suppose is much wrested about that point is it not Res. Yea very much For they that are against it heapeth up all the Scripture-places that possibly they can of the Saints failings of their expressions spoken in the time of their warfare and places of Scripture they produce which was spoken of men in their unconverted estate and these Scriptures they wrest pervert and doth add their meanings and conceivings unto them therefore it is that thousands hath so much to say against that point which they will as earnestly plead against as any other particular thing that is in dispute among men at this day Enq. What such men are they that do wrest the Scripture and differs so much in their inâ—â—rpretatiâ—ns which these People cryes so much against Res. They are such as are unstable and unlearned who errs not knowing the Spirit nor the guidings and leadings thereof but are truce-breakers and incontinent who seek to subvert whole Countries by their delusions which people are led into by giving heed unto their false interpretations which they give of the holy Scripture which is of no private interpretation and they are such as gain-say the truth being pâ—oud and presumptuous doting about questions and strife of words unruly and vain talkers such as teach things which they ought not for filthy lucre sake these such like do these people cry out against for each of them do wrest and pervert the Scripture to their own ends seeking thereby to confirm their erronious opinions which are contrary to Scripture and contrary to Truth so that these people have good reason to testifie against them being that the Name of God is so much dishonored by them and the holy Scripture sâ—â—â—taordinarily wrested among them by the different interpretations thereof Enq. How dâ— these people understand the Scripture Is there not strife and contenton aâ—mong them about the meaning of it Res. By the same spirit by which theâ— were guided that spoke forth the Scripture do these People understand it every one oâ— them according to their measures and the light in which they walk doth give theâ—â—â—he same understanding in the holy Scripâ—â—ure which they had that spake forth 〈◊〉 â—cripture although many among them 〈◊〉 â—rt of so large a measure as the Authors the holy Scripture had yet that underâ—â—ding which God hath given them by holy Spirit is the same which holy men God had in its measure so that they far from striving and contending about meaning thereof among themselves for 〈◊〉 which the light opens to one is not â—tradicted by them that are in the light â— therefore they are at peace among â—â—selves and in unity one with another Enq. It is reported of them that they go inâ—any Churches to disturb them and that â— speak before the Minister have ended and â—ieth themselves unruly in the time of his â—ed Devotion is this true 〈◊〉 'T is true some of them have gone inâ—any Congregations as Lambs among â—lves in obedience to the motions of the â—er of the Lord and in the Assembly 〈◊〉 have spoken that which was revealed â—hem while they stood by and he that â—ld have holden his peace who had first â—en left his matter in hand and cryed 〈◊〉 Constable or an Officer to take him â—y that begun to speak his Revelation 〈◊〉 the unruly speaker that should have â—en his peace and kept the people in orâ—â— beginning to be so â—urious and angry â—â—st the other this occasioned great disorder in the Congregation which 〈◊〉 have been prevented if the spirit of the Speaker had been subject to the spirit him that had the Revelation then mâ— the thing have been done decently anâ— order according to the rule of the 〈◊〉 â—stle I Cor. 14 30 32 40. And as toucâ— carrying of themselves unreverently 〈◊〉 is said of them because they do not their hat in the time of their Prayer join with them in their unholy devotiâ—â— which they are not free unto neither 〈◊〉 they bid them God speed because 〈◊〉 know that they are out of the Doctrinâ— Christ â— offering unacceptable sacrificeâ— which act these people will not be paâ—â—kers but for any of them to go purpoâ—â— with an intent to disturb any Congreâ—â— on I believe such a thing hath never enâ— into their thoughts for commonly 〈◊〉 they have gone upon service for the 〈◊〉 to such places it hath been in the crossâ— their own wills whose lives have beeâ— great danger in them houses called Câ—â—ches and much of their blood have 〈◊〉 spilt many bruises they have gotten most shamefully have they been intreaâ— handled in them places called Churcâ— by those that have resorted unto them this hundreds will witness and testifie 〈◊〉 â— been eye-witnesses of it â—nq It is a strange thing that they will not from such places then had they not better â—ill and quiet and molest none then so to â—ard their lives or at least to take other opâ—unities then when People are at Church â—es The thing is strange in the eyes of 〈◊〉 that they should so as it were haâ— their lives among unreasonable men seeketh to do them mischief but that â—er of the Lord by which they are moâ—o go to such places doth oftentimes â—culously preserve them and into his 〈◊〉 they commit their life who hath giâ—t them the which they could freely â—own for the truth's sake if therâ—unto were called Now if they should moâ—ny in their own wils by speaking their words to them they had better be still â—iet then to do so but if the Lord move 〈◊〉 to speak to any or to go to any place had better obey him then bear his â—emâ—nts for disobedience if the parâ—oken unto be one that cannot bear â—d Doctrine then will they be offended â—olested by him that speaketh like as â—ziah Amos 7. 