the Weak things of the World to confound the Mighty and base things of the World and things which are despised hath God chosen c. And partly on this score can I in the fear of the Lord say and that justly too that he was to me TRUELY HONOURABLE Qu. When was he so in God's Choice and truly Honourable to W. R Was it not for many Years since he went abroad to preach the Everlasting Light Why then does he upbraid him for not labouring with his hands ever since whilst able c Behold his apparent Contradiction However 't is one good turn that W. R. was not nor is G. F's Master to set him to work at his pleasure XXXI Pag. 49. W. R. to G. F. viz. POOR GEORGE I am sorry for thee and pity thee c. A gross Lye or false flattery to be sure his Pity and Sorrow is to devour him to throw all the Dirt he can upon him by Rayling Infamy and Reproach in Print to destroy his Christian Reputation as much as he can though in that work he strives against the Stream XXXII Pag. 52. That G. F. seems to publish LYES as it were by HEAPS A Lye so unlikely as not likely to have Credit XXXIII Pag. 61. That he that runs may read that G. F. in some cases doth NOT matter what he saith which by his own Rule is the very Mark of that Spirit that made SOME LIKE DEVILS A gross Slander XXXIV Pag. 69. Concerning the Testimony or Certificate of some viz. twenty eight Friends of Bristol in Answer to W. R ' s Charging G. F. for fleeing in time of Persecution W. R. in his Observations thereupon saith They seem concerned to vindicate G. F's Innocency in this Case yet they have done it but at a very poor rate much like the PERJURED INFORMERS that on the late Act have appeared against Friends A most foul and gross Defamation Scandal and Abuse XXXV Pag. 77. W. R. against G. F. and John Blaikling viz. That 't is to me plain enough that he can get A John Blaikling a T. B. or an S. H. to write or sign ANY THING when written RIGHT OR WRONG that may in his sence tend to his Vindication and my Condemnation A fordid and soul Abuse of J. B. a Person known to be Conscientious towards God and for ought we know of better Esteem and Repute in his Country than W. R. in his XXXVI Pag. 78. That the Method of General Applause used by John Blaikling is more like a PARASITE to an Earthly Prince than a Serious Well-meaning Conscientious Christian to a Servant of Christ that seeks not the Praise of Man This appears a very foul and scornful Aspersion We take the English of Parasite in this place not in the antient and best sence as an Assistant or Officer to a chief Mastrate but in the now common and worst sence i. e. A Flatterer for his Belly that saith and doth in all things to please the Humour of another to have his Repast or small Dinner Scot-free and therefore the Comparison as placed upon J. B. appears Shameful Gross and Scandalous nor is there any need for him to take any such Unconscionable course of Flattery for such or any Outward Gratuities XXXVII Pag. 79. That John Blaikling hath or doth write at a Wicked and Ungodly rate compar'd with pag. 81. viz. John Blaikling cannot lay all his Prophane and Wicked Charges against me at my Door And pag. 82. John Blaikling hath been so puffed up with Spiritual Pride and that the Lord hath suffered his Wisdom to be turned into Folly and his Zeal into Envy W. R. in these and other Passages appears in a very great Storm and Outrage against John Blaikling and extreamly Abusive But as to the particular Matters being about a Certificate 't is not to be doubted but J. B. can give a better a more Conscientious and tender Account than W. R. hath done against him and no question but he is able to bear W. R's Reproaches patiently As for his pretended Testimonies from Hartford against G. F. pag. 85 86 87. which are before examined it may be further added that there are since come to hand more full and consistent Accounts under the Hands of divers Credible Persons on G. F's behalf too large here to insert whence it may easily be gathered and perceived wherein the Mistakes in all probability have been in confounding and mixing G. F's Discourses However his denying Matter of Fact as stated against him by them as being an absolute Perversion of his words might in Charity be so far accepted by his Accusers as not to persist in casting that upon him which he is so far from being tenatious in that he wholly denyes the matter as certified both in Fact and Intention Doubtless they would not be so served And truly it is matter of some Sorrow to some that know our Antient Friend T. M. of Baldock who have Love and good Will to him to see his Name in Print whether with his Knowledge and Consent or not he knows best to such a silly and frivilous Certificate as that G. F. said There came acouple to a Meeting to be Marryed and the Man said Mr. Story Mr. Story putting off his Hat c. which varyes from those Certificates from Hartford which mention Mr. Story but once in each one would think T. M's Age and Gravity should require and sute more grave and weighty Matter to be exposed in Print XXXVIII And whereas W. R. in his Preface bitterly Enveighs telling of the Envy of a Proud man that seeks Lordship over the Consciences of others putting the Bears Skin upon the back of a Friend of Truth spreading abroad Certificates of Defamation right or wrong amongst Enemies as well as Friends according to the Example saith he of G. F. when writing to H. S. R. T. and another Person of Hartford he thus said Here is a Certificate enclosed c. which you may shew both to Enemies and Friends This seems greatly Aggravated and Mis-construed against G. F. in which he accounts himself greated abused his Intention being perverted affirming That his Meaning was NOT that they should shew them to the WORLD but to those and such ENEMIES that were PRETENDED FRIENDS under the Profession of Truth and yet spread Untruths behind his back up and down the Country such as are since affected with W. R. his Book XXXIX Another more apparent untruth in his Preface p. 10. is That the Opposers of the Christian-Quaker meaning such as oppose W. R. and those of his Party whom he pleads for sometimes affirm that a good Cause may be ill Mannaged and a bad Cause well Mannaged thereby Insinuating into ignorant People that though J. S. and his Friends have Mannaged their Cause well whilst their Opposers have Mannaged their Cause but ill This is a very unlikely Story that their Opposers should so insinuate against themselves and we do not believe that W. R. their
