This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.
Apostate
&
Innovator
GEORGE
FOX
Children
of
Light
By
WILLIAM
ROGERS
,
on
behalf
of
himself
and
other
Friends
in
Truth
concerned
.
Eccles. 2.9 .
There is no new Thing under the Sun .
Gal. 2.11 .
But when Peter was come to Antioch , I withstood him to the Face , because he was to be Blamed .
As
I
Hear
,
I
Judge
.
Doth
our
Law
Judge
any
Man
,
before
it
Hear
him
?
Orderly
Proceeding
That
't
is
an
Untimely
Birth
Eight
Years
little
Sparks
great
a
Flame
Priest
,
Professor
Unchristian-like
Deportments
Stage
of
Scolding
Place
for
Worship
of
God
That
the
Doctrine
and
Life
of
Christianity
,
were
wholly
Extinct
amongst
the
afore-said
People
.
Publick
Disorders
Antient
Respect
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Exceeded
in
Godliness
Joyn
to
Separates
Separate
Spirit
George
Fox
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Eminent
Preacher
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
To
God's
Friends
every
where
,
concerning
the
present
Separates
,
and
their
Spirit
,
Let
not
this
Spirit
be
reasoned
with
;
enter
not
into
Proposals
and
Articles
with
it
:
but
feed
it
with
Iudgment
;
that
is
God's
Decree
.
So
may
the
Souls
that
are
deceived
,
come
by
the
Right
Door
into
the
Heavenly
Vnity
.
Charles
Marshall
Ellis
Hooks
12
th
.
4
th
.
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
:
Therefore
,
Brethren
,
every
where
stand
up
in
the
Power
and
Wisdom
of
God
,
for
the
Testimony
of
Truth
,
against
that
Wrong
,
Iealous
,
Murmuring
and
Dividing
Spirit
:
And
where
they
come
,
warn
them
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
,
to
go
home
,
and
not
go
thus
up
and
down
to
offer
their
Gifts
That
is
God's
Decree
That
Bristol
should
be
as
an
Anvil
to
beat
upon
Religious
Differences
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Disorderly
Manner
Name
of
the
Lord
Christian
Spirit
Their
own
Let
not
this
Spirit
be
reasoned
with
;
Enter
not
into
Proposals
and
Articles
with
it
:
but
feed
it
with
Iudgment
;
that
is
God's
Decree
:
George
Fox
Reasonings
,
Proposals
John
Story
Separate
Spirit
viz.
This
Spirit
)
To
be
an
Acting
contrary
to
his
own
Counsel
.
viz.
Let
us
Exclude
the
Reasoning
Freedom
in
Christ
viz.
Ignorance
is
the
Mother
of
Devotion
Primitive
Doctrines
True
Christian-Quaker
Children
of
Light
Iudging
the
Merit
of
a
Cause
,
without
Hearing
the
same
.
As
I
Hear
,
I
Judge
:
True
Christian-Quaker
See
the
to
the
Christ
,
As
I
Hear
,
I
Iudge
Fruit
of
Ignorance
Men's
Lines
,
made
ready
to
their
Hands
,
To
God's
Friends
every
where
Let
not
this
Spirit
be
reasoned
with
;
enter
not
into
Proposals
and
Articles
with
it
:
but
feed
it
with
Iudgment
;
that
is
God's
Decree
.
rending
Spirits
Jewish
Informers
Persecuting
Jews
It
is
not
the
Manner
of
the
Romans
,
to
deliver
any
Man
to
Dye
,
before
that
he
which
is
Accused
,
have
the
Accusers
Face
to
Face
;
and
have
Licence
to
answer
for
himself
,
concerning
the
Crime
laid
against
him
.
Whether
they
pretend
to
Accuse
of
Matter
of
Evil
Fact
,
or
no.
John
Story
False
Prophet
He
is
of
a
Dividing
Spirit
;
and
therefore
,
a
False
Prophet
:
Bring
forth
,
and
prove
Matter
of
Evil
Fact
,
or
False
Doctrine
against
him
,
and
we
will
disown
him
Ye
shall
know
them
by
their
Fruits
False
Prophets
That
a
Good
Cause
may
be
ill
managed
,
and
a
bad
Cause
well
managed
:
John
Story
John
Story
Bad
Spirits
Right
Spirits
False
Certificates
,
Lyes
Slanderous
Accusations
Living
Well
Sound
Doctrine
Slanderous
Tongue
Evil
Practices
Unsound
Doctrine
Name
of
God
Cover
,
he
is
,
notwithstanding
,
of
a
Good
Spirit
:
Gross
Darkness
Friend
in
Truth
devour
him
Certificates
of
Defamation
G.
F.
H.
S.
R.
T.
Here
is
a
Certificate
enclosed
from
Two
of
John
Story
's
Neighbours
,
who
very
well
know
,
he
hath
been
an
Encourager
of
the
Separate-Meeting
in
Westmoreland
;
which
you
may
shew
both
to
Enemies
and
Friends
,
with
the
other
Two
Certificates
.
And
you
that
have
given
your
Testimony
against
that
Note
,
By
the
word
,
This
Spirit
,
I
take
his
Meaning
to
be
J.
S.
and
J.W.
and
such
as
are
at
Unity
with
them
;
because
in
another
Paper
I
find
him
thus
expressing
himself
,
viz.
This
Separate
Spirit
of
J.
S.
and
J.W.
Spirit
,
stand
in
your
Testimony
,
till
they
Answer
by
Condemnation
;
and
do
not
strive
and
make
Bargains
with
that
which
is
out
of
the
Truth
Orderly
Conference
Hearing
of
Differences
Limited
Meeting
Great
Apostle
of
Christ
G.
F.
It
is
needful
for
me
to
write
unto
you
,
that
you
should
earnestly
contend
for
the
which
was
once
delivered
unto
the
Saints
;
for
there
are
certain
Men
crept
in
unawares
,
That
Gainsayers
crept
in
unawares
G.
F.
Ungodly
,
Vain
Talkers
G.
F's
Groundless
Insinuation
G.
F.
I
CANNOT
BVT
REASONABLY
EXPECT
THE
HAND
OF
THE
LORD
MAY
BE
AGAINST
THEE
,
AND
THAT
PERADVENTVRE
IN
THE
THINGS
OF
THE
WORLD
.
Discouragement
,
to
Buy
and
Sell
with
me
:
Bargain
,
Buy
Sell
,
until
they
Answer
by
Condemnation
Rev.
13.17
No
Man
might
buy
or
sell
,
save
he
that
had
the
Mark
,
or
Name
of
the
Beast
.
Mark
of
a
Deceiver
John
(
Revel.
13.14
.
)
Beast
:
He
that
hath
an
Ear
to
hear
,
let
him
hear
.
Marks
of
Apostacy
Children
of
Light
ensuing
Treatise
I.
Why
hast
thou
omitted
to
mention
the
Names
of
some
Persons
,
and
Authors
of
some
Books
,
and
Papers
reflected
on
,
in
this
Treatise
?
II.
Why
hast
thou
treated
on
Principles
,
held
forth
by
the
People
called
Quakers
;
since
many
Books
have
already
been
given
forth
by
some
amongst
them
,
treating
on
many
(
if
not
all
)
of
those
Things
,
which
thou
hast
done
?
III.
Whether
thy
Publishing
this
Treatise
in
Print
,
may
not
in
probability
,
give
unto
others
a
Knowledge
of
the
Differences
amongst
us
;
and
so
obstruct
the
Encrease
of
our
Meetings
,
and
the
Gathering
of
some
(
yet
walking
in
the
Broad
Way
)
into
the
true
Faith
;
and
cause
many
already
gathered
thereunto
,
to
stumble
and
fall
?
Just
Apology
Religious
Differences
Historical
Manuscript
A
Part
of
those
Things
,
wherein
the
Faithful
were
at
Unity
;
and
by
what
Wayes
and
Means
that
Unity
came
to
be
broken
.
Many
Papers
,
Epistles
,
Testimonies
,
Proceedings
and
Practices
,
which
were
the
Effects
of
Disunion
,
Separation
and
Division
.
Certain
Doctrines
are
treated
on
,
and
that
Sense
manifested
,
wherein
they
have
been
and
are
received
,
believed
and
owned
,
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
;
who
(
being
not
affected
to
leave
that
Teacher
,
which
cannot
be
removed
into
a
Corner
,
to
follow
the
Dictates
of
such
Men
,
whose
Doctrines
and
Practices
do
manifest
them
fallible
)
have
,
and
do
keep
their
Place
and
Habitation
,
in
the
Unchangeable
Truth
.
George
Fox
Printed
,
Written
,
Publish'd
Removing
Stumbling-Blocks
out
of
the
Way
Three
Persons
" THe Inclosed ( being Two Sheets , and a Part of a Sheet ) is a Copy of what was sent unto [ — ] the 11th . of the last Month , to be Communicated unto the rest , unto whom 't was directed ; and is now sent unto you , with request , That it may be read amongst you , for this end ; that when it is so read , you may ( if free in Spirit ) declare your Approbation , that it may be read in all Mens and Womens-Meetings of Friends . Whatever your Thoughts may be touching the Inclosed ; yet know this , that it was neither given forth , nor yet is now recommended to you , but upon very Serious Consideration , and Concern of Conscience : And therefore , t is now requested , that you will Seriously , and Conscientiously weigh the Matter ; that so neither your Tongues nor Pens , may be so Exercised on this Occasion , as that you may ( for the future ) see Cause to Repent the same . One of us , viz. William Rogers , intended to have come up to the General-Meeting , not only to recommend the Inclosed to be read amongst you ; but also , to have offered unto you , that the Manuscript , whereof it makes mention , might be read in the General-Meeting , if you would assent thereto : But some Emergent Occasion ( which he hath Communicated to his Correspondent , James Claypoole ( under whose Cover this goes ) hath obstructed that : And therefore , 't is now proposed unto you , That before it be made publick amongst all Friends , you may appoint a Meeting , as General as you please , to have it first Read ; and if you think so to do , this now informs you , that 't will be assented unto ; provided you appoint the Place of Reading the same , to be either in the County of Wilts , or City of Bristol , before the last Day of this instant Moneth . But if that Time and Place please you not , and yet are willing to have the Hearing thereof , 't is now desired , that you will be pleased to signify so much , and make your Desires known to our selves , Directed to William Rogers in Bristol ; And we doubt not , but you shall have such an Answer , as may answer the Truth in all .
The End wherefore this is now proposed , is , because You , and other Friends , ( as well as They unto whom we first writ ) if you shall not be at Unity with us , may have Opportunity to clear your selves unto , and concerning us , before the said Manuscript become publick amongst all Friends . And if the Word of Truth shall be in your Mouths , we doubt not , but 't will have Place with all concerned , in preparing the said Manuscript : But if in the Word of Truth , you and others shall have nought to say , against the Matter contained therein ; then let all such for the future , be wary of Rash , and Unjust Censures , lest they should be found Fighters against the Lord .
'T is desired , that an Answer may be given hereto , and left with James Claypoole , by the 16th . Instant , at farthest , to be sent unto us , Directed to William Rogers , Merchant in Bristol . We are
General
Meeting
James
Claypoole
That
it
came
to
him
under
Cover
from
me
,
with
Direction
to
be
delivered
Sealed
,
in
the
aforesaid
Meeting
.
James
Claypoole
George
Fox
The
Letter
delivered
Sealed
to
the
General-Meeting
,
and
so
delivered
to
us
to
Peruse
,
contains
a
Copy
of
one
lately
directed
to
[
—
]
and
Signed
by
him
,
William
Rogers
,
bearing
Date
the
of
the
Moneth
,
and
sent
the
of
the
Moneth
to
[
—
]
And
our
Iudgment
is
,
That
it
should
be
left
to
them
to
Answer
,
as
they
find
Freedom
in
Truth
;
and
that
the
General-Meeting
ought
not
to
be
concerned
with
it
,
seeing
they
have
not
refused
to
Answer
,
nor
had
convenient
Time
or
Opportunity
thereto
,
neither
jointly
nor
severally
.
General
Meeters
General
Meeting
Anvil
to
beat
upon
Books
,
Papers
Bear
,
Forbear
High
and
Lofty
Outward
written
Order
,
prescribed
by
Man
.
Second
Part
George
For
ONE
PERSON
Biting
Devouring
Spirit
Outward
Forms
and
Methods
,
relating
to
Marriages
,
Relief
of
the
Poor
,
Outward
Path
ONE
MAN
.
ONE
MAN
.
Thomas
Gouldeny
,
William
Forde
Three
other
Friends
Ground
of
my
Dissatisfaction
Publick
Concern
amongst
Friends
Personal
Injury
his
Answer
Answer
of
another
on
his
behalf
,
expect
Satisfaction
Detect
him
General
Meeting
Representatives
of
the
Church
in
general
:
ONE
PERSON
,
G.
F.
Orderly
Proceeding
to
obtain
Satisfaction
ONE
PERSON
To
discover
whether
there
be
such
an
Erroneous
Principle
in
any
,
so
to
stand
by
a
Man
,
charged
to
be
guilty
of
Things
reproachful
to
the
Truth
,
as
that
he
must
be
exempted
(
though
Guilty
)
from
the
Stroke
of
that
Justice
,
which
in
the
like
Cases
of
Guilt
he
hath
prescribed
for
others
.
That
Charity
suffereth
long
,
beareth
and
endureth
all
things
Church
of
Christ
Every
Man
shall
bear
his
own
Burthen
.
Col.
3.25
.
He
that
doth
Wrong
,
shall
receive
for
the
Wrong
,
which
he
hath
done
no
Respect
of
Persons
'T
was
Praise-worthy
,
not
to
bear
Lyars
,
though
they
might
say
,
they
were
Apostles
.
Marginal
Memorials
Manuscript
,
Reflections
made
Objections
raised
1.
Why
hast
thou
omitted
to
mention
the
Names
of
some
Persons
,
and
Authors
of
some
Books
and
Papers
reflected
on
in
this
Treatise
?
Persecuting
Spirit
Concern
of
Conscience
Vntil
an
Vnion
might
again
be
witnessed
:
I
might
not
bring
forth
an
Vntimely
Birth
Answer
the
Witness
of
God
in
all
Consciences
.
That
I
have
the
Evidence
of
his
Spirit
,
that
he
hath
owned
my
Proceeding
therein
hitherto
:
Answer
thereto
in
many
Brethren
Line
of
Truth
G.
F.
Ephesians
,
To
submit
themselves
one
unto
another
,
in
the
Fear
of
God
.
Memory
of
their
Offence
may
be
blotted
out
,
Repentance
therewith
The
Appearance
of
Christ
by
his
Light
in
them
As
if
that
which
was
promised
to
be
written
in
the
Heart
,
were
now
to
be
sought
after
in
Pieces
,
and
Scraps
of
Paper
Written
Orders
Certain
Rule
Certain
Rule
By
William
Rogers
,
on
Behalf
of
himself
,
and
other
Friends
in
Truth
concerned
.
2.
Why
hast
thou
treated
on
Principles
,
held
forth
by
the
People
called
Quakers
,
since
many
Books
have
already
been
given
forth
by
some
amongst
them
,
treating
on
many
(
if
not
all
)
of
those
Things
,
which
thou
hast
done
?
Vnruly
Women
Ignorant
Self-conceited
Men
Christ
Jesus
some
Lovers
of
Preheminence
,
Innovators
,
and
Unskilful
Preachers
,
Dark
,
Leavened
,
Rending
,
Dividing
,
Separate
Spirits
Antient
Brethren
3.
Whether
thy
Publishing
this
Treatise
in
Print
,
may
not
(
in
probability
)
give
unto
others
,
a
Knowledge
of
the
Differences
amongst
us
;
and
so
obstruct
the
Encrease
of
our
Meetings
,
and
the
gathering
of
some
(
yet
walking
in
the
Broad
Way
)
into
the
True
Faith
,
and
cause
many
already
gathered
thereunto
,
to
stumble
and
fall
?
Imaginary
Discourses
Unlearned
in
the
School
of
Christ
)
Way
of
Truth
Publick
Assemblies
Stages
of
Contention
Heavenly
Fellowship
way
of
Truth
Name
of
the
Lord
to
be
evil
spoken
of
,
Follow
for
the
Loaves
Gathering
to
God
,
Gather
to
themselves
viz.
Have
your
Eye
to
the
Brethren
Publick
Preachers
If
you
do
not
see
your selves
,
follow
us
that
do
see
.
shut
out
the
reasoning
,
the
Wisdom
and
the
Iealousy
without
distinction
:
[
Wisdom
is
Iustified
of
her
Children
;
look
not
unto
us
,
but
unto
the
Lord
;
take
heed
unto
the
Light
of
Christ
in
your
own
consciences
;
Draw
water
out
of
your
own
Wells
,
let
it
be
your
own
and
not
anothers
]
Sought
for
their
gain
from
their
Quarters
,
Living
God
,
Labourers
And
what
said
the
voice
of
the
Eternal
Power
through
them
?
Awake
,
Awake
from
the
sleep
of
Death
,
that
the
Lord
may
give
unto
you
Life
.
He
that
was
,
and
is
,
and
is
to
come
,
is
arisen
in
a
remnant
;
and
Christ
,
the
Son
of
the
Eternal
God
is
become
the
Horn
of
their
Salvation
,
and
hath
brought
Immortality
to
Light
in
them
,
and
revealed
that
Teacher
,
that
can
never
be
moved
into
a
corner
;
and
therefore
these
cannot
depend
any
longer
on
the
teachings
of
man
,
nor
yet
on
outward
Canonical
Articles
,
Creeds
,
Directories
,
or
Church-Faiths
prescribed
by
man
:
but
on
the
teachings
of
Christ
alone
,
by
his
Light
and
Spiritual
appearance
in
themselves
,
to
lead
and
guide
unto
the
Father
of
life
.
outward
Teachers
,
&c.
what
was
the
voice
of
the
Eternal
Power
To
your
own
,
To
your
own
,
To
your
own
.
&c.
Fear
God
and
give
glory
to
him
,
for
the
Hour
of
his
judgment
is
come
,
and
worship
him
that
made
Heaven
and
Earth
,
first
labourers
in
the
Gospel
of
worshipping
Angels
by
him
that
intrudes
into
things
which
he
hath
not
seen
To
your
own
We
preach
not
our selves
,
look
not
unto
us
.
Fear
God
,
and
give
Glory
to
him
.
To
our
Own
.
To
our
Own
.
To
our
Own
.
G.
F.
Edward
Burrough
Father
hath
given
unto
you
,
because
you
are
his
Children
,
and
this
he
requireth
from
you
,
and
herein
will
you
receive
Acceptance
with
him
,
and
Peace
from
him
,
and
Righteousness
in
him
,
and
everlasting
Joy
by
him
continually
;
and
this
is
the
inheritance
unto
which
you
were
begotten
heirs
to
possess
for
ever
.
'T
is
thought
meet
to
inform
the
Reader
,
that
though
the
five
parts
of
this
Treatise
,
are
now
bound
up
together
;
yet
't
was
once
designed
,
that
they
should
also
be
published
in
single
parts
,
which
hath
occasioned
the
inserting
of
some
things
oftner
,
than
would
have
been
,
and
the
wording
of
other
things
not
so
proper
and
concise
as
it
might
,
had
it
at
first
been
so
concluded
.
that
of
late
I
have
been
concerned
to
publish
in
Print
something
against
George
For
,
pretended
Reasons
wrong
Sentiments
hear
,
see
evil
Insinuations
,
false
Suggestions
unreasonable
Constructions
Blind
Zealot
Light
in
himself
Luke-warm
Partial
appearing
Note
I
would
not
be
hereby
understood
,
that
all
who
appear
Newters
are
either
Luke-warm
because
I
am
satisfyed
,
many
honest-hearted
Friends
that
know
the
Truth
,
have
not
a
Knowledge
of
all
the
Differencies
and
so
may
be
accounted
with
Respect
to
some
parts
of
the
Controversy
and
others
not
being
concerned
in
the
Controversy
may
be
termed
Newters
and
set
such
as
walk
in
the
Antient
Path
of
Truth
in
all
Sincerity
Newter
slavish
Fear
irreligious
,
unchristian-like
Deportments
my
proceeding
to
print
against
George
Fox
Grorge
Fox
would
be
at
the
General
Meeting
James
Claypoole
James
Claypoole
George
Fox
George
Fox
impertinent
irrational
George
Fox
Iames
Claypoole
William
Rogers
George
Fox
William
Rogers
George
Fox
William
Rogers
George
Fox's
William
Rogers
G.
F.
For
what
End
I
desired
a
Meeting
with
That
't
was
to
prove
him
guilty
of
things
reproachfull
to
the
Truth
and
that
he
would
by
no
means
assent
to
such
a
Meeting
J.
C.
That
I
had
no
desire
to
meet
when
I
writ
to
him
of
my
readiness
so
to
do
,
George
Fox
J.
C's
George
Fox
G.
F.
George
Fox's
Word
of
Mouth
Outward
Blasting
I.
C's
G.
F.
First
,
Whether
is
really
so
dignifyed
,
as
that
't
is
an
Additional
Errour
in
one
whom
he
accounts
a
lost
Sheep
,
not
to
run
after
and
wait
on
him
.
Ninety
nine
Sheep
Lost
Sheep
Secondly
,
Whether
be
in
reality
so
dignifyed
,
as
that
on
his
Notice
't
is
the
duty
of
a
friend
,
having
a
concern
upon
him
relating
to
to
ride
ninety
four
miles
or
wait
,
out
of
all
his
urging
occasions
many
days
to
attend
on
When
not
willing
to
Answer
the
end
to
be
waited
for
,
or
else
must
incar
such
like
Censures
as
are
pat
upon
me
for
such
an
Omission
?
Fruit
of
Pride
That
I
came
up
to
the
City
of
to
read
a
Charge
behind
George
Fox
G.
F.
James
Claypoole
James
Claypoole
G.
F's
where
I
would
be
in
the
Evening
,
I
knew
not
certainly
That
if
you
would
appoint
me
to
meet
you
,
other
Way
Flock
of
God
Word
from
the
Lord
out
of
the
Breast
of
a
Babe
Occasions
of
Jealousy
amongst
those
who
profess
the
Truth
,
Justifyed
Person
reproachful
to
the
Truth
G.
Fox
Gospel
Method
Concern
of
Conscience
is
aloud
for
justice
that
I
am
constrained
to
detect
him
for
his
Evil
,
and
Errours
by
a
printed
Record
,
Evil
Fact
George
Fox
Crying
Sin
Gross
Darkness
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Parrot
keeping
on
their
hats
in
Prayer
John
Perrot's
Church
of
God
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
introducing
any
Practice
into
the
Church
of
God
,
contrary
to
the
Scriptures
of
Truth
,
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
,
or
the
approved
Practice
of
Friends
,
when
at
Vnity
in
the
Truth
:
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
George
Fox
Luke-warm
Spirit
Respect
Persons
in
Judgement
George
Fox
Flock
of
God
Notorious
Sins
of
One
It
is
the
ready
way
to
introduce
a
Justification
of
George
Fox
That
since
I
call
for
Justice
and
Satisfaction
for
Wrongs
done
,
and
Things
acted
by
him
reproachful
to
the
Truth
,
he
then
ought
to
submit
to
a
Hearing
thereof
before
Friends
in
Truth
,
that
so
if
guilty
,
he
may
Condemn
it
,
and
if
not
,
he
may
be
Justifed
IT
is
not
unknown
unto
many
of
you
,
that
I
have
been
concerned
touching
the
Differences
arisen
amongst
Friends
,
and
whatever
Censures
some
may
pass
upon
me
,
yet
I
have
this
Evidence
in
my
Conscience
,
Cause
of
God
am
inwardly
mad
Partaker
of
though
many
under
the
Profession
of
Truth
,
have
endeavoured
to
give
me
and
were
it
so
,
that
with
I
could
have
forborn
,
to
come
up
unto
this
City
of
on
the
Occasion
I
now
am
here
,
I
should
much
rather
have
stayed
at
home
,
about
my
than
have
taken
this
Journey
,
which
I
have
done
,
and
that
through
a
to
lay
before
Friends
in
several
Parts
of
the
Nation
,
I
may
endeavour
after
serious
Examination
,
by
an
equal
Consent
of
Parties
,
may
be
by
those
,
who
retain
their
Integrity
to
the
Lord
and
his
Truth
,
visited
,
exhorted
,
and
warned
to
repent
,
and
turn
from
that
Spirit
,
which
hath
beguiled
;
so
may
the
Judgments
of
the
Lord
be
witnessed
,
to
the
renewing
of
the
Spirit
of
the
Mind
unto
God
again
.
Amongst
Friends
in
general
,
the
Friends
at
were
before
me
to
visit
on
this
Occasion
:
but
to
be
very
plain
,
and
lest
my
so
doing
,
should
become
a
to
any
of
the
Friends
of
Truth
,
it
is
with
me
also
to
say
,
that
I
do
not
so
with
Expectation
that
the
Friends
of
should
look
upon
themselves
,
as
having
any
in
any
Matter
or
Concern
whatsoever
,
relating
to
the
Friends
of
Truth
,
But
my
chief
End
in
choosing
to
lay
such
things
,
which
I
at
present
have
Freedom
to
do
,
before
the
Friends
of
this
great
City
is
,
because
I
suppose
that
there
are
several
Persons
in
,
and
adjacent
thereunto
,
who
may
be
more
capable
to
tending
to
in
this
Case
,
than
some
in
some
other
places
may
,
and
that
because
of
the
Influence
which
(
as
I
suppose
)
some
amongst
them
(
if
any
at
all
elsewhere
)
have
with
touching
whom
my
present
Concern
of
Spirit
and
Conscience
is
,
and
my
End
in
thus
opening
my self
to
several
Friends
in
divers
Parts
of
the
Nation
,
whereof
you
are
a
part
,
George
Fox
Constraint
will
be
upon
my
Spirit
,
That
now
you
may
be
made
sensible
of
what
I
am
at
present
free
to
I
think
meet
to
transcribe
a
written
by
me
unto
for
the
further
clearing
of
my
and
that
if
possible
(
with
clearness
to
my
Conscience
)
his
many
Errours
,
and
Slanderous
false
Accusations
,
may
not
lye
on
a
Joan
Hily
I
do
understand
that
and
his
Company
hath
spread
abroad
a
against
me
,
and
that
he
and
they
have
,
contrary
to
their
Order
&
Friends
Agreement
(
when
I
and
we
were
at
and
had
a
Meeting
with
them
,
he
has
made
a
kind
of
Narrative
of
the
same
,
and
sent
it
abroad
in
the
Nation
among
Bad
Spirits
.
Wicked
Report
WE
whose
Names
are
hereunto
subscribed
do
testify
,
that
one
that
was
never
accounted
,
as
we
know
or
ever
heard
,
to
be
of
the
People
called
related
,
that
he
saw
a
Letter
in
the
Hands
of
was
much
vilifyed
,
as
a
wicked
and
bad
Man
by
desired
us
to
go
to
to
see
the
who
this
Day
shewed
us
a
&c.
at
the
End
whereof
we
saw
written
the
above
recited
Note
said
,
were
written
by
own
Hand
,
and
subscribed
by
him
;
we
also
do
believe
it
was
his
Hand-Writing
.
Joan
Hily
,
Alexander
Pyot
Cornelius
Sarjant
Joan
Hily
Joan
Hily
Joan
Hily
Below
Common
Morral
Men
,
not
for
the
Society
of
short
of
a
Truce-breaking
Spirit
,
a
Covenant
Breaking
Spirit
,
not
to
be
Credited
,
and
below
some
Priests
,
to
spread
such
things
behind
our
Backs
in
a
secret
underly
way
,
which
doth
clearly
manifest
,
is
not
the
Spirit
of
Christ
,
nor
honesty
amongst
Men.
That
't
was
but
reasonable
that
thou
shouldest
prove
the
Matter
whereof
thou
accusedst
me
,
because
I
declared
thou
wast
a
Thomas
Gouldney
,
William
Ford
S.
H.
viz.
You
in
a
secret
underly
Way
,
sent
Papers
behind
the
backs
of
them
that
were
concerned
;
this
Practice
of
yours
is
worse
than
the
Priests
,
and
made
your selves
of
no
amongst
Men
;
such
Work
not
fit
for
the
Society
of
Men
;
all
Judicious
Civil
Men
would
abhor
your
made
yourselves
of
no
degenerate
from
in
Breaking
The
Language
used
by
him
,
and
already
cited
,
is
so
near
like
this
,
that
sew
will
suppose
that
it
dropt
from
two
distinct
Persons
.
Truth
seeks
no
Corners
Innocent
Man
.
John
Blackings
Postscript
seriousness
of
Spirit
Concern
of
Conscience
on
me
Abuses
of
me
to
Vindicate
the
Truth
,
as
well
as
my self
,
against
thy
Reproach
.
acknowledge
the
Errours
,
Lyes
,
Slanders
,
and
Forgery
,
&c.
false
Scandalls
General
Meeting
fair
Copies
in
Manuscript
Fallacious
Reply
Mens
Meetings
For
my
desire
is
not
to
discover
thy
Errours
and
Evil
Practices
,
further
than
amongst
those
,
who
Profess
the
Truth
,
if
by
any
meanes
posible
I
can
,
and
yet
so
clear
my
Conscience
,
as
that
they
may
have
a
Proper
Looking-Glass
to
behold
thee
as
thou
art
,
and
ought
to
be
seen
.
James
Claypoole
Idle
vain
Discourses
secret
underly
way
prevent
thee
from
running
into
further
Errour
,
Evil
Practices
Particular
Persons
Church
of
God
in
General
seven
Queries
John
Wilkinson
sixteen
Queries
John
Story
two
of
thy
Letters
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
to
thee
John
Story
's
Letter
two
Meetings
in
the
North
John
Blaickling
But
let
me
ask
and
them
that
take
his
part
,
hath
shewed
forth
the
Fruit
of
a
Let
that
Man
come
forth
in
the
whole
Nation
,
that
can
justly
charge
him
with
such
a
Spirit
from
his
Child-hood
.
John
Blaickling
Publication
of
Lyes
,
the
Making
use
of
a
Certificate
in
thy
Favour
,
given
forth
by
a
Man
that
thou
thy self
knows
,
knew
nothing
of
some
of
the
Matters
whereof
by
the
Words
of
his
Testimony
,
he
undertook
to
clear
thee
,
giving
Instructions
to
others
to
perform
Duty
,
and
yet
take
Liberty
directly
to
violate
the
same
thy self
,
as
if
thou
wouldst
have
Friends
follow
thy
but
not
thy
be
the
Fruit
of
a
then
I
am
the
Man
in
this
Nation
,
who
am
ready
to
come
forth
to
charge
thee
with
the
Fruit
of
a
and
to
Justify
the
against
thee
,
and
That
all
Friends
Disunity
with
thee
,
is
an
Infallible
of
being
out
of
Unity
with
the
Lord
and
his
People
.
G.
F.
Had you obtained a Meeting of the Friends of the City , as was desired , I should , if it had been proposed , readily assented to the Reading amongst them of the Manuscript prepared .
viz.
That
George
Fox
G.
F.
George
Fox
Daniel
Smith
G.
F's
John
Rance
George
Fox
George
Fox's
False
Prophecies
Imaginary
Visions
Amen
,
Amen
Postscript
,
Index
George
Fox
Additional
Post-script
William
Mead
Nicholas
Lucas
George
Fox
that
I
ought
thereupon
to
forbear
Printing
,
Nicholas
Lucas
William
Mead
George
Fox
George
Fox
William
Mead
George
Fox
William
Mead
Nicholas
Lucas
G.
F.
He
will
not
give
it
under
his
Hand
,
nor
write
to
me
G.
F.
Additional
Post-script
William
Mead
is
Quakers
,
That
I
intended
to
Print
against
Friends
:
it
was
not
then
known
what
would
be
printed
by
me
.
Doctrines
and
Practices
Naked
Truth
Whether
't
is
matter
of
evil
Fact
in
me
,
to
publish
in
Print
an
Historical
Relation
of
the
Truth
,
as
aforesaid
;
and
that
for
the
clearing
of
my
Conscience
,
that
the
Sin
of
Disobedience
may
not
lye
at
my
Door
?
Fourth
Parts
Evil
Insinuations
Printing
,
That
there
have
been
Divisions
amongst
the
aforesaid
People
.
Fourth
Parts
Publication
thereof
by
Manuscript
Fourth
Part
Title
Page
Forty
Four
Articles
of
Accusation
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Charles
Marshal
Sixty
five
Ellis
Hooks
in
the
said
Paper
,
these
Words
(
relating
to
The
aforesaid
cited
to
shew
the
with
the
For
't
is
well
known
,
that
contray
to
the
aforesaid
and
an
as
that
the
said
called
a
hath
been
read
against
them
in
several
for
the
from
which
whatsoever
(
though
not
professing
the
Truth
)
are
excluded
.
This
may
reasonably
be
concluded
that
dictated
a
few
Lines
subscribed
by
whereof
mention
is
made
in
the
Preface
,
directing
John
Story
The
Brethrens
Narrative
Rents
,
Schismes
,
Contention
,
Difference
,
Breach
,
Strife
,
Distraction
,
Discord
,
Quarrel
,
late
and
present
Division
,
and
of
a
Seperation
in
some
Parts
of
this
Nation
,
George
Fox's
An
Epistle
(
pretended
to
be
for
true
Love
,
Unity
and
Order
in
the
Church
of
Christ
,
against
the
Spirit
of
Discord
,
Disorder
and
Confusion
.
Printed
by
and
are
to
be
Sold
at
his
Shop
in
Besides
,
as
I
am
informed
,
they
are
publickly
exposed
to
Sale
by
other
Ann
Whitehead
Mary
Elson
The
Lord
hath
suffered
Blindness
in
part
to
happen
to
some
,
through
declining
their
who
came
out
amongst
us
,
and
had
a
Part
in
the
Belief
and
Discovery
of
the
Way
of
Truth
;
but
now
some
only
have
the
and
others
have
lost
that
too
,
who
through
a
prejudiced
Mind
,
are
alienated
from
that
Unity
of
Spirit
,
and
Bond
of
Peace
,
in
which
we
keep
our
wholsome
Practices
,
which
we
have
received
in
the
Unity
,
and
Order
of
the
Gospel
of
Peace
,
and
Truth
of
Christ
Jesus
,
in
the
Fellowship
of
the
Spirit
,
in
Bowels
of
Mercy
,
being
like-minded
,
and
of
one
accord
,
in
whatsoever
things
are
True
,
Just
,
Honest
,
and
of
good
Report
,
not
that
we
should
think
of
them
only
,
but
be
in
the
Practice
of
them
,
as
we
are
.
But
to
our
Burthen
,
and
Grief
,
we
find
amongst
some
a
Contrary
Spirit
,
that
will
not
subject
to
Unity
in
wholsome
Practices
amongst
us
,
and
that
will
needs
Interpose
,
to
destroy
Unity
in
some
Places
,
and
obtrude
it self
to
Confound
our
wholsome
Order
and
Practices
received
amongst
us
,
as
a
Church
and
People
:
and
through
this
contrary
Spirit
,
and
Prejudiced
Mind
,
the
Accuser
of
the
Brethren
is
broken
out
,
under
a
specious
Pretence
,
crying
,
in
Opposition
to
those
needful
,
convenient
,
and
wholsome
Practices
exercised
amongst
us
in
outward
Things
.
This
Note
,
An
accusing
Spirit
is
now
accounted
a
Confounder
of
Order
:
by
this
Rule
,
may
not
the
Accusers
of
I.
W.
and
I.
S.
be
accounted
Confounders
of
Order
.
Accusing
,
Opposing
,
Dividing
Spirit
,
that
is
at
work
in
this
our
Day
,
to
confound
Order
against
the
Peaceable
Government
of
Christ
amongst
his
People
,
This
Dividing
,
Accusing
,
Prejudicial
Worker
would
introduce
a
Belief
,
that
an
Apostacy
is
Entring
,
and
we
are
gone
from
the
Beginning
and
First
Principle
,
and
the
Power
lost
,
and
now
Forms
are
setting
up
,
and
Imposition
on
Consciences
,
and
the
like
,
and
amongst
whom
is
all
this
say
they
,
but
amongst
us
who
are
in
Unity
of
Spirit
both
in
Faith
and
Practices
,
and
't
is
amongst
such
,
that
they
imagine
this
Fearful
Imposture
,
and
Arbitrary
Rule
,
Imposing
Prescriptions
and
Laws
on
the
tender
Consciences
of
the
Weak
,
is
now
gotten
up
to
exercise
,
and
so
the
Liberty
of
the
tender
Conscience
is
lost
;
and
you
say
they
are
intangled
with
the
Yoak
of
Bondage
to
this
Day
.