12 13. was molested Amos and therefore would he have â—im to have fled into another Land â—ot to have prophesied at Bethel because it was the Kings Chappel and Court as now several there are 〈◊〉 would not have these people to come their Churches because the congregaâ—â—on is disturbed by them like as the Kiâ—â— Court Chappel was disturbed by mos and the Synagogues of the Jews Christ and the Apostles and many 〈◊〉 perswade them to the contrary but 〈◊〉 perswasions of such they do no more gard then Amos regarded the perswâ—ons of Amaziah Enq. What go they to Churches then cause Amos went to the Kings Chapâ— and because Christ and the Apostles wenâ— the Sâ—nagogues as their manner was Res. O no if they had no other grouâ— then were they but wilful imitators 〈◊〉 like unto the false Prophets who run wâ— the Lord had not sent them but these 〈◊〉 are moved by the same power 〈◊〉 moved Amos to go the Kings Chapâ— by the same power I say are they moâ— to go to steeple-houses other place bear testimony unto the same truth 〈◊〉 Amos held forth the same
The Moderate ENQUIRER RESOLVED In a plain description of several Objections which are summed up together and treated upon by way of Conference concerning the contemned People commonly called QUAKERS who are the Royal Seed of God and whose innocency is here cleared in the Answers to the many Objections that are frequently produced by their Opposers Which may be profitable for all to read that have any thing against them and useful for all such as desire to know the certainty of those things which are most commonly reported of them Written in the behalf of the brethren in vindication of the Truth by VV. C. The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Prov. 4 19. The simple believeth every word but the prudent man looketh well to his going Prov. 14. 15. London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1658 TO THE READER My Friend For as much as many of these People have tâ—ken in hand to set forth large declarations of those things which are most surely believed among them even as they have received them from the Lord it seemed good to me also having had perfect knowledge of the things herein contained to publish them to the view of many people accordingly as they were laid before me in the light of truth that all such as are inquisitive to understand the certainty of those things which are usually reported of these People might be further informed satisfied and resolved Moreover Reader if certain strange things have been brought to thy ears concerning these People and that thou art desirous to know the truth of them as the Athenians were to know what Paul's new Doctrine meaned then this small Booke is very suitable for thee and if thou looke it over with patience moderation and sobriety I shall account thee more noble in that particular then they that should reject it and account it not worthy of reading as they have â—one others of the writings of theâ—e People who have written most excellent things according to the wisdom given unto them in which writings there are many things hard to be understood which ev l men terms error and blasphemy but be thou wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil THE Moderate Enquirer RESOLVED Enquirer I Hear great rumors and reports of a People called â—uakers which should be risen up in these last dayes Canst thou tell me what a People they are When they arose By whom they were raised And to what end Resolver I do believe thee that great Rumors and Reports thou hearest of them but know this that the generality of the Reports which are reported of them are mixed with untruths Therefore have patience a little and by the Lords assistance I shall endeavour rightly to inform thee so far as I am allowed of God shaâ—l also seek fully to resolve thee concerning them but thy first demand cannot in a few words be answered but afterwards it may more fully yet in a word or two I say They are a People that fears God above all the Families of the Earth and that do worship him in his ovvn vvay viz. in spirit and in truth they do also love God above all and their neighbour as themselves â— They were raised up from death to life about eight or nine years ago and since the year 52 they have much multiplied and encreased for the blessing of the Lord hath been and to this day doth rest upon them and by him who causeth them to multiply were they raised up for this very end and purpose to praise and magnifie his Name in the earth who is God over all blessed for ever to publish his living Truth abroad that his salvation might be known unto the ends of the earth therefore hath he manifested his eternal power in them by which the world shall be overturned Enq. Thoâ— speakest strange things oâ— them which if I knew that thou spake the truth I would become one