the Glorious Presence of Christ upon Earth and which might any way contribute to rear up the Fabrick of the New-Testament Church 'T is much that such an Officer of so absolute concernment as this Opinion makes him should not be in the Christian World for three hundred years together If we will seek the meaning of this providential disposal of things may we not soberly think it to be that the Gospel was a thing wholly founded upon Spiritual Power was compleat therein and needed not any Temporal power to contribute to its perfection This impowering the Magistrate with a Superlative Authority in setling what relates to the Government of the Church supposeth this That the Scripture hath revealed no Truth that is binding in this matter but this That what the Magistrate pleaseth to settle in every place that is right and this I am sure the Scripture hath no where revealed and so we are like to have as many distinct Governments as there are States and distinct Kindgdoms in the World 't is strange those that are for exact Uniformity in any one Church should lay a foundation of such confused multiplicity in the Church Universal Either we must suppose Christ was not faithful to reveal all that concerned the Government of the Gospel-Church which God intrusted him with or else that it was the Will of God there should be no more revealed but that all should be transiently left to the Magistrate To say the first were but to urge Blasphemy for Reason if the second 't is to impower an Officer in such a necessary and weighty matter whose very being in the Church with an ability to do it had a futurity of three hundred years to come During all which time if Christ and the Apostles setled no Government in the Church and there being no Christian Magistrate that could settle any How could the Church then come lawfully to have any If it be said Where there is no Christian Magistrate every Church may use their own discretion then 't is plain the Government of the Church under the Gospel hath no other bottom than what every Magistrate and every particular Church pleaseth and so not only Magistrates but Churches and indeed all the World may be their own Carvers in this weighty matter 'T is very hard to be credited that the Government of the Church which does so greatly relate to the preservation of the Truth of Doctrine in it should be left to such floating uncertainties Besides this Position makes all that part of the Gospel which lies in Precept and President about the Rule of the Church and what was by the Apostles then practised and commanded to be of no use to us nor obligation upon us farther then the Magistrate pleaseth 't is to give him a dominion over that part of the Scriptures and opens a door to make him as some have fully done Lord over the whole New-Testament Two things are usually said to prop up this Power in the Magistrate First That there is nothing positively determined in the Gospel about these things because the Gospel being to take place throughout the whole world no one frame or Model of Government could be composed that would conveniently fit all Persons and Places where the Gospel might come to be received and setled and therefore the Wisdom of Christ hath left things of that nature wholly undetermined This is a thing taken for granted and wholly without any Divine Ground to warrant it and is in the reason of the thing it self insufficient for we find nothing in command or practice by the Apostles in setling the Christian Churches but what will agree with any Nation or People in the World He that will say That the Order of the Gospel as we there find it practised and required will not agree to any place may with as much reason if not more say That the receiving of the Gospel it self in the general belief of it will not agree to that place These things make it evident that the Order and Discipline we find setled in the Gospel-Churches in the Apostles time must needs fit every place and people and can do no hurt any where 1st It highly intends to heighten and compleat the duty incumbent on all Moral and Natural Relations that which Christ hath appointed to preserve order among Christians as Christians will never hinder but farther it amongst men as men 2dly The power upon which Christ's Rule setled in his Church is founded is wholly Spiritual it can never do any Violence to mankind nor clash with any humane power because that is the Boundery of it 3dly The thing designed and attained by the Order of the gospel-Gospel-Church is no more than to preserve men in a regular capacity to enjoy all Christs Institutions and therefore he that will say This Order will not sute any Nation must say in effect None of Christs Institutions will agree to that Nation 4thly There is nothing in Christs Government of his Church that is properly relative to the Political Government of a State or does any way determine the form of it but it may be equally exercised under any Government whatsoever The Religious policy of the Jews did highly relate to the State and was commixed with it and the same Government of that Church could not have been without a sutable conformity of the State to it and so could not well reach beyond that Nation and peculiar Country and People But the Gospel-Church and the Rule of it is grounded upon quite other terms and hath its first Principle in that saying of our Saviour Where ever two or three are met together in my Name there am I in the midst of them And there is no place nor people under the Sun but where with much advantage the order of the Gospel as well as the Gospel it self may be introduced A Second thing made to prop up this power in the Magistrate is Because of the wonderful difficulty we find in the New-Testament about matters of this nature This I acknowledge should put us upon much enquiry and great indulgence to each other but I cannot yield it a good reason to establish a visible Judge to settle a Civil Pope for at last upon the same grounds it will be found out that the Scripture in Doctrinals is obscure too and so the Magistrate must be likewise an Umpire in those things and finally in all Were once all these Carnal Interests and Political Concerns that are now twisted into the Government of the Church laid by it would be found a thing very feasible to deduce from Scripture Precept and Example limitted to no particular case in the reason of it a systeme of Ecclesiastical Rule sufficient for the obtaining all the holy and good ends designed by the Gospel and compleating men in a Spiritual Society as an Organical-Church and if a Church can be so constituted which is a thing in it self of no harship if men would be contented with the simplicity of
him and that the Author of the Accuser c. in Answer to W. R's Book may not say to me as he in pag. 86. Viz. Howbeit W. R. produceth not any now Prescriptions Methods Rules Orders and Forms of Church-Government Now saith the said Author of the Accuser c. Now he should have produced some new Orders and Forms of Church-Government Introduced amongst in since that time meaning the Year 1673. to prove his Charge of Apostacy and Innovation against G. F. and those he calls his Party c. And Pag. 133. We affirm that his meaning W. R. crying out Impositions Form of Church-Government Orders Prescriptions c. in general is no Answer nor any Proof of his Charge of Apostate and Innovator against us let him either specifie saith this notable as well as confident Author of the Accuser c. the Particulars thereof that he condemns us for as Apostates and that we practice as Church Discipline or else for ever be ashamed c. And Pag. 3. And what New and Unchristian Doctrines and Practices are they meaning G. F. and his Party fallen into we find no Proof nor Discovery thereof in all his Books c. And Pag. 128. of the said confident Author of the Accusers c. We do profess seriously a notable serious George if we may believe him we see no real Cause or valid Reason our Opposer meaning W. R. shews for the great Noyse and Rumble he makes about Outward Laws Prescriptions Orders Edicts or Decrees Outward Form of Government Apostacy Innovation Impositions Lording over Faith over Conscience c. whil'st he shews us no unjust no unlawful nor uncomly Order or Proceedings amongst us as a People nor yet gives us any Instances or Catologue of those Impositions Innovations New Doctrines or Practices brought in and received amongst us which are inconsistent with our First Testimony to the Light and Grace of God within and Teachings thereof c. I say things considered as practised amongst us I marvel that the said Author which is said to be G. Whitehead should have the Confidence thus to call for a Proof to call for a Catologue of the New Orders that are Introduced amongst us when he at the time of his Writing could not be ignorant of the Things complained of by W. R. who 't is probable thought there was no need to produce such Proof such a Catalogue and such manifest Instances to prove the same and that none would have the Confidence or rather Impudence to deny such Things as are every Month put in Practice amongst us But as I said that be may not say so to me I will bring him both Proof and President and if he will call them a Catologue he may But first the Confirmation of the Foundation of the Womens-Meetings Namely George Fox his Order above recited by a General Council held at London Anno 1675. Concerning Propounding Marriages London the 27th of 3d. Mon. 1675. IT is our Judgment that for better Satisfaction to all Parties that there may be due time for Inquiry of clearness of the Persons concerned it is convenient that Marriages be at twise propounded to the Meetings that are to take care therein both to the Mens and Womens Meetings where both are Established before they are accomplished and when Things are cleared that the Marriage be accomplished in a Grave and publick Assembly of Friends and Relations Observations And now set the Authority and Confirmation of the Womans Meetings and how G. F. his pretended Motion is corroborated and strengthed I am necessitated to transcribe more of the Transaction of this notable if not Universal Council than I am willing lest G. Whitchead should again call for a Proof or Catologue of their new stamped Government c. Concerning Mens and Womens-Meetings IT is our Judgment and Testimony in the Word of Gods Wisdom that the Rise and Practice Setting up and Establishment of Mens and Womens-Meetings in the Church of Christ in this our Day and Generation is according to the Mind and Counsel of God and done in the ordering and leading of his Eternal Spirit and that it is the Duty of all Friends and Brethren in the Power of God in all Places to be diligent therein and to incourage and further each other in that blessed Work and particularly that Friends