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A30035 The pilgrim's progress, from Quakerism to Christianity containing, a farther discovery of the dangerous growth of Quakerism, not only in points of doctrine, but also in their politicks, respecting their government, and opposite to it, together with their fund or common bank to support the same : with a remedy proposed for this malady, and the cure of Quakerism : to which is added an appendix, discovering a most damnable plot, contriv'd and carrying on by New-Rome, by an united confederacy, against the reformed religion and professors thereof, as will appear from the designs of their silent meetings, their monthly, quarterly, second-day, six-week, and yearly meeting, all which are particularly herein treated on / by ... Fr. Bugg. Bugg, Francis, 1640-1724? 1700 (1700) Wing B5383; ESTC R20744 232,865 530

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whole Nations and Multitudes in number a Rebellious People that will not come under Our Law † † † Meaning Geo. Fox's Ten Commandments which ariseth up against us and will not have our King to Reign * * * See Sam. Fisher's Prophecy but tramples his Honour under Foot and despise his Law and his Statutes and accounteth his Subjects as Slaves and Bond-men stand upon your Feet and appear in your Terror as an Army with Banners and let the Nations know your Power and the Stroke of your Hands cut down on the Right Hand and slay on the Left and let not your Eye pity nor your Hand spare but wound the Lofty and tread down the Honourable of the Earth and give unto the great Whore double and give her no Rest Day nor Night but as she hath done so let it be done unto her and give her double into her Bosom * * * The first Reformers did so and I am giving the little young Whore a double Cup. As she hath loved Blood so give her Blood and dash her Children against the Stones and let none of the Heathen Nations nor their Gods escape out of your Hands nor their Images nor Idols but lay waste Fenced Cities † † † Hark! Are not these Fifth Monarchy-men and tread down the High Walls for we have proclaimed open War your Captains are Mighty Men and your Leaders are well skill'd to handle the Sword * * * This cannot be meant within What Leaders and Captains within and they are Riding on before you against the Beast and the false Prophet and Cursed be every one that riseth not up to the Help of the Lord against the Mighty The Beast is Mighty † † † i. e. The King and Parliament and the false Prophet is Great * * * i. e. The Clergy and they keep the Nation under their Power But O thou Beast and thou false Prophet You shall be Tormented together thou Beast upon which the false Prophet sits * * * You 'd fain Ride too but I hope she 'll throw you off unless you Retract these Bloody Books and Horrid Principles whom thou upholds by a Law and defends by thy unrighteous Power and into the Pit and Lake shall you be turned to have your Resting Place And thou false Prophet which hath deceived the Natitions the Decree of our God is sealed against thee † † † No marvel then they cannot pray for them unless for their Destruction as Fox said See Truth 's Defence c. p. 15. thy Smoke shall ascend for ever and ever and of thy Sin there is No Forgiveness nor of thy Torment No Remission over you do we and shall for ever rejoice and fing and over your God and your King the Dragon that Old Serpent cursed be he and his Memorial for ever Written in Ireland 1655. by Edw. Burrough and Fr. Howgill * * Note This was to go only amongst the Friends and Printed in Quarto with this Title This is only to go amongst Friends Thus Friends have I shewed you our Ancient Testimony in all the Parts of it First Touching the World's Peoples Mistake in the Scriptures for a Rule to Walk by Secondly Of the Certainty of our own Papers and Epistles which are the Word of God and a certain Rule to Walk by Thirdly And in the Application I have shewed how our Light hath exalted you above the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Holy Confessors and all Christian Churches to this Day Fourthly Our dear Brother William Bingly hath well remembered our Ancient Testimony against the Hireling Priests for with them and against them we began to War and that with Indignation too Fifthly He hath also shewed you who we account false Ministers and what they are and the very Names by which they are described both in Oliver's time and since Sixthly Ben. Bealing hath found out a very suitable Hymn of Praise even a melodious Song of Triumph setting forth our Exaltation and the Downfal of the Christian Churches under the Notion of the false Church the Mother of Harlots Mystery of Babylon in which my Heart was and still is refreshed as with new Wine Seventhly I have also closed my Discourse with the Prophesie of Sam. Fisher which you need not doubt but will come to pass it may be sooner than you are aware of * * If the six-Six-Week Meeting mind their Business every Session of Parliament for he gave it forth as it came to him from the Lord and no otherwise the 25th Day of the Seventh Month which the World's People call September Anno 1656. so that it cannot it cannot miss only for the present we must be content to stay and patiently bear for the present for as yet we cannot think we shall be made to handle the Sword but when the time does come I have shewed you the Testimony of two of our Prophets and early Champions what we shall Do how we shall Kill Cut off and Destroy and Bathe our Swords in the Blood of Amaleck * * Viz. The Priests and Rulers as in the large Marginal Note and lay waste Fenced Cities and tread down the Honourable of the Earth and spare neither Old nor Young Ox nor Ass Male nor Female that will not come under our Law and Worship our God And now I shall conclude with a Prayer and that also without any Confession of Sin for all my Sins were pardoned in Oliver's time For the Prince of this World was cast out of me 1652. and Hell was conquer'd and Death and the Grave overcome and the Kingdom that cannot be removed was given ME and this the Lord did do for ME from his Fore-knowledge of ME and the Lord then brought ME into Sion which I then did Witness See his Book Truth defending the Quakers p. 8. Moreover I was then moved to witness against the Priests and Hirelings Diviners and Deceivers and to judge the Whore with her Enchantments and to torment the Beast * * i. e. The Governours and plague the false Prophet whose Judgment torment and Misery was then begun and will never have end which I Witness whom God hath set to root out and pull down Jacob found in a Desart Land c. p. 7 8. And thus much shall suffice at this time to shew you our Ancient Testimony in many Particulars which you are exhorted to Maintain Defend and to Vindicate and not at any time to Retract any one Syllable of it for the Government of our Church even Men and Women's Meettings were Ordained * * The Quakers Ordinances as in Sol. Eccles Prophesie by Christ within Geo. Fox as at large in my Book Judgment fixed c. p. 317 318. is made clearly out and out of which Book p. 354. I shall use this short Form of Prayer because the Day is far spent viz. Let us Pray O God I make my Appeal and Supplication against