of them for unto such a people I desire to be united Res. Thou novv seemest to vvonder but if a third part of the dealings of the Lord vvith them vvere declared in thy hearing then thou vvoulst stand astonished to hear vvhat the Lord hath done for them but peradventure thou art one of them that cannot believe it though men should declare it unto thee and vvhereas thou â—aisâ— â— If thou knew that I spoke the truth thou wouldst become one of them for unto such a people thou desirest to be united c. But consider it is not an easie matter to become one of them in truth to be united to them in the spirit yet it is an easie matter to come among them and to conform unto them but before thou become one of them united to them thou must be turned from darkness to light from the power of Satan unto God and then thou wilt become as they are and where they are thou wilt be also then thou wilt come to receive the desire of thy soul as they have done Enq. Thou thy self giveâ— a good report of them â—ut I hear otherwiâ—e abroad in the world where one speaks well of them there is a hundred that cryes out against them and their errors and blasphemies and dâ—mnable doctrines Reâ—f My testimony is true which I give of them for I am one that hath perfect understanding of the dealings of the Lord with them and am very frequent among them and far be it from me to extend beyond the truth in any particular or â—o fall from my testimony which I could â—eal with my blood â—f thereunto called And what if thou hear thousands in the world controuling of them exclaiming out against them esteeming them not fit to live upon the earth this may the more confirm thee that they are of God for if they were of the world the world would love them and if they spake of the world the world would hear them but because the Lord hath chosen them out of the world therefore doth it hate them and cry out against their doctrines and opinions and doth suppose them to be erronious blasphemous damnable but their censuring supposing of them to be so doth not make them so for the Jews supposed Christ to be a blasphemer but he was not the same generation supposed the Apostles to be movers of sedition pestilent fellows but they were not and at that time they were by more condemned then owned as many examples might be produced but I believe thou thy self art not ignorant of this Enq. No no but I onely tell thee what I hear of this People I my self do not say that they are such but I would gladly be informed of the truth of the things reported of them for it is a good sign to me that all men speak evil of them it is so much the more apparent that they are of God for his people was always hated of the
world Res. This is but words springing forth of â—heir persecutors and back-biters will not say the same to their face when they are present to answer for themselves and for the Truth But tell me couldst thou with Mâ—ses rather sâ—ffer affliction with such a people to wit Imprisonment spoiling of thy Goods loss of thy good name and reputation and be bitten with the Priests mouths to be deprived of thy liberty estate to be seperated from thy wife and children kindreds and relations wouldst thou suffer this for the truth's sake as these people are ready to do when they are thereunto called Would not this cross fall on thee heavy this way prove to thee strait and this gate narrow Wouldst thou not rather chuse to enjoy the pleasures of sin the delights and vanities of the world the pleasures and renown thereof while that thou livest in the same thou maist enquire after the certainty of the reports which are reported of those that are redeemed from those things in which thou livest and confess the truth of that which they possess and thou thy self be out of it Enq. That is true but I hope we need not be so severe and strict so wilâ—ul as to leavâ— our wives and children and callings for dost 〈◊〉 not know that he that doth not provide for his Family is worse then an Infidel Res. Thou canst not be too strict and severe in godliness but thou waist be too wilful peevish and perverse in wickedness too faithless in trusting God to provide for those that he hath given thee in that particular thou maist be as an Infidel thy self or as one of the Gentiles which seeketh after things pertaining to this life saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithall shall we be cloathed but by taking of thought they cannot add one cubit unto their stature Now if thou come to the light wherewith Jesus Christ hath enlightned thee it will bring thee to the faith of Gods elect by which the ust doth live and then thou wilt come to provide things honest in the sight of all men to be diligent in the creation serving the Lord in thy place calling wherein thou art to abide and not voluntarily to leave thy wife children without providing for thy Family that which is honest decent and fitting otherwise thou wilt be condemned by the light in thy conscience which is a swift witness against all wilfulness peevishness and perversness both in Jew and Gentile Enq. Well these things doth pertain to oneâ— own particular â—hich indeed are good in themsâ—â—ves but I woulâ— be further informed â—oncernâ—â—g these