and Brethren in their respective Countries incourage their Faithful grave Women in the Settlement of the said Meetings and if any professing Truth shall either directly or indirectly discountence a notable Warning and little obeyed except by G. F. his Men of War or weaken the Hands of either Man or Woman in the VVork and Service of the Lord let such be admonished according to the Order of the Gospel and if they receive it not but resist Counsel and persist in the work of Division we cannot but look upon them as therein not in Unity with the Church of Christ and Order of the Gospel Therefore let Friends go on in the Power of God and in that Work for Him his Truth and People and not to be swayed or hindred by them or their Opposition Observations Behold the difference between this Decree and the Letter of Advice and Counsel in the First Chapter of this Treatise that hath a particular relation to the Scripture and the Practice of the Holy Men recorded therein but this is wholly a stranger to any such Authority yet that was not proposed otherwise than Advice and Counsel and not as a Form or Rule to walk by notwithstanding there was so much in it to justifie the pressing of it both as being bottom'd on Scripture Authority and the Practice of the holy Men of God recorded in Scripture but this no relation to Scripture Authority Precept or President no relation to the Example of the holy Men of God recorded in Scripture nor any Command of God or Jesus Christ who is Head of the true Church and Lawgiver too but notwithstanding the Authors of this Decretal Order are peremptory and positive none must refuse a Complyance none must discountenance the Observatition of it directly or indirectly for if they do they are not to be lookt upon in Unity with the Church that is not to be lookt on as Christians and Members of Christs Church and so at once made Heathens by this new fashoned Edict But to make good Provision against any that shall yet dare to slight this new Model or new found Method of Church-Government or call in question their Power or Authority See what a strict and severe Admonition is uttered forth even as if it had come from the Popes Council of Jesuits and crafty Fryars I Know that some will be mighty angry and sore displeased with me for transcribing so much of their hidden Mysteries but in my apprehension there is no reason for it for if Womens-Meetings be of such Excellency and their Government and Jurisdiction so vertuous amiable as that whoever comply and yield obedience to them are in
bid you observe any particular Thing or Duty that Christ Commanded do it with a Reverend Regard but if they begin once to extol their Written Traditions above the Holy-Scriptures you will have good and warrantable ground to testifie against their Innovations and if for this they call you Hereticks or Schismaticks answer them in the words of St. Augustine Errare possum Hereticus esse non possum In an Errour I may be but an Heretick I cannot be for there are three things necessary for just Proof of Heresie First That it be an Errour that I hold Secondly That it be an Errour against the Truth of Gods Word for otherwise every Errour maketh not a Man a Heretick And Thirdly That it be stoutly and wilfully maintained otherwise an Errour against Gods Truth without wilful Maintenance is not Heresy There is the Sixth Branch of the Grant and Confirmation mentioned in the Second Chapter about Sufferings which as Stated is not warrantable which for brevity sake I pass by until an Opportunity offer it self and then I may unriddle the meaning and perhaps discover the Effects thereof Effectually And thus I rest your Friend Milden-hall the 9th of the 1st Month 1682. F. B THE Post-script AS it was the manner of the Pharisees to propound Insnaring Questions to Christ Jesus in the Day of his Flesh tempting him endeavouring to entangle him in his Talk when otherwise they were not able to Confute him Even so hath it been the manner of some amongst us to come to me since I sent the forgoing in Manuscript to the Press Questioning me in order to insnare or intangle me in my Talk instead of proving their Proceedings Apostolical and their Force and Compulsion in their Church Procedure warrantable WHEREFORE my further Advice to the Reader is To frequent the Holy Scriptures and read them diligently as also the Works of R. Hubberthorn F. Howgil other Antient Friends and the foregoing Tract and then see and consider whether there be not Violence done to our first Principles of Union whereby Tyranny instead of Order is introduced For it is a Protestant Principle to read all Authors to search out the Truth of Things in Controversy to endeavour after a right Understanding to prove all things and hold fast that which is good and hereby will Implicit Faith and Blind Obedience be excluded Knowledge increased and true Conviction become the ground of our Conformity and the Bereans Example become our daily Practice But it is a Popish Principle To believe as the Church believes barely because She so believes to take all for granted our Leaders say without any further Examination to read no Books but what are Licenced and approved on by this General Council or that Second-Days Meeting to Pin my Faith on their Sleeves to see with their Eyes instead of my own Oh this Implicit Faith this Blind Obedience this Idolizing the Wisdom and Conduct of the Multitude and refusing the use of our own Reason Sense and Understanding is no less than the Product of a Popish Principle and ought to be avoided Object But some may object and say That although things be thus which being upon Record cannot without great Impudence be denyed yet to publish them we think very hard measure c. Answ If no private meanes had been used then indeed this Objection had been of some weight but in regard so many private Endeavours have been used for four Years together and all avail nothing it is but just and equal as for Example Let any of the Hearers be found guilty of Misdemeanors although no other Crimes than the Leaders and Teachers themselves are guilty of it is usual to go to such and admonish them if they persist in the Evil then admonish them again and if after all private Meanes they will not be reclaimed then it hath been usual to give out Papers of Condemnation against them that the World may see we do not own them in their evil Practices c. Even so it is but just and reasonable that if our Leaders and Church-Governours as they count themselves who pretend to see for the Body shall Erect such a way of Church-Government and Discipline as neither Christ nor his blessed Apostles never commanded nor Practised and bring in and set up other Traditions than the Apostles delivered and then compel according to that little Power they have a Uniformity and Conformity to them then it is but just to call these Leaders to account and admonish them again and again and shew them their Errour and the Mischief of their Impositions and if after all private Endeavours for three or four Year together these Church-Governours will not be reclaimed nor in any wise perswaded to make void such Edicts such vain Traditions and useless Ceremonies nor yet be content that as many as have freedom to use them may and that others that are otherwise minded may be let alone and left to their Christian-Liberty whether to Conform or not Conform then it is but just to bear a Publick Testimony against them their Impositions their Prescribed Rules and Cannons their Written Orders their Antichristian way of Church-Procedure that the World may know we do not own them and that G.F. G. W. and those of Party with them have been call'd to account have been admonished again and again Is fully manifest by what is set forth in this Treatise together with what is written by W.R. in his Book Entituled The Christian-Quaker Distinguished In Five Parts c. Milden-Hall the 22. of the 3d. Mon. 1682. F. Bugg The Labouring-Mans Caveat Concerning Womens-Meetings TAKE heed beware of Novelty And of Female Authority That they into the Church ben't brought And thereby such Divisions wrought Through Craft of the Old Enemy Who is profound in Subtilty As may cause Bitterness to Spring Which is a very hurtful Thing And more thereby's defil'd within Than Women can wash clean again But rather take the Good Old Way As God Commanded Paul doth say That Women in subjection be And not usurp Authority Nor in the Church permitted speak Whereby they should good Order break Except to Pray or Prophesy By Power given from on High Otherwise they 'l Confusion make And cause the Hearts of Friends to ake But rather all with one Accord Let Male and Female Serve the Lord That as Partakers of one Grace They meet together in one Place And not distinct as George doth say At the Tenth Hour of the Day Nor yet devided one from th' other Lest that Division breeds another But as the Children of one Father Brethren and Sisters both may gather Together in one Place to see What may to others needful be And helping their necessity May serve each other in Unity And Mens Invented Novelties With Womanish Formalities What ' ere defiles may out be swept And all Things sweet and clean be kept Who first convinc't us by his Light To lead us on may have his Right And following Him as Children Dear
