should be published in our Valley of Vision this Quakers doctrine tends directly to nothing more than to lay the Kings honour in the dust to strike the Crown from his Majesty's head and to share with the King in his high honour it may be truly said Beware of Quakers for like the Jesuited Papists they are not in truth the Kings Loyal subjects Q. p. 43 44. Q. Numb 49 Ch. I would be informed of another thing Father what language I am to speak to a single person whether Thou or You be the true language to a single person Fa. Why Child a single person being one and no more the true language is Thou unto him or her and hath been the language spoken by all that have been guided by the Spirit of God without respect of persons and we do not read of another that was spoken by the holy men of God unto any person whether a King or any in authority under him for the spirit of truth leads into all truth and Thou to one is the language of truth without respect and the spirit of truth teacheth to speak it and not another Ch. But how is it then that the people use the word You to one another when they speak one to one F. Because in that thing they do not mind the Spirit of God and its teachings and so the false spirit acting brings fortha false word for You to one is an apostate language and is become seated in the pride of heart Pr. Pr. In these lines this quaking-quaking-father is teaching his Scholar an odd new language here his quaking-quaking-spirit is turned Grammarian after his quaking-fashion to teach little children to speak properly to give Thou to one person and no more but You to more than one Thou is become the Quakers Shibboleth to distinguish them from all others it 's in truth a main principle of the Quakers delusion distinctly to character them from all whom they count counterfeit Christians by them great stress is laid upon this word Thou it 's no less than a language with this Quaker like Jacob's Ladder it 's made by them to reach to Heaven they are all from below that do not use Thou to a single person probably at the confusion of languages Thou is the true language which is fallen to the Babel-quakers share this Quaker tells us that they who use not Thou to a single person are none of them guided by the spirit of God to mount this Quakers folly to its full height to say to the King May it please your Majesty to any Peer of the Realm Your Grace Your Honour to any great man Your Excellency to others Your Worship these are according to this Quaker such expressions of civil honour as were never spoken by any holy men of God I may truly say that Thou like Moses his Rod hath swallowed up all these Serpentine words they whether at Court or Country who do not use this Quakers Thou to a single person whether King Peer or Subject are sensual not having that spirit of truth who leads into all truth without Thou Charles to the Kings Sacred Majesty without Thou to every Peer of this Realm without respect the language of truth saith this Quaker is not in that mans mouth that man that is not a Thou and Thee-quaker is not taught by the spirit of truth according to this Quakers mind when we do speak one to one we must beware of You to one another for all they that do use You to the King to the Nobility to the Magistrates and Gentry of this Kingdom do in this thing not mind the Spirit of God and its teachings This Quaker saith moreover that to use You to any one man is that false word brought forth by the Devil the false spirit acting in them that use it nay which is worse You to a single person is the apostate language now is not this inference rightly drawn from his own words to say to the King Your Majesty to the Peers Your Grace your Honour to others Your Worship are no less than false words brought forth by the Devil no less than an apostate language Thus you see that this word Thou is so doted on by this Quaker as that for its sake all that use You instead of it to a single person do speak as the Devil the false spirit acts them they are all apostates such as are faln from the true Christian faith to give full weight they are all proud like Lucifer who have You seated in the pride of their hearts may it not be truly said this Quakers spirit is both bold and blind who durst write after this silly rate Q. p. 45. Q. Numb 50 Ch. But is it
not a thing that will become me to use good manners and people do not take the word Thou to be good manners when I speak to my betters Fath. It is evil words child that corrupts good manners but true words is mannerly and is spoken in the manner of truth which is good manners and thou must not mind what others say but mind thou the Lord and his teachings and he will teach thee to speak good words and true words which is good manners and people that know not the teachings of God nor the truth of God they know not the manner of it and so are seeking how to honour one another and to speak to one another and after what manner to do it which is not in the manner of truth but in the false spirit which corrupts their words and actions and so corrupts good manners Pr. Pr. As this quaking-Quaking-father did just now endeavour to teach children to speak properly so he is here instructing them to be mannerly after the Quakers rude fashion it is certainly a dull spirit that moves in this Quakers wheels for he hath not helpt him to write true English evil words that corrupts good manners is that false English which cannot be made into true Latin by any Quaker amongst them all but this was not a stumble by chance we have his quaking-Quaking-spirit tripping again true words is mannerly and is spoken in the manner of truth which is good manners give me leave to say perhaps this mans spirit was in some great heat or haste and so was not at leisure to help him to write better English Now let us see if this Quakers manners are any better than his non-sense the old Proverb may not amiss be applied to him As the fool thinks so the bell clinks to speak in the manner of truth is with this Quaker good manners except the tongue and then it 's plain that this Quaker knows not what belongs to good manners to speak this Quakers mind fully Thou to the King to the Peers to the Gentry of this Realm spoken in the manner of truth that is spoken as the Quakers do is all the good manners this Quaker owns you may see that what is more than Thou and Thee is a parcel of evil words which do corrupt good manners according to this Quaking instructor St. Paul was ill manner'd he did not speak in the manner of truth when he said most noble Festus according to this Quakers estimate to bow the body to any superiors to honour them by word or gesture is that which is not of the Lord nor proceeds from his teachings except Quakers you see that no people do know the teachings of God nor the truth of God nor do speak in the manner of truth that do give civil honour to their superiors this rude Quakers discourse serves to be-clown all Courtiers that do honour the King in their words and gestures for in effect this Quaker tells them that they do not speak in the manner of truth those good and true words which are mannerly words they neither know the teachings of God nor the truth of God which is far worse Thus you see that here is the Quakers School their rude Court to learn those manners which are in the manner of truth as for our civil way of speaking to our superiors betters and equals by being thus mannerly we do but seek to honour others in the false spirit who is the Devil if this Doctrine do not tend to make men Clowns to re-baptize them into the Quakers false spirit to make their Proselytes as errant Clowns as themselves are known to be then let any wise men judg Q. p. 46 47 48 49 50. Q. Numb 51 Ch. And how must I do concerning Oaths seeing that swearing in many things is required Fath. Whatever men requires of thee child thou must mind what the Lord requires of thee Christ Jesus hath forbidden all Oaths it 's not lawful to swear upon any account because Christ hath commanded not to swear at all if