people called quakers in general I would have thee tell me how they came to have that name and who gave it them Res. To speak of things which concerns ones own particular is commonly the most beneficial but it is the property of fools to be busie in other mens matters but let us come to thy question how they came to have that name the which I intend to declare unto thee if the Lord will After that the Lord had visited them in his everlasting love and convinced them of his eternal truth then did he manifest his eternal power in them which made the strong man to bow himself and the keepers of the house to tremble by the operation of which power the bodies of some of these people came to be shaken like as David's was and this being apparent unto many spectators who despised and wondred at the workings of the power of the Lord these despisers and wonderers who were also scorners did from hence give these people this Name so that thou may take notice that it was the generation of scorners that gave them it Enq. Now I understand it but thou hints David as though he had been a quaker 't is true fearfulness trembling came uâ—on him but was there any other of the holy men of God that quaked if so why then do the people think it so strange now Res. The work of the Lord was eveâ— strange to the world for when David quâ—ked trembled and roared all they thaâ— saw him laught him to scorn so that hâ— was a reproach of men and despised of the people and his words do the scoffers and scorners oâ— this generation read and sing and reproacheth and despiseth them thaâ— tremble quake at the Word of the Lord as he did There were other of the holy men of God that were quakers as for example Moâ—es he was one that did fear and quake and the Prophet Haba kuk his lips quivered his belly shook and rottennesâ— entred into his bones and that was strange to the men of his generation like as David's quakings and roarings was strange and wonderful in his dayes and several more examples might be instanced by which the ignorance of this generation might more fully be understood and manifested Some of which hath not been afraid to call the power of God which hath made thesâ— people to quake and tremble Wiâ—chcraft and to say that it was of the Devil but they were such as spoke evil of Dignities and did erre not knowing the Scripture which speaketh of quakers nor the power of God which causeth the fleshly man to quake and the keepers oâ— the house to tremble the which these people do witness Enq. But as touching their Worship or the manner of it what is it Read they sing they or pray they in their Meetings Or deny they singing and praying as is reported of them Res. Their manner of Worship doth differ very much from the world and they that are of the world can neither take pleasure nor delight in it for when they come together they wait upon the Lord in his light it may be sometimes two or three hours in silence and sometime it hapneth that in less space then one hour some of them may be moved to speak more or less to the edifying of the rest in the mosâ— holy Faith but their Worship consisteth not in words but in spirit and in truth and in the light of truth they read their own conditions which light doth open unto them the misteries of the kingdom And for singing and praying they do them both with the spirit and with understanding but the formal singing and praying of the world which is not in the spirit nor with understanding this they do deny for they see that God is not honored by it and that which dishonoureth God they disown but that which honoreth and exalteth him alone to that their souls are united and dearly they do it own Enq. But this doth seem very strange 〈◊〉 me that they should sit some hours together silence had they not better read pray anâ— sing that they might thereby get the motionâ— the spirit by exercising of themselves in sâ—cred devotion Res. It seemeth not strange unto theâ— alone but unto thousands more who canâ— not apprehend that which they are
live in the life of immortality which was made manifest in the Saints of old so that the same light life spirit and power is now made manifest among the Saints and to the truth of this these people can set their seals who are made partakers of the same according to their measure Enq. Have they then revelations now by the same Spirit Or is there any miracles wrought among them by the same power Res. Yea they have revelations by the same spirit which revealed the myâ—teries of God in former ages to the Saints for if they had not revelations how should they come to the knowledg of the Father whom none knows but by the revelation of the Son and by the mighty power of God miracles hath been wrought amongst them and miraculous things hath been brought to pass in a mystery which is hid from all vulterous eyes living and they are privy to these things who are witnesses of the power of God which hath wrought them but from scoffers scorners dispisers and wonderers these things are concealed Enq. But such would have a sign that they might believe and be convertâ—d also would they not Res. Yea but none must be given them but that of Ionah for they are of the adulterous generation that seeketh one saying Shew us a sign or work us a miracle that we may believe that your God is the living God and that he hath sent you c. Now they that will not believe and be converted without a sign would no more believe be converted if one were shewed them then they would have been perswaded to have repented by one that had been raised up from the dead when they rejected Moses and the Prophets Luke 16. 