that they were of at Munster who followed John of Leydon and thought to build up Sion with blood and beat down its enemies with carnal weapons for though they might pretend to be led by the Spirit within them we know that that which led them into uproars war and bloodshed was not the Spirit of Christ which leads us for it teaches us to love our enemies and to save mens lives and not to destroy And for the corrupt principles and practises of those called Ranters we have given testimony against them which all that have heard and duly weighed in that Spirit that tries all things can witness that we are as far from them as light from darkness but whereunto shall I liken the men of this generation for when the Spirit of Christ doth so work in the hearts of any that they cannot run with the world into rioting and excess then presently they will call it Belzebub Mat. 10.25 or the Devil transformed into an Angel of Light as the Pharisees did unto Christ in the dayes of his flesh and if they called the Master of the house Belzebub no wonder if it be more done to them of his houshold But as for self-mortification voluntary humility and will worship whereof we are accused we know it avails not but those which do by the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the flesh shall finde comfort in so doing and an humble heart Isa 57.15 with a broken and contrite Spirit which doth fear God and tremble at his Word however that be reproached as one of the Devils tricks yet such a one God delights to teach and dwell in Ch. 66.2 and we with whom his Tabernacle is do not worship in our wills but in Spirit and Truth neither do we say that it is a perfect demonstration of humility to cast away band-strings lace and ribbonds though we believe it a duty incumbent upon us to abstain from wearing things superfluous and unserviceable and also from all excess in meats and drinks though we know the Kingdom of God stands not therein yet we desire to be found temperate and in modest apparel 1 Tim. 2.9 according to the good example of the ancient Christians And further I do observe how the Author of that writing with which I now deal hath often misrepresented our doctrines and practise as further may appear by a serious view of his and what follows thereby I perceive he doth not rightly understand us and I am perswaded did never regularly try our Spirits either by a sober hearing of our doctrines declared by our own mouths and pens or by his own view of our practises but hath heard and believed what evil and prejudiced men have maliciously printed and said against us on purpose to slander and render us odious Therefore in answer to what is said against us I shall labour rather for the stopping of slanders and to prevent misconstructions to inform the Reader of the Truth of those doctrines which we do believe and practice then particularly to traduce the Author with whom I have to deal though in many things more I might shew wherein he hath wronged us and given unsound constructions both of Scripture and our doctrines and practices Concerning the Scriptures and concerning the Word Spirit and Light within Concerning the Scripture I say we do not slight them nor cast them off as a dead Letter Paper and Ink but own them which Moses and the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles did write or speak forth as they were moved by the Spirit of God so far as they are free from false transcription and corrupt translation to be the very words and true sayings of God and therefore not to be slighted but read believed and practised by every true Christian but they that are unlearned of Christ 2 Pet. 3.10 whose hearts are not stablished by the grace of God do pervert or wrest the Scriptures out of their right place to their own destruction not rightly distinguishing betwixt the Law and Gospel times nor betwixt that which was abolished for the unprofitableness thereof and that which God hath established for ever and therefore we do direct all to that Word of God which was in the beginning before the Scriptures were written Read Joh. the first of which the Scriptures testifie that it is Life and is the Light of men that shines in darkness even in mens dark hearts shewing the grosness and corruption of their hearts I say this Word which was and is God the Saviour of all them that believe who searcheth all hearts and incomprehensibly dwels in his Kingdom that is in man and doth reprove man for his unbelief and evil deeds we do direct all to wait to knovv this ingrafted Word and hearken to it Luke 17.20 21. that they may not be unlearned but all taught of the Lord that Spirit vvhich holy men of God knevv and did believe in Jam. 1.21 and vvas moved or led by before the Scriptures vvere vvritten that so by this Interpreter one of a thousand people may have the Scriptures opened and feel the povver of God and have faith in the povver and live in the life that the Primitive Christians lived in Act. 26.17 18. and thus to direct people to the Word Spirit or Light of God vvithin is none of the Devils vvork as he saith but the vvork of Christs ancient Ministers neither doth it make void the Scriptures 1 Joh. 1 2 3. but establisheth them in their right place as a true Declaration and the Lord Jesus Christ vvho is that quickning Spirit vvhich doth enlighten every man that cometh into the vvorld in his right place as the foundation which unto all generations standeth sure Joh. 1.9 1 Cor. 3.9 2 Tim. 2.19 neither can our directing people to this foundation Christ the Light vvhich enlightens their consciences have such bad effects as to lay them open to all base lusts error and delusion for all those things are condemned vvith the Light and they that believe and do such things go from and against the Light in their ovvn consciences Concerning the tryal of Spirits I say the Apostle gave forth no such command as that we should try the Spirit of God by the Scriptures for it is most absurd to try the superior by the inferior and no man can rightly understand the Scripture nor discern Spirits whether they be of God or no but by the Light of the Spirit of God within 1 Cor. 2.14 Therefore are they worthily reproved who presume by strength of reason sharpness of wit and humane learning both to judge of the Scripture and of the Spirit of God and its movings in men Jer. 31.33 as the Scribes Pharisees and chief Priests did who in their pride and self-wit sate as Judges of the Law in the letter Isa 8.20 Heb. 10.16 and thereby condemned Christ the Prince of Life and also his blessed Martyr Stephen as blasphemers that were not
