they come to you and desire it you would procure such of the Quakers Books as they shall make question of if you can find or have them and shew them at your shop for their better satisfaction that so they may believe their OWN EYES at least And that you send one of this second Part to Mr. Whitehead and another to Mr. Penn. So farewell Thy friend though unknown T.T. Jan. 1. 74 5. THE THIRD PART OF THE QUAKERS QUIBBLES BEING A Continuation of their Quibbles Equivocations Riddles Contradictions Rounds and Confusions set forth in ten several Particulars Whereunto is Added Remarks on G. W ' s. Slight Sheet given forth by him as a Reprehension for want of an Answer to the Second Part of the QVAKERS QVIBBLES With some further Account of their Grand Mystery of DIRECTING the INTENTION By the same Indifferent Pen. If ye Build again the things which ye Destroyed ye make your selves Transgressâ—rs Gal 2.18 Diruit Aedificat Mutat Quadrata Rotundis Erroris Mater fuit Aequivocatio semper LONDON Printed for F. Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1675. TO THE Free Spirited Impartial READER AS it is left us upon Record in Holy Writ that GOD at sundry times and in divers manners hath spoken unto his Prophets and People for the Salvation of Men so we are thereby likewise assured that SATHAN at sundry times and in divers Forms hath spoken to and deceived many Souls by pretending great Light great Knowledge high things in words and semblance Imitating as near as might be the works and ways of GOD but still without that true Divine Power which enabled those immediate Men of God VISIBLY to out-do all the deceiving Pretences and Ape-like Imitations of the Devil's Instruments in the sight of all Men present as Moses's Serpent swallowed up all the Egyptian Sorcerers Serpents and Paul being filled with the Holy Ghost was able to over-come and strike Elymas the Sorcerer with outward Blindness Now this was IN DEED and not in TALK only to be in the Power and filled with the Holy Ghost and the Text says Then the Deputy when he saw what was done believed And no sooner had our Glorious Lord JESVS CHRIST Visibly Ascended to Heaven without us and fulfilled his great Promise of sending his Holy Spirit upon his Apostles and Disciples which was in a visible manner enduing them with Power not onely the Name but the Thing to speak with Tongues to Prophecy indeed and to work visible Miracles for the Confirmation of that Word and Doctrine they Preach'd to the World Heb. 2.4 and this is in Scripture-Language true Spirit Baptism or the Baptiâ—â— of the Spirit and this is it which was for Persons to be Baptized indeed with the Holy Spirit as it is expresly called Acts 1.5 and of Fire There appeared unto them Cloven Tongues like as of Fire and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost But Sathan that Old Serpent not willing to be long idle did quickly raise up even in those true Apostles days many Pretenders false Prophets and false Apostles some of the first whereof Ancient Records tell us were called Nicolaitans and Gnosticks who pretended high and strange Light Knowledge and Illumination beyond others And it is Observable of all the Forms into which Sathan Transformed himself it seems none is nor was more taking than what he used in the true Apostles days viz. Transforming himself into an Angel of LIGHT and therefore no marvel if such as are false Apostles are found Transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ Nor is it any great thing as the true Apostle Intimates to us if such as are indeed Sathans Ministers also be Transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness If the wicked one could play such pranks and be so bold then how much more may we expect and suspect it now and it is no strange thing if some of his Ministers and Instruments now be Transformed into Angels or Messengers of Light Pretend the Light Talk of the Light Preach up the Light Own the Light Witness the Light and Cry out the Light the Light And whereas a certain sort of People lately sprung up among us did pretend to high Illuminations and talkt much of the Light they walkt in above others and of the Power immediate Calling and Gifts of the Spirit that they had as in the Apostles time And as they pretended to higher things than others so I did set my self more especially and seriously to hear consider weigh and try them their Doctrines and Principles for about these Twenty Years But alas in lieu of finding any such thing amongst them as the same Light Power and immediate Commission and Gifts of the Spirit that the Apostles and Apostolical Churches had and which they then did pretend to blame others for want of I could see nor hear nothing among them but the meer Words and bare Pretences and taking up some such things by Imitation as they fanâ—ied in themselves and as they found the Apostles wrote or the Scriptures spoke of as many others do whom yet they did once Condemn for that very thing yea and inâ—tead thereof I have Observed the greatest Inconstancy Vncertainty Turn and Change amongst them that I think ever was to be found among any People that pretended to so refined Sublime a Religion in the space of Twenty Years and yet all this while to talk of or pretend to INFALLIBILITY which hath Occasioned them to defend themselves from those who have taken more notice of their Inconstancy Vncertainty and Changes than they were willing should be to use the greatest Quibbling and grossest Equivocations that have been used in Religious matters ever since the Jesuites new modell'd the Art the better to hide it and themselves Some of their most Considerable Quibbles in their Doctrine touching that Grand Principle of our true Lord and Saviour JESVS CHRIST I had Occasion given me by them to set forth more particularly in my Second Treatise beginning at p. 29. But my intended Brevity not permitting and not knowing but that these Persons might learn to be somewhat more humble meek moderate and civil when they should rightly reflect on it and themselves then prevented me of proceeding any further therein Yet since I understand it is very much desired by others and the Quakers as much to want it they being as Confidently outragious as before for in the midst of all their Inconstancies in their Practice and Doctrines I find them chiefly constant in these two things in their Practice viz. their egregious Confidence and their Railing Reviling Language to others and in that it may be truly said of them Can the Ethiophian change his skin or the Leopard his spots wherefore here is set forth more of their Quibbles in several particulars and that in some most weighty and important Points as those of the Church the Annointing the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures and