thou lovest him thou wilt keep his Commandments and not transgress against him because men require thee do thou mind the spirit of truth and it will teach thee to speak truth in what thou art called unto Let thy yea be yea for what is more cometh of evil Ch. But there is much said concerning the lawfulness of an Oath as to end strife or engage to a Ruler and there are many Scriptures brought for it Fath. They that bring Scriptures to plead for swearing in this day do not understand the Scriptures for he who is Lord of all saith swear not at all but let your yea be yea and your nay nay for what is more comes of evil thou art to obey Jesus Christ whose Doctrine is true who ends the dispensation of Oaths where strife was now Jesus Christ who endeth all changeable things saith swear not at all it is without putting any difference betwixt vain Oaths and solemn Oaths he saith not at all nor by any thing therefore child obey thou Christs Doctrine if thy yea will not be taken let nothing else be done by thee lest thou fallest into condemnation Pr. Pr. In this rambling discourse this Quakers drift is to inform his Scholar about Oaths but his Light within is so grosly dark as that lawful and unlawful swearing are altogether confused and condemned alike by him all swearing indifferently is condemned by this Quaker as that sin which reacheth to damnation in hell according to the tenor of his quaking-lines all the Kings subjects who have taken the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance have done that which the Lord forbids them that which is contrary to what Christ hath commanded them by thus swearing they have not minded the spirit of truth nor so loved the Lord Jesus as to keep his Commandments by shewing their obedience to the King in taking the foresaid Oaths they have transgressed against the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Kings by taking these Oaths they have done that which comes of evil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Devil the evil one by this Quakers decrying all swearing without exception and his perverting Christs own words it 's easie to observe what manner of persons the Kings subjects are let us view them in this Quakers glass are they loyal to the King below this Quaker makes them for their sworn Allegiance to be disobedient to the Lord above have they religiously taken the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance they have likewise irreligiously sworn that which the Lord requires not of them hath the Law enjoined them to swear the said Oaths they have done that which is unlawful Christ Jesus hath forbidden all Oaths it was not lawful for them to swear upon any account though the law of man did require it by taking the said Oaths what love have they shewed to Jesus Christ for in so doing they have broken his Commandments by thus swearing they have presumptuously transgressed against him
under the hands of a persecuting generation in Colchester-Castle in the year 1656. Published 1675. Pr. Pr. This Quakers scribbles are in no small request with his quaking-friends here you see they are said to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord which is a profane equalling of them with the holy Scriptures this quaking holy man of God was in the Quakers account no less inspired by the Holy Ghost than the holy Pen-men of Scripture were it 's no slander to say that the Quakers are not a little fly-blown with spiritual pride not a little of it is here published in print behold this James Parnel was the Quakers martyr that bore a faithful testimony for God even unto death in Colchester-Jayl with respect to this Quakers great worth they were a persecuting generation who did persecute this Quaker according to his true demerit This Collection was published in the year 1675 to tell this generation that this Quaker was like Abel who being dead yet speaketh but I shall truly say not like righteous Abel Let us look into some of his Pamphlets for with them all I shall not trouble your patience The first of the Pamphlets is called A trial of Faith which is thus put to the test Q. p. 4. Q. Numb 53 You believe you shall never overcome your sins so long as you are here or be made free from sins here you shew your faith is not built upon Christ who came to destroy the works of the Devil and to cleanse from all sin Pr. Pr. This is the corrupt testimony of this quaking-martyr that they are no sound believers whose faith doth not cleanse them from all their sins that the faith of Christians is not built upon Christ if it doth not make them free from their sins peccatum ne sit a sinless estate reserved for the Kingdom of Heaven is no true Divinity in the Quakers School according to this high-flown Quaker we must either be wholly free from sin like the angels or we can be no true believers in Christ St. Paul burthened with his body of death was a wretched man in the worse sense one that was not built by faith on Christ no truly faithful Christian suppose this Quaker to be in the right what then then St. John was grosly mistaken in saying thus If we say that we have no sin which the Quakers usually do we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us this Quaker is certainly for a more holy faith than God himself did ever require it 's not the ruling power but the being of sin which this Quakers faith makes free from without doubt this is to be righteous overmuch in this world I leave it to others to judg if the ill spirit of the old Catheri was not gotten into this young Quaker however it 's most clear that unless the Quakers idolized perfection be owned as the true only touchstone of faith the best grounded the most stedfast and saving faith of any Christian is not worth a rush it is an unholy faith to speak this Quakers mind that doth not cleanse from all sin in being thus this Quaker being dead hath unrighteously spoken a lye in the name of the Lord by his false Doctrine he hath concluded the Church of England at home all reformed Churches abroad under unbelief for being of this right sound mind that they shall never be made free from all their sins as long as they are here Q. Q. The next Pamphlet of Parnel's is called Christ exalted into his Throne Pr. Pr. Here is seemingly great honour done to our Saviour Christ but it is only in shew not in truth as of old he was arrayed like a King to his own greater disgrace so he is now cried up by this Quaker to the high dishonour of the holy Scriptures which is no honour to our Lord Jesus Christ Q. p. 15. Q. Numb 54 The Scripture was spoken from the Light but is not the Light nor the word nor the life nor the judg nor the rule nor the guide nor the trier of spirits for all this belongs to Christ Pr. Pr. I may truly say without offence this is none of Abel the righteous his language nor a faithful testimony born for God except another Quaker Atheist or Antiscripturist none would have laid such base things to the charge of the holy Scripture except a Quaker no man did ever call Christ the rule this Quaker is guilty of weak reasoning because Christ is the word the light the life therefore Scripture is not the word of God a light the word of life a judg a guide a trier of spirits behold is not this rare quaking Logick is it not a great shame that such dull reasoning as this is should be fathered on the holy Spirit who is God without question it 's for want of good Catechizing that the Quakers vent such irrational things in print these quaking-lines are fitter for pity than a more serious answer however let it be duly considered that at this door hath been brought in all the filth that hath been cast upon the holy Scripture the Scripture is not the light what is it then darkness saith one Quaker not to be minded in any thing saith another not the word what then the letter a dead letter say several Quakers not the life what then putrefaction and corruption not the judg what then it's the spirit alone which gives true discerning saith another Quaker not the rule what then the