hath so much advocated and pleaded in your defence and so bitterly exclaimed against many others who as we believe are faithful Servants of Christ And seeing he hath made the Paper subscribed by Sixty six Friends one great occasion of his Printing and made a huge Out-cry against it and them that signed it as no better than Apostates and have run in the very Way of Cain c. Part 2. pag. 91 92. and Part 1. pag. 45. And that the Form they take is worse then the Forms of divers Apostate Christians which appear very uncharitable Judgments and a severe Excommunication We would seriously ask you these few Questions viz. 1st If you own W. R. his Printing and what he has Printed on that subject 2dly If you own his Reviling so many Friends and Brethren in Print as he has done several by Name and others not by Name 3dly Had he no Counsel Advice or Encouragement from you or either of you to Print his Book 4thly Seeing he makes the said Paper of Sixty six so much the subject of his Complaint and Contest as also takes occasion at that from Drawell and an Epistle written by a publick Preacher as he saith Postscript pag. 26. Had he not done more fairly to have Printed all those Papers without diminishing together with his Reformed Narrative in commendation of the Meeting at Drawell than to Print but pieces and small parcells of them that so the occasions pretended of his Complaints might more clearly have appeared 5thly Do you really believe or own W. R. to be a Person so Conscientious in his Writing and Printing and so to have the Evidence of the Spirit of God for his proceeding therein as he himself pretends 6thly Do you really believe W. R. a Person meetly accomplished and qualified to maintain the Contest on your behalf in Writing and in Print both as to History and Doctrine as he hath endeavoured 7thly If you do not put a stop to his Proceeding Reviling and Abusive Work against Friends and Antient Brethren nor shew any publick Dislike against his Book already Printed so much on your behalf as Persons chiefly concerned and vindicated therein whether this will not give just occasion to suspect or rather conclude That he is secretly abetted and countenanced therein by you 8thly IS HE DEPUTED BY YOU HAVE YOU IN TRUSTED YOUR CAUSE WITH HIM to Mannage as he doth or doth he make himself Officious as one seeking Popularity therein 9thly His Book being thus signed viz. By WILLIAM ROGERS on behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned Do not you count your selves some of those other Friends concerned on whose behalf he hath so subscribed or hath he therein presumed for you without your order he having greatly concerned you in his Book 10thly If you do not shew some publick Dislike to his Printed Book being so much in your Defence nor give us any Plain or Satisfactory Answer to these Questions then whether your Silence and Connivance in the Case doth not give occasion for his Book in some Sence to be reputed or esteemed your Book though not immediately yours but as made and promulgated by an Advocate and Agent for you Pray let 's have your plain and ingenious Answer to these Questions either in Writing or in Print if in your Hearts and Consciences you find freedom thereunto to free and acquit your selves therein for we are willing at present rather to induce you to a tender Consideration of the dangerous Tendency of W. R's proceedure than to lay the Charge thereof immediately upon you desiring rather you might find out a way to quit your selves of his fruitless Contention These things are recommended to your Consideration with the Light of Truth It may not be amiss to note what Comparison W. R. makes between G. F. and J. W. on the Character he gives of each the Character W. R. gives J. W. as not deferving to be termed of an High and Lofty Spirit is concerning the value of his Estate his Exercises in Bodily Labour sometimes at Plough c. his having no more Land than at first his Travels often alone but at all times without any Attendant as his proper Servant his being content with the meanest of Meats and Drinks c. Part 4. pag. 63 64. To all which we say though we grant all these commendable in their places and do not understand that he was charged in these things with a High or Lofty Spirit yet we must tell W. R. he pleads but Impertinently as well as Pharisaically in these Instances for J. W. unless it be a certain Proof that every man is of a Lowly Humble Spirit that has but an Estate of 15 l. or 20 l. per annum and sometimes goes to Plough and other Bodily Exercise c. according as he pleads for J. W. and can according to his Education be contented with indifferent mean Dyet On the other hand W. R. shews his Spight and Contempt against G. F. to prove him a man of a High and Lofty Spirit Reflecting on his Honest Trade of a Poor Shoemaker and of mean Parentage as his slight Language is Reflecting also on his Poor Relations implying that of late Years their Outward Man wanted some Refreshment and Comfort with necessary Food Rayment c. as in Part 5. pag. 49. By all which he endeavours to make G. F. as contemptible as he can but we