believe That the Bishops in the late Kings time were persecutors that that generation was pulled up in the Lords anger that the powers that supported them were swept away in the Lords sore displeasure that the Lord was terrible to the men of high stature that the Lord did break in upon them with a furious blow of horrour and amazement that he smote with an incurable wound the Bishops and their King and their Nobles and their mighty men of war their Captains and Councellors their Priests and their Officers and their whole strength that the Lord left the name of Bishops King Nobles mighty men Captains Counsellors Priests Officers to be an astonishment and a wonder and a curse unto posterity See Numb 113. ARTICLE XCIV We Q. do believe That Oliver Cromwell was the man who did bear as on a common shoulder the sufferings of the oppressed for conscience sake who with himself were appointed to the same destruction that their sufferings went to his heart that he had a fellow-feeling of them on his own shoulder that he could have laid down his life for one of those sufferers that his heart was then very tender that his bowels did sound for them that the hearts of all his fellow-sufferers flowed in to him that in them and him there was but one spirit and one heart that for this cause the Lord did call Oliver Cromwell and raise him up to head the Lords armies that this Oliver Cromwell was made the Lords sword that the Lord did by him execute his vengeance on those generations See Numb 114. ARTICLE XCV We Q. do believe That the Puritans were great sufferers under the Bishops that Charles Stuart was inexcusable touching their sufferings for not remedying them according to his power that the disaffection of great men and Nobles and Rulers and Bishops and Priests to that way of the Puritans did not keep them from the judgment of God that the judgment of God hath taken hold of Charles Stuart and his Children and his party and hath made him his Children and party a dreadful example of the Lords vengeance and that this judgment was executed on the late King his Children and party by Oliver Cromwell's sword as an instrument See Numb 115. ARTICLE XCVI We Q. do believe That Oliver Cromwell was the Lords battel-axe and his weapon of war to the cutting down of the late King See Numb 116. ARTICLE XCVII We Q. do believe as our friend Nicholas Knight hath written That all the Teachers of England whether they are Episcopal or Presbyterian or Independent are false Ministers no true teachers who are not sent who have no commission from God who go forth in their own names only in the will of man that they are no Ministers of Christ that their doctrine is false and traditional that it is not from heaven but men below that they do teach for doctrine the traditions of men that they are the false teachers that they preach a divination of their own brains that they come not in at the door that they climb up another way that they speak in the wisdom of mens words that they are men-pleasers by feigned words that they are deceivers that they are seekers of their own praise that they seek more the fleece than the flock that they preach for hire and divine for money that for a pretence they make long prayers like the Scribes and Pharisees and devour widows houses that they say and do not that they limit the Church of Christ to a Nation that they are blind leaders of the blind that they do hold the truth in hypocrisie and unrighteousness that they hate to be reformed that they have a form of godliness and deny the power that they are deceivers and being deceived cause the name of God to be blasphemed and evil spoken of that they do observe months and days and consecrated places that their preaching is limited to days hours hour-glasses to the wills of men to outward observations traditions and ceremonies that these trees may be known by their fruits that out of the evil treasure of their hearts they bring forth evil things that they are an ill savour that they are Clouds which hold no water that they are sounding brass and tinkling cymbals that they do not profit the people that they are too light in the balances of the Sanctuary that they do neither believe nor understand what they preach that they have no experience of the word of life that like those silly women they are ever learning but are not able to come to the knowledg of the truth that they flee the Cross that they are unwilling to forsake all for Christ that they do chuse rather to be subject to the corrupt laws and wills of men than to Christ that they lay heavy burthens on mens shoulders which they touch not with one of their singers that they respect their own interest ease profit and security that they count gain to be godliness that they are hirelings that they do preach up the power and dominion of the devils leading into sin above the power of Christ over sin in this life that they do exalt the devils power who is their master above Christ that they preach up outward worship bodily service outward forms ceremonies and observances of outward ordinances and traditions of men of worship in outward Temples and consecrated places and outward conformity out of the life and power of godliliness in Common-prayer service and singing of Davids Psalms that they please themselves with an outward melody of voice and organs that they labour to bring people