supply his wants may spend his time in Catalogues of Heresies and the Stale Tracts of uncertain Persons to enable him to club Quotations and clap them upon the back of Charges taken from our profest Adversaries from whom in part he receives his Bread yet I doubt not but to bring in such a train of Evidence in these Questions wherein we are said to be Heretical as will sufficiently evidence to the Impartial Reader that the Charge as as well as the Man is false and that our belief in these Articles is Scriptural The Method I purpose to take herein is this I shall set down in a methodical order the several Testimonies under each distinct Head according to the priority of time in which they were written so that upon a short view the Reader may have recourse to each Some Testimonies to Christ Jesus as the Son of God and come in the Flesh SECT II. Page 2 3 4. WE Profess and Confess Books Titles Faith in God the Father and in Jesus A Confession and Profession of Faith in God c. 1651. by Rich. Farnsworth Christ his Eternal Son the True God and in the Holy Spirit And we do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Words of God And there is none other Gods but One and this is God the Father which we own Isa 44. 8. 1 Cor. 8. 4. John 10. 30 31 Mark 12. 29 30 31 32 33 34. 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Rom. 4. 25. Isaiah 45. 6. Eph. 4. 4 5 30. John 4. 24. Phil. 1. 1 29. and Profess Faith in and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son who said I and my Father are One upon which saying the Jews took up Stones to Stone him yet notwithstanding the same Christ that the Jews hated we love belive in and own who was delivered up to be Crucified for our Offences and was raised again for our Justification who is the True God And him we Own and Profess Faith in and in the Holy Spirit God together equal with the Father and the Son One God over all Blessed for ever And unto us and all True Christians the Saints in Christ Jesus It is given in the Behalf of Christ not only to Believe on him but also to Suffer for his Name sake P. 10 11. VII In the next place truly to know this Lord Jesus The One Good Way of God Printed 1661. Written by Rich Hodden Christ come in the Flesh as the New and Living Way to the Father the Immanuel God with us making the Attonement by the Blood of his Cross to have all things subject unto him his Servants in him and he in them which is the great Mystery of Godliness his from Ages and Generations until the fulness of time and then Manifested in the Flesh Justified in the Spirit Believed on in the World and Received up into Glory which none of the Wise Men of the World ever knew or can know by all their Learned Skill of Earthly Wisdom nor any Man that Lives after the Flesh or satisfieth himself with Hearing Reading Telling or Talking of him or concerning what he or his Apostles did said or suffered as those that vainly take his Name into their Mouths on most occasions of their Invented Ways but know him not neither by his Divine Nature nor Name nor HOW GOD AND MAN BECAME ONE CHRIST JESUS how that which may be known of God is manifest in Man how he is The Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Prince of Peace The Author and Finisher of our Faith How he saves his People from their Sins is the Reconciler without Imputation of Sin How he is Formed in his Servants and Cleanseth them by his Blood from all Sin and Unrighteousness how they take up the Cross and follow him or what the Cross is how the Body becomes Dead because of Sin and the Spirit Alive for Righteousness sake How they are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones how he is their Loader and Captain of Salvation made perfect through Sufferings How they are Baptized into his Death and Saved by his Life How the Union is perfected in all the Parts and Members of his Body the Church What the Church is or how his Body or what it is to eat his Flesh and drink his Blood without which as himself said we have no Life in us How every Knee shall bow to him of things in Heaven in Earth and under the Earth and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father How he is that Blessed and Only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords the Head of all Thrones and Dominions and every Name that is named P. 2 13 14. This is answered in part already by what is said to A Vindication of the Principles and Practices of the People called Quakers 1665 By Geo. Bishop the former Question which in effect is this That that which enlightens which shews a Man his Heart his Reins and tryeth them which reproves which makes manifest is Christ the Light which Christ is the same that was born of the Virgin Mary which was made Flesh which sitteth at the right Hand of God which was Crucified Dead rose again from the Dead and ascended far above the Heavens that he might fill all things who when he was in the days of his Flesh with his Disciples said It is expedient for you that I go away for John 16. 7. 8 9 10 11. if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you and when he is come he will reprove the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment of Sin because they believe not in me of Righteousness because I go to my Father and of Judgment because the Prince of the World is Judged So that which reproves the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father which testifies of Christ which guideth into all Truth is the thing that now is to be look'd to Christ in you the Hope of Glory the Mystery hid from Ages and Generations but now made manifest to his Saints the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery Now the Lord is that Spirit And when the Spirit of Truth is come he will John 16. 13. 2 Cor. 3. 17. guide you into all Truth Christ and the Light which is within are not Two but One yet are Ibil. p. 15. they not so One as that where Christ is there is the Body that Suffered at Jerusalem that was Flesh that proceeded from the Virgin Mary that died was buried rose again and ascended for in that he sitteth at the right Hand of God But where the Light is there is Christ which was in the Beginning with God by whom all things were made that was made In whom was Life and the Life was the Light of Men John 1. 2 3 4.