been ever made to do and I am willing to do him Right herein for according to the Proverb I am willing to give the Devil his due I need not quote Book and Page to prove their Preachers Pretences to Preach freely without Money c. their Books are full of Proof and their Sermons from Dan to Beersheba But I have said they pretended to write freely and this I ought to prove which I shall do from their Great Apostle and Second Moses namely G. Fox see their Book stiled Concerning Marriages c. p. 4 5 6. printed 1659. G. Fox viz. If any Friends go together in the Power of the Lord or find a Necessity thereunto that after the thing hath been made known between themselves before any thing be concluded it be declared to Friends who are able * * Viz. Their Teachers which practice came afterwards to be abhorr'd to see and feel into it and if they see the thing in the Light and Power to stand it may be declared to Friends in the Meeting as they are moved or as they are moved they may declare it in the mid-time of the Market on the Market-day in the next Market-Town as they are moved or they may not as their Freedom is Then after a convenient time and the thing be seen and felt and had Unity with then an Assembly of about 12 Friends met together they may speak their Testimony as they are moved how the Lord hath joyned them together in Marriage and then a Certificate by Friends then present may be given of the Day Month and Year that it may be Recorded and as they are moved they may declare it to the Magistrate and they will † † G. Fox was Infallible Sence or Nonsence tot quot omnes or they may not And that nothing may be Recorded for Money in these things but freely a free People and in Love serve one another and that is it that you should feel the Thing in the Power c. George Fox Now let me subjoin a Second Testimony of George Fox's against taking of Money c. Friends you are to do the Nations Business freely and that is the way to get into the Hearts of People c. Several Papers given forth per G. Fox An. 1659. I remember there is in one of the Quakers Declarations a Reserve left for Fighting afterwards We Yet say they cannot believe he will make use of the Sword by us but for the Present we are given to Bear and Suffer c. So had G. Fox said that as Yet let nothing be Recorded for Money but for the Present i. e. till you a fair Opportunity do things freely c. then there had been a fair Plea † As there is now for Whipping Fining Imprisoning and Fighting c. then As Yet might by George Whitehead have been rendered Adhuc and not Tamen for 't is manifest that their early pretence to Teach Preach write Certificates c. freely was but to get into the Affections of the People until a more fair Opportunity and then Experientia docet they can take 50 l. per Annum for writing Certificates c. 30 l. for writing Five or Six Sheets called a Primmer to teach Children 10 l. at a time for Preaching c. See New Rome Vnmask'd c. p. 58 to 63. where I have enlarged hereon from the Quakers Books But G. W. by his Book stiled The Contentious Apostate c. p. 22. he seems to deny G. Fox's Order for Marriage where it 's said nothing is to be Recorded for Money c. as above cited But G. W. I have it and you may soon see it in the Library of Christ's Church College in Oxford where that and many others of your Books which you would be glad were extinct will remain for Ages to see and be able thereby to detect your Falacies And now follows part of the recited Declaration viz. We have chosen the Son of God to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People and he might command Thousands and Ten Thousands of his Servants at this Day to Fight in his Cause he might lead them forth and bring them in and give them Victory over all their Enemies and turn his Hand upon their Persecutors but yet his Kingdom is not of this World neither is his Warfare of Carnal Weapons neither hath he chosen us for that end neither can we Yet believe * No stay a little longer that he will make use of us in that way tho' it be his only Right to Rule in Nations and our Heirship to Possess the utmost Parts of the Earth but for the Present † Ay be patient a little longer we are given to bear and suffer all things for his Names-sake c. To the present distracted Nation of England c. Printed 1659. p. 8. But Reader if you look back to Fox's Order for Marriage you may observe that he points to have the Matter laid before their Ministers and thereupon I shall shew you a brief Testimony of one of their Female Preachers a Woman of Note amongst them in a Letter I have by me part of that against their Hoarding up Money which is as bad as Hoarding up of Arms and Ammunition viz. * * Anne Docwra's Letter dated Feb. 26. 1684. I have heard something concerning this Controversie now on foot which I perceive arises from a Personal Quarrel about a Maid that was chusing a Husband for her self and also 't is expected she should give up her Concern in that Business to some of our Preachers which was never practis'd until of late † † Not since Popery till Quakerism came in its Room amongst any that profess'd true Religion it is that which hath made the Jesuits to be Abhorr'd amongst some of the wisest and honestest of the Papists themselves so that they would not let them come within their Houses If the Maid be a wise Woman and of Age to dispose of her self she will not let any of our Preachers meddle with her Concerns * * Why G. Fox advised to it look back of chusing a Husband for her they should only meddle with their own Business and let honest Friends make their Choice themselves c. Anne Docwra Reader The main thing I recite part of this Letter is to shew the Sense some still amongst them have of their own Teacher's Jesuitical Practice either in making or breaking of Matches according as they are pleased or displeased I could write a Book by it self only to shew the Baseness of their Teachers Practice not only in making Matches but in making Mischief in Families in setting Men and their Wives at Variance And more particularly G. W. my old Antagonist as may be seen in the Book quoted viz. The Conten Apostate p. 5. The Apost Incend p. 8. Judgment fixed c. p. 289. both relating to my self W. Muclow Tho. Crisp c. setting aside John
in the nature of them and such intolerable Scandals as had they not had more Patience than the Quakers notwithstanding the loud Noise they make of Patience Humility and Meekness c. they would never have lain under such Public Scandals And therefore when in the next Chapter I come to touch their tender Part as Erasmus once said to a Monk I shall see how patient they 'll be when they are paid in their own Coin nay I hope far better at least to a better Purpose CHAP. XIII The Quakers Convocation George Whitehead's Sermon explaining their Ancient Testimony Reader THink not the following Sermon a Romance or Fiction for the Design of it is good and intended for their Conviction Read the Books in the Margin and you 'll find it fully proved to be the Sum and Marrow of their Ancient Testimony which by their Contempt of the Scriptures shews their Antichristian Principles and how their Doctrine carries all Iniquity in the Womb of it and opens the Flood-gates to all Atheism Deism Socinianism Arianism and all other vile Errours And therefore in hopes that this following Illustration of their Principles may be of use to their Hearers I proceed in this unusual Method But with my Lord Bishop of Lincoln in his Advice to