Scripture is not the rule of my faith and practise saith another Quaker not the guide what then the Light within is the true guide say all Quakers not the trier of spirits what then the Scripture cannot help to discern betwixt true and false saith another Quaker Thus you see clearly how the Scripture the word of God is become like a dung-cart to receive what filth the Quakers and the Papists have to throw into it is it not very sad that the Quakers way of exalting Christ is by debasing the good word of God what manner of spirit it is that leads the Quakers let all wise men hence judg Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 55 Of this Light you people and teachers of the world are ignorant and so are doting upon the Scripture without with your dark minds there with the blind Pharisees seeking life where it is not to be found Pr. Pr. The voice of righteous Abel is not yet in these quaking lines with this Quaker both people and Priest are alike they are both alike ignorant of Christ the Light because neither people nor their teachers are fond of this Quakers false Christ the Light within therefore this Quaker saith they do fondly dote upon the Scripture without and this is done with dark minds behold as this Quaker thought this is our great fault because we make the Scripture not the Quakers Light within the rule of our faith and life therefore as this Quaker saith we are ignorant of Christ the Light doting on
us is no less matter in this Quakers account than the Doctrine of a Counterfeit Christian a Doctrine that hath not one place of Scripture to prove it a Doctrine which is denied by this real Quaker a Doctrine which is not expressed in Scripture To make sure work this real Quaker saith in effect That he is a fool or a mad-man a man void of common sense that would prove the Quaker to be no Christian for denying that Christ is a distinct person without us According to this Quakers false measure all the Members of the Church of England not to mention the Reformed Churches abroad are all fools and mad-men they are all void of common sense for they do unanimously affirm That Christ is a distinct Person without them To touch at this Quakers Verily c. Verily that man is a Braggadochio one that doth vainly magnifie the Scripture to be his sole rule nay he is a laughing-stock to all wise men that would prove a Quaker to be no Christian for denying Christ to be a distinct person without us If this be not one of the Quakers base Doctrines asserted by W. P. alias William Pon let all wise men judg According to this real Quakers mind we have no such Saviour as Jesus Christ who is God and Man in one Person distinct without us Q. pag. 79. Q. Numb 2 'T is granted That Christ is a distinct Being though not at a distance from the Saints Next we never said that Christ was not as well without us as within us we never set any limitations to Christs presence they are the false inferences of our enemies let the Reader beware that he be not abused by them for the word Person as thou usest it in telling of Christ God-man a distinct person without thee it is no Scripture-phrase Pr. Pr. In these Quaking-lines we have the way of a Serpent upon a stone here is Christ a distinct Being from the Saints but no distinct person without them this is a point of base unscriptural doctrine the Real Quaker justified saith so in effect The Person of Christ God-man a distinct person without us this is no Scripture-truth nor phrase According to the vain-glorious title of this Quaking-Pamphlet they are Counterfeit-Christians that do affirm Christ to be God-man a distinct Person without them Is it not high time for the Kings Sacred Majesty to arise and judg for by his Quaking-subjects Christ the King of Glory is basely dishonoured this Quakers Pen hath published this high dishonour Q. pag. end i. e. 79. Q. Numb 3 Such-like expressions occasion people to retain mean and dark apprehensions of God and Christ and his place of residence Pr. Pr. W. P 's false spirit doth here put him upon writing in good earnest against Christ God-man a distinct person without us for these are some of those such-like expressions as are of dangerous consequence as this real Quaker saith they do occasion people to retain dark and mean apprehensions of God Christ and his place of residence Without doubt it may be truly said That the Quakers light within is not of God for it prompts them to write so dishonourably of God the Son who was sent by God the Father in the likeness of sinful flesh thus to be God-man a distinct person without us to save us by faith in his Name Take it for a most certain truth It was the Light from below which served this Quaking Pen to write so basely concerning Christ the Word made flesh God blessed for evermore Q. pag. 82. Q. Numb 4 I grant the Scriptures are to be fulfilled and that many Heavenly exhortations reproofs and instructions therein contained are to be regarded by us But that which is my Rule to direct my understanding what is fit for me to embrace and what to reject and how to understand that which is to be received must be the Spirit of Truth which alone gives a true discerning Pr. Pr. The Real Quaker having written so ill concerning Christ God-man a distinct person without us it cannot well be expected that he should write well concerning the Holy Scriptures Like the Devil concerning Christ himself this Quaker ushers in his pestilent discourse with some truth concerning the Scriptures which serves as a blind for fools Notwithstanding Joab's fair words at first Abner was smitten to death by him at last Though this Quaker hath spoken well of the Holy Scriptures at first yet in his last lines they are basely thrust through he saith plainly that they are not the rule to direct his understanding nor to govern his life by it 's not the Scripture but the Spirit of Truth which is this Real Quaker's Rule it 's the Counterfeit Christian who holds the Scripture to be the Rule of faith and obedience This Real Quaker takes the Scripture to be but a blind guide for it 's the Spirit of Truth that doth alone give true discerning According to this Quaking-doctrine the Holy Scriptures do give no true discerning But hearken what follows Q. pag. 83. Q. Numb 5 The Light within ought to be the rule of faith and practice Pr. Pr. This is the Real Quakers upstart rotten doctrine this Quaking-dotage is not yet thirty years old this is in truth the Real Quakers Golden Image before which all if they are so filly should fall down and worship In the Quakers blind estimate the Holy Scripture is not the Word of God that this Quaking-fondling the Light within them may be set up for the Rule of faith and practice Q. pag. 84. Q. Numb 6 I further told thee That those who gave forth the Scripture came to the enjoyment of those things through the Light and Spirit of God or they could never have writ them therefore the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith Pr. Pr. Here W. P's best reason assisted with his Light within is fondly at work to prove That the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith that gave forth the Scripture Surely it 's matter of lamentation in our Israel that the Quakers false light and their lying spirit do counterfeit the true Light and the Holy Spirit who is God to decry the Scriptures from being the Rule of saith and life Who can read these lines without bleeding hearts Whose hearts are not touched to find the Holy Scriptures reproached in this scurvy manner Let wise men judg what hard measure the Holy Scripture meets with from the Real Quaker Q. p. 95. Q. Numb 7 We do receive and believe the Scriptures given forth by holy men of God as they were moved of the Holy Ghost and that they are profitable for doctrine for reproof and for instruction in righteousness yet since they are Writings relating to the things of God no man can understand them or have an assured testimony of them but by the Spirit of God It was not the Scripture but the Father that revealed Christ to Peter Pr. Pr.