to an outward communion under an outward profession and name of Christians that they make them Christians by an outward washing that their fellowship is only in and with the world that they do not what God requires at their hands that they are preachers up of the Kingdom of the Beast and false Prophet that they are bewailers of the great City Babylon that their trade and merchandize do depend on her that they are pretended Ministers of Christ that they are Antichrists Ministers that the Gospel preached by them is of Antichrists setting up that they are led by the spirit of Antichrist that they make merchandize of the words of God that they are not Ministers of the Spirit that they are hypocrites who draw near to Christ with their mouths but deny him in their works that Episcopal Presbyterian and Independent are alike corrupt teachers that they do all preach in their own wisdom of words that they do differ from the true Ministers of Christ his Gospel and life that they do all want a thorough-reformation that they have taken up their stations in formalities that they are rejected of God that they are such from whom the Lord is departed that they are denied of the Lord to be his Ministers that they are such teachers to whom as our friend Knight saith the Lord saith who hath required these things at your hands wherein you have polluted my name that they seek their own more than Gods that they have not the Spirit that they are turned aside to fables that they are quenchers of the Spirit that they are despisers of Prophesie that they do speak evil of that which they understand not that they are none of Christs Ministers in the Spirit that they convert not any unto God that they go forth in the will of man that they are not of God that they are false shepherds that they speak their own words that they compose their own Sermons in their own wills and wisdom that they are no true guides in the way of life that they are deceivers and seducers who wax worse and worse that they run in the way of Balaam that they are false guides who lead to destruction whose ways are the ways of death whose end is everlasting misery that they are ready to blaspheme that holy name whereby we Quakers are called See Numb 116 117. ARTICLE XCVIII In the last place We Q. do stedfastly believe as George Fox and Richard Hubberthorn our friends do That our dear friends W. P. G. Whitehead William Smith G. C. and George Fox the younger James Parnell George Fox the elder and Richard Hubberthorn Edward Burrough George Bishop and Nicholas Knight have written and printed their fore-named Books and given them forth from the immediate eternal Spirit of God and therefore by good consequence they and their writings are no less to be believed than the Penmen of the Scripture the Prophets and Apostles are FINIS The Names of the Books cited in this Treatise with the Page where the Author begins to extract the Quakers corrupt Creed out of them I. THE Counterfeit Christian detected and the real Quaker justified By a lover of Truth and Peace W. P. Printed 1674. Page 4 II. The nature of Christianity in the true Light asserted Written by a Servant of Christ G. Whitehead Printed in the year 1671. Page 13 III. The Quakers Primmer by S.C. and George Fox the younger Page 27 IV. Two Treatises viz. a new Primmer and a new Catechism both written by William Smith Printed 1668. Page 33 V. A Collection of the several Writings given forth from the spirit of the Lord through the servant of God James Parnel who bore a faithful testimony for God and died a Prisoner under the hands of a persecuting generation in Colchester Castle in the year 1656. Published 1675. Page 59 VI. The Heathens Divinity set upon the heads of all called Christians G. F. Printed in the year 1671. Page 118 VII The power and glory of the Lord shining out of the North or the day of the Lord dawning By one whom Ishmaels brood calls a Quaker whose name in the flesh is James Naylor London printed 1653. Page 128 VIII A Warning from the Lord by one named of the world Edward Burrough Page 129 IX The Warnings of the Lord to the men of this generation particularly to those in power who are lately passed away and to them that remain as they were given forth in sundry Letters and sent to Oliver Cromwell Richard his Son late Protectors c. by his servant George Bishop who is moved of the Lord to publish them London printed by M. Inman 1660. Page 135 X. A Comparison between the true and false Ministers by Nicholas Knight Printed 1675. Page 141
us is no less matter in this Quakers account than the Doctrine of a Counterfeit Christian a Doctrine that hath not one place of Scripture to prove it a Doctrine which is denied by this real Quaker a Doctrine which is not expressed in Scripture To make sure work this real Quaker saith in effect That he is a fool or a mad-man a man void of common sense that would prove the Quaker to be no Christian for denying that Christ is a distinct person without us According to this Quakers false measure all the Members of the Church of England not to mention the Reformed Churches abroad are all fools and mad-men they are all void of common sense for they do unanimously affirm That Christ is a distinct Person without them To touch at this Quakers Verily c. Verily that man is a Braggadochio one that doth vainly magnifie the Scripture to be his sole rule nay