according to the flesh are mine I was obedient and after I had been there a while it was given me what I should declare and ever since I have been obedient to that which is pure in me and in you all Christ manifest in mortal flesh Whereupon I asked him whether that friend or any else besides himself heard that same voice or how should it be known to be a truth since we had nothing but his own word for it He answered it was not a carnal audible voice to be heard with an earthly ear for it was heavenly and that it is true the spirit beaereth witnesse and I know his witnesse is true Q. I asked him whether the voice were external or internal and to whom he gave his estate A. He said that that which is pure in all your consciences which convinces you of the evil you do Christ in you the true light spoke to that of God in me and I heard it and will witnesse to that of God in you all or words to this purpose that it is pure and eternal Q. I asked him to whom he gave his goods and estate A. He said to his Wife and children When indeed I had thought in imitation of the Pharisees he had boasted of some deeds of charity he had done with it before men not but that it was well bestowed as it was disposed of for I think as they had most need of it so they had most right to it and the promise he faith is fulfilled in that God hath witnessed to his doctrine but what that Witness what that Power and what that voice is and from whence is evident First By his Apostacy in that when he had associated himself with a people that endeavoured to live and walk with and in the Lord that he should backslide from those ways of truth and embrace such errors as have led him unto the height of blasphemy when as the Apostle saith They and so he went forth from us because they were not of us but like tares among Wheat disagreeable and fit for nothing but Destruction Secondly By his Actions the first step whereof led him to such art Act as gives much suspition nay even assurance of inconstancy and adulteries c. as hereafter shall be made evident in this discourse Thirdly His Doctrine in that he preacheth down all truth and up all errors as denying either Magistracy or Ministry or either Gospel or civil Laws or Discipline c. Fourthly By his Blasphemies of which he is justly convicted and for which he hath partly suffered by the Supreme Authority as that he is the Son of God and the Son of God is but one and then he being one and the Son of God as he saith there is by that account no other and questionless he hath been long of this judgement though not so publique in it For long since he said he was as holy just and good as God himself thereby claiming anequality with God though at a farther distance then now for then he onely claimed an equality by purity but now by dignity affinity as being the Son of God and one with the Father See Mr. Farmer 's Satan inthron'd in his Chair of Pestilence c. I have first laid down those four Heads as a ground-work to what I intend to enlarge upon in prosecution of this Treatise but before I proceed to doe so I shall speak a word or two concerning the proceeding of the Supreme Authority against him of whom we now treat by reason that many though some indiscreetly say The sentence pronounced against him savours of a harsh judgment thereby endeavouring to scandalize the supreme and high Authority with cruelty to which I shall speak a word or two impartially Since it is esteemed not onely in this but in all other Nations an act of high in justice to sentence him to die the very worst of deaths that shall assume unto himself the title of his Prince or Governour or that shall any waies endeavour to impair the titles and glory of him how much more ought he to die or suffer a worse punishment that shall commit a greater offence and make himself the Son of God the King of righteousnesse I have read of them that for bearing in their Coats of Arms that which belonged onely to the Crowne have suffered as Traytors as Lord Howard Duke of Norfolk with his son the Earle of Surrey in the dayes of Henry the 8th though men in great and high esteem and of no less honour for this offence and no other were arraigned convicted and condemned as Traytors then how much more ought he that shall make himself the Son of God c. to die if it were possible a hundred times for look how much God is above man so much ought he to suffer a just torment more then death if it were possible And therefore the sentence which was past upon him and he hath partly undergone was more in mercy then justice could well admit and they with honour pronounce against him but 't is true indeed mercy shall find mercy and its a signal token of a tender charity in that mercy was exalted in the midst of just Judgement I shall now proceed to treat upon and examine the several things before laid down First That it is an evidence that that voice that power and that witnesse is not of God or goodnesse that spoke to him goeth with him and testifieth of him Firft by reason of his apostacy it is a precept in the word of God concerning him which backslideth from