the said Record either openly by dispute or publickly by Writing to be contrary to Christs Doctrine and Example and contrary to the Apostles Doctrine and Example and contrary to the Doctrine and Example of Francis Howgil Richard Hubthorn and divers other Friends Testimonies in Print and not only so but Antichrictian and Romish and thereupon do hereby enter my Protestation against the said Record and every part thereof Witness my Hand the 4th of the 10th Month 1678. Francis Bugg All which desire of their proving their Proceedings Apostolical and debating the Matter both by me and others they denyed and utterly refused But I marvail the less since I now understand by the Preface to the Book of W. R. In Five Parts Entituled The Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. That it is the Advice of such an Eminent Man of Party with G. F. that we should not be reasoned with a notable way but methinks very Singular yea so Singular that there is no Profession of People that I know of now extant in England that will refuse to be reasoned with except only the Papists and they are so infallibly sure that upon that Foot they do not doubt nor scruple their Faith and Belief for they Believe as the Church Believes and G. W. says in his Apost Incendi c. p. 16. That the true Church is in the true Faith that is in God and we must either Believe thus as the True Church Believes or else it were but folly and Hypocrisy to profess our selves to be of the True Church Indeed the first part of George his Assertion is true for the Church of God which is made up of faithful Members amongst Episcopalians Presbyterians Independents and Baptists or under any other Denomination whatsoever in any County City Language or People that fear God and work Righteousness these all have their Faith in God but that those with respect to Degrees Growths or Measures do differ and are of different Perswasions in many Points and thereupon ought to bear and forbear Judging one another is manifest as also from the Practise of the Primitive Christians as W. R. and T.C. have fully manifested which not only thwarts G. W's Answer to the four Positions mentioned in the 15th and 16th pages of the said Book But the whole Rubrick Laws and Cannons Ecclesiastical of G. F. and other Innovators who are so infallibly sure of the way and that all that differ from them are in the wrong that as I said they have no will to reason things to debate things but too much like the Papists would have things taken upon trust Implicitely Believe as the Church Believes Practice as the Church Practices and in all Points yield obedience to her Decrees without any Examination Scruple or Doubt Or else why should that Abetter of the Cause of G. F. advise as followeth Viz. Let not this Spirit be reasoned with Enter not into Proposals and Articles with it but feed it with Judgment that is Gods Decree Mark the Nature and Tendency of this Advice for should the Apostles have thus Preached to the Boreans What Liberty had been left for their Search and their further Examination nay Christ himself reasoned in the Synagogue of the Jews and the Apostles did the like nay when any Difference arose amongst themselves a free Debate was admitted which amongst us hath been both by Advice and Practice stiffly denyed as I shall yet more manifest Six Queries propounded by F. B. the 12th Month 1678. Some Qveries propounded to such amongst us as endeavour to impose a Uniformity and Conformity to such Rights and Ceremonies as have ho Foundation in Scripture and to such a Church Discipline as neither the Prophets Christ Jesus nor his Holy Apostles Primitive Christians Saints or Martyrs in any Age or Generation either Commanded or Practised and do expect your Answer according to Scripture for the Scripture testifies of Christ and of his Example and the Apostles who wrote Scripture had the Mind of Christ and his Mind is not variable so let your Answer accord with Scripture And whereas you pretend you are for Holy Orders and good Government in the Church maintain the same by Scripture Proof otherwise we shall look upon your Pretentions altogether vain and your plea no better than that which is commonly used by the Persecuting Papists and degenerated Protestants who when we bid them prove the Use of their Ceremonies and other Observations by plain Scripture they say They need not for the Apostle said Let things be done decently and in order And the Church seeing a Decency in the Vse of these Things She hath a Power committed to Her to impose them on Her Members and by Vertue of Her Authority She commands the strict Observation of them under pain of Her Displeasure and if any will not yield obedience to Her Decretal Orders when once approved on by a General-Council or Synodical-Assembly or question her Authority She hath a Power to Excommunicate and cut off such as Heriticks or Gain-sayers or Men of Opposite Spirits c. Thus says ROME and thus say the Episcopalians thus say all Imposers who have no Authority from Christ Jesus for their un-scriptural Traditions that it begins to be so with us is plain manifest and for a particular Instance view the Case of J. A. who was both judged and Condemned and Recorded out of the Unity at a Quarterly-Meeting or General Council held at Hadenham in the Isle of Ely the 4th of the 7th Month 1678. And in as much as you seem to make G. F. the Author of your Errours it stands him upon finally to reject and to bear a publick Testimony against your New Strange and Dangerous Innovations and Babylonish Inventions and to shew that he hath no Hand in the Introducing and promoting the same WHEREFORE answer these things following that so your Minds Intents and Purposes may be fully and clearly manifest and upon what Bottom you stand and who gave you your Power and whence you derive your Authority and in whose Name you compel a Conformity to your New Invenetd Orders and Rules under Pain of Condemnation QUERY I. Whether Christ Jesus the true God and Eternal Life in whom the Fulness of the Godhead dwelt Bodily be the Head of the True Church OR Whether George Fox who is but a Man unto whom the Spirit is given but by Measure be Head thereof Answer QUERY II. If you say that Christ is the Head thereof as I hope you will not dare to say otherwise then I further Query Whether Christ be not Lawgiver to his Church Answer QUERY III. If you say That Christ is and of right ought to be both Head and Lawgiver to his Church as I presume you will not say otherwise Then I further Query Whether we who profess our selves to be Disciples Followers of Christ ought not to follow and obey the Example Practice Precepts Commands Prescriptions and Exhortations of Christ Jesus our Lord and Master
by their Number outgrown the Political part of Persecution For the Second Consideration of Liberty the giving it so as will naturally produce several Principles and Opinions in men he that would prevent that must give no Liberty to the Protestant Religion must not let the Bible be read by the Vulgar There is no way to keep out several Opinions in Religion but an implicit ignorant Subjection to an imposed Infallibility and to do as the Turks do who will not have any Learning or Discourse amongst them of Religion for that very Reason because they will have no Religion but Mahomet nor no Learning but the Alcoran Such Policy to Murder mens Souls is hatcht in Hell The Art of Printing was at the first thought dangerous because it was looked on as a thing like to introduce several Opinions in Religion Cardinal Woolsey in a Letter of his to the Pope hath this Passage about it That his Holiness could not be ignorant what divers Effects the New Invention of Printing had produced for as it had brought in and restored Books and Learning so together it hath been the occasion of these Sects and Schisms which daily appear in the World but chiefly in Germany where men begin now to call in question the present Faith and Tenents of the Church and to examine how far Religion is departed from its Primitive Institution And that which particularly was most to be lamented they had exhorted the Lay and Ordinary men to read the Scriptures and to Pray in their Vulgar Tongue That if this were suffered besides all other dangers the common People at last might come to believe that there was not so much use of the Clergy for if men were perswaded once they could make their own way to God and that Prayers in their native and ordinary Language might pierce Heaven as well as in Latin How much would the Authority of the Mass fall How Prejudicial might this prove unto all our Ecclesiastical Orders Lord Herberts History of Hen. 8. Liberty of Conscience lies as naturally necessary to a Protestant State as Imposition to a Popish State he must be a good Artist that can find a right middle way between these two 'T is the Glory of Protestant-States to have much of the Knowledge of God amongst them and that variety of mens Opinions about some less weighty and more obscure matters of Religion as it much tends to a discovery of the Truth of them so it no way breaks the Bond of Protestant Union where men generally agree in the same Rule of Religion and in all the chief and necessary Fundamentals of Salvation Liberty of Conscience in such States as it is their true and genuine Interest and without which they will but deny themselves those advantages they might otherwise arrive at so with the forementioned Boundaries can never prove hurtful or dangerous there being always a just distinction to be made between those who desire only to serve God and such who pretend that to become injurious to men And thus we have seen that not only Religion but Reason not only Duty but Interest do invocate Princes and States in this particular To whom it may fitly be said in the words of the Psalmist Be wise now therefore O ye Kings and be instructed O ye Judges of the Earth FINIS De Christiana Libertate Or the Mischief of Impositions amongst the People called Quakers Made Manifest Shewing The Inconsistency betwixt the Church Discipline Order and Government erected by G. Fox and those of Party with him and that in the Primitive Times Being Historically treated on WITH A Word of Advice to the Pencilvanians And is the First Part of Naked Truth By FRANCIS BUGG GAL. 6.12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the Flesh they constrain you to be Circumcised c. GAL. 5.1 Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not again intangled in the Yoak of Bondage GAL. 5.2 Touch not taste not handle not c. London Printed for the Author 1682. An EPISTLE Dedicated to the Noble BEREANS Of this Age. HAving by the Book prefixed laid before the Magistrates and others concerned a clear Demonstration and many weighty Arguments for Liberty of Conscience to all Protestant Dissenters who desire to live a peaceable Life under the Government I am now come to treat on the Religious Differences amongst us the People called Quakers and therein to vindicate the Christian-Quakers who retain their Primitive Principles and defend their Plea for Liberty of Conscience from the Calumny and Reproach which the Innovators have put upon both it and the Pleaders thereof as if the Tendency thereof was to introduce Loosness Ranterism or the like sort of Abominations all which we detest and deny And in the Introduction to the Accus c. they have Sentenced William Rogers to be no Quaker by which they mean no Christian for if I may be in their account a true Christian and yet no Quaker then what damage is it to be no Quaker So that as the Baptists and others about the Year 72. by their Dialogues and otherwise rendred us no Christians because our Creed lay not litterally in their 8th Article of Faith So doth the Apostate and Innovator endeavour to Unchristian the true Christian-Quaker And the two principal Reasons that can be alledged against us are First our Nonsubmission and Nonconformity to the New Order of the Women Erected by G. Fox and Confirmed by a London Yearly-Meeting And Secondly That their way of compelling and Antichristian way of Proceeding to bring to and force a Uniformity is by us slighted and contemned and published in Justification of our Plea for the Liberty of the exercise of our Conscience in Matters Spiritual I say these two are the grand Reasons for which they render us no Quakers as I said consequently in their Esteem no Christians Whereupon we the Caluminated Abettors of the Cause of Truth can do no less than call to you the BEREANS of our Age not to believe every wandring Book that is put forth against us but read and examine the Matter and before you pass Judgment see what we can say for our selves in Defence of our Christian-Plea for Liberty of Conscience and for which Reason I choose to Dedicate the Ensuing Tract in the first Place to you expecting your Impartial Examination c. For as William Penn very well says in his Epistle to you the Noble and Examining BEREANS who usually hear both Sides in the Front of the Book Entituled the Christian-Quaker and his Divine Testimony Vindicated c. So we find it Experimentally viz. The Insatiable Thirst of men after Religious or Civil Empire hath filled almost every Age with Contest There is something in Man that prompts to Religion and such as stand not in the TRADITIONS of Men nor any meer Formality But Man that he may not loose the Honour of a Share with an unwarrantable Activity so Adulterates by
