over-shaddowing them to the encrease of Life and Faithfulness to God amongst them Love encreases and Life springs in the Assemblies of the Righteous a People saved by the Lord and all srinking creeping hidden Works of Darkness are judged down the snare 〈◊〉 laid therein being seen Deliverance is wrought to Gods praise and his Peoples joy and this is the effect God hath wrought to our Advantage glory to his Eternal name for evermore Secondly Through the workings of the Spirit that prevails on them whose Habitation is not in the Lord the Negligent the Careless the Rebellious that dwell in the dry Land and have wanted the vertuous Life of God through unbelief into whom Looseness is entered and the Works of the Flesh wrought antient Testimonies for God let fall by them to Truths dispraise and the wounding the Hearts of the Innocent whose Testimony abides sure and through whose unfaithfulness Afflictions are added to the Bonds of the Upright to God to the Churches Grief they having turned the many visitations of Gods Love behind the Back and grown worse and worse such as these comes to be shaken off and the Camp cleansed of them and they manifested to all and that they who are approved may be made manifest a Separation being wrought between them that truly serve the Lord and them that serve him not betwixt them that live in the Antient Power and in Life and Faithfulness glorifies the same and them that talk only of the Light and inward guidance of the Spirit of Jesus and yet in Works deny him Let but the Reader and the Innocent wait a little in the patience and you shall see the end of this Spirits Work to its utter Reproach its Memorial shall rot and never rise again Thirdly That although this appearing Difference amongst us may and hath caused a Flutter amongst the Gazers and Wonderers that would not believe and for the present might put a little discouragement for a time upon the unestablished in God and obstruct a little the gathering unto us such as the Lord will deliver and shall be saved and what an expectation hath there been through this occasion in our publick Enemies that have watched for it of our disadvantage thereby in the way of Truth if not our Ruin yet it were well if such would take notice that notwithstanding the worst of this Spirit 's Work how the Lord hath Blessed his People in every place even where the greatest Blunder hath been with the more Zeal and Integrity for him and that more is added to us since that day then for many Years before And lastly That which we observe and it were well if notice of it were truely taken this talk of Difference amongst us which we do affirm is not in the Camp of God but a Testimony is born by us against the Backslided and Apostate it doth tend to the hardning of a disobedient and gainsaying People that would not receive the Testimony of the Light and Life of Christ Jesus to believe in him for Salvation but have turned the visitations of Gods love behind their backs in their rebellion against the Lord and the Spirit of his Grace to their greater ruin and the more speedy execution thereof if in time they repent not and it were well if such yet would fear Almighty God and be subject to the Truth before it be too late to find Mercy In our Advice to the Reader and Introduction to the ensuing matter of what is before us to concern our selves with we cannot but first take notice that some may say If it were true that the Author af the aforesaid Book and those he seems so much to standby are in a backsliding state and seperated from you whom you seem to disown as out of fellowship with you What is the meaning of all this Writing against George Fox so vehemently and more principally then any others together with others also whom by name he makes mention of And what is the truth of the matters and things laid to his and others charge which if true bespeaks a backsliding in him and others he speaks of as well as in them you declare against Answer As for George Fox we say and Testifie that as he was an Instrument in Gods hand through the Demonstration of the Spirit being a Minister of the new Testament the everlasting Gospel through whom many were turned from Darkness to Light to behold the Glory of the everlasting Day and the Faces of many Thousands have been truely and livingly set Sion-wards and their Feet established in the way thither Let William Rogers say and do his worst he is one who hath kept his Integrity to the Lord and is honorable in Gods power amongst the Children of the Light that keep their habitation in it an Elder that hath ruled well and is worthy of honour for the gift of Gods sake that he hath been faithful in the concern of and is the same with an encrease of Life and pure Wisdom that ever he was notwithstanding the fury of wicked and lying Tongues And as it was in Christ and the Apostles days because of the testifying against the World by him and his Desciples that their deeds were evil the World hated them above all the Jews stumbled at him because of his Testimony against the Adulterous profession of the chiefest of them and their Righteousness which it was said must be exceeded or no coming into Gods Kingdom for which cause also they hated him and put him to Death The first and most Glorious appearance of the breaking forth of the more clearer Day after an Apostatized state was ever resisted with great Indignation by them upon whom the Apostacy from the Life and Power of God had prevailed and the publishers of the same Testimony from God the most hated and persecuted with the cry of Help Men and Brethren and withal the fury and might imaginable to obstruct the breakings forth thereof This Generation hath not forgot that in a resolved combined Covenant made with Death was the Testimony resisted that this Servant of the eternal God bore against the Sin self Righteousness and false Judgment that a wicked and a pervers Generation lived in and under the profession of to the total stopping and crushing of it by all means Imaginable if they could or that could be contrived and far contrary to the work of a professing Gospel Ministry and dispensation of a Gospel day to the shame of such as were the contrivers thereof and stirrers up of Persecution therefore It may be remembered what such an one he was rendered to be even as the worst of Men and yet nothing could be laid to his charge save for his crying against Sin c. and keeping a good Conscience to God recommending his Testimony to the Witness of God in all Consciences in the patience that possessed the Soul the Lyes the false Aspersions Calumnies and Reproaches raised against him and cast upon him with rage and fury and
truly comforted whatever the Issue of Matters would be with respect to those entangled in the Snare of a guileful Spirit that it was well with them in that they had a certain Knowledg of the Peace and Blessings of God into their Bosoms who had aceompanied them with his glorious Power and over-shaddowed their Exercise therewith to their Hearts Joy and to the causing of them to give God the Praise who is worthy for ever and in the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit upon the 5 th day of that Exercise Friends parted asunder being the 7 th day of the Week Several of our travelling Brethren stayed some days in the Country amongst Friends and had several blessed Meetings here-aways in a Travel upon their Spirits during their abode in the Country for the Churches Peace and the Return of the strayed ones and giving up the whole Concern to Almighty God and to the Word of his Power who alone gives the Encrease of all planting and watering and spiritual Exercises on every Account God over all in Heaven and Earth blessed for ever In many particular Exercises that the aforesaid Friends had with John Story and John Wilkinson and them of Party with them they were very desirous that they would break up again their separate Meeting as that which they testified against which also God would never bless There was that measure of Love and Tenderness raised up in John Story and John Wilkinson in the aforesaid Meeting that they took an Occasion to go to George Fox then at Swathmoore who we perceive by good Information was very loving to them and tender on their behalf letting them see the Danger they were in if they did not return to the antient Power in it to become one with Gods 〈◊〉 again in the Service and Labour of the Truth and for that end desired them to break up the separate Meeting c. But upon the matter thus it was that the separate Meeting they still continued and the Expectations of dear Brethren became frustrated on John Story' s and John Wilkinson's account for any thing that could be observed for they quickly trampled upon the whole Concern and Endeavours that had been had with them and used towards them John Wilkinson presently denyed that they had condemn'd any thing at Draw-well or that they knew of any thing of which they were guilty that was condemnable At the next yearly Meeting being about the 3 d. Month 1676. The Concerns of the Church of God throughout the whole Nation and of many Countries and Islands beyond the Seas being under Friends tender Care and great weight of Spirit the estate of the Church of God in Westmerland came before Friends as some of us were Ear-Witnesses and an Exercise of Mind was upon them in relation to the Grievances that Gods People in these Parts were still exposed to through the Spirit of Contention and Strife that had led into Separation from the antient Brethren in the Service of Truth and the deplorable State also of John Wilkinson and John Story with them of Party with them they were touched with In the Consideration of their trampling upon all the tender Endeavours used towards them at Draw-well in the 2 d. Month of the same Year and their obstinate and wilful rejecting the Admonition the Reproof the good Advice and Councel of their antient Brethren in order to a happy Return of them to God again and into the Unity of the Spirit with the Faithful in the practice of things relating to the Concerns of Truth and the Church of God amongst them And understanding that the separate Meeting continued still contrary to the general and particular Advice of the Friends when in the North more particularly on the account of their Souls Concern tenderly laid before them to the great danger of their utter undoing over and besides the Obstruction which that Spirit laboured to make in the way of Truth with respect to a gathering more unto God as also the Hurt its Design tended to produce amongst the young and tender not fully established upon the Rock the Habitation whereupon cannot be shaken The Brethren with respect to that secret Hope that sprung up in them at Draw-well when there concerning these two men in particular and on behalf of others greatly hurt by the same Spirit that the Lord might have wrought them into a further sight and sence of things as to their inward of late Years deplorable State and into a tender acknowledgment thereof under the hand and stroke of Gods Power to the working of them from the Bondage thereof that the liberty of the Power in the love 〈◊〉 God they might again come to partake of and so be brought into Fellowship with Gods People again to their Comfort and the Churches Ease and Peace On these Considerations it was yet upon their Spirits to visit them with a tender Epistle of Brotherly Advice from the yearly Meeting under the great Lamentation that the Souls of many were bowed in because thereof The Epistle from the yearly Meeting the 22d of the 3d. Month 1676. John Story and John Wilkinson FOR whom our Souls have travelled as for our own the God of Heaven is Record yea bitterness and anguish of Spirit hath overtaken us for your sakes that in the blessed Unity of the Life and Love of God with the Brethren you may come and dwell for ever And let us tell you in all plainess for we are bound yea we are bruised men for your sakes and deeply afflicted to hear by your Northern Brethren of the continuance of the Separation in those Parts for that Sp rit despiseth our Travels tramples upon our Labours sets our Life and Love at nought and with that Spirit hath God a Controversie and Will forever Ah! what do you mean to do Oh! our antient Friends Sorrow girds us to hear that you are got no nearer your antient Brethren nor receive our Councel while our Life strives with you least your Day go off and our Bowels be shut up against you Bow to that Power that visited you at Daw-well and let not up any Slights against it in your Minds For we are satisfied in our Souls 〈◊〉 it was the Day of your Visitation And in the Name of the Lord away with that Separation which to our great Grief we hear is not only continued but countenanced at least by one 〈◊〉 you for the Determination of the Lord is to blast it for ever Ah! you and they are sought in the Spirit of Meekness and in Love unseigned and in that Patience that was not provoked Oh! strive not against your own Mercies neither exclude your selves from the Fellowship of your Brethren but judge down all Strife Jealousies and Surmises in the name of the Living God that you may be made nigh and be Instruments to bring those nigh that are also with you at a manifest distance from us otherwise the Jealous God will stretch 〈◊〉 his Hand against you and you
Robertson 〈◊〉 Fell. William 〈◊〉 Samuel Genings Finias Bell. Cudbert Hayhurst James Fletcher Thomas Brasey John Tiffin Thomas Burr Gyles Barnardison William Fallowfield Jonathan Jonson James Claypoole Richard Snead John Wyford John Elson John Due Francis Finsher William Whatey Thomas Elwood Anthony Tomkins John Bure Charles Marshall William Penn. Francis Moore John Higgins Ezakiel Wolly Oliver Samson Christopher Taylor Benjamin Antrobuss With several others From a Meeting held at Elis Hookes Chamber in London the 12 th of the 4 th Month 1677. And there were several Brethren that had left the City before this Meeting wherein this Epistle was subscribed who at other Meetings had testified against this separate Spirit in the Power of the Lord and so are one with us herein and some there were who have already cleared their Consciences at the last Years Meeting and since at other Meetings both by Epistles and other Manuscripts in a full and saithful Testimony against this Spirit of Separation and Opposition of his heavenly Truth After all these Exercises of Soul and Spirit amongst the Lord's People even the afficted ones with respect to Sion's Troubles that attended them through the Spirit of Strife though the Upright to God were comforted in the midst of all in him in whom Salvation is The Separation in the North still continued amongst the backsliding sort and as the Mercies of the Lord and the former great Forbearances of God's People towards them was made ill use of and the Concern of Friends despised thereby taking Opportunity the more quietly to abet and strengthen their Work Even so was the pure and sound Judgment of Truth through God's People and the Sentance now given against them in the Spirit of Christ Jesus trampled upon by them hardening themselves against all as the evil Men and Seducers that grows worse and worse And all Hopes concerning them being much dispaired of Friends here in the North who had kept their Habitarions in God and in it their Fellowship one with another in their Quarterly 〈◊〉 when together and the Care for Truth upon them under the weight of this opposit Spirits Work and their Division with them therein In relation to the things of God did agree together to send some saithful Brethren to the Meetings which they of the Separation did frequent to let them know that unless they that were led aside into the Temptations and the Snares of that dividing Spirit whereby they were led from us into a Disconcern on that account of the Affairs of the Church of Chrict into a slight thereof would condemn their Weakness therein and break up the separate Meeting which was become the stumbling and the Hurt of many and tended to the Reproach of Truth Friends were inclined and resolved as agreed upon amongst us to withdraw Meetings from the Houses of such as were in the Strife and Separation and the Upholders thereof as that which was not consistent with Unity of Brethren nor the Repute of our uniting healing Spirit and principle of Life which we had 〈◊〉 to and made a good Confession of before all with whom we had to do 〈◊〉 that believed and kept Faithful to God had their Communion and 〈◊〉 in to the Comfort of our Souls and the honour of that one Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Life our Support and the Comsort of our Days and that it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for them to expect our 〈◊〉 in that Joperdy with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meet at their Houses on the account of worshiping God which 〈◊〉 we did so granted greater Fellowship with them than in the Truth 〈◊〉 be allowed seeing they had withdrawn themselves from the Brethren of the monthly 〈◊〉 quarterly Meetings in the visible Exercises relating to the visible Concern in the Church of God and that the Order Desipline and Government used amongst us in subjection to God's Power and Rule they had despised and slandered and reproachfully abused us besides their Disconcern amongst us And as it was the Agreement of the Meeting aforesaid they who had that Service upon them went amongst them with the Testimony that they had upon their Spirits touching that matter many of the most tender-Hearted of them signified their Unwillingness to be parted from Friends on that wise but chused and moved in the Meeting accordingly the rather to go after the other and meet at their Houses than break off from them and meet among themselves At that Meeting that John Story belonged to John Wilkinson was that Day and he knows in his Conscience if he did not put a total stop to those Desires and the Motion on that wise which most of the Meeting closed with but himself and if he did not say That if Friends missed that Opportunity take heed when they meet with such another so that was it which prevailed upon that sort of them that were the Leaders and Sticklers in the contentious separate Work For from that time they drew to themselves into a distinct Meeting which they of that loose backsliding sort from their first Testimonies and from the Life of Truth keeps the Form of to this Day But upon that Occasion several of the honest and tender-Minded to God that loved Righteousness and them that kept true to the Life of it came away from them separated and condemned in a seasonable time their former adhering to them of the Subscription to their confederate Design the ground of the separate Meeting and in the Power of God were renewed into Love and Care for Truth and God s Glory and manifested their Sorrow and Grief of Heart for their former Weakness and were received again into Unity with the Faithful to their Comfort and Hearts-Joy as some of them under their own Hands have given a Testimony of to the glading of the Hearts of the Faithful every where who have the Knowledg thereof and poor Men are they that remains behinde with respect to the Riches of God's Kingdom and how they are scattered and divided and broken asunder they might see if they did not 〈◊〉 their Eyes and how many of them are taken away of the greatest of them by Death and others become loose and gon back so their Number decays apace and the Generation of them is passing away that their Memorial may rot and never rise again After this it was presently noised abroad up and down the Nation amongst this sort of Professors of Truth upon a Letter sent out of the North with no Name to it That we had excommunicated them of that Party in the North and that we had forbiden them to come to our Houses and such like Discourse they had amongst them to make our Care and Exercise for Truth God's Glory and the Honour of our holy Fellowship hateful if possibly they could The Relation of our Concern in this Matter from which they grounded these lying Reports we thought meet a little here to insert for the satisfaction of the honest unprejudiced People that in sincerity of Soul every one may
the one when the Lords secret Hand smote the Hearts of the other so that to another kinde of working in the fame Spirit they betook themselves as 〈◊〉 shall be made appear But first we defire that on the Consideration of what hath been said at large and yet things but hinted at with respect to the multitude of Exercises that have been met withal in relation to the Sorrows Grievances various Troubles and great Afflictions that hath attended the peaceable People of God these several Years through the Spirit of Opposition 〈◊〉 and Mischief that hath wrought amongst them by a sort that hath been acted thereby having let in an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from Gods eternal Power and with respect to the Care long-Suffering Forbearance and great Patience that hath been used towards them with Exhortations Cautions Counsel and Advice in the day of their declining Age and with Reproofs of Instruction and the pure Judgment that hath been ministred in unto them with Line upon Line Precept upon Precept here a little and there a little as it was in the Prophets days in the case of the rebellious and backsliding People We say it s our Desire that these things being tenderly weighed in sincerity of Heart amongst all where-ever this may come and Occasion may be given to inspect the same may speak whether William Rogers whom we are 〈◊〉 with have justifiable Cause to render this Family in the Church of God and tenderly bowed down and broken with respect to them of his Party whilst a Door was seen to be set open to them the Apostates from God and such as in whom the Doctrin and Life of Christianity is extent and to publish the same in Print and leave the infamous Badg thereof upon us to Posterity or that the Witness of God in all your Consciences do not testify that he is a man of a corrupt Minde and hath set himself to work Mischief amongst the People he was once in Unity with and to work Destractions amongst them and expose a People more justified in Gods sight and amongst the honest hearted than 〈◊〉 to as much Infamy and Disgrace as he can any way do and to bring an Odium upon their Principle and Practice as much as in him lies and that he appears to be in the Enmity of his Minde against them he hath turned his Back of and the just Principle also in himself that would rejoyce to see Evil of any sort befall them and therefore hath set himself to render them the worst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 devise we leave it also for them to judge whether the Apostate and turning back from the Doctrine and Life of Christianity be not truly applicable to him and them of that Party with him which in the Sequil of this our Concern we shall further demonstrate as the Lord shall be pleased to give us Leave Now to go on and that which is before us further to do is to manifest What other Course William Rogers hath betaken himself unto in the matter of his proving this People whose Testimony and Practice stands to maintain that 〈◊〉 a Gospel Dispensation through Gods invisible Power Church Order and Government visiblely and instrumentally is justificable and commendable amongst Gods People during their Abode in this World as a visible Family to shew forth Gods Praise The Course he takes to effect this matter if he could is to asperse and caluminate with malitious Accusations with all the Eagerness he can devise and work himself into such as the Lord hath been pleased to make most instrumental in the matter of setling the Churches in the aforesaid Order of the Gospel and Government of Christ Jesus many whom he names not yet palpably known to many of Gods People who they are he smites at and several whom he by Name makes mention of and for the cause of his looking upon them to be such as there are no Hopes of any Recovery for meaning out of the apostate State he declares and publishes in Print they are gone into and particularly George Fox he hath very abusively and not like a Christian or a sober Man inveighed against and cast very odious Aspersions upon him to his 〈◊〉 as he intends thereby and indeed if true did very much leave him under the aforesaid Character that he hath given him and many Thousands more It is our Purpose God willing to insert herein the principal Accusations which in his printed Book he hath published against George Fox and to demonstrate by Answer thereunto to all conscientious sober People the Fallacy thereof together with his ungodly perverting George Fox his honest and Christian Sence and Intents in relation to Matters and Words upon which William Rogers grounds his Accusation which his aforesaid Sence and sineere Intents in any charitable and Christian Construction is naturally deducible from 〈◊〉 Fox's Words and Exercises 〈◊〉 thereunto from which William Rogers having perverted them draws his 〈◊〉 Inference whereupon he often makes an Occasion against him It may be observed also how unbrotherly and unchristianly he hath appeared in the matter of the aforesaid Charging of him contrary to all Gospel-Order for the most part and the rule of all profest Christian Societies yea beyond all Bounds of humane Sobriety and Moderation so that if he could but get any colourable Occasion from whence to ground his open and implicit Reflections and malicious smiting Charges against him that as much as in him lies he may bring a Defamation upon his Christian Repute and also a Blemish upon him as a Man thereby also to invalidate the Esteem that remains in the Hearts and Consciences of many Thousands of Gods faithful People of the Christian Care that lives upon his Heart in an innocent Life in relation to Church Government and Order and Discipline thereof setled amongit Gods People in this Gospel Day It is also with us to manifest what malicious smiting Accusations he hath cast upon several others of our Friends that tenderly and yet in a godly Zeal for God the ancient Truth and Unity for Brethren have stood in the Vindication and in behalf of the Government of Christ Jesus instrumentally and visibly amongst Gods People relating to the Tabernacle in which we have a Day therein to shew forth the Glory and Praise of him that created us against the ungodly Workings of a wrong Spirit in Opposition 〈◊〉 And more particularly have shamefully abused 〈◊〉 of our Brethren in the North on the account thereof In relation to which also through Gods Help we doubt not but give the unprejudiced Reader that Satisfaction by a plain and honest Relation of Matters which he grounds his Accusations upon that an Understanding will be opened in them rightly to judge and testify that there is abundantly more Malice against the Particulars he is set against in his Clamouring Work than any real Matter upon which to ground the base Reflections and abusive Accusations that he hath treated them with which declares
judged as a malicious perverter of George Fox's sincere Intent in the aforesaid Directions and his drawing his false 〈◊〉 there from tending to make People believe that George Fox's Directions were 〈◊〉 forth with Severity to be urged upon People as he hath often said and as William Rogers hath Suggested and Printed that George Fox's 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 are urged to be Practiced before Conviction and before they 〈◊〉 it their duty to observe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we say William Rogers his Inserting John Story' s Words on that wise as it tends to a malicious Charge against George Fox its false and abusive as we have often 〈◊〉 for George Fox's Testimony for Truth and his Directions in relation to Church 〈◊〉 and Government have ever been commended to the 〈◊〉 leaving the Issue to the Lord alone and to his Faithful Witness in all and the Faithful to God do receive the same with Gladness as that which answers their Consciences with Satisfaction in the performance whereof as they have felt it their Duty they have found the Presence and Blessings of God with them We say again it is the Fruit of a dark Spirit and imports great Confusion as the reply at large manifests to make this jumbling Work about a clear and plain Truth which would darken Knowledg How can George Fox in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus or any other Instrument in the Lords hand be moved to give forth any Directions or Advice to the Church to be observed and put in practice but there is a necessity thereof and so consequently to be practised amongst Gods People in his leading Grace And what is that Severity they are offended with and thus clamour against Is it any thing else but the laying things home upon the Consciences of them who make mention of Gods Name What other Severity have we used or ever appeared in When William Rogers Prints again let him tell us if ever George Fox or any of us were otherwise concerned in the matter of the Directions which John Wilkinson once confessed to but in commending them to the Conscience and to be led in the Practice thereof by Gods leading Grace as their Duty and if any in a wrong fleshly mind resist the same to declare Dis-union with such as not worthy of that Fellowship which the Faithful are in as William Rogers in his Christian Quaker hath confessed may be done Paul charged before God and the Elect Angels to observe the things he had directed to in the Spirit which he knew would attend them who were innocent in the Practice of those things which he was moved to lay before them But let us ask William Rogers or any of Party with him Do they think that George Fox was moved of God to give forth things to be practiced in the Churches in the Spirit of Truth that fleshly minds should be justified in Gods sight in putting a 〈◊〉 thereupon as John Story did as the Fruit of his dark Mind in any smooth ungodly pretence whatsoever And shall any be Blessed in saying That George Fox only recommended these things to our Consciences to be practiced as we saw need and that we see no need of Womens Meetings or of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings so constant as both John Story and John Wilkinson have said And we see no need of keeping our Meetings in our Houses when twenty Pound Fine is imposed on them that do so We see no need of such Inspection or such Strictness with respect to the bringing of Marriages twice to the Meetings unless there be 〈◊〉 apparent Cause Under these pretences hath Disobedience been sheltered and Loosness nursed up and Weakness prevailed in the time of Persecution and on the score of other antient Testimonies sor God And we testifie that the great ground of Dis-satisfaction about Church Care which John Story and others of Party with him wofully fell into and the great cause of all the Contention which hath been made by them spoken of and which William Rogers says George Fox hath been erroneously concerned in and whom he and John Wilkinson would charge to be the occasion of was the Churches practising in the Life of God those things that were commended to the honest Hearted according to the Directions given forth by George Fox and other Brethren on which occasion the Unfaithfulness of many came to be searched into and found out and judged in the power of the pure Truth which they liked not they could easily have born the reading of them and their being commended to Friends Consciences so that the Practice might have been suspended and not come into but room left for their loose Minds and backsliding Work for John Wilkinson said Thas those things which George Fox 〈◊〉 commended to the Churches were necessary and good things But when Friends desired that all might be found in the Practice thereof and accordingly were concerned and their flying in Suffering times and their backfliding from other Testimonies once born for the precious Truth coming to be spoken to that Judgment might be felt thereupon then John Wilkinson struck in with John Story and others of the same Spirit and of the loose sort and hath continued since in the Opposition and Strife which led into the Separation in which they are unto this Day Divers other smiting Reflections against George Fox William Rogers appears in in his tedious Observations on John Story and John Wilkinson their Answers with his deducted Inferences from George Fox's Words and sincere demeanure in the Church of Christ which he would draw his Accusations from which are not worth the Trouble that we might put our selves and the Reader unto if we should take notice of every circumstance thereof the which we intend not in this place seeing the most that he hath said or can say in his own defence and on the behalf of them of party with him is insufficient whereby to acquit him and them of the Charge that we are bold to stand to against them of Opposition and labouring to work strife amongst Gods People which all who have seen his Book and what hath been said in Answer to it and have a true sence of his Spirit and Work may easily see as insufficient also to detect George Fox of being erroneously 〈◊〉 in the aforesaid Difference as he very abusively hath accused him of and Condemns him and others of the Brethren for their appearing in Judgment against the Spirit that John Story and John Wilkinson have been led by William Rogers goes on and Inserts an Epistle of George Fox's occasioned through an Objection he frames up Object Thy whole Discourse seems to carry a kind of an Edge against the Spirit that of late Years had acted through George Fox 〈◊〉 whom its certainly known from his Writings yet extant that he hath thus Advised Take heed of Judging one another and Judge not one another I command 〈◊〉 in the Presence of the Lord neither lay open one anothers Weaknesses behind one 〈◊〉 Backs
he had wrought Dissatisfaction and Strife in the Church of Christ heading and standing by a Contentious Party with him and leading them into a Separation from the ancient Fellowship in the Truth and Services relating to it and an acknowledgment of the wrong which he had done to the Truth and Gods People we expected and the Spirit that led him to it to be Condemned by him this the Lord and the Truth first looked for from him as we told them And also we say William Rogers hath dealt very Disingeniously with us in his Printing thus to our Defamation in that he hath not also Printed the Reasons we gave him and them why we could not take any notice of Advice or Councel from him or of his Expedients for Uniting c. in the Capacity he stood We asked him that brought the Paper into our Quarterly Meeting whether it was directed to the Meeting from John Story or whether it was a Testimony from John Story of Judgment against himself for the abusive Work he had made amongst us of neither of which any account could be given us which if it had we should readily have received and embraced the same but otherwise we could not do it for the order of Truths sake he being a man that had run himself out of the Unity of Brethren and disconcerned himself in the Church Affairs and the Judgment of Truth through the Brethren being gone out against him and he continuing in the Separation and Strife still we say and we appeal to Gods faithful Witness what notice could we take of any Papers from John Story unless it were to acknowledg his runnings out and condemning himself therefore that so he himself might come again into Unity with us which we truly desired and then we should be glad of his Advice and Proposals in the Spirit of Truth for the helping back again of such as he had helpt to lead 〈◊〉 and thus we proposed to him as most proper for his Concern with much more in the Love of God and Sincerity of Soul being desirous with all our Hearts to receive him and them in again at the right Door that so we might have been comforted in our Souls therein which we have at large to shew in the Copy of a Paper sent from our Meeting to him and them as 〈◊〉 in Manuscript for what further occasion may be seen for it After all this nothing could we hear of from John Story or any of that Party of any submission in him to the Order and Judgment of Truth but in obstinacy of 〈◊〉 in Contention and Separation growing worse and worse he continued for all his smooth deceitful Words and Work that we have had too much of to our Grief Notwithstanding a Meeting was appointed amongst us in relation to the tender hearted amongst them of the Separation in whom the Witness and Life of God was not yet Slain to be at the House of Thomas Camm desiring and word sent them accordingly that all those who had any sence of their Weakness on the account of the asoresaid Division and Separation and were willing to ackowledg the same might come unto it and giving the Brethren that satisfaction as the Truth did expect we should be glad thereof and receive them in amongst us with Joy and if they pleased to bring John Story' s Paper thither for their satisfaction probably we should be willing to have it read but none of the Stout or Stuborn of them came nor any such Paper heard we of however God was with us and our Labour was not in Vain in the Lord for several of the Upright amongst them who loved Righteousness in Heart and Soul came to see from whence they were fallen and returned to their first Love and have done their first Works and the Lord hath Healed them to their Hearts Comfort and the Churches Joy giving God the Praise who is worthy Here follows a Paper given forth by them that came off from them of the Separation To the faithful Flock of God the Children of Light every where the dear and tender Salutation of your Friends whose Names are here unto Subscribed your little Brethren through the Redeeming Hand of the Lord most dearly reacheth you SIgnifying that we are given to understand that there are Copies of a Paper formerly subscribed by many professing the Truth in this our County of Westmerland 〈◊〉 and spread up and down the South and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 England and what farther we know not directly opposire to the Exercise of the Church of God in its tender Care in these Parts upon which said Paper was grounded the unchristian and disorderly 〈◊〉 from the ancient 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Exercise and Service of Truth faithfully continued amongst them to Truth 's great Blemish principally occasioned by John Story and John Wilkinson and some other chief Abetters thereof and Pertakers with them And whereas we also understand that all the Names which at the first were inserted in the said Paper of Subscription do continue thereat as if no Testimonies had been given against the same by any of the said Subscribers that thereby the Leaders in that said Work of Separation and Strife might hold their Interest in the Minds of such as are led away by the same Spirit to persecute the design and Work thereof And in as much as our Names were once put to the said Paper and thereby were Encouragers of them that were the Fomenters and Upholders of that Spirits Work which we now see would have laid waste the Heritage of God if it could have prevailed we are heartily sorry that ever we should be any encouragement thereof or that ever our Names should be put thereunto And as formerly several of us have given forth Papers to the same effect to follow the said subscribed Paper we do now from the bottom of our Hearts and with one Heart and Soul condemn that Spirit that led us thereunto which was the very same Spirit that led some of us to leave our Houses in the Worship of God in the time of Persecution and to meet together in private hidden Places to our shame which thing also we do really judge together with a Paper given 〈◊〉 in vindication thereof and the aforesaid Paper of Subscription against the Brethren of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting and Exercise thereof we do bear our Testimony against as Inconsistant with the Honour of the Naked Truth and Order of the Gospel in the Power of God and the Unity of dear Brethren having a true sence of what evil report it hath been and what hurt we our selves incurred thereby together with many simple Ones who were offended and 〈◊〉 by it and what Exercise Gods faithful People have met withal by reason thereof and we desire that our Names may be rased out of the said Paper where-ever it may be met withal and that where this our Paper and Testimony may come Copies of it may be sent abroad where any occasion
