perverseness and stay thereon therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall swelling out in an high wall whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant And he shall break it as the breaking of a potters vessel that is broken in pieces He shall not spare so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sheard to take fire from the hearth or to take water out of the Pit Let those Statesmen or Magistrates who out of designe or self-interest tollerate or secretly countenance such dangerous Rebels against God his Word or Ministers remember it as well as these Seducers and their followers lest God break them thus to powder suddenly and irrepairably together and our whole three Kingdoms too And if this Text be not sufficient to convince them of and deterre them from this their Sin let them read at leasure Micah 2. 4 5 6 7 10 11. Amos 7. 10. to the end and quake and tremble at the reading of them But if they hold these to be obsolete and Old Testament onely Let them then consider who they were and what a transcendent sin it was in those who prohibited not seducing false Apostles and Jesuitical Emissaries as these vagrant Quakers are but Christs commissioned lawfully called instituted Apostles and Ministers to preach any more in the name of Jesus and dispence his Gospel Acts 4. 17 18 19 20 21. cap. 5. v. 17. to 42. eompared with 1 Thess 2. 15 16. Even those who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have chased us out and they please not God and are contrary to all men FORBIDDING US TO SPEAK TO THE GENTILES THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED TO FILL UP THEIR SINS ALWAYS for THE WRATH IS COME UPON THEM TO THE UTTERMOST 6. That the Jesuits professed doctrine and practice is that if they can to suppress destroy extirpate Protestant Ministers Kings Princes Churches States and all professors of the Protestant Religion by raising Schisms Seditions Devisions Civil Wars and Commotions a-amongst them and dividing them one from and against another to their mutual ruine which hath been their great designe of late years whereof we have felt the sad effects As you may read at large in Hospinian and Ludovicus Lucius their most excellent Historia Jesuita Speculum sive Jubilaeum Jesuiticum and the Epistle to my VINDICATION c. of the good old Fundamental Liberties and Laws of England which if they cannot effect by these means then to excite all Christian Kings and Princes to accomplish it in conclusion BY FIRE SWORD WAR and THE POWER OF AN ARMY as you may there be satisfied by undeniable Testimonies of Jesuites themselves and Presidents of former and latter Times More particularly by the Words and Writings of Jacobus Crucius the Jesuite in his Explication of the Rules of the Jesuites and his Sermon Anno 1584. Thomas Stapleton his Speculum pravitatis Hereticae Duaci 1580. Thom. Campian his Concertatio Ecclesiae Catholicae Treviris 1583. page 22. Paulus Windeck De Extirpandis Haeriticis Antid 10. and 11. Franciscus Verona his Apologia pro Joanne Castle part 5. cap. 13. Cunradus Brunus de Haereticis lib. 3. cap. ult Cornelius Cornelii his Praefatio ad S. Trinitatem increatam Commentariis in Minores Prophetas praefixa Wherein he blesseth the Trinity for opening the eyes of Christian Kings and stirring them up all against Calvinisme as the plague of their Realms For inabling the King of France Spain and Emperour in a short time to overthrow conquer expell and destroy the Arch-Heriticks the Hussites and Calvinists in France Austria Bohemia Moravia Silesia Hungary and both the Palatinates as the fire-brands of Rebellion to their eternal glory concluding thus Agite Principles generosi pergite magnis animis opus faelicibus adeo auspiciis caeptum CONFICITE paribus studiis REBELLEM CALVINI HAERESIN pene evulsam STIRPITVS VBILIBET ERADICATE c. And by Antonius Possevinus the Jesuite to omit all others in his Miles Christianus published when Pope Paul the fifth sent an Army into France against the Enemies of the Church wherein he asserts That all Christians are bound of right to defend the Roman Religion against the doctrine of the Gospellers or Protestants with all their forces and the effusion of their blood That neither Peace nor the publick good can be preserved in the Roman Church unless these her Enemies BE QUITE EXTIRPATED Exhorting the Captains of the Army to permit nothing at all to these Hereticks not to keep their plighted faith with them to suborn secrat Inquisitors against them DOMESTICA ET INTESTINA BELLA INTER ILLOS EXCITARI CURENT To take care to stir up Domestick and Intestine warres between themselves Proditores ac Sicarios omnibus locis contra illos instituant and to institute Traytors and Murderers against them in all places Asserting that the Captains who did otherwise sinned against the Roman Church were rendred inexcusable and damned Now seeing Barisonius the Jesuit in his Letter to a Noble Venetian who deserted their order dated at Bononia 21. April 1608. Printed 1609 amongst other