his Clergy Second Edit p. 25. I will say ' Not that this can be expected from the Leaders of that Party they have Ends to serve in the Conduct of that deluded People that will engage them notwithstanding Confutation and Conviction too QUAKE●… SYNOD A SERMON for George Whitehead to hold forth at their Convocation or Yearly Meeting Friends I Beg your Attention to what shall be spoken this Day upon this Solemn Occasion being met to inspect the Affairs of our Society throughout the VVorld The chief Subject upon which I shall treat is our Ancient Testimony as you will find it written in our Gospel viz. God is the same Truth is the same his People the same and their Principles the same For our Principles are now no other than what they were when we were first a People The Quakers cleared c. p. 7. so we cannot but recommend unto you the holding up the Holy Testimony of Truth which had made us to be a People Prim. Christ continued p. 6. and that in all the Parts of it for Truth is one and changes not amp c. Their Yearly Epistle Printed 1696. Beloved in the opening the VVords of my Text I am to tell you First That as God is the same so are his People the same and according to our Ancient Testimony as unchangeable Secondly That our Principles are now no other than they were in the Beginning in all the parts of our Ancient Testimony whether relating to Monarchy Magistracy the National Ministry and all Points of Doctrine News coming up p. 18 19 20. Thus having opened the VVords of my Text I shall now let you know the Doctrinal Parts I intend to discourse of and then proceed FIRST The Scriptures which the Christians profess to be their Rule shewing their great Mistake therein and the Uncertainty thereof SECONDLY The Authority Certainty and Infallibility of our Friend's Books and Sayings and both Affirmatively THIRDLY and Lastly I shall apply the same by way of Use and for your Consolation Negatively and these in their Order First then As to the Christian's Mistake about the Scriptures look into the Epistle General of our Great Apostle Geo. Fox viz. And therefore all People that are here Christ is not in the Letter nor the Life is not in the Letter nor the Word is not in the Letter This mediate Stuff has reigned long in the Cage of unclean Birds you get the Letter for the Light a Steeple-House for the Church Matthew Mark Luke and John for the Gospel c. To all the People who meet in Steeple-Houses c. p. 4 5. Printed 1657. Thus Beloved you see what great Mistakes are hapned to this People of England who by following the Doctrine of their blind Guides have taken Matthew Mark Luke and John for the Gospel that is Glad-Tidings No no 't is Beastly VVare yea Dust and Serpents Meat and this I can prove by Two Books wrote by our Apostle Geo. Fox the one stiled News coming up c. p. 14. the other Several Papers given forth for the spreading of Truth c. p. 3 4 44 45 46 viz. So Dust is the Serpents Meat their Original is but Dust which is Death so these Serpents feed upon Dust and their Gospel is Dust Matthew Mark Luke and John which is the Letter c. Thus Friends have I shewed you the great Ignorance of the VVorld's Teachers who first take Matthew Mark Luke and John for the Gospel and now see what they have got for their Rule VVho would think they should hear such a Teacher as hold a Bible in his Hand and tell People it 's the VVord of God and bid them hear it and obey the Doctrine of it at their Peril for it 's the Law say they by which you shall be judged another Day VVhen alas my dearly Beloved as I have more than once in Print affirmed saying That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any meaning our selves is of as great Authority as the Scriptures or Chapters are and greater c. And I still affirm the same and do tell you that it is according to our Ancient Testimony and you know we cannot change nor alter being as unchangeable as our Light within See G. W. Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 7. Printed 1657. A Ser. Apology p. 49. Moreover the Scriptures are so uncertain that 't is questionable who was the first Pen-man thereof whether Moses or Hermes yea either or neither How then can any Man depend upon them as a Rule to walk by Thus you see how the Christians are mistaken for have not I my self told you as well as my dear Brother Christopher Atkinson That Friends do not call Matthew Mark Luke and John the Gospel and New Testament as the Ignorant Priests do David 's Enemies discover'd c. p. 7. And is it not written in the Gospel of my said Brother Christ Atkinson That for any to say that Christ is God and Man in one Person is a Lie The Sword of the Lord drawn c. p. 5. What Ground then hath any Body to hold a Trinity of Persons Nay my Brother Penn and I have jointly said in our Apology Dedicated to the King's Lieutenant-General of Ireland That we deny the Terms of three distinct Persons in the Godhead whereby we do positively deny the Creeds called the Apostle's Athanasian and Nicene Creed A Ser. Apol. p. 20. If any Object Why we refuse to acknowledge them in Words not altogether of tho' agreeing with the Scriptures seeing we our selves use many Words not Scriptural as those of calling the Scriptures Death Dust Beastly Ware Serpents Meat c. those of our calling the Clergy Monsters Bloodbounds Grinning Dogs
read a Page thereof but to tell them all are Lies all is Malice c. and they are bound to believe you * * True for never were a People held more Captive but the Blind lead the Blind according to my Doctrine in these VVords It was for your sakes and the Truth 's that I was pressed in Spirit thus to appear against this deceitful Worker VVilliam Mucklow which hath shewn his Enmity against the Truth and Us the Church of Christ and Elect People of God called Quakers And p. 16. I affirm That the true Church as above described is in the true Faith that is in God And we must believe thus as the true Church believes or else it were but both a Folly and Hypocrisie to profess our selves Members thereof c. The Apost Incendiary c. p. 3 16. So that my tender Lambs you see first That we are the true Church of Christ next That you are to believe as the Church believes and there lyes G. Fox's Journal on the Table which you have in all Quarterly Meetings and ought to have it in all Schools † † They have got it in some Schools already where their Youth read a Portion of it every Day c. yea in private Families for as our Brother Mead hath well express'd himself it is the best Book in the VVorld for our keeping up our Ancient Testimony yea better than the Bible said he And now to conclude this Head look into the Book of Canons * * Look into the Book of Church-Canons made Anno 1675. which lyes before you on the Table and turn to those Church Canons which were made Anno 1675 at a Yearly Meeting or a Convocation where in order to corroborate all that hath been said on this Head it is thus written It is the Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the Fear of God and the Authority of his Power and Spirit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings That no such slight and contemptible Names and Expressions as calling Men's and Women's Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burdensome that Faithful Friend's Papers which We TESTIFIE have been given forth by the Spirit and Power of God are Men's Edicts or