A VINDICATION OF THE People of GOD CALLED QUAKERS DIRECTED Unto Roger Boyle Called Earl of Orrery Charles Coote Called Earl of Mountrath Theophilus Iones Called Sir Theophilus Iones BEING AN ANSVVER To a BOOK dedicated to Them by one George Pressick of Dublin In which Book many Lyes and Calumnies are presented against the Innocent People of God And this is for the clearing of the TRUTH that no Lye may rest upon it And for the Satisfaction of all Sober People in Ireland and elsewhere With a Word of Good ADVICE to the Chief Governours there By E. B. London Printed for Robert Wilson in Martins Le Grand A VINDICATION Of the People of God called QUAKERS THere is Irreconcileable Enmity between the two Seeds to wit the Seed of God and the Seed of the Serpent and these two are alwayes opposite and contrary one to the other in Nature Fruits and Effects and the Seed of the Serpent is alwayes persecuting the Seed of God in every Age and Generation and they in whom the Seed of the Serpent is living and ruling are alwayes projecting and contriving mischief and hatred against the People and Servants of the Lord in whom the Seed of God liveth and reigneth as it is written He that is born of the flesh persecutes him that is born after the Spirit Thus it hath been in all generations and thus it is at this day Great is the opposition that is made by many in Lyes and Slanders in Reviling and Reproaching in Imprisoning and Persecuting and in all manner of evil works and words against the innocent People of God called Quakers How have the hands of ungodly men been lifted up to smite that People by many kinds of abuses and how have their tongues been set on fire to reproach and revile and slander in all kind of evil-speaking and all this for Righteousness-sake and not for any evil-doing For who is the man and where is he that can justly charge Evil upon that People either in Doctrine Faith or Practice or in any thing relating to their Religion to God-wards or in relation to their Conversations and Walking towards men It is true we have not wanted Accusers to every Authority but such and such things have been falsly charged against us and that to every Power that hath been since we were a People under whom we have been a Suffering People even from all that ever have sitten in the Throne since the Lord raised us up to bear witness of his glorious Name and Truth in the world Now the present occasion of this my present work is Forasmuch as we now stand accused of great and heinous Crimes in the view of this whole Kingdom of Ireland and more particularly before you Three in a Book called A brief Relation of some Remarkable Passages of the Anabaptists in Germany c. published by one Geo. Pressick of Dublin and dedicated in a special manner to you that his Work may passe with the greater Credit and his Slanders and Calumnies be received for Undoubted Truths Now that the Innocency of the Upright may be cleared and that no lye may rest upon the Truth nor that you neither any others may receive Falshoods for Verities because of our silence therefore it is that the Lord hath put it into my heart to defend the Cause of God and his People by returning plain and sober Answer to the principal parts of his Book wherein we are concerned and falsly charged and for the end that the false Accuser may be reproved and his Calumnies returned into his own evil and malicious heart from whence they came and that You and all men may be truly informed and prevented if possible of being seduced into the belief of falshoods lest that your hearts and hands should be stirred up to Act or Do in your Authority against the People whom God hath blessed and from the ground and cause of Mis-informations and false Accusations without better testimony which would be a way to destroy your selves and to bring the guilt of the unjust Sufferings of the Lords People upon your own heads which would draw down the heavy Wrath of God upon you I cannot flatter you by feigned words of Guile nor give you flattering Titles but I judge you are Reasonable men in that degree as to hear and consider our Defence aswell as our Enemies Charge and I hope you are wise in that degree as to judge between Truth and a Lye and to distinguish one from the other and I suppose you are just in that measure as to receive what ye know to be Truth and to reject what ye know to be False being convinced in your own Consciences and as such I must place my Plea before you particularly and make my Defence to your Iudgment Seat even to the Witness of God in your Consciences I intend and mean And I shall omit to say much to the Accuser himself as supposing him a man more full of envious raging humour than of solid and wise judgment to receive either reproof or conviction for many such as he I have dealt withall in this case whom I have found men so filled with prejudice that neither the Authority of sound Reason nor of the Word of God could convince them of their evil proceedings Therefore before you I shall state the particular Accusations and the Defence against them The way in which our Adversary hath proceeded in his Accusations is obscure and yet malicious enough and also in great ignorance for he tells