for the last Words he heard him speak were not sensible neither do we preceive during the time that his Understanding and his Speech continued with him that ever he demonsttated the least sence of Remorse or Repentance for the great Damage he had brought upon Truth Dishonour to our Holy Profession and Grief and Trouble to the Church of God but rather Dyed in the hardness of his Heart as appeared by his Presumption to say That he died in the Favour of God and Peace with all Men when it was manifest 〈◊〉 his own Words that it was false in part at least for when he gave order about his Burial he charged that Thomas Camm should not be invited to his Burial yea so far was he from being in Peace with the said Thomas Camm that when his Brother Charles Story desired him to put such things out of his 〈◊〉 praying him that he would suffer him the said Charles to invite Thomas Camm to his Burial he would by no means be perswaded so neither Thomas Camm his Wife nor any of his Family were Invited to the said Burial although Thomas Camm's near Neighbours that were Unbelievers and not of John Story' s Kindred were Invited to it Nay moreover scarce any one of Preston Meeting to which he formerly belonged and died within the compass thereof were Invited to his Burial except those of the Separation notwithstanding they invited the People of the World Friends Neighbours and left them out by all which it is evident that his pretending to die in peace with all Men was untrue and only a false pretence and his Heart being so hardened to assert such untruths how should he die in the Favour of the Lord let the understanding and wise in Heart judge But as he had in the time of his Life since he fell from Truth been the greatest Agent in the Hand of the Adversary in Sowing the evil Seeds of Strife Division and Separation and also the most Industrious to keep those in the Separation that he had led thereinto so was he not wanting as appears to confirm his Proselites at his Death by telling them That he died in the Favour of God and Peace with all Men yet notwithstanding all the subtil Sleights and cunning Craft of deceived Men the Lord hath confounded this Spirit of Strife and Separation and many of those who have been most eminently concerned in promoting its Interest and Work the Lord hath removed out of the way by Death therefore it were well if those that are yet left alive would fear and dread before him and none of them any longer be so hardy as to tempt the Lord lest his overflowing scourge sweep them away and they perish in his Wrath forever The 6th of the 3d Month 1682. William Walker Joseph Gregge Richard Sill Junior Here followeth a short Testimony for the Truth and against the envious Spirit of William Rogers given forth by an Antient Friend in Westmoreland whose name is Thomas Atkinson IN or about the Year 1652. It pleased the Lord God to raise up the seed of Life in some of his Servants in this Nation of England and called those and sent them abroad as Lambs amongst Wolves into this World by the same Spirit and Power by which he chose and sent the Apostles in the Primitive Times And the first that was so sent in our Age and Generation and appeared amongst us in the Demonstration of the Spirit with the joyfull Message of Life and Salvation in this Country of Westmoreland was George Fox who being raised from Death to Life I bear Record was anointed of God to Preach and publish glad tidings of Peace Life and Eternal Salvation in the name of Christ Jesus to lost Man and many in this County did gladly receive his Message and Testimony at that time and did joyn with it some of whom the Lord made Ministers of the Everlasting Truth early of the day as Gervis Benson John Camm John Audland Francis Howgil Edward Burrow with some others whose outward Bodies are laid in the Dust yet their Memorial lives and remains with us a sweet savour to God and will do to Ages and Generations to come for their Faithfulness and Works sake with many more who are yet alive in the Body to bear a faithful Testimony to Truths praise and the Comfort of the Flock of God And seeing that this true and faithful Servant of the Lord George Fox the first Publisher of Truth in our Age in this and many other Counties and places through this Nation yet remains in the Body and a Record living upon my my Soul and Spirit of his faithfulness to the Testimony born by him who in the hand of the Lord was made Instrumental to the turning me many Thousands more to the Lord as also of 〈◊〉 care over the Flock of God that they all might be established in the Truth and present Grace of God revealed in which he is a sweet favour to God and his Witness in all Hearts in which Work and service his Labours Watchings Travels and Sufferings have exceeded many if not all others both in this Nation and in many places beyond the Seas for the space of about Thirty Years and God hath blessed him in his Labours so that he hath seen the travel of his Soul in a great measure answered many Thousands being gathered to and established upon the Everlasting Foundation Christ Jesus that stands sure for ever I say this Record living upon my Soul and Spirit a concern of Conscience remained with me to bear a Testimony for the Lord his Truth and this dear Servant George Fox whom we count worthy of double Honour for his Work and Service sake as an Instrument and Servant in the Hand of Christ our Lord and also a Testimony lives with me in the behalf of Thousands of Faithful Friends and Brethren against that turbulent and wicked Spirit in William Rogers and others who came out with us and partaked of the Grace of God with us but have turned their Backs of it who have in their Printed Books and Papers gone about to calumniate him and bespatter his Innocent Life and Testimony for God that thereby they might make him a Sacrifice to the fury of the Wicked and we do in Gods presence testifie that its the same Spirit under another similitude or transformation that hath all along persecuted him for his Work and Testimonies sake by 〈◊〉 he hath often been cast into Prison cruelly used in nasty Holes grosly aspersed with being a Papist a Jesuit and Blasphemer and what not that 's bad and wicked Now peruse William Rogers's Book and compare his Work and Language with this of the common Enemies of Truth and they will bespeak themselves to be the children of one Father Satan the old Persecutor of the Saints and Accuser of Brethren which the Lord will cast out in his hot displeasure So let William Rogers and all other Opposers and Gainsayers be warned before
pretend to that they are gone from that they may the more cunningly deceive and lead back into a corrupt Fleshly Liberty again to satisfie the Lusts of it that 's the center it tends to and when it hath tired it self out there will its end be Impartial Reader When thou hast with an unprejudiced mind in sincerity of Heart looked over and weighed this William Rogers his Work the Champion of the backslided Ones and the Enemy to the Churches Peace and looks upon the Engine he would perfect his Work by thou mayest easily see of what Spirit he is and what his Work tends to and escape the Snare he would take thee in It s a false Spirit in which he would betray his Brother even unto Death its malicious bending it self with false Accusations and lying Slanders to defame such as have kept their Garments clean and whose Integrity is approved in Gods sight and in many Consciences its wicked in bringing the same to publick view having for the most part little evidence of any sort to produce but If Reports be true it s a treacherous Spirit that talks of the Light and would seem to vindicate Truth 's Principles with such a false malicious slanderous wicked Work as his Book is stuffed with and with seeming Imbraces and standing for the Truth and the appearance of it betrays it and would deliver it up and the servants of it into the hands of Sinners It s a false libertine Spirit tending to Ranterism that inveighs against Friends tender care in the Church of God according to Gospel Order and vilifies with slanderous reproachful terms the Government of the Power and Discipline therein Established in Gods visible Family terming it the bringing into the Churches Mens Prescriptions and lording it over Mens Consciences the introducing of the Apostacy again c. All which in Subjection to Gods Power we abominate and turn it back upon its own Head to receive the stroke of the Eternal God which will fall upon the Abbetters of this Spirit if in time they repent not as a burden too heavy to bear They of that Spirit also cry against the seasonable Exhortations and Reproofs of them whom God is pleased to concern on this wise as Imposing Over-driving and the like they are letting loose and gratifying a fleshly mind and to indulge the same claiming a right in a wrong spirit to be left to inward freedom till they see the Lords requirings or that it is their duty so to do This sort of abominable Work is clearly manifested to be the tendency of William Rogers's Spirit as his own Book demonstrates cleared to the understandings of the unprejudiced and honest Hearted to God and by the Answer thereunto called The Accuser of our Brethren cast down c. Subscribed by Ellis Hook in the name of the second Day of the Weeks Morning Meeting in London may be plainly seen That which demonstrates also the 〈◊〉 creeping Work of this Spirit is that although William Rogers in his Title Page pretends his Book to come forth in the 〈◊〉 of himself and many of his Brethren The Question being often put as Hundreds will Witness and required of him or any to Answer to Who would stand by it Or say they had Unity with its coming forth in Print We cannot yet find the Man that declares he owns it or that will say I am one that will stand by it And yet a creeping sort of Men backsliden of a certain Truth from God and turned from the Truth and work the Works of Darkness hands it out amongst the loose sort of Professors of Truth and many other as the 〈◊〉 serves them notwithstanding known Enemies to the Life of God and the Testimony of Truth and despisers of such as have received the same and holds their Integrity in it Reader It may be cause of Wonder that this People that came out together in the Light and Unity of the one Spirit and have stood together with Hand and Shoulder against the many Heads and Horns that have pushed at them and who have been struck at more or less under every Government that hath been since they were a People and none has been able to break them but all has tended to their Encrease and Stability in the way they have been led into and walked in that such should now when their outward Ease comes to be enlarged fall at Odds and Difference amongst themselves apparently as some may expect to the great damage if not the Ruin of them In the first place we would have all to know and take notice that in the Light and Life of Truth our antient Unity stands and in it all are established who keep Entire and Faithful to it In it we are the same in Love in Fellowship through the eternal Power against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail that ever we were our Life grows in God our Testimony stands we are on our way the Lord is before us and there 's none shall be able to pluck us out of his Hand our Faces are still Sion wards and our Confidence through the Eternal Power that 's inlarged amongst us to have our Residence there in that good Land which God hath given us to taste the Fruits of and the earnest blessed be God we have with us of that Inheritance that never hath an end and we are comforted in our way who keep to Truths Life and if any turn out to the right Hand or to the left it s their own fault and will be their own loss the Lord will be clear and his People clear having discharged our Duty thus far concerning them It s confessed to the grief of our Souls there are a few that came out with us by an Eternal Arm that have not eyed the Lord and his Power for Safety but are gone out from us having betrayed the Life in which they were with us and are become not of us As it was said They went out from us because they were not of us for if they had been of us no doubt they would have continued with us It may in truth be told you that have read William Rogers's Book for your Satisfaction if you desire it what sort of Professors of Truth this Evil and Mischief of being led back again from the conduct of Gods Power to covet the Flesh-Pots of Aegypt's Land and satisfie the Lusts of a corrupt mind in opposition to the Churches Care in this Gospel day hath befallen First They are such as although the Openings of life and the hidden Wisdom of the pure God were in some measure Revealed in some of them and although in some measure they might have partaken of the Ministry of Christ Jesus as Judas did amongst the Twelve yet not giving God the praise nor singly attributing the Glory to him that Worthy deckt themselves therewith as it was of old the Lord said I gave them of my Jewels and they deckt themselves therewith c. So
Pride and Spiritual Ambition prevailing instead of Humility in the Lords 〈◊〉 the safe Habitation the Lord became grieved to the greatly withdrawing of his good Spirit from them so that their 〈◊〉 to others came to be in the Wisdom which is from below and is Earthly Sensual and Devillish of which some of the principal of them were told and warned of the Evil thereof many Years ago So that the mystery of Gods mind which is revealed to Babes in Christ they became shut up from and the concerns of the Kingdom in the life thereof they became strangers to and as to the concerns relating to the visible Family of God being at a loss in relation to they became partakers with the loose sort in the opposition thereunto till strife entered and to work Discord in the Church of God their Design broke forth of which more may be said afterwards Secondly This opposite Spirit to Church Care entred amongst such as became unfaithful in their 〈◊〉 Testimonies for God and the honorable Truth once born and suffered for to their Comsort and Peace and to Indulge a wrong Spirit that began to draw back pleading for a false Liberty calling it Christian therein to gratifie the Flesh and that Sufferings might be avoided thereby which the care in the Church of God could not but inspect and Friends be concerned therein Thirdly The opposition prevailed upon such as became in departing from Truth 's Life and the pure fear vain in their Minds and inclined to liberty in the Flesh again in the Worlds Spirit becoming Enemies to the Cross and casting off he Yoke of Christ to which Subjection is to be given and entering into the Worlds loose Spirit again a reproach to Truth which the godly care for God's Honour and Truths 〈◊〉 in the Faithful could not let pass unreproved which became the Torment of all such Fourthly This Spirit of opposition to Church care that whatever things were decent might be cherished and the contrary Judged hath wrought in such and drawn them into a Separation as through the Imaginations of a corrupt Mind and in an airy Spirit would have entertained things to be put in practice in relation to the honourable State of Marriage inconsistant with Truths sweet Savour with respect to Man and Womans duty therein or were inclined to inconsiderate 〈◊〉 undertaking to accomplish the same without bringing them twice before the Mens and Womans Meetings which for Inspections sake as to clearness therein we account a very necessary decent and comely thing a froward loose and fleshly Spirit would not be thus limited and under pretence of seeing no need of these things or not seeing it a duty c. Crys for Liberty of Conscience and let me be 〈◊〉 to freedom although in a wrong Mind which Gods Truth gives no liberty to and the care of the Church of God would limit that in all things we may be kept of the praise of Truth We desire that in every Country or Place where a knowledge of this Separation from the fellowship of the Church of God happens to be or where the aforementioned Book of William Rogers's comes to be seen all would take notice if they that are fled off through a backsliding Spirit into a distance as to the Antient fellowship of Brethren and become disconcerned in Church affairs amongst Gods antient People and labour to promote the Publishing of William Rogers's ungodly Book be not clearly manifested to be some of the fore-going sorts of Professors of Truth which as any finds them to be let that which is pure peaceable and easie to be entreated judge what they are and what this Spirit and Work would lead unto Thou needest not Reader think it a strange thing with respect to this backsliding People whose Reproach to all hastens on For Righteousness doth Establish a People or Nation when Ignominy is the Portion of Fools for the like hath happened concerning the Rebellious to Gods Mind and Will made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst such as have known the Lord and the Work of his mighty Hand in Generations past and gone which holy Men of God have left upon Record to be a warning to such as may come after and may meet with like Temptations First Of them that came out of Egypt through the Arm of the eternal God under the conduct of Moses a Servant of the Lord and an Instrument in his Hands and of them that had seen the mighty Wonders God wrought for their Deliverance Two Hundred and fifty of the Princes of the People mighty Men Men of Renown Rebelled against the Lord and despised his Servant Moses confederated together to Work mischief in the Camp and stood in their opposition till the Righteous God caused the Earth to open and Swallow them up Amongst the Twelve of Christ's own choise one of them became an Enemy to him to the betraying him into the Hands of Sinners Some are made mention of to have tasted of the good Word of God and of the powers of the Life to come and yet afterwards might fall away and hard to be 〈◊〉 by Repentance It were well if these could yet find any place Paul made mention of the falling back of the Galatians from the Simplicity of the Gospel and lamented the case of their being Bewitched and he Travelled that the Seed Christ might be again formed in them He also made mention of false Brethren that had been his Exercise and Grief The Lord suffers these things to be and such to be over-taken on this wise whose Hearts do not abide upright to God who have known God in his Power and yet do not Honour him as God It is considerable and worth the notice taking to see what effects the Lord hath wrought and what he hath suffered to be through such Exercises as these are And First with respect to the Heretage of God the Family that does Believe through the exercise that is met withal from false Brethren whose backslidings and opposite Work and the tendency of it to Strife is the Churches Grief there is a tender concern in all such wrought upon the observation of it to have a more inward Eye to God by whose Grace all are saved that believe therein that they may be kept to him in the feeling of that Power which preserves every one upon the Rock for help and salvation So that the Lord being more eyed the more he comes to be feared and dependency comes to be laid on him and on this occasion all confidence in the 〈◊〉 comes to be laid down seeing the Mighty and the Wise amongst Men are overcome and a retirement to that antient Arm that brought Salvation in the beginning is wrought upon the Souls of them that believe that Spirit in Children of the Night that would divide being seen and in Gods Name resisted the Children of the Day are the more knit together in Soul and Spirit and the delight of the Lord comes to be with them and his Glory
gnashing of Teeth for grief they are far beyond expression To a gainsaying Rebellious Spirit the Testimony of Light that condemns for Sin is an hateful thing and the Ministers of Antichrist have bent themselves against it and against them the Testimony is born by And seeing that Early of this our day it was first and principally born by him how could he escape the wrath of Man that produceth evil things and avoid the fury of it Nay this was his Lot with others of Gods faithful Servants whom God hath upheld and delivered through all and he hath seen the travel of his Soul and the fruit of his labour into his bosome manifold in recompence for all to his hearts Joy whatever the worst of Men imagine against him The same enmity lodgeth still and venteth it self again and again through any new occasion given to it or that it can get hold of in the wilful resisters of our principle and lifes appearance and in all them that Backslides therefrom and enters again into the old Cainisn Murthering Spirit that crucifies the Lord of Life again and would put him to open shame Never a publick opposing Apostate from the life of Truth that hath risen up in Judgment against it since we have been a People but in the old Enmity of the cursed Serpents Image he hath run against George Fox Oh it s admirable to us and renders William Rogers in this cursed work of his to be a Man running on to Ruin that he does not take notice and that with Terror of the breakings forth of the eminent hand of the Lord against such to their misery and shame that thus tempts the Lord to deal with him as hath been dealt with his predecessors gone before whose footsteps he follows with all the haste and fury he can appear in let him take heed though his presumption be great in defying the Work of God in his Servants let him vapour with the Bulk of the Weapon his ungodly Book he hath formed in his stout and ambitious mind the Lord is risen to dash in peices and is upon the Throne who with the Antient though dispised Instrument of simplicity and the naked truth which he hath in his Hand will wound the head and glory of this uncircumcised One to its utter Ruin and the perpetual reproach of all them that lean upon it the Mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it and it shall surely come to pass And as to the particular matters of Accusations by William Rogers cast upon George Fox we do testifie and in the Truth affirm and can commit the same to the tryal of the righteous principle of God and equal Law of doing as one would be done by that if many of the matters in charge against him were true which we believe are malicious and false the malice the rancour of his Spirit that appears in his perverting George Fox his words his misconstruing and putting his own corrupt sence upon them disingeniously and unlike a Man and then placing a Judgment thereupon his disorderly bringing them forth having not first examined the truth of matters and dealt with him face to face as in the sequel of our matter may be manifested he hath not done His publishing in Print and exposing the same to publick view by sale or allowing thereof in Shops so that it is come to the view of the great enemies of Truth and us and the applications he puts upon our tender care in the Church of God as Antichristian and Rome-like with the invectives and malicious Smitings he can invent renders him plainly to be an Apostate from Truth an enemy to God and the Principle we have believed in an accuser of the Brethren not fit for Christian Society but to be rejected as reproachful thereto and left to the righteous God of Heaven and Earth to reward him according to his works Friendly Reader our Testimony is for the sake of that principle of Light and Life in Christ Jesus our Lord and Law-giver in which we have believed and are bold to Testifie to and stand in the vindication of against all the opposers thereof as that which is our life and the comfort of our days through the Salvation that we have known thereby wherein we have peace and for the sake whereof reproaches are not hard for us to bear and for the removing of the Stumbling-blocks out of the way thereof that if it were possible all Men might walk therein and find mercy We say in a godly concern that lies upon us we intend through Gods assistance a little to discover the Face and Image of a Ungodly Backsliding Separate dividing Spirit by rending off the covering it hath got upon its head to hide its nakedness and shame withal in the departing of those it hath prevailed upon from the living God from the way of Truth and from the unity of the Brethren to the casting off the Subjection to Gods power which they once knew and unto which also Obedience should be given and giving way to a corrupt mind in themselves and to a false Liberty that Truth leads not to have set themselves being of that sort that loves not found Judgment against the rule and government of Christ Jesus whose right it is in the Spirits of their own minds and against the Discipline of the Church of God according to Gospel-order and the practice of the Church in the Apostles dayes and thereby encouraging a loose and licentious Spirit in others that would draw back into the liberty of the flesh again to satisfie the Lusts thereof and thereby bring a reproach upon that eternal name in which we have believed and testified Salvation to be thereby as if it were not Sufficient to compleat the work thereof by us expected and waited for which we Testifie against whoever otherwise say Reader If thou dost but duely consider as before the Lord of William Rogers's Book thou mayest easily see whatever he pretends to its liberty for the Flesh that the design of him and others in this their work tends to and for that cause is it that the Churches care is undervalued by them despised and maliciously reproached under the denomination of over-driving imposing lording over Mens Consciences setting up in the Church another Government then that of the Spirit which we testifie to be false and a malicious smiting accounting the wholsome directions according to Gospel-Order taken notice of and practized amongst us that in all things we may be of good report the bringing in of Ceremonies Mens Prescriptions and the like thereby to put a dis-esteem upon them in the minds of such as are unto liberty in the flesh inclined whence the opposition hath sprung and the dividing Spirit has sought to prevail to the exercise of rhe true and upright to God and the Churches grief the looseness also of this Spirit and its design to gratifie the Flesh which produceth contempt and opposition to the Churches care that the Author to
the aforesaid Book is charged with and its dis-regard to Truths praise and the glory thereof is plainly manifested by the Work William Rogers hath made to defame with all possible reproachful Speeches slanderous and lying accusations such as have kept their first love to Truth unchristian-like yea unhumanly and contrary to all Gospel-order and Rule of common Societies Printing and publishing the same against the Antient and Elder Brethren without hearing or convicting after any human or Gospel way such as have been made more particularly Instrumental in the matter of setling thereof in the Power and Spirit of Jesus in the Churches justified owned and practised amongst the upright-hearted to God to their unspeakable comfort for the Glory and blessings 〈◊〉 that attends the concerned therein particularly George Fox is the Man that his venomous Darts are shot at which his corrupt heart hath been filled with which through his Printed Book he hath let fly with all the eagerness and extravagancy of Spirit that he can work himself into to bring a reproach upon and make him contemptible to all to the undoing of him if it were in his power both as a Man and a Christian and supposing in his 〈◊〉 and fall to throw down the Discipline and the Order of Truth amongst the faithful to the letting go from the Bond of the Power such as would be from under the yoke thereof which the pure God blesseth the faithful with as Instruments in his hand for discouraging of Sin and Wickedness and incouragement of Christian Vertue Purity and Holliness The tendency of this our Adversaries Spirit to liberty in the Flesh and to gratifie the Backsliding 〈◊〉 that 's going thitherward Reader thou mayest be more fully satisfied thereof if thou do but take notice with what vigour and the might he hath he appears to stand by to applaud and to proclaim John Wilkinson and John Story for two Antient and honourable Labourers in the Gospel whose Conversation and Doctrin I have not known or understood saith he to be exceeded by any mortal man whatsoever Which by several passages relating to them in William Rogers's Printed Book inserted and explained in the Answer to it called The Accuser of our Brethren cast down thou mayest detect and plainly see it s but a meer flattering boast of his unbridled Tongue and that they are no such ones as he would render them to be And when through Gods help we shall have laid open the exercises and griefs we have met withal in the Church of God in Westmoreland through the opposition that these two Men have made to Friends tender Care amongst Gods People for the promoting the honour of his Truth in Righteousness and Holiness of Life and against our care that all might keep faithful in their Testimony for the Truth as received of God and the obstructions in our work and concerns relating thereunto wrought by them and others of a wrong and loose Spirit encouraged thereby to stand by them which by sad experience we have found and are able to demonstrate as in plainness and according to the naked Truth through Gods help we intend to do of this Spirit and of its work we shall then leave thee as more capable to judge and doubt not but to give thee also cause to say and conclude that the Author of the aforesaid Book hath been Malicious Partial and Fallacious in the work he hath had in hand and that it is no matter whom he Blesseth and whom he Curseth whom he Justifieth or whom he Condemneth Now as to 〈◊〉 off the Fig-leave covering of this Apostate Spirit which its fallen to be our Lot to be concerned with amongst the many perils we have been carried through by the Arm of Israels God and to manifest to all its nakedness and shame to be the more detestable because of the impudency it appears in the cause whereof William Rogers hath presumed principally to espouse and appear in the defence of to the utmost of the Breath and Force that he hath and that he is a man departed from the Faith and the good 〈◊〉 standing by a Rebellious loose sort despising the dignity of Gods Power and though talking of the Light and antient Truth yet out of the Life of it an Opposer of Gospel-Order and wholsom Discipline in the Church of God a discourager of the weak in their antient Living Testimonies for the Truth an encourager of the Backsliders from the Life of God and a separate faction from the Fellowship of Truth in the visible concerns of Gods People relating to the honour of Truth and that he is a false Accuser of the Brethren a malicious Slanderer of the Innocent and one that hath set himself to do the mischief he can to the defamation of our holy Principle and Profession and to bring an Odium upon all those that will not adhere to his Spirit and abet him in his contentious Work but 〈◊〉 against the same in their Testimony that stands sure and shall never be shaken by him and that he is a man rejected of the Lord for his works sake and shut out from the fellowship of the Saints in Light and his Works cast out as the unsavoury Salt good for nothing but to be troden under foot of men And for a further proof thereof several things are materially necessary to be made good reduced into these following heads First That under a Gospel dispensation visible Order Discipline and Government in the exercise of the Spirit is necessary justifiable and ought to be found in Subjection to Gods Power amongst Gods People according to Christs Doctrine Apostolical care and the practice of the Primitive Churches of Christ proved by Scripture Record Secondly That the care of the Churches of God in this our day amongst the Children of the Light with respect to Discipline according to the order and rule of Truth and their practice accordingly stands justified as consistant with the Apostles Doctrine with the command of Christ Scripture Example and the primitive practice touching this matter Thirdly That William Rogers in his Book though after a broken contradictory manner and very much inconsistant with himself hath denied the care discipline and order used amongst us in the Church of God and hath Judged the same And that John Wilkinson and John Story with them of the Separation in the North and of Party with him in an opposite Spirit thereunto have sleighted despised and laboured to put a dis-esteem thereupon and have laid Stumbling-blocks in the way of the weak in relation thereunto and have laboured to obstruct the care and exercise of Gods People in relation thereunto Fourthly That George Fox and others of the Antient Brethren their care and exercise as Instruments in the Lords hand to see the Churches of Christ every where in this our age setled in the aforesaid Order and Discipline as the Apostles care was in his day hath been Justified Embraced and freely closed with as that which has
any where it may have reception to the dafamation of our holy Profession and the Unity we have enjoyed therein as also to the disparagement of such as the said William Rogers and they who adhere to him in their malicious undertakings sets themselves against We 〈◊〉 that such where this may come who have also seen William Rogers's Book would weigh the matters discoursed upon betwixt him together with his Adherents and us with them in whose behalf we are thus concerned not in that Spirit which is gratified with an occasion which seems through this Exercise amongst us to be put into their hands which appears to them to be that which may work us under and blot out our name from off the Earth as too many are apt to do as that which hath been long desired by an unbelieving People and hath been waited for that they might rejoyce in our fall thereby to strengthen themselves in their unbelief of that holy Principle of Light and Spirit of Truth which condemns for Sin and convinceth the World thereof and of their self Righteousness and false Judgment which we have born witness to for if things be weighed in such a Spirit as this it will be an occasion Reader to shut thee up from the blessing of God that gives an understanding and under the vail of that darkness that will by reason thereof cover thee thou wilt betray thy self of that inward sence that God gives and be left uncapable to give right judgment of matters in hand not knowing what thou sayest or whereof thou affirms wherefore to prevent the danger thou art in on this wise we desire in all sincerity that thy Heart may be open to God who opened the Heart of Lidia and made her capable to receive the Truth And let all prejudice be shut out and prejudging of us because of any former grudg that hath been too much born concerning us because of our Testimony in any respect and our practice accordingly otherwise as to any advantage that thou canst gain in the matter of thy perusing hereof thy Labour will be altogether in vain And do not think that we are too severe with William Rogers for with great Gentleness and Brotherly care hath he and others of party with him been treated whilest we felt the Door of mercy open as in the Sequel of our concern shall be made appear and they still hardened over all so that as we have said before we cannot now treat him as a Friend or Brother in Truth but as an open Enemy of the highest rank and the Testimony we have now from God on his account and our exercise accordingly is to 〈◊〉 Judgment upon the head of that Spirit he hath been led by and the work he hath had in hand and let it go into the Pit forever from whence it came that some that have entered the snare of it may yet be brought back and escape the Torment that is its due for evermore We desire thee also whilest thou Reads consider of things with respect to our Principle our antient Practice our Testimonies our faithfulness therein our Sufferings by reason thereof our Labours to confirm each other in the way of Truth and not to weaken each others hands to the letting fall any of our Testimonies for Truth our antient Love each to other as one Family led by one and the same Spirit our Brotherly fellowship and care over each other our desire and endeavours to cover the weaknesses of any that have partaked with us of the Grace of God for the honour of that Principle and holy Name we have as a People distinct from other Professions received and believed in and had our Society together in the power of Mind also what abhorrence hath been upon our Spirits to watch for evil against any to get occasion to defame them thereby much more our antient Brethren and Elders in the Truth least our Enemies should rejoyce and harden themselves by it against our Principle which we would have all to receive and find Salvation by if thou doest but consider things on this wise thou mayst easily apprehend what Spirit it is that William Rogers is led by in his Printing Publishing and spreading abroad his Books stuffed with the most Infamous Disgraceful terms he can find out whereby to bespatter our Profession our Fellowship and Unity that he is gone from our Innocent care in the Church of God and our decent Order and Diseipline in relation thereunto calling it but a Form of Government set up by Man other mens lines made ready to our hands Mens Orders and Prescriptions and the like And what work he makes to defame the Instruments the Lord hath been pleased to make use of in this concern we need not say much they that Read his Book may see how it s stuffed with such ridiculous work as this So that it may be affirmed and that in truth they are blind who does not easily apprehend the wickedness of this Spirit and the tendency of its work whence it arises and whither it leads to wit into the Earth again to satisfie the Flesh with its affections and lusts they are happy that are aware thereof and do not touch therewith John Pearson Robert Barrow Brian Lancaster Joseph Bains John Blaykling Antichristian Treachery DISCOVERED AND Its Way Block'd up In a clear Distinction betwixt the Christian Apostolical Spirit and the Spirit of the Antichristian Apostate Being something in Answer to a Book put forth by William Rogers falsly called The Christian Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator The First Part. Shewing That under the Gospel Dispensation Church Government Discipline and visible Order is justifiabie necessary and commendable in the vissible Family of God according to the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostolical practiee Wherein also it is treated upon and Demonstrably proved First That the Discipline and Order used and practised in the Church of Christ amongst the people vulgarly called Quakers is consistant with the Doctrine of Christ and the practice of the Primitive Churches of God touching the same before the Apostacy entered Secondly That our present Adversary William Rogers hath denied the aforesaid Care Discipline and Order used amongst the aforesaid people the Children of God with contemptible reproachful Terms and hath judged the same and abusively aspersed the Church of Christ in general and the Instruments in Gods hand in their care and exercise in relation thereunto Thirdly That the aforesaid people that keep true to God and their first love are unanimously satisfied in their practice therein and as helps one unto another Instrumentally in Gods hand are strengthened thereby and comforted because thereof as therein being Truths praise Fourthly That George Fox and other Instruments which the Lord hath made use of in setling the Churches under the aforesaid Discipline and Order are Satisfactorily owned and vindicated in their care therein amongst the aforesaid people in all their Christian Societies throughout this Nation and in