by this Mr. Keith and thou must understand and mean Either That these Three are Three Christs in Three distinct Persons Or that these Three are but One Christ in One distinct Person Or that these Three are indeed No Christ at all in No distinct Person And when thou hast plainly and honestly declared this then we shall easily discern your Quibbling or understand your Meaning better in the mean time for your condemning using Distinctions in others and yet using them your selves you fall under the Apostles Sentence and Condemnation Rom. 2.1 Therefore thou art inexcusable Oh Man whosoever thou art that judgest for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thy self for thou that judgest dost the same things In the beginning of this Epistle Intimated to thee the Gifts and the Power of the Spirit indeed that the Christians the members of the true Church in the Apostles days were Gifted with viz. Such as were visible and demonstrable to others and for the proof quoted several Scriptures which I thought fit to alledg That thou might seriously Consider and I leave it to the Consideration of all sober and truely understanding men When thou comest to Condemn or Correct the Baptist Church or and Church with design to set up thy own as the true Church Whether thou oughtst not to prove and Demonstrate thy Church to be truer then their Church which thou Condemnest as false or Vnchristian or Antichristian and that thou oughtest to pretend to and bring something for Proof thereof which they nor no false Church can pretend to and produce as thou doest Is not this equitable just and rational agreeing to common Justice and Equity and according to the sound understanding of all men Nay and is it not what the true Christian Church had and could and did on all necessary occasions Demonstrate Otherwise suppose it be granted theirs to be false that will not prove thine to be true Thine may be false also But if proving theirs alone to be mistaken or False would prove another Church to be true the Romanists and all the Churches in the World might then as well by this prove theirs respectively to be true as you yours To make this yet more plain it being worthy thine and every mans serious thoughts I will give thee an Instance or two As for Example Here are great Contests and Disputes betwixt the Baptists and your Church the Baptists say we are true Christians and you Quakers are not The Quakers say we are the true Christians and our way is the true way and you Baptists are not Now I and thousands of poor Souls besides would willingly know which of you two are undoubtedly in the Right and which of you indeed are false and pretenders only If any of thy Friends shall tell me We are in the Truth and therefore we are the true Church Thou knowest in thy Conscience that is so far from an Answer that it is only a shameful begging of the Question For the Baptists they pretend as much that they are in the Truth as thou dost and it is yet to be decided betwixt you so that that is still the Question If thou sayest the Light within me will testifie to thy Way I profess really I have minded and inquired of the Light within me what it says in that Particular and it testifies no such thing If thou sayest it is Demonstrable by the Effects and Fruits very well I have inquired into that also and I find none among You but what may be found amongst the Baptists also Except it be keeping on the Hat and saying Thou and Thee c. which also the Baptists or any others may and can do if they please as well as you Or if thy Friends should tell me That ye have the Spirit and are in the Power of God so say the Baptists that they have And wherein does the Power of God or the Spirit shew it self more in you than in them If thou shouldst say it is Within but does not Demonstrate it self Outwardly Why then do you trouble the Minds of People Can you not let it keep in its place in every one where you say it is and then thereby thou wouldst acknowledg the Baptists to be Externally as good Christians as your selves and so may be Internally for ought thou canst see if it cannot demonstrate it self outwardly So that here I profess in the fear of God I see no real discriminating Character that Demonstrates you to be either truer or better than they if thou canst shew any I shall be glad to see it Another Instance is this in a higher nature at your own doors also viz. In Mr. Maggleton and his Disciples Why shouldst thou or thy Friends be believed more than Muggleton or an Impostor THE QUAKERS AND THE Muggletonians Compared 1. MVggleton says He hath received a Commission from Heaven and so do the Quakers that they have and both much about the same time but of the two I think Muggleton's pretence was the first and ancienter 2. Muggleton saith he had it by Divine Revelation and so do the Quakers that they had it 3. Muggleton saith He hath or is inspired by the Spirit of God and so do the Quakers that they are 4. Muggleton pretends to Infallibility and so do the Quakers 5. Muggleton says He is one of the two Witnesses spoken of in the 11 th Chapter of the Revelations that God hath given Power to Prophesie and the Quaker they say They are the true Witnesses to the Light and have received Power to Preach the Everlasting Gâ—spel to Prophesie c. or to the same effect 6. Muggleton denies that the Father and Son are two distinct Persons and so do the Quakers 7. Muggleton pretends to and produces Scripture and yet doth not really own it for the Rule of Faith and Practice and so do the Quakers 8. And all this Muggleton assertâ— with the highest Confidence imaginable as great as it is possible for the Quakers to assert theirs 9. Muggleton hath several Disciples and Followers that Believe him and are Convinced of the Truth of whaâ— he asserts as a Seal of his Ministry and so have the Quakers several Followers that are Convinced and believe them which they say are a Seal oâ— their Ministry 10. And yet for all this Muggleton Curses and Damns the Quakers and that by the Heavenly Power and Commision he pretends to have received And the Quakers Judg and Damn Muggleton and that by the Light thâ— Heavenly Power and Commission they preâ—end is Revealed to them See the Book Intituled the Quakerâ— Neck broken writ by Muggleton and answered by G.F. Now then Consider Is it not highly necessary one should know which of these two be the Impostors or whether since they both pretend with such Confidence and yet both Damn one another and all others that Contradict them both of them may not be Impostors for it is possible What canst or dost thou produce or pretend to more than Muggleton
there such an expression in the Scripture as Proper least Proper c. are not these Philosophical Terms SECT III. In Reply to his third Section shewing G. W's and the Quakers Ignorance of the true Spirits Evidence who deny the Gift of Tongues Prophecy Signs c. to be such 1. IN my Epistle to W.P. p. 8. I minded him of the Apostle Paul's words 2 Cor. 12.12 13. Truly the SIGNS of an Apostle were wrought AMONG YOU in all Patience in SIGNS and WONDERS and MIGHTY DEEDS For what is it wherein ye were INFERIOR to other Churches Here was a Church indeed that had the Spirits evidenee and here was an Apostle indeed that had Divine Revelation the Gift of Prophecying Tongues and Interpretation of Scripture such an Apostle was one who indeed was not of Men neither by Man but sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1.1 But no such Apostles nor Friends of the Ministry can I find amongst the Quakers who yet pretend to be Apostles not of Men nor by Man but immediately sent by God and pretend to have the same Spirit Calling and Power that the Apostle Paul had And yet alas do not EVIDENCE it any MORE than OTHERS do who pretend to it with as much Confidence as themselves Nay and so far are they from that that I do not see they are able to produce any MORE or give any better Demonstration of it than those who do not pretend at all immediately to it and therefore I told W.P. if he had had the GIFT OF TONGUES given him by the SPIRIT IMMEDIATELY upon his turning QUAKER Or if he could shew but ONE in all his Church that had such a spiritual Gift or Gifts upon his Conversion to their way it would put a clear difference betwixt them and the Baptists Churches and herein would the Quakers plainly then exceed and excel them and that one such Testimony if true in the Quakers Church would more confute the Anabaptists and Convince their Auditors than a hundred such days brawling disputes where the Quakers shew'd no more POWER OF THE SPIRIT than their Adversaries only fenced with words as well as they could as their wits would serve them best to Distinguish Evade or Answer And therefore I told W.P. I found his Church as Poor and Low as the Baptists whom yet they condemned I finding he had the words of Man's Wisdom in making plausible Orations but askt him Where was the Demonstration of the Spirit in Power and Sign 1 Cor. 2.4 5. 