Inasmuch
as
the
envious
Worker
is
suffered
to
proceed
,
that
would
even
race
out
the
Foundation
of
Christ's
Kingdom
and
Government
under
which
his
Subjects
do
only
own
their
Christian-Freedom
and
true
Liberty
of
Conscience
,
And
he
G.
F.
was
moved
of
the
Lord
to
advise
to
a
&c.
and
when
Dear
declared
unto
us
,
what
the
Lord
had
made
known
unto
him
by
his
Power
,
that
there
should
be
a
that
so
all
the
Sick
,
the
Weak
,
the
Widdow
and
the
Fatherless
should
be
Note
,
here
is
no
mention
made
of
bringing
Marriages
before
them
.
minded
,
and
looked
after
in
their
Distresses
.
I
have
a
word
in
my
Heart
to
say
unto
you
all
(
and
such
as
Countenance
them
secretly
)
of
this
our
heavenly
Order
of
Men
and
Womens
Meetings
;
which
the
Lord
by
his
Power
hath
set
up
You
that
have
despised
Dignities
to
speak
Evil
of
the
Servants
of
the
Lord
,
such
that
faithfully
have
laboured
amongst
us
from
the
Beginning
,
which
the
Lord
hath
found
worthy
of
double
Honour
;
for
I
do
know
,
and
the
Lord
hath
sealed
it
in
my
Heart
,
that
that
Spirit
which
hath
opposed
the
Blessed
Unity
,
and
Order
of
Truth
in
those
our
Mens
and
Womens
Meetings
,
shall
never
prosper
,
nor
they
who
are
in
it
,
inwardly
to
God
without
Repentance
.
And
a
true
Sense
hath
been
upon
me
of
our
Dear
Friends
up
and
down
the
Nation
,
of
their
great
Tryal
and
Exercise
that
hath
been
upon
them
because
of
this
Wicked
Dividing
Spirit
,
and
especially
in
my
Native
Country
,
If
the
Meeting
held
on
every
Second
Day
,
whereof
thou
makes
mention
,
may
be
Justifyed
,
in
approving
the
aforesaid
sheels
to
be
printed
;
yet
it
can
be
Plea
to
Justify
thy
Printing
,
because
thou
hast
descended
more
particularly
to
describe
wherein
the
Difference
doth
consist
,
and
hast
mentioned
some
Names
of
both
Parties
concerned
in
the
Difference
.
But
in
the
aforecited
Sheets
,
we
find
but
some
Names
of
one
Party
only
,
G
F.
and
the
two
Subscribers
of
the
said
two
Sheets
.
one
Party
one
Party
Dislike
to
Womens-Meetings
,
distinct
and
seperate
from
Men
George
Fox
Impartial
Reader
to
praise
themselves
defame
others
matter
of
Fact
matter
of
Faith
Readers
Judgement
Desire
of
my
Soul
now
is
,
Truths
Opposers
understand
themselves
Imaginary
Sparks
Preface
to
the
First
Part
[
Preface
]
Fiv●
Parts
Edward
Burrough
Minister
of
the
Everlasting
Gospel
,
George
Fox
By
WILLIAM
ROGERS
on
Behalf
of
himself
and
other
Friends
in
Truth
concerned
.
Jer. 10.21 . Jer. 12.10 . For the Pastors are become brutish , and have destroyed my Vineyard .
Isai. 3.12 . As for my People , Children are their Oppressors , and Women Rule over them : Oh my People , They which lead thee , cause thee to erre , and destroy the way of thy Paths .
Tim. 2.19 . Nevertheless the Foundation of God standeth sure , having this Seal , The Lord knoweth them that are his , and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ , depart from Iniquity .
TO
all
the
faithfull
People
of
God
throughout
this
Nation
of
or
else
where
,
we
your
Brethren
do
send
greeting
in
the
Lord
;
breathing
unto
the
God
of
our
Lives
,
that
the
same
Everlasting
Arm
and
Power
,
whereby
we
have
been
gathered
unto
God
,
and
into
an
heavenly
Fellowship
and
Vnion
one
with
another
in
the
Life
of
Righteousness
,
may
preserve
us
all
to
the
End
of
our
Days
,
in
the
Bond
of
perfect
Love
each
toward
other
,
establisht
upon
that
sure
Rock
of
Ages
against
which
the
Gates
of
Hell
never
did
,
can
or
shall
,
prevail
:
And
in
this
Love
,
our
Desires
are
,
that
the
Faithful
(
unto
whom
this
Treatise
is
directed
)
may
communicate
the
same
unto
others
,
as
,
in
the
Wisdom
,
and
Love
of
God
,
they
may
see
a
Service
thereof
.
Angel
of
Light
Some
part
of
those
things
touching
which
the
Faithful
were
at
VNITY
By
what
Wayes
and
Means
that
VNITY
came
to
be
broken
.
Whether
their
Vnity
stood
in
the
unchangable
Truth
,
and
which
of
these
Parties
now
at
variance
deviated
therefrom
.
Christ
Jesus
[
Turn
from
the
Evil
of
your
Wayes
,
and
Doings
,
and
meet
the
Lord
by
sudden
Repentance
of
your
open
Transgressions
]
[
Your
Outward
Forms
,
your
Outward
Ordinances
,
and
Outward
Church
Fellowships
,
they
are
even
but
as
Rudiments
of
this
World
,
and
the
Lord
hath
no
Regard
thereto
]
[
Turn
in
your
Minds
to
the
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
,
that
shines
in
your
Consciences
]
exalting
the
Measure
thereof
(
as
given
to
every
man
to
profit
withal
)
to
be
that
Law
,
that
Order
,
that
Rule
of
the
Spirit
of
Life
in
Christ
Jesus
,
unto
which
every
one
respectively
ought
to
be
subject
,
and
yield
Obedience
;
not
by
Constraint
,
but
of
a
willing
Mind
,
and
that
for
Conscience
sake
:
Christ
Jesus
lighteth
every
man
that
cometh
into
the
World
Church
of
God
Government
of
Christ
Christ's
Government
Christs
Prerogative
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
I
will
put
my
Law
in
their
inward
Parts
,
and
write
it
in
their
Hearts
,
and
they
shall
teach
no
more
every
man
his
Neighbour
,
and
every
man
his
Brother
,
saying
,
Know
the
Lord
;
for
they
shall
all
know
me
,
from
the
least
of
them
,
to
the
greatest
of
them
,
saith
the
Lord
.
By
what
ways
and
means
this
Vnity
came
to
be
broken
.
dark
,
bad
,
leavened
,
rending
,
dividing
,
seperate
Spirits
wrongfully
scandalized
Party
Vnchangable
Truth
dark
,
leavened
,
rending
,
dividing
seperate
Spirits
divided
Parties
dark
,
leavened
,
rending
,
dividing
,
seperate
Spirits
What
do
you
believe
is
meant
by
the
words
dark
,
leavened
,
rending
,
dividing
,
or
seperate
Spirits
?
Outward
Orders
dark
,
leaven'd
,
rending
,
dividing
,
seperate
Spirit
deceivable
Spirit
That
they
are
informed
,
that
some
of
those
whom
we
term
some
Persons
,
taking
upon
them
to
give
forth
outward
Orders
and
Priscriptions
,
are
such
as
usually
frequent
the
and
have
been
ancient
Labourers
in
the
Gospel
and
have
been
Instruments
to
gather
us
from
the
Lo
henes
,
and
the
Lo
theres
,
to
follow
that
Teacher
that
cannot
be
removed
into
a
Corner
;
and
that
the
is
an
Established
Meeting
,
and
that
they
have
Power
to
over
others
;
and
that
't
is
the
Duty
of
others
to
Obey
,
for
we
find
which
Friends
ought
not
to
Judge
,
because
't
was
approved
by
the
Days
Meeting
in
London
(
which
is
a
Meeting
of
Ministring
Friends
)
to
inform
us
,
That
the
Apostles
and
Primitive
Christians
,
practised
Order
and
Government
in
the
Church
;
that
some
did
appoint
and
ordain
certain
things
,
condemn
and
approve
certain
Practices
,
as
well
as
Doctrines
,
by
the
Spirit
of
God
;
that
there
lay
an
Obligation
in
point
of
Duty
upon
some
others
to
obey
,
and
submit
;
and
that
such
as
are
in
the
true
Feeling
and
Sense
,
will
find
it
their
places
to
obey
,
and
be
one
with
the
Church
in
such
like
cases
;
and
that
its
such
that
have
lost
their
sense
and
feeling
of
the
Life
of
the
Body
,
that
discent
,
and
are
disobedient
under
the
false
pretence
of
Liberty
.
General
Meeting
Ministring
Friends
Lovers
of
Preheminence
General
Meeting
,
and
though
such
when
met
,
may
on
that
foot
take
upon
them
to
ordain
and
appoint
certain
things
;
condemn
some
Friends
,
as
Rending
Seperate
Spirits
;
and
approve
of
others
,
as
Faithfull
Bretheren
,
and
that
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
Own
Name
But
suppose
some
Persons
in
their
respective
Countries
,
should
undertake
to
Meet
together
Quarterly
,
and
at
such
Quarterly
Meetins
choose
two
Persons
to
go
to
the
said
as
was
endeavoured
the
last
Year
.
from
thence
they
are
invested
with
Power
to
Ordain
and
Appoint
certain
things
,
unto
which
others
(
as
Members
of
Christs
Body
)
ought
therefore
to
yeild
Obedience
,
whilst
not
perswaded
by
Christs
Light
in
their
Consciences
of
their
Duty
therein
.
that
the
Authority
of
all
those
Meetings
ought
to
be
the
Power
of
God
,
Outward
Order
,
Counsel
draw
water
out
of
your
own
Wells
;
let
it
be
your
own
,
and
not
anothers
:
from
the
Lo
heres
,
and
the
Lo
theres
.
'T
is
true
,
Friends
in
the
Beginning
were
turned
to
the
Light
in
their
own
Consciences
,
as
their
Guide
;
but
when
it
pleased
the
Lord
to
gather
so
great
a
Number
into
the
Knowledge
and
Belief
of
the
Truth
,
as
were
in
few
Years
gathered
,
then
the
Heavenly
Motion
came
upon
as
the
Lords
Anointed
,
and
Chosen
;
having
the
Care
of
the
Churches
,
as
being
the
great
Apostle
of
Christ
Jesus
(
and
as
one
whom
the
Lord
had
ordained
to
be
in
that
place
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
in
this
our
Day
,
as
was
amongst
the
Children
of
Israel
in
his
Day
)
to
set
forth
Methods
,
and
Forms
of
and
to
establish
Monthly
,
and
Quarterly
Meetings
of
Men
,
and
of
Women
distinct
from
Men
;
and
these
Meetings
since
are
called
the
Church
,
whose
Counsel
,
Advice
,
and
Judgment
(
as
Occasion
should
offer
)
is
to
be
submitted
unto
by
every
one
who
professes
himself
a
Member
of
the
Church
of
Christ
;
and
that
we
ought
to
believe
,
as
the
Church
believes
;
else
why
should
an
Eminent
Friend
in
the
sixteenth
Page
of
his
Bookthus
say
,
That
the
Lord
hath
ordained
G.
F.
to
be
in
that
Place
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
in
this
our
Day
,
as
was
amongst
the
Children
of
in
his
Day
are
called
the
ought
to
be
submitted
to
That
't
is
to
profess
our selves
and
yet
not
believe
thus
as
the
true
Church
believes
.
To
raise
up
a
Prophet
like
unto
whom
the
People
were
to
hear
in
all
things
,
It
shall
be
in
you
Second
Covenant
Christ
Jesus
that
any
one
Mortal
Man
,
ought
to
assume
that
place
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
at
this
Day
,
I
will
put
my
Law
in
their
Inward
Parts
,
and
write
it
in
their
Hearts
,
and
they
shall
teach
no
more
every
man
his
Neighbour
,
and
every
man
his
Brother
,
saying
,
for
they
shall
all
know
me
,
from
the
least
of
them
unto
the
greatest
of
them
,
saith
the
Lord
.
one
Man
ought
to
believe
as
this
Church
believes
Strife
,
Contention
,
Emulation
,
Malice
,
Rending
,
Dividing
Seperate
Spirit
[
Where
are
the
People
whom
we
shall
now
follow
?
]
[
You
have
a
Teacher
within
you
,
which
cannot
be
removed
into
a
Corner
;
follow
that
Teacher
,
lest
peradventer
your
Feet
do
slip
,
by
going
from
your
Inward
Guide
,
and
following
the
Footsteps
and
Dictates
of
Man
.
]
That
whosoever
hath
or
shall
testifie
,
that
all
those
Meetings
(
as
usually
held
)
were
the
Church
of
God
,
hath
and
will
appear
to
be
such
,
as
know
not
whereof
they
affirm
:
Church
of
God
such
as
are
by
one
Spirit
baptized
into
one
Body
dark
,
leavened
,
rending
dividing
seperate
Spirits
None
that
are
to
be
Ruled
,
are
excluded
from
being
Rulers
?
Robert
Barclay's
That
in
and
other
parts
of
this
Nation
,
where
such
Meetings
were
usually
held
,
the
sense
of
the
generallity
hath
been
taken
for
the
sense
of
such
Meetings
That
the
Apostacy
shall
never
enter
the
generality
more
,
Book
of
Government
Choose
from
amongst
you
the
faithfull
Dark
Spirits
That
in
and
other
part
of
this
Nation
,
where
such
Meetings
where
usually
held
,
the
sense
of
the
Generallity
hath
been
taken
for
the
sense
of
such
Meetings
.
to
Bear
Rule
To
take
care
of
the
poor
,
the
fatherless
and
the
widdow
.
[
How
far
doth
this
Government
extend
in
matters
Spiritual
,
and
purely
conscientious
?
]
Liberty
of
Conscience
Christ
alone
is
Lord
over
it
,
Vncertain
in
Numbers
Lovers
of
Preheminency
,
more
than
Lovers
of
God
dark
,
seperate
,
rending
,
dividing
Spirit
Christian
Religion
Object
,
We
cannot
but
have
more
Charity
for
some
,
at
least
,
of
those
who
are
concerned
in
these
things
you
strike
at
,
and
cannot
believe
they
intend
an
imposition
on
any
of
our
Consciences
;
for
when
we
have
been
in
Meetings
with
them
,
we
have
been
Witnesses
that
the
Life
hath
been
raised
,
and
our
Souls
have
been
refreshed
through
their
Ministry
;
and
in
their
Epistles
they
tell
us
,
how
eminently
the
Lord
appears
amongst
them
,
unto
which
we
cannot
but
give
Credit
,
because
when
they
are
with
us
,
the
Life
in
us
answers
to
the
Life
in
them
,
as
Face
answers
Face
in
a
Glasse
;
but
when
those
whom
they
oppose
,
do
speak
,
then
Deadness
,
Dryness
,
and
Barrenness
appears
:
besides
,
many
of
the
Ministring
Friends
have
exhorted
us
(
and
as
they
say
)
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
,
that
we
ought
to
shut
out
Jealousies
,
the
Reasoning
,
and
the
Wisdom
;
telling
us
That
the
Apostacy
shall
never
enter
the
generality
more
,
and
that
we
ought
to
have
an
eye
to
the
Brethren
.
who
have
taken
upon
them
to
Judge
the
Merit
of
a
Cause
,
without
hearing
of
both
Parties
,
there
are
diversities
of
Gifts
,
diversities
of
Administrations
,
and
Operations
,
and
yet
by
the
same
Spirit
,
Not
to
think
of
our selves
more
highly
than
we
ought
dark
,
seperate
dividing
Spirits
Let
the
Testimonyes
of
Friends
arise
:
that
we
ought
to
shut
out
the
Reasoning
,
the
Wisdom
and
Jealousy
the
Generality
more
we
ought
to
have
an
eye
to
the
*
*
We
would
not
be
understood
,
that
't
is
not
fit
to
have
an
Eye
to
faithful
Brethren
in
any
thing
;
but
yet
we
cannot
but
take
notice
,
that
it
sounds
not
very
comely
out
of
the
mouthes
of
those
,
with
respect
to
themselves
,
who
have
in
publick
frequently
thus
Testified
,
[
We
Preach
not
our selves
,
look
not
unto
us
,
but
unto
the
Lord
,
and
the
measure
of
his
Grace
in
your selves
,
that
's
given
to
you
to
profit
withal
.
]
Brethren
,
of
a
dark
,
seperate
Spirit
all
Reason
all
Wisdom
Whether
this
kind
of
proceeding
be
not
the
Fruit
of
that
seperates
from
the
Truth
When
we
have
been
in
Meetings
with
them
,
we
have
been
Witnesses
,
that
the
Life
hath
been
raised
,
and
our
soules
have
been
refreshed
;
and
that
When
those
whom
they
oppose
do
speake
,
nothing
but
Dryness
,
Deadness
,
and
Barrenness
appears
.
True
Refreshment
a
rejoycing
in
those
imaginary
sparks
,
which
thou
by
a
false
fire
hast
kindled
:
lest
thou
see
with
thine
eye
,
and
understand
with
thy
heart
,
and
be
converted
and
saved
,
even
as
it
was
said
by
Christ
himself
concerning
them
who
are
without
,
Mark
,
viz.
But
the
Comforter
,
which
is
the
Spirit
of
Truth
,
which
the
Father
will
send
in
my
Name
,
he
shall
Teach
you
all
things
,
and
Guide
you
into
all
Truth
:
Marks
of
Membership
Outward
Things
[
as
*
*
Note
,
This
Sentence
[
viz.
as
Heirs
of
the
Gospel
,
Life
&
Salvation
take
your
possessions
]
hath
been
of
late
years
srequently
exprest
by
G.
F.
when
speaking
to
friends
by
way
of
encouragement
to
continue
Mens
and
Womens
Meetings
,
distinct
from
the
publick
Meetings
for
Worship
;
by
which
meanes
't
is
much
,
doubted
,
that
some
ignorant
People
have
concluded
,
that
their
frequenting
those
meetings
is
an
evidence
,
that
they
are
Heirs
of
Life
and
Salvation
.
Heirs
of
the
Gospel
,
Life
and
Salvation
,
they
are
entered
into
an
Heavenly
Possession
]
New
Jerusalem
Heirs
of
the
Kingdom
of
God
)
that
nothing
but
Dryness
,
Deadness
and
Barrenness
appears
in
those
,
who
are
opposed
by
such
with
whom
thou
art
at
Unity
We
are
unto
God
a
sweet
Savour
of
Christ
in
them
that
are
saved
,
and
in
them
that
perish
;
to
the
one
we
are
the
Savour
of
Death
unto
Death
,
and
to
the
other
the
Savour
of
Life
unto
Life
:
because
I
am
watching
for
evil
,
and
have
let
in
a
Spirit
of
Prejudice
,
believing
an
evil
Report
,
when
perhaps
it
may
not
be
Truth
?
Perishing
Condition
Savour
of
Death
unto
thee
Portion
of
Understanding
above
many
of
their
Brethren
,
Sound
in
Doctrine
blameless
in
Life
and
Conversation
as
any
friends
,
we
have
ever
known
Unsound
Doctrines
Disorder
and
Confusion
Outward
Tone
strength
of
Lungs
Thundering
kind
of
Voice
cool
in
Spirit
[
we
must
believe
as
the
Church
believes
]
in
himself
ought
to
Believe
Believing
as
the
true
Church
Believes
,
Hast
thou
not
spoken
this
with
respect
to
the
People
called
Quakers
,
That
the
People
called
Quakers
are
the
Church
.
all
called
Quakers
The
Church
signifies
the
Elect
visible
Persons
Visible
Orders
Written
Faiths
Visible
Church
Lanthorn
to
their
Paths
Ground
of
their
Faith
Lanthorn
to
our
Paths
Ground
of
our
Faith
outward
Marks
Jesus
Christ
Outward
Marks
Members
of
the
true
Church
that
those
who
were
but
in
the
Gentile
Nature
,
and
had
come
no
further
than
the
Outward
Court
(
that
was
given
to
the
Gentiles
)
might
have
all
the
Outward
Marks
and
signs
of
a
Member
of
their
Churches
,
and
yet
know
very
little
of
the
washing
by
the
Water
of
Regeneration
,
and
Sanctification
through
the
Spirit
,
which
every
Member
of
the
true
Church
,
that
's
Built
on
the
Rock
Christ
,
comes
to
be
Witness
of
.
You
are
a
confused
People
;
you
gather
not
into
Church-fellowships
;
you
have
no
certain
Way
to
know
one
another
to
be
Members
of
the
Church
,
as
we
have
.
And
why
do
you
not
put
forth
your
Creed
,
that
so
we
may
know
what
and
how
many
the
Articles
of
your
Faith
are
,
and
what
you
stand
for
,
and
what
you
stand
against
?
True
Church
Babes
,
Young
Men
a
Fool
Let
not
him
that
eateth
,
dispise
him
that
eateth
not
;
and
let
not
him
that
eateth
not
,
Judge
him
which
eateth
;
for
God
hath
received
him
.
Who
art
thou
,
that
condemnest
another
Man's
Servant
?
To
his
own
Master
he
standeth
or
falleth
:
Hast
thou
Faith
?
Have
it
to
thy self
.
He
that
doubteth
,
is
condemned
if
he
eat
,
because
he
eateth
not
of
Faith
;
and
whatsoever
is
not
of
Faith
,
is
Sin
.
Received
of
God
a
Doubt
't
is
folly
and
hipocrisy
to
profess
our selves
Members
of
the
True
Church
,
and
yet
not
believe
thus
,
as
the
True
Church
believes
,
That
they
never
did
preach
up
such
a
Position
as
a
great
Argument
to
enforce
People
into
their
Faith
.
stand
for
stand
against
all
Reason
all
Wisdom
Christ's
Government
Government
of
Christ
Sufficiency
of
Gods
Grace
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
Sufficiency
of
his
Grace
benefit
of
our
assembling
our selves
together
,
to
wait
upon
the
Lord
,
for
the
arising
of
his
pure
immortal
Life
,
to
the
refreshing
and
consolating
our
immortal
Souls
,
whatsoever
society
of
People
had
been
in
the
Life
of
Christianity
,
and
yet
should
for
Fear
of
Man
,
or
the
Lawes
of
Men
,
forsake
the
assembling
of
themselves
together
when
the
will
of
the
Lord
was
they
should
not
forbear
,
might
thereby
come
to
lose
their
strength
in
the
Lord
:
Disobedience
,
Fear
That
beareth
all
things
,
that
endureth
all
things
,
want
of
Sight
clear
Conviction
Inward
Government
Heart
of
Man
Establishers
of
the
Churches
in
the
Holy
Order
of
Truth
.
By
this
shall
all
men
know
,
that
ye
are
my
Disciples
,
if
ye
Love
one
another
.
following
Peace
with
all
men
no
Offence
Christ's
Government
Churches
in
the
Holy
Order
of
Truth
.
How
come
you
and
those
your
Opposers
(
who
run
against
you
as
dark
,
leavened
,
superate
Spirits
)
thus
to
disagree
?
for
certain
we
are
,
that
we
have
heard
them
testifie
to
the
sufficiency
of
Gods
Grace
,
in
Opposition
to
the
Teachings
of
Man
;
magnifie
the
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
(
as
the
Guide
to
the
Father
)
and
bear
witness
against
Tyth-payers
and
Fleers
in
time
of
Persecution
?
We
must
walk
according
to
the
Measure
of
Gods
Grace
in
our selves
,
and
that
magnifie
the
sufficiency
thereof
(
as
the
only
unerring
Rule
)
and
yet
be
Judging
their
Brethren
,
because
they
cannot
have
an
Eye
to
some
Outward
Rules
and
Orders
Look
not
unto
us
,
but
unto
the
Lord
not
our
Consciences
brought
unto
Papers
,
any
thing
Outward
,
to
be
a
Bond
thereon
,
before
an
Inward
Conviction
from
the
Measure
of
the
Grace
of
God
received
:
Fleers
in
time
of
Persecution
Fleer
at
such
like
times
himself
Purchase
Tythes
G.
F's
Nathaniel
Crips
Robert
Arch
This
your
Language
of
seems
not
(
according
to
the
sence
of
some
)
to
square
with
the
practice
of
securing
any
part
of
your
Estates
,
when
you
foresee
a
probability
of
incurring
a
or
being
fined
for
Meeting
,
which
(
as
report
saith
)
hath
been
the
Case
of
some
of
you
;
and
not
only
so
,
but
that
you
have
Justified
the
same
,
notwithstanding
some
(
whom
we
account
faithful
)
have
in
Publick
Meetings
for
Worship
declared
against
it
,
instancing
the
words
of
Christ
when
he
said
unto
which
was
so
spoken
by
Christ
,
because
Peter
said
unto
him
,
meaning
,
as
the
Context
shews
,
that
he
would
not
have
Jesus
go
to
there
to
sufer
;
though
't
was
manifested
to
him
,
that
he
must
go
thither
and
suffer
,
and
so
by
consequence
it
appears
,
that
Christ
reproved
that
Spirit
which
exhorted
to
save
Self
.
Besides
,
't
is
well
known
,
that
on
this
occasion
the
rebellions
and
condemned
Action
of
in
saving
and
he
best
of
the
Sheep
and
Oxen
alive
(
being
a
part
of
what
by
the
Commandment
of
the
Lord
he
took
of
the
hath
frequently
been
brought
(
as
an
instance
against
some
of
you
)
to
shew
that
all
ought
to
be
offered
up
.
confest
Rebellion
Destroy
all
known
Duty
How
darest
thou
to
Judge
the
Friends
of
Truth
,
and
Servants
of
the
Lord
,
for
that
wherein
they
are
not
Judged
of
the
Lord
?
ALL
,
when
the
Lord
calls
not
for
it
,
a
Company
of
Informers
acceptance
with
the
Lord
due
regard
to
the
Poor
,
the
Fatherless
and
the
Widow
,
Lawful
Ways
G.
F.
Mary
Penington
Thirst
after
it
G.
F.
G.
F.
Mary
Penington
Mary
Peningtons
G.
F.
This
is
but
a
subtil
Evasion
of
that
which
is
the
Duty
of
all
Friends
,
for
the
Testimony
of
faithful
Friends
and
the
Words
of
Christ
in
Answer
to
and
of
will
stand
over
the
Heads
of
Such
Dark
Spirits
as
you
are
.
Abrahams
payment
of
Tythes
,
out
of
spoyles
he
obtained
in
War
That
there
are
amongst
the
People
called
Quakers
,
who
make
of
the
Scriptures
a
meer
Nose
of
Wax
destroyed
all
Tenth
part
nine
parts
Inheritance
or
proper
Purchase
Your
Discourse
seemes
to
encourage
the
avoyding
all
Suffering
,
and
then
,
how
in
this
our
day
shall
that
Testimony
of
the
Apostle
be
fullfilled
,
assembling
our selves
together
put
into
the
Mouthes
of
Informers
at
their
Wills
and
Pleasures
Discouragers
of
Assembling
together
to
wait
upon
the
Lord
,
all
sufferings
Times
,
Seasons
,
and
Persons
,
That
none
who
are
fallen
asleep
,
that
tasteth
not
of
Persecution
in
their
day
,
nor
had
occasion
offered
for
the
spoyling
of
their
goods
for
the
Gospels
Sake
,
Dyed
in
the
Faith
of
Gods
Elect
,
and
of
the
number
of
those
who
lived
Godly
in
Christ
Jesus
;
especially
since
we
know
it
hath
been
the
practice
of
some
(
who
have
been
apt
to
reflect
as
aforesaid
)
Stroke
of
Persecution
in
their
day
?
I
would
to
God
,
that
not
only
thou
,
but
also
all
that
hear
me
this
Day
,
were
both
almost
and
altogether
such
as
I
am
,
Except
these
Bonds
:
it
's
not
possible
to
live
Godly
in
Christ
Jesus
Dark
Spirit
thirst
of
Informers
Whether
it
be
not
more
Christian
like
so
to
act
according
to
ones
plain
Perswasion
,
than
to
contend
so
much
for
offering
upall
,
&
yet
after
taken
away
,
to
use
divers
means
to
get
it
again
;
sometimes
by
Law
open-faced
,
as
in
the
case
of
Appeals
,
and
sometimes
by
private
and
Secret
Solicitations
,
wherein
not
only
Time
and
Breath
is
Spent
,
but
(
as
is
credibly
reported
)
the
Purse
opened
too
,
as
some
of
our
Opposers
have
done
?
T
Is
true
this
Doctrine
of
exalting
the
sufficiency
of
Gods
Grace
,
squares
with
the
Principle
of
Truth
as
Preach't
amongst
us
in
the
Beginning
,
and
it
had
then
,
and
still
hath
an
Answer
in
our
Consciences
;
but
now
several
of
those
,
who
have
been
Instruments
to
gather
us
,
increase
in
the
Knowledge
of
the
Mind
of
God
,
and
they
now
tell
us
,
that
they
doubt
if
there
be
no
care
taken
to
preserve
an
Vnity
amongst
the
Professors
of
Truth
,
Friends
may
be
scattered
and
broken
,
and
run
into
a
Seperation
,
for
did
not
exhort
the
that
they
should
all
speak
one
thing
?
one
thing
But
unto
every
one
of
us
is
given
Grace
,
according
to
the
measure
of
the
Gift
of
Christ
By
the
Grace
of
God
I
am
what
I
am
.
What
then
are
you
for
an
Independency
?
Some
may
wonder
,
why
we
raise
this
but
doubtless
't
will
come
to
the
view
of
one
(
and
not
a
mean
one
too
)
who
manifested
his
doubt
,
that
some
of
us
intended
an
Independency
.
a
dependency
on
any
thing
that
is
Outward
,
we
can
scarsely
believe
that
any
man
of
weight
(
and
under
the
name
of
one
that
may
be
accounted
by
any
a
faithfull
would
give
occasion
for
such
a
discourse
as
this
,
occasioned
on
the
word
[
Independency
]
for
that
many
may
be
apt
to
say
't
is
the
Language
of
an
Hypocrite
that
hath
outward
Power
to
uphold
it
,
because
some
who
are
accounted
seperate
from
it
,
are
called
Independents
.
his
Name
is
omitted
for
the
reason
in
the
Preface
.
Ellis
Hooks
Charles
Marshall
viz.
John
Story
and
John
Wilkinson
,
Though
't
is
recited
,
meddle
not
with
us
,
yet
the
very
following
words
are
thus
,
which
being
left
out
by
the
replyer
we
appeal
to
the
righteous
Judge
,
whether
he
hath
not
therein
acted
notoriously
unjust
,
since
there
could
not
have
been
the
least
Pretence
for
him
to
have
written
as
he
hath
on
that
Subject
had
the
whole
Sentence
been
repeated
.
Independencyes
,
Parishes
Emulation
,
Strife
a
Meeting
Independant
Priviledges
neither
Man
,
Men
nor
Meetings
ought
to
Rule
;
but
that
Truth
must
,
and
will
preside
amongst
us
:
that
the
Faithful
are
all
of
one
Mind
,
because
they
have
but
one
Head
.
What
may
be
the
meaning
of
these
his
words
,
and
the
End
of
this
very
Spirit
is
downright
.
suffer
the
universal
Cord
to
be
cut
,
and
these
things
must
follow
,
hereby
one
Place
will
be
ignorant
of
the
Actions
of
another
,
and
each
will
plead
Seperate
and
Independent
Priviledges
;
in
fine
,
they
will
be
as
distinct
Governments
:
and
by
things
happening
between
Persons
of
different
Meetings
,
a
foundation
is
laid
for
Emulation
,
Strife
and
Division
:
We
commit
you
to
the
Word
of
Gods
Grace
,
Word
of
Grace
He
that
hath
an
ear
to
hear
,
let
him
hear
.
Vniversal
Cord
Power
of
God
Independencies
,
Parishes
,
Schismes
Seperate
Independent
Priviledges
a
dependency
on
Gods
leading
Grace
.
that
no
Man
,
Men
,
nor
Meetings
,
but
Truth
must
Rule
and
Preside
Seperate
Priviledges
distinct
Governments
General
,
Quarterly
Monthly
Meetings
of
Men
a
warning
He
that
hath
an
ear
to
hear
,
let
him
hear
.
To
talk
of
Cityes
,
Places
or
Countryes
by
way
of
limitation
,
is
narrow
weak
and
unsound
;
it
is
a
plain
restraint
;
it
is
of
the
nature
of
Imposition
General
Meeting
Hereby
one
Place
will
be
ignorant
of
the
Actions
of
another
one
Place
Emulation
,
Strife
Keepers
of
other
Mens
Vineyards
other
mens
own
Vineyards
Dark
Spirits
That
this
kind
of
arguing
,
to
leave
Friends
to
the
Grace
,
Light
and
Spirit
of
God
,
may
lead
into
Rantism
;
and
therefore
't
is
the
Care
of
Faithful
Brethren
to
appear
as
watch-men
over
the
Flock
,
that
so
none
under
pretence
of
being
left
to
the
Light
,
may
run
into
Loosness
,
Lightness
and
Vanity
;
saying
,
The
Light
in
my
Conscience
Condemns
me
not
.
the
Light
is
a
Reprover
of
all
Sin
.
Mans
Outward
endeavours
Badge
of
Apostacy
Some
may
run
into
loosness
,
and
say
,
the
Light
in
my
Conscience
condemns
me
not
;
and
therefore
t
is
the
care
of
Faithful
Brethren
to
appear
,
as
Watchmen
over
the
Flock
:
What
,
are
you
not
for
Government
of
Christ
is
an
evasive
Answer
to
the
Question
,
and
therefore
may
again
reply
;
Be
plain
,
and
tell
us
,
Are
you
for
Outwards
Forms
Apostate
Christians
viz.
Judging
the
Merit
of
a
Cause
,
without
hearing
both
parties
,
Ellis
Hookes
Charles
Marshal
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
That
some
who
account
themselves
Members
of
the
Body
of
Christ
,
claime
a
Power
to
Rule
over
other
some
,
if
not
all
the
rest
,
and
to
give
forth
Sentences
,
Directions
or
Orders
,
which
they
ought
to
own
,
receive
or
obey
,
though
they
may
pretend
they
see
it
not
their
Duty
.
R.
B's
Moreover
,
if
thy
Brother
shall
trespass
against
thee
,
go
tell
him
his
Fault
;
if
he
will
not
hear
thee
,
take
with
thee
one
or
two
;
and
if
he
shall
neglect
to
hear
them
,
tell
it
to
the
Church
;
but
if
he
neglect
to
hear
the
Church
let
him
be
unto
thee
as
an
heathen
man
.
Verily
I
say
unto
you
,
whatsoever
ye
shall
bind
in
Earth
,
shall
be
bound
in
Heaven
.
Dare
any
of
you
,
having
a
matter
against
another
go
to
Law
before
the
unjust
,
do
ye
not
know
that
the
Saints
shall
Judge
the
World
?
if
then
ye
have
Judgment
of
things
pertaining
to
this
Life
,
set
them
to
Judge
who
are
least
esteemed
in
the
Church
Personal
Offences
Worldly
Matters
Heathen
Men
Claimes
a
Power
of
Deciding
Matters
relating
to
Conscience
,
and
outward
things
also
,
secret
Cause
of
all
the
Differences
amongst
Friends
,
Are
there
any
such
amongst
the
People
called
Quakers
?
R.
B.
Government
in
the
Church
Matter
of
Conscience
How
far
this
doth
extend
in
matters
Spiritual
,
and
purely
Conscientious
in
which
the
great
Question
is
,
How
far
in
such
Cases
the
Church
may
give
Positive
Orders
,
or
Rules
Whether
the
Church
of
Christ
have
Power
in
any
Cases
,
that
are
Matters
of
Conscience
,
to
give
a
Positive
sentence
,
or
Decision
,
which
may
be
Obligatory
upon
Believers
?
I
answer
affirmatively
;
She
hath
that
their
giving
a
Positive
Sentence
in
such
Cases
,
will
not
import
Tyranny
,
and
Usurpation
;
neither
will
the
pretences
of
any
contradicting
them
,
or
refusing
to
submit
on
the
account
excuse
them
of
being
guilty
of
Disobeying
God
That
in
some
Cases
the
Consciences
of
Believers
ought
to
be
bound
by
the
Positive
Sentence
of
without
leaving
any
Liberty
for
a
Believer
to
refuse
to
submit
,
on
account
of
Outward
Sentence
be
approving
this
or
that
Exercise
or
Practice
that
Judgment
,
Sentence
Hebrewes
,
Chap.
Remember
them
which
have
the
Rule
over
you
who
had
Spoken
unto
them
the
Word
of
God
Christ's
Body
who
had
Spoken
the
Word
of
God
unto
them
,
uncertain
Assemblies
Orders
,
Rules
'T
is
your
Duty
to
Obey
,
though
you
pretend
YOU
SEE
IT
NOT.
Chapter
.
For
't
is
a
good
thing
that
the
Heart
be
established
with
Grace
.
