be feared many do Eye more the Orders from thee than they Eye the Lord in them accusing and judging all out of Truth that Practice not with all speed from them using all FORCE they can devise according to the Power they have to Compell all to them Censuring all Friends out of the Unity that come not to Practice with them which is the greatest Penalty and Persecution they can Inflict for WANT OF OUTWARD POWER Compared with the following Passage pag. 78 79. viz. For the Enemy of Truth hath taken occasion from thy Orders to beget a false Birth in many And Angry Proceedings about them of late declare which was not before in our Age neither did Heads nor Horns of the Dragon appear to cast down the holy People by lying against them saying that they oppose the holy Orders and by approving of such Proceedings is Satan let loose in our Time to deceive and all that see his Transformings he casts Floods out of his Mouth against them to carry them away and cast such to the Earth wanting nothing to effect his Design but the OUTWARD POWER to carry them on to KILL for his Wrath is against them that keep the Testimony of Jesus Christ and such he accuseth of fleshly Liberty and loose Walking Observe We look upon these unkind and bitter Passages and Insinuations to be very Pernitious and as proceeding from a wrong Conception and Birth of Cruel Jealousies under the pretence of fear concerning many and not from the Spirit of Christ and the Construction made of some's Censuring some out of the Unity for their Opposition to such Orders or orderly proceedings as they account good and wholsome as the greatest Penalty and Persecution they can Inflict and that they would Inflict greater if they had but outward Power this appears very Uncharitable even the same that our open professed Adversaries have often Insinuated against us and greatly tends to stir up Persecution against us as do also the following words viz. WANTING NOTHING TO EFFECT HIS DESIGN BUT THE OUTWARD POWER TO CARRY THEM ON TO KILL Here John thou hast severely prejudged many which we are assured thou hast no Proof for but thy own Jealousie Remember how thy Friend and Advocate W. R. hath severely censured such kind of Prejudicate Proceedings as the censuring and judging Persons without a Hearing or Proof of Matter of Fact but hast thou heard any Friends ever grant they want only the outward Power to carry them on more severely to Persecute and Kill you Oh John we are perswaded thou must meet with an Hour of Tribulation for this Prejudicial and Uncharitable Dealing Were ever worse things exposed in Print against us before And wouldst thou be thus dealt by We pray God to give thee a sight of the Danger of these things and tender thy Heart unto Repentance and a Return to thy first Love for thou hast known better things than these thy Printed Letters bespeak which if thou gavest way to the Printing them thou wast not aware how they would and assuredly do make against thy Interest and your Cause which W. R. Pleads and Advocates for And we would seriously ask Whether such bitter Invectives and Infamies cast upon G. F. and others in thy Letters do not rather shew forth the Heads and Horns of the Dragon than the Zeal of any Friends doth in testifying for good Order and Government in the Church of Christ and against fleshly Liberty and loose Walking which if any such have exceeded in their zeal or their zeal at any time hath not been so prudently and warily mannaged in thy or your account as should have been yet to judge them as so far possessed with the Wrath of the Dragon as that by them he accuseth such as keep the Testimony of Jesus with fleshly Living and loose Walking this we think is very Hard and Uncharitable and we pray thee consider these things And let it be observed also that in W. R's Letter to G. F. part 4. pag. 97. is this passage viz. Therefore is the zeal of the Lord of Hosts kindled against that ungodly insinuating Spirit that makes it its business to bespatter J. S. and J. W. whereby the Simple-hearted may be in danger to be turned out of the Way Upon which we must needs note how Zealous he is for these two Persons and what a great stress he layes upon them their Reputations as if to write or speak what reflects upon them might indanger the turning the Simple-hearted out of the Way and why so We may suppose 't is because he thinks that many Simple-hearted have a good Opinion of them though we would tell him not so many since VV. R. became such a furious Advocate for them as before a great many are offended at his Book and at him for suffering it to come forth and him to go on in their defence without shewing publick and absolute dislike thereof The truth on 't is whatever J. S. and J. W. may think of W. R. he has been Instrumental extreamly to lessen their Esteem though we do not approve of any making it their business to bespatter them neither do we know of any Friends that so do However W. R. has made it a great part of his business to Bespatter and Revile many of the Servants of Christ whom many simple-hearted Ones has a good belief and esteem of He has taken but little care to prevent their being turned out of the way by his bespattering such and that by Name in Print wherein his great Partiality and Injustice is the more evident Disaffect LII W. R. third part pag. 28. I now appeal to God's Witness in all Consciences whether the outward establishment of outward Government under the Notion of Christ's Government doth not seem to square more with the Principles of such who look for his second coming in some outward Bodily Appearance than with the Principles of those who conclude his second coming to be by his Spiritual Appearance in the Heart Observe Under pretence of this solemn Appeal here is a perverse Insinuation and false Comparison to represent us as squaring with as we take it he means the Principle of Christ's Personal Reign i. e. by himself alone in outward Power and Dominion This compared with J. W's words before-cited about wanting the outward Power c. tends to make us Offensive still and to expose us to Suffering Why will he admit of no outward Government in the Church called Christ's Government Is not this to account all outward Government Antichrist's And doth not this square with such whom he compares us to Surely William Rogers has known otherwise and better things of US that is of the People called QUAKERS who own Christ's Second Coming to be by his Spirit in the Heart Principally and Immediately to set up His Government there and to bring forth true Judgment Righteousness and good Order in his Church and People which extends and appears even Outwardly Christ Rules both Inwardly