an Intermixture of his own Conceptions with their Divine Dictates and purer Discoveries SO Sophisticates that at the last they become more his own Workmanship than the Truth 's And so fond is he of this Child of his Brain that like some Antient Tyrants he will rather cut his way to the Throne by a violence upon all others Consciences than not put a Crown upon Its HEAD And how far these Tyrannical Proceedings have been used by our New Spiritual Lords may in part be seen by this following Discourse which to you the Searching BEREANS I choose first to Dedicate the same who am a real Lover of your Example and a Member of your Society Francis Bugg The PREFACE To The READER THe Main Thing intended by this Discourse is to shew the Mischief of Impositions on Tender Consciences in Matters Spiritual that so the same being discovered may be laid aside as a Burthen some Thing and for time to come avoided and Christian-Liberty instead thereof introduced to all peaceable Subjects in every Nation That this hath been the principal End of all Sound Protestant Writers as well as of the Author of the First Part of this Treatise Whose Name I know not nor in what Form of Religion nor amongst what Society of People he walked but yet his Judgment upon this Subject is my Judgment I can produce many Authors as well from Antient and Modern History as Sacred Writ wherefore to attempt the same is no new thing But as it hath been the Work of the Protestants to shew that the Pope may Err nay hath often Erred c. So is it may Business at this time to shew that G. Fox may Err and which compared with W. Rogers his Book doth plainly shew that he hath often Erred c. And as the antient Protestants Work hath been to shew that Councels may Err and that Synodical Assemblies may Err nay have often Erred So it is my Concern at this time to shew that our Yearly-Meeting and other Synodical Assemblies and that the Second-days Meeting may Err nay have often Erred And now I will shew you a Parellel betwixt the Treatment which the Protestants met withal from the Hands of the Papists for their pains and betwixt the Treatment that W. R. T. C. and others have met withal from the Hands of G. F. and those of Party with him for their pains and I expect no better Reward For I know they will be very angry yea dreadful angry to see their Rood of Grace or Graceless as well as Lifeless Image brought forth to the Peoples View in its Proper Dress in all its Imperfect Parts and deformed Shapes as I have done shewing the several sorts of Mettals it is made up with and the ill composed Ingredients therewith Tempered to make it stand and when all is done it is so Lame of it's Feet and se benummed to the Toes End that it must and will fall as soon as ever Implicit Faith and Blind-Obedience the Papists Old Crutches do but take away their Hands from it c. First In Order to a Discovery of the Papists Tindal Frith Barns and other Protestants wrote many Books under several Titles but the Papists caused them to be suppressed calling them Pernitious and Damnable Herisies and Burned Richard Bayfield and Imprisoned Thomas Green for dispersing the Books wrote by Luther Zuinglius Frith and others 2dly In Order to make a Discovery of G. Fox and his Party W. R. T. C. and others have wrote several Books but G. Fox and his Party have caused them to be Suppressed so far as their Power reach't advising and cautioning Friends not to read them which is a doing otherwise than they would be dealt by See W. P's Epistle to the Bereans in the Front of the Christian-Quaker and his Divine Test c. Nay they have Excommunicated J. B. for spreading some of them c. 3dly Again the Papists hold that the Church of Rome can never Err And next that the Pope whatsoever he doth may never be called in question These two Points being granted the rest are sure Next the Pope is exempted from all Laws of Man Again no man may Accuse the Pope for his Acts are excused as Sampsons Murthers the Jews Robberies and as the Advoutures of Jacobs Sons whereupon St. Bernard said the Bishops were not Doctors but Deceivers not Feeders but Defrauders not Prelates but Pilates And this is called the Castle of their Church See The Defence of the Apology of the Church of England pag. 563. and 494. quest 9. Cunct 3. c. Again What is done and agreed upon at a Quarterly Yearly or Second-days Meeting is Infallible and being once upon Record is Irrevocable because it was done by them not as Persons in their single Capacitie or as Men But as a Body and as a Church nay the Church of Christ And again Whatsoever G. Fox doth may never be called in question Nay it is impossible to Interdict him or lay an Impeachment against him so as to have a hearing by a Meeting rightly Constituted as may be seen by the 4th and 5th Parts of the Christian-Quaker c. So that the Exemption of G. Fox from the Stroak of Justice is manifest Again No man may accuse G. Fox let his Crime be what it will for if he doth let him look for it he shall suffer the greatest Penalty that G. Fox and his Party that Privy-Council are capable to inflict upon him as may be seen in this following Parellel which I shall transcribe at large betwixt the Papists Cursing Thomas Bennet for writing Papers and cleaving them upon their Church Doors wherein he called the Pope Antichrist and the Invectives against William Rogers and others for writing Books and dispersing the same and reading and and owning the same wherein G. F. is Detected whereby it is manifest not only that his Crimes be excused c. but by reason thereof many of our Preachers grow Deceivers instead of Doctors Defrauders instead of Feeders c. See the Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. In Five Parts and the Seventh Part c. And Babels-Builders Unmasking themselves the 1st 2d 3d. and 4th Parts c. Now for the Compleating this Parellel read the Papists Curse against good Thomas Bennet who afterwards was Burnt c. for setting up Papers which called the Pope Antitichrist c. Even with Bell Book and Candle as I find it in Fox's Monuments in the Eighth Book of the continued History of the Blessed Martyrs c. pag. 311. 312. in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth c. The Manner of the Papists Cursing Thomas Bennet for Publishing and Manifesting their Errour before he was Burnt for the same THe Manner Saith the Historian of the Cursing the said Bennet was marvellous to behold Then said the Prelate By the Authority of God the Father Almighty and of the Blessed Virgin Virgin Mary St. Peter and Paul and of the Holy Saints we Excommunicate we utterly Curse
c. got the Keys only in that little Cabinet of Council Ellis Hooks his Chamber Viz. The Second-days Meeting in London What Have they got a Pattent for all Gospel Priviledges Is all Power lookt up Viz. In the Church I mean a Yearly Meeting a Second-days Meeting a Quarterly-Meeting I mean a Meeting of Men and a Meeting of Women apart from the Men. Must we give up all our Concerns both Spiritual and Temporal to the Judgment of the Mens and Womens-Meetings as they say in Barbadoes What Shall we not manifest the Mischief of Impositions Shall they Preach False Doctrine and teach for Doctrine the Traditions of Men and shall we be afraid to reprove them Vnmask and discover them for fear of a few Invecttives No but we will slight them as honest Bennet did the Papists Curse and still hold maintain and assert Christian-Liberty which we in the Beginning pleaded for and admitted the same to each other in Things which God by his Servants the Prophets and Apostles had not set a Limit believing that as the Kingdom of Heaven stood not in Meats or in Drinks nor Carnal Ordinances so did it not come by Outward Observation but that as many as fear God and keep his Holy Commandments are fenced and secured from hurt by Threats and Censures of Men. For in a steady Belief of Christs Word and in confidence of his Power and Protection let all truly Conscientious Christians trust who said Mat. 5.6.7 Chapters which contain his excellent Sermon on the Mount That as many as hear these Sayings of Mine and do them he it is that built on a Rock And yet no Womens Meetings set up by Him or so much as counselled to in the manner G. F. and the New Zealots have devised And he that hears my Sayings and doth them not it is he that will find himself uppn a Sandy Foundation Although he conforms never so exastly to G. Fox his new Model of Government Here is the distinction made by Christ who is Head of the true Spiritual Church His Mystical Body made up of Living Members universally scattered in all Countries Languages Professions and People who fearing God and being faithful to that Discovery they have of him are and I believe shall be accepted of him And the largest Commission that ever Christ gave his Desciples and Apostles was Mat. 28.18 19 20. Where he said Go teach all Nations Baptizing c. bidding them observe whatever I have commanded you Mark have commanded He did not commit the Peoples Observation to what the Apostles should command no no neither did Paul desire to assume it but said Follow us as we follow Christ c. But what I have commanded you that bid them observe for all Power is committed to me and I will have the Government of my Chozen People and since they have such an Esteem of this my visible Appearance by reason of the Miracles and Wonders I do I have told them that it is expedient for me to go away and then he that 's with them shall be in them in a more large manner as they wait for my Appearance in their Hearts And as many as have regard to the Commands of Christ and live in Subjection to Christ their Head they are in Unity tho they may disobey what George Fox hath prescribed for he is