men women and little children have been strangely wrought upon in their bodies and brought to fall * The thing there is not denyed but palliated foam at mouth roar and swell in their Bellies and whereas it is answered that is a Lye it is replied Let the Reader consult the Book and beleive his own eyes 31. Thom. Holim of Kendal went naked as he was born R. B. p. 21. Q. 72. through the Market place at Kirby-Stephon one Market day Octob. 28. saying 'T is not I but God that goes naked Horrid See the Witnesses in the 5. New-castle Ministers answer to I.N. p. 84. 32. The Lord Cheif Baron Wild Pag. 22. Q. 78. the first day of the Term and Novemb. 11. 1659. was bareheaded and twenty Quakers about him with their hats on half an hour together 33. James Mitener Pag. 23. Q. 87. Sauls Errand p. 2. 9. a follower of George Fox professed himself to be God and Christ and gave out Prophecies viz. that the day of Judgement should be on the 15. of November * In this not infallible R. B. Q. 89. 90. 91. See more of him before f. 23. and that there should never sit Judge at Lancaster again 34. Was it not a sin in Christopher Atkinson fellow Preacher and bosome companion to George Whitehead to comit frequent fornication with Vrsula Servant to Thomas Symonds as both he and she confessed before the Mayor of Norwich and July 4. 1655. run away from Norwich-Goale and carrying thence goods not his own and after he professed Repentance for his lewdnesse with Vrsula did he not practise greater Villanie at the George Inne in Thurton six miles from Norwich See the relation of these matters printed for Franklin and attested by the Maior of Norwich 35. A Female Quaker was taxed Quakers Folio 2. p. 59. for breaking of the Rule Let the Woman keep Silence in the Church for it is not permitted for them to speak replied it was spoken of Women that have Husbands at home to learn of but I have none and am a Maid 36. Another who was a Wife being challenged for preaching publickly and that Scripture urged against her I suffer not a woman to teach and usurp authority over the man readily replied that was spoken of the Woman who was in the transgression but I am not one of them P. 1. of the in the end narrative of Q. F. Vol. 2. Papistâ pejor 37. One of them lately at Dover when he came to die upon the Question put to him how he expected Salvation answered that he expected Salvation by his own works and not by Christ Witnesse Mr. Davis Minister at Dover our hearty prayer to God is that we may neither thus live nor dye Q. Folio v. 2. narrative p. 2. 1659. Reckoned without his host pag. 3. 38. At a late meeting of the Quakers in Hurst-peirpoint in Sussex the Speaker called out to the Minister passing by We will have you all down for now our day is come 39. Another in Nuthurst parish in the same County did say to a godly person of good quality in that parish that he no more cared * They are much beholding to him for his care to kill one of the Priests then he would to kill a Dog 40. Another Quaker way-laid the Minister of Cowwould and justled him on the high way and drew out his Sword about half way but from further was prevented by others coming in 41. Mr. Wingfield Minister at Word did testifie under his hand Aug. 3. 1659. that Luke Howard of Dover Quaker did say in his hearing July 25. 1659. upon the Road neer Dover-castle that it was revealed to him by the eternal God that the priests shall be destroyed and by the people who are called Quakers 42. E. B. Quaker p. 2. in his Word of Advice to the Soldiers saith Oh! give the Priests bloud to drink for they are worthy 43. On the Lords day 18. Sept. 1659. W. Naylor Brother to James came into Savoy Church Mr. Hooke preaching and made such a bellowing that it seemed to be rather the Divel in him then his own voice Mr. Hooke was necessitated to hold his peace many sadly affrighted that some ran one way some another * Testified by Mr. Hook his Wife and others 44 Octob. 6. 1659 p. 4. at a publick thanksgiving at Christ Church London the Parliament Lord Maior Aldermen Common Council Officers of the Army being hearing Mr. Caryl two Quakers made a very great disturbance 45. March 5. 1659. Mary Todd of Southwark Quaker at the Bull and Mouth while some were speaking pulled up her Coats above her middle and walked so up and down a while using several base expressions Mr. Thomas Cresset Chirurgion an Eye and Ear witnesse CHAP. 6. Of their Opinions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 BY which you may easily discern how far they are from being sound in the faith and take along withal this aggravation let their tenents be never so diametrically opposite to the written verity yet they will father it upon the Spirit of truth and he must be made the immediate inspirer of these falsities not being ashamed to make him grosely contradict himself but also to beare witness to a lie for when they want a Shadow of Scripture then they will stamp their errour with the Image and Superscription of the Holy Ghost immediately revealing and Christ the light within them must be made to hold out palpable darknesse Therefore they lay down as a foundation-truth a blasphemous falsehood to build their Structure of untruths upon viz That their dictates are equal to those of Christ and his Apostles a R. B. Question to Whitehead at end of the gagg p. 3. f. 