the faith which stands in Jesus Christ the onely reall and eternal Son of God the Father after the first and second admonition if he repent not give saith the holy Ghost or deliver such a man over to Satan which is excommunicate or exclude him so then he being delivered over to Satan is no more of God in respect that power which is given to the Church to excommuninate false members hath been exercised on him as a backsliding brother we ought to look on him as one under the power of Satan and not to bid him good speed lest we be partakers with him in his evill deeds And indeed if we consider him in the state of a falne brother we cannot wonder to see him raign in all manner of wickedness in respect the Holy Ghost saith that false Prophets mnst come and false Christs shall arise it is just with God to give him over to believe lies because he hath pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2 10 11 12. 1 John 4.8 Heb. 12.29 For as God is light and so able to discern all things so is he all-sufficient to understand and do all things and as he is all love to his children so is he all judgement yet merciful to his enemies Therefore let him repent him of and not persevere in his blasphemies 1 Tim. 1.23 for though he can contemn Authority and say in the mind he is in
AN EXACT HISTORY of the life of JAMES NAYLOR WITH HIS PARENTS BIRTH EDUCATION PROFESSION ACTIONS BLASPHEEMIES ALSO How he came first to be a QUAKER and received his commission from Heaven as he saith when he was in the Field at Plow Taken from his own mouth With the Doctrines Tenets and practises of some other of the same Sect. By JOHN DEACON Deut. 13.1 2 3. If there arise among you a Prophet or a dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or wonder and the sign come to passe c. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that Prophet for the Lord proveth you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul Isaiah 14.12 13 14 15. How art thou fallen from Heaven O Lucifer c. For thou hast said in thine heart I will ascend into Heaven I will ascend above the heights of the clouds I will be like unto the most high Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell to the sides of the pit 2 Thes 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition London Printed for Edward Thomas and are to be sold at his house in Green Arbor 1657. To the Reader Courteous Reader I suppose thee sensible of that which I may well call a sound principle as that the supreme and best end of all things is Gods glory first and next our own happinesse into which ocean we ought to empty and pour forth all our desires actions and abilities that so we may injoy Gods most comfortable blessing here with the fruition thereof eternal life hereafter and therefore in every undertaking with Moses I esteeme it a signall evidence not only of reall wit but a step hire of true wisedome seriously to weigh and consider what the end may produce which Courteous Reader hath not been the least of my care in this present undertaking for truth being an atribute of God and love the like I think to defend the first and demonstrate the other cannot but tend to what hath been said and I dare presume that in this one undertaking if you read with a single eye you will find them both performed truth defended by preventing falshoods and untrue reports and love demonstrated by perverting those that would deceive the inquisitive which it's probable the covetous may attempt not with an intent to satisfie the Reader but his own unsatisfied purse I must needs confesse the trouble in collecting this relation hath been great and the paines no lesse which I might have avoided but then have left thee perhaps either misinformed or else not at all acquainted with those unheard of misdemeanors And if any shall suppose that because I have heretofore had controversie both by dispute and in Print with the said James Naylor and that therefore what I have written may be rather out of envy to the man then love to the truth I assure him to the contrary for what I have done was and is only in discharge of that duty I suppose lies on every Christian to communicate that which may be beneficial to others which he knows himself as this must needs be which also will evidently witness what with some cautions I have heretofore said in their Society that I feared and now am sure of it that if all the errors and blasphemies that have been either forged or upheld by any or all the archest Hereticks since the death of our Saviour were buried in irreviveable oblivion they might be equalled if not exuperated in them and their opinions as the insuing discourse will demonstrate I have been plain because I would be brief and brief because the occasion required it and have said nothing but for what I have an evidence either one way or other so that you need not mistrust the certainty but rather admire the absurdity of his actions of whom thou hast here First a true Relation of his birth education next the manner how he was seduced after that a true Narrative of what hath been remarkable