Primitive Christianity CONTINUED IN THE Faith and Practice Of the PEOPLE called QUAKERS BEING IN ANSVVER To a Pamphlet Entituled Primitive Heresie c. And which may serve as an Appendix to a Book Entituled An Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass by George Whitehead Joseph Wyeth Prov. 24. 8. He that Deviseth to do Evil shall be called a Mischievous Person Psal 140. 3. They have sharpened their Tongues like a Serpent Adders Poison is under their Lips Selah London Printed and Sold by T. Sowle next Door to the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Gracieus-street and at the Bible in Leaden-hall-street near the Market 1698. THE PREFACE Friendly Reader THE Ensuing Leaves which contain our Vindication against the Black Attempts of a Necessitous and Malicious Priest in a Piece of his Emtituled Primitive Heresie c. are Commended to thy Perusal wherein thou wilt see the Consonancy and Constancy of our Principles to the Holy Scriptures Asserted in Opposition to the Charges of Heresie and New Representation by him Falsly but not first laid For it hath often been the Practice of our Adversaries when we have brought forth our True Testimonies to say our Representation was New But as this Man seems to Love Controversie in Opposition to Peace and Quiet because he may find his Bread or Base Ends supplied by the Contest and to make use of False Glosses to Colour the Pretended Occasion So I Esteem it a Duty to wipe off the Dirt he hath flung at us herein for which though I have none of his mean Profits yet I can assure thee Reader I have Satisfaction in so doing The Method I have herein taken is this I have from the Year 55. or there about brought in a Succession divers Testimonies against the Particular Charges which do at once shew that what we now Profess is no other than what we did The Quotations all speak the Minds of the Persons whose Names they bear I say this because those Quotations of our Friends which this Man brings does not nor can after the Barbarity he hath used toward them of which I have herein given divers Instances I need Preface no further than to Acquaint thee that as the Author Stiles himself from the Snake in the Grass I also have frequently Stiled him so not being willing to Abridge him a Title of his own choosing which fitly Expresses the Workings of that Deceit which was first began by the great Enemy of Man the Devil from whose Temptations and all Deceit howsoever working The Spirit of Truth which comes by Jesus Christ can only be thy Safe Guide To this thou art in all Sincerity Commended THE CONTENTS I. THE Incarnation of Christ that is the Vnion of the Divine and Humane Natures in his being made Flesh Asserted and Believed p. 12 II. The Truth and Reality of his Death and Sufferings Asserted and Believed p. 19 III. The Resurrection and Future Judgment Believed and Testified to p. 25 IV. Baptism and the Supper spoken to p. 32. Marriage owned and Fornication Preached down and denied p. 39 V. Magistracy and Government owned p. 46 No Stiffness in not taking off Hats Civility acknowledged to all p. 48 The Conclusion p. 49 Misrepresentation fixed p. 51 Our Ancient Belief no Modern Representation p. 53 Expostulation with W. Penn Considered ibid. Primitive Christianity CONTINUED c. SECT I. LOVE to Truth not Controversie hath drawn this from me for from a well-grounded Satisfaction Knowledge and Belief according to my measure in the Manifested Principles of True Religion I could with more ease have been pleased to Injoy that quiet which results from the Practice of them and which it hath Pleased the Government to allow to Persons quictly tho' differently Opining To the Disturbance of the Quiet thus allowed there hath of late appeared an Expulsed Clergy-man boasting himself to be some great one and indeed in all the Qualities of Venom Slander and Abuse he is so his first for what I know Libel against us The Snake in the Grass shews this and this he makes the Epoch of his Scandalous Practice in his succeeding Scurrilous Pamphlets which his Sculking Leisure and Malice Furnishes him with Opportunity to multiply for from being an Expulsed Priest he makes it a Trade for Bread and in part to repair those Losses which he charges the present Establishment to have brought upon him What he says of himself is That he Fights for his Soul the Joy and Vnion of Christendom the Honour of Religion and Pri. Her p. 20. the Glory of God But upon better Information this appears to be False and that he seeks nothing less than those good things he speaks of but to varnish ill Attempts with Specious Titles and the Confusion of a Church and Nation with a Prayer Dis Shewing who they are that are now qualified c. p. 33. for a Removal of High Places is no new thing But to come more parcularly to his Out-rage against us He is pleased to Charge us with Follies Crimes Errors and Heresies of very many sorts and herein hath gone so far that I think there are few that know and impartially consider us but know that it is False though Attested Verbo sacerdotis in the disguise of a Snake c. It is true it is no new thing for particular Persons or Communities of Men to be Charged with Blackest Crimes Greatest Errors Schisms and Heresies An Instance of this kind and which comes to our present purpose is seen in the Apology of the Church of England for her separation from Rome in the Fifth Article there is numbred up some of the Crimes which were Charged upon her the Article it self follows Clamant hodie passim nos omnes esse haereticos disccssisse à side novis persuasionibus atque impiis dogmatis Ecclesiae causam dissipavisse nos veteres jam Doctrina Politia Ecclesiae Anglicanae c. p. 3. Ar. 5. olim Damnatas Haereses ab inferis redivivas restituere novas sectas inauditos furores disseminare jam etiam in contrarias factiones sententias distractos esse nec ullo pacto potuisse unquam inter nos ipsos convenire esse homines gigantum more Deo ipse bellum facere prorsus sine omninuminis cura cultuque vivere nos omnia rectefacta despicere non virtutis disciplina uti ulla non legibus non moribus non jus non aequum non rectum colere ad omnia flagitia laxare fraenoe populum ad omni genus licentiae atque libidinis provocare nos id agere querere ut monarchiae regnorum status evertantur omnia ad popularem temeritatem imperitae multitudinis dominationem ridigantur nos ab Ecclesiae Catholicae tumultuose defecisse nefario Schismate orbem terrarum concussisse pacem communem atque otium Ecclesiae publicum conturbasse utque olim Dathan Abiram Arone Mose Num. 16. ita
