broken mangled and perverted Quotations for our Principles and perhaps an Unapt Expression or two pickt up out of Good Matter And the main Things or Principles wherein we have all along even from the first chiefly differed from many of the Clergy are these viz. 1st Our sincere belief of the True Vrim and Thummim the Light and Perfection And 2dly Our Christian Testimony against Tythes forced maintenance and Persecution together with Popish Ceremonies and Superstitions not yet purged out as inconsistent with Christ's free Ministry concerning which we are manifestly the very same in Principle and Persuasion we were from the Beginning To the 2d part quoted against me I have already answered there may be various manners of wording and expressing the same matter and yet our Intentions 〈◊〉 â—he same As where I explain my Friends Meaning and Intentions 〈◊〉 be agreeable to mine and more fully distinguish and clear it according to the Harmony of his other Concurrent Passages in the same and other Books as sometimes in these precedent Observations As to Bugg's Postcript 't is according to his other Scribles Falshood and Jeers frequently repeated and mostly answered in the foregoing Observations and other Answers of mine He is so full of Tautologies Repetitions of the same Falshoods Boastings Scoffing and Flouting beginning and ending with Falshoods as observing us timerous about their Petition and that we make the World believe we fear Persecution Because we have endeavoured to prevent his and some Priests endeavours tending thereto against us to Authority this has disquieted him and them And therefore to be revenged he repeats his old detected Lies and Calumnies against us as that we call the Scriptures Serpent's Meat Beastly Ware c. with many more abominable Lies since often told of the same yet persists therein like a Hardned Wretch so that it is not worth the while to spend much more time in tracing the Crooked Steps of such a Mercenary Agent who gives no solid nor pertinent Reply to any serious Answer but clamours scoffs boasts vilifies and throws as much Dirt as he can upon us spending his precious time to seek our Ruin by Reproaches and Calumnies to enrage the Priests and incense Authority if he could against us But the Lord will Rebuke him and Reward him according to his Deeds I wish he may yet seek and find a place of Repentance if yet to be found before he be cut off and however that others may take warning by his Lamentable Relapse and Treacherous Apostasie A Brief Examination OF A Defaming Pamphlet Without Author's name to it Reproachfully stiled Some few of the Quakers many Horrid Blasphemies Heresies and their Bloody Treasonable Principles destructive to Government Delivered to the Members of both Houses of the LORDS and COMMONS in the Month of March 1698 9. PART II. THIS Title looks with Persecution Fury Deadly Envy and Blood in the Face of it it is like the work of certain Judasses and their Priests who are fallen into such a faint and feeble Condition as to be beholden to Apostates to help and assist them in their private Cabals to Plot and Contrive Mischief against the Innocent and to bring forth such furious Clamour Calumnies and Perversions thereby labouring to incense the Parliament and Government against the Peaceable People called Quakers Now let 's Examine some of their Principal Objections or Allegations quoted for Proof of their Furious Persecuting Title I. Concerning the Holy Trinity 1. Their first Objection The Scriptures do not tell the People of a Trinity nor Three Persons c. Against Geo. Fox Great Mystery p. 246. Here in the same Paragraph Period and Answer these Words are left out viz. And the Father Son and Holy Spirit are always one Observe hence what may be term'd the Scripture Trinity or Divine Three in the Deity the Father Son and Holy Spirit is plainly confess'd As also in Gr. Myst p. 99. As for the Unity we own and Christ being the brightness of the Father's Glory and express Image of his Substance we own As also in some Principles of the Elect People of God Printed 1671. p. 43. Of the Word Trinitas there is no mention made in Scripture yet the Scripture speaks of Father Son and Holy Ghost and all these are One. Now pray observe if any be offended at this and if our Adversaries will produce us plain Scripture-Proof for the Terms Trinity of Three Persons then 't is meet we should Retract those Words before i. e. That the Scriptures do not tell People thereof 'T is worthy our Observation what Dr. Burnet now Bishop of Sarum in the Life of John Earl of Rochester p. 104. speaking of the Trinity saith Which for want of Terms fit to express them by we call Persons and are called in Scripture the Father Son and Holy Ghost Whereby it seems then they do not think the Word Persons either a fit or Scriptural Term to express the Father Son and Holy Ghost by and therefore these Men should not be too severe in Imposing it or Uncharitable in their Censuring others about it to occasion Disturbance in Peoples Minds and such Disputes as probably they cannot well quiet or bring to a clear Solution By any of our Questioning or not using the Term Persons in this case we do not deny the Doctrine or thing intended i. e. the Father the Word and Holy Spirit which Three are one And we would not have any so Injurious or Disingenuous as to conclude we deny the same 2 Q. Against Will Penn's Sandy Foundation p. 12 13 14 15. they pick up some Pieces of his Arguments but Answer them not levelled against this Doctrine held by some which they leave out viz. The Trinity of Distinct and Separate Persons in the Unity of Essence This our Adversaries leave out and which by this time a Day we hope none will maintain such a Separation in the Deity between the Father Son and Holy Ghost being one God blessed for ever They also take no notice of what he Writes for this Scripture Trinity Sandy Found p. 32. viz. Mistake me not we never have disown'd the Father Word and Spirit which are one And in p. 36. As concerning Christ I declare on behalf of that Despised People Vulgarly called Quakers the Grace of which we testifie hath never taught us to acknowledge another God than he that 's Father of all things who fills Heaven and Earth Neither to confess another Lord Jesus Christ than he that appear'd so many Hundred Years ago made of a Virgin like unto us in all things Sin excepted or any other Doctrine than was by Him declar'd and practis'd and also being God's Innocent Heritage in Principles Life and Death to bear an Unanimous Testimony for the only true God true Christ and Heavenly Doctrine which in their Vindication is openly attested Thus far W. P. in his own and our Friends Vindication 3. Here is the Three Persons thou dreams of which thou wouldst divide out of
any such Gift nor depend upon any such Immediate Miraculous Revelation from Heaven To which G. E. Answers Then all may see now in this what ye have receiv'd that hath been from Man which is not from Heaven Immediate nor the Gifts of the Spirit nor receiv'd the Gospel by the same Means the Apostles did who are not the Eye-witnesses as the Apostles were Neither have ye attained to the same Knowledge and Understanding as the Apostles did nor receiv'd it from Heaven Now let all People question Whether it is the same Gospel which is not receiv'd from Heaven nor immediately nor by Revelation for the Gospel is Immediate which is the Power of God Rom. 1. They i. e. Quakers are in the same Power Vnderstanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in Obs The last Part is Partially quoted to abuse us i. e. Quakers is added and the Sense perverted by leaving out the last Words of the Sentence as after the Words they are in the same Power Understanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in That Vnderstand the Gospel left out As also And they that be in another cannot understand the Gospel Now for these Men to charge us with Blasphemy for Confessing to Immediate Revelation and Inspiration from God by the Gift of the Spirit and thence receiving the Gospel and a Spiritual Understanding and Knowledge thereof by Revelation from Heaven Herein have they opposed the True Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and consequently charged his own and his Apostles Doctrine and Testimony as Blasphemous For neither knoweth any Man the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him Mat. 11.27 And the things of God knows no Man but by the Spirit of God as they are reveal'd unto us by the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.9 They who oppose this Evangelical Doctrine shew themselves both Ignorant of God of Christ and of the things of God and of his Teachings which he has promised his Children They shall all be taught of God John 6.45 Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.33 Where on Isa 54.13 It is noted in the Margent in the old Bible of Queen Elizabeth By the hearing of his Word and inward moving of his Spirit And on Jer. 31.33 it is also noted viz. Under the Kingdom of Christ there shall be none blinded with Ignorance but I will give them Faith and Knowledge of God for Remission of their Sins and daily increase the same so that it shall not seem to come so much by the Preaching of my Ministers as by the Instruction of my Holy Spirit 17th Charge p. 8 9. G. F. further tells us p. 213. That the Priest says Thou dost not speak in that degree of the Holy Ghost as the Prophets and Apostles did that spoke forth Scriptures To which he Answer Then thou must take heed of Exalting thy self above thy Measures for thou canst not know Scripture but by the same degree of the Spirit the Prophets and Apostles had Obs 1. The Caution against Self-Exaltation was Seasonable 2. The Scripture i. e. the whole Scripture cannot be truly known but by a high degree of the Spirit if not the same degree the Prophets and Apostles had who gave it forth But if any true Knowledge of Scripture be receiv'd it must be by a Degree of the same Spirit as I suppose the Words before cited should be so Transpos'd and so intended 18th Charge p. 9. News coming out of the North c. Printed 1655. p. 14. Your Original is Carnal Hebrew Greek and Latine and your Word is Carnal the Letter Obs The Letter it self is not made up of Spiritual Matter or Lasting Materials but of such as will decay and turn to Dust but the Matter contain'd that is the Holy Doctrine will continue and is permanent And this is no Vilifying or Contemning of Holy Scripture i. e. the Holy Doctrine thereof Though this News out of the North is quoted against us yet it is very Partially and unfairly done For in the same Book the Holy Scripture is clearly own'd As Spoken by the Lord and his Holy Prophets Christ and his Apostles p. 5.8 But the Promises and Words of the Prophets Christ and his Apostles misapplied by the first Birth and Serpent p. 11 12 13 16. The Law of God and the Prophet of the Lord who spake freely from his Mouth expresly so owned page 23 28. Though they that put the Letter for the Light Preaching their own Words and Imaginations thereupon are disowned page 12. Consequently the Holy Scriptures are own'd but the Perverters and Perversions disown'd 19th Charge p. 9. Tho. Lawson in his Brief Discovery of a Threefold Estate of Anti-Christ printed 1653. written from the Spirit of the Lord p. 9. calls the Ministers Babylon 's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price the Letter which is Dust and Death Obs Their Injustice and False Quotation in this Passage also and and how they vary it from their Agent Bugg's who often over has herein accused us with calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware in divers of his Books and also in his late great Sheet stil'd Some Reasons Humbly Offered to the Honourable House of Commons p. 1. col 1 4. He has this Gross Lie twice over after divers times detected for it So that these Three Priests and F. Bugg do not agree in what they witness like the False Witnesses against Christ For in the said Brief Discovery quoted the words are these Babylon's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price all the Week-time heaping up a Rabble of Notions into the Brain c. So that Beastly Wares relate to their Rabble of Notions of their own heaping up and not to the Holy Scripture nor to the Letter thereof but to their bruitish Imaginations and Divinations of their own Brain neither was this spoken of the Ministers without Exception as in the Quotation much less of Christ's Ministers or Ministery but of the False Ministers as the Title of that part is p. 7. 