since that time either for action or opinion with an exact relation of their Principles and Tenets and then lastly some very choice stories of many of their Sect All which may serve to witnesse with the truth that they are erronious which that we may all see so as to avoid and in avoiding them imbrace that truth and possesse that grace which will assuredly conduct us safely to an eternall habitation is and shall be the desires and most affectionate wishes of From my lodging at Bun-hill London Decemb. the 30th 1656. Your assured Friend in what he can JOHN DEACON An exact History of the Life and Actions of James Naylor since he became a Quaker IEsus Christ the only reall and eternal Son of the Almighty Father that out of a fore-seeing and fore knowing sense of the state of all things in himself fore-saw and understood that the instable and mutable mind of miserable man would be always busied and imployed upon one subject or another esteemed it a part of that true wisedome inherent in himself prescribed such a matter for it to work on as might tend principally to their own perpetual good and his eternal glory Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and then that they might reap no discouragement by the want of meaner injoyments as riches and honour he promiseth a taste of that here his blessings which in a higher sense shall be wholy injoyed hereafter and all these things shall be added unto you And to attain any happinesse or precious injoyment which is to be purchased by the overcomming of withholding difficulties we must first indeavour to remove all defects and impediments as evill which is contrary and opposite to good and the readiest way so to do is to understand and know the cause that may either withhold us from the omission of duty or incourage us to the commission of disobedience that so that being known we may be the better fortified to withstand any temptation from them proceeding that providence should suffer to assault us which is the intent and substance of this precedent discourse Sad it is to consider that as the world draws neer to a period the wickednesse of men innumerates and that every day Which sets them a step neerer to death should throw them a stride further from a better life as if every Age were only an addition of impiety and a new torrent of iniquity which added a stream more to the compleating the fulnesse of such sins as might extract an immediate destruction as not only bare reports but to sad experience verifies in every Age but more especially in this wherein we live not only Satan indeavouring to transfigure himself into an Angel of light but man attempts to transform himself into an impe and angel of darknesse in that a wretched and sinful man shall
be no more called James but Jezebel for inchantment and not Jesus But I come to what I intend God in his justice have given over men at this time to yield subjection to the alurements of Satan and to believe lies because they have pleasure in unrighteousnesse c. Among which number chiefly is one who for his horrid blasphemies is unworthy to be what he seems a man who is well known by the name of James Naylor of whom 't is hard to say whether he is most indued with wit or wickednesse but it 's easie to suppose it were well for him he had none of the first so he were void of the latter But since Providence offereth so sad a subject I can do no lesse in duty but lay forth my self and my abilities in a case of this consequence when a man shall assume the name of God and take unto himself his attributes as doth this grand Seducer of whom I now intend to treat and since some have worthily written of his Tryal and Examination c. I shall not go about to erect any thing that may savour of Tautology but carefully truly and impartially treat of what he hath done and practiced since he came to be a Quaker that so by his miscarriages the industrious may be improved the drowsie awakened to understand the deceits of and arme himself against the man of sin and his factors and that I may so do I shall methodically proceed First To decide that which various reports render disputable to most when indeed what is said seems to be raised by such as would willingly say something yet know not well what which savours rather of a busie-brain then a well grounded knowledge I mean his Parents birth and profession c. He is the son of one Goodman Naylor so called in the Country of Anderslow in the County of York where he was born neither to much plenty or mean penury but as he was not over-rich so was he not over-poor but such was his estate that with his own industry by report he might have lived comfortably as other Countrey people do whose hands are the Tenants that produce a livelihood Concerning his profession reports are various some say he was a Gentleman born and bred others that he followed husbandry and some say this and others that but to satisfie the industrious I shall in few words declare what I can a vouch to be truth if man may be believed a Gentleman now one of that honourable Society of Grayes Inn who was either born