Covetous Persecuting Priests who make a Trade of Preaching and of the Scriptures and such whom the Prophet Isaiah called greedy dumb Dogs Isa. 56. 10 11. How will F. B. prove such Christ's Ministers or Gospel Ministers We have but his bare say-so for it but want proof for it wherein he does but meerly impose upon us to Vilifie us and Ingratiate himself into Favour with that sort of the Clergy who are most Guilty of the Sin of Covetousness and Persecution The Mocker again repeats his false and empty Boast by way of Question p. 12. viz. Why then will you not bring forth Sheba the Son of Bichri the Man of Belial G. W Is there not a wise Man amongst you His Cruel Mocking and Calumny in this unjust Comparison is denied no doubt his Malice is cruel and deadly enough to bring G. W. to Sheba's End if he had Power or could with any Colour or Pretence bring him under Sheba's Crime of Treason or lifting up his Hand against the King 2 Sam. 20. 21 22. For doth not this Mocker's Language Comparison and Treatment of this kind bespeak his deadly Malice and Design He goes on with his empty boasting viz. He tells you That I wrong the Quakers in Charge Citation and Observation ☞ Bring him forth according to his Proposal and you will see it proved that I have not As it was G. W's part to make good his Proposal or Charge against F. B. so he hath greatly endeavoured a Meeting with F. B. in London before Witnesses for the same purpose but evaded by F. B. on other Terms than were in the said Proposal as is before related Now he has no cause to cry Bring him forth according to his Proposal For that is abundantly proved in the Answers before-mentioned Whereas F. B. further boasts G. W. hath wrote to divers Clergy-men to prevail with me to desist they give me his Letters and wish me good Success p. 12. The Clergy-men which G. W. wrote to were William Smithies of Cripplegate London and Isaac Archer of Milden-hall in Suffolk which was to shew them some of his foul Abuses and Calumnies to try them as having a particular Interest in him if they would stop him Why did he not Print G. W's Letters to them and to himself too also But thereby his Abuses and sorry evasive Shifting would have been the more apparent Wherefore seeing he boasts of their wishing him good Success these Two Questions are put to you the said William Smithies and Isaac Archer viz. Q. 1. Do you really in your Consciences Approve of Francis Bugg's writing Books and Pamphlets against the People called Quakers as he hath done Q. 2. Do you really Approve of his Books and Pamphlets writ by him against the said People as namely of these in particular under these Titles viz. 1. The Quakers Detected Printed 1686. 2. New Rome Vnmask'd 1692. 3. New Rome Arraigned which hath in it his Pretended Trial and Pillory Printed in 1693. 4. New Rome Arraigned Second Impression without the Pillory 1694. 5. His Impeachment pretended in Behalf of the Commons of England 1695. 6. A Second Summons 7. His Sheet stiled Something in Answer to the Allegations of the Quakers in their Printed Case presented to the House of Commons December 1695. But the Second Edition whereof stiled The Converted Quaker's Answer to the Allegations of his Old Brethren the Quakers c. CHAP. VIII An Appendix to the foregoing Controversies in Certain Positions of the Sincere Belief and Christian Doctrine of the People of God called Quakers in Opposition to the Misrepresentations and Calumnies of F. Bugg and other Apostates in his pretended History of the Quakers and other his and their Books and Pamphlets 1. WE the said People are bound in Conscience and Duty by the Holy Spirit and Light of Christ Jesus only and humbly to Adore and Worship the only True and Living God Creator of Heaven and Earth the Sea and all Creatures and not to Adore or Worship any Mortal Man or Creature or any other God whatsoever 2. To Believe and Confess the Holy Divine Three or Scripture Trinity that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word or Son and Holy Spirit and that these Three are Essentially One in the Divine Being and Substance One God Blessed for Ever 3. We are livingly taught and led by the Light and Spirit of Christ Jesus the Living Word in our Hearts and that according to Holy Scripture to Believe Own and Confess the Incarnation of Jesus Christ that is his Real Coming in the Flesh without us even the same Jesus of Nazareth that was Conceived in the Virgin Mary by the Power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing her and Born of her in Bethlehem of Judea Mat. 2. 1. and that he was Crucified and put to Death as concerning the Flesh without the Gates of Jerusalem and we highly do Value and Esteem his Sufferings Death Precious Blood and whole Sacrifice for Sinners together with his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven and Glory and that he only was and is the Promised Messias the Very Christ the Only Begotten Son of the Living God And as for his Divinity That he is the True Light Life Power and Wisdom of God and none other according to plain Scripture Testimony 4. The Divinity and Humanity i. e. Manhood of Christ Jesus that as he is True God and as he is most Glorious Man our Mediator and Advocate we livingly Believe and have often sincerely Confessed in our Publick Testimonies and Writings 5. That as sincere and fervent Prayers to God in the Name and Spirit of Christ Jesus is the Duty of all True Believers and Christians professing him for whatsoever they stand in need of especially with respect to the Peace and Happiness of their Immortal Souls so all who are truly humbled under a Sence of their Sins in order to true Repentance and Conversion ought to crave Forgiveness in the Name and for the Sake of Christ Jesus which hath been our Practice both Publick and Private and God in Mercy hath accordingly answered us who by his Grace in our Hearts hath led many both to confess and forsake Sin that they might find Mercy in Christ Jesus 6. Though we are bound in Conscience truly to Esteem and Magnifie the Divine Light the Ingrafted Word the Spirit and Power of Christ in us as sufficient and able actually to save and deliver the Soul from Sin Death and Condemnation and thereby we Confess the Man Christ Jesus with respect to his entire Existence or Being as without us as well as we do own him Spiritually within us knowing that this Light Life and Spirit of Christ Jesus Testifie of him and certainly Guides the truly Obedient and Sincere Believers in his Name and Power Inwardly Livingly and Experimentally to partake of the Real Benefits Fruits and Blessed Ends of his outward Suffering Sacrifice and Death for Mankind to wit their Repentance Conversion from Sin Effectual Reconciliation unto God Eternal