7. do not you esteem your speakings to be of as great authority as any Chapters in the bible Answ yea of greater Herein not unlike the Papists who for the better establishing of their Churches authority make 1. The Pope an infallibl judge 2. Unwritten Traditions equal to the written Word therefore Bellarmine hath Verbum dei scriptum non scriptum To make this evident concerning the Quakers 1. Mr. Camelford Minister of Stafly Chappel in Lancashire having told Thom. Atkinson in answer to his Quaeries that his Quaeries were condemned to the fire George Fox replies you might as wel have condemned the Scriptures to the fire Truths defence p. 2. by Fox Hubberthorn And without breach of charity we may affirm the burning of the Scriptures would not have been so offensive to him a There are Quakers that have done it as before and though it be answered it is a wicked lie yet see your Book entituled Truths defence writ by Fox Hubberthorn p. 2. l. 13. and divers other Books wherein they prefer the Scripture to the fire and their own Books to mens reading as more useful for these times R. B. Q. ibid. for indeed to equal any writings to Scripture is interpretative
were killed burned and drowned till their reliques were so contemtible that they were let alone for compassion Chap. I. Of our English-Quakers name and practise YOu have heard a sad story from abroad a L. 1. of tâ—e Anab ptists acted in the theatre of Germany which surely hath not been taken notice of without detestation and amazement Now b â— 2 of the Quakers The end of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we draw neerer home and come to give in a brief account of somewhat done in our land and in our times All to one and the same end viz. 1. To caution thee that thou beest not deceived 2. To excite thee to be thankfull if thou still standest in the truth stedfast and immovable rooted c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th ir name 〈…〉 They own 〈◊〉 but are so calâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Giâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Tâ—ldâ—rry c. 3. therein 3. To provoke thee to pray for the purity establishment and peace of Gods Church the eye-sores of the Divell and vexation of his instruments but the desire endeavour and joy of the naturall sons of Zion Of late years under the Sun-shine of too generall a toleration there hath sprung up a sort of people generally called Quakers from the quaking and trembling of their bodies How they justifie Quaking Answ to Westmerland position p. 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ in a very strange and vncouth manner when either really or pretendedly acted by another spirit d then their own For the justification of it they abusively alledge e those Scriptures that mention any thing of quaking or tremâ—ling in the Saints at any time or upon any occasion Not conâ—â—dering 1. Thaâ— some speeches are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hyperbolically spoken 2. And others intimate to us the extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost But they think it sufficient with empty sounds to deceive the simple f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they themselves in the interim enervating ad placitum when they please the sacred authority of divine writ as shall afterward be made manifest g Ex ore adversarii 1. Their assemblies 1. Their Assemblies they hold without any difference of time or place but as opportunity offers in them formerly a great part both of their Men and Women did extraordinarily quake even to the dread and affrightment of the ‖ See c. 1. example 1. elsewhere Westmorl petition c. 11. 2. Language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beholders but now more rare and seldome 2. Their language to themselves peculiar so that by it they may be known in a small matter they pretend much conscience and put much in these little words thou and thee * There is a Book in defence of it called The pure language of the Spirit of truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but if a little provoked then they shew their tongues to be set on fire of Hell railing cursing and blaspheming yea damning them with whom wrathfully displeased k As will appeare c. 5. example 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which evidence they strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel their mouths so narrow that you cannot passe and yet when mov'd their mouths are full l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of cursing and evil speaking this is legible in printed characters their phamphelts will sufficiently shew it 3. Behaviour 3. Their behaviour is hail fellow well met and though they have a shew of humility yet are they big with swollen pride for as if neither God nor Nature nor State had made any difference of persons they will uncover to none nor give any titles of Honour witnesse their proud sullen and clownish behaviour not only toward persons of a lower ranck but before Magistracy it self Their reason Answered Upon the pretence of calling no man Father that they may not be guil y of worshiping the creature many of them being willingly ignorant m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the difference between cultum divinum civilem divine and civil honour 2. Others the