things thus boasts of the excellency power and perfection of their Iefuiticall Order PRO LIBITU NOSTRO ET BELLUM ET PAGEM MUNDO APPORTAMUS That they can at their pleasure bring both War and Peace to the World as the chief Authors of both That they lawfully may and do sow discords and divisions between King and Subject Man and Wife Father and Children Brothers and Kindred and usurp absolute Dominion and Tyranny over any private men Cities or whole Kingdoms they suspect for the benefit of the Church and See of Rome in whose Service and Greatness true piety and the highest Point of Religion consists and that for this end they may in their Chamber of meditation animate their Assasinates to murder Hereticks Enemies and Rebels to the Church of Rome not only though private Persons but though the greatest of princes and Kings by representing to them the heroical fact of Ehud recorded in sacred Scripture and promising them a seat in heaven amongst the Saints and Martyrs for such an heroicke deed And seeing the Jesuits dispersed like Locusts over the world are increased in a few years to so great a Number that they boasted long since that they had no lesse then two hundred thousand Scholars in Europe and Claud us Aquacia their late General haunted that he could bring into the field and than in a shorter time more souldiers then any one Christian King and proferred Pope Paul the Fifth during the interdict of Venice when they and he were in some danger to aide him with forty thousand men so as those of them slain in the warres might be reputed Martyrs so infinite are the Numbers of their Society Novices Disciples Treasures Revenues yea all their Colleges in foreign parts so many strong Castles Forts and Magazines of Arms Ammunition Powder and all military provisions as they bost
at Vienna records that a Maid possessed with Devils who could not be dispossessed by any Exorcismes coming at length to their Jesuites Church was there freed and no less then 156152. Devils if the Jesuite computed a right were there cast out of her the last of them seeming to him to be Luthers Tutor because after the manner of the Lutherans he spake many things against their Society and Religion Surely this Jesuitical Rector had very intimate familiarity with these Devils who knew both their Number being so incredulous and could so accurately distinguish between them Yet some Devils there were in women whom they could not dispossess and derided all their Jesuitical Exorcismes Let all Christians then beware these incarnate Devils and their Emissaries lest they be really possessed by the Devil with whom they are so familiar and who accompanies them every where 4. That the Jesuites send forth their Emissaries and Agents into Protestant Kingdoms Churches States under the disguises of Souldiers Merchants Mechanicks Physicians Chyrurgeons Travellers Exiles for Religion and pretended Converts to the Protestant Religion in all sorts of hâ—its disguises the better to conceal their persons the easier to intrude themselves into the Courts Company of all Protestant Princes Nobles Ministers and persons of all ranks to fish out their Secrets insinuate themselves into their favours poyson them with their Errors divide them in their Judgements excite them to Warre upon and destroy each other by their mutuall discords and accomplish their Treasonable designes against them to their ruine Permitting and dispensing with them freely to resort openly to the Sermons Churches and Assemblies of Protestants to dispute and speak against Popery to eat flesh on Fasting dayes and allowing their perverted Disciples to do the like to feign themselves the most Zelous Protestants to be present in the Senates Parliaments and Councils of those of the Reformed Religion to consent to the apprehension and dissipation of Papists by severe Lawes against them together with the rest that so they may the better conceal themselves discover divert or hinder the Consultations against the Papists promote the Popes and Papists affairs with more facility propagate the Popish Religion upon all occasions and give them timely notice of any Intentions against them upon any urgent necessity provided alwayes that they be secretly Catholicks and submit themselves wholly to the beck and counsels of the Jesuits as their Instruments and Intelligencers as you may read at large in Jesuitica per Vnitas Belgii Provincias Negociatio printed Anno 1616 containing the Instructions in this kinde given to Jesuits by their Superiors sent into the Netherlands to imbroyl divide ruine them in Joannis Cambilhonus de Abstructionibus Jesuitarum Artibus Studiis printed 1608. Ludovicus Lucius Hist Jesuitica p. 170 175 676 677 678. Therefore it is no wonder that their Emissaries and Disciples to effect the utter ruine of our Protestant Kingdomes Churches Religion now thus disguise themselves amongst us to promote their most dangerous Designes against them by the self same means and stratagems now 5. That the Jesuits make and profess it one of their