Love of God to Mankind and that God blessed their i. e. the Quakers Meetings with the Comfortable Enjoyment of his Presence for many Years as F. B. has more fully declared for us in his Book stiled The Quakers Detected Printed 1686. Two Years after he had left our Communion and turned to the Church of England F. B. his Title of New Rome c. is a refuted Calumny unjustly cast upon the Protestant Subjects called Quakers Foxonian Quakers is a scornful Nick-name and no such distinction own'd by the said People His Charges of dangerous Errors and pernicious Principles tending to Overthrow the Christian Faith to obstruct the Jews Conversion to encourage MAHOMETISM and to pervert the right way of the Lord are also Perverse and Lying Aspersions and Calumnies which neither are nor can be proved by him or you his Abettors against the said People on due Examination besides his dubious Question on his own Charge renders him the more uncertain and questionable therein by his thereupon saying viz. Which whether so or no deserves the Examination and Consideration of the Christian Ministry of all Protestant Churches so short and dubious is he in his own Examination and Consideration tho' very loud clamorous and positive in his Charges wherein he does it seems but make work for others which he is never able to perform himself nor his Abettors Tending to Encourage Mahometism is a new as well as undue Charge what 's his pretended Reason or Proof for the same In his Preface to the Reader p. 2. His supposing That they do not believe Christ to be distinct from the Saints or from his Body the Church which he is Head of herein is a mistake yet this can be no proof of his Charges if by distinct from them be meant separate from them as may be rationally supposed for Christ and his Saints as to their Beings are distinct and not confounded yet not divided nor separated from each other in Spirit That they do not Pray in the Name of Jesus to God the Father thereby to own his Mediatorship is a notorious and publickly known Lie as Thousands can Testifie consequently far from proving his said Charges Nor make Confession of Sin to God in Prayer nor beg Pardon for the same are also two notorious Falshoods knowing that many who frequent our Meetings have great need of both sincere Confession Repentance and Pardon of Sin for Christ's sake and their own poor Souls But look at Christ within the Light within his Intercession within and so did all true Christian Believers who knew the Mystery of Christ in them who believed and walked in his Light and received the Spirit of the Son of God into their Hearts making Intercession and crying Abba Father We do not believe this to be any pernicious Principle either tending to Overthrow the Christian Faith or to Encourage Mahometism His Crucifixion within is not this to insinuate that they do not believe Christ Crucified without which is a perverse and injurious Falshood implied against them having often confessed Christ Crucified without on the Cross at Jerusalem as the Scripture testifies And if we should say that F. Bugg and such envious Apostates do Spiritually Crucifie Christ afresh unto and in themselves and put him to open shame by maliciously Reproaching his Truth and People this is not to deny his being Crucified without I cannot see any Mahometism from thence justly Chargeable upon us Neither does his following Objection prove us guilty thereof but himself very Ignorant of Christ and Christianity viz. Object Yet they have among them many good Exhortations and they own Christ to be the Word of God the Power of God the Wisdom of God will not this do Supposing they mean all to be within yea Heaven and Hell and all within c. Unto which F. B. the Framer of the Objection has Cited this for Answer viz. The Mahometans hold Abraham to be the Friend of God and Moses the Messenger of God and Christ the Breath of God and they Punish such as speak against Christ whose Religion was not say they taken away but mended by Mahomet Heylins Cosmog Lib. 3. p. 104. And our Saviour is called in their Alchoran The Word the Power the Soul and Strength of God c. Quoting the Lives of the Patriarchs Printed 1694. Answ. 1. The People called Quakers do utterly deny Mahometism 'T is not at all Concerned in their Principles or Religion being Christian and wholly Opposite to the Adoration of that Impostor Mahomot 2. They utterly deny that Christs Religion could be mended by Mahomet or any Man or Men else whatsoever 3. But if the Mahometans hold Abrham to be the Friend of God and Moses his Messenger and Christ the Breath the Word the Power the Soul and Strength of God and Quakers hold the same this can no more prove that their Principles and Doctrines tend to encourage Mahometism than that the Holy Apostles Doctrine did so for they held Christ to be the Word of God John 1. 1 John 5. 7. Rev. 19. The Power of God and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. Yea The Life Strength and Arm of God and a Quickning Spirit also Isa. 53. 