he is a laughing-stock to all wise men that would prove a Quaker to be no Christian for denying Christ to be a distinct person without us If this be not one of the Quakers base Doctrines asserted by W. P. alias William Pon let all wise men judg According to this real Quakers mind we have no such Saviour as Jesus Christ who is God and Man in one Person distinct without us Q. pag. 79. Q. Numb 2 'T is granted That Christ is a distinct Being though not at a distance from the Saints Next we never said that Christ was not as well without us as within us we never set any limitations to Christs presence they are the false inferences of our enemies let the Reader beware that he be not abused by them for the word Person as thou usest it in telling of Christ God-man a distinct person without thee it is no Scripture-phrase Pr. Pr. In these Quaking-lines we have the way of a Serpent upon a stone here is Christ a distinct Being from the Saints but no distinct person without them this is a point of base unscriptural doctrine the Real Quaker justified saith so in effect The Person of Christ God-man a distinct person without us this is no Scripture-truth nor phrase According to the vain-glorious title of this Quaking-Pamphlet they are Counterfeit-Christians that do affirm Christ to be God-man a distinct Person without them Is it not high time for the Kings Sacred Majesty to arise and judg for by his Quaking-subjects Christ the King of Glory is basely dishonoured this Quakers Pen hath published this high dishonour Q. pag. end i. e. 79. Q. Numb 3 Such-like expressions occasion people to retain mean and dark apprehensions of God and Christ and his place of residence Pr. Pr. W. P 's false spirit doth here put him upon writing in good earnest against Christ God-man a distinct person without us for these are some of those such-like expressions as are of dangerous consequence as this real Quaker saith they do occasion people to retain dark and mean apprehensions of God Christ and his place of residence Without doubt it may be truly said That the Quakers light within is not of God for it prompts them to write so dishonourably of God the Son who was sent by God the Father in the likeness of sinful flesh thus to be God-man a distinct person without us to save us by faith in his Name Take it for a most certain truth It was the Light from below which served this Quaking Pen to write so basely concerning Christ the Word made flesh God blessed for evermore Q. pag. 82. Q. Numb 4 I grant the Scriptures are to be fulfilled and that many Heavenly exhortations reproofs and instructions therein contained are to be regarded by us But that which is my Rule to direct my understanding what is fit for me to embrace and what to reject and how to understand that which is to be received must be the Spirit of Truth which alone gives a true discerning Pr. Pr. The Real Quaker having written so ill concerning Christ God-man a distinct person without us it cannot well be expected that he should write well concerning the Holy Scriptures Like the Devil concerning Christ himself this Quaker ushers in his pestilent discourse with some truth concerning the Scriptures which serves as a blind for fools Notwithstanding Joab's fair words at first Abner was smitten to death by him at last Though this Quaker hath spoken well of the Holy Scriptures at first yet in his last lines they are basely thrust through he saith plainly that they are not the rule to direct his understanding nor to govern his life by it 's not the Scripture but the Spirit of Truth which is this Real Quaker's Rule it 's the Counterfeit Christian who holds the Scripture to be the Rule of faith and obedience This Real Quaker takes the Scripture to be but a blind guide for it 's the Spirit of Truth that doth alone give true discerning According to this Quaking-doctrine the Holy Scriptures do give no true discerning But hearken what follows Q. pag. 83. Q. Numb 5 The Light within ought to be the rule of faith and practice Pr. Pr. This is the Real Quakers upstart rotten doctrine this Quaking-dotage is not yet thirty years old this is in truth the Real Quakers Golden Image before which all if they are so filly should fall down and worship In the Quakers blind estimate the Holy Scripture is not the Word of God that this Quaking-fondling the Light within them may be set up for the Rule of faith and practice Q. pag. 84. Q. Numb 6 I further told thee That those who gave forth the Scripture came to the enjoyment of those things through the Light and Spirit of God or they could never have writ them therefore the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith Pr. Pr. Here W. P's best reason assisted with his Light within is fondly at work to prove That the Light and Spirit and not the Scriptures were the rule of their faith that gave forth the Scripture Surely it 's matter of lamentation in our Israel that the Quakers false light and their lying spirit do counterfeit the true Light and the Holy Spirit who is God to decry the Scriptures from being the Rule of saith and life Who can read these lines without bleeding hearts Whose hearts are not touched to find the Holy Scriptures reproached in this scurvy manner Let wise men judg what hard measure the Holy Scripture meets with from the Real Quaker Q. p. 95. Q. Numb 7 We do receive and believe the Scriptures given forth by holy men of God as they were moved of the Holy Ghost and that they are profitable for doctrine for reproof and for instruction in righteousness yet since they are Writings relating to the things of God no man can understand them or have an assured testimony of them but by the Spirit of God It was not the Scripture but the Father that revealed Christ to Peter Pr. Pr.
