appoint Then George Whitehead caused these positions to be writ saying he would defend them aâ—so f His strength was great or wit small 6 The Scriptures doth not say if any man say he hath no sin he deceives himselfe 7. I deny that this is a truth if any man say he hath no sin he deceives himselfe as concerning the Saints g But the Saints on Earth will say so 8. It is not a sin for me or any such man to preach or any to hear us Aug. 27. T. S. nor hearing of the time and place of meeâ—ing went to the Major to know what was resolved he answered the Aldermen were not willing it should be in the Town-Hall h Some of them according to this relation too willing their common meeting should be in the own so that if there were any dispute it must be in the Quakers common Meeting-house but several Aldermen were not willing there should be any and that he would not advise T. S. to dispute whereupon T. S. resolved not to dispute against the minde of the Corporation i Modest and sober Aug. 29. came this from W. to T. S. Friend T. S. this is to certifie thee that accorâ—ing to our agreemâ—nt when I was with thee I am willing to give thee a meeting and seeing no other place is appointed I intend to be at our Meeting place this day about one or two where I may exspect thy appearance according to thy promise to me first to produce thy arguments c. subscribed G. Whitehead Immediately he received another from Mr. James Alders Sir I was called this morning to Mr. Majors and there I was told that it is the desire of the Quakers to meet you at their house of meeting they begin to think you are afraid to meet them c. k Crow before victory Notwithstanding â— S. continued in his Chamber till one came from Mâ— Alders to tell him the Quakers were met and reported that T.S. did not dare to come thereupon he went When met G. W. told the people the Questions to be disputed were Quaker disarmed dispute 1. Whether it were a damnable sin for him to preach and secondly a damnable sin for any to hear him But T. S. began as the propositions lay in his paper and so went to prove tha Quakers do open a door to damnable Heresie T. S. he that writ Ishmael and his Mother cast out opens a door to damnable Heresies but you writ â—hat Book therefore Whithead answered he did not write it all for there is somewhat scribled l It was all but scrible in it T.S. asked if he were the Author of all printed in it he answered about three yeers ago I and four more writ it between us m Multis manthus gâ—ande levatur onus and said that he would own it T.S. further urged All Papists open a door to damnable Heresies you who writ this Book are a Papist therefore W. I am no Papist T.S. He who refuses to take the Oath of abjuration is a Papist he who writ this refuses to take the Oath of abjuration therefore a Papist Heâ—e George Fox n a notorious Quaker as before made a long Discourse to prove that it was not lawful for a Christian to swear o To put off the odium of refusing the Oath of Abjuration it is no duty to curse r il and blâ—spheme and would have had T. S. proved it was lawful to swear who answered it was beside the Question Here the Majors Wife entreated T. S. to lay aside Whiteheads Book and dispute from Scripture So T. S. did from 2. Cor. 5.20 He who pretends to be an Ambassador of Christ and hath no commission to show but what all the damnable Hereticks in the World do or may shew that man opens a door to damnable doctrines But you pretend to be an Embassador of Christ p VVhat is that to them but a bâ—ind and have no commission to shew but what all the damnable Hereticks in the World do or may shew therefore W. I have my Commission from Christ and did ever any Heretick pretend a Commission from Christ T. S. Yes David George Socinus Arius and all the Hereticks I ever read of W. They could not prove it by the effects as I i. e. shew the people converted by them T. S. They could Arians converted a nation of Infidels to Christianity and his opinions in a short time spread so far that all the World seemed Arian q Totus mundus est Arianas W. But did the Hereticks live good lives T. S. It is confessed that Arius and his did that Pelagius did and I remember that no Sect-master that did not Here Whitehead would prove himself no Heretick from 2. Pet. 2.1 2. Hereticks are those that deny the Lord that bought them I do not deny the Lord that bought me therefore T. S. I deny the Major all Hereticks do not deny the Lord that bought them the Apostle instances but in one sort even the worst who would even deny the Lord it followes not hence none are false Teachers or false Prophets or Hereticks but such as deny the Lord that bought them r A particulari ad universate non valet consequentia W. I have Christ within me therefore I do not deny the Lord that bought me T. S. You do not prove your Major Here being silent T. S. Out of this place