20th Charge p. 9. Saul's Errand to Damascus printed 1654. p. 7. Q. against G. F. All that study to raise a living thing out of a Dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers and draw Points and Reasons and so do speak a Divination of their own Brain c. Obs Here they are partial in Quotation again leaving out the preceeding Passages which distinguishing between the Letter and the Light the Letter and the Spirit judging them Blind that put the Letter for the Light and say The Letter and the Spirit are inseparable When the Spirit says The Letter is Death and Killeth according to 2 Cor. 3.6 7. now who will Study to raise a living thing out of a Dead or to raise the Spirit out of the Letter Is such studying warrantable Who dare justifie it And will not the Lord make Diviners Mad Isa 44.25 and does not such studying to raise a Living thing out of a Dead
old Incendiaries to Mischief and the best to be spared of Mankind c. Against W. P. Quakerism a new Nick-name p. 165. This is not the Quakers Treatment of Dissenters in general or without exception as hereby falsly represented But W. P's occasional Treatment of Such a Proud Railing Busie-body and such a sort of Priests who think their Coat will bear out their worst Expressions for Religion and practise an haughty Reviâ—ing for Christ as one of the greatest Demonstrations of their Zeal as in his antecedent words After these words of W. P. Against whom the boiling Vengeance of an Irritated God is ready to be poured out These Men leave out viz. To the Destruction of such if they repent not and turn from their Abominable Deceits Certainly neither the fore-going Citations under their 18th Head nor that which they subjoyn against the bitter Stock of Hirelings and their Sin-pleasing Principles c. could ever be intended for the Quakers Treatment of Dissenters Indefinitely or without Exception for we always distinguish between the Moderate and Immoderate the Charitable and Vncharitable the Ingenuous and Disingenuous even among Dissenters of several sorts and others also When Men are charging Blasphemy and Sedition upon a People out of Books and Quotations as these Men do they should be more fair and just therein than these Men have been They are very Injurious and Offensive both in Charge and Citation we only Defensive and not under a necessity of reciting and reprinting their whole Citations in every part Let their Books and ours be compared to evince them more fully and clear our Innocency from these Adversaries gross Calumnies Perversions Misapplications Misrepresentations and fruitless Attempts Ingenuous Reader please to take W. P's own following Answer to several Charges against him LIBEL p. 4. quotes W. P's Sandy Foundation p. 20. thus viz. That Finite and Impotent Creature speaking of Christ Which is so gross a Strain of Envy and Abuse that no Ingenuous Person can read it without an Abhorrence of the Author's Temper and Work and shews how little Credit ought to be given him in the rest of his Work For it is plain W. P. made the Absurdity lie here That the Doctrine he oppos'd makes it Impossible for God to forgive without a rigid Satisfaction and yet Man who is a Finite and Impotent Creature is not only capable of it but commanded to do it See Sandy Foundation p. 18. Sect. 7. Again Libel p. Ibid. Christ's Co-essentiality and Co-eternity with his Father of his being made Man Dying for Sins Rising and Ascending into Heaven c. they make W. P. to call Confused Babble and by Rote-Canting By-paths of vain Tradition and Invention Romancing dark Results of Factions and Corrupted Counsels c. Whereas 't is plain from his Book at large as well as from the Words themselves which they have cited he writ not in Contempt of the Matter but in Reproof of the Man For he taxes him with Babbling by Rote-Canting and Romancing over the weighty Mysteries of Eternal Life which words they left out because being in they would have disappointed them of an Opportunity of Abusing W. P. So that in short he reproved the Rambling and Insensible Manner of the Priest's Writing and not the Matter treated of which W. P. expresly calls the Weighty Mysteries of Eternal Life Which yet plainer appears from p. 28. upon occasion of some Queries made by W. P. to shew the Indistinction and confused Way of the Priest's Writing viz. Thou must not Reader from my Querying thus conclude we do deny as he hath falsly charged us those glorious Three which bear Record in Heaven the Father Word and Spirit neither the Infinity Eternity and Divinity of Jesus Christ for that we know he is the Mighty God nor what the Father sent his Son to do on the behalf of Lost Man declaring to the whole World we know no other Name by which Attonement Salvation and plenteous Redemption comes But rather to let thee see how unsatisfactorily he has imposed Religion on the World and how exceeding open he lays his Principles to the Objection of every reasonable Inquirer For the Priest's Book was intituled A Guide to the true Religion after going forward and backward four times in his Religion and therefore deserved an Answer as W. P. did in his Book intituled The Guide Mistaken Page 19 and 20 The Libel quotes W. P. giving hard words to the Clergy which W. P. is far from disowning allowing him as in Reason his own Sense and Intention Are they not Idle Gormandizing Priests that Feed the People with that which is not Bread and yet live upon theirs That teach for Hire and make a Trade of the Ministry Have not they been the Bane of Soul and Body through Ages that have either been the Ground or Fomentors of the most bloody and infamous Revolutions of the World Go ask the Martyrologies of all Nations who are the Fire and Faggot Men against Tender Consciences and Reformation W. P. does not charge every Person of the Clergy some being of a more Moderate Temper and better Principles but he would have these of the Clergy that take his Words hardly or any of their Hearers inquire how many of the Clergy stood to their Principles in the Times of K. Henry VIII Edward VI. Q. Mary and Q. Eliz. they will find of the whole Ecclesiastical Body containing about 12 Thousand Persons not 5 Hundred of all Ranks and Degrees that shewed Conscience for their Religion but took their Turns at all And how few through the many Revolutions since our late Civil Wars began have been true to their Principles many yet living know to the Scandal of Religion as well as the Nation After this W. P. thinks himself very little accountable for what he has said to a most Temporizing and Hypocritical Parson J. C. of the Men of his Qualifications for he having excluded the Quakers Socinians c. from Salvation must not take it hard of any of us called Quakers if they think such Turn-Coats and Hypocrites have nothing to do there Libel p. 4. That the outward Person which suffered was properly the Son of God we utterly deny Against W. P. Serious Apology p. 146. The Answer is That if what W. P. hath said and plainly meant is not true then the Body that Suffer'd must be of the Divine Nature and consequently that which is of the Divine Nature is Mortal But that which is properly the Only-begotten of God must naturally be Immortal So that properly and strictly speaking that which could die cannot be the Only-begotten Entire Son of God and yet it was his Body that died and as such it may in a Sense be said He died and in no other respect does W. P. deny that which died to be the Son of God See his Book Serious Apology at large upon this Passage which sufficiently explains it self and exposes their great Disingenuity that Cite it Page 146. Priest Jenner chargeth us with Denying the Lord that bought us because as he falsly says we deny that Person the Son of God that died at Jerusalem to be our Redeemer Which most horrid Imputation says W. P. has been Answer'd more I believe than a thousand times that is That he that laid down his Life and suffer'd his Body to be Crucified by the Jews without the Gates of Jerusalem is Christ the Only Son of the Most High God But to Assert the Body which Suffered and Died was properly the Entire Son of God this brings Him more under the Charge of making him but a meer Man than us who acknowledge Him to be One with the Father and of a Nature Eternal and Immortal For he was Glorified with the Father before the World was And that it may yet farther appear that what we give for our meaning is such besides what is already cited turn over Leaf to Page 149. and observe what Confession the said W. P. then made as to the Matter Controverted We do Believe in One Holy God Almighty who is an Eternal Spirit the Creator of all things And in One Lord Jesus Christ his Only Son and Express Image of his Substance who took upon Him Flesh and was in the World and in Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation perfectly did and does continue to do the Will of God to whose Holy Life Power Mediation and Blood we only ascribe our Sanctification Justification Redemption and Perfect Salvation And we Believe in One Holy Spirit that proceeds and breaths from the Father and the Son as the Life and Virtue of both the Father and the Son a Measure of which is given to all to Profit with And he that has one has all for those Three are One who is the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last God over all Blessed for ever Amen FINIS