P. 11 12. It is objected against us who are called Quakers That Concerning the Sum or Substance c. Isaac Pennington we deny Christ and look not to be Saved by him as he was manifested without us but look only to be Saved by a Christ in us To which this is in my Heart to answer to such as singly desire satisfaction therein We do indeed expect to be Saved yea and not only so but do already in our several measures witness Salvation by the Revelation and Operation of the Life of Christ within us yet not without relation to what he did without us For all that he did in that Body of Flesh was of the Father and had its Place and Service in the Will and according to the Counsel of the Father But the Knowledge and Belief of that since the days of the Apostles hath been very much held in the Unrighteousness and in the Separation from the Inward Work of the Power and Life of Christ in the Heart which as so held cannot Save any But whoever feels the Light and Life of Christ revealed in him and comes into Union with God there-through he feels the Work of Regeneration of Sanctification of Justification of Life and Redemption and so comes to reap Benefit inwardly and to partake of the Blessed Fruits of all that Christ did outwardly Yea he that is thus one with Christ in the Spirit cannot exclude himself nor is excluded by God from the Advantage of any thing nor every thing that Christ did in that Body of Flesh P. 243. The Doctrines and Principles of the People called Immediate Revelation c. By Geo. Keith Quakers as well as the People do indeed more acknowledge the Man Christ Jesus than any of them all Inasmuch as we do believe and acknowledge that a measure of the same Life and Spirit of the Man Christ Jesus which dwelt in him in its Fullness and had its Center in him which came in the Flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary and is now glorified in Heaven is communicated unto us and extends it self into our Hearts and Souls and whole Inward Man so that the Man Jesus who Simeon imbraced with his Arms according to the Flesh is according to the Spirit our Life and Glory by whom we receive Light Grace and Truth and through whom we have access unto God P. 358. Yet notwithstanding for your Satisfaction we do now Journal Geo. Fox plainly and sincerely declare That we Own and Believe in God the Only Wise Omnipotent and Everlasting God who is the Creator of all things both in Heaven and in the Earth and the Preserver of all that he hath made who is God over all Blessed for ever To whom be all Honour and Glory Dominion Praise and Thanksgiving both now and for evermore And we do Own and Believe in Jesus Christ his beloved and only begotten Son in whom he is well pleased who was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary in whom we have Redemption through his Blood even the Forgiveness of Sins Who is the express Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature by whom were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth Visible and Invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him And we do Own and Believe that He was made a Sacrifice for Sin who knew no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth And that he was Crucified for us in the Flesh without the Gates of Jerusalem and that he was Buried and Rose again the Third day by the Power of his Father for our Justification And we do Believe that he ascended up into Heaven and now sitteth at the right Hand of God This Jesus who was the Foundation of the Holy Prophets and Apostles is our Foundation And we do Believe that there is no other Foundation to be laid but that which is laid even Christ Jesus who we Believe tasted Death for every Man and shed his Blood for all Men and is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but also for the Sins of the whole World P. 149. We do Believe in One Only Holy God Almighty who A Serious Apology c. 1671. By G. Whitehead and W. Penn. is an Eternal Spirit the Creator of all things And in One Lord Jesus Christ his Only Son and express Image of his Substance who took upon him Flesh and was in the World and in Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Ascention and Mediation perfectly did and does continue to do the Will of God to whose Holy Life Power Mediation and Blood we only ascribe our Sanctification Justification Redemption and Perfect Salvation And we Believe in One Holy Spirit that proceeds and breaths from the Father and the Son as the Life and Vertue of both the Father and the Son a measure of which is given to all to profit with and he that has one has all for those Three are One who is the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last God over all Blessed for ever Amen To these foregoing Citations I could add very many more both of older and later date but as I would not needlesly quote Instances so I hope the Reader will not account me hitherto Superfluous in rescuing our selves from Calumny and Abuse in a Charge which appears so plainly to be False for a plain as is the Sun when on its Meridian so plain is it that we sincerely own and heartily believe all that the Holy Scriptures testifie concerning the Incarnation of Christ and the Union of both Natures that is as God and Man SECT III. HIS next Calumny in the order of his Charge is That we deny the Truth and Reality of his Death and Sufferings In proof of our Belief whereof I am already in good part prevented by the foregoing Testimonies in almost all of which there is some mention of his Crucifixion as well as of his Birth But however I am content to answer exabundanti not wanting Instances of our Belief herein from whence I can allow Measure pressed down and running over Some Testimonies to the Truth and Reality of Christ's Death and Suffering Page 3. Before Abraham was I am who was in the Beginning The Path of the Just Cleared 1655. By G. Whitehead which was the Word by which all things were made which Word became Flesh and dwelt among John 8. 58. John 1. the Disciples and Suffered at Jerusalem and witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate whom Pilate delivered up to the Jews and the Chief Priests and Elders whom they mocked and despitefully used and put to Death concerning the Flesh but is raised up by the Spirit and ascended into Glory which Glory he prayed for even that Glory John 17. John 5. 22. John 10. 30. whereby he was at first by his Father glorified in wherein he is glorified in his Saints and
is God over all Blessed for ever Page 4. Christ in dying for us is our Example in Sufferings and The Brazen Serpent lifted up c. 1655. By R. Farnsworth way to the Father for Christ in Dying for Sinners and Ungodly died for all for was not all Sinners and Ungodly guilty of Christ's Death but it is by his Blood that we are Justified and by his Life that we are Saved In following his Counsel and obeying him through the Cross which slays the Enmity as he became obedient to the Death of the Cross who is our Leader and Example and is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him but none else We believe that all things which are spoken by the Holy A new Catechism 1664. By W. Smith Prophets and Apostles concerning Christ are true according to the Scriptures We believe that all the Dispensations of God which are manifested by the Scriptures are altogether true and that they were all fulfilled according to the determinate Will and Counsel of God So that our Faith concerning Christ in us and the Work which he there worketh for us doth not all make void any of the Dispensations of God which in times past were revealed unto his Holy Prophets and Apostles and by them testified in the Scriptures so that the Work which the Father then gave unto the Son to do we believe that he fulfilled according to the Father's Will and that all things pertaining to Life and Salvation were FULLY and PERFECTLY in him and that he humbled himself to the Death of the Cross and from Death did rise again And we believe that he is the Resurrection and the Life and gives Eternal Life to all that believe in him P. 19 20. We Believe and Testifie that this Jesus of Nazaretio Rebellion Rebuked c. 167. by John Crook and William Bayly wrought out fulfilled all Righteousness in his Obedience both in DOING and SUFFERING the Holy Law and Will of God and that this Righteousness so wrought out and fulfilled was not for himself but for or because of all such as truly seeing they