having purchased all of God without Pr. Pr. Here we have this Quaking Proteus turned into a Socinian shape sore troubled it 's still no less than unscriptural and nonsensical to affirm That God-man hath purchased all of God without If we should fondly pin our faith on this Quakers sleeve then upon easie terms we might bid farwel to the received Doctrine of the Church of England Art 2 for there is no such thing discoverable by the Light within any Quaker as that the Godhead and Manhood were joined in one person who suffered was dead and buried to reconcile his Father to us and to be a Sacrifice not only for original guilt but also for all actual sins of men such true doctrine as this is belongs not to the nature of this Quakers Christianity this is that doctrine which in this Quakers Glass is represented unjustly to be unscriptural and nonsensical This blessed Truth That Christ God-man hath purchased all of God without is to this Quaker a rock of offence unjustly taken by him Without doubt that man is not mistaken who shall say That the Quakers do deny Christ to be God-man in one person this certainly is no point of any Quakers faith That Christ God-man hath purchased our Redemption of God the Father by his precious blood without us If this be true then where is or what is become of this Quakers true Christianity If this with his fellow-Quakers were enjoined by the Kings Majesty the Defender of the true Faith to subscribe to the 39 Articles of Religion then by their thus declaring their unfeigned assent and consent but to the two first Articles thereof their false Christian paint would soon fall off then the Kings Majesty would soon see what manner of Christians these Saints Seed People as they call themselves of the Most High God are Q. p. 8. Q. Numb 17 Because those terms in Scripture relating to Christ and his works are misunderstood and perverted by many professors and Priests I shall state them with the natural and simple sense thereof viz. Jesus A Saviour who saveth from sin Christ is anointed with power from on high Propitiation A Sacrifice well pleasing which is to purge away sin and make nigh to God and which imports forgiveness reconciliation favour mercy kindness c. Sacrifice An oblation or offering to consecrate or make holy Reconciliation An agreement a setting at one Covenant An accord agreement a contract a treaty a condition c. Atonement Peace quietness betwixt them that are reconciled or in mutual friendship Redemption A ransoming buying again rescuing such as were under bondage or sold under slavery Salvation A saving or a making safe from the hand of an enemy destroyer or oppressor c. Imputation An ascribing laying to the charge of or an accounting reckoning or thinking Justification A making righteous just upright vertuous good perfect c. and also an adjudging pronouncing and sentencing one that is made righteous to be so Pr. Pr. Thus far we have had this Quakers unlearned Dictionary or ill-digested Vocabulary Now let us first observe what doth immediately follow Q. p. 9. Q. Numb 18 Now if professors come not to feel and experience these things or works of Christ fulfilled in them they are but empty professors and talkers of them without the true life and power of Christianity and true Religion Pr. Pr. This Quakers Dictionary or Vocabulary is so trivial as that it is lost time an abuse of patience to note much concerning it They are Quakers in heart ill-principl'd in Christianity who do not see plainly how this Quakers spirit hath put him upon playing the Sophister as well as an Ignoramus in it There is not one syllable of Redemption by purchase to be found in it Jesus Christ Propitiation Sacrifice Reconciliation Covenant Atonement Redemption Salvation Imputation Justification are not only ignorantly but basely explained to use Dr. G's words whom I heard preaching upon that plain literally-meant Text Mat. 5.10 say Haec intus transiguntur omnia they must be all felt and experimentally fulfilled within professors otherwise they are but empty professors and talkers of them nay further unless professors come to this which they are never likely to do to have them fulfilled in them they are in a sad case without the true life and power of Christianity and true Religion To give one parting-blow more Let it be duly observed that this Quakers explanation is full of tautologies and of plain words darkned by those of more difficult understanding as also of several vain repetitions of all which his Teacher the Light within his pretended Lord God his Spirit that inspired him is highly guilty As for Justification it is altogether Popishly explained a plain instance that the Quakers Light within is from Rome below not from Heaven above besides that man is not imposed upon that shall hence aver this Quakers Vocabulary to be full of Socinianism for here is nothing of Redemption by Christs blood without us The life and power of this Quakers Religion hath nothing to do with redemption purchased by Christ God-man Once more consider this Quaking-Dictionary well and then it will casily appear that this Socinianizing Quaker doth truly deny the Lord that bought him as well as unchristian all those that are not of the same corrupt mind with him That all these abovesaid words in their Quaking-sense must be fulfilled in them Q. p. 18. Q. Numb 19 But thou contradictest thy Tutors the Presbyterians and Independents in saying That mans redemption is purchased by his crucified body for they say he did not satisfie as man simply but as God and man or as God-man which is all one as to say That God satisfied and paid God or that God purchased redemption of himself Pr. Pr. Observe how this Quaker takes his adversary to task as an untoward Pupil contradicting his tutors According to this Quakers ill-sighted light within him the received Doctrine of Christs satisfaction derives its pedigree no higher than the Presbyterians and Independents According to this Upstart Quaker Christs satisfaction is no Gospel-truth from God in heaven it 's only from below according to this Quaker the Presbyterians and Independents are the known Fathers of this Infant-truth the old scum is still before this Quakers eyes all his light within doth not remove it God satisfying and paying God God purchasing redemption of himself doth still so blind him as that he cannot as yet see redemption by price or satisfaction made by Christ God-man to God the Fathers Justice to be a precious Gospel-truth It 's no slander to say That this Quaker hath an ill-catechised head an ignorant spirit to be his guide otherwise he had never appeared so ignorant in print I may truly write without any just offence That an ungrounded confident pretence to divine teaching hath put this deluded Quaker upon devising a Looking-glass for all sorts of professors in which nothing of true Christianity is yet to be seen Q. p.