2. Now at this I find George is put to a great loss saying p. 14. What if God will not bestow such Gifts and Signs now Being afraid to say God will and yet not daring to say God will not what George art thou in a Maze Is not this Scripture-Phrase Is not this according to Scripture-Language 1 Cor. 4.19 20. I will know not the Speech of them that are puffed up but the Power For the Kingdom of God is not in Word but in Power see also Revel 2.2 And is not this according to your own Language G. Foxes Epistle before thy Book Divin of Christ have you the same Power and Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures And such miraculous Gifts are no more than what we find testifyed to have been and remained in the Christian-Church about two hundred or three hundred years after Christ Irenaeus who lived one hundred and eighty years after Christ affirmeth that in his time the working of Miracles the Raising of the Dead the casting out of Devils healing of the sick by laying on of hands and Prophesying were in being and that some that were so raised from the dead remained among them alive long after Niceph. Eccles. Hist Tom. 1. lib. 4. cap. 13. Tertullian and Cyprian which last lived till above 250 years after Christ do both make mention of the ordinary casting out of Devils and challenged the Heathen to come and see it 3. But says he p. 31. this is very strange But what then George It is not more strange than true And I say Is it not very strange that you will pretend to the Power and the Spirit and talk of being sent immediately by God as Paul was and have a Dâ—vine Commission to Prophesie and yet cannot bring any Evidence to prove it more than Others And instead of Producing one such Apostle Prophet or Minister in thy Church the best thing which yet alas is bad enough thou canst say for thy self Oh! our opposers do argue as just like the Papists and Jesuites as if they had served seven years at Rome Reply Ah Quibbler this will not serve thy turn above all Persons for who Argues more like a Papist or Jesuite than your selves about proving the Scriptures not to be the Rule of your Faith Who uses the Jesuites Arguments to prove good works the meritorious cause of our Justification more than you Was it not one of the most eminent and learnedst Men that ever you had amongst you that positively asserts THE SCRIPTURE TO BE A NOSE OF WAX yea and says it is CAPABLE of being NO OTHER Sam. Fisher Additional Appendix p. 21. And is not this the Jesuites Phrase in terminis And none but Papists except your selves use it Andrad Orth. Explic. lib. 2. p. 104. What had S. Fisher served seven years at Rome Nay I can shew you and others may see if they mind it that almost all the Arguments that Mr. Fisher uses to prove the Scripture is not the Rule of Faith are the very same that the Papists and Jesuites have used these hundred years and so G.F. in the Epistle before thy said Book says where doth the Scripture say that it self is the Word of God Just so do the Papists Argue What now George Is the Argument the better or the worse because the Jesuites have used it Dost thou think in thy Conscience this is a good Answer You can sometimes tell us that the Papists may use good Arguments and so the Jesuites make use of the Scriptures yet never the worse for that nay do but see how thou hast Answered this matter thy self in thy own Book Divin of Christ p. 38. It is but a mean way of Arguing to accuse or miscal any for owning any Truth that any sort if they do err in some things do hold for by that way I may as well be reckoned a Papist a Jew or a Turk c. How now George and yet dost thou use this mean way of Arguing against me For shame do not forget thy self and shuffle backwards and forwards thus but use some Consciencâ— in thy Scribling if thou hast any tenderness and plainness in thee lay thy hand upon thy Mouth 4. But further I 'le tell thee that I have oft used this Argument against the Papists and to chuse would use it before any other and the first and best thing as I verily think that I could use if I was to Dispute with a Iesuite
ridiculous words as these I could tell the Quakers that some of them have a Record somewhere else be-besides the Court of Heaven viz. in the Court of Chancery for Swearing or Oaths I told W.P. That if his Church be the True and the Baptists Church false rightly to convince others thereof upon good and infallible grounds he must pretend to and produce some such discriminating Evidence or Sign for Proof thereof which the Baptists nor no false Church could in like manner produce as he doth I pray'd W.P. to shew wherein the POWER of GOD or the SPIRIT DEMONSTRATED it self MORE in the Quakers than the Baptists or a false Church And that he must do say something for his Church if he would say any thing to purpose which they could not do and say for theirs as an Evidence or Demonstration thereof and that this was NO MORE than what the true Primitive Church had and could and did on all necessary occasions visibly produce and Demonstrate Now what does the Quibbler Answer to all this he says nothing but what the Baptists can or do say that they have a Record in Heaven and in many Consciences also and that they doubt not but where the Spirit of God Lives and Rules it will manifest it self for it is self-Evidencing Then by that Rule the Quakers should not have the Spirit of God at best no more than others have because it does not manifest it self in them more than in others 11. P. 33. says G.W. This seems to be a hard task and I believe so indeed and too hard for all the Quakers though I was so reasonable as to demand but one such Testimony or Gift in all their Churches and they never read of any Christian-Church in Holy Scripture that had not some and many such Gifts Yet G. undertakes to say that it is no difficult matter for W.P. and many more to produce or demonstrate some such effects of that living Testimony presence and power of God among us as no false Church CAN PRODUCE although herein neither W.P. nor any of us will ADMIT OF PREJUDICED and ENVIOUS SPIRITS to be our JUDGES or WITNESSES in thâ—se matters Reply Bravely said George if it were as well done but for all thy boasting that not only W.P. but many more among you could