31. Enq. But thou spake of miracles being wrought among these people do they all work miracles Is the gift of prophesie given to all Or have they diversity of gifts Res. They do not all work Miracles neither do they all prophesie for they have differences of administrations but the same Lord diversities of operations but the same God who hath given to one by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit to another discerning of Spirits so that they have received diversities of gifts but the same Spirit Enq. Have not every one of them receivedâ— according to their ability and are they not in several states and conditiâ—ns Res. Yea some of them have received one talent some two some five and they boast not of that which they have because they have received it from him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift their conditions are also divers for there are fathers young men and babes among them and some there are who do not yet witness the birth brought forth which is begotten by the immortal Word of life noâ—v he that is the strongest among men will bear with the weakest and he that is the greatest among them will become servant to the least and when one among them is overtaken with a fault they that are spiritual doth restore such an one with the Spirit of meekness for sometimes they that are weak among them doth that which the witness of God in them alloweth not to the witness they consent wch convinceth them of the evil that they do through weakness which their soul hates and a law in their members they find which warreth against the law of their mind by which they are somtimes brought into captivity to the law of sin so that they cry out as Paul did in his warfare O wretched man that I am c. yet herein they find comfort that with their minds they serve the law of God though with their flesh in which no good thing dwelleth the law of sin these are such as are not yet come through the law nor to the end of the warfare but finds daily the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh Enq. Well is not that a good condition Did ever any Saint come further in this life Or are any of these people made free from the law of sin by any other law Res. The time of the warfare must be known and passed through by as many as comes to be made free through him who is the end of the Law for righteousness sake and he that is faithful to the Lord in the light which brings to the warfare the same will bring him through the warfare yea to the Law of the spirit of life by which some of the people are made free from the law of sin and death in Christ Jesus and this the Saints witnessed in whom the righteousness of the Law was fulfilled through which they are come unto him who is the end of the Law and the Prophets by whom they are made free from the Law that being dead wherein they were held and they become dead to it by the body of Christ which was made a curse for them to redeem them from the curse of the Law so that they are now no more under the Law but under Grace Enq. But what do they expect to be perfect or free from sin in this life What ground have they for this in Scripture Was such a state ever commanded or witnessed by any of whom the Scripture doth speak Res. That which is perfect is manifested in them and by that they wait to be perfected for perfection is that which they earnestly press after and have hope to attain unto the fulness of it for they do believe that God would not command and require that of men which could not possibly be attained for he that said Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father which is in heaven is perfect he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified and among such as were sanctified and perfected for ever did Paul preach wisdom their perfection he wished who had not then attained to it but were pressing after it as many of these people are now who expecteth to be made free from sin as the Saints were Rom. 6. 18. and by the blood of Jesus they hope to be cleansed from all sin that being throughly sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water through the Word they might be presented to him a glorious people not having spot or wrinkle nor any such thing but that they might be holy perfected for ever but this seems incredible unto many who are not yet come to the godly sorrow for sin which worketh repentance but these people whose eyes the Lord hath opened do see a possibility in the thing they are not without faith but that they shall obtain it and therefore go they on unto it and will proceed if the Lord permit who hath manifested that in them which is perfect by which he will bring them and hath brought some of them to the perfection of purity and to the beauty of holiness where Halelujah is sung unto the Most High Enq. The Scripture I