Now
we
Command
you
,
Brethren
,
in
the
Name
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
that
you
with-draw
your selves
from
every
Brother
,
that
walketh
disorderly
,
and
not
after
the
Tradition
which
he
received
of
us
.
Obedience
to
his
Precept
For
ye
your selves
know
how
ye
ought
to
follow
us
Grace
of
God
Paul's
Command
If
any
Man
obey
not
our
Word
by
this
Epistle
,
note
that
Man
,
and
have
no
Company
with
him
,
that
he
may
be
ashamed
.
seems
very
positive
to
imply
,
that
God
hath
given
Authority
to
some
to
Rule
in
the
Church
.
We
heard
that
there
were
some
amongst
you
that
walked
Inordinately
,
and
work
not
at
all
;
but
are
Busy-Bodyes
:
therefore
them
that
are
such
,
we
Command
and
exhort
by
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
that
they
work
with
quietness
,
and
eat
their
own
bread
,
and
ye
Brethren
,
be
not
weary
in
well-doing
If
any
man
obey
not
our
Word
by
this
Epistle
,
note
that
Man
,
and
have
no
company
with
him
.
commandable
Duty
that
such
who
were
Busie-Bodies
,
walking
inordinately
,
might
not
(
in
their
busie
,
inordinate
Spirit
)
eat
the
Bread
of
others
,
but
work
,
that
they
might
eat
their
own
Bread
:
Dark
,
Seperate
Spirits
False
Accusers
as
we
have
,
troubling
the
Countries
,
raising
publick
Contentions
in
Meetings
for
worship
amongst
us
,
Scandal
of
Truth
Observation
of
our
common
Enemies
Publick
Testimonies
particular
Persons
Matter
that
's
Evil
Why
cannot
you
bear
?
all
things
would
have
been
well
,
if
you
could
have
born
Truth
to
fall
in
our
Streets
Whether
the
last
recited
Quotation
speaks
any
thing
to
encourage
one
Brother
to
claim
Authorty
over
the
Conscience
of
another
;
or
that
some
Members
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
may
meet
together
,
and
give
forth
Sentences
and
Decrees
in
Matters
relating
to
Conscience
against
others
,
oblieging
all
to
submit
thereto
.
General
Assembly
They
were
come
to
the
General
Assembly
and
Church
of
the
First-Born
,
which
are
written
in
Heaven
God
is
the
Judge
of
all
.
claim
a
Power
over
our
Properties
,
as
well
as
Consciences
.
Second
Days
Meeting
Book
of
Government
In
what
Cases
,
and
how
far
this
Government
extends
;
and
first
as
to
Outwards
and
Temporals
In
the
second
place
,
this
Order
reacheth
the
Taking-up
,
and
Composing
of
Differences
,
as
to
Outward
Things
,
We
do
boldly
Averre
,
that
as
a
People
gathered
together
by
the
Lord
unto
the
same
Faith
,
and
distinguished
from
all
others
by
our
Joynt
Testimony
and
Sufferings
,
that
we
have
Power
and
Authority
to
decide
and
remove
these
things
.
to
bid
his
Brother
divide
the
Inheritance
with
him
,
Who
made
me
a
Judge
over
you
?
Second
Dayes
Meeting
Unity
with
them
Outwardly
Withering
in
Basket
and
Store
Blessing
to
us
False
Prophesies
What
ought
to
be
done
in
Cases
of
Difference
,
between
Brother
and
Brother
?
Honest
Men
skilled
We
have
Power
to
decide
and
remove
these
things
,
without
the
assent
of
the
Parties
differing
,
is
an
Usurpation
Book
of
Government
In
what
Cases
,
and
how
far
this
Government
extends
I
speak
to
your
shame
,
is
it
so
,
that
there
is
not
a
Wise
Man
amongst
you
?
Church
of
Christ
That
they
had
not
handled
the
Word
of
God
deceitfully
,
but
by
Manifestation
of
the
Truth
,
commending
themselves
to
every
Mans
Conscience
in
the
Sight
of
God
:
Having
Hope
,
when
your
Faith
is
increased
,
that
we
shall
be
enlarged
by
you
,
according
to
our
Rule
abundantly
If
you
do
not
see
your selves
,
you
must
then
follow
us
that
do
see
The
Spirit
of
God
(
which
is
but
one
in
all
)
hath
moved
in
our
Brethren
to
give
forth
certain
Orders
,
Commands
and
Prescriptions
,
and
therefore
we
ought
accordingly
to
Obey
;
and
this
cannot
be
called
the
Dictates
of
Fallible
Man
,
but
of
the
Spirit
given
forth
through
Man
;
and
wast
thou
(
that
pretendest
thou
seest
it
not
thy
Duty
to
Obey
)
but
Obedient
to
thy
own
Measure
,
thou
wouldest
then
see
it
so
,
and
be
one
with
the
Brethren
;
and
therefore
we
cannot
but
tell
thee
,
't
is
thy
Duty
to
Obey
,
since
the
Reason
thou
seest
it
not
thy
Duty
,
is
thy
want
of
Diligence
,
and
not
waiting
on
thy
own
Measure
:
besides
,
we
find
that
that
very
Person
who
hath
travelled
much
for
the
settling
of
Mens
Meetings
,
hath
lately
given
forth
a
Paper
,
the
import
whereof
is
to
Justifie
Second
Covenant
First
Covenant
all
those
who
are
Heirs
of
that
Kingdom
which
is
everlasting
,
are
entituled
to
a
like
Freedom
,
not
to
be
Imposed
upon
each
by
other
,
contrary
to
the
Divine
sense
and
Heavenly
Understanding
,
which
as
Co-heires
and
Co-workers
together
they
are
made
Partakers
of
:
The
Wrath
of
God
is
revealed
from
Heaven
against
all
Ungodlyness
and
Unrighteousness
of
Men
,
who
hold
the
Truth
in
Unrighteousness
,
that
which
may
be
known
of
God
is
manifest
in
them
;
for
God
hath
shewed
it
unto
them
:
Would
you
have
us
follow
we
know
not
what
?
dead
Performance
Fruit
of
a
living
Member
If
in
any
thing
ye
be
otherwise
minded
,
God
shall
reveal
even
this
unto
you
;
nevertheless
,
whereunto
we
have
already
attained
,
let
us
walk
by
the
same
Rule
.
Philippians
was
,
that
those
who
were
come
to
a
state
of
Perfection
,
should
walk
by
that
Rule
,
whereunto
they
had
attained
;
but
those
,
who
had
not
attained
so
far
,
and
were
otherwise-minded
,
were
to
wait
for
the
Revelation
of
the
Son
Lyon
of
the
Tribe
of
Juda
Form
,
Observation
,
Prescription
Romans
,
Chap.
Let
every
man
be
fully
perswaded
in
his
own
mind
;
For
whatsoever
is
not
of
Faith
,
is
Sin
.
Outward
Prescriptions
a
mark
of
Apostacy
Are
you
for
Womens
Meetings
Are
you
for
Recording
Condemnations
Are
you
for
settled
Monethly
and
Quarterly
Meetings
touching
Outward
Business
,
since
those
who
would
have
Meetings
as
occasion
offers
are
accounted
Designers
to
through
down
all
Meetings
for
Outward
Business
,
relating
to
the
Affairs
of
Truth
?
[
Yea
a
Dark
,
Leavened
,
Rending
,
Dividing
Spirit
J.
S.
Robert
Barrow
J.
S.
speaking
amongst
many
Friends
of
the
Danger
of
Forms
,
because
of
the
Consequences
that
might
follow
,
said
,
that
amongst
the
Christians
of
Old
the
Differences
that
did
arise
was
about
Forms
;
which
could
not
be
seasonable
words
,
when
we
were
establishing
the
Churches
in
the
Holy
Order
of
Truth
.
Robert
Barrow
Outward
Form
Outward
Forms
Boasters
,
proud
Blasphemers
,
false
Accusers
,
Despisers
of
those
that
are
Good
Outward
Forms
whether
any
Encouragement
was
given
by
our
Lord
,
and
Master
Christ
Jesus
(
whilest
on
Earth
)
unto
his
Disciples
to
become
Rulers
one
over
another
.
Judge
not
,
that
ye
be
not
Judged
:
be
not
ye
called
for
,
one
is
your
Master
,
even
Christ
.
And
all
ye
are
Brethren
:
but
he
that
is
greatest
amongst
you
,
shall
be
your
Servant
;
and
whosoever
shall
exalthimself
,
shall
be
abased
;
and
he
that
shall
humble
himself
,
shall
be
exalted
.
It
is
expedient
for
you
,
that
I
go
away
,
for
if
I
go
not
away
,
the
Comforter
will
not
come
unto
you
;
but
if
I
depart
,
I
will
send
him
unto
you
,
and
he
will
guide
you
into
all
Truth
,
for
he
shall
not
speak
of
himself
.
Bodily
Appearance
'T
is
Expedient
I
go
hence
,
that
the
comforter
come
though
we
have
known
Christ
after
the
flesh
,
yet
henceforth
know
we
him
no
more
,
we
should
have
our
Eyes
out
unto
Man
on
that
Comforter
,
the
Spirit
of
Truth
,
which
Christ
Testifyed
the
Father
would
send
in
his
Name
,
to
teach
us
all
things
,
and
that
this
Comforter
should
be
in
us
.
full
of
Love
,
Charity
Bowels
of
Compassion
,
Longsuffering
,
forbearance
,
Meekness
,
Humility
,
Patience
,
Gentleness
,
Christ
,
his
Head
,
unto
whom
every
thought
ought
to
be
brought
into
obedience
.
a
different
sense
George
Fox
his
Proceedings
and
their
Proceedings
Womens
Meetings
;
and
their
Proceedings
.
G.
F.
Children
of
Light
Children
of
Israel
shall
never
prosper
;
which
Notoriously
Erronious
And
was
not
Mother
a
Virtuous
Woman
?
Read
Judges
and
see
what
she
said
to
her
Son
So
these
and
such
Women
are
recorded
for
their
Wisdom
,
and
their
Virtue
,
and
their
Faith
.
Wisdom
,
Virtue
Michah's
Mother
Blessing
or
Cursing
Idolatrous
Woman
None
shall
Prosper
that
Oppose
him
That
he
knew
what
he
did
,
and
saw
it
would
be
a
Stumbling-Block
William
Rogers
caused
many
to
stumble
Condemn
their
Failings
Confess
his
own
General
Meeting
Oracles
of
God
Reason
,
Wisdom
G.
F.
Mens
Meetings
Jealous
,
Dark
,
Leavened
Spirit
,
Outward
Form
Meetings
of
Women
seperate
from
the
Men
,
viz.
How
came
those
Meetings
first
to
be
held
,
and
for
what
end
?
G.
F.
to
take
care
of
the
poor
of
raising
for
that
was
though
very
unreasonable
,
because
it
reached
not
all
,
by
whom
the
of
the
of
the
ought
to
be
born
Charge
of
the
Poor
Womens
Meetings
Distinct
Meetings
of
Women
Distinct
Meetings
It
appears
in
a
Written
against
this
is
that
which
Exhorted
to
in
the
Beginning
,
and
Blessed
be
the
Lord
the
Faithfull
see
a
Necessity
,
and
Cause
to
propose
the
Marraiges
to
the
Faithful
Men
and
Womens
Meetings
;
and
whether
their
sight
is
not
Dark
,
that
see
not
the
Necessity
of
proposing
their
Marriages
to
the
Faithful
Men
and
Women
in
their
Distinct
Meetings
.
G.
F.
G.
F.
Womens
Distinct
Meeting
Gorege
Fox
that
the
mens
Meeting
may
be
acquainted
with
Marraiges
,
Womens
Distinct
Meetings
G.
F.
Dark
Spirits
Meetings
of
Men
Womens
Meetings
Necessities
of
the
Poor
Mens
Meetings
As
for
my
People
,
Children
are
their
Oppressors
,
and
Women
rule
over
them
.
Oh
my
Poeple
!
they
which
lead
thee
,
cause
thee
to
Err.
Rulers
over
both
Men
and
Women
Womens
Meetings
take
care
of
the
Poor
Womens
Meetings
G.
F.
Womens
Offering
Sacrifices
,
Preaching
,
Teaching
,
Instructing
,
Exhorting
,
Admonishing
,
Prophesying
,
Governing
,
Judging
,
Singing
Dancing
,
Playing
upon
Musick
,
and
that
Mother
,
an
Idolotrous
Woman
,
spoken
of
Judges
was
a
virtuous
one
;
and
that
the
Assemblies
of
Women
did
continue
among
the
til
they
went
into
Transgression
,
of
Women
wove
Hangings
for
the
Groves
,
which
the
same
King
caused
to
be
burnt
.
Meetings
of
Women
Women
Meeters
near
Women
live
Far
assunder
Womens
Meetings
serving
,
and
relieving
the
Poor
airy
Imaginations
Affectors
of
Government
Lovers
of
Preheminence
Possession
of
the
Power
of
God
,
Womans
Meeting
,
distinct
from
the
Men
:
Power
of
God
G.
F.
Thomas
Goldney
that
he
was
moved
to
set
up
Womens
Meetings
,
that
all
might
be
in
the
Possession
of
the
Power
of
the
Lord
.
Outward
Rules
,
Government
Let
the
time
past
be
sufficient
,
and
for
time
to
come
let
us
study
Peace
,
as
Servants
to
one
Lord
and
Master
,
Jesus
Christ
,
the
Righteous
one
,
who
by
his
inshining
Light
is
become
our
Lawgiver
Faithfull
were
at
Unity
that
Unity
was
Broken
Historical
Manuscript
on
the
behalf
Qualifications
of
such
,
as
Sathan
hath
made
use
of
,
to
rend
and
divide
the
Church
of
Christ
.
Conscience
void
of
Offence
towards
God
Nature
,
Doctrine
Original
Cause
some
have
had
Zeal
without
Knowledge
,
and
some
have
had
Knowledge
without
Zeal
,
and
others
have
abounded
in
Confidence
without
either
Knowledge
or
Zeal
:
Christ
Jesus
true
Zeal
Zeal
without
Knowledge
in
true
Zeal
,
and
that
according
to
Knowledge
,
Christ
Jesus
Mens
Inventions
,
whereby
they
have
suffered
loss
,
having
exalted
their
own
Righteousness
,
Mens
Lines
made
ready
to
their
Hands
Paul
,
Rom
I
bear
them
record
,
they
have
a
Zeal
of
God
,
but
not
according
to
Knowledge
:
they
were
such
as
being
ignorant
of
Gods
Righteousness
,
and
going
about
to
Establish
their
Own
Righteousness
,
have
not
Submitted
themselves
to
the
Righteousness
of
God
.
Outward
Things
The
word
is
nigh
thee
,
even
in
thy
mouth
and
in
thy
Heart
,
that
is
the
Word
of
Faith
which
we
Preach
.
that
Law
Was
to
be
put
in
their
Inward
Parts
,
and
written
in
their
Hearts
.
Zeale
without
Knowledge
the
Mother
of
Devotion
NO
UNITY
BUT
IN
CONFORMITY
Outward
Prescriptions
of
one
Man
Assemblies
of
men
,
assuming
to
themselves
authority
to
act
and
determin
in
matters
appertaining
to
the
Gospel
,
and
its
Order
,
thereby
to
become
a
Bond
upon
the
Consciences
of
those
,
who
have
Believed
in
the
Everlasting
Light
of
Christ
Jesus
Discord
Distraction
The
Letter
Killeth
,
but
the
Spirit
giveth
Life
.
Outward
Jew
word
nigh
in
the
heart
,
and
Law
written
therein
,
Outward
Orders
,
Prescriptions
,
Sentences
or
Decrees
They
have
Zeal
without
Knowledge
,
and
Ignorance
is
the
Mother
of
their
Devotion
.
who
have
Knowledge
without
Zeal
Unto
whomsoever
Much
is
given
,
of
him
shall
be
Much
required
:
Good
Cause
Incumbent
Duty
(
be
Zealous
&
amend
want
of
Knowledge
bearing
all
things
Evil
one
Inward
Teacher
antient
Doctrine
slavish
Fear
Temporizing
Spirit
Conscience
comes
to
be
kept
voyd
of
offence
towards
God
and
Man
Pretended
Authority
Outward
Orders
Rule
for
Bond
upon
the
Children
of
Light
to
walk
by
,
oppressing
a
tender
Conscience
Ringleader
of
the
Sect
of
the
Nazerenes
Severe
Punishment
Pauls
Zeal
refusing
Outward
Conformity
to
Outward
Rules
and
Orders
,
Gospel-Orders
,
establisht
amongst
the
People
called
Quakers
no
Law
that
any
should
be
Invested
with
Power
from
on
high
,
to
Establish
such
things
relating
to
the
Conscience
that
the
Children
of
Light
(
under
the
New
Covenant
)
should
be
led
by
the
Eternal
Spirit
and
Word
nigh
in
the
Heart
unto
such
a
conformity
.
After
the
Way
which
they
call
so
Worship
I
the
God
of
my
Fathers
,
Believing
all
things
which
are
Written
in
the
and
the
Prophets
And
herein
do
I
Exercise
my self
,
to
have
always
a
Conscience
Void
of
offence
towards
God
and
towards
Men.
kept
a
Conscience
Void
of
offence
towards
God
and
towards
men
:
Jews
in
Spirit
,
Zealously
exercising
themselves
in
the
Word
nigh
in
the
Heart
,
according
to
Knowledge
Honourable
esteem
Temporizing
Spirit
Exercise
Lordship
over
their
Brethren
who
abound
in
Confidence
,
without
either
Knowledge
or
Zeal
Unreasonable
Men.
The
Door
is
open
for
any
under
the
Profession
of
Truth
to
appear
as
Governours
If
you
do
not
see
your selves
,
you
must
follow
us
that
do
see
:
fall
into
the
Ditch
together
to
yield
Obedience
unto
the
Appearance
of
Christ
by
his
Light
in
them
True
Zeal
Temporizing
Spirit
dark
Spirits
,
leavened
Spirits
,
Troublers
of
Sect-masters
,
Leaders
into
a
Seperation
,
and
into
down-right
Independencies
,
Parishes
and
Schisms
Judged
,
Despised
and
Reviled
Dependencies
were
upon
Men
,
that
labour
and
travel
to
gather
unto
themselves
.
Contention
,
Strife
That
the
bright
Appearance
of
the
Everlasting
Day
might
not
set
in
Obscurity
in
any
Heart
,
where
it
hath
been
both
manifested
and
received
;
nor
yet
that
any
of
the
Lords
People
might
be
ensnared
,
to
build
again
the
things
which
in
the
Light
of
Christ
,
our
Lord
they
have
destroyed
.
" ON the 22th . of the 8th . Month 1661. I was grieved in my Spirit for the Scattered of Israel , and my Thoughts troubled me very much for the Afflicted in Jerusalem : for I also was greatly afflicted with them ; and I prayed unto God , that he would shew me his Purpose concerning them ; and these words came unto me , Abide thou in me , thou helpless Lamb , and I will shew thee great things , only stir not from me , for thou hast no Helper but me ; and if thou goest never so little from me , behold a Wild Beast seeketh to devour thee ; therefore , I say , Abide : and then I weeped greatly , because I saw what great danger I was in ; for I had not seen the like before , neither can I write it as I saw it ; for I was in great Fear : but on a sudden there came a Voice to me , saying ; Be still , and Fear not ; and I was so ; for he made me so , as if I had not been in the Body : and presently I saw a great Field or Common , where many Beasts were Feeding , amongst which were a great Flock of Sheep feeding also , and I beheld them , and that there were very many goodly Sheep , and so me also were very weak and Scabby ; but they did all feed together , and did not hurt one the other , neither did they despise one the other at all ; at last the Night was near , and I saw the Shepherd come to gather the Flock into a Fold ( which I saw there by ) and staid by the Fold himself , and sent his Dogs , and he had many pretty little Dogs , which did eat of his own Morsels , and did lie at his Feet ; for he loved them very well , and took great Delight in them , and he did make them gather his Flock , and they did go round the Flock : but some of the Sheep were feeding about , and some did feed by the way , and did not go so fast as the rest ; and when the Dogs saw that , Some of them , that were young , and not well Acquainted with the Masters Manner , and Custome , did run from the Flock with Fierceness after the Sheep , that stayed behind , and did affrighten the Sheep further away ; for the Sheep did not understand that the Dogs would have had them to the rest of the Flock , but were afraid of the Dogs : and still the Dogs did pursue them Sheep , and did bite some of them ; and when they were weary with running after them , then they returned again to the Flock , and did in their Minds greatly blame the Sheep : but I saw some of the Dogs , that were well acquainted with their Masters Manner of gathering his Flock , did wisely go behind the Sheep , and such did drive them gently along , without hunting of them , or wearying of themselves : so when they had gathered the Flock together , the Shepherd put them into the Fold ; but there were many Goats amongst them , which did push with their Horns against the Sheep , and did put many of them by the Door , so that they did run by the side of the Fold ; but the Shepherd did gather them together again , and when he had gathered them all together into the Fold , he made fast the Door , and went to seek the Sheep , which did not come with the Flock ; but while he was looking for them , the Goats were very troublesome in the Fold , and hurt the Sheep very much ; but he would not seperate them until he had the other also ; and when he had found them , some of them were lying very lame , for the Dogs had hurt and wearied them , and some of them were feeding under green Hedges , but the Shepherd took the Sheep that were lame , and carried them on his Back , and did drive the other before him , and did bring them to the rest of the Flock ; but the Sheep that were lame , he put into a little place alone , and did dress their Wounds , and Anointed their Feet with an oyl , that he had , that did perfectly cure all their Diseases ; for he spared no pains , but was willing to hurt himself , rather than them : for his Ointment was mixed with his own Blood , and did by sympathy Cure all their Diseases , and when he had cured them , he put them all together , and did put the Goats from amongst them , and then did they rest in perfect Peace ; for there was nothing to make them afraid amongst them ; but they did all feed Innocently together , and his care was over them all alike , according as they had need : And he took their Fleeces as every one had , for some had much better than other some ; but those which had the great white soft Fleeces , did not despise them which had little course ones : for they were both profitable to him ; and I saw some of the Sheep which had almost no Wool at all on them , and them neither did he despise , for the Bryers and Thorns had pulled it from them , when the unlearned Dogs did drive them away from the Fold ; but when the Winter came , he took of the wool of the other , and put it on them , and the other Sheep were not at all displeased at it , neither was there any Envy in their Hearts : and I saw the Shepherd himself take some of his own Garments , and covered them , that were very naked , so that they were all preserved from the cold of the Winter , and the Frost had no Power over them . But I looked when the Shepherd would have beaten the Dogs , or have killed them , but he did not hurt them at all , only put them in a String , and led them with him ; for he purposed to instruct them better ; but some of them would not be led , for they were very foolish , and did not understand his Mind ; but them he took home , and would have kept them at home , but they would not stay , but would always be going abroad , and barking at the Lambs to affrighten them out of their Pastures : and some of the Dogs were ready to devour them , for there was something of the Nature of the Wolf in them ; and them he bound up in Chains to fulfil his purpose on them . And when I beheld these things I greatly wondred at the Care of the Shepherd over his Sheep , and also at his Mercy towards his unruly Dogs ; and he said unto me , This will I do , and much more for my Sheep , and my Lambs ; and I know they have none to help them but my self , and therefore will I not forsake them , though they be driven from Mountain to Hill for a moment ; yet as I live ( saith the Lord ) I will not seperate the Flock from the Goats ; until I have brought * * Note , Meaning those Sheep that were hunted from the Fold , and wounded by the unlearned Dogs . them also , and have cured their Wounds , for they are of my chosen Flock , I will not send any more after them , but I will go my self , and carry them on my Shoulders , and put them into my place , which I have prepared for them , until they be healed ; for my Blood will sufficiently heal them , and my Garment cover them , that none of their Nakedness shall appear , neither shall Shame or Fear rest on them any more .
" Then was I greatly troubled and grieved in my Spirit , because of my unworthiness ; for I would fain have praised him , and I did acknowledge my self unworthy to speak to him , but I prayed unto him , that he would form his own Praise in my Mouth , and receive of his own from me ; for I was nothing before him , who is all Praise , all Love , all Life , all Beauty , all Holiness , and of his Compassion there is no end , what shall I say of him ! if I had the Tongue of Men and Angels , it could not sufficiently speak forth his Praise ; and when I saw how exceedingly all Men were to praise him , or to speak of his Wonders ( for they were altogether past finding out ) then I wept greatly , and desired only , that he would permit me to sit at his Feet , and he swore unto me by himself , That he would deliver me from all my Troubles within & without ; and truly , it was his own free Promise , for I durst not ask it of him , but was contented to have waited still in my Sorrowfull Condition all the Days of my Life , that I had to spend amongst Men. But what shall I say ! I am contented with his Will , and rest at his Feet .
" Friends , I am constrained by the Spirit of Endless Love to warn you all , that you may forbear Judging of any Man any more , upon any Pretence whatsoever , but commit all Judgement to the Son ; for he cryeth in me , that he will shortly appear with righteous Judgment upon the Earth , and Wo was upon him that hath took upon him to sit upon my seat of Judgment , and hath not Judged Righteously ; for the same Measure that he meeteth , shall be met to him again , for whosoever I find upon my seat of Judgment when I come , if he be not as I am ( Holy , Just and Mercifull , without any mixture ) him will I destroy with the Breath of my Mouth , for he is as unclean Smoak before me .
" Therefore , Dear Friends , let all Unrighteousness be far from you ; for thus saith the Voice in me , Whosoever I find in Envy , the same Envy shall be his Torment , and whosoever in Covetousness , or in Pride , or any unclean Mind , that same shall be their Cloathing , and they shall stand behind me , and all that is with me , having no other Garment but their own Filthyness . For the Envious shall have their Envy for their Reward , and the Covetous shall have his Covetousness , and whatsoever his work shall be here , that shall be his covering when I appear .
" Therefore all People , mind your own Souls , and let nothing but what is like the same Holiness , Righteousness , Mercy , and Love , without respect of Persons , in any-wise appear , and let Covetousness be far from you , and be you as he was in this World , that you may be like him in his Glory : for verily you cannot be like him in his Glory , further than you are in his Nature of Holiness .
" Therefore all Friends , look into your Hearts , and let no spark abide there of the old nature ; for if there be , it will drive you to look out at others , and in that time 't will gather Strength , and kindle a great Fire in you , which is not easily put out , which many at this day may know .
Edward
Burroughs
That
some
of
the
young
unlearned
Dogs
,
not
well
acquainted
with
the
Masters
Manner
in
gathering
the
Sheep
,
did
run
from
the
Flock
with
fierceness
after
the
Sheep
that
staid
behind
,
and
did
affrighten
them
,
and
bite
some
of
them
;
neither
would
they
be
led
,
nor
yet
stay
at
home
,
but
would
always
be
going
abroad
,
and
barking
at
the
Lambs
to
affrighten
them
,
being
ready
to
devour
them
;
for
there
was
something
of
the
Nature
of
the
Wolf
in
them
;
and
them
the
Shepherd
bound
up
in
Chains
to
fulfil
his
purpose
on
them
.
That
some
of
the
Dogs
,
well
acquainted
with
the
Masters
Manner
,
did
wisely
goe
behind
the
Sheep
,
and
such
did
drive
them
gently
along
,
without
hunting
of
them
,
or
wearying
themselves
.
outward
Unity
Forms
of
Government
see
not
clearness
in
themselves
to
practise
hunting
Spirit
that
gathers
his
Lambs
in
his
Armes
,
and
gently
leadeth
them
that
are
with
Young
Evil
Fact
Witness
the
Forty
Four
Articles
J.
S.
J.
W.
Ancient
and
Honourable
Friends
in
the
Truth
,
THEY
WOULD
NOT
HAVE
FRIENDS
OVER-DRIVEN
.
as
not
fit
to
say
they
,
speak
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
,
When
the
Lord
hath
not
spoken
by
them
;
nor
yet
to
appear
as
if
they
were
sent
of
God
,
to
gather
the
Flock
,
or
to
Proclaim
themselves
Keepers
of
other
Folks
,
Vineyards
,
when
they
have
not
kept
their
own
Vineyard
:
that
they
should
Hearken
unto
the
Word
of
Reproof
,
and
be
led
by
his
Spirit
Honest
Friends
Dark
Spirits
,
levened
Spirits
,
Troublers
of
Israel
,
Corah's
,
Judases
,
&c.
Young
Unlearned
Dogs
would
not
be
led
would
be
going
abroad
,
and
Barking
at
the
Lambs
,
to
affrighten
them
,
being
ready
to
devour
them
there
hath
been
something
of
the
Nature
of
the
Wolf
in
them
Fetters
of
Iron
Hunting
,
Biting
,
Devouring
Spirit
,
Weary
themselves
for
meer
Vanity
forty
four
Articles
Antient
and
Honourable
Friends
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Historicall
Manuscript
Preface
to
the
Reader
Names
of
Persons
Forty
Four
Articles
And
Friends
,
it
is
not
any
Personall
Trespass
against
any
of
us
,
that
we
Charge
them
with
,
nor
any
Particular
Concern
of
our
own
,
as
Men
,
that
we
are
in
the
but
the
Cause
of
Almighty
God
,
and
in
the
sense
of
the
Wrong
they
have
done
to
him
that
they
have
born
a
dear
Love
,
and
Honourable
respect
unto
them
in
the
Holy
Truth
:
Slighting
the
Heavenly
Motion
on
his
Spirit
in
that
Case
in
the
Unity
Pretiously
felt
,
and
closed
with
Form
of
Church-Government
George
Fox
Rules
,
Methods
slighting
of
the
Cause
of
God
.
in
the
Unity
Preciously
felt
and
closed
with
in
the
Unity
of
all
Friends
,
Confusion
and
Darkness
to
Believe
,
that
what
he
hath
given
forth
,
was
not
intended
by
him
to
be
urged
with
Severity
,
John
Story
Forty
Four
Articles
George
Fox
That
he
did
not
Believe
that
George
Fox
intended
any
such
thing
,
that
they
should
with
Severity
be
urged
upon
any
of
Gods
Faithfull
People
,
but
as
Instructions
or
Directions
,
Commended
them
to
the
Churches
,
Leaving
the
Effect
thereof
to
God
,
and
his
Leading
Grace
in
his
People
,
to
make
use
thereof
as
he
should
manifest
a
need
of
such
Direction
,
Counsel
or
Advice
.
Robert
Barrow
Forty
Four
Articles
Truly
thy
Darkness
and
Blindness
is
easy
to
be
felt
,
and
they
must
be
very
dim
of
Sight
that
see
thee
not
:
oh
!
the
confusion
thy
Dark
Spirit
is
in
.
Outward
Directions
of
Outward
Instructions
[
We
Preach
not
our selves
;
Let
not
your
dependency
be
on
us
;
we
are
not
(
neither
desire
to
be
)
Lords
over
your
Consciences
;
you
ought
to
Be
lieve
for
your selves
and
see
for
your selves
;
and
therefore
we
Counsel
you
to
draw
Water
out
of
your
own
wells
;
let
it
be
your
own
,
and
not
anothers
Fruit
of
Confusion
Darkness
not
to
believe
that
the
Outward
Instructions
or
Directions
of
G.
F.
amongst
the
People
called
were
Intended
to
be
Urged
with
severity
upon
Gods
Faithfull
People
?
Outward
Precepts
,
Directions
Quarterly
Meetings
a
Seperate
Meeting
Dark
,
Leaven'd
,
Rending
,
Dividing
,
Seperate
Spirits
Robert
Barrow
And
we
being
sensible
of
the
great
trouble
and
dissatisfaction
in
the
Church
of
Christ
throughout
this
Nation
,
concerning
this
said
Seperation
,
we
do
therefore
with
one
consent
,
and
at
our
several
Meetings
respectively
signifie
our
Absolute
dislike
thereof
;
and
we
do
hereby
,
in
the
fear
of
the
Lord
,
discharge
all
those
concerned
in
the
said
Seperate
Meetings
in
our
Affaires
,
as
they
stand
in
the
Seperation
;
and
we
do
declare
,
that
as
such
a
Meeting
,
they
have
no
Right
to
act
in
the
Church
Affaires
,
in
the
Capacity
they
are
in
;
but
we
do
hereby
signify
,
our
Absolute
Refusal
to
Submit
any
of
our
Affaires
either
relating
to
the
Poor
,
or
otherwise
,
to
the
Ordering
of
the
said
Seperate
Meetings
;
but
do
submit
them
to
our
Establisht
Monethly
and
Quarterly
Meetings
aforesaid
,
for
so
far
as
our
affaires
are
concerned
therein
,
to
be
Ordered
as
in
the
Wisdom
of
God
and
Unity
of
his
Spirit
they
shall
see
meet
.
Seperate
Meetings
[
Discharge
taking
care
of
the
Poor
Seperate
Meeting
One
Hundred
Sixty
six
Manuscript
first
made
mention
of
in
the
Preface
;
which
is
ready
for
the
Friend
,
that
may
be
Desirous
to
peruse
the
same
.
Charles
Marshall
and
Sixty
Five
more
,
Ellis
Hookes
Robert
Barrow
and
One
Hundred
sixty
five
more
,
exalt
one
Man
defame
others
George
Fox's
Pretended
motions
,
with
respect
to
Formes
of
Church-Government
and
a
Charitable
Belief
,
that
he
intended
not
to
urge
his
Papers
relating
thereto
,
on
any
of
Gods
Faithfull
People
,
with
severity
but
as
Instructions
or
Directions
,
commended
them
to
the
Churches
,
leaving
the
Effect
thereof
to
God
,
and
his
leading
Grace
in
his
People
,
to
make
use
thereof
,
as
he
should
manifest
a
need
of
such
Directions
,
Counsel
or
Advice
of
a
Dark
Spirit
in
Confusion
,
exalting
one
man
a
Submission
Monethly
and
Quarterly
Meetings
Forty
Four
Articles
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Article
already
cited
against
John
Story
that
what
Gorge
Fox
hath
given
forth
as
a
Rule
or
Form
of
Church-Government
,
was
so
given
Forth
by
him
from
an
Heavenly
Motion
;
that
such
his
Motion
was
pretiously
felt
and
closed
with
in
the
Vnity
,
and
ought
not
to
be
slighted
:
[
Witness
expressions
frequently
urged
to
this
purpose
(
when
Friends
being
met
about
Outward
Concernes
of
Truth
,
have
not
agreed
)
George
Fox's
paper
saith
G.
F.
Monethly
and
Quarterly
Meetings
Persecuting
Spirit
seriousness
of
Spirit
before
the
Lord
What
is
that
bait
,
which
the
enemy
of
the
Soul
of
Man
hath
spread
before
him
(
since
his
first
coming
forth
to
Preach
the
Light
,
&c.
)
to
concern
himself
so
much
as
he
hath
against
some
,
that
cannot
own
an
urging
with
severity
his
Directions
,
or
Prescriptions
,
on
Gods
Faithfull
People
;
and
in
Particular
to
appear
a
Persecutor
of
such
,
which
can
certainly
be
proved
against
him
,
if
endeavouring
unjustly
to
take
away
a
mans
Good
Name
and
Reputation
can
be
termed
such
?
Forbidden
Fruit
which
Ye
shall
be
as
Gods
.
aspiring
Mind
that
he
hath
seen
things
in
the
Vision
of
the
Almighty
,
Imagination
of
his
own
Heart
Motion
of
the
Spirit
aspiring
mind
Weak
Friends
that
none
would
prosper
,
who
should
oppose
him
.
of
being
set
by
the
Lord
in
the
like
place
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
at
this
Dayas
had
amongst
the
Children
of
in
his
Day
Corah
,
Dathan
Simple
People
G.
F's
False
Certificates
may
peruse
the
Part
of
the
and
therein
the
said
are
more
largely
treated
on
Lost
State
Outward
Ordinances
Cross
of
Christ
The
Day
of
their
Infancy
in
the
Truth
,
as
Watchmen
in
the
House
of
Israel
to
have
their
Eye
to
the
Light
within
Outward
Person
G.
F.
little
in
his
own
eyes
Great
in
the
Eyes
of
others
true
Judgment
was
committed
to
him
in
all
things
he
may
take
a
Liberty
knowingly
to
put
Stumbling
Blocks
in
the
way
of
Gods
People
,
and
yet
be
justified
therein
discoursed
with
him
touching
this
particular
Passage
in
his
Book
of
and
then
a
few
Lines
after
(
though
she
was
an
Idolotrous
Woman
)
sayeth
,
&c.
he
answered
from
the
Truth
J.
Naylor
I
am
but
the
figure
of
another
,
J.
N.
Offence
unto
the
Church
of
God
,
Constraint
upon
him
James
Naylor
Children
of
Light
G.
F.