such as goes from the Power of God and from the Life and Kernel of Truth and to none other as in the Scripture-Sense it is clear and as later experiences also have demonstrated and to apply that State to such as have the Kernel of Christianity and are in the Truth in the Doctrine of Christ and in the Practice of things that the Truth in the members of the Heavenly Body leadeth into is 〈◊〉 Confusion a false Application and a ridiculous thing amongst all sober Conscientious People and renders the asserters ' thereof in a state of Distraction as to the Knowledge of God ready to be cast aside not worth the taking notice of What further need were there may many say of any further Proof of the matter against him and them of party with him as to the trampling upon this false and malicious charge but hold him to his and John Wilkinson's grant concerning us and then see how he 'l prove the accusation against us Unless we are willing to give them leave to retract what they have confessed Which seeing we see not that he is willing to call back his charge for the further manifesting his confusion his folly his malice and his envy and for the Vindication of our Innocent Life and care in the Church of God which Grieves the Backsliding sort we are inclined to do And shall proceed to examine farther what is the matter on the Churches account or what hath he against us for which he thus renders us in Print and leaves it on record to posterity that we are Apostates Innovators and such as in whom the life of Christianity is extinct and Intruders into the Government that belongs to Christ Imposers bringer's in of mens Prescriptions with what Inveterateness he can in the height of Malice appear in In order to which we say thus it may be observed through his whole book what work he makes against the Order and Discipline used and practised amongst us in the Church of God under the exercise of the Spirit which God hath given us a knowledge of and a Portion in and we Testifie that none other Government but that of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus do we as the Children of God maintain and stand in the vindication of to which subjection we owe for Conscience sake and under which we desire and are concerned as Instruments in Gods hand to be helps in Government in the Church to the keeping down that which would not be subject to Truth That so in all things we may be decent lovely and of good report keeping ourselves unspotted of the World according to that holy Profession we have maintained and confessed to before all It 's admirable to take notice what ado he makes against Discipline and Order in the Church and what contemptible Terms he puts upon the Directions and Instructions Justifiable and commendable therein to be get a disesteem thereof in the minds of people let but his book be perused through it will manifest it together with what is observed out of it by the Authors of the Accuser of our Brethren 〈◊〉 down Subscribed by Ellis Hookes c. therein Inserted and fully spoken to Demonstrably so that much here on that wise need not be inserted reference being had unto the a foresaid Treatise because whereof we shall much what pass by the trouble of recollecting the same or much concerning our selves therewith It 's obvious to all what down-right slighting he is in and what Inveighing he makes against any concern on that wise in the Church of God under a Gospel-Dispensation in many parts of his Book there is scarcely one Page without reflections on that wise See Page the 4 th in the first part of his Book Whosoever should endeavour by Outward Ways and Means to establish an outward Government outward Laws Rules and Orders c. under the Notion or pretence of Christ's Government would be found Invaders of Christ's Prerogative And in page 43. of his first part he says And if we do but consider how fruitless in days and years past as well as in this present Age all mens outward endeavours have been under the notion of Church-Government to preserve in any true Real and Heavenly Society c. and from thence places upon all concerns on that wise the badge of Apostacy Thus he manifests his slight of the Care of Gods people in the Church with respect to the outward exercises we should appear in for God and our mutual help comfort edification and building up one another and to render the same the more contemptible and useless he brings in a false Instance from the Apostate State that the Churches in days past according to what John saw coming over them fell into who lost the Power and only kept the Form in which all their endeavours could not be successful to preserve in Love nor any Christian heavenly Society and as this is not only an unchristian Comparison and a Reflection also upon the Primitive Care and Endeavours on that wise before the Apostacy was which the Churches were zealous in and God blessed their Endeavours in that day but also it is inserted here by our Adversary and the Adversary to the Churches Life and Peace in a Contempt of that good Order Discipline and Care used amongst us in the Spirit of Truth for Gods Glory and one anothers comfort in the Fellowship of the Gospel in which is peace and thereby doth he plainly demonstrate that the Tendency of his Spirit is to Emmulation and 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 loose of a corrupt mind that is gratified therewith So that it may be concluded that Church-Government in the Spirit under which there is a godly care for one another in Righteousness and a tender Inspection in relation to it and sound 〈◊〉 to the limiting of the Flesh that likes not subje ction to Truth is that which is in his way and the great occasion of the Discontent of his Mind as the like also we have met withal from them of his Spirit and Party with him in the North which through sad experience we have had a certain Knowledge of and are able to demonstrate as in the sequel of our discourse God willing in Sincerity we purpose to do And on this score has the discomposure grown in the mind of William Rogers under which he hath vented the heat and rancour of his Spirit in opposition to Church-order and Discipline and his contempt of the good and wholsom Directions observed and used amongst us called by him Mens Prescriptions other mens Lines made ready to our hands Dictates of Fallible Men Dutward Rules Orders and the like under which discomposure of Spirit he hath run himself into grievous Mistakes and Contradictions in relation to Government and 〈◊〉 Directions and Rules observable and practicable therein and not like a man of his parts as he would be rendred nor like a man stedfast in the good understanding God gives but very brokenly and under
People and with the primitive Care Order and Practice and in which we are of Good Report every where And for the more perfectly Answering the Care that 's upon us 〈◊〉 the aforesaid matters and things and the like and the effectually compleating the Work relating to it are our Men and Womens meetings our Monthly and Quarterly meetings setled in the Unity of the Life and observed that we may be in readiness to attend every Concern that may fall amongst us relating to the Tabernacle in which we are in it to be Truth 's Praise Our constant Opportunities of our Setled Meetings attends the exercise of inspecting Marriages of putting a stop to every appearance of any difference to arise amongst any professing Truth and putting a timely End to all such as through mistakes or otherwise may have risen Our 〈◊〉 Meetings in Relation to the Churches concerns attends the occasion of any 〈◊〉 that any way may happen to any through Sufferings and the like that Assistance may be readily Administred accordingly Our Constant meetings are ready to Answer the Order of Truth in the case of any publick Scandals thr ough any one's Misdeameanor that have been 〈◊〉 Profession with us In which we have felt the Presence of the Eternal God with us and his Blessings attend us to the comfort of the Family of God and to our Repute every way Now we appeal to that in all the Consciences to Judge and Testifie what cause William Rogers hath and they of 〈◊〉 with him on whose behalf he says the Printing of his Book was as that which was a great concern of Conscience upon them to publish us and leave a memorial of it to Posterity Apostates and Innovators on the account of the aforesaid Care Order and Discipline amongst us in Relation to the Concerns that as a Society necessarily attends us And whether in the practice of things relating thereunto we are not consistent with our first Principle our Antient Love to God and to the Brethren and our care for Gods Glory as also with the Churches-practice in the Primitive 〈◊〉 and that on these Accounts We can be no way detectable of having the life of Christianity extinct amongst us as William Rogers hath asserted us to have And whether the clamorous work he has made against Church-order and Government in the Ground as also against our Care Order and Practice touching the same be any thing else but the fruit of his wicked malicious opposite Spirit to the Life of Truth And that all his cluttering work on this wise signifies nothing with respect to his charge against us but that in the matter thereof he hath rendred himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all 〈◊〉 people and Christian Societies more especially because that he goes not about to detect us on the account of having lost the Kernel of Christianity nor to be gone from the principles of Truth or the Doctrine of Christ or the practice of what the Truth leads the members of the Heavenly Body into but by him and John Wilkinson under their own hands are we cleared thereof Now we come to touch a little of the Second particular Head by us made mention of before in this First part of our Treaatise to be spoken to That our present Adversary William Rogers in his aforesaid Book hath denied the Care the Order and Discipline used amongst us in the Church of God and hath Judged the same And that John Storv and John Wilkinson also with them of the Separation in the North and of Party with them have slighted despised and laboured to put a dis-esteem thereupon in an 〈◊〉 Spirit there-unto and hath laid Stumbling-blocks in the way of it and thereby obstructed the Care and Exercise of God's People in Relation thereunto To which we say that in Relation to William Rogers his Denial of the Order of Truth setled amongst us to be consistent with our principle and first love as also his Judging the same much need not to be said in this place That which is already herein Inserted out of his Book as also what may at large be observed in the Answer to his by Ellis Hookes c. Demonstrating that a great part of the Tendency of his whole work therein relates thereunto And to manifest the contempt thereof that hath been also on John Story and John Wilkinson their Spirits together with them of Party with them in the North and the opposition they have made thereunto to the Church's grief and the breach of its peace more may be said afterwards when we give a Relation of the exercise and concern we have had with them by reason thereof which in the Sequel God willing we Intend to do As to William Rogers we say his clamouring against us alter an abusive manner on this account in his Book is so frequently used by him that it 's obvious and clear to the view of every honest man who hath had a view thereof that Contempt scorn and derision is that which he is filled with on the Account thereof Whosoever saith he shall endeavour by outward ways to establish an outward Government and outward Rule c. they are Invaders of Christ's Prerogative And again saith he that Spirit that would remove u from our teacher c. to follow the Dictates of fallible men c. In the first place we deny his charge as applicable to us we have no such design God knows before whom we stand it 's a meer unjust reflection for we Commend all to the teachings of the Grace of God and the guidings of the Universal Spirit in which the Unity stands in the Order and Rule of Truth to be Helps and Governments in the Church Neither do we lay before one another in the Church of God any thing but what is answerable to Truth and is freely received of the Innocent to God we disown the Dictates of fallible men neither doth he give us a Catalogue of those Dictates he so much talks of and therefore we take the less notice of the cluttering work he makes on that wise Secondly It is clear that all those Reflections he useth he aims them at us and upon our Order and Discipline in God's House and the directions relating thereunto otherwise there had been no occasion of his so often reiterating thereof in this his undertaking to detect us as Apostates on the account thereof He further says see page 16. of his first part That our Meetings in a reproach thereof are made up of men uncertain as to Number and Qualifications and under the notion of the Church of God assumes power over Conscience and again he says He appeals to the Intelligent if those there assembled pretending to be Members thereof meaning the Church of God have not been false Accusers and men-pleasers and many of them a sort of Persons that have loved preheminence and time-servers Now we say this is a malicious Slander which we deny and we ask what greater contempt could he appear
in against our Brethren in their Exercise what greater reproach could he any way bring upon our Meetings and our Order and Care therein more vilifie with Derision the exercise and concern thereof the Advice the Counsel that may arise amongst us the Exhortations and Reproofs that any may be concerned in as the Lord instructs and leads accordingly as any occasion may offer it self What can he do or say more in Contempt of all when he hath done his worst and what Spirit this is and what its work tends to the Lord be Judge in all Consciences and give the knowledg thereof that the Snares of this wicked envious one may never on this wise prevail any more upon any For to let loose the Licentious Unclean Libertine Ranting Spirit is that which in the Ground he aims at wherein the Apostacy is entering the letting go the Bond of Truth the Authority of it in himself and in such as adhere to him and are taken with his Bait where the departing also from the Life of Christianity prevails which William Rogers would charge others with himself is detected to have the mannagement of the design thereof which he bends himself to perfect to his own disgrace and wo world without end And what blasphemous work also he is clearly detected to be concerned in who pretends what a concern of Conscience he and others of his Brethren had upon them to appear in Print lest the Life of Christianity should seem to be extinct amongst the People called 〈◊〉 and yet such absurd notoriously wicked and ungodly matter brought forth as his Book is stuffed with he himself might see if he would but let that in his own Conscience speak One other Instance out of many we think good to insert out of W. Roger's Book plainly demonstrating his condemning all visible Order and Discipline in the Church of Christ and so his opposition thereunto In the Title page to the 3d part of his Book called The Christian 〈◊〉 c. it is delivered by him thus Manifesting saith he that there is but two sorts of Governments owned by the Children of Light or the Christian 〈◊〉 one is the outward Government under which we Live unto the Laws whereof we owe either Active or Passive Obedience c. The other is the inward Government of Christ who alone is Lord over the Conscience which is not represented by Persons visible by carnal Eyes invested with power from Heaven to execute outward Laws Prescriptions Orders Edicts in any outward Form of Government visible as aforesaid Our Brethren of the Second days morning Meeting in London well observing as in the Treatise called The Accuser of our Brethren cast down is inserted that this assertion of W. Rogers directly contradicts the Paper therein made mention of and in this Treatise also hereafter inserted signed at Ann Travers House 1673. subscribed by him while he kept his first Love and Care for God amongst many other of his Brethren It contradicts also a Paper given forth in the Year 1672. relating to Godly Care Order and Government in the Church wherein advice is given to Friends who have a care and oversight committed to them in their respective places for good Order and eomfort in the Church as the Words therein are Which Epistle is signed by James Parke Jasper Batt John Story Thomas Curtis John Crooke Stephen Crisp and Fourteen more Friends the 3d of the 3d Month 1672. so here John Story when in Unity with his Brethren is Uindicating and Encouraging Church care and visible order and his Party have since expressly set themselves against it In the aforesaid Book viz. The Accuser of our Brethren cast down c. it is also expressed thus page 117. observe First That W. Rogers and his Party are by him accounted the Christian Quakers and Children of Light and that all those that are not of his Party nor in Unity with him them are accounted Apostates Innovators and why so but because they are for some outward Laws Orders c. in an outward form of Order and Government in the Church of Christ that 's visible Secondly That this outward Order and visible Form is such as by his sence and state of the Case is rendered obnoxions both to the outward Government under which we Live and against the inward Government of Christ Insomuch that all the People called Quakers that are for outward and visible Form and Order amongst them are Charactered Apostates and Innovators c. This is Malicious and tends to expose that People to Persecution and is unjustly rendered for our peaceable deportment on the account of the outward Government under which we Live hath been and is well known to be such as our Opposer is not able to disprove neither need we vindicate our selves therein c. This also is not only Malitions but Absurd As if because Christ's immediate Government and Kingdom is inward and spiritual in the Conscience therefore he must have no visible Ministers in his Kingdom no visible Order or Form of Government under his Dominion no visible Persons exercised in any outward Rule Orders Laws or Decrees under his Government as if all Christ's Ministers Apostles Elders Overseers Helps Governments which were appointed by him in his Church with all the Instructions Decrees and Commands of the Apostle setting in order all things that were lacking doing all things decently and in order were all Invisible and nothing outward Visible or Formal because Christ's inward and spiritual Government from whence all these proceeds is Invisible We can argue no better then on this kind in our Adversaries distinction of his Christian Quaker from the Apostate and Innovator Nor deduce a more natural Inference from his opposition against visible Persons being concerned in an outward Form of Government and Order in the Church of Christ How doth this kind of arguing also of his consist with that Paper signed in the North by his two honorable Friends John Story and John Wilkinson and them of Party with them which he says is accounted the Foundation of the seperate Meeting In which Paper are these Words We who are chosen by the Churches and in their behalf to Act Some of other Countries and some amongst our selves not chosen by the Churches have usurped Authority over us The Meetings by whom we were Imployed Our men who have their Authority given them by the Churches choise c. Are hindered by others c. To whom we gave no Power But deny that they have had Authority from us and again Our chosen men They who are not chosen by the Churches You who are righly chosen by the Churches With many other Passages intimating Power Authority and Government together with Records and Orders surely W. Rogers will not say that those Churches chusing and giving Power to others and the Persons chosen to be imployed in their Affairs were all invisible and their Affairs and Businesses invisible and their respective Meetings with the
have presumed to place a belief upon our Spirits with respect to a Testimony bearing by you on G. Fox his account whom the Apostates that have risen at any time since we have been a People have ever ran upon with all the bitter Revilings that through malitious Accusations they could devise more impudently then many that never knew the Lord and his Power durst have adventured lest the hand of the Lord should have smitten them to their 〈◊〉 and Wo for evermore We are bold to put the matter to the test concerning him on this wise we have a concern upon us you must bear with us the honourable Truth Gospel Order and the repute of our elder Brethren whom God regards seems to many that are not settled in the power of Truth to lie at Sake through the Impeachment W. Rogers hath appeared in for whose sake we ask you Are you not sensible that as the Lord made him an Instrument in his hand early of the day to gather many to God out of Darkness and from under the power of Death and that since we have been a People in the Truth and gathered into a Society in this earthly Tabernacle that the care of the Churches have been upon him Hath not a Record dwelt upon your Hearts in in the Spirit of Life that the Lord hath been with him in this matter Have you not had an answer in your Consciences unto which he hath ever appealed for a Witness there that the Instructions and Directions with respect to Church order and the Discipline thereof hath been commended to you in the Spirit of Truth as the Lord might direct to be put in practice amongst you Have you not 〈◊〉 the Spirit of Truth in your selves sealing to that eternal power that hath been upon him and other dear Brethren in the matter thereof Have you felt any straitness upon your Spirits or want of freedom in the Lord when you kept to the power to be concerned in the Church of God according to the order growth and place in the Truth whereinto the Lord hath brought you Have you not felt the Blessings of the Eternal God with you in answering the Care the Advice the Counsel and Directions of the Brethren in the matters thereof Are you not comforted with respect to your own inward Advantage the furtherance of the Gospel amongst you and the Truths honourable esteem amongst men through your Exercise Labours and Travels therein so that you can say to Gods praise your Labour of Love hath not been in vain We are bold to appeal on this wise unto you in Truths behalf Have we not a Record in all your Hearts of you that are saithful to God and have received of his Spirit as a cloud of Witnesses in this matter for us who have set our Signets thereunto Deal ingeniously with us as in the Lords sight in this matter its integrity to God our Souls delights in and an evidence in that we crave of all whether with us or against us touching the same however W. Rogers renders us we abhor Flattery or having mens persons in Admiration any further then the honourable Image of God appears in them as their Habitation abides in that to which the honour is due We leave this matter with you and before all whom it may concern where-ever any exercise may fall in relation thereunto and as you Hear and Learn of the Eternal God so Judge and Speak We might in this place very fitly fall in hand with the many Accusations Reproaches and Slanders that William Rogers hath malitiously the matter of his Work gives it this Character devised and raised up against G. Fox through his perversions and inferences that he hath put on his innocent clear sence and Christian Exercise about matters he was concerned in from which he deduceth very wicked and horrid charges against him in that old Cainish Spirit in which he would utterly destroy his Repute if it were in his power before all the fallacy whereof we doubt not but detect in the considerable matters thereof to the satisfaction we hope of all the innocent where this may come Yet we chuse first to give a true and sincere Relation of the many grievous demonstrable Exercises that the Church of God in Mestmoreland hath met withall more or less for the space of six or seven Years or upwards through this Spirit which secretly hath wrought in too many to draw them from the first Love and ancient regard to God his Truth into a kind of libertine loose sort of Life animated and strengthened we dare boldly say though with grief by John Story and John Wilkinson who having declined their antient regard to that Eternal Power and Innocent Life in which once they were truly concerned for God amongst his People and leaning upon the Wisdom that is from below in the mans part and not rightly discerning the things of God became darkned in their Minds and in that state discouragers of the antient Zeal for Truth and the honorable Testimonies born therein amongst the Faithful to the gratifying a People backsliding from the Lord and the holy way of Truth whereupon we have livingly seen and some have warned them of it the Lord withdrawing of his good Spirit by little and little from them as he did from Israel of old whose Backslidings he would have healed but they regarded not but hardened their Hearts more and more to their Irrecoverable Ruin in which declining state they became the wounding of their own Souls and the piercing the sides of many of the weaker sort to the Churches grief We also together with the concern on this wise shall manifest to all what care was used in the Church of God and with several in particular for the preservation of these two men the principal abettors of the dividing Spirit with tenderness towards them with desires and travels both in Soul and Spirit and in many bodily labours in relation to them with many cntreaties for and patient waitings over them that if possible they might be saved The Contest and Exercise in relation to it broke forth first in the North through them William Rogers that we know of was not at first so early concerned in the matter of the aforesaid contentious Work but became an espouser of it to himself on their behalfs being a man of an arragant Spirit and appeared to love being popular and in the height and restlesness of his mind undertook the work that the Lord blessed him not in but being drawn aside from the simplicity of the Gospel to abet a wrong Spirit in himself and others of the loose sort is become the Evil-man and Seducer that grows worse and worse heaping up Damnation to himself that slumbers not Antichristian Treachery Discovexed AND Its Way Block'd up IN A clear Distinction betwixt the Christian Apostolica Spirit and the Spirit of the Antichristian Apostate BEING Something in Answer to a Book put forth by William Rogers falsely
called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator The Second Part VVherein it is plainly demonstrated First That John Story and John Wilkinson in a dividing Spirit together with the aforesaid William Rogers who hath espoused their Cause with those of party with them have opposed the visible Rule Discipline and Order used in the Church of God the true Christian Quakers Wherein they have been the Exercise and Grief of the Faithful through the offence they have caused in the Church of Christ to the breach of its Peace Secondly A sincere account is given therein of the care and brotherly treating according to Gospel Order that hath been used in a Christian Spirit as the Exercise and Travels of many dear Brethren sustained do demonstrate concerning the aforesaid John Story and John Wilkinson and others of party with them before the Judgment of Truth according to Church Power and Order was given forth against them By Thomas Pearson John Pearson Robert Tompson Robert Battow Brian Lancaster Joseph Baines and John Blaykling on behalf of themsels and many other Brethren of the Quarterly Meeting in Westmerland Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Dectrine which ye have learned and avoid them Rom. 16. 17. Blessed are the Peace-Makers for they shall be called the Children of God Matth. 5. 9. Antichristian Treachery Discovexed AND Its Way Block'd up IN A clear Distinction betwixt the Christian Apostolical Spirit and the Spirit of the Antichristian Apostate BEING Something in Answer to a Book put forth by William Rogers falsely called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator The Second Part THAT Eternal God by whom the World was made the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last with the blessed Message of Glad-tidings to our Immortal Souls appeared amongst us here aways in the North and in the glory of that eternal Word by which all things are upheld broke in upon us to the opening our Hearts and giving us the knowledge of the heavenly Light and Life in Christ Jesus through which by believing in it we were brought back again unto God from whom the Alienation was in the Sin and Unbelief and we became a People and were through the Truth which we had received gathered into a visible Society and Profession thereof the visible Character of the Family of God during the Tabernacle in this World we were settled through the power of our Principle and Spirit of Truth in the comely Discipline and Order in the Church of God and that no neglect might be in the concerns thereof in the Spirit of Jesus accompanying us as in the Apostles care in his day that Elders every where might be appointed faithful men were chosen to attend and inspect the matters thereof and the principal weight of matters about the concerns of the Churches affaires for a time lay upon them till Truth grew up in the Hearts of many so that many became meet in the power to appear in the service of Truth in a Gospel care and then our Meetings became more free for any of the Faithful to be concerned amongst us to the strengthening and encouraging in the way of Truth to Gods praise and while all kept to the first love and regard to Gods glory according as the Lord was pleased to concern us all things were well and we were comforted together in the obedience to the spirit and Truth received our Testimonies sincerely born and the Sufferings attending the same patiently undergone and we were each others help and encouragement and strength and the Unity and Concord that we mutually enjoyed was our refreshment glorying and our rejoycing yet in succeeding days the Temptation that ever was from the old Adversary of the Lambs 〈◊〉 and the Churches Peace begun to creep in and prevail upon some of the antient Professors and Sufferers for the Truth and set to work according to his kind to draw back from the antient Integrity formerly kept to and some that were to have been as Watchmen in Israel and Valiants for God and were appointed at the first or early of the day for that very end let the Standard of Gods power fall and gave their glory to the second Beast that arose out of the Earth and instead of keeping to the antient power in it to be as 〈◊〉 on Mount Sion Instrumentally in Gods hand for the glory of his People some became Instruments to lead several back from Truth 's Integrity by an evil Example laid before the weak and unskilful the ancient Record against all Antichristian Bondages being discouraged they became wofully to be let fall the nobility of Gods power being much departed from even in them that should have been as Pillers in the House of God the weaker and younger sort whose hearts were enclined to Liberty and Ease again looked out and took example at them they had esteemed of and became subject to a timerous distrustful Spirit of the earthly One shrunk in the day of Tryal and started aside like broken Bows in the suffering times to the causing our Enemies to Triumph and make their boast of a Conquest got upon us to the spreading our disparagement abroad in many parts of the Nation and amongst this unfaithful and shrinking sort was John Story concerned and overcome and led aside with them from the Integrity of the Lambs Life and Dominion these things grieved the Church of God in many parts of the Nation where the noise of them was gone through the Magistrates means or others that had taken notice thereof to Truths dispraise and the Churches exercise and grief for some 〈◊〉 ready to take example thereat to let the like Temptation prevail over them in suffering times because John Story was conversant amongst them and justified the same so also John Wilkinson encouraged the like things and gave his advice to others accordingly proved by a Certificate under the hand of a faithful Friend These things were the Exercise and Grief of the upright-hearted to God amongst us and of our neighbouring faithful Brethren of other Counties and the Churches concern was great because thereof in a tender desire that such as had been overcome with the Temptation on that wise might see it and in a tender acknowledgment thereof clear the Truth and the Nobility of the Principle we had received and the Testimony we had born in Doctrine and Practice accordingly at this the Disobedient started and the Rebellious to Truths ancient Power such as likes not sound Judgment were grieved thereat Then John Story of party with them in that creeping work appeared with his old slavish shrinking Spirit which he was generally known to be a man of and demonstrated the same upon several eminent occasions that the very principally concerned now in this Spirits work knew well enough and took example by him Now we say he appeared with a more open Face to vindicate the said shrinking work to the 〈◊〉
was the backsliding sort with grief concerned seeing their Spirit Judged and the way of it like to be blocked up Now was the time of their looking about and to speak after the manner of men to their Arms they betook them John Story making his boast what he could do when he put on his Sword in opposition to Church Care the Inspection the Discipline and the Judgment thereof for that was it that alone was in their way and now John Story and John Wilkinson buckled them to it and as leading men assumed a contest against the Faithful on behalf of the withering backsliding sort which the Lord did not bless them in but withdrew by little and little till he left them as to the 〈◊〉 Power and their Hosues desolate It cannot be expressed what work they begun to make and appear in against the Exercises that the upright were concerned in in the Church of God what finding fault therewith its admirable to think what Obstructions they lay in our way and instead of being 〈◊〉 and Governments amongst us became our Burden and 〈◊〉 Our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings was that which was their Grief and the very name of them therefore dispised 〈◊〉 Story calling them Courts and 〈◊〉 and our General Meeting the higher Court of Judicature to make the 〈◊〉 as being grieved therewith as that which was 〈◊〉 ready in their way to inspect miscarriage in Doctrine and Life and upon an orderly proceeding to 〈◊〉 Judgment thereupon this could not be digested of their foul corrupted Stomach of which the Hony-Comb is loathed They rendred our Meetings on 〈◊〉 wise for Friends concerns Formal and not Gospel-like and moved that we should not keep them so constantly but as occasion offered and if this loose Spirit had prevailed there when should an occasion have been seen and made use of let the upright Judge they 〈◊〉 not allow that Marriages should be twice published or 〈◊〉 of in our Meetings unless there happened to be occasion before the accomplishment thereof which sor clearness sake the Church of God judgeth a 〈◊〉 thing They allowed the accomplishment of a Marriage upon 〈◊〉 first times proposing it which within 〈◊〉 days was efsected and yet they were signified to that the Man was not clear of another Woman to whom he had promised Marriage and they were desired by many Friends to put a stop to that till things were clear on the 〈◊〉 account but they took no notice thereof They disliked our Womens Meetings and spoke 〈◊〉 of them though contrary to many of their own Subscriptions once as afterwards may be spoken to and would never allow Marriages to come before them which we account a decent thing that every one Male and Female who have received of the good Spirit may keep in the exercise of it to a profiting 〈◊〉 in their place in Gods House They would not allow that the Church of God should be concerned with any of the weaker sort when Temptations had prevailed upon them to draw back the Testimony for Truth once born but would have those things left to the publick Preaching or any ones particular motion They would not have any made mention of in the Church though in subjection to Gods Power for any such affair contrary to the Churches antient practice who said It seemed good to the holy Ghost and us to send chosen men c In a word to slubber over things and indulge Deceit was their design as their practice and their degeneration from 〈◊〉 Life and Testimonies demonstrates They would not admit of the recording Scandalous and Reproachful Transgressions of any and the Judgment of Truth upon them though with the Repentance of such as had found a place for it John Wilkinson alledging That it tended to render 〈◊〉 maen an Apostate in his day and an Knave to Posterity contrary to the sence of the holy men of God who gave forth the Scriptures and have recorded Noah David 〈◊〉 and Peter their Weaknesses and others with their acknowledgment thereof with Grief and their Repentance also who stand not recorded as Knaves to Prosperity nor is the Record 〈◊〉 to Truths dispraise but tends to 〈◊〉 the Righteousness of God in his Judgments and Mercies for the furtherance of the Gospel and the work of God among all both in our Day and in Generations to come and John Wilkinson yet in Contradiction again and Confusion 〈◊〉 like up and down off and on expresseth himself thus after his denial allowing it again saying He would have the Condemnation to go no further then 〈◊〉 Knowledge of the Transgression nor the Record of it to remain any longer then the Memory of the Offence Thus he confutes his own assertion in his denial in saying It renders a man a Knave to Posterity But we looking over this as the product of his inconsiderate haste in venting such Confusion and granting the other which indeed we do and is that 〈◊〉 we aim at We ask How will John Wilkinson without a Record of the Transgression Condemnation Repentance c. keep the knowledge of the Judgment and Repentance to go as far as the knowledge of the Offence or the memory of the one out-live the memory of the other when as the Envious one on the one hand will not cease to keep in remembrance that which may 〈◊〉 the Truth but to have that alive which may clear the Truth and give God the Praise will be his Grief and his utmost endeavours will be to obstruct the same let the Wise Judge whose work this Spirit of theirs is concerned in A large Catalogue might be here inserted of the contentious Works by them of this seperate Spirit wrought amongst us animated and strengthened by John Story and John Wilkinson as our Quarterly Meeting from sad experience 〈◊〉 Testifie an account whereof we have in readiness at large to publish as occasion may be seen plainly demonstrating the Slight the Contempt and Dis-esteem of that Gospel care we were concerned in for Truths Praise which produced in them the great Opposition that was made to our tender justifiable practice therein which occasioned great Content and Satisfaction to the loose backsliding sort from the holy Way and 〈◊〉 of God and the great sadness of Heart to the Innocent amongst us on theirs and the Truths account Resolved they seemed to be not to 〈◊〉 to the wholsom practices we were concerned in according to the example of the most of the Churches of Christ throughout the whole Nation and if they could not with open Face and with the Instruments they made use of stop our way but that Truths care Inspectision and sound Judgment must be placed in the Order and Discipline thereof and that they could by no means obstruct the same because of that Eternal Power that accompanied Friends care and courage therein to the causing of them when they could not prevail on that wise with conquest over it to bethink them how to betake themselves to