but Trent-Popery infused into them by subtil Popish Priests and propagated by the deluded Quakers at this day This old Popish Doctrine is that which their Praters put off in their Speakings and Writings to their followers as if it were new doctrine from heaven something belonging to Christianity which was not known till the brain-sick Quakers made it known Q. p. 32 33. Q. Numb 23 To oppose the righteousness of the elect seed and the works of the Spirit within as unto Justification this R. G. scornfully tells us that in plainer words they of Rome thus express That the Apostle excludes from Justification works which we our selves do by our strength without the help of the grace of God not those works we do by the aid of the Spirit To these lines this Quaker answers thus They of Rome have given a better definition of Justification than R.G. hath and at least shown a better esteem of works of grace and of the Spirit of God than he hath done Now if I be exclaimed against herein for Popery I must say that wherein Papists hold any truth though in unrighteousness I must not therefore deny it if the Papists and the Devil also confess there is a God and a Christ must I therefore deny it or be counted a Papist Pr. Pr. Here the Quakers Light within is stifly at work to justifie himself for holding as the Papists do the same doctrine of Justification by works of righteousness In plain terms Quakerism in the point of Justification is Popery new-born into the world it 's no false charge to say That the Quakers have a Pope in their bellies their Books have the same Papal doctrine that truth which the Papists hold though in unrighteousness as this Quaker saith as to Justification even the self-same doth this Quaker hold as fast to the shame of the received doctrine of the Church of England I might tell the Reader how Rom. 8.3 4. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Isa 45.8 James 2.20 21 23. Gal. 3.6 are discoursed from by this Quaker no otherwise than the Papists have done to assert Justification by the works of the Spirit but it is no new thing with the Devil or his Agents to quote Scripture to prove that which God never intended them for That man is a stranger to the point of Justification that knows not that many Scriptures have been wrested by the Papists for this purpose which have been soundly vindicated from Popish glosses put upon them This Quaker doth but actum agere act the Popish old part over again to amuse unwary Christians with the rehearsal of them If this Quakers spirit were of God he had ere this been silent in this matter To use this Quakers own words I shall tell him That it is an old Popish trick to assert Justification by works of the Spirit from mistaken Scriptures and there is certainly no little spice of the old Law-working spirit in it Q. p. 33. Q. Numb 24 Our asserting the righteousness of the elect seed raised in us and obedience of faith therein for justification and acceptance with God this doth neither deny nor oppose the Sacrifice of the crucified body of the Man Christ Jesus nor yet blot out of our hearts either the name or remembrance of him who is the great Propitiation for sin as unjustly the elect seed and its righteousness within is accused for the appearance of Christ within and his manifestation in spirit doth neither deny nor oppose his manifestation or suffering in the flesh but rather answereth and fulfilleth the intent and end thereof for the outward manifestation of the Son of God in the flesh as it did condemn sin in the likeness of sinful flesh so his inward manifestation in spirit doth destroy sin worketh justification and redemption in them who obey his light within for he is the author of eternal salvation to as many as obey him So here is righteousness redemption and salvation received in Christ the Light through obedience to his Light within Pr. Pr. This Quaker hath had fair play he is transcribed usque ad nauseam by this tedious discourse this Quaker gives us to understand that there is no such truth as Justification by faith alone the subject matter of his lines is hammered out upon his Popish anvil there is nothing for the main said which any Papist will disown Justification and Sanctification are by him ignorantly confounded but rightly enough according to the Popish mode he that shall affirm this Quaker to be one of Abbot Joachim's Disciples or one belonging to Seculum Spiritus Sancti or a Franciscan Papist in a new dress is not altogether mistaken his whole discourse is a medley of some truth of more falshood to glance at the title of his Pamphlet you see it plain unless we are of the same mind with the Papists in the doctrine of Justification we are all far from the nature of true Christianity in this matter in this Quakers account the Church of England together with other Reformed Churches is altogether Antichristian Q. p. 40 41. Q. Numb 25 As to R.G. his saying His Apostles and all his Ministers in all ages all in one joint voice pointing to Jesus