urged against him He that writ Ishmael and his Mother cast out even denyes the Lord that bought him but you writ that Book There the Major he further proved He that denyes Persons in the Trinity and calls him Dreamer and Conjurer who asserts them saying that a man who saith there be 3 persons in the Trinity shall be shut up with them in perpetual darknesse for the Lake and the pit that man is an Heretick even denying the Lord that bought him but you George Whitehead deny the 3. persons in the Trinity c. This Minor was proved out of the Book it self p. 10. the 3. persons thou dreamest of which thou wouldest divide out of one like a Conjurer all are denyed and thou shut up with them in perpetual darknesse for the Lake and the Pit Here Fox made a long Discourse against the Trinity T. S. I came not to hear you repeat a deal out of Paul Beast I came to dispute Fox Prove there be 3 persons T. S. 1. Joh. 5.7 There be 3 that bear Record in heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these 3 are one Thus If the Father Son and Holy Ghost be 3 He 's then 3 persons â— VVhile H. D. gibes at 3 He 's and the argument for three persons taken from the places he considers not that T. S. was necessitated to condescend to vulgar capacities who cryed out they would hear no Philosophy or School-terms but they are 3 He 's therefore Fox What mean you by 3. He 's T.
of God and for the simple ones sakes as we are moved by the immediate spirit of Christ to write to teach to exhort or to put in Print Truths Defence p. 104. How then comes it that Gother son Ep. 4.5 is fain to write against others of his own and call to them to recall their Tenets and repent 13. All their Railings Cursings and Blasphemies they Father on the Holy Ghost and make them to proceed immediately from the eternall spirit of God in them as may appear 2. Of their railings at Ministers and slandering of them Only whatever they say is little in respect of what before and there can be no wondring at their Blasphemies against Men when they have thus opened their mouths against Heaven and if they have done these things to God himselfe no wonder if such to his Servants but to speak their language with which they often salute the Ministers That they are of the Synagogue of Satan Hel broke loose p. 35. and know nothing of God but are enemies of God being guided by the spirit of error without amongst dogs whose humility is fained a Their hearts they know that their Sermons are fleshly fancies b And they Q. for real flesh and conâ—urations dirty miry doctrine a stinking puddle that their hearts are filthy deceitful c That 's right seeking praise from men d They have little from you that they are scandalous e VVhat all Scandalum acceptum Be sure to say enough Muse as they use following the wayes of Balaam and Cain worse then Simon Magus knowing nothing of the life of the Gospel that they are Heathens wallowing in the mire and filth of the flesh on whom all the plagues of God are to be poured blind guides proud Baals Priests f The best that ever he had I hope Lyars Blasphemers h They Q. not guilty enemies to Christ Jesus Murtherers Sorcerers Whore-mongers children of disobedience greedy dumb Doggs Witches Antiâ—hrists Antichrists Marchants Robbers Deceivers Ministers of the World i VVorse then themselves Conjurers Devils of a Serpentine Nature a brazen faced Bâ—ast Covetous Idolatrous Priests Thieves Divelish Priests Priests of the world Foxes Ministers of Antichist proud Pharisees envious malicious Priests Aegyptians Sodomites Gog and Magog a seed of evil dâ—ers children of the Devil blind Watchmen Backbiters Railers Seducers Taskmasters of Aegypt devouring Lyons Firebrands of Hell Sons of Belial I shall but adde here one passage for all Naylor against Baxter p. 30. Thou askest if it will be for the peoples profit to despise their Teachers and Guides I say you who have despised Christs commands to set up your own Lusts and Pride Covetousnesse and false-Worship must be despised and when such Guides are discovered then shall the people profit when they come to be guided by that Spirit God hath given to every man to profit withall which you will keep them from as long as you can that you may fill up your measure and wrath come upon you to the uttermost being captivated by the Devil Son and Body the God of this world having blinded your eyes so that the Gos el is hid from you and you lost setting up the Letter instead of it having denyed the light and erred from it are got up into hardnesse of heart imprisoning beating making havock like rude Beasts what ever the Devil did where he reigned so do you being the head of the Serpent which Christ is come to bruise as he did in his own person so he is the same brood who now are found in the same bloody plots against the seed of God So Princed worse then ever any seeking the lives of others for