or bred if not both either in or neer the same Town or place where this false prophet had his entrance into this transitory world who was also School fellow with this Naylor and knew his friends reported to a friend of mine before sufficient witnesse that this James Naylor was the son of one Goodman Naylor so called in the Country by profession a Sow-gelder and did also follow the same profession of a Sow-gelder and thereof made either all or part of his livelihood which was also reported by one that was a fellow Souldier with him in the Army till such time as he took up Armes and served in the Army first under the Lord Fairfax next under the Lord Lambert And for his education it was neither such as might indue him with more then to understand write well read his mother tongue nor lesse then might make him capable to undergo any ordinary imployment and though he be a man of an exceeding quick wit and sharp apprehension inriched with that commendable gift of good oritory with a very delightable melody in his utterance yet he either out of policy or neglect indeavours to make the world believe he hath not at all bettered or improved it for in his answer to my Publique Discovery he seems to be ignorant what the word etimoliger means in that when for his indeavouring to derive the word Trinity from Rome in reply to that I call him deceitful Sophister yet simple etimoliger and in his answer to that Reply he saith here I am called a Soffister and an etimoliger as if the word were odious or had some relation to a scandalous or reviling style but it is freely confessed that in another book which he owneth though perhaps some Jesuit writ it being an answer to Mr. Joshua Miller's Antichrist in Man the Quaking Idol He there flies from what he pretends immediate revelation to the rules of art learning indeavouring to confute logical Silogisms by the like and that not only by such as bear only the name but also the exact rules according to art though void of the power because they want the force of truth so that I find he can write a very legible hand if that he writ to me was his own he spells good English and either he hath more in him then he will make known and then perhaps he is what I judge him to be a Jesuit or else some other writes what he owns In the next place it will be necessary to declare his original call and entrance into this damnable heresie wherein he now stands not as various reports render it but as he himself hath often declared it not only in private but in the publique meeting at the Mouth within Aldersgate London to me and many others that have had discourse with him there The manner of his call and entrance into this damnable Sect and Heresie wherein be now stands HE said As I was in the Field at Plow in Barley-seed time meditating on the things of God in his apprehension suddenly I heard a voice saying unto me Get thee out from thy Fathers house and from thy kindred and I will be with thee at all times and in all places Whereupon I exceedingly rejoyced that I had heard the voice of that God whom from a child I had indeavoured to serve in sincerity and uprightnesse of heart and whom before that time I had never Known in truth So I went home and waited there a good while and not being obedient to that heavenly call I was cast down and remained in a sad condition as many friends can witnesse who wondred to see such a change in me and thought I was distracted and that the hand of God upon me had made me lunatick by destruction of my senses I would never have spoken nor eaten more but after I was mad and willing to go I gave my estate away and I began to make some provision as Money Apparel and other necessaries for my journey but a while afterwards going with a friend from my own house on some businesse having an old suit on without any money the voice spake again commanding me to go into the West and then it should be revealed to me what was appointed for me to do and not knowing whither I should go or what was appointed for me to do neither having taken my leave of her whom the world calls my Wife and those children which
upon his several lies and falshoods wich would rather afford a great volume then be contained in so small a tract as this Treatise and although much more might be said to this purpose I only intended to touch on this by the way and come to the next thing intended to be treated on as an evidence that he is under a spirit of error The third evidence is his Doctrine in that he preacheth down all truth and up all error c. and here I shall begin with that which is most material to this subject See Mr. Bourn his defence of the Scriptures 9. 