THE Accuser of our Brethren Cast Down in Righteous Judgment AGAINST THAT SPIRIT OF Hellish Jealousie Vented in a great Confused Book falsly Entituled The Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator In Five Parts The Fallacy and Force whereof being herein clearly Detected justly Repelled Jer. 2. 19. Thine own Wickedness shall Correct thee and thy Back-slidings shall Reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an Evil thing and Bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my Fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of Hosts John 13. 27. That thou dost do Quickly London Printed for John Bringhurst at the Sign of the Book in Grace-Church-street near Cornhil 1681. A Short ADVERTISEMENT To faithful Friends called QUAKERS to whom this may come Christian-Friends IN this Treatise we the peaceable Christian People called Quakers are Conscientiously vindicated and cleared in our CRISTIAN SOCIETY CHURCH-ORDER and DISCIPLINE from the unjust Charge of APOSTACY and INNOVATION and from the great Envy horrid Abuses and Fallacies of WILLIAM ROGERS in his Book falsly Entituled THE CHRISTIAN-QUAKER DISTINGUISHED FROM THE APOSTATE AND INNOVATOR but his own Apostacy and Innovation is herein clearly Detected And this is recommended to your Care and Prudence to be reserved in your Hands and dispersed only where you in your respective Places and Counties shall in the Wisdom of God see a necessity to remove and prevent the great Scandal Infamy and Reproach of the said Book A Brief INTRODUCTION TO ALL Faithful Friends CALLED QUAKERS Tender and Beloved Friends in Truth A Holy concern of Soul and Conscience on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ his Kingdom Church and People THAT only was the real Motive to this ensuing Treatise The matter whereof is not to trace the late Difference and present Controversie Historically nor to traverse the Way of the crooked Serpent in all his windings there 's no need of that the Eyes of many are open to see his perverse Wayes but clearly to Detect and set Judgment upon his Work of Enmity in WILLIAM ROGERS's said Book in the most Material Parts that are Wicked and Scandalous to Truth and Christ's Innocent Followers and Subjects and to Evince the most Subtil and Fallacious Pretences thereof and his most manifest Inconsistences and Self-Confutations as well as his Froward Oppositions and Contradictions to us as we are a Church and People gathered by the Lord and settled in good Order and Society by his holy Spirit The Ground and Cause of the present Division and Opposition furiously mannaged by W. R. and his Abettors against us has been and is originally placed upon a wrong Spirit in them a Murmuring Complaining Dividing Spirit a Rending Tearing Spirit a Dark Jealous Spirit a Loose Gainsaying Opposit Spirit a Proud Exalted Spirit a Contemning Scornful Spirit a Self-conceited Spirit a Turbulent Froward Wilful Spirit against this Spirit have the Complaints been by several Tender-hearted Friends among us If we be asked how we prove that to be the Spirit against which we are now engaged in this Treatise We may justly Answer W. R's Malicious Book is apparent Proof being a Birth of that same Spirit it bears the exact Image and Shape of all the Parts and Properties of it 't is Proof against him and all that own it being brought to the Test of Truth in all Consciences for it shews all that which is charged upon that Jealous Rending Dividing Proud Exalted Scornful Spirit c. from whence the Book proceeded It s Stile and Matter on his Jealousies and if Report be true c. bespeak all these to his and its great Shame and Disgrace He places the Apostacy and Innovation against us not only in outward Order Discipline and Form of Church-Government but even in the very Doctrine and Life of Christianity as if they were greatly extinguisht from among us and therefore has divulged his Book and that from a great pretended concern of Conscience on many that it might not be reputed that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity are wholly extinct among the People called Quakers but that both yet remain in some of them i. e. in W. R. and his Party But his termed Honourable Friend John Wilkinson gives a quite contrary Account concerning the Breach of Concord and Jarr The Cause saith he God hath shewed me that it is not in Principles of Truth nor in Christ's Doctrine nor in any Practice which Truth in the members of the heavenly Body leadeth into but about Prescriptions through the blind Zeal of the Weak c. And W. R. also grants 't is but about the SHELL and not the KERNEL soon after he has placed the Apostacy in Doctrine and Life as if both Christian Doctrine and Life were extinct among the greatest part of us as a People But how can that be true if no Breach of Concord nor Jarr in Principles of Truth nor in Christs Doctrine nor in any Practice which Truth leadeth into and that this be shewn of God too yea W. R. also confesseth that those small Differences which at first seemed but like unto little Sparks Pref. p. 2. 't is true indeed that great Endeavours in much Christian tenderness have been used for a Composure and matters were brought near it at Drawell but Satan has prevailed to make this fiery Agent an Incendiary to make the Breach wider having been secretly animated his abusive Book is Proof whereby he has abused divers of the Servants of Christ by Name and many not named in 's Book rendring them Apostates Innovators c. He has Abused and Scandalized our Meetings and our Order and Discipline as being but a Form and Government set up by man and Mans Tradition G. Fox's Form of Church-Government G. F's Orders c. These Expressions we own not they are not proper for though we grant that He hath been Instrumental in the hand of Christ for stirring up others to Unity and good Order yet we are satisfied that the great Builder Former and Orderer of the spiritual House is Christ Jesus and that HE is the Author and Foundation of that Christian Religion Care Over-sight and good Government among us as a Church and People the Substance Intent and End of all which is that pure Religion which is not only to visit the Fatherless and the Widows but to keep Unspotted of the World which we have Scripture-Testimony and Instances and Christ's and his Apostles Doctrine for W. R. has not spared to seek out occasions against Persons to gather up and divulge Weaknesses to pervert Truth and make false Constructions of mens words his Heart being filled with Pride and Envy his Head is loaden and confused with cloudy Conceits and perverse Imaginations against the Innocent After all his great Clamour and heavy Charge of Apostate and Innovator c. about Orders Prescriptions Impositions Innovations Form of Church-Government c. setting aside his Prejudice and Enmity his wrong and evil Jealousies Perversions false Inferences
false Reports and the like The Matters of Fact wherein he can place a real Difference as to Church-Order and Discipline may be summed up in this narrow Compass under these Heads viz. I. W. R. and some others his Party seem to be ONLY for a select Company of Elders and Deacons to order in Church-Affairs about the Poor Marriages c. Our Meetings in that case are more free and open for others also of the Younger sort to be present whose Conversations are Honest and Sober II. W. R. in his Contest with R. B. seems not to own that the Church of Christ hath Power or Right of Judgment to decide Controversies in matter of Evil Fact or Trespass of one Brother against another in things of outward Property c. but only the Parties differing to have an equal Choice of Persons to determine the Difference yet he varyes and is not altogether consistent with himself but is some-what off and on in these cases as is more fully evinced in this Treatise Whereas we distinguish between a wilfull Injury and an Offence whether real or supposed only through mistake In the first the real not supposed Offender has not an equal right of Choice with the Offended but the Offended Brother hath Power to proceed with the Offending according to the Doctrine and Order prescribed by Christ Mat. 18. 