yet the poor Man does not dare produce or so much as name one of them is not this excellent What must all Men believe it because thou saiest it Is IPSE DIXIT come to Town and the Quakers bare word all the Evidence they have or can produce Now it would have been a great piece of this Quakers-plainness if he had produced one or two of those effects only which he boasts he 〈◊〉 and no Church which he Condemns for false can produce I charge him to do it if he will not prove himself a MEER PRETENDER and VAIN-BOASTER speaking high swelling words like them in Jude But this Man is very timerous I I perceive he would do it with Caution enough though so silly that he makes himself Ridiculous by it 1. Where did the Apostles or the Churches ever make such a Proviso in their producing the Testimony and Power of God Did they not do it before all and in the presence of Envious and malicious Spirits as well as others and left them to judg as it had operation upon them And 2. May not the Baptists say so and make this Proviso as well as you that they will not admit of prejudiced and envious Spirits to be their Judges or Witnesses in these matters and then no doubt they will be able to produce as many such effects as the Quakers Oh silly and absurd But 3. well G. produce those effects and that Power thou talkest of in W.P. however and I am contented with thee for this time that you shall not admit of Envious or Prejudiced Spirits to Judg of it but produce it that others may behold it though not Judg of it or wilt thou say that there 's not one person in all England except Quakers but what are Envious and Prejudiced Spirits Poor Evasion 12. As for them which thou sayst in whose Consciences there is a Record many of which were gathered out from Baptists and other Churches They say such are but Apostates from their Church and some such you have had in your Church which you call Apostates when they leave you and go to other Churches so that all this is nothing for proof of the thing nay several of your grand Prophets so once esteemed among some of you for true Prophets of the Lord did and have left you Witness CHARLES BAYLY JOHN PARROT c. and the Baptists have gathered amongst them several out of other Churches as well as you and what then The Baptists may tell you that if the Quakers see no such thing amongst them as the Blessed Operation and effect of the Power and Ministry of Christ Jesus That is because the Quakers have not honestly made Tryal bâ—t stood in Prejudice and gainsaying as many did against Christ the Apostles and Primitive Church of old and what can the Quakers say to it ONLY DENY IT and so may the Baptists Besides the Baptist Churches have this to say for themselves which you have not being you have denied and disowned it viz. They own the Holy Scriptures for the Rule of their Faith and Practice and pretend to no such extraordinary immediate Inspirations and Revelations as you do 13. But above all you ought not you cannot in good Conscience complain against others for Questioning whether you are Christians you having first not only Questioned others but pronounced them all both Ministers and People and Professors also unchristian See G.F. Professors Catechism his very first words are come you UNCHRISTIANS let us talk with you c. Therefore look at home and rebuke your selves first for this 14. And whereas G.W. p. 34. says That a foolish and Adulterous Generation seek a Sign 'T is true our Saviour did so upbraid the Jews and might very well they having had Sign upon Sign Miracle upon Miracle wrought by our SAVIOUR amongst them and such mighty Deeds almost innumerable wrought before them and yet to cry out for more when they saw so many from him was foolish but what is this to the Quakers who have not wrought one true Miracle nor produced so much as ONE such Sign notwithstanding all their Pretences among us that ever I heard of must we therefore be a foolish Generation that ask a Sign of them to prove such their pretences No surely it follows not I am certain from that Text and yet notwithstanding that the Jews were such an Adulterous Generation and had had so many Miracles wrought among them yet Jesus Christ said they should have one Sign more and that was doubtless the greatest Miracle and Sign of all By this Text then if the Quakers will stick close to it they may lawfully give this Adulterous Generation one Sign
pa. 27 and 28. He is up with it again as if the man was so taken with talking about Lying Forgery c. as that then only he was in his natural Element and rather than he would not make me to contradict my self because in the Margent I quoted the Apostles words Titus 3.2 3. Speak evil of no Man be no Brawlers he will adventure to make the Apostle contradict or be inconsistext with himself on that ground for in the very same Epistle Cap. 1.12 the Apostle says of the Cretians That a Prophet of their own said the Cretians are always Lyars Evil Beasts Slow Bellies This wâ—tness is true And yet to go round again p. 29. in vindication of W.P. he can tell you the Scripture proves such Language and cites Psal 52.3 c. Reply what does the Scripture prove such Language for W.P. and not for others Or wilt thou blame others for what thou sayest the Scripture proves But where does the Scripture commend the so frequent use of it as you make of it And where does the Scripture prove the use of it at all on such Occasions as many times you use it on The Scripture commends Wine and Timothy is commanded to use a little with his Water but yet using too much of it may be vitious and that was it I condemned in W.P. viz. using such language so frequently and instead of Arguments or a better Answer to his Adversaries But that G.W. may take a liberty to say any thing though never so palpably false appears in p. 29. where he says That it seems it is the Language Lyer and Forger c. that I find faults with and not the Application thereof Reply That 's a mistake also for that was the very thing I found fault with viz. the so very frequent using or applying it to your Adversaries for thus are my words p. 25. I will crave leave to mention one thing more of my observing and that is thy so oft using the gross word of Lying and Forgery and Lyar and Forger especially in thy Books against T.H. that it will hardly stand with good manners such Language to be SO COMMON and FREQUENT methinks sutes not well c. Which words I should think still were civil and moderate enough if they were not prejudiced against all that is against them Wherefore this I note for G. W's third Quibble besides a double falshood first in leaving out part of my words and secondly saying I did not find fault with the Application of it which I did 4. In the last place he would make this a self-contradiction viz. my saying PERHAPS W.P. iâ— of a different mind from some of his friends as it iâ— reported c. And my speaking of W. P's being engaged with such a People and having received their Principles Reply Is it possible that ever any man that 's sober and in his Wits could have the Confidence to publish his own ignorance so as to call that a self-Contradiction when he himself acknowledges I say but PERHAPS and neither affirm nor deny any thing positively and how then can this be a contradiction and yet my words run more full if it can be p. 20. Or IF PERHAPS