never heard such an Account before of those Relations this appears meer Malice And what cause have any to believe him in it We may wonder when-ever any of those Relations did complain to W. R. of their Indigency or Poverty He also Reflects upon G. F. his Marriage and his Travelling with a Man and his Enjoyment of things Lawful in the Creation and necessary for the Ease of the Body and Pleasure of the Pallet Thus our Persecutors have falsly upbraided us when we lay in Cold Prisons teling of his often freely making use of those things when to be had so far saith he as we can understand c. We cannot but take notice how Scurrilously and Basely this man treats G. F. and what Beggarly Sordid Stuff he is willing to make use of to cast an Odium and Contempt upon him He addeth this Character of J. W. viz. He takes not upon him to give forth an Outward Directory for the Children of Light to walk by Is not this a manifest Untruth Was there no Outward Directory in that Paper which J. W. and J. S. with above Eighty Persons more signed wherein they made their Propositions Terms and Directions pretended for a Reuniting which these are some of viz. That they who are not chosen by the Churches do cease meddling about the Churches concerns and that all cease meddling for time to come in your Work who are not concerned and only keep unto their own whether it be of God given unto them or of outward things concerning Mankind to offer them and SO DEPART Now
Meetings which he Reflects upon whether by Name or not Named in his Book and that his Book is in Pursuance of the Title as appears at large in it this we judge to be both False and Scandalous and also as absolute a Sentence of Excommunication and much like a Bull from Rome against many faithful Servants of Christ And herein hath W. R. unjustly assumed a Power of Excommunication never given him by Christ Jesus our Lord nor allowed by his Church In the Title pages of his three first Parts he writes thus viz. Disaffect II. By WILLIAM ROGERS on behalf of himself and other Friends in Truth concerned To those he writes against he gives these Titles viz. Preface Adherents to George Fox Apostates or Innovators George Fox his Party Those of Party with G. F. c. Observe First We cannot believe that W. R. in this his Book truly represents Friends in Truth But secondly That many Friends in Truth are Scandalized and Abused thereby Disaffect III. William Rogers's Preface saith Now so it is that so great a concern of Conscience lies on many to encourage the Publication thereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct amongst the aforesaid People Observe This Passage we also judge tends to the great Reproach and Scandal of the People called Quakers as implying that they by a great Apostacy have given occasion to be so reputed and that therefore W. R. and his Party only are so deeply concern'd to Vindicate the Doctrine and Life of Christianity in themselves only by the Publication of his Book But who those many are that had such concern of Conscience lying on them for its Publication is yet to be enquired And what Antient Doctrine or Doctrines of Christianity are those People called Quakers whom he writes against Apostatized from And what New and Unchristian Doctrines or Practices are they fallen into We find no Proof nor Discovery thereof in all his Book but the said People greatly abused thereby The Passage before-cited about such concern of Conscience as that they could no longer forbear the Publication of his Book to prevent the Thoughts of the Doctrine and Life of Christianity being wholly Extinct amongst the People called Quakers together with many Passages in the Second Part of his Treatise do shew that it was designed to be published not only among the People called Quakers but among the World's People and such as are our Adversaries and Opposers as appears by these Objections amongst others in his second Part Chap. 2. page 6. viz. Obj. Do you not think that those Jews who Crucified Christ acted not from the Light within since some of them verily thought they did God good Service therein which having given an Answer to he frames another Objection thus viz. However some Objecting may say What is this to a Light Within 'T is very plain that John the Evangelist meant nothing of the Light within in your sence but of the Personal Appearance of Christ without c. Observe That these Objections are taken from our Adversaries and Opposers of the Light of Christ within and not from any called Quakers which W. R. accordingly undertakes to Answer in Vindication of the Light within and therefore it appears he designed his Treatise to go among Truth 's Adversaries as well as Friends whence it follows that wherein it either charges or reflects on the People called Quakers or the greatest part of them as being Apostates Innovators c. or gone from the Doctrine and Life of Christianity the Scandal and Reproach thereof against the said People and the holy Truth professed by them is the more Notoriously aggravated And though W. R. has shewn himself as a strong Oak and tall Cedar in this Work of Division we doubt not but some that have lean'd upon him and been mistaken in his Design will be ashamed of their Oak Disaffect IV. W. R. Preface pag. 3. Many in that City i. e. Bristol retain their antient Respect for John Story and John Wilkinson two Antient and Honourable Labourers in the Gospel of Christ whose Conversations and Doctrine I have not known or understood to be exceeded in Godliness by any MORTAL MAN WHATSOEVER Observe By this it appears that W. R. seems to be a great Admirer of and Advocate for these Persons whom he thus highly applauds and contends for but whether his being so greatly afficious for them will redound to their Reputation or the Credit of their Cause we