1 Cor. 15. Could this be to Encourage Mahometism No sure 'T were Blasphemy to Assert it The Mahometans hold many Truths out of the Law of Moses corruptly mixt with their Mahometan Imposture and so do many Idolaters Apostates and Antichrists in Christendom does it follow that because the Quakers own those Truths that therefore they are either Mahometans or Idolators c. 2. That 's no good Consequence and but ill Argued at this Rate F. Bugg may as well prove any true Christian to be of any Religion and himself also a gross Impostor because he holds some Truths which gross Imposters c. hold Neither can he Mahometize or Unchristian the Quakers by his False Supposition viz. If they do not come to this Result to own the same Jesus that was Born of the Virgin Crucified Dead Buried Rose again and in the sight of the Galileans Ascended into Heaven Seeing we do Sincerely and Frequently and Publickly own and confess the same Jesus both in Print and Publick Testimony as Thousands are Witnesses that we Confess Jesus Christ come in the Flesh Born of the Virgin Mary that he was the Word which took Flesh and Christ also a Spirit even a Quickning Spirit 1 John 1. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 45. But F. Bugg Falsly adds this more Possitive Charge viz. And Publickly Condemn their Books which Teach the Contrary Preface p. 2. And what 's contrary but that the Quakers disown the same Jesus that was Born of the Virgin Mary which is a Notorious Falshood and Calumny And therefore I Challenge him and you his Teachers Abettors and Congratulators to produce those Books of the Quakers with the Pages and Words wherein the same Jesus is so disowned otherwise for shame Retract and Condemn this his Abuse and Calumnious Aspersion He
of Christ gave forth the Holy Scriptures far be it from me to have the least Undervaluing Thoughts or Disesteem of the Scripture which proceeded from thence Therefore F. Bugg's Observation against the Quakers Doctrine and against me in Particular in this matter as nothing but Discord and Confusion and setting the perfect Quaker in Opposition to the Harmony of the Old and New Testament and Terming those that own that Harmony as J. Tompkins and W. Penn but The Counterfeit Quakers Both which are so Notoriously False and Malicious that we could Enumerate Testimonies against him herein Again 't is as General as Positive a Falshood That the Quakers Doctrine attributes that to G. Fox which is ONLY due to Christ Apol. p. 4. For the People called Quakers do positively disown any such Doctrine as doth attribute that to any other Man which is only proper and due to Jesus Christ and sincerely Confess that Christ in all things must have the Preheminence in Glory and Dignity as the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords Another Charge against the Perfect Quaker as he calls him is from the Examition and Trial of G. Fox at Lancaster Assize being thus Cited viz. And before I came to the Barr I was moved to Pray that the Lord would Confound their Wickedness and Envy And what Crime was that The Thundred Voice Answered I have Glorified thee and will Glorifie thee again And I was so filled full of Glory c. In Opposition F. Bugg sets John 12. 28 29. And 't was F. Bugg's Observation hereupon But Reader here is G. Fox ' s Manifest BLASPHEMY in Assuming a Glorified State whilst in the Mortal Body p. 4. But is not here rather F. Bugg's great Envy Darkness and Ignorance apparent For tho' G. Fox Assumed not such a Glorified State in that fulness in the Mortal Body here as will be in the Immortal hereafter yet some Degree of Glory he might witness as the true Sufferers for Christ pertake of here in this Life Observe If ye be Reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Pet. 4. 14. See also Chap. 1. 8. And were not they Changed in the same Heavenly Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord See 2 Cor. 3. 18. And see also John 17. 22. Christ said The Glory which thou gavest me I have given them Therefore 't is no Blasphemy to Partake and Testifie thereof And how far that Reproached Servant of Christ did Partake thereof in his Sufferings who is now unjustly Rendred a Blasphemer is wholly hid from this Blind persecuting Adversary who deems that Blasphemy which is so much agreeable to Holy Scripture Testimony Again our Suffering Friend G. Fox Testifying That he was come up in the Spirit through the Flaming Sword into the Paradise of God and that he was in Paradise c. Against this our Adversary thinks he has gotten huge Advantage he Roars and Belches out viz. Thus did he Magnifie himself equal with or above Christ. Oh! Horrible c. Quoth he But soft stop a little Is there no such Paradisical State in Christ attainable in this Life but it must be deemed Horrible and Blasphemous as our bitter Adversary doth May we not Cry out against his Gross Darkness and his Teachers Ignorance Oh Horrible Did Paul Blaspheme or Magnifie himself as equal with or above Christ when coming to Visions and Revelations of the Lord he declared That he knew a Man in Christ above Fourteen Years ago how that he was Caught up into Paradise and heard Unspeakable Words c. See the Matter more at Large 2 Cor. 12. 1 2 3 4. See also Rev. 2. 7. Therefore 't is not a Self Magnifying nor Erroneous really to Believe and Profess a State of Paradise or Heaven in Christ Jesus in some degree attainable even in this Life Phil. 3. 20. Our Reproached Friend 's declaring that he was Cloathed with Righteousness and whose Name is not known in the World Risen up out of the North which was Prophecied of but now fulfilled c. These Words our angry Adversary sets in Opposition to Moses Prophecy of Christ Deut. 18. 15. and Acts 3. 22. and to John 1. 