Authority or Invading Christs Prerogative and bringing in of mens Edicts Laws and Prescriptions and mens Inventions c. VVhat an Invention was this against the Prerogative of Christ Jesus by his Spirit in the Saints that none must sit or act in or about the Church affairs but their chosen men to whom they have given Power May not William Rogers be ashamed of clamouring so much against Church Government and applaud John Story and John Wilkinson at such an high rate when he considers what a Paper of Proposals Resolves and Covenants for Rule and Government John Story and John Wilkingson have subscribed and very probably invented and framed it up ready for the Subscription and upon not being closed with in the Bargain they would have made with us would Excommunicate us as not worthy of their Society and from whom they would with-draw and do their Business amongst themselves VVill not John Wilkinson and John Story blame their Correspondent and Agent in their VVork for manifesting in Print such a Paper as this destructive to the whole design he hath taken in hand and to the undermining the whole Fabrick of the Cause that he hath espoused to himself on their behalf For who can observe these things and not conclude that William Rogers must either let his work and design of Judging and Inveighing against Church Government quite fall or else judge John Story and John Wilkinson and all them of that Party in the North who subscribed the said Paper to be the Apostates also amongst them he brands with it on the account of Order and Discipline in the Church and no other thing and then who will William Rogers have to stand by him but Apostates Innovators and the like What Confusion is here and Inconsistencies with themselves amongst them it makes their work 〈◊〉 to all that takes notice of it But as to the matter before us in short to bargain with them on these terms it was far from us neither had their Company of late amongst us been so comfortable to us their contentious work was such that had their terms been far below that hight of Imposition they appeared in and Lording over the Consciences of the Upright yea the very Spirit of God as 〈◊〉 it was Their Spirit was such in the ground from whence this work sprung that no bargain we could be enclined to make with it So that our Answer was a positive denial on any such termes as those proposed by them as in a Paper given forth by us on the account of many particulars in theirs expressed is inserted at large ready for the service that it may be of if any desire to see it or if occasion be for publishing the same with many more in readiness by us relating to the Strife and Troubles they have occasioned in the Church of God during our many Exercises on this wise which will be their Burden one day And to further this contentious Work and seperate Design John Story' s great work when in the North was and much of his time taken up in going too and again from House to House to proselite to his Faction amongst such as he had hopes to get any entrance upon buzing into Peoples Minds the danger which the Churches were entering into on the account of our Church Government and Gospel Order for nothing else he had to accuse us of the danger of it he represented to such as were infected with a dislike thereof and enclined to reject it and like the unskilful Physicians of no value applyed deceitfully to work 〈◊〉 Gangreen to utter Ruin Had he been a man zealous in the matter of it as Paul was in his day and the Faithful still are and that he had seen some too eager in the concern of it then a word on that wise in Gods Name had been aptly spoken as the Aples of Gold spoken of in Pictures of Silver but he was not of that Spirit neither was it the Upright and the Entire to God that he dealt with in such a concern for they saw his Snare and in vain would he have laid it in their sight it was the profidious the looser sort he generally dealt with others would not take any notice of him he brought into our Meetings for the Contentions sake he was entered into such as had never appeared in the matter of Truth 's concerns to speak of in all their days before the Shrinkers in the suffering times the Tyth-payers were fit for his Faction they hung upon him as their God and the Artist for their concern cunning and nimble hath he been in the matter of the War and seperate Work he hath been in hand with but there is an Eye that hath seen him Poor John whether can he go for help or who can appear to do him good Many Hearts fail them and escape for their Lives and the Champion he hath had dependance upon and hath done what in him lay and as much as one could do with such a Spirit as he is of he Reels and Staggers and as a drunken man jumbles himself with his offs and on s one while yea and then nay the Contradictions the Impertinences the Inconsistances with himself and with them that have trusted their Cause in his hand that his Book abounds with manifested at large in Ellis Hook's on behalf of the 〈◊〉 days Morning Meeting in London demonstrates the Confusion the Lord suffers them to run into so that their way is block up let them struggle and 〈◊〉 whilst they have Breath backward must their Spirit and Work go into the Pit again from whence it came the Lord of Hosts that 's Israels God will work it down and none shall hinder We may tell the Reader that its true they got a List in the North to make a shew and clutter withal at a distance whence Trees look like Men for their confederate work to appear as popular as they could but were they searched into and known what they are many of them are such as their Cause would be disparaged by and none that truly love God and Sion's Welfare would 〈◊〉 to have any such concerned in the defence thereof to appear with them There are many come off from them that have condemned the work thereof and declares That the Paper they grounded their separate design upon scarcely any of them 〈◊〉 heard or read or 〈◊〉 privy to the matter of it but a few got it drawn and Agents they had to get it subscribed here and there mostly upon the 〈◊〉 that J. Story and J. Wilkinson and others had done it as hereafter may appear and of what pitious sort many of the Subscribers and some few others that joyns to them are since those whom God hath redeemed from amongst them came off as occasion may be seen an account thereof is ready to be given But to go on upon our denial to submit to their Terms they being as much as their word in that matter they with-drew
and came no more But for their occasional Meetings were designed and took one with all expedition wherein they made a disposal of Friends Monies in some of their hands without our Meetings privity or consent One other after a while we heard of in which they did admit the aforementioned Marriage to be accomplished within ten days after its being at all proposed and yet were told That the Man was under a promise of Marriage with another Woman which under several of our hands we did 〈◊〉 unto them That the Woman did so affirm desiring a respite in the case of their allowing the same till she had right done unto her but no notice was taken of that Peradventure they were afraid that Wickedness had been committed or might be in the mean time if any longer delay was made as one of the principal of them alledged and put the Query on the Meetings agreement according to an established order amongst Friends That Marriages should come twice to be examined and searched into in relation to clearness every way before they were allowed to be compleated saying in opposition to the order in that case What if Wickedness were committed in the mean time Mark the Spirit of which they are and when their occasional Meetings are and what concernes they have therein its best known to themselves we hear little of them This we have understood that what Books or Papers they have any way tending to Division and Strise in opposition to Church Order and Care they are diligent in handing them forth amongst the loose sort and William Rogers's Book in Print they busie themselves withal and most of them we perceive have each of them one and indeed they had need to do so to get them off the first Promoters hands for we hear not of a man in all these parts but them of party with John Story and John Wilkinson that will be at cost to buy one yet they are so kind open in this concern it were well if they had but an open mind to promote the pure Truth that they dispirce them either on Gift or Love to any of Truth 's open Enemies that will but hold out an hand for them as we understand and do in a great measure perfectly know it but if they think that best let them hold on we cannot kelp it neither are we troubled with respect to our own peace And what they intend to do let them do it quickly for their time grows short Vengeance is the Lords that takes notice of these things and he will repay it We have given a brief account with respect to what might be said touching the same of some of the Exercises that the Church of God in Westmerland met withal through the dividing Spirit that John Story and John Wilkinson were principally concerned in the work of in opposition to the Brethrens care therein by reason of which Spirit many Grievances were sustained by us to the grief of the Righteous Souls of all the sincere to God and to the breach of the Churches Peace And that which hath been said already concerning the same mostly relates to the time wherein the aforesaid Exercises and Troubles occasioned through the aforesaid Persons and them of party with them was most what the particular concern of Gods People of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting in Westmerland aforesaid during the time of the aforesaid Persons continuing with us in those Meetings and upon the occasion of their breaking off from us into their separate Meeting amongst themselves upon out ward visible concerns with a touch of something done by them at such a Meeting after they had set it up And what the Churches of God any way in the South met withal where John Story' s and John Wilkinson's Travils have been we shall leave to what the Brethren in those parts have upon them to speak And from what hath been said we shall leave the Reader to Judge who they are that have been drawn back into the Apostate state and have declined their first Love to the ancient Truth and care for Gods Glory and who they are that may be justly called the true Christian Ouakers that retains the Life and Kernel of Christianity and keeps to the Exercise of the Power in the Churches concerns and who they are that have great swelling Words and fair Pretences of keeping to the ancient way of Truth and yet in Works deny it and as every one hath a sence thereof so let them speak VVe shall now also give a short Relation of the tender concern of the Church of God in these parts in true Love on the account of the aforesaid Persons in covering their Weaknesses for their reputes sake really desiring their deliverance therefrom 〈◊〉 any hopes remained with us Also we shall manifest the orderly and brotherly dealings with them all along since the Temptation was laid before them whilst it was only our concern with respect to dealings with them together with some Exercises and Travils that many dear Brethren of the Churches of God in other parts of the Nation sustained and were concerned in for the recovery of them if they had not hardened themselves against all as followeth It was not only our frqeuent course in the time of our Exercises with them after they began to set themselves against several Practices used amongst us to signifie our discontent for their so doing because of the obstruction they laid in our way in the service of Truth desiring their for bearance on that wise and compliance with us in the Churches concerns and God is our Witness it was in true respect in which we could have preferred them as such whom we once accounted our ancient Brethren their weaknesses we could have hid and looked over for their sakes and the Churches Peace and in that Exercise we have gone from our Meetings many of us very frequently with sorrowful bowed down Hearts considering what hurt to many simple Minds who had eyed them for their Gifts sake the prevailing of that Spirit over them would produce what dammage it would be to their own Souls to the loosing their Crown and perpetual Peace what a Feast it would be to our open Enemies and an occasion for them to clap their hands for Joy to hear of Divisions amongst us what a grateful thing it would be to the loose and earthly minded amongst us to the hardening of them against the Reproofs and Judgments of the Church of God in their Exercises in the affairs thereof and what a weakening of the feeble Knees of such as in a measure of true Love to God and his Truth were steping into the way thereof all these things and many more with sadness of heart entered our thoughts and consideration in many crys to God to block up the way of this dividing and soul devouring Spirit yea often we admired how Blindness entered them that they did not see how the Loose and Disobedient hung upon them for shelter
he used to do in the North where he could prevail which the sad experience afterwards that some of the Churches of God had in those Parts of this Spirits work does declare came into the North who of a certain truth hath been the Grandee in the whole Design and blew up the Sparks 〈◊〉 kindled by him and others into a vehement heat of Discontent and Grief because of our Gospel concerns having encouraged himself with those who were entred into Faction with him where his Travel and Work had been he set a work to drive all before him discouraged the concern and tender practice of Friends in relation to Testimony against Tythes judged the recording Condemnations with the Repentance of such as had been out of the way of Truth to the open blemish thereof judged the Paper in relation to Womans Meetings which John Wilkinson as said before with many more had subscribed encouragement to some of whom he afterwards brought off to abet his Design and Work so that Friends Books were to have been altered according to his motion but that being stopt one of Party with him and a princiqal Stickler and Preacher amongst them but since quite turned out tore his Condemnation for being Married with a Priest out of the Book and such work as this he occasioned amongst us and John Wilkinson turned his back-side of that tenderness that had been upon him and became with him a resolved man to stand it out several Friends had a private Meeting with him in Kendal to have done him good occasioned through George Fox's means but he shewed himself an angry perverse man When Friends tenderly asked him whether such or such things were true which he had said or done as was repeated in relation to a manifest mark of his being departed from the Life of Truth to oppose the order thereof in order whereunto Friends desire was to have dealt with him as a Brother and an Antient amongst us and the brokenness that was on Friends in their Exercise with him testified the same and the Bowels that earned towards him that day would have broken many Hearts yet in a wilful stubborn disquieted frame and indisposure by reason thereof he broke away very aburtly and unchristian-like treading upon his Brethrens Care and Good-will towards him telling them That he would stand upon his own Legs and not be beholden to them for their Curtches Not long after John Wilkinson being grieved and his Spirit much discomposed writ a Letter to one of us which he called The Word of the Lord and by his order to be shewn to many Brethren full of enveighing Language such as becomes not a Minister and Servant of Christ to his fellow Servants telling us That we had begged Authority from others to make our selves work withal and to be commissionated to act therein to get favour of Persons or an Office or a piece of Bread and was puffed up therein and then places this Judgment upon us and our work saying That our Office would cloath us with Raggs and that Worms would breed in our gathering and that our Bread should consume with this final Sentence upon us That the Lord would break us The Friend to whom this was directed to be communicated to others writ privately to him before he shewed it to any and desired him to take it back again and consider better of it otherwise it would be his shame tend to his great dammage many ways but nothing would serve him but that it must be delivered Mark the end of it So that it plainly appeared they were resolved to try their strength with that which proves too strong for them After a while at the request of some of our ancient Brethren and sincere to God who had private knowledg of the difference amongst us it being also our inclination a Meeting was had with them of that Spirit John Story and John Wilkinson being amongst us we being desired also to have with us other three Neighbouring Friends who had been true and faithful to God from the beginning never detected upon any account who being come and set amongst us they also being privy to the Transactions amongst us John Story and John Wilkinson shewed their dislike of having them with us and resolved not to concern themselves with any discourse relating to the matter unless the said Friends would with-drew but those Friends having a sincere Exercise in the motion of God as by them it was signified to us durst not with draw upon the motion of that wrong Spirit being otherwise preswaded in their Hearts consistant also with the aforesaid Brethrens request as also comfortably agreeable with the sence and desire of the sincere hearted and truly sensible of that Spirit 's opposite work amongst us whereupon John Story and John Wilkinson with-drew any further concern in the matter and took a party of the dark sort after them so that after a while the Meeting ended without any effectual work relating to an Agreement and Peace amongst us The Spirit of Contention prevailing in them animated also through the Adherents John Story had wrought into the Strise with them in the South where his and John Wilkinson Travels had sometimes been such as they had stampt their Image upon and that readily complyed with them against the Unity of 〈◊〉 in the Exercise and Practice of Truth in the Church of Christ the Brethrens Troubles hereaways encreased and our Tryal became great John Story making his boast vainly how many he could have to stand by him and yet have but proved as Egypts broken Reeds unto him for all his boast and the same Spirit in William Rogers and others thereaways that espoused the Quarrel on the two John's behalf of whom he became chief fell upon us with such Force and Courage as if nothing could stand in their way but the Lord was in our Eye and our expectation waited on him who had been our help and refuge to that very time to whom be Praise for evermore so that now the Exercise in the North became such which we had long born in the Patience which God gave us and in which we desired to see the end of that Spirits Work which had occasioned the same and that the knowledge of the Differences hereaways might not be spread abroad and the Strise occasioned through them being risen to that hight and the distance with respect to Unity became such and the knowledge of it abroad that it began to touch the Hearts of many Brethren in several parts of the Nation seeing that the 〈◊〉 of this Spirits work would be sad if the way of it were not blockt up And now our Friends and Brethren at London having a certain knowledg that the Difference in the North was come to be such as that it appeared to grow higher rather then an end thereof was like to be suddenly composed they writ to Friends and desired that we would appoint a Meeting on purpose with John Story and
were yet likely to be exposed to through the separate Meeting to the blemish of Truth and our holy Profession It s true we did signifie our inclination yea our desires that on some or all the aforesaid accounts our dear and respected Brethren might have under their tender consideration our continuing Exercises through the hardness and obstinacy of that wrong Spirit amongst us which as yet was likely further to occasion the Churches Trouble and the want of its Peace and for that end we moved if they pleased that some might come down into the North for their and others further satisfaction if they desired or saw cause for a further examination and hearing of matters relating to the depending Difference In order unto which Meeting agreed upon at London amongst our Friends there they signified unto us what was intended God willing to be done by them if all concerned would signifie their free and acceptable complyance therewith in answer whereunto Friends in the North signified by a Paper under many Hands a free and ready closing therewith unto the Meetings satisfaction there as in an answer to ours from them was signified It may be noted also that the Brethrens tenderness towards John Story and John Wilkinson was such they being then both in the West parts as also that they might the more readily be perswaded to submit to an hearing of matters and things relating to the Difference with Friends here in the North Face to Face which formerly they had refused to do in a resolve to come at no more Meetings on that score but that they again a little retracted that resolve and proffered as aforesaid to refer the matter to two chosen by each party one We say the afore-mentioned Friends being iealous whether they would submit to a Meeting or not for condescention sake gave the Friends at Bristol liberty to chuse two c. where John Story s and John Wilkinson's great Interest as was then expected stood and in persuance of the aforesaid agreement amongst Friends at James Claypool's London two Letters were writ Coppies whereof we have not inserted here but are produceable with many more material Letters of Advice Answers and Replies in Papers and Books in Maniscript Material and Satisfactory in order to the concern of a more large Hystorical Relation of matters on the account of the unhappy Differences occasioned through this ungodly Spirit as the day will declare which aforesaid Papers and Books in Maniscript are preserved ready for the service of Truth against the coming forth in Print of William Rogers s Book in Maniscript so often made mention of by him or upon what other occasion as the Lord may direct shall be seen meet with respect to all which this our present Relation of things may be taken only as a small yet perfect and impartial Abstract Yet upon the matter of the two Letters being sent as aforesaid the one to John Wilkinson and John Story in the West and the other to the Friends at Bristol William Rogers happening to be one for the Journey into the North on the aforesaid account without whose Company and Assistance 't is likely John Story had not been prevailed upon to have come being a man of a Turbulent Boysterous Spirit and one that likes the Applause of men and loves Preheminence as in his quarrelling contentious Work in the Ambition and Stoutneses of his Mind in several Papers and Concerns observable he hath manifested himself to be as many Ear and Eye Witnesses will Evidence to which also some of us are not Strangers with respect to our particular knowledge he now buckled himself to carry on the espoused matter of f. Story' s and J. Wilkinson's Cause even with all the eagerness he could work himself into like a Champion for the Work and desparate Design contrived and taken in hand which in plain words tended if the Lord had not blockt up their way to have laid waste the whole Heritage of God and not have left his People a-name where by to be known So that many opposite wrangling Papers and Letters past from him with some few more of his Adherents tending to delay the Journey into the North as was desired on the Meetings account to be had there which together with John Story' s and John Wilkinson's aversness and perverse replies to the London Brethren that were tender and friendly to them-wards gave daily a more and more perfect knowledge of what sort they were and what their Work tended to many also of the truly conscientious sort who were of their Adherents once having been hurt by them in and about the City of Bristol and the Country adjacent became in measure satisfied that they were wrong and that their Work did to Strife 〈◊〉 and began to draw back in the Spirit of their Minds from any such complyance with them as formerly they were inclined to and many in those parts of the upright hearted to God and lovers of Righteousness are come away from touching with them any more and are truly and livingly concerned in a Testimony for God against them and the Work they are concerned in which hath been their Hearts Joy and the Comfort of the Ransomed Ones Much ado 〈◊〉 was before any solid hopes our Brethren could be wrought into that any Meeting with them would be got but at last about the first Month. in the Year 1676. George Whitehead on purpose coming by them with the influence 〈◊〉 had upon them got John Story perswaded to give up to the matter desired for their lakes and for the 〈◊〉 of all Differences whatsoever that the Church might again enjoy its Peace The four 〈◊〉 from London and William Rogers only from 〈◊〉 being come into the North 〈◊〉 Benson of Kendal in Westmerland was added to them to be concerned in the aforesaid matter John Story and John Wilkinson being now come into the North also a Meeting was agreed upon to be the third Day of the second Month 1676. at the House of John Blaykling at Draw-well in Sedbergh in York-shire and accordingly that day begun and many good Friends and Ministers of the blessed Truth out of several parts of the Nation were there together with 〈◊〉 of the nine Friends that had heard the matters alledged in charge against John Story and John Wilkinson at Pow-Bank asoresaid and had given their Judgment upon that Spirit from which the said matters and things had proceeded not leaving John Story and John 〈◊〉 uncapable of clearing themselves thereof if they were able to do it and many Friends to the Truth were also come from Westmerland to the Meeting Gods eternal Power evidently broke forth through many in Living Testimonies for God and his Truth and in Heavenly Supplications that the Presence of the Eternal God might be with his People in that Exercise for which that Assembly was gathered which to the Comfort of many there present was truly felt during four days Exercise for the space of ten or twelve
they then stood charged with as they have plainly signified both by Word and Writing but since a dissatisfaction remaineth in the minds of several in some because of so proceeding against John Story and John Wilkinson and in others because of their going to offer their Gift abroad whilst unreconciled at home And forasmuch as the Friends formerly concerned against these men upon an Information given them of the said dislike of several Friends about these proceedings 〈◊〉 to a rehearing of the matters which being laid before the general Meeting at London for National Sufferings Assembled in the eighth Month 1675. a deep Concern and godly Care fell upon many Eminent Labourers in the Church of Christ then and there met together and they desired certain approved Brethren to go down and in the Wisdom and Counsel of God to assist the Churches and Brethren there in the rehearing and ending of the matter The Meeting for this purpose was at Lrawell in Sedbergh Parish in Yorkshire upon the 3d. of the 2d Month 1676. and continued until the 7th of the same whither resorted several antient and honourable Brethren not particularly nominated that had nevertheless a Concern in their Consciences a Travel in their Spirits and a Testimony to the antient Unity In which Assembly the Matters in Controversie were read and the Evidences of both Parties called and upon the whole Examination of their Allegations and Evidences we did find and therefore declare both from external Testimonies and our own inward Sence that John Story and John Wilkinson were really Faulty in the most material things exhibited in Charge against them to wit that they have been discouragers of and opposers to the present blessed Order and Practice of the Church of Christ with respect to monthly and quarterly Meetings Womens Meetings especially in the Country recording Condemnations weakening the Hands of Friends in their Testimonies about Tythes and justifying the manner of Friends Meeting about Preston in the time of the late Act And to us it plainly appeared that a wrong dividing Spirit hath entered and the Enemy of the Churches holy Union and Peace hath been at work in them by which they have grieved the Church of God especially in those Parts and encouraged the late Separation made in those Parts from the antient and faithful Friends and Brethren of the monthly and quarterly Meeting which Spirit wherever it appears or hath brancht forth it self in the Name and Power of Almighty God whose Councel was and is with us we do reprove condemn and judg But so it was that after four days deep Travel unwearied Patience tender Bowels of Mercy and a mighty and manifest Operation of the glorious Power of the Lord as in frequent Testimonies against that Spirit of Division and in the Visitation of true and tender Love to them so in many strong Cries and heart-breaking Supplications to the God of our bowed Spirits for a prosperous Issue It pleased the Lord to bow the said John Story and John Wilkinson into some degree of Submission So that at length they produced a Paper containing a Condemnation against themselves and that Spirit And as we do believe and therefore testify that the Door of Gods Mercy is not shut against them so we earnestly desire and are not without some Hope that they may give a more compleat Satisfaction in time as John Story said he would as the Lord should give him a further Understanding that Truth and Friends may be more effectually cleared and that it may be well with them for ever And for as much as the Friends and Brethren of Westmorland who have been concerned against John Story and John Wilkinson did formerly freely offer that if in any thing charged they had mistaken or exceeded they would endeavour to make them such Satisfaction as Truth required We finding two or three Particulars of lesser Moment wherein there appeared some Oversight and Shortness as to orderly Proceeding the two Friends concerned therein did freely acknowledg it according to Truth and more particularly as to that Passage alledged against John Story That Women had nothing to do with the Essential part of the Worship of God because it was charged but by one Witness and 〈◊〉 renounced and the Doctrine imported thereby plainly denyed and judged by John Story as contrary to his Judgment and Principle it 〈◊〉 Tenderness let fall and no further to be insisted upon And whereas it hath been suggested and reported that Margaret Fox was the cause of the Difference in Westmorland it was plainly disproved before us by many Witnesses who affirmed there were Differences about some of the aforementioned Practices of the Church of Christ long before she was concerned And further we hold our selves in Conscience obliged to commend the Care Travel and Zeal of the Friends of these Northern Parts in the Affairs of the Church for settlement of Godly Order We have a real Sence of their Good-will and labouring therein for the Lord his Truth and People And now Friends in Gods Love we desire you to suppress all Papers of Controversie relating to this Difference that the Minds of Friends be not farther troubled nor any defiled nor this Controversie kept any longer alive but that all may sink down into the simple Truth and in that feel the pure and sweet Union which being lived in preserves out of those Doubts Distrusts Jealousies carnal Reasonings and evil Watchings that harm the immortal Soul and in that pure Fellowship all are cheerful tender and open-hearted full of Love and Brotherly-kindness watching over one another for Good in which the Lord God Almighty establish us for ever And we do hereby warn all to have a care that they be not lifted up by reason of the Temptation and Hurt that 's come upon these Men nor yet insult over them for that Spirit is not of God but rather let all watch in the Fear and Dread of Almighty God against that Spirit that they enter not into Temptation Thus Friends have we given you a brief and faithful Narrative of what hath past in these four days of great Exercise in which the Lord gave us blessed Unity in the sensible Enjoyment of that Life which was before the World began pure Praises pure Honour and eternal Glory and Renown be to his own Right noble Arm that never failed his distressed bowed and travelling People through all Generations This we desire may be communicated so far only as the knowledg of this sad Difference hath been spread God Almighty keep us by his heavenly Power always near himself and in Unity one with another Amen says Your faithful loving Brethren Alexander Parker George Whitehead Iohn Whitehead William Gibson Robert Lodge Richard Robinson Peter Hardcastle Iohn Burnyeat Iohn Tiflin Iohn Bowren Richard Watson Thomas Taylor Iohn Banks Iohn Steel Hugh Tickell Thomas Laythes Iames Harrison William Whaley Leonard Fell. Iohn Moore Iohn Abrams Roger Haddock William Penn. And in this was the honest-hearted to God
