thereof as given to every man to profit withal to be that Law that Order that Rule of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus unto which every one respectively ought to be subject and yield Obedience not by Constraint but of a willing Mind and that for Conscience sake And as we were so subject we became Members of that Body against which the Gates of Hell never did or can prevail nor yet against any one Member thereof whilest abiding on the Rock Christ which is that Body the unworthy Eaters discerned not And thus for many Years it continued amongst the Friends of Truth or Children of Light for so were we called in the beginning magnifying by their Testimonies Obedience unto the Light of Christ Jesus which as the Scripture Testifies lighteth every man that cometh into the World as the only RVLE and GOVERNOVR in the Church of God unto which whosoever took heed and was obedient was esteemed to live under the Government of Christ knowing and believing that as Christ's coming is to be waited for in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men so there his Governments to be exalted and that whosoever should endeavour by outward Ways and Means to establish an Outward Government and Outward Rules Orders Laws or Prescriptions over the Heritage of God under the Notion or Pretence of Christ's Government would be found Invaders of Christs Prerogative and building the things which in the Light of Christ Jesus had been often testifyed against as more agreable to the First Covenant than the Second under which we are and touching which 't is thus said by the Prophet I will put my Law in their inward Parts and write it in their Hearts and they shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. Jer. 31.33.34 In these things we with many others were at Unity We now recommend the same to every Conscience in the Sight of God whether this our Unity was not and yet is consisting with and agreeable to the unchangable Truth The next thing we are to treat upon is By what ways and means this Vnity came to be broken In order to the Discovery thereof we think it necessary to answer one Question which probably may be asked by some Persons who may not be sensible of such a Variance hinted at Viz. How doth it appear that there is such a great Difference and Dis-union To this we say The publick Testimoneis of many Persons in those publick Meetings for Worship where we have been conversant and that when many others not under the same Profession with us have been present against dark bad leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits with Application to such who are under the Profession of Truth and as we believe have born the Brunt and Heat of the Day and do yet continue unchanged as to the Principle of Truth and as blameless in Life and Conversation as ever they were in dayes past when their Opposers were at Unity with them so far as we know doth evidently demonstrate that the Breach is not only very wide but so publick as it cannot but concern some of the wrongfully scandalized Party whereof we are a part as Men and as Christians for our Reputations or at least the Reputation of some of us in both respects have been struck at to appear thus publick in the Vindication of Truth and therefore having long born the Reproach and Scandal of Scandalous Tongues hoping that those who have so persecuted us and others our Brethren for whose sakes we also are the more concerned would have come to see their Error and repented do now think our selves oblieged for the Honour of Truth and Information of all the Friends thereof as well as for the sakes of such as have been betrayed and led from the Simplicity of the Gospel of Christ to proceed to manifest for what Cause both we and many other our Brethren in the Vnchangable Truth are accounted such dark leavened rending dividing and seperate Spirits which being truly stated the impartial Reader will easily discover by what ways and means the aforesaid Unity came to be broken and at whose Door that will lie and which of those divided Parties do yet stand in and for the unchangable Truth That the aforesaid Cause wherefore we and others are accounted dark leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits may be the more clearly manifested 't is needfull to consider that some enquiring Reader may be ready to ask this Question What do you believe is meant by the words dark leavened rending dividing or seperate Spirits To this we answer that many signal and outward Demonstrations both by Words and Writings too large here to insert have been given us to believe that the Publishers of such Reflecting Expressions on many ancient and honorable Brethren who we believe have approved themselves to this day Faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Christ do intend that if any one who hath been convinced of the Truth as preached amongst us in the beginning doth scruple though conscientiously to put in practise the Outward Orders and Prescriptions of some Person or Persons taking upon him or them to give forth the same such an one may justly be accounted of a dark leaven'd rending dividing or seperate Spirit And though of our certain knowledge we can declare that the understandings of many are so enlightned by the Truth as clearly to discern a deceivable Spirit entring in by this Door yet we are sensible that there are many Honest-hearted Friends who being ignorant of many things that are come to our Knowledge may have a Dread upon them lest they Err in taking part either with one or tother Party until they have further enquired and satisfyed themselves and these peradventure may be ready thus to object and tell us Objection That they are informed that some of those whom we term some Persons taking upon them to give forth outward Orders and Priscriptions are such as usually frequent the General Meeting and have been ancient Labourers in the Gospel and have been Instruments to gather us from the Lo henes and the Lo theres to follow that Teacher that cannot be removed into a Corner and that the General Meeting is an Established Meeting and that they have Power to Command Govern and Rule over others and that 't is the Duty of others to Obey for we find as they may say Robert Barclay in his Book of Government which Friends ought not to Judge because 't was approved by the Second Days Meeting in London which is a Meeting of Ministring Friends to inform us Page 27 28. That the Apostles and Primitive Christians practised Order and Government in the Church that some did appoint and ordain certain things condemn and approve certain Practices as well as Doctrines by the Spirit of God that there lay an Obligation in point of Duty
to and fro having little other Business or Matter than to cry against some Friends under the term of Dark Seperate Spirits though such as are Faithful we should not have so many False Accusers as we have troubling the Countries raising publick Contentions in Meetings for worship amongst us to the open Scandal of Truth and Observation of our common Enemies whereby they rejoyce and cry ha Several instances of this nature are recorded in the Second part of the said first Manuscript mentioned in the Preface ready for the View of Friends as aforesaid And though they give the first onset by Publick Testimonies against particular Persons Ancient and Honourable in the Truth yet a sober Request from any of us desiring to know the Matter that 's Evil whereof such are guilty is with them sufficient ground to lay the Contention at our Doors saying Why cannot you bear all things would have been well if you could have born But alas we are not of those who can so suffer Truth to fall in our Streets and so they go on where they have Credit proseliting simple People against honest Friends by their Lies and Slanders But to return let us consider Whether the last recited Quotation speaks any thing to encourage one Brother to claim Authorty over the Conscience of another or that some Members of the Church of Christ may meet together and give forth Sentences and Decrees in Matters relating to Conscience against others oblieging all to submit thereto Nay verily that Construction cannot stand in Truth and