Canons or Imbracing them Bowing to Men Elders in the Service of the Church Popes and Bishops with sueh scornful Sayings be permitted among them but let God's Power be set upon the top of that Unsavoury Spirit that uses them Subscribed by us W. Penn Steph. Crisp Tho. Salthouse Jo. Bunyeat G. Whitehead Alex. Parker c. Thirdly and Lastly Let me apply what has been said Friends I am now come to the last thing proposed to speak to on this solemn Occasion and it shall be by way of Use and Application for your Comfort and Consolation and that by way of Inference drawn from the foregoing Two Heads And First Respecting Confession of Sin shewing your Exaltation above the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Primitive Christians Saints and Martyrs and all the Christian Churches to this Day Secondly Respecting the Observation of the Ten Commandments which are not binding to you unless you receive them anew as the Inspired Prophets and Apostles did Edward Burrough's Works p. 47. Quakerism a New Nick-name c. p. 71. Thirdly Respecting the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper And First You being the true Ancient Apostolick Church of Christ and as Quakers elected thereto and that the Quakers are in the Truth and none but they as our Brother Sol. Eccles from the Spirit of Truth hath written See the Quakers Challenge c. p. 3. hath no need to make any Confession of Sin in our Prayers to God as our Practice for near Fifty Years do confirm nay nor all the Apostates that ever went from us nor all the Priests our Adversaries cannot prove from any one of our Books wrote by my self G. Fox Ed. Burrough Fr. Howgill Father Penn Sam. Fisher W. Smith W. Baily Richard Hubberthorn and others of our Friends in the Unity that ever we made Confession of Sins to God and asked Pardon for Christ's sake nor that ever we recommended such a Practice to our Disciples notwithstanding our Books wrote by our Friends above-named contain more than 5555555 Pages in Folio Quarto and Octavo Now Friends VVhat cause have we to Rejoice and to Magnifie our Light within which hath led us to such a State of sinless Perfection And therefore I exhort you to keep up our Ancient Testimony in all its Parts of which this is not the least For let me tell you that Jacob that worthy and godly Patriarch he was so sensible of his sinful Imperfections that when he prayed to God he acknowledged himself unworthy of the least of God's Mercies Gen. 32.10 And Isaiah the Prophet said But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and we all do fade as a Leaf and our Iniquities like the Wind have taken us away Isa 64.6 And Jeremiah the Prophet cried under a sense of his Sins We have Transgressed and Rebelled Lam. 3.41 Yea Job that Man of God said I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou Preserver of Men Job 7.20 Yea David a Man after God's own Heart said For I will declare mine Iniquity I will be sorry for my Sin Have mercy upon me O God according to thy Loving Kindness according unto the Multitude of thy tender Mercies blot out my Transgressions wash me thorowly from mine Iniquity and cleanse me from my Sin for I acknowledge my Transgressions and my Sin is ever before me against thee thee only have I sinned and done this Evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sin did my Mother conceive me c. Psal 38.18 and 51.1,2,3,4,5 Again Solomon said For there is not a just Man upon Earth that doth Good AND SINNETH NOT Eccles 7.20 Prov. 20.9 adding by way of Interrogation Who can say I have made my Heart clean I am pure from my Sin * * Besides the Quakers and the Gnosticks Yea that good Man Nehemiah Fasted Prayed and VVept before the Lord God of Israel saying O Lord God of Heaven the great and terrible God that keepeth Covenant and Mercy for them that love him and observe his Commandments * * Not G. Fox's Commandments Let thine Ear now be attentive and thine Eyes open that thou mayest hear the Prayer of thy Servant which I pray before thee now Day and Night for the Children of Israel thy Servants and confess the Sins of the Children of Israel which we have sinned against thee I and my Father's House have sinned Nehem. 1.5,6,11 Yea Daniel that Beloved of the Lord he said And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my Confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the Covenant and Mercy to them
the Kingdom c. p. 4. Several Papers given out for spreading Truth c. Ninthly In teaching That if Christ that 's Crucified be not within and that Christ that 's Risen be not within I say that ye are Reprobates Now I say that if there be any other Christ than he that 's Crucified within he is a false Christ and he that hath not this Christ that was Risen and Crucified within is a Reprobate Tho' Devils and Reprobates make a Talk of him without God's Christ is not Distinct from his Saints nor his Body the Church for he is within them not Distinct from their Spirits And thou say'st thou art saved by Christ without thee and so hath recorded thy self a Reprobate and they that profess Christ without them and another Christ within them here is two Christs G. Fox 's Great Mystery c. p. 206 207 250 254. And to confirm this false Doctrine see Edw. Burrough's Answer to a Question and William Smith's to his Child which are as followeth Query Is that very Man said the Minister to Burrough with that very Body within you Yea or Nay Burrough Answers The very Christ of God is within us we dare not deny him Burtongh 's Works p. 149. Query How may I know when Christ is truly Preached W. Smith's Answer They that are false Ministers Preach Christ without and bid People believe in him as he is in Heaven above But they that are Christ's Ministers Preach Christ within c. Smith 's Primer c. p. 8. Now Reader if this Doctrine be sound and Orthodox then were all the Apostles Martyrs and all Christian Ministers false Teachers and Deceivers but if this Doctrine be Heterodox then the Quakers only are the false Teachers Deceivers and Antichrists W. Penn also is one with Fox Burrough and Smith See his Christian Quaker and Div. Test p. 97 98. and his Sandy Foundation p. 21. Tenthly G. Fox speaking of his own Rise out of the North gives his Book this Title News coming up out of the North sounding towards the South written by Fox from the Mouth of the Lord from one who is Naked and stands Naked before the Lord cloathed with Righteousness whose Name is not known in the World risen out of the North which was prophesied of † Query by what Prophet and now fulfilled Thus much briefly touching this Blasphemous Bird which being the Master of the Assembly and first Founder of this Sect he shall not be of the Number of the Twelve intended viz. Six of each sort which now shall follow in their Order the first Six being of the same Feather witnessing to their Forerunner and great Apostle who tho' he once said he had a Celestial Body * Before two credible Witnesses one being still alive that he had Power to binde and loose whom he pleased yet his Body proved an Earthly one and is dead and gone and for some Years whilst living amongst them was like a Statue or an insensible Image which could scarce see or understand being grown Corpulent and in bulk of two or three Men and so dosed away his time with strong Liquors and Brandy who left these Words for W. Rogers John Raunce Anne