refer to God's Witness in all Impartial Friends and even to the same in their Consciences for whom he thus highly Advocates and we disown his Admiration and Comparison of them as not safe nor a preaching up Christ but setting up Man and Creatures the same he has accused others for He has neither Known nor so much as UNDERSTOOD their Conversations and Doctrine to be Exceeded in Godliness by any Mortal Man WHATSOEVER He has not understood that either Righteous Abel Enoch Daniel Job Elijah Elisha Jeremiah or any of the holy Prophets of God or Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ did exceed these Persons whom he so highly contends for in Godliness of Conversation and Doctrine We cannot own his Judgment or Comparison herein and we ask if J. S. and J. W. do really approve thereof or not Disaffect V. W. R. Preface p. 6. These kinds of Declarations frequently published amongst the aforesaid People viz. LET US EXCLUDE THE REASONING THE WISDOM AND THE JEALOUSIE AND LET US HAVE AN EYE TO THE BRETHREN further Insinuating as if God had ordained Ministers among them that are to see and hear for the Body and common Members of the Church as the Printed Terms are I cannot but be full of Jealousie that these things have a tendency to insinuate Submission without Conviction and nurture up Ignorance instead of Wisdom and to introduce Bondage instead of Freedom in Christ as much as ever was under the cover of a Black-coat in the Dark Night of Apostacy where this Maxime viz. Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion is known to be true with respect to a zealous Observation of what the Clergy have imposed and taught Observe First That These kinds of Declarations are frequently published among the People called Quakers we utterly deny he hath therein as we judge uttered Falshood and abused the said People And yet to his own Contradiction he hath granted the matter herein opposed by him in pag. 18. first Part in his Marginal Note the words are these viz. We would not be understood that it is not fit to have an Eye to faithfull Brethren in any thing whereby he grants that an Eye is to be had to faithful Brethren in some things at least the more unjust he to make such ill use as he has done of the words before-cited by him Secondly If any of the said People have at any time so published as Let us exclude the Reasoning the
his Instance of that Epistle being publick before his Book for his Intention of Printing as also his often Threatning to Print was a long time before that Epistle ever was in being and when he gave his said Supplymental Reasons in his Postscript on the 10th of November 1680. he had Printed his Treatise except the Postscript Index and Errata as he confesseth the 8th of November 1680. being the same day that Epistle came to his Hands and therefore his Intention of Printing and Publishing Divisions could have no Relation to that Epistle as any Cause or Reason of his Intention And how could that Epistle be any Reason of his Printing when it was not in being till after he had Printed a great part of his Book in the Five Parts of it 4thly If he yet alledge That in the Title Page of the said Epistle 't is said to be Printed by Andrew Sowle and to be sold at his Shop in Devonshire-Buildings and that therefore he was the more concerned for the Publication of his Book when it was Printed To this we say That Addition shewing by whom it was Printed and Sold was the Printer's own Addition and not the Authors and yet suitable enough for him to add being cautioned in the same Title Page how far it was intended by the Authors to be published being plainly Recommended to Friends in Truth chiefly for the sake of the Weak and Unstable-minded for Information and Encouragement in our Christian Unity and Society held in the Spirit of Christ both in Faith and Practice as their words are so that the Advice where to have that Epistle was for Friends to whom it was recommended that they might know where to have it whereas W. R. has given no such Caution in his Title page but leaves his whole Book and Friends Reflected on therein to the Censure and Judgment of the World Unbelievers and Truth 's Adversaries to the great Scandal and Reproach of Truth and Friends in it Qu. But hath not W. R. placed the Publication of his Book upon a higher Motion and Necessity than the occasion pretended of the aforesaid Epistle Answ. Yes a far higher and what is it 'T is upon such a great concern of Conscience pretended that the Publication of it could no longer be forborn The Accounts he gives in the case are these viz. So great a concern of Conscience lies on many to encourage the Publication thereof as that we can no longer forbear lest it should be reputed that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct among the aforesaid People as in his Preface And pag. 77. 1st part The Righteous God bears us Record that the very reason why this Treatise is now prepared is because our very Consciences on behalf of God's People are concerned Thus far William Rogers William Ford the Subscribers Note That these high Pretences of Conscience both for the Preparation and Publication of their Book as that they could no longer forbear must needs be before 't was Printed here was two great concerns in the case the one to Prepare it the other to Print or Publish it by Printing both which Concerns were before the aforesaid Epistle of A. Whitehead and M. Elson was in being at least before ever W. R. knew or saw that Epistle and therefore that Epistle could not be the cause of such concern of Conscience to Prepare Print or Publish W. R's great and Chargeable Book besides it may be observed that all the Allegations used by some of his Party for the Publication of his Book as about G. F's not giving him a Meeting or not giving