Righteousness though it should come from an Assembly called a General Assembly For albeit the Author to the Hebrews tells them They were come to the General Assembly and Church of the First-Born which are written in Heaven Yet he speaks nothing of their Authority as Judges much less that their Sentences or Judgements should obliege the Consciences of others without relation to a Conviction from the Appearance of the Spirit of Truth or Grace of God in themselves but tells them that God is the Judge of all The next thing we are to manifest is that some there are amongst the People called Quakers who may be accounted Chieftains too that approve of a Plea for Government amongst themselves which in its natural consequence hath as we take it no less tendency than to claim a Power over our Properties as well as Consciences For Proof whereof we say the Second Days Meeting of Ministring Friends in London took upon them the Approbation of the aforesaid Book relating to Government whereby they are Entituled to the Matter therein contained The Reader may peruse the Fifth Section of the aforesaid Book of Government beginning Page 37. the Title of which Section is In what Cases and how far this Government extends and first as to Outwards and Temporals the Author treating thereon Page 39 sayeth thus In the second place this Order reacheth the Taking-up and Composing of Differences as to Outward Things and so proceeding on that Subject the Author comes thus to affirm We do boldly Averre that as a People gathered together by the Lord unto the same Faith and distinguished from all others by our Joynt Testimony and Sufferings that we have Power and Authority to decide and remove these things This we Testifie is repugnant to the Light of Christ Jesus within us and Testimony of the Scriptures of Truth without us for as Christ's Kingdom is not of this World so 't is not likely that his Members should by his Authority claim a Jurisdiction in the Matters relating to this World and if Christ himself when he was desired by a certain man * Luke 12.13 14. to bid his Brother divide the Inheritance with him refused to be a Judge in that Matter relating to Property when desired by one Party saying Who made me a Judge over you how much more unreasonable is it for his Members to assume a Jurisdiction when desired by neither Party we leave it to the Consciences of impartial and understanding Readers to weigh and consider and in the Light of Christ to Judge saying in our Hearts Blessed be the Lord that neither the Second Dayes Meeting nor those who are at Unity with them as Approvers of the said Book have any Jurisdiction over our Properties for if they had and should appear so unjust in their Sentences towards us as some have been Scandalous in their Tongues the Prophesies of our Outwardly Withering in Basket and Store might quickly come to pass but Blessed be God the Lord hath hitherto been a Blessing to us so that at this time in a Sense of his Mercy and of that Charity which obliegeth us to love our Enemies we do heartily desire that the False Prophesies and Plagues against others whom the Lord hath and doth Bless may not be fulfilled on the Heads of such Prophesiers Object But perhaps some may query of us What ought to be done in Cases of Difference between Brother and Brother Answ To this we say The Parties differing ought to choose Honest Men skilled in the matters wherein they differ to end the same and not go to Law and if any shall refuse so to do the Church of Christ have only Power to Admonish them to their Duty and if they refuse to take their wholsome Counsel may then declare such unworthy of their Society but for any Members under the notion of the Church to say We have Power to decide and remove these things without the assent of the Parties differing is an Usurpation and that the assent of Parties was not intended by the Approvers of the said Book of Government it is evident to us for that there is not in any part of the said Book one Tittle to that purpose neither could such Assent be so exprest and yet the Case whereunto unto it related be pertinent to the matter of Power treated on in that Section which was In what Cases and how far this Government extends whenas any Heathen Man might claim the like Power when given by assent of Parties And to us 't is evident that the Purport of Paul's Counsel to the Corinths 1 Cor. 6. at variance was That they who were at Variance should choose some of the least in the Church and not the rest of the Church choose or set apart any for them to decide their Differences For that when he said I speak to your shame is it so that there is not a Wise Man amongst you He could not in Truth intend shame to those in the Church who were not at Variance but in Peace Love and Unity in the Truth each towards other for no question but they were ready to choose Wise Men to judge the matter if they had had Power or the differing Parties would have assented but doubtless the shame intended by the Apostle related to the Parties differing who had Power to choose Persons to decide their Differences and yet would not but go to Law On the whole matter we have this further
hath opened that there is not any other way by which all things relating unto the Kingdom of God and Salvation of mankind comes to be revealed and this appears agrecable to the Scriptures of truth John 14.26 2 Cor. 4.2 3 4 5 6 7. 2 Tim. 3.15 16. We are now sensible that some who may peruse the foregoing Scriptures may be ready thus to say You seem to propound two ways by which the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind have been and are revealed viz. the Spirit of Truth or Appearance of Christ by his Light as One Way and the Scriptures of Truth as Another Way To this we answer The Way we propose is but One though the Manifestation thereof may seem various to Man viz. sometimes through Instruments and sometimes through Himself For though Paul wrote unto Timothy unto whom he was made an Instrument and therefore called him his Son telling him 2 Tim. 3.15 16. That the holy Scriptures were able to make him wise unto Salvation and that they were profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness yet 't is spoken with respect to those Scriptures that are given forth by inspiration of God and with this limitation viz. thorow the saith that is in Christ Jesus Whereon we observe that the Scriptures given forth by inspiration are but as an Instrument made serviceable to the Reader through the Spirit whereby faith in Christ comes to be raised even as a Man indued with the Spirit of God may in the hand of the Lord be an Instrument through sound Doctrine and wholsom exhortation to open the inward Eye of the Mind which hath been darkned and to awaken the Conscience which hath been defiled that so man may come to be renewed in the spirit of his Mind unto God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the Conscience purified from Dead Works through the blood of the Covenant to serve the Lord in Truth and Righteousness and therefore we reasonably conclude That there is but One way though various in Operation and Manifestation through which the Things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind comes to be revealed which is by the powerful appearance of Christ by his spirit and light convicting the Conscience converting and renewing the Mind unto God sometimes through Scriptures given forth by inspiration sometimes through Man as an Instrument and sometimes by the appearance of the Spirit and Light in Man without the Assistance of such Instruments but yet the end of all is that faith in Christ may be raised wherein as the Evidence of things not seen by the Carnal Eye the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ is beheld which is that Treasure whereof the Apostle spoke that is hid in our Earthen Vessels that the excellency of that Power might be of God and not of man These things being duly considered this Testimony doth naturally arise that neither the Scriptures of Truth nor any other writings whatsoever though given forth by the Spirit of God itself can properly be termed so profitable a Rule unto us as the Light and Spirit from which they were