not the Prophet that we are to hear in all things no no Christ Jesus is he Blessed and Magnified be his most Holy and Powerful Name for ever Saith my Soul Amen Now forasmuch as there is a Possibility through the Assistance of Christs Holy Spirit which is given by Measure to us to enable us to observe and do those his most excellent Sayings which is as Athanasius saith in his Apology the Perfection of a Christian I would ask Whether he may be capable to be in Vnity with the Church Body and Spouse of Christ although he may not observe George Fox his Orders VIZ. Not submit to the new Order of the Women But if George Fox and his Party shall stiffly stand to it That the Women-Meeting is of Divine Institution and therefore no Conformity no Unity I then would ask them Whether Christ was deficient either in his delivering himself to that Honoured Auditory or in his Memory And if in either then in which did his Deficiency consist And who did he constitute in his room to supply that Defect Which no Christian can admit that there was any Defect c. Whether a visible Head namely George Fox or some other to whom we should have an Eye at whose Mouth we should receive the Law in these Gospel Times If you say No as you dare not say otherwise then I make this reply not at all granting a Deficiency in Christ Jesus That then his Spirit or a Manifestation of it is given to every man to profit withal By which Rule I have my proper Gift and to my own Master I shall stand or fall Who art thou then that Judgest another Mans Servant Is not thy Name and Appearance Antichrist what Pretence so ever thou may'st have I know thou cryest up Holy Orders Good Orders Church Government with abundance of fair Pretences and Specious Shews as if thou wert the very Spouse of Christ and intendedst some special Reformation But alas thou art Jezabel that painted Harlot who art gone a Whoring from thy Husband decking and priding thy self with his Jewels Ornamenns fitting like a QVEEN and saying I AM AND THERE IS NONE BESIDES ME. But Blessed be the Lord the Light hath discovered thee and made thee manifest wherefore return and repent that thy Backslidings may be healed And this is my Desire for you all who begun in the Spirit decrying all Lifeless Forms and Traditions of Men Outward Rules and Directories Imposition and Compulsion Formality and Idolatry But Alas the Scale is turned the Scheme is changed for these Things which you formerly testified against you are now found in the Practise of Building again the Things you once destroyed thereby making your selves Transgressors c. I shall conclude this Preface in the Words of William Penn elsewhere c. Having thus Historically Introduced my Discourse not out of ill will to any God knows but in perfect Love to all that the very truth of Things may be brought to Light in order to a more clear Understanding of that Controversy which is now on foot c. This with much Sincerity I do dedesire that Truth may Triumph over Formality and Conviction be the ground of our Conformity Francis Bugg Milden-hall the 11th of the 1st Month. 1681. CHAP. I. Treats of Principles of Truth Received and Believed in the Beginning with an Epistle about Marriage and other Things not as a Form to walk by but as Advice suitable to the Nature and Tendency of the Testimony of Truth Received and Believed c. THat in the Beginning the Inshining Light of Christ Jesus by his Heavenly Spiritual Appearance in the Hearts and Souls of
his People was our Principle the very Foundation Principle and Corner Stone in our Building there are yet many Living Witnesses and our Work and Labour in that day was to turn Peoples minds thereunto as to the more sure Word of Prophesy whereunto as many as took heed did well and that there was Sufficiency in it being obeyed to lead to Salvation And as our Minds came to be turned to this Inward Teacher And as we came to experience the Vertue and Excellency of this Holy Vnction so we held a publick Testimony thereof to others that they might thereby be provoked to make tryal thereof that so they might have the Witness in themselves and see for themselves and tast for themselves and to this Word nigh in the Heart were we committed and recommended suitable to the Doctrine and Antient Prophesies of Christ Jesus our Lord and his Blessed Apostles and Prophets and in that Day How did our Harmony sound in our Assemblies And how did our Love abound one towards another And our Zeal for the Holy Name of our God In this stood our Unity in this stood our Fellowship even in that Inward Testimony which God committed to us to bear for his Names sake here was the moving Cause of our Love to God one toward another even the Inward Testimony or Manifestation of his Spirit which God in his Infinite Love hath given us to profit withal persuant to his former Promises to our Fathers by his Prophets saying I will give Him for a Light to the Gentiles and to be my Salvation to the Ends of the Earth I will give him for a Commander and a Leader to my People Israel And as we came to believe this Report and to experience the fulfilling of these Promises and to be Witnesses of the Vertue of this his Blessed Appearance so we declare to others that they also might believe and have Fellowship with us therein and the more we came thus to be Spiritually-minded and Spiritually-exercised and the more we came to take delight therein and to meditate therein the more the Lord manifested his Love unto us and his pure Power amongst us and became a Hedge about us and a Wall unto us and gave us Favour in the Sight of the People Blessed and Praised be his Holy Name for ever And in that Day when others would boast of their Church Authority and Church Discipline Vseful Ceremonies Comely Orders and Decent Vestments c. We told them the Spirit of God was the Foundation of our Church as well as the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles That Christ Jesus the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven who is a Quickning Spirit was Head of our Church Lawgiver to our Church on whose Shoulders the Government and Authority of our Church is laid yea the Hedge and Pale of our Church and able to preserve our Church and in this Faith we lived and walked in pure undefiled Love If any said to us Lo here is Christ in this Ordinance or in that Observation We told them Nay Christ is within and there they must wait to know Him except they were Reprobates for the Kingdom of Heaven is within and there they must wait to receive the Earnest of it for it comes not by Outward Observations This we told People this we proved to the People out of the Holy Scriptures This upon all occasions we testified to all People Professor and Prophane Bond and Free Noble and Ignoble When they told us of their Articles of Faith and how many they had and of the Scripture being the Rule c. We told them That Faith was the Gift of God and to be waited for and that Faith was the Evidence of things not seen and that although in the World there were Faiths many and Lords many yet to us there was but one Faith and one Lord Jesus Christ who was the Author of that Faith And that although the Scriptures were good and a true Declaration of those Things which were most surely believed by the Apostles and by us ought to be believed yet not the only Rule But still the Spirit of God which was the First Principle the Foundation Principle the Palc and only Hedge of the Church and Sanctified People of God so likewise it was the Rule of Life Practice first and before any other Rule and always had the Preheminency in our Testimony from the Beginning And if any question the Truth of what I have here affirmed then for Proof thereof I refer them to the Testimonies of Isaac Pennington Edward Burrough George Bishop c. Published by T. Crisp together with the Writings of Francis Howgil Richard Hubberthorn and many other Antient Friends c. And in that Day if any Brethren gave forth a Letter of Advice and Counsel for the Help and Information of the weak and lately Convinced It was so worded as that Christian-Liberty was preserved and the People not Impos'd upon beyond their Freedom And that it was so I shall prove by an undeniable Instance in a Letter of Advice from the Brethren in the North about twenty Years since containing twenty particular Things wherein Advice and Counsel is given yet SO as to leave them to their Freedom and not to impose them further than Friends to whom they wrote could receive them or see a Service in them as is evident both from the Title or Direction of the said Paper and also from the Closure and Conclusion of the said Letter both which I shall here insert as also that Clause or particular Advice about Marriage which is the seventh particular thing wherein Counsel is given in the said Paper or Letter of Advice That is to say The Elders and Brethren sendeth unto the Brethren in the North these necessary Things following to which if you in the Light wait to be kept in Obedience you will do well Fare you well This is the Title or Direction of the said Letter of Advice now follows the 7th Particular which is about Marriage c. That as any are moved of the Lord and in his Light called to take a Brother or Sister in Marriage Marriage being honourable in all and the Bed Vndefiled let it be made known to the Children of Light especially to those of the Meeting of which the Parties are Members that all in the Light may it witness to be of God and being in the Light made manifest to be of God let them be joyned together in the Lord and in his Fear in the presence of many Witnesses according to the Example of the Holy Men of God in the Scriptures of Truth recorded which was written for our Example and Learning and that no Scandal may rest upon the Truth nor any thing be done in secret but all things to the Light brought that Truth may triumph over all Deceit and that they who are joyned together in the Lord may not by Man be put asunder whom the Lord hath joyned together That there may