more ignorant of them being misled by misunderstanding the language and scope of Scripture N. B. Yet this is remarkable when they should not they will strangely allegorize I wish Origens mischance do not befall them 4. Their food and rayment 4. Their food and rayment too abstemious in the first and almost sordid in the last sometimes fasting many dayes * â— Naylor Parnel at other times living a long while on a little bread and water going in any mean habit without as we use to say welt or guard no Lase Cuffes Hatbands c. taking an occasion hereby the more to inveigh against gluttony drunkennesse pride The reason covetousnesse c. That by this means they might gain a great opinion among simple well minded people who consider not that the Divell doth transforme himself into an Angell of Light n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and suits his temptation as may best suit with them he hath to do with that apt we are to seek a righteousnesse of our own 5. Prancks See Gilpin c. 2. Tolderrys story c. 3. Church disturbeâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. Their prancks may well be termed mad prancks many times so far from quod decet Christianis Christianity and reason that they have not in them aliquid humanitatis what becomes reasonable creatures And theref re because they cannot bare them out by such principles they betake themselves to 1. occult revelations 2. the operations of the spirit 3. the voice of God within them so fathering on the most High what they dare not on nature be low and what natura naturata nature abhors they make to be pleasing naturae naturanti to the God of nature so that they may fitly be termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unreasonable ones 1 Great disturbers of Church assemblies both their men and women interrupting Ministers in the midst of their preaching contradicting and blaspheming o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The women who shâ—uld be cloathed with modesty and are prohibited by Apostolicall in iunction p 1 Cor. 14.35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 â—i â— 2.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to speak in the Church denuding themselves of all shamefacedness with brazen faces vent their brain sick phancies under pretext of impulsion of the Holy Spirit 1. This they doe in the greatest assemblies 2. In ways disorderly as if God himself were the author of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 confusion Yet many times so far can they imprison their pretended impulses as to abstain when they may otherwise incur the penalty of the Law N. B. by speaking to the disturbance of holy performances consulting their own safety rather then venting what the pretend to be impulsed unto impellunt impulsum they force the impulse 2. Go naked 2. Go naked frequently in the streets q instances divers afterwards Chap. 5. Proof Answer exposing their nakedness to publique view and boulster
after a while the minister of his own accord rose up to prayer but his legs so trembled that he had much a do to stand but after he had prayed a short space the trembling ceased whilst he prayed to God as a Creator there was but little disturbance when in the name of Christ then (c) Enemies to Christ for all their talk the Quakers roared in a strange and hideous manner howling squeeking yelling roaring and some had a strange kind of humming noise after he had done he was amazed to see about the one half of them so terribly shaken that it was a wonder they liv'd In the midst of this confusion one of them asked him if he was come to torment them As he was departing out of the house one said all the Plagues of God be upon thee (d) Very Christian like Quakers Jesus p. 50 s 3. July 10. 1656. one reasoned with a Quaker who told him that he did thank God he had burnt (e) R. B. Queries 10. do not some of you say the bible ought to be burnt the bible and diswaded him from reading it any more or praying any more but to hearken to the light within him 4. The same year diuerse quakers being met together in a Town in Essex there appeared one amongst them in such ashape as caused them to break up their meeting with no small terrour to many of them Clarks mirrour p. 271. 5. A Quaker the same year being put into Prison at Cholchester abstained from all food for diverse days together when he was prevailed with to eat nature was spent and when he would have eaten he could not and so died his name was Parnel fasted eight or nine dayes after he was laid in his grave a Quaker waited by his grave to the end of three days expecting his resurrection but not rising he ran mad and so continued many weeks Hellbreke loose p. 54. 