whether you be in the Faith Prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Quaery Was not this the very Christ of God suppose ye Or is there any more than one Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 8.6 though his appearance hath been in divers manners as in the Flesh and in the Spirit He who is the very Christ of God is truly Spiritually in true Believers see also Colos 1.27 Gal. 4.6 which is no Blasphemy to assert as we are unjustly aspersed Of the SOVL 7th Instance of Blasphemy charg'd p. 5. G. F. Great Myst p. 91. They shall see the Bishop of their Souls Christ the Power of God which is Immortal brings the Immortal Soul into the Immortal God Christ their Sanctification who Sanctifies their Spirits and Bodies and brings the Soul up into God from whence it came whereby they came to be one Soul Qu. Where 's the Blasphemy here pray 1. That Christ is the Bishop of the Soul is true 1 Pet. 2.25 2. That he is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God is also true 1 Cor. 1.24 3. That Christ of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption is also true 1 Cor. 1.30 1 Thess 4.4 The Rational Soul or Spirit of Man is Immortal and 't is Christ that Redeems and brings it up into God that gave it and they that are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit is also true See Eccles 3.21 ch 12.7 2 Sam. 4.9 Psal 71.23 Rev. 5.9 1 Cor. 6.17 I wish these Men that are so ready to call such-like Doctrine Blasphemy would more seriously read the Holy Scriptures As for G. F's Question Is not this that cometh out from God Part of God of God and from God c. and that 't is not horrid Blasphemy so to say Gr. Myst p. 100 273. The Term Part of God appears to be Originally by some Adversaries obtruded upon the Quakers and not G. F's but only admitted by him as from them and then Questions them in their own Improper Terms for God is not to be divided into Parts And where 't is said God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he became a living Soul and thereupon Question'd Is not this that cometh out from God or that which came out from God of God's Being Gr. Myst p. 100. This and that expresly relates to that Divine Inspiration or Breath of Life whereby Man became a Living Soul and not to the Creature Man himself or the Rational Soul or Spirit of Man as such The Question is not whether the distinct Souls or Spirits of Men are not of God's Being For that were as absurd as to ask if the Creature Man be not God About this Point our Adversaries quote Gr. Myst p. 91 100 273 100 90. Thus back and forward but still leaves our what 's most Material and Explanatory about the Soul or Spirit of Man and that which came out from God whereby Man became a living Soul as Gr. Myst p. 91. The Soul being in Death in Transgression so Man's Spirit there is not Sanctified and the Soul is in Death But he further declares on the other hand where the living of the Soul or Spirit is That 't is there Sanctified and the Counsel of God diligently hearken'd unto and stood in and Christ their Sanctification Sanctifies their Spirits c. And Gr. Myst p. 100. God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he i. e. Man became a living Soul These Passages our Adversaries leave out which shews their great Injurious Partiality and how inconsiderate they are of the distinction included between God and Man the Creator and the Creature between that Divine Breath or Spirit of Life which came out from God and the Creature Man who thereby became a living Soul The Soul is sometime put for God Prov. 6.16 Heb. 10.38 his Divine Life Breath or Spirit as the Great and Universal Soul of Mankind even the Soul or Life of the Soul as some Phrase it The Objection against G. F. in this Point is more fully Answered in my Treatise Entituled The Christianity of the People commonly call'd Quakers Vindicated from Antichristian Opposition Printed 1690 p. 4. as followeth Here the Doctor i. e. Forde has unfairly Quoted G. F. upon Trust leaving out what 's most Material both Distinction and Explanation about the Soul or Spirit of Man both with relation to its Creator and to the Creature Man being spoken of in both respects by our Friend 1. Where G. F. insists on the Words God breathed into Man the breath of Life and he became a Living Soul It was to this Breath or Spirit of Life as immediately coming from God that his Words related as his Question plainly shews i. e. was not that of God and of his Being which came out from God Meaning that Divine Breath or Spirit of Life by which Man became a Living Soul and from whence came not only Man 's Natural Breath and Life but also his Spiritual And this does distinguish between the Divine Being and the Creature Man and not confound their Beings And for the Soul or Spirit of Sanctified Man to center with God this is not to render it the Being of God or God Himself We know none professing the true God and Christ so grosly absurd as to say That Man made himself or was his own Maker Saviour or Redeemer 2. Our Friend speaks plainly in the same Book quoted against him Gr. Myst p. 90 91 100. That the Soul should be subject to the Power of God That Christ is the Bishop of the Soul who brings it up into God the Soul being in Death in Transgression Man's Spirit not Sanctified c. This could not intend the Being of God for that never sinned though there be something thereof in the Soul even in that Reasonable Soul or Spirit of Man which God by his Divine Word Breath or Spirit formed in Man Zech. 12.1 And so made Man a Living Soul The Quakers do not make themselves Equal with God and of Perfection c. 8th Instance Saul's Errand Printed 1654. p. 8. He that hath the same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ is equal with God We deny the Words as there Printed to be according to G. F's Sense or ours which is That the Holy Ghost and the Son is equab with the Father in Power and Glory then if any come to witness the Holy Ghost they come to Wieness that which is Equal in Power and Glory with the Father What if any come to Witness the Son of God revealed in them which he that hath not Him hath not Life do they not come to witness Him who is Equal in Power and Glory with the Father as in Gr. Myst p. 100. Therefore the Words He that hath in the said Instance should be left out being contrary to G. F's and our Principle and to his own very Words and Confession a little before in the
same Book where being charg'd with Professing himself to be equal with God he positively denies the Charge but confesses the Father and the Son are one and that Christ and the Holy Spirit are equal with God p. 5 6. And so Christ Jesus hoth as He was of the Seed of Abraham and also as he was Equal with God i. e. both to his Manhood and Divinity Therefore 't is falsly noted in their Margent That they i. e. the Quakers make themselves Equal with God Though they believe a Renewing into his Image by his Spirit and Power and to be thereby made Conformable to the Image of his Son and so to be made like him as every really Godly Man and true Christian in Christ is in some degree as Partakers of the Divine Nature yet the Creature Man is not Essentially Equal with his Maker that was never our Principle so to confound their Beings 9. Again to prove the Blasphemy against us Fr. Howgill's Works p. 232. is quoted viz. He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit There is Vnity and the Vnity stands in Equality it self When the Son is revealed and speaks the Father speaks in him and dwells in him and he in the Father in that which is equal Obs Here the Equality is placed between the Father and the Son as the Vnion is between Him and them who are joined to Him in Spirit and live and dwell in that Spirit which is Equal Where 's then the Blasphemy See Christ's Prayer John 17.21 That they all may be one as thou O Father art in Me and I in Thee that they may be also one in Vs that the World may believe that Thou hast sent me Ver. 22. And the Glory which thou gavest Me I have giventhem that they may be one as We are one Ver. 23. I in them and Thou in Me that they may be made Perfect in one that the World may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me. See also Ver. 26. The Equality in Nature objected relates to the Divine Nature which the Child of God partakes of in measure Tho' not in Stature relates to the Child that Divine Nature is one and unchangeable but our participating of it and growth in it is Gradual until all i. e. Christ's whole Church and Body come unto the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ Ephes 4.12 13. Now if Equality be apply'd to the Saints it can be intended no otherwise than their having in them a living Resemblance or Likeness of him who has renewed them into his own Image by the Power of his Spirit that is into his Righteousness and true Holiness so as to be partakers thereof in Christ Jesus And not an Essential Equality between them being Creatures and him that created and renewed them Perfect Holiness and Righteousness being required and believed of all true and Faithful Christians in Christ Jesus Yet we do not pretend to the Infinite Fulness of Wisdom and Knowledge as it is in God and Christ or to his manifold Wisdom but to a Degree of Divine Wisdom and Understanding according as his Spirit reveals it is to us and we capable to receive it which therefore is perfectly true and certain in every Measure and Degree thereof Now Serious Reader note by the way that we have more right to interpret our deceased Friends words with whom we were conversant when living to such an Evangelical Sense as we knew they intended than these Adversaries have to Charge them and us with Blasphemous Principles from their own Partial Minced Mangled and Broken Quotations as are and may be justly enumerated upon them together with their divers false notes in the Margent 9th Instance to prove Blasphemy against us p. 6 7. G. F. Great Mystery p. 107. He saith speaking of the Priest the Holyest Man that is is not able to give an Infallible Character of another Man To which he answers Hast not thou in this discovered thy self to be no Minister of Christ or of the Spirit who cannot give an Infallible Character of another Man How canst thou Minister to his condition p. 96. and thou not being Infallible thou art not in the Spirit and so art not a Minister of Christ and art not able to Judge of Powers that is not Infallible nor Magistrates nor Kingdoms nor Churches p. 33. And are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible Obs Tho' these Instances to prove us Guilty of Blasphemous Principles are very unfairly quoted the principal and most demonstrative Words both precedent and subsequent especially being left out by these Three Clergy-men as from the last words are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible they leave out these material Questions both before and after them viz. Now he that is not Infallible in his Counsel Judgment and Advice is not he in Error And are not the Ministers of Christ the