10. Whereupon he makes this Observation viz. Thus did G. Fox Vye with Christ p. 5. But I do not Apprehend any such Vying or Equalizing with Christ nor Contradiction to the Scripture Testimony or Prophecy of him For 1st To be Cloathed with Righteousness is Christ's Redeemed Ones the true Believers Priviledge and Happiness 2d The Nature not known to the World was meant the New Name pertaining to the New Birth 3d. Risen up out of the North which was Prophecied of Which here is Relation to the North and not the Persons mentioned and the Prophecy was of the Seed which was foretold the Lord would gather and also bring forth out of the North Countrey and all Nations where Scattered See Isa. 43. 6. and 49. 12. Jer. 16. 15. and 23. 8. Luke 13. 29. F. Bugg's Observation p. 5. viz. Thus Reader did G. Fox Vye wish Christ and Edward Burroughs and Francis Howgil two of his Prophets Echoed back in their Epistle Entituled This is only to go amongst Friends viz. Thou O North of England who art counted as Desolate and Barren c. Yet out of thee did the Branch i. e. G. Fox Spring and the Star Arise c. Answ. 1. The Parenthesis i. e. G. Fox in that Place is a Notorious Forgery as well as Malicious 2. Here 's no Person Vying or Comparing himself with Christ. Nor Echoing back to any such Vying 4. Tho' our bitter Adversary has often Repeated this Citation and now grosly wrests it by Forgery to prove his False and Malicious Charge against the Quakers viz That the Quakers Prophets give witness to G. Fox INSTEAD of Christ that they call him the Branch the Star the Son of Righteousness and put the North of England for the Town of Bethlehem Yet there 's no mention at all made either of G. Fox or Town of Bethlehem in all that Epistle of E. B's Quoted as the Epistle may be seen at large in his Works p. 64 65 66 67. And Note that General Epistle of Francis Howgil's To the Camp of the Lord in England c. Wherein are the Words Spare none neither Ox nor Ass c. Is Printed in his Works Pages 28 29 30 31 32 33. Which I have also viewed over and find not any such Title as This is only to go among Friends Neither do I find G. Fox or Town of Bethlehem so much as Mentioned in it 5. Is it not then great Wickedness and shameful I solency in our Adversary frequently to attempt Proof of such a Horrid Lye against the Quakers as is that of calling G. Fox the BRANCH the Star the Son of Righteousness and puting the North of England for the Town of Bethlehem Is it not Horrible Wickedness
Samuel David Elijah Job and others as no true but false Prophets because sometime mistaken See 1 Sam. 16. 6. 1 Kings 19. 14 15 18. Rom. 11. 4 See also Acts 23. 5. And in the Antient Approved Bibles see what Remark is in the Argument on Job it 's there said That Job maintaineth a Good Cause but handleth it Evil. Again his Adversaries have an ill Matter but they defend it Craftily Moreover he i. e. Job was assured that God had not rejected him yet thro' his great Torments and Affliction he bursteth forth into many inconveniences both of Words and Sentences c. yet Job was a holy and just Man and true Prophet in many things Our Bitter Persecutor would fain fasten Contempt of Holy Scripture upon the Quakers with these odious Assertions viz. That the Scripture is BEASTLY Ware that WHAT the true Prophets spake was false and WHAT the false Prophets spake was true c. Intro p. 13. These are three notorious Falshoods as well as gross Errors maliciously contrived to contradict our sincere Confession viz. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are of Divine Authority as being given by Divine Inspiration c. and that we prefer the Holy Scriptures before all other Books extant in the World How sincere we are in such Confession we can refer to him that knows our Hearts to whom we Appeal against our Adversaries contrary unjust Judgment and gross Calumnies falsly representing us insincere even in these weighty Matters wherein the greatest Tenderness and Conscienciousness towards God ought to be exercised by us all Another gross Abuse our Bitter Adversary has committed against many of us who Signed an Epistle from our Yearly Meeting in 1675. which I must give some Account of here 1. He Cites these words out of our said Epistle viz. It is our Sence Advice Admonition and Judgment in the Fear of God and Authority of his Power and Spirit that no such slight and contemptible Names and Expressions as that Faithful Friends Papers which we Testifie have been given out by the Power and Spirit of God are Mens Edicts or Canons with such scornful Sayings be permitted Subscribed saith he by W. Penn G. Whitehead and others Introd p. 11. And what of all this This Advice related to such Papers and Epistles of Faithful Friends as concerned good Order and Discipline in the Church and for promoting pure Religion in Life and Practice and why should they be slighted or contemned as but meer Human Edicts and Canons What use does our Scornful Adversary make of this Observe what he saith p. 13. viz. But as for what G. F. c. wrote their Yearly Meeting Testifies it was given forth by the Eternal Spirit yea THE SAME MEN that charged their Disciples in the Name of the Lord not to call their Papers Edicts or Canons call the Scriptures Death Dust and Serpents Meat And what same Men He has told us before W. Penn G. Whitehead and others who Signed the said Yearly Meetings Epistle that they so called the Scriptures whereby he has greatly abused and shamefully belied the same Men i. e. W. P. G. W. c. for they disown the Expression and own the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures as first given by Inspiration from God and truly prefer them before all other Books extant in the World But how can that be in our Adversary's Account when he objects against it and us That G. W. avouches that what is spoken from the Spirit of Truth IN ANY is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and Greater c. He shews himself but very dull and impertinent in this Objection For we may prefer the Scriptures even the Bible before all other Books extant and yet not before the Spirit of Truth or the Immediate Powerful Teachings thereof in Man for that Spirit was before the Scriptures Writings or Bible were and only can give the true understanding thereof and therefore the Spirit of Truth may be preferred to the Scriptures and all other Books without any contempt or slight to them This Objection is more fully Answered elsewhere To our Adversary's saying viz. G. W. tells me I was but a kind of a Quaker and I think 't is the truest word in his Book I think I was not above a third part of one and that too much too p. 13. Thus he would fain winde off from the Reputation he had of a Quaker for 25 Years together he now miserably shifts and minces the Matter but manifestly contrary to his own Confession in his Quakers Detection p. 3 as before quoted to my Question Whether F. Bugg when a Quaker denied Jesus of Nazareth to be the Efficient cause of Man's Salvation He Answers I do believe I then did not hold the worst part of Quakerism c. Yet I do freely Acknowledge that I was in great Errors Particularly touching the Point of Justfication For I then Expected Salvation through my Obedience to the LIGHT which the Quakers taught was Sufficient to Salvation But since it pleased God to open my Eyes I believe that Salvation is attained through the Mercy of God is Christ Jesus by Faith in the Merits of his Passion and Obedience to his Precepts p. 14 15. Observe here 1. He now counts it a great Error to Expect Salvation through Obedience to the Light without Distinction of What Light 2. He Opposeth the the Sufficiency of the Light for Salvation And 3. Attaining Salvation through the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus Faith in his Merits and Passion and Obedience to his Precepts These he Opposeth TO Obedience to his Light and Expecting Salvation through the same These he sets in Opposition as one that expects Salvation through the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus and by Faith in his Merits and Obedience to his Passion without Obedience to his Light For that End Expresly Contrary to Christ's Doctrine and his Apostles Testimonies 1. Christ Commanded Believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light And this Believing in the Light was a necessary Act of Obedience in order to Salvation 2. Christ saith I am the Light of the World he that followeth Me shall not abide in Darkness And the Apostle James Exhorts to a Receiving the Ingrafted Word which is able to save the Soul And this Word is both Light and Life In him was Life and that Life was the Light of Men Therefore the Light is Sufficient to Salvation 3. Salvation through the Mercy of God in Jesus Christ true Faith in his Merits and Suffering for us and Sincere Obedience to his Precepts cannot be attained nor performed without Faith in and Obedience to his Light it was the Mercy of God to us to afford us Light to lead us out of Darkness For Men in Darkness are Blind and as such cannot see the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus nor true Faith in his Merits or Suffering For 't is in Walking in the Light
' s Calumnies p. 2. Col. 1. 2. 14. That G. F. was a Blasphemer of the Blessed Trinity p. 16. Note A gross Calumny also He neither Blasphemed nor Opposed the Scripture Trinity i. e. Three of the Father the Word or Son and Holy Ghost but objected against some Unscriptural Distinctions and Terms of Three distinct or separate Personalities Subsistances or Substances Unscripturally by some supposed or implied in the Deity 15. That the Quakers count all others who are not of their Communion Damned Persons p. 16. This is both false and too uncharitable for the People called Quakers to be of such a severe Judgment Charitably believing that many not in outward Communion with them under various Forms of Religion may be sincere to God according to their Understandings and Belief as also that there are other Sheep which are not yet of this Fold whom Jesus Christ will gather and fetch home into his Fold and that in every Nation and People such as fear God and work Righteousness are and shall be accepted of him 16. That the Jesuit taught them this That they must not by any means Swear p. 17. Note A gross Lye for Jesus Christ taught us not to Swear Mat. 5. and so did his Holy Apostle James Chap. 5. And many of the Blessed Martyrs and Protestant Reformers were of the same Judgment with us whom the Papists Accused and Persecuted for the same who imposed Swearing as their Priests taught contrary to Christ's Command 17. That this sullen and dogged Sect is the Jesuit's natural and undoubted Issue tho' like other Bastards they are ashamed to own their Father c. p. 17. Note These are like some of Bugg's false and shameful Raileries and no such thing could he demonstrate in all the 25 Years that he was Conversant among the People called Quakers or since nor what Jesuit was then his Father or to whom he was then Bastard but the contrary he has in Print declared for the said People and their Doctrine even since he left them witness his Quakers Detected Cited in our Quakers Vindication and other Answers But 't is an ill and nasty Bird that bewrays its own Nest as he has done These last Aspersions of the Jesuits Teaching the Quakers and they the Jesuits Natural Issue and Bastards c. Bugg Credulously pretends to Cite out of a Learned Divine's Book of the Church of England but tells not his Name that his Credit may be enquired into but whatever he be he is of no Credit with us in this foul Aspersion and Abuse 18. That the Quakers Allegorize the Death and Sufferings of Christ his Passion Atonement Resurrection and Ascension to be within p. 17. Note This is a known Perversion and Falshood the true Spiritual-minded Quakers do not Allegorize away either the outward Sufferings Passion or Death or Atonement Resurrection or Ascension of Jesus Christ as if all these were within only for they really believe and own all these