the Son of Mary this son of man with an Hosanna to the Son of David Ans That the holy Prophets Apostles and Ministers testified unto Jesus Christ both as man born of the Virgin and unto his Divinity this is owned But it appears further that R. G.'s Hosanna and pretended adoration and claim of Salvation is only to him as the Son of Mary as now existing outwardly bodily without us * whereupon I ask him if he hath so considered him to be God the Saviour or the Son from the substance of the Father as some of his Brethren have confessed the Son is and that he existeth outwardly bodily without us at Gods right hand what Scripture-proof hath he for these words and then what and where is Gods right hand is it visible or invisible within us or without us only and is Christ the Saviour as an outward bodily existent or person without us distinct from God and on that consideration to be worshipped as God yea or nay And where doth the Scripture say he is outwardly and bodily glorified at Gods right hand according to the foregoing Asterisk * you may take this Authors Marginal note Why did he not call Mary the Mother of God as the Papists do which to be sure is not Scripture-language Pr. Pr. In this Quaking ramble we find too much false abominable doctrine delivered to serious Christians it 's certainly sad to read so much base doctrine vented under the pretended nature of true Christianity I shall endeavour to sum it up in these following particulars First here is no Hosanna due to Christ as the Son of Mary as now existing bodily without us 2ly Jesus the Son of Mary is not God our Saviour 3ly That Jesus Christ is not the Son of the substance of the
Quaking-Primer little Children are taught to take heed to the Light within them that the Scripture the Word of God the sure word of Prophesie may not be regarded by them as their guide or rule of their lives Q. p. 11. Q. Numb 29 Therefore cease from that which is evil and obey the Light within and then shalt thou be delivered from condemnation Pr. Pr. Here these Quaking Primmer-men are subtilly at work to corrupt the injudicious minds of children with gross Popery here is deliverance from condemnation not by faith in Christs Merits but by obeying the Light within them their worst guide It 's a sad case that little children are in danger to be thus basely taught to pronounce the Roman Sibboleth that man is dim-sighted who doth not see that Quakerism serves as a stepping-stone for Popery in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 13 14. Hearken not to the deceivers Q. Numb 30 who keep you from the Light of Christ Jesus believe them not that turn you from the Light for they are not the Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. Here you may observe how this Quaking-Primmer is mainly designed to foist these new Vessels by this bad liquor put into them other Teachers whether Archbishops or Bishops Priests or Deacons rightly ordained are but deceivers no Ministers of Christ to whom little children are here taught not to hearken nor believe them By this base suggestion it is here endeavoured to prejudice young children against the Ministry of Gods word by the lawful Ministers of it to make them be slighted as so many deceivers that would keep little children from the light of Christ Jesus to be slenderly regarded by them as being no Ministers of Christ as those that would turn them from the light I may truly say Here is the poyson of Asps with which these Quakers would infect the youth of this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 15. And such also are all deceivers who tell you Q. Numb 31 The only way to come to the knowledg of all truth is by the Scriptures for the knowledg of truth is by the Spirit of truth which doth bring to the knowledg of Jesus Christ and his Spirit leadeth into all truth Pr. Pr. The dangerous design of this Quaking-Primmer is to leaven the minds of young children with this abominably false doctrine That the Holy Scriptures are not the way to know the truth That Gods Ministers are deceivers who teach that the Scriptures are the way to know the truth Behold a sad case here is the Spirit of truth highly exalted to decry the Word of God the holy Scripture from being the way to the knowledg of the truth according to this Quaking-fancy any prophane despiser of the Scriptures may very boldly say That Timothy was ill-instructed in the knowledg of the Scriptures from his youth That St. Paul was grosly mistaken in saying That the Scriptures were able to make him wise unto salvation But you see these Quakers are strangely fond of the Light within so as to cry down the light of Gods own word as if nothing but deceitful knowledg were to be gotten by the Scripture which is Gods Book This Quaking-dotage doth plainly say In vain did Timothy know the Scriptures of a child in vain do any Parents train up their children in the knowledg of them if this be not what is the ready way to lay poor children open to the Spirit of Error to make them a ready prey to the Quakers deluding spirit of truth By pursuing this Quaking-fancy is not the Devil likely to have a rich ingathering in this Church and Kingdom Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 32 And such are deceivers who preach for money and tythes such cannot lead you out of transgression for they are in transgression themselves for Christ said to his Freely you have received freely give and Paul made not the Gospel chargeable but these Priests that preach for filthy lucre deceive people Pr. Pr. In this Quaking-Primmer here is a base charge drawn against all the Ministring-Priests of the Church of England here these Quakers have fired their Beacon that the youth of this Church and Kingdom may have timely notice to beware of their best soul-friends here the silly sheep are slily counselled against their keepers that the Quaking-Wolves in sheeps-cloathing may the better prey upon them Is it not very sad that the youth of this Church and Kingdom must be thus dangerously prejudiced against Gods Priests who are his Ambassadors by whom God doth beseech his Rebel-subjects that they may be reconciled to God Behold here little children are taught to look upon all teaching-Priests as so many deceivers as those Hirelings that preach for money and tythes which is a lying slander as those blind guides that are in the pit of transgression such as are not like Christs true Ministers as burdeners of that Gospel which plain Paul made not chargeable as those Priests that preach for filthy lucre as Cheats who deceive the people According to the baseness of these Quaking-lines it 's a shame for the King 's Sacred Majesty the Defender of the true Faith that such base Priests should be owned by him be suffered to preach before him Is it not likewise another standing-shame that the Priests of the Most High God should be thus basely reproacht in print to the corrupting of youth and as yet no exemplary notice taken of it By the way observe it well that the Most Reverend Fathers of this Church are some of those Priests that are thus stigmatized in these Quaking-lines as well as the other dignified and inferior Clergy of this Church and Kingdom The good Lord rebuke this Quaking ill spirit Q. p. 17 18. And such are no Ministers of Gods word Q. Numb 33 who tell you the Scripture is the word of God and these are the Ministers of the Letter who are Ministers of the Scripture and not Ministers of Christ Pr. Pr. You see these Quaking Primmer-men are still busie to sow their bad seed in the young Seminary whilst they do pretend to learn little children to spell they do likewise learn them these Devilish Lessons First That the Scripture is not the Word of God 2. That they are no Ministers of Gods Word who tell little children that the Scripture is the word of God 3. That they are the Ministers of the Letter and not the Ministers of Christ who are Ministers of the Scripture May I not say without offence to any If the Devil were incarnate it would well become him to teach such base Doctrine as this is By this Doctrine once imbib'd little children are well fitted to become bad Scholars in the Devils School Q. p. 25. Q. Numb 34 And these the Father Son and Spirit the world and their Teachers calls Three Persons but they speak they know not what even as they have imagined contrary to the Scripture therefore Children believe them not Pr. Pr. Here George Fox the younger comes on the stage of the Quaking-Primmer to
under the hands of a persecuting generation in Colchester-Castle in the year 1656. Published 1675. Pr. Pr. This Quakers scribbles are in no small request with his quaking-friends here you see they are said to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord which is a profane equalling of them with the holy Scriptures this quaking holy man of God was in the Quakers account no less inspired by the Holy Ghost than the holy Pen-men of Scripture were it 's no slander to say that the Quakers are not a little fly-blown with spiritual pride not a little of it is here published in print behold this James Parnel was the Quakers martyr that bore a faithful testimony for God even unto death in Colchester-Jayl with respect to this Quakers great worth they were a persecuting generation who did persecute this Quaker according to his true demerit This Collection was published in the year 1675 to tell this generation that this Quaker was like Abel who being dead yet speaketh but I shall truly say not like righteous Abel Let us look into some of his Pamphlets for with them all I shall not trouble your patience The first of the Pamphlets is called A trial of Faith which is thus put to the test Q. p. 4. Q. Numb 53 You believe you shall never overcome your sins so long as you are here or be made free from sins here you shew your faith is not built upon Christ who came to destroy the works of the Devil and to cleanse from all sin Pr. Pr. This is the corrupt testimony of this quaking-martyr that they are no sound believers whose faith doth not cleanse them from all their sins that the faith of Christians is not built upon Christ if it doth not make them free from their sins peccatum ne sit a sinless estate reserved for the Kingdom of Heaven is no true Divinity in the Quakers School according to this high-flown Quaker we must either be wholly free from sin like the angels or we can be no true believers in Christ St. Paul burthened with his body of death was a wretched man in the worse sense one that was not built by faith on Christ no truly faithful Christian suppose this Quaker to be in the right what then then St. John was grosly mistaken in saying thus If we say that we have no sin which the Quakers usually do we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us