practising that in life which your selves will preach in words for Money such a generation of raging Beasts was never yet in the world who seek to devour on every side you and who departs from sin is your prey the greâ—test deceivers that ever yet come now when you come to be revealed who would have believed that you who have had so many millions of pounds for reaching people to forsake sin and now if any declare that he hath forsaken it and is set free you preach it down as the most dangerous eâ—ror that ever was Full of Slander empty of Charity and who can ascribe this but themselves to the good â—piâ—it of God Enough ne quid nimis surely they are angry and I am apt to think the Miniâ—ters have hit the Devil in them a sound rap of the nose that makes him to roar so loud But yet they are not altogether foolish there is some wit in their anger though it be but Serpentine 1. Hereby would they alienate the Peoples affections from them The end of their railing without end present them so ill that the people might get no good by them 2. To get esteem and gain by what others lose they would by this be thought exceeding zealous none like them for God Christ and Souls truly had they kept in their poyson when they vented all this they might have been better thought on but to be so evill themselves while they are making others so is not politick 3. To prepare the Ministers for more to exercise them with their tongues that they may better rye their hands this is but a paper of Devils set on your heads before your bodies be brought to the stake but might I advise men should first stop their Eares secondly bridle their â—ongues thirdly shun their company and fourthly let them be branded for hideous Blasphemers notorious Railers CHAP. 8. A short account of a dispute at Cambridge Aug. 1659. between three eminent Quakers and one Scholar AUG 25. T. S. of Chr. Col. returning home from Saint Johns Library saw George Whitehead preaching in the Quakers The Quaker diâ—armed Pref. common meeting House b Over against Sidney Col. when Whitehead had done he confuted his Doctrine but considering how apt filly women were to be misled he sent the following to the Maior hoping to reclaime in the end his c The Majors Wife who it seems was then a Quaker Whereas George Whitehead delivered first that they are not Hereticks second teach no other but what Abraham and Christ and thirdly said that the Scriptures are not the Word of God I am ready at any hour or place 1. to prove these false 2. to make good my Arguments lâ—sts used against him 3. That it is a sin for him to preach or any such or for any to hear him Chr. Colh T. S. The Major sent for Whithead who before him wrote 1. That we do not open a door to Heresies 2. That we are not Hereticks because 3. We do not teach any Heresie d So it is a signe 4. We walk not in the steps of Hereticks 5. That the Bible is not the Word And this he would maintain e Quantum potuit against T. S. at what time and place the Major should
men women and little children have been strangely wrought upon in their bodies and brought to fall * The thing there is not denyed but palliated foam at mouth roar and swell in their Bellies and whereas it is answered that is a Lye it is replied Let the Reader consult the Book and beleive his own eyes 31. Thom. Holim of Kendal went naked as he was born R. B. p. 21. Q. 72. through the Market place at Kirby-Stephon one Market day Octob. 28. saying 'T is not I but God that goes naked Horrid See the Witnesses in the 5. New-castle Ministers answer to I.N. p. 84. 32. The Lord Cheif Baron Wild Pag. 22. Q. 78. the first day of the Term and Novemb. 11. 1659. was bareheaded and twenty Quakers about him with their hats on half an hour together 33. James Mitener Pag. 23. Q. 87. Sauls Errand p. 2. 9. a follower of George Fox professed himself to be God and Christ and gave out Prophecies viz. that the day of Judgement should be on the 15. of November * In this not infallible R. B. Q. 89. 90. 91. See more of him before f. 23. and that there should never sit Judge at Lancaster again 34. Was it not a sin in Christopher Atkinson fellow Preacher and bosome companion to George Whitehead to comit frequent fornication with Vrsula Servant to Thomas Symonds as both he and she confessed before the Mayor of Norwich and July 4. 