Division
,
Strife
That
he
hath
been
moved
of
God
to
give
them
forth
,
that
Friends
might
be
supplied
with
Directions
to
keep
all
things
clean
and
sweet
amongst
Friends
That
there
should
be
no
Backbiting
,
Tale-bearing
,
Judging
one
another
,
and
that
evil
reports
should
not
be
concealed
,
but
be
followed
,
until
the
Authors
thereof
be
found
,
Daniel
Smith
Daniel
Smith
DOCTRINES
of
TRUTH
Scripture
of
Truth
Children
of
Light
Unchangeable
Truth
An
APPENDIX
Charles
Marshal
sixty
five
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
By
WILLIAM
ROGERS
,
on
behalf
of
himself
and
other
Friends
in
Truth
concerned
.
1 Cor. 3.11 . For other Foundation can no Man lay , than that which is already laid , which is Christ Jesus .
2 Tim. 4.3 . For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine ; but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers , having itching ears .
Christian-Quaker
,
distinguish'd
from
the
Apostate
and
Innovator
Dividing
Times
What
a
remnant
stand
for
,
who
cannot
in
a
temporizing
spirit
change
their
way
.
You
seem
to
propound
two
ways
by
which
the
things
appertaining
to
the
Kingdom
of
God
,
and
Salvation
of
Mankind
have
been
,
and
are
revealed
,
the
Spirit
of
Truth
,
or
Appearance
of
Christ
by
his
Light
,
as
One
Way
;
and
the
Scriptures
of
Truth
as
Another
Way
.
That
the
holy
Scriptures
were
able
to
make
him
wise
unto
Salvation
;
and
that
they
were
profitable
for
Doctrine
,
for
reproof
,
for
correction
,
for
instruction
in
righteousness
Scriptures
,
that
are
given
forth
by
inspiration
of
God
,
viz.
thorow
the
saith
that
is
in
Christ
Jesus
.
the
powerful
appearance
of
Christ
by
his
spirit
and
light
,
that
faith
in
Christ
may
be
raised
that
Treasure
that
is
hid
in
our
Earthen
Vessels
,
that
the
excellency
of
that
Power
might
be
of
God
,
and
not
of
man
.
That
no
Prophecy
of
the
Scripture
is
of
any
Private
interpretation
Private
Interpretations
Turn
in
your
minds
unto
the
Light
within
the
Light
of
Christ
within
which
shews
you
that
a
Tye
is
not
of
the
Truth
;
and
as
through
Faith
you
come
to
be
Obedient
unto
the
Light
Within
,
and
that
measure
of
Grace
given
by
God
,
and
received
by
you
,
so
will
you
come
to
be
made
Partalters
of
that
great
Salvation
.
More
Sure
Rule
Do
you
not
think
,
that
those
Jews
who
crucified
Christ
,
acted
not
from
the
Light
Within
,
Since
some
of
them
,
at
least
,
verily
thought
they
did
God
good
service
therein
?
In
him
was
Life
,
and
the
Life
was
the
Light
of
men
.
That
was
the
true
Light
,
which
lighteth
every
man
that
cometh
into
the
world
.
I
am
the
Light
of
the
World
,
John
8.12
.
he
that
followeth
me
,
shall
not
walk
in
Darkness
,
but
shall
have
the
Light
of
Life
.
Joh.
12.46
.
I
am
come
a
Light
into
the
World
,
that
whosoever
believeth
in
me
should
not
abide
in
Darkness
.
What
's
this
to
a
Light
Within
?
't
is
very
plain
that
the
Evangelist
meant
nothing
of
a
Light
Within
,
in
your
sense
,
but
of
the
Personal
Appearance
of
Christ
Without
,
as
that
Word
which
was
made
Flesh
As
long
as
I
am
in
the
World
,
I
am
the
Light
of
the
World
.
Yet
a
little
while
is
the
Light
with
you
;
walk
while
you
have
the
Light
.
While
ye
have
the
Light
,
believe
in
the
Light
,
that
ye
may
be
the
Children
of
the
Light
.
no
longer
Body
only
viz.
That
was
the
true
Light
that
lighteth
every
man
that
cometh
into
the
World
.
his
Light
within
viz.
That
which
may
be
known
of
God
,
Rom.
1.19
.
is
manifest
in
them
:
For
God
hath
shewed
it
unto
them
.
Seeing
you
seek
a
proof
of
Christ
,
speaking
in
me
,
2
Cor.
13.3
.
which
Riches
is
Christ
in
you
,
Col.
1.27
.
the
hope
of
Glory
.
Who
shall
descend
into
the
deep
,
that
is
,
Rom.
10.7
,
8.
to
bring
Christ
again
from
the
dead
?
but
what
saith
it
?
the
Word
is
near
thee
,
even
in
thy
mouth
and
in
thy
heart
,
this
is
the
word
of
faith
which
we
preach
.
That
the
God
of
Jacob
will
teach
us
of
his
Ways
Oh
house
of
Jacob
,
come
ye
,
let
us
walk
in
the
Light
of
the
Lord
!
In
whose
hearts
was
the
law
of
the
Lord
,
I
will
put
my
law
in
their
Inward
Parts
,
Jer.
31.33
34.
and
write
it
in
their
Hearts
,
and
they
shall
teach
no
more
every
man
his
Neighbour
,
and
every
man
his
Brother
,
saying
,
Know
the
Lord
;
for
they
shall
all
know
me
,
from
the
least
of
them
to
the
greatest
O
house
of
Jacob
,
come
ye
,
let
us
walk
in
the
Light
of
the
Lord
.
that
unto
them
that
look
for
him
,
shall
he
appear
the
second
time
,
without
Sin
unto
Salvation
,
[
Turn
in
your
Minds
Doth
not
this
put
the
Creature
upon
Action
in
his
own
Self-will
,
when
as
the
Will
of
Man
cannot
bring
forth
that
Birth
unto
which
power
is
given
to
become
the
Sons
of
God
?
You
hath
he
quickned
that
were
dead
in
Trespasses
and
Sins
.
Do
you
not
think
that
the
who
crucified
Christ
,
acted
not
from
the
light
within
;
since
some
of
them
,
at
least
,
thought
they
did
God
good
service
therein
?
From
what
then
did
those
of
them
act
,
who
verily
thought
they
did
God
good
service
therein
?
Zeal
without
knowledge
to
do
as
they
would
be
done
by
that
they
might
turn
from
darkness
to
light
,
and
from
the
power
of
Satan
unto
God
.
that
the
People
called
Quakers
are
infallible
.
Internal
things
External
things
To
whom
also
he
presented
himself
alive
,
after
that
he
had
suffered
,
by
many
tokens
,
being
seen
of
them
by
the
space
of
forty
days
,
and
speaking
of
those
things
which
appertain
to
the
Kingdom
of
God
.
This
seems
to
respect
the
outward
senses
of
the
Apostles
,
in
seeing
Christ
their
Lord
and
Master
,
and
in
hearing
the
things
he
spoke
,
which
appertained
to
the
Kingdom
of
God
;
and
this
is
readily
confest
unto
:
but
how
can
it
be
proved
that
there
is
an
accompanying
the
inward
senses
of
the
inward
Man
,
seeing
many
have
pretended
to
give
true
Judgment
,
from
their
inward
Sense
,
which
hath
proved
notoriously
wrong
,
and
detectable
by
our
outward
Senses
?
Infallibility
,
viz.
How
then
comes
it
to
pass
,
that
men
endued
with
the
Spirit
of
God
,
are
deceived
and
fallible
?
What
I
say
unto
you
,
I
say
unto
all
,
watch
.
That
the
Church
of
Christ
is
infallible
,
and
cannot
err
Gift
of
God
Dictates
of
fallible
men
Lo
here
's
Lo
there
's
We
are
the
Church
of
Christ
?
Every
perfect
gift
is
from
above
;
if
any
man
offend
not
in
word
,
Jam.
3.2
.
the
same
is
a
perfect
man
:
perfect
estate
perfect
state
Let
us
therefore
,
Phil.
3.15
.
as
many
as
be
perfect
,
be
thus
minded
.
pressing
toward
the
Mark
for
the
Price
of
the
High
calling
of
God
in
Christ
Jesus
.
But
every
one
that
is
shall
be
as
his
Master
.
Mat.
5.48
.
Be
ye
therefore
perfect
,
as
your
Father
which
is
in
Heaven
is
perfect
.
which
you
speak
of
,
we
readily
confess
unto
,
so
far
as
the
mind
of
the
Spirit
is
signified
unto
us
therein
,
because
't
is
the
very
Language
of
the
holy
Scriptures
.
But
yet
we
are
dissatisfied
,
that
the
Meaning
of
the
Spirit
by
this
perfect
estate
,
is
such
a
state
as
therein
to
Be
ye
perfect
,
as
your
Father
which
is
in
Heaven
is
perfect
.
He
that
committeth
sin
,
is
of
the
Devil
,
for
the
Devil
sinneth
from
the
beginning
:
For
this
purpose
,
the
Son
of
God
was
manifested
,
that
he
might
destroy
the
Works
of
the
Devil
.
This
also
we
cannot
deny
,
being
the
express
testimony
of
the
Apostle
;
but
yet
,
since
Scripture
ought
to
be
compared
with
Scripture
,
when
there
is
a
seeming
Contradiction
(
as
on
this
occasion
we
suppose
there
is
)
we
therefore
say
,
that
we
do
not
believe
that
the
meaning
of
the
Spirit
is
according
to
what
the
express
words
seem
to
hold
forth
in
this
Case
.
Because
we
do
not
understand
from
the
Scriptures
,
but
that
the
Saints
were
subject
to
fail
,
and
that
many
of
them
did
fail
.
Though
the
Apostle
testifies
yet
this
hath
been
interpreted
to
be
only
from
the
Guilt
and
not
from
the
so
as
to
cease
therefrom
,
whilst
on
this
side
the
grave
;
which
doubtless
was
the
reason
wherefore
we
find
these
testimonies
recorded
in
the
holy
Scriptures
,
(
thereby
implying
as
if
Salvation
through
Faith
might
be
obtained
,
though
Good
Works
were
wanting
,
and
so
consequently
Sin
committed
instead
thereof
,
since
't
is
irrational
to
conclude
,
that
whilst
Man
is
in
the
Body
he
can
cease
from
working
both
Good
and
Evil.
)
That
the
Saints
were
subject
to
fail
,
and
that
many
of
them
did
fail
(
what
I
say
unto
you
,
I
say
unto
all
,
watch
)
That
man
cannot
cease
from
sin
That
Faith
without
Works
is
dead
:
different
means
Works
of
the
Law
God
forbid
that
I
should
glory
,
save
in
the
Cross
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
by
whom
the
world
is
crucified
unto
me
,
and
I
unto
the
world
.
For
in
Christ
Jesus
neither
Circumcision
,
nor
Vncircumcision
availeth
any
thing
,
but
a
New
Creature
.
That
by
the
Works
of
the
Law
,
no
Flesh
shall
be
justified
:
By
Grace
are
ye
saved
,
through
faith
,
Ephes.
2.8
,
9.
and
that
not
of
your selves
,
it
is
the
gift
of
God
:
not
of
works
,
lest
any
man
should
boast
.
obedience
of
Faith
That
he
had
received
his
Apostleship
,
and
that
the
mystery
kept
secret
since
the
World
began
,
was
revealed
:
whether
they
were
in
Christ
Jesus
?
If
any
man
be
in
Christ
,
he
is
a
new
Creature
Who
by
Grace
were
saved
through
Faith
,
and
not
by
works
For
we
are
his
workmanship
,
created
in
Christ
Jesus
unto
good
works
,
which
God
hath
before
ordained
,
that
we
should
walk
in
them
.
Philipians
,
Chap.
Wherefore
my
beloved
,
as
ye
have
always
obeyed
,
not
as
in
my
Presence
only
,
but
now
much
more
in
my
Absence
;
work
out
your
Salvation
with
fear
and
trembling
.
For
't
is
God
that
worketh
in
you
both
to
will
and
to
do
of
his
good
pleasure
.
Work
out
your
Salvation
Good
Works
That
Faith
without
works
is
dead
.
True
Faith
True
Faith
Be
warm
and
filled
good
works
may
be
wanting
to
such
as
are
saved
,
and
sin
committed
instead
thereof
.
That
in
many
things
we
offend
all
.
not
free
from
sin
If
any
man
offend
not
in
Word
,
the
same
is
a
Perfect
Man
inoffensive
State
If
we
say
we
have
no
Sin
,
we
deceive
our selves
,
and
the
Truth
is
not
in
us
not
free
from
sin
If
we
confess
our
sins
,
he
is
faithful
and
just
to
forgive
us
our
sins
,
and
to
cleanse
us
from
all
unrighteousness
.
that
the
Apostle's
meaning
touching
the
word
was
but
a
cleansing
from
the
Guilt
(
and
not
from
the
Fact
)
of
unrighteousness
.
Whosoever
is
born
of
God
,
doth
not
commit
sin
;
For
his
seed
remaineth
in
him
,
and
he
cannot
sin
,
because
he
is
born
of
God
:
viz.
That
the
Blood
of
Christ
cleanseth
only
from
the
Guilt
,
and
Not
from
the
Act
of
sin
,
so
as
to
cease
therefrom
whilst
on
this
side
the
Grave
:
viz.
that
cannot
cease
from
Sin
a
walking
in
the
Light
,
even
as
Christ
is
in
the
light
,
There
is
a
Wisdom
from
above
Wisdom
of
God
there
is
a
Wisdom
which
is
not
from
above
,
Fleshly
,
and
of
this
World
.
Knowledge
puffeth
up
Speaks
of
the
Knowledge
of
the
Truth
.
If
ye
have
Bitter
Envying
,
and
Strife
in
your
hearts
,
Glory
not
,
and
lye
not
against
the
Truth
.
This
Wisdom
descendeth
not
from
above
,
but
is
Earthly
,
Sensual
,
Devilish
.
For
where
Envying
and
Strife
is
,
there
is
confusion
,
and
every
Evil
Work
.
viz.
'T
is
first
Pure
,
then
Peaceable
,
Gentle
,
and
Easie
to
be
intreated
,
full
of
Mercy
,
and
Good
Fruits
;
without
Partiality
,
without
Hypocracy
.
Wisdom
without
Distinction
so
much
preacht
against
Good
Christians
Feeling
of
the
Power
of
God
,
Life
of
Christianity
The
Wisdom
of
this
World
is
Foolishness
with
God
Wherefore
gird
up
the
Loins
of
your
Minds
,
be
sober
,
as
obedient
Children
,
not
fashioning
your selves
according
to
your
former
Lusts
,
in
your
ignorance
.
some
have
a
far
greater
portion
of
Wisdom
,
Knowledge
and
Vnderstanding
than
others
;
and
that
it
's
given
them
of
God
,
as
they
are
Creatures
,
distinct
from
what
they
are
,
when
acted
by
a
good
Spirit
or
a
bad
,
and
in
this
respect
is
Man
(
as
a
Creature
)
the
most
excellent
Creature
that
God
hath
made
.
this
Portion
of
Wisdom
,
Knowledge
,
or
Vnderstanding
(
as
we
are
creatures
)
to
be
that
Wisdom
which
the
Apostle
termed
Earthly
,
Sensual
,
and
Devilish
,
or
the
Wisdom
of
this
World
,
or
the
Wisdom
of
the
Wise
,
1
Cor.
1.19
.
which
the
Lord
by
the
Apostle
hath
said
The
Son
of
man
came
not
to
destroy
mens
lives
.
What
then
did
the
Apostle
hint
at
,
when
he
spoke
of
the
Wisdom
of
the
World
,
the
Wisdom
of
the
Wise
,
and
the
Wisdom
of
Words
?
the
Wisdom
of
this
World
Carnal
Body
Spirit
of
God
fleshly
wisdom
man
as
a
creature
Wisdom
of
God
The
mouth
of
the
Just
bringeth
forth
Wisdom
.
to
walk
in
Wisdom
Wisdom
is
justified
of
her
Children
.
ask
it
of
God
,
who
giveth
liberally
How
long
,
ye
simple
ones
,
will
ye
love
simplicity
,
and
fools
hate
knowledge
?
turn
ye
at
my
Reproof
.
We
do
not
cease
to
pray
for
you
,
and
to
desire
that
you
might
be
filled
with
the
Knowledge
of
his
Will
,
in
all
Wisdom
and
spiritual
Vnderstanding
:
Whom
we
preach
,
warning
every
man
,
and
teaching
every
man
in
all
Wisdom
,
that
we
may
present
every
man
perfect
in
Christ
Jesus
.
Eyes
out
unto
man
neglect
to
read
the
Scriptures
of
Truth
,
given
forth
by
inspiration
,
which
are
able
to
make
thee
Wise
unto
Salvation
,
through
Faith
which
is
in
Christ
Jesus
.
[
Knowledge
They
have
no
knowledge
,
Isa.
45.20
.
that
set
up
the
Wood
of
their
Graven
Images
,
and
pray
unto
a
God
that
cannot
save
exalt
man
have
an
eye
to
men
bow
in
their
Hearts
unto
Men
,
Dictates
,
Prescriptions
,
Orders
Outward
Rules
of
Man
My
People
are
destroyed
for
lack
of
Knowledge
;
because
thou
hast
rejected
Knowledge
,
I
will
also
reject
thee
.
that
Knowledge
puffeth
up
Now
as
touching
things
offered
unto
Idols
,
we
know
,
that
we
have
all
Knowledge
;
Knowledge
puffeth
up
,
but
Charity
edifieth
.
If
any
man
see
thee
,
which
hast
Knowledge
,
sit
at
meat
in
the
Idols
Temple
,
shall
not
the
Conscience
of
him
which
is
weak
be
emboldned
to
eat
those
things
which
are
offered
unto
Idols
?
and
through
thy
knowledge
shall
the
weak
Brother
perish
.
Knowledge
puffeth
up
,
but
Charity
edifieth
:
Let
your
Women
keep
silence
in
the
Church
,
They
might
all
prophesie
one
by
one
We
know
that
we
all
have
knowledge
;
howbeit
there
is
not
in
every
man
that
knowledge
;
for
some
with
Conscience
of
the
Idol
unto
this
hour
eat
it
,
as
a
thing
offered
unto
an
Idol
,
and
their
conscience
being
weak
,
is
defiled
.
viz.
Knowledge
puffeth
up
,
but
Charity
edifieth
,
true
Knowledge
I
pray
that
your
love
may
abound
yet
more
and
more
in
Knowledge
,
and
in
all
Judgment
;
that
ye
may
approve
things
that
are
excellent
;
that
ye
may
be
sincere
,
and
without
offence
.
viz.
things
that
are
contemptible
vile
,
insincere
By
this
discourse
you
seem
to
exalt
Knowledge
as
an
excellent
thing
;
*
*
See
an
Epistle
evidencing
the
Qualifications
of
such
whom
Satan
makes
use
of
to
rend
and
divide
the
Church
of
Christ
,
being
contained
in
the
first
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
.
How
comes
it
then
to
pass
,
that
divers
amongst
you
(
called
Quakers
)
have
preached
reflectingly
on
such
as
are
indued
with
knowledge
above
many
of
their
Brethren
,
as
if
their
Religion
were
in
their
Heads
,
and
not
in
their
hearts
;
telling
us
,
That
the
Tree
of
Knowledge
was
not
good
for
Food
;
and
not
only
so
,
but
have
appeared
in
such
an
invective
Spirit
against
Reason
also
,
without
distinction
,
that
in
your
publick
Meeting
,
this
imperative
Expression
hath
been
uttered
,
Away
with
all
Reasoning
.
Tree
of
Knowledge
other
food
rebellious
eating
Apple
in
itself
not
good
for
food
.
sensual
and
devilish
This
is
life
eternal
,
that
they
might
know
thee
the
only
true
God
,
John
17.3
.
and
Jesus
Christ
whom
thou
hast
sent
.
Knowledge
is
the
way
to
life
.
that
the
Tree
of
Knowledge
is
not
good
for
food
,
as
in
itself
viz.
The
Tree
of
Knowledge
is
not
good
for
Food
Active
Obedience
Active
Obedience
You
speak
very
well
so
far
as
you
have
limited
your
Obedience
to
Good
Laws
;
but
what
if
those
in
power
should
make
such
Laws
,
which
you
account
bad
,
and
not
grounded
on
the
Law
of
God
,
but
directly
against
those
whom
you
term
God's
People
;
dare
you
then
say
that
't
is
agreeable
unto
the
Light
of
Christ
within
,
and
Scriptures
of
Truth
without
,
to
yield
Obedience
in
such
Cases
?
Passive
Obedience
chusing
rather
to
obey
God
than
man
,
Active
Obedience
Resist
not
evil
;
Mat.
5.39
.
but
whosoever
shall
smite
thee
on
thy
right
cheek
,
turn
to
him
the
other
viz.
Resist
not
evil
This
shews
you
principled
against
outward
Wars
,
and
Fightings
,
to
work
your
own
deliverance
from
under
oppressive
Magistrates
.
O
house
of
Jacob
,
come
ye
,
let
us
walk
in
the
Light
of
the
Lord
,
He
shall
judge
among
the
Nations
,
and
shall
rebuke
many
people
,
and
they
shall
beat
their
Swords
into
Plow-shares
,
and
their
Spears
into
pruning-hooks
:
Nation
shall
not
lift
up
sword
against
Nation
,
neither
shall
they
learn
war
any
more
.
Peter
,
Put
up
thy
sword
into
thy
sheath
led
like
a
Lamb
dumb
before
the
shearer
viz.
All
that
will
live
godly
in
Christ
Jesus
,
shall
suffer
persecution
resist
evil
that
the
Outward
Deportment
of
Friends
in
Truth
,
hath
become
as
a
Stumbling-block
to
many
,
concluding
that
our
manner
of
Habit
,
Gesture
and
Language
,
distinct
from
others
,
was
either
the
Fruit
of
Pride
,
or
Ignorance
,
or
else
of
both
:
Rude
,
Whimsical
,
or
Imaginary
Church
of
God
in
the
Cross
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
by
whom
the
World
is
crucified
to
them
,
and
they
unto
the
World
.
Spiritual
appearance
of
the
Son
of
God
,
which
was
to
lead
and
guide
into
all
truth
Vnnecessary
Attires
Complemental
Expressions
viz.
The
ornament
of
a
Meek
and
Quiet
Spirit
Plain
Language
Propriety
of
Speech
Will
in
Man
Plain
Language
Plain
Habit
(
viz.
neither
be
ye
called
Masters
)
Do
you
place
Religion
in
Thee
and
Thou
,
and
Not
putting
off
your
Hat
,
and
calling
men
by
their
proper
Names
,
without
adjoining
the
word
Master
,
and
going
plainer
in
your
Apparel
than
some
others
may
?
We
place
Religion
in
keeping
our
Consciences
void
of
Offence
towards
God
thy
Master
else
thou
mayest
only
seem
to
be
religious
,
when
thy
Religion
is
vain
Putting
off
thy
Nat
,
and
going
in
Plain
Apparel
,
We
have
observed
,
that
your
Friends
,
have
in
many
particular
respects
,
behaved
themselves
so
cross
unto
the
Customs
and
Fashions
of
all
others
,
as
that
they
have
appeared
not
only
Rude
,
but
as
if
their
Ignorance
were
so
great
,
as
to
conclude
,
that
the
taking
up
the
Cross
of
Christ
doth
consist
in
acting
a
Cross
unto
all
other
Societies
of
People
whatsoever
.
deny
Self
If
any
man
will
come
after
me
,
Mat
16.24
.
let
him
deny
himself
,
and
take
up
his
Cross
and
follow
me
.
That
the
Preaching
of
the
Cross
is
to
them
that
perish
,
1
Cor.
1.18
.
foolishness
;
but
unto
us
which
are
saved
,
it
is
the
power
of
God
.
Rudeness
and
Ignorance
denial
of
Self
Comely
,
Decent
Good
Report
't
is
not
agreeable
to
the
truth
to
Swear
in
any
Case
whatsoever
.
Again
,
ye
have
heard
that
it
hath
been
said
by
them
of
old
time
,
Thou
shalt
not
forswear
thy self
,
but
shalt
perform
unto
the
Lord
thine
Oaths
.
But
I
say
unto
you
,
Swear
not
at
all
;
neither
by
Heaven
,
for
it
is
God's
Throne
;
nor
by
the
Earth
,
for
it
is
his
Footstool
;
neither
by
Jerusalem
,
for
it
is
the
City
of
the
great
King
;
Neither
shalt
thou
swear
by
thy
head
,
because
thou
caust
not
make
one
Hair
white
or
black
;
But
let
your
Communication
be
yea
,
yea
;
nay
,
nay
;
for
whatsoever
is
more
than
these
,
cometh
of
evil
.
vain
Oaths
all
other
that
vain
Oaths
were
only
forbidden
by
Christ
,
For
men
verily
Swear
by
the
Greater
,
and
an
Oath
for
Confirmation
is
to
them
an
End
of
all
Strife
Prohibition
of
something
,
which
was
lawful
if
nothing
be
prohibited
save
Vain
Oaths
,
Do
you
believe
that
the
Light
Within
would
have
directed
you
to
have
denyed
the
taking
of
an
Oath
,
before
a
Magistrate
on
any
Occasion
whatsoever
,
had
the
Scriptures
been
silent
in
this
case
?
as
supposing
a
greater
might
lie
on
the
Consciences
of
Mankind
,
when
sworn
so
to
do
,
than
when
not
:
False
Witnesses
Thousands
of
Oaths
Children
of
Light
make
Shipwrack
of
Faith
and
of
a
good
Conscience
An
Oath
entred
when
Evil
increased
,
when
men
uttered
their
deceits
,
when
all
foundations
were
overturned
;
An
Oath
took
its
beginning
from
the
Failing
of
Truth
.
Denial
to
swear
in
any
case
,
Swear
not
at
all
But
above
all
things
,
my
Brethren
,
Swear
not
,
neither
by
Heaven
,
neither
by
the
Earth
,
neither
by
any
other
Oath
;
Jam.
5.12
.
but
let
your
Yea
,
be
Yea
;
and
your
Nay
,
Nay
;
lest
ye
fall
into
Condemnation
.
Divine
Right
Humane
Institution
Divine
Right
They
that
are
of
the
Sons
of
who
receive
the
Office
of
the
Priesthood
,
have
a
Commandment
to
take
Tythes
of
the
People
,
according
to
the
Law
,
The
Priesthood
being
changed
,
there
is
made
of
necessity
a
Change
also
of
the
Law
.
There
is
verily
a
disannulling
of
the
Commandment
going
before
.
Law
is
changed
Commandment
disannulled
the
payment
thereof
by
vertue
of
that
Law
ceaseth
,
Divine
Right
Neither
is
any
thing
of
God
purchased
with
a
Price
;
Also
,
if
there
be
any
kind
of
Treasury
,
it
is
not
gathered
by
a
collection
that
is
chargeable
[
or
that
may
be
imposed
,
]
as
if
it
were
the
Price
of
a
Ransomed
Religion
:
every
one
laieth
by
a
moderate
stipend
Monthly
,
or
when
he
will
,
and
if
so
be
it
please
him
,
and
if
so
be
he
can
;
for
no
body
is
compelled
,
but
bestows
of
his
own
accord
,
these
are
as
it
were
things
committed
in
trust
for
Pious
Vses
.
They
do
all
things
,
or
agree
generally
with
the
Church
,
saving
that
they
were
too
much
herein
addicted
to
the
cursed
that
are
not
Circumcised
cursed
that
pay
not
Tythes
cursed
that
offer
not
at
known
use
of
payment
Circumcision
or
Offering
at
Why
do
you
not
observe
also
at
which
are
all
subject
to
the
like
curse
?
one
Curse
many
other
Tythe
not
offer
not
at
Whether
a
Claim
by
Humane
Institution
be
warrantable
as
a
reward
to
a
Gospel-Minister
.
humane
institution
carnal
things
Humane
Institution
Carnal
things
accounted
it
a
Reward
unto
him
,
that
when
he
preached
the
Gospel
,
he
might
make
the
Gospel
of
Christ
without
Charge
.
But
what
if
it
please
the
supreme
Powers
to
bestow
on
the
National
Ministry
Tythes
?
how
prove
you
from
the
Scriptures
,
that
those
who
freely
pay
it
,
do
ill
,
or
that
't
is
not
lawful
for
them
to
receive
it
from
such
,
and
sue
for
it
by
the
law
from
others
,
who
are
not
free
to
pay
it
?
to
contribute
toward
the
outward
maintainance
of
such
whom
they
usually
hear
,
and
account
to
be
the
true
Ministers
of
Christ
,
in
case
they
have
need
fifth
part
who
under
pretence
of
being
Gospel-Ministers
,
have
received
carnal
things
,
from
any
who
give
them
not
freely
,
but
by
vertue
of
humane
institution
.
sue
for
Tythes
,
when
given
by
Law
to
a
Gospel-Ministry
make
outward
Laws
Spiritual
Work
temporal
Constitution
The
Lord
ordained
that
they
which
preached
the
Gospel
,
should
live
of
the
Gospel
.
that
those
who
preach
the
Gospel
,
should
live
of
the
Gospel
,
God
hath
ordained
humane
Law
living
of
the
Gospel
freely
received
freely
given
reapeth
no
man's
carual
things
,
unless
they
be
freely
offered
.
Baptism
of
water
was
the
Ministration
of
He
that
cometh
after
me
is
mightier
than
I
,
whose
Shoes
I
am
not
worthy
to
bear
;
he
shall
baptise
you
with
the
holy
Ghost
and
with
Fire
.
Go
ye
therefore
,
and
teach
all
Nations
,
Mat.
28.19
.
baptising
them
in
the
Name
of
the
Father
,
and
of
the
Son
,
and
of
the
holy
Ghost
:
Teaching
them
to
observe
all
things
that
I
have
commanded
you
;
and
lo
I
am
with
you
unto
the
End
of
the
World
.
Baptism
of
Water
End
of
the
World
Baptism
of
Water
He
was
not
sent
to
Baptise
,
no
Aposide
Christ
gave
no
such
Commission
,
Go
teach
all
Nations
,
baptising
them
,
I
was
not
sent
to
baptise
,
Whether
there
be
not
cause
to
doubt
,
that
the
very
Disciples
themselves
might
not
be
as
remote
from
having
a
true
Savour
of
the
Meaning
of
Christ
in
these
words
,
[
baptising
them
in
the
Name
of
the
Father
,
and
of
the
Son
,
and
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
]
as
some
of
Christ's
Disciples
were
in
these
his
words
,
[
Except
ye
eat
the
Flesh
of
the
Son
of
man
,
and
drink
his
Blood
,
ye
have
no
life
in
you
?
]
It
is
the
Spirit
that
quickneth
,
the
Flesh
profiteth
nothing
;
the
Words
that
I
speak
unto
you
,
they
are
spirit
,
and
they
are
Life
:
This
is
an
hard
saying
,
who
can
hear
it
?
Baptism
of
Water
Go
near
Join
himself
to
the
Eunuch's
Chariot
,
Water
baptism
But
whether
by
vertue
of
any
command
from
Christ
so
to
do
,
is
yet
the
question
,
and
uncertain
from
any
positive
Scripture
.
Baptism
of
Water
Go
teach
all
Nations
,
baptising
them
,
with
the
holy
Ghost
and
with
Fire
viz.
the
pouering
forth
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
Baptism
of
the
Spirit
Baptism
of
the
Spirit
Who
when
they
were
come
down
,
prayed
for
them
,
that
they
might
receive
the
holy
Ghost
;
for
as
yet
he
was
faln
on
one
of
them
,
only
they
were
baptised
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
Jesus
.
Baptism
of
Water
ought
to
end
in
time
And
lo
I
am
with
you
unto
the
End
of
the
World
,
Baptism
of
Water
And
lo
I
am
with
you
always
unto
the
End
of
the
World
And
lo
I
am
with
you
every
day
,
unto
the
Consummation
of
the
Age.
Suffer
it
to
be
so
now
;
for
thus
it
becometh
us
to
fulfil
all
Righteousness
Baptism
of
Water
Baptism
by
his
Spirit
Christ
is
not
entred
into
the
Holy
Places
made
with
Hands
,
which
are
the
Figures
of
the
true
;
but
into
Heaven
itself
,
now
to
appear
in
the
Presence
of
God
for
us
;
nor
yet
that
he
should
offer
himself
often
,
as
the
High
Priest
entereth
into
the
Holy
Place
every
year
with
Blood
of
others
;
for
then
must
he
often
have
suffered
since
the
Foundation
of
the
World
;
but
now
once
in
the
end
of
the
world
hath
he
appeared
to
put
away
sin
by
the
Sacrifice
of
himself
.
in
the
End
of
the
World
,
And
lo
,
I
am
with
you
alway
,
unto
the
End
of
the
World
the
End
of
the
World
[
World
viz.
Since
the
Foundation
of
the
World
,
[
World
time
of
a
man's
life
That
the
practice
thereof
was
chiefly
by
way
of
Condescension
to
those
,
who
were
Weak
,
and
not
easily
brought
off
from
the
Observation
of
Outward
Ordinances
,
to
have
their
Eye
unto
Christ
Jesus
,
the
great
Ordinance
of
God
unto
Salvation
Vnto
the
I
became
as
a
that
I
might
gain
the
to
them
that
are
under
the
Law
,
as
under
the
Law
,
that
I
might
gain
them
that
are
under
the
Law
;
to
them
that
are
without
Law
,
as
without
Law
(
being
not
without
Law
to
God
,
but
under
the
Law
to
Christ
)
that
I
might
gain
them
that
are
without
Law
;
to
the
Weak
I
became
as
Weak
,
that
I
might
gain
the
Weak
;
I
am
made
all
things
to
all
men
,
that
I
might
by
all
means
save
some
;
and
this
I
do
for
the
Gospel
sake
.
He
must
increase
,
but
I
must
decrease
that
administration
of
Water-Baptism
I
thank
God
,
I
baptised
none
of
you
,
but
lest
any
should
say
,
I
have
baptised
in
my
own
Name
;
and
I
baptised
also
the
house
of
Besides
I
know
not
whether
I
baptised
any
other
;
for
Christ
sent
me
not
to
baptise
,
but
to
Ephesians
,
Eph.
4.4
,
5
,
6.
There
is
one
Body
,
one
Spirit
,
even
as
ye
are
called
in
one
Hope
of
your
Calling
;
one
Lord
,
one
Faith
,
one
Baptism
,
one
God
and
Father
of
all
Baptism
of
the
Spirit
For
by
one
spirit
are
we
all
baptised
into
one
Body
,
whether
we
be
whether
we
be
Bond
or
Free
;
and
have
been
all
made
to
drink
into
one
Spirit
.
Children
of
Light
Apostutised
from
the
true
Faith
Disowners
of
Gospel
Ordinances
Water
Baptism
break
Bread
drink
Wine
Sacrament
of
the
Lord's
Supper
Participation
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
Christ
.
Last
Supper
And
he
took
Bread
,
and
gave
thanks
,
and
brake
it
,
and
gave
unto
them
,
saying
,
This
is
my
Body
,
which
is
given
for
you
;
this
do
in
remembrance
of
me
;
Likewise
also
the
Cup
after
Supper
,
saying
,
This
Cup
is
the
New
Testament
in
my
Blood
,
which
is
shed
for
you
.
This
do
in
remembrance
of
me
Lord's
Supper
give
Thanks
break
Bread
viz.
That
the
Doctrine
publish'd
by
Christ
at
his
last
Supper
,
is
owned
by
us
.
And
they
continued
stedfastly
in
the
Apostles
Doctrine
and
Fellowship
,
and
in
Breaking
of
Bread
,
and
in
Prayers
:
Sacrament
of
the
Supper
All
that
believed
were
together
,
and
had
all
things
common
And
they
continuing
daily
with
one
accord
in
the
Temple
,
and
breaking
Bread
from
house
to
house
,
did
eat
their
own
meat
with
gladness
and
singleness
of
heart
,
praising
God
.
Breaking
of
Bread
daily
,
solemn
,
appointed
Meetings
,
Lord's
Supper
from
the
beginning
to
the
Outward
Food
nourishment
of
the
Outward
Man
nourishment
of
the
soul
And
upon
the
first
day
of
the
week
,
when
the
Disciples
came
together
to
break
Bread
,
preached
unto
them
,
ready
to
depart
on
the
morrow
,
and
continued
his
speech
until
midnight
came
up
again
(
from
taking
up
a
young
man
,
who
,
as
was
long
preaching
,
sunk
down
with
sleep
,
and
fell
down
from
the
third
loft
,
and
was
taken
up
dead
)
and
had
broken
bread
and
eaten
,
and
talked
a
long
time
,
even
until
break
of
day
,
he
departed
.
Breaking
of
Bread
outward
man
with
Carnal
food
The
cup
of
blessing
which
we
bless
,
is
it
not
the
communion
of
the
blood
of
Christ
?
The
bread
which
we
break
,
is
it
not
the
Communion
of
the
Body
of
Christ
?