Ministers of the Spirit And is not that out of the Error which is Infallible in Counsel and Judgment And are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible And is not the Power the Gospel Infallible Thus Great Mystery p. 33. Notwithstanding they have quoted sufficient to shew what they deem Blasphemy and what they hold to the contrary and their own not only Fallibility but great Darkness for to invert their sense contrary to what they have here quoted for Blasphemy and it must run thus viz. 1. That the Holiest Man that is is not able to give an Infallible Character of another Man 2. That a Minister of Christ or of the Spirit cannot give an Infallible Character of another Man and yet Minister to his Condition 3. That a Minster that 's Fallible is in the Spirit a Minister of Christ and yet cannot discern another Man's State or Condition so as to give an Infallible Character of him 4. Consequently Christ's Ministers without exception the Holiest of them all are hereby rendred not only Fallible but Uncertain in their Ministry Blind and Ignorant of the Spiritual States and Conditions of others All which shews these Guides to be in the Dark and very uncertain blind and Ignorant as well as Envious in their Calumniating us with Blasphemy for confessing to Infallibility sound Judgment and Discerning which we ascribe not to our selves alone without the Spirit 's Teachings and Guidance but originally and principally to the Spirit of Truth which Guides true Christians into all Truth which in it self is Infallible Unerring and Certain and so is the Teaching and Ministry thereof And so far as we are taught and led by the Spirit we are assured by it and led into sound Judgment Certainty and full Assurance both of Faith and Doctrine in matters of Salvation Revealed in the Gospel and Spiritual Ministry of Christ Jesus our Lord and Blessed Saviour tho' we ascribe not omniscience to our selves in any state He that abides in Christ sinneth not 1 John 3.6 consequently errs not is certain and as in Christ is
infallible in matters of Salvation and Christ's Kingdom he is in the way of Holiness in which the wayfaring-man shall not err Isai 35.8 If we follow our own Spirits and lean to our own Natural Understandings or Humane Reason we may err and mistake but if we adhere closely to the Spirit of Christ the Truth and be attentive to its Teaching and Guidance we shall not err nor be deceived My Sheep hear my voice saith Christ and a Stranger they will not follow But if there must be no discerning of Spirits no infallible or certain Character to be given of other Men's States or Conditions by an inward sense or discerning of Spirits then Christ's Sheep may follow Strangers Wolves Dogs c. and so be devoured contrary to his own Doctrine and below the sense and instinct of the very Sheep which leads them to shun Dogs and Wolves when they make at them whether they Bark or Howl or be Mute And who dare adventure their Bodies in the hands of such ignorant Physicians as have no certain understanding of Diseases or of Medicines How much less their Souls with such Doctors And how shall Satan transform'd be prevented from making havock in the Church of Christ if no certain discerning in the Church of his Attempts Then as to the certainty and infallibility of Christ's Ministers in the work of his Ministry We are not as many who corrupt or make merchandize of the Word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God so speak we in Christ 2 Cor. 2.17 And our Gospel was not unto you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thes 1.5 10th Instance to prove Blasphemy against us p. 7. Edw. Burroughs p. 862. Such i.e. Hereticks are infallibly known and discerned by the Spirit of God in the true Chunch of Christ and by every member of the same Obs Seeing this is made a proof of Basphemy against us let the contrary be Inverted upon these accusers and then it must be That Hereticks are not infallibly known and discerned by the Spirit of God in the true Church of Christ nor by the members thereof Contrary to what God has promised his People and to what has been and is experienced in the true Church where the Spirit and Power of Christ is present among them and humbly Obeyed Then shall you return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Mal. 3.18 and Job 6.30 A wise Man's heart discerneth both Time and Judgment Eccles 5.8 He that is Spiritual judgeth all things yet himself is judged of no Man 1 Cor. 2.15 And there was and is true Judgment and Discerning in the Church of Christ proceeding from his Spirit in the true and Spiritual Believers in Christ see 1 Cor. 6.2 3 4 5. and Chap. 14.29 Heb. 5.14 Yea further It was prophesied by Enoch the seventh from Adam against such Apostates as are mentioned in Juda's Epistle saying behold the Lord cometh in ten Thousands of his Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Sanctis Millibus suis To execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their Ungodly Deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard Speeches which Ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Jude 14.15 And these our Adversaries are accountable to God for all their Hard Speeches Severe and Unjust Judgment and Condemnation against his People called Quakers presuming to condemn us all as Blasphemers Hereticks c. from their own uncertain fallible and erroneous Judgments and Spirits but he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the Innocent are both abomination to the Lord. 11th Instance for proof of Blasphemy against us p. 7. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 282. Whereas Mr. Cawdry said surely they cannot be perfect here or hereafter in Equality but only in Quality Fox Answers Christ makes no distinction in his words but saith be ye perfect even as your Heavenly Father is and as he is so are we and that which is perfect as he is perfect is in Equality with the same thing which is of God and from God Obs Within the same Period here are several material Words left out wherein these Men have dealt very disingenuously next after the words Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is and be ye merciful as he is left out After that which is perfect and merciful left out Again after as he is perfect and merciful left out Now where 's the Blasphemy pray Was it not Christ's own Doctrine Be ye Perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Mat. 5.48 In the Old Bible printed in 1576. dedicated to Queen Elizabeth Ye shall therefore be perfite as your Father which is in Heaven is perfite and noted in the Margent We must labour to attain unto the perfection of God who of his free Liberality doth Good to them that are unworthy And Luke 6.36 Be ye therefore merciful as your Father is merciful Now what distinction dost Christ make in these Words and Precepts as in point of Purity And where 's the Perfection in Quality granted then And wherein must this Perfection consist 'T is not for any Man or Men to be perfect God but perfect Men true Men as their Heavenly Father is true God Men after God's own heart in Sincerity and Truth And was not Perfection of Holiness Righteousness and Purity the holy Apostles Doctrine Intent and End of their Ministry Yea sure See 2 Cor. 7.1 Ephes 4.12 13. Colos 1.28 1 John 2.1 and Chap. 3.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. verses 12th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy against us p. 7. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 101. saith It is the Doctrine of Devils that Preacheth that Men shall have sin and be in a Warfare so long as they be on Earth P. 231. All who come to Christ the Second Adam they come to Perfection and all who attain to Him they attain to Perfection in the Life of God out of the First Adam P. 271. For who are Sanctified have Perfect Vnity Perfect Knowledge Perfect Holiness Obs Not to insist upon the Unfairness of these Men in the Citation of these Passages leaving out the fore-going Lines which carry Proof in them thereof what 's the Tendency and Consequence of their Judging these Blasphemous But First That Men shall have sin and none obtain Victory over it though they war against it so long as they be on Earth Secondly That none who come to Christ or attain to him do attain to be perfect in Him or in the Life of God As if Perfection were not attainable in Christ contrary to the Holy Apostles Doctrine and Ministry which was for the Perfecting of the Saints and to present them perfect in Christ Jesus Ephes 4. Gol. 1. And if Sin be the work of the Devil and Christ be manifest to destroy it then it is a
Doctrine of Devils to Preach That Men shall have Sin and not overcome it while on Earth but Sin is the work of the Devil and Christ is manifest to destroy it 1 John 3. Therefore c. 'T is the Devils work to lead into Sin but 't is Christ's work to lead out of it Christ's Ministers are sent to turn People from Satan's Power to God's Power consequently from Satan's work and service they are the Devil's Ministers who Preach up Sin to continue term of Life and that it shall not be overcome nor perfect Sanctification obtain'd during life which therefore tends to keep People in Unbelief of Christ's Power and Work 13th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy p. 7. And Will. Penn in his Truth Exalted Re-Printed 1671. Laughs at the Church of England Men for confessing themselves Sinners and praying to God for Mercy Alas poor Souls saith he are not you at Have Mercy upon us miserable Sinners there is no Health in us from Seven to Seventy Obs Alas poor Sinners is not a sign of Laughter at them but rather of Lamentation and Pity over their miserable State who are always confessing but not forsaking their Sins You may see what Proofs of Blasphemy these Men produce against us 14th Instance or Charge p. 7. And Edw. Burroughs p. 33. saith That God doth not accept any where there is any Failing all who do not fulfill the Law and Answer every Demand of Justice Though none are accepted in any Act of Injustice or Omission of real Duty required yet coming under Judgment for the same and repenting thereof as they ought to do they obtain Mercy and Forgiveness of God for Christ's sake whose Grace though it Pardons Sins past through Faith and Repentance yet does not Indulge or Justifie any in their Continuance in Sin nor in wilful Sinning after Conviction Obs His meaning is First God doth not accept them in their Failing in Duty and in their not doing what 's Just as when some complain their best Duties are sinful and they do not answer or obey Truth in their Actions For our Acceptance is in Christ the Beloved and not out of Him 2. If Men seek acceptance by their own Legal Performances they fall short See James 2.10 But these Adversaries have unjustly left out the fore-going Words in their Quotation viz. But those that love God keep his Commandments and they are not grievous And these left out within the same Period Now doth God accept of