Reasons are so home to the matter and such a Demonstration of Equity and Reason as one would think it were impossible for any Man and especially such who still seem to have R. Hubberthorn in Estimation to deny it yet being gone from the Tenderness that was in the Beginning are but like the Pharisees who in words would highly commend the Prophets garnish the Sepulcres of the Righteous who at the same time were devising how to Persecute the Blessed Messiah because he could not Conform to their Orders and Outward Observations c. Next I shall produce somewhat out of F. Howgil's Works in p. 614. 616. 617. 620. 625. 626. c. Whereby it will appear how his Testimony is contradicted by our late Proceedings in our Church-Government c. See Francis Howgil c. FAith is the Gift of God there are divers Degrees and Measures according to the Mind and good Pleasure of the Giver so he that hath received any Measure or Degree must not be excluded as having no Faith though he attains not to that Degree that some do enjoy and the Apostles Doctrine was That every one should be fully perswaded in his own Mind and if any were otherewise minded they were to be let alone until God revealed it to them And whatsoever PEOPLE or CHURCH though they claim Infallibility that teach a contrary Doctrine to this we have good reason to suspect IT to be that HASTY-DRIVING and OVER-DRIVING SPIRIT that would FORCE A FAITH where God hath not given it For we are the Elders of the Church and we say the Papists and others too like them have the INFALLIBLE SPIRIT and though we make Decrees contrary to what the Apostles made in their day yet none to question that the Church was but in its Infancy then as unwashed and unswadled and in Persecution but now She is grown up to a greater Stature and Power and endued with greater Priviledges And that say the Papists may be necessary now that was not necessary then c. And whosoever brings in Now mark Set up other Precepts Constitutions Orders Practices in Point of Worship And in Marriage and the Celebration thereof there is a point of Worship in Opposition and contrary to the Practices which were held forth in the Primitive Times and would set up other Traditions than the Apostles Delivered either by Word or Writing such are manifest to have the SPIRIT of ERROVR and are Innovators and Bringers in of other things as necessary in point of Worship amongst Christians which the Apostles and Ministers of Christ did not see necessary then and yet they wanted no part of the Council of God And furthermore they said We have the Mind of Christ and Christs Mind is not variable And speaking of the Spirit said It is that only sure Guide Iudge Way Rule in which there is certainly and Assurance of the Love of God to Mankind it is that by which the Deeds of the Flesh are mortified What shall I say but this Let all Flesh be confounded before it and all Deceit stop its Mouth and all the Sons of Men how before it all COVNCILS and CHVRCHES all RULERS and ELDERS all Reason and Comprehension all Words and Writings of Men yea of Holy Men. Observations From whence it may be observed that such as Set up other Orders Constitutions Traditions c. than the Apostles delivered either by Word or Writing are INNOVATORS and are manifest to have the Spirit of Errour and that G. F. G. W. and those of Party with them have so done is manifest from what is said in the 2d and 3d. Chapters or else I am under a great mistake so that W. R's Title of his Book The Christian-Quaker cannot be Blasphemy as C. Taylor falsly and wickedly says but both the Tile and the Book which answer the same will stand a Witness against them unless they repent and make void their Cannons Orders and Prescribed Rules and Platforms to be observed by the People and indispensibly obeyed under pain of being Recorded out of the Vnity c. I shall at present only add something of G. F. his Testimony in former times before those Orders had a Being which Testimony sufficiently thwars and contradicts their new Model of Church-Government and Proceedings thereupon and then shall finish this Chapter having elsewhere occasion to mention W. P's Address to Protestants c. Viz. Several Papers given forth for the spreading of Truth and Detecting Deceit by G. Fox Minister of the Eternal Word of God Pag. 5. The World is ruled by Outward Rules and all goeth from the Rule The Saints Rule is within them Christ who Ruleth over them is Head of the Body The Worlds Record is without them The Saints Record is within them the Spirit which God hath given unto them is their Record The Worlds Guide is without them in the Traditions and Precepts of Men which Lead from God The Saints Guide is within them to the Spirit c. All you Professors that read these things read your selves where you are whether you are within among the Saints or without among the World And Pag. 31. Query 44. What Scripture have you for sprinkling Infants and for the Word Sacrament and if no Scripture Whether it be not the Commands of Men taught for Doctrine Observations For my part I am at a stand to see how this Mans former Doctrine contradicts his present Practice and if W. R. calls him Apostate And Innovator as that he is manifest enough to be then he is angry and those of Party with him stigmatize and abuse W. R. instead of endeavouring to convince G. F. of the Errour of his way Nay some of them have said to me Admit all you say were true and that it were granted oo be as you seem to Suggest YET for you to Print and Publish these Things is great Wickedness To which I answer Nay If all we say be true touching your Innovations as that we stand ready to prove then I say That 't is no evil to discover such manifest Hypocrisy as you are guilty of What pretend one thing intend another as your Practice manifests Indeed were they not true then to publish such things would be great Wickedness But after all Endeavours privately used to bring you to a sense of these things and to intreat you and beg of you to make void your Anti-christian Cannons which limit People to a stinted Form and for Non-Submission must be put out of Fellowship as I have done for four Years together as my Letters from time to time which I have now made publick do abundantly manifest I say if after all these private Endeavours by my self and others by Letters to Quarterly Meetings to particular Friends to the Second-days Metting by way of Intercession for Peace-sake and that you would race out one Order one Cannon one Condemnation for Non-submission upon which I promised to cease all further Testimony against you whether by Print or otherwise in
own Hand would neither Answer the Letter nor so much as Discourse me but when I had given them the Letter C. T. bad me be gone All which shews the Author to the Accuser his Pretentions to an Accommodation Condiscention to be fallacious Deceitful and Hypocritical Object BY this time some may be ready to object and say It is true these Things as Stated cannot be denyed but to have used a more private way might have been as convincing and not have ministred that occasion to such as are Enemies to all Religion as this way of Proceeding perhaps may especially since the Author of the Accuser says p. 127. We can the more easily concur and accord as to Circumstances and Outward Methods and in the Wisdom of God so condiscend one to another and accommodate Matters as not to divid about them Answ That I with many other have used private meanes for about the space of four years without any Redress nay not so much as a Christian Answer and that the Pretence of the Author of the Accuser to Condiscention and Accommodation is fallacious and false and a meer piece of feigned Hypocrisy to amuse his Reader and delude the World I shall make evidently appear before I pass this Chapter especially considering what meanes I used at our Quarterly-Meeting in the Case of J. A. made mention of in the third Chapter both by Letters and Queries First then see a Letter that eleven Friends belonging to our Meeting in Milden-Hall sent to our Quarterly Meeting who were so far from Condiscention Accommodation as that they refused to have it read amongst them but said We were all deluded A Copy whereof followeth To Friends at the Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 4th Mo. 80. Dear Friends THese Lines are to put you in Mind that many Friends belonging to our Meeting as well as in divers other Places are offended and burthened by reason of the continued Record against John Ansloe which exclude him what in you lye out of the Unity of Friends which is nothing less than Excommunication to the utmost of your Power whereby we are constrained to visit you in this manner entreating you to race out the said Record out of your Quarterly Book Indeed had J. A. denyed Marriage the very forbidding of which is a Doctrine of Devils you might justly have thrown him out for Marriage is Gods Ordinance But the Controversy is not here but about manifesting his Intention to Marry Behold the Crime as you account it and consider of it we beseech you for Peace sake and lay not such a Stress where Christ nor his Primitive Followers laid none And that thereunto you may be encouraged ponder the saying of W. P. in his Address to Prot. p. 77. I beseech you Protestants by the Mercies of God and Love of Jesus Christ ratified to you in his most precious Blood FLY ROME AT ROME Look to the Enemies of your own House have a care of this Presumption carry it not too high lay not Stress where God hath laid none The Impositions of such Opinions is the Priviledge of Hypocrites and the Snare of many honest Minds And p. 93. If we consider the Matter well I fear saith W. P. it will be found that the occasion of Disturbance in the Church of Christ hath in most Ages been found to lye on the Side of those who have had the greatest Sway in it And Pag. 94. If the Spiritual Guides and Fathers of the Church would be a little sparing of incumbring Churches with needless Supersluities there were far less danger of Schism and Superstition And Pag. 144. Nay Christ himself to whom all Power was given in Heaven and Earth submitted himself to the Test He did not require them to believe him because he would be believed he refers them to the Witness that God bore of him saying If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true He also sends them to the Scriptures but an Imposing Church bears witness of her self and will be both Party and Judge require Assent without Evidence and Faith without Proof therefore false But Christian Religion ought to be carryed on only by that way by which it was Introduced which was Perswasion If any Man will be my Disciple let him take up his Cross and follow me Pag. 146. For if I believe what the Church believes only beause She believes and not because I am convinced in my Vnderstanding of the Truth of what She believes my Faith is false though hers be true I say 't is not true to me I have no Evidence of it And Pag. 141. The Apostle became all unto all that he might win some but this is becoming all unto none to force all he therefore recomends the utmost Condiscention that can be lawful he stooped he became all unto all that is he stooped to all Capacities and humbled himself to those Degrees of Knowledge that Men had and valued that which was good in all These Allurements were all his Injunctions nay in this Case he makes it an Injunction to use no other Let us therefore saith he as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you you shall not be Imposed upon Stigmatized or Excommunicated for want of full satisfaction or because you do not consent before Conviction Thus far William Penn. Now let us a little animadvert upon this Noble Mans Words Lay no Stress saith he where God hath not laid Stress as if he should have said Friends God never laid any such Stress about publishing the Intent of Marriage Why then do you Have a care of this Presumption carry not things too high neither Smite Record nor Excommunicate one another about such Things which are at best but Mens Traditions and Impositions which may prove a Snare to the Honest and Conscientious but a seeming Priviledge to the conformable Hypocrite for you see that such as have the greatest Sway in the Church are evermore the cause of these Disturbances who pretending themselves Fathers and Spiritual Guides are not sparing of cumbring the Churches with needless Superfluities and such Orders as Christ never commanded nor his Apostles ever practised which had they been so useful as you pretend they be surely Christ and his Apostles would not have been so forgetful of Prescribing such Outward Observations nay but on the contrary they have told us in Holy Writ The Kingdom of Heaven comes not that way neither consists in such things You also may perceive that Christ was such an Example of Meekness and Self-denyal and so far and free from Force and Imposition that he only said If any Man will be my Discipie let him take up his Cross and follow me but an Imposing Church bears witness of her self and though She sets up such Orders as Christ never commanded yet She requires assent without Evidence and Faith without Proof for She will be both Party and Judge