this Quaker is certainly for a more holy faith than God himself did ever require it 's not the ruling power but the being of sin which this Quakers faith makes free from without doubt this is to be righteous overmuch in this world I leave it to others to judg if the ill spirit of the old Catheri was not gotten into this young Quaker however it 's most clear that unless the Quakers idolized perfection be owned as the true only touchstone of faith the best grounded the most stedfast and saving faith of any Christian is not worth a rush it is an unholy faith to speak this Quakers mind that doth not cleanse from all sin in being thus this Quaker being dead hath unrighteously spoken a lye in the name of the Lord by his false Doctrine he hath concluded the Church of England at home all reformed Churches abroad under unbelief for being of this right sound mind that they shall never be made free from all their sins as long as they are here Q. Q. The next Pamphlet of Parnel's is called Christ exalted into his Throne Pr. Pr. Here is seemingly great honour done to our Saviour Christ but it is only in shew not in truth as of old he was arrayed like a King to his own greater disgrace so he is now cried up by this Quaker to the high dishonour of the holy Scriptures which is no honour to our Lord Jesus Christ Q. p. 15. Q. Numb 54 The Scripture was spoken from the Light but is not the Light nor the word nor the life nor the judg nor the rule nor the guide nor the trier of spirits for all this belongs to Christ Pr. Pr. I may truly say without offence this is none of Abel the righteous his language nor a faithful testimony born for God except another Quaker Atheist or Antiscripturist none would have laid such base things to the charge of the holy Scripture except a Quaker no man did ever call Christ the rule this Quaker is guilty of weak reasoning because Christ is the word the light the life therefore Scripture is not the word of God a light the word of life a judg a guide a trier of spirits behold is not this rare quaking Logick is it not a great shame that such dull reasoning as this is should be fathered on the holy Spirit who is God without question it 's for want of good Catechizing that the Quakers vent such irrational things in print these quaking-lines are fitter for pity than a more serious answer however let it be duly considered that at this door hath been brought in all the filth that hath been cast upon the holy Scripture the Scripture is not the light what is it then darkness saith one Quaker not to be minded in any thing saith another not the word what then the letter a dead letter say several Quakers not the life what then putrefaction and corruption not the judg what then it's the spirit alone which gives true discerning saith another Quaker not the rule what then the Scripture is not the rule of my faith and practise saith another Quaker not the guide what then the Light within is the true guide say all Quakers not the trier of spirits what then the Scripture cannot help to discern betwixt true and false saith another Quaker Thus you see clearly how the Scripture the word of God is become like a dung-cart to receive what filth the Quakers and the Papists have to throw into it is it not very sad that the Quakers way of exalting Christ is by debasing the good word of God what manner of spirit it is that leads the Quakers let all wise men hence judg Q. p. 16. Q. Numb 55 Of this Light you people and teachers of the world are ignorant and so are doting upon the Scripture without with your dark minds there with the blind Pharisees seeking life where it is not to be found Pr. Pr. The voice of righteous Abel is not yet in these quaking lines with this Quaker both people and Priest are alike they are both alike ignorant of Christ the Light because neither people nor their teachers are fond of this Quakers false Christ the Light within therefore this Quaker saith they do fondly dote upon the Scripture without and this is done with dark minds behold as this Quaker thought this is our great fault because we make the Scripture not the Quakers Light within the rule of our faith and life therefore as this Quaker saith we are ignorant of Christ the Light doting on
the Scripture observe it well to read in to meditate of to study to believe to live according to the Scriptures is as this Quaker calls it our doting on them and this is done with our dark minds there except Quakers who cannot but have a very good opinion of themselves who follow the Light within them as their Lord God and Saviour all others both people and teachers of this world do but dote on the Scriptures with their dark minds nay to take this Quakers mind more at large they are like the blind Pharisees the people being blind themselves are led by their blind teachers thus they go blind-folded seeking life in the Scripture doted on where it is not to be found I may now truly say according to this Quakers mind that the Scripture is basely accounted of either as a dead letter which hath no life in it or as Christs tomb or empty grave where Christ the true Light is not to be found Q. p. eâd. Q. Numb 56 Thus with your dark minds you would take the authority from Christ and would give it to the dead Letter Pr. Pr. Now this Quaker speaks plainly but not yet like righteous Abel he doth harp still upon his old