15 16 17. so far as if there be necessity to make his Complaint to the Church and if he refuse to hear the Church then he is to be accounted as an Heathen Man accordingly we assert the Power and Right of Judgment in the true Light to be in the Church of Christ in cases of real Trespass of one Brother against another which is not to set the general Judgment of Truth in the Church in opposition to any measure of true Light and Judgment in any particular Member but to the real Offence which the Light in all condemns In the second Where the Offence is not wilfull but through Mistake both the Parties differing are more easily perswaded either to compose the matter between themselves or to submit to a hearing and determination of two or three just judicious and discreet Persons in the Truth whom neither Party hath any just Exception against III. They are against proposing Marriages before the distinct Meetings of faithful Women amongst us We judge it very convenient and sociable to lay them before those Meetings where they are settled IV. They are against recording Condemnations to Posterity VVe judge it needful in many Cases for the clearing us from Reproach and vindicating of Truth and that both the Condemnations and Repentance be recorded and Testimonies kept against such as continue Impenitent whose Conversations are reproachful and scandalous to Truth and to our Society as a People gathered by the Lord's Power Now if these things seem inconsiderable to divide and seperate upon and that they might easily be accommodated or reconciled upon amicable conference We say so too therefore the greater is the Enmity of that Spirit that will seperate on any of them cast the odiums of Imposition Apostacy Innovations c. upon us for our Christian Care and Advice about them urging with Severity we need not among our tender-hearted Friends and 't is to no purpose to those that are in prejudice and hardness only we would have them who profess the same Light and Spirit with us to studdy to be quiet that whilst they pretend Liberty of Conscience they might not maintain Opposition to others for those things which they are Conscientious in the Light of Truth in the Practice and Counsel of for that were to plead Liberty of Conscience to themselves and allow it to none but themselves Whereas our pleading for Liberty of tender Conscience to the outward Powers was never intended for a Liberty to make Discord Schisms or Strife among our selves but singly as a People intending nothing but Love and Unity among our selves in Gods Way and Worship a Liberty of Conscience in Christ Jesus as to us from those outward Laws Penalties and Persecutions which we have suffered under NOT a Liberty from the Yoke of Christ nor from the Judgment of Truth nor from Unity or good Order in him no more than a Liberty of gross Enormities from the hand of Justice not a Liberty for Disorder and Confusion not a Liberty to set Conscience against Conscience under the Profession of the same Light and Spirit of Christ as the great and certain Rule of Conscience for that were to let up Ranterism and cause our Adversaries to Blaspheme against the true Light As for W. R's Book against Church-Government 't is outragiously Wicked Clamorous and Abusive it admits of no Mediation nor moderate Qualification or Accommodation no better Character than Apostates and Innovators will serve his turn against the very Body of Friends who are not of his Party his Book is revengeful and scornful it gratifies the Ranters and Atheists and tends to make our Enemies rejoyce and us a scorn to Fools if they take him for a Quaker which now he is not it tends in many things to expose us not only to the Censure of our profest Adversaries but to the Fury of our Persecutors and to bring open Persecution upon us by Implicity rendring us Obnoxious to the outward Government The Lord rebuke that Malicious Proud Spirit from whence his Book came and he will rebuke it and send it to its place and stop the Mouth of Iniquity for his Name and Seed's sake His Title Christian-Quaker is a false Title as his Unchristian Work evinceth His Text also which he begins with is Mis-applyed viz. the words of Christ which are As I hear I judge this is his Text. 1st As it s applyed only to outward Hearing and Evidence 't is Misapplyed Christ intended his hearing of the Father and that true and just Judgment given him of the Father who bore witness of him John 5. 30. ch 8. 16 18. And the Father hath committed all Judgment to the Son Joh. 5. 22. for Christ had and gives also a spiritual Judgment that is not after the sight of the Eyes nor after the hearing of the Ears Isa. 11. 3. yet in Cases Criminal Infamous and Injurious we grant outward and certain Evidence Proof and Knowledge very needful safe and judicial though a true and spiritual Discerning Sence Judgment of Spirits in the Church of Christ cannot in Truth be denyed it being a spiritual gift But 2dly As the said Text As I hear I judge is applyed by W. R. to himself or his Judgment in 's Book 't is Hypocritically and Unjustly applyed for he has not given Judgment as he has learned or heard of God or Christ but in many things as he has heard by Reports and from his own Jealousies according to his common phrase If Reports be true this Jealousie has entred me I am Jealous full of Jealousie c. which we are sure proceeded not from God nor
Meetings which he Reflects upon whether by Name or not Named in his Book and that his Book is in Pursuance of the Title as appears at large in it this we judge to be both False and Scandalous and also as absolute a Sentence of Excommunication and much like a Bull from Rome against many faithful Servants of Christ And herein hath W. R. unjustly assumed a Power of Excommunication never given him by Christ Jesus our Lord nor allowed by his Church In the Title pages of his three first Parts he writes thus viz. Disaffect II. By WILLIAM ROGERS on behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned To those he writes against he gives these Titles viz. Preface Adherents to George Fox Apostates or Innovators George Fox his Party Those of Party with G. F. c. Observe First We cannot believe that W. R. in this his Book truly represents Friends in Truth But secondly That many Friends in Truth are Scandalized and Abused thereby Disaffect III. William Rogers's Preface saith Now so it is that so great a concern of Conscience lies on many to encourage the Publication thereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct amongst the aforesaid People Observe This Passage we also judge tends to the great Reproach and Scandal of the People called Quakers as implying that they by a great Apostacy have given occasion to be so reputed and that therefore W. R. and his Party only are so deeply concern'd to Vindicate the Doctrine and Life of Christianity in themselves only by the Publication of his Book But who those many are that had such concern of Conscience lying on them for its Publication is yet to be enquired And what Antient Doctrine or Doctrines of Christianity are those People called Quakers whom he writes against Apostatized from And what New and Unchristian Doctrines or Practices are they fallen into We find no Proof nor Discovery thereof in all his Book but the said People greatly abused thereby The Passage before-cited about such concern of Conscience as that they could no longer forbear the Publication of his Book to prevent the Thoughts of the Doctrine and Life of Christianity being wholly Extinct amongst the People called Quakers together with many Passages in the Second Part of his Treatise do shew that it was designed to be published not only among the People called Quakers but among the World's People and such as are our Adversaries and Opposers as appears by these Objections amongst others in his second Part Chap. 2. page 6. viz. Obj. Do you not think that those Jews who