you in his Epistle he hath gathered up out of several Authors the most remarkable passages both of the Doctrine and Practice of the Anabaptists so called in Germany 139 years ago and then he charges the same things upon the Anabaptists and Quakers as he scornfully calls them in these dayes and then he applauds you three in words of high stile for being instrumental to suppress their insolent tyrannical usurped Authority which they exercise over Gods People in this Nation to enslave us saith he to their insatiable lusts There are his own words in his Epistle Answ. In answer to all this divers things are very considerable which I desire to lay before you 1. Concerning the Anabaptists so called in Germany and their Doctrines and Practices with the several Transactions falling out in that time It is not my work now to plead their Cause nor yet can I justifie them in their proceedings if the relations given of them be true which are many and to me seems not in every thing credible because I find it were their Enemies who are our Authors who seldom give true relations of such whom they hate But be the Relations true or false it is not material in this case in hand for my occasion is not concerning a People so far off as in Germany and of so long time as above a hundred of years but I am to clear the Innocent who are now living from the present Accusations of an envious man though
to be innocent from these false Accusations 2. That we did arise from the Papists or that they are our Original in Doctrine Faith or Practice this is utterly false for between us and them is perfect separation and we are of another Spirit and divided from them as appears every way even by their persecuting of us for our Testimony bearing against them and their Religion and they have written against us and we against them divers Controversies and they have imprisoned divers of our Friends in their Dominions for giving Testimony against their wayes By all which it doth appear that we are not of the Papists line nor arisen from them for if we were of them they would love us and not persecute us and that herein we are falsly accused as in other things And this is an old out-dated Accusation and is of no account for now we are otherwise known through these Kingdoms and we are manifest to the Consciences of men in the sight of God to be such as fear the Lord and walk in his wayes 3. And as for our Original It is the Lord God alone that hath raised us up and planted us a People that were not a People in times past And not from the Apostate Christians neither of Papists nor Protestants so called are we sprung but are of the Apostles line and of the stock and race of the true Christians that believed in Christ and followed him and in every part of our Religion both in Faith and Practice and in Conversation we are agreeing with the holy Apostles being witnessed unto by the Scriptures in all that we profess and practise and the Lord hath raised us up out of the Apostacy into which all Christendom hath been fallen since the Apostles dayes whilest Antichrist hath reigned over the World and we are as the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb since the falling away from the true Faith and Truth and Righteousness is our Original and Christ Iesus is our Foundation on whom we are builded and the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against us and this Testimony the Spirit of God giveth for us and in us in Contradiction of the false Accusations of all our enemies 4. And if it be an offence to be risen from the Papists and if all that be evil which they are the Original of then the Protestants so called are in the offence and their Ministry and the chief part of their Church-Government Worship and Ordinances are evil for did not the Protestants spring from the Papists and did not the Papists institute the Way by which the Protestants make Ministers at Schools and Colledges And was it not they that first instituted Sprinkling of Infants and calling it Baptism into the Faith and into the Church And was it not the Papists that first taught the Protestants to keep holy dayes as Christmasse and Candlemasse so called And many other particular things relating to the Protestants Church Ministry and Worship were originally ordained and first practised by the Church of Rome and Papists And so while this false Accuser is charging others himself and the men of his way are found guilty of the same things and the Papists may justly say to the Protestants that they are false-hearted to them in denying of them and their Church when as their fathers were the Instituters of the principal parts of the Protestants Worship and Ordinances and so they like unnatural Children have denyed their Mother that bred them up and ordained them a way of making Ministers and maintaining them and many other parts of their Religion But because she hath not been the National Interest for these many years therefore the Church of the Protestants have denied the Church of Rome though originally they rose out from her The next thing in his Book I take notice of is where he seemeth to charge us with boasting that we talk with God and God with us and have Revelations