thou art of a different mind from some of thy friends in THIS PARTICULAR why would'st thou not honestly tell us so And besides if I had laid it down positively whereas you see I did it otherwise yet would it not have proved a Contradiction For W.P. might have received the Quakers Principles at one time and yet afterwards come to vary in some one particular though not in all and I believe I can prove if there be occasion that most of the Quakers themselves have changed or varyed in some of their Principles or Practices from what they at first Practised and gave forth Now I do admire with what face G.W. can Print such stuff as this and I do speak seriously I cannot imagine how he can satisfy his Conscience in dealing so deceitfully as he must needs know he does here with me if he knows any thing Is it possible that these words IF PERHAPS should be one Member of a Contradiction as I writ it How can I possibly think he can be a Man truly fearing God that makes no Conscience of dealing thus unfairly and representing things so falsly to his Reader by perverting the sence of my words which I leave every Reader to Judg of whether this be the Quakers-plainness detecting Fallacy and not rather The Quakers Fallacy perverting plainness and this therefore I note as his fourth Quibble And now I hope G.W. will not say it is Forgery or Slander if they are charged as he relates p. 77. That the Quakers endeavour to Render their Adversaries as Ridiculous as they can and to make their Friends believe they do nothing but contradict themselves But I have this further to say for my self That if I had indeed committed a mistake or contradicted my self I had that to plead for my excuse which G.W. commends me for p. 44. that my opinion is Hâ—manum est errare and that would have born me out I honestly and ingeniously telling him and the World That I pretended to no such infallibillity as the Quakers do And now having thus fully cleared my self I shall try G.W. if he be not more guilty of what he accuses me viz. self-contradictions or at least Inconsistences with himself and whether this man that pretends to Infallibility be any more infallible than others viz. 1. What G.W. says p. 19. That they cannot deviate from Scripture-Language in their Creed and they must tell us that until we bring them plain Scripture that saith the Human Nature is the Christ they must rather patiently bear our censure c. Now this I humbly conceive to be inconsistent with what G.W. says but one page before viz. p. 18. Have we not plainly and often confest also That the Divine Nature or Word cloathed with the most Holy manhood was and is the Christ For I do not find these words cloathed with the most Holy Manhood to be Scripture-Language and yet G.W. p. 18. admits them in his Creed neither do they bring any plain Scripture that saith so and yet they believe it or confess it if G.W. says true 2. Where G.W. says p. 20. Whether Christs Humane Nature be a part of Christ as it was not a Question in Scripture-Phrase or Language so it was as abruptly and sillily obtruded And yet p. 22 23 and 25. he proposes several Questions which are not in Scripture-Phrase or Language viz. I ask you if ANY MORE of Christ PROPERLY dyed than the Body Do you hold that his Soul Spirit or Divinity dyed and p. 44. And if he was the Son of God and so Christ before his Incarnation or assuming Flesh And many more too long to transcribe 3. His blaming me p. 10. for comparing W.P. to a Jesuite and yet p. 31. He does the same by me in these words Our present
yet will not own that Body either to be a part of Jesus or do believe it to be that Jesus which the Scripture calls it And here I appeal to all sober and understanding People in England to Judg if ever they heard such Quibbling before as the Quakers here use about CHRIST JESUS and this they are constrained â—o do To maintain that first Principle they have took up The Light within for if they should own that living Body of Flesh and Blood that was born of the Virgin Mary and that was Crucified and dyed to be JESUS and the CHRIST then they foresee they should confound that their Beloved Principle The Light within every Man For how can that Man or Body of Flesh Bone and Blood that was born of the Virgin Mary be in every Man and also upon this Ground They deny that Person that Man that was born of the Virgin Mary to be the Christ Because they cannot tell how to make thaâ— very Person and Man to be in every Man and in all Persons and so rather than forego their Principle of the Light within They will adventure to fashion and form to themselves a new Jesus and a New Christ and have hid it and kept it as much as they could in a Mystery and in Dark sayings as long as they might till at last being pressed by many Contests and Disputes they have been forced to discover it And now Dear Friends and Country-Men give me leave to tell you that though I do not remember that I ever positively said That the Quakers were no Christians yet I have much and often doubted in my self and do still whether they can according to their Principles be true Christians since they do not own nor believe that Man nor that living Body that was born of the Virgin Mary to be the Jesus and the Christ and so do not believe that the Christ indeâ—d dyed and if Christ did not indeed Dy he did nâ—t indeed rise again Nay though they own that the Scriptures call that living Body Christ and Jesus yet they give us at the same time to understand They do not Believe nor own it to be what they themselves say the Scripture calls it and so set up another Christ than what the Scripture call's Christ and declares to us to be the true Christ and Messiah of the World And for this Reason and out of this Godly-Jealousy and Fear and not out of Envy and wicked malicâ— as they pretend it is that I cannot own them but have thus opposed them And let all People consider it weigh it well and take heed It is not for nothing or yet a slâ—ght matter only that I set forth their Quibbles But for their setting up another Christ or another kind of Christ than the Scripture holds forth and calls the Christ to wit that Person Man or living Body that was born of the Virgin MARY and what can be of a higher Nature or more dangerous in the Christian Religion than for any to set up any other Christ or any other Person or thing for Christ 9. What plaâ—ner words is it possible to invent that are intelligible to Mankind than are used about this matter in Scripture if Men would not be wilfully Blind as to give you an Instance or two Acts 2.22 23. Ye Men of Israel ' hear these words Jesus of Nazareth A Man approved of God among you by Miracles and Wonders and Signs which God did by him in the midst of you as ye your selves also know HIM being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledg of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have Crucified and Slain v. 36. Let all the House of Israel know assuredly That God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have Crucifyed both LORD and Christ observe the Apostle says that same Jesus viz. Jesus of Nazareth A Man God hath made both Lord and Christ and if that same then no other and again that same Jesus whom the Men of Israel had taken and by wicked hands did Crucify and Slay That same Jesus and not any thing else hath God made both