given forth and therefore the Eye of our Mind ought chiefly to be unto the Spiritual Appearance of Christ by his Light and Spirit in us as that Unerring Guide which never can be removed into a corner Besides we find the Scripture itself testifying That no Prophecy of the Scripture is of any Private interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 that is it ought not to be interpreted but by the Holy Ghost through whose Motions 't was given forth for all other Interpretations may truly be termed Private From whence we observe that if the Prophecies in the Scriptures of Truth should be read unto us from Morning to Evening and from Evening to Morning again we might receive little Benefit or Profit thereby unless the Eye of our Mind come to be stayed in the Unchangeable Light and Spirit of God whereby the meaning of the spirit through them out of all Private Interpretations hath been and is signified unto Man CHAP. II. Touching the Light of Christ within and Exhortation to Obedience thereof THose Faithful Messengers of the Gospel of Christ whom the Lord in these latter daies sent forth for the gathering of the Nations unto the Faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life that their souls might be saved in the Day of the Lord frequently sounded in our ears on this wise Turn in your minds unto the Light within meaning thereby the Light of Christ within which shews you that a Tye is not of the Truth and as through Faith you come to be Obedient unto the Light Within and that measure of Grace given by God and received by you so will you come to be made Partalters of that great Salvation This Doctrine was acceptable to many who in the Love of Truth received the joyful Sound thereof but unto others mean and despised who notwithstanding that Testimony accounted the Scriptures of Truth a More Sure Rule and Guide unto the Father The consideration whereof at this time hath been as an obligation to examine whether the aforesaid Doctrine so acceptable to some and despised by others be consonant to the Scriptures of Truth which task is the more freely undertaken because the aforesaid Doctrine hath become so great a stumbling block unto many as that they have thought it a sufficient evidence that the professors thereof have been out of the path of truth readily objecting on this wise Objection Do you not think that those Jews who crucified Christ acted not from the Light Within Since some of them at least verily thought they did God good service therein Having thus premised 't is now needful to examine what may be spoken from the Scriptures of Truth for the Light within and to turn in the Mind unto the same to obey it c. In order thereunto we find John the Evangelist thus testifying Joh. 1.4.9 In him meaning the Word which was God was Life and the Life was the Light of men That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world I am the Light of the World John 8.12 he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life Joh. 12.46 I am come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness These Scriptures plainly shew that we are to believe in and follow Christ who is that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world Objection However some objecting may say What 's this to a Light Within 't is very plain that John the Evangelist meant nothing of a Light Within in your sense but of the Personal Appearance of Christ Without as that Word which was made Flesh and as Evidence produce what the same Evangelist saith Chap.
9th and 5th As long as I am in the World I am the Light of the World And Chap. 12.35 Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while you have the Light And ver the 36. While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light To this may be answered That these last recited Scriptures do in the most favourable construction on the objectors part intimate that Christ the Son of God while he was in the World was the Light of the World but doth not say that he is or would be no longer the light of the world Such a saying or sense would limit the Appearance of Light to that Body only and dispensation of time wherein the said Body appeared on Earth which is contradictory to the very words of the Evangelist before quoted viz. That was the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World Which Scripture sentence relating to every man is so universal that it cannot but extend to those who never beheld the face of Jesus in his fleshly and Bodily Appearance nor yet came to be informed by any outward Instrument of his Doctrine though Partakers of his Light which therefore may properly be termed by such his Light within that is the Appearance of Christ by his Light shining in their hearts agreeable whereunto in effect we take the Testimonies of the Apostle to be viz. That which may be known of God Rom. 1.19 is manifest in them For God hath shewed it unto them Seeing you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me 2 Cor. 13.3 which Riches is Christ in you Col. 1.27 the hope of Glory Who shall descend into the deep that is Rom. 10.7 8. to bring Christ again from the dead but what saith it the Word is near thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart this is the word of faith which we preach And all this appears agreeable unto what the Prophet Isaiah hinted at who speaking of what should be in the last daies signified Isa 1.2 3 5. That the God of Jacob will teach us of his Ways and therefore said Oh house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord which being compared with what the same Prophet said in relation to a people Isa 5â— â— In whose hearts was the law of the Lord and with what the Prophet Jeremiah saith I will put my law in their Inward Parts Jer. 31.33 34. and write it in their Hearts and they shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest 'T is evident to us that this written Law in the Heart is that Light Within whereof the faithful Messengers of the Lord in our day have born witness unto and whereof the same Prophet gave testimony when he said as before O house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord. Besides such a limitation as aforesaid would have a tendency to make void the virtue and efficacy of the blood of Christ who was offered up a sacrifice to take away the sins of many and on this score doth the author to the Hebrews testify Heb. 9.28 that unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without Sin unto Salvation which is a clear Evidence unto us that the benefit of the blood of Christ is not witnessed effectually in this our day but by those who having looked for his second appearance have received him in his Appearance this Appearance we take to be his Appearance by his light and spirit in the hearts of those who through faith in his blood have known their Consciences purified from Dead Works and so come to serve the living God in Truth and righteousness 'T is now to be considered Whether these words Turn in your Minds be agreeable to truth for that this kind of objection may be raised Objection Doth not this put the Creature upon Action in his own Self-will when as the Will of Man cannot bring forth that Birth unto which power is given to become the Sons of God For answer hereto 't is necessary to consider that the faithful Labourers in the Gospel of Christ commended their Exhortations and testimonies to the Consciences of the Hearers in the Sight of God and the reason doubtless was because there is a Capacity in Man which through the assistance of the Grace of God renders Man capable to do the will of God in righteousness unto life and those who are so acted cannot be said to be acted in the Self-will of Man And on the contrary the same Capacity letting in Tempration and joyning thereto renders Man a servant of Sin unto Death and being once so dead in Sin no redemption comes to be obtained but through Christ as the Apostle testifies Ephes 2.1 You hath he quickned that were dead in Trespasses and Sins These things considered 't is evident that through the Appearance of Christ those who have cast off the Old Man are become renewed in the Spirit of their Minds unto God and so have