Crucified Christ acted not from the Light within since some of them verily thought they did God good Service therein which having given an Answer to he frames another Objection thus viz. However some Objecting may say What is this to a Light Within 'T is very plain that John the Evangelist meant nothing of the Light within in your sence but of the Personal Appearance of Christ without c. Observe That these Objections are taken from our Adversaries and Opposers of the Light of Christ within and not from any called Quakers which W. R. accordingly undertakes to Answer in Vindication of the Light within and therefore it appears he designed his Treatise to go among Truth 's Adversaries as well as Friends whence it follows that wherein it either charges or reflects on the People called Quakers or the greatest part of them as being Apostates Innovators c. or gone from the Doctrine and Life of Christianity the Scandal and Reproach thereof against the said People and the holy Truth professed by them is the more Notoriously aggravated And though W. R. has shewn himself as a strong Oak and tall Cedar in this Work of Division we doubt not but some that have lean'd upon him and been mistaken in his Design will be ashamed of their Oak Disaffect IV. W. R. Preface pag. 3. Many in that City i. e. Bristol retain their antient Respect for John Story and John Wilkinson two Antient and Honourable Labourers in the Gospel of Christ whose Conversations and Doctrine I have not known or understood to be exceeded in Godliness by any MORTAL MAN WHATSOEVER Observe By this it appears that W. R. seems to be a great Admirer of and Advocate for these Persons whom he thus highly applauds and contends for but whether his being so greatly afficious for them will redound to their Reputation or the Credit of their Cause we refer to God's Witness in all Impartial Friends and even to the same in their Consciences for whom he thus highly Advocates and we disown his Admiration and Comparison of them as not safe nor a preaching up Christ but setting up Man and Creatures the same he has accused others for He has neither Known nor so much as UNDERSTOOD their Conversations and Doctrine to be Exceeded in Godliness by any Mortal Man WHATSOEVER He has not understood that either Righteous Abel Enoch Daniel Job Elijah Elisha Jeremiah or any of the holy Prophets of God or Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ did exceed these Persons whom he so highly contends for in Godliness of Conversation and Doctrine We cannot own his Judgment or Comparison herein and we ask if J. S. and J. W. do really approve thereof or not Disaffect V. W. R. Preface p. 6. These kinds of Declarations frequently published amongst the aforesaid People viz. LET US EXCLUDE THE REASONING THE WISDOM AND THE JEALOUSIE AND LET US HAVE AN EYE TO THE BRETHREN further Insinuating as if God had ordained Ministers among them that are to see and hear for the Body and common Members of the Church as the Printed Terms are I cannot but be full of Jealousie that these things have a tendency to insinuate Submission without Conviction and nurture up Ignorance instead of Wisdom and to introduce Bondage instead of Freedom in Christ as much as ever was under the cover of a Black-coat in the Dark Night of Apostacy where this Maxime viz. Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion is known to be true with respect to a zealous Observation of what the Clergy have imposed and taught Observe First That These kinds of Declarations are frequently published among the People called Quakers we utterly deny he hath therein as we judge uttered Falshood and abused the said People And yet to his own Contradiction he hath granted the matter herein opposed by him in pag. 18. first Part in his Marginal Note the words are these viz. We would not be understood that it is not fit to have an Eye to faithfull Brethren in any thing whereby he grants that an Eye is to be had to faithful Brethren in some things at least the more unjust he to make such ill use as he has done of the words before-cited by him Secondly If any of the said People have at any time so published as Let us exclude the Reasoning the
his Instance of that Epistle being publick before his Book for his Intention of Printing as also his often Threatning to Print was a long time before that Epistle ever was in being and when he gave his said Supplymental Reasons in his Postscript on the 10th of November 1680. he had Printed his Treatise except the Postscript Index and Errata as he confesseth the 8th of November 1680. being the same day that Epistle came to his Hands and therefore his Intention of Printing and Publishing Divisions could have no Relation to that Epistle as any Cause or Reason of his Intention And how could that Epistle be any Reason of his Printing when it was not in being till after he had Printed a great part of his Book in the Five Parts of it 4thly If he yet alledge That in the Title Page of the said Epistle 't is said to be Printed by Andrew Sowle and to be sold at his Shop in Devonshire-Buildings and that therefore he was the more concerned for the Publication of his Book when it was Printed To this we say That Addition shewing by whom it was Printed and Sold was the Printer's own Addition and not the Authors and yet suitable enough for him to add being cautioned in the same Title Page how far it was intended by the Authors to be published being plainly Recommended to Friends in Truth chiefly for the sake of the Weak and Unstable-minded for Information and Encouragement in our Christian Unity and Society held in the Spirit of Christ both in Faith and Practice as their words are so that the Advice where to have that Epistle was for Friends to whom it was recommended that they might know where to have it whereas W. R. has given no such Caution in his Title page but leaves his whole Book and Friends Reflected on therein to the Censure and Judgment of the World Unbelievers and Truth 's Adversaries to the great Scandal and Reproach of Truth and Friends in it Qu. But hath not W. R. placed the Publication of his Book upon a higher Motion and Necessity than the occasion pretended of the aforesaid Epistle Answ. Yes a far higher and what is it 'T is upon such a great concern of Conscience pretended that the Publication of it could no longer be forborn The Accounts he gives in the case are these viz. So great a concern of Conscience lies on many to encourage the Publication thereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct among the aforesaid People as in his Preface And pag. 77. 