Father this is no point of this Quakers Faith this is only the confession of Presbyterians and Independents who are his adversaries brethren 4ly Jesus the Son of Mary doth not to use his own words exist outwardly bodily without us at Gods right hand according to this Quaker this is a false doctrine for which there is no Scripture-proof as for Gods right hand this Quaker doth scoffingly ask what or where is it is it visible or invisible within us or without us only Thus Jesus the Son of Mary sitting on Gods right hand in Heaven is no article of this Quakers faith 5ly Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is no outward bodily existent person without us distinct from God to hold Christ our Saviour to be a distinct person from God the Father is no part of this Quakers faith The light within guides no Quakers to own this great Gospel-truth their spirit inspires none of them to be sound in this doctrine of faith Light of Light very God of very God is none of their faith 6ly Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is not to be worshipped as God Mind it well the Hypostatical Union on is not owned by any Quaker because the Quakers do deny our Saviour to be God man in one person therefore they deny that the Son of Mary is to be worshipped as God 7ly That Christ the Saviour the Son of Mary is outwardly bodily glorified at Gods right hand is no Scripture-truth Lastly to call Mary the Mother of God is a Popish saying which to be sure is not Scripture-language in this Quaking discourse the learned may observe many old Heresies revived however by this Quakers golden Calf the nature of true Christianity is made naked it is stript off its primitive glory it may now truly be called Ichabod for by this Quakers most ugly doctrine the glory is departed from it Q. p. 51. Q. Numb 26 Whereas thou goest so often over with these words Jesus Christ the Son of Mary whom thou callest God-man I ask thee if this be not of kin to the Papists calling Mary the Mother of God and where did the Apostles so often or ever use these expressions Jesus Christ God-man the Son of the Virgin Mary and who were they that said Is not this the Carpenter the Son of Mary But Peter gave an higher testimony of him when he said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God But do not the Papists honour him as much as thou in their frequent calling him the Son of Mary as thou hast done Pr. Pr. This Quakers discourse serves to tell us that it is no piece of this Quakers Christianity to hold that Jesus Christ our Saviour is either the Son of Mary or God-man for he is angry with his adversary for going so often over with these words Jesus the Son of Mary and for calling him God-man this Quaker tells us to call Jesus the Son of Mary is that which is neer of kin to the Papists who call Mary the Mother of God Certainly this Quakers Light within is very dull-sighted which can neither discern Jesus to be the Son of Mary nor Mary to be the Mother of God the Son according to his Manhood Jesus Christ God-man in one person is a great stumbling-block in this Quakers way it 's against his Light within him to acknowledg Christ to be God and Man in one person therefore it must in his eye be Popery to call Christ the Son of Mary and Mary the Mother of God the communication of properties is a doctrine of which this Quaker takes no notice it 's not to tell whither an ignorant confidence will hurry those that are led by it to call Jesus Christ the Son of Mary God-man are those expressions saith the consident Quaker which were never used by the Apostles Behold what is the result of this ignorant confidence is it not this abominable assertion to the shame of true Christianity that Jesus Christ God-man the Son of Mary is no Gospel-truth taught by Christs own Apostles To go one step further to call Jesus the Son of Mary is according to this Quakers language to honour Christ no otherwise than those that said of him Is not this the Carpenter the Son of Mary Let us remark it once more it 's but a slight a vulgar dishonour put on our Saviour to call him Jesus the Son of Mary nay it 's Popery which is commonly counted Antichristianism to call Mary the Mother of God how ignorantly doth this Quaker decry Jesus from being the Son of Mary because St. Peter testified of him saying Thou art the Son of the living God therefore it is a false Popish testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Virgin Mary Tremulus naviget ad Anticyras this pitiful Quaker wants a necessary dose for his pericranium common sense is ashamed of such mean arguing at this day no serious Christians none but deluded Quakers do deny Jesus Christ to be the Son of the Virgin Mary the Papists who believe many lyes are not so grosly deceived as this Quaker hath shewed himself to be in this point Q. Q. Numb 27 THe next Book to be considered is the Quakers Primer by S. C. and George Fox the younger Pr. Pr. Like the canker to the trees in the nursery so the mischievous design of this pitiful Primer is to corrupt from their infancy the young striplings of this Church and Kingdom under pretence of right-spelling to poyson them with Quakerism in their minority this is that leaven which is designed to sowre the whole lump to diffuse Quakerism through the whole body of this Nation a mischievous design if not timely prevented by his Sacred Majesty and those that are in authority under him there is in this Quaking-Primer magnum in parvo very much base doctrine contained in a few leaves Q. Q. It is called a new Book for Children to learn in by S. C. and George Fox the younger Pr. Pr. This latter hath shewed himself to be a crafty seeds-man by whose means little children are cunningly imposed upon therefore the more care is fit to be taken to prevent his dangerous attempt Books not so dangerous as this is have been burnt by the hand of the common hang-man as the Author is gone to his Judg so this Book deserves a black mark for his sake and its pestilent doctrine Q. p. 6. Q. Numb 28 A child may learn the fear of the Lord by taking heed unto the Light Pr. Pr. I might truly say that this Quaking-Primer begins with a lye thereby to corrupt childrens minds the Light within which is no express Scripture-phrase is indeed a meer fancy the real Quakers Idol which all children are early taught by these Quakers to fall down to and worship it 's false doctrine to make the Light within to be the teacher of the fear of God the holy fear of God which cleanseth both heart and life is taught by taking heed to Gods Word in this
service which God rejects Q. p. 35. Q. Numb 43 Ch. And is not their singing an acceptable service for they that can sing praises are in a good condition Fath. But they have David's words put into Meeter by Hopkins and Sternhold and given them forth as they were David's condition and the drunkard and the swearer and the lyar sing together who know nothing of David's condition and so they sing lyes in Hypocrisie which is not a right service nor accepted of God Pr. Pr. According to this Quakers hard measure our singing of Psalms in the time of Divine-service is as bad as our Preaching and Praying it 's not a right service nor accepted of God observe well for want of a Psalm after the Quaking mode our singing of David's Psalms in Meeter is a despised service for this reason we can make no right melody in our hearts to the Lord like so many fools we do not rightly understand what we sing the Quakers to the shame of true Christianity are they only who sing with the spirit and with understanding when their spirit moves on their waters as for the Ministers and people of the Church of England we are sensual not having the spirit like those that sing Ballads other mens words we do only sing David's words put into Meeter by Hopkins and Sternhold To mount the baseness of Quakerism aloft the singing of Psalms at Court in the Kings-Chappel in the City and Country in Cathedrals and Parish Churches is according to these Quaking-lines a very prophane piece of service for here the drunkard and swearer and lyar sing together who know nothing of David's condition thus in singing Psalms we do