I
am
the
living
Bread
which
cometh
down
from
heaven
,
if
any
man
eat
of
this
bread
,
he
shall
live
for
ever
;
he
that
eateth
my
Flesh
,
and
drinketh
my
Blood
,
dwelleth
in
me
,
and
I
in
him
.
For
we
being
many
,
are
one
Bread
and
one
Body
;
for
we
are
Partakers
of
that
one
Bread
.
He
that
eateth
my
Flesh
,
and
drinketh
my
Blood
,
dwelleth
in
me
,
and
I
in
him
.
For
I
have
received
of
the
Lord
that
which
also
I
delivered
unto
you
,
that
the
Lord
Jesus
the
same
night
in
which
he
was
betrayed
,
took
Bread
,
and
when
he
had
given
thanks
,
he
brake
it
,
and
said
,
Take
,
eat
,
this
is
my
Body
which
is
broken
for
you
;
this
do
in
remembrance
of
me
.
After
the
same
manner
also
he
took
the
Cup
,
when
he
had
supped
,
saying
,
this
Cup
is
the
New
Testament
in
my
Blood
;
this
do
ye
as
often
as
ye
drink
it
,
in
remembrance
of
me
;
for
as
often
as
ye
eat
this
Bread
,
and
drink
this
Cup
,
ye
do
shew
the
Lord's
Death
till
he
come
.
That
the
came
not
toge●her
for
the
better
,
but
for
the
worse
;
for
that
when
they
came
together
,
heard
there
were
divisions
amongst
them
,
and
that
in
eating
,
every
one
took
before
the
other
his
own
supper
,
and
that
one
was
hungry
,
and
another
drunken
,
and
that
this
was
not
to
eat
the
Lord's
Supper
what
may
what
may
not
be
inferred
Whosoever
shall
eat
this
Bread
,
and
drink
this
Cup
of
the
Lord
unworthily
,
shall
be
guilty
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
the
Lord
that
the
Worthy
Receiver
is
Partaker
of
the
Body
of
Christ
what
then
was
the
declared
end
?
to
shew
the
Lord's
death
till
he
come
,
For
as
often
as
ye
eat
this
Bread
,
and
drink
this
Cup
,
ye
do
shew
the
Lord's
death
till
he
come
[
till
he
come
Whosoever
shall
eat
this
Bread
,
and
drink
this
Cup
of
the
Lord
unworthily
,
shall
be
guilty
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
the
Lord
Sacrament
of
the
Supper
Unworthy
Eaters
were
guilty
of
the
Body
and
Blood
of
Christ
Observing
a
Day
Such
might
as
Justly
be
accounted
Guilty
of
the
Body
,
and
Blood
of
as
those
;
who
having
tasted
of
the
Good
Word
of
were
by
their
Falling
away
accounted
Crucifyers
of
the
Son
of
afresh
,
and
Putters
of
him
to
open
Shame
viz.
This
do
in
Remembrance
of
me
Ordinance
of
Christ
,
to
continue
for-ever
.
Mathew
,
Mark
Sacrament
of
the
Supper
He
riseth
from
Supper
Ye
call
Me
Master
and
Lord
;
and
ye
do
well
;
for
so
I
am
:
if
I
then
,
your
Lord
and
Master
,
have
washed
your
Feet
,
ye
ought
also
to
wash
one
anothers
Feet
;
for
I
have
given
you
an
Example
,
that
you
should
do
as
I
have
done
to
you
.
Washed
,
Cleansed
Purifyed
in
the
Inward
Man
Otherwise
there
is
no
having
a
Part
in
Christ
:
Peter
;
Then
cometh
he
to
saith
unto
him
,
Lord
,
Dost
thou
wash
my
Feet
?
answered
and
said
,
What
I
do
,
thou
knowest
not
now
;
but
thou
shalt
know
hereafter
:
Thou
shalt
never
wash
my
Feet
:
If
I
wash
thee
not
,
Thou
hast
no
Part
in
me
.
Washing
of
one
anothers
Feet
Sacrament
,
to
figure
forth
the
Blood
of
Christ
,
in
which
the
Sins
of
those
,
who
are
quickned
unto
God
,
are
washed
away
Washing
one
anothers
Feet
Visiting
the
Sick
,
neglect
to
anoint
with
Oyl
in
the
Name
of
the
Lord
:
Do
not
abstain
from
eating
Blood
Sacrament
of
the
Lord's
Supper
That
the
Feast
of
the
Passover
was
to
be
kept
by
an
Ordinance
forever
Whether
after
this
Time
of
Reformation
,
it
can
be
consisting
with
the
Spirit
of
Truth
,
for
any
one
to
impose
upon
the
People
of
the
Lord
,
(
or
for
the
People
of
the
Lord
,
though
not
imposed
upon
)
to
practise
such
Ordinances
,
as
consist
in
Outward
Meats
,
Drinks
,
and
Washings
,
(
as
the
Ordinances
of
Baptism
,
and
Sacrament
of
the
Supper
,
as
needful
,
in
order
to
the
Salvation
of
Mankind
?
Since
not
only
the
Author
to
the
testifies
.
That
the
like
Ordinances
under
the
First
Covenant
had
an
End
,
when
the
Law
was
changed
;
but
that
likewise
exhorts
against
the
as
is
largely
declared
to
the
to
the
End
?
And
,
Whether
the
Introducing
thereof
at
this
Day
,
is
not
a
Building
again
the
Things
that
have
been
(
according
to
the
Doctrine
of
Truth
)
rejected
?
Breaking
of
Outward
Bread
Children
of
Light
If
any
Man
hear
my
Voice
,
and
open
the
Door
,
I
will
come
in
to
him
,
and
will
Sup
with
him
,
and
he
with
me
:
being
Risen
with
seek
those
Things
which
are
above
Kingdom
of
God
consists
not
in
Meats
,
and
in
Drinks
;
but
in
Righteousness
,
Peace
,
and
Joy
in
the
Holy-Ghost
:
Flesh
profiteth
nothing
Except
ye
eat
of
the
Flesh
of
the
Son
of
Man
,
and
Drink
his
Blood
,
you
have
no
Life
in
you
:
by
Eating
outward
Flesh
Children
of
Light
Eating
of
the
Outward
Bread
can
nourish
the
Immortal
Soul
:
It
is
the
Spirit
that
quickneth
,
the
Flesh
profiteth
nothing
.
That
the
Called
of
are
Justifyed
This
Justification
is
freely
by
his
Grace
,
through
the
Redemption
,
Rom.
3.24
,
25.
that
is
in
by
Faith
in
his
Blood
,
for
the
Remission
of
Sins
that
are
past
Salvation
is
brought
through
the
Grace
of
that
hath
appeared
unto
all
Men.
This
Sense
of
yours
cannot
be
denyed
,
because
your
Language
agrees
with
the
Holy
But
the
Question
is
,
Whether
your
Meaning
thereby
is
,
that
you
own
a
Justification
of
Persons
,
or
a
State
of
Salvation
,
attainable
through
the
Blood
of
not
only
without
an
Infusion
of
Righteousness
,
but
also
by
a
Pardon
of
Sins
,
and
accepting
of
Persons
,
as
perfectly
Righteous
,
at
the
Tribunal
of
not
for
any
Works
wrought
in
them
,
or
done
by
them
;
but
for
sake
:
not
by
imputing
the
Act
of
Faith
,
or
any
pretended
Light
or
Principle
within
them
,
or
any
of
their
Evangelical
Obedience
to
him
,
as
their
Righteousness
before
God
;
but
by
Accepting
and
Imputing
the
Obedience
and
Satisfaction
of
for
them
,
and
to
them
?
And
,
Whether
or
no
,
you
do
not
account
,
that
Justification
and
Sanctification
are
all
one
,
and
the
same
thing
,
because
Sanctification
is
inseparably
joyned
with
Justification
,
which
if
you
should
,
we
cannot
but
take
you
therein
to
Err
;
because
in
Justification
God
imputeth
the
Righteousness
of
to
us
But
in
Sanctification
the
Spirit
of
God
infuseth
Grace
into
us
,
and
enableth
to
the
Exercise
thereof
,
That
by
the
Revelation
of
the
Spirit
of
God
they
have
been
led
thereto
:
Private
Interpretations
Holy
Ghost
Nothing
which
we
of
our selves
are
capable
to
perform
,
Exclusion
of
all
legal
Performances
Outward
Dutyes
Wrought
in
them
,
Act
of
Faith
,
Evangelical
Obedience
,
A
reliance
on
Faith
,
excluding
Works
wrought
by
the
Spirit
.
For
now
is
our
Salvation
nearer
than
when
we
believed
:
That
He
was
the
Son
of
God
,
This
is
the
Work
of
God
,
that
ye
believe
on
him
whom
he
hath
sent
.
What
shall
we
do
,
that
we
might
work
the
Works
of
God
?
That
Christ
was
Preached
That
Christ
was
the
Son
of
God
,
That
the
Messiah
,
that
was
waited
for
,
was
come
:
That
he
should
tell
us
all
things
.
That
Christ
was
that
Messiah
,
that
was
to
come
That
Jesus
is
the
Author
and
Finisher
of
our
Faith
.
That
Jesus
was
the
Lord
Fruits
of
the
Spirit
Evangelical
Obedience
That
Christ
,
the
Son
of
God
,
became
the
Author
of
Eternal
Salvation
,
Heb.
5.9
.
unto
all
them
that
Obey
him
.
Such
Obedience
is
of
no
Advantage
unto
those
,
who
by
the
Spirit
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
are
led
thereunto
?
But
Beloved
,
Heb.
6.9
,
10.
we
are
perswaded
better
things
of
you
,
and
things
that
accompany
Salvation
,
though
we
thus
speak
;
for
God
is
not
Unrighteous
,
to
forget
your
Work
,
and
Labour
of
Love
,
which
ye
have
shewed
towards
his
Name
,
in
that
ye
have
Ministred
to
the
Saints
,
and
do
Minister
.
Good
Works
For
God
is
not
Unrighteous
,
to
forget
your
Work
and
Labor
.
That
't
is
no
advantage
unto
Salvation
to
those
who
are
found
Exercising
themselves
by
the
Spirit
of
God
,
in
things
accompanying
Salvation
?
To
work
out
our
Salvation
with
Fear
and
Trembling
That
Godly
Sorrow
worketh
Repentance
to
*
*
2
Cor.
7.10
.
Salvation
,
not
to
be
Repented
of
.
That
without
Faith
't
is
impossible
to
please
God
;
Heb.
11.6
.
For
he
that
cometh
to
God
,
must
believe
that
he
is
That
he
is
a
Rewarder
of
them
that
diligently
seek
him
.
Act
of
Faith
that
God
is
Objection
,
Not
by
Infusion
of
Righteousness
,
but
by
Imputing
the
Obedience
of
Christ
,
viz.
As
by
one
man's
Disobedience
,
many
were
made
Sinners
;
so
by
the
Obedience
of
One
,
shall
many
be
made
Righteous
.
2
Cor.
19.21
.
And
God
was
in
Christ
reconciling
the
World
unto
himself
,
not
Imputing
their
Trespasses
unto
them
;
for
he
hath
made
him
to
be
Sin
for
us
,
who
knew
no
Sin
,
that
we
might
be
made
the
Righteousness
of
God
in
Him
.
viz.
By
the
Obedience
of
one
shall
many
be
made
Righteous
,
That
as
Sin
hath
reigned
unto
Death
,
even
so
might
Grace
reign
through
Righteousness
unto
Eternal
Life
,
by
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord
.
Reign
of
Sin
The
Mystery
of
Faith
revealed
,
1
Tim.
3.9
.
that
was
held
in
a
pure
Conscience
Defiled
Conscience
Mystery
through
which
man
arrives
unto
Godliness
Mystery
of
Iniquity
After
God
is
created
in
Righteousness
,
and
True
Holiness
Not
Imputing
their
Trespasses
unto
them
,
That
we
might
be
made
the
Righteousness
of
God
in
him
State
in
Christ
.
If
any
man
be
in
Christ
,
he
is
a
new
Creature
,
old
things
are
past
away
,
all
things
are
become
new
.
New
State
that
made
not
the
Comers
thereunto
Perfect
,
Heb.
7.19
.
as
pertaining
unto
the
Conscience
,
though
the
bringing
in
of
a
better
Hope
did
the
free
Justification
of
Christ
,
was
to
extend
unto
these
,
who
believed
in
him
.
that
Exclusion
(
so
that
no
man
should
boast
)
was
by
the
Law
of
Faith
.
Work
out
your
Salvation
with
Fear
and
Trembling
Christ's
Righteousness
Paul
,
2
Cor.
7.10
.
A
Sorrow
unto
Repentance
never
to
be
repented
of
lost
estate
How
it
comes
to
pass
,
that
people
professing
Christianity
,
and
owning
the
Scriptures
of
Truth
(
and
agreeing
in
Principles
,
termed
whilst
they
keep
to
the
Language
thereof
)
should
thus
Disagree
?
That
no
Prophecy
of
the
Scripture
is
of
any
private
Interpretation
Meanings
on
the
Scriptures
of
Truth
,
That
such
their
Meanings
are
through
the
Revelation
of
the
Spirit
.
Justification
,
and
Salvation
,
through
the
Imputation
of
Chri'sts
Righteousness
,
whil'st
they
are
continuing
in
their
Sins
No
Works
wrought
in
us
(
though
by
the
Spirit
of
Christ
it self
)
are
of
any
Advantage
to
the
Arriving
unto
the
State
of
Justification
and
Salvation
.
Secondly
,
That
the
Principles
which
some
hold
forth
,
have
a
tendency
to
Introduce
a
Righteousness
of
our
own
,
as
Meritorious
to
Eternal
Salvation
Though
the
Appostle
Testifies
,
That
the
Blood
of
Christ
Cleanseth
from
all
Sin
,
yet
this
hath
been
Interpreted
to
be
only
from
the
Guilt
,
and
not
from
the
Act
of
all
Sin
,
so
as
to
cease
there-from
,
whilst
on
this
side
the
Grave
;
which
doubtless
was
the
Reason
,
wherefore
we
sind
these
Testimonies
Recorded
in
the
Holy
Scriptures
,
Eph.
2.8
,
9.
By
Grace
ye
are
saved
,
through
Faith
,
and
that
not
of
your selves
,
it
is
the
Gift
of
God
;
not
of
Works
,
lest
any
Man
should
boast
;
(
thereby
Implying
,
as
if
Salvation
through
Faith
might
be
Obtained
,
though
Good
Works
were
wanting
:
And
so
consequently
Sin
committed
instead
thereof
,
since
't
is
irrational
to
conclude
,
that
whil'st
Man
is
in
the
Body
,
he
can
cease
from
working
both
Good
and
Evil
)
In
many
things
we
offend
all
.
If
we
say
,
James
3.2
.
John
1.8
.
we
have
no
Sin
,
we
deceive
our selves
,
and
the
Truth
is
not
in
us
.
Title
Page
Second
Part
Christian
Quaker
Charles
Marshal
taking
Care
of
the
Poor
promoting
of
other
Christian
Duties
Ellis
Hookes
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
We
do
hereby
Reprove
and
Judge
,
that
Jealous
,
Rending
,
and
Separating
Spirit
,
and
them
and
their
Separate
Company
,
as
being
in
that
Spirit
of
Separation
,
and
that
by
the
Power
and
Spirit
of
our
God
:
and
we
warn
all
to
whom
this
Comes
,
to
beware
of
the
said
whose
way
at
present
is
not
the
way
of
Peace
,
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
That
the
Spirit
of
God
did
not
move
in
the
hearts
of
the
sixty
six
Subscribers
,
to
give
forth
the
same
,
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
They
have
been
instruments
to
set
up
,
or
at
least
incourage
a
Separate
Mens-Meeting
in
the
North
,
Form
of
Government
Form
of
Government
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
General
Meeting
Ministring
Friends
viz.
And
blessed
and
sweet
and
very
pretious
to
our
Souls
,
is
the
Heavenly
Unity
of
Life
amongst
us
,
wherein
at
this
Meeting
,
the
Lord
our
God
hath
Crowned
us
with
Glory
,
Dominion
,
and
Peace
,
Mens-Meeting
of
the
City
of
London
Signed
on
behalf
of
that
Meeting
,
Meeting
held
out
of
the
Form
of
Government
contended
for
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
At
this
Meeting
,
the
Lord
our
God
hath
Crowned
us
with
Glory
,
Dominion
and
Peace
;
at
this
time
(
as
on
the
like
Occasions
hath
been
frequent
with
us
)
the
Care
of
the
Peace
and
Welfare
of
the
Churches
of
Christ
came
upon
us
.
And
are
your
Servants
for
his
(
meaning
Christs
)
sake
?
By
that
Salt
that
we
have
in
our selves
from
the
Lord
,
are
we
enabled
to
savour
,
between
the
Transformation
of
the
Enemy
,
and
the
Scruples
of
the
Innocent
:
And
as
to
be
tender
of
one
,
so
to
give
Judgment
against
the
other
.
And
truly
,
that
which
hath
encouraged
us
in
this
Epistle
,
is
that
good
success
God
hath
blest
our
like
endeavors
in
his
power
with
.
We
are
Unanimously
your
Dear
and
Faithful
Brethren
,
in
the
labour
,
travel
,
tribulation
,
patience
,
hope
and
rejoycing
in
the
Kingdom
of
Jesus
our
Lord
.
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
And
forasmuch
as
it
appears
to
us
,
that
they
will
not
come
to
us
,
nor
near
us
in
the
peaceable
Truth
,
which
we
have
frequently
truly
desired
for
their
good
;
but
that
they
will
go
on
in
their
Opposition
,
refusing
to
dissolve
their
Separate-Company
in
the
North
,
&c.
And
because
we
are
sensible
that
they
have
made
an
ill
use
of
our
Forbearance
,
even
to
strengthen
themselves
in
their
Separation
,
&c.
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
Sixty
Six
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
And
now
Friends
,
in
Gods
Love
,
We
desire
you
to
Suppress
all
Papers
of
Controversy
,
relating
to
this
Difference
,
that
the
Minds
of
Friends
be
not
further
Troubled
and
Defiled
,
nor
this
Controversy
kept
any
longer
Alive
.
And
we
do
warn
all
to
have
a
care
,
that
they
be
not
lifted
up
,
by
reason
of
the
hurt
that
's
come
upon
these
men
,
nor
yet
Insult
over
them
;
for
that
spirit
is
not
of
God
.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Story
That
he
owns
the
Paper
as
given
forth
:
That
he
still
owns
the
same
with
that
Interpretation
,
He
John
Wilkinson
more
Friends
John
Story
's
John
Wilkinson's
Young
Men
in
Truth
sixty
six
Subscribers
Antient
Brethren
,
Labourers
That
Iohn
Story
and
Iohn
Wilkinson
as
to
their
Doctrine
and
Conversation
,
have
been
even
by
some
of
their
Opposers
,
Accounted
both
Sound
and
Blameless
.
Mens
Meetings
that
if
,
notwithstanding
their
Christian
Dealing
,
such
Persons
persevere
and
go
on
in
their
separate
Spirits
,
let
Gods
Truth
be
clear
of
them
,
and
Truth
set
over
their
Heads
,
according
to
that
Blessed
Order
of
the
Gospel
of
Christ
settled
among
you
.
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Opposition
to
any
Order
Mens
Meeting
John
Story
Foundation
of
the
said
Meeting
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
a
Resolve
not
to
Meet
with
them
that
Strive
,
and
Contend
,
and
are
not
employed
,
Separate
Meeting
Their
Hope
was
to
do
their
own
business
in
their
several
,
and
respective
Meetings
Another
Meeting
Monethly
Meeting-Place
Separate
Meeting
John
Story
That
't
would
be
unjust
for
him
to
Disown
it
,
until
he
heard
Both
Parties
:
Giving
Judgment
on
the
hearing
of
one
part
only
,
That
he
never
intended
by
the
Subscription
of
his
Name
to
the
said
Paper
,
to
lay
a
Foundation
for
a
Separate
Meeting
;
but
rather
lookt
upon
the
Paper
,
as
a
fit
Means
to
Re-unite
them
:
And
that
if
any
can
offer
more
Christian
Proposals
for
their
Re-uniting
,
he
doubts
not
but
he
shall
close
therewith
:
That
he
ever
was
at
any
,
or
either
of
those
Meetings
accounted
a
Separate
Meeting
He
never
advised
to
the
Erecting
the
same
.
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
That
they
have
Evil
Designs
,
and
persevere
in
them
by
Word
,
Writing
,
and
Practice
.
That
they
despise
Heavenly
Dignities
That
they
set
up
,
continue
,
and
promote
False
and
Pernicious
Iealousies
,
Murmurings
,
and
Secret
Smitings
,
and
that
thereby
they
are
Darkned
in
their
Vnderfrandings
.
That
through
the
Power
of
the
Enemy
of
the
King
of
Righteousness
His
Peace
,
they
set
up
a
kind
of
Standard
of
Separation
,
from
that
blessed
Fellowship
and
Communion
,
that
the
Churches
of
Christ
sweetly
possest
together
;
to
the
Dishonour
of
God
,
His
Truth
,
and
People
.
That
they
go
on
in
Opposition
,
&
Evil
Smiting
against
the
Faithful
Brethren
,
and
Practice
of
the
Church
of
Christ
.
That
the
offering
of
their
Gifts
is
not
a
Peace
,
but
a
Division-Offering
.
That
they
are
Obstinate
,
and
Obdurate
,
and
gone
into
Self-wil
.
That
they
cast
Tender
Love
behind
their
Backs
.
Sixty
Six
Subscribers
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Relief
of
the
Poor
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
to
appoint
a
Meeting
to
make
forth
their
Accusations
to
Iohn
Story
Proof
of
Matter
of
Fact
To
Disown
the
Accused
Matter
of
Fact
False
Accusation
that
end
Friends
of
Truth
,
whereof
one
half
may
be
Chosen
by
Vs
,
and
others
Dissatisfied
;
though
they
have
liberty
to
Choose
the
other
half
themselves
.
Witnesses
to
these
Accusations
shall
be
Excluded
from
being
Iudges
with
other
Friends
To
be
Zealous
for
the
Lord
,
and
to
stand
up
in
his
Spirit
and
Power
,
for
the
Peace
of
his
Church
Contentious
Spirit
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
The
Trumpet
of
the
Lord
is
sounded
to
Battle
,
and
the
War
is
begun
Come
up
to
Battle
,
and
help
the
Lord
against
the
Mighty
Curse
ye
Meroz
Francis
Lea
John
Story
If
any
thing
he
Revealed
to
another
that
sitteth
by
,
let
the
hold
his
Peace
John
Story
Fr.
Lea
silencing
of
one
declaring
one
in
Unity
with
the
Church
:
John
Story
Revelation
to
Declare
from
God
John
Story
open
Opposer
no
occasion
of
Discord
now
Divided
standing
up
in
the
Power
and
Spirit
of
God
,
for
the
Peace
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
Francis
Lea's
Rudeness
Francis
Lea
viz.
That
Two
Hundred
and
Fifty
Princes
and
Renowned
Men
in
were
Revels
and
wicked
Men
as
if
they
were
Blameless
and
Harmless
)
William
Rogers
Words
of
Truth
Sound
Doctrine
Opposer
of
any
Truth
that
Day
Delivered
,
Francis
Lea
Francis
Lea's
Opposed
himself
William
Rogers
Francis
Lea
William
Rogers
Professors
and
Prophane
great
Malice
Un-Christian-like
Dealing
William
Rogers
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
disown
them
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
sixty
six
Subscribers
Calling
in
sixty
six
Subscribers
Defame
the
Brethren
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
sixty
six
Subscribers
Ellis
Hooks
Charles
Marshal
General
Meetings
Four
Subscribers
notorious
Weakness
willful
Wickedness
affirm
whereof
they
knew
not
Convincement
of
their
Errour
Jasper
Batt
Ellis
Hooks
the
general
Meeting
Jasper
Batt
General
Meeting
Ellis
Hookes
Charles
Marshal
sixty
five
Charles
Marshal
John
Story
Token
of
his
Repentance
Fifty
six
sixty
six
Subscribers
Jasper
Batt
Charles
Marshal
Sixty
Five
viz.
Were
it
so
that
these
were
such
qualified
Members
in
the
Church
of
Christ
,
as
that
none
on
the
Score
of
Apostleship
,
or
Eldership
,
might
have
a
greater
pretence
of
Power
,
to
call
before
them
;
yet
we
Affirm
,
that
neither
the
said
nor
any
other
Assembly
on
Earth
,
have
Power
to
give
Judgment
in
such
a
Case
,
other
than
for
Contempt
of
Authority
,
and
not
a
judgment
on
the
Merit
of
the
Cause
,
though
it
were
on
the
Hearing
of
One
Party
.
Jasper
Batt
Merits
of
the
Cause
Contempt
of
Authority
Contempt
of
Authority
Who
did
despise
Government
,
Presumptuous
,
Self-willed
,
they
are
not
afraid
to
speak
Evil
of
Dignities
,
which
have
forsaken
the
right
way
,
and
gone
astray
,
and
so
Wells
without
Water
,
and
Clouds
that
are
carried
with
a
Tempest
,
These
be
they
who
separate
themselves
:
removed
to
another
Gospel
for
not
obeying
the
Truth
?
He
that
troubleth
you
shall
bear
his
Judgment
,
whosoever
he
be
?
for
not
walking
according
to
the
Truth
of
the
Gospel
,
good
Conscience
Flee
in
time
of
Persecution
,
Pay
Tythes
,
Countenance
them
that
do
Positive
Answer
Positive
Position
Iudgment
in
such
a
Case
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
proper
Answer
Fleeing
in
time
of
Persecution
Countenancing
Tythe-Payers
putting
away
Faith
Good
Conscience
G.
F.
Practices
are
contrary
to
the
Testimony
in
the
beginning
.
Two
Cases
Line
of
Reflection
Fourth
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Judging
the
Merit
of
the
Cause
without
a
Hearing
.
to
do
to
others
,
as
we
would
be
done
by
.
Jasper
Batt
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Twenty
Pound
Forty
Pound
Valiant
for
the
Truth
His
Estate
Persecutors
Reach
John
Story
Publick
Testimony
Quarterly
Meetings
Jasper
Batt
Sixty
Six
Ellis
Hooks
Accuse
on
Report
Jasper
Batt
Light
within
Blind
Priests
For
the
Father
judgeth
no
Man
,
but
committeth
all
Judgment
to
the
Son
.
Chapter
,
Christ
I
can
of
my Self
do
nothing
;
as
I
Hear
,
I
Judge
;
and
my
Judgment
is
Just
,
because
I
seek
not
mine
own
Will.
Jasper
Batt
who
have
Iudged
without
a
Hearing
That
as
he
Heard
,
he
Judged
?
Doth
our
Law
Judge
any
Man
,
before
it
hear
him
?
Judge
not
,
that
ye
be
not
Judged
.
But
,
Why
dost
thou
Judge
thy
Brother
?
Why
dost
thou
set
at
Nought
thy
Brother
?
Jasper
Batt
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Jasper
Batt
That
we
are
Unlearned
,
and
do
wrest
the
Scriptures
;
and
that
and
his
Apostles
did
not
mean
,
but
that
such
Men
as
he
,
might
Judge
such
Men
as
are
,
without
a
Hearing
Though
the
was
pleased
to
send
them
forth
,
Commissionating
them
to
Publish
the
Gospel
of
and
that
in
that
Service
they
have
been
made
Instruments
,
to
gather
many
into
the
Knowledge
,
and
Life
of
Yet
they
are
not
now
subject
to
George
Fox
his
Orders
,
and
what
he
hath
given
forth
in
the
Motion
of
the
Spirit
of
Jasper
Batt
G.
F.
Jasper
Batt
Disobedient
unto
what
hath
given
forth
Jasper
Batt
Judgment
against
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Monethly
,
Quarterly
Jasper
Batt
Sixty-Six
Subscribers
G.
F.
G.
F.
Iudge
not
one
another
lay
open
[
So
the
Light
is
Judge
]
about
thirty
times
Vindication
of
Prescriptions
Iustifie
Prescriptions
Jasper
Batt
,
Charles
Marshall
Ellis
Hookes
Jasper
Batt
viz.
We
see
there
was
such
in
those
dayes
as
is
now
,
who
did
dispise
Government
,
Presumptions
,
self-willed
,
they
are
not
afraid
to
speak
Evil
of
Dignities
,
which
have
forsaken
the
right
Way
,
and
gone
astray
,
and
so
Wells
without
Water
,
and
Clouds
that
are
carried
without
a
Tempest
,
saith
,
These
be
they
who
separate
themselves
.
Read
through
,
and
let
these
Scriptures
be
rightly
applyed
,
and
see
to
whom
they
belong
.
Read
the
Scriptures
,
and
then
rightly
apply
them
.
Sixty
Six
Subscribes
Jasper
Batt
Charles
Marshall
Sixty-Six
Subscribers
Raging
Waves
Jasper
Batt
Sixty-Six
Subscribers
,
speak
Evill
of
the
things
they
know
not
,
having
Mens
Persons
in
Admiration
,
because
of
Advantage
Jasper
Batt
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Living
witnesses
keep
their
Place
and
Habitation
in
the
Vnchangeable
Truth
That
he
will
have
a
Regard
to
those
,
who
in
Faithfulness
wait
upon
him
;
so
that
,
they
shall
be
able
to
distinguish
,
between
the
Precious
,
and
the
Vile
,
and
through
the
Word
of
God's
Patience
,
be
made
Partakers
of
the
Joy
of
his
Salvation
.
Outward
Government
Inward
Government
of
Christ
Robert
Barclay's
A
Testimony
Isaac
Penington
which
Christ
excluded
out
of
his
Church
.
Robert
Barclay
W.
R.
R.
B.
The
Judgment
of
the
Brethren
R.
B.
W.
R.
By
WILLIAM
ROGERS
,
on
behalf
of
himself
and
other
Friends
in
Truth
concerned
.
Isa. 9.6 .
For unto us a Child is born , unto us a Son is given , and the Government shall be upon his Shoulders ; and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour .
Isa. 2.4 .
And he shall Judge amongst the Nations , and shall rebuke many People ; and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares , and their Spears into Pruning-hooks ; Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation , neither shall they learn War any more .
Outward
Government
Outward
Government
Outward
Government
Inward
Government
Government
of
Christ
Outward
Laws
Inward
Government
Jeremiah
;
Jer.
I
will
make
a
New
Covenant
with
the
house
of
&c.
not
according
to
the
Covenant
that
I
made
with
your
Fathers
;
but
this
shall
be
the
Covenant
that
I
will
make
,
After
those
days
,
I
will
put
my
Law
in
their
Inward
Parts
,
and
write
it
in
their
Hearts
,
and
will
be
their
God
,
and
they
shall
be
my
People
;
and
they
shall
teach
no
more
every
man
his
Neighbour
,
and
every
man
his
Brother
,
saying
,
know
the
Lord
;
for
they
shall
all
know
me
from
the
least
of
them
to
the
greatest
of
them
,
saith
the
Lord
.
that
the
Laws
of
Christ's
Government
,
under
the
new
Covenant
,
are
written
in
the
Hearts
of
his
People
,
Inward
Government
That
the
words
of
the
Prophet
relate
not
to
those
,
who
are
of
the
Gentile
Stock
,
of
which
Stock
,
according
to
the
Flesh
,
it
may
be
said
,
that
we
are
.
There
is
no
difference
between
the
and
the
for
the
same
Lord
over
all
,
is
rich
unto
all
that
call
upon
him
,
Lie
not
one
to
another
,
seeing
that
you
have
put
off
the
Old
Man
with
his
deeds
,
and
have
put
on
the
New
Man
,
which
is
renewed
in
Knowledge
after
the
Image
of
him
that
created
him
,
where
there
is
neither
Circumcision
nor
Uncircumcision
Bond
nor
Free
;
but
Christ
is
all
,
and
in
all
.
That
neither
the
words
of
the
Prophet
,
nor
of
the
Apostle
,
cited
by
us
,
make
mention
of
Government
over
but
doth
shew
(
as
from
the
scope
of
the
Scripture
appears
)
that
the
Apostle
so
writ
to
convince
the
of
the
difference
between
the
Righteousness
of
the
Law
,
and
that
of
Faith
,
and
to
shew
unto
Believers
that
though
some
might
appear
in
a
Voluntary
Humility
Worship
Angels
,
intrude
into
those
things
they
had
not
seen
,
and
be
vainly
puffed
up
in
their
fleshly
minds
,
and
not
give
all
Obedience
unto
the
Head
Christ
,
through
whom
alone
there
is
an
increase
in
the
increases
of
God
;
yet
they
were
therein
reproveable
,
as
not
being
risen
with
Christ
;
and
further
also
to
shew
that
those
who
were
dead
with
Christ
from
the
Rudiments
of
the
world
,
ought
not
to
be
subject
to
(
nor
yet
to
touch
,
taste
or
handle
)
such
Ordinances
,
as
were
after
the
Commandments
and
Doctrines
of
Men.
A
Lawgiver
,
the
Place
where
the
Law
is
to
be
found
written
,
and
the
People
for
whom
it
is
given
.
The
same
Lord
over
all
viz.
Christ
Jesus
our
Lord
Christ's
Government
Worshipping
of
some
Messengers
,
whom
God
hath
sent
,
a
Messenger
That
of
the
encrease
of
his
Government
there
shall
be
no
end
,
That
there
were
great
voices
in
heaven
,
saying
,
the
Kingdoms
of
this
World
are
become
the
Kingdomes
of
our
Lord
,
and
of
his
Christ
.
And
he
shall
Reign
forever
and
ever
And
the
Government
shall
be
upon
his
shoulders
,
and
his
Name
shall
be
called
wonderful
Councellor
,
General
Meeting
It
is
expedient
for
you
,
that
I
go
away
For
if
I
go
not
away
,
the
Comforter
will
not
come
;
but
if
I
depart
,
I
will
send
him
unto
you
should
abide
with
them
for
ever
,
and
should
be
in
them
why
so
That
they
should
be
guided
into
all
Truth
,
I
have
yet
many
things
to
say
unto
you
,
but
you
cannot
bear
them
now
;
Howbeit
when
the
Spirit
of
Truth
is
come
,
he
will
guide
you
into
all
Truth
;
for
he
shall
not
speak
of
himself
:
But
whatsoever
he
shall
hear
,
that
shall
he
speak
.
That
there
are
Outward
Prescriptions
and
Orders
given
forth
by
the
Spirit
of
God
,
through
any
one
or
more
Mortal
Men
in
this
our
Day
,
which
others
ought
to
obey
,
and
follow
whether
they
see
it
their
Duty
or
no
;
and
if
they
do
not
,
may
therefore
come
under
the
Curse
,
and
partake
of
the
same
Judgments
from
God
,
which
happened
to
for
their
Rebellion
against
and
though
the
sin
of
hath
frequently
in
our
Publick
Meetings
for
Worship
,
been
spoken
of
and
intended
(
as
we
have
taken
it
)
to
be
as
a
proper
Citation
to
describe
the
state
of
such
as
on
a
Conscientious
score
cannot
submit
unto
the
outward
Orders
of
one
man
,
yet
we
testify
,
that
such
sort
of
insinuating
and
thretning
language
seems
much
more
agreeable
to
the
first
Covenant
then
the
second
,
under
which
we
are
;
and
when
countenanced
,
or
spoken
by
any
,
expecting
such
a
submission
,
it
then
seems
to
savour
of
a
spirit
that
speaketh
of
himself
,
and
not
what
he
hath
heard
from
the
great
Lord
and
Master
Jesus
Christ
:
and
so
consequently
from
another
spirit
than
that
which
Christ
promised
he
would
send
,
for
Christ's
own
words
signify
,
He
shall
not
speak
of
himself
.
such
as
walk
not
after
the
flesh
,
but
the
spirit
,
and
to
such
there
is
no
Condemnation
We
understand
that
many
called
do
hold
Monthly
and
Quarterly-Meetings
of
Men
,
and
also
of
Women
,
distinct
from
Men
,
about
their
Church
Affairs
;
and
that
these
Meetings
are
reputed
to
be
Established
(
on
certain
dayes
that
ought
not
to
be
altered
)
by
one
man
amongst
them
,
that
hath
pretended
,
he
was
moved
of
God
so
to
do
;
and
that
the
same
person
hath
by
his
Paper
spread
abroad
in
divers
parts
of
the
Nation
signified
,
that
none
but
loose
spirits
,
and
such
as
tend
to
looseness
,
pretend
to
set
up
a
better
way
,
or
to
alter
them
to
another
day
,
for
fear
of
Corruption
in
Observing
a
Day
;
and
that
it
is
but
from
a
corrupt
spirit
of
darkness
,
which
God
will
blast
;
and
that
some
call
these
Meetings
the
Government
of
Christ
set
up
amongst
them
,
and
establish't
by
the
power
of
God
,
to
take
care
of
the
Churches
affairs
;
and
that
true
Judgment
and
Justice
,
which
are
the
fruits
of
Christ's
Government
,
may
be
executed
.