principal Designs to withdraw alienate the peoples affections from stir them up against the true Protestant Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel and to cast them out and take them quite out of their way that so they may with more facility and speed seduce devour their Flocks domineer and set up Popery in all places without opposition Witness Gregorius Baderus Provincial of the Jesuits in Bavaria his words at Landsperge We and ours shall have no peace in Augusta or in Germany unless we take care Evangelicos Concionatores ejici ac tolli that the Preachers of the Gospel be ejected and removed out of the way By our Councils THE EVANGELICAL PREACHERS WERE CAST OUT OF VIENNA Whereupon our Society do now there teach in peace and rule all things according to their hearts desire Seconded with their practices in ejecting imprisoning banishing suppressing persecuting all the Protestant Ministers in Bohemia in the years of our Lord 1602. 1607. 1621. and 1652. to the extirpation of the Protestant Religion and Protestants there and their ejecting suppressing above thirty of the Protestant Preachers and shutting up their Churches in the Dukedomes of Juliers Cleve and Bergen Anno 1628. To omit other later Presidents in Austria and elsewhere And is not this the Quakers and their Disciples principal designe endeavour labour now to withdraw the people wholly from and excite them against and stir them up to reject suppress renounce all our lawful Orthodox Ministers and Evangelical Preachers as false Guids dumb Dogs Seducers of the People Deceivers Antichrists c. Their railing Pamphlets Preachments and pretended Messages to them from heaven enjoyning them to come down out of their Pulpits to Preach no more hereafter c. contrary to Christs own express commands unto them Matth 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Acts 10. 42. c. 16. 10. Rom. 10. 15. 1 Cor. 1. 17. Phil. 1. 16 17 18. 2 Tim. 4. 17. 1 Tim. 2. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 12. especially 1 Cor. 9. 16. Though I preach the Gospel I have nothing to glory of for NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME and wo is me if I preach not the Gospel And 2 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdom PREACH THE WORD BE INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrin mark the reason suitable to our times and Quakers FOR THE TIME WILL COME and now is the time that they WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching ears And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto Fables But watch thou in all things endure affliction do the work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry Certainly then those Quakers and their seduced Disciples who say unto the Seers see not and to the Prophets prophesie not prophesie not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things prophesie deceit Get you out of the way turn aside out of the Path cause the holy One to cease from before us are like those Jews of old Esay 30. 10 11. Wherefore let them there read their Doome Character and what spirit they are of v. 8 9. and I beseech them with all others to observe it well from Gods own mouth Now go write it before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever that this is a rebellious people lying children children that will not hear the Law of the Lord But is this all No there is a Judgement with a Witness pursuing all such Verse 12 13 14. Wherefore thus saith the holy One of Israel Because ye despise this word and trust in sraud and
and others write And seeing these Jesuits who make it their Masterpiece to weaken and destroy all others by divisions Schismes Factions Tumules prescribe it as the principle part of their own policy Safety Power Successes and Growth to maintain Unity Peace Amity and prevent all Schismes and Divisions amongst themselves Prescribing sundry Rules and Orders for this end to which they are all sworn to yeild exact Obedience I referre it to the consideration of all prudent Zealous Protestants and Statesmen in our whole three Nations How dangerous a Plot and Jereboam like desperate Policy it may in a short time prove to all our Churches zealous Ministers and Professors of the Protestant Religion yea to our present Governors swordmen and their Posteriâ—ies likewise any longer to tollerate these Jesuitical fiery treacherous Agents with other Romish Emissaries freely to vent their Errors Blasphemies Heresies Fancies and set up Separat Congregations in all places to multiply our divisions dis-unite us all one from another and augment their strength and party predominating in most Councels Places the better to secure any in actual Power for the present though to hasten their with our whole Kingdoms Churches Ministers and reformed Religions ruine by it in conclusion even by force of Arms and Tumults when they see their opportunity as we have all just cause to fear I shall therefore close up all with the words of Huldricus Zwinglius against those Dippers and Anabaptists in