have no Covering or Righteousness of their own flee unto and lay hold of him and his Everlasting Righteousness by a True and Living Faith We Believe and Testifie That his Blood exceeds not only the Blood of Bulls and of Goats but the Blood of the best Man or Men that ever was or shall be in the World And we do in the sight of God really own the Blood of the Son of Man both according to the History and in the Mystery as we do his Cross both as Shed for us and to be Drank by us both as bespeaking Remission of Sin past through Faith in it and as Sprinkling the Conscience of True Believers and Cleansing them from all Sin But because we Testifie that it 's not the Notion or bare Historical and Literal Belief of those things that Justifie or make us Really free from that which comes upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil whether Jew or Gentile Professor or Prophane but only the Life and Virtue of this Blood received into the Heart by that Living Faith which Christ alone is the Author of Therefore are we Branded with Slighting the Blood of the Man Christ c. though we Testifie our Esteem thereof both in the History and in the Mystery and that without the Life and Virtue of this Blood there is no Remission P. 9. Therefore we do Confess to his Sufferings according Truths Vindication c. 1679. Eliz. Bathurst to the Scriptures for Christ also hath once Suffered for Sin the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but Quickened in the Spirit we 1 Peter 3. 18. own his Death as an Acceptable and most Satisfactory Sacrifice to God for the Sins of all and is of Blessed Advantage to all that receive Faith in his Blood Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Rom. 3. 25. Eph. 5. 2. his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God and he hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet Smelling Savour Also we Believe that as Christ Died for our Sins so he was Buried likewise and rose again according to the Scriptures But now is Christ 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. 20. 21. Risen from the Dead and become the first Fruits of them that Sleep For since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead The Apostle mentions this as the Assurance which God gave to Men of his Judging the World at the Great Day by his Son Jesus Christ namely Acts 17. 31. his having Raised him from the Dead P. 31 32. And the Preaching of this Jesus Powerful Shepherd and A Mirrour c. 1683. by Sam. Wattson Bishop of our Souls was in the Heavenly Authority of his Father in which he spoke forth all things appertaining to Life and Salvation and are left upon Record by those who were Witnesses of his Coming in a most Special Manner by Matthew Mark Luke and John who were Witnesses with many more of his Doctrine Life and Suffering which laid down his Life for his Sheep as 't is Written They stripped him and put on him a Scarlet Mat. 27. 28. Robe and when they had platted a Crown of Thorns they put it on his Head Nailing him to the Cross Spitting upon him and Mocking him saying Hail KING of the Jews tho' he had done nothing worthy of Death yet the Hard-hearted who Rejected the Corner Stone said We have a Law and by our Law this Man must Die So refusing the Just One and the Saviour of the World they chose Barrabas to Live This Cruelty Acted it self in a Guileful Spirit to Destroy him in whom was found no Guile neither ever was it in his Mouth This is he who Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried and the Third Day Rose again who ascended and sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father from whence by his own Power he comes to Judge both the Quick and the Dead This is he in whom I Believe and is my Saviour in and through whose Precious Blood is my Salvation and Redemption and not in another which Thousands with me are Witnesses of whose Blessed Promise we Believe in and in measure made partakers of that he would send the Comforter the Spirit of Truth whom the World could not receive because they knew him not he shall bring all things to Remembrance and shall lead and guide into all Truth And he that is in you shall be with you to the end of the World This is the Blessed Saviour whose Appearance is in Spirit as the Apostle Testifies of his Second Appearance without Sin to Salvation which cannot be known but by his Spiritual Work in the Inner Man whose Appearance
and Manifestation is to Destroy the Works of the Devil which is Sin Unbelief and all Unrighteousness whatsoever that he alone may Rule and Reign in Man and Woman who brings Salvation to their House This his Second Charge of our Denial of the Truth and Reality of Christ's Death and Sufferings is I think by the foregoing Testimonies sufficiently Cleared it appearing from them that his Charge of our having left the Body of Christ as a Forsaken Vail and Garment Prim. Here. c. P. 7. to Rot in the Grave And Careless of what is become of it as a thing now of no Virtue or Consequence with Vs is False if a Succession of Testimonies of our Belief herein produced for about Forty Years can Prove it yet if these are Judged too few I have many more in Store not that I can at all doubt that these are not enough to satisfie Honest Enquirers at a distance and also to Invite them to a nearer View of us herein and in the whole System of one Faith it being for the sake of such that we find our selves Concerned to Oppose the Truth of our Profession to the Falsity of our Enemies Charges For with respect to our selves we do Enjoy great Peace and Quiet though thus Evilly spoken of as knowing it was by our Saviour so foretold it should be who also himself was said to have a Devil to be a Seducer a Samaritan and a Winebiber his Apostles and Servants of Old found such-like Treatment Stephen being Stoned as a Contemner of God of his Law of Moses and of the Temple And the Apostle Paul was accounted a Heretick a Deceiver a Mad-man a Blasphemer a Seditious Person and a Contemner of the Law of his Fathers What better may we then expect from the same Spirit working in that Snake which hides himself in Grass or other Subterfuge SECT IV. I Come now to his third Charge That we deny the Resurrection and Future Judgment which upon enquiry will be found as False as the foregoing Charges and it cannot well be otherwise for it is next to impossible to be Orthodox in them and Heretical in this their dependance on each other is such And the Apostle's Argument is very strong If we had hope only in this Life we were of all Men most Miserable For true Religion cannot incline a Man to believe and be obedient to such Principles as here expose him to utmost Dangers and hereafter to no Joys Christianity is a Complex of more rational Truths than so to Clash and Jarr And however Foolish the Man accounts us we are more Learned in the School of Christ than to deny or be ignorant of so inestimable an Advantage as is the Resurrection by Christ to Eternal Glory and of that Future Judgment by which the States of Men must be determined I now subjoyn some Testimonies hereof P. 4 5 of his Works Therefore Wo be unto all Epicures who The Lying Spirit c. 1658. William Smith put the Judgment of the Lord afar off and sit down at ease in the Flesh and make their Belly their God minding Earthly things devouring God's Creation to satisfie a Lustful Appetite and so Treasuring up Wrath against the Day of Wrath and Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God who will render to every Man according