it under his hand to meet him appear but meer Pretences and slight Covers having placed a Necessity to encourage the Publication thereof upon a higher and more absolute concern of Conscience as namely to prevent such a Misrepute as that of the Doctrine and Life of Christianity being wholly extinct amongst the People called Quakers And there 's not the least Colour or Pretence of Reason that this Danger should be placed either upon the said Epistle or upon G. F's not meeting W. R. in his time This his pretence of such concern of Conscience is far higher than these But if it shall yet be pretended by any that G. F's not giving W. R. a Meeting was cause of his publishing his Book Then how Unjust and grosly Unreasonable was it to expose the Names of divers other Faithfull Friends in Print and that to Infamy without any such particular Offer to them and Refusal on their parts Moreover W. R. is so far from proving himself Just or Righteous in his proceeding to Print by those Instances he gives of a Publication of Divisions by Declaration by Manuscript and by Printing that his great Injustice and Iniquity therein appears there being no just Comparison between these so far as he yet gives Instances and his great Book in Print either as to the Nature Quality or Quantity For 1st What he mentions of Declaration in their Meetings if it were all true it was not published in Print to the World until he himself did it neither do we understand that such Unprinted Declaration can Equalize his Book in the Pernicious Nature and Tendence of it in many particulars which are Scandalous to us as a People and against divers honest Men by Name and not only so but 't is against Church-Government and Order among us 2dly The Forty Four Articles he mentions were not in Print nor the Paper of Sixty Six nor the Narrative at Drawell nor were these ever intended to be exposed in Print or to the World as his Book is but to be reserved within the Church till matters might be cleared and Reconciliation and Union effected which divers faithful Friends among us have earnestly desired and travelled for whose Work and Reward is with the Lord though this Perverse Spirit turns all into Bitterness Gall and Wormwood 3dly And as to that Epistle written by a Publick Preacher as he saith Post. pag. 26. that was not in Print nor any Persons by Name reflected on in it though mention be made in it of Rents Schisms Contention Strife Distraction Discord c. A faithful Testimony was therein given against the Spirit of Discord Division and Separation refering it to the Witness of Truth in all Consciences and the Spirit of Judgment in themselves to make the Application to Persons and not by Name to Infamize any G. Whitehead owns the said Epistle and saith he hath stood by it and hopes ever to stand by the Testimony and tender Counsel therein in the same Spirit that moved him to write it as also that since W. R. has made such an occasion and pretence of it to justifie his own proceeding to Print he had done him more Right if he had printed it together among others in his Book which Epistle and the publick reading of it was approved by divers of W. R's own Friends And what if it were read in such a publick
which were established by the appointment of God himself having exalted instead thereof the Word nigh in the Heart and Law written therein under the New Covenant which was not to be like unto the Old can consist with the tenour of the New Covenant for any to attempt the establishment or giving forth of outward Orders Prescriptions Sentences or Decrees to be on that Foot a Bond upon the Consciences of those who have believed in the Everlasting Light especially if they are of the Gentiles stock Observe His principal Objection against outward Order Prescriptions Sentences Decree c. in the Church of Christ lies in the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Answer God had his Ministers Officers and Messengers both under the Old and New Covenant and also Outward Instructions and Doctrines of Faith and Practice under both though the New far excel the Old in Spirituality and Brightness yet there was a Condescention to low Estates under both to believing Jews and Gentiles even in outward Ministries Helps and Services but all center in the Inward Life and Substance Christ's Ministers both Immediately and Instrumentally both in Doctrine of Faith and Practice both with respect to divine Faith and a Christian Conversation good Order and Society under his Government in his Church and therefore all the Effects and Precepts of the New Covenant are not confined within to an Invisibility because that Covenant is inward and the Law of it first written in the Heart we cannot reduce and confine our Assemblies Societies and Christian Counsel and Admonitions which many have need of all to an Invisibility because the New Covenant is Invisible for Visible and Religious Actions Good Instructions and Conversations outward proceed from the Law of the New Covenant in the Heart being of the Nature thereof and that for the Universal benefit and help of others and such as own not this cannot endure sound Doctrine especially the Practical Doctrine Disaffect XXXIII W. R. pag. 75. 1st part We have no ground either from the Word of the Lord the Appearance of Christ or from the Scriptures of Truth since the appearance of Christ in the Flesh to expect that any should be invested with Power from on High to establish such things relating to the Conscience i. e. outward Orders Sentences Decrees c. much less to expect that the Children of Light under the New Covenant should be led by the Eternal Spirit and Word in the Heart unto such a Conformity Observe This still relates to his General Objection against outward Rules and Directions Form of Church-Government Discipline c. but is still contrary to the said Epistle signed by him Arthur Eastmead and others at Anne Traver's 1673. as also Contradictory to what he himself has granted p. 23. 