put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true holiness and therefore since there is such a capacity in man as aforesaid 't is agreeable to Truth to exhort the sons of men to turn in their Minds unto the appearance of Christ by his Light that through the Assistance thereof the will of God may be done in their earthen vessels The next thing to be considered is whether there is any weight in this objection Do you not think that the Jews who crucified Christ acted not from the light within since some of them at least thought they did God good service therein To this may be answered That the friends of Truth never preached up the Light Within but with respect to the Appearance of Christ by his Spirit as that Light Within intended by them and since Christ cannot be divided to act against himself therefore the Jews did not therein act from that Light Within unto which we have been directed From what then may the objector say did those of them act who verily thought they did God good service therein Ans Phil. 3.6 From Zeal without knowledge not having their Minds staid and ordered according to that universal Principle of Truth Acts 26.9 11. which if hearkned unto would teach all men to do as they would be done by in which zeal Paul verily thought in himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus and in that Self-thought being exceeding mad persecuted the Church of God consented to the death of the Saints and compelled them to Blaspheme but when the Lord was pleased to appear unto him and to make him a Minister of his everlasting Gospel he was sent unto the Gentiles to open their eyes that they might turn from
like Women were recorded for their Wisdom and their Vertue c. he answered William Rogers thus I knew what I did I saw 't would be a Stumbling Block but there is something in it We cannot otherwise be perswaded but that he would then see that he is fallen from the Truth that the words reported to be spoken by J. Naylor when he said in Relation to his own falen state I am but the figure of another are now fulfilled in him Oh! that the Lord would change his Heart bring him to a true Sight of and sorrow for his sin as he did J. N. after his Fall and then we hope as he hath been an Offence unto the Church of God so the Lord will lay a Constraint upon him as he did upon James Naylor to travel amongst Friends whom he hath offended to clear the truth of that Scandal and Reproach which thorough him hath been brought upon it For 't is an Abomination before the Lord and at this day seasonably testified against by the Children of Light that G. F. should be an Occasion of so much Division Strife and Contention as hath been made in the Nation touching his Papers under a pretence That he hath been moved of God to give them forth that Friends might be supplied with Directions to keep all things clean and sweet amongst Friends meaning thereby amongst other things and that according to the Express words of his Papers That there should be no Backbiting Tale-bearing Judging one another and that evil reports should not be concealed but be followed until the Authors thereof be found c. and yet be the very Person that is notoriously guilty in all those things himself which would have been proved against him had he submitted to a Hearing as aforesaid But for as much as he hath refused to submit to such a Hearing though several Letters from Friends in Truth have been written unto him to entreat him thereto and in particular hath been treated withal by Daniel Smith of Malborrough to whom he gave this Answer he Judged 't would be a jangle as 't was at Bristol and so refused as by a Letter from the said Daniel Smith doth appear therefore we do at present refer for Proof of the Matters whereof we assert in this Paragraph that he is guilty to the last mentioned Manuscript and in particular to the 21st Section thereof which is ready for the perusal of Friends desiring to view the same William Rogers on behalf of himself and other Friends in truth concerned The SECOND PART OF THE Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the APOSTATE INNOVATOR WHEREIN DOCTRINES of TRUTH cleared from Objections are laid down agreeable to the Scripture of Truth given forth by Inspiration and according as they have been received and owned by the Children of Light or such amongst the People termed in Derision Quakers who have received from God Divine Understanding and kept their Place and Habitation in the Unchangeable Truth Also An APPENDIX detecting Charles Marshal and sixty five more as Unrighteous Judges in a Case pretended to relate to John Story and John Wilkinson two antient and honourable Labourers in the Gospel of Christ By WILLIAM ROGERS on behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned 1 Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no Man lay than that which is already laid which is Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 4.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching ears LONDON PRINTED in the Year 1680. The Contents The INTRODUCTION WHerein is manifested that there is but one way whereby the Things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind comes to be revealed though the Manifestation thereof may seem various Page 1. Chap. II. Touching the Light of Christ within and Exhortation to Obedience thereof Page 5. Chap. III. Touching Infallibility and Perfection Page 11. Chap. IV. Touching Wisdom and Knowledge Page 21. Chap. V. Touching Magistracy and Obedience thereunto Page 30. Chap. VI. Touching Respect of Persons plain Language disuse of the word Master unless by a Servant to his Master of Customes and Fashions of this World and of the Cross of Christ Page 33. Chap. VII Touching Swearing Page 37. Chap. VIII Touching Tithes Page 40. Chap. IX Touching Baptism Page 45. Chap. X. Touching the Supper of the Lord with his Disciples the Night before he was betrayed Page 51. Chap. XI Touching Justification and Salvation through Faith in Christ Page 61. An Appendix Containing an Answer given forth by some Friends of Bristol to a Paper Dated from Eilis Hooks his Chamber London the 12th of the 4th Month 1677. against John Story and John Wilkinson c. and subscribed by Charles Marshal of the County of Wilts and Sixty Five more together with some few Observations on part of a Reply thereto by Jasper Bat of the County of Sommerset and three others Page 72. The SECOND PART OF THE Christian-Quaker Distinguished from the APOSTATE and INNOVATOR c. CHAP I. The Introduction Wherein is manifested That there is but One Way whereby the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God and Salvation of Mankind come to be revealed though the Manifestation thereof may seem various IN the first part of the Christian-Quaker distinguish'd from the Apostate and Innovator Several Subjects are treated on relative to the Matter intended Viz. To manifest a part of those things touching which the Faithful were at Unity and by what Ways and Means that Unity came to be broken c. And now that every Reader who is desirous to be informed in these Dividing Times what those Children of Light unto whom the Lord hath revealed of the Mysteries of his Kingdom own with respect to the other Doctrines and Practices whereon little or no occasion is taken to treat in the First Part it is at this time upon us to add a farther Testimony to the Ancient Truth according as the Lord in his tender Mercy hath through the Appearance of his Son Christ by his Light or Manifestation of his Grace and Testimony of his Faithful Servants in the Scriptures of truth opened wherein our intent is not to treat largely on every Subject because the ensuing Discourse is chiefly to manifest What a remnant stand for who being faithful unto their first principle cannot in a temporizing spirit change their way The Desires and Breathings of our Souls unto God are that every Reader may be serious and unprejudiced in the perusal of this our Testimony and then we do not doubt but 't will be reaching unto the Consciences of such as that which is not inconsisting with the Testimonies given forth by Inspiration recorded in the Scriptures of Truth and spirit of God or Appearance of Christ by his Light which is that by which the Lord doth see and is seen in the Conscience wherewith every man coming into the world is lighted for that the Lord by his spirit