nothing else but sing lyes in hypocrisie if this be not a base lying charge drawn up by this Quaker against the known practise of the Church of England let the unbyassed Reader judg Q. p. 36. Q. Numb 44 Ch. I would know father how it is with those things called Ordinances as Baptism and Bread and Wine which are much used in their worship Fath. Why child as to those things they rose from the Popes invention who hath had power in the night of Apostacy and hath set up his devices which are yet continued in England and the whole practice of those things as they use them had their institution by the Pope and were never so ordained of Christ for he did not ordain sprinkling water in a childs face neither did he ordain bread and wine to be so used and received and the wine is another of the Popes inventions who hath invented a silver cup and pours wine into it and then the Priest gives it to the people and tells them that is the blood of Christ that is shed for them when it is wine and not blood and gives them bread and tells them that is the body of Christ that is broken for them when people neither discern the body nor the blood of Christ and so eat and drink damnation to themselves true Baptism child is in the spirit which baptizeth into one body the true meat and drink is the body and blood of Christ which the worthy receiver feeds upon in his heart so that these things be false and not to be regarded by the true Christians who live in the spirit who is the substance Pr. Pr. This Quaker hath given us a long chase in the pursuit we have quite lost Baptism and the Lords-Supper as to their right use in the Church of England as for those things called Ordinances as Baptism Bread and Wine which are much used in our publick worship this Quaker doth boldly say they rose from the Popes invention in the night of Apostacy they were conceived and brought forth they are only devices of the Popes setting up they are continued yet in England as the Pope left them nay further this Quaker doth basely add that the whole practice of those things called Ordinances as baptism and bread and wine as we use them had their institution by the Pope they were never so ordained of Christ behold is not this rake-shame stuff is it of the Spirit of God to affirm that Baptism the Lords-Supper rose from the Popes invention who before this Quaker did term them devices of the Popes setting up is it not high base to say as this Quaker doth that the whole practise of Baptism and the Lords-Supper as we use them have their institution by the Pope that they were never so ordained of Christ according to this Quakers wild assertions is it not very plain that we baptize in the Popes name and receive bread and wine only according to the Popes institution how doth this Quaker in a ridiculous manner assert that Baptism is only sprinkling water in a child face which Christ did never ordain who can read this consident ignorance without blushing Is it not another base boldness to say that neither did Christ ordain bread and wine to be so used and received as they are in the Church of England except this deluded Quaker who hath said that the wine is another of the Popes inventions risum teneatis amici who can but laugh this Baals Prophet to scorn or rather who can but pity his great ignorance the rest of his discourse is a confused Chaos surely his hasty spirit was not at leisure to digest it better only let this be noted that this Quaker owns no other baptism but that which is in the spirit which certainly is no Scripture-baptism As for the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper there is in this Quakers eye no such thing for the body and blood of Christ is as he tells us the true meat and drink but bread and wine in the Lords-Supper are not so these things i. e. baptism bread and wine according to this Quakers mind are false things not to be regarded by true Christians who live in the spirit according to the sense of this quaking-Quaking-father all Quakers are those true Christians who do so live in the spirit as that they are above Baptism and the Lords Supper these are those false things which are not regarded by them may it not be truly said Alas poor despised Church of England how low art thou fallen What 's become of thy two Sacraments which are generally necessary to salvation Art thou now beholding to the Popes invention for them How are Christs own Ordinances now made to be the Popes devices In baptizing and receiving the Lords Supper what is the whole practice but according to the Popes institution Did thine Husband the Lord Jesus Christ ever ordain Baptism and the Lords Supper so as thou usest them Why dost thou receive bread and wine according to Christs institution did he ever ordain bread and wine to be so used and received Dost thou not know that the wine in the Cup is another of the Popes inventions Dost thou not consider that Baptism and the Lords Supper are two falshoods How far art thou from true Christianity from living in the spirit
that dost regard these false things In this Glass you see the ugly face of these Quaking-lines without just offence it may be truly said That Quakerism is not of God because it overthrows what Christ the Son of God incarnate hath established till his last coming to judgment Q. p. 38. Q. Numb 45 Ch. But is not the place in which all these things are performed a true Church Fa. Nay the true Church is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Christ is the Head of it but the place in which such things are performed is also of the Popes invention and he counts himself to be the Head of it and is a place made by men and it is wood and stone which do decay and come to nought then they make levies and gather money to repair it again and if they do not so it will consume and turn into mire and dirt but the true Church is a living thing Pr. Pr. These Quaking-lines are largely transcrib'd to shew how impertinently this Quaker is imployed how busie he is to beat a man of straw of his own making because the holy Catholick Church is the true Church of God of which Christ is the head therefore a material Church is no true Church no true place for the members of the true Church of God to meet together in for divine worship this is that weak reasoning which doth well suit an ignorant Quaker it 's a sorry mistaking cavil to say that all material Churches are of the Popes invention and that the Pope is the head of them By the way let us note it to be a base sly insinuation to corrupt the minds of young children as if a material Church were the only acknowledged true Church by those that are no Quakers who knows not that a material Church is a place made by men and not by angels I know none of us that are in such darkness that this Quaker need to tell us that Christ is the head of the true Church as for that Church which this Quaker calls a living thing it is an unlawful Conventicler Ecclesia malignantium the congregation of evil doers with which this Church and Kingdom is too much pestered it is no slander to term this Quakers Church which he calls a living thing a meer Chimera or his own brain-sick notion where a company of Quakers are got together there is this living thing to be found Q. p. 39. Q. Numb 46 Ch. But are not these the true Christians that practise and perform such things Fath. They have got the Christians words and so count themselves Christians but they are not in the Christians life neither is their way the Christians way so they are practising those things that God requires not at their hands neither doth he accept them Pr. Pr. This Quaking instructor doth here foully charge all those that are not down-right Quakers not the Kings Majesty on the Throne nor the Peers of this Realm nor any other Christians do escape this Quakers lash in this Quakers estimate we are all like so many Apes or Parrots that have gotten the words of Christians but are no Christians in truth we are all dead lifelefs Christians none of us are in the life of Christians we are all out of the right way for our way is not the Christians way in preaching praying receiving baptizing hearing and singing