3d part in these words viz. NOT THAT I WOULD BE HEREBY 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 Thus W. R. has granted both Outward Order and Gospel Discipline as becoming the Church of Christ and as necessary to be Exercised whereby he hath still fairly given away his Cause against Church-Government and the outward Methods and Forms thereof As also observe further how manifestly he hath overturned his Work by what follows and therein behold W. R's Self-Confutation in his own words 3d part p. 82 83. viz. I doubt not but there are many who are ready to conclude That an Universal Unity ought to be established in the Churches by the Assistance of outward Instruments that as we are Members of one Body so we may not only be One in Faith One in Doctrine but also One in Practice with Relation to Discipline Order and Outward Forms of Government My Soul should rejoyce to see that day wherein we might be all so led by the Appearance of Christ's Spirit in us under his Government which ought to be exalted over all as that THIS ONENESS might thereby be witnessed amongst all the Families of God's People at this day Thus far W. R. We need not Explicate upon this Passage it s so plain and Evident a Confutation of the greatest part of his Gainsaying and most general Objections against us in relation to Church-Government and Order among us the People called Quakers Disaffect XXXIV W. R. 1st part pag. 72. Moreover 't is observeable if Report be true this Doctrine hath of late been Exalted No Unity but IN Conformity Observe Here in pursuance of Report as else-where of his Jealousies Doubts and Fears he brings an Ambiguous Doctrine as Reported which as its laid down and Charged without Distinction we own not and do question the Truth of the Report let him place it where he can Disaffect XXXV Of Womens Meetings W. R. 1st part pag. 63. There is amongst many Friends a Difference touching the Meetings of Women separate from the Men. Observe Not amongst many Friends does a Difference appear but amongst a few Heady Rash Spirits who despise those Meetings and the Service of them calling them an Image an Idol c. but W. R. appears more warey in this point in not so directly and absolutely opposing the Meetings themselves as some have done but only giving a History of the different Sences and Jealousies of some about them as also his Friends J. W. and J. S. write more Cautiously in this point of Womens Meetings in these words viz. That 't is not agreeable with the Line of Truth to oppose others in the Exercise and appointed Service of the said Meetings who being Conscious therein c. And if it shall please the Lord to manifest a Service in those Meetings in the Countries as well as Cities the same Integrity towards God which hath dwelt with us these many Years past we believe will become a Bond on us to joyn Hand and Heart with others our Brethren and Sisters therein c. Thus far J. W. and J. S. 4th part pag. 38. Herein they appear'd more moderate than some that take their parts who Oppose Contemn and Vilifie those Meetings Pag. 64. In process of Time some Friends thought it necessary that Marriages might be proposed to the VVomens-Meetings but yet several Friends in divers Counties would not assent that they should be concerned in Marriages at length several of those who appeared for those distinct Meetings to be concerned said The Faithfull see a Necessity and Cause to propose Marriages to the faithful Men and Womens Meetings This being uttered with those of Party with G. F. c. Observe Many faithful Friends who are not for Party for Man but Followers of Christ do see a real Conveniency and Service in proposing Marriages both to the Faithful Men and Faithfull VVomens Meetings distinctly and because our Adversary gives us no valid Reason nor Proof to the contrary we shall only at present cite the Reason given in an Epistle from the Quarterly-Meeting in Suffolk dated Mendlesham the 29th day of
be feared many do Eye more the Orders from thee than they Eye the Lord in them accusing and judging all out of Truth that Practice not with all speed from them using all FORCE they can devise according to the Power they have to Compell all to them Censuring all Friends out of the Unity that come not to Practice with them which is the greatest Penalty and Persecution they can Inflict for WANT OF OUTWARD POWER Compared with the following Passage pag. 78 79. viz. For the Enemy of Truth hath taken occasion from thy Orders to beget a false Birth in many And Angry Proceedings about them of late declare which was not before in our Age neither did Heads nor Horns of the Dragon appear to cast down the holy People by lying against them saying that they oppose the holy Orders and by approving of such Proceedings is Satan let loose in our Time to deceive and all that see his Transformings he casts Floods out of his Mouth against them to carry them away and cast such to the Earth wanting nothing to effect his Design but the OUTWARD POWER to carry them on to KILL for his Wrath is against them that keep the Testimony of Jesus Christ and such he accuseth of fleshly Liberty and loose Walking Observe We look upon these unkind and bitter Passages and Insinuations to be very Pernitious and as proceeding from a wrong Conception and Birth of Cruel Jealousies under the pretence of fear concerning many and not from the Spirit of Christ and the Construction made of some's Censuring some out of the Unity for their Opposition to such Orders or orderly proceedings as they account good and wholsome as the greatest Penalty and Persecution they can Inflict and that they would Inflict greater