any that do not love Him who do Injustice and Iniquity Now these Adversaries having opposed the Vrim and Thummim Light and Perfection Typified in the Brest-plate of Judgment Exod. 28.30 as testified and witnessed in the Gospel-Dispensation they proceed to other Charges to prove the People called Quakers Blasphemous in Principle 15th Charge p. 8. In Truth defending the Quakers written from the Spirit of Truth in G. W. and G. F. Jun. Printed 1659. p. 7. The Question being put Whether the Quakers did esteem their Speakings to be of as great Authority as any Chapter in the Bible 'T is Answered That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth In any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater Observe Here they have unjustly quoted G. W. c. leaving out the Annexed Explanatory Words which are within the same Period viz. As Christ's Words were of greater Authority when He Spoke than the Pharisees reading the Letter and they in whom that Spirit speaks not are out of the Authority of the Scriptures and their Speaking we deny Thus far the Answer Note here that the Comparison is not plac'd upon our Speakings nor yet the Authority distinct from the Spirit of Truth but upon the Spirit of Truth speaking in Man in the first place and through and by the Ministers thereof in the next place And surely the Spirit has not lost his own Authority or Power since it first gave out the Holy Scriptures In the next place that the Spirit of Truth immediately Ministring In Man or by any Spiritual Minister is of greater Authority Power or Efficacy than the Chapters are simply considered as without the Spirit And as to the Division of Chapters and Verses can these Men say That was done by Divine Authority I suppose not Yet we sincerely still acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of Divine Authority as given by Divine Inspiration and prefer them before and above all other Writings or Books and in no wise question the Truth of them But we must needs allow the Holy Spirit from whence they came the Preference and its Immediate Teaching and Speaking in the Soul as of greater Efficacy Power and Authority to that Soul than the bare Writing or Scripture without or only reading thereof though it contain the same Words immediately taught And so Christ and his Apostles living and powerful Preaching in and from the Powerful Motion of the Holy Spirit as being of greater Efficacy Power and Authority than the outward Writing or Scripture it self simply or abstractly considered as distinct from that Spirit Though the Words Preached and the Words Written may be the same As when Christ had opened the Scriptures unto his Disciples they said one to another Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us by the way and while he opened to us the Scriptures which concerned his Suffering and entering into his Glory Luke 24.32 But how many by reading Christ's Words and Exposition of the Prophets without his Spirit do ever cause Peoples Hearts so to burn within them The Gospel as livingly Preached came not in Words only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.5 For the real Authority Efficacy and Service the Holy Scripture has upon a Soul is from the Holy Spirit or Word of Life giving the true Belief and right Understanding thereof As Answered in my Treatise Intituled The Christianity of the People called Quakers Vindicated in Answer to Doctor Ford p. 13. And in Christ's Lambs Defended to the Reader p. 7. Their Inference in the Margent That they i.e. the Quakers have immediate Revelations equal with the Prophets and Apostles Is not truly inferred for we may have Immediate Revelation from the same Spirit yet not in the same Degree There are manifold Gifts Openings and Discoveries given by the Holy Spirit and yet some above and excelling others And so there are many Testimonies and Writings proceeding and given forth from the same Spirit yet some far excelling others as there are many Varieties in God's Creation And it ever was and is far from me to prefer any of our Books or Writings how true soever to the Holy Scripture or Bible 16th Charge p. 8. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 242. tells us that the Priest saith That the Apostles were Eye-witnesses and understood by immediate Revelation from God Inspired with the Gift of the Spirit more than any Man could hope for since and saith They do not pretend
contain'd in them To that other Part of their Charge relating to Difference p. 11. As they make nothing of it against us but only give us a Quotation whether altogether true or not is a Question So I see no advantage they can make of it against us suppose it as it is That if any Difference arise in the Church or among them that profess themselves Members thereof the Church with the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ hath power to determine the same if any pretend to be of us and in case of Controversie will nor admit to be tried by the Church of Christ Jesus nor submit to the Judgment given by the Spirit of Truth c. such to be rejected And what of all this Is there either Blasphemy or Sedition herein How is this pursuant to the Priests Charge in their Title Page Doth not our blessed Lord say concerning the offending Brother if he should neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen-man and a Publican Mat. 18.17 But first he prescribes a due Order of Procedure towards such an Offender First privately then before Witnesses vers 15 16. And the Apostle severely reprehends one Brother going to Law with another and that before Unbelievers saying Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the World and if then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this Life set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church See more at large 1 Cor. 6.1 to v. 9. As to the Story against Sam. Jennings about the proceeding against G. K. in Pennsilvania I question the Truth of it however if these Priests do esteem G. K. such an Eminent or Good Christian and not a Quaker why do they not openly receive him into their Society and Arms of their Church and promote him as well as privately Consult with him and Credit and Accept his Accusations against us It seems they are hard put to it for Aid in their Designs that they must be beholden to such as F. Bugg and G. K. for their Help against the People called Quakers who for many Years were own'd by them for God's Chosen and Peculiar People And G. K. will never be able to obliterate all he has written in their behalf with all his pretended Retractations 24th Charge p. 12. Saul's Errand p. 14. The Question was put to G. F. Whether Christ in the Flesh be a Figure or not and if a Figure how and in what To which he Answers Christ is the Substance of all Figures and his Flesh is a Figure And in Truth Defending the Quakers by G. W. c. p. 20. It is said expresly That Christ's coming in the Flesh is but a Figure Ans I deny that it is so said expresly by G. W. That Christ's coming in the Flesh is but a Figure it is an express Falshood as it seems to Charge me with the Words for they are in the Priest's Question Quest 35. Did R. H. well in Writing That Christ's coming in the Flesh was BUT a Figure These were none of my Words but the Priests In my Answer I have neither the Word But nor the Assertion So I ask hast thou not read That he was the express Figure of his Father's Substance And I understood that by the Word Figure R. H. and G. F. meant Example that is that they look'd on Christ as in the Flesh as an Example rendring Example or Figure Synonimous and yet confess Christ to be the substance of all Figures Types and Shadows as in Saul's Errand p. 8 and 14. but do not say that Christ in the Flesh is but a Figure neither did I so say or assert as is falsly cast upon me But in my Antitode against the Snake in the Grass I fully explain this Point according to Scriptures from p. 155 to 178. part whereof follows viz. Type or Figure sometimes points at a thing to come as in Rom. 5.14 who was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Figure of him that was to come And sometimes Type or Figure denotes a present Example or Pattern as in Phil. 3.17 Mark them which walk so as ye have us for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Example And the same word is used in 2 Thes 3.9 and 1 Tim. 4.12 and Tit. 2.7 and 1 Cor. 10.11 only in different Cases or Terminations And also the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Example or Type John 13.15 Heb. 9.23 Thus Example or Type are made Synonimous in T. C's Lexicon and the like in Crit. Sacr. but more fully explained For there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Exemplum Exemplar triplicem habet in Scriptura significatum 1. Significat Typum seu figuram rerum vel praeteritarum Heb. 8.5 vel futurarum Heb. 9.23 2. Exemplum Imitationis John 13.15 1 Tim. 4.12 Tit. 4.7 3. Exemplum Monitionis sive Cautelae ut 2 Pet. 2.6 That is to say Exemplum or Exemplar hath a threefold signification in Scripture 1. It signifies a Type or Figure of things either past or to come 2. An Example of Imitation 3. An Example of Warning or Caution Now see how Synonimously the Terms Type Figure Pattern and Example are rendred in Scripture and of what extent not only in relation to the Types under the Law but in some respect to Christ and his Ministers tho' he be also confessed to be the Antitype Substance and End of all Legal Shadows Types and Figures But I have not called Christ himself a Type of our Light within nor justified the same Thus far Antidote p. 176 177. 25th Charge G. F. Great Mystery p. 206. The Apostles preached Christ that was crucified within and not another him that was raised up from the Dead was risen that Lord Jesus Christ within Obs Not to insist on their following broken and lame Quotations with their nonsensical Dashes here they sillily carp at the manner of these Expressions they wanting due points as The Apostles preached Christ that 's crucified within and not another there wanted this Parenthesis For 't is plainly exprest before viz. If Christ that is crucified be not within and Christ that 's Risen be not within I say that you are all Reprobates Great Mystery Ibid. And he that hath not this Christ that was risen and crucified within is a Reprobate Ibid. here wanted the Parenthesis again tho' explained in the foregoing words viz. If Christ that was crucified be not within c. 'T is certain there is but one Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 8. who came both in the Flesh and in the Spirit What they Charge News coming up c. p. 14. Your Baptism is Carnal here they leave out Sprinkling Infants which God never commanded and their Sacrament as they call it is carnal and here again they leave out and there is not a word in the Scripture that speaks of a Sacrament and their Communion is Carnal a little Bread and Wine whereupon I propose to these our severe Judges that if these Expressions be offensive to them and