of Psalms there is nothing done but practising those things which God requires not of us nor doth accept our whole Divine service is like an abominable sacrifice to the Lord behold what base Doctrine is delivered by this Quaking-father to poyson the youth of this Kingdom is not this the right way to debauch the Kings subjects in their minority Q. p. 40. Q. Numb 47 Ch. I observe that people make much to do one with another when they meet together or part one from another in putting off their Hats and bowing and cringing and going backward and scraping and I am doubtful whether this be true honour with which I am to honour all men Fath. Thou mayest be assured that it is not the true honour Ch. How may I be assured of it Fath. Why child they that seek honour one of another they do not believe in Christ the power of God which is honourable in all men and this seeks not the honour below or to have the Hat put off or the body to bow or cringe or the feet to scrape it neither seeks such honour nor can give such honour and so men seek honour one of another and they give it one to another with their hat and knee and Your humble servant Sir and such are not in the power of God but in the vain customs of the Heathens and so it is got in a custom to put off the hat and bow and cringe and scrape and women to courtesie and droop and these are the apostate Christians that are out of the power of God and so seek honour one of another and are respecting one anothers person and the rich and the proud they get the honour and the poor and the needy are not regarded Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-fathers Rhapsody we have that civil honour ridiculously decryed which is rightly due and warrantably to be performed by one man to another may not any man truly say this Quakers spirit is very blind that did not help him to discern betwixt seeking honour one of another and giving civil honour one to another what would this Quaker have said if he had seen Abraham the father of the faithful bowing himself before the people of the land of Heth or if he had heard Ephron the Hittite calling Abraham his Lord and Abraham bowing himself to acknowledg his kindness to honour him again would he have told Abraham that he did not believe in Christ the power of God surely if this Quaker had been in St. Pauls time St. Paul would have been lookt on by him as an apostate Christian for this way of speaking most noble Festus is it not plain that this Quaking-father is under gross mistakes are they not causelesly blamed by this clownish father that do mutually honour one another which is a due debt doth he not unjustly charge them to be Pharisee-like Christians such as do not believe in the power of God for tendering due honour to whom it belongs doth he not ignorantly call it seeking honour of one another without offence let it be said the power of God which the Quakers pretend to is basely abused by them it is made by their folly as meer a clown as themselves according to this quaking-Quaking-father it was not the God of power who said Honour thy father and thy mother nor was it the Spirit of God in St. Paul who moved him to say Honour all men in honour preferring one another to have the hat put off or the body to bow or the feet to scrape this is honour below which this Quakers power of God seeks not nor can give
shall only glance at new matter as I pass along it 's a scurrilous Pamphlet but I shall leave them to answer to another for their hard speeches Q. p. 2. Q. Numb 88 You might as well have condemned the Scriptures to the fire Pr. Pr. When these Quakers had understood that some of their Papers had been condemned to the fire to be burnt then they told their adversaries that they might as well have condemned the Scriptures to the fire behold are not the Quakers scribbles in great esteem amongst them do not the Quakers take their writings to be given by the inspiration of God are not they the holy men of God who speak as they are moved what difference do they make betwixt the Scripture and their Pamphlets do you not see it plain that as these Quakers say the Scripture may as well be burnt as their Books may Q. p. 14. Q. Numb 89 How fain wouldst thou have a place in the earthly letter Pr. Pr. In these quaking-lines you see that Scripture is no more but the earthly letter I may truly say to pass by the meanness of this expression that till Quakerism arose an earthly letter was never read of nor did any Christians ever call the Scripture an earthly letter surely the holy Spirit of God did not breath forth those words Q. p. 15. Q. Numb 90 Neither dost thou know the letters that are given forth by us now which are given forth by the same spirit Pr. Pr. The import of these lines is this That the letters of Quakers are of the same divine authority with the Apostical Epistles that the same Holy Ghost is the author of both that the divine inspiration of both is alike for substance if this be not an abominable assertion then what is Q. p. 39. Q. Numb 91 As the Apostle said Take heed to the light of God within you Pr. See how vainly these Quakers do pretend to the same spirit that the Apostles had for they have in those words belyed the Apostle no Apostle did ever say Take heed to the light of God within you this is only a whim of the Quakers brain which hath no foundation in any Apostolical writings in Scripture we find mention made often of Christ the light and sometimes of Christ in you but no Apostle did ever say Take heed to the light of God within you this is only the Quakers false doctrine Q. p. 44. Q. Numb 92 If thou couldest see but thou art blind thou mightest see the same gift amongst us as was amongst the Apostles Pr. Pr. Behold how the Quakers do boast of themselves that they are endued with the gift of the Holy Ghost to work Miracles as the Apostles were if this be not a gross piece of spiritual pride then what is so Q. p. 57. Q. Numb 93 But him we own as one with us in the eternal unity Pr. Pr. These quaking-words are spoken with reference to George Fox in them we have this account of Quakers that they are in the eternal unity and that George Fox is owned by them to be one with them in the same eternal unity surely these lines smell strong of Parnel's partakers of Christs divine nature that God is with us manifested in the flesh all which is abominable blasphemy Q. p. 64. Q. Numb 94 The dark time and power of Babylon hath long reigned and the works of the Beast by which ye are descended that profess Scripture to be your rule Pr. Pr. Behold how these Quakers deny the Scripture to be the rule of faith how they look upon them with an evil eye that do profess the Scripture to be the rule of faith behold here is mention made by them of the dark time and power of Babylon and the works of the beast to use their own words by which they are descended according to these Quakers they are basely descended who do profess the Scripture to be the rule of faith Q. p. 69. Q. Numb 95 When thou comest to go through Moses and through the Prophets and through John to come to Christ then shalt thou see that the light is but one Pr. Pr. Behold how these deluded Quakers do write non-sense do cut out a strange new way to come to Christ he that reads these lines must baffle his reason corrupt his judgment to conclude that these Quakers were in any wise moved by the Holy Ghost which they do proudly pretend to here is too much gross ignorance to be fathered on him who is God Q. p. 75 76. Q. Numb 96 All the Ministers of the Letter are persecutors of the Spirit Pr. Pr. In these Quakers account the Ministers of the Gospel are no more but Ministers of the Letter and persecuters of the Spirit thus the Quakers do basely undermine the preaching of the Gospel to the great scandal of true Christian Religion to be termed persecutors of the Spirit is a most base disparagement Q. p. 78. Q. Numb 97 Thou wouldest know whether Jesus Christ have a body in heaven he remains in the heavens whereas thou wouldest know whether it be the same that appeared amongst men it is the same that did descend the same did ascend whereas thou wouldest know what manner