if they had but outward Power this appears very Uncharitable even the same that our open professed Adversaries have often Insinuated against us and greatly tends to stir up Persecution against us as do also the following words viz. WANTING NOTHING TO EFFECT HIS DESIGN BUT THE OUTWARD POWER TO CARRY THEM ON TO KILL Here John thou hast severely prejudged many which we are assured thou hast no Proof for but thy own Jealousie Remember how thy Friend and Advocate W. R. hath severely censured such kind of Prejudicate Proceedings as the censuring and judging Persons without a Hearing or Proof of Matter of Fact but hast thou heard any Friends ever grant they want only the outward Power to carry them on more severely to Persecute and Kill you Oh John we are perswaded thou must meet with an Hour of Tribulation for this Prejudicial and Uncharitable Dealing Were ever worse things exposed in Print against us before And wouldst thou be thus dealt by We pray God to give thee a sight of the Danger of these things and tender thy Heart unto Repentance and a Return to thy first Love for thou hast known better things than these thy Printed Letters bespeak which if thou gavest way to the Printing them thou wast not aware how they would and assuredly do make against thy Interest and your Cause which W. R. Pleads and Advocates for And we would seriously ask Whether such bitter Invectives and Infamies cast upon G. F. and others in thy Letters do not rather shew forth the Heads and Horns of the Dragon than the Zeal of any Friends doth in testifying for good Order and Government in the Church of Christ and against fleshly Liberty and loose Walking which if any such have exceeded in their zeal or their zeal at any time hath not been so prudently and warily mannaged in thy or your account as should have been yet to judge them as so far possessed with the Wrath of the Dragon as that by them he accuseth such as keep the Testimony of Jesus with fleshly Living and loose Walking this we think is very Hard and Uncharitable and we pray thee consider these things And let it be observed also that in W. R's Letter to G. F. part 4. pag. 97. is this passage viz. Therefore is the zeal of the Lord of Hosts kindled against that ungodly insinuating Spirit that makes it its business to bespatter J. S. and J. W. whereby the Simple-hearted may be in danger to be turned out of the Way Upon which we must needs note how Zealous he is for these two Persons and what a great stress he layes upon them their Reputations as if to write or speak what reflects upon them might indanger the turning the Simple-hearted out of the Way and why so We may suppose 't is because he thinks that many Simple-hearted have a good Opinion of them though we would tell him not so many since VV. R. became such a furious Advocate for them as before a great many are offended at his Book and at him for suffering it to come forth and him to go on in their defence without shewing publick and absolute dislike thereof The truth on 't is whatever J. S. and J. W. may think of W. R. he has been Instrumental extreamly to lessen their Esteem though we do not approve of any making it their business to bespatter them neither do we know of any Friends that so do However W. R. has made it a great part of his business to Bespatter and Revile many of the Servants of Christ whom many simple-hearted Ones has a good belief and esteem of He has taken but little care to prevent their being turned out of the way by his bespattering such and that by Name in Print wherein his great Partiality and Injustice is the more evident Disaffect LII W. R. third part pag. 28. I now appeal to God's Witness in all Consciences whether the outward establishment of outward Government under the Notion of Christ's Government doth not seem to square more with the Principles of such who look for his second coming in some outward Bodily Appearance than with the Principles of those who conclude his second coming to be by his Spiritual Appearance in the Heart Observe Under pretence of this solemn Appeal here is a perverse Insinuation and false Comparison to represent us as squaring with as we take it he means the Principle of Christ's Personal Reign i. e. by himself alone in outward Power and Dominion This compared with J. W's words before-cited about wanting the outward Power c. tends to make us Offensive still and to expose us to Suffering Why will he admit of no outward Government in the Church called Christ's Government Is not this to account all outward Government Antichrist's And doth not this square with such whom he compares us to Surely William Rogers has known otherwise and better things of US that is of the People called QUAKERS who own Christ's Second Coming to be by his Spirit in the Heart Principally and Immediately to set up His Government there and to bring forth true Judgment Righteousness and good Order in his Church and People which extends and appears even Outwardly Christ Rules both Inwardly