submit to and acknowledged Monarchy to be set up by the Power or Providence of God when the time came were they Hypocritical Temporizers therein No such matter They might be consciencious in both As Samuel the Prophet was in the Case of Saul when he was displeased at the Peoples desiring a King and foretold the manner of one 1 Sam. 8. And yet when God gave them one he own'd him as the Lord 's Annointed and chosen 1 Sam. 10. This is apt to our Purpose so far as it is Applicable Who dare say the Prophet was a Hypocrite or a Temporizer in either Our Constancy and Confidence we place not in Persons but the Truth and the thing that is just as to Governments Persons are mututable but Truth is not Good Kings and Governments we never opposed And tho' we like not bad ones we have always been true and constant to the Doctrine of Non-Resistance and Passive Obedience And our Patient and Deep Sufferings by Imprisonments and Spoil c. under the various Revolutions of Government till of late have sufficiently cleared us from the Infamous Charge of Hypocritical Temporizers c. most unjustly and maliciously cast upon us Thus far the said Answer 'T is farther observable that these Men's notifying the Quakers in their Margents as against Kingly Government against the House of Lords against the House of Commons against Judges Justices and Constables against Lawyers and against Lords of Mannors as in their p. 15 to p. 20. They should rather have added and against Covetous Persecuting Priests but this they have omitted in their Margent as they have left out many other things in their Citations which touch themselves to the quick And if the whole Tenure and Intent of those Writings lamely and partially quoted by them were seriously read and duly considered it would appear that it was the Corruption of those Places and Offices that was struck at rather than the Places themselves considered in their first Institution Who can say that there was never Monarchy nor House of Peers nor House of Commons nor Judges Justices or Lawyers Corrupted Whose Corruptions formerly occasioned a Zeal to arise in some to reprehend and testifie against them What they quoted against G. F. in p. 17. To the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England for selling Abby-Lands and Glebe-Lands given to the Priests that they might be given to the Poor c. and above 7000. Quakers declaring against the Ministry that take Tythes I suppose this most touches and offends some Priests concerned 't is terrifying to them to think such a considerable People should be so averse to their Self-Interest their making such Trade and Gain of Preaching This I warrant you comes more near them than Advising to sell Whte-Hall c. for Alms-Houses for all the Blind and Lame to be there c. as they quote the words which was in the Common-Wealth's days It seems G. F. was more for the Charitable Use of such Places in those days than for the Proud and Voluptuous to exalt themselves and make their Nests in them As to what they quote against G. Fox Jun. out of his Works Reprinted 1665. p. 87 88. I need not insist upon it it being occasionally first writ in the time of the Common Wealth 's Government and related to Parliaments then chosen by the Voices of the People that is such People as did not truly desire the good of God's People as he saith and such as were Covetous oppressing Men who oppressed the Poor where vox Populi was not vox Dei he writes against their having the only Power to chuse Law-makers and also against the great Corruptions and unwarrantable means used for the Choice of Representatives in those days and which in these days often wants Reforming in divers places as the Votes of Parliament have frequently shewn Certainly G. F. Jun. had an honest intent in what he writ on this subject which impartially read altogether looks a great deal better and far more Innocent than these Carpers and Pickers make of it by their picking out here and there Pieces and Patches and leaving out what is most plain and explanatory of the intent of the whole and that justly touches and affects themselves As where under the same Head G. F. saith It hath been the Complaint of the Soberest and Honestest Men in several Counties when they should have chosen Parliament-Men that they could not Chuse such a Man as they judged would act singly for the good of the People of God and the Country because they were over-voted by the Wild Disaffected People who sometimes have been stirred up by their Priests to vote for such a Man as the Priests knew would act for their Covetous oppressing Self-interest And in some places some Great Proud Men who desired to be in Authority have Feasted the People and sent Gifts to them with Flatteries thereby striving to get the People to vote for them promising them to stand for their Liberties when it hath been but to serve their own Self-ends And G. F. further saith Seeing the great Oppressors of the Land viz. Preists and Lawyers and the great Wicked Covetous Persecuting Men are so much concerned in the chusing them so that if Parliaments so chosen should continue the People of the Lord are not like to be set free from their Oppression tho' Parliaments and Rulers have been made to do many good things by a Power which many of them scarce knew I dare Appeal to any Judicious observing Persons whether the like Corruptions are not too frequently used in this Nation Now pray observe that I do not in the least design to oppose the Peoples fair and lawful Elections according to the true and just Intention and Constitution of Parliaments Again they Charge E. Burroughs in his Works p. 522. A running to the Powers of the Earth What have you Ministers lost the Lord to be your Strength that you must flee for help to Men Must they make Laws to establish you and set you up Is not this the Whore that Rode upon the Beast c Obs After the words Flee for help to Men they leave out to defend you from the Spirit of God in his People And also divers following Passages which touch their own Spirits viz. Is he i. e. the Priest crying to you to Persecute the Innocent c. And would he have some Fire and Faggot again in Smithfield and some Persecution and Banishment acted upon the People of God Thus E. B. which was in the Year 1659. Again these Men proceed in their Charge against E. B. p. 524. viz. To the then Parliament you do but cause People to Drink of the Whore's Cup and you are but them i. e. the Beast which carry the Whore to wit the False Church And this is plain dealing to tell you the Truth p. 18. Pray observe again here they have left out both the fore-going and following Passages which shew the Reason of these Expressions where he
this Age is greater suffering and more unjust than in the Days of Christ or of the Apostles or in any time since here they leave out Queen Mary 's Days brought not forth a Suffering more Cruel in many respects as doth appear Now tho' I may not undertake to Vindicate all those Expressions or the next following yet the words In many Respects which these Men have left out do so far help the matter and explain his meaning and intention as not to compare the then Sufferings of the Lord's People in every respect or in all respects to the Sufferings in the Days of Christ or his Apostles or in Queen Mary's Days but in many respects And those Respects E. B. partly explains in the same and in the next Paragraph viz. As First The Martyrs in Queen Mary's days had more just Examination and Prosecution in Law than the People of God have now for now some of the Magistrates in England cast Men into Prison and confine them and cause their Goods to be spoiled without any Law or the due Execution of a Law Secondly Herein it doth appear to exceed the Suffering of the Saints in former Age in that many Suffer now cruel Things about Trivial Foolish Matters as for not putting off the Hat or for Theeing i. e. Thouing Men and also for denying Swearing We do not read that the worst of Tyrants in the Apostles Days or before or since ever caused any to suffer for Such things as these or ever questioned any upon such small Accounts for Hundreds have suffered upon Suspicion when nothing at all can be charged against them And this is contrary to Magna Charta And in many other respects which might be named this suffering is greater than hath been in any Age. Thus E. B. explains himself And further to shew the greater Injustice of such Persecution under the then Common Wealth in 1657. he gives this Reason Because Liberty of Conscience in the Exercise of Religion was never so much promised and professed as in this Nation at this day and yet for the Exercise of a pure Conscience many are Woful Sufferers even by such who in words profess Liberty of Conscience themselves c. This was under the Common Wealth 's Government in 1657. And as to the following quoted against E. B. viz. What was done to Christ or the Apostles was chiefly done by a Law and in a great part by the due Execution of a Law c. Now according to E. B's own Explication his words should run thus viz. The Suffering of the People of God in many respects in this Age is greater and more Extraordinarily Arbitrary than in the days of Christ or his Apostles and more Vnjust that is on their parts who professed Liberty of Conscience and knew better than the Ignorant Persecutors in the days of Christ and his Apostles For E. B. in 1657. and in p. 337. tells them then of the People of God being persecuted by many of the Rulers Priests and People sent to Prison and Banish'd out of Towns and Whipt and Beaten scorn'd and revil'd that the same things were done to the Apostles and to the Servants of the Lord which saith he are now done unto the People of God c. So that the one was as unjust in it self as the other I confess tho' E. B. was a Man truly inspired with the Spirit of God and of Prophesie and endued with Heavenly Gifts above many of his Years being but a Young Man yet he was not so skilled in Law-terms as to express himself therein altogether free from Exception For instead of due Execution it should rather have been by a Regular or Judicial Procedure he intending as to Form or Order of Law tho' the sufferings of the People of God both in the days of Christ and his Apostles and in Queen Mary's were very unjustly inflicted upon them and with far greater Barbarities and Cruelties unto Death than in the Common-wealth's days in Old England But in New England some were cruelly Whipt and others unjustly put to Death And in the Vallies of Piedmont in 1655. Morland's History gives account in the Year 1658. of the Lamentable Cruelties Barbarities and Tortures many of those People suffered unto death But as to this said Charge against E. B. I have sufficiently answered and clear'd the matter as on our parts and sufferings over and over to F. Bugg as in the Quakers Vindication against Bugg 's Calumnies in one Sheet p. 2. and my Sober Expostulation p. 63 64 65 66. But instead of taking any Serious Notice thereof