1655. run away from Norwich-Goale and carrying thence goods not his own and after he professed Repentance for his lewdnesse with Vrsula did he not practise greater Villanie at the George Inne in Thurton six miles from Norwich See the relation of these matters printed for Franklin and attested by the Maior of Norwich 35. A Female Quaker was taxed Quakers Folio 2. p. 59. for breaking of the Rule Let the Woman keep Silence in the Church for it is not permitted for them to speak replied it was spoken of Women that have Husbands at home to learn of but I have none and am a Maid 36. Another who was a Wife being challenged for preaching publickly and that Scripture urged against her I suffer not a woman to teach and usurp authority over the man readily replied that was spoken of the Woman who was in the transgression but I am not one of them P. 1. of the in the end narrative of Q. F. Vol. 2. Papistâ pejor 37. One of them lately at Dover when he came to die upon the Question put to him how he expected Salvation answered that he expected Salvation by his own works and not by Christ Witnesse Mr. Davis Minister at Dover our hearty prayer to God is that we may neither thus live nor dye Q. Folio v. 2. narrative p. 2. 1659. Reckoned without his host pag. 3. 38. At a late meeting of the Quakers in Hurst-peirpoint in Sussex the Speaker called out to the Minister passing by We will have you all down for now our day is come 39. Another in Nuthurst parish in the same County did say to a godly person of good quality in that parish that he no more cared * They are much beholding to him for his care to kill one of the Priests then he would to kill a Dog 40. Another Quaker way-laid the Minister of Cowwould and justled him on the high way and drew out his Sword about half way but from further was prevented by others coming in 41. Mr. Wingfield Minister at Word did testifie under his hand Aug. 3. 1659. that Luke Howard of Dover Quaker did say in his hearing July 25. 1659. upon the Road neer Dover-castle that it was revealed to him by the eternal God that the priests shall be destroyed and by the people who are called Quakers 42. E. B. Quaker p. 2. in his Word of Advice to the Soldiers saith Oh! give the Priests bloud to drink for they are worthy 43. On the Lords day 18. Sept. 1659. W. Naylor Brother to James came into Savoy Church Mr. Hooke preaching and made such a bellowing that it seemed to be rather the Divel in him then his own voice Mr. Hooke was necessitated to hold his peace many sadly affrighted that some ran one way some another * Testified by Mr. Hook his Wife and others 44 Octob. 6. 1659 p. 4. at a publick thanksgiving at Christ Church London the Parliament Lord Maior Aldermen Common Council Officers of the Army being hearing Mr. Caryl two Quakers made a very great disturbance 45. March 5. 1659. Mary Todd of Southwark Quaker at the Bull and Mouth while some were speaking pulled up her Coats above her middle and walked so up and down a while using several base expressions Mr. Thomas Cresset Chirurgion an Eye and Ear witnesse CHAP. 6. Of their Opinions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 BY which you may easily discern how far they are from being sound in the faith and take along withal this aggravation let their tenents be never so diametrically opposite to the written verity yet they will father it upon the Spirit of truth and he must be made the immediate inspirer of these falsities not being ashamed to make him grosely contradict himself but also to beare witness to a lie for when they want a Shadow of Scripture then they will stamp their errour with the Image and Superscription of the Holy Ghost immediately revealing and Christ the light within them must be made to hold out palpable darknesse Therefore they lay down as a foundation-truth a blasphemous falsehood to build their Structure of untruths upon viz That their dictates are equal to those of Christ and his Apostles a R. B. Question to Whitehead at end of the gagg p. 3. f. 7. do not you esteem your speakings to be of as great authority as any Chapters in the bible Answ yea of greater Herein not unlike the Papists who for the better establishing of their Churches authority make 1. The Pope an infallibl judge 2. Unwritten Traditions equal to the written Word therefore Bellarmine hath Verbum dei scriptum non scriptum To make this evident concerning the Quakers 1. Mr. Camelford Minister of Stafly Chappel in Lancashire having told Thom. Atkinson in answer to his Quaeries that his Quaeries were condemned to the fire George Fox replies you might as wel have condemned the Scriptures to the fire Truths defence p. 2. by Fox Hubberthorn And without breach of charity we may affirm the burning of the Scriptures would not have been so offensive to him a There are Quakers that have done it as before and though it be answered it is a wicked lie yet see your Book entituled Truths defence writ by Fox Hubberthorn p. 2. l. 13. and divers other Books wherein they prefer the Scripture to the fire and their own Books to mens reading as more useful for these times R. B. Q. ibid. for indeed to equal any writings to Scripture is interpretative