chief Agent in their Cause hath Mannaged it well but greatly to his own and their Disadvantage XL Another notorious and two-fold Untruth before opened in this Treatise is that by these words Do not strive nor make Bargains with that i. e. that Spirit which is out of the Truth W. R. insinuates that G. F ' s Meaning must be That he would not have Friends Discourse nor have orderly Conference in order to Reconciliation nor to Bargain Buy or Sell with such whom he condemns until they Answer by Condemnation Which are gross Falshoods and foul Perversions The like Perversion has he made on another Friend's words in pag. 4 5. of his Preface viz. Let not this Spirit be reasoned with enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Judgment that is God's Decree so may the Souls that are deceived come by the right Door into the heavenly Unity c. yet saith W. R. he himself did a few Moneths after accompany G. F. to the City of Bristol and there enter into Reasonings Proposals and Articles with such as owned J. S. c. contrary to his own Counsel Here W. R. hath dealt very Disingeniously confounding the Persons with the Spirit making no difference between entring into Terms with the Spirit and some Proposals with the Persons for a fair Discourse concerning the Difference as if we could not Reason with the Persons without entring into Covenant and Terms with the Spirit of Division whereas he knows the contrary and that when W. P. entred into Articles with him at Bristol it was but for Method and Order in Discoursing Matters in Difference and for a Narrative thereof according to Agreement from both Parties and not to acquit that Spirit of Division in W. R. or any of his Party from just Judgment nor yet to enter into an Agreement and Peace with it upon its own Terms muchless to set W. R. as he is in that Spirit upon equal Ground and Terms with the Church of Christ or Body of Friends concerned in Judgment against it who yet desire that the Souls that are deceived may come in by the right Door and be restored into the heavenly Unity and on that account may Reason with the Persons and propose due Methods to them for their good but not enter into Covenant with that Spirit of Discord which will submit to no Terms of Agreement and Reconciliation but in its own Will and Way which Truth cannot admit of Surely 't is no Contradiction to stand in true Judgment against an Evil Spirit and yet gently endeavour to perswade the Creature out of it And concerning the preparing his Manuscript and bringing forth his Birth viz. his Book in Print he hath this passage in his Preface viz. XLII And to my inward Peace and Joy in the Lord I can say that I have the evidence of his Spirit notwithstanding what any man may say to the contrary that he hath owned my Proceedings therein hitherto and not only so but that there hath been an answer thereto in many Brethren Note That we do not charge him in this Passage with down right designed Lyes against Knowledge but with strong Delusion and Error which is the effect of his believing a Lye which the Devil is the Father of which will be his own Trouble in the End nor can we believe that he says true in saying There hath been an answer in MANY BRETHREN seeing there has not yet appeared any Brethren so much as his own that would publickly own or stand by his Book as having the Evidence of God's Spirit for it when closely called in Question about it Abundance of his Abuses Perversions Raylery Slanders Falshoods Scorn Reviling and foul Aspersions are here omitted and passed by which are dispersed throughout his Book for which he is left to the Righteous Judge of all to deal with him as no doubt he will in his own due time XLIII As concerning the Quotation about Micahs Mother Judges 17. which he has made a great ado about over and over in his Book calling it THAT ABOMINABLE QUOTATION Part 4. pag. 96. which seems but an Irreverent Character of a Quotation out of holy Scripture And concerning the Woman or Widdow of Tekoah and what she said to King David 2 Sam. 14. W. R. also shews himself very fierce against this poor Widdow accusing her over and over with a LYING STORY Part 5. p. 5. Whereas it was but a Parable or Form of Speech as Joab had directed her to save Absolom's Life At this rate W. R. might charge the Prophet's Parable to King Ahab 1 Kings 20. 39. and abudance of Parables more in the holy Scriptures with being Lying Stories because it seems G. F. expressed some Charitable Thoughts concerning these and other Women as having Virtue or some Religion in them towards God in their day and time although some were clouded with Superstition For the further opening of which Controversie we refer the Reader to a short Tract written by our Antient and Learned Friend Richard Richardson Entituled A few Ingredients against the Venom of William Rogers his Book stiled The Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. A Passage in William Rogers's Postscript about a Meeting with G. F. and William Mead's Exception against it being concerned in the Matter Postscript pag. 24. dated at Bristol the 8th of November 1680. XLIV W. R. As a further Evidence of my readyness to meet George Fox and his declining thereof I thought meet to insert this Additional Postscript A Friend from London advised me That William Mead desired Nicholas Lucas that it might be intimated unto me That now George Fox would give me a Meeting Which occasioned me immediately to take care that my Mind might be communicated to Nicholas Lucas who thereupon acquainted William Mead That their desire that I would give G. F. a Meeting was accepted by me provided that G. F. would give it under his Hand to meet me To which William Mead said He would speak to G. F. about it And afterward thâ— said William Mead told Nicholas Lucas He had spoke with George Fox and his Answer was He would not give it under his hand nor write to me By which all Impartial Readers may further judge whether George Fox hath any Inclination at all to give me a Meeting for clearing of Matters laid to his Charge William Mead's Exception Against which account W. Mead objects That it is not the whole Truth but Partial Fallacious Abusive both to him and George Fox in leaving out the most Material part of G. F. his Answer which was That he would meet William Rogers in his own way before Persons chosen on each side provided that he came within a certain time while he staid in the City as also in leaving out the Reason William Mead gave why G. F. refused to give it under his hand which was That he was sensible they would make an ill use of it against him in Print as also