his age who denyed the Office and Coercive Power of christian Magistrates specially in matters of Religion as most of our Anabaptists Quakers disguised Jesuits Franciscans now do Propter istos ipsos qui negant Christanum posse gerere Magistratum maxime egemus magistratu quam vitam omnium talemesse videatis ut rigidissimo magistratu opus habeat Quod si propacato statu orare licet licet nimirum orare ut Deus pium magistratum concedat quo commodius pax concordia concilientur Quin omnes hoc agimus ut vitam innocentissimam ducamus nihil nos premet magistratus For Rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil wilt thou not then be afraid of the powers do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same Hoc ipsum Oro ut diligenter expendant qui Magistratum detrectant Si potestatem odio habent aut timent quod rectum est faciant Expendant simul Principes ne recte factis timori sint Qui ergo jam NOVIS EXACTIONIBUS TRIBUâ—IS VECTIGALIBUS non modo expilant in seram plebem sed onerant excarnificant excindunt ut videantur esse in communem nati perniciem Qui malis defectantur bonis minacitur imminent Principes non sunt sed Tyrannt sed Tortores sed Lanii Qui ergo omnium malo praesunt videant quo pacto Christinomine glorienter qui non modo ut Praedones Furis in omnium bono sed ut Pestes quoque in omnium corpora grassantur Sunt autem isti Ministri Dei sed quomodo Satan Minister Dei est qui ubique adversatur circumvenit terdi Omni a in manibus sunt cupidissimorum hominum ut jam non unum Tyrannum habeant qui sub talibus Imperiis degunt sed sexcentos Friget omnis justitia fervet cupiditas imo dominatur putant enim si Tribut a sint quacunque ratione amplissima jam recte administraci Imperium Ne ergo tenure summam rerum imprudentibus pueris stupidis CUPIDISVE nedamus sediis quorum probitas fides prudentia longo usu perspectae sint alioqui frustra nos aliquando queremur quod dicitur non putavisse Tribuat nobis omnipotens Pater Magistratus tales qui nullum aliud exemplum spectent quam ejus cujus ordinatione ad hoc cocuneris inautorati sunt ut ad modum Creatoris nostri sese geraent quo Patres nos multos habere gloriare possimus Nec queri cogamur quod Propheta Mic. 7. ver 1. 2 3 4. 5. 6. queritur Vae mihi c. Amen A brief Reply to John Audlands Rayling Paper Christian Reader MEeting since the premises sent to the Presse with a printed Pamphlet lately published Intituled The Innocent delivered out of the Snare c. full of unchristian Raylings against our Ministers Magistrates in general and my self with others in particular written by John Audland an Arch Quaker who cannot write six lines of true English together and finding in the Title page and p. 36. c. thereof this inscription An Answer to a scandalous Paper put forth by William Prynne Intituled The Quakers unmasked and clearly detected wherein his slanders are made to appear and he is clearly unmasked and plainly detected being taken with A LYE in his mouth I thought meet by way of Reply to so much only as concerns my Paper to give thee this brief accompt thereof in the close of this Enlarged Edition 1. That his chief Exception is against Cowlishaw his Oath as untrue only upon this slender ground p. 37. Two of us whom the world reproachfully calls Quakers came from the North being moved of the Lord in the Moneth of June we came into the City of Bristol the 12. day of the Month called July and on the morrow being the 13. day we were at two meetings the one with the people called Anabaptists the other with the people called Independents and we were moved by the Lord to speak at both their meetings which we did as several of those people can bear witnesse Thou saith in September George Cowlishaw being asked by Coppinger if there had been none of those people called Quakers in Bristol He answered NO Now this is false For some of us who is so called marke his English was then at Bristol For we had meetings at the Fort and Redde-Lodge in Bristol the 10. and 13. of September at which was several hundreds of people which will all witnesses That THY Oath IS FALSE But doth this convince the Oath to be false No verily but rather confirms it for truth For though two of you went to two private meetings of Anabaptists and Independents in Bristol and spake there to them on July 13. yet that was unknown to Cowlishaw and most others and you spake to those people then not under the name or notion of Quakers but only of Anabaptists Independents And your speaking to sundry after in and about Bristol on the 10. 13. 15. 17. 19. of September at which time you began to take upon you the name of Quakers and to be known in Bristol by that Title was after Cowlishaws conference with Coppinger who adds that about 18. dayes after there came to this City two that were named Quakers Now several of you coming thither like the Franciscan Fryers two by two after each other just about that time he deposeth by your own relation convinceth Audland of an apparant slander and double Lye First in