A MANIFESTATION OF TRVTH 1 Concerning the Scriptures and concerning the Word Light and Spirit within 2. Concerning trial of Spirits 3. Concerning Perfection 4. Concerning Salvation by Christ 5. Concerning Swearing 6. Concerning the Worship of God and why we separate from those that worship in Temples made with hands 7. Concerning Ministers and Maintenance 8. Concerning womens speaking in the Church 9. Concerning Superiours and Inferiours and the honour that is due from the one to the other wherein something is said concerning Title Courtesies and Salutation by the highway WRIT IN ANSVVER To a BOOK which a Nameless Author hath written against the People called QUAKERS WHEREIN Is contained divers Untruths and hard Speeches tending to beget jealousies and evil thoughts of them who are known to be Harmless and Innocent in the Authors Tennants and Neighbours to whom he hath sent this Book which is here detected and the Innocency of Gods servants cleared Also the Truth of those things which they believe and practice in these particulars aforesaid is declared By John Whitehead who hath no pleasure in stirring up strife and contention about things of his nature And therefore hath laboured rather to manifest the Truth to the unbiassed Reader than particularly to traduce his Adversary desiring that he and those to whom he directed his Book may have a sight of this if peradventure it may be in instrumental to remove from them all prejudice that they may receive the naked Truth as it is in Jesus Friendly Reader I Have lately received in manuscript a small Book which in the fear of the Lord I have read over and seriously pondered which I was the more induced to because I had some ground to suspect if not to conclude that it was writ by Lord Say who hath been famous for the profession that he hath made of Christianity And therefore I should admire Isa 29.14 but that I know the pleasure of the Lord is to confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent from whom he hides that which he reveals to babes that no flesh might glory in his sight I say but that I know and do consider these things I should admire that he who hath read the Scriptures Mat. 11.25 and so long professed Christ who said that men would say all manner of evil of his blessed and peculiar people should be so far degenerated both from Christian Charity and true Nobility Ch. 5.10 as to harbour so many evil thoughts and groundless jealousies of an Innocent harmless people and my soul mourns that he is so far given up to believe lies and report such palpable untruths against us amongst which I shall only instance these few as none of the least viz That George Fox desired a Gentlewoman to wear a Bracelet for his sake and thereby enchanted her to follow him from which George Fox hath approved himself innocent as a child and so shall I ever look upon him till the spreaders of that slander bring forth their Author That James Nailor made himself or said of himself that he was Christ is another lie though it be true that some foolish women which both he and we reproved said so of him And it hath often been proved and printed to the shame of the first raisers of that slander that he never said of himself that he was as holy just and good as God Therefore till the contrary be made manifest by some known Author we must conclude that another lie A fourth is That Jesuites and Priests are known to mingle themselves amongst us and be our Teachers and Instructers which thing I know to be false and the grievous sufferings of divers of my dear friends for testifying against their bloody persecuting principles and Idolatrous worship may sufficiently evince that we mingle not with them nor they with us And my hearts desire is that English men might beware lest while they look for Jesuites and Popish Priests amongst us they be not led by them themselves into such snares as they cannot easily break and till the parties be named which see one of our friends go with a rope about his middle to hang a Minister I shall conclude that another lie because I know it is contrary to our very nature and principle who are born from above which is to save mens lives and not to destroy as also all whoredom and uncleanness is an abomination to us therefore do we both warn and testifie against the practisers of it which is sufficient to demonstrate that he who solicites to filthiness and she who said she was commanded of the Father to go to bed to a man being none of her husband if any such there were are not of us therefore do I conclude those reports slanderous Divers other hard speeches and groundless suggestions I find which I shall not particularize being satisfied they are not grounded upon any just cause given by us either in doctrine or practice also hoping that the Author may be sensible say this time wherein truth is risen above slanders that he hath overshot himself in writing such grievous things against us whom I am perswaded he doth not sully know and therefore I cannot wonder if he do persecute which yet I will not positively affirm though I do certainly know that his principle leads to it which saith that a Blasphemer may justly be put to death in Gospel times though Christ Jesus who is far more excellent then Moses gave no such command but rather held forth the contrary in the whole course of his doctrine and practice Read Mat. 13. But if he with whom I now deal have had his hand against any which for conscience sake could not respect his person so as to imprison their persons or spoil their goods for things done in obedience to the Light of Christ in their consciences though contrary to his judgement that will be found in Gods day persecuting their persons under the pretence of persecting the Devil and their sin which narrow cover the most bloody persecutors ever had but howsoever Jer. 20.10 this I say and do desire that he may know it if he be yet alive that he is at least guilty of their sin who said Come let us smite him with the tongue report ye and we will report it But surely the Lord sees how we are set as a mark for every one to shoot at Isa 25.8 and I am perswaded that when he hath fully tryed us he will rowl away the reproach from us for ever And their eyes that wait to see us slumble and fall into foul enormities as divers professors but not professors of the fame Life have done shall certainly fail for hitherto hath the Lord helped us and blessed us and made us to stand in the sufficiency of his grace in the sight of our enemies and I know that his presence is yet with us and we are of him and not of that Spirit