he frequently repeats the same Charge with his Additions Scoffs and Perversions As in his Postscript subjoned to these Three Norfolk-Priests Brief Discovery p. 28. he has a fling at us about it after his flouting fallacious way of writing in these words This your Prophet and Son of Thunder in his Works p. 273. tells the World that the sufferings of the Quakers are greater yea and more unjust too than the sufferings in the days of Christ his Apostles and Martyrs yea all the Ten Persecutions by your Doctrine were nothing to the Quakers sufferings Now what a notorious and horrid Lie and Perversion this is upon us F. B. himself cannot be ignorant how I have answered him two or three times over to the contrary in this point To their quoting Jos Wyeth in his Primitive Christianity p. 6. asserting Our Principles are now no other than what they were when we were first a People for Truth changes not And also for Conclusion they quote G. Whitehead in his Brief Remarks on T. C's Book annext to the Counterfeit Convert Printed 1694. p. 72. saying I may see cause otherwise to word the matter and yet our Intentions be the same To the first I say These Men have not convicted us of any such Change of our Principles from what they were when first we were a People as they would insinuate as if we were changed to such Confessions of Faith as seem much more agreeable to the Word of God and more Conformable to the Church of England than formerly as in their Margent p. 26 27. And yet these Men do now more hidiously exclaim against us as blasphemous and seditious than ever they did before Now when in their Esteem we are far more Orthodox than at first in our Principles But they will needs have it that they have just Cause to distrust these our Professions as being design'd to serve a Turn because we are far from disowning our ancient Books as they say in which these Blasphemies are contained Margent Note p. 27. So they conclude all Blasphemies they have quoted out of our Books against us but we want Proof still of this great and loud Charge And they have given no clear Definition of our Principles nor distinguish'd Principles from the Circumstance of Words Expressions and Arguments which may be variously given in defence of the same Principles But which is worse give their partial
one like a Conjurer c. quoted against G. W. and other Quakers as they say in their Book Intituled Ishmael and his Mother cast out As to this Quotation though not truly taken yet as the Words are in the said Ishmael c. quoted G. Whitehead hath positively disown'd the Words and affirms They are none of his and that he writ not that part of the Answer to Townsend which was in the Year 1654. and that he neither shall stand by nor own these Words and that after he saw them in Print he was sorry his Name was to that Paper without distinction between what he writ and what he did not write in it wherein the Words are which gave the Occasion and which appear too Rash and Irreverent either to Vindicate Solid Truth or oppose any wrong Notion For a more full account of G. Whitehead's Innocency and Clearness in this very Matter he refers the Reader to his Answer to Dr. Forde Intituled The Christianity of the People commonly called Quakers Printed 1690. p. 28. Now pray observe That in the Vnity of the Godhead there is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost being those Divine Three Witnessing in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and that those Three are One of one Substance Power and Eternity As we have not denied but confess'd this Doctrine herein we don't disagree II. Concerning Christ our Blessed Lord. 4. That the outward Person which Suffer'd was properly the Son of God we utterly deny against W. P's Serious Apology p. 246. Here I take him to mean the Son of God in respect to his Divine Being as He is of One Substance with the Father which his Body that Suffered Death was not Though He was truly the Son of God as He took upon Him that Body and as made of a Woman Gal. 4.4 Being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary Take W. P's own Explication in the same Page and Paragraph which is unfairly left out where he plainly confesseth That He that laid down his Life and suffered his Body to be Crucified by the Jews without the Gates of Jerusalem is Christ the only Son of the Most High God c. one with the Father and of a Nature Eternal c. These Words our Adversaries leave out 5. Your Imagined God beyond the Stars and your Carnal Christ is utterly denied c. Here they quote Sword of the Lord drawn p. 5. By C. A. Which Book I have not but these Words are denied as well as the Person that writ them as Offensive and as neither proper to the true Christ or Omni-present God who therefore is not an imagined God nor is the true Christ a Carnal Christ but a Spiritual and Most Glorious Christ See Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 145. 6. The Devil was in thee thou sayst thou art Saved by Christ without thee and so hast recorded thy self a Reprobate Against Great Mystery p. 250. Which was because this Adversary was Ignorant of the Mystery of Christ within him as the Words there follow which are unjustly left out For instead of owning the Mystery of Christ within the Adversary in the place quoted pleads the Continuance of Sin in the Saints for their Humiliation Gr. Myst p. 250. 7. What was his Christ's Person being mean and contemptible to them his Disciples more than another Person Against Will Bailey's Works p. 307. The Parenthesis is wrong placed here to pervert the Sense 't is thus in the Book quoted viz. They loved his Person for the sake of the Frame and Quality of the Spirit that dwelt in Him or else what was his Person being mean and contemptible to them more than another Person but for that which dwelt in him they loved him let none mistake I do not slight it c. So that by this his Person was more than any other i. e. more excellent though made very low by Suffering 8. That Finite and Impotent Creature Speaking of Christ Here they quote Sandy Foundation p. 20. Which is a shameful Abuse and Lie he speaks not a Word of Christ in that Paragraph but of the Finite and Impotent Creature in general as being capable of Forgiving Injuries done him which the Notion of an Adequate and Rigid Satisfaction allows not God 9. The Sufferings of the People of God Quakers c. Quakers is added and the Subsequent Matter Answered before 10. The Blood of Christ was no more than the Blood of another Saint Quoted against S. E's Letter Not warrantable Expressions and disown'd in the said Antidote p. 223 224 225. Where the Benefit of Christ's Blood is truly confessed Their Charge against W. P. about Christ's Co-essentiality and Co-eternity with the Father of his being made Man c. p. 4. Answered by W. P. himself hereafter 11. Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure i. e. a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within This is quoted against G. Whitehead's Truth Defending the Quakers p. 22. They abuse me still in this it was none of my Assertion That Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure Neither is there such a word in that page quoted but in the Priest's Question p. 20. as before is answered and it is a manifest Forgery upon me that Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within I positively disown these words as a down-right Forgery and Abuse put upon me What a horrid shame is it that any Priests or their Agents should have a hand in presenting the Parliament with such Lies and Abuses 12. One outward thing cannot be the proper Figure or Representation of another The Outward Lamb shews forth the Inward Lamb i. e. The Paschal Lamb was not the Figure or Type of the Outward Christ but of the Light within of which Christ himself was but a Figure This is quoted against W. Penn's Christian Quaker p. 97. Their subsequent Perversion is notorious and as grosly false Tho' it is not the way of the Scripture to teach us as W. P. saith in the page quoted that One outward thing is or can be the proper Figure or Representation of another yet it is a twofold Falshood and Perversion to make it the Quakers Doctrine that the Paschal Lamb was not Figurative or Typical of Christ as without us but of the Light within As also that Christ himself was but a Figure of the Light within These I testifie against as a Two-fold Falshood and Perversion against the Quakers And how will these Men prove that the outward Paschal Lamb was the proper Figure or Representation of Christ's outward Person pray What proper Resemblance had they Was not rather the Lamb in respect of its Innocency a proper Figure of Christ's Innocency as the Lamb of God once Offered for Sin 13. The Quakers see no need of directing Men to the Type for the Anti-type nor yet to Jerusalem either
that as the Serpent is a Spirit the Seed Christ must be Inwardly and Spiritually known by his Light Life and Power to bruise under and cast out the Serpent See how at large W. P. explains it and confesseth to the true Christ the promised Seed both as in the Flesh and in the Spirit Christian Quaker 1st part Chap. 19. 25. Let us but Soberly consider what Christ is and we shall the better know whether Moral Men tho' Heathen are to be reckoned Christians What is Christ but Meekness Justice Mercy c. Can any then deny a Meek Man to be a Christian This against W. P's Address to Protestants Second Edition Anno 1692. p. 119. Here they have added tho Heathen and after Mercy they leave out Patience Charity and Virtue in Perfection W. P. did not design thereby to lessen the Power or Dignity of Christ who is the Author of these Virtues no more than the Apostle did in saying He Christ is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption spoken in the Abstract And the Prophet saying God is my Light and my Salvation tho' God and Christ also be the Author of Redemption and Salvation III. Concerning the Holy Scriptures 26. Whether the first Pen-men of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these are not one c. This with more Questions quoted against John Whitehead Quakers Refuge p. 17. Thus these adversaries as F. Bugg and the Author of the Snake use to do to Defame us leave out these following words relative to each thing questioned viz. is not the subject of my Argument at this time Hence 't is plain the Person who recited the Questions which was not John Whitehead but R. R. waveth these Questions and cited them not as the Subject of his own Argument about the Scriptures but of some others he would not be concern'd to dispute those Questions or Doubts For he further confesseth in the said Quakers Refuge quoted That such Scriptures and Prophecies as have been Written and Prophesied by the Holy Men of God as they were moved by his Spirit Treating of the Mystery of God in the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind by Jesus Christ and the Duty of Man in his Obedience to and Worship of the same God as his reasonable Service for the Gift of so great Salvation are the great Concerns now under our most serious Consideration From hence it 's clear the Author was no Contemner of Holy Scripture nor intended any Contempt thereof as is more fully cleared in my said Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 83 84 85. 