and as if God commanded them to kill all the Wicked and to make a new World A Sect in Saxony saith the Accuser arose that held this and the Quakers now are like them which is as much as charging all this upon us Answ. 1. That we do boast of talking with God or of Revelation This is another of his false Accusations for we boast not nor do we glory in any thing saving in the Lord and this is no Error but that which we must acknowledge unto or else deny the Truth to talk with God and God with us in and by his own Spirit for all the Saints have converse with God and union and fellowship with him in his own Spirit as the Scriptures do declare And as for Revelations we do acknowledge according to Christs words that we had never known the Father not the Son but by Revelation For none know the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him as it is written and all such as have not converse with God and that have not Revelation are not in the way of Eternal life but are ignorant and without God in the world and neither know him nor have fellowship with him 2. As for killing all the Wicked this is another false Charge for it is not our principle to war against the persons of any men and kill them with carnal weapons about Church and Ministry and Religion as the Papists and Protestants do one with another but it is our Principle to war against the evil spirit in men and to smite that with the Spiritual Sword of Gods Word and we would have mens Wickedness killed and their Persons saved and their Souls delivered and this is the War we make even till men be changed by the Power of God and all things made new even a new World and a new Earth we do expect according to the Lords promise so that it 's no errour to expect a New Earth and a New World for there is a New Creation which the Saints do witness created a new in Christ Iefus to bring forth good fruits unto the living God and all that do not witness this are in the transgression of the old Creation which brings the Wrath of God Again The Accuser tells a story of one that prosessed the gift of discerning Spirits and to know the Elect from Reprobates and that made Holiness to consist in speaking little and living homely and sordidly as our Quakers do saith he Answ. 1. As for discerning of spirits that is gift which the Saints of God do receive in all Ages for the Apostle said to some was given the discerning of spirits by the manifestation of the Spirit of God So to profess discerning of spirits is no errour in us though it be stated as a great errour before you by an ignorant man who knows not what he saith nor whereof he affirms And it 's possible to know the Elect from Reprobates by their fruits and works for the Children of God who are the Elect are known by their
God that gave forth the Scriptures and it is not Latine Greek or Hebrew that teacheth to understand the Scriptures but it is the Spirit of God and to whomsoever that Spirit is given and God gives it to whom he pleaseth they only are fit to declare the things of God unto others and to expound Scriptures and none else but them who have experience of the operation of the Spirit in their own hearts and this we hold and believe 6. Concerning ordinary Calling and speaking as he is inspired I say the Scriptures no where speak of ordinary calling and if by ordinary Calling it be meant calling to any Office in the Church without the Spirit of God I say there was no such Calling for the Ministry of Christ in the Apostles dayes was called by the holy Spirit and the Ministry of the true Church is made ordained and called according to the gift of Gods holy Spirit which he giveth And as every one saith Peter hath received the gift of the Spirit so let him administer the same one to another So that it is manifest by the Scriptures that the Call to the Ministry in the Apostles dayes was not of man nor by man saith Paul but according to the gift of the holy Anoiming the Spirit of God And also every one in the true Church might speak as it was revealed to them for saith Paul If any thing be revealed to another that stands by let the first hold his peace for ye may all speak one by one that all may be edified So that it is no errour to hold that every one in the true Church may speak as the Spirit of God gives them utterance and to whom the things of God are revealed by the Spirit 7. That there are Popish Agents among us and that such are our Ring-leaders this is a false slander and you ought to put the Accuser to prove it it is your duty so to do and that such Popish Agents be named and where they are And I challenge the Accuser to name One among us or else let him stop his mouth for a Lyar who hath abused your Names with dedicating Untruths to you for your approof Again He accuseth us for saying The Spirit bloweth where it listeth and he saith we judge none have the Spirit but our selves Answ. 1. Christ himself said The wind bloweth where it listeth and so is every one that is born of the Spirit And we do judge God hath given of his Spirit to many that are yet ungodly and many are convinced of sin by the Spirit of God in their Consciences that are wicked and ungodly who are not of us but yet we say as the Saints