and so for the upholding of your unscriptural revelations the Scripture must not stand but when we shall all stand before the judgement Seat of Christ we shall be judged according to this rule and thereby stand or fall 4. That it is not a perfect rule of faith and Conversation to walk by 1. Though the Scripture say it is able to make the man of God perfect 2 Tim. 3.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. Naylor 5. Answer to Jews p. 22. 2. The papists and they concur again the papists to establish papae decretalia the Popes decrees the Quaker to make way for the reception of the light within them be it the Prince of darknesse and that his delusive revelations may be swallowed and followed 5. That it is the Divel in man that contends for the Scriptures to be the word of God Here is Equivocation Ignorance Blasphemy either one or all for if he takes the word of God for Christ none ever affirmed it if for that God spake by the mouth or pen of his Servants Naylors Answer to Baxter p. 48. then it is a grosse calumniating of the holy Spirit 7. That the light wich is in all the Indians Americans and other Pagans on earth is sufficient without Scripture 1. It is much that Scripture should not and yet natural light is 2. That the light which is so week and dimne should be so strong and cleer 3. That what discovers nothing of Christ should enough to heaven 4. Against Ordinances Even all at once strikes Gotherson in his Alarum pag. 2. and elsewhere The man Christ Jesus the great Prophet declared in general terms what should be in latter times leaving it to every Son and Daughter to declare their particular experiences when the Spirit doth rise up in them and manifest himselfe unto them for they that believe saith he out of their Bellies shall flow Rivers or plentifull discoveries of the Water of Life therefore is Moses gave way to Christ for when Christ appeared in the flesh Moses administration began to be silent and drew back and see Jesus Christ in the Chair to be the great Prophet that should be the teacher in Types after him and the ministration of those discoveries were to reign in the world their appointed times even so the Lambe Christ Jesus or that single body gives way to the holy Ghost or spreading spirit John 16.7.17.21 If I go not away the comforter cannot come Here is much of truth but mis-timed and abused to the destruction of all Christs visible Kingdome it is true 1. God sent Christ the great Prophet that to him 2. Moses gave way 3. that the present administration will cease 4. but not till he hath delivered up the Kingdome to his Father Ephes 4.13.5 that the sending of the Comforter did but further the Apostles to plant Christs visible Kingdome and now as a sanctifying and comforting spirit is conveyed by Ordinances and makes them profitable Quakers folly p. 57. 2 Ed. Suitable to this tenet is that Speech of Mr. Fisher in conference with Mr. Thomas Foxton Jurate of Sandwich and Thomas Barber Cooper of Dunkirke May 12. That he himselfe was above Ordinances Truths defence p. 98. James Parnel and Naylors answer to Ives p. 14. 29. G. Whiteheads Cains Generation p. 11. Matth. 1.28.19 Acts 2.8.36.10.47 and that there is no more use of them in this life to many persons then there is of a Candle light when the Sun shines and he gave instance in the uselesnesse of Baptisme and the Lords Supper 1. Water-Baptisme denyed to be an Ordinance of Christ 1. It is their way to set up appointments of their owne and throw down Christs they must be heard but Christ not obeyed 2. When and where was Water-baptisme abolished first the institution and secondly practice is full ard cleer 3. But it must be Water-baptisme with them not to shew the Element but your contempt of the Ordinance * Non distinguunt sed nomen contemnunt Richard Hubberthorns Truths defence p. â—9 103. and alwaies they that esteem too high of their own things think too low of Christs 2. Concerning the Lords Supper Mr. Kellet in in Lancashire quaeries Whether did not Christ institute his last Supper with Bread and Wine Rich. Hubberthorn answers That Christ spake not of Bread and Wine but the Bread which Christ calleth his body is to be understood of his Church but the Cup which thou drinkest we deny for thy Cup is the Cup of Devils and thy Table is the Table of Devils which is an Idol and imitation and thy Sacrifice is to Devils and not to God And is this from the Spirit of the Lord Oh! the patience of the Lord to endure such breath of Blasphemy this is so contrary to Faith and Charity that it shall not need more words then the Angels disputing with the Devil the Lord rebuke thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hel broke loose pag. 27 Against all our worship Naylor against Baxter p. 25. 32 33. against our singing Davids Pâ—alms p. 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ to Edward Brocks letter p. 9. 