6. William Paul a professed quaker servant to George Knight Clothier of the City of Worcester on Feb. 1657. at even went out of his Masters house and some dayes after found dead and naked with his Face downward in a puddle of water Hellbroke loose p. 36. his cloaths lying by the inquest found him guilty of self murther his friends on 22 of Febr. had interred in Claynes Church-yard two miles from the City and after he had been buried six or seven hours one Susannah Prinson a quaker in that City undertook to raise him from the dead wherupon she took three or four of her way went to the place caused his body to be taken up laid on the ground opened his shroud touched him and called him by his name saying arise and walk with other expressions many being present but she returned with shame 7. A Female quaker about four or five years since came into Whitehall Chappel stark-naked on the Lords day p. 32. the Minister being in the pulpit a great Congregation being present 8. A Maid-servant at Putney at her Masters house p. 33. when he and many friends were at Dinner with him came into his Parlour amongst them stark-naked and another day stark-naked from her Masters house through Wandsor and to Lambeth or neer it where some Water-men by force stop'd her and carried her back It was said she intended to have entred London over the Bridge and so to have gone through London streets unto Westminster 9. In Summer 1659. in Colchester a Man-quaker went stark naked through all the Market p. 33. and on a Lords day in the same posture entred into the greatest Assembly in that Town walking unto the further end of the lower cross through many people and then returned and from thence to a great company of quakers in that Town where he did for a long time act the part of a Speaker and when he went naked he had a brother waiting on him carrying his cloaths after him 10. The same Summer a Man-quaker went naked down Cheapside 11. This last Summer at Colchester many of them on the Lords day have opened their shops and followed their handy-crafts calling for many weeks together the like hath been done severall Lords dayes by them in London and Southwark 12. At the same place this Summer a woman brought her needle-work into a Church and fell to work and singing while the Minister was officiating not much unlike in London by a woman in Lawrence-Church 13. At Aldermanbury London a quaker after once being frustrated in his attempt did while the Psalm was singing before the Minister went up got into the Pulpt there sate on the cushion with his foot on the stool or seat and with a needle and thread sowed a pocket untill pulled down since which he hath printed the reason of his so doing that he could have no rest in his spirit till he had done it f This is following the light within The person was Samuel Eurles f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 les i. e. stark naught and as he himself relates it p. 2. he sate down upon the Cushion with his feet upon the Seat where the priest when he hath told his Lies doth sit down sowing a pocket so that the people lost their Song 14. Since that in the same place and time a man Quaker came into the Assemblie stark naked his hands and Arms all besmeared with Excrements and there are that have had the face to justifie him g You see how they value it that he might as well come with such filth in his hands as the Minister with a Bible 15. Nicholas Kate of Harwel in Berks about the yeer 1656 Ford and Fowlers answ to Speed p. 75. came into Newbery between 8. and 9. in the morning on the Lords day and so walked starck naked through a long street who for many Months before had not lived as a Husband with his Wife left his own Family Land and Stock of a very considerable value entred upon by persons whom the Country esteem Ranters his Wife a weak diseased Woman who brought him a valuable portion left to the mercies of those persons h This light is not natural 16. A Physician in Lincoln with his consent was made a Quaker for 24. hours by a Quaker Hell broke loose p. 36 Other like instances follow that strangely argue with whom they deal who he privately convicted to be a man in popish orders beyond Sea the agreement was that at the end of 24. hours he should cease to be a Quaker which so fell out but he affirmed that for that time he could not choose but preach and pray at the Quakers rate but at the end of the time he found himself exceeding weary and as indisposed to such work as ever i Is this following light within them or rather putting it out 17. Some Quakers killed their Mother following the light within them which taught them they ought to destroy the original of sin and by the said light
the servants of sin But hear Gotherson himself 2. Pet. 2.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All Quakers then are not led by the light within them That spirit those are guided by is of Satan and so will lead them to take others as their blinde ignis fatuus leads them for by nothing but imagination lust fancies are suich led And such leads away silly women that are captivated by Satan laden with divers lusts pleasures that are always learning never able to come to the knowledge of the truth Others are led to neglect their families and relations and children contrary to that of Paul A man is worse then an infidel that doth not provide for his family meaning his outward family n Give Ministers leave to provide for theirs For let every man wait on his calling and God hath appointed that the creation shall be managed that man may be Lord of all the creatures And Christ saith It is a more happier o His own English thing to give then to receive And the Apostle commandeth to lay up that there may be a distribution among the Saints and how can he lay up that is idle and runs too and fro wasting his time in idleness and consuming his precious time whilst his wife and children wants at home And so this spirit rends tears the affections of men