he thought none of them would come to Bristol who expresly replyed that if this Informant would give him five pounds he would make it five hundred pounds if some Quakers did not come to Bristol within three weeks or a month then following And on the morrow following the said Coppinger departed this City for Ireland his native place and about eighteen days after there came to this City Most likely his two fellow Franciscan Fryers forementioned who have there done much hurt and gained many Disciples some whereof disturbed two of the Ministers publickly in the Church and assaulted reviled one of them in the streets very lately two persons that bear the name of Quakers This is a true Copy of the original Information taken upon Oath at Bristol as aforesaid the 22. January 1654 from whence the Reader and whole Nation may take notice especially those in present power who should prevent such dangerous growing mischiefs with greatest care not to connive at them any longer 1. That there are multitudes of Romish Emissaries and Vermin now residing and wandring up and down freely amongst us to seduce and divide the people by setting up New Sects and Separate Congregations in all places and broaching new Notions and Opinions of all sorts or old Heresies or Blasphemies not saying Masses praying to Saints and Images or crying up the Popes Supremacy c. as heretofore 2. That they are the chief Speakers and Rulers in most Separate Congregations and particularly amongst the Quakers amongst whom the Franciscan Fryers act their parts as well as the Jesuites 3. That they have their several Missions and Directions into all parts from their generals and Superiors of their respective orders residing commonly in London where they have a CONSISTORY AND COUNCEL sitting that Rules all the Affairs of the things of England besides fixed officers in every Diocesse are all fore-acquainted both with the places and times of their several Missions seeing Coppinger could so certainly predict the time of their Mission and coming to Bristol where they have done much harm and assaulted disturbed the Ministers both in publique and private 4. That the Popes and these his Emissaries chief endeavours are to draw the people from our Churches publique Congregations Ordinances Ministers Religion and to divide and Crumble us into as many Sects Separate Conventicles as they have Popish Orders and thereby into as many civil parties factions as possibly they can to ruine us thereby Mat. 12. 25 27. 5. That by this their New Stratagem and Liberty they have under the Disguises of being Quakers Seekers Anabaptists Independents Ranters Dippers Anti-Trinitarians Anti-Scripturists and the like gained more Proselytes Disciples and done more harm in eight or nine years space to the Church and Realm of England more prejudice dishonour scandal to our Religion and Ministers then ever they did by saying Masse or Preaching Printing any points of grossest Popery in 80. years time heretofore And if not speedily diligently restrained repressed will soon utterly overturn both our Church Religion Ministry and State too in conclusion having already brought them to sad confusions and distractions Now that which gives great cause of suspition that these Quakers are either disguised Franciscan Fryers or their seduced Disciples and Emissaries is 1. Their rambling about from place to place by two and two together to vent and spread their Errors as the Franciscan Fryers use by the Rules of their order are bound to do and the Franciscans did here of late 2. Their use of vile and course aray and condemning not only all Pride and Luxury but lawfull decency in apparell in themselves and their Proselytes in imitation of the Franciscans 3. Their perswading people to desert their lawfull Callings imployments and to embrace a kinde of idle Monkish lasie life and ramble about from place to place to vent their pretended Visions Revelations Propheeies Messages and New Lights A practise usual with Franciscan Fryers and St Francis their Founder 4. Their rude and uncivil behaviour in refusing to salute or shew any reverential respect honour or humble deportment towards Magistrates or other persons of what quality soever either in words or Gestures of which the rude cinical Franciscans are most guilty of all other Popish orders contrary to express Scripture Precepts and Presidents Exod. 20. 12. Deut. 5. 19. Math. 15. 4. Ephes 6. 2. 5. Rom. 13. 1 2 7. Heb. 12. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 17 18. an observable Text against them Tit. 3. 1 2. 1 Tim. 6. v. 1 2 3. a notable text Eph. 5. 33. Gen. 18. 2 3. c. 19. 1 2 c. 23 7 c 24 v 31 c 27 19 c 33 3 4 6 7 c 37 9 10 c 41 43 c 42 6 c. 43 26 28 29. c. 48. 12. c. 49. 8. Exod. 11. 8. Ruth 2. 10. 1 Sam. 20. 41. c. 24. 8. c. 25. v. 23 24 25 41. c. 28. 14. 2 Sam. 9. 8. c. 14. 22 33. 1 Kings 1. 16 23 31. 47. c. 2 19. 2 Kin. 2. 15. c. 4. 26 27 37. 1 Chro. 21. 21. Est 3. 2. which compared with Math. 10. 12. c. 5. 4. Mar. 9. 15. Lu. 1. 40. Acts 18. 22. c. 21. 7. c. 25. 13. 1 Cor. 16. 21. 2 Cor. 13. 13. Phil. 4. 