Lord and Christ Now it was not the Light within that the Men of Israel took and by wicked hands Crucified Hang'd on a Tree and Slew But it was that Man that Person that Body that was born of the Virgin Mary Jesus of Nazareth that the Jews took and by wicked hands Crucified and Hang'd on a Tree So it appears as plain as any thing in the World can be by words made Plain that that same Man that Body or that Person which was born of the Virgin Mary Jesus of Nazareth is he which God hath made both LORD and CHRIST and not the Light within every Man nor any other thing Luke 24.39 Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self handle me and see For a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have and when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet John 20.24 25. But Thomas one of the twelve called Dydimus was not with them when Jesus came The other Disciples therefore said unto him we have seen the Lord but he said unto them Except I shall see in his hands the Print of the Nails and put my finger into the Print of the Nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe v. 26 27 28. And after eight days again his Disciples were within and Thomas with them Then came Jesus the door being shut and stood in the midst and said Peace be unto you Then saith he to Thomas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing And Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my God v. 31. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have Life through his Name What Jesus even That Jesus that same Person that was not within but without Thomas who had the Print of material nails in his hands that Thomas put his finger in is the Christ the Son of God Now G.W. Answer me in plainness once if thou wilt be so honest Was this Jesus that the Apostle says here we are to believe is the Christ the Son of God without Thomas then when he put his finger into the Print of the Nails Or was it only Acted within Thomas his Body And hath the Light within which thou ownest for thy Jesus any Print of Material Nails or hands properly so called of flesh and bone as this Jesus had which is the true CHRIST see also Math 1.1 with verse 16 and Heb. 2.14 10. G.W. p. 20. takes notice of Jer. Ives great Question as he calls it Whether Christ's Humane Nature was a part of Christ But he gives no Answer to it but gives it the go-by by saying it was not a Question in Scripture Phrase But that could be
G. the Charge is not foolish nor silly for as I understand the Baptists hold that the living Body that was born of the Virgin Mary is Christ and that that dyed and so believe that Christ indeed dyed But you Quakers not Believing so if you Believe that indeed the Christ dyed you must Believe his Spirit or his Divinity Dyed for that only you hold is THE CHRIST and then are you like Reeve and Muggleton who have Blasphemously said that the Godhead dâ—â—d and thus is thy Charge turn'd upon thy own head and thy Quest proves foolish and silly For how canst thou ask if any more of Christ than the Body dyed when thou dost not Believe the Body to be Christ or any real or essential PART OF CHRIST Thus whilst you own the Body not to be the Christ nor a real part of the Christ you must own that not the Christ nor any real part of Christ dyed since you agree only the Body dyed and the Body of Jesus was not the Christ say you nor any essential real part of Christ that you will own 18. As to Jer. Ives Answer to their Distinction it seemed to me pertinent enough to manifest their fallacy and folly and so it doth still for ought G.W. hath told me as yet to the contrary and I cannot without offering violence to my understanding be so much taken with G's Reply which is on this wise p. 26. It 's not improbable that if we had made such a comparison you Baptists would have cryed out oh Blasphemy This is an improbable or an improper Reply indeed It 's more probable W.P. could have told G.W. if he did not know it that he had learnt in the Schools that may-bee's can be answered with may not bee's and so this might be sufficient for that But 1. What if the Baptists would not in such a case have Cryed out Oh Blasphemy where 's thy Answer then George 2. Or what if the Baptists should and the Quakers should not in such a Case Cry out oh Blasphemy as thou dost not affirm it is Blasphemy where 's thy Answer then George 3. Or what if there be no such comparison made as thou pretendest is implyed as sure I am there is not viz the name of Christ to be no more excellent than the name of George or William Where 's then thy Answer George And where 's now thy oh Ignorance in the Abstract one may well enough see it in the Concrete viz. in G.W. when thou settest down thy Reply thou immediately says oh Ignorance in the Abstract now if thou meanest as it may be so taken that the words of thy Reply is such I shall not trouble my self to say much against it But if thou speakest it of me or the Baptists by thy using that word Abstract thou shewest thy own Ignorance and want of Learning not well understanding the word Abstract which against the next time thou writest for W. P he may inform thee and teach thee so much Logick Ignorance in the Abstract Qualitatem notat nulli subjecto inhaerentem and so not in me Ask thy Brother P. else Besides how thou wilt Answer for this word Abstract before your Prophet G.F. I know not for in the Epistle before one of thy own Books Divin of Christ he condemns that word as well as others as coming from our old Logical and Philosophical Books and yet behold here a Quaker uses it oh what self-contradicting and dissembling Men are they And as for the excellency thou now pretendest to own in the name of Christ one may see it to be but Hypocrisy used for evasion-sake only by what your friend John Crook says of the name Christ and Jesus Principles of Truth p. 12. Without this Vertue viz. The Arm of God CHRIST and JESUS are but empty names We believe and know by his Grace in our hearts that as his name JESUS without Vertue and Power is but an empty word c p. 11. But the name which saves is the power and arm of God that brings Salvation from Sin c. Pray how much more excellent does the Quaker here make the name JESVS than the name GEORGE or WILLIAM Are they Can they be less excellent than empty words Oh the Hypocrisy of these Men to say no worse 19. I said the Quakers Quibbled as much about the word Body as the word Christ and G.W. instead of denying it hath confirmed it p. 29. For though it be Scripture Language That the Body is one and hath many Members and in another place That the Church of Christ is his Body yet it will not therefore follow nor is it according to Scripture Language That Christ had NO OTHER Body than his Church for had he not a Body that was born of the Virgin MARY or was the Church viz. all the Saints in the World born of the Virgin Mâ—ry Or had the Body of Christ that was born of the Virgin Mary the espoused Wife of Joseph no other members as Arms Hands Legs c. but only the Saints would not this be rare Divinity When Thomas put his finger into the Print of the nails in the hands of Jesus and put his hand into his side was that then the Church that Thomas put his hand and finger into Oh excellent Quakerism Pag. 30. G.W. would slily give the go-by to my discourse about Mr. Keith's distinction of