1st part The Righteous God bears us Record that the very reason why this Treatise is now prepared is because our very Consciences on behalf of God's People are concerned Thus far William Rogers William Ford the Subscribers Note That these high Pretences of Conscience both for the Preparation and Publication of their Book as that they could no longer forbear must needs be before 't was Printed here was two great concerns in the case the one to Prepare it the other to Print or Publish it by Printing both which Concerns were before the aforesaid Epistle of A. Whitehead and M. Elson was in being at least before ever W. R. knew or saw that Epistle and therefore that Epistle could not be the cause of such concern of Conscience to Prepare Print or Publish W. R's great and Chargeable Book besides it may be observed that all the Allegations used by some of his Party for the Publication of his Book as about G. F's not giving him a Meeting or not giving it under his hand to meet him appear but meer Pretences and slight Covers having placed a Necessity to encourage the Publication thereof upon a higher and more absolute concern of Conscience as namely to prevent such a Misrepute as that of the Doctrine and Life of Christianity being wholly extinct amongst the People called Quakers And there 's not the least Colour or Pretence of Reason that this Danger should be placed either upon the said Epistle or upon G. F's not meeting W. R. in his time This his pretence of such concern of Conscience is far higher than these But if it shall yet be pretended by any that G. F's not giving W. R. a Meeting was cause of his publishing his Book Then how Unjust and grosly Unreasonable was it to expose the Names of divers other Faithfull Friends in Print and that to Infamy without any such particular Offer to them and Refusal on their parts Moreover W. R. is so far from proving himself Just or Righteous in his proceeding to Print by those Instances he gives of a Publication of Divisions by Declaration by Manuscript and by Printing that his great Injustice and Iniquity therein appears there being no just Comparison between these so far as he yet gives Instances and his great Book in Print either as to the Nature Quality or Quantity For 1st What he mentions of Declaration in their Meetings if it were all true it was not published in Print to the World until he himself did it neither do we understand that such Unprinted Declaration can Equalize his Book in the Pernicious Nature and Tendence of it in many particulars which are Scandalous to us as a People and against divers honest Men by Name and not only so but 't is against Church-Government and Order among us 2dly The Forty Four Articles he mentions were not in Print nor the Paper of Sixty Six nor the Narrative at Drawell nor were these ever intended to be exposed in Print or to the World as his Book is but to be reserved within the Church till matters might be cleared and Reconciliation and Union effected which divers faithful Friends among us have earnestly desired and travelled for whose Work and Reward is with the Lord though this Perverse Spirit turns all into Bitterness Gall and Wormwood 3dly And as to that Epistle written by a Publick Preacher as he saith Post. pag. 26. that was not in Print nor any Persons by Name reflected on in it though mention be made in it of Rents Schisms Contention Strife Distraction Discord c. A faithful Testimony was therein given against the Spirit of Discord Division and Separation refering it to the Witness of Truth in all Consciences and the Spirit of Judgment in themselves to make the Application to Persons and not by Name to Infamize any G. Whitehead owns the said Epistle and saith he hath stood by it and hopes ever to stand by the Testimony and tender Counsel therein in the same Spirit that moved him to write it as also that since W. R. has made such an occasion and pretence of it to justifie his own proceeding to Print he had done him more Right if he had printed it together among others in his Book which Epistle and the publick reading of it was approved by divers of W. R's own Friends And what if it were read in such a publick
and Hypocrisie to profess our selves Members thereof Dare he say that to believe in God as the true Church believes is Unsound Doctrine But be it noted how he hath contradicted himself in confessing to that which he hath made a Section against as before see his Third Part pag. 74. his words are these viz. I confess the true Church is in the true Faith and every Member thereof is in some Measure at least of the same Faith that all the Elect of God are of so that it may in Truth be said every Member of the Church doth in some Measure believe as the rest of the Members do Behold here he hath granted the matter which he hath made so much ado against in his 4th Section of his 1st Part aforesaid Thus one while he Opposeth another while he Grants the Thing Opposed one while he Condemns another while Retracts but that we do not impute to his Ingenuity but to his Enmity Inadvertency and Discomposedness and Prolixity in his writing Disaffect XII W. R. first part pag. 9. He frames the Objection viz. 'T is true Friends in the beginning were turned to the Light in their own Consciences as their Guide but when it pleased the Lord to gather so great a number into the Knowledge and Belief of the Truth as were in few Years gathered then the Heavenly Motion came upon G. F. as the Lord 's Anointed and Chosen having the care of the Churches as being the great Apostle of Christ Jesus and as one whom the Lord had ordained to be in that place amongst the Children of Light in this our day as Moses was amongst the Children of Israel in his day to set forth Methods and Forms of Church-Government and to establish Monethly and Quarterly-Meetings of Men and of Women distinct from Men c. Observe Here he has heaped up divers matters to make up this Objection as one scraping up and devising what he can to render us odious never was any such intire Objection made by any real Quaker he has framed it much like an open Adversary and then deduceth his own Positions and Inferences to render Friends who are for outward Order and Methods in the Church not only weak and silly in their Arguing but Apostates from the Light in their Consciences to which they were turned in the beginning The design of this whole Objection forged by him is to render us a People departed from the Light and Law of Christ within to set up Man and Men's Precepts instead thereof which is wicked and scornful tending also to render the very Profession of the heavenly Motion Contemptible which heavenly Motion in opposition to his Contempt and Scorn we affirm came not only on G. F. but also on many other faithful Brethren for due Methods and Order as to Church-Government no wayes repugnant to the Light of Christ within And for G. F. though an Apostle and Servant of Christ yet to be in this our Gospel day in that very place amongst the Children of Light as Moses was amongst the Children of Israel in his day This Comparison we own not nor does G. F. own it for it is to render the Gospel day of Christ no brighter than Moses's Day under the Law and the Children of Light in this Gospel Day as in no further Dispensation than the Children of Israel under the Law but such Doctrine we utterly disown neither does G. F. own the Comparison but as a faithfull Servant of Christ his Labour was and is to turn People to Christ his Light and Spirit in them neither he nor we do own any Sect Masters nor making of Sects among us but seek to bring all to the Universal Spirit and Unity and Bond of Peace in Christ Jesus and we all as Servants of Christ and Sufferers for his Name and Testimony and do own the Dispensation of Christ as far excelling that of Moses as being more bright inward and spiritual for thus far only the Comparison in Scripture is between Moses and Christ Heb. 3. 1 2 3. Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithfull in all his House for this man was counted of more Glory than Moses inasmuch as he who buildeth the House hath more honour than the House and Moses was faithfull in all his House as a Servant but Christ as a Son over his own House see vers 4 5 6. But farther observe our Adversaries Jealousie in this Case namely in his 4th Part pag. 83 84. W. R. in his Letter to G. F. dated Bristol the 27th of the 1st Moneth 1677. Among other things this Jealousie enters me viz. That thou lookest upon thy self that man at least in whom the Son of God hath appeared to give forth his Law and to be recorded as his Law under the Dispensation of the Gospel even as Moses was the giver forth of the Law in that day if this be so c. And in his Margenal Note on the same passage he hath these words viz. The Reader may take notice that G. F. in his Letter on the 14th of the 11th Moneth 1676. hints at something written by me to him thus And thou meaning my self sayest that there is a Spirit risen at this day that gives many occasion to be Jealous that thou meaning G. F. art looked upon by some AS THAT Prophet which Moses testified of that God would raise up c. And thou sayst Christ is that Prophet that is to be heard c. and he is the only Lawgiver and no outward man Observe We testifie against W. R's Jealousie and the Jealousie of those he represents against G. F. as tending to Persecution and that the Jealousie of his being looked upon by some as that Prophet which Moses testified of that God would raise up viz. Christ Jesus is not only in it self a Jealousie tending to Cruelty and Persecution but a Jealousie that proceeds from Enmity and Darkness and not only so but this Jealousie is contradicted by W. R. his own Jealousie that has entred him viz. of G. F's looking upon himself that Man IN whom the Son of God hath appeared and not only so but confesseth that G. F. thus answers viz. Then is not this Prophet meaning Christ to be in man to give forth his Law c And what I am I am by the Grace and Love of God c. 4th part pag. 83 84. Marg. Note Mark how W. R. has gone about to accuse and bespatter G. F. and others with his own and others Jealousies though inconsistent as well as he shews himself Impertinent and Envious in his writing against the Servants of Christ who confess Christ to be in Man and not themselves to be Christ. Disaffect XIII W. R. 1st part pag. 4. And that whosoever should endeavour by Outward Wayes and Means to establish an Outward Government and Outward Rules Orders Laws or Prescriptions OVER the Heritage of God under
and Outwardly Inwardly by his Spirit and Outwardly by his faithful Ministers not by the Will of Man nor by the Arm of Flesh nor by Carnal Force but in a Gospel way and of the Increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no End His Government is a peaceable Government and Endless in the Increase and Peace The manner and Extent of his Government and the Concern of his Ministers and Servants therein is more fully opened before Here follows a few Collections on a Re-view of some of W. R's Concessions or Acknowledgments to Truth and his Severe Uncharitable smiting against G. F. and others with brief Notes on them omitted in the precedent Discourse also a few Questions added of Concern to J. S. and J. W. A Concession to Truth in pretence Part 1. pag. 56. We account it our Duty to follow the Appearance of the Spirit of God in the meanest Member when our Consciences are Convicted that 't is the Appearance of the Spirit Observe The great difference then is in this that all Instructions and Precepts these men oppose are such as they do not believe the Spirit of God to be the Mover of nor have they an esteem of such Members or Ministers whose Counsel they reject for all who feel Unity in the Spirit are of one Heart and Mind in the great Essential Commands relating to Godliness and Honesty and are not willing to be at variance about any â—â—â—er Outward or Circumstantial Matters but to be so tenderly condescending one to another in those things as they may keep their Peace and sweet Society so as their Actions may concur to one good and principal End here the weak are supported and the feeble strengthened as the Fathers and Aged know how to bear with Children in their Infancy 't is the Contentious and Obstinate the Self-willed and Conceited that make Opposition and Disturbance and cause Divisions and Strife their Minds are not peaceable nor they Sociable but break the Bonds of Society like Unruly Cattle that will not be quiet but be Wincing Pushing and Biting at their Fellows until seperated being such as run into Looseness against all Order and Government till the very Spirit and Anarchy of the Ranters becomes their Liberty from all which God preserve his People Disaffect LIII W. R. pag. 92. The Submission spoken of clearly centereth in a Submission to G. F. and the NAME of Monethly and Quarterly Meetings compared with his Postscript part 1. viz. The blind Zealot Principled to Eye the Brethren instead of the Light in himself and his consideration how fruitless all Mans outward Endeavours under the Notion of Church-Government hath been to preserve in a Real True Heavenly Society It appears to us a meer Badge of Apostacy for any to have a depency on any such Means of Preservation Part 1. pag. 43. Observe I st These are manifest Untruths relating to Submission for we are for that Submission which centureth in Christ our Lord and Law-giver and not in any man besides though an Instrument in Christ's Hand much less in the meer NAME of those said Meetings nor do we exalt the Power of any Assemblies as Assemblies of Men one above another further than the Power of God appears more Eminent in degree in one than another which W. R. has plainly granted Part 3. pag. 78. So the Submission we owe is to the Power of God 2dly We dare Challenge him to prove any zealous or other Person so Principling any or any Person so Principled among the People called Quakers as to EYE THE BRETHREN INSTEAD OF THE LIGHT IN THEMSELVES Where can he find such Zealots among us What Gross and Scandalous Insinuations have we from him 3dly Of all Man's outward Endeavours c. he should have distinguished between Man's Endeavours without Christ and Man's Endeavours in and by Christ who said Without me ye can do nothing for Christ makes use of Instruments good Men and Persons to stir up others to Love and heavenly Union and good Mens Endeavours in him and by his Assistance have been and are blessed and not fruitless towards a real heavenly Union Society and Order in Christ Jesus to whom we owe the Submission in the Performance of such outward Directions and Order as we see and feel him to be the Author of Disaffect LIV. W. R. pag. 93. The Argument used by the Serpent to tempt Eve was this YE SHALL BE AS GODS EVEN SO we are perswaded that there hath not been wanting unto him a Tempting Eve which hath been too aspiring after such a State 'T is to be DOUBTED that this Aspiring Mind hath had so much place with him as that he hath taken too much upon him Pag. 94. We dare not say that his preaching the Light in the Beginning of his Travel as well as by others his fellow Servants was not the Ministration given them of God 'T is certainly known that MANY did on a suddain admire the Creature as if not only the Planting and Watering were by him but the Increase also Pag. 95. And 't is too much to BE FEARED that the Imprudent Acceptation of what was unduely offered viz. of more Respect than was meet hath begotten a Spirit of Pride and Exaltation in G. F. which the Lord is determined to bring into the Dust. Observe 1st 'T is to be doubted c. These Jealous Insinuations Doubts and pretended Fears tend not only to render G. F. and those that have a tender Respect to him Obnoxious and Odious but to expose them to the Fury of the Adversary and so to Persecution however such his Doubts and Jealousies are no Proofs 2dly That many did on a suddain admire the Creature c. 'T is much to be feared that the Imprudent Acceptation c. We look on these to be Gross and Jealous Aspersions cast upon many and to vilifie G. F. also still tending to betray him and many others to the Jealous Censure and Fury of Persecuting Adversaries But the Lord hath created a Defence upon the Glory of his Heritage Disaffect LV. W. R. pag. 95. WE CANNOT be otherwise perswaded but that he is fallen from the Truth and that the words reported to be spoken by J. N. when he said in relation to his own fallen State I am but the Figure of another are now fulfilled in him Oh! that the Lord would Change his Heart and bring him to a true sight and sorrow for his Sin as he did J. N. after his fall and then we hope as he has been an Offence unto the Church of God c. Observe We may presume that he has abused J. N. in misapplying his Intention However these Jealousies still tend to expose G. F. to Persecution and to the like Suffering and Reproach which J. N. under-went by rendring him Guilty of the like fall or rather worse and W. R. is so Tenatious in his ill Opinion that he CANNOT be otherwise perswaded as he saith so he assumes to himself to be an