c. at last tell it to the Church This is such a clear Case that even Children in the Truth are not Strangers to it If we have done you Wrong why do you not tell it to the Church according to Christs Rule but exclaims thus and nothing will satisfy you but your own Demands in your own Case c. We tell you for Conscience Sake the Authority of Gods Power and the true Churches Right we cannot do it we cannot give away its Priviledg at the request of a dissenting Spirit This is our Answer and is the second or third time we have told you so if this will not satisfy you tell it to the Church if the Spirit of Jesus be in you and give over this wrangling If the Church judg us in this matter and we hear it not let us bear the Burthen of the Wrong done unto you there you may have Right done unto you This we grant you for your Satisfaction and to remove the Prejudice you have begot in some of the simple-minded against us through your crying Injustice which is very abusive seeing you will not come to Tryal c. And if none of these Proposals will finde an Entrance upon you and work in you Satisfaction then will it be plainly manifest to all that knows these things that you are not onely separated from us in the Exercise of Truth 's publick Concern but also gon from the Nobility of the Power some of you were once honourable in in the Day whereof this detestable Work would have been cause of Lamentation to you and the Advice and Unity of Brethren precious in your Eye which you now detest and for your reflecting Postscript in which you shew a Discontent that we returned to you your unsubscribed Paper You may say we delt sivily with you that did not return it with the Name of idam flet that the Author therof were either ashamed of or timerous to stand by and doth argue a secret Guilt upon the Spirits of such as were principally concerned in it and good Cause had we to desire to know whose they were as thereby manifested to be the great Fomentors of the woful Strife and Division you are entered into and the principal Leaders of the Separation you persist in that such may be marked and taken heed of by the simple amongst you and by all every where that loves Sion s Peace and its Welfare in the Lord whose Blessing will attend such for ever more c. From our quarterly Meeting the sixth of the Eighth Month. Thomas Pearson Thomas Langhorn John Blayklinge Joseph Baines and Thirty more on behalf of the said Meeting It may be observed that the aforesaid Paper being delivered to them they returned no Answer to it to this day neither heard we any more of that 〈◊〉 Work they had before made about the demanding the Books as aforesaid 〈◊〉 for the Reasons we gave them as expressed so that what they do with respect to Business or when they keep their 〈◊〉 we are Strangers to them and with respect to our Meetings we can say of a Truth the Glory of Israel's God is with us and the shout of aking and in Dominion through God's Eternal Power our Life reigns over all dissenting backsliding 〈◊〉 and evil surmising Spirits and the Works thereof and in the Exercise of the Spirit in our men and womens Meetings a Care is amongst us for God's Glory and one anothers Advantage and Comfort to the Joy and rejoycing of our Hearts in the Unity of that Life and Fellowship of that blessed Spirit in which our Hearts are made right glad and have cause to bless the Lord the Days we have to live and now having cleared our Consciences in the Lord's Sight thus far concerning them of the separating wrong Spirit who will not hear and return to God that they may finde Mercy we are in perfect Peace in the Spirit of our Minds And they being gon out from us because they are not of us c. their Contentious troublesom Spirit and their Strife we being quit of the Children of God the Church of the First born injoys their Peace sitting under their Vines and Figtrees in that sweet Repose that does our 〈◊〉 good and with respect to the Churches Concerns and Care in the Exercise and Practice therein we do injoy that inward Satisfaction and that outward Quiet and Peace that we have long waited for Glory to God on high for ever more Several of the Innocent that loves Righteousness and waits for God's Salvation comes off again from that Spirits Work and from touching any more in the Defilements of it acknowledging the Weakness they gave up themselves into in which they became the Churches Grief and in a signal Testimony of their Repentance condemned the Spirit that betrayed them and the Fellowship of the Spirit with God's People are come again to injoy to their unspeakable 〈◊〉 and Joy beyond what can be uttered Our Meetings are become quiet and we are unanimously and 〈◊〉 Sociable in our Work the rending troublesom Spirit being gon out never to return And if any who have been of it should desire to come again it must be through Judgment and the Spirit of burning through which whosoever of them draws near again it will be our Joy and the Answer of our Souls Desires and that 's the Exercise we are now concerned in in relation to them being thus far Clear in the Lord's Sight Little more Occasion on the account of the outward Concerns of the Church of Christ have Friends with them but that as to Meetings on the account of Worship They of the Separation and other Friends continued yet together Friends 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Bowels that possiblely could be on the account of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods People Ministers and Messengers of 〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 had it on their Spirits to visit the Church of God in 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Advice to all and in a Reproof upon the Spirit of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Advice to them in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the antient 〈◊〉 and the comfortable Society and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein 〈◊〉 hearty 〈◊〉 for reuniting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 several wholsome Admonitions Counsel and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by such as came amongst us besides the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet 〈◊〉 with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parts concerning them Several printed Books came amongst us in relation to the matter occacioning the starting aside in Vindication of 〈◊〉 Care and Government amongst Gods People for the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 and tender of them that were led aside particularly Roburt 〈◊〉 Book of Government and Georg Fox's Book in 〈◊〉 to Womens Meetings in order to the 〈◊〉 of their Service in the Church of Christ in the Capacity under which they 〈◊〉 having 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Spirit in which to be prositable as the Lord should instruct 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Gospel of Christ
Jesus and many Papers and Epistles from several Brethren was the Assemblies 〈◊〉 Gods People 〈◊〉 with that all might fear and be 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 that was coming on upon the rebellious and self-willed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might 〈◊〉 clear of the Blood of them that would not take Councel in their 〈◊〉 And altho some of the honest-minded of them was bettered thereby and the Testimonies of the Power became a Savor of Life unto Life unto them to the working 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them yet with many of the old Subscribers against the Unity of 〈◊〉 in the concern of Church Affairs it was not so but they 〈◊〉 hard and seared as with an hot Iron and Incouragers still of the Separation John Wilkinson continued still in the Conspiracy with them manifested by his usually frequenting their occasioned separate Meetings as we have been credibly informed after their Meetings have been past And John Story being never willing that we could understand to shew any Dislike thereof and therefore a continuing 〈◊〉 of that Spirit and Work of it his Name and Spirit being in the 〈◊〉 Foundation thereof and Subscription to the agreement and resolve in relation to it But as to any publick or great matter of Work they of that Party in the North did or could do for the annimating or furthering the Design thereof in these Parts it was not much save what they did privately underhand with 〈◊〉 upon the Faithful to God and the Churches Care thereby to insinuate upon the Assections of the weak and loose sort whereby to keep their Confederacy on foot and their Design alive which with whisperings and watchings for Evil and making lies their Refuge they laboured to do and were as industrious in that matter and in spreading abroad any of their abusive 〈◊〉 Papers and Books where they would be received of them they could work themselves into But the Life of their Business and the ground of their Hopes in order to the carrying on and compleating the same now depended on the supposed Strength that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the West Parts of the Nation where John Story' s Time was mostly spent and of whose Cunning and Craft in the matter they in those parts were no 〈◊〉 to and the Aid that attended him through William Rogers Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the espoused Cause he had taken upon him and the politick furious and ambitious Minde he carried with him in the management of the Work they had in hand kept up their Heads here and their Eyes abroad to see what would become of the matter of it And now it became the Concern of them in those parts in a few Hands on whom the design hung and William Rogers buckled him to it with the pollicy and might he had he writ a Book in Answer to Robert Barkleys Book of Government which in this his Printed Book he often makes mention of and with clamorous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sets himself against the Testimony by him born therein inserted for the Government and Dissipline of Christ Jesus Instrumentally and Visibly amongst his People yet as said before clearly detected William Rogers stands in the Hearts of all sober Consciences and humble minded Men who have seen his Book and Work and the Answer to it called The Accuser of the Brethren 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the satisfaction of them that love God and a Christian Life And he is plainly manifested to have had an evil Design in his Bosom against the Image of God and an unspotted Conversation and which Christ Jesus the head of the Church and the sirst born of many Brethren hath the concern of upon him as appointed of the Father for that end to bring a People into the enjoyment 〈◊〉 whom he hath ruled by his Grace and hath accounted worthy to be blest with the priviledg and unspeakable Gain that doth attend the same for evermore and that his said Book of Answer William Rogers hath sent abroad to and again to the great reflection on Robert Barklay very abusively and not according to any Gospel Order or the just Law of doing to all as one would be done unto nor as becomes Brethren and the true Christian Quaker on the account of this Spirit and its Work many Transactions in Words were had and Writings were sent to and fro in the South to the great Exercise of the Church of God there and the Grief of the Upright-hearted every where who hath the knowledge of it because of the Destractions that this William Rogers and John Story made there aways with Books and Papers labouring to Proselite into their Faction and make Parties against the Unity and Body of Friends where they could prevail and after this manner Passages were the latter end of the Year 1676. and the beginning of the Year following at the geneneral Meeting 1677. the Concerns of the blessed Truth and the Affairs of the Church of Christ every where through the hand of the Almighty an opportunity being given being under the Care and Exercise of Friends and amongst other things the State of the Church in general on the account of John Story and John Wilkinson was at several Meetings upon the Spirits of many dear Brethren with respect to the Grieveances and Pressure it lay under on the account of the disregard that had been upon them of all the bowed Exercises the Labours and Travels and unwearied Indeavours that had been used towards them and their obstinate resisting of Friends Advice and Counsel to them to do their Indeavours to break up the separate Meeting in the North greatly occasioned by them and themselves to be reconciled to the Brethren before they any more offer 〈◊〉 Gift as also under the sence of their obstinacy in refusing to take notice thereof but on the contrary did the utmost as it appeared to beget more and more into the minds of the Weak through their evil 〈◊〉 and ungodly Surmisings in relation to Order and Government in the Church of God comfortably settled amongst us with Whispering and open Reflections against the Instruments the Lord had made use of in the Work thereof whereby many dear Friends throughout the whole Nation as it was demonstrated by many living 〈◊〉 was griveously afflicted therewith for the sake of Gods People his Heritage which 〈◊〉 Soul destroying Spirit would have laid waste and in as much as that Friends Labours Exercises and Travels Counsel and Advice had been such in pure Love and Patience Long-suffering and Forbearance concerning them which they had trampled upon and took advantage thereby to prosecute the design of Evil and Mischief which they were filled with that Friends unanimiously signified their sence that the Lord and his People were clear of them and if that Indignation from Heaven as the just desert of a Stiffnecked and Rebellious People were reveiled from the hand of the just God upon them the Lord should be clear and his People clear and in as much as that it was fully declared by the Brethren that the Minds of the
〈◊〉 thereof For notwithstanding our Friends withdrawing from their Huses aforesaid yet they were so far from hindering or forbiding them to come to their Houses whose Dores are open to all that they had Word several times sent them of Meetings when some of our travelling Friends came amongst us And this is the Work of John Wilkinson and them of that Party with him and on this wise with Witchery have they gon about to further their Design which the Lord will break in pieces It 's already begun let them look about them that they may escape the Wrath and perpetual Reproach that 's coming upon them let the Patient wait but a little and they shall see the end thereof The Relation at large we have by us with many Hands at it ready for a surther Service as Occasion may require however from what hath been said touching this matter it may be easily seen whether John Wilkinson be not a principal Leader in this contending separate Work and what treacherous lying Reports is 〈◊〉 abroad by him and others of that Party to work in the Mindes of People a 〈◊〉 of Friend's Exercise in the Church of Christ according to the Discipline and Order thereof And whether William Rogers in his applauding such so 〈◊〉 and none to exceed them in Doctrine and Life that ever he hear'd of is not very much under a great Mistake let the Reader consider when such Work as this is acted by them However this we can truly say these things have greatly wrought the Churches Peace and Quietness and now we are become very Peaceable in our monthly and quarterly Meetings they of the dividing contentious opposit Spirit having left us and the Power and Glory of God overshadowing our Meetings and those Blessings 〈◊〉 on high we are daily made so to enjoy 〈◊〉 our Labours and Work that a true Delight in God and his pure Truth springs up amongst the Faithful and Amiable and Sweet Our Society is without the least appearance of any Jarr or Division amongst us and our Meetings on the account of the Worship of God Friends are truly comforted in in the sence of a daily Increase in the Power and Dominion of God So that Friends Testimonies for the antient Truth are sweet and easy to many notwithstanding what is suffered therefore and several are added to us from off the barren Mountains and gathered home to the true Sheeperd who leads his Flock into green Pastures by the Pooles of Water to our Hearts Comfort and the Glory of him who is worthy for evermore And this we have to say upon the whole matter in relation to the many grievous and sore Exercises that we meet withal for several Years through the occasion of this dividing separate Spirit which had 〈◊〉 the Churches Sorrow and the Breach of its Peace The Lord hath turned the same to our great advantage many ways as hath been demonstrated and livingly felt to the great Joy and Comfort of our Souls that into an holy retirement of the antient Power by which we were first a People all the Innocent to God are brought that thither all might be scattered that had any depending upon any other thing and the Salvation which God revealed in antient days is become precious indeed and which livingly springs to the establishing of all whose dependency wait on him in those antient Testimonies which the Lord hath called us to bear for his Name-Sake so that Peace is become our Portion and the Blessing of God our great Reward And with respect to any publick appearance of opposition by them of that sort as to concern themselves on that wife in our Exercises for Truth the Glory of God in the Order Discipline used amongst us Friends are become here-a ways in the North much what quit of it for they begun to see it was in vain for them to resist and strive with that which they say was too strong for them and their Spirits fainted through the dread of the Eternal God they were in war with and their Hearts failing them in the day of Battel and having much what now given up the management as was said before of the Work and the Design in hand to them of that party with them in the Southern parts with whom John Story much what did remain some cluttering work William Rogers and some of party with him made in those parts but principly he was the man took the matter into his concern and a deal of stir with writing and such like wrangling work he made in some of Friends Meetings and others sent Papers to London and into the North against the Testimony given at Ellis Hooks's Chamber made mention of before with many scornful Terms and malitious Smitings ready also to be produced and many more such-like with Answers and Rejoynders as occasion was which to speak of and insert at 〈◊〉 is not much upon us as not altogether necessary with respect to our concern for that which hath been already said about matters of that nature may be we judg sufficient in the Eye Heart of the Upright to God to leave William Rogers and them of party with him convicted of the matter alledged in charge against them with respect to manisest Opposition to Church Care amongst Gods People and the Order Government of Jesus Christ instrumentally in the Family he hath made choice of to be Glorified amongst during the Tabernacle which God hath given And this we can say and evidence according to Truth that grievous Work William Rogers and his Abettors made against God's innocent harmless People in the South with bawling cluttering Work such as we have met withal in the North The Relation whereof we shall mostly leave to our Brethren in those Parts as they see an Occasion for it In the mean time this may be noted that when they had done all they could both in North and South to beget a Dis-esteem of Friends Care under the Government of Jesus in the Church and Family of God and thereby thinking to obstruct the Order Rule and Judgment thereof and to leave themselves thereby at Liberty in the Flesh and at ease that the Stroak of Gods Truth should not come upon them which is seen to be that Spirits Design they have been acted by Yet all would not do for they were in War with that which was too strong for 〈◊〉 the Glory of God 〈◊〉 over the Darkness they were strugling in and the Church of Christ continued in its antient Glory and beautified she became in the Hearts of Thousands through the Care and Labour the Travel the many Exercises in all Diligence Meekness and Patience used and born in the Concerns and Work thereof and many became more and more established in the Sence thereof even the more that the wrong Spirit and them of it set themselves against it and Fear and Jealousy of the success of their Work no doubt surprized them because of the 〈◊〉 Glory that attended
him plainly to be an Enemy to his first Principle and the Lise of Truth and an accuser of the Brethren and given up to make Variance and Dissention in the Family of which he once was One that devises to do Evil and so properly may be termed as the wise Man said a mischievous Person and that to be blessed of God he cannot expect whilst such Works he hath in hands as his corrupt Minde hath led him to all which we having effected as we purpose to do we shall commit it to Christian Sence and righteous Judgment to determine what Cause William 〈◊〉 hath to publish in Print those he hath set himself against Apostates from the Life of God and the Christian Religion or that 〈◊〉 Sentance he hath given against others and committed the same to Record for Ages to come be not justly applicable to himself and them of that Party with him It may be noted that the foregoing Relation concerning the Ex rcises that the Church of Christ hath met withal through the Spirit that hath entered into and principally prevailed upon John Story and John Wilkinson in which they became the great Occasioners of the Opposition made these late Years against the Care and Exercise of the Church of Christ on the account of Church Government and the Order of the Gospel settled through the Spirit of Truth therein as also the tender Endeavours used towards them and the Dealings with them according to Church Power which we have given a short account of in all Sincerity according to the naked Truth was totally finished before John Story' s Death ready for the Press and had been abroad ere that time but for the additional Matter occasioned through William Roger's malicious Smitings and false Accusations cast out against the Servants of Christ Jesus inserted in his Book printed and published to Posterity which it was upon some of us to put an Answer to and hereunto annex it contained in the third part of this our Treatise Several Occasions of Disturbance he gave in the Assemblies and Meetings of Gods People through his preaching amongst them after that he had given up himself to work Mischief in the Church of God and after the Testimony of the Truth was given forth against him and besides several Exercises occasioned by him on that wise in the Southern and Western parts of the Nation which we have omitted to insert here yet the Reader may take notice of one material Exercise Friends had with him and others of party with him in a publick Meeting at Kendall a little before his Death which we think good to give a short Account of together with the manner of his Death to demonstrate That as he had spent the latter end of his Days and Years out of the Unity of Truth and the Fellowship of Brethren in the Spirit of Christ Jesus in the 〈◊〉 he had given himself up unto and had fomented amongst them he had drawn aside after him even so he ended his Days as hereafter may be seen Antichristian Treachery DISCOVERED AND Its Way Block'd up c In a clear Distinction betwixt the Christian Apostolical Spirit and the Spirit of the Antichristian Apostate Being something in Answer to a Book put forth by William Rogers falsly called The Christian Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator The Third Part. Shewing that Willim Rogers in a prejudiced malicious Spirit that lusteth to Envy and watcheth for Evil not contented in the work he hath made to asperse and abusively to caluminate the Church of Christ in general with respect to the Government and Order settled therein hath most wickedly slandered George Fox particularly by Name and several others whom by Name he hath also with false Accusations treated on that wise several of which Accusations and high Charges are here inserted and spoken to for the satisfaction of the honest hearted to God where this may come Wherein also we have inserted part of an Answer given forth in Maniscript to William Rogers's Rejoyndere often in his Book made mention of to George Fox's Answer to William Rogers's Paper of smitting Queries and high malicious Charges against George Fox which said Rejoynder he hath put in Print in the 5 th part of his Christian Quaker c. On which occasion the Answer to it given forth two Years ago we have herein also exposed to publick view that the Innocent may take notice and judg as they see meet By John Pearson John Blayking Joseph Bains Robert 〈◊〉 Behold he travelleth with Iniquity and hath conceived Mischief and brought forth Falshood Psal. 7. 14. His Mischief shall return upon his own Head and his Violent Dealing shall come down upon his own Pate Psal. 7. 16. Antichristian Treachery DISCOVERED AND Its Way Block'd up c. VVIlliam Rogers in the Title Page of the Fourth part of his Christian Quaker c. saith wherein a Relation is given of several 〈◊〉 Since George Fox's Wife caused a Paper to be read against John Story in a quarterly Meeting in Westmerland And is chiefly to discover that George Fox hath erroniously concerned himself in the Division amongst the People called Quakers Now we desire that the Reader may take notice that William Rogers designes to give an historical Relation of several Proceedings amongst the People called Quakers relating to the Division 〈◊〉 we say through John Story and them of Party with him as in the Second Part of this Treatise is demonstrated and is chiefly saith he to discover that George Fox has been erroniously concerned therein c. Against whom he inveterately sets himself with all the Aspersions he can devise and in the eagerness of his Spirit therein And that George Fox may appear more 〈◊〉 in the Matter thereof brings a smiting 〈◊〉 also against George Fox's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 causing a Paper to be read against John Story c. In Answer to which we say If William Rogers had intended to have begun his historical Relation of Proceedings relating to Division c. as became a sincere upright and impartial Man void of Prejudice and watching for Evil he should not have begun the same with this Accusation against Margaret Fox as in his Con 〈◊〉 he knows he intends it and as many Passages in his Book doth declare 〈◊〉 he should like a just Man have fully examined the Occasion given by John Story for her so doing and when he had so done if that John Story had been 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 to Truth and Gods People that the Proceeding with him after the manner that she with other Friends were concerned were justifiable in the Truth then should he have begun with John Story first and have given a fair and impartial Account of Matters relating to him occasioning the aforesaid Paper to be read against him We take Notice William Rogers only makes mention that the said Paper signifies that John Story had judged the Power of God as it broke forth in Hyms and spiritual Songs as if that only
had been the Cause of its being read against him But we further say in relation to the Matter and that which we do undertake to make good that John Story had concerned himself through a Spirit of Prejudice for some Years before with whispering Reflections and smiting Accusations against her behinde her Back and could not be got to speak thereof to her Face although she had a desire greatly to see him as she often signified and John Blaykling some time desired him to go over to her House and would have gone with him thither desiring him also that he would incline his Minde to a Reconciliation with her and one other time also when he came from Bristol and an eminent Friend of that City with him he was desired tenderly by John Blaykling that they would both go over to see her for Unities sake that is pretious amongst Brethren but his Reply was That he would not go over the Street to meet her And the other Friend that was with him may remember what an Exercise he had upon him from what John Blaykling said to him then in order to their going but the obstinate prejudiced Minde in John Story would not give way thereunto which to our Knowledge Margaret Fox was sorry for having a tender desire of the Mans good and of his being preserved in the antient Love and Power in which he once was an Instrument of Good in the Church of God the Prejudice and groundless jealous Discontent that he gave up himself into wrought in him as a Canker to the eating out of his antient first Love and Respect to the Fellowship of his Brethren and he adhered to the dark and earthly sort and became obnoxious to the pure Life amongst Friends in the Exercises of the Gospel amongst the Children of the Lord as he gave demonstrable Toakens of to the Grief of the tender-Hearted to God And afterward at a Meeting in Westmerland where Margaret Fox was in the exercise of Prayer amongst Gods People and many Hearts being under the Power of God according to the divers Opperations thereof as God pleaseth to minister sutable to every ones Age and Growth some being concerned in breathing out mellodious Soundings in Spirit to Gods Praise John Story during the said Exercises spake some Words in a dislike thereof and in a Judgment thereupon and being spoken to after the Meeting concerning the same amongst many Friends as is made mention of in this else-where said That whosoever did sing sound or make a noise whilest another was praying c. It was Confusion and Disorder and the Spirit of Delusion that led them to it and that he had born his Testimony against it and would do it and bring it down or else leave Preaching It may be further proved and hath been that several Accusations he cast out against her afterwards to blemish her withal both publick and private to the Disparagement of Truth and our Fellowship therein and to the hurting of several Friends and to their Grief concerning her and a Paper was writ against her and at two preceeding monthly Meetings it was urged by him and them of Party with him to be sent from that Meeting to her but that it was stopt by some that shewed a Dislike thereof who had been and was honourable in the 〈◊〉 of Christ for her Love and Lifes sake in the Truth and whose Integrity to God was approved in the Consciences of the Upright to God and of whose Care Labour and Service therein from the Beginning many were Witnesses of and were comforted in having turned her 〈◊〉 of the Pleasures and Glory of the World in self-denial for Christs sake and taken her part amongst the dispised and hated of the World for the same Cause and we testify it was below the Image of God and the Spirit of a Man for him to treat her as he was resolved to do as the Calumnies the Slanders the Aspersions cast up and down in Westmerland by him against her did demonstrate the same wherefore in her own Defence and for the Vindication of her Innocency as publickly as John Story' s Aspersions had been against her he never also being inclined to give her a Meeting on the Score thereof that ever we heard of but as said before evading several Opportunities in order thereunto She the aforesaid Margaret Fox not knowing otherwise how to have her Cause heard drew up a Paper of the true State thereof as we believe between him and her for the Friends amongst whom by him she had been wronged to take notice of in order to their Satisfaction touching the same and on the occasion of several publick Accusations in a quarterly Meeting cast out against her by John Story behinde her Back a Friend signified that he had Margaret Fox her aforesaid Paper and if the quarterly Meeting pleased it should be read to which John Story gave his Consent yea urged the reading of it and the quarterly Meeting also condescended thereunto and if that in the said Paper John Story' s Doings concerning her and the Truth of God were made manifest he thereupon had the Opportunity to have made his Defence and have proved the Matters against her which he had accused her of and this was manifold more excuseable in her yea justifiable too than John Story' s Whispering backbiting Work that he would not bring to her Face from which Occasion the Friends of the Meeting had the Opportunity to have concerned themselves touching the same with them both as they saw meet We come now to take notice that William Rogers in his Postcript makes a great deal ado to detect George Fox of being unwilling to give him a Meeting in relation to Matters and Things he had to lay to his Charge and without the obtaining of that threatned to publish in Print c. And pretends how desirous he was thereof and as if George Fox should evade the same and from thence would infer that he was not able to clear himself c. As also thereby reckons himself justifiable in his exposing to publick view the Work he hath made against him This we have cast upon us by Unbelievers and the worst of our Foes into whose Hands through them of Party with William Rogers the aforesaid Book hath been given in answer whereunto we do desire it may be 〈◊〉 although this is a base Reflection and very abusive how justifiable George Fox stands in the sight of God and his dear People in the matter of his some time denyal to answer William Rogers's wicked and ungodly Spirit detected and judged by the Testimony of many Brethren for the shameful Work he hath made with his abusing Friends Exercise and inward Travel at Drawell standing by and vindicating Persons upon Examination and 〈◊〉 found out of Unity with Gods People for the Strife and Contention made by them in the Church of God against its Peace William Rogers giving out an abusive Narrative of the Transactions of Affairs
there reflecting upon Friends notwithstanding the Godly Care they had upon them at that Meeting for Unity and Peace As if John Story John Wilkinson and himself had cheated Friends in pretending to condemn when it seems in reallity they did not But William Rogers said they had given them a Rattle to please Children with and John Wilkinson if not he also calling the Brethrens Relation given at 〈◊〉 a lying Narrative trampling upon all the Godly Endeavours that had been used towards them of that rebellious backsliding Spirit God and many dear Friends are Witness and that in their Consciences also what true and tender Care George Fox and others have had and also extended towards them which William Rogers hath some times confessed to before he became thus hardened to do Mischief so that in very deed his Treachery had been such that many may say he was not worth such Treating with William Rogers had Opportunity enough to have met with George Fox face to face on the account of the Accusations that he cast upon him and published them up and down the Nation in Manuscript before ever he dealt with him according to the Command of Christ and the Apostolical Order in relation to most of them some of his abusive Papers or Book out against George Fox amongst his Abettors before ever George Fox heard of them to the Shame of Christianity and the Rule of all Christian Societies as will be hereafter made manifest which he hath published in Print to Posterity and a Meeting was given him and others of Party with him at Bristoll John Story being there in relation to Matters in Difference betwixt them and the Church of God George Fox being there also with William Penn George Whithead William Gibson and others of George Fox's Friends and Brethren as in Manuscript hath been made mention of and in the discoursing of Matters at that time amongst them William Rogers was so abusively clamorous and extravagant and loud in Words and in his Concern and Exercise so burthensom amongst them in the heat of his Spirit as that Friends were astonished thereat and some of his own Party so dissatisfied at his running out of Doors to and again that some of them were glad for Moderations sake to go out to qualify him and get him in again of this we shall speak more afterwards as to Proof thereof if any should question the same such Confusion there was principally occasioned through him as that little effectually could be done William Rogers bringing in Accusations against George Fox in that publick Meeting which George Fox was a Stranger to neither knew he of any such Designe that William Rogers had upon him as to impeach him on that wise and not have dealt with him before according to the Order of Truth which was shameful in the sight of good Men that was privy to it William Rogers had the Opportunity often to have done with George Fox as became a Brother and a Man if he had been of a right Spirit as Hundreds will testify which he took no notice of he hath published in Print and exposed the same to Posterity most of the Accusations against George Fox upon Reports saying If Reports be true after a disingenious sort which manifesteth what a Spirit he hath and whether or no he be worth much taking notice of with respect to much he hath had in hand he pretends want of the Opportunity of a meeting with him was one great Occasion of his publishing in Print his horrid Work and yet he had a Meeting proffered him freely with George Fox which George Fox signified to stop his Mouth withal and sent him word if he would come in any confiderable time before he left the City of London as may be seen by William Meads Relation of the matter relating to it and for all William Rogers his 〈◊〉 now in a wicked excusive way he would not give consent to meet with George Fox on Notice given to him unless George Fox would give it under his hand which 〈◊〉 Fox was not willing to do neither did the Truth require him so far to follow such a false Spirit as his he believing also that he would make an evil use of it in Print and although William Mead proffered to 〈◊〉 God Willing that George Fox would meet him c. Yet he denyed to do it unless he would give it under his Hand though George Fox never desired that of him What a shameful wicked thing is it for William Rogers to put this detestable wicked Book in print stuffed with such abusive horrid clamouring Accusations and Aspersions to the shame of his Principle and Profession and the Fellowship of Brethren pretending George Fox would not give him a Meeting and yet did evade it thus pitifully and unlike a Man or the Concern it related to this surely is treacherous dealing with much such like he hath in hand but the great God the Judge of all will reckon with him in the end for all whose Damnation slumbers not he hath shamefully abused and wronged the Exercise that William Mead and Nicholas Lucus an Agent for William Rogers had about the matter and manner of George Fox's being willing to meet William Rogers c. as may be seen in the Relation William Mead gives of it incerted in the Treatise called The Accuser of the Brethren cast down to which we refer the Reader for more satisfaction about this matter And William Rogers in his Conscience to which we also refer the matter knows that he might have had a Meeting with George Fox if he would but take the Opportunity proffered him Yet his 〈◊〉 hath been such to watch for Advantage that many antient honourable Brethren were not willingly inclined that George Fox should take much Notice of him and some private Discourse that George Fox and he had at London at William Roger's earnest Request he hath made an evil use thereof in print against him which doth not become a Man of his supposed Parts 〈◊〉 Reputation to have done that he might publish abroad his printing thereof William Rogers reflects upon George Fox also in his Postscript because when Daniel Smith of Malborrow told him that William Rogers had propounded to have a meeting with him c. George Fox should say He judged it would but be a jangle as it was at Bristol Let the sober minded but consider whether George Fox had not ground to expect no better from him whose Iniquity was hastening to an height who had been so abusive to Friends with respect to former Meetings at Drawel with his false abusive Narrative and at Bristol manifesting such bauling clamorous Work as many were ashamed of And whether George Fox had any ground to take notice of the uncertainty of this mans tosticated Spirit as he manifestly appeared in and more especially seeing he might have had the Opportunity of meeting George Fox at London who was ready to come into the City when William Rogers was