to have been done and transacted outwardly and literally as well as they truly believe and own the Mystery Spiritual Sence Influence and real Benefit and Advantage thereof as Inwardly and Spiritually partaken of felt and experienced by every Sincere and Spiritual Believer in Christ Jesus 19. That neither if you go to a Thousand of their Meetings shall you hear one of their Preachers have such an Expression in their Mouths as Consessing their Sins and Begging Pardon for Jesus Christ's sake p. 18. Note This is a presumptuous Prediction such Confession and Supplication have been oftentimes in publick among us and may be again for ought F. B. knows for them that want Forgiveness and Cleansing from Sin well-knowing that the Lord requires both true Confession and forsaking Sin tho' we do not Confess nor Pray by Book or Lyturgy after the Priest yet we feel the Spirit of Christ making Intercession with Sighs and Groans which cannot be uttered 20. That the Scriptures are Beastly Ware p. 21. Note This Reproach and Blasphemy F. B. has often most falsly cast upon us 't is Answered before several times and more fully hereafter 21. That the Quakers first rose in the North breaking all Law Order and Government p. 22. That Quakerism flowed over all our Banks of all Law Order and Government both Divine and Humane p. 24. Note Both these are gross and very offensive Aspersions before Answered and Refuted manifestly by our Christian Conversations 22. That they have a great Tax Collected to maintain their Teachers Travellers and Spies both at Home and Abroad p. 31. Note For which gross Lies F. Bugg quotes his own Authority and bids see his Books Battering Rams against New Rome and New Rome Vnmask'd wherein we do not only deny his imposed Authority but have Refuted and Confuted the same in our Answers to those his Books quoted by him 23. That by their Threatned Chronicle they i. e. the Quakers intend to represent this Nation as a Persecuting Bloody-minded People p. 34. Note No such Threatning or Intention are we justly Chargeable with nor so to Represent this Nation for 't is not so now nor were the People thereof in general such when Persecution was on foot but the Persecutors in it many of whom are since cut off did openly shew their Cruelty by Imprisoning many to Death and by making Havock and Spoil upon the Goods of many Families to their great Impoverishment and Ruin of divers besides those that were Banished out of the Land by Persecutors but Blessed be God and Thanks to the Present Government the Case is now altered much for the better on that account those Cruel Persecutions being stopt and the present Persecution we are now under being chiefly the vile Misrepresentations gross Lies and Calumnies of dark and malicious Apostates and Backsliders such as F. B. and their Adherents 24. That the Quakers prefer their own Books before and above the Scripture p. 37. That they prefer their Nonsensical Pamphlets before the Scriptures being compared with the Contemptible Expressions they give them as BEASTLY WARE c. p. 38. Note These are some of his Old Calumnies and Perversions frequently Answered and Refuted for yet again we solemnly say We prefer the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as contained in the Bible and that Book it self above and to all other Books extant in the World whether our own or any other Books whatsoever as sincerely owning the Holy Scriptures aforesaid not only to have been given by Divine Inspiration but most eminently confirmed by Divine Authority 25. That G. Keith could not in Conscience clear the Body of the Quakers from those Errors charged upon them in Pensilvania in regard he knew them guilty thereof p. 40. i. e. the Body of the Quakers Note The Body of the Quakers he did not Charge therewith but a few in Pensilvania for the Body of the Quakers there have cleared themselves thereof and he has seemed expresly to clear the Body or People called Quakers and in
Cause humble this Adversary if it be his Blessed Will and let all others among us c. take warning from his woful and lamentable Backsliding and Fall Let one most Scandalous and Blasphemous Calumny be yet further Remarked viz. Fr. Bugg's repeated Charge against the Quakers viz. these Contemptible Expressions as calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware c. as before and the like we are Charged with in that most malicious wicked Piece The Snake in the Grass where divers gross Calumnies are broached from Bugg's Authority and Credit I having examined that Book out of which the said Expressions have been pretended to be taken Entituled A Brief Discovery of a Threefold state of Antichrist Printed Anno 1633. p. 9. I find no such gross Expressions as calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware but divers severe Reflections upon the Covetous Persecuting Priests in those Days then writ by some Prisoners at York-Castle 1653. and what 's there called Beastly Ware is not the Scriptures but what Babylon's Merchants sell for a large Price i. e. a Rabble of Notions heaped up in their Brain all the Week and which they sell for filthy lucre's sake c. calling them also Idol-Merchants Costly Sermon-makers who Persecuted the pure Truth the Saints live in p. 9 10. of the said Brief Discovery but not a word of calling the Scriptures themselves Beastly Ware and I am perswaded such Blasphemy and Contempt of Holy Scripture was far from the Thoughts of those said Prisoners and that which they would have abominated and rejected with Abhorrence if they had then been Charg'd therewith Thus the Perversion and Injury done by F. B. c. in this Matter is apparent in his putting Mens dark Notions for the Holy Scriptures The said Prisoners called Babylon's Merchants Rabble of Notions Beastly Ware but F. B. says it is the Scriptures which they so call what a shameful Liar and Perverter is this He pretends to prove