to his Deeds when the Workers of Iniquity will not be known by him but must all depart from him into Everlasting Fire there to abide under the Eternal Judgment P. 332. And he that dieth in his Sins not believing in the Humphry Smith's Works about 1660. Light which makes an end of Sin cannot come where Christ is and so the Tree falling there it lieth and as Death leaveth Judgment findeth so shall the Reward according to the Deeds be and then shall every Man stand or fall to his own Master the Servants of the Devil to their Master and the Servants of God to their Master and there is no more Masters but them two and no Man can serve them both Again concerning Christ We believe that he is one with the Edward Burroughs his Works P. 440. Father and was with him before the World was and what the Father worketh it is by the Son for he is the Arm of God's Salvation and the very Power and Wisdom of the Creator and was is and is to come without Beginning or End And we believe That all the Prophets gave Testimony to him and that he was made Manifest in Judea and Jerusalem and did the Work of the Father and was Prosecuted of the Jews and was Crucified by his Enemies and that he was Buried and rose again according to the Scriptures And we believe he is now ascended on High and exalted at the right Hand of the Father for evermore and that he is glorified with the same Glory that he had before the World was and that even the same that came down from Heaven is ascended up to Heaven and the same that descended is he that ascended And we believe even that he that was Dead is Alive and lives for evermore and that he cometh and shall come again to Judge the whole World with Righteousness and all People with Equity and shall give every Man according to his Deeds at the Day of Judgment when all shall rise to Condemnation or Justification he that hath done good shall receive Life and he that hath done Evil Everlasting Condemnation P. 197. of his Works And thus in the Blindness of their Uncircumcised God's Virtue c. 1670. By Tho. Taylor Hearts they heap up Wrath against the Day of Wrath and Revelation of God's Just Judgments upon them Where is he that comes from the Dead to tell us what is in another World Let 's Eat and Drink and take our Fill of Pleasures for to morrow we Dye and are not say they P. 9. And how God hath anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the A Testimony c. 1677. By George Fox Holy Ghost and with Power who went about doing good and Healing all that were Oppressed of the Devil for God was with him and we are Witnesses of all things which he did both in the Land of the Jews and in Jerusalem whom they slew and hanged on a Tree him God raised up the third day and shewed him openly and we did eat and drink with him after he arose from the Dead and he commanded us Acts 10. 41. to preach unto the People and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a Judge of Quick and Dead And to this do we testifie which are the People of God in Scorn called Quakers P. 159. of his Works Marvel not at this for the Hour is A Catechism 1673. By Robert Barclay coming in which all that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done good to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection John 3. 28 29. of
Disobedient Son He will say Nay For that is the common Epithet by which he describes the Obedient and is a Term that he puts in Opposition to Loyalty which he puts upon himself Now it is written Disobedience is as the Sin of Witchcraft Therefore say all good Men Disobedience is a Wicked thing and consequently of the Devil Now Reader see Before he sent himself and now he would hale all the People thither Thus the Vanity and Folly of his Idle Questions does appear when by only turning the Tables and shifting the Terms they do as certainly Damn him as conclude against us But now I come more closely to examine and see how his Extravagant Consequences can be the Natural Result of our Common Principle and Notion of the Light Within We according to the Holy Scriptures say That the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation appeareth unto all Men and that the Grace Light Spirit or Truth by all which and more Names it is called in Holy Scripture if obeyed in its Operation will of Sinners make Saints And when Men by the Grace of God are thus made Holy they are then Partakers of him who is the first Resurrection for whereas they were Dead in Sins they are now by the Grace of God made Alive unto Righteousness and so can then truly say with the Holy Apostle How can we that ar dead to Sin live any longer therein And when Men are thus risen from the Grave of Sin and made alive unto Righteousness they then are truly capable of so enjoying Marriage and all the other Comforts of this Life as to Glorifie God through Jesus Christ for that he hath made them Witnesses of him who is the first Resurrection and Partakers of these his Temporal Mercies As for the Terms of Children of the Light and Children of the World they are such as it seemed good to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles frequently to use as having in them a Significancy of Expression to denote the Wicked and the Godly which is Authority sufficient for us to use them in their proper places And it is Eternally true That Men by Believing in the Light notwithstanding his Idle Scoff may become Children of the Light And it is of necessity that them that are truly such must be Separate from and Discerners of the Children of this World i. e. Darkness and not so only but as they continue in that Light of Christ Jesus wherewith he hath enlightned them it will so renew the Spirit of their Minds as both to let them see their Duty and also enable them to do it for it is no Ignis faiuus no wild Enthusiasm it leads not into Idle or False Imaginations or Whimsies but is Solid Christianity and a true Guide to all Christian Actions and such as become the Profession thereof And the Deduction and Consequence is very plain That when by the Grace of God Mens Understandings are Illumin'd their Wills made Obedient their Passions Subdued and their Affections made Clean and Temperate then the Actions of the Whole Man will be very Regular and such an one must needs be a good Christian a good Subject a good Servant a good Husband or Parent and a good Neighbour Governours will be Safe Subjects Peaceable Relations Affectionate all Men love one another and God from all who over all is Blessed for ever will receive Praise and Thanksgiving Now our Practise in the case of Marriage is so well known that little need be said concerning it only thus much I may say that no Lawful Causes appearing to hinder we never discourage Marriage but when any such do appear it is agreeable to our Christian Profession to prevent them The Method we have in this Case of Marriage hath been laid before Men in Government and hath by them been approved as such that will answer the End proposed that is the Honour of Religion and Peace and Safety of Civil Society and Particular Persons and Families And beyond this I know of no Provision can be made in the Administration of Church-Discipline And if any after-Marriage do break Wedlock do become Vicious and turn from the Grace of God into Wantonness and do commit Fornication it cannot be chargeable upon that Grace and Light which had they kept obedient to would have preserved them nor upon that Discipline which while they continue within our Society is an absolute Hedge against