in Ages past said We know that we are of God and that the whole world lies in wickedness and they that are of God hear us and are one with us and we do inform all People to the measure of the Spirit of God in their Consciences that they may come to the knowledge of God and to be one with us Again He accuseth us to be acted by the same deluding spirit as John of Leyden was acted by Answ. 1. What spirit Iohn of Leyden was acted by we now dispute not neither doth this Accuser well know but what he hath from the Reports of others which may be false as like as true in some particulars but the Spirit that we follow is the Spirit of God by which we are acted in the wayes of Truth and Righteousness and are not deluded nor followers of a deluding spirit for we are willing to be â—ied in our Doctrines and Practices according to the Scriptures and though we stand accused of these and the like things yet we challenge him to prove it before you and that we may be admitted to make our defeace and we shall the rather easily prove that our Accuser is acted by the spirit of the Devil who is an Accuser of the Brethren like the Devil and that is a deluding spirit that teacheth men to backbite lye and slander as this man hath done so he is proved fully guilty of that whereof he hath accused others and must own the shame and condemnation to himself which he would bring upon others Again The Accuser chargeth us that we would neither have King Magistrates nor Ministers but of our selves c. Answ. 1. I have before mentioned what kind of Rulers and Governours we would have even such as are just men and men of Truch and Righteousness and that hate Covetousness and every evil way and such are of us even such we would have to reign as are approved of God who would be a praise to them that do well and a terrour to evil-doers and that would only rule and reign for the Lord exercising and executing his Righteous Laws by the Spirit of God and such will be blessed in their Authority 2. And till such only rule and bear the Sword of Iustice in the Earth we do know peace and happiness can never be in the Kingdoms of the World but divisions and confusions will arise and be brought forth for it is the only Blessedness of a Government in any Nation when the Authority it self is just and according to God and when such as bear the execution thereof are Iust Kings Righteous Magistrates and Ministers of Iustice that will judge for God and not for man and we seek not the place of Government in this World nor do we intrude our selves into such places though this we say while that spirit reigns and rules in the Nations of the Earth which is not of God but contrary to us Peace and Happiness in good Government amongst men through the World can never be though we are truly subject to whatsoever Authority is set over us by doing or suffering Then the Accuser speaks of teaching the wayes of Righteousness and saith according to this the Quakers have gone through Ireland and he speaks of Gods wrath following for hardness of heart and this saith he is just like the Quakers Doctrines now Answ. That the Quakers scornfully so called have gone through Ireland and through many other Nations of the world to teach and preach Truth and Righteousnesse this is true and without occasion of an evil Charge against them for so doing and the Lord hath prospered us and been with us to the turning of many from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God and we have testimony in the Consciences of many for the truth of our Doctrines and Practices and this is not Errour nor Heresie to proclaim the Wrath of God because of the hardness of Peoples hearts for that is the portion of all hard-hearted men and we are not ashamed of this Doctrine for it is according to the Scriptures of Truth and but that this Accuser is given up to blindness of mind he would never have mentioned these things as against us nor used our names in reproach in this matter And lastly Whereas he saith some of the
Quakers say they are Iews and are not but are of the Synagogue of Satan and thou chargest Iames Naylor with saying that he was Christ and that one should say George Fox was Iohn Baptist and such false Prophets and Prophesies we have heard too much of c. Answ. 1. That they say they are Iews and are not are such as have a name to live but are dead who say and do not but we are not such so this his Charge is false and wicked and of the Synagogue of Satan he doth manifest himself to be by his accusing of the Brethren And as for Iames Naylor he never said he was Christ though this hath been cast as a foul reproach upon him by others yet it never was proved against him lawfully nor any thing tending thereunto saving that he said Christ was in him as he is in every Member of his Body according to measure And as for the story of George Fox there are many such lying stories that have gone abroad in these Nations in opposition to the Truth of God made manifest but over all these things Truth hath gotten the victory and the Lords Work must prosper in the Earth and all Lyars must be confounded and have their portion in the Lake And this is our portion from the World as Christ said They shall speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my Name sake but great shall be your reward in Heaven And this is for a testimony against them that our Enemies are of the Devil and for a testimony to us that we are of God And thus I have returned Our Defence before you against his several Lyes and Slanders and it is left to the Witness of God in your Consciences to be Judge in this Case between us and him and if you be cloathed with the Spirit of Moderation and Meekness and will judge according to Equity I doubt not but the Case is clear against our Adversary who wrongfully and to a wicked and evil intent hath hatched mischief against us and brought it forth before you and we desire nothing of Revenge towards him for his evil work but do leave him to be rewarded of the Lord who will justly give him and all men according to their deeds And now I have a few Considerations to present unto you Three in particular as such in that capacity who bear Rule in this Land 1. Consider how that you are set in Place and Authority and ought to judge and govern for God alone and to be a Terror to all evil-doers and a Praise to all that do well and the living God requireth of you to do Iustice Truth and Righteousnesse in the Land to hear the Cry of the Widow and Fatherlesse and to judge uprightly the cause of the Poor without respect to your own self-ends and ye ought to be meek and humble men in your Places of Care and Trust which is committed unto you and take heed that your hearts be not lifted up in the honour of high places and so Iudgment Mercy and Truth be neglected and Oppressions and Cruelties be brought forth Consider that if ye do Iustice and Righteousness and walk humbly with the Lord and exercise Mercy and Truth in the Land and hear the Cry of the Poor and deliver the Afflicted then the Lord can make you a Blessing to your selves and to the People But if you be proud and exalted and ambitious and vain-glorious and exercise Cruelty and Oppression and tread down the Poor and vex the Needy and grieve the Lord God by your Iniquities then God will cast you down and lay your honoue in the dust and make you a Curse and a Reproach and your Names and Memorial shall be a stink and the justice of the Lords hand shall effect it 3. Consider that yeare men and not God and your strength flesh and not Spirit and there is a God greater than all who is above all who can suddenly in a moment save his People and destroy his Enemies and he can break you down and never raise you up he can turn his hand upon you and all mankind as the Potter doth with his clay even tread it and mould it for honour or dishonour and if his Spirit blow upon you and if he smite you you perish and none can restore you Take heed to this God and have respect unto him and remember you are but as dust before him and you now have a time for a moment which the Lord hath given you to try you what you will do and how you will walk towards him an Account unto him must you give of all your wayes Remember this now in your life-time while you have time and the day of your visitation is not quite extinguished 4. Be tender and compassionate towards all men not perverse hasty and froward thinking to bow men to your wills by rigour but rather win them by love and this is of good report to you to be humble meek and tender towards all even towards your enemies and insult not over the Afflicted neither add to their sufferings for the Lord can raise up and bring down whomsoever he will according to his pleasure and remember that Law to walk by it Do to others but as ye would have others do unto you in the same case and be not too cruel to such who cannot conform to times and things and men for what know you but some mens Consciences may be tender in things which you yet make no conscience of Meddle not to persecute any for their Conscience-sake in Religious matters but rule and govern well in outward affairs according to the Law of God but afflict not nor persecute any for their Conscience-sake towards God while they walk justly as men in things between man and man take this Counsel lest ye vex the Lord against you to destroy you 5. Be moderate and compassionate towards this same People that are accused before you though they are at this day a People under great afflictions and sufferings every way yet shew not the height of Rigour and Oppression against them though you have power to imprison them and to deal hardly with them yet be tender and meek and shew bowels of mercy and forbearance and use not the extent of your Power to seek their destruction lest ye provoke the Lord against your selves for the God of Heaven remembreth their Cause and doth give ear to the cry of their Innocent groanings under their heavy burdens and Deliverance may he work for them whether you will or no Though it be an hour of Affliction and a day of great Tryal upon them yet Wo unto them that shall be found adding to their Afflictions by encreasing their burdens through Injustice and Persecution Therfore as ye hope to receive mercy from the Lord and as ye would have his compassion shewed to you do the same to his People for power is in your hands to be merciful or cruel to relieve them or persecute