3. Preaching the Word Praying Singing are no appointments of Christ but inventions of Men They do well to strike at all nothing of God that is in the Word of God are not all these things there required who so ignorant as need to be instructed where but it seems they are such builders as would not leave a stone upon a stone 4. Against Sabbaths No Sabbath to be kept and indeed they that deny the ordinances of the day no wonder if the day And in this their practice is suitable to their doctrine even in contempt of Gods day and Magistrate daring to open Shops and exposing wares to sale taking no notice of the morality of the fourth Commandement nor the Churches practice in the Apostles dayes it is in vain to note the universal custome of the Churches of Christ ever since but they think to carry the day the better if they can bear down the day of the Lord but oh that they would remember his burning wrath breaking out against Sabbath-breakers in our Land and dayes if they will not let others read Birds Theater Burtons Tragedy and the sad state of the land since the book of Sports Richard Farneworths answer to the Westmerland Ministers Petition p. 5. Goliah p. 7. Truths defence p. 96. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. Against Ordination The Ministers of God never were sent forth from God by a mediate sending but were immediately sent The tendency of this is first to destroy the Ministry since the Apostles and secondly to make way for the reception of themselves as Prophets and Apostles they exclude us that they may raign but what then becomes 1. of Timothy 2. of those Elders ordained in every City 3. of those directions given to Titus and Timothy but it seems their design is to down with all and by bringing in New-light to extinguish
Perfection Naylor against Ives p. 13. Farnworth against Hagger p. 7. That those that have received Christ and God are come to perfection that all such as are in Christ are without sin Alas poor men their perfection is verbal their imperfection real they are perfect Talkers very imperfect Walkers he that is not blind may see your nakednesse that they impudently boast of they are far from only they glory in their shame and count their unrighteousness for righteousnesse if to be proud railing cursing and blaspheming z Phil. 3.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seducing of Souls be to be perfect then are they such far better men have been far more humble not that I have already attained saith Paul In many things we offend all a Jam. 1.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naylors Answer to Pendarres p. 7. and he that saith he hath no sin is a Lyar and the truth is not in him 2. Of Discerning That the Saints by the Spirit that is in them can judge of mens hearts and that such judging is Christs judging of men and that Christ shall judge no where else but in the Saints Miserable men that know not themselves nor their own hearts and yet pretend to the knowledge of others contrary to that who knows the things of a man but the spirit of a man that is in him And it were a happinesse to them if they should not all b 2 Cor. 5.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hel broke loose p. 37 appear before the jugement seat of Christ to render an account of the things they have done in the flesh for God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world by the man Jesus of which he hath given witnesse in raising him from the dead as Peter hath it Other strange Doctrines have been broached by some of them Nicholas Kate of Harwel in Barks 1. That Marriage was made by man e In doctrine false in practice possibly true 2. That Christians were worse then Beasts 3. That any woman was as free to him as his wife 4. That his wife was no wife of his she was a Limbe of the Divel f Holy St. Nicholas 5. That he was holy and all things that he touched were holy 6. That when the fulnesse of time was come he should work miracles g In good time One of Bristol being at Marleborough in the County of Wilts affirmed 1. He knew no such thing as the Resurrection of the body h 1 Cor 15. Act. 1.11 2. That the body of Christ was not in heaven neither should he come thence with a body 3. He defended those that went naked They have need of a covering his to short This is but one part of his perfection h but none beside himself confident 4. That he went to bed with a woman not his Wife without sin k 5. That he was confident of his perfect holinesse One would wonder that a very natural conscience and those things should stand together but being delivered up to strong delusions they beleive a lie and by a new light from Hell even extinguish the very light of nature till God in Hell shall raise it up again that a conceit of perfect holynesse could be embraced with confidence by such an unclean person If the Reader will trouble himself with more he may read these following Tolderryes foot out of the snare 1. That Edens garden is the World the trees all living beings that Paradice is in man that men fell by harkening to the wicked which was the fle hly mind and that not the woman properly but the silliest and weakest part was the woman that tempted him that Adam was the earthly nature in man and indeed there are extreams to which they are delivered up viz. To take some Scriptures in the strictnesse of the Letter against all sense reason and other Texts 2. To Allegorize and make a mystical meaning the main and only sense of words that are hystorical and literal m est modus in rebus Act. 4.