from their Wives and women from their Husbands and children from their parents and this that bring into a disuniting is not the spirit of the Lord for the spirit of the Lord brings into union This spirit of righteousnesse teacheth a man to know his own wife and love her as Christ did the Church and it teaches the woman to know and love her own Husband God hath been pleased to pluck some out of the snare but others thereby have been hardned so out of this mans month truth in this proceeds oh that the rest may not the more oppose it Page 51. He goes on Others there are that are very loose in their carriage and deny the resurrection of the body contrary to the doctrine of the Apostle saying the resurrection is past already these do erre not knowing the Scriptures and so are led into the distraction which causes disturbance and this is by the cunningnesse of Satan and this simple people are led captive by him Epist 5. p. 54. IT is not as Roger Crab William Smith and John Dunck surmises and others in wearing hair or not hair neither is it in dirty hands or faces as they fondly do surmise neither is it in straw hats or such fond conceits We see in what poor ridiculous things these people put their Religion in It is not in denying the lawful use of the creatures for the Apostle saith Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat making no scruple for conscience sake So that a man may lawfully eat all creatures as well as hearbs or what grows naturally and every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if received with praise and thanksgiving And if they or any led by their fond deceitful spirit deny the resurrection of the body of Christ out of the grave let them read Luke 26.3.7 and so on Acts. 1.9 They are superstitious in their observances and desperately erroneous in their judgements their Heterodoxies are not small therefore he concludes well The head of the Serpent is too powerful in Roger Crab and his followers Page 56. and leads them captive to do his will This is a true saying and worthy of serious consideration of them and the rest of that conspiracy And I shall take my leave of them even in Gothersons own language And so dear friends I desire you to repent and turn and put away the evill of your doings Cease to do evill learn to do well hide the word of the Lord in your hearts that you may not sin against God and be content with this knowledge of the Lord to know what he requires of thee and to do it and that is this What doth the Lord thy God require of thee O man but to do justly to love mercy and to walke humbly with thy God CHAP. XI A Narrative of some publique proceedings in reference to Quakers In Westmerland To the Justices of the Peace The Petition of divers Ministers and otther Inhabitants in the said County Humbly sheweth THat James Naylor and George Fox men whose Country habitation profession and condition is to us generally unknown meerly of their own accord have entred into the County and together with some others their companions and Proselytes who are risen up among our selves in it have filled it in some parts with very sad divisions and distractions stirred up much hatred wrath and strife even between the neerest relations and powerfully seduced multitudes of people from the truth and true worship of God to embrace their own corrupt and dangerous doctrines and follow their pernicious wayes which things are so notoriously known to all that live in those parts that we need not here say any thing to acquaint you with it And though those men tell people where they come that they are sent to them from God to declare what he hath revealed in them and labour to perswade them that they came to them with the authority of the Apostles of Christ yet our selves do confidently believe and know them to be wicked men deceivers and the very Ministers of Satan as may appear 1. By the Horrid blasphemies which they uttered 2. By the damnable Heresies and dangerous errours which they have broached All which tend not onely to the disturbance of the publique peace and safety of the Common-wealth but to the subversion of all government We do in all humility address our selves humbly and earnestly praying as you tender the glory of God and the good of so many soules as are or may be indangered by their impious principles and practiâ—es that you would be pleased to make use of that authority wherewith the Lord hath invested you speedily to provide for the safety of true Religion and the publique Peace by checking the wicked endeavours and proceedings of these men which we humbly conceive may be at least by ordering James Naylor and George Fox c. being strangers to depart out of this County to return to their own homes Francis Howgill to be of better deportment specially toward the Magistracy and Ministry of England and by enjoyning John Airey Alexander Dixon and the rest of the speakers and followers that live in this County to abide at their own homes study to be quiet and do their own business labouring in their own Calling which is the Apostles rule and not to wander up and down the County as seducers to draw Disciples after them save onely in a way of travell as private men about their own occasions and the Lords gracious guidance of you in the affairs of so great concernment we shall ever pray Given up at the Court