and Recorder out of the Unity at her pleasure which manifests her to be the false Church for the true Christian Religion was introduced by Perswasion and ought to be so carryed on for if I believe and practice only because the Church doth so ad not from a convincement in my self my Faith and Obedience would be false and Idolatrous The Apostles who had the Mind of Christ became all unto all stooped to all Capacities to all Degrees of Knowledge valued what was good in all these were his Injunctions who said As every Man is fully perswaded so let him walk for what is not of Faith is Sin He did not Record out of the Unity such as saw not so clear as himself but became all unto all that he might save some but you that would force all become all to none you will not stoop at all nor condiscend at all but exalt and magnifie your Orders and written Prescriptions how many weak Brethren soever you offend You value not the good in any but Conformity to your Humour and to your Will and though some are otherwise minded about Discipline and Church-Government you will not let them alone but you will impose upon them Stigmatise and Record them out of the Unity which is no less than Excommunication Wherefore take W. P's Advice FLY ROME AT HOME and lay not Stress where God lays not Stress Thus twice over as it were have you herein the genuine sense of Dear W. P. And Oh! that every one concerned would make a diligent search in his own Heart and like the beloved Disciple smite upon his Breast and say Is it I Is it I that am guilty of this Severity of this Presumption if carrying things too high of setting up such Orders as prove a Snare or at least a burthen to the Conscientious yea of laying a Stress and a great Stress where God never laid any One that am the Cause of this Disturbance in the Church One that bears witness of my self and that will be both Party and Judge Oh! let me a little Examine my self Am I One that cannot become all unto all One that cannot condiscend at all to my Brother One that will value not the good in any but Conformity to my Will and Humour One that would have all believe and practice as I do whether I convince their Vnderstanding of the Truth of what I believe and practice or not and if not condemn them for Hereticks without any more a do I say Oh that every one would thus reflect upon himself that so you might consider of these things for many are offended and grieved with the continuance of the aforementioned Record against J. A. And again beseech and intreat you to reverse the same that so Love and Good-will Unity and Concord may spring amongst us as in the Beginning which is heartily desired by your Friends who subscribe their names hereunto Francis Bugg Elizabeth Bugg Joseph Masson Jane Masson Joseph Ellington Rachel Ellington John Thrift Joseph Tetsall William Bellsham Phillip Wing Mary Huggins Sarah Bird. Dated the 15th of the 3d. Month 1680. Note That John Thrift who carried the recited Letter to the Quarterly-Meeting said that they would not suffer it to be read but cryed out You are deluded Which by the Second-days Meetings own Rule if they approved W. P's small Tract Entituled A Brief Examination and State of Liberty Spiritual is a mark of Imposition For in the said Tract p. 4. 't is thus written I ask thee May I not exhort thee to the Practice of that I am moved to press thee to the Practice of If not thou are the Imposer by restraining me from my Christan-Liberty and not only so but away goeth Preaching and with it the Scriptures that are both appointed of God for Exhortation Reproof and Instruction Their Proceedings herein need no Comment being worse than the Magistrates ever served me who do as really believe me to be deluded as they could pretend to any such Thing and yet they will often hear and do Justice too And after I had waited more than a Year and saw no Redress I then wrote to W. P. thinking he might be an Instrument to compose things but what he did whether any thing or nothing I never had any Answer to this Day A Coppy of which now followeth Viz. This for W. P. with Care c. Dear Friend VVHen I consider the Nature of the Controversy betwixt W. R. and G. F. and the multitude of Friends on each side in almost all Counties together with the lamentable Consequences which will unavoidably follow the same if not timely put a stop to by a Brotherly Condiscention I am even bowed down and grieved to behold the same and under a sense thereof I desire to lay before thee my Apprehension both of the Cause and Cure that so thou together with G. W. to whom I have already wrote may endeavour a Composure of this Controversy and in remembrance of what thou didst declare at the Meeting at Devonshire House the 27th of the 3d. Month last after the Debate gives me Incouragement so to do as also they Printed Addr. to Prot. for saidst thou If I knew of such a Design as is surmised to bring in an Implicit Faith and Blind Obedience by forcing a Conformity before Conviction I would oppose it with my at most Endeavour or to that effect Now that thou mayst know if yet thou dost not as that thou shouldst not by thy positive Assertions in Alexander the Copper Smith pag. 10. 12. 15. I will give thee a Copy of Orders Recorded as our Cannon or Rule to walk by in the Quarterly Book for the Isle of Ely Verbatim Parenthesis excepted Viz. It is ordered at this Quarterly-Meeting and agreed upon that no Friends may for time to come permit or suffer Marriages without the consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come both to the said two Meetings to receive the Answer of Friends that so no disorderly a notable Hedge without parrellel I presume or Indirect Proceedings may be carryed on any more and yet never more disorderly than since contrary to the Vnity of Friends Written at a Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 1st of the 10th Month 1675. Behold the Nature Manner and Form of these Orders and compare them with the Condemnation of J. A. for not coming up to a strict Conformity who was Recorded out of the Unity the 4th of the 7th Month 1678. in the same Book as may be seen for not proceeding in his Marriage according to the Orders Now see whether we do not first make a Rule or Cannon to walk by and compel a Conformity to the same before Conviction nay not only so but pass Diffinitive Sentence too for Nonconformity to the utmost of our little Power we have and when any Body questions the Authority of these Orders and Practices G. F. is presently quoted and that being as some say moved to
give forth such Orders who ever oppose them they oppose the Power of God and thereupon call us Men of an Opposite Spirit I say take a special view of what is said and then impartially peruse this following Advice of Friends in the Case of Marriage which was amongst many other things in the Beginning given forth by the antient Labourers in Gods Vineyard whose Care and Skill was manifest and then see if we govern our selves upon our first Principles That is to say The Elders and Brethren sendeth unto the Brethren in the North these necessary Things following to which if you in the Light wait to be kept in Obedience you shall do well Fare you well c. 7thly ' That if any one moved of the Lord and in his Light called to take a Brother or Sister in Marriage Marriage being honourable in all and the Bed undefiled let it be made known unto the Children of Light especially to those of the Meeting to which the Parties are Members that all in the Light may witness it to be of God let them be joyned together in the Lord and in his Fear in the presence of many Witnesses according to the Example of the Holy Men of God in the Scriptures of Truth Recorded which were written for our Example Here is true Humility and Learning and that no Scandal may rest upon the Truth nor any thing done in secret but all things brought to the Light that Truth may triumph over all Deceit and that they that are joyned together in the Lord may not by man be put asunder whom God hath joyned together that there may a Record of the Time and Place in Writing witnessing the Time and Place of such Things be kept within the Meeting of which the one or both are Members under which Writing the Witnesses present may subscribe their Names or so many of them as may be convenient for the stopping of the mouths of Gain-sayers and for the manifesting the Truth to all who are without Now observe the Conclusion of the said true Christian-like Epistle Dearly Beloved Friends these Things for there were many besides Marriage we do not lay upon you as a RVLE or FORM to walk by but that all with the measure of the Light which is pure and Holy may be guided so in the Light walking and abiding these Things may be fulfilled in the Spirit not from the Letter for the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life c. Now consider I pray thee First our Primitive Principle and Institution Direction and Christian-Liberty and see if the late Orders and Imposing them and Compelling a Uniformity to them have not doe violence to them see thy own words and how our Practice contradicts them Addr. to Prot. pag. 149. 