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. That the Redeemer of man is not that person the Son of God that dyed at Hierusalem but the light which is in every particular man by which he is given to see sin Kate could not or would not when he went to another womans bed and enabled by it if obedient to be redeemed from sin What is this o Pelagianisme Popery worse then both But 1. to evacuate the whole mystery of redemption 2. setting up a righteousnesse of works 3. yea making corrupt conscience in fallen man a Saviour 4. and fallen man sufficient to save himself 3. That searching the Scriptures is not the way to find out the Knowledge of Christ but the turning the mind within Contrary to that of Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of mee p Jo. 5.39 Q. Fol. 2. v. in fine Questions proposed to and answered By Joseph Frice Quaker Quest WHether the Scriptures be the rule of trying and judging all matters of Faith and obedience to God Answ I prove not Joh. 5.22 The father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son a A worthy proof if a man could see where the strength lay Quest Whether the light within be sufficient to guide to Salvation if you never had heard of the Bible Answ If I had never seen nor heard of the Bible yet beleiving the witnesse which God hath given which is Christ the light hope and glory in us I should have attained to the Knowledge of God b Obscure or false Quest Whether the teachings or writings of any of your way be infallible or of equal authority with the Scriptures Answ I say we do not erre in speaking of writing the Truth and that of God in all consciences shall one day witnesse this to be true and infallible and the Scriptures and our writings hath and will most certainly come to passe Quest Whether the Father the Word and the Spirit be three distinct persons in the self same Godhead Answ Three distinct persons I deny it is like the Bishops in Rome may own thee in them for that is some of their unfruitful works of darknesse Quest Whether Christ hath a divine and humane nature in one person Answ Thy words Humane nature I return them with those words three persons into the pit of confusion from whence they came Quest Whether Christ remains for ever a distinct person from all the Saints Answ but as for being a distinct person from all the Saints he is not Quest Whether the true Church hath failed upon earth since the death of the Apostles until now If not in what age or ages or among what people hath it continued Answ He can send all both great and small rich and poor bond and free to receive a mark in their foreheads or in their right hand Rev. 13. thus the true Church ceased since the death of the
Apostles until the raising up of Gods own feed out of the earth to stand a witnesse against wicked murderers and persecuters of the Saints and true Church of Christ Quest Whether the first day of the Week be more holy then any other of the Week Answ All the dayes of the Week as the Lord created them are holy unto the Saints who are redeemed from observing dayes and months and times and yeers These things are expresly asserted and subscribed Joseph Frice Now what shall we say to these things q 2 Thess 2 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Is it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 possible that ever such things could be entertained as truth were not that executed the Apostle speaks of being given up to strong delusions to beleive a Lie 2. Shall they be hearkned to by them that have received the gospel Is it not another Gospell r Gal. 1.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they bring 3. Can we look upon these dark and ungodly Tenents as light leading to more godliness greater perfection is the broad way to Hell the narrow way to Heaven 4. How can these men be received and bid God speed but we must be partakers of their evil deeds s 2 Joh. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were they minutiora small differences the strength of Charity might bear them but surely these horrid tenents that overthrow foundations and practise of them wast the conscience and destroy godlinesse are intollerable and the least Love and Zeal to God and Christ and Souls of men can never beare them CHAP. 7. Of Sundry Blasphemies against God and Railings agaist his Ministers FOr their tongues are set on fire of Hell as James phrases it and they have not withheld setting their Tongues against heaven and to bring railing accusations against the Messengers of the most high a little of this is too much the Christian Reader will be quickly weary of it and therefore we shall not be long 1. Of their Blasphemies Perfect Pharisee p. 3. Affiâ—med by George Fax and J. Naylor before witnesses who attest 1. Sauls errand p. 58 Lancaster Petition 1. That they are equal with God as holy just and good as God himself Pardon me if here my pen fail me who can tell what to say to such blasphemous saying Humility is a sign of grace such pride of the fulnesse of iniquity the Angels in heaven vail their faces but these impudent Creatures Devils incarnate dare outface heaven and vie with God there is but one step higher to affirm that they are above God but certainly if God give not repentance to such wicked wretches they will be below the worst of Heathen for they may not be called Christians Ford and Fowl Ans to Speed Atkinsons sword of the Lord. Houghill and Burrougs Ans to Reeve 2. That the being of God is not distinct from them that are begotten by him ignorant creatures that scarce know any thing that is thus to prate concerning the being of God of which the wisest and holyest men know rather Quid non sit quam quid sit what it is not then what it is 3. That the nature and glory of the elect differ not from the nature and glory of the creator for the elect are one with the creator in his nature enjoying his glory Neither knowing God nor themselves the finiteness of the creature nor the infinitenesse of the Creator because God speaks much of the onenesse and greatnesse of their glory therefore can there be none but identity of nature and equal participation of glory quoad omnia in every thing they may as well confound all and say the creature is the creator that the cause is the effect and effect the cause that a thing is from another and that thing is it self they have not only lost their Religion but reason pride ignorance hath made these men more equal to the Devil then God and indeed they almost say as much in totidem verbis in so many words 4. That God is not distinct from living creatures 5. That the Soul is a part of the Divine essence 6. That there is no distinction of persons in the Deitie Perfect Pharisee pag. 6. at the end of the gag p. 14. Is it not railing against father Son and Holy Ghost to say these 3. shall be damned shut up in perpetual darknesse for the lake and the pit as you say in your Ishmael p. 10. l. last Notwithstanding the expresse naming of them in Scripture 2. And their peculiar properties 3. As likewise attributing to every one of them those things which are only effected by a God 7. That Jesus Christ is God and man in one person is a lie whereby they run themselves upon extreams either with old Hereticks as Paulus Samo satenus Arius c. or making him instead of one Lord Jesus Christ two with Nestorius or confounding the divine and humane nature denying the Deity making a mixture with Eutychus and Dioscorus c. 8. That Christ was a man had his failings for he distrusted God on the Crosse Gilpin p. 2. quam bene conveniunt How well these things hang together 1. They must be equal to God Christ but a man r Heb. 4.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. They perfect but he a sinner Which besides that it makes 1. him uncapable to save is 2. diametrically contrary to the word he was made like to us in all things sin only excepted Perfect Pharisee p. 8. 9. That whosoever expects to be saved by him that died at Jerusalem shall be deceived when Christ unlesse you beleive that I am he you shall dye in your sins w and Peter neither is there under heaven given any other name * Act. 4.12 Fowl and Ford against Speed H. Clarke in his Description of the prophets p. 9. whereby we may be saved x 10. That singing Davids Psalms in English Meeter is to sing the Ballads of Hopkins and Sternehold King James his Fidlers and to sing them is to turn them into Lies and Blasphemies They would disannul the duty of singing they accustoming themselves to howling and roaring contrary to that of James is any merry let him sing Psalms y 2. Neither can they sing David Fr. Gawler See Antichrist in mab by Mr. Miller p. 7. Psalms in Davids Language 3. Neither are they able to judge how well or how ill they are translated but are ready to speak ill of what they know not 11. that that word 1. John 1.8 If we say we have no sin we dâ—ceive our selves was spoken by the carnal man It stares them so in the face they would fain out-face it and so overturns their Doctâ—ine of being without sin that they would willingly overturn it and will venture upon calling the Apostle a Carnal man rather then themselves should not be thought perfectly spiritual 12. For our giving forth Papers or printed Books it is from the immediate eternal Spirit