before the Lord he will be the more unable to appear when all his daubing and slubbering-over 〈◊〉 and covering such guileful Work as John Story and John Wilkinson for several Years were concerned will not be to his Repute amongst the Innocent to God nor hide the Head of an opposite contentious Spirit under which John Story and John Wilkinson were brought in Subjection and notwithstanding the evading deceitful Answers John Story had made to those things queried of him whether they were true concerning him or no several of them 〈◊〉 to matters of Faith which he hath denyed he stands convicted of as 〈◊〉 at large in the Reply in Manuscript to their Answer to the Articles in 〈◊〉 alledged against them which they never yet made Answer unto And 〈◊〉 was also proved at the Meeting at Drawell before many Brethren against 〈◊〉 which Reply is ready by us for the Service that it may be allotted for And further we say we are willing to put it to the Evidence of Gods Witness in all Consciences to declare if these fatherly and brotherly Exercises upon George Fox and others thus concerned on John Story and John Wilkinson their Behalf do declare them Apostates for the Life of God or the Occasioners of the Strise and Division in the North Or that George Fox hath been as William Rogers abusively renders erroniously concerned in the matter thereof And further William Rogers says 〈◊〉 appears that George Fox hath been principally concerned in the aforesaid Difference because in a 〈◊〉 writ by John Blaykling Note That the said Postscript was writ by John Blaykling and annexed to a Reply to a salfe 〈◊〉 smiting Accusation exhibited by William Rogers against George Fox in which he would unjustly have brought John Blaykling as a Witness for him against George Fox which John Blaykling solemnly denying queried of William Rogers if that was the 〈◊〉 they were put to to make good John Wilkinson's lying Prophesy viz. That God would break us because of the Testimony born against their opposite Spirit as to set us at Variance one against another if they could from which Passage in the 〈◊〉 William Rogers saith John 〈◊〉 who appeared in the 44 Articles against John Story and John Wilkinson rechoned George Fox one of those unto whom John Wilkinson's 〈◊〉 reached and therefore by Consequence he argues that George Fox was principally concerned in the Difference To all which we answer thus There hath been an eternal Sence in George Fox John Blaykling and Thousands more of a wrong contentious dividing Spirit entering John Story and John Wilkinson tending to divide and scatter the Lambs of God And that George Fox and many 〈◊〉 have been concerned in Care over and Regard to them In which many Exhortations and Cautions hath been given and laid before them many tender Papers writ to them by George Fox and John Blaykling and others yea Councel from God ministred to them by many dear Brethren whilest the Day of their Visitation continued unto them and the Lord waited to have healed them Many Reproofs have been upon them for their disorderly contentious Work in many Exercises and Concerns relating to them and orderly Dealings have been with them and upon their not hearing the Judgment of the eternal Truth through Gods People placed upon them satisfactory to the Life and eternal Sence of George Fox and of the Church of God every where who have been concerned in the Knowledg and Exercise thereof We 〈◊〉 not ashamed with respect to the tender brotherly Dealings with them as before is 〈◊〉 nor of the Testimony that has been born against them and that stands over the head of the Spirit they have been led and acted by to the Churches Grief and the Breach of its Peace On this wise we have been concerned in relation to this Spirit and its dividing Work and have been unanimously knit together in such our Concern in the Fellowship of Gods Power in which we are one in the Service of Truth for the Churches Peace against every Appearance to the contrary And God hath blessed us therein with an Increase of Life and 〈◊〉 to the establishing the Feet of the Innocent in God in the Mountain of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 House on the top of all the Hills and mountanous Imaginations that 〈◊〉 Rogers hath a spired unto in his ambitious Mind and proud Attempts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eternal God with the Stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands is 〈◊〉 at and will dash in pieces and be the Confusion of all them who take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him And the Prophesie vainly and blasphemoufly delivered by John Wilkinson against the Innocent and upright to God will be found true as daily Experience manifests upon themselves whose Breach and downfal perpetually cometh on apace and there is none found able to deliver And as for the Matters in charge against John Story and John Wilkinson alledged in Writing on the 〈◊〉 aforesaid they who were concerned in the Exercise thereof are vindicated by the Witness of the Eternal God in their own Consciences and justified before many Faithful Brethren And the matters thereof was sufficiently proved at Drawel against 〈◊〉 in the order of Truth and presence of the Almighty God whose righteous Judgment accordingly stands upon the Head of them being convicted thereof which shall never fall to the Ground and this 〈◊〉 Work which William Rogers hath made in this matter against George Fox 〈◊〉 him not For God we say again hath not made William Rogers Judg over him And we do affirm That if George Fox be detectable in the matter of the 〈◊〉 which John Story and John Wilkinson have occasioned in the Church of Christ then was the Prophets of the Lord detectable in the matter of Israel's 〈◊〉 from God who were sent early and late in the Lords willingness to heal them to forwarn them of the Evil that would come upon them if they repented not The like Testimony whereof in relation to John Story and John Wilkinson and the backsliding sort George Fox and many more of Gods People and Messengers of Truth in the Dominion of Gods Power have been concerned in in a Warning to them from the Lord by reason whereof God and his People are clear of them Let those of them unto whom God as yet giveth time look to it as they will answer him in the dreadful Day In his Fourth Part page 36. and so on William Rogers surther goes on in the matter of charging George Fox with an erroneous Concern in the Difference amongst the Quakers in the North implying thereby That John Story and John Wilkinson have been falsly reputed the principal Occasioners thereof c. For which cause William Rogers hath inserted a Paper given forth by them and 〈◊〉 he saith at the Meeting at Drawell as their Judgment in relation to the Five Heads that the 44 Articles alledged there against them related to viz. I Their Opposition to Monthly and Quarterly Meetings II. Opposition to Womens Meetings
their Weakness in some Measure c. so that then Why are they not since received into Unity and the 〈◊〉 and Division put an end to In Answer whereunto we say If their Hearts had been upright to God in what they declared and if they had continued in a tender fear and submission and in a disconcern with respect to any discouragement to others in the Exercises accounted needfull in the Churches and if they had broke off the separate Meeting and joyned with the Church of God in their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in the service of Truth as their Words did there import an inclination to do in several of the a foresaid matters as they acknowledged their duty to do it had been well with them and many more at this Day on the account of the Life 〈◊〉 Truth it had been also the 〈◊〉 Joy on their behalf and their Gladness 〈◊〉 the sake of the Churches Peace which would greatly have been gained thereby besides the occasion that hath been given by the contrary to the Enemies of Truth to speak 〈◊〉 of the way thereof But we desire that all may consider either what abominable 〈◊〉 was in the matter of these smooth and glosie Words or else how little notice they took to answer in Practice in what they seemed to affirm For 〈◊〉 hstanding this John Wilkinson encouraged the Separation he being principally concerned amongst them and a Leader thereof 〈◊〉 when in the Country 〈◊〉 the most part amongst them John Wilkinson also denyed to one of us that they had condemned any thing or that they knew of any thing acted or spoken by 〈◊〉 worthy of Condemnation He writ into the South in a contempt of the Travels at Drawell against the 〈◊〉 Concern there He called the Relation a lying Narative as said before and their 〈◊〉 of seeming acknowledgement William Rogers called it but a Rattle to please Children withal They in the North John Wilkinson being one of them became 〈◊〉 Opposite and 〈◊〉 then before they writ a Remonstrance to the Monthly Quarterly and Yearly Meetings in which they Condemned them all to be gone from the Antient Principle and as if themselves alone were 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Antient way of Life And therefore say they were they called Separates by them of the Meeting they writ to c. So that we say that with Guile and 〈◊〉 they have carried on the Design contrived amongst them and their Posterity hath been accordingly for their way is blockt up and they can proceed no further the Snare is broken and Deliverance wrought to many innocent Ones that might have been betrayed into the 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 and fall on every side and their Calamity hastens on which they will not see nor be able to avoid and what advantage these things afford to William Rogers's Design of proving those two men with them of Party with them the Christian Quakers and all the whole Family besides those scattered ones Apostates from God and such as in whom the Life of Christianity is extinct we desire the Reader to consider and what ground William Rogers hath to render George Fox erroniously concerned in the aforesaid Difference because that in the Word of the Lord God he sent to them to call in their 〈◊〉 wicked Papers of Strife and tending to work the 〈◊〉 they could devise thereby we see not William Rogers in his smiting Work against George Fox in his fourth Part page 27. saith That what ever was pretended to be John Story 's and John Wilkinsons failings yet nothing would give George Fox satisfaction but submission to him and his Orders c. Because saith he in his Letter last mentioned he writes of them and says Had they been right and in the Light and Power of God as at the first they would have come to me when I sent for them To all which we Answer let the Reader consider whether William Rogers doth not befool himself in raking up in an evil mind that watcheth for Evil such a sorry proof as this whereby to render George Fox an Apostate or one erroniously concerned in the aforesaid Difference that would make an Accusation against him on the score of George Fox's desiring to see John Wilkinson and John Story when by reason of the Weakness of Body that he was under for several Weeks together 〈◊〉 able to walk to the Door and therefore sent for them if that by any means he could instrumentally in Gods Hand have perswaded them to 〈◊〉 their striving contentious Work whereby they had occasioned Trouble in the Church of Christ which was his sorrow for its Peace sake and sor the sake of the Innocent Lambs of God that were hurt thereby and whether it did argue a Stout Lordly Spirit in George Fox that would have submission to him as William Rogers renders him to have who innocently and in self-denial came so far under that wrong Sprit as to desire them to come over to him who could not go to them because of his aforesaid Weakness or whether it was not a Lordly Stubborn and Selfwilled Spirit in them who when in good heath and ability of 〈◊〉 would not so much as travel a few Miles to Visit him when also they were tenderly desired that they would do it and without any respect also to that Eternal Power wherein George Fox hath been an Instrument to gather many 〈◊〉 them from the ways of Perdition into the knowledge of the way that Leads to Life and Peace forever to which also John Wilkinson himself as said before did confess and whether William Rogers doth not rake up any thing that he can any way through perverting and deducing falce Inserences to make up some matter against him to smite withal let the unprejudiced observe Further we observe how William Rogers picks something here and there out of the Charges against John Story and John Wilkinson and out of our Reply to their Answer thereunto alledging that there is no matter of evil Fact therein whereby to slander and asperse Robert Barrow and others concerned in the Exercise relating thereunto and by the said aspersions cast on them would maliciously stretch the same to Accusations against George Fox relating to his Charge against him of being one erroneously concerned in the aforesaid Difference Because saith he it s not like that Robert Barrow and them would do any thing on that wise without George Fox ' s consent or to that purpose Answ. We say first If George Fox had been privy to Robert Barrow's and 〈◊〉 aforesaid their Concern and had been an encourager thereof and that to have done so were matter of Evil and Condemnable which we deny and William Rogers hath yet to prove yet were it uncharitable and untruth-like in him to charge George Fox therewith from his own supposition that Robert Barrow and the rest would not be so concerned without his consent Now we say Where is the Life of Christianity Where is the Love that thinks
for thou that dost art of Hams Family which is under the Curse c. Upon the consideration of this William Rogers saith the Objector may then say Object How comes it to pass that many of his Actions comes under the just censure of his own Words William Rogers says to this I know not how better to Answer then to testisie that Pride must have a Fall and God-suffered this Evil to come upon him c. To all which we Answer thus That which hath grieved William Rogers and John Story hath been the Judgment of the 〈◊〉 Truth upon the loose backsliding Work of the Spirit that they and them of Party with them have been led into This was William Rogers's Torment in which he hath let loose his angry malitious Tongue which venteth his smiting Accusations against the Faithful as may be hereafter manifested For because an Epistle of George Fox's reached him that had made away part of his personal Estate to his Servant to avoid Sufferings thereby as himself hath confessed not alledging any occasion of Payment of Debts or the like for his so doing therefore in his Torment would on this wise Revenge himself But let him be asked how it is that he now condemns George Fox for giving Judgment although against a wrong Spirit and yet he himself in his 〈◊〉 Quaker hath Judged the 〈◊〉 Family of God who have believed in the Light fave them of Party with him to be the Apostates and Innovators And how is it that George Fox must be so abusively rendred in Print to Posterity as he hath rendred him who says His 〈◊〉 must have a Fall and that this Evil is come upon him c. For Judging a wrong Spirit that is Accursed seeing George Fox formerly said Judge not one another nor lay open one anothers Weaknesses behind one anothers Backs c. And yet William Rogers notoriously guilty in that matter as said before who caused a Paper 〈◊〉 with malicious smiting and false Accusations against George Fox to be Published in a publick Meeting when George Fox was nigh two hundred Miles distant and knew nothing of any such thing neither was the Paper of Accusations sent to him till after it was behind the Back published on that wise whether this be not Hams Spirit let himself judge and with this same Spirit he 〈◊〉 the Heritage of the most high God to be Apostates and what not It s admirable that William Rogers cannot see the Envy and Pride of his Heart that he may take heed of the miserable Fall that he is nigh unto if with speed he Repent not and that he is not ashamed to make mention os these things that he would lay to 〈◊〉 charge when he is thus horredly guilty thereof himself and if the least 〈◊〉 were in any others Eye he would take notice of that and will not see the 〈◊〉 in his own It s too plainly manifest that God for the Wickedness 〈◊〉 hath appeared in on this wise hath given him up to a reprobate mind that he may fill up the measure thereof for the Damnation that slumbers not We further say Let William Rogers be also asked would not the Apostle Paul have come under his Judgment of Pride that must have a Fall because he gave the same Charge viz. Judge not one another and who art thou that Judgeth another Mans Servant he stands or falls to his own Master c. and yet said An Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject He bid them also cast out the Incestious Person He said Know ye not that the Saints shall Judge Angels how much more things that pertain to this Life William Rogers may 〈◊〉 How comes it to pass that Pauls Actions comes under the 〈◊〉 of his own Words and so consequently he knows not how better to answer then that Pride must have a Fall Oabominable Wickedness indeed Must not George Fox or any spiritual man unto whom the Lord committeth Judgment 〈◊〉 in his Hand as he also maketh Pastors and Teachers c. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concern from God is on that wise place a Judgment upon such as backslide from the Life of Truth and the Practice of the pure Religion after tender and orderly dealing with such according to the Command of Christ and the Primitive Example in such Cases because they have admonished and charged the Children of the Lord to take heed of Judging one another or speaking Evil one of another c. What dark Confusion is this and great Ignorance of the Spirit and Power of God wresting things to their own Destruction We tell William Rogers he is not treated of us now as a Brother and one of us neither is he and them of his Spirit judged as those to whom Paul writ nor as those unto whom George Fox directed his Epistle of Advice on that wise to take heed of judging one another but they are dealt withal as Enemies to the Life of God and the Fellowship of Brethren as their separate Work and Strife demonstrates them to be and Judgment is set on the Head of the Spirit they are led by which also they cannot escape whilst in subjection to it and are doing its Work and in the Testimony from the Lord God unto them we are bold to say whether they will hear or forbear that the Indignation of God and Wrath from Heaven is to be revealed upon them and that with speed if Repentance they find not Another thing we take notice of relating to charge against George Fox by William Rogers Inserted in the 4 th Part of his Christian Quaker distinguished c. which he abusively Clamours against him withal is concerning Micha's Mother whom George Fox makes mention of in his Exhortation to and encouraging of Women to be Faithful to God according to the Gift received from the Lord to profit withal to the Praise of him who is the Giver And making mention of several honourable Women that were concerned in the Work of God both under the Law and in the Gospel Day shewing also that God is not strait in dispencing of his Grace to the Female as well as the Male that so every one might be doing for God in their Age and Day he makes mention also how the Lord was pleased by his Invisible Power and Vertue to reach the Hearts of Women in the very greatest Darkness and Idolatrous Times to manifest that the Lord is willing to work in all and through all to the Praise of his rich Grace on which occasion he instanced how the Lord reached the Heart of the said Micha's Mother with his living Power which caused her to confess to the Eternal God who had made her Son to confess That he was the man that had taken the 1100 Shekels of Silver which had been stolen from her and upon his being constrained by the Lords secret Power to confess and restore the same She replyed saying Blessed be thou of the Lord may Son c. The Virtue
contentious Papers of them that were given up to Jangle and Contend in a Spirit of Strife that hath a Life in Words and Writings thereby to Vent the corrupted matter that is contracted in the old filthy Bottle although somtimes for the Simples sake and to manifest their Confusion and 〈◊〉 Work and to wipe away the Refuge of Lyes some have sometimes felt it upon them to concern themselves a little therewith Yet we do affirm that after the many tender Entreaties Exhortations 〈◊〉 Cautions they were treated with whilst their day lasted and upon their Rebellion the Judgment of the pure Truth placed upon them in the motion and Unity of the Life of God it might have been consistant with the Counsel of God for his People to have been little more concerned with them on that 〈◊〉 but they being given up to a 〈◊〉 Mind through resisting the Grace of God and his good Spirit let them have gone on to do their Work which they had a design to do to the filling up of the measure of their Iniquities whose Damnation would not Slumber and it is our Belief and let William Rogers disprove it if he can that George Fox's Silence with respect to some of William Rogers his perverse and contemptible Letters was approved of and justified by the Faithful Brethren who had the 〈◊〉 thereof according to the saying of the Wise Man Answer not a Fool according to his Folly Bray him in a Morter and he will be a Fool still Now we come to take notice of the sad Work 〈◊〉 Rogers makes with himself in manifesting palpably to all where his Book may come what a venomous bitter Spirit hath lodged in him to the bringing forth such Mischiet and Iniquity as the like hath scarcely been heard of in any Age under the prosession of Christianity to have sprung from any that would be reckoned to be in the Life thereof as 〈◊〉 eafter God willing we shall Demonstrate and the object that is in his Eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon with his out-ragious clamorous Work and against whom his Malicious Design is laid is George Fox and the Prosecution thereof continuing with 〈◊〉 he hath sought an occasion to keep himself at Work on the score thereof 〈◊〉 a general Epistle that George Fox gave forth to be spread abroad amongst 〈◊〉 and William Rogers having inserted the same in his Book that thereby 〈◊〉 may make George Fox as Infamous as he can through the Work he hath made 〈◊〉 it we find it our Freedom to give the Reader the opportunity 〈◊〉 considering 〈◊〉 by inserting the same herein which is as followeth Friends ALL you that do make away or over your Estates to the World or your Servants for fear of 〈◊〉 Spoylers in time of Persecution for the sake of Christ and his Gospel and the Worship of God First do not you Distrust and Despair of God Almighty's Protecting and Delivering you with his Almighty Power Secondly Are you Sensible that the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof is the Lords and that he giveth the encrease and that how that he may try you whether your Minds are in the Creatures or with him the Creator And whether is it not a greater thing to give up the Life and Soul and to dye for the Lord Jesus then to give up the Goods and Estates and suffering the spoyl of the Goods 〈◊〉 Christs sake and Worshipping of God And whether or no they that cannot suffer the Spoyling of their Goods for God and Christs sake Worships sake can give up their Lives and Suffer for Christ who hath Died and 〈◊〉 for you And whether or no they that make away their Estates to the World 〈◊〉 they should loose them for the Worship of God do not they distrust God of keeping them whose they are indeed and have more Belief and Trust in the World then they have in God And whether this Spirit that doth so is not the Spirit of the World that doth lust to Envy and not the Spirit of God and his Wisdom but that which is Earthly Sensual and Devilish that would have its Libery and not the Wisdom that is from above that is Pure Peaceable and Easie to be Entreated And whether he that will save his Life and not loose it for Christs sake doth not he think to be his own Saviour and not Christs And whether he that will save his Estate and not loose it for Christs sake and the Worship of God by making it away to the World in time of Sufferings shall not loose it And so whether its safer in this case to make away your Estates to the World that cannot save its own or to make or commend it into the Hands of God the Creator of all and Jesus 〈◊〉 by whom all things were made who upholds all things by his Word and Power and the great Lord of Heaven and Earth and all things therein and which 〈◊〉 of his Hand a Sparrow shall not fall without the Will of him that made them George Fox This being Read in the Meeting at Bristol amongst Friends in William Roger's hearing who as it appears by his own Confession was Guilty in relation to the Contents thereof became so uneasie under it not liking sound Judgment and 〈◊〉 it to himself in a freting discontented Mind as the Work and Product of his 〈◊〉 doth declare although there was not the least Particularizing of any therein and instead of his quietly 〈◊〉 to it undertakes in a great Revenge with all expedition to give 〈◊〉 a Paper of Smiting Queries relating to Accusations and high Charges against George Fox at a very unreasonable and 〈◊〉 Rate and 〈◊〉 the same to be Read in a Publick Meeting at Bristol against him by Name tending as much as in him lay to his Desamation after a Dialogueing manner contrary to all Gospel Order and Rule of common Societies behind his Back the said George Fox being at that time nigh Two Hundred Miles off whom William Rogers had never dealt withal 〈◊〉 in Private about the same as he doth teach neither did George Fox know of any such thing from him till several Weeks after as hath been before in this Treatise sometimes hinted at Whereunto after a little while George Fox gave an Honest Plain and Upright Answer by way of Reply in the tenderness of that Spirit which many dear brethren had Unity with unto which Answer to William Roger's Smiting and Charging Queries a Postscript was annexed given forth by John Blaykling whom William Rogers seemed to bring in as a Witness to some of his Accusations against George Fox to which Reply and Postscript William Rogers undertakes to make a 〈◊〉 of which in his Printed Book he often makes mention wherein he sayes He hath detected George Fox of Lyes and Forgery c. Charging him also that no Answer was put to it that he knew of And requiring him to Transcribe for him such a Numberless Number of Coppies of his said Rojoynder
Observations on the Queries a false Assertion and thereby to make him a Lyer Thirteen times over he says He did not intend the Queries to be Charges The most of what we can reasonably say on his behalf touching this matter is that peradventure he did not think so plainly to have declared them Charges least he should fail in the proof thereof it being a desparate adventure but that the tendency thereof was high Charges and that after a very absurd and unbrotherly manner it s very plain and safe to assert and the Words themselves demonstrates the same so that he might see if he were not wilfully Blind that his Tongue and Pen bewrayes him William Rogers in his fourth Query implicitly chargeth George Fox That he appears in his Epistle which he calls reflecting Queries to be a Man with two Faces Now we desire that William Rogers and them of Party with him may examine whether he be not the Man that hath appeared with two Faces in so highly now applauding John Story as not one equal to him in Doctrine and Conversation excepting John Wilkinson that ever he heard of and in espousing his Quarrel in opposition to Church Care and leading a separate Party in that Design and let his Conscience speak whether or no he hath thus vehemently stood by him therein from any real sence of John Stories Uprightness to God in this his undertaking or from any liking of or unity with his Preaching and let him be asked whether he did not reckon it once to be an empty burdensome dead thing like the Priests Doctrine and whether he said not that he would Preach them all to Death or the like If he remember not this or would make a forget of it we can help his Memory therein and so with respect to his praising of John Story now and standing by him on this wise we would have him consider whether he hath not been a double minded Man and that his undertaking in this Contentious Design against the Churches Care and Peace thereof hath not really been to gratifie a fleshly declining Spirit in himself from Truths Life in which also he 〈◊〉 his Contempt and Dis-esteem of yea his Malice and Enmity against George Fox who hath kept his first Love and Care for Gods Glory whose Person William Rogers runs upon and his Repute too both as a Man and Christian with lying Charges and false Accusations as all or most of the Apostates from Truth have done ever since we have been a People and if William Rogers would but consider the woful end of the most of such he might have great cause thereby to Fear and Repent that he might find Mercy and not perish for evermore We further take notice that George Fox blaming William Rogers for causing so many Smiting Queries and false Accusations to be read against him in a publick Mens-Meeting behind his back when he was nigh Two Hundred Miles off as unbeseeming Truth George Fox knowing of no such thing intended against him seeing also they of Party with him would not allow Thomas Camm to read a Paper concerning John Wilkinson relating to prove him to his Face an encourager of Loose and Wicked Persons c. In a Meeting appointed for that end and John Wilkinson there present To which William Rogers saith This if far remote from his purpose c. The Reader may consider how foolish William Rogers renders himself besides very Partial and Dishonest in this matter Will he justifie his causing to be read such malicious Charges against George Fox behind his Back in the Mens-Meeting where not a Man present would say he owned the reading of it George Fox not being there to make his Defence neither knowing any thing of the matter intended against him for the space of three Weeks time after by any Account from him or from any other by his Order and yet will seem to stand by those that would not allow Thomas Camm to read a Paper relating to make good somthing against John Wilkinson in a Meeting appointed for that very end and John Wilkinson there present We say that the remoteness that is in these Cases which is not a little tendeth to William Rogers his great shame with respect to the matter he hath had in hand Again William Rogers being told by George Fox of his unchristian and disorderly dealing with him about the Matter of causing those smiting Queries to be read against him c. Bray Doiley also speaking with William Rogers about the same disorderly Work William Rogers told Bray Doyley That he had sent them to George Fox three Weeks before they were read in the aforesaid Meeting And yet William Rogers denies this and sayes It s probable he might say it was writ three Weeks before c. In Answer we say It may be noted First William Rogers denies not but that it was read in the Mens-Meeting after the manner aforesaid which is base and unchristian doings And Secondly That it was read long before it came to George Fox's Hands its clear William Rogers's Letter to George Fox being a cover to the aforesaid Paper of Queries bearing Date Bristol the very same day that the Smiting Reflections and Falsly accusing Paper were read against him in the Meeting at Bristol Thirdly It may be noted what an Abominable Lye William Rogers asserts in denying that he said that he had sent the Paper of Queries to George Fox three Weeks before for Bray 〈◊〉 as by his Letter appears doth not only assert the Truth of William Rogers's saying so to him but Richard Snead writing to George Fox about the reading of that Paper in their Meeting against him saith thus I forbear to send thee a Coppy of it for William Rogers told Bray Doyley the next day after it was read that he had seni thee a Coppy of it three Weeks before Charles 〈◊〉 Junior also in a Letter to George Fox signifies thus The Coppy of the Letter read in the Mens-Meetings I had sent thee but that William Rogers told me Yesterday that he had sent thee a Coppy of it three Week before Now if this be not treacherous dissmbleing Work the Just God and the Upright may judg and what will be the end of this Lying Spirits Work a little time will more manifest He saith It s a lye to say that he said he had sent it three Weeks before it was read c. When there are Two or Three antient Upright Men in Truth Men of known credit and repute to restifie the same against him the Letter that came with the Paper inclosed in it bears date the 21st of the 8th Month 1678. And Charles Jones's Letter beareth date the 23th of the 8th Month 1678. And the day before was the day when William Rogers said to him and also to Bray Doyley that he had sent the Paper three Weeks before Such a Spirit as this God cannot bless neither can it ever do any good for God his Truth or People
What ever it may pretend to More Witnesses might be brought against William Rogers to prove the Charges of Treachery if he should deny these plain things but this is sufficient to detect him of being a notorious Dissembler with his own Conscience and yet would be unworthily charging others with that which he himself is guilty of But William Rogers to excuse his Unchristian and Disorderly charging behind the Back a Brother and an Elder in the Truth saith That John 〈◊〉 and Twenty five Persons whom he calls Accusers and Informers against John Wilkinson and John Story in order to obtain a Judgment against them behind the Back brought false Accusations against them in order to have Nine Persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Judgment against them when they denyed their Jurisdiction saith he Answ. This is a soul Aspertion and an unchristian Stating of the case which he is not able to make good against us as hath already in Manuscript been manifested sufficiently which might have satisfied him ere now had he been a reasonable Man we have also in part spoken to it in this Treatise We say again in the first place It was not John Blaykling and the other Persons as distinct from the Church of Christ in Westmoreland that had this concern upon them neither was it their particular distinct case but the case of the Church Assembled in the Quarterly Meeting at Kendal in Westmoreland and the Churches case throughout the whole Nation in the cause whereof an Information had been brought and laid before the Brethren in the North and afterwards in the South of the sad Work that John Story and John Wilkinson had made in Opposition to Church-care and the Order thereof they having been often particularly dealt withal as also in many publick preceding Meetings in Westmoreland in order to their Reconciliation to Truth and the Brethren and yet they still continuing Obstinate at the motion and upon the Agreement of the Quarterly Meeting in Westmoreland as also in persuance of the desire of our Brethren at London was there a Meeting appointed in order to the hearing and examining matters relateing to John Story and John Wilkinson and at the aforesaid Meeting was several Brethren of other Counties made mention of with a desire to have them there having been unconcerned Persons which thing also was desired by our Friends at London and John Wilkinson and John Story had notice of the said Meeting as is before in this Treatise inserted knowing also that matters in charge would be alledged against them because of their contentious opposite Work which for the Truths sake and the Unity of Brethren which they contemned could no longer be forborn and their denial to come to the said Meeting so orderly appointed was their contempt of the Churches Power and the Jurisdiction thereof in the Spirit of Jesus Christ for which Contempt together with the ungodly Work which that Spirit of theirs had wrought amongst Gods People the Judgment went out against them in the Authority of the Power which God blesseth the Work of amongst his People John Blaykling whom he mentions by Name is justified amongst his Brethren in the concern that he and many more have had upon them touching this Spirit and them led by it God hath blessed them with success in the Work they have appeared in whilst it goes ill with them of this evil Spirit who stick to it for they become more and more the Evil Men and Seducers that grow worse and worse And as to his saying That we brought false Accusations against them we say We admire that he dare to Sin against God and Dissemble with his own Conscience for he may remember that the matters in charge against them were proved at the Meeting at Draw-well as the Brethrens Narrative of the transacting of matters there with the Judgment given doth plainly demonstrate Now we come to take notice of what proof William Rogers makes of the Accusations which he hath alledged in Charges against George Fox seeing that George Fox declares them to be False and Malicious now it stands William Rogers in Hand to prove the same or else to lay his Hand upon his Mouth and confess he hath done him and many more Brethren great wrong it will not serve his turn to fly 〈◊〉 in the matter of Proof with saying He only asked the Question for the tendency of his whole Work is to Smite and asperse yea if ever Man was Guilty in the matter of accusing our Brethren William Rogers hath by these smiting Queries declared himself to be such a one There is no plea in the case for the contrary therefore it is expected by the Reader that this he should have done but he is fallen short in this Proud and Presumptuous attempt he makes himself a Reproach The first Query or Smiting Accusation runs thus Art not thou the Man that staidst almost a quarter of a Year or at least a considerable time from Meetings though held in the very House of thy Residence or if thou 〈◊〉 at any time come within the aforesaid space whether it was not so seldom that it became matter of Exercise to other Friends for thy sake and did not John Blaykling by name manifest his Burthen and Exercise of Spirit on thine and the Truths behalf for thy so doing and didst thou not after he had so done a little amend in that case Answ. The matter of Charge or smiting Accusation against George Fox in this Query is contained in the latter part thereof viz. It s being a Burden and Exercise to John Blaykling and that John Blaykling should signifie the same to him and as if George Fox did a little mend afterward If William Rogers had made out these things by the evidence of two or three Witnesses as he ought to have been able to have done then had there been matter of Charge against him but this George Fox and John Blaykling both denies in their Answer Let us see what William Rogers saith as to proof The Reader may take notice that the substance of what he saith as to proof is That George Fox saith he doth not deny but that he did so but pretendeth that he was so weak in Body that he was not able to sit in the Meeting But not any thing relating to prove the matters of Charge against him doth he bring forth and therefore detected as a false Accuser but of this more may be said afterwards William Rogers's Second Query relating to George Fox is this viz. Wouldst not thou have accounted this in another the Fruit of a Careless Slothful Negligent Dark Spirit that was either departed or departing from the Truth Answ. This is a smiting Accusation indeed and is denied by George Fox and by John Blaykling charged upon William Rogers or any that takes his part to prove this Charge against him if he can and yet we find not in all his Rejoynder any thing said by him whereby to prove this smiting Accusation