W. Penn a Liar for once p. 38. Brief History But 't is more true that he is more than once yea often prov'd a Liar and gross Defamer of others and that his pretended Pious Endeavours by you his Approvers and Ministers aforesaid are proved very Impious and you may Answer for him and Vindicate him if you please or can since you have given him such high Approbation and Congratulation which he has divulged to your Disgrace for F. B's Answering by repeating Calumnies and Slanders against us will deserve little further notice since so often unanswerably Confuted already and if you his Approvers will not adventure to attempt his Vindication as well as Approbation nor yet shew any publick dislike of his Abuses scandalous and reproachful Scribling but leave him to his own Vindication and farther to reproach us we may take it as an Indication that you are Conscious his Defaming Work is not justifiable nor warrantable in the sight of God or Just Men and that you have over-shot your selves in his Approbation and the more guilty your selves in suffering Sin to lye upon him without just Reproof suitable to his publick Offence and Crime against Truth But if you will be mute in this Matter and suffer him to persist in his wonted Course of Vilifying and Abusing us without your publick Reprehension or Dislike thereof then may you be farther justly called in question and Exposed thereupon for your neglect of Justice CHAP. VI. A Brief Answer to Fr. Bugg's Two Printed Papers Dated March 1696. TO his Printed Paper unduly Stiled George Whirehead's Oath unjustly Accusing the Quakers with Prevaricating about Swearing His Story hereupon both first As to the Form of the Oath pretended Secondly And as to its being Read to him G. W. affirms he is wronged in this Accusation and Story by F.B. and that he is not Conscious to himself thereof but as preferring Truth 's Reputation before his own patiently suffers and bears it among many other Personal Injuries Misrepresentations and Detractions cast upon him by this Adversary whom I ask 1. F. B. who was thy Informer about this said Oath pretended 2. Out of what Book was it Read to G. W. and by whom 3. Suppose I had failed of our Principle in that Case as I have not hast thou done either fairly or justly thence to asperse the Quakers in general with Prevaricating about Swearing Must they all suffer for my Fault if I had committed it which I did not as many can Witness As to the Association and his taunting Insinuations concerning the King and Government and our Affection and Fidelity towards them and forming an Address for us like an Officious Agent we hope we have given that Satisfaction as to our Innocency which this and the rest of our most Inveterate Adversaries cannot extinguish and the Acceptance and Favours which as a People we have received through God's Providence from the Government no doubt does vex and fret this our Implacable Adversary seeing his many Attempts and strenuous Endeavours to render us Obnoxious and to Incense the Government against us and by his utmost Endeavours that way to prevent our Belief are so manifestly disappointed and frustrated Blessed and Praised be our God for Ever who hath attended our Endeavours But let it be observed how sordid brutish and unnatural it was in F. Bugg so strenuously to labour to prevent the Quakers Relief in the Case of Oaths since he Married his Son into an Honest Family of Quakers so called and appeared very officious as I am credibly informed to promote the Marriage as if he would rather have them also Ruined than Relieved As to our Christian Confession of Christ his Divinity and Humanity and his Glorious Body in Heaven we have sufficiently and sincerely evinced according to Holy Scripture against this Adversary and other Opposers which they are not able to Confute knowing also that we are not necessitated to give farther Answer to his Impertinent Questions especially since his Work is so much falsly to Accuse and Asperse us with sly and unjust Insinuations to render us Offensive and Obnoxious to the Government Besides One Fool may ask more Questions than Twenty Wise Men may Answer To F. Bugg's Paper Stiled A Brief Reply which with the other before-mentioned he having delivered at the House of Lords which one of them gave me His false Charge of our Contempt of Christ and the Scriptures being Answered and Refuted before in several Answers to his Malicious Books and Pamphlets he proceeds in his wonted Course of Perversion and Defaming still for which he frequently quotes his own Presumptuous Authority and Refuted Pamphlets As to his offence at the Words he Cites of an Imagined God beyond the Stars and their Carnal Christ. We say First The True Infinite and Omnipresent God tho' in Heaven above yet is not confined or limitted to beyond the Stars nor can the Heaven of Heavens contain Him 2. The True Lord Jesus Christ who Ascended far above all Heavens that he might fill all things He is not a
Carnal Christ but a Spiritual and most Glorious Christ in Soul Spirit and Body therefore to deem or call him a Carnal Christ which I know none among us do is so far to undervalue his Glory and Dignity that it appears no less than Blasphemy and how F. B. will clear himself thereof I know not His Charge against the Quakers That they cannot Sign the Association and thereby Declare the King Rightful and Lawful King for Conscience sake This Consequence is a Gross and Envious Perversion and Contradicted by his own following Confession viz. And yet they tell you that their not signing it is not in opposition to his being Declared Rightful and Lawful King But then to invalidate this he questions Who says so No Body that 's false for his words they tell you imply some Body but from what Meeting Answer An Approved Meeting by the People called Quakers whom he vilifies to the Government and not from Two or Three Quakers under the Hedge as