string as if Christ were dethroned because the Scripture Gods Word is a light unto our feet behold if either people learn or are taught such true doctrine as this is then the people and their teachers with their dark minds do as this Quaker saith take the authority from Christ and give it to the Scripture which is saith this Quaker a dead letter Without doubt this is a base slander the Grand Seignior would not suffer his Alchoran to be thus reproacht however in this point their elder brethren the Papists and our modern Quakers are well agreed to both of them the Holy Scripture is no more but a dead letter By the way let it be observed that here is James Parnel a servant of God whose Writings were pretended to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord a Martyr one that gave his testimony for God who called the Scripture a dead letter is not this corrupt tree plainly to be known by this bad fruit do you not espy a wolf in sheeps cloathing are not those streams which make glad the City of God basely fouled by him I am sure the testimony of this Quaking-Martyr is not the testimony which the Scripture bears of it self no undeluded Christian can believe that it is from the true Spirit of the Lord to term the Scripture a dead letter without controversie it is a standing-shame to Christianity that Christ the light of life cannot be rightly exalted but the Scripture must first be declared to be a dead letter this abominable doctrine was first hatcht amongst the Papists and and is now maintained amongst the Quakers Q. p. 16 17. Q. Numb 57 Your Leaders cause you to err for their own ends and of the Scripture they make an idol to get money by which they lead you in blindness in vain are you worshipping a God whom you know not crying up the Scripture exalting it in the place of Christ Pr. Pr. By this Quakers testimony all Ministers of the Gospel are basely bespattered they are in this Quakers account such Leaders as cause the people to err they are no better than a base sort of self-ended Teachers who lead the people into error for their own ends nay worse they are Idolaters and the Scripture he saith is their Idol to speak this Quakers mind more fully as Diana of the Ephesians was Demetrius his Idol so the Scripture saith this Quaker is the Idol of all Gospel-Ministers to get money by by instructing the people out of Gods word Ministers if you can believe this Quaker do nothing else but cause people to err and lead them in blindness by following the Doctrine taught by Gods Ministers the people are like the heathen Athenians this Quaker saith they do in vain worship a God whom they know not by making the Scripture to be the rule of their faith and life this Quaker saith they cry up the Scripture to the Lord Christs high dishonour exalting it in Christs place if this be not high base doctrine then what is such The Turkish Alchoran was never so debased by any Mahometans nor Heathen Priests so vilified in any part of the world by their Vassals as the Word and Ministers of the Most High God have been by this deluded Quaker Q. p. 18. Q. Numb 58 He is the Word and the Scripture is not He is the Light and the Scripture is not He is the Rule and the Guide and Teacher and Judg and the Scripture is not Pr. Pr. Here we have this Quakers cramb the second part of the same tune this Quakers dream is double according to this Quakers mind his false doctrine is established if any are so foolish as to regard it it is an Oracle from this Quakers lying spirit That the Scripture is not the Word of God nor a light unto our feet nor the Rule Guide Teacher or Judg because Christ is so this is the Quakers old weak reason fit to be dismissed as such But whither doth this Quakers wild doctrine tend Is not this the true meaning of it That the holy Apostle St. Peter was grosly mistaken that the holy men of God mentioned by him did not speak the word of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost That the sure word of Prophecy is no light shining in a dark place That those primitive Christians did very ill to take heed to any such light without them as the Scripture the sure word of Prophecy is To speak a little more according to this Quakers mind by no means the Law and the Testimony mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah may now be our Rule we do all follow a blind guide if we are led by the Scripture Hath not this man quaked to purpose Is not the Scripture by him shaken to nothing for it 's no word of God no Light no Rule no Guide no Teacher no Judg. Surely it's matter of lamentation that a false Christ the Light within who is not God and Man in one person must by Quakers be thus exalted to lay the honour of the Scripture in the dust to make the word of God of none effect Q. p. 19. Q. Numb 59 Saying among themselves If we let go the authority of the Scriptures then all is gone that is to say Take away our Idol then take away our maintenance then down with our Ministry Pr. Pr. Here this Quaker pretends to be the Priests Cabin-Counsellor to discover their secrets he brings them to light as being such as do only hold fast the divine authority of the Scripture to save their main stake mark how he supposes them to say among themselves even that which none but this Quaker or others like himself did ever hear If we let go the authority of the Scripture then all is gone This he