Docwra and others who had opposed his Tyranny and Usurpation viz. And as for this Spirit of Rebellion and Opposition that hath risen formerly and lately it is out of the Kingdom of God and Heavenly Jerusalem and is for Judgment and Condemnation with all its Books Words and Works † This was Printed in their Yearly Epistle 1691. and Reprinted in Fox's Journal 1694. p. 616. Now observe how this Fox is ador'd Burrough the First Bird of the Blasphemous Six See their Book This is only to go amongst Friends p. 19. viz. Oh thou North of England who art counted as Desolate and Barren and reckoned the least of the Nations yet out of thee did the Branch Fox spring and the Star Fox arise which gives Light unto all the Regions round about in thee the Son of Righteousness Fox appear'd out of thee Kings Priests and Prophets did come forth in the Name and Power of the most High meaning Hubberthorn Howgil Burrough Farnsworth Nayler Atkinson Whitehead c. which uttered their Voices as Thunders c. Thus has Burrough ecchoed back and confirmed Fox his Imposture saying Amen to his Blasphemy alluding to Micah 5.2 to Matth. 2.5,6 as more largely handled in my Book New Rome Unmask'd c. p. 79 to 88. and New Rome Arraigned c. p. 5 6 7. And I marvel at Whitehead's Impudence to deny it In his Sober Exp. p. 57 58. but to make it clear and past his Exception if possible let 's take out more Birds but he that will deny Burrough's Book to have this Title This is only to go amongst Friends which is the only and all the Title and which Book I have by me what will not such a Fellow deny Jos Coale the Second Bird. Dear Geo. Fox who art the Father of many Nations whose Life hath reached through us thy Children even to the Isles afar off to the begetting many again to a lively Hope for which Generations to come shall call thee Blessed whose Being and Habitation is in the Power of the Highest in which thou Geo. Fox Rulest and Governs in Righteousness And Thy Kingdom is Established in Peace and the Increase thereof is without End Read Numb 24.17,19 Zech. 3.8 cap. 6. v. 12. Malachi 4.2 Luke 1.32,33 Isai 9.6,7 Thus then it is plain That both Burrough and Coale call'd G. Fox comparatively the Branch the Son of Righteousness yea Christ Sol. Eccles the Third Bird. Several Petitions Answer'd c. p. 60. Stand up Muggleton thou Sorcerer whose Mouth is full of Cursing Lies and Blasphemy who calls thy last Book a Looking-Glass for Geo. Fox whose NAME thou art not worthy to take into thy Mouth who is a Prophet indeed and hath been faithful in the Lord's Business from the beginning It was said of Christ that he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not John 1.10 So it may be said of this true Prophet Geo. Fox whom John said he was not Several Petitions Answer'd c. p. 60. but thou wilt feel this Prophet one Day as heavy as a Millstone upon thee and altho' the World knows him not * See the first Instance of the Ten about Fox yet he is known c. The Quak. Chal. p. 6. Thus do they all agree that Fox is their Star their Branch c. For if he be Christ as Eccles saith if he had a Kingdom established of whose Encrease there never was to be an end as Coale said then he was Christ and so the Branch the Star c. as Burrough said and indeed as they all mean else they would condemn these Blasphemous Books but instead thereof this Letter of Coale's is vindicated in their Book Judas and the Jews p. 44. in
of Ignorance I shall now proceed farther to prove my Reasons and that from plain Matter of Fact that so it may appear as well from our printed Books as from our known Practice what a strange Effect these Silent Meetings had upon us and how we thereby became not only levened into a Temper to throw off all Instituted Religion but to a degree higher even to throw Contempt both upon the Scriptures Ordinances and Ministers and all things Sacred crying down all Forms and Constitutions how ancient and profitable soever they were and all under a Pretence of a higher Dispensation even the Light within c. For saith W. Penn We Quakers being withdrawn from every Form and Constitution to wait in Silence for Life from God and not from beggarly Elements and therefore made a Prey to all Parties against whom every Hand have been lifted up and forsaken by all Civil Power c. The Guide Mistaken p. 32. To this let me add the Testimony of one of our greatest Prophets his VVords are these i. e. I dare not daub saith Solomon with untempered Mortar for where they i. e. Professors of Christianity are I was viz. in Performances in Ordinances in Family-Duties in Hearing in Reading in Prayers and Fastings in my own Will and all this is Will-worship But when that one thing the Light came which was needful I then began waiting in Silence to learn to be a Fool insomuch that I durst not give God thanks for the Victuals that were set before me A Musick Lecture p. 25. Thus it is plain that our Teachers led us into this Silent way of pretended Worship which never was known before since the World began Indeed Consideration and Meditation are good and ought often to be the Exercise of Christians but then they have an Object to Meditate upon either the Works of Creation and Providence which affords much Comfort and Cause to praise God our great Creator or else on our Lord Jesus Christ his Death and Sufferings and perfect Obedience and the like But I say to go on purpose to a Meeting and there sit starving in the Cold three or four Hours together speaking never a Word nor as near as we can think a Thought of our own this is such a new and non such way of Worship as neither Prophets Christ's Apostles nor any Christian Church to this Day ever gave Countenance to or President for I grant That John Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton who came forth with George Fox and their Books bear the like Face viz. Tho' all visible Worship is now become of no value in the Eyes of the Lord yet it may be truly said that Christ is with his Apostles always to the end of the World in all those that Worship him in Spirit and Truth I mean those Sober Silent Saints whose Language and Practice speaketh forth the Spirit and Power of the Scriptures in them these Silent Saints I speak of from an unerring Spirit from an infallible Light which I have received from the Divine Majesty c. Joyful News from Heaven p. 61 72. Reader I have by me Lodowick Muggleton's Journal or Works bound up in one Volume containing eleven distinct Books in Quarto and above One Thousand Pages and so like to George Fox's that I intend they shall stand together in the Library of Christ's Church College in Oxford with the Works of Burroughs Bayly Smith and others that so any who are concerned with the Quakers Errors may be furnished c. Thus Reader you see that Muggleton and Fox stand on the same Bottom Fox was unerring so was Muggleton Fox was for an Infallible Light so was Muggleton Fox was for Silent Saints so was Muggleton only Muggleton keeps close to his Principles for as he denies all Ordinances so he does not Preach Pray nor Baptize nor Administer the Sacrament But the Quakers as in the Instance of Solomon Eccles above-quoted pretend to be against all Ordinances and yet own Preaching and Praying and deny Baptism and the Supper c. However since I have no Author nor never read of any but Lodowick Muggleton that justifie the Quakers Silent Meetings I