Government
of
Christ
second
Covenant
that
which
is
not
of
faith
is
sin
there
was
the
Day
of
Ignorance
accompanyed
some
,
at
which
the
Lord
Winked
.
Day
of
gloominess
thick
Darkness
Decree
from
Heaven
Wilt
thou
that
we
Command
Fire
to
come
down
from
Heaven
and
consume
them
,
Namely
,
G.
F.
See
the
fourth
and
fifth
Parts
of
the
what
is
establish't
Certain
Meetings
to
be
held
by
the
People
called
or
at
least
some
of
them
,
on
certain
prefixt
dayes
.
Who
are
the
Meeters
,
that
are
to
make
up
the
establish't
Meetings
?
Church
Government
that
those
uncertain
qualifyed
Persons
,
usually
Assembled
in
such
Meetings
,
were
then
Members
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
and
that
as
Members
thereof
,
they
had
right
to
stile
themselves
,
Church-Governours
.
a
stress
they
were
Established
by
the
Power
of
God
,
that
Friends
who
were
Heirs
of
the
Power
,
might
come
and
take
their
Possessions
therein
keeping
on
of
Hats
in
Prayer
the
Christian-Quaker
,
distinguished
from
the
Apostate
and
Innovator
,
in
five
Parts
Robert
Barclay
for
Doctrine
the
Traditions
of
Men.
Steven
Crisp
Christian-Quaker
,
distinguish'd
from
the
Apostate
and
Innovator
,
The
Innovations
Scripture-Misapplications
of
of
the
The
Antient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
is
Re-establisht
amongst
them
,
Christ's
Government
Church
of
Christ
Christs
Government
Given
forth
in
the
Year
1 Cor. 3.11.21 .
For other Foundation can no man lay , than that which is already laid . — Let no man Rejoyce in Men.
R.
B.
Church
of
Christ
Orders
,
Traditions
,
Examples
(
though
under
the
most
plausible
Pretences
whatsoever
)
Christ's
Light
in
the
Conscience
Where
,
or
What
Assembly
,
is
the
Church
of
Christ
.
Christ
the
Lord
power
is
of
Ability
to
establish
Man
,
Man
not
of
Ability
to
establish
it
take
care
of
the
Poor
discharge
other
charitable
Duties
;
to
inspect
Marriages
,
that
none
come
together
disorderly
to
take
care
that
Truth
may
not
be
Scandlized
through
the
Backslidings
of
such
,
who
have
been
in
fellowship
with
the
Children
of
Light
,
another
place
Robert
Barclay
how
far
it
extends
the
Antient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
is
Re-establisht
amongst
the
People
of
the
Lord
called
As
a
People
gathered
together
by
the
Lord
,
unto
the
same
Faith
,
that
we
have
Power
and
Authority
to
decide
and
remove
these
things
.
Christian
Bond
Gods
Love
.
That
Principles
and
Doctrines
believed
,
thorough
the
Force
of
Truth
on
the
Understanding
,
and
Practices
necessarily
depending
thereon
,
are
the
Terms
that
have
drawn
us
together
,
and
the
very
by
which
we
became
centered
into
one
Body
and
Fellowship
,
or
are
linked
to
the
Body
,
and
the
Cause
that
gathered
us
That
there
never
will
,
nor
can
be
wanting
in
Case
of
Controversy
,
the
Spirit
of
God
to
give
Judgment
thorow
some
or
other
in
the
Church
of
Christ
,
so
long
as
any
Assembly
can
properly
,
or
in
any
tollerable
supposition
be
so
termed
.
Equal
Right
to
nominate
a
part
of
those
who
shall
have
the
hearing
of
such
Cases
:
That
any
ones
not
submitting
to
the
positive
Judgment
touching
Controversy
given
by
any
Assembly
,
or
at
least
by
some
or
other
of
them
which
may
in
any
tollerable
supposition
be
termed
the
Church
of
Christ
,
is
disobedience
to
God
,
though
the
persons
refusing
,
pretend
they
refuse
on
the
account
they
see
it
not
.
R.
B.
So
is
also
the
Antient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
Re-established
,
and
settled
on
its
right
Basis
and
Foundation
.
Order
of
the
Gospel
viz.
The
Form
of
Proceedings
in
Marriages
,
wherein
the
Scriptures
are
wholly
silent
,
as
to
the
Primitive
[
Order
Order
of
the
Gospel
Truth
and
Faith
we
have
been
,
and
are
in
the
Lords
Hands
building
up
.
Establishing
in
the
Faith
A
building
up
of
Faith
build
up
establish
God's
Power
Order
of
the
Gospel
Power
of
God
Order
of
the
Gospel
Power
of
God
Order
of
the
Gospel
Order
of
the
Gospel
establish
the
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
establish
the
Power
of
God
it self
.
this
Power
is
of
Ability
to
establish
Man
in
the
Faith
of
God's
Elect
;
but
Man
is
not
of
Ability
to
establish
it
:
First
Covenant
which
were
to
preserve
Knowledge
Second
Covenant
Paul
,
Rom.
That
which
may
be
known
of
God
,
is
manifested
in
them
The
Comforter
,
which
is
the
Holy
Ghost
,
whom
the
Father
will
send
in
my
name
,
he
shall
teach
you
all
things
.
I
will
write
my
Law
in
their
Hearts
,
&
they
shall
not
teach
every
man
his
neighbour
,
and
every
man
his
brother
,
saying
,
Know
the
Lord
;
for
all
shall
Know
me
,
&c.
Outward
Orders
matters
of
Conscience
Order
of
the
Gospel
in
us
without
us
no
Obedience
finds
Acceptance
with
the
Lord
,
but
Obedience
to
his
Law
,
from
an
inward
Impulse
and
Drawing
of
his
Spirit
thereunto
That
none
of
their
Outward
Practices
,
under
the
Exercise
of
Christ's
Government
,
find's
acceptance
with
the
Lord
,
but
as
they
have
an
Evidence
in
their
Consciences
,
that
therein
they
Answer
the
measure
of
Truth
in
themselves
.
As
ye
have
received
Christ
Jesus
the
Lord
,
so
walk
in
him
,
Rooted
and
built
up
in
him
,
stablished
in
the
Faith
,
Beware
lest
any
man
spoyl
you
,
through
the
Traditions
of
men
,
according
to
the
Rudimnets
of
the
World
,
and
not
after
Christ
.
Pauls
'
Establish't
in
the
Faith
rooted
in
Christ
Establishing
Outward
Indispensible
Orders
to
beware
,
of
being
spoyled
through
the
Traditions
of
Men
,
Establishment
of
Outward
Orders
,
Rules
,
and
Decrees
,
relating
to
Matters
of
Consciences
under
the
New
Covenant
,
as
the
Orders
,
Rules
,
and
Decrees
of
the
Church
of
Christ
.
Establish
his
Government
whose
dayes
are
but
as
a
span
long
,
Establish
that
Government
For
the
Son
that
is
given
,
shall
Order
his
Government
,
and
Establish
it
with
Judgment
and
with
Justice
even
from
henceforth
and
forever
:
That
his
Second
Appearance
hath
been
,
and
yet
is
to
be
expected
,
and
waited
for
in
the
hearts
of
the
Sons
and
Daughters
of
Men
,
Outward
Establishment
Outward
Government
of
the
increase
of
Christ's
Government
there
shall
be
no
End
:
how
far
it
may
extend
It
is
next
to
be
considered
,
in
what
Cases
,
and
how
far
it
may
extend
.
of
whose
increase
there
shall
be
no
end
Man's
inability
to
Establish
Christ's
Government
That
the
endeavours
of
such
who
may
exercise
themselves
therein
may
proceed
from
no
better
Power
than
that
Ability
which
is
of
Man
.
second
day
Witness
the
Paper
at
the
latter
end
of
this
third
part
,
signed
by
and
thirty
six
more
this
is
a
part
of
the
antient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
.
to
chuse
seven
men
full
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
to
take
Care
,
that
the
Widdows
should
not
be
neglected
in
the
dayly
Ministration
.
a
certain
,
select
,
well
qualifyed
Number
of
men
,
uncertain
unselected
Assembly
Certain
Select
Number
of
Persons
Whether
it
looks
like
a
part
of
Christ's
Government
,
for
the
Son
,
to
be
admitted
as
a
Judge
over
the
Writings
of
who
as
a
Father
begot
him
unto
the
Truth
?
viz.
The
Word
of
Wisdom
,
the
Word
of
Knowledge
,
Faith
,
Gifts
of
Healing
,
Working
of
Miracles
,
Prophesy
,
Discerning
of
Spirits
,
divers
kinds
of
Tongues
,
Interpretation
of
Tongues
God
hath
set
some
in
the
Church
.
First
,
Apostles
;
secondarily
,
Prophets
;
thirdly
,
teachers
;
and
after
that
,
Miracles
,
&c.
are
all
Prophets
,
are
all
Apostles
,
are
all
Teachers
,
&c.
having
then
gifts
differing
,
according
to
the
Grace
that
's
given
to
us
,
whether
Prophesy
,
let
us
Prophesy
,
according
to
the
Proportion
of
Faith
;
or
ministry
,
let
us
wait
on
our
Ministry
;
or
he
that
teacheth
,
on
teaching
;
or
he
that
exhorteth
,
on
Exhortation
.
one
Gift
according
to
the
Proportion
of
Faith
.
whether
that
which
is
given
forth
for
publick
Service
by
any
Brother
,
seriously
declaring
that
God
moved
thereunto
,
ought
to
come
to
publick
View
,
and
be
found
hindring
the
coming
forth
of
the
same
,
when
nothing
unsound
appears
;
they
Obedience
to
our
own
Measures
of
Grace
,
before
Obedience
to
the
Measures
of
others
our
own
Gifts
not
the
Gifts
of
others
not
Coming
uncertain
unselected
Assembly
R.
B's
Whether
it
were
not
better
to
let
every
Man
stand
,
or
fall
to
his
own
Master
in
this
respect
,
unless
some
better
Expedient
might
be
found
,
than
such
an
one
,
as
hath
admitted
of
such
Erroneous
Assertions
as
(
to
the
dishonour
of
Truth
)
are
contained
in
What
,
wouldst
not
thou
submit
to
the
Sentence
of
such
Apostles
,
with
whom
the
Word
of
Wisdom
,
and
Knowledge
dwelt
?
That
it
is
groundlesly
asserted
by
that
the
ancient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
is
Re-established
amongst
the
People
of
God
called
That
they
are
Established
in
the
Faith
of
Gods
Elect
,
and
that
they
are
in
Subjection
,
according
to
their
Measures
,
to
the
Government
of
Christ
,
which
by
the
Authority
of
his
own
Power
,
and
Spirit
,
he
hath
Establish'd
in
their
Inward
Parts
;
so
that
through
that
Obedience
which
is
of
Faith
they
are
exercising
themselves
according
to
the
Leadings
of
Christ's
Light
,
and
in
Subjection
unto
the
Laws
appertaining
unto
his
Government
,
which
are
not
written
in
Tables
of
Stone
,
but
in
the
Heart
,
according
to
the
Tenour
of
the
New-Covenant
,
that
the
Excellency
of
that
Power
is
of
God
,
and
not
of
Men
:
Deviation
therefrom
not
Imbracing
Outward
Forms
Be
ye
not
unwise
,
but
understand
what
the
Will
of
the
Lord
is
,
submitting
your selves
one
to
another
in
the
Fear
of
God
.
Whether
it
may
not
become
as
well
the
Duty
of
the
Brethren
to
submit
to
one
or
two
,
as
one
or
two
to
submit
to
the
Brethren
?
whether
these
kinds
of
Submission
have
not
been
practised
amongst
the
People
of
the
Lord
called
in
these
latter
Days
[
not
the
Church
,
but
what
the
Will
of
the
Lord
is
]
R.
B.
This
Order
reacheth
the
composing
differences
as
to
outward
things
.
We
do
boldly
aver
,
as
a
People
gathered
together
by
the
Lord
unto
the
same
Faith
,
that
we
have
Power
,
and
Authority
to
decide
and
remove
these
things
amongst
our selves
.
through
the
Power
of
Truth
in
themselves
,
not
through
constraint
of
others
We
do
Boldly
aver
,
we
have
Power
and
Authority
to
decide
,
&c.
viz
,
That
two
Brethren
are
at
variance
,
touching
their
Properties
and
Outward
Concerns
,
relating
to
(
as
R.
B's
.
terms
are
)
and
one
of
them
is
so
departed
from
Truth
in
himself
,
as
that
he
will
not
of
a
ready
Mind
submit
his
Cause
to
the
hearing
of
Persons
to
be
chosen
by
themselves
indifferently
:
but
being
Contentious
,
will
either
go
to
Law
,
or
else
so
abound
in
his
own
sense
as
nothing
shall
serve
,
but
to
be
Judge
in
his
own
cause
.
If
thy
brother
shall
Trespasse
against
thee
,
go
tell
him
his
fault
between
thee
and
him
alone
;
but
if
he
will
not
hear
thee
,
then
take
with
thee
one
or
two
more
;
if
he
shall
neglect
to
hear
them
,
tell
it
unto
the
Church
;
if
he
hear
not
the
Church
,
let
him
be
unto
thee
as
an
heathen
man
.
If
he
neglect
to
hear
the
Church
,
let
him
be
unto
thee
as
an
Heathen
Man
.
This
relates
not
to
Outward
Affaires
,
but
to
Offences
that
are
of
a
Spiritual
Nature
.
Let
him
be
unto
thee
as
an
Heathen
Man
We
boldly
aver
,
we
have
Power
and
Authority
to
decide
,
R.
B.
We
are
not
so
foolish
,
as
to
concern
our selves
with
those
,
who
are
not
of
us
as
Fellow-Members
viz.
That
the
Members
of
the
Church
of
Christ
have
Power
,
and
Authority
to
decide
,
and
Remove
Matters
relating
to
Outward
Things
amongst
themselves
,
though
the
consent
of
the
Parties
differing
be
not
had
.
Ananias
,
Whilest
it
remained
,
appertain'd
it
not
unto
thee
?
and
after
it
was
sold
,
was
it
not
in
thy
own
Power
?
since
his
Kingdom
is
not
of
this
World
,
nothing
outward
can
Constrain
the
Subjects
under
Christ's
Government
to
obey
the
Laws
thereof
,
since
the
only
proper
place
,
where
his
Government
is
to
be
exalted
,
is
in
the
Heart
(
the
place
where
his
Second
Appearance
to
reign
as
Lord
and
King
is
,
and
shall
be
)
and
that
the
Means
whereby
,
under
his
Government
,
Acceptable
Obedience
comes
to
be
yielded
,
is
by
his
Spirit
.
Acceptable
Obedience
Compel
Obedience
Corporal
Punishment
R.
B.
I
will
restore
thy
Judges
as
at
the
first
,
and
thy
Counsellors
as
at
the
beginning
Church
of
Christ
Judges
as
at
the
first
,
and
Counsellors
as
at
the
beginning
,
such
Judges
,
as
were
chosen
Men
over
certain
Numbers
of
the
Children
of
who
Judged
the
People
at
all
Seasons
,
but
brought
the
hard
Causes
to
uncertain
unselected
Assemblies
And
one
of
the
Company
said
,
Master
,
bid
my
Brother
divide
the
Inheritance
with
me
Man
,
who
made
me
a
Judge
,
or
Divider
over
you
?
R.
B.
Dare
any
of
you
,
having
a
Matter
against
another
,
go
to
Law
before
the
Vnjust
,
and
not
before
the
Saints
?
assuming
a
Jurisdiction
without
a
Lawful
Authority
,
as
to
Outward
Things
relating
to
and
a
rightful
Consent
and
Election
to
Judge
.
Assent
of
the
Parties
differing
Power
that
hath
rightful
Disposition
over
the
worldly
Property
of
those
concerned
R.
B.
[
properly
so
termed
[
any
tolerable
Supposition
Propriety
of
Sentences
Signification
of
words
R.
B.
Gods
Spirit
will
never
bewanting
in
such
Assemblies
.
intends
not
by
his
words
,
that
any
should
assume
Authority
to
decide
Differences
relating
to
Outward
Things
,
without
consent
of
the
Parties
concerned
R.
B.
willing
and
ready
Mind
Spiritual
Matters
R.
B.
assuming
another
Place
in
the
Body
than
is
allotted
him
,
as
endeavouring
to
draw
others
into
the
like
Snare
:
Though
thou
grow
but
slow
,
yet
grow
sure
.
Obedience
after
Convincement
Obedience
to
the
Measure
of
Grace
received
.
I
must
stay
until
I
be
Convinced
I
see
not
this
to
be
wrong
,
I
dare
not
be
in
the
Practice
of
another
thing
contrary
thereto
,
lest
I
become
a
Will-worshipper
:
No
man
can
say
,
Jesus
is
Lord
,
but
by
the
Holy
Ghost
.
Jesus
is
the
Lord
Jesus
is
Lord
in
them
Lord
in
us
'T
is
savoury
Language
to
say
,
I
MVST
STAY
VNTIL
CONVINCED
a
Reasoning
Truth
from
ones
self
,
through
the
deceitfulness
of
the
Serpent
,
How
did
they
Quakers
)
knock
down
this
manner
of
Reasoning
?
That
the
primitive
Labourers
in
the
Gospel
,
at
the
beginning
of
that
Day
did
condemn
such
kind
of
Language
We
were
taught
to
follow
the
Light
in
our
Consciences
,
and
not
the
Orders
of
Men
;
and
that
we
will
not
have
Man
to
rule
over
us
R.
B's
this
day
that
day
Order
,
Rule
,
Command
,
Govern
,
Government
,
Traditions
,
Church
of
Christ
a
wrong
Spirit
Know
them
that
are
over
you
;
hold
the
Traditions
ye
have
been
taught
.
Though
I
should
boast
somewhat
more
of
our
Authority
;
and
we
have
confidence
that
ye
will
do
the
things
which
we
command
:
now
we
command
you
Brethren
,
If
any
obey
not
our
word
,
remember
them
which
have
the
rule
over
you
,
and
submit
your selves
.
These
filthy
Dreamers
despise
Dominion
'T
is
to
be
doubted
,
his
meaning
is
,
as
his
Page
seems
to
import
In
Christ
Jesus
I
have
begotten
you
,
through
the
Gospel
;
wherefore
I
beseech
you
,
be
followers
of
me
:
As
absent
in
Body
,
but
present
in
Spirit
,
have
Judged
already
,
&c.
Ye
have
not
many
Fathers
;
for
in
Christ
Jesus
I
have
begotten
you
,
through
the
Gospel
;
wherefore
I
beseech
you
,
be
ye
followers
of
me
.
of
the
Commands
of
the
Church
Church
of
Christ
positive
Commands
whether
they
have
a
Sense
thereof
from
the
Measure
of
Truth
in
themselves
or
no.
Secondly
,
R.
B.
In
Christ
Jesus
I
have
begotten
you
,
through
the
Gospel
begetting
them
unto
the
Truth
begotten
any
to
the
Truth
Whether
those
who
would
Rule
over
such
whom
they
have
not
gathered
,
are
not
Intruders
,
and
Busy-Bodies
,
medling
with
that
which
concerns
others
more
than
themselves
?
Whether
any
of
these
fore-going
Scriptures
give
the
least
Countenance
for
whole
Assemblies
to
Minister
by
their
Writings
,
that
which
may
be
Matter
of
Faith
,
and
relative
to
the
Conscience
,
and
to
be
a
Bond
thereon
,
before
their
Vnderstanding
is
illuminated
;
especially
when
what
they
do
Minister
first
springs
from
the
Gift
either
but
of
one
,
or
at
most
but
a
very
few
of
them
?
Whether
the
endeavouring
to
obtain
to
confirm
and
approve
that
which
is
given
forth
by
one
,
or
at
least
a
very
few
,
may
not
become
a
Temptation
to
many
to
run
beyond
their
own
Lines
;
and
when
they
have
so
done
,
instead
of
waiting
on
their
own
Gift
,
make
it
their
Business
to
stand
by
what
they
have
done
,
though
it
may
prove
no
better
than
a
standing
by
the
Gifts
of
others
,
out
of
,
and
in
the
neglect
of
their
own
Gifts
?
pin
their
Faiths
on
other
Mens
Sleeves
,
Can
the
Brethren
Err
Corah
,
Dathan
Aaron
,
Ye
take
too
much
upon
you
Hath
the
Lord
indeed
spoken
only
by
hath
he
not
spoken
also
by
us
?
that
God
hath
raised
up
some
Outward
Person
to
be
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
at
this
Day
like
unto
and
as
he
was
in
that
Day
amongst
the
Children
of
Children
of
Light
Ministring
Friend
That
God
hath
raised
up
any
Outward
Man
or
Men
,
from
whose
Lips
Gods
People
must
at
this
day
receive
the
Law
of
Christ
,
and
Record
it
in
Books
for
Generations
to
come
,
as
his
Law
:
He
would
raise
up
like
unto
We
are
your
Fathers
,
who
in
Christ
Jesus
have
begotten
you
through
the
Gospel
;
and
we
have
on
that
foot
a
certain
Authority
in
the
Power
over
you
,
and
to
command
such
things
as
are
needful
for
Order
and
Vnities
sake
;
and
that
there
lyes
an
Obligation
on
you
to
Reverence
,
Honour
,
and
Obey
us
:
And
though
you
are
our
Witnesses
that
we
have
often
Declared
,
that
our
Commission
from
God
was
,
to
turn
People
from
Darkness
to
Light
,
and
from
the
Power
of
Satan
to
God
,
that
so
they
might
all
come
to
be
Ordered
and
Governed
by
the
Appearance
of
that
Power
in
themselves
;
Yet
we
did
not
mean
,
but
that
when
we
had
gathered
any
unto
the
Truth
,
we
should
be
those
,
who
ought
to
have
the
Rule
over
them
;
and
that
such
should
observe
our
Traditions
,
or
follow
us
,
without
giving
them
a
Reason
why
:
And
though
they
might
in
truth
be
submitting
themselves
one
unto
another
in
the
Lord
,
according
to
the
Apostles
Counsel
,
yet
all
of
them
must
submit
to
us
,
and
Reverence
,
Honour
and
Obey
us
,
and
not
think
it
any
Contradiction
to
the
being
led
by
the
Measure
of
Gods
Grace
in
themselves
.
That
though
these
our
travelling
Brethren
,
exalted
the
Spirit
of
God
in
man
,
as
the
only
sufficient
Rule
for
man
that
the
Scriptures
were
not
a
sufficient
Rule
to
man
;
yet
in
stead
of
leaving
us
to
that
Rule
,
which
they
have
declared
to
be
sufficient
,
they
strain
that
which
they
have
declared
not
sufficient
,
to
make
it
as
much
as
in
them
lyes
,
a
Rule
for
them
to
Rule
over
their
Brethren
.
R.
B.
of
a
sort
of
Persons
that
would
needs
be
Innovators
,
and
given
to
change
and
introducting
New
Doctrines
and
Practices
;
not
only
differing
,
but
contrary
to
what
was
delivered
in
the
Beginning
:
who
with
swelling
words
talkt
of
,
and
Preach'd
up
a
higher
Dispensation
.
of
what
sort
of
Persons
they
are
he
hints
at
what
was
delivered
in
the
Beginning
,
what
is
introduced
contrary
thereunto
viz.
[
That
a
Measure
of
Christ's
Light
and
Grace
of
God
was
given
to
every
Man
to
profit
withal
,
that
this
Grace
was
sufficient
;
that
that
which
may
be
known
of
God
,
was
manifested
in
us
;
that
the
Scriptures
were
not
the
Rule
,
but
the
Spirit
;
that
that
which
was
not
of
Faith
was
Sin
;
that
we
should
draw
Water
out
of
our
own
Wells
;
let
it
be
your
own
,
and
not
anothers
:
that
we
should
not
boast
in
other
Mens
Lines
of
things
made
ready
to
our
hands
;
but
that
since
every
one
must
give
account
for
himself
,
we
should
see
for
our selves
;
believe
for
our selves
,
and
savour
for
our selves
and
not
pin
our
Faiths
on
the
Sleeves
of
any
,
lest
we
should
become
Will-worshippers
.
That
this
Light
will
undo
all
,
or
at
least
,
a
Pretence
to
the
Light
Some
Preach
Christ
of
Envy
and
Strife
;
What
then
?
Notwithstanding
every
Way
,
whether
in
Pretence
,
or
in
Truth
Christ
is
Preached
,
and
I
therein
Rejoyce
,
yea
,
and
will
rejoyce
.
That
to
pretend
want
of
clearness
in
Sight
,
will
not
excuse
any
from
Disobedience
to
God
,
who
submit
not
to
the
Sentence
of
an
Assembly
(
or
some
or
other
of
them
)
which
may
in
any
tolerable
Supposition
be
termed
the
Church
of
Christ
Having
Hope
when
your
Faith
is
Increast
,
that
we
shall
be
inlarged
by
you
,
according
to
our
Rule
no
Iniquity
reproved
submit
to
the
Dictates
of
others
,
till
their
Vnderstandings
R.
B.
Now
we
command
you
Brethren
,
in
the
Name
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
that
ye
withdraw
your selves
from
every
Brother
,
that
walketh
disorderly
;
and
not
after
the
Traditions
which
he
received
of
us
viz.
for
ye
your selves
KNOW
how
that
ye
ought
to
follow
us
:
If
any
Man
Obey
not
our
word
,
by
this
Epistle
,
note
that
man
,
and
have
no
Company
with
him
,
that
he
may
be
ashamed
.
we
have
heard
that
there
were
some
among
you
that
walked
inordinately
,
and
work
not
at
all
,
but
are
Busi-Bodies
;
therefore
them
that
are
such
,
we
command
and
Exhort
by
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
,
that
they
work
with
Quietness
,
and
eat
their
own
Bread
;
and
ye
Bretheren
,
be
not
weary
in
well
doing
If
any
man
obey
not
our
Saying
,
&c.
That
such
who
were
Busi-bodies
,
walking
inordinately
,
If
any
man
think
himself
to
be
a
Prophet
or
Spiritual
,
let
him
acknowledge
that
the
things
that
I
write
unto
you
are
the
Commandements
of
the
Lord
:
Let
your
women
keep
silence
in
the
Church
,
&c.
speaking
in
the
Church
I
would
not
hereby
be
understood
to
justify
that
have
spoken
in
our
Meetings
,
because
many
of
them
have
of
late
been
so
rude
in
their
Opposition
to
as
that
I
take
it
to
be
a
meer
Scandal
to
Religion
;
and
am
perswaded
that
by
the
meaning
of
the
Spirit
was
not
positively
according
as
his
own
words
seem
to
intiate
,
not
only
because
the
Prophet
but
also
for
that
in
the
same
Chapter
he
exhorts
the
Church
(
who
doubless
consisted
of
as
well
as
all
which
considered
;
t
is
rational
to
take
the
Mind
of
the
Spirit
to
he
,
that
there
were
some
then
in
the
Church
(
as
in
these
our
Days
are
)
who
then
had
need
(
as
some
now
have
)
to
be
warned
to
keep
silence
,
though
others
,
that
had
received
a
Revelation
from
God
,
might
declare
the
same
in
the
Church
when
met
together
.
Women
as
well
as
Men
,
and
Men
as
well
as
Women
,
may
speak
in
the
Church
of
God
,
That
his
Authority
was
given
him
for
Edification
,
and
not
for
Destruction
Command
,
Ordain
,
Traditions
,
and
such
like
,
the
Churches
should
be
followers
of
him
,
according
as
in
their
own
Measures
they
had
a
Sense
,
or
Savour
,
that
he
was
a
Follower
of
Christ
,
and
not
otherwise
:
Brethren
,
be
Followers
together
of
me
;
and
mark
them
that
walk
so
,
as
you
have
us
for
an
Ensample
:
But
we
will
not
boast
of
Things
without
our
Measures
,
but
according
to
the
Measures
of
the
Rule
which
God
hath
distributed
to
us
,
a
Measure
to
reach
even
unto
you
;
for
we
stretch
not
our selves
beyond
our
Measure
,
not
boasting
of
things
without
our
Measures
,
that
is
,
other
mens
Labours
;
but
having
hope
,
when
your
Faith
is
Increased
,
that
we
shall
be
enlarged
by
you
,
according
to
our
Rule
,
abundantly
,
not
to
boast
in
another
mans
Lines
,
of
things
made
ready
to
our
Hands
.
Having
Hope
when
your
faith
is
encreased
;
that
we
shall
be
enlarg'd
by
your
,
according
to
our
Rule
abundantly
.
or
may
be
supposed
to
be
binding
and
ought
to
be
submitted
to
.
Obligatory
upon
believers
" Secondly , If so , in what Cases and respect she may so do .
Thirdly , Wherein consisteth the Freedom , and Liberty of Conscience , which may be exercised by the Members of the true Church diversly , without Judging one another .
And lastly , In whom the Power Decisive is , in Case of Controversy and Contention in such Matters .
As to the first , Whether the Church of Christ have Power in any Cases that are Matters of Conscience , to give Positive Sentence or Decision , which may be obligatory upon believers .
I answer , affirmatively , she hath . And shall prove it from divers instances both from Scripture and Reason . Thus far the aforesaid Author .
the
Life
of
Righteousness
inward
Bond
the
life
of
Righteousness
Church
of
Christ
that
Certain
Principles
,
Doctrines
,
and
Practices
,
held
and
Practised
in
a
pure
Mind
,
are
the
Fruit
and
Off-spring
of
that
which
is
the
Bond
;
but
the
Very
Bond
they
are
not
:
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
He
hath
left
us
in
the
dark
,
how
to
know
these
Members
,
who
cut
themselves
off
from
being
Members
,
by
dissolving
the
very
Bond
,
by
which
they
were
linked
to
the
Body
.
That
in
the
primitive
dayes
,
there
were
many
believers
;
who
were
found
in
Opposite
Faiths
and
Practices
Circumcised
,
kept
a
Day
,
abstain'd
from
flesh
What
are
the
very
Terms
and
Bond
,
by
which
the
Church
of
Christ
is
become
centered
into
one
Body
?
'T
is
the
Spirit
For
by
one
Spirit
are
we
all
Baptized
into
one
Body
:
What
are
those
Principles
,
Doctrines
and
Practices
you
hold
,
which
were
the
very
Terms
by
which
you
came
to
be
Centered
into
Christs
Body
,
and
which
were
the
Cause
that
gathered
you
?
What
blind
Questions
dost
thou
bring
forth
in
thy
Carnal
Sensual
reasoning
?
'T
was
Gods
Power
and
Spirit
gathered
us
from
amongst
such
,
as
being
out
of
the
Life
,
gloried
in
their
owtward
Fellowships
,
Principles
,
and
Doctrines
;
and
by
his
Power
Circumcised
our
Hearts
,
and
by
his
Spirit
we
came
to
be
baptized
into
one
Body
,
and
so
are
center'd
into
the
heavenly
Fellowship
of
Christ's
Body
:
A
Belief
in
Certain
Principles
,
Doctrines
,
and
Practices
necessarily
depending
thereon
,
are
the
Termes
and
very
Bond
by
which
we
became
center'd
into
one
Body
,
and
the
Cause
that
gathered
us
such
an
Order
such
a
Commission
believing
in
such
Principles
submitting
to
such
Practices
Church
of
Christ
very
Terms
Christs
Church
Establish
Outward
Indispensable
Rules
Christs
Church
is
sufficient
for
them
Baptism
of
the
Spirit
R.
B's
viz.
Whether
the
Church
of
Christ
hath
Power
in
any
Cases
that
are
Matters
of
Conscience
,
to
give
postive
Sentence
and
Decision
,
which
may
be
Obligatory
upon
Believers
,
be
agreeable
to
Truth
and
Sound
Doctrine
.
Clearness
in
themselves
Sin
of
Negligence
Own
Measures
R.
B.
R.
B.
Power
of
Decision
Because
I
am
or
have
been
such
an
Eminent
Member
,
therefore
my
Judgment
is
Infallible
;
or
because
we
are
the
greatest
Number
,
or
that
we
live
in
such
a
noted
or
famous
Place
,
only
Judge
who
are
the
Persons
that
are
the
Church
,
where
those
Persons
do
usually
Assemble
,
as
the
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
Visible
Persons
Who
or
where
those
men
are
?
one
Difference
one
Doubt
We
assign
not
to
men
,
as
Judges
;
but
to
the
Spirit
of
God
in
Men
Who
,
or
where
are
the
Men
,
thorough
whom
the
Spirit
appears
to
Judge
viz.
[
Which
positive
sentence
and
decision
may
become
Obligatory
on
Believers
.
]
it
ought
to
become
Obligatory
upon
Believers
:
that
such
a
Sentence
ought
to
become
Obligatory
on
Believers
,
And
is
not
this
Obligatory
on
all
the
Members
,
I
cannot
tell
that
any
Man
of
Reason
can
well
deny
this
.
R.
B.
And
is
not
this
Obligatory
on
all
the
Members
?
[
Ye
must
believe
as
the
Church
believes
]
viz.
That
the
Sentence
and
Judgement
of
any
Man
or
Men
whatsoever
,
relating
to
Matters
of
Conscience
,
ought
not
at
this
day
to
be
given
forth
,
but
by
way
of
Recommendation
to
the
Conscience
and
when
the
Conscience
is
sensible
that
Gods
Witness
therein
answers
,
then
the
Conscience
is
or
ought
to
be
bound
We
recommend
our selves
to
every
Mans
Conscience
in
the
Sight
of
God
,
Having
hope
,
that
when
your
Faith
is
increased
,
we
shall
be
enlarged
by
you
,
according
to
our
Rule
,
abundantly
.
R.
B.
that
the
Positive
Sentence
and
Decision
of
the
Church
in
Matters
of
Conscience
,
may
be
Obligatory
upon
Believers
:
I
shall
prove
it
from
Divers
Instances
from
Scripture
But
though
We
,
or
an
Angel
from
Heaven
,
Preach
any
other
Doctrine
unto
you
,
than
that
which
we
have
Preached
unto
you
,
let
him
be
Accursed
.
[
we
]
Paul
That
such
Assemblies
are
the
Church
,
which
in
any
tolerable
Supposition
may
be
so
termed
What
we
have
seen
and
handled
of
the
Word
of
Life
,
that
declare
we
unto
you
:
infallible
Tokens
Church
of
Christ
they
see
it
not
That
that
shall
not
excuse
such
from
Disobedience
to
God
,
who
submit
not
to
the
Sentences
given
forth
by
such
Assemblies
,
or
some
or
other
of
them
.
That
the
positive
Sentence
or
Decision
of
the
Church
,
either
ought
to
be
Obligatory
on
all
the
Members
,
or
at
lest
Obligatory
on
Believers
I
consulted
not
with
Flesh
and
Blood
,
neither
came
I
again
to
to
the
Apostles
and
Elders
before
me
Jews
,
he
withstood
to
the
face
we
are
the
Brethren
,
and
the
Church
,
and
our
Practice
ought
to
be
a
Bond
on
thee
;
and
thou
oughtest
rather
to
submit
to
us
,
than
we
to
thee
:
R.
B.
Holding
Faith
and
a
Good
Conscience
which
some
having
put
away
,
concerning
Faith
have
made
Shipwrack
,
of
whom
is
whom
I
have
delivered
to
Satan
,
that
they
may
learn
not
to
Blaspheme
.
that
the
Positive
Sentence
,
and
dicision
of
the
Church
in
Matters
of
Conscience
,
may
bind
Believers
?
Delivery
to
Satan
If
there
come
any
unto
you
,
and
bring
not
this
Doctrine
,
receive
him
not
into
your
house
,
neither
bid
him
rejoyce
,
positive
Sentence
the
Church
whosoever
transgresseth
,
and
abideth
not
in
the
Doctrine
of
Christ
,
hath
not
God
:
Christ's
Doctrine
That
the
positive
Sentence
or
decision
of
the
Church
,
in
Matters
of
Conscience
,
may
be
Obligatory
on
Believers
:
If
thy
Brother
Trespass
against
thee
,
go
tell
him
his
faults
;
if
he
hear
thee
not
,
take
with
thee
one
or
two
;
if
he
hear
not
them
,
tell
it
to
the
Church
;
if
he
refuse
to
hear
the
Church
,
let
him
be
unto
thee
as
an
Heathen
Man
.
all
other
Members
Let
him
be
unto
[
thee
]
as
an
Heathen
Man
.
the
Father
would
send
the
Comforter
,
the
Holy
Ghost
,
which
(
saith
he
)
shall
teach
you
all
things
:
the
Judgment
of
the
Church
must
be
Obligatory
on
all
believers
,
that
the
Church
shall
teach
them
all
things
that
they
themselves
had
need
of
teaching
.