Mark for the Price of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus Which denotes that there was a state attainable beyond that state of Perfection whereunto he had then attained Moreover that the Scriptures in other parts thereof denote a State of perfection is plain from these following testimonies amongst many others recorded therein Luk. 6.40 But every one that is perfect shall be as his Master Mat. 5.48 Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Obj. This perfect State which you speak of we readily confess unto so far as the mind of the Spirit is signified unto us therein because 't is the very Language of the holy Scriptures But yet we are dissatisfied that the Meaning of the Spirit by this perfect estate is such a state as therein to cease from Sin Answer To this we answer that such a Construction cannot hold in truth unless truth should lead to impeach our heavenly Father as guilty of sin which cannot be for the very words are Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Besides 't is an undoubted truth that a Cessation from Actions manifested to be sinful is the duty of all professing Christianity and we cannot but have so much Charity for all so professing as that none such will deny this but if any should they would therein deny the End for which Christ was manifested in the Flesh which was to destroy the Works of the Devil which is sin 1 Joh. 3.8 according to this testimony of the Apostle He that committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Obj. This also we cannot deny being the express testimony of the Apostle but yet since Scripture ought to be compared with Scripture when there is a seeming Contradiction as on this occasion we suppose there is we therefore say that we do not believe that the meaning of the Spirit is according to what the express words seem to hold forth in this Case 1. Because we do not understand from the Scriptures but that the Saints were subject to fail and that many of them did fail 2. 1 John 1.7 Though the Apostle testifies That the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin yet this hath been interpreted to be only from the Guilt and not from the Act of all sin so as to cease therefrom whilst on this side the grave which doubtless was the reason wherefore we find these testimonies recorded in the holy Scriptures Ephes 2.8 9. By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God not of works lest any man should boast thereby implying as if Salvation through Faith might be obtained though Good Works were wanting and so consequently Sin committed instead thereof since 't is irrational to conclude that whilst Man is in the Body he can cease from working both Good and Evil. In many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us 1 Joh. 1.8 Ans As to the first reason contained in the objection That the Saints were subject to fail and that many of them did fail we say That this doth not contradict any thing asserted by us for we have declared that we do not believe that there is any such perfect state attainable on this side the Grave wherein it is not needful for man to watch c. That he may be preserved c. But if through Unwatchfulness which is a plain Neglect of what is the Duty of all true Christians according to the words of Christ what I say unto you I say unto all watch any one comes either to fall away from that good State whereunto he hath attained or else not to attain unto that State which is attainable this cannot be a sound argument to prove the matter against us intended by the Objection viz. That man cannot cease from sin no more than the not going of some Travellers to a certain Land when 't was their duty to go or the returning of others from the same Land after according to their duty through travel arrived there is an argument that 't is impossble to go thither and there remain to the end of our days To the 2d reason contained in the aforesaid Objection we say 'T is needful to distinguish what sort of Works were excluded as unnecessary to accompany that Faith through which Salvation is and what sort of Works were necessary for though the Language of Paul excludes Works yet James tells us Jam. 2.20 26. That Faith without Works is dead And no doubt but the Testimonies of these two Apostles have been understood to be repugnant and contradictory each to other and on this Foot different means to the Salvation of Mankind have been held forth whenas if the mind of the Spirit through them both were but rightly understood there would then be no seeming Occasion to declare their Testimonies contradictory each to other For the clearing therefore of this matter we shall distinguish touching Works treated on by Paul and James There are two sorts of works treated on by Paul the one is Works of the Law that by the one offering of Christ as an eternal Sacrifice unto God whereby the law of Commandments was abolished is excluded as unnecessary to accompany that Faith which is unto Salvation for otherwise though the Salvation of God through Christ was extended as well to the believing Gentile as the believing Jew yet the Jew might have whereof to glory contrary to the Apostle's testimony Gal. 6.14 15. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision nor Vncircumcision availeth any thing but a New Creature And therefore did the Apostle Paul testifie That by the Works of the Law no Flesh shall be justified And so no doubt but the works of the law were that sort of works which the Spirit of God through that wise Apostle Paul signified when he said and that in relation to such as were once dead in Trespasses and Sins but then quickned and become New Creatures By Grace are ye saved through faith Ephes 2.8 9. and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast The other sort of works is of the Gospel and may properly be termed the Fruit of the obedience of Faith which indeed was the very end wherefore Paul testified That he had received his Apostleship and that the mystery kept secret since the World began was revealed Read Rom. chap. 1.5 and chap. 16.25 26. and no doubt but that those very works which are the Fruit of the Obedience of Faith were the works intended by the Spirit through Paul so
Adam did through his Rebellion in eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge CHAP. V. Touching Magistracy and Obedience thereto ON this Subject 't is necessary to treat as it relates to the Magistracy and People of England whereof the people called Quakers are a part 1. We acknowledge that we owe Obedience either Active or Passive unto this Magistracy and that such obedience is as well grounded on the Light of Christ within as warrantable from the Scriptures of Truth without for when the Magistrate doth command Obedience unto any Law which is agreeable to the Law of God as indeed no Laws of England according to the Constitution of its Government and those maxims which are declared for Law ought to be contrary thereto then we ought to yield Active Obedience and whilst the Magistrates are in Execution of such Laws they are as occasion requires Punishers of those that do Evil 1 Pet. 2.13 14. and a Praise unto them that do well which is agreeable unto the testimony of the Apostle's touching Magistracy unto whom in such cases Active Obedience is to be given for the Lord's sake Obj. You speak very well so far as you have limited your Obedience to Good Laws but what if those in power should make such Laws which you account bad and not grounded on the Law of God but directly against those whom you term God's People dare you then say that 't is agreeable unto the Light of Christ within and Scriptures of Truth without to yield Obedience in such Cases To this we answer 't is agreeable to the Light within and Scriptures of Truth without that a Christian yield Passive Obedience since for Conscience sake chusing rather to obey God than man Act. 5.28 29. which was the Apostle's Case he cannot yield Active Obedience For we find the Counsel of Christ to be on this wise Resist not evil Mat. 5.39 