will produce one Passage more i. e. That the Worship required by him from his Saints was an Inward Stilness by which their Souls were made willing to hearken to the Voice or Motion of bis most Holy Spirit speaking in them Thus from an unerring Light I have remonstrated to the Elect what is the very true God and his Spiritual Worship accepted of him 't is not Outward Praying Preaching Fasting or Thanksgiving to be seen of Men but it is an Inward Spiritual Silent Praying and Praising Fasting and Feasting upon the Glorious Things of Eternity which is only seen by Divine Eyes c. p. 41 43. Ibid. Thus I have shewed that Lodowick Muggleton was a better Quaker of the two than Solomon Eccles But that it may appear that as the Quakers have testified against the Christians for owning the Authority of the Bible so let them see they have a Partner namely Muggleton who says p. 49. Ibid. Again in the next place I shall demonstrate the Vanity of the Ministry of the Baptists I need not tell you the Foundation upon which they build their Worship because it is founded on the Letter (d) The Quakers Language to a Tee of the Scripture and their own lying Reason which is the Devil in them All true Christians are now under the Ministry of the Holy Spirit and therefore are no more bound in Conscience to Apostolick Worship I say again that above this 1000 Years there hath not been a Man sent to Preach or Prophesy p. 50. How then canst thou possibly become a Minister of Divine Ordinances by Authority from another Man's Words or Writings unless without their Letter thou wert immediately moved to speak by the Holy Spirit as they were Moreover tho' the Scriptures in themselves are true yet there is nothing but Death in them to a Carnal Spirit The Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life and can a dead and killing Letter give the Power to become a Spiritual Minister of Christ's Ordinances to his Elect People I trow not c. Thus doth Lodowick profess the same Infallibility of Judgment the same way of Silent Meetings the same Perfection and unerring Light to Guide moved thereby immediately Again they join like Samson's Foxes against the Scripture a dead Letter a killing Letter a carnal Letter I think I have said enough at this time of the Harmony betwixt Lodowick Muggleton and the Quaker Teachers tho' I could bring many of the like Instances Some Inferences from the Third Chapter IS it so that whereas it is written John 5.23,27 For the Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son and hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Confirmed by the Apostle Acts 17.31 Because he hath appointed a Day in which he will judge the
World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath Ordained whereof he hath given Assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead I say Is it so And have the Quakers perverted these Texts in St. John and put on a new Translation saying All Power in Heaven and Earth is committed to their Light Quoting John 5.23 Josiah Coal's Works p. 93. This is a bold Attempt this is most Horrible if not Blasphemy thus to subvert the Gospel to serve their Corrupt Ends. How wary then had People need be of receiving the Quaker's Doctrine Is it so that People being thus caught in a Snare and brought over to their Silent Meetings and thereby weaned and drawn off from the Principles and Practices of the Christian Churches in all Ages as Baptism the Lord's Supper the Lord's Prayer Ten Commandments the Apostles Creed Confession of Sin and reading the Scriptures in their Meetings in the Worship of God Oh! what Care ought to be taken that these People should be shunned and these false Worshippers be rejected as a contagious Disease Is it so that the Quakers hold that what is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any is of greater Authority than the Holy Scriptures which was ever since the Days of Christ and his Apostles brought as a Proof to cast the Ballance in all Controversies And do they indeed hold as their Books teach That that is no Command of God to me what he commanded to another and that no Command in the Scripture is any further obliging upon any Man than as he finds a Conviction upon his Conscience as W. Penn and their Prophet Burroughs teach Burrough's Works p. 47. Quakerism a new Nick-name c. p. 71. This surely is the Womb of all Iniquity in the World this opens the Flood-Gates to all Errour Atheism Deism Socinianism Arianism and what not This therefore ought to precaution all People to beware how they receive the dangerous Pill of Quakerism how excellently soever it is covered with some plausible Pretensions and fair Arguments Is it so that the Quakers have not nor ever had since the Days of Symon Magus none like them amongst the Christian Churches who denied the Ordinances of Baptism Supper and Confession of Sin but John Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton How then does it behove their Followers to examine the Doctrine and Practice of their Teachers and to turn from them and flee as for their Lives CHAP. IV. Shews that this Anarchy did not last long but a Government was set up Sometimes a Single Person as Pope over us and sometimes the Light in the Body of Friends claimed a Power over the Light in the Particular FOR after we became dead to the Rudiments of the World as we accounted those Christian Duties commanded by Christ and his Apostles and practised by Christian Churches downwards as Baptism Supper Confession of Sin c. and became stedfast and fixed in the Notion of Quakerism of which I gave only a Hint as I passed thro' my Pilgrimage in that Particular then our Teachers began to bethink themselves of the Necessity of a Government in our Church as well as our Neighbours and if a Government then a Governour and this Government must be either Inward or Outward The Inward we had tried and found defective for the Disciple pretended he was enlightned as well as the Apostle and he thought he had as much Right to follow his Guide i. e. his Light within as to follow and obey the Light in his Teacher or the Light in any Man Upon this the Teachers met in Council at London in the Month of May 1666 to settle this so necessary as well as difficult Point and many Arguments passed between the Clergy and Laity viz. between the Teachers and the Deputies At last it was decided That the Body should govern and the Light in the particular should submit to the Light in the Body But still this Body being without a Head seemed like a Monster so that there was a Necessity to find a Head to clap upon this Body Well this Head must either be visible or invisible the latter it could not be for then the least Hearer would plead his Light his Guide his Judge his Leader as the Teachers told them in the beginning when they decoyed them over to them So then it was resolved it must be George Fox he being the first must become our Great Apostle who together with the Body was to Govern from East to West and from North to South Since which time it was in vain for any single Person to plead the Sufficiency of his Light or the Authority of it for to the Light in the Body was all Power in Heaven and Earth committed Jos Coal's Works p. 93. And to support this Glorious Cause Will. Penn wrote a Book wherein he affirmed That it is a Dangerous Principle and Pernicious to True Religion and which is