he scoffs That we never made an Address to His Present Majesty is a known Lie we have made several and that with Real Gratitude too for the Kindnesses and Priviledges we have Received and Enjoy by Law These Two said Papers of F. Buggs ' were by him delivered at the House of Lords to divers of them with manifest Design to frustrate our Relief in the Cafe of Oaths but the Lord our God hath frustrated his Evil Enterprizes and Design of Malice as he hath done and will frustrate the Tokens of Liars and Malicious Incendiaries and Treacherous Judas'S Apostates c. Triumph and Rejoice over their Malice ye Lambs of Christ's Fold who hath from time to time defeated their Mischievous Enterprizes and Attempts and disappointed their Deadly Malice and Outragious Fury and let them fume and fret themselves in their Madness and Disappointments until the Fire of their own kindling wherein they labour and toyl themselves devour them if they will not Repent and be Reclaimed CHAP. VII A Brief Answer and Reply to F. Bugg's Second Summons as he directs it to the City Abell 2 Sam. 20. To deliver up Sheba the Son of Bichri that Man of Belial by way of Metaphor alluding to the Quakers and G. Whitehead c. HIS Presumptuous Impeachment and Charge pretended on Behalf of the Commons of England i. e. by Fra. Bugg against the Quakers Yearly Meeting is with Aggravation repeated by him thus viz. I did not Impeach the Quakers for not paying Tythes though that be Crime enough but your Yearly Meeting for Imposing the non-payment of Tythes upon your People and that too as a grand Oppression and Antichristian Yoke and I say again for you to meet Annually by way of Convocation TO make and promulgate such Antimagistratical Laws not only against but contray to the Laws of the Land is both against the King's Prerogative the Rights of Parliaments and Property of the Subject yea and of dangerous Consequence And I say again that by these your Canon Laws you do Actually Absolve the King's Subjects if the Quakers may be so called from their Active Obedience to the Laws of the Land which requires them to pay Tythes c. Note Reader he has here added the word Antimagistratical and left out Fundamental before the word Laws in his first Presumptuous Impeachment also as if he would render us not only guilty of Sedition in our said Meeting but of High-Treason He most maliciously and virulently aggravates his said Impeachment p. 4. in Charging the Quakers with A New Jurisdiction lately Erected by a few Vsurpers who hold a Convention Annually at London by way of Convocation TO make Laws and Ordinances contrary and repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm which tend to Subvert the Government and if not timely prevented may be of dangerous Consequence Which Presumptuous Impeachment as 't is pretended in Behalf of the Commons of England contains divers gross Lies in 't As 1. That we meet Annually either with any such Intention or Design as TO Make Contrive Promulgate and Impose Antimagistratical Laws and Ordinances either against the King's Prerogative Rights of Parliaments or Property of the Subjects is a foul notorious bloody persecuting Calumny and contrary to both our Innocent Intention and Design of our Meeting 2. A New Jurisdiction lately Erected by a few Usurpers are both gross and horrid Lies for our Annual Meetings have been of many years standing with the general Approbation of our People for the maintaining our Christian Society Charity Order Discipline and Testimony which our Lord Jesus Christ has gathered us into and requires of us 3. To make Laws against the King's Prerogative and Rights of Parliaments c. tending to Subvert the Government which consequently appears not only highly Seditious but highly Treasonable This is both a highly false persecuting and bloody Aspersion tending also to incense and stir up severe and bloody Persecution against us Oh horrid cruel and inhumane But if upon a Judicial Examination of his said Presumptuous Impeachment as being in the Name or Behalf of the Commons of England it be found both unwarrantable and a high Misdemeanour and repugnant to the Rights and Priviledges of Parliaments in him to Assume such a Power and Jurisdiction without any Priviledge either as Member of Parliament or any Commission or Power from the Parliament if to excuse this presumption he should alledge That 't was but a Jest Romance or Mock Impeachment as he has excused his Mock-Trial and Mock-Pillory as he calls it whereon he exposed Twelve Persons and Citizens of London of good Reputation and Credit under the Character Reproach and Scandal of Perjury at this rate he may take the Liberty to Reproach Defame and Scandalize any Consciencious and Peaceable Subjects with the most Enormous or Heinous Crimes in the World and that with the highest Malice and Virulency he can to Ruin Destroy and Murther them in their Reputations Persons and Estates and then pretend 't was but in Jest or Mockery But then see what Cruel Mocking he takes liberty to and what a Cruel Mocker he is And how unlike a Christian Convert or Moral Man he acts and yet divers of his near Relations are called Quakers and in Society with the same People who he has so Presumptuously Injuriously and Foully Impeached and Charged as before Oh Unnatural Brutish and Cruel Mocker One great Complaint is That for his Erecting a Mock-Pillory they Indicted him at the Old-Bailey London p. 3. Who were they Indicted him 'T was not the Persons grosly Scandalized by his Mock-Trial and Mock-Pillory for hitherto they have been very Patient and Merciful to him in that they have not as yet entered their Actions of Defamation severally against him according to his Demerits as also in that they did not assent to have him Prosecuted by other Persons that would have done it in a Higher Court The Advice given in our Yearly Meeting 's Epistle to our Friends That their Sufferings i.