but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other which clearly shews 't is against the Doctrine of Christ to resist and so consequently we ought to be Passive and therefore since we have not at any time pleaded for any other Light within save the Light of Christ it is as well agreeable unto the Light of Christ within as with the Counsel of Christ in the Scriptures of truth without that men under the profession of Christianity put in practice that wholsom Counsel which was given by Christ the Son of God whose ways are unchangeable viz. Resist not evil Obj. This shews you principled against outward Wars and Fightings to work your own deliverance from under oppressive Magistrates Ans Yes verily for so we the People of God and Children of Light are desiring to walk in the Light of the Lord according as the Prophet said Isa 2.5 O house of Jacob come ye let us walk in the Light of the Lord when he spoke of the last days touching which the same Prophet thus prophesieth Isa 2.4 He shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares and their Spears into pruning-hooks Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more This being spoken Prophetically of Christ and his reign in the hearts of men shews that all outward Force and Wars is to be denied by the Members of his Body which is his Church to work their own Deliverance A farther proof whereof is manifested unto us by Christ himself when he said unto Peter Put up thy sword into thy sheath and therefore in a sense of the Mercies of God unto us whom as his peculiar People he hath chosen to follow his Precepts and Example We can say blessed be the Lord many there are in this our day who by the peaceable Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ that was led like a Lamb dumb before the shearer are retired in their Spirits unto the Lord out of all outward Warrings and Fightings resigned up unto him in whom preservation is Knowing this that the same occasion may be given in this our day to testifie as Paul did in his day 2 Tim. 3.12 viz. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and so on this score are led by the Light of Christ not to resist evil lest they should be found Opposers of that which the Lord hath thought good to suffer to come upon his Heritage for the Tryal of their Faith and Patience which is much more precious than Gold That now also our perswasion touching Government in general might be fully known we refer to the 3d part of the Christian-Quaker being a Treatise on that Subject CHAP. VI. Touching Respect of Persons Plain Language disuse of the word Master unless by a Servant to his Master of Customs and Fashions of this World and of the Cross of Christ IT is not unknown that the Outward Deportment of Friends in Truth hath become as a Stumbling-block to many concluding that our manner of Habit Gesture and Language distinct from others was either the Fruit of Pride or Ignorance or else of both and therefore on this occasion it was thought needful to add something in relation to this Subject wherein our intent is not to make an Apology for any Action that in itself is really Rude Whimsical or Imaginary but rather to give in our testimony on behalf of our selves and all those who through Obedience unto the In-shinings of Christ's Light in their Consciences are made or making Partakers of the Vertue and Efficacy of the Blood of Christ by which those whose Consciences are purified from dead works come to serve the living God in Newness of Life and therein to have their Conversations ordered aright so as not to give any just Occasion of Offence either to Jew or Gentile or to the Church of God but that keeping themselves unspotted of the world nor yet fashioning themselves according to their former lusts they might not have whereof to glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified to them and they unto the World On the behalf of our selves and all such our Testimony now is that when the everlasting Light of our Lord Jesus shining in every Conscience was exalted as that Spiritual appearance of the Son of God which was to lead and guide into all truth we are witnesses that it became a Discoverer that man in his fallen estate was puffed up in Pride using many Vnnecessary Attires and Complemental Expressions to please and affect that mind which was alienated from God and estranged from the Cross of Christ neither did this Light only make such a Discovery but also prompted to bear a Testimony against the same by Example and Conversation and therefore we did not dare to go after the vain Fashions and Customs of this World but rather had our eye unto that which was incorruptible viz. The ornament of a Meek and Quiet
verse 64. But notwithstanding we would not be understood positively to affirm that Christ intended not a Baptism of Water Joh. 4.2 as needful to be administred by some by reason of the Weakness of the People for a season because 't is evident that not only Christ's disciples before he was Crucified when it appears not that they had any Power to baptise with the Spirit did baptise but also that some after that time of his being Crucified Act. 8.16 29 36 37. were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus and yet they had not received the holy Ghost which being compared with what is written touching the Eunuch and Philip Act. 38.39 who by the Spirit was bid to Go near and Join himself to the Eunuch's Chariot doth clearly import that Water baptism was used as well after the Crucifying of Christ as before But whether by vertue of any command from Christ so to do is yet the question and uncertain from any positive Scripture However suppose that the Baptism of Water was the Baptism intended by Christ in the words Go teach all Nations baptising them c. it then seems naturally to follow that this was but a Confirmation of John's Ministry and that being a Legal Administration but for a season and not to the End of the World and was not that baptism wherewith John testified Luk. 25.49 Act. 1.4 Act. 2.4 Christ should baptise which was with the holy Ghost and with Fire especially if we do but consider that Christ was not yet ascended after which the promise of the Father was to be fulfilled viz. the pouering forth of the holy Ghost which undoubtedly was the Baptism of the Spirit and that every Baptism in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ was not that Baptism of the Spirit as is clearly signified Act. 8.15 16. Who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the holy Ghost for as yet he was faln on one of them only they were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus All which being duly weighed it 's rational to conclude that the Baptism of Water ought to end in time and that these words And lo I am with you unto the End of the World are no sufficient ground to believe that the Baptism of Water was thereby intended to continue as an Ordinance of God unto the dissolution of all things But could nor so much be said as already is to evidence that the continuance thereof to the End of the World was not the meaning of Christ unto his disciples yet it may be affirmed that the words themselves in the Greek Tongue if we compare Scripture with Scripture will not hold forth such an interpretation For the sentence And lo I am with you always unto the End of the VVorld is in Greek thus expressed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may properly be rendred thus And lo I am with you every day unto the Consummation of the Age. This interpretation being compared with the words of Christ unto John when he being forbad by John to be baptised by him said Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfil all Righteousness clearly shews that Christ did not by that Commission intend a Continuation of that Administration unto the End of the World but rather that as other Shadows Types Figures and Patterns of Heavenly Things under the Law were to have an End in Time So the Baptism of Water being a Type of the Baptism by his Spirit was also to have an End in Time and this interpretation is clearly evidenced from the Scripture itself to be according to truth for we find the Author to the Hebrews thus testifying