worthy to live and this was the fruit of trying the Spirit by the Scripture when mans wisdom sate as Judge of both Note That we own the Scriptures to be a rule but not the onely rule whereby to cry Spirits which is rather to be judged by them both and let such as know no other rule whereby to try Spirits but the Scriptures confess they are ignorant of the Law written in the heart and of the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit or Word of Prophesie that is near in the heart even the more sure Word surer then the words of the Prophets or Apostles which may be wrested for it is a Light in a dark place viz. the heart to give man a true understanding of their words and his Law that is written there is perfect and unalterable and by this rule holy men of God tryed Spirits before the Scriptures were written and so all the Spirits that are gone out into the world may be tryed and those that are contrary to it are also contrary to the Scriptures rightly understood and therefore under the judgement of both 2 Pet. 1.19 but the Spirit of God judgeth all things but ought to be judged of no man therefore sad will be their accompt that call it the Devil and its motions his impulses for all sins and blasphemies against the son of man may be forgiven Mat. 12.31 32 but the blasphemy against the holy Spirit shall not be forgiven neither in this world nor in that to come Concerning Perfection We say first that we have sinned and God hath let us see it and we have confessed it 1 Joh. 1.7 and he hath forgiven it through the blood of Christ which doth wash and cleanse us from it and by his power we are kept from sinning yet do we not boast of perfection in our selves because by the grace of God we are what we are howbeit we know that it is the Commandment of Christ that we should be perfect even as our Heavenly Father is perfect Mat. 5 48 and therefore we are perswaded it is not impossible for us to be so whilst here in this life for he is not such an hard Master to command impossibilities Heb. 10.10 14. and moreover by one offering he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified and we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all therefore perfected for ever and this was and is the very end for which he sends forth his Ministers Eph. 4.11 12 13 even to gather the Saints into the unity of the Faith to a perfect man in the mersure fulness and stature of Christ 1 Joh. 3 5 to 11. who even for this purpose was manifest to take away sin and destroy the works of the Devil but if any will yet say that cannot be whilst here in this life for some sin will remain in men whilst on this side the grave let them answer me these questions 1. Whether they believe that any shall enter in to inherit Gods Kingdom and if yea then whether they believe that they shall enter into it with some sin in them and if nay then in what time and place shall they be cleansed and their sin perfectly done away seeing they deny it to be possible whilst in this life but we affirm it being perswaded that there is no purgatory wherein to be cleansed after death and knowing that Christ Jesus is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 11.25 they that come to God by him so that those that are born of God and abide in Christ sin not neither can because they are born of God and his seed remains in them contrary to which text no interpretation of it or argument can stand good but herein are the children of God and the children of the Devil made manifest he that doth righteousness is of God but he that sinneth is of the Devil who sinneth from the beginning and this doctrine doth not tend to Ranting as they that understand it not say but to encourage people to wait to be cleansed and kept by the mighty power of God from all unrighteousness which is all sin and press on to perfection in the Life of Christ Concerning Salvation by Christ We say and believe that without the sufferings and death of Christ at Jerusalem no man can be saved justified or sanctified and therefore do they maliciously or at least ignorantly slander us who say we expect not to be saved by Christs sufferings at Jerusalem but by Christs sufferings in us for such words did never proceed from us though we say that it is not an historical knowledge and belief of what Christ said and suffered at Jerusalem sixteen hundred years ago that can or doth save any man without feeling of his Spirit Phil. 3.10 Power and Life made manifest within to make them conformable to him in his death and raise them together with him to live in the vertue of his life by which life we as well as the ancient Christians are saved Rom. 5.10 and we are justified sanctified in the Name and by the Spirit of our God which mightily worketh in us and all his works are perfect and therefore I do distinguish betwixt the righteousness which is of faith 1 Cor. 6.11 which the Spirit worketh and the righteousness which is of the Law performed by mans own strength for though the one be as filthy rags yet so is not the other therefore is he the enemy of all righteousness that mingles them both together and treads them under foot as dung and dross therefore let all that love their souls love Christ the righteousness of God and follow after him that they may be made righteous and have that boldness in the day of judgement which the ancient Christians had because said they as he is so are we in this world 1 Joh 4.17 Concerning Swearing To swear at all in Gospel times is no part of Gods worship therefore it is no delusion but the truth that makes us refuse to swear in any case For though swearing was used in the time of deaths reign from Adam to Moses and that by some of Gods people and not only so but commanded in some particular cases by Moses and the Prophets in the time of the Law yet a greater Prophet being raised to whom they all gave witness and command that in all things he should be heard with this severe penalty that every foul that would not hear him should be cut off from his people Acts 3.22 23 24. And seeing Christ Jesus that Prophet which they said God would raise hath found that Covenant faulty in which oaths were used Mat. 5 34. and by his own mouth expresly hath commanded us not to swear at all though in old time it was lawful and an honour to God to swear in some cases yet now it is not lawful or an honour to God to swear in any case