pound might descend to him as his Birth-right when as Simplicity will conclude his words could have no such tendency in them nor bear any such Construction as this he nakedly saying I might have had something that descended to me as my Birth-right this could not imply much nor shew forth any ambition in him as William Rogers would charge him with And when he cannot avenge himself by bluring his Repute as a Christian he bends himself to abase him as a Man by undervaluing the parentage he sprung of speaking hightly and scornfully of his Kindred and falsely too For we are satisfied that for all his sleight of his Relations c. that his Parents lived comfortably and commendably too amongst Men in the Tabernacle God gave them to reside in and left to each of their Children something to live upon when the Lord took them and they were never a shame one to another Ask William Rogers to stop his boasting Mind whether some of his best and nearest Relations be not a shamed of him and have turned their Backs of him as the Lord doth the Rebellious not expecting a Blessing for him The Occupation also and 〈◊〉 calling he had in which as we well understand he was a good savour amongst People that 〈◊〉 God William Rogers speaks sleightly of it but in Discretion he might have been sparing in that for concerning his Descent and Relations George Fox hath not concerned himself therewith William Rogers might have be-thought himself of what 〈◊〉 some of them were he knows best in relation to that matter himself he might have forborn also on this wise for his Companions John Story 's sake whom he so highly applauds who was no less respected of Gods People for all that whilest he kept to Gods Power Oh the shame the Man exposes himself unto and the Madness that he is detested of by which he makes himself ridiculous amongst Men and so makes People call to memory what W R's Relations were for if he himself were not a puffed up Fool he would be ashamed to upbraid any one about Relations we are perswaded many of his own Adherents cannot but dislike his work it gains no Repute to them nor Credit to their Cause they have in hand having no better Spirit to mannage their Design then such as this William Rogers Reflects upon George Fox for not labouring with his Hands as he says the primitive Apostles did or otherwise being Industrious in some outward calling whilest Ability and Leisure would permit that the Gospel of Christ might not be chargeable These are his words in the fifth part of his Christian Quaker c. page 49 Implicitly charging him thereby as his work is We say let the man come forth that can lay Idleness or Sloth to his charge and prove it against him William Rogers's Aspersion toucheth him not the calling that he was of as a Man he was diligent in from his Youth we are bold to say whilest leisure permitted let this stop William Rogers's Mouth yea after the Lord made him in measure a Minister of the everlasting Truth we are able to Evidence the same against William Rogers false charge till the Lord brought him more to serve the Gospel and the concern thereof became his Work and might not serve Tables and for the sake whereof let the daily Exercise he hath had upon him his many unwearied Travels his Imprisonments in Dungeons and nasty Places his tedious and long Journeys beyond the Seas watchings and lying out of doors in the Night season make William Rogers Blush to charge him with being not Industrious when Health and Oppertunity served him and his Travels of late Years since bodily Weakness attended him and much what upon his own charge Testifies to his Zeal for the Gospel and Care over the Churches of Christ and clears the matter against all that William Rogers or any whosoever with respect to Sloth or making the Gospel chargeable would lay to his charge It were well if William Rogers could justly say that John Story whom he speaks so highly of as none to exceed John Wilkinson and him in Doctrine and life that ever he heard of in true diligence with respect to Testimony and Service for Truth which he had committed to his Charge had cleared his Conscience in Gods Sight as George Fox hath done or that he had kept the like Record and Interest in the Hearts of Gods Faithful Children as George Fox at this Day pretionsly retains then would John Story never have been such an Exercise and occasion of Grief in the Church of Christ as he and William Rogers have been in heading a Separate Faction and backsliding sort that a Spirit of strife and separation hath prevailed upon and then would their account have been more easie to have been given in the Day of the Great God when the Books will be opened and things laid to Charge and the Lord will reckon with William Rogers sor his hard speeches and the evil Deeds he hath done against the Lord and his Faithful People Our Hearts tremble to think of that Day with respect to them of that Spirit for the sad work they have made as Thousands of the Children of God know and their own Consciences too although William Rogers desperately hardens over all yet Vengeance is the Lords and in the end he will repay It had been well for William Rogers that he had forborn this Work long ago it weighs him down and will be his Torment too hard to endure and for all William Rogers's reflecting on this 〈◊〉 upon George Fox let him bring forth the Man that will say that George Fox hath made the Gospel charge able to him let him bring an Account thereof and he shall have repayed double William Rogers goes on and says It hath been reported that John Story was Judged by George Fox or by some of his party for giving his Mother the Rent of his Land that was given him and said he should have kept it to have born a Testimony against Tythes 〈◊〉 and he says also Whether it ought not as well to have been George Fox's duty to have kept his that descended to him by Birth-right to have kept up his Testimony against Tythes as well as John Story In Answer we say as to the first part of the Charge against George Fox or them 〈◊〉 party with him relating to John Story that William Rogers brings no Proof or Certificate from any concerning that which he would charge upon George Fox or those others he speaks of that John Story should be blamed by for giving his Mother the Rent of the Land that was his or that John Story did give it to her which when William Rogers doth we shall further concern our selves in Relation thereunto neither did we ever hear of any such thing and George Fox doth deny it and therefore it is a false charge that shall lye as his door amongst the rest but this we have heard that the same
the second Beast that comes out of the Earth and leadeth thither again they that Runs may see it it bewrayeth it self in all its undertakings and 〈◊〉 on its own Ruin Blessed are they who fear God and love his Appearance And as for that Reflection which R. W. casteth upon George Fox upon the Occasion of James Nayler's fall he cautioning John Story and John Wilkinson lest they should become as bad as the old Apostates before them their Examples Instancing amongst others James Nayler's darkened and hardned State by reason of which he became the Grief of many and a great Stumbling Block in the way of Truth to the hurting of many simple Ones and the utter undoing of some to the causing the Name of the Lord to be evil spoken of by such as became hardened thereby William Rogers would make an Accusation against George Fox on this score because James Nayler came to be restored again Surely it may be said there is much more Malice then Matter in this against George Fox who did no otherwise in this case then the holy Men of God have done who gave forth the Scriptures who have left on Record Noah's David's Manasse's Peter's Fallings to be a Caution to others and James Nayler's and others fall and cause of Reproach to Truth in this our day is William Rogers and John Story' s and John Wilkinson's Example and if they were not hardened they might see it and take heed lest at last it come to be with them as it happened to most of other Apostates to their Total Ruin and James Nayler's Restoration was the joy of the Faithful to God and so would the Restoration of them be which hath been truely sought for And thus much concerning William Rogers Catalogue of his thirteen Queries manifested to be smiting Accusations and so his Thirteen Lyes which he would have detected George Fox of are wiped away the reward of the Slanderous wicked Work he hath had in hand on that score to turn back upon his own Head And that they are False and Malicious it s plainly demonstrated to every Eye that 's single to God without prejudice or watching for evil against the Innocent that may have occasion to inspect the same together with George Fox's Answer thereunto in which he hath denyed them all as False and Malicious and not touching him to which Answer William Rogers undertaking to Rejoyn in order to prove the Accusations alledged by him falls totally short in the matter thereof and all his Evasions Pervertings and drawing his false Inferences upon George Fox's innocent and plain Words doth not serve his turn in the sight of the upright to God to make out any matter of Fact against him as the Answer to his Rejoynder here inserted plainly demonstrateth and so leaves William Rogers detected as a Treacherous Man to his Principle and his first love to Truth and the unity of Brethren a false malicious Accuser of the Innocent a shame to Christianity and not fit for human Societies whom the Lord will recken with for all in a day that hasteneth on which he cannot evade But to go on it may be noted that William Rogers is not satisfied with his Thirteen Queries and smiting Accusations against G. Fox but raising up more matter on the same score goes on and says Now I take notice of what George Fox sayes to my Query Note It s inserted in his Paper of smiting Queries which George Fox gave Answer to viz. Whether thou George Fox didst not advise Nathaniel Cripps to buy off his Tythes both of Priest and Impropriator if thou deny it I will undertake to prove it or bring it under the hand of Nathaniel Cripps that thou so did Answer This is an high charge as the rest were it s expected that William Rogers make good proof thereof more especially seeing that contrary to all Gospel Order he hath been concerned in the publication thereof as said before The Reader may take notice that William Rogers for proof of this smiting charge repeats some part of George Fox's Answer which he thinks may most help his Design in this matters viz. But for him to turn this and say I advised him to buy his Tythes he doth me a great deal of wrong and so might have been sparing to have 〈◊〉 me And what can William Rogers make of this for its a flat denial of the Charge and if there were but an opportunity to look over George Fox's Answer which demonstrates the sincere Exercise no way condemnable that he had with Nathaniel Cripps touching this matter it might be plainly seen that he was as clear of any matter of evil fact in the matter of this Charge as a Sucking Child which said Answer William Rogers detects not any further then the following Words by him recited out of George Fox's Answer thereunto may viz. In the Morning when I was in the Chamber I saw this Spirit made some like Devils that they mattered not what they said to blemish the Reputation of them that sought their good both Spiritually and Temporally William Rogers to prove his Charge against George Fox maliciously from these Words infers thus It may be reasonably said He supposed that George Fox for the temporal good of Nathaniel Cripps might Advise him to buy his Tythes Now consider is this manner of Work any way beseeming a Christian Spirit or is this sufficient proof to detect an Elder upon but however it helps to manifest William Rogers's Spirit who it seems would measure others by himself as if it were good Advice to Advise Friends to buy off their Tythes to avoid Sufferings thereby like the Advice he gave himself to save his Goods from the Spoilers by selling them or making them over to his Servants If William Rogers think that with respect to ones Temporal Good this kind of Counsel were best to be given and taken George Fox is not of such a Mind or Spirit and if William Rogers were not full of Perjudice and watching for Evil that blinds his Eye and eats out the good in him he might see by George Fox's Epistle to Friends by way of Query That to be Faithful to God and to trust him with our All is the best way to do well with respect to Temporal things as to Blessings from God therein and a sincere upright Man would have said on George Fox's Account considering his Spirit and Testimony born and his usual Exhortation accordingly That for the good will he bore to Nathaniel Cripps both Spiritually and Temporally its probable he would Advise him to be Faithful to Truth and his Testimony therein and trust God with all that love which thinks no Evil would have made this Construction of George Fox's Words to him It s plain William Rogers hath yet done nothing with respect to prove the Charge against George Fox alledged on this score he hath only thereby manifested his own folly and what Spirit he is of And when William Rogers hath said all
personal visible Estate to his Servant out of the 〈◊〉 reach in his Answer of Smiting Queries also made mention of in the beginning of our Reply said This Exhortation I say is in it self good but would much better have become the 〈◊〉 of George Fox if when the Persecutors came up one pair of Stairs into our Meeting-Rome in Broad-Mead whilst he was speaking he had not been of such a Spirit which some may call distrustful and disparing as on a sudden to step down and hasten out of the Meeting as he once did of which my Eyes with many more were Witnesses It may be noted that this smiting Accusation which George Fox utterly denieth as in his Answer may be seen William Rogers asserts upon the sight of his own Eyes with many more as he saith Now of what force this his own evidence touching this matter is let it be judged considering what a spirit all along he hath manifested himself to be of full of Envy and watching for Evil that he may caluminate and asperse the Innocent as the many Accusations upon this pittiful insufficient Evidence brought in do demonstrate but in as much as that he saith His Eyes with many more were Witnesses upon George Fox's denial thereof amongst all the other before mentioned he hath brought and published in Print several Certificates to prove the aforesaid matter which we shall hereafter insert with what Observations we have made thereupon The first Certificate WE do cerifie hereby that we were present at a certain Meeting in Broad-Mead within the City of Bristol on the account of the Worship of God and that it was at a time when Persecution attended Friends in their Meetings and that at that Meeting George Fox stood up and spoke in the Meeting and afterwards departed out of the Meeting at a back pair of Stairs a very considerable time before the Meeting broke up and was not taken Prisoner that Day and the ground of his departure at that time we have cause to believe was to avoid being taken Prisoner Mary Goldney Mary North Ann Day Upon this Certificate the Reader may observe that here is not one Word of 〈◊〉 coming up one pair of Stairs nor of his leaving speaking as by William Rogers is inserted in the Charge which if it had been proved had been material Evidence according to the Charge as the leading cause that might have produced such an effect and as to the back pair of Stairs made mention of Eight and Twenty Friends of the City of Bristol who have certified on this occasion the substance whereof we shall hereafter insert do affirm under their Hands That both pair of Stairs were common for Friends to go up and down at and George Fox was known to come up and down also one and the same pair of Stairs into the Meeting and whether these Certifiers have demeaned 〈◊〉 like Gods People of a tender Christian Spirit it may be noted in that we cannot hear that ever any of them dealt with George Fox according to Gospel Order touching the same till they put this Certificate into the Hands of a known Enemy to George Fox that 〈◊〉 after his precious Life although probably they had ten Years time to have taken the oppertunity for it and whether the Conclusion of the Certificate doth not demonstrate of what Spirit they are by these Words And the ground of his departure at that time we have cause to believe was to avoid being taken Prisoner Doth not this we say clearly demonstrate a Spirit to be in them that watcheth for Evil and is void of all Christian Charity which the Honest and Unprejudiced retains and do clearly discern them to be of party with William Rogers and that a malicious Smiting was in their Hearts and their Charge aggravated with giving their Sence and Judgment thereupon and that their Evidence is false and Belief erronious we have ground to believe from a Testimony in our selves confirmed by a certain knowledge of George Fox's Integrity to God in his Testimony and Practice far remote from such a Spirit although William Rogers hath himself confessed to his own creeping Work confirmed also we are belief concerning him against William Rogers's smiting Charge and this Certifieate also from the Testimony of the forementioned Twenty eight Persons touching this matter as hereafter we may speak of viz. That they never saw any just occasion given by him for such a Charge as VVilliam Rogers hath so wickedly aspersed him with If we should give a relation who these Certifiers are it would abundently abate the force of the the matter they have brought forth if there were any occasion for it but the observable Circumstances materially to be noted on the account of what they have said do testifie that there is Malice and Prejudice in the Ground as the Innocent cannot but see The next Certificate TO this Testimony we say meaning what the other have said I also can bear Witness with this further addition viz. That after he stept down from the place he stood upon and was departing some Friends were moving to go with him and he perceiving as I took it said holding out his Hand Keep your Meetings Keep your Meetings and the Meeting continued a considerable time longer after his departure William James Answer Upon this also it may be observed here is no Evidence given answerable to the Charge nor no Proof made touching any Persecutors coming up whilst George Fox was speaking neither that on a sudden he left speaking and stept down nor any Persecutors spoken of that came at that Meeting that these two Certificates relate to And this Mans unchristian like belief void of that Charity that thinks no Evil nor watcheth for it that George Fox went out to avoid being taken Prisoner manifesteth a prejudiced Spirit and an evil Mind that seeketh occasion against the Innocent whose Testimony and Sufferings all along fince the Lord gave him a Testimony to bear for Christ Jesus manifests the fallacy of William James's Testimony which is plain Accusation upon the slender evidence of his own belief neither doth he demonstrate which were material to a Charge how long it was betwixt the Crime which he chargeth George Fox with the time of his 〈◊〉 forth the Charge against him And did William James deal with George Fox duing the said time in relation to it before he put it into William Rogers's Hands to be published in Print against him And did ever William Rogers take the Accuser and the Accused Face to Face to examine the matter 〈◊〉 he ought to have done according to Truth and the Law of Nations before he had published such a Judgment against him to Posterity as he hath done And as for William James's saying that George Fox should say to Friends when he was going away Keep your Meetings Keep your Meetings this signifies nothing as to proof of the Charge that he went away to avoid being taking Prisoner or that he
rendered themselves to be out of the Doctrine of Christ Obstructers yea Despisers of Gospel Order and the Rule of common Societies Accusers of the Innocent Parties with William Rogers in his malicious Work in criminating on this wise and their Evidence if any material had been therein not to be regarded by Men fearing God Lovers of the Christian Religion and the Society of Brethren in the Spirit of Truth and that their Works cannot but be despised and cast out as the unsavoury Salt good for nothing but to be trodden under Foot of Men. And to that in all Consciences we can appeal where these things may come to be taken notice of whether it be not clearly demonstrated as the Sun that shineth at noon Day that this Work of William Rogers's hath proceeded from meer Malice seeking occasion against the Faithful whose Testimony stands and lives against his and his Abettors backsliding State at which they freet and fume and tugs to and fro and fastens themselves the more thereby to their greater Shame and Reproach in the pit of Infamy and Disgrace which they would have had others cast into And for a further manifestation of the fallacious Work of William Rogers and those of party with him as their Words demonstrate which have bew rayed them in this concern relating to George Fox his leaving the Meeting at Broad-Mead in the City of Bristol after the manner that they would charge him with We think meet to Insert here the substance of a Certificate given forth on the aforesaid occasion by Twenty eight Persons and Friends to Truth in the City of Bristol several of whom some of us knows to be Persons of grave and solid Deportment Men of good report in Truth and of a good conversation and repute 〈◊〉 all sober Men whom although William Rogers in his Paraphrasing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their said Certificate doth most abusively below the Spirit of a Man render them we are satisfied it shall stand touching this matter of William Rogers's 〈◊〉 Charge by all we can any way observe an Evidence for George Fox's 〈◊〉 therein in the Consciences of all the Faithful to God every where who comes to have the knowledge thereof with the 〈◊〉 that relate to it The Charge was thus If when the Persecutors came up one pair of Stairs whilest George Fox's was speaking he had not been of such a Spirit which some may call 〈◊〉 and despairing as on a 〈◊〉 to step down and hasten out of the Meeting at a back pair of Stairs which he once did of which mine Eyes with many more were Witnesses The Substance of the Answer of the aforesaid Friends is to this effect viz. WE have this to say who were generally all of us at all or most of the Meetings which George Fox was at there That we never 〈◊〉 or can remember that any Persecutors did come up the Stairs whilest George Fox was speaking so as to occasion the ceasing of his Testimony on that aocount And for a further confirmation of George Fox's clearness against this malicious Charge they add viz. And this Testimony for him we have in our Hearts as a Man remote in Spirit and Example from any such Practice of flying in time of Persecution though now charged therewith by Apostates c. And this we though fit to insert as Persons concerned 〈◊〉 the vindication of our dear Friend G. F's Innocency in this Case according to the best of our knowledge and remembrance who neversaw any just occasion for such a Charge as W. R. hath aspersed him with c. Now we leave this matter before the honest Hearted where this may come to 〈◊〉 whether George Fox himself having denyed the Charge as false and malicious we havenot much more ground on George Fox his Account touching this matter to give credit to Charles Hartford Charles Jones and Richard Snead and the twenty five Persons more of known Credit and Repute and Men of 〈◊〉 Spirits and tender with respect to Truth and the fellowship therein amongst Brethren who understanding that William Rogers had given out a Charge on this wise amongst many others against George Fox and had in Manuscript sent it abroad up and down the Nation had a concern of Spirit in the Vindication of Truth on their own free accord to give forth the relation aforesaid then to give credit to these few Certifiers on William Rogers's account against an Elder in Truth unheard and behind his back Who also have given Judgement against him and thereby manifested themselves to be Parties in the Design Printed as a Record to Posterity from their own particulat belief in a Criminal matter of such a tendency as this appears to be And shall leave to the Righteous God to clear the Innocent in all Hearts and that the Guilty and Blood Suckers of the Lambs of Jesus may be manifested to all that the Lambs may be aware thereof And for a further manifestation of George Fox's Innocency touching the charge of flying in the time of Persecution we 〈◊〉 the reader to George Fox's tender and simple Relation there in his Answer to William Rogers smiting 〈◊〉 and should be glad that all the tender Hearted who are void of Prejudice had 〈◊〉 oppertunity to look over the same believing that the tenderness of the Mans 〈◊〉 in the Life of God is such that it might be able to convince all Gainsayers yet such hath been the wickedness of William Rogers's Spirit in his paraphrasing thereupon to help his Work thereby that he hath taken hold of pieces thereof here and there that he could any way bend to the Advantage of his so charging and the rest of the Words that might make out George Fox's Innoceney touching the matter them he for the most part quite leaves out all which to insert together with what might be said to his pervertions and ungoodly deductions therefore in his Rejoynder would trouble the Reader with more then in Conscience we are bound to do or then there is any occasion for either with respect to the clearing this reproached and approved faithful Servant of God and for Jesus sake to every little one George Fox from the wicked Accusations alledged against him touching this matter together with the rest spoken to or as any way needful to manifest William Rogers's evil Mind for they are dark who see him not having occasion to be concerned with him Yet we desire to be born a little in giving the Reader a short account of some Passages that George Fox met withal that Morning before he came to the Meeting that the Charge against him relateth to which William Rogers in his Rejoynder denieth not one Word of as to the substance thereof yet how therein by his perverting and drawing ungodly Inferences therefrom how he makes that plain and honest Relation to look it would make ones Heart to tremble only in a few Words by the way whereby to remove the dubiousness that seems to lie in the following
the Paper in the North against the Practice of our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings and intimating their purpose to withdraw and do their business amongst themselves with their chosen Men without us c. and their withdrawing upon it and setting up a Meeting amongst themselves to do business in as there might be occasion and keeping the same up occasionally to this Day demonstrates the Charge to be true against John Story of having a hand in the aforesaid separate Meeting how can it rationally be otherwise concluded John Stories Hand being at the Paper the principal Man of all the separate Company and according to their determination expressed in it withdrew John Wilkinson his fellow Companion and an Assistant in all the contentious Work constantly meeting with them neither of them ever that ever we could hear of shewing any dislike thereof but associating themselves with them of the Separation in their opposite Papers and Works as a Captain Leader and chief Agent amongst them at every turn surely there is not a rational Man that hath had knowledge of the transactings of matters amongst them here distinct from the Brethren and John Story the Man in their Eye for the carrying on their Work but he will conclude John Story is so far from being disconcerned in the separate Meeting that he is the Man upon whom the dependance in order to success in the Design hath hung And William Rogers confesseth That when they heard that John Story had been at a separate Meeting at VVilliam Chambers ' s House it went far with them c. But John Story denying that ever he had been at any made the Certificate of no credit to them Their Case is bad we say that makes Lyes their Refuge We are loath to say it though it hath been too usual with John Story so to do well then by William Rogers's own Words the proving John Story to have been at some of those separate Meetings might have much satisfied them that he had an Hand in the setting up thereof Then as we said in our former Paper given to them Three years ago and more let John Story be asked and 〈◊〉 his Conscience speak whether he was not at a Meeting amongst them of the Separation at 〈◊〉 upon business relating to Church Affairs and another time at Robert Atkinson's about the matter of the Separation separate Work let him deny it 〈◊〉 he hath a Face so to do Yea and that their Meeting was upon business as a Church as they esteemed themselves though distinct from the ancient Meeting in a capacity to do business as justifiable in their Eye though separated from us as they of the Quarterly Meeting could be c. We appeal to the honest Hearted whether this be not 〈◊〉 Scraffling the Work of John Story' s creeping Spirit Were it not more Manlike in him to confess and stand by it as the rest have done seeing they will not condemn it And do they not manifest a blind besotted Heart and Spirit that have chosen such a one as this for their Leader Well then the weight of the matter for Evidence against John Story as touching this Point of his Being concerned in the separate Meeting and a Leader therein hangs upon his being or not being at any such Meeting amongst them of the Separation as William Rogers's Words implys saying The Certificate under the Hands of six Friends proving that he had been at such a Meeting had some weight with them as to that matter till John Story had denied And it stands not upon John Stories having been or not been at the Meeting at William Chambers's House but upon his being at any of those Meetings with them yea or nay Then to determine this matter we require William Rogers or any of them that have been too much enclined to believe Lyes for their satisfaction if they desire any and will not wilfully shut their own Eyes to ask John Story once again and bid him let that in his Conscience speak whether he was not at one or both of these Meetings aforesaid we have yet hope that he hath not that impudence as to deny it although this be the third or fourth time in opposition to this Charge that we have required them to take John Stories Answer once more on this account and yet we never had any Word to the contrary of what we have said touching this Matter And as to our naming William Chambers's House for the Meeting that Day there was this Ground for it seeing several of them that Day met at William Chambers's House first an honest Friend seeing several of them going in thither not knowing but that it had been a Meeting upon the account of Worship had thought to have gone into the Meeting but they would not suffer him but said It was a Meeting of Business Yet afterwards it appeared they went to Robert Atkinson's House and kept the Meeting there for more conveniency as we judge and that John Story was with them let him deny it if he think meet and if there was a little mistake in the Relation touching the place that the weight of the matter hangs not upon that all this ado hath been made of proclaiming Robert Barrow and the rest Givers forth of a false Certificate we leave it to the Judgment of Judicious Men And William Rogers in his Conscience knows that this Information he hath been privy to three times once in the Answer from us to his Narrative and in another Book in Manuscript in Answer to one of theirs dated from John Ayrey's House in Kendal and Thomas Cam also by Words signifing the same to some of them in the South And yet after all this to put in Print to Posterity the said Accusations against us of giving forth false Certificates and never contradicts our Relation which proves the whole substance of the Charge as relating to evil Fact neither shews so much Humanity as to insert also our Answer to the Charge which clears the matter as in Conscience and according to the equal Law of doing as we would be done by he ought to have done We commit the consideration of these things with all the rest of his malicious evil Work to that in all Consciences to take notice of in relation to Tryal and Judgment Whether the Matter alledged in Charge against William Rogers be not certainly true to wit of An Antichristian Apostate A False Accuser of the Brethren An Enemy to the Life and Government of the Spirit instrumentally amongst Gods People the Church of Christ A Layer of Sumbling-Blocks as much as in him lies in the way of Truth the Principle he pretends to A Discourager of Christian Care in the Church of God An Encourager of the Rebellious and Lose Sort An Obstructer of Zion's Peace to the hardening of the Hearts of them that believe not against the way of Truth One that Gratifies the Common Enemy that hath watched for Evil against us and
the pure Truth and One that would expose the Heritage of God whom he is gone from to Persecution and what not if the Lord were not in his way to block him up whose Impudence hath been such in raking up false and slanderous Accusations bringing them sorth contrary to all Gospel Order and Rules of Christianity or Common Societies as hath 〈◊〉 plainly demonstrated against a People he hath been in Unity with as the like of him hath scarcely been ever heard of in Age or Day And as upon a deliberate weighing of matters and things relating to him and the Work he hath in Hand the Honest Unprejudiced Sincere-Hearted exercised in a Christian Spirit comes to find things before the Lord and their own Consciences let them speak and give their Judgment upon the whole Matter and it is our sincere disire in that Love that 's born by us to all Men that the Consideration and Sence of this Spirits Work may cause many to fear and beware lest the like Temptation should overtake them to their perpetual Ruin World without end And forasmuch as that William Rogers in the last Lines of his aforesaid Rejoynder which he often Mentions in the first part of his Christian Quaker intimates that He together with John Story and John Wilkinson and their separating Party reckons themselves to be the Heritage of God and that they cannot leave the way of the Spirit of Life wherein they have begun in expectation to be made perfect through Conformity to outward Ordinances knowing that those who have begun in the Spirit cannot be made perfect in the Flesh We think meet for the further satisfaction of the Honest Unprejudiced People as formerly we hinted to insert here a Letter which during the time of the great exercise that the Church of God met withal through the dividing seperate Spirit that William Rogers John Story and John Wilkinson gave themselves up to serve to the Churches grief was subscribed by four Men of Chippingham in Wilshire one of whom as we understanding is a Preacher amongst the aforesaid turbulent sort of Professors of Truth in the said Country and John Story' s great Correspondents and Abettors in the confederate contentious Work which said Letter was directed and sent to one Jeofery Bullock of Sudberry in Suffolke whose horrid Tenets and Practices Discovering the Wickedness of his Spirit being manifested by some few Quotations out of one of his Books Printed and spread abroad by Apostates together with the aforesaid letter subscribed by those of Chippingham and sent to him whereby it will be plainly demonstrated to all the honest Hearted that the aforesaid William Rogers and them of party with him are in a backslided State and are not such as they would have themselves rendred to be viz. such as have begun in the Spirit and look not to be made perfect by the Flesh or that they are the Heritage of God or a People that keeps to their First Principle and the way of the Spirit of Life to be made perfect therein as they would be looked upon to be rendring others to be departed there from and to be such as would be made perfect through outward Ordinances c. The Reader may take notice that this Jeofery Bullock is one that Apostatized from the Truth several Years ago and became an open Opposer of Friends in their Meetings Friends gave forth a Paper of Judgment against him several Years since for denying That Christ that dyed at Jerusalem to be the Judge and Saviour In his Book also Entituled Antichrist's Transformations discovered c. These following Assertions are laid down First That the Woman is the Soul Heart and Mind of every visible Man 〈◊〉 It is said therein That there is an Iavisible Woman which God did make and place in every visible Man Thirdly It is said in his Book That its plain in Scripture that there are two Christs Fourthly Ieofery 〈◊〉 querieth What is the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and he again gives the Answer in his Book saying It is the Scriptures Fifthly He saith in his Book It was the Man in the Mistery that dyed which was one with the Mistery which was the Christ of God he saith Sixthly Again he saith in his Book It was the Womans part that died which was the Soul and Body for he says Eve was in the 〈◊〉 thus far Ieofery Bullock We say What Horrible Darkness Blasphemy and Confusion is this Now here followeth the aforementioned Letter sent to him Friend Jeofery Bullock Chippingham the 4th of 4th month 1679. FRiends here have seen two Books of thine one Entituled One blow more at Antichrist another Entitled which several Friends have good Unity with But here are also a Company of called Friends which are very much for Foxmans Order which may be called Mens Invention that do make it their Work to 〈◊〉 and Calumniate all them as do not conform thereunto some of which thee and 〈◊〉 of which we are perswaded in our Hearts are the Servants of the Living God amongst whom thou hast a share of being Vilified to be a bad Man although to us it 's no manner of Invitation for us to give credit thereunto but rather to the contrary as well knowing it is one of their stratagems they always use by them they cannot proselite to their faction but as it was once said And my Soul enter not thou into their secrets If thou please to send a few Lines direct it to William Dyer we shall take it very friendll only for a little Satisfaction Barnadiston and another have been here and besides their envious Darts flyes very secretly and swiftly Also if thou please to send half a Dozen of thy Books and deliver them to William Wescott at the Green Man without Aldgate and take Mony of him for them and the Charge of them putting it to John Jones's Account and advise William Wescott to send to him They say of thee that none of thy Neighbours Friends or others can speak well of thee I have forgot the Title of the other Book which defect I believe thou canst make out William Dyer John Jones William Jones Francis Browne It may be noted that since Jeofery Bullock hath received this Letter above written he was so lifted up that he should be so much taken notice of that he hath shewed the Letter to some of the Worlds People and by that means Friends came to get a Copy of it These are of the sort that promote John Story' s and John Wilkinson's Interest in that County of Wilts where their Travels have been and are they that cry down Man and yet what sorry Men even one of the worst of Apostates they set up and are glad of him to side with them in their backsliding and opposite Work against the Truth which manifests plainly of what sort they are and what their Spirit is The Reader also may remember what a boast William Rogers hath made of his standing for the