such Disorder From all which I suppose it may by this time appear that our Common Principle and Notion of the Light Within is no more chargeable with Back sliders Faults than with his Falsities SECT VI. HItherto his Perversions and Malice have been manifest I now come to his Sixth Point or Charge That we Contemn Magistracy and Government His first Quotations are from himself in the Snake and therefore of no notice to me here What I first shall take notice of is a pieced Quotation he brings out of George Fox in his Great Mystery Printed 1659. p. 76. and here I find the first Sentence his Pen light on he cut asunder the place is thus The Power of God what follows he cut off Rules and Orders People when there is no outward Government Nay it these two words he cut off strikes down Government of Men and Governours all that follows he left out as in the days of Daniel and Pharaoh and in many other places in Scripture mentioned Now Reader Can any Father of the Inquisition be more careful to Expugn Passages offensive to Christian Eyes than this Man is to Expugn such as are offensive to his own The remaining part of the Quotation he hath pick'd and pieced out of page 90. and by his dislocating and pulling asunder the Sentences one from another some of them look with as wry Faces as if tortured in a Scotch Boot I will at least rescue one of them that we may see its Native Feature the place being thus Such as are turned into Corruption and are Hypocrites Great Myst p. 90. they are gone from the Higher Power which the Soul should be subject to and it 's gone over them and so here he is pleased to begin for the Lord's sake the Saints cannot be subject to that Power By the remaining Sentences he has done the like so that there is not one of them that speaks the Mind of the Writer The place is too long to transcribe here because I have many Instances to bring where it will appear that we always since a People have been Obedient to Government and Governours and that not for Fear but Conscience sake and have always testified against Plotting and Contriving the Hurt or Ruin of any which by our agreeable Practice is better Proof for us than all his own Lies or the by him Suborned Passages of our Writings are against us Some Testimonies concerning our Acknowledgment of and our Obedience to Government P. 10. And the Powers that are ordained of God who are The Path of the Just Cleared
1655. By G. Whitehead c. sent of him for the Punishment of Transgressors and for the Encouragement of them that do well These we own and are subject to them for Conscience-sake knowing that such are not a Terror to Good Works but to Evil for such execute the Law in Righteousness upon them who are guilty of the Transgression of it for because of Transgression the Law is added and there the Law is executed in its place and in Righteousness and those that execute the Law in its place they are for the Establishment of Righteousness and Peace and contrary to the Law of Justice and Equity dare not Act in their own Wills nor for their own Ends And herein they seek not themselves nor their own Glory nor Honour but the Glory and Honour of God who is Honoured and Glorified among them who Act in Truth and Righteousness and love the Lord and to them our Souls are subject P. 23. And as for this present Authority and Government now in A Visitation of Love 1661. By Edw. Burroughs Being under the Name of King Charles the Second we do believe and acknowledge That according to the Purpose and Will of God and of his bringing to pass this present Government and Authority is set up and into its present being established P 6. 7. The Honour that is due unto Magistrates consists in True Magistracy Described 1660. By Henry Clark these two Particulars 1. Love 2dly Obedience First He that is in the Well-doing himself loves the Rulers that be set up of God who are Just and Rule in the Fear of God and is a Terror to the Evil-doers for When the Righteous are in Authority the Children of Wisdom rejoyce desiring of God that long they may Live and Prosper in the Work of the Lord and Love thinketh no Evil nor behaveth not it self unseemly toward the Rulers neither speaketh any Evil against him neither doth it revile the Judges Secondly Honour due to the Magistrate consisteth in Obedience either Actively in Doing or Passively by a Willing Patient and Meek Suffering under them for the Lord's sake And because Christ's Headship Kingship and Supremacy alone Sam. Fisher p. 34. of his Works we together with the True Church which is in God the Father and in Jesus Christ the Light can own in the Court of Conscience and in Matters purely Spiritual and of meer Religious and Soul Concernment and not any meer Mans much less the Pope's or any Priests in such Sacred Secrets therefore are we mistaken and misranked among such as are utter Enemies to the present King's Supremacy in these Dominions Whereby we do according to what the Spirit requires of us in all Civil Causes and Cases between Man and Man submit our selves to every Ordinance of Man himself I say in such cases even for the Lord's sake whether unto the King as Supream or to such as are sent of him to be a Terror to Evil-doers and a Praise to them that do well And if those who have the Sword in hand shall turn it against us for well doing and so act against the good Will of God or impose by God's Permission upon us contrary to our Consciences even there where we cannot obey actively we are willing to bear Patiently without Violent Resistance what God will leave us to Suffer from the Hands of such as should Protect us not Reviling nor Threatning nor Cursing but committing our Case in Quietness to him that Judgeth Righteously and our Souls to him in Well-doing And that Passive Deportment must be and is Judged by all to be Equivolent to that Active Obedience which others yield for Fear to what Laws soever is made among Men. Page 20. Our Principle is to bring all into a Peaceable Life To the King and both Houses of Parliament a Representation c. 1666. By John Whitehead Alex. Parker and Leonard Fell. out of those things that are Evil that the Law of God and every Law of Man that is grounded upon Reason and Equity takes hold upon and therein we are one with Justice Therefore distinguish between those whose Principles lead to Violence or other Evils that the Law of God and of Man which is equal takes hold upon and us who are one with Justice and lead from those things into a Peaceable Life as much as in us lyes with all Men which is according to the Practice of the Primitive Christians Page 101. And those Rulers Governours or Magistrates who The Life of God c. 1677. By William Gibson are a Terror to Evil Doers and a Praise to those that do well are worthy of Honour yea of double Honour and all such are duly honoured by us with the Honour which belongs unto them and we really and with Pleasure Honour and Obey all such not for fear of the Wrath but for good Conscience sake as the Apostles and Primitive Fathers did Page 481. It is our Principle and Testimony to deny and renounce G. Fox's Journal given the Parliament 1680. all Plots and Plotters against the King or any of his Subjects for we have the Spirit of Christ by which we have the Mind of Christ who came to Save Mens Lives and not to Destroy them and we would have the Kind and all his Subjects to be safe Wherefore we do Declare That we will Endeavour to our Power to Save and Defend him and them by Discovering all Plots and Plotters which