of body he hath here thou art disputing as the devil was about the body of Moses with Michael the Archangel who said The Lord rebuke thee so say I now the Lord rebuke thee who art disputing about the body of Christ for the body of Christ is but one and he is the head of the body which is the Church Pr. Pr. In these quaking-lines it is not said that Christ hath any body in heaven nay the Quakers are of this vain mind that Jesus Christ is not God and Man in one Person the substance of these Quakers words is plainly this that Christ Jesus his body is one which is his Church behold except the Church which is Christs mystical body our Saviour hath no other body to speak the Quakers mind more fully two of my Neighbour-quakers told me That Christs body did vanish at his Ascension and that now he hath no other flesh or body but the flesh or body of his people behold according to the meaning of Quakers how the Lord Jesus since his Ascension into Heaven hath no true body united to his Godhead in his own person that the body or flesh of Quakers his pretended people is the only body or flesh of our Saviour or to use these Quakers words the Church in their sense is the one body which Christ now hath Q. p. 80. Q. Numb 98 Who redeems and makes free from sin and the law with the body of Christ he that hath an ear may hear Pr. Pr. Here is Christ according to these Quakers made a strange Saviour who makes free from sin and the law with the body of Christ if this be not unscriptural Divinity what is according to these Quakers Christs body is the Quakers Church but surely this is not the body of
lost for want of true knowledg that they do only differ from the heathen in name and profession See Numb 79. ARTICLE LX. We Q. do believe That both the Priests and people of England are very wicked like the Heathen that both Priests and people are envious and malicious that they are dissemblers cheaters defrauders of one another that there is no sin amongst Heathen which sin doth not abound amongst them that the Priests of England are very wicked that they do draw near the Lord with their mouths but their hearts are far from him that they are hyporrites whose hearts are full of deceit envy wrath bitterness covetousness pride earthly-mindedness self-love self-wisdom that they are out of the life and practice of the Apostles that they are such teachers as do bring another doctrine that they do climb up another way that they are shut out for thieves and robbers See Numb 80. ARTICLE LXI We Q. do believe That Englands Church was planted by Englands Priests that it differs not from the heathen that Englands Church consists chiefly of drunkards swearers lyars proud ones covetous ones railers murderers whoremongers wild ones prophane ones wanton ones quarrelers and sighters hypocrites dissemblers persecutors backbiters extortioners lustful ones that if these were set aside then Englands Church would be no where to be found See Numb 81. ARTICLE LXII We Q. do believe as our friend James Parnel hath written That we are partakers of the Divine nature of Christ by which we are made Christians and that God is with us manifested in the flesh See Numb 82. ARTICLE LXIII We Q. do believe That the true Church is no where but amongst our selves where there is but one teacher and one Lord one light and one life that is the light of life within us one faith which overcomes all manner of sin and makes us free in this life from all sin one way which is the despised way of Quakerism one shepherd who is the light within us and one sheepfold which is made up of us Quakers wheresoever dispersed one Priest over the houshold of God who is the light within belonging to this houshold which we Quakers are one hope which none but we Quakers have one baptism which is not with water one language which is Thou one family which by H. N. was called the Family of Love one God and Father of all who is the Light within all Quakers that they that cannot witness all this to be true are strangers to Christ and strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel See Numb 83. ARTICLE LXIV We Q. do believe as George Fox writes That the Priests of England are going mad in preaching for rewards and gifts in cursing excommunicating and imprisoning so that Balaams Ass may reprove them all See Numb 84. ARTICLE LXV We Q. do believe That to build a Material Church is to build an old Mass-house that to warrant the building of such a Material Church by any Scriptures or the Kings law is to deny Christs coming in the flesh See Numb 85. ARTICLE LXVI We Q. do believe That to know God according to the Scripture is no true knowledg of him that the Priests of England though they have the Scriptures and declare him according to those Scriptures do neither know God nor Christ See Numb 86. ARTICLE LXVII We Q. do believe That the Religion and Worship used in England are of the Priests own setting up in their steeple-houses that neither God nor the Lord Jesus did set them up See Numb 87. ARTICLE LXVIII We Q. do believe as George Fox and Richard Hubberthorn our friends have written that the Scriptures may as well be condemned to the fire as our friends papers of Queries may See Numb 88. ARTICLE LXIX We Q. do believe That the Scripture is the earthly Letter See Numb 89. ARTICLE LXX We Q. do believe That the Letters written by Quakers are given forth by the same Spirit that the Prophets and holy Apostles had See Numb 90. ARTICLE LXXI We Q. do believe what is not true That the Apostle said Take heed to the Light of God within you See Num. 91. ARTICLE LXXII We Q. do believe That all true Quakers have the same gift of the Holy Ghost or gift of Miracles that the Apostles had See Numb 92. ARTICLE LXXIII We Q. do believe That we are one in the Eternal Unity and that George Fox the Elder is one with us in this Eternal Unity See Numb 93. ARTICLE LXXIV We Q. do believe That the dark time and power of Babylon hath long reigned and the works of the Beast that by these they are descended that profess Scripture to be their rule See Numb 94. ARTICLE LXXV We Q. do believe That there is a way to go through Moses and through the Prophets and through John to come to Christ that when a man hath gone this strange way then he may see that the Light is but one See Numb 95. ARTICLE LXXVI We Q. do believe That the Priests of England are Ministers of the Letter that they are persecutors of the Spirit See Numb 96. ARTICLE LXXVII We Q. do believe That Jesus Christ remains in the Heavens that the same that did descend did ascond that it is disputing as the devil did about the body of Moses with Michael the Archangel to enquire what manner of body Christ hath that such enquirers are to be rebuked as the devil was by the Archangel that the body of Christ is but one which is the Church See Numb 97. ARTICLE LXXVIII We Q. do believe That to redeem and make free from sin is done with the body of Christ which we have told you is the Church See Numb 98. ARTICLE LXXIX We Q. do believe That Christ lives in that body which is the Church that in this body which is the Church the Saints shall arise See Numb 99. ARTICLE LXXX We Q. do believe That both Philosophy and Logick are of the devil See Numb 100. ARTICLE LXXXI We Q. do believe That except the Church which is his body Christ hath no true humane body no more than God the Father hath that that man looks upon Christ with a carnal eye that looks upon him to have a true body as he hath that that man knows the fathers body that knows Christ to have a true humane body which is without sin that that man is full of subtilty that doth query how the Son may be distinguished from God the Father that they make both many Gods and three Gods who do distinguish the Son from the Father See Numb 101. ARTICLE LXXXII We Q. do believe That there is no Baptism with water that they are filthy dreamers and lyars of Christ who tell people that this Baptism is an Ordinance of Christ that it is but sprinkling a little dirty water on Childrens faces that Christ did never send his Disciples on this dirty errand See Num. 102. ARTICLE LXXXIII We Q. do believe That there is no Sacramental Cup to be