worse it is the Root of Ranterism to assert That nothing is a Duly incumbent upon thee but what thou art perswaded or convinced is thy Duty c. A Brief Examination and State p. 3. This was Printed in 1681 and and written by the same W. Penn who in the Year 1673. wrote his Book stiled Quakerism a New Nick name for Old Christianity where he then Judged it so far from Ranterism to act as they were perswaded that Page 71. he saith No Command in the SCRIPTURE is any farther OBLIGING upon ANY Man than as he finds a CONVICTION upon his Conscience otherwise Men said Mr. Penn should be engaged without if not against Conviction a thing unreasonable in a Man c. Thus then it 's plain That with respect to the Commands of God recorded in the Holy Scriptures Men are to be at Liberty they are to obey if they be convinced or perswaded it 's their Duty so to do if not they may by Mr. Penn's Doctrine be at Liberty And so saith E. Burroughs for says he That is no Command from God to me what he commands to another neither did any of the Saints that we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was to another not having the Command to themselves c. Burrough's Works p. 47. And if we read on in the same Page we may find that these Commands of God thus rejected by the Quakers unless they have them anew as the inspired Apostles and Prophets had were Baptism and other Ordinances And now let me return to see what things Will. Penn would have done and obey'd Conviction or no Conviction and this will give us some Light into their Mystery of Iniquity thus to reject the Commands of God recorded in Scriptures and teach that none need to obey them unless convinced of the Usefulness of them as they have done these 40 Years GO TEACH ALL NATIONS BAPTIZING c. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME c. When you Pray say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE c. Matth. 28.19,20 Luke 22.19,20
c. Primitive Heresie c. and George Keith's Three Narratives and Mr. Crisp's Animadversions c. to avoid Repetition Yet least those Books may not come into some Hands which this may I thought it needful to give these brief Hints for Information Object 4. But still some may urge What! Hath W. Mead no other Reason for his saying Fox's Journal was better than the Bible Answ I do not grant that he hath any good Reason that 's far from me neither do I know of any better I know of some other which with him may go far which in brief are First George Fox's Miracles which he writ in his own Name like those of Simon Magus Acts 8.9,10 cap. 19.13 and certain Vagabond Jews Exorcists but these lying Wonders came too late some 20 some 30 Years after they were said to be done no Body knows where nor when nor who were cured nor no Witness to attest the Truth thereof Read Fox's Journal p. 167 170 171 103 27 28 407 258 70 370 371 373 503. 2 dly Because Fox pretended that God sent a Trooper to him whilst Prisoner in the House of Correction as he sent Saul to Annanias Journal p. 45. 3 dly Because he Fox pretended he had Visions as had Ezekiel p. 69. 4 thly For that Fox pretended that the Keeper of the House of Correction came Trembling to him as the Goaler did to Paul and Silas p. 37. 5 thly That he saw the Heavens open as St. Stephen did p. 47. 6 thly That he spake like an Angel in Beverly Church the wonderful Things of God p. 55. 7 thly That he was a Prophet like Isaiah spake the Word and it came to pass p. 67 78. 8 thly That he saw a Pool of Blood and and a Channel of Blood in the Town of Lichfield p. 53. when there was not a drop of Blood much less a Channel or a Pool of Blood c. However by these and the like lying Wonders † As more large in the Picture of Quakerism Part 2d the Quakers like the deluded Samaritans of old are made to believe with W. Mead That the Journal of Fox is a better Book than the Bible and that George Fox as well as Simon Magus was some great Man even the Power of God see Journal Third Index under the Letter M. and thereupon gave him Divine Attributes due only to Christ which Whitehead their Drudge to help them at a dead lift was forc'd to bring in his Innuendo's to set forth the Intents of Coale Eccles c. Innocency against Envy c. p. 18. CHAP. VI. Shews George Whitehead c. their Hypocrisie Answereth an Objection Do not the Quakers maintain their own Poor Their Vncharity thereby discovered Reader I Am now upon a fresh yet a necessary Subject for as the Quaker-Teachers have cry'd down all Protestant Ministers as Covetous Lovers of filthy Lucre and thereby raised their own Fame as the Prophets of the Lord called forth from their own Country and from their Father's Houses from both Riches Honours and Preferments to come with their Lives in their Hands for the Good of Souls this Noise I must confess went a great way with me in my young Years and I know it doth with many And therefore I think it needful to discover their Deceit in this particular as well as to shew how far they maintain their own Poor and what they mean by those Words THEIR OWN POOR for as their Hypocrisie is Misterium Maximum so it requires some Time and Skill to unfold it in order to which I shall thus proceed Object 1. But say some G. Whitehead printed F. Bugg a conceited Fool one that cannot write true English Judgment Fixed c. p. 233 243. and also of little Credit Likewise that the Author of The Snake in the Grass is a Necessitous Malicious Expulsed Priest one who writes for his Bread a Villain a Venemous Obnoxious Sculking Vermin c. with abundance more of the like nature A Sober Expostulation c. p. 2. Primitive Christianity continued c. and G. W. 's Letter to G. Keith May 3. 1698. Answ First As to my self tho' I had not that Learning which I am satisfied my Parents once designed yet I thank God and my Parents for affording me both a Competency of Learning and Judgment to deal with the Quakers who are not over-learned no not G. W. when he came first amongst us witness his Book Jacob found in a Desart Land c. printed 1656. which I am sure is so foreign from true School-Learning that there is not in the whole Book one Page good Grammar-English as well as some part meer Nonsence Yet I will not call him Fool nor yet nothing of a Scholar for perhaps he might be then entered in his Accidence And I will also grant that since that having leisure enough and lived with his Feet under other Men's Tables whilst I was occupied in Trade and Worldly Business he has acquired a greater degree of Learning yet not so much neither as always to write true English as in his Letter to Mr. Archer is manifest so that he might have pass'd by my want of Learning c. 2 dly As to his Reflection on my Credit when I came first amongst the Quakers I had sufficient to live upon and to maintain my self in the rank I was brought up in yea to give and not receive At 16 Years old I had by my Grandfather an Annuity given me of 6 l. per Annum until I was 21 Years old and then Thirty Pounds per Annum besides what my Father gave me and tho' I have met with many Losses and that in divers Kinds yet I thank God who hath hitherto enabled me to maintain my Post and to defend my Faith and Christian Reputation against the Malicious Attempts of G. Whitehead and his Confederates besides G. Whitehead might have forborn since most of my Losses have been by the Quakers having had Eight or Nine break in my Debt some paying nothing some paying 5 s. in the Pound some 2 s. 6 d. in the Pound (a) Viz. Enoch Barwick about Two Years since for 18 l. I had but 45 s. I will mention one more namely Tho. Plumstead Brother to Francis Plumstead at the Cross-Saws in the Minories London and still an Eminent Quaker living in Ireland but no Conscience he makes of paying me and that it may appear true I will recite the Note I have still under his Hand viz. May 12. 1676. Reckoned with Francis Bugg of Milden-Hall and all Accompts being then cleared there rests due to Francis Bugg Sixteen Pounds Four Pounds whereof is to be paid to him Six Months after the Date hereof and the Twelve Pounds remainder not exceeding Four Years Witness my Hand the Day abovesaid Tho. Plumstead However he never had the Honesty nor Conscience to pay one Penny of it which is now Interest and Principle between 30 and 40 l. and greater Sums than this and of as
