the Writ given forth by his Majesties Command for calling the Synod as followeth This day being the 12th of February 1644. the King being then at Paris upon the most Humble Petition of his Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to permit them the calling and holding a National Synod desiring to gratify and treat favourably he said Subjâ—cts hath permitted and doth permit them the Convocation of a National Synod next at Charenton but with this condition that they treat in it of none other matters but of those which be allowed them and that the Commissioner whom his Majesty shall please to appoint be personally present in the said Synod as hath been decustomed In witness whereof his Majesty hath commanded me to issue out this Writ which he hath signed with his own hand and caused to be counter-signed by me his Councellor and Secretary of State and of his Commands Signed in the Original Louis And a little lower Phelippeaux Assoon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord Cumont Councellor for the King in his Council of State and Parliament of Paris deputed by his Majesty presented Letters Patents which did commissionate him to represent his Majesty in this Synod these being read were incerted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod as followeth Louis by the Grace of God King of Navarre to our trusty Councellor in our Council of State and Court of â—arliament gréeting We having granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the 26th day of December next coming composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of our Kingdom to treat of affairs concerning their Religion And being to make choice of a meet person and of approved fidelity to us who may precide in the said Assembly as our Commissioner and may Represent us in it we have commissioned and deputed you and we do commissionate and depute you by these Presents signed with our own hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there assembled and to Represent our Royal Person in it and to propose and determine whatever matters we shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions we have now delivered unto you And you are to take héed that none other affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with our Authority and to give us speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as we shall judge most convenient for the doing whereof we give you Power and Commission and Special Commandment by these Presents Given at Paris the 28 of November in the Year of Grace 1644 and of our Reign the second Signed in the Original Louis And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions made in their Majesties Name c. Messieurs As it is a very great honour to me to be commissionated by his Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with his Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of joy and satisfaction to behold this illustrious Assembly chosen out of all Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of mouth what was expresly charged and commanded me by the King and the Queen his Mother which is to assure you of their good will unto you and protection of you and of all your Churches and of the entire execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within the bounds of your duty subjection and fidelity which you owe unto their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the supream Authority and your lot and portion being the honour of obedience to them whereunto you stand obliged * * I am the longer in this recital that the Quakers may see and in seeing may learn to know both their place and duty both from Scripture and the Practice of the Martyrs and all true Christians thro all Centuries c. by your birth the dictates of your Consciences and the favours you daily receive from their Majesties and by all kinds of consideration both general and particular and observe it I beseech you as a singular mark of their Majesties favour unto you that there be of your Religion in the Kingdom ††It was their obedience to the Laws brought them to that dignity it is the disobedience of the Quakers and their antimagistratical principles which keep them out of all places of trust in the Government persons of the highest quality there be amongst you most noble and illustrious Dukes and Peers Mareschals of France Generals of Armies Magistrates and Judges in Soveraign Courts and their Majesties now this very day out of that great confidence they have in your Loyalty and Fidelity have granted you this Assembly at the very Gates of the Metropolis of this Kingdom in the very face and view of all France and of this infinite people of Paris vastly different from you in manners and humours inclination and religion who will be severe Witnesses and Judges over all your actions And that all things may be done in that order prescribed me by their Majesties I am in their Names commanded to acquaint you That all Ministers who are not natural born Subjects but Strangers are to be excluded this Synod and that none may assist to vote in it who hath not Letters of Deputation from his Provincial Synod and that during the time it be held you may have no communication with Foreigners or other suspected persons and forasmuch as your Assemblies are not by any legal constitution a Body Politick their Majesties have