We
are
the
Church
of
Christ
,
and
we
have
Power
to
Decide
without
your
Assent
:
R.
B.
we
boldly
aver
,
we
have
Power
to
decide
And
is
not
this
Obligatory
on
all
the
Members
?
Acts
,
where
a
Dissention
is
Signified
between
on
the
one
hand
,
and
certain
of
the
Sect
of
the
who
Believed
and
Taught
on
the
other
hand
Obligatory
on
all
the
Members
of
the
Church
of
Christ
Believing
Jews
viz.
To
walk
according
to
the
Measure
received
:
It
was
necessary
for
every
one
to
be
fully
perswaded
in
their
own
Minds
whatsoever
was
not
of
Faith
,
was
Sin
:
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
we
have
power
to
bind
and
lose
Positive
Sentences
Decesive
Judgments
Obligatory
upon
Believers
(
ye
must
Believe
as
the
Church
Believes
)
Where
lies
the
Service
to
God
,
and
his
Truth
,
for
any
to
concern
themselves
to
treat
on
such
Subjects
,
as
may
give
Occasion
to
receive
the
weak
to
Doutbfnl
Disputations
?
What
you
bind
in
shall
be
bound
in
Church
of
Christ
Christs
Church
Wash
each
others
Feet
as
Lords
and
Masters
over
each
other
:
Paul
,
Rom.
Why
dost
thou
Judge
thy
Brother
?
why
dost
thou
despise
thy
Brother
?
for
we
shall
all
appear
before
the
Judgment-Seat
of
Christ
;
for
it
is
written
,
saith
the
Lord
,
every
Knee
shall
bow
to
me
,
and
all
Tongues
shall
Confess
unto
God
then
every
one
of
us
shall
give
an
account
of
himself
to
God
;
let
us
not
therefore
Judge
one
another
any
more
.
What
sort
of
Joyes
Heaven
,
Yields
to
the
Faithful
after
this
life
Christ's
Government
extends
[
of
its
encrease
there
is
no
end
in
what
Cases
,
that
are
matters
of
Conscience
,
the
Church
hath
Power
to
give
forth
Positive
Sentences
,
that
may
obliege
Believers
an
acceptable
Bond
whether
such
as
give
forth
such
Sentences
,
are
the
Church
or
no
,
Exercise
of
their
Minds
unto
God
,
R.
B.
Because
I
am
or
have
been
such
on
eminent
Member
,
therefore
my
Judgment
is
infallible
because
we
are
the
Greatest
Number
,
or
that
we
live
in
such
a
noted
or
famous
Place
viz.
Some
of
these
reasons
ought
to
have
their
true
weight
,
in
Case
of
Contradictory
Assertions
,
Eminent
Member
Greatest
Number
famous
place
Meanest
of
the
Flock
Lesser
Number
Inconsiderable
Ignoble
Place
God
hath
chosen
the
Foolish
,
Weak
,
and
vile
despised
things
of
the
World
,
to
confound
the
Wise
and
Mighty
?
" Secondly , That God ordinarily hath imployed such whom he hath made use of in gathering his Church , though not excluding others .
" Thirdly , That their , de facto , giving a positive Judgment in such Cases , will not import Tyranny and Usurpation ; neither will the pretences of any Contradicting them , or refusing to submit on the account they see it not , excuse them of being guilty of Disobeying God .
That
a
person
's
not
submitting
to
the
positive
Judgment
,
touching
Controversy
,
given
by
any
Assembly
(
or
at
least
by
some
or
other
of
them
)
which
may
in
any
tolerable
supposition
be
term'd
the
Church
of
Christ
,
is
Disobedience
to
God
,
though
the
persons
refusing
pretend
,
they
refuse
to
submit
on
the
account
they
see
it
not
.
every
one
must
not
only
now
believe
,
as
the
Church
believes
any
tolerable
supposition
Church
of
Christ
though
the
persons
refusing
shall
pretend
they
see
it
not
.
Christ's
Government
any
Assembly
any
tollerable
supposition
Christ's
Church
What
a
long
step
at
once
is
this
to
magnify
that
Devotion
,
whereof
Ignorance
is
the
Mother
,
and
that
zeal
which
is
without
knowledge
?
Imposing
Usurping
Spirit
[
We
preach
not
our selves
;
nor
yet
that
you
should
be
Followers
of
us
;
otherwise
than
as
you
have
an
Inward
Sense
in
your selves
,
that
we
are
Followers
of
Christ
]
Lo
here
's
Lo
there
's
viz.
That
there
never
will
nor
can
be
wanting
in
Case
of
Controversie
,
the
Spirit
of
God
to
give
Judgment
,
through
some
or
other
in
the
Church
of
God
,
so
long
as
any
Assembly
can
properly
,
or
in
any
tolerable
Supposition
be
so
termed
.
And
lo
I
am
with
you
alway
,
unto
the
End
of
the
World
.
And
the
Gates
of
Hell
shall
not
prevail
against
it
.
any
tolerable
supposition
Church
of
Christ
That
the
Gates
of
Hell
shall
not
prevail
against
that
Church
,
which
is
built
on
the
Rock
Christ
,
any
tolerable
supposition
Christs
Church
seem
rather
strain'd
to
Vindicate
what
he
asserts
,
than
that
his
Assertions
are
according
to
it
That
both
have
greatly
gone
aside
[
Tolerable
Supposition
.
My
Supposition
is
,
that
it
is
or
may
be
so
[
Tolerable
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
Church
of
Christ
true
Church
of
Christ
tolerable
supposition
Church
of
Christ
supposed
to
be
the
Church
of
Christ
,
tolerable
Supposition
R.
B.
undertakes
by
Reason
to
evidence
the
same
,
Sanctification
through
the
Spirit
Church
of
Christ
Diversities
of
Voices
,
and
Sounds
,
Diversities
of
Colours
Church
of
Christ
Why
dost
thou
seem
to
reflect
on
this
Sort
of
Language
,
Is
not
the
true
Church
in
the
true
Faith
?
and
must
we
not
either
Believe
thus
as
the
true
Church
Believes
,
or
else
do
we
not
manifest
both
Folly
and
Hypocrisy
to
profess
ourselves
Members
thereof
?
The
General
Assembly
and
Church
of
the
First
Born
are
written
in
Heaven
,
General
Assembly
Church
of
Christ
General
Assembly
Particular
Congregation
Church
of
Christ
true
Church
true
Faith
in
some
measure
[
in
some
Measure
Let
him
that
Prophesieth
,
Prophesy
according
to
the
Proportion
of
Faith
,
't
is
Folly
,
and
Hypocrisy
to
Professones
self
a
Member
of
the
true
Church
,
&
yet
not
Believe
thus
,
as
the
true
Church
Believes
,
[
True
Church
(
and
yet
not
Believe
thus
as
the
true
Church
Believes
)
Let
not
him
that
eateth
,
despise
him
that
eateth
not
;
and
let
not
him
that
eateth
not
,
Judge
him
that
eateth
:
for
God
hath
received
him
.
Who
art
thou
that
condemnest
another
Mans
Servant
?
to
his
own
Master
he
standeth
or
falleth
.
Hast
thou
Faith
?
have
it
to
thy self
.
He
that
doubteth
,
is
condemned
if
he
eat
,
because
he
eateth
not
of
Faith
;
and
whatsoever
is
not
of
Faith
,
is
Sin
.
We
must
Believe
thus
as
the
Church
Believes
,
That
the
Gates
of
Hell
shall
not
prevail
against
the
Church
,
that
's
built
upon
the
Rock
Christ
the
Elect
cannot
be
deceived
Church
of
Christ
Though
some
particular
Members
may
be
liable
to
err
,
't
is
neither
reasonable
nor
just
to
conclude
,
the
whole
Body
or
Church
of
Christ
is
liable
to
err
.
Church
of
Christ
that
the
Promise
was
not
with
respect
,
that
some
should
continue
still
Faithful
,
and
not
liable
to
err
,
though
others
,
being
liable
thereto
,
should
err
;
but
with
respect
to
every
Member
of
the
Church
,
whilest
establish'd
on
the
Rock
Christ
:
And
upon
this
Rock
I
will
Build
my
Church
,
and
the
Gates
of
Hell
shall
not
prevail
against
it
Church
built
and
remaining
on
the
Rock
Christ
every
Member
whole
Church
Watch
and
Pray
,
that
ye
enter
not
into
Temptation
:
Church
of
Christ
That
the
Gates
of
Hell
shall
not
prevaile
against
the
Church
of
Christ
;
and
that
what
they
bind
or
loose
on
Earth
,
shall
be
bound
or
loos'd
in
Heaven
Christ's
Church
That
it
cannot
err
Take
,
eat
,
this
is
my
Body
outward
bread
to
enforce
Obedience
to
Outward
Sentences
,
and
Decrees
relating
to
Conscience
,
whether
the
Understanding
be
so
illuminated
as
to
see
the
service
of
such
Obedience
for
God
and
his
Truth
,
yea
or
nay
.
Authority
of
the
Church
,
and
that
the
Church
is
not
lyable
to
err
,
and
that
the
Apostacy
shall
never
enter
the
Generality
more
,
Church
of
Christ
Authority
of
the
Church
They
were
come
to
the
*
*
Heb.
12.13
.
General
Assembly
,
and
Church
of
the
First-Born
,
which
are
written
in
Heaven
,
and
to
God
the
Judge
of
all
General
Assembly
God
is
Judge
of
all
General
Assembly
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
[
Church
to
particular
Congregations
General
Assembly
Particular
one
for
God
by
his
Spirit
alone
is
Sole
Judge
a
General
Assembly
Where
two
or
three
are
gathered
together
in
Christs
Name
,
there
is
the
Church
of
Christ
.
If
two
of
such
agree
on
Earth
,
as
touching
any
thing
they
shall
ask
the
Father
,
it
shall
be
done
for
them
of
my
Father
,
which
is
in
Heaven
.
General
Assembly
two
Brethren
General
One
General
Assemblies
a
General
Assembly
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
Church
of
Christ
General
Assembly
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
General
Assembly
of
the
Church
of
Christ
.
Positive
Sentences
,
Decrees
Decisive
Judgments
Obey
though
they
see
it
not
Rebellious
against
the
Lord
laying
another
Foundation
,
than
that
which
hath
been
already
laid
R.
B.
Liberty
of
Conscience
True
Church
Observation
of
certain
dayes
Abstaining
from
meats
Christian
forbearance
Let
,
not
him
that
eateth
,
despise
him
that
eateth
not
;
and
let
not
him
that
eateth
not
,
Jadge
him
that
eateth
;
Who
art
thou
that
Judgest
another
man's
Servant
?
To
his
own
Master
he
standeth
or
falleth
:
Christian
Forbearance
Circumstances
of
Times
and
Places
R.
B.
That
commanding
to
abstain
from
Meats
,
is
a
Doctrine
of
Devils
If
Meats
make
my
Brother
to
offend
,
I
will
eat
no
flesh
while
the
World
standeth
a
Command
to
abstain
from
Meats
a
Command
to
abstain
from
flesh
,
such
a
Command
Christian
Forbearance
Circumcision
,
R.
B.
'T
was
permitted
not
permit
say
unto
you
,
if
ye
be
Christ
shall
profit
you
nothing
,
and
Gal.
But
now
after
ye
have
known
God
,
or
rather
are
known
of
God
,
how
turn
ye
again
to
the
Weak
and
Beggerly
Eliments
?
Ye
observed
Daies
,
and
Months
,
I
am
afraid
of
you
Christian
Liberty
Couscience
of
Circumcision
Observing
Daies
how
turn
ye
again
Observation
of
Daies
God
doth
not
usually
lead
into
those
things
,
which
he
hath
led
out
of
That
an
Universal
Unity
ought
to
be
establish't
in
the
Churches
,
by
the
Assistance
of
outward
Instruments
Discipline
,
Order
Outward
Formes
of
Government
of
Christ's
Spirit
his
Government
diversityes
of
Administrations
diversityes
of
Gifts
amongst
the
primitive
Believers
there
were
such
as
practiced
Circumcision
,
some
made
Conscience
of
keeping
a
Day
,
and
some
that
Absteyn'd
from
eating
Flesh
,
and
others
that
did
not
,
and
yet
a
Christian-Liberty
and
Forbearance
was
so
exercised
,
as
that
they
were
not
to
be
Judging
one
another
about
these
things
,
and
that
we
find
not
that
these
differing
exercises
in
a
Christian-Liberty
,
did
subject
any
of
those
Believers
exercised
therein
to
the
Censure
of
being
out
of
the
Unity
of
the
Body
Circumcision
of
the
heart
Answer
of
a
good
Conscience
towards
God
,
The
most
infallible
mark
and
token
then
of
a
Member
in
the
true
Unity
with
the
Body
of
Christ
,
is
an
inward
invisible
mark
that
cannot
be
stampt
on
any
,
but
by
the
impression
of
Gods
Power
on
the
heart
Heavenly
Union
in
the
Spirit
Outward
Unity
through
an
Inward
Departure
from
the
Anointing
in
themselves
Rudiments
of
Men
Beware
lest
there
be
any
that
spoyl
you
through
the
Traditions
of
Men
,
according
to
the
Rudiments
of
the
World
,
and
not
after
Christ
Pretenders
to
Unity
exalting
the
Traditions
of
Men
Men
of
prejudiced
Spirits
,
may
conclude
that
I
herein
strike
at
the
God
forbid
I
should
so
do
,
for
the
true
Church
never
exalted
the
Traditions
and
Rudiments
of
Men
:
for
though
the
Apostle
said
,
in
his
very
Prayer
in
the
next
verse
,
shews
,
that
his
Desire
was
not
,
that
any
should
follow
the
Traditions
of
any
further
than
the
Lord
might
establish
them
therein
;
and
this
was
far
from
following
the
otherwise
than
according
as
they
should
be
establish't
therein
by
the
Lord
.
Vnworthy
Eaters
discerned
not
the
Lords
Body
one
part
of
that
Testimony
which
accompanied
the
Servants
of
the
Lord
in
those
latter
Days
was
against
Outward
Forms
,
Traditions
,
Prescriptions
,
Decrees
,
Ordinances
of
men
,
with
relation
to
Matters
Spiritual
and
Divine
,
and
wherein
the
Consciences
of
Gods
People
might
be
concerned
,
was
sufficient
for
them
what
God
leads
out
of
,
he
usually
leads
not
into
again
Outward
Orders
,
Prescriptions
Outward
things
Things
establish't
in
the
Church
May
not
a
false
Liberty
get
strength
by
a
Plea
for
a
Gospel-Liberty
?
a
false
Liberty
The
Lord
shall
give
his
Angels
charge
concerning
thee
,
to
cease
to
do
good
,
though
another
may
pretend
that
thereby
evil
may
abound
R.
B.
false
Pretence
of
Liberty
Order
in
the
Church
What
that
Liberty
of
Conscience
is
,
to
the
Gospel
a
Pleafor
a
Gospel
Liberty
of
Conscience
,
is
a
Plea
for
a
Freedom
of
the
Conscience
from
Sin
,
false
Liberty
of
Conscience
The
difference
lies
not
here
:
for
we
find
many
who
contend
for
to
plead
against
all
Sin
;
and
that
many
,
who
would
not
have
it
extend
so
large
as
thou
seemest
to
plead
for
;
do
also
plead
against
all
Sin
;
and
therefore
thy
distinction
doth
not
yet
satisfie
.
Heaven
is
the
Mark
they
aim
at
;
and
that
this
is
not
attainable
without
Peace
of
Conscience
;
and
that
every
man
must
give
an
account
of
himself
to
God
.
Liberty
of
Conscience
of
Conscience
R.
B.
R.
B's
Church
of
Christ
Obey
,
Receive
Disobedience
to
God
Positive
Sentences
Decisive
Judgments
Tolerable
Supposition
Church
of
Christ
Book
of
Government
that
would
needs
be
Innovators
,
and
given
to
Change
,
and
introducing
new
Doctrines
and
Practices
,
not
only
differing
,
but
contrary
to
what
were
delivered
in
the
beginning
I
must
stay
till
I
be
convinc'd
,
Outward
Formes
of
Government
Isaac
Penington
One
Thousand
six
hundred
and
sixty
,
Authority
and
Government
which
Christ
excluded
out
of
his
Church
,
Book
of
Government
" THe Apostles and Ministers of Christ came from Christ with a Message of Life and Salvation , with a Testimony concerning the Good Will of God , and his Love to Mankind , pointing out the Way from Death to Life , from Bondage to Liberty , from Wrath and Destruction to Peace and Salvation . What they have seen , what they have felt , what they have tasted , what they have handled , what they have found redeem and deliver them , that they declare abroad to others , as they are moved , as they are sent , as they are guided and assisted .
Now that which they preach to , is Mens Consciences in the Sight of God . They open the Truth which they know , they give their Testimony in the Moving , Leading , and Power of the Spirit ; and they leave it to the same Spirit , to demonstrate it to Mens Consciences , as it pleaseth . They are nothing ; they can do nothing ; they cannot convert any Man to God ; but the Power that speaketh by them , the same Power worketh in other Mens Consciences at its Pleasure : And here is the beginning of the Government of Christ in the Heart , when his Truth carries Conviction with it to the Conscience , and the Conscience is drawn to yield it self up to him , then he lays his Yoak upon it , and takes upon him the guiding of it : he cherisheth it , he cleanseth it , he comforteth it , he ordereth it at his Pleasure ; and he alone preserveth it pure , chast , gentle , Meek , and pliable to the Impressions of his Spirit ; and as the Conscience is kept single and tender to Christ , so his Government encreases therein : but as it becomes hard , or subject to Mens Wills , so another Spirit gets Dominion over it .
Therefore the great work of the Minister of Christ , is to keep the Conscience open to Christ , and to preserve Men from receiving any Truths of Christ as from them , further than the Spirit opens , or to imitate any of their Practices , further than the Spirit leads , guides , and perswades them . For Persons are exceeding prone to receive things as Truths , from those whom they have an high Opinion of , and to Imitate their Practices ; and so hurt their own growth , and endanger their Souls . For if I receive a Truth , before the Lord by his Spirit make it manifest to me , I lose my Guide , and follow but the Counsel of the Flesh ; which is exceeding greedy of receiving Truths , and running into Religious Practices without the Spirit . Therefore the main thing in Religion , is to keep the Conscience pure to the Lord , to know the Guide , to follow the Guide , to receive from him that Light whereby I am to walk , and not to take things for Truths , because others see them to be Truths ; but wait till the Spirit make them manifest to me ; nor to run into Worships , Duties , Performances , or Practices , because others are led thither ; but to wait till the Spirit leads me thither . He that makes haste to be rich ( even in Religion , running into Knowledge , and into Worships , and Performances , before he feel a true and clear Guidance ) shall not be Innocent : nor the Lord will not hold him guiltless , when he comes to visit for Spiritual Adultery , and Idolatry . The Apostles were exceeding tender in this point ; for though they certainly and infallibly knew what was to be believed , yet they were not Lords over Mens Faith ; but waited till he , who is Lord of the Faith , would open the way into Mens Consciences . They did not take upon them to be able to turn the Key , to let in Truth and Conviction into Mens Spirits ( as men in these Days have been too apt to undertake ) but directed them to him who had the Key , there to wait for the Conviction and Illumination of their Minds , and so to receive in , as they found him give forth to them .
Let every man ( saith the Apostle ) be fully perswaded in his own Mind : take heed of receiving things too soon , take heed of running into Practices too soon , & doing what ye see others do ; but wait for your own particular Guidance , and a Full Perswasion from God , what is his Will concerning you . Tho I know this to be a Truth , yet do not ye receive it , till God make it manifest to you ; receive Truth from his Hand , stay till He gives it You. Indeed the main Matter in Religion , is to keep out the wrong part , the forward part , the bastardly birth , from running into Duties , catching of Openings , and laying hold of Promises ; and to feel the Heir born of the Immortal Seed , to whom all belongs ; and the other Birth never afterwards get up above him , but be subdued and brought into Subjection .
Again sayeth the Apostle , Take heed of doing any thing doubtingly ; be not forward ; be not hasty ; wait for the leading ; wait for the Manifestation of the Spirit . Be sure thou receive what thou receives in the Faith , and Practise what thou practisest in the Faith : For whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin , being an Errour from the Principle of Life , which is to guide : and thereby thou losest ground , and dishonourest Christ , and comest under Condemnation .
And so the Apostle warns Believers , To take heed of drawing one another on too fast , or of Judging one another in such things as some of them might have Light in , others not . He that eateth , not to Judge him that did not eat ; and he that did not eat , not to Judge him that did eat ; yea in Matters of Worship , he that observed a Day , and kept a Sabbath , not to Judge him that observed not a Day , or kept not a Sabbath : For the Jews , which were truly converted , yet were hard to be drawn off from the Observation of their Sabbath , and could hardly bear with the Believing Gentiles , who were never taught to keep their Sabbath with them , but were taught to esteem every day , and sanctifie it to the Lord Rom. 14.5 . And those who esteemed every day , and dedicated it to the Lord ( ceasing from Sin , and resting to him ; for under the Gospel we are not to set up a new Type , but to enter by Faith into the true Rest , which is the Substance of what the other signified ) could hardly bear with them who observed a Day . Even in the Apostles Days , Christians were too apt to strive after a wrong Vnity , and Vniformity in Outward Practices and Observations , and to Judge one another Vnrighteously in those things . And mark , it is not the different Practice from one another , that breaks the Peace and the Unity ; but the Judging of one another because of different Practices ; he that keeps not a Day , may unite in the same Spirit , in the same Life , in the same Love with him that keeps a Day ; and he who keeps a Day , may unite in Heart and Soul , with the same Spirit and Life in him who keeps not a Day ; but he that Judgeth the other because of either of these , Errs from the Spirit , from the Love , from the Life , and so breaks the Bond of Unity . And he that draws another to any Practice , before the Life in his own Particular lead him , does as much as in him lies to destroy the Soul of that Person , Vers. 15. This was the Apostles Rule , for every one to perform singly to the Lord what he did , and not for one to meddle with the Light or Conscience of another ( undervaluing his Brother , or Judging him , because his Light and Practices differed from his , Vers. 10. of that 14th Chap. ) but every one to keep close to their own Measure of Light , even to that proportion of Faith and Knowledge which God of his Mercy hath bestowed on them ; and here is the true Unity in the Spirit , in the Inward Life , and not in an Outward Vniformity , that was not necessary in the Apostles Days , nor is it necessary now : and that Eye which so dotes upon it , overlooks the one Thing which is necessary . Men keeping close to God , the Lord will lead them on fast enough , and give them Light fast enough ( for he taketh care of such , and knoweth what Light , and what Practices are most proper for them ) but for Men to walk on faster than the Lord holds forth Light to them , this overturns them , raising up a wrong thing in them , and the true Birth hereby comes to suffer , to shrink , and be driven back . And Oh! how sweet and pleasant is it to the truly Spiritual Eye , to see several sorts of Believers , several Forms of Christians in the School of Christ , every one learning their own Lesson , performing their own peculiar Service , and knowing , owning , and loving one another in their several Places , and different Performances to their Master , to whom they are to give an Account , and not to quarrel with one another about their different Practices , Rom. 14.4 . For this is the true ground of Love and Unity ; not that such a man walks and does just as I do ; but because I feel the same Spirit of Life in him , and in that he walks in his Rank , in his own order , in his proper way and Place of Subjection to that ; and this is far more pleasing to me , than if he walked just in that track wherein I walk : nay ( so far as I am Spiritual ) I cannot so much as desire that he should do so , until he be particularly led thereto by the same Spirit which led me . And he that knows what it is to receive any Truths from the Spirit , and to be led into Practices by the Spirit , and how prone the Fleshly Man is to make haste , and how dangerous that haste is , will not be forward to press his Knowledge or Practices upon others ; but rather wait patiently till the Lord fit them for the receiving thereof , and fear lest they should receive and practise too soon , even in that part which cannot serve the Lord . And this I can truly say concerning my self , I never found my Spirit forward to draw any , either to any thing I believed to be true , or to any Practice or Way of Worship I observed or walked in , but desired that the Power and leadings of Life might go before them ; and was afraid , lest men should receive things from my hand , and not from the Lords . Yea , and this I very well remember , that when I walked in the way of Independency ( as it hath been commonly called ) I had more Unity with , more Love towards such as were single-Hearted in other Ways and Practices of Worship ( whose Spirits I had some feeling of in the true Simplicity and in the Life ) than with divers of such who were very Knowing and Zealous in that way of Independency , in whom a wrong thing in the mean time had got up , which had caused them to swerve from the Life , and from the Simplicity .
So that the true Church Government being in the Spirit , and over the Conscience , as in the Sight of God , the great Care must be to keep it within its Bounds , that nothing else govern but the Spirit , and that the Government be extended only unto that which is to be Governed .
First , Care must be had , that nothing Govern in the Church of Christ , but the Spirit of Christ : that nothing else teach , nothing else exhort , nothing else admonish , and reprove , nothing else cut off and cast out : Every Minister in the Church is to watch over his own Spirit , that it intrude not into the work of God , that it take not upon it to be the Teacher the Exhorter , the Reprover , &c. And every Memis to wait in that Measure of the Spirit which he hath received , to feel the Goings forth of the Spirit in him that teacheth and governeth ; and so to subject not to Man , but to the Lord , to receive from the Lord , to Obey the Lord . Not to know any Minister according to the Flesh , but to receive and submit to what comes from the Spirit , in the Spirit . Not to know Paul , or Apollo , or Cephas , but the Spirit ministring in them . Paul may Err , Apollo may Err , Peter may Err and did Err , when he Compelled the Gentiles to live as the Jews , Gal. 2.14 . for which Paul withstood him to the Face , Vers. 11 and Barnabas also did Err , Vers. 13. but the Spirit cannot Err : and he that keeps to the Measure of the Spirit in himself , cannot let in any of their Errors , if they should Err , but is preserved ; for the least Measure of the Spirit is true , and gives true Judgment : but he that receiveth never so great a Measure of the Spirit , yet if he keep not Low therein , but lifteth up himself because thereof above his Brethren , may easily Err himself , and draw aside others into his Errour .
Secondly , Care must be had that the Conscience be kept tender , that nothing be received but according to the Light in the Conscience ; the Conscience is the seat of Faith ; and if it be not kept close to the Light , which God Lighteth there , Faith is soon made shipwrack of . Christianity is begun in the Spirit , which keepeth out the Fleshly Part , with all its fleshly Wisdom , and Reasonings about Spiritual things : and as the begining is in the anointing so must the Progress be . As the Spirit begins in the Conscience , by convincing that , by perswading that , by setting up his Light there , and leading the soul by that Light : so that Light must still be eyed , and according to its growth and manifestation in the Conscience , so must the Soul stand still , or go on .
The great error of the Ages of the Apostacy hath been , to set up an Outward Order , and Unformity , and to make Mens Consciences bend thereto , either by Arguments of Wisdom , or by Force : but the Property of the true Church Government is , to leave the Conscience to its full liberty in the Lord , to preserve it single and entire for the Lord to exercise , and to seek Unity in the Light and in the Spirit , walking Sweetly and harmoniously together in the midst of Different Practices ; yea , and he that hath Faith , and can see beyond another , yet can have it to him-self , and not disturb his Brother with it , but can descend and walk with him according to his measure . And if his Brother have any heavy Burthen upon him , he can lend him his Shoulder , and bear part of his burthen with him . Oh how sweet and lovely is it to see Brethren dwell together in Unity ! to see the true Image of God raised in Persons , and they knowing and Loving one another in that Image , and bearing with one another through Love , and helping one another under their Temptations and Distresses of Spirit , which every one must expect to meet with .
If thou art a Christian in Deed and in Truth , preserve thy Conscience pure and tender towards God ; do not defile it with such Religious Practices , Duties , Ordinances , &c. as thou dost not feel the Spirit leading thee into : for all such are Idols , and exceedingly polute thee . And be tender also of thy Brothers Conscience , and be not an Instrument to draw him unto any thing which the Lord leads him not into ; but rejoyce if thou find him in Simplicity of Heart startling at any thing : for if he abide here faithful , his Guide will in due season appear to him , and clear up his way before him ; but if he be too hasty , he may follow a Wrong Guide , and that Guide will never lead him aright towards the Kingdom , but entangle him further and further from it .
Oh how many have run a Whoring from the Lord ! how many have first lost the Guidance of his Spirit , and then drowned their Life in Religions Performances ! How many have Drunk of the Cup of Fornication from the Life , at the Hands of the Fleshly Wisdom ! How many have filled their Spirit with New-Testament Idols and Images ! How many have even hardened their Hearts and Consciences , by following the Doctrines of Men , their imaginary Meanings of Scriptures , and the imaginations and Dreams of their own Hearts ! Is it not time for men at length to turn back towards the Lord , to wait for the Visitation and Light of his Spirit , from whom they have gone a Whoring , and whom , in all these things they have grieved ? And if ever any feel and enjoy the Guidance of God's Spirit , their Conscience must be kept tender to it , and ready to hear and follow his voice , who speaks in Spirit to that which is born of him , which infallibly knowes his Voice , and ( being kept clear ) cannot doubt Concerning it . My Sheep hear my voyce ( saith Christ ) they know it , and the voice of the strange Spirit they know not , so as to follow it , but turn from it both in themselves and others . But , that which is not the Sheep , but hath only got the Sheeps Cloathing , cryes out , How shall we know the Voice of the Spirit ? we may be deceived ; Nay , that which is born of God , that which is the Elect of God , cannot be deceived . Wait therefore for the Birth of the Spirit , to which the Spirit is given for a Guide , who infallibly guides it out of Deceit . All Deceivers are out of this Birth , out of this Spirit ; perhaps in some Birth or other framed from the Letter , and living in the Imitation of some Practices and Ordinances from the Letter ( under which Cover they lie in wait to deceive ) but Strangers to the Life and Power , and to that Wisdom which begets and bears to God . Thus the Jews Erred , and deceived their Proselites before the coming of Christ : Thus the Christians ( in Name ) have generally Erred all along the Apostacy , and indeed ( for the Generality ) have not been true Christians , but only a persecuted Remnant amongst them : whose Life hath been nourished and preserved , not by Doctrines and Observations , which they have been taught by the Precepts of Men , nor by the Knowledge which they themselves have gathered , but by a little Bread , dayly handed to them from the Father of Mercies , out of the Wilderness : that was the thing which nourished their Souls up to God , though many of them knew not distinctly what it was that nourished them , nor how they came by it .
Object . But is not Vniformity lovely ? and doth not the Apostle exhort Christians to be of one Mind ? and were it not a sweet thing if we were all of one Heart and one Way ?
Answer . Yea ; Vniformity is very lovely , and to be desired and waited for , as the Spirit of the Lord ( which is one ) leads and draws into one . But for the Fleshly Part ( the Wise Reasoning Part of Man ) by fleshly Ways and Means to strive to bring about a Fleshly Uniformity , which insnares and overbears the tender Conscience , this is not Lovely , nor Spiritual , nor Christian . And the Apostle , who Exhorts Christians to one Mind , yet doth not bid them , force one another to one mind , but walk together sweetly , so far as they had attained ; and wherein they were otherwise minded , God in his due time would reveal more to them , Phil. 3.15 , 16. He that hath , to him shall be given ; and the Intent and Work of the Ministry ( with the several Ministrations of it ) is to bring into the Unity ( Ephes. 4.13 . ) as Persons are able to follow , and not to force all Men into one Practice or Way ; that 's the way to destroy the Faith , and the true Unity , and at best can introduce but a Fleshly Appearance of Vnity into such a Form of Worship and Godliness , as eats out the Power . And for being of one Heart and one Way ; Blessed be the Lord , this is in measure known and witnessed : The Way is one , Christ the Truth of God ; and he that is in the Faith , and in the Obedience to the Light , which shines from his Spirit into the Heart of every Believer , hath a tast of the one Heart and of the one Way ; and knoweth that no Variety of Practices ( which is of God ) can make a Breach in the true Vnity . This is the one Way , for every one to be subject to the Light of Christs Spirit , which he hath received from Christ ; and every one keeping here , there is also one Heart kept in the midst of all the Variety , and diversity of Practices .
R.
Barclay
G.
F.
R.
B's
viz.
Charles
Marshal
R.
B.
R.
B.
Explanatory
Postscript
R.
B.
Epistle
to
Friends
Explanatory
Rostscript
" UNto all my Dear Friends and Brethren , unto whose hands this Paper may come , or who may be any ways more particularly concerned in the Contents hereof , is the Salutation of my unfeigned Love in that unchangable Truth , whereunto it hath pleased the Lord to call me , according to his great Mercy , so as to be a Partaker in some Measure of the Peace and Glory , which in this Day is revealed , wherewith my Heart hath been often filled , as I have waited in Faithfulness , according to the Dispensation of Light manifested in me , and to me : And since it pleased God to make me a Living Witness of the Precious Truth , and to commit unto me my share of the Ministry thereof , my Conscience bears me Witness in the Sight of God , that I have Laboured according to my Knowledge , to follow Love and Peace with all my Brethren , and to do those things which might tend to Advance , Strengthen and Confirm Unity and Brotherly-Love , as also to avoid what had a Tendency to beget Strife , Jealousie , or Evil Surmises , like as I have studied as well in my publick Testimony as in my Writings , to beware of any thing that to my Understanding might minister just Occasion of Stumbling , or Offence to the least of my Brethren , or the youngest and weakest Babe in the Truth , as such as are conversant with me in my own Country , as well as those elsewhere , where I have travelled , can bear Witness .
Nevertheless , as I cannot shun any part of that Labour and Service which my Lord and Master Jesus Christ calls me to , so in Obedience to his Requirings , near five Years ago I wrote some Sheets concerning the Lawfulness and Necessity of the Government and Order of the Truth , having principally and only in my View therein to bear a Faithful Testimony against all false Liberty and Disorder on the one hand ; and against Imposition and Dominion on the other ; Intending no less to guard against the one , than the other ; and this I did with particular Respect to some of my near Friends , whom I found liable to some Mistakes in that matter ; And I do sincerely declare before God , who knows I speak the Truth and lie not , That in the writing thereof I had not the least Purpose nor Intention to meddle with , nor concern my self in any of those Debates , that have since fallen out amongst Friends in Westmoreland , or elsewhere , relative thereto : much of which , as it had not then a being , when I wrote that Book , so the Substance of that Matter was then unknown to me , so I can safely say , that I had not so much as one remote Thought , or any Remembrance of the lest beginnings of that Affair , which I knew , during the time of my writing of it : so that nothing could be Intended by me therein relative to that matter , which as it is sufficient to vindicate my Innocency , and Integrity to all , as to my Intentions ; so I cannot forbear also to signifie , that as often as I have had Occasion , seriously and in the holy Fear and Dread of God to reflect upon those Papers , which I have often done , because of the Opposition they have met with from some ; W. R's . First Observation . [a] [a] This shews that R. B. doth not only Justifie what he hath done , but also signifies , that he laboured with all the Care and Circumspection he could so to express himself as not to offend in a word ; and therefore since I know he is well skil'd to word his meaning , I might reasonably have expected , that he would have cited out of his Book of Government those Passages therein contained , which will Evidence that all his Explications by this his Postscript may he found in his Book , which was needful to have been done ( if he so could ( but I certainly know he cannot ) that his circumspection might appeare ; especially since he hath affirmed , that the very Explications of his words given in a Letter hereafter cited ( as his own Explications ) are to be found in his Book , as appears by the said Letter sent abroad by himself , and that ( as may reasonably be taken ) intended by him to be in his Favour . But if the Impartial Vnderstanding Reader , wi●l be at the pains to compare R. B 's Book of Government , with this his Postscript , and the Explications given of his words in the aforesaid Letter , I may with boldness affirm , he cannot but then appear guilty of great Confusion : a taste whereof the Reader may have by duely weighing my 6th . and 9th . Observations annexed to this his Postscript . I have never found occasion to repent or retract any thing from the Matter or Principle there asserted by me , but have the Testimony and Approbation of Gods Light and Spirit in my Heart , for my Work and Service in that Matter . Moreover , albeit I laboured with all the Care and Circumspection I could so to express my self as not to offend in a word ; yet had I known , or could have foreseen that any thing in the wording or expressing thereof would have Stumbled , or hurt any , I have that tenderness and hope allways to have to the least of the Houshold of Faith , that I would have rather omitted , or changed any such words or Expressions , than ministred them any Occasion of Dissatisfaction : And therefore I was not a little surprised when I understood , that several Sheets of Paper were spread abroad in Opposition to that Book of mine , at a time when I was wholly a Stranger to these Proceedings , by reason of my Imprisonment for the Truths Sake ; especially W. R. a Person who not only to my self , but afterwards before many Witnesses professed a singular respect and friendship to me , [b] [b] The Reasons of spreading my Answer to a part of his Book of Government before 't was sent to him were these . First , I was concerned in Conscience to detect the Errours as expeditiously as I could . Secondly , I did not know where to send unto him , supposing that at that time he was beyond the Seas ; and though 't is said in a Letter , which is pretended to he mine , though never signed nor publish't by me ( of which more anon ) that my publishing thereof before I gave R. B. notice of my Objections and Intentions therein , was not according to Gospel Order ; yet I disown that Expression , because it cannot be contrary to Gospel Order to detect by writing , Errours ( relating to Doctrine and Discipline ) that are in . and yet without once acquainting me . W. R's Second Observation . Now what followed upon my meeting with that Person at London near two Years ago will appear by a Copy of W. R's own Letter annexed hereto , and the Sense of those Brethren , who were Witnesses to that Transaction : So that resting thereupon in my own Innocency , especially since those in such places , where the greatest Dissatisfaction was said to be , did for the most part signifie to me their Satisfaction , I forbore hitherto to meddle any more in that matter , hoping it might have dyed of it self , and being Conscientiously gathered in that Spirit wherein I desired rather to bear , than by seeking too earnestly to vindicate my self , any ways advance or foment Controversies among Friends , by multiplying Papers , having some hope , he might ( according to the advice of the Brethren ) have called in his Papers . And as to what related to me [c] [c] If that pretended Letter of mine expresseth my Satisfaction , as to the Soundness of his principles , and his sense of things scrupled , yet there is not a word in the said Letter signifying , that I mistook his book , and if upon the debate of that matter R. B. in words declared himself otherwise principled , than his book taught , yet I cannot but now say he hath given me just Occasion to impeach him for a man of a stretch'd Conscience , in saying as aforesaid thus , " I have never found Occasion to repent or retract any thing from the Matter or Principles there asserted by me . his Letter sufficing , W. R's Third Observation . wherein he expresseth my Sense of the things scrupled by him to his own Satisfaction , and his Belief of the Soundness of my Principles ; and truly , I have been so willing to starve that Spirit that hath any life in Divisions or Controversies of this kind , either in my self or others , that since I read those Papers of W. R. at London ( now near two Years ago ) I have not so much as once looked out upon them until now . And albeit I might have mentioned that Transaction without any disadvantage to my self , but otherwise , as most , if not all at present can testifie , yea W. R's own Letter doth import .