21 22. Col. 4. 10 12 15 18. Rom. 16. 15. 7. 9. to 17. 2 Thess 3. 17. may teach these rude Quakers and their Disciples far better manners and civility both in their gestures behaviours and words then now they exercise 5. Their Doctrines That the Saints are perfectly holy in this life and do not sin being able to stand perfect in their own power That they are as equally Holy Just Good and Free from sin as Christ and God himself maintained by Fox Naylor affirmed of St. Francis the Father of the Franciscans and justified by them in their writings as you may read in Surius and Ribadeniera in the life of St. Francis and the blasphemous Book Conformitatum Beati Francisci ad vitam Jesu Christi lib. 3. cum addition Heir Bucchii Bon. 1590. first writ by Bartholomeus de Pisa and approved by a General Chapter of the Franciscans held at Assize Aug. 2. 1389. and ratified by their Popes Antonini Chronicon Tit. 24. c. 1 2. Vincentius Belvacensis Speculum Hist l 3. c. 97. and Morney his Mystery of Iniquity London 1612. p. 347 348. It is the observation of many learned intelligent Protestants who have pried into the opinions and practises of all our late New Sects That in their Books Writings Speakings Preachments Practises are interlarded and mixed with some Jesuitical and Popish Tenants Opinions Ceremonies and Practises by which we may as visibly discover a Jesuite a Popish Priest or Fryer in them as we may a Lyon by his paw And nothing in my judgement more clearly detects the Popish Fryers Priests Jesuites to be the principal Inventers of erectors actors rulers Speakers amongst our Quakers other New sects then their pretended extraordinary sudden
five reverend Ministers in near New-castle assure us in their Perfect Pharisee under Monkish Holiness manifesting it self in the generation of men called QUAKERS London 1654. p. 13. who by their Emissaries first infected the Northern parts about Kendal and Lancaster with this Sect and now the Western parts by George Fox John Audland James Nayler and other of their Disciples sent from thence whose Heretical Erronious Blasphemous opinions and unchristian Practises are solidly and fully refuted in this their Treatise 3. That as Hereticks Schismaticks and seducers do derive their Heresies Doctrines Practises from the very Devil himself the Father of Lyes Lying prophesies Heresies Errors as the Scripture attests in possitive terms 1 Kings 22. 21 22 23. 2 Chron. 18. 21 22. Zech. 13. 2 3 Rev. 18. 2 John 8. 44. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. 2 Thes 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 16. 13 14. Acts 13. 10. 1 John 3. 8. who frequently to delude and seduce men with more facility transforms himself and his Ministers into Angels of light and Apostles of Christ as if they were the only saints and Ministers of righteousness when as in truth they still are but Devils false Apostles and deceitful workers or Impostors as the Scripture expresly defines them 2 Cor. 11. 13 14 15. as that Devil who tempted our Saviour to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple with a Scripture misapplied and mutilated was still a Devil though he alledged Scripture to accomplish his designes as his seducing Instruments now do Math. 4. 5 6 7 8. Luke 4. 9. to 13. So some Hereticks and Seducers of old as Simon Magus Marcion Menander Thedotus Carpocrates Eutyches and others have actually traded with received their Heretical Tenents from and been possessed by the Devil himself as Egesippus Tertullian Eusebius Theodoret Epiphanius Petrus Thyareus with others record yea many Popish Monks Fryers Priests Nunns Papiâ—â—s specially Females have likewise been actually possessed seduced cast into strange real or feigned Extasies Agonies Shakings convulsion Fits Trances and inspired with strange Revelations Visions Dreams Fancies Opinions Prophesies and Enthusiasms by the very Devil himself as you may read at large in Joannes Wierus De Praestigiis Daemonum in Petrus Thyareus a Jesuite his Daemoniaci hoc est De obsessis à Spiritibus Daemoniorum Hominibus Coloniae Agrip. 1598. and in Sir Edwin Sands his Europae Speculum 1629. p. 169. where thus he writes That the multitude of Indemoniati or persons possessed with the Devil WHEREOF MOST ARE WOMEN is so hugh in Italy even as of witches in Savoy of which some are daily cured in shew by their Enorcisms being most of them Impostors to cheat the people but for one that is holpen almost twenty are either past their curing or otherwise as in Counterfeits unwilling to be cured 4. That William Lindan Dialog 3. Dubitantii Petrus Thyreus De Daemoniatis pars 2. c. 21. p. 56 57 58. write expresly that some of the Ring-leaders and Captaines of the Anabaptists and some of their new Converts have not only communion and familiarity with the Devil but in all probability are likewise actually possessed by him though they be not raging mad and furious Because some of them have not only such raptures Agonies Fits and Quakings as persons actually possessed by the Devil use