shall come to our Knowledge that would Destroy the King or his Subjects These Quotations are I hope sufficient for the purpose Intended which is To Testifie our Constant Peaceable Principle and Practice in Obedience to Government and Magistracy yet as a close to all the foregoing Quotations from our Friends Books I will give one Quotation which Relates to near all the foregoing Charges and which is taken from a Paper lately given to the Parliament Occasioned by E. Bugg's Calumnies it 's Entituled The Quakers Vindication and was PRESENTED to the Members of Parliament in December 1693. We whose Names are Under-written being in Christian Society with the People called Quakers do in good Conscience Declare and Certifie all Persons Concerned 1. That we sincerely Believe and Confess That Jesus of Nazareth who was Born of the Virgin Mary is the True Messiah the very Christ the Son of the Living God to whom all the Prophets gave Witness And we do Highly Value his Death Sufferings Works Offices and Merits for the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind together with his Laws Doctrine and Ministry 2. That this very Christ of God was and is the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World who was Slain was Dead and is Alive and Lives for Evermore in his Divine Eternal Glory Dominion and Power with the Father 3. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are of Divine Authority as being given by Inspiration of God 4. And that Magistracy or Civil Government is God's Ordinance
is their own this W. Penn further speaks to in p. 51. his words are For the reasonable part of Man is his Spiritual part and that guided by the Divine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Word which Tertullian interprets Reason in the most Excellent Sense makes Man truly reasonable and then it is that Man comes to offer up himself to God a Reasonable Sacrifice In what plainer words can a Man own Man's Reason and God's Revelation the first as it is Natural and the other as it is Divine He leaves W. Penn at present and turns to Edw. Burroughs p. 17. of his Works from whence he makes a Quotation but hath abused the Sence of the place by leaving out the two following Sentences and then the place is thus I wrote not as from Man whose Light is ONLY Natural and Carnal and doth ONLY make manifest Carnal Transgressions of a Carnal Law but as from the Eternal and Spiritual Light which doth make manifest Spiritual Transgressions of a Spiritual Law From this place John Stalham would fastly conclude that Edw. Burroughs called the Light of Christ Carnal which that he did not I think is very plain And accordingly Richard Hubberthorn p. 144. says That we do not allow any to call the Light of Christ Jesus Natural but the Light of Man by which Carnal Men do judge of Carnal Transgressions So that W. Penn and both these do allow the Natural Reason or Light of Man to be one thing and the Divine Revelations of the Holy Spirit another so that they do all plainly agree in the One Holy Spirit or Light of Christ Jesus given in measure to all Men to guide them and this W. Penn hath not opposed nor the reasonable Understanding of Man as this would falsly suggest He comes back to p. 29. where he would have W. Penn to Suppose that nothing but the Divine Light could reprove of Evil. But I have look'd and find no such Supposition and therefore no further notice need be taken of the Consequences he draws as depending on that Supposition Yet nevertheless I may add That as no one knows the things of God but by the Spirit of God so if Man do attend upon the Manifestation of this Holy Spirit it will discover to him all that is Reproveable and without which by any reason of his own he cannot make such Discovery and by its Power it can and if Man be Obedient it will enable him to turn from that which it does so Discover and Reprove him for This is that sure Basis upon which being fixed we easily reject all Guileful Pretences to the contrary And tho' this Man may have a great Opinion of his Wise Charming p. 24. yet I never understood that the Hissing of a Snake was Wise Charming Now if any go from the Spirit of God into Delusions is that reason sufficient why none shall depend upon the Guidance of the Spirit of God Because there have been innumerable Falsly pretended Miracles must we therefore believe no true Ones No the Effect it ought to have should be quite otherwise have others by Disobedience and leaving of their Guide fallen into Delusion let me therefore attend my Watch more closly have others by forsaking their True Guide the Holy Spirit been given up to believe Lies let me keep close to it that it be not so with me But if instead of this Men will pretend to subject the Unerring Spirit of God to be tried by the Erring Spirit of Man as it is not Scriptural so neither is it safe nay it cannot be safe if to the Spirit of Man they add all Study all meer Humane Endeavour all Communities Ordinances Histories or Humane Learning all these will not Poise the Ballance where the Spirit of God is wanting nor can any of these perform that excellent Office of the Spirit of Truth which our Saviour hath Infallibly Assured will lead into all Truth and when we have all Truth what Spiritual Good can we want And this destroys not the Freedom of Man's Will nor Understanding nor extinguishes his Humane Page 26 27. Reason but on the contrary exalts and enobles all the Powers and Faculties of the Mind So that it is utterly impossible for a Man under the Guidance of the Spirit of Truth to make God the Author of Sin Nor does this Principle arraign the Wisdom of God in his Ordinances but shews forth his Good Will to Men in that he has not only sent forth the Spirit of Truth but also sends forth his Servants guided by it to call the People into Obedience to it And thus God is pleased to work mediately and immediately Here in p. 29. he would seem to approve and congratulate W. Penn upon his Exposition of Justification but his Assent or Dissent we value not nor our selves for its sake but the Doctrine is true and hath from the first been professed by us But to remind him a little How is it possible for us to be Orthodox herein as he says we are and Heretical in the Articles which relate to Christ Jesus as God and as Man by and through whom Justification comes But Self-contradiction is no new thing to this Man He now numbers up in Page 30 31 32. divers things wherein he would fain have the Church and us agree they not being sufficient as he says for Separation This Man is of a very changeable Humour in his Title and for near all the Book we were Sad Hereticks but now he would have us Associates which if we will not be he gives a Threatning Advertisement that he will Trump up more Heresies upon us Well in that let him do as God shall permit but of two things he may be assured that we shall have no Communion with his Lies nor he true Peace in persisting in them FINIS BOOKS Printed and Sold by T. Sowle next to the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-Street And at the Bible in Leaden-Hall-Street near the Market 1697. SAmuel Fisher's Works in Folio The Works of the Long Mournful and Sorrowful Distressed Isaac Penington's Folio William Bayly's Works Quarto The Works of that Memorable and Ancient Servant of Christ Stephen Crisp containing also a Journal of his Life giving an Account of his Convincement Travels Labours and Sufferings in and for the Truth Price bound 5 s. A Collection of the several Writings and Faithful Testimonies of that suffering Servant of God and patient Follower of the Lamb Humphry Smith Price bound 2 s. 6 d. A Collection of certain Epistles and Testimonies of Divine Consolation Experience and Doctrine Written by that Faithful Patient and Long-suffering Servant of Christ William Bennit Price bound 1 s. 8 d. The Memory of the Righteous Revived being a brief Collection of the Books and Written Epistles of John Camm and John Andland Together with several Testimonies relating to those two Faithful Labourers Price bound 2 s. Truth Vindicated by the Faithful Testimony and Writings of the Innocent Servant and Handmaid