20. And first In that he saith he is as holy just and good as God himself without either limitation or reservation as was witnessed by two at Kendal and an honest Inhabitant of Vnderborow neer to Kendal Saith he and many others heard him utter this blasphemy but being all followers of Naylor he believes they will be slow and unwilling to testifie the truth in this case yet he calls me lier often for accusing him for holding perfect perfection when by this account if he were as holy just good as God himself See my Publique discoverie of their secret deceit and not perfect what then is God imperfect O horrid blasphemy He holds that the Scriptures are not the word of God but only a declaration of that word and that their words and Letters are the declaration also so then both being one in quality equality afordeth no different distinction some of them have burned the Bible as I have heard them boast in contempt of it And Naylor hath said more then once that he that expected to be saved by that Jesus Christ that died at Jerusalem should be deceived See the perfect Pharisee p. 8. and this character the holy Ghost gives of the man of sin antichrist See Mr. Boure p. 16. if any man as Naylor in effect denies Christ as being come in the flesh that is a deceiver and an antichrist 1 John 2.22.23 he hath also erroneously taught that we owe no obedience to any Magistrates or to render them any honour or subjection which though in publique he denied before the vulgar people yet then was he testified to be in a lie by one of his own Sect who openly confessed he received that doctrine from Naylor himself see the Northern Relation p. 9. and oftentimes he hath denied that the Scriptures and written word of God to be either the judge of spirits or of controversies or the rule by which every Christian ought to walk and by which he ought to guide himself and limit his actions and when I said I did understand a distinct and vast difference between Christ the word and the word of Christ the first being God the other but the expressive temporal word of God See my Publique discovery wherein the holy Ghost stooping to our infirmities speaks in such termes as may impresse on our capacities I defie your distinctions and your carnal words for Christ is the word and God is the word and all other words are without in the nature c. He also affirmed in his answers to my queries extant in my Publique Discovery that that immortality that incorruption c. spoken of us injoyed by Saints in Heaven he injoyed here immediately on earth and that in opposing him and his heresie I sought and indeavoured to kill the just one in them and that I would murder them that were out of Cains way and were transplanted from death to life with much more of the like absurd stuff And on a time being disputing with a godly able Minister about that light in all men Naylor laid down this absurd error That an Indian that never heard nor read of Christ by that which is in every man knew Christ Jesus See the defence of the Scriptures p. p. 22. as well as any man It will not be impertinent in this place to insert one notable story of him A very notable Story worth your Observation and unquestionably true JAmes Naylor being on a time at a place where it so fel out that a godly Minister* chanced to be at the same time who stood up said unto him One Mr. Cole a known godly Minister the Lord put it upon my spirit to speak a few words unto him on some things that might tend to edifie the audience to which Naylor audaciously and presumptiously said as making it a matter admirable hast thou received a message from the Lord and I not know of it thereby pretending privacy to and knowledge of the hidden secrets and unsearchable councels of the Lord like to Hezekiah 2 Chron. 15. Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee thus doth he presumtiously lift himselfe up above what he is but I shall wave what might be further said on this subject not intending to write much but onely to give an evident demonstration in brief of what may set him forth to be as he is a deceiver and not as he pretends a Saviour and to that end I come unto the Fourth argument or evidence that he is under a spirit of sedition and heresie The fourth evidence which plainly declares he is under a spirit not Divine but Diabolical to wit his Blasphemies ANd in this order might have been inserted several particulars already treated of but that I intend no needless repetition of things past in respect this present juncture of time gives too large a subject to treat upon and not onely for us to wonder at but for future posterity also to admire that so much of the Divel should inhabit in a man out of which I shall compleat this Chapter Most blasphemous is and was that expression I am the Son of God and the Son of God is but one See Mr. Farmer p. 14. 15 16 17 and the like I am saith he the prophet of the most high God I am the Son of God and the everlasting righteousnesse is wrought in me and then arrogantly as imitating Christ he blasphemously applyeth the words to himself if ye had known the Father ye would have known me also and as he gives these testimonies of blasphemy of himself and is thereby guilty of blasphemy so also in respect that he receiveth titles from others which are as bad as when they call him King of Israel he answers to it see Mr. Farmer 's Satan enthron'd c. When he was asked art thou the unspotted Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world he answers in the affirmative Were I not a Lamb Wolves would not seek to devoure me thus taking to himselfe the titles and attributes onely belonging to Christ therein robbing God of his glory and honour And those Proselytes of his who are trained up by and under him doe questionlesse nothing but what they have learnt of him and a witnesse to this truth it is in that he corrects them not but countenanceth