forbidden you to meddle in State Affairs * * Come G. W. look and learn you are strangers to these limitations you have the face to absolve his Majesties Subjects from their active obedience to the Laws which require them to pay Tyths to pay to Church Wardens Rates to take lawful Oaths to carry Guns c. by which 't is plain that as you increase the strength of the Nation will decrease or matters of Justice because your Synod hath no power to judge of such matters but only to treat of points of Doctrine and Church Discipline ††G. W. so do the Kings Laws forbid you but whether you like the French Protestants do regard those Laws I shall shew by and by no the Law what is the Law to you for as G. Fox did not heed a Cart Load of Warrants no nor do you a Waggon Load of Laws Moreover their Majesties do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning your Religion whieh are not attested i. e. Licenced by two
Meeting held in London the v. vi vii and viii â—â—ys of the 4th month 1693. p. 2. Several other Epistles from forâ—ign parts as Barbadoes Maryland Pensilvania Virginia Scotland and Holland were read an Epistle from Amsterdam in Holland Ja. Dickinson and Tho. Wilson at this Meeting gave an account of their Travels in Barbadoes East and West Jersey Pensilvania Maryland Virginia New England North Carolina Rhoad Island Long Island Antego Nevis c. Four Epistles from Ireland one from the last year Meeting in Dublin another from Ulster Province another from Munster Province the fourth from Conought Province Meeting An account was given of Dantzick friends A Letter also from Jamaica that there are a People rais'd up and increased in Germany from among the Lutherans called Pietists by some called Quakâ—râ— persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the Priests several of our Friends Books have been spread amongst them Again p. 3. Friends appointed to view the â—ccounts report that they find they are truly stated and right kept and friends are again advised to bring up with them the tâ—tal sum of each Counties Collection Query did Wm. Crouch not forget the 5 l. he disbursed Again p. 4. the six friends of the City appointed and intrusted this Year with the accounts are William Crouch John Staploe William Macket William Chandler William Beech Nathaniel Marks Observation Reader A small Remark will serve 1st 'T is plain they hold a Correspondency with and receive Letters from Foreigners return Answers spread their Books into foreign parts pretending to spread truth as if the Scriptures were deficient 'T is also plain that they have a Fund or Bank and a yearly Tax collected to maintain their Teachers Travellers and Spies both at home and abroad see my Books Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 14. New Rome unm p. 60. 'T is also plain that they have Common Bankers with whom the keeping of the Exchequer is intrusted their Names are W. Crouch J. Staploe W. Macket W. Chandler W. Beech Nath. Marks See W. R.'s Second Scourge for G. Whitehead c. on this Head SECT XIV French King YOu are not to meddle with State Affairs or matters of Justice Protest Nor will we debate about State Affairs or make any orders in relation to them The King and Parl. of England An Act of Parliament made the first year Gulielmi Mariae intituled An Act for exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. Numb 308. Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persâ—ns aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other parochial duties or any other duty to the Church or Minister nor from any prosecution in any Ecclesiastical Court or elsewhere for the same Quakers Yearly Epist p. 1. And therefore that all due and godly care be taken against the Grand Oppression and antichristian Yoak of Tythes that our Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all respects and against Steeple-house Rates as also against the burden and imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of Friends Sufferings to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tythes are pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what goods are taken by distress for non-payment and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for Truths sake They the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Records of Friends Sufferings and therefore the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are desired to take more care for the future that all Friends Sufferings for truths sake may be brought up to London as full and compleat in all Respects as possibly may be A complaint being made that some that profess truth carry Guns in their Ships 't is therefore recommended to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to deal with them c. Observations Reader the disparity between the Quakers and the Christians in their practice behaviour gratitude and duty is obvious 1st The French King commands his Subjects not to meddle with State Affairs the Protestants with all complacency answer him no they do not desire it neither will they so much as make orders about State matters as not being their present station being Dissenters from the Religion by Law established Thus you see the harmony of the French King and his Subjects and so much for that next you see in the first year of his present Majesty he with the advice and consent of his Parliament indulged