Heb. 9.24 25 26. Christ is not entred into the Holy Places made with Hands which are the Figures of the true but into Heaven itself now to appear in the Presence of God for us nor yet that he should offer himself often as the High Priest entereth into the Holy Place every year with Blood of others for then must he often have suffered since the Foundation of the World but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself On this Scripture 't is thus observed that the time of Christ's appearing to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself is termed in the End of the VVorld and so translated from the Greek words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may properly be translated in the consummation of Ages experience tells us as well as the signification of words that these words are not so intelligibly translated as they might since it now relates to time above sixteen hundred years past Now forasmuch as we find that in this sentence And lo I am with you alway unto the End of the World the same greek words are rendred to signifie the End of the World as is in the aforesaid quotation to the Hebrews which related to a time above sixteen hundred years past saving only that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Matthew is the singular number and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Hebrews the plural there is no reason to conclude that Christ's Commission to Baptise was intended to continue as an Ordinance under the Gospel-dispensation until the Consummation of all things And as a further Evidence that this interpretation is the very Truth 't is to be observed that the word World in this sentence before cited viz. Since the Foundation of the World is rendred in Greek not by the same words as the word World in the two other sentences are viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may be truly rendred an Age or the time of a man's life but by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which properly signifies the world viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Could no more be said to render Christ's words in Matthew not sufficient ground to practise Water-Baptism at this day as a Gospel-Ordinance it were sufficient to every impartial Reader unto whom God hath given Divine Understanding in relation to this matter But since we find that after Christ's Ascension it was used for a season we think it necessary to add that our faith is That the practice thereof was chiefly by way of Condescension to those who were VVeak and not easily brought off from the Observation of Outward Ordinances to have their Eye unto Christ Jesus the great Ordinance of God unto Salvation and this spirit of condescention seemed to be in Paul when he said 1 Cor. 9.20 21 22. Vnto the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews to them that are under the Law as under the Law that I might gain them that are under the Law to them that are without Law as without Law being not without Law to God but under the Law to Christ that I might gain them that are without Law to the Weak I became as VVeak that I might gain the Weak I am made all things to
Basis and Foundation To which I thus say This kind of Language with respect to divers Practices in Discipline amongst the People called Quakers or any outward Form and Order which is or hath been by any called the Order of the Gospel I do not understand to be rightly applicable to those amongst the said People who have retained their first Love to and Savour of the Truth and right Understanding of the Principle thereof not that I would hereby be understood that it s not necessary to be in the Exercise of Outward Order with respect to that Gospel-discipline which becomes the Church of Christ but that which I understand not to be rightly applicable unto them is manifested in what follows Though the principle of Truth in these latter dayes hath and may further lead into the Practice of Outward Order in Discipline with relation to the Church of Christ yet I affirm that part of that Outward Order in Discipline wherein divers of the People of the Lord called Quakers have been acted is such as that there is not the least Footsteps thereof to be found in the Scriptures as exhorted to or as practised by the Apostles I could give many Instances hereof but one shall suffice viz. The Form of Proceedings in Marriages wherein the Scriptures are wholly silent as to the Primitive Christians and tho the Papists pretend to Tradition yet the People of the Lord called Quakers do not Besides 't is evident by the Scriptures of Truth that the Apostles were found in the Practice of that which the People called Quakers do not only out of Conscience to God forbear but have had many Contests with others touching the same as esteeming it though permitted for a season by reason of the Weakness of the People amongst the number of those Outward Ordinances out of which the Lord hath at this day gathered his People witness Water-Baptism The word Order with respect to Outward Government Establish't by the Church of Christ over it self I remember not in the Scriptures of Truth yet much of late is spoken of the Order of the Gospel and of establishing the same and that with respect to Outward Prescriptions and Orders practised or endeavoured to be introduced amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers and in perticular R. B. Page 40. speaks of the Truth and Faith we have been and are in the Lords Hands building up To which I say The Consideration that Christ is the Truth and the great Power of God and that an Establishing in the Faith cannot Properly be termed A building up of Faith gives me occasion to treat a little touching the words establish and build up We know from the testimony of truth in our selves as well as from the Scriptures of Truth without us that we may be Instruments in the hands of the Lord to build up one another in the most Holy Faith in Christ the Truth the Power of God but 't is neither agreeable to the Testimony of Truth in us nor yet the Scriptures of Truth without us for any to account themselves of Ability to establish God's Power for its that by which the World was made Now the Order of the Gospel is the Power of God and nothing else according to the declared sence of our ancient Friends can properly be called the Order of the Gospel but the Power of God for though some outward Form or appearance may be according to the Order of the Gospel yet it can no more properly be called the very Order of the Gospel than the Fruit of a Tree can be called the Tree it self and therefore those who pretend to establish the Order of the Gospel may as well pretend to establish the Power of God it self 'T is true this Power is of Ability to establish Man in the Faith of God's Elect but Man is not of Ability to establish it those who understand the Nature and Tenours of the two Covenants may easily discern the Truth hereof Under the First Covenant which was outward the mind of God was manifested to the People from the Priests Lips which were to preserve Knowledge and this Covenant did consist in divers Outward Ordinances c. establisht and impos'd upon the People until the Time of Reformation Under the Second Covenant being the New Covenant or Gospel dispensation the Mind and Will of God is manifested in his People through the Revelation of his Spirit according to that of Paul Rom. 1.19 That which may be known of God is manifested in them Christ also said John 14.26 The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things The Law under this covenant is written in the heart Heb. 8.10 11. I will write my Law in their Hearts they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for all shall Know me c. Here 's not the least ground of encouragement for any man under the New Covenant which was not to be like unto the Old to pretend that Gods Spirit doth or will lead any to establish Outward Orders relating to matters of Conscience as the Order of the Gospel for if that which is to be known of God is manifested in us then though it may be needfull to stir up according as the Lord shall move in his servants the pure Mind in us that so we may be in the