not ashamed to call it an Idle Vain Testimony in the Name of the Lord. And yet in another place of the Narrative and other of their Writings they of this Spirit said John Story and John Wilkinson must be left to Act as their Lord and Master shall lead them And yet would not allow Elizabeth Sturridge to clear her Conscience as her Lord and Master might require her Doth not this manifest a partial and byassed Spirit in judging thus partially as he hath done And yet contrary to their former Judgment as some of them of that Spirit have said to wit That we must not judge of Spiritual things And how answers this also that which they say That all must be left to the Witness of God in themselves And from what 〈◊〉 do we say doth that Jealousie and Fear arise of having the Meeting entertained with Testimonies being the same also with that which made all the Bawling in the Meeting at Bristol when Friends were waiting upon the Lord for the Testimony of Life to arise amongst them that William Rogers said His Soul abominated such 〈◊〉 which was to wait to see if any thing might arise in any to Write to John Story about the reconciling the sad Differences risen as the Certificate imports Is not this the Spirit that 's gone from the Truth and likes not sound Judgment being gone from the Command of God Cain after he had done evil concerning his Brothers Blood his countenance fell and he thought that every one that met him would slay him But it is not so with the Righteous for they are bold and makes no such provision for the Flesh And is not William Rogers's Testimony more Idle and Impertinent and John Story' s also and John Wilkinson then Hers was who saith God hath raised them up to stand in the Gap and yet are opening Gaps for the Loose and Fleshly to enter in at out of the Way of Truth and their Testimony for it to wit William Rogers's making away part of his Estate from the Spoylers and says It s his Principle and John Story creeping in suffering times and John Wilkinson standing to justifie it and what an idle Testimony was that in John Story that condemned Friends Soundings and making an noise in Heart-Melody to God in their Meetings whilst others were Preaching or Praying and said He had born his Testimony against it and he would do it and bring it down or leave Preaching And was not John Wilkinson's Testimony Idle and Prophane and charged it upon the Lord too that said God will break us when we were in the exercise of Truth according to Gospel Order and yet it fell on the neck of his own Spirit for many not long after broke off from them and came away with joy Again in the Narrative it is said by them That from henceforth there may be no occasion to say that they are Men of Strife c. We say Would they be look'd upon not to be Men of Strife we can confidently say that William Rogers's work of spreading abroad this Narrative and others his contentious Papers sufficiently gives himself the lye if he say so and the Fruits of John Story and John Wilkinson and their Company in their Subscriptions and Separation and Contentious Work sufficiently manifests that they are not Men of Peace We further observe that it is said in the Narrative That the consideration of the present Differences amongst Friends and the sence they have that the Name of the Lord is dishonoured amongst the Heathen who at this Day may clap their Hands for joy and cry Ha! Ha! They say They have cause to enter into the House of Mourning rather then Joy In Answer we say it may be seen what a deceitful Spirit this is thus to pretend and use a deal of smooth Words in Hypocrisie that have no Answer in the Consciences of the Faithful to God For hath not John Story and John Wilkinson and other Partakers with them in this contentious VVork been the only cause of dishonour to the peaceable Truth and the Name of God Doth not the Separation and such work of Strife and VVrangling as is brought forth amongst them and William Rogers's sending abroad his contentious Papers up and down the Nation contrary to Covenant and Agreement made and signed testifie of what Spirits they are Their Resistance to the tender Advise and Judgment of the most of Friends in the Nation sheweth them to have a stubborn Heart far from the House of Mourning VVhat Kindness and Care hath been extended and used towards this People VVhat tender Entreaties have been made to them to be reconciled to God and the Brethren and to come off from the Separation And John Story and John Wilkinson have been desired that they would be instrumental in breaking up the Separate Meeting or testifie against it and yet with an imperious Spirit do they despise and resist all and this Hyprocrisie atop of all causes the Lord the more to abominate their doings Hath William Rogers forgot the Crys and Tears to the Lord for them at the Draw-well when he and they stood in that heardness of Heart that many were made to admire Let them say what they will the House of Mourning they are Strangers too yet the Day of it will come from the Lord God who sees their VVorks and will judge accordingly for neither their Spirit nor their VVorks do answer the Light of Christ nor the Grace of God that hath followed them and the Strife that is begun and which they still maintain shall be laid at their Doors let them look to it as they will answer the Lord in the great Day VVe observe also that William Rogers in the Narrative recites two Questions that were put to the Brethren at Draw-well by John Wilkinson and John Story to be resolved although we shall not concern our selves here much to give any Answer to them then what was delivered amongst the Brethren then yet we desire that the said Queries may be compared with the Paper of Prescriptions subscribed by John Story and John Wilkinson and them of the Separation The first Question Whether or no we and all Gods People ought not to be left in all matters of Faith and Discipline c. to the manifestation of Gods Spirit and Truth in our Hearts to Speak and Act therein as we are thereby Instructed and Perswaded and not otherwise The Answer was given Affirmatively viz. They Ought And our Sence and Judgment in the Truth closed therewith as that which we stand for and have maintained against every contrary appearance And yet John Story and John Wilkinson in their Paper of Subscription the foundation of the Separation in the North say together with others of the Separation That none of their own Country or of other Countries must sit amongst them to concern themselves in the Business of their County although it be about matters relating to Discipline but their chosen Men to whom they give
said several Answers in Manuscript being given forth several Months since we refer the honest Reader for more full Satisfaction that none may say that we have dealt unfairly with William Rogers his Narrative as if we have taken notice only of something here and there and left the most material matters unspoken to which is below the sincerity of our Spirits and when the said Answers are seen and weighed in the equal Ballance it may be observed there is no cause given by us for any so to do We commend the consideration of these things with respect to the 〈◊〉 of William Rogers his Spirit and Work to that in all Consciences to take notice if they be not fully satisfied whether this William Rogers be not a Man that hath given up himself to a reprobate Minde And in the abbetting of his unrighteous ause he hath undertaken to stand by Whether he be not one that little matters often what he says or whereof he affirms and that little notice is to be taken of him or of what he says or does in things that may any way help his turn in the vindication of John Story' s Spirit and ungodly design the upright unprejudiced ones may clearly see John Blaykling Joseph Baines And seeing that mention is often made in the foregoing Treatise of John Story and he thereby manifested to be the chief Instrument in the Strife Division and Separation that hath happened in these Northren Parts for which cause he became an exceeding great Burden and Exercise to Honest Faithful and Sincere Hearted Friends at such times as he appeared in any of their Meetings either in North or South under the notion of a publick Preacher And especially after that he had been orderly dealt with according to Gospel Order by Counsel and Advice and warned not to offer his Gift till reconciled to his Brethren and the same by him wholly 〈◊〉 and he in a stubborn Spirit persevering he became the more Burthensome and could not be born to appear as a Minister in the Meetings of Friends of Truth who was found in so unrighteous and untruthlike Practices Wherefore many times of late Years as by many Epistles and Christian Correspondence hath been testified he was publickly judged and disowned in Meetings and many living Testimonies sprung sometimes out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings to the Confounding and stopping his Mouth and particularly at the last Meeting that ever he appeared in amongst any faithful Friends a little before his Death an account whereof we think of service to Truth to insert as it was drawn up by Thomas Cam and others concerned with him in that Meeting as followeth together with some short account of his Death and Burial THe fifthteenth Day of the eighth Month 1681. I was much pressed in Spirit all that Day to go on the Morrow to visit the meeting of Friends at Kendal and I can truly say it was much in the cross for me to go being that the Meeting at Preston was appointed at a place where I had not been at a Meeting with Friends since my Liberty out of Prison wherefore Friends not only desired but had some encouragement also to expect my being there yet notwithstanding the Lord moving so strongly upon my Spirit by his Word and Power that was as a Fire in my Bones On the First-Day Morning being the sixteenth of the said eighth Month I gave up in Obedience to the Cross and took my Horse and set forward alone but on the way I was under great Exercise and exceedingly bowed with a weight upon my Spirit so that I did secretly supplicate the Lord to know the cause of that my great Burthen and before I came half way to Kendal John Story and several of them of the Separation came within the view of my Spirit so that I was well satisfied of the cause of my present Exercise and after I had this sence of the cause thereof I felt some Ease and went on more Cheerfully having my Confidence in that Eternal Arm that had often girded me with Strength in my many Exercises with those perverse Spirits who had often appeared as Drunk with the Spirit of Enmity And as soon as I was come to the Town I went directly to the Meeting-Place where I found amongst Friends John Story with several others of his Companions in the Separation set in the Meeting-Place who were all surprised and exceedingly troubled as I apprehended at my unexpected appearance there and as appeared by their 〈◊〉 Behaviour and John Story' s standing up to Speak as soon or before I was set down upon my Seat whose Lifeless Dry and Dreaming Testimony became a Burden to the tender Life so that several sensible Ones amongst Friends did 〈◊〉 and Groan under the sence of their present Burden and Exercise which did not only Grieve but also much Confound John Story so that he cryed out because of those 〈◊〉 and Groans Disorder Disorder And the Lord appeared in his glorious Power to the Joy of the Upright and the Exercise of the Power together with several short Testimonies against him that sprang through several whose Mouths were never opened in Meetings before that I know of did so confound him that he lost his Matter and fell into Reflections against Friends all which time which was about a quarter of an hour or somewhat more i sate still in silence in much Peace and Contentedness being sweetly comforted in the sence of that Glorious Power of the Eternal God that filled many of the Hearts of the Faithful there and over-shaddowed the Meeting and the living Testimonies that sprung there-from to the confounding of that persumptuous separate Spirit that dreadeth not to tempt the Lord. Several of John Story his Party seeing him so stopt and confounded begun to be angry and some of them to Mutter Grumble Jangle and propose Questions though John Story was yet speaking And in as much as by experience that that Spirit of Discord and Separation and they that are acted by it have a life in jangling Discourse and would strive to get thither I was therefore under deep travel for the preservation of the Meeting there-from and in a little time I was moved to go to Prayer being well satisfied that the Lord would 〈◊〉 Friends minds in the exercise of his Eternal Power and confound the Spirit of Strife and Jangling thereby and also make way for that Testimony that lived upon my Spirit so having signified the same to Friends we kneeled down whereupon John Story cryed out It was in vain to think to stop him he could not be stopped for he was Commissionated by the great God and went on for a small time while we were Praying but in a little time he was stopped uttering these or other Words to the same effect I see it s in vain to strive I may as well be silent as speak Certainly the Lord did blessedly appear in his glorious Power to the unspeakable Joy Comfort
he was at Draw well the place of his Residence at the Meeting there with many Brethren on John Story 's and John Wilkinson's Account the sence which he had of him then as he testified to several hath not produced such an effect as this which Testimony that he then had for John Blaykling though he smothers it now shall be his Torment and this Testimony we have to bear on his behalf as a Man far remote from such a Spirit or deserving any such Reflection c. And John Blaykling is the same in his Spirit that he then was though prejudice hath blinded William Rogers his Eye c. And William Rogers further upon the occasion of his smiting Query in Relation to George Fox's being of a careless negligent libertine and dark Spirit that was 〈◊〉 or departed from the Truth saith That in my Answer I say Might not William Rogers have applyed this at home who knows in his Conscience what a Libertine loose and dark Spirit he is of in departing from his subjection to Truth to give way to and hath taken a Liberty to make away part of his visible Estate to 〈◊〉 it from the Spoylers in the times of Suffering for the Truth 's sake To which in his Rejoynder it s observ'd William Rogers saith John Blaykling cannot 〈◊〉 his prophane Charge at my Doors with respect to my securing part of mine Estate but contradict his own Testimony for George Fox's keeping his Integrity because George Fox denieth not but that he advised Mary the Wife of Jsaac Pennington to secure her Estate from the Spoilers Answer First William Rogers here doth not deny but that his said Query was an implicite Charge against George Fox and therefore no lye in George Fox to call it so And Secondly He doth not deny but that he did secure part of his Estate and therefore the Fruit of a Libertine Loose Spirit departing from the Antient Nobility of Truth and he did not well in calling it a Prophane Charge from me because he hath confessed it and pleaded for it saying That it was better so to do then so c. as before is cleared only says John Blaykling cannot lay his Prophane Charge at his Doors but contradict his own Testimony for George Fox who says he denyeth not but that he advised Mary Pennington to secure hers c. Well then let the case with respect to this matter stand here William Rogers granting the case as to matter of Charge of securing c. against himself And as to my contradicting my self with respect to my Testimony for George Fox's Integrity because William Rogers charges him in Mary Penningtons case c. I say let William Rogers make good any matter of evil Fact against George Fox relating to Mary Pennington which he hath not yet done neither hath George Fox confessed to any and there will then be a further concern about it as 〈◊〉 case may require And Thirdly It may be observed in my Answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rogers that I applyed to William Rogers the case of a loose libertine Spirit and his departing from his Subjection to Truth not only with respect to his 〈◊〉 c. but also with respect to his making it a great part of his concern to 〈◊〉 by and strengthen a Spirit of Strife and Separation the great and 〈◊〉 receptacle of all the loose libertine dark contentious backsliding sort of Professors of Truth so that what woful sad contemptible Work this Spirit of Separation William Rogers hath been so deeply concerned in managing the cause of hath wrought it cannot be expressed Again William Rogers exclaims against me after a very abusive manner for speaking plainly to him and telling him That from a Spirit of Envy against the Government of Christ Jesus Instrumentally and visibly in Gods Power amongst them that believe he ceaseth not to Calumniate the Instruments whom God is pleased to concern in that matter This he storms at and makes a large Discourse what he hath said in the Vindication of the Government of Christ both in Word and Writing but surely we may say and it will ere long appear that he mean's immediately only and not by Instruments in relation to Gods visible Family for otherwise he will contradict his whole design and overthrow the fabrick of all his Work He saith He hath stood for it in his Answer to Robert Barclay's Book The Postscript to the Narrative about the Meeting at Draw-Well His Answer to the Brethren's so termed saith he Narrative at Draw-Well His Dissatisfactions subscribed by him and others at Bristol and several other Papers saith he by all which it appears that I have contended for the Government of Christ. Answer I say what is it for William Rogers to contend for the Government of Christ and his Kingdom which stands not in Words but in Righteousness and Peace when he together with John Story and John Wilkinson have acted so clearly otherwise gratifying and serving an ungodly Spirit in opposition to the Churches Care Labour and tender Exercise in the Spirit and Power of Jesus in order to the keeping down the Spirit and the Works of the Flesh wherein the Kingdom of Sathan stands and is upheld Yea through all his late Work Papers and Books it may be seen how contemptiously he reviles and sets himself against the Instruments which the Lord more 〈◊〉 makes use of in the Church under the Government of his dear Son and in the Power thereof to be a Terror to the Evil-doer and the praise and encouragement of that which is Good and of them that do well William Rogers his 〈◊〉 Book called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator manifesteth what Work he hath made against Church Government and the Care and Order of Truth therein which appertaineth to the Kingdom and Government of Christ Jesus as relating to the visible Family of God I do affirm its meer Deceit and a false Pretence to keep the Head of a false Spirit from under Truths Yoke and the Judgment thereof to talk of standing for the Government of Christ with that Spirit that 's not subject to him nor hath any regard to the unity of Brethren in their Exercises that relate to the same in keeping all things Decent Comely and of good Report in the Church of God to answer the Pure Religion the glory of Christs Kingdom in visiting the Fatherless and the Widow and keeping our selves unspotted of the 〈◊〉 how dare William Rogers say that he stands for the Kingdom of Jesus whilst he lets his Testimony fall in Suffering times in making away his Estate and says in 〈◊〉 It s his Principle so to do and thereby leaves an example for others to fall under Sathans Power to give him that appears like the Second Beast the Power again It s a shameful thing to pretend to stand for Christs Government with such a Spirit as this His Confederates at Chippenham and his great Abettors in the Work he hath had
in Hand and their Letter to Jeofrey Bullock the old Blashphemous Apostate from Christ of which a little was spoken before mars the beauty of his pretended Zeal for Christ and his Kingdom which he so much talks of the Work he made with his Narrative that himself drew up on the Meeting at Draw-well which was spoken of before and his judging the Narrative given sorth by the Brethren there before they parted and subscribed with an unanimous consent John Wilkinson if not he also calling it a Lying Narrative the Work he made about Robert Barclay's Book of Church Government which at London he confessed his Weakness in and the Narrative he gave forth contrary to Covenant amongst the Brethren at the Meeting about John Story and John Wilkinson c. between George Fox William Penn George Whitehead and others on the behalf of the antient Unity of Brethren and the Churches Peace and William Rogers Thomas Goldney and others on John Story' s account also the Work that he and some of his Associates of the same Spirit made in Wiltshire against the Testimony and Judgment given forth against John Story and John Wilkinson at Ellis Hooks's Chamber in London at the general Meeting asoresaid his contemptible vilifying the good and wholsome Directions given forth to be practised in order to the keeping down fleshly raw and unseasoned works in all professing the pure Truth calling them Mens Inventions other Mens Lines made ready to our Hands dictates of fallible Men Mens Edicts and Laws George Fox ' s Orders and the like rendering in his Printed Book the Lords People yea all that profess the Light to be the way to God except those of Party with himself to reckon the Government of Christ Jesus to stand in outward conformity to other Mens Lines made ready to our Hands to the Reproach of Gods People and the Blemish of the Gospel of Christ and the Order thereof which we testifie against as a Reflection upon the the Heritage of God for its the Spirit of Jesus we would have all in the Spirit of Life 〈◊〉 to in it all to be 〈◊〉 as they have received of God in their 〈◊〉 and place Male and Female as Helps and Governments such as the Apostle spoke of that our Lights may shine and our good Works appear to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and the Renown of that Kingdom that never hath 〈◊〉 Let William Rogers be traced and the Footsteps he hath trod these several Years and the Work weighed which he hath been concerned in as his Writing and Printing demonstrates to all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and single to God and it may easily be concluded that it is the Kingdom of Sathan he hath been in the defence of for the upholding whereof he hath made all this blustering Work and hath been more dilligent in the concern of it then ever he was to promote the peaceable Truth and the Kingdom of Christ Jesus And this Testimony which I 〈◊〉 to bear in the name and on the behalf of the eternal God and his antient Truth and the Fellowship of the 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 against every 〈◊〉 Spirit I am bold to stand 〈◊〉 let William Rogers 〈◊〉 what he pleaseth and all who take his part and for the sake whereof William Rogers hath been pleased 〈◊〉 to render me as he hath done but I desire 〈◊〉 Lord may 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 under the vail of 〈◊〉 that he 〈◊〉 come over him the Meystry of Gods holy Spirit he hath made himself a Stranger to and often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 take 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 Accusation that William Rogers alledgeth against me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spirit which he grounds upon some Words in the beginning of my 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 for George Fox in relation to the Charge against him in which he concerns me the words inserted in the beginning of 〈◊〉 Postscript are these Here follows the Testimony and Certificate of John Blaykling to the 〈◊〉 of George Fox of the Aspersions that William Rogers would 〈◊〉 upon him From this William Rogers concludes and publisheth the same in Print 〈◊〉 Posterity that I have 〈◊〉 to clear George Fox by this Certificate of all the Charges alledged against him suggesting 〈◊〉 and saying in these very Words That 〈◊〉 Fox can get an J. B. or T. B. to write or sign any thing right or wrong that in his sence may tend to his vindication c. as he saith Now whether this be not most 〈◊〉 and uncivil dealing let the Lord Judge who will repay and is 〈◊〉 only a particular smiting Accusation against George Fox who abhors such a Spirit and is 〈◊〉 to be William Rogers's own Spirit that he judgeth others by else would he have been more Charitable and Christian-like 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 on this 〈◊〉 seeing that he hath nothing to ground it upon 〈◊〉 his own 〈◊〉 But also I say it is a general reflection upon the whole Heritage of God who are truely in Unity with George Fox's Spirit and are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it it is also an absurd Reflection upon me and is that which my Soul abhors as not daring to Sign any thing whatsoever in relation to Truth or 〈◊〉 Children of God but what in the Spirit of Truth my Heart and Soul closeth with Neither did George Fox know any part of the matter of what I Writ nor that I was concerned so to do till it was clearly finished and sent away to a Friend to be annexed to George Fox's Answer which I knew he was in hand with 〈◊〉 do I know 〈◊〉 George Fox see it or no till it was sent away 〈◊〉 be given to William Rogers as most particularly concerned therein such surmising as this God will never bless let him look to it as he will be served And in Answer to the 〈◊〉 in the first place let William Rogers be asked whether in his Conscience he can believe that ever I intended to undertake by my 〈◊〉 to clear George Fox of all the Charges he had alledged against him as he says I have and by his so saying grants that his Queries are Charges which he was 〈◊〉 to do because of his charging George Fox so many times with a Lye for saying his Queries were Charges And Secondly seeing that in his 〈◊〉 by the scope of my whole Discourse which relates to the matter of those two 〈◊〉 about George Fox's staying from Meetings as the fruit of a careless libertine Spirit as he called it c. He cannot but 〈◊〉 as a 〈◊〉 mean capacity may easily gather that I did not intend to concern my self on that wife whether hath he acted like a Man of a Christian Spirit in rendering me if the fault in that word 〈◊〉 had been mine an 〈◊〉 for a word And Thirdly I would have him speak whether he did not see the Answer to his 〈◊〉 in which that point is 〈◊〉 cleared to any honest well-meaning person long before his Book was in Print which his Wife 〈◊〉 the receit of to
from the Inspection Reproof and Judgment of the Church of God which they were often minded of and yet would not regard verified was the saying upon them There are none so blind as those who will not see Thus were we concerned on their behalf in Long-suffering and Patience many Months and some Years some laboured to cover them until they became their shame our Exercises and Sufferings sustained by them and the wrong done to the Church of God and the offence to his People was so open and publick among us by their means that the Exhortations and tender Reproofs upon J. S. and J. W. and them of party with them were so publick also that with respect to orderly dealing with them Friends were clear on that score if any breach of order was it was on their parts that went privately insinuating into the minds of the weaker sort to work a dislike of and a disrespect to the Churches care the Discipline and Order established throughout the Nation and would not concern themselves with our Antient Honorable and Elder Brethren in the matter thereof who had been Instruments in Gods hands for settling the Churches therein and from our Brethren at London many good Exhortations and Encouragements we had received on account thereof we often desired them that is any discontent was in their minds upon the account of any Practice that we were desirous or concerned to promote that they would be pleased to let the hearing thereof be referred to our Friends and Brethren of our general Meetings in order to a determination thereof which they would not be perswaded too neither did they after their opposition begun come there or concern themselves therewith Now besides these publick concerns amongst us in the North occasioned through the means of these two men together with their adherents that joyned with them J. Wilkinson may remember the Exercise that a Friend and Brother had with him in the Town of Kirbylonsdale in a private Chamber about the time of the said Friends going to London it was towards the beginning of the opposition to Friends care in the Church and the division occasioned by him and them of party with him And he may remember what a tender frame of Spirit the Friend was in towards him we are bold to give a relation of it here having a tender account from the Friend concerned with him which John Wilkinson may have liberty to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he please Was he not told what a danger he was running himself into through the straitness that he had let in upon him against the practice of the Church in the Discipline thereof which through evil Surmisings and groundless Jealousies had prevailed upon him wherein he was not only a discourager of the tender hearted in relation to their concerns in the care and order of the Gospel but an encourager of a loose sort that were gratified thereby and emboldned to make Opposition and work Strife Was he not also told that there was upon that Friends Heart and many more a sence of the decay of Life and the fresh power of God in their publick Preaching and Testimony for Truth which formerly had accompanied John Story and him and that into the Letter and Wisdom of the Flesh their ministerial Exercise was of late Years much what turned to the trouble of many so that the pure Wisdom being withdrawn in a great measure they were darkned as to the knowledg of the sufficiency of that Grace which preserved pure to God in his Service and to his Praise all that keep to it in whatever Exercise they were concerned and on that account had the groundless Jealousies risen and wrought them into a fear of that to enter amongst us on the account of Order and Discipline in the Church of God which he was 〈◊〉 could never do on that occasion as Friends kept to the Power and Grace of God where no Apostacy could every prevail John Wilkinson may remember how his Heart was broken then into many Tears without a word of reply in opposition to what was said on that account And we do testifie that the Opposition that hath been in the Church hath not been from a real fear of a going back into the Apostacy again through the Churches being settled in Order and under a Government in the Family of God but a wrong loose backsliding Spirit from the Power and Life of Truth that would be at Liberty from under the Yoke thereof pretended a fear of settling of Forms and visible Order amongst Gods People to be the way to introduce the Apostacy again that on that account it may slight and reject the same to have its Liberty in that which the Truth and the pure Gospel doth condemn But to go on let John Wilkinson be asked whether he was not desired to go to London to discourse these matters amongst the Brethren there by reason whereof his and others Discontent and Straitness had risen which would work them under into Misery and Ruin as to Truth it was told him if they were not aware that if possibly amongst the many Brethren there satisfaction might be given him as to any matter which he scrupled Many ontreaties there were we have cause to believe on that wise yet none could prevail with him to make him willing to go Yet notwithstanding in a tender broken frame of Spirit at that time was he subjected through that eternal Power that was over all in which the Discourse ended and they parted asunder Little did our Friends and Brethren at London think that things were working thus in the North amongst the ancient Brethren where Gods Power and blessed Gospel had gloriously broken forth and been received and testified to and loath were the Innocent to divulge it there or else-where for the Unities sake which is a precious thing amongst Brethren and to have had matters composed amongst our selves in Westmerland was our desire and our hopes as yet failed not and the more because of that tenderness and bowed sence John Wilkinson was wrought into which for a time did continue with him to the glading of Friends on his and the Churches behalf and although the Brethren at London had had some little knowledge of these things amongst us yet they also under an hope that matters in time would be allayed amongst us were not enclined to make any publick concern thereof therefore nothing unless in private was said or done in relation to it which was then but as a Spark with respect to the Flame of the Exercise it wrought in the Church more generally afterwards through them betrayed into that Spirit that would work mischief if it could get entrance any way But to go on in short with the concerns in the North with these two men as them on whom here the dependency of those hung who to work Distraction and Trouble among Friends were set at work It fell out that John Story who had been in the South 〈◊〉 to his Faction secretly as
may be seen for it amongst such as may feed themselves in the wrong Spirit by the said Subscription and we desire our good Friends to take occasion to read the same to such as opportunity serves as also amongst the more simple minded that have been any way hurt thereby that the ancient Truth and sweet Society in the Gospel of Peace all who have ever known the same may be restored into again and blessedly kept therein to the Honour of God's Name and the Delight of Him who hath Loved us which to the breaking of our Hearts in the sence of Gods free Love we can say in the humility of our Souls the Lord hath given us the enjoyment of beyond what we can declare and in the Testimony of the Spirit we do really say that next unto our sweet and comfortable Peace with God which is blessedly renewed in our happy return unto him and hath rested with us since that day that the holy Fellowship and Unity of Spirit with our dear Brethren in the Life and Service of Truth which God hath given us again to pertake of is that which we highly Prize and do desire to Live in whilst we have a Beeing Subscribed by sincerity of souls and in true fear by William Ellery Richard Tompson Thomas Moore Richard Cadeson Simon Tompsou Charles Story Myles Bateman Thomas Pearsou Richard Atkinson Thomas Scaeife ' Authur Barrow Edward Sutton John Prestson Henry Skyring Edward Cragge We desire also that it may be further taken notice of that many more who were not concerned in puting their Hands to the said Paper that did adhere to them of the same Spirit in the hour of Temptation are clearly come off from them in their Hearts and Souls to their own great Satisfaction and Friends Refreshment as several of our Families and others for which thing we our selves have cause to Magnifie the Lord while we have a Beeing And also some there are who have declared that though their Hands were put to the said Paper yet they knew nothing of it neither had they ever seen or heard of the said Paper till long afterwards Here follows divers particular Heads taken out of the aforesaid Paper of Subscription and Ground of Separation And whereas it is said in the aforesaid Paper of Subsciption thus we whose Names are hereunto Subscribed do declare our utter dislike of the Late Proceedings in the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings c. And for that reason we met together to consider what was to be done in that Case c. And for the time to come do resolve that neither they so appointed by us nor we do trouble our selves any further c. And if things must continue thus we hope to do our Business our selves in our Respective Meetings c. We desire that all may take notice that as upon this Resolve inserted in the said Paper the Separation begun it may be seen what Dissimulation and Guile was in the Foundation of this ungodly Design thus to belie their own Consciences in saying That they whose names were underwritten met together on that Occasion or resolved together on that Wise as is therein expressed For we who have hereafter put to our Names do declare that although our Names were in the said subscription yet we never were at any such Meeting nor knew any thing of it as is made mention of in the said Paper neither were any of us ever acquainted with any such Meeting nor had we the opportunity to consider or discourse of matters of that Nature with them but were unadvisedly Surprized with it as the principal Actors therein met with us here and there on the high way or when we were upon some outward Business or coming from a Meeting c. and by their Subtil Allegations and pretences perswaded us to put our Hands to it William Ellery Richard Candeson Myles Bateman Thomas Scaife Authur Barrow John Preston Simon Thompson Edward Cragge Thomas Preston Henry Skyring Richard Sleddale The particular account of the manner of the 〈◊〉 Friends Subscribings was annexed to this Paper when first given forth in Manuscript which for Brevity sake we have forborn to insert here William Rogers in his Book also makes mention of a Letter from John Wilkinson to George Fox with George Fox's Answer to it upon which 〈◊〉 he hath abusively 〈◊〉 which we take no notice of as not worth regarding not questioning but that George Fox's aforesaid sincere and tender Letter unto John Wilkinson will have an Influence upon the Consciences of all the upright and tender Hearted to God where it may come with a Judgment also upon William Rogers his wicked and surmizing Spirit as his pervertions false Inferences and hellish Jealousies therein plainly observable fully demonstrate unto which we can freely refer the honest Reader for his Satisfaction William Rogers also Inserts in his Book two Letters of his own to George Fox and sayes George Fox would not Answer them and a great clamour he and those of party with him makes about that Matter We hope the honest Hearted Reader will excuse this if he doth but consider what care had been used concerning W. Rogers John Wilkinson and John Story and them of party with them from time to time as in this Treatise is declared what abuse William Rogers put upon the Brethrens Care and bowed Exercise in the North concerning them What a Seorn he put upon the Labours and Travels of Friends at Draw-well rendring them though the Antient and grown in the 〈◊〉 Truth like Children pleased with a Rattle that John Story and John Wilkinson with his assistance had given them and an abusive Narrative of the Transacting of the Affairs there himself gave out John Wilkinson if not he also calling the Relation given by all the 〈◊〉 Friends there a Lying Narrative his abusing the Brethren at London and others for their Exercise there in Relation to them and their separate 〈◊〉 with Bowels of Love and Life extended towards them manifested in a tender Epistle of Caution and Advice to them Yea if the honest Hearted do but take notice as is inserted in this Treatise how the Life of God in all the Churches throughout the whole Nation had a Testimony in Life and Practice against their opposite contentious work of Strife and 〈◊〉 and never a Church to stand by them as they have been often required to bring forth one of all the Monthly or Quarterly Meetings throughout the World that would own them considering also how the Testimony and Judgment of the eternal Truth was gone out against them through many Brethren Subscribed at Ellis Hooks ' his Chamber in London which William Rogers clamours against and would tread upon And minding also that they were cast out of the Fellowship of Brethren for their Works sake We can appeal to that in the Consciences of all sober People what Cause had George Fox or what necessity was there for the Brethren to take notice any more of the