Eminent Quakers I can mention if need be But I understand the World so well as not to make these things the Subject of my Discourse nor did I ever mention any such thing in Print only G. W. gives now Occasion for it 3 dly As to the Author of the Snake in the Grass c. I am sensible G. W. does as much abuse him and indeed what Opponent ever had G. W. that he did not abuse However he has been and still is a Gentleman a Man of great Learning and Piety and cloathed with Zeal as with a Garment for the Christian Religion and well accomplished every way to display the Errours of the Quakers and is preparing an Answer to G. Whitehead wherein he I believe will trace him step by step in all his crooked and by paths But G. Whitehead I have not done with you yet you tell us in the History of your Call to the Ministry saying The Lord hath called me from my Native Country and from my Father's House and from outward Riches and the Honour of the World c. Jacob found in a Desart Land c. p. 8. I do well remember that when I came first amongst you this was a great part of your Cant as if you had been some Lords Sons yea Men of Breeding Riches and Honour and left all for the sake of Souls when alas upon a strict Enquiry of which I have not been wanting I find you in this as well as in almost every thing else horrible Deceivers for you left your poor Country for a Richer and like Yorkshire Hostlers are observed seldom or never to return thither again You came from Penury to Plenty from Labour and Toil to Ease and Pleasure you came from your Father's poor Cottage which I have been told by them that saw it that it is not worth 50 s. to Houses worth 500 l. a good Exchange believe me and you were so far from being possess'd with outward Riches that you came a poor Boy on Foot and liv'd upon Alms amongst us sometimes a Month here Six Weeks there more or less as you could find Entertainment the mean time improving that little Learning you had as well as to instruct the Children in the Family But George thou left thy Honour too how came that to pass What Worldly Honour wert thou endued with Was it to carry a Letter to a great Person sometimes for a piece of Victuals Very well I think that is as much as ever during thy Dwelling in thy own Country thou didst arrive to and for this in time thou hadst the Honour to send thy Servant and ride thy self on Horseback with a London Linnen-Draper riding before thee Benjamin Antrobus and John Kent worth some Thousands for ought I know riding behind thee carrying thy Portmantle and thy self George in the middle like some Peer Thus George instead of leaving thy Riches thy Honour c. thou left thy Penury and Contempt and by Deceit like thy Brother Sam. Cater who pretended he suffered 20 l. when he suffered not a Groat but by that Pretence got 10 l. clear into Pocket Picture of Quakerism drawn c. p. 106 to 111. at large But HARK George I find you so deceitful that I fear thou hast laid a Foundation in this thy Jacob found in a Desart Land and with Design too to have thy Friends after thy Decease when they collect thy Works to magnifie thy Call to thy Ministry out of thy Father's Country for the sake of Souls when alas it was for filthy Lucre-sake in leaving thy outward Riches when alas it was to get Riches and Honour Object 2. But may some say What will the Quakers give such notorious Accounts of their Call to their Ministry And are they generally of such a mean Abstract and yet so advanced Where is the Self-Denial they so often boast of And why do they debase the Clergy as a Tribe of Covetous Worldly Teachers Since if others be like Whitehead none exceed the Quaker Teachers in Worldly-mindedness Answ First Well to Answer this Objection take G. W. for one Instance 2 dly Sam. Cater who was a poor Journeyman Carpenter and when he led James Naylor's Horse into Bristol crying Hosannah to the Son of David and put in Prison he was well acquainted with Vermin Rags and Penury however 't is believed he is worth now besides Portioning out his Children some Hundreds 3 dly John Kilborn another Journeyman Carpenter as poor as either Whitehead or Cater when they first set up for Speakers now a Wealthy Man 4 thly William Bingley a poor Taylor wrought for 4 d. or 6 d. a Day in the North with Tho. Denison or others now a Rich Man 4 thly Samuel Wallingfeild a Glazier formerly but since a vast Rich Draper in London 6 thly Tho. Green a Mason or Bricklayer now a Man worth many Thousands 7 thly George Fox a poor Journeyman Shoemaker died worth Abundance and liv'd in as much Plenty as most Knights in England 8 thly Stephen Crisp formerly a poor Weaver but died very Rich. I have known most of these Eight Persons near 30 Years some longer and setting the Glazier and Mason aside which possibly might make up jointly 100 l. if need were but the other Six I do verily believe was not all worth 100 l. unless they had sold their Axes Saws Thimble and Needles Beds Stools Shuttle and Awl But such is the Art of their Preaching how much soever they decry Gifts and Rewards in others that put what Geo. Fox and Steph. Crisp died worth to what the other Six living for ought I know together and by the most modest Account that I can get together with my own Estimation their Estates thus got by Preaching is not so little as Twenty Thousand Pounds but some think nearer Thirty Thousand Pounds Now then I dare engage to produce 500 Clergymen whose Fathers were Men of Estates who brought them up at Schools and Colledges with great Expence and Charge and that since they came into the World have been frugal Men and liv'd as many Years in their Office of Preaching and yet have not advanc'd their Fortunes to this degree And yet to behold how their Books are fill'd with reproachful Language as well as their Sermons against the Clergy as a Tribe of Mercenary Hirelings Lovers of filthy Lucre Followers of Balaam for Reward seeking their Gain from their Quarters Greedy Dogs Babylon's Merchants Covetous Devils Thieves Robbers A Brief Discovery of a threefold State c. p. 5 7 8 9 10. Yea says W. Penn And whilst the Idle Gormondizing Priests of England run away with above 150000 l. a Year under Pretence of being God's Ministers and that no sort of People have been so universally thro' Ages the very Bane of Soul and Body to the Universe as that abominable Tribe for whom the Theatre of God's most dreadful Vengeance is reserved to act their Eternal Tragedy upon c. The Guide mistaken p. 18. And