observe doth not thus much of the said Paper and these Conditions of it evince that it contains a kind of Directory and limitted Prescriptions and if not for the Children of Light to walk by then what Children was it made for and that observed it until the Separation became more apparent But touching G. F. how Silily and Impertinently doth W. R. argue to prove him of a High and Lofty Spirit though G. F. saith He esteems W. R's Reproaches great Riches and we do not believe that he is or will be or has any cause to be asham'd either of his Trade or Parentage but rather Magnifies the Power and Wisdom of God according to his antient Testimony in raising up poor honest Trades-men to be Ministers of the Gospel Fishers of men c. Again we do not understand that G. F ' s desiring J. S. and J. W. to come to him at his House in order to end Differences doth prove him a man of a high and lofty Spirit for G. F. was then in Bodily Weakness unfit to come to them and his end was for Peace as we understand which no wayes tends to prove the Charge against him VVe must needs say we are very unwilling to detract from lessen or in the least to contemn W. R. his Parts Education or Parentage of what Degree or Reputation soever for his Parts we doubt not but he has both Natural and Aquired but they seem to us to be greatly clouded and perverted by that Lofty Proud Contemning and Tempestuous Spirit that has entred him and puft him up so much in Disdain against others You that are his Friends and Relations pray Counsel him to lay aside his Spiritual Pride and Contempt for it is hateful to all Lowly-minded and Serious Souls who are truly Conscientious towards God William Rogers against William Rogers and William Rogers against John Wilkinson and John Story in the most Material Passages of his Book being but some of his Contradictions with Questions Notes and Remarks upon them PReface p. 2 3. So Great a CONCERN OF CONSCIENCE lies on many to encourage the Publication hereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed THAT THE DOCTRINE AND LIFE OF CHRISTIANITY WERE WHOLLY EXTINCT AMONG THE AFORESAID PEOPLE PArt 4. pag. 77. John Wilkinson to G. F. viz. Of late dayes the concord we once had seems much to be broken and many Instruments whom God wrought by of late time have greatly jarr'd and the cause God hath manifested to me that it is NOT in Principles of Truth nor in Christs Doctrine nor in any Practice which Truth in the Members of the heavenly Body leadeth into but about Prescriptions from thee through the blâ—nd zeal of the WEAK to promote thy Orders Qu. What danger can there be of any such Repute or what cause for any to think so of the People call'd Quakers as that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct if the Cause of the Difference or Jarr does not lie in ther Pinciples of Truth nor in Christ's Doctrine nor in any Practice which Truth leadeth into as J. W. contrary to W. R. hath plainly confessed God hath shown him As also W. R. in Contradiction to himself confesseth That a great part of the Contention of one Party with another seems to be but about the SHELL and NOT the KERNEL his meaning is about outward Forms and Methods relating to Marriages Relief of the Poor c. Preface pag. 23. Where 's then the Apostacy charged as to Doctrine Life of Christianity Principles of Truth c for these are not the Shell Has not W. R. been greatly Instrumental to make the Breach wider and to encrease the differences which he confesseth to have been small Differences that at first seemed to be but as LITTLE SPARKS Pref. pag. 2. But in his Marginal Note saith The Divisions among the People called Quakers have been at least Eight Years encreasing to the heighth they now are at Whereas 't is well known the Division was much allayed until he and some private Abettors did blow up those little Sparks the Flame whereof is now the more apparent by his PROMULGATION in PRINT Preface pag. 22. It seemed unlikely to bring forth a Credible History touching Religious differences without nameing the Authors of Books Papers and Names of Persons reflected on evidencing the Reallity of such PRINCIPLES DOCTRINES PRACTICES which occasioned Dis-union and Seperation amongst some of the aforesaid People Part 4. p. 100. 'T is too evident that the great Difference amongst Friends is about outward things and Ceremonies wherein some appear like People contending about the Shell and lose the Kernal which occasions me to tell thee that when I have heard thee Preach against Austin the Monk's bringing into England a Snapsack of Ceremonies I then little thought c. John Wilkinson in his Letter to G. F. Part 4. pag. 77. viz. Of late days the concord seems much to be broken the cause God hath manifested to me that it is Not in Principles of Truth Nor in Christ's Doctrine Nor in any Practice which Truth in the Members of the Heavenly Body leadeth into c. Query Is it not still more plain how contradictory W. R. is to himself and to J. W. in this matter One while he places the occasion of the Dis-union and Seperation upon Principles Doctrines and Practices another while upon outward Things and Ceremonies the Shell c. And John Wilkinson That the Cause God hath manifested to him that it is not in Principles of Truth nor in Christ's Doctrine nor in any Practice which Truth leadeth into Now if W. R. sayes that those Principles Doctrine and Practices which occasioned Dis-union and Seperation were not of Christ nor true then he must suppose them contrary to the Principles of Truth and Christ's Doctrine which still contradicts J. Wilkinsons affirming That the cause of the breach of Concord and Jar among the Instruments whom God hath wrought by is â—ot in Principles of Truth nor Christ's Doctrine If there be not so much as Jaring in Principles of Truth nor in Christ's Doctrine how does W. R. place the Dis-union upon Principles Doctrines and Practices And then in Contradiction to that sayes the great Difference is about outward Ceremonies the Shell c. Behold how this Person like a Wave is tossed Oh that he would return to the sure Foundation Part 1. pag. 24 25. Other Churches had outward Marks and Tokens whereby a man might manifest himself to be a Member of their Church when received c. So we who had the Evidence in our selves were at a loss Infallibly to manifest unto others by any outward Marks Tokens that we were in reality Members of the true Church because this Light did reveal unto us That those who were but in the Gentile Nature and had come no further than the outward Court might have all the outward Marks and Signs of a Member of their Churches Pag. 19.