of the Lord Elizabeth Bathurst Deceased Price bound 1 s. Baptism and the Lord's Supper Substantially Asserted being an Apology in behalf of the People called Quakers concerning those Two Heads By Robert Barclay Price bound 1 s. A Catechism and Confession of Faith By R. Barclay Price bound 9 d. No Cross No Crown A Discourse shewing the Nature and Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ By W. Penn. In Two Parts The Fifth Edition Price 3 s. An Address to Protestants of all Perswasions more especially the Magistracy and Clergy for the Promotion of Virtue and Charity In Two Parts By W. Penn a Protestant The Second Edition Corrected and Enlarged Price bound 1 s. 6 d. An Account of W. Penn's Travails in Holland and Germany for the Service of the Gospel of Christ by way of Journal Containing also divers Letters and Epistles writ to several Great and Eminent Persons whilst there The Second Impression Corrected by the Author 's own Copy with some Answers not before Printed Price bound 2 s. A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers in which their Fundamental Principle Doctrines Worship Ministry and Discipline are plainly Declared to prevent the Mistakes and Perversions that Ignorance and Prejudice may make to abuse the Credulous With a Summary Relation of the former Dispensations of God in the World by way of Introduction By W. Penn. Price bound 1 s. A Cast to Christendom By W. Penn. Price Stich'd 3 d. Tender Counsel and Advice c. By W. Penn. Price Stitch'd 3 d. The Harmony of Divine and Heavenly Doctrines Demonstrated in sundry Declarations on Variety of Subjects Preached at the Quakers Meetings in London by Mr. W. Penn Mr. G. Whitehead Mr. S. Waldenfield Mr. B. Coole Taken in Short-hand as it was delivered by them and now Faithfully Transcribed and Published for the Information of those who by reason of Ignorance may have received a Prejudice against them By a Lover of that People Price 1 s. 6 d. Primitive Christianity Revived in the Faith and Practice of the People called Quakers Written in Testimony to the present Dispensation of God through them to the World That Prejudices may be Removed the Simple Informed the Well-enclined Encouraged and the Truth and its Innocent Friends Rightly Represented By W. Penn. Price 1 s. Rabshakeh Rebuked and his Railing Accusations Refuted containing 1. Some Reflections upon a late Sheet Entituled An Essay towards the allaying of George Fox his Spirit by way of Introduction II. A Reply to a later Book Entituled A Discovery of the Accursed Thing c. Enlarged both written by Thomas Crispe III. A Display of some amongst many of his Self-contradictions and Tautologies by way of Conclusion By E. P. Price Stitch'd 6 d. A Diurnal Speculum containing I. A plain and easie Method to find out those things that are most useful to be known Yearly And may serve as an Almanack for Thirty Years and many other things suitable to the Matter c. II. An Explanation of Weights Money and Measures both Scriptural and Usual with sundry Tables depending thereon c. III. Some Remarks on England or a Brief Account of every County with the Names and Days of the Markets and the Chief Commodities therein c. The whole consisting of Great Variety explained by divers Examples the like in all particulars not extant as by the Contents does more at large appear Collected by J. B. Price bound 1 s. 6 d. The Spirit of the Martyrs revived in a breif Compendious Collection of the most Remarkable Passages and Living Testimonies of the True Church Seed of God and Faithful Martyrs in all Ages Price 2 s. 6 d. The Arraignment of Popery being a Collection taken out of the Chronicles and other Books of the State of the Church in the Primitive Times I. The State of the Papists how long it was before the Universal POPE and MASS was set up and the bringing in their Rudiments Traditions Beads Images Purgatories Tythes and Inquisitions II. A Relation of the Cruelties they acted after the Pope got up being worse than the Turk and Heathen New Rome proving like Old III. What the People of England Worshipped before they were Christians IV. To which is added the Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church With several other things very profitable for all that fear God to Read Try and give Judgment by the Spirit of Truth against the Worship of the Beast and Whore Price 1 s. 6 d. Instructions for Right Spelling and plain Directions for Reading and Writing True English With several delightful things very Useful and Necessary both for Young and Old to Read and Learn Price 6 d. A New Book for Children to Learn in With many wholesome Meditations for them to consider With Directions for true Spelling And the Ground of true Reading and Writing of True English Price 3 d. Miscellania Or a Collection of Necessary Useful and Profitable Tracts on variety of Subjects which for their Excellency and Benefit of Mankind are compiled in one Volumn By Thomas Tryon Physiologus Price 1 s. A Treatise of Charity and as directed Universal under the Law and under the Gospel shewing the Nullity of all Religion without it as also of Goodness Providence Riches Poverty Prosperity and Adversity And of Sacrificing and Feasting their continuance under the Gospel With a Paraphrase upon the Parable of Dives and Lazarus Price bound 1 s. Antichrist Unvailed by the Finger of God's Power and his Visage Discovered by the Light of Christ Jesus c. Written in the Love of God by a Prisoner at Lancaster Castle for the Testimony of Truth and one of the People called in Scorn Quakers Price bound 2 s. An Account of the Life and Death of our Faithful Friend and Fellow-labourer in the Gospel Thomas Markham with several Testimonies concerning him given forth by several Friends whose Names are thereto Subscribed Alsoa Testimony written by himself for the Necessity of Waiting on the Lord and the Benefits thereof to Men Where being Dead he yet Speaketh Price Stitch'd 4 d. Proposal for raising a Colledge of Industry of all useful Trades and Husbandry with Profit for the Rich. A Plentiful Living for the Poor and a good Education for Youth Which will be Advantage to the Government by the Increase of the People and their Riches Price 4 d. An Epistle to Friends shewing the Great Difference between a Convinced Estate and a Converted Estate and between the Profession of the Truth and the Possession thereof with the Comfort and Sweetness to the Soul it affordeth With a few Words of good Counsel and wholesome Advice to both Parents and their Children Price 2 d The Counterfeit Convert a Scandal to Christianity and his unjustly opposing Quakerism to Christianity justly reprehended And the True Christ and Scriptures confessed by the Quakers In Opposition to Two Scandalous Books falsly stiled I. Quakerism Withered and Christianity Reviving II. Animadversions on G. Whitehead's Book