Exercise of what God requires through the maifestation of himself in us there is no need to establish any thing without us to shew it If the Spirit of Truth is to lead into all truth those who would be leading us in another way will prove little better then Thieves and Robbers which Climb up another way to enter in than by the door If the Law be written in the heart and that no Obedience finds Acceptance with the Lord but Obedience to his Law from an inward Impulse and Drawing of his Spirit thereunto in our selves there 's no need of establishing Outward Indispensible Rules which may relate to the Conscience to walk by for were it possible so to do and any should yield Obedience on no better ground then because'tis so establish't by such a Man or Assembly of Men this sort of Obedience would find no more acceptance with the Lord than the offering of Swines flesh or the Halt and Blind for a Sacrifice under the First Covenant did For though many may be so Weak as not to know the difference between the two Covenants in some respects yet there are Few of the Lord's People called Quakers but have this undoubted Truth sealed in their hearts That none of their Outward Practices under the Exercise of Christ's Government find's acceptance with the Lord but as they have an Evidence in their Consciences that therein they Answer the measure of Truth in themselves Paul writing to the Colossians thus saith As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him Rooted and built up
in him stablished in the Faith Col. 2.6 7. And then the very next verse saith Beware lest any man spoyl you through the Traditions of men according to the Rudimnets of the World and not after Christ If the following outward Decrees Precepts Sentences Decisive Judgment or Traditions of any sort of the Church had been in Pauls ' Eye a real and certain Indication of being Establish't in the Faith or rooted in Christ or that 't was the Practice of the Church to be Establishing Outward Indispensible Orders relating to the Consciences of Believers I leave it to the Judicious Reader to savour whether Paul would have so immediately and as it were in one breath caution'd them to beware of being spoyled through the Traditions of Men c. without a further Caution to take heed lest they should account the Commands Sentences Decrees or Traditions of the Church such These things considered and compared with the Measure of Light in our selves I am satisfyed 't is not agreeable to Truth for any Man or Assembly of Men to atempt an Outward Indispensible Establishment of Outward Orders Rules and Decrees relating to Matters of Consciences under the New Covenant as the Orders Rules and Decrees of the Church of Christ Moreover if Christ did stand in need of Assistance to Establish his Government how is it possible that Man whose dayes are but as a span long should be capable to Establish that Government of whose increase there shall be no end but so it is that he doth not stand in need thereof For the Son that is given shall Order his Government and Establish it with Judgment and with Justice even from henceforth and forever read Isa 9.6 7. Besides if we do but consider where and after what manner the second appearance of Christ hath been and yet is to be expected and waited for those who know the Truth as preach't received and believed amongst the People of the Lord called Quakers in the Beginning do know That his Second Appearance hath been and yet is to be expected and waited for in the hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men and the manner of his appearance hath been and is by his Spirit in us this hath often been testifyed and that in opposition to those who have been looking for his Second Coming in some Outward Bodily Appearance to reign as Lord and King I now appeal to Gods Witness in all Consciences Whether the Outward Establishment of Outward Government under the notion of Christ's Government doth not seem to square more with the Principles of such who look for his Second Coming in some Outward Bodily Appearance than with the Principles of those who conclude his Second Coming to be by his Spiritual Appearance in the heart and whether it be not inconsistent with Right Reason and Truth to conclude that Christ Jesus the Lord will Establish his Government otherwise than by his Spirit and in the heart where his Appearance hath been and is to be expected and waited for And since it is undoubtedly so that of the increase of Christ's Government there shall be no End I cannot understand to what End any Man should concern himself to consider how far it may extend yet R.B. hath so done Witness his 37 Page where he thus saith It is next to be considered in what Cases and how far it may extend To which I cannot but thus reply Those who are not Puft up with Spiritual Pride or Zeal without Knowledge may easily discern from such kind of language a Spirit that would Limit the Holy One of Israel by putting Bounds unto that Government of whose increase there shall be no end and though I speak of Man's inability to Establish Christ's Government yet I would not be understood as one accusing the aforesaid Author or any else to assert Man's Ability so to do For I know not any Men that will pretend themselves in that Case other than Instruments in God's Hands But yet this is to be Observed that since there is no Ground to believe that God everwill make use of Man under the New Covenant to Establish outward indespensible Orders Rules or Decrees to be as a measuring-line whereby those who are under Christ's Government shall be known therefore 't is reasonable to conclude That the endeavours of such who may exercise themselves therein may proceed from no better Power than that Ability which is of Man And notwithstanding he hath considered how far it extends yet I find not that he hath made any mention of the Business or at least a part of the business of one considerable Meeting which is a part of that Government or Order which he pretends to discribe and that is a Meeting held every second day of the week wherein writings treating of Divine Matters and which are intended by the authors for publick view are first viewed in Order to an approbation or the contrary * Witness the Paper at the latter end of this third part signed by Charles Marshal and thirty six more at which meeting his Treatise was past which gives occasion to treat a little of that Meeting since those of that Meeting are as well concerned in the said Treatises as he that writ it The Scriptures of Truth as far as I Remember are wholly silent as to any such Service acted in any Meetings amongst the primitive Christians and therefore I do not understand that there can be any real Ground or tolerable pretence that this is a part of the antient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ We find the Apostle Acts 3. directed to chuse seven men full of the Holy Ghost to take Care that the Widdows should not be neglected in the dayly Ministration If the Holy Ghost in the Apostles days directed to chuse a certain select well qualifyed Number of men for such a Service as doubtless it did it s against right reason to suppose that the Apostles would in their day have left the consideration of such weighty matters as Treatises of things relating to the Kingdom of God and the salvation of mankind to the Approbation of an uncertain unselected Assembly for such I call that Meeting wherein many of the Writings of the People of the Lord called Quakers intended for publick View are approved or disapproved for that no Certain Select Number of Persons are chosen for that service but any Persons who have Publick Testimones for the Truth though but by way of Exhortation and are owned as Friends of Truth and come where that Meeting is appointed are the Persons by whom such Writings whether given forth by a Paul a Father or a Timothy a Son as are for publick service are approved or disapproved I now appeal to the impartial understanding Reader whether according to this form of Government one that is in the place of Paul a Father who according to the aforesaid Author hath right to rule over and command may not have the testimony which he hath through the motion