150. c. That is to say For all Societies are to govern themselves according to their Institution and first Principle of Vnion where there is violence upon this part Tyranny and not Order is Introduced Now since Perswasion and Conviction began all true Christians Societies all Christian-Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom or they turn Antichristian Thus saist thou and I say the same pray consider on it and endeavour a Reformation I could further paraphrase hereupon and many other Places of thy Address c. Some Pages whereof with some others I may quote and leave to thy perusal being loth to be too tedious concluding with thy Address Pag. 221. That 't is base Coyn that needs Imposition to make it current but true Metal passes for its own intrinsick value Oh miserable Imposition and the mischief of it What Censuring Sentencing Recording Judging Yea What Superstition Formality Idolatry and Hypocrisy hath it begotten And what Animosities Heart-burnings Persecution and Bloodshed hath it been the Cause of Which had People been left to their Christian-Liberty had never been As these following pages shew Address to Protestants pages 122. 156. 143. 67. 68. 77. 93. 94. 95. 97. 98. 99. to the 104. 141. 148. 142. 144. 145. 146. 185. 190. 192. 193. Francis Howgils Works pag. 534. 617. 620. 236. 625. Richard Hubberthorns Works pag. 188. Josiah Coal's Whore Vnvailed pag. 71. 72. Coloss 2. 16. 17. 18. Eccle. 12.13 Joh. 14.15 Mat. 5. Mat. 28. Christs Sermon 5.6.7 Phil. 8.15 Rom. 14.5 Indeed thy Book alone is so full of matter against Imposition against Force and compelling a Conformity to Outward Rules Cannons and Prescriptions of Human Invention and for Christian-Liberty that I know not well how to leave it I pray God keep thee steady and with a continual Dependency upon the Divine Revelation of Gods holy Spirit which is the Rock upon which the true Church is built and every Member of it that so an Understanding of thy Duty may every day be received and a necessity therefrom come upon thee to perform it that so thou mayst not look one way and row another a thing some suspect by thy disputing on G. F. his Part when he some think was ashamed to appear himself But for my part when I consider thy Labour and Service in the Truth therein spending both thy self and Estate together with thy Zeal in vindicating Truth against all Opposers I cannot have any Suspition Object But perhaps thou mayst say to me How is it possible that a Composure of this Controversy can now be c. Answ If I may not be too tedious I will give thee my Answer thus Let there be a present Cassation of all Controversy for three Months proclaimed on both Sides and a Day set and Place appointed Mutually by G. and W. to have a Meeting equally constituted with ten or twenty Friends more or less on each Side by them respectively chosen and when this is agreed upon let them exhibit their Charges in Writing by way of Declaration and send it to each other a Month or more before the said Set Day that they may both know what to plead to and how to make their Defence and what Witnesses to bring to prove their several Charges so exhibited And then where either of them are found guilty let them make that Satisfaction which is suitable to the nature of their Crime and wherein clear let them be acquitted This on W. R's Account I dare Engage shall be performed and that this is both a just and reasonable Method I dare appeal to all Judicious Persons in the World Why then shall this intollerable Controversy be continued Why should there be occasion ministred for those grievous Animosities Rents and Divisions which every day increase And taking all Advantages against each other by Printing Preaching or otherwise as if the one Side were infallibly all Christians and impossible for them to Err and the other Side Heathens Infidels and Pagans and that by Predestination too without any Recovery by that figure of using no Endeavour Oh dreadful Work But if any shall say to me no George shall never be thus brought upon the Stage or be thus made publick for he cannot
by them I am willing to inform thee that I do not pretend constantly to write true English but thy Pride and Contempt is manifest which becomes not a Man of thy Pretences and whether mine and other Friends Desire to have that Cannon Rule or Order Recorded in our Quarterly Meeting Book which prohibits all Marriage to the manner of the Parties publishing their Intentions and the Record of Condemnation against J. A. for his Non-submission to the said Orders Reversed and Raced out be such a piece of Imperiousness and Menacing as thou seems to apprehend I shall leave to the Consciences of others Especially since it is the declared Judgment of Friends and hath past the Second-days Meetings Approbation That all Rulers are accountable to the People See pag. 442. of Edw. Burroughs Works where it is written And we believe that all Governours and Rulers OUGHT to be accountable to the People and to the next Proceeding Rulers for all their Actions which may be enquired into upon occasion c. What Is it our Opinion that Constables and all other Governours and Rulers are accountable to the People and is it such a piece of Imperiousness and Menacing in me and others to write a few Lines to the Second-days Meeting desiring not requiring them as thou fallaciously words it the annihilating and repealing of such an Antichristian Yoak of Bondage meaning the Orders as anon will appear If I have wrote Queries so foolishly as thou imaginest let thy Grave and Learned Answer to them instruct my Ignorance If thou thinkest I miss the Matter then shouldst thou shew me wherein by a distinct solid and an Intelligeable Answer As for G. W's sending to our Quarterly-Meeting that cannot fright me for except he lays his Indictment True and Legal I shall Demur to their Jurisdiction as believing that they have not the Kings Broad Seal to Commissionate them to call Delinquents to an account if such an one I were nor yet one Verse in the Holy Scripture the great Visible Charter of our Christian-Liberty that Authorises them to give a Summons thither But if he will admit of a Meeting rightly constituted and Men by him and my self equally chosen I do hereby offer to prove the Verity of whatever I have wrote to him or others on the Foot of this Controversy and this I desire thee to let him know Thy Lines I look upon impertinent and in several places false and unsound But in regard I am not certain that they past the Approbation of the Second days Meeting in London and also considering they are produced through such Obscondency I have wrote enough in answer to such a hidden conceited Projector although perhaps not in such true English as that every word is right spelled which piece of Fallibility I must confess attends my Writing often and better Schollars than my self or thou either So let this Acknowledgment suffice and when thou writest again write more to the purpose and let me know who thou art for many Names begin R. R. and also where thou dwellest that I may the better know how to give thee a suitable Reply And thus I conclude and rest accounting it my Duty to discover Errour publickly when all private Endeavours will not avail and Hypocrisy how hiddenly soever it makes its Progress Known by the Name of Mildenhall in Suffolk the 2d of the 1st Month 1681. F. Bugg Now followeth a Coppy of a Letter which I wrote to the Second-days Meeting out of which I presume he apprehends my Imperiousness as by his Letter to me appears the which also I will leave to the Readers Conscience that therein I may have a Witness against such unrighteous Reflections for I begin to see the Truth of Robert Rich his Words in a Letter from Barbadoes to his Friends Abstracts c. p. 20. And I can assure you that who meddle with the Quakers had need be fenced within and without with the whole Armour of God Truth and Love to Righteousness Davids Sling and Stone and enabled to use both Hands the Left as well as the Right c. So that to the Witness of God in the Readers Conscience I commend the following to see whether I did Imperiously and Menacingly require or Friendly desire their Annihillating of the said Order especially considering what private means by my frequent Letters Queries Protestations Debates I have had with them near four Years together as this Chapter and the 2d and 3d. Chapters sufficiently manifests Viz. To Friends of the Second-days-Meeting in London Friends FOrasmuch as it hath so happened that a Difference amongst us the People called Quakers is risen about Church-Discipline Church-Government and Outward Orders Forms and Prescriptions and that by no meanes a Condiscention can be admitted of whereby a Christian Composure may be obtained in order to the settling a Happy Union and Blessed Fellowship amongst us as in the Beginning but instead thereof begin to Excommunicate and Censure one another for that which is no Sin against God but meer Formality no Breach of Gods Commandments but Mans Traditions I say inasmuch as it hath thus happened and that there yet appears no probability of a Reconciliation and that as you look upon your selves the Heads of the People and chief Governours of the Church and as such assume the place of Approbation of what passes the Press and other Epistles directory to the Churches for their Information how to proceed in Matters Ecclesiastical c. So that it is with me at this time to write a few Lines to you not that I admit you to have any Power or Lawful Authority over the Consciences and Perswasions of your Brethren or any particular Right of Dominion transmitted to you beyond your Brethren yet I say Inasmuch as you assume the Place and Authority aforesaid although Vsurped I hereby signifie to you that whereas there is a Decree or Cannon called Orders Recorded in our Quarterly-Book Dated the 1st of the 10th Month 1675. which say That NO Friends for time to come may PERMIT or SVFFER Marriages without the Consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens-Meetings and the Man and Woman to come twise to the said Meetings c. And that J. A. stands Excommunicate or Recorded out of the Vnity for his Nonconformity to the said Orders Decree or Cannon and I having wrote to several Friends particularly and to Monthly and Quarterly-Meetings touching these Things and being for several Years dissatisfied with these Proceedings have desired to know by what Authority Womens-Meetings are Set up Monthly distinct and apart from Mens-Meetings with a Power committed to them to hear examine and determine Matters relating to the Government of the Church as in particular in the Cases of Marriage and in whose Name a Conformity is required to their Jurisdiction And to this Day no man hath given me one Line in Answer I not then knowing what I now understand by the Preface to the Christian-Quaker Distinguished c. put forth by W.