the Quakers the free exercise of their perswasion from the penalty of poenal Statutes but in the same Act for their Indulgence there is a clause as above told which ratifies and confirms the payment of Tythes and all Church dues as firm as ever In the next place you see what the Quakers say of it They tell you That Tythes are a grand oppression and not only so but which is worse an Antichristian Yoak yea such a yoak as that whoever receives or pays Tythes does therein deny Christ to be come in the Flesh by their doctrine And thereupon by this Epistle which is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere they warn their Disciples to maintain their Testimony against the payment of Tythes in all respects the like against Church-wardens Rates and withal stoutly to oppose the Imposition of Oaths Nay this is not all yet but being sat in state to hear the grievances of the Nation there is a Complaint come up to the yearly Meeting that some who profess truth as if there were none who profess truth but the Quakers carry Guns in their Ships Well they hear this Complaint but refer that business to the Country Sessions I mean their Quarterly Meetings for they have business of great moment and thus instead of thankfully enjoying the Governments kindness they are privately undermining it by alienating the Kings Subjects from their active obedience to the known Laws of the Land for this Epistle alias Edict is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere this elsewhere is through the world for as Rome is the Papists Metropolis whose Decrees reach to the ends of the earth where Papists live so is this yearly Meeting in London the Quakers Metropolis and from thence goes forth their Law which is obliging and binding as far as there are any Quakers And if any desire to stay until they be convinced Oh no! says W. Pen away with this loose plea for it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the true Religion And which is worse The Examin
Manual Certificates of two Ministers at least under pain of Confiscation of the whole Impression nor may you denounce any Excommunication against any Ministers and others who shall change their Religion for that of the Roman Catholick nor treat them reproachfully neither by word nor writing †{inverted †} †{inverted †} Hark G. W. then they were not to call such Beasts Dogs Wolves Children of the Devil Devils incarnate Enemies of all Righteousness Apostates self-condemned Apostates as you have called me and others for our forsaking you and conforming to the Religion Establisht Moreover when they speak of the Pope they are not to call him Antichrist ††But you call both Ministers and People Parliaments and Magistrates who either pay or receive Tythes Antichrist Oh hetrodox in all points c. nor to treat him disrespectfully nor shall they tax the Roman Church with Idolatry nor the Sacraments and Ceremonies thereof us humane Inventions and Idolatry c. * * But you tell the Protestants their Sacraments are dust and that they rose from the Pope c. And treat the Dispencers thereof as Witches Devils Antichrists and what not that is odious nor to make collections of Money c. And now I come to shew you the Christian Frame and Temper of the French Protestants in their Obedience to the Kings Commandment by their Moderator c. The Lord Commissioner having ended his Speech the Deputies returned their Answer by their Moderator Monsieur Garrissoles The Moderator's Answer WE thankfully acknowledge the great Goodness and Mercy of God Almighty in answering the Prayers of his poor Churches with his heavenly Blessing and their Majesties Condescention in accepting our most humble Petitions presented by the Lords of our General Deputies and granting us this Privilege of holding this Synod and committing the Inspection of it unto a person most illustrious for his Vertues and well deserving that high place of Dignity and Honour in the first and chiefest Parliament of the Kingdom all these and many other considerations more do enforce our Souls with a sweet and pleasing violence to break forth into enlarged Praises and enflamed Thankfulness unto their Majesties yea and in most ardent supplications unto our God for the preservation of their sacred persons his Benediction upon their Government the Glory of their Crowns under whose comfortable Shadows the Churches enjoying a sweet Peace will never have any other desire or thought than to practice faithfully and conscientiously that most express Command of our Lord and Saviour by his Apostle St. Peter To fear God and honor the King and that with a most entire and sincere Obedience And as we have no design to do it so we shall never admit any person to sit as a Member of our National Synod who hath not a Deputation c. Nor shall we hold any Correspondency nor receive any Letters coming from Foreigners ††See G. W the Quakers practice and how different herein as anon I shall shew nor return any Answers to them unless that my Lord Commissioner who represents his Majesties person shall have first perused them nor will we debate about Matters of State nor make any orders in relation to them * * Hark G. W. read your Edicts and compare them which resemble theirs as black does white nor shall we set up Proivincial Councels in opposition to his Majesties will Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer those Canons of our National Synods concerning the Approbation of Books that shall be printed on matters of Religion to be violated ††See and behold an Example the Protestants have regard to the Laws the Quakers none nor shall we excommunicate any of those persons who quit the Communion of our Churches for we do not arrogate to our selves any Jurisdiction over them from that minute in which they left us nor shall we tollerate any Sermons fraught with any injurious and reproachful Language against the Members of the Church of Rome whether in general or particular nor suffer that Moneys be collected c. From all which 't is self-evident from Scripture Reason and approved Authors that Christ and his holy Apostles commanded subjection and obedience to the higher powers their Commands are positive and not with a Proviso i. e. until you be convinced of this your duty c. No they are Scripture Commands and as such ought to be obeyed and so the Martyrs believed and practised and set examples And you see how these worthy Christians the French Protestants obeyed that wholsom doctrine they did not answer the French King that no Commands in Scripture are obliging unless a man be first convinced that what is there commanded ought to be obeyed as Burroughs and Pen teach and as the Quakers practice who run counter to the practice of Christ his Apostles Martyrs and all Christians to this day c. SECT XII AND thus the Quakers may see as in a Glass That first the French King was humbly sought by the Protestants to grant them leave to hold a National Synod upon which he answered their request provided first that he might have a Commissioner in whom he could repose trust and confidence to be resident there to hear and observe that their discourse did not tend to alienate the hearts of his Subjects from their obedience to him as their King and Governor Secondly That they did not meddle with State matters tending to beget disobedience to the Laws of the Land all which they as readily submitted to they promised they would not meddle with State matters nor excommunicate and revile his Magistrates and Ministers nor hold a Correspondency with Strangers to let other Nations espy the Fashions and Customs of their Government and thereby take measures against it that they would observe his Laws in not printing Books without Licence nor gather up Money to weaken the Subjects to carry on designs against the Government But how far the Quakers differ in this point from the Christian both at home and abroad I leave the Reader to judge and that not from my bare say so but from plain matter of fact But still to make it more plain if more plain can be I shall in a few instances set 1st The French Kings method in commanding his Subjects 2d The manner of his Subjects Obedience and ready Compliance altho not of his Perswasion as to his Religion 3d. The Quakers Practice and Principles relating to Government 4th Some brief Observations from the Premisses SECT XIII French King YOu shall have no Communication with Strangers you shall neither read Letters from them in your Convocation nor return Letters to them other than what my Commissioner approves of Protest Nor shall we read any Letters coming from Foreigners nor return any Answer unless my Lord Commissioner approve thereof ut supra Quak. 〈◊〉 Epistle to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Friends in England and Wales or elsewhere from our yearly
of receiving them and their Testimony you have caused them * Here Sam. thinks to blind the poor Quakers and make them believe he was a 20 l. sufferer when he lost not a groat to suffer And them also that did receive them and their Testimony The Lord forgive you is the desire of him that chuses rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God than to live in the pleasures of this world Sam. Cater I have laid a snare for thee and thou art taken O Babylon and thou wast not aware thou art found and also caught put your selves in array against Babylon round about all you that bend the Bow shoot at her spare no Arrows for the Lord hath opened his Armoury and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts Jer. 50.14 24 25. SECT XVI Fr. King WE do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning Religion which are not Attested i. e. Licensed by two Manual Certificates at least under pain of losing the whole Impression Prot. Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer thâ—se Canons of our National Synod concerning the Approbation i. e. Licensing of Books that shall be pâ—inâ—â—d on matters of Religion to be violated it being our sincere and most fixed Resolution to obâ—erve in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lâ—ad a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Quak. Epist ibid. p. 3. It 's desired that the monthly and quarterly meetings respectively takes notice of all Friends Books that are or may be sent to them according to former agreement and take care for the dispersing the same for the service of Truth c. and take care to advise the Correspondents for the Counties to write only to your Correspondents in London about their sufferings lest their suffering case be delayed Renewed advice to the respective Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England and Wales and for the preserving and spreading Friends Books for Truths