making three Christs by taking no notice upon what I grounded the Objection viz. Now after this rate or by the same manner of Reasoning and Quibbling may not one say that G.K. makes three Christs in Scripture and that with as much Truth as for any of them to affirm Christ would be a Monster by saying he hath two Bodies But this he slides by not Answering a word to it Is this the Quâ—kers plainness Is it not indeed a Plain shuffle But come George come back again take notice what it is thou hast to Answer and then Answer it Shufflle me no Shufflles nor Quibble me no more such Quibbles neither doth G. tell me which I also prayed W.P. honestly and plainly to do whether G.K. meant That these three were three Christs in three distinct Persons Or that these three and not any thing less than these three were one Christ in one distinct Person Or whether these three are no Christ at all in no distinct Person Let G.W. Remember his own words in his Introduction to his Divinity of Christ We judg that such expressions and words as the Holy Ghost taught the true Apostles and holy men mentioned in Scripture are most meet to speak of God and Christ and not the words of man's wisdom or humane Inventions and devised Distinctions since the Apostles days nor in Philosophical terms and nice School Distinctions derived from heathenish Metaphisicks and now tell me G. whether this of thy Brother Keiths is not a devised Distinction since the Apostles And whether G. thou hast not condemned thy Brother K's Distinction Where is
which neither they nor others can give before you can be tryed by that because that is the question whether you have the SPIRIT and the POWER OF GOD or no MORE than others 7. And then let me tell George That if he could Demonstrate it this way it would not be nay it could not be any Imposing upon me if G.W. did visibly Evidence and demonstrate to me by Power and mighty Deeds that he had indeed that Power and Spirit that he says he hath Therefore thou talkest deceitfully as if that would be an Imposing But now yours is imposing when you condemn Men for not-believing that you have immediate Revelations or in that you assert and would have us believe you are MORE inspired than other Men or other Societies and Bodies of Christians And you tell us you have the Spirit and are in the Truth MORE than others whom you Condemn as false and yet you produce NOTHING except YOUR BARE SAY-SO MORE than others who SAY SO of themselves as you do of your selves Now here 's the IMPOSING you pretend you are Infallible and yet produce no more or other effects of your Infallibility than other Men can or do Nay on the contrary the same effects of Fallibility are evident among you as among others and yet if any deny it in you you Censure and Curse them for not believing you and this is your way of Imposing And you Quakers say you are immediately sent of God and commissioned from God to deliver such or such a Message or Curse and that this and that is given forth by the Holy Ghost in you or from the Spirit and yet you shew no more certainty to prove to us and for us infallibly to build our Faith on that you are so sent and SO Commissioned from God than Muggleton does or other Churches which yet your selves say ARE NOT SENT OF GOD nor Commissioned by him Now here 's imposing upon Mens beliefs and this I say you are guilty of yea and most eminently guilty of next to Muggleton or the Pope of any Person or People I know and this is the thing George thou shouldst have Answered if thou hadst Answered me to the purpose and main bent of my Epistle to W.P. But this thou pittifully evadest and slâ—ly wouldst slide from But now since you pretend to such high things if you had the visible Spiritual Gifts that were amongst the true Primitive Churches and Apostles to evidence and demonstrate the Truth of what now you ONLY SAY and pretend I should never nor I suppose any Man in his wits call or esteem it any imposing on my Faith But the other is so indeed as I have shew'd you and therefore G. I would take thee by the hand and lead thee back again praying thee not to shuffâ—e and Cut also but Answer this and not that which I never desired of thee nor W.P. That 's the very thing I found fault with you before viz. That you would Answer to that which was not askt you instead of returning Answer to that which was and yet still thus thou servest me but it will not do For my design is that I may know you better what Real Power Evidence and Authority you have BEYOND others that so I may have a good Foundation for my Faith and give Credit to it and you Or that for want of it you may be brought to a better fight of your selves and see your nakedness and Poverty though you say as the Church of Laodicâ—a that you are rich and so may learn to be humble and not Censure others except you can better evidence your own 9. And yet why wilt thou say you have not imposed thus your Faith on others Was not and hath not your Language been such as this viz. It 's true that Timothy Titus and others WHO HAD GIFTS IN THEM for the Ministry were approved by Paul and others of the Primitive Elders for the work but this is no Proof that these opposers Ministers are either so gifted or approved G.W. Enthusiasm above Atheism p. 5. And so say I neither is it any Proof that the QUAKERS MINISTERS are SO GIFTED or APPROVED and the Words before-cited of G.F. before thy own Book Have you the SAME POWER and SPIRIT that gavâ— forth the Scriptures G.W. Wilt thou believe thy own words Then see thy Answer to Mr. Richard Baxters two sheets for the Ministry p. 16. We never understood that they that set up these Priestâ— were called as Peter or Paul or the Elders who had Power to lay on the hands that the HOLY GHOST FELL ON THE PARTY ON WHOM THEY LAID ON THEâ—R HANDS and shew me any ONE of thy MINISTERS CALLED SO George G. F. To all People in all Câ—ristendom says thus p. 2. All Sects have the words of the Apostles but out of the Power and Life A Paper sent forth into the World from the Quakers p. 5. We are against the Pastors that NOW STEAL the words of the Prophets of Christ and his Apostles W.P. Reason against Railing p. 115. Many may run into the Practice of several outward things mentioned in the Scriptures to have been the practice of Saints in former Ages and yet not be led into the Truth for all that is but will-worship Imitation and unwarrantable And all this I may say against you which you have said against others and if they were good then why not still For you have but the Names and Images of things you have got the words used in Scripture the Power and the Spirit the Gifts of the Spirit the Demonstration of the Spirit and Power But alas where is the thing it self viz. the visible Power and Gifts of the Spirit the Demonstration of the Spirit that the true Apostles had and the Scripture speaks of To this George can poorly say what if God will not bestow such Gifts now why then George I say thou hast them not only hast stolen the words out of the Scriptures thou hast got the Name the Image and words as thou sayest the Baptists and others have done but alas art as barren of the Gifts themselves as they are only art got into a Form but denyest the True power of God and Demonstration of the Spirit in Signs and mighty Deeds 10. Pa. 33. G.W. hath this further to say That he doubts not but where the Spirit of God lives and Rules it will manifest it self by its Fruits for it is self-evidencing and that they have a record in Heaven and also in many Consciences of the blessed Power of God with them and in them Reply And cannot the Baptists say all this nay and do not they many times They can say thâ—y have a Record in Heaven and in many Consciences also who believe them and pray tell me G. how thou wilt get up to Heaven to search the Record there and disprove them Did one ever hear such silly stuff as this man writes did he indeed think to shufflle it off with such