tongue with a red hot Iron he bored a hole quite thorow which having done and pulling the cloth off that covered his face he put a handkerchief over his eyes and so putting his left hand in his pole he taking the red hot Iron-letter in his other hand put it to his forehead which gave a little flash of smoak which being done Rich licked the same as did the dogs the wounds of Lazarus and then sang which he did often before both stroaking and kissing him which he suffered with an admired impudence so Naylor was first conveyed back to the Black-boy and thence again to Newgate where he rests till he sets forward to suffer deserved shame in like manner at Bristoll What I have said in this I saw and therefore can witnesse I shall now proceed to lay down some of their wicked and erroneous Tenets not held out to my knowledge by any one man but by them all in General 1. They deny distinction of the persons in the God-head see Fox's Sauls errant to Damascus p. 18. there he affirms that it shews only a busie mind to enquire whether there be any individual God distinguished into the Father Son and holy Ghost 2. They hold the holy Scriptures to wit the writings of the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles as not being the Word of God but some of them call it carnal and all of them a dead letter 3. They deny any Exposition except such as they themselves make and call expounding conjuration and he that takes a Text to expound it they say is a Conjurer 4. They hold their own licentious and erroneous writings and speakings to be equal with the written Word of God and George Fox said to Jos Killet that it was all one and the same to take a Text out of his writings and Paul 's Epistles See the discovery of a Treacherous design c. p. 5. and to preach upon it this is an evidence by what spirit these men are under See Mr. Bourn p. 22. 5. They hold that Jesus Christ is come into their flesh that the man Christ dwels in them and that he is savingly in all men even Turks and Infidels but that in them he is held under corruption 6. They deny the Ascension 7. Some deny the Resurrection Saints errand to Damascup p. 57. 8. They disown Christs imputative righteousness and depend upon that which is inherent in themselves 9. They hold that in Regeneration there is no new matter no habit of grace or seed of God infused but that Christ that was in man before is then onely raised up in them out of Prison and from under corruption 10. They hold the full enjoyment of present purity and immortality See my Publique Discovery c.. as who so reads my Publique Discovery may find it cleerly proved with fulness of glory that they enjoy God Christ the Resurrection Judgement and all they look for they enjoy here in this life not expecting any other World or Kingdome but deny any local Heaven or Hell 12. They hold that they neither do nor can sin 13. They hold that to pray that our sins may be forgiven is needless and to ask any thing of God is folly for he knows our wants 14. They deny all Ordinances and concerning Prayer Preaching the Sacraments c. Fox said away with them for he denyed them all And I heard Edward Borowes say that they were an abomination to the Lord with much more of the like nature But think not that I shall accuse any one man as holding all these but onely that amongst them this they believe some in a lesser and some in a greater measure I shall only make mention of some absurd actions and opinions practised and upheld amongst them that now are and were of their society in general A brief Narrative of some very Remarkable passages and absurdities committed by and amongst that heretical Sect of Quakers ANd whereas Christopher Atkinson was once as famous as most that now stand with and among them I shall in a word give you to understand that last Spring at a Sessions held at Norwich he the said Atkinson was indited arraigned and found guilty of adultery and then confessed the Fact and since hath left their society and lives civilly with his Wife in the said City as a Letter I once saw from thence testifyed to be true this Atkinson was once adored rather as an Angel then respected as a man amongst them But it is evident that he was rotten at the Core and his heart was not found George Fox before sufficient witness See the Perfect Pharisee p. 3. as Doctor Marshall Col. West and one Mr. Sawro said that he was equal with God himself See Mr. Bourn's Defence of the Scriptures p. 90. see the relation of the Northern Quakers p. 2. who also said he was the eternal Judge of the World as George Beket Adam Sands testifyeth c. He hath also avowed himself to be the Christ as George Beket and Isaac Bourn affirmeth see the same Author p. 3. so did James Naylor say also that