pretend the LIGHT CONDEMNS THEM NOT yet that their Deeds are evil and that the Light doth condemn the same though they may BE HARDNED AND SEE IT NOT so endeavour to awaken the Conscience that God's Witness may be heard Part 1. pag. 47. The duty of the Church was to exhort TO SUBMIT TO THEIR COUNSEL which if they did not they might JUSTLY be esteemed AS HEATHEN MEN. And pag. 52. If they refuse to take their WHOLSOME COUNSEL THE CHURCH may then declare such UNWORTHY of their Societies Part 3. pag. 36. EVERY CASE i. e. outward or Spiritual may in RIGHT REASON be Comprehended in it viz. in the Case mentioned by Christ in Mat. 18. 15 16 17. Query For what End then is the Church of Christ to admonish or counsel and the faithful Brethren to watch and take care over the Flock if their Sentence or Judgment be not binding to them in any case of Conscience Whether it relate to Spiritual or Temporal matters And why should God make use of Instruments to build Believers up in the most holy Faith as he confesseth part 2. pag. 65. if the Exhortations Reproofs and Instructions which he also grants be not binding on those other Believers For is not the most holy Faith a Spiritual matter and relating to Conscience As also Part 3. pag. 33. he confesseth That those who are invested with Power from on high may be Instruments in God's hand according to the Dispensation thereof given them of God to stir up the pure mind in others sometimes by way of ADMONITION EXHORTATION and SOUND DOCTRINE and sometimes by CHARGE or COMMAND according as the Spirit of the Lord MOVES and OPPERATES A plain Confession to Truth Now he speaks like some Embassadour of Christ but keeps not to this he is inconsistent we would ask him if such Admonition Charge and Command by such Instruments in God's hand be not binding on others to whom they are directed and if they be not obliging to their Consciences and if the Light in their Consciences doth not the more enforce them and make them binding VVhere is then the Imposition And hath the Church of Christ no Power to give forth any Commands or Precepts that are binding to Conscience All just Ones are binding But has not W. R. in his fifth part pag. 91 92. denounced a Sentence of Excommunication against G. F. as one that hath cut him-himself off from being a Member of the Body of Christ by departing from the Rock Christ and as one that for sometime past hath stood in a state of Separation Is not this a Sentence of Excommunication seeing he on this occasion saith It is not in the Power of any Mortal man or Assembly to Excommunicate from amongst the true Members of Christ's Body a Servant of the Living God Can W. R. expect this his Sentence of Excommunication to be binding on true Believers Consciences when he has so much opposed the Power of the Church of Christ to give forth Sentences and Judgments to be binding to the Consciences of Believers Has not he here assumed a Power and Jurisdiction above the Church of Christ And is not this Pope-like or Antichrist-like Doubtless he would have all Friends in Truth believe and receive his positive Sentence or else he would not have taken so much pains as he has done in Reviling setting at Naught Judging and Condemning many others far more Righteous and Innocent then himself for which and the Reproach he has brought upon Truth we are perswaded the Judgments of God hang over his Head and the Hand of the Lord is against that cruel jealous Spirit in him and God's Truth and Power hath Excluded and Excommunicated all his uncharitable Judgments usurped and unjust Excommunications his gross Abuses against the Innocent and Perversions of Truth and foul Aspersions together with his Fallacies and Self-contradictions are numerous and manifold We wish the Lord in Mercy may yet incline his Heart to seek Repentance before he dye that he may not end his dayes in Horror and Anguish A Catalogue of some of WILLIAM ROGERS his manifest FALSHOODS Notorious SLANDERS Scandalous ABUSES PERVERSIONS RAILING SCOFFING FLATTERING and REVILING in the 4th and 5th Parts of his Book and Preface against George Fox and others in W. R's own words and terms with Interlineary Notes upon them I. THat of THOSE who in derision have been called QUAKERS by whom the Principle of Truth hath been held forth and owned it may be now said the Enemy hath so prevailed as that the Seeds of Discention and Discord sown amongst them have taken so deep Root as that THEIR PUBLICK Meetings for Worship in several parts of this Nation have been the Stages of Contention These we take to be Infamous and Scandalous too general to be true against the said People and their Meetings II. Page 4. That they are Persecuting Opposers who oppose J. W. and J. S. VVould W. R. be counted a Persecutor for his opposing others more vehemently III. Page 5. That Imagination hath so possessed the Hearts of MANY that travel under the notion of Ministring Friends as that instead of manifesting a divine Understanding or speaking the Word of Truth they have brought forth the Fruits of an unsound Mind shewing forth no better Resemblances than the confused Chaos before the Creation c. A gross Scandalon many Ministring Friends IV. Pag. ibid. That either the multitude of Iniquity or great Hatred through the Influence of G. F. possessing the Hearts of such is the occasion thereof viz. of their shewing no better Resemblance A great Scandal still V P. ibid. Of the present Seperation in some parts c. that G. F. hath been one of those very Persons occasioning the Differences to arise unto the heighth they now are And pag. 6. One chief Instrument that a destroying and devouring Spirit hath entred into some among the Flock and that many a simple Honest-hearted Friend to Truth and Righteousness have received and believed Lyes and slanderous false Reports against many Brethren c. Pag. 6. And that the Blood of many such if they Perish before true Repentance will be laid at G. F's Door Gross and Abusive Charges against G. F. and many Honest-hearted Friends VI. Pag 15 16. That in G. F's second Query to J. VV. seems to be implyed if from a Query any thing may properly be implyed then it must be asserted that there is either one or more that have Power to impose in the Will of Man that which the Scripture gives no Authority or Warrant for compared with his foregoing words pag. 15. viz. That the People called Quakers ought to practise things imposed by Man or in the Will of Man c. A most slanderous Perversion VII Pag. 30. That G. F. hath described himself one unto whom Infallible Judgment hath been committed in ALL things This is suspected at least for an Untruth till proved VIII Pag. 32 33. That some amongst the People called Quakers known to