obscure something without them is A RVLE of the Quakers Faith and that 's not all neither But if what Sam. Fisher said be true then VV.P. hath a NOSE OF VVAX for a Rule of his Faith and Practice or one of the Quakers Rules for their Faith and Practice is no better than a Nose of VVax Nay if you will believe Sam. Fisher himself is not CAPABLE of being ANY OTHER to them that have the Scriptures which the Quakers have and as to them that have them not they can be surely nothing at all not so much as a Nose of VVax And is not this an Excellent Rule according to the Quakers own Confession that they now say they have for a Rule of their Faith and Practice Sect. 7. I am sorry that before I conclude I should have Occasion given me to Tax Mr. Pen of INSINCERITY and deceitful dealing about this matter of the Quakers Doctrine touching the Holy Scriptures by Reading the late little Book he set out Entituled A just Rebuke but more properly a huffing Rebuke p. 10. Those very words he tells his Opponents reflect most justly as a just Rebuke on himself I must tell him he hath Acted with them herein far from a Man of Common Ingenuity For whereas W.P. asserts The Quakers deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God in that sence wherein they deny them viz. The Word that was God the Essential Word Does not W.P. in his Conscience know that none of these Presbyterians Independents nor any others ever asserted against the Quakers that the Scriptures were in that sence the Word of God and consequently is no part of the matter in Dispute And not onely so but doth not W. P's Conscience witness that the Quakers have and do deny the Scriptures to be the written Word of God In which sence those men do not deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God and the Quakers do and therefore W.P. must Act against his Conscience in taxing them of being herein far from Men of Common Ingenuity when it is onely his own dis-ingenuity thus to Quibble and deceive People And Secondly The like Fallacy double dealing and Insincerity W.P. manifests in his words about the Scripture being a Rule as if the Quakers owned the Scripture to be a Rule in some things or some parts of the Scripture to be a Rule to them whereas it is manifest that the Quakers have over and over again denyed the Scriptures in general and not some part of it onely to be their Rule yea in these express words The Books of the Old and New Testament called the BIBLE See the beginning of this Section Oh Quakers REPENT REPENT of such wickedness and for shame leave off such double hearted dealing and most unparallel'd Confidence Do not think all your Countrey-men Fools besides your selves as if they could not discern such petty slights and Quibbles and take Notice of them and you also as not single-hearted in them Sect. 8. For my Part I never thought any man blame-worthy nor would be he that should blame any man for changing his Opinion or Judgment if so be he did it upon better ground and did not pretend to INFALLIBILITY nor scorn nor blame others for Confessing their Fallibility but did Honestly and Ingenuously acknowledge that he was before mistaken and in an Error But for Men to change their Opinions either really and yet endeavour confidently to vindicate and justifie their former Absurdities and Errors or pretendedly onely to fawn and flatter or curry favour with their Adversaries or any others of the World and yet still to pretend to Infallibility is so low abominably base and Hypocritical or so Impudent that it is not to be admitted by or among any Sober and Honest Men. Now whether this change alteration and difference in the Quakers words and Writings Epithets and Phrases about the Holy Scriptures be real or onely Hypocritical and Temporizing out of design to blind others and to ingratiate themselves a little more into Peoples Affections and good-will of the World God and their own Consciences best know yet the last is much to be feared for this Reason because they are so far from dis-owning their former mistakes and mis-expressing themselves that they stand to vindicate and justifie it But be it either way they thereby shew their uncertainty inconstancy and self-contradictions Confusions and the effects of their Fallibility Sect. 9. And therefore I would onely desire G.W. to tell me honestly if there be any such thing left in him or that he may return to without Quibbling or Equivocation or if not me that he would acquaint his Countrey-men 1. Whether he doth NOW Believe That the Holy Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament commonly called the Bible be the Letter which is Death and Killeth or whether they be the Letter mentioned or meant by the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 3.6 And 2. If he doâ—h NOW believe That were the Scriptures never so certain and entire yet that they are not capable to be to all men any other than a Nose of Wax 3. And whether he or W. Pen and the Quakers do NOW Witness and Believe that the Letter of the Scripture is CARNAL A proper direct Answer is desired and required to this without any Quibbling or mental Reservations if the Quakers are indeed what they now would pretend to the World they are and will manifest themselves to be no Dissemblers The Conclusion To Sum up all in short and to Conclude this Mess and Medly of their most irreconcileable Contradictions and irrecoverable Gulph of Confusions in which they have plunged themselves o're Head and Ears take it thus Sometimes they can call yea and positively assert the Letter of the Scripture is CARNAL and the Letter is DEATH and KILLETH But their own pityful Scriblings or Books they can call The LIGHT and LIFE of Christ within and yet to go round again at other times they tell us that they prefer the Bible BEFORE all other Books extant in the World but then to go round again they tell us without excepting one that THEIR WRITINGS and BOOKS are given forth from the immediate ETERNAL SPIRIT of God Yet to face about again That their Intention and Principle NEVER WAS to bring their Books in COMPARISON with the Scriptures but yet to go round again though to their own Confusion the same man hath given us to understand that what the Quakers speak from the Spirit of Truth is not onely of AS GREAT Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are but GREATER And the Quakers can sometimes tell us that one might AS WELL condemn the SCRIPTURES to be BURNED as Their WRITINGS But come once more to turn about Robin Hood W. Pen now hath the Scripture positively says Mr. Keith as a Secondary Rule of Faith and Practice and yet to step half-way back again and Janus-like look two ways at once it is but much like the SHADOW of the true Rule and in that Respect