he was God and Christ as testifyeth three witnesses Here followeth a story no lesse strange then true though the strangenesse of it may render it some what incredible which is as followeth LAst Spring or thereabouts were met together in Yorkshire about an hundered and six score men women and children of all ages and sects except sucking babes about eight a clock in the evening where they continued their usuall discourse till about eleven of the clock at night Rom. 2.22 23 24. and when their speaker had done his rable they all very lovingly like swine in a stye went to bed together in the straw stark naked save what men and women were in beds An act not becoming Christians but rather Infidels This was often times in my hearing offered to be proved in their publique meeting place but they never durst put it to trial And but a little before that there were as I was informed for a certain truth some of this factious heresie presumed so far on their delusions that they slew a child presuming to raise it from the dead which when they saw they could not accomplish they were apprehended and at the Sizes condemned and executed for the said murder Not much unlike this was that bold peremptory part of George Fox who neer Kendal commanded a cripple to cast away his crutches and walk which he did but remained a cripple still and Fox wrought his own disparagement see the irreligion of the Northern Quakers p. 29. Many more be the absurdities that I could name of this like nature but I shall only instance two or three in brief A man came stark naked to the Market-crosse in Kertby-more and there stood speaking in that posture to the people with this excuse That he stood naked by the command of the spirit that he might speak the naked truth What father that was whether of
of truth or of lies the actistrates on demon witnesse Mr. George Emot in his Northern blast about p. 6. At Whyton a place also in Yorkshire a woman of this quaking sect came naked from her own bed to another womans husband a companion of her own sect and bid him open his bed for the Father* had sent her unto him See the queriers and Quakers case at the second hearing is no lie p. the man had at that time another man in bed with him he rose to give place to this woman and left this serious couple to lie together according to the womans revelations A most Remarkable Story yet very true of that mad blind and presumptuous spirit in them ONe Mistris Williamson at Appleby most senslesly affirmed in the hearing of divers that she was the eternal Son of God to which some presently Replyed that she was a woman and therefore could not be the eternal Son of God to which she boldly replyed no you are all women but I am a man By this may easily resolved how absurd non-sensical and arogant that spirit in them is that transports them so far as to impossibilities As peremptory a passage almost is that if not as blasphemous of Edward Burrows in a Letter of his from Waterford in Ireland in which are these words I live saith he in a Land where the Divel rules Lords and Kings but I am reserved in eternal power and glory and righteousness over all to reign for ever And to reigne over all in that sense can be none under Christ for of him the Apostle saith that when he is said to have all things made subject unto him yet God that subjecteth all is excepted and if we favour him so much in construction as to exempt the Father its evident he assumes the place of the Son which to doe is blasphemy And little less is that boldness of the same Seducer when he setteth this expression to his Pamphlet Sealed by the eternal spirit of God which expression of his if seriously considered little cause had some persons not now mean in Authority so much to justifie that grand seducer James Naylor as to say though unjustly his accusations were rather of malice then matter of fact If he or they that so said would but weigh what back-friends not onely Naylor but all their Sect are in general to them because they deny authority but in particular in that here Borowes saith he lives in a Land where the Divel not God rules Lords and Kings when questionless by the latter is meant his Highnesse but that he dares not speak out as more plainly appears by that of Francis Howgal in the North who told one Mr. Burton a Magistrate there that the Law said Howgal by which thou actest is Tyranny and Oppression And if the Law be Tyranny What then by his account is the Law-maker maintainer but a Tyrant I hope the supreme Authority will take their own honour and safety into serious consideration with the glory of Christ and his Gospel which is deeply interested in this business And a strong witnesse of the unsanctity of their spirit is their unstability for God is unchangeable for he changes not and as is he so is his spirit and that theirs is no stable but mutable one is evident in that a man in the North in a town called Kerbylansdale that had been of their society a good while falling sick of an Ague of which being kept in a moneth being recovered went to their meeting again he professed he found them