to have so soon as they have deserted the Catholicks Religion and adhered to that sect but Mox post haustum poculum aut sumptam buccellam norant Sacras literas legere c. Presently after the drinking of some potion or eating of a Sop which their chief Apostles give them they know how to read the sacred Scriptures without any teaching though they could not read before to dispute of divine things they knew not before which they alledge to oppugn the true faith and Religion and forget so soon as they return to the true Religion of which Thyreus gives two instances on his own knowledge one of a Taylor the other of a Country peasant Now who writes he can doubt that this proceeds from the evil spirit dwelling in them For it is apparent that neither the sop meat nor drink they took had any such virtue as to instil the knowledge of the sacred Scriptures into them Neither is it God who confers this learning on them seeing they are enemies to his true faith and religion and lead usually a most impure life Therefore since they get it not by study nor the instruction of any man from whence should they have it but from the Evil Spirit that dwell within them Besides what is the cause that so soon as they return to the Tents of the Catholicks again they forget all or most of the things they remembred before and know not how to read though they could read as well as most whiles they continued in theirheresy but that the Devil their Tutor forsakes leaves them to themselves Vpon which grounds some men justly suspect conceive THAT IT IS NOT THE ANABAPTISTS PROPERLY WHO SPEAKE SCRIPTURES THUS BY THEMSELVES sed Daemones in Anabaptistis loqui BUT THAT THE DEVILS SPEAKE IN THE ANABAPTISTS even as when persons possessed by the Devil speak strang Languages they knew not before it is not themselves but the Devil in them who form the voices and the sounds which he proves more largely pars 1. c. 17. p. 44 45. From all these particulars I refer it to the most serious consideration of all our Quakers Shakers and other Anabaptistical Enthusiasts as likewise of those who are addicted to their wayes or tolerate their courses without opposition whether all their Shakings Quakings Extasies Revelations Inspirations Prophesies and new Illuminations which are real and not counterfeit as many of them are proceed not from the very Delusions and Inspirations of the Devil himself and his Instruments Ministers sent over from Jesuitical and Popish Ceminaries Cells Monasters to seduce them by such Sorceries and Impostures as these from our Reformed Church and Religion rather then from the Impulses Dictates Illuminations Revelations of Gods holy Spirit And so much the rather because many of their Doctrines Positions Practises are not only meer Monkish and Popish but also directly contrary and destructive to the two great Ordinances of God in the world Magistracy and Ministry so much commended by Gods Spirit in the Gospel Yea some of them most Atheistical Irreligious Blasphemous Diabolical Vnchristians Vn-evangelical diametrically contrary to the Scripture and Fundamental Principals of the Gospel dictated by Gods Spirit as you may read at large in The perfect Pharise under Monkish Holinesse c. in the Generation of men called QUAKERS To which I shall refer the Reader where in the Blasphemies Heresies Popish Tenents of John Autland George Fox and James Nayler three of the principle Quakers sent to Bristol are so fully detected and solidly refuted that it made them ashamed to continue in their former Quarters and to pretend a New divine Mission
from God to spread their Heresies blasphemies in the West though not so fit for Quakers as that Northern colder Climate of England and Scotland where many Shake and Quake for cold alone without the Spirits motion whether they deserve to be sent packing again or into some sorraign Franciscan Cells or Jesuites Semenaries from whence their Sect was immediately propagated by Jesuites and Fryers sent from thence to act the parts of Independants and Sectaries to blow up differences and contentions amongst us as you may read at large in Mr. Edwards his Gangrena part third p. 99. and in a Grandees printed Speech in the painted Chamber 4. Sept. 1654. p. 16 17. to which I shall referre you for fuller Conviction Let all our Rulers Ministers and people therefore who have any care of their own or others Souls or our Churches Kingdomes safety and settlement now seriously consider that speech of our Saviour Christ himself John 10. 1. 