service Dear Friends THese are to let you understand that our Friends have at several yearly Meetings had under their serious consideration hw all those Books that are printed for the service of Truth and the unity of Friends might most effectually be spread for a general service to Truth and Information unto Friends and others And at the last yearly Meeting it was left unto this meeting who have settled as followeth viz. That those that print friends books shall the first opportunity after printed within one month at most send to one of the Correspondents in the several Counties viz. For each Monthly Meeting two Books of a sort if under Sixpence and one of a sort if above Sixpence for these reasons 1. For Friends to have general notice of what Books are printed 2. That they may send for what other quantities they may see a service for 3. That the Printer may be encouraged in printing for friends 4. That one Book at least of a sort that shall be printed except Collections may be kept in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting for the service of Friends and Truth as there shall be â—ccasion for the future 5. It 's agreed that the Printer will allow two pence in the shilling for all such Books 6. It 's Agreed That some here shall be appointed to examine the Printer to see that they send no Books but such as are appointed by Friends 7. It 's Agreed and Advised that the Printers account be fully cleared once a year at least by those Friends the Country shall send up to the yearly Meeting 8. It 's Agreed That the name of the Printer imployed by Friends should be sent with directions how to write to him Dear Friends and Brethren it 's tenderly advised and recommended to you that you be careful and diligent in the spreading of all such Books that are printed for the service of Truth and are written either in defence of it or Christian Doctrine or Holy profession or by way of Epistle Warning Caution Exhortation or Prophecy that so we may not be remiss or negligent in promoting the holy truth that nothing may be wanting on our parts to promote it and the spreading of it that the Nations may be informed and brought into the knowledge of it that in the end we may give an account with joy An ancient friend the Printers name is as follows to whom direct thus For Andrew Soale at the Crooked Billet in Holy-well-lane in Shoreditch London Or to Thomas Northcoat at his Shop in George-yard in Lombard-street London And this we think needful you should record in your Quarterly Books and sometimes read it for remâ—mbrance and notice Signed in the behalf of the Meeting the 18th of the â—â—th mâ—nth 1693. by Benjamin Bealing The yearly Meeting Epistle the 27th of the 3d month 1675. It is our Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the fear of God and the authority of his Power and Sprit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings that no such slight and contemptible names and expressions as calling men and womens Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burthensome And that faithful Friends Papers which we Testifie have been given forth by the Power and Spirit of God are mens Edicts or Canons or embracing them bowing to men Elders in the service of Truth Popes and Bishops with such scornful sayings be permitted among them But let Gods power be set upon the top of that unsavoury Spirit and them that use it Signed by George Whitehead William Pen and others I am the larger in this Citation to convince the world that the Quakers prefer their own Books before and above the Scripture contrary to their pretence in their sheet they delivered to the Parliament as also to shew the impudence of some amongst them that tell people they have no Epistles read amongst them as Francis Bugg sets forth which I know they can no more be ignorant of than of the Suns shining at noon-day And in order to a further discovery thereof I shall recite the Titles of some of their Epistles as I did in New Rome Arraigned p. 41. which to this day they have not denyed c. 1. Two General Epistles to the Flock of God where-ever they are dispersed by M. Fell and J. Park printed 1664. 2. To Friends in England Ireland Scotland Holland New England Barbadoes or any where else where the Lord shall order this to come c. 3. A General Epistle to be read in the fear of God in the Assembly of his people by W. D. 4. The word of the Lord to Syon the New Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs Wife the excellency of all the Glory that is amongst the people by W. D. printed 1664. 5. An Epistle to Friends every where to be read distinctly in their Meetings by K. W. printed 1681. 6. All Friends every