so much altered in their Judgements and Principles in that time that he could onely by their faces but not by their Principles know them to be the same men And one Mr. Geor. Emot in his Northern blast p. 6. ingeniously confesseth that since he left them and returned to his right senses he testifyeth who had tried the experience that though whilst he was a Quaker he thought himself to be all light he knew nothing really but imaginary but what he knew before and had learned of the Ministers And as stability is an evidence of the spirit of godlyness as witnesseth that of Jude concerning Michael's Disputation with the Divel about the body of Moses he durst offer neither violence of words or deeds further then the Lord reward thee and this I have heard them preach if their confused nonsensical prating may be so tearmed but I never knew them practice it and therefore to me their unbridled and libertaine-like words and actions is an evidence that if their spirit be infallible as they pretend it s not impiety but inquity and since God and Christ and their spirit is meeknesse joy peace and love what is contrary as violent discourse but turbulent and malicious is not of God but in opposition to him and since the spirit in Naylor and the other of his Fraternity is such a spirit its cleer they are not of God or goodnesse And to demonstrate this is so easie that superfluities of matter for proof makes mee pause which to insert and which to omit therefore I shall only make use of what hath passed between them and me or but little else One time being at the Bull and Mouth and having by chance the day before seen a sheet of printed paper containing there informations given in upon oath proving that one Borows Howgall and chiefly one Hoberthorn had bewitched or inchanted Mary White to death which having about me at that time after some discourse had with him that then and at that time there spoke who before I never saw I produced this sheet and standing on a place with my feet about a story from the ground I went to read and in some places to comment upon it the Quakers by violence pluckt me down by the legs when had not Gods preservance been stronger then the Divell and their malice I might have been in danger of death but God in mercy preserved me that I had no hurt The party then speaking was Richard Hobberthorn who though he heard himselfe so much in question and I often asked him his name yet hee would neither confess nor deny it or say any thing to the clearing the matter of fact They call'd me then dog serpent and divel c. An other time one of their mankind women puld a lock of hair from off my head in their society in a great quantity with several blows and thrusts with cursings and judgements I thinke innumerable But I wonder the lesse at this in respect Mr. Bourn in his Defence of the Scriptures in the Epistle Dedicatory he testifies that a Quaker told him that his house was formerly plunder'd but ere long should be pulled down about his ears And in Glocestershire the Quakers making a disturbance at the burial of an Inhabitant of Paneswick in the said County and going to offer violence or at least uncivilities to the Minister at the grave and one Mr. R. P. a known honest Christian then high Constable doing his duty to keep the pence a Quaker then presently strikes the said Officer over the side of the head so violently that he received much dammage This I am sure is a truth Much more I might speake and have truth my protector but I had rather be sparing then to abound A very evidential passage of that lunatick and unparaleld spirit that ruleth in them as how like men distracted they run along the Streets in a strange manner ON Sunday last being December the 28th about two or three of the clock in the afternoon some Quakers being met together at the sign of the Rose in the new market-place Westminster where Martha Symons and the other two Sisters in iniquity are in custody of a suddain that spirit in them moved them to fall a singing their titular songs of Sion as they call them and dauncing a while till on the suddain they ran down stairs and forth of doors and so down the Strand and Fleetstreet to the Royal Exchange London crying and proclaiming fire and vengeance against Jerusalem and the sword of the Lords wrath was drawn against this great and wicked City where one I. B. a now professed Quaker meeting with them asked them the matter who replied the word of the Lord was gone forth I said he I know that long since it went forth but what was the cause they run in that unwonted manner or words to this effect they said that the vengeance and fire of the Lords wrath was poured forth against this City and Jerusalem must come to judgement who being since asked seriously what he thought of them saith he really believes they are either mad or bewitched some of them ran without hats some without clokes some without either What to term this strange and unheard of sort of men is such a mystery to me as I know better how to admire at then expresse and therefore leave it to the ingenuous Reader to determine FINIS