10 11 12. Verily verily I say unto you He that entreth not by the Door into the Sheepfold but climbeth up some other way as these new Romish Apostles and wandring Predicants do THE SAME IS A THEEF and A ROBBER The theef cometh not BUT FOR TO STEAL AND TO KILL DESTROY The good Shepherd giveth his life for the Sheep But he that is an hireling and not the Shepherd whose own the Sheep are not seeth the woolf coming and leaveth the Sheep and fleeth and the woolf catcheth them and scattereth the Sheep And such false Shepherds and hirelings whether Ecclesiastical or Temporal who through negligence cowardize or any other designe shall suffer such Romish Woolves Theeves and Robbers as these to scatter and devour their sheep in St. Bernards verdict are PASTORES NON OVIUM SED LUPORIUM Pastours only of the Woolves not Sheep and in the opinion of Christ and all real Christians likewise Fredericus Broeckrous in his Epistle Dedicatory to the States of Holland and West-Frizland before his Antidotum Errorum praecipuorum in Tractatu de Deo c. D. Conradi Vorstii observes and proves at large That nothing is more dishonest or more pernicious to mankinde and humane society than the toleration propagation of false religions contrary to the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles 1. Because men are hereby withdrawn from the true God the fountain of all happiness 2. Because thereby they are deprived of the possession of Eternal life 3. Because false religions are the most deadly poisons to mens souls which bring a speedy and infallible death damnation to all Eternity if persisted in 4. Because by them men are made twofold more the children of hell than they were before Mat. 23. 16. 5. Because thereby all Piety is undermined abolished and in Christian States all Wickedness Impiety Cruelty Folly and Wretchedness instilled into the hearts of men 6. Because by differences and multiplicity of opinions and controversies in Religion the greatest of people are brought 1. To doubt of the truth of Christian Religion 2. To slight and neglect it together with the Ministry and publick Ordinances 3. To give over prayer and private family-Duties 4. To oppose Religion and resist the propagation of the Gospel 5. In conclusion to renounce all Religion and turn professed Scepticks Seekers Atheists as we finde by sad experiences 6. Because Pagans Infidels and others are discouraged from embracing the doctrine of Christianity when they find so many controversies and disputes even among Christians themselves And the common Enemies of the true reformed Religion and Romish Emissaries hereby take occasion to calumniate that true Religion we profess and to seduce the ignorant people from it to embrace their damnable and superstitious practices Upon which considerations Constantine the great Theodosius and all zealous Christian Emperors Kings Princes and Governors truly fearing God in all ages have made it their principal care study to maintain peace and unity concord in the purity and principles of Religion to suppress all Heresies Errors Schisms repugnant thereunto both by Laws and penalties as I have elsewhere largely evinced against all oppugners of the civil Magistrates coercive power and Jurisdiction in matters of Religion who never yet returned the least reply thereunto in sundry years though challenged to do it We shall conclude all with this word to Magistrates Cant. 2. 15. Take for us the Foxes the little Foxes that spoyle the Vines for our Vines have tender grapes Search after restrain secure prosecute punish all Romish Foxes Wolves Conspirators Enemies Traytors to our Church and Religion according to our Lawes and Statutes yet in force against them with as great diligence care zeal as you now search after restrain secure prosecute any reall or imaginary Plotters Conspirators Enemies Traytors to the Kingdome Nation or to your selves And be as vigilant as industrious to secure Gods and our Churches cause interest as your own that so you may turn away Gods wrath and inherit Phineas bis praise and benediction for his zeale in this kinde Num. 25. 11 12. 23. with these four Apostolical Admonitions and Cautions to the people recorded in the Gospel as the best Preservatives against Seducers Rom. 16. 17 18. Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause DIVISIONS and OFFENCES contrary to the Doctrine which you have received AVOID THEM For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple But evill men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving being deceived But continue thou in the things which thou hast heard and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them Ephes 4. 14. Henceforth be 〈◊〉 more children tossed to and fro and carried about with even wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in wait to deceive And 2. John 10. 11. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him mot into your house neither bid him God speed for he that biddeth him God speed IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS with this sad Memeâ—â—… to such who are reduced by these Impostors 2. Thess 2. 9 10 11 12 whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and Signs lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lye that they might all be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse and like the unjust Judge Luke 18. 2. 4. Neither fear God nor regard or reverence men 2 Cor. 11. 13 14 15. For such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light Therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers be also