and shewed by what arts they have come on and advanced their Errors I am now coming to shew the way of Lucius the first Christian King as History saith that the world ever knew to propagate the Christian Faith he did not stay at this place and that to write Papers and Books to spread truth nor did the Bishop of Rome at that time order him so to do as was the practice of Geo. Fox no to the Law and to the Testimony this was the way that every planter of the true Christian Faith took of which I will give you a noble instance * Eng. Chron. by John Heath p. 19 20. This Royal King Lucius being mindful of Religion that dearest part of Government more than any other consideration the better to prosper the work so prosperously begun sent two learned men to Elutherus then Bishop of Rome to be farther instructed in the Christian Faith who thereupon sent him Fagarius and Damianus with his Letter in the following words as saith the Historian viz. You have received in the Kingdom of Briton by Gods mercy both the Law and Faith of Christ you have both the Old and New Testament out of the same thro Gods Grace by the Advice of your Realm take a Law and by the same through Gods Sufference rule your Kingdom of Brittain c. Having such a good example from this Learned Bishop and Religious King I shall first set down some Scriptures which have been both by Kings and Subjects thought special commands and binding and obliging all men whether all have been so perswaded yea or nay yet I say the faithful Christians in all ages and generations have taken them as their Rule of Obedience and to be of that authority to quell and subdue all those diabolical delusions which will suggest the contrary viz. Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods St. Paul to Tit. 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates to be ready to every good work 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well Honour all men love the brotherhood fear God honour the King Rom. 13.1 2 3. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation for rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil Wilt thou * G. F. heed not a Cart Load of Warrants then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same †W. Tyndals works i. e. of the obedience of a Christian man p. 111. For God hath made the King in every Realm judge over all and over him there is no Judge he that resisteth the King resisteth God If the Subjects sin they must be brought to the Kings judgment if the King sin he must be reserved unto the judgment of God and as it is to resist the King so is it to resist his Officers which are set or sent to execute the Kings commandment for it is written let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers * G. W. what think you of this Doctrine here is no man exempt but all souls must obey Thus I have given a brief account of the Christian Faith First what Christ who is the Head of the Christian Church and Author of the Christian Faith he said Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and his Apostle Paul bid Titus put the believing Christians in mind to obey Magistrates and to confirm this point St. Peter is very express Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake not so much that he favours us or is kind and governs gently by wholsome Laws these things indeed are good and great mercies to a people but our submission ought to be for the Lords sake who hath ordained Magistracy and Government for so saith St. Paul the powers that be are ordained of God and whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God Likewise you may read the Doctrine of W. Tyndal in his Book entitled The Obedience of a Christian man and see how the blessed Martyrs espoused and maintained the same delivered by the Apostles SECT XI NOW in order to give a right understanding and that from plain matter of fact of the difference between the faith and practice of the Quakers of the one part and the faith and practice of the Christians in all ages since the days of Christ I have a purpose to set forth as a particular instance the practice of the Reformed Churches of France in regard they live under a Popish King rather than the Church of England and chiefly for this reason beeause the Quakers are so prejudiced against our Clergy Tho I believe there is not sounder men nor a better disciplined Church in the world yet I say they having always been so prejudiced against them as to call them Beasts Dogs Baals Priests Witches Devils Antichrists Blasphemers and a thousand such unchristian and horrible names on purpose to beget an ill opinion in the people of them as Burrough in his Epistle to Fox his Mystery confesseth that so they might leave and forsake them also considering how frequently they have in their Books arraigned impeached and condemned the Magistracy of England under the odious names of the Beast which carry the Whore the Persecuters of Gods People the Antichrists c. That I think it more proper to take a foreign parallel that if possible they may at last be brought to a confession of their Errors burn their Books renounce their Religion and bethink themselves where they have been what they have been doing and how scandalous their antimagistratical principles have been to the Christian Religion not that I have leisure or parts to set forth this matter as it ought to be done but am content to be as a Carpenters Man to hew off the knots and make the work fit for better Workmen to compleat what I leave imperfect and in order to this I shall abstract some few passages of the 28th Synod held at Charenton in France viz. The Acts of the 28 Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by his Majestys Permission at Charenton near Paris on Monday the 26th day of December 1644 and ended Thursday the 26th of January 1645. See the Acts Decisions and Decrees of the Reformed Churches of France per John Quick vol. 2. p. 425. First Monsieur Drelincourt opened the Sessions with Prayer and then the Lord Marquis of Clermont General Deputy presented