27. The Scriptures are not the Word of God Yet he says of his own Writings To you all this is the Word of the Lord. Against G. F. Gr. Myst p. 246. Ibid. p. 225. Note first by the Word of God he means Christ the Essential Living Word in the first place Secondly To you all this is the Word of the Lord in that place he speaks of the Light within and the Spirit that was in them that gave forth the Scriptures Gr. Myst p. 225. yet confesseth the Scriptures of Truth are God's Words which Christ the Word fulfills p. 246. And if elsewhere concerning what he gave forth from the Living Word that it was the Word of the Lord he intends only as Words immediately proceeding from the Motion of the Word of the Lord and not of his own Writings Abstractly as he is misunderstood and misrepresented What we are Charged with in their next Passages concerning the Authority of the Scriptures and concerning Beastly Wares the Letter c. p. 6 7. 'tis fully Answer'd and Distinguish'd in the first Part And our Adversaries injuriously dealing with us and misrepresenting us fully detected IV. 29. Concerning the Sacraments so call'd Circumcision Water-Baptism Paschal-Lamb Bread and Wine Sprinkling Infants c. These are spoken to before only this I propose That what any of our Friends have written heretofore against Sprinkling Infants as Unscriptural if they 'll please to bring us plain Scripture-Proof for that Practice as they use it then we are bound to revoke what 's written against it V. Concerning the Resurrection of the Body 30. They quote some Arguments out of W. P's Reason against Railing and his Invalidity of J. Faldo 's Vindication and Tho. Ellwood 's Answer to G. Keith 's First Narrative and Rich. Hubberthorn 's Opposing the Doctrine of the Glorified Saints in Heaven not being Perfect both distinguishing between the Natural Body and the Spiritual Body according to 1 Cor. 15. whose Arguments not being Answer'd by these Opposers I shall need say the less to them only would have them so Charitable as that if they believe that the Resurrection-Bodies of the Saints shall be the same Natural and Carnal Bodies that now they are upon Earth that they would not Condemn us as Blasphemers for Believing our Resurrection-Bodies shall be Spiritual and Glorious far excelling these Natural Carnal and Earthly Bodies For else how should the Saints Bodies be like unto Christ's Glorious Body VI. 31. That the Quakers make themselves Equal to God and a Part of God This repeated Falshood is detected and answered in the First Part and so are their Instances of the Soul against Gr. Myst p. 273. and p. 100. and p. 91. and p. 229. where the Word Soul is distinguish'd in a two-fold Sense First in Relation to God his Divine Spirit or Breath of Life Secondly to Man as thereby made a Living Soul 32. We are of his Flesh and Bones and have his Substance Against Gr. Myst p. 248. This is falsly Quoted 'T is not there said in the Affirmative That we are so but an Inversion upon the Adversary from Ephes 5.30 John 6.56 33. Christ is not distinct from his Saints Against Great Mystery p. 207. He means not divided or separate from his Saints as by his following Words Christ is in his Saints Gr. Myst p. ibid. 34. Christ is the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88. So saith the Prophet of Him Isai 42.1 G. F. also calls Christ's Sheep the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88 89. 35. The Light within is Christ Gr. Myst p. 310. True but not truly Quoted but thus viz. The Light which every Man that cometh into the World is Lightned withal is Christ Gr. Myst ibid. And Christ the Light saith I in them and Thou in Me John 17.23 26. 36. The Soul is not a Creature but Infinite in it self without beginning Gr. Myst p. 29 90. This is mis-cited and wrong mixt they turn and confound Questions into Affirmatives That which is Infinite in it self relates to that which came out from the Creator namely that Divine Life or Soul which gave Life and Being to Man's Soul 'T is not said Man's Soul or Spirit is not a Creature as distinguished more fully in the First Part. 37. They that have the Spirit of God are equal with God Er. Howgill 's Works p. 232. These are none of F. Howgill's
Words but his Adversary's what a Falacious Course do these our Adversaries take to prove us Criminal F. H's Words are He that hath the Spirit of God is in that which is Equal The Matter is Answered in the First Part and so is that Quoted out of Saul's Errand p. 8. 38. The Righteousness which God effects in us is not Finite but Infinite G. W. Voice of Wisdom p. 36. This was Inferr'd from the Priests owning That the Righteousness whereof Christ is the Subject and that whereof he is the Efficient are of one Species or Kind And from Galat. 4.19 Christ being formed in us And 2 Pet. 1.4 The Saints being made Partakers of the Divine Nature And Heb. 2.11 Eccles 3.14 I concluded Then God's Righteousness in us is not Finite but Infinite Voice of Wisd p. 36 37. Now I suppose they place the Mistake or Error supposed between the Words Effects and Infinite as if nothing could be said to be Infinite that had a beginning or that is effected which is to suppose whatsoever is Infinite has no Beginning as well as no End but Infinite is not always taken in that Sense for 't is sometimes apply'd to things that had a Beginning as in Nah. 2.9 chap. 3.9 But my meaning simply of the Word Infinite was That God's Righteousness which he effects in us is Everlasting and without End Psal 119 142. And Christ is said to be of God made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 I hope none will deny him to be Infinite or his Work of Righteousness and the Effect thereof to be Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa 32.17 VII Of Christ's Coming to Judge the Quick and the Dead P. 9. 39. But Three Comings of Christ not only that in the Flesh at Jerusalem and that in the Spirit but also another coming in the Flesh yet to be expected we do not yet read of Against G. W's Light and Life page 41. But is this to deny or oppose Christ's coming to Judge the Quick and the Dead 'T was never so intended And Questioning some Men's Carnal Expectations of a Fleshly coming of Christ to be seen with their Carnal Eyes was this to deny his coming in the Glory of his Father with his Angels to Reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16.27 Luke 9.26 No sure for that 's confessed and undeniable Likewise to question some Men's Notion of a Fleshly coming of Christ Personally to Reign a Thousand Years on Earth is this to oppose his Kingdom or that Prophecy of his Reign a Thousand Years mentioned Rev. 20.2 4 5 6 7 No sure Let our Adversaries produce plain Scripture-Proof in Terminis for Christ's Coming and Reign in that manner and the Question is Resolv'd To their other Citation out of Nature of Christianity p. 29 30. Thou may'st look until thy Eyes drop out before thou wilt see such an appearance of him meaning with his carnal Eyes This is true in Fact for those very Eyes decay and perish and Christ's last coming in Power and great Glory in his glorious Body accompanied with All his mighty Angels at the Resurrection must be seen with stronger clearer and more celestial Eyes than perishing Eyes of Flesh And though we have believed Christ's Second Appearance or Coming without Sin unto Salvation mentioned Heb. 9.28 that is to save Men from their Sins to be a Spiritual Appearance and Work yet this is not to deny Christ to be the Judge both of the Quick and the Dead or his coming to judge the Quick and the Dead in the great and last Day 40. And as for that 1 Thes 4.15 concerning the Coming of the Lord from Heaven which these Men would blindly put a-far off Q. against Brief Discovery p. 9. in Answer to John Horn c. Anno 1659. Here they leave out As to a coming of Christ with Flesh and Bones meaning without any Blood in it for such a Body they then held and The Apostle saith We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep These are left out also in their Citation In the Ancient Bible of Q. Elizabeth the words are We which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which sleep From my inferring the Saints knowledge of Christ's Spiritual Coming who is Lord from Heaven I would have none suppose that we at all doubt of the Coming of the Son of Man the Lord Jesus and shewing himself from Heaven at the great Day and all his Holy Angels with him as testified in Holy Scripture by himself and Servants On Phil. 20.21 after the words Their Conversations was in Heaven They add To wit a Heaven within them Thus the Quotation is wronged in this and divers other words 41. There is none have a Glory and a Heaven but within them Gr. Myst p. 214. Here they leave out what follows viz. Which was before Man had a Being The words should be Transposed viz. There 's none have a Glory and a Heaven within them but which was before Man had a Being For what true and heavenly Glory or Joy any have within them 't was before Man had a Being this appears to be the intent of the Author the word But being misplaced and yet what the Saints have and injoy in this Life is much short in degree of that more full Attainment and exceeding Weight of Glory in that which is to come VIII Concerning Government P. 10. 42. The Quakers hold none Lawful but in their own Hands for that they have only a Right to Rule over the whole Earth and that it is Lawful for them to Fight and subdue the World under them and that they expect it These we utterly deny and testifie against as gross Calumnies cast upon us contrary to our Peaceable Christian Principle and Practice both as to Rule and Fighting We seek no Worldly Kingdom or Dominion to our selves but the Promotion of Christ's Peaceable Kingdom in Men wherein we desire ever to approve our Selves his Innocent Subjects whose Weapons are not Carnal but Spiritual being Crucified with him to the Ground and Cause or War and Fighting And therefore in his Power testifie against this Malicious Persecuting Spirit which hath thus fouly misrepresented us as a People against all Civil Government and as holding it lawful for us to Fight and Subdue the World under us and that we expect it too O for Shame for Shame you Malicious Persecutors Cease Cease such your horrid Falshoods and Malicious Attempts to incense the Government thereby These Adversaries quote a piece of a Declaration of the Quakers as they call it beginning thus viz. We have chosen the Son of God to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People c. p. 10. Out of which Declaration they have here left out several material Passages to clear our Innocency from Fighting as charged upon us as His Kingdom i. e.