[d] [d] R. B. now seems to proclaim his own Vertue , in not mentioning , unless on Enquiry , the matter between us , insinuating , that he might have mentioned it without any Disadvantage to himself , and that in my own Letter I imported so much . This I affirm , is but a further Confirmation to me of his stretch'd Conscience , taking Liberty to vindicate himself from that which forever will lie upon him to his Just Defamation , until he repent , as cannot but appear to every impartial and understanding Reader , who will be at the pains to peruse his Book of Government , my Answer and his Explanatory Postscript , with the Observations thereon . Yet I do not remember , W. R's Fourth Observation . that I did ever so much as once mention it to any , unless their Inquiry occasioned it : yea , I have wholly concealed it to this day from divers Friends , in whom I am nearly concerned , and whom I know would be very apt to justifie and commend my whole proceedure in that Matter ; so unwilling was I to fill the Minds of any with such things , being otherways weightily concerned , as well with the Inward Work of the Lord in my own Soul , as in those Concerns of Truths Prosperity , both abroad , where I had a Service , and at home , with respect to the present continued Suffering Friends lie under here . But since he hath so far walked in another Method , as to labour to keep up the Remembrance of those things , and busie the Minds of Friends with them , having , as I am informed , made a further mention of these Papers to my Disadvantage , I am constrained to say something in my own Defence , and of the Truths asserted by me , wherein , as the Lord knows the Integrity of my Intentions , and the Tenderness of my Heart , so I hope my way herein will commend it self to that of God in the Consciences of all the tender-Hearted .
" [e] [e] Here a Letter , pretended to be mine , is again brought , as Evidence , though nothing to the purpose , as before in the third Observation appears , and not only so , but seems to insinuate , as if what is declared in that pretended Letter to be his meaning , he will now give under his own hand which is a meer Fallacy in several respects , as anon will be made appear , for that his Postscript doth not manifest himself principled as that Letter expresseth . Witness the 6th . and 9th . Observations . And albeit these things , W. R's Fifth Observation . which were chiefly scrupled at by any , be suffiently cleared by W. R's own Letter , yet that all may be satisfyed in having them from my own hand , I am free to signifie this as to them , only I will permise this to the serious Consideration of not a few , who seemed to be startled at that Book , who retain that Tenderness to God , and regard to the hurt of their own Souls , as to make Conscience unjustly to accuse the Innocent , that since it was asserted by some , and entertained as a Truth by divers , that that Book was writ upon design , and with a particular respect of prejudice to some Persons , whom I did not so much as once think on in writing of it , with somewhat worse , which I am not willing to remember , far less to mention , whether those that propagated and entertained so false and groundless a Jealousie , to the Prejudice of the Innocent , have not reason narrowly to examine what Spirit they were influenced by in so doing , which certainly could not be of God , and whether they ought not thence to take Occasion justly to suspect the Effect and Fruits of the same Spirit in them , even when it hath appeared in things , for which they may have somewhat more to say : surely with men of Inward Tenderness , this cannot but have great weight . And albeit , that my Intentions were so clear in this Matter , yet I will not say but the Lord , whose Ways are unsearchable , and past finding , out may have purposed by those Papers seasonably to reprove and smite at a wrong Spirit . And therefore all concerned had need in true Tenderness , and godly Fear , to beware how they shut out and turn by the warnings and Admonitions of the Lord , seeking to carp at , and find fault with the Innocent Instruments , lest they be found Foolishly like those Dogs , that run after and seek to bite the Stone , because they cannot reach the Hand that threw it . I have known this by manifold Experience to have been a Snare to many , and therefore without the least Prejudice or Reflection upon any ( God knows ) out of true Tenderness and Love do desire , it may be seriously weighed in the true Light by all that may feel themselves concerned in this Matter .
[f] [f]
Since R. B. ( as before is signified in his Lines , touching which I made my first Observation on his Explanatory Postscript ) affirms , that he hath never found Occasion to repent or retract any thing from the Matters or Principles asserted by him ; and that he laboured with all the Care and Circumspection he could , so to express himself , as not to offend in a word ; I may now with Confidence affirm that his words therein ( since he well understands the Propriety of Words and Sentences ) may be justly taken to be the meaning of his Mind That now his Fallatiousness may appear , I shall in order thereto cite his very words , relating to the Matter in hand , touching Jurisdiction over Mens Property .
R. B. in his Sixth Section , treating how far this Government extends , Pag. 39. thus sayeth , This Order reacheth and taketh up the Composing of Difference . as to outward things ; and further sayeth We do boldly averr , as a People gathered together by the Lord , unto the same Faith , &c. that we have Power and Authority to decide and remove these things amongst our selves . From which positive Sentence it naturally follows , that the Church ( touching whose Authority in Government he treats ) hath Power to decide and remove in Cases of Differences touching outward things ; and since in the same Section he useth the words Meum and Tuum with respect to outward things , touching which Differences may arise , it naturally follows , that the Power claimed is in that Case a Power over Property . I now desire that the Reader may observe , that in this his Explanatory Postscript he sayeth not one word of the Assent of the Parties Differing , which clearly shews that though ( as in the Fifth Observation is signified ) he intended to give under his own hand , that he is principled as the aforesaid pretended Letter sayeth he is , yet he therein deales fallaciously , But now as to the things scrupled at , W. R's Sixth Observation . whereas some did suppose , that I did ascribe to Friends an absolute Jurisdiction over mens Property in outward things ; therein I have been greatly mistaken , for I never intended any such thing , but simply to hold forth that which by the Apostle to the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 6. is urged , that whereas there would a manifest Scandal arise from Friends going to Law together , that therefore such as will rather go to Law than seek to come to Agreement by the Interposing of Friends , ought with a respect to their bringing such a Scandal be censured , since it cannot be supposed that any such Difference as to outward things can fall out amongst Friends but some or other may be found , who either by their own knowledge , or by Advice & Information of such as may be known in the Matter Controverted , may bring it to an End .
Secondly , that whereas I say , there will not be wanting in case of Controversy , the Spirit of God to give Judgment , through one or other in the Church of Christ , so long as any Assembly can properly or in any tolerable Sense be so called ; some have supposed , that by these last words I did insinuate , as if any Assembly , assuming to themselves the Name of the Church of Christ , and having some shew of it , may of right claim the Power of such Decision , and ought accordingly to be submitted unto : such a thing never entred me , but was far from my Intention : for albeit that I Judge , that an Assembly may sometimes deserve the Name of the Church of Christ , or not to have lost that claim , albeit not altogether so fresh and lively at least in the Generality of its Members , and so under some languishing , and hazard to decay , if Life do not again come up more abundantly , as may be seen in the Example of the seven Churches of Asia , whom notwithstanding of the several weaknesses divers of them were under , yet the Apostle , or rather the Spirit of Christ by the Apostle , Dignifies with the name of the Churches of Christ : Neither did I intend to make this Judgement necessarily to attend every particular Church , or Assembly ; but by the Church there I understood it in a more universal Sense , that is , some or other among all the Churches of Christ , who being spoken of in the Complex may be rightly termed the Church of Christ : And this is manifest in the same Example of the Churches of Asia , for albeit we might suppose there might have been wanting in each of them some to give forth this true Judgement concerning them , yet in respect they were such , as in some tolerable Supposition might be termed the Churches of Christ ( * * Rev 2.4 , 5 , 14 , 15 , 20. Chap. 3.16 . albeit some of them had lost their first Love , and were neer to have their Candlestick removed ; and some had the Doctrine of Balaam , and of the Nicholaitans , and some suffered the Woman Jezabel , and some were Luke-warm , and ready to be spued out ) we see God would not suffer them to be without a certain Judgment , but gave forth one through the Apostle John , who was a Member of the Church ; but to esteem that any Assembly may be tolerably supposed to be the Church of Christ , where either the true Doctrines and Principles are wanting , or the true Life and Power in some good measure is not felt and known , is far from my Thoughts : Yea , how far I am contrary-minded may be seen at large in my Apology upon the 10th Proposition now published in English , Page 194 , 195 , 196 , 200 , 201 , 202 , &c.
[g] [g] R. B's Discourse now shews , that he holds forth TWO BONDS by which the People of the Lord are centered into one Body . But the Apostle's Doctrine was , that by one Spirit we are baptized into one Body , and so the Bond but one . And though R. B. terms my Comparison a Scornful Reflection , yet I affirm 't was Christian-like enough so to say , if the Reason given in my Answer be but duely considered , which was , That the main Scope of his Treatise relating to that Matter , both from Scripture and Reason tended , as it were chiefly ( if not wholly ) to evidence , that Principles , Doctrines and Practices ( necessarily depending thereon ) are the Bond by which we became Centered into one Body and Fellowship , though he nameth not what those Principles , Doctrines and Practices are : For a further Manifestation of his weakness on this Subject , I referre unto my Answer . Thirdly , W. R's Seventh Observation . Whereas it was thought strange , that I should call Doctrines and Principles the Bond , and Terms of our being together ; I understood it only of an Outward Bond , and that I laid the stress upon it no further , appears in that I affirm these Principles and Doctrines to be the Product of Truths Power and Virtue upon the Heart , which appears by what is Printed upon the Margent , and W. R. saying in his Papers , that this was but like the Entertainment of Christ in the Manger , shews too little of Christian-Sobriety , and too much of a Scornful Reflection , for which I will rather choose to forgive him , than therein to contend with him . For how much I value that Inward Bond ( to wit , the Life of Righteousness ) beyond the Outward , and that I esteem the Outward not at all to be valued , but as it comes from the Inward , may be seen thorow out all I have written in my Apology upon the 10th Proposition , W. R's Eighth Observation . and elsewhere . [h] [h] If this be his meaning , yet his Book doth not so declare . And my affirming , that any denying of any of Truths Principles and Doctrines , is a ground of disowning ; was only in respect , that who do so , do manifestly thence make it appear , they have broken the Inward Bond first , from which that Outward did naturally spring and arise . W. R 's Ninth Observation . [i] [i]
Experience tells me , that the great Difference among Friends in the Nation is about Outward Orders pretended to be Establish't by G. F. and by the aforesaid Letter ( which R. B. accounts a clearing of himself ) 't is signified , that R. B. declared his meaning to be , not only with respect to all the Outward Orders and Forms of Discipline in Government amongst us , but also with respect to the Power of God : which , being Compared with his now declared Meaning on the same Subject , shews again that he doth not by this confirm ( notwithstanding his pretence so to do ) what is signified in the aforesaid Letter , because here is no mention made of any Outward Orders ( Establish't and Practized by the People called Quakers ) and that he pretends his Meaning to be an Establishment on the Spirit only , and such as are led by it ; which is a clear discovery of his Fallaciousness and will so appear to such as may peruse his words , whereon the Fifth Observation is made : for therein he pretends to give the same Satisfaction as is signified in the same Letter . Besides , 't is worthy our Observation , that from R. B's words , some Persons are intended Establishers of the Government upon the Spirit only ( but yet with this Addition ( notwithstanding his word only ) and such as are led by it : which to me seems a two-fac'd kind of Expression ; for if the heart of a man be the place wherein the Laws of Christ are writteu , and his Government is to be exalted , and that we have no ground to expect any other Government , or Governours to be like unto Moses , save Christ Jesus by the Manifestation of his Spirit in us ; why could not he have been contented to have stopt his Pen at the words [ SPIRIT ONLY ? ] but forasmuch as he makes this Addition , and such as are led by it , I must confess I am in some measure at a stand , touching his meaning thereby , and have a Godly Jealousie , that notwithstanding his pretence to the Spirit , and that nothing done by meer Imitation will any thing avail ; yet when it may serve his turn , he may from his own Lines bring forth another Conclusion , and inferr a Subjection to others , under the Notion of Governours over the rest , and that the Dictates of the Spirit in us , must give way to the pretended Dictates of the Spirit in others ; by which means at length it may so happen , that the Profession of the very Principles of Truth ( as held forth amongst us in the Beginning ) may be Irradicated : for if once the Day come , wherein the Faith of any is , that certain Persons ( above or distinct from any others ) are the Men who are led by the Spirit , and that the Government of Christ is Establish't on them , then in probability it will naturally follow , that instead of Embracing this Primitive Exhortation , [ turn in your Minds unto the Light that shines in your own Consciences ] many will be turning their Minds out unto unto the Dictates of others ; and were it so , that what R. B. aims at should be granted viz. the Establishment of Christs Government , on men led by the Spirit : this then might be objected , that many might pretend thereto who were not led by the Spirit , and where the Spirit of Discerning is wanting in such as are to be Governed , they may be in a ready and open way to Destruction . But on the contrary , let this undoubted Truth be held forth , viz. Let every one be obedient to his measure of Grace and Light received from God , and that the Light and Grace is a Reprover of all Sin , then there will be no Stumbling nor By-Path walked in . Moreover , his Language in another respect seems to me inconsisting with the Truth ; because the Government treated upon to be Establish't is pretended to be Christ's Government , that the Establishers , are certain Persons signified by these R. B's words , We did Establish it , that the Object whereon it is Establish't is the Spirit : all which considered I may truly say , that 't is a work not fit for poor Mortals to pretend to , especially if we consider that 't is already Established by God himself on Christ's Shoulders . But if instead of that which occasions this Observation R. B. had signified , that those who are led by the Spirit , are subjects under Christ's Government , I know that such Language would have reached the Consciences of many .
I now come to take notice of these R. B's words , And yet 't is strange that W. R , in his Papers should labour so much against this , affirming very positively that nothing ought to be given forth in the Church of Christ but by way of Recommendation , and not of Command .
On this I Observe , First , the said sentence is made up of a Part of one sentence of mine , and with the addition to that sentence of these R. B's own Words [ and not of Command ] and all this ( as by his discourse to me appeares ) to insinuate a belief , that I hold a Principle so large , as that the very Murtherers of Christ , those that persecuted and burned the protestant Martyes , and all Idolotry , wickedness and superstition were to be thereby Justified , which my Soul abhors : and blessed be the Lord he hath given me a better Understanding than to assert any thing from which such horrid conclusions may be drawn ; and indeed his language seems to favour of that Spirit which opposed the Children of Light in the beginning , saying The Jewes acted from the Light in them , when they crucified Christ . And since R. B. is so disingenious , as not to lay down all my words , nor yet the occasion ( which if he had , his present discourse hereon would have seemed more impertinent ) I shall therefore on this subject further add ; R B. in his book of Government asketh this question , Whether the Church of Christ hath Power in any cases that are matters of Conscience , to give positive sentence and decision , which may be Obligatory upon believers , and then proceeds to Answer the said Question thus ; I Answer , affirmatively , she hath , on this occasion ( treating amongst other things ) I say , that it doth seem plainly to contradict this Wholsome Testimony of and for the Truth , viz. That the sentence and Judgment of any man or men whatsoever relating to matters of Conscience ought not at this day to be given forth but by way of recommendation to the Conscience , which to my knowledge hath been the Practice of the People called Quakers , and when the Conscience is sensible that Gods Witness therein Answers , then the Conscience is or ought to be bound , other bonds may make Hipocrites , and busie Bodies but not good Christians . 'T is now to be Considered how from these my aforesaid words , spoken on the aforesaid , occasion with respect to a dislik● of o●● Believer , or Disciple of Christ , his imposing upon another , Contrary to his Conscience R. B. can draw a conclusion , that my my Language in that Sentence , hath a Tendency to Justifie the Jews in crucifying Christ , and those that persecuted and burned the protestant Martyrs ; and not only so , but Idolatry , Wickedness and Superstition , &c. And whereas after he hath made his aforesaid insinuation he freely agrees to my words , if ( as R. B. saith ) his meaning be , that no man of or from himself only or by Vertue of any office &c. Ought to command any thing to be performed in the Church ; but ( saith R. B ) if he will say that no man , albeit really moved by the Spirit , &c. ought to go further than a recommendation , it is a most insolent limiting of God Under a false pretence of Liberty . These foregoing words of R. B. gives me occasion thus to Answer , that since my words would admit of a Construction allowable by himself for Truth , his secret Evil Insinuations fall to the Ground ; and as to the latter part of his Construction thereon I thus say , That what God moves to , ought to be Obeyed , that his power is unlimmitable , that all his actions motions and commands are just , because they are his : But yet , though I so grant I do Affirm , that there is not the least Ground in the Scripture of Truth , nor yet from the Light of Christ , to believe , that in this our day God hath , or by his Spirit will move any member of the Church of Christ to give forth certain Orders and Prescriptions , with respect to the rest of the members , as that which ( though relating to their Consciences ) they ought to Perform , and Practice , whether they see if their duty or whether tehy are or no free so so do ; for if the Blind was not to be accepted for a sacrifice under the First Covenant , much less can it be acceptable under the Second , unless God should so command , which we have no Ground to suppose ; and foarsmuch as this Subject is largly treated on in the 7th . Section of the First Part of the Christian Quaker which is given forrh by me on the behalfe of my selfe and others concerned , I shall referr the Reader thereto , for the further Mani . festation of the Truth , relating to this this matter . And whereas R. B. sayeth , that things may be proposed to the Church by way of Command , I shall refer the Reader to the seventh Section of the First Part of the Christian-Quaker , and also to my Answer to his Book of Government contain'd in this Treatise , in both which the Scriptures urged by him , relating to the word Command , and such like , are treated on and the meaning thereof according to the Truth discovered . Fourthly , If any did suppose that by my asserting , the Ancient Apostolick Order was Established among us upon the Right Basis and Foundation , I intended that these particular Orders relating to Outward Things , that were among the Apostles either were , or were to be Established among us , they did much mistake me , for I never purposed any such thing , but only to signifie that by Establishing the Government and Authority in and upon the Spirit only , and such as are led by it , we did Establish it upon the same Basis , and Foundation whereupon that Exercise in the Church in the Days of the Apostles was built : for I am far from Believing , that the most exact Conformity to the Order and Method of the Church in the Apostles Days , or even to what may be now appointed by the same Spirit , without the Inward Life and Virtue go along , signifies any thing ; for I know that nothing done by meer Imitation will any thing avail in the Worship and Service of God : and therefore that no Act done without Conviction will any ways be profitable to the Doer ; yet that hindereth not , but that such as forbear to do what by the Testimony of God in his Servants is commanded to be performed in the Church are justly to be blamed , and be Judge ; dtherefore in respect that through Disobedience and unwatchfullness they have blinded themselves from the sight and knowledge of their duty ; for if it should be said , no man were to be condemned for not doing that which he yet sees not to be his duty , then no man were to be condemned who had by Iniquity and Unwatchfullness brought hardness and blindness upon himself , for all the Iniquities be commits afterwards ; and how would this tend to Establish Rantism , the Substance of which is to bring their Consciences to that pass , as not to be sensible of any Checks ? then the Nations are not to be blamed for all their Idolatry , Wickedness , and Superstition , for that they are not sensible of the Evil of it : whereas Truth teaches us to believe , that had they been Faithfull to the small measure of Light in things more obvious , it would have further opened and manifested other things . Then should not the Jews have been condemned for crucifying Christ , since Peter says , they did it ignorantly , and Paul testifies , that if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory . Yea then all those that persecuted and burned the Protestant-Martyrs were not to be Judged for it , because they supposed they did well in it , even according to Christ's Testimony , who says , that in killing you they shall think they do God good Service ; shall men then never be condemned for doing evil or omitting their Duty , because they see it not ? what absurdity would folthereupon , may easily appear ; and yet it is strange that W. R. in his Papers should labour so much against this , affirming very positively , that nothing ought to be given forth in the Church of Christ , but by way of recommendation & not of command ; wherein he doth either greatly mistake the matter as affirmed by me , or otherways run into a far greater inconveniency than he is aware ; for if he mean , that no man of or from himself only , or by vertue of any office or place he either hath or hath born in the Church of Christ , ought to Command any things to be performed in the Church , I freely agree to it ; and have asserted the same in very full and ample termes . But if he will say that no man , albeit really moved by the Spirit of God , ought to go further than a meer reomendation , it is a most insolent limiting of God under a false pretence of Liberty , & will necessarily conclude , that God hath not Power to command any thing unless men be content to agree to it . For the Controversy is here drawn to a narrow Compass ; for he that will allow , that God hath Power to command things to be practised in the Church , and that those Commands must be conveyed by immediate Revelation , through some of the Members of the Church , and that it may fall out that some of the Members of the Church may thorough weakness or unwatchfulness not be sensible they must either acknowledge that such are to be condemned , or say that God hath not Power to Command , or that there is no such Revelations now a Days ( as do the Priests and Truths Enemies ) or that Man is not Condemnable for Disobeying God , if he believe it not to be his Duty , which is as much as to say , that Unbelief is no Sin . Now let these things be seriously considered , how this is or can be avoided without granting the things affirmed by me ; for what way the Truth can be asserted , the Honour and just Authority of God acknowledged , the necessity and continuance of immediate Revelation affirmed , and the Iniquity of Unbelief not justified , and the just Judgement of God upon the Rebellious and Disobedient vindicated , without affirming what I have done .
And if any can do this in words more wary than I have done , I shall very readily agree to it .
For that things may be proposed to the Church by way of Command , and further than a meer Recommendation , the whole Current of the Scriptures shews , not only to the Church among the Jews , where Moses and the Prophets do propose the Will of God to be performed very positively and peremtorily ; but even under the New-Covenant , as appears in the 15th . of the Acts , and in many places of Pauls Epistles , particularly , that on 2 Thes. 3.14 . If any Man obey not our Word by this Epistle , note that Man , and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed . This then being manifested with respect to those times , I would know of W. R. whether Christ has now lost any of his Authority , or has left off to rule his church immediately by his Spirit ? whether so to affirm , be not grossely to contradict the Ancient and Primitive Doctrine of Friends ?
W. R 's Tenth Observation . [k] [k] This is not my Concern , having given no Occasion in my Answer for this his Defence and therefore do make no reply thereto . Fifthly , Whereas some did suppose that I did make the Difference in the End but very small betwixt Decissive Judgement among Friends and among Papists and other Persons , because I say , they place the Decisive Judgement in the Plurality of an Assembly , made up of their chief Teachers and Ministers ; and albeit I limit it not to that ; yet I seem to affirm , That it most usually is so conveyed , and so the difference only is , that they make it always so , and I most usually . To this I answer , that if in Charity I may suppose this insinuation comes not from malice , at least , it proceeds from great Ignorance of the Popish Principles ; and it were better for such to be silent , than to Judge of things they do not understand , for the Difference here is very Great and Fundamental , in respect both Papists and others do affirm , that men by vertue of an Outward succession or vocation may have true Right to sit and give Judgment in such Assemblies , albeit they be void of true Holiness , and have not the Grace of God , which they say , is no necessary qualification to the being of a Minister ; so that they Place the Power of Judgment not onely in the plurality of Votes absolutely ( in which we differ from them ) but also in the Judgment of such as may without any absurdity by their own Principles be supposed to be all and each of them void of the true Grace of God ; and whom ( even supposing them to be Gracious , they Affirm not at all to be led by the immediate Spirit of Christ , which they say is now ceased : now , can there be a greater difference than is betwixt these two , to wit , to affirm , that the Power of decision is in an Assembly of men ( to being Members of which assembly the Grace of God is no necessary qualification ) and who deny any such thing , as to be immediately led by the Spirit of Christ , as a thing not attainable in these Dayes , and yet that all Christians must be Subject to what the Plurality of such an Assembly so Constitute do determin .
And to Affirm that the Power of Decision is onely and alone in the Spirit , not necessarily tied to a general assembly , but if it please God to make use of such an assembly , yet neither to the Plurality of them , but in and thorough such of his Servants , as he sees meet , and that none are capable , or can be supposed to be Members of such an assembly , or esteemed such from whom such a Judgment can be expected , or ought to be received , unless they be men in whom the Grace of God , not onely is , but has truly wrought to mortify and regenerate them in a good Measure , in whom the Judgment of Truth really proceeding from the Spirit will be manifest , to all who are Truly Faithful , who will accordingly submit thereunto , not with respect to the Men , but the Authority of God manifested in and thorough them ; so that such as see not this Judgment aright will be Justly Condemnable of God for their not submitting : Not as if they should be accepted of God if they did obey , before conviction , but because they brought this Blindness upon themselves thorough the unfaithfullness and unwatchfullness , which renders them both guilty of the Blindness , and of the Disobedience occasioned by it .
Now the vastness of the Difference that is here manifest cannot but be obvious to any that will read and consider this Impartially without prejudice . Thus I have passed thorough all the things that I have understood any to scruple at , there being nothing else that I remember which is not either Relative to some of the Particulars before mentioned or included in them ; but if any Wonder why I have closed this method and not rather made a formal Reply to W. R's Papers , I hope these following reasons will satisfy all sober , and truly Peaceable-minded Friends , who Love Truth 's Prosperity more than Jangling , as a sufficient reason for my so doing . First , forasmuch as the greater part of what W. R. has writ , is wholly built upon the Particulars heretofore mentioned , W. R's Eleventh Obsevation . which Particulars being cleared and * his Mistakes therein removed , [l] [l] To signify , that I wrest his Words , or put a Disadvantageous meaning contrary to the signification of his words , is a false insinuation ; neither did I mistake , nor yet so signifie by letter as anon from the Observations on that letter termed mine , will be made appear : for I put no meaning on his lines , but what the very Express Grammatical sense thereof ( Compared one with the other ) would bear , as will sufficiently appear to such as will be at the Paines to compare my answer to his Booke of Government with the Matters I pretend to answer ; and though he pretends to leave his case herein to the Readers Judgement , yet he Impatiently records his own unjust Judgment ; first on this wise , surely it is not Answerable to that candor and Justice that W. R. lays claim to , meaning as his Express Words import , because I doubted that from the words of the Apostle , Rule , Command , Ordain , &c. R. B ' s. meaning was , that , some things others ought to obey whether they see it their Duty yea or nay . Alas ! had R. B. but considered that in this his very Postscript he Renders it absurd to conclude that men should not be Condemned for ommiting their Duty , because they see it not , and that in his Book of Government he saith , neither will the pretences of any contradicting them , or refusing to submit , on the account they see it not , excuse them of being guilty of disobeying God . Me thinks then he would have forborn to Judge me as aforesaid : and though he signifies that I make a Digression , concerning the Second Daies Meetings in London , I say it cannot Properly be called a Digression , since 't is Matter of Observation on such as were concerned in the Approbation of R. B 's Book of Government : besides Robert Barclays Disingenuity is apparent in signifying , that I Judge the Apostle Paul , and yet sayeth not wherein : I shall therefore cite the Matter occasioned him falsly to affirm that I Judge the Apostle , my words are these : The Scripture R. B. quotes , is 1 Tim. 1.19 , 20. which thus sayeth , Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away , concerning Faith have made Shipwrack , of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander , whom I have delivered to Satan , that they may learn not to Blaspheme . Having thus repeated Pauls words , I then proceeded in these words . What 's this to the Purpose to prove that the Positive Sentence and Decision of the Church in Matters of Conscience , may bind Believers ; 't is so remote from it , that it needs no Explanation to shew it so ; nay , I may reasonably query , whether this Scripture be ( to ordinary Capacities ) plaine to the purpose that Paul himself intends , for if we counsult the Light , it doth not tell us , that a Delivery to Satan may be an Expedient whereby to learn not to Blasphem if by the Word Satan is meant the Devil , as is usually understood . I now query of R. B. whether the Delivery of a Transgressour to the Devil be according to his Light , the way to learn not to Blasphame ? if not , his Reflection on me , that I Judge the Apostle , is unjust and absurd . as his own Letter signifies , the Superstructure falls of it self , as not touching my Intention , nor yet reaching me ; but onely that Apprehension he supposed to be my meaning , and to follow from my words , for which end he oftentimes is so wary of as to affirm in his Papers , that to his Understanding my words seemed to import , and my meaning seems to be so , in which things since himself saw , and I have manifested his Mistake : I am not so great a Lover of Centention , as to busy either my self , or mind of others with the Men of Straw of his Making ; but yet he was not so modest , nor kind to his Old Friend , but that sometimes he does seek to render my words Odious , albeit the Mistake be his own , by reiterate repetition , repeating that of the tolerable Supposition of a Church at every turn above twenty times , but also he very obviously wrests my Words , and seeks to impose upon me a Disadvantagious Meaning , that he may furnish himself on Occasion there-after the more liberally to smite at me ; as where from the Apostles Words , saying , And we have Confidence , ye will do the things we Command you , &c. And in another place , where he desires those to whom he writes , to submit themselves to such as Rule over them , did inferr that some did appoint and ordain some things , and that there lay an Obligation in point of Duty on others to obey ; upon which W.R. very unfairly observes , It is to be doubted his meaning is , others ought to obey , whether they see it their Duty , yea or nay . I leave such Dealing to the Readers Judgment : surely it is not answerable to that Candor and Justice that W. R. lays claim to . Secondly , Because W. R. in these Papers hath taken Occasion to extend himself in long Digressions upon other Matters , not treated upon in that Book , and takes oft occasion to insinuate his Jealousies of Persons and Things , that I meddled not with ; as where he makes a large Digression , which takes up several Pages , concerning the Constitution of the Second-Days Meeting at London , endeavouring what he can to represent the hurt and abuse of it ; and where he divers times insinuates , that some are usurping , or seeking to usurp a Jurisdiction over the Consciences of the Brethren ; and that some do believe , that God hath raised up some outward Person to be amongst the Children of Light at this day , as Moses was of old among the Children of Israel , &c. And that some do lead many into a temptation to run beyond their Line , by procuring a multitude of hands to confirm what is given forth by one , or at least by a very few , with divers other things of this kind , which takes up no small part of his Papers : Now these things are not pertinently brought in against me , nor would I judge my self less impertinent to enlarge in a Contest concerning these things , which do not immediately concern the thing under Debate ; since the Person or Persons aimed at by him in these Reflections , may take Occasion , as they find it their Place to Answer , and perhaps may have had Opportnity to have discoursed with him divers of these things ere this time upon other occasions . Thirdly , since a considerable part of W. R's Papers is taken up to Evidence , as he pretends , impertinent Application I make of the several Passages of the Apostles , which he thinks I have been too curious to collect , that make mention of these words , Order , Rule , Command and Government , how he evinces that , I leave to the serious Reader , being the more willing to bear his Reflections in that respect , that he is so bold , when he cannot Compass his matter otherwise , not only to censure me , but the Apostle Paul , saying of 1 Tim. 1.19 , 20. mentioned by me , that it is not only to the Purpose intended by me but that it is not plain to the purpose Paul himself intended ( at least to ordinary Capacities ) adding , that the Method there proposed by the Apostle answers not that which the Light within tells us , since since then the Light he follows is such as finds fault with the Apostles Assertions , I may the more patiently bear his affirming mine to be Erronious ; and whereas W. R. labours to make it appear that the Scriptures brought by me to prove a Power of Decision in the Church , do not affirm any such thing , because in these Scriptures there is no mention made of the Churches Division , yet if he consider that those places do speak ( of the Seperating from and Cutting off of Divers Persons Forsaking their Fellowship ) to the Saints , who make up the Church of Christ , it necessarily presupposes a Judgement of the Church , or Saints concerning these Persons for which they are so cut off , from the Fellowship of the Body of Christ , which is his Church .
Fourthly , W. R's Twelsth Observation . a great Part of W. R's work , [m] [m]
R. P. now seems very confident that a great part of my work is a Building up and then a Pulling down , but gives no Substantial Reason to prove his Assertion . For 't is one thing to discover for the Sakes of others the Weakness , or Errour both in Principle and Practice of one professing Christianity ; 't is another thing to make ones self a Judge over the Consciences of such , so as to Condemn them for not walking according to anothers perswasion , though contrary to their own . This First is Commendable and the only thing aimed at and performed by me in that Part of my Work which he pretends is a Building up , and then a pulling down .
The other I Affirm R. B. is not Capable to render me guilty of , if he were , Doubtless he would have done it , and then I should have Readily acknowledged my Errour therein . For Examples-sake I shall Cite one Instance . I positively affirm , that this Judgment touching the Authority of the Churchs , in relation to the decision of Difference Tonching Outward things is erronious , and have writen somewhat large to manifest it so . This I did for the clearing of Truth . And Perhaps he may terme it as an evidence that I therein built that which I destroyed , when I said , we find the Apostles Exhorting the Churches not to he Judging one another , with respect to things relating to Conscience . But an Inference will not hold , unless I had also declared , that if he , or any Believer like minded with him , should Practice according to such a Judgment they were then to be condemned : but that I have not done , for should I so have done , his construction of my Building up and Pulling Down might have held ; but I am so far from being of such a Censorious Spirit , as that I think 't is rather his Duty ( whilest so principled ) to referre any such Difference arising between him , and another Friend unto the Decision of the Church . This I hope will suffice to shew the Fallaciousness of his Inference and the abuse and Perversion not only of my Intent but my Words themselves . And if his Inference to my Words be good , than 't is Plain that Paul might Justly be blamed when he withstood Peter ( Gal. 2.11 . ) to the face , Because Peters was to be blamed . is but a building up , and then a pulling down , wherein he apparently contradicts himself , yea the whole scope of his Book implyes a manifest Contradiction ; for whereas he plainly declares his writing to be a Plea for Christian Liberty against judging and Censuring one another holding forth the diversity of Opinions or Judgement in matters of Conscience but especially in such matters as relate to Discipline and Government , is not , nor ought not to be a Breach of Unity , which he understands may be supposed to be the Diversities of Gifts and Administrations , mentioned in Scriptures which he Expreses in these words upon Paul , in Rom. 14. So then every one of us shall give an account of himself unto God , let us not therefore Judge one another any more . And again he sayth upon Chap. 14.34 . which evidently shewes , that inasmuch as every one must Answer for himself , it is fit every one should believe for himself , and so Practice , without being imposed upon by others ; and this is the Ground of all Christians forbearance . And again in another Place he sayth , These things Considered , and that also we find the Apostle Exhorting the Churches , Not to be Judging one another with respect to things relating to Conscience , there is great need to watch against this Censorious Judging Spirit , lest while any are Judging their Brethren , themselves become cast-aways : He hath many more Expressions of this kind . Now since this is the whole Scope of W. R's . Papers , and that he did , yea hath since he wrote those Papers acknowledged me to be his Christian Brother , and many more , at least then he did repute such , whom he Censures Judges and Condems , through his whole Treatise , yea since his whole Papers are a Judging Censuring and Condemning of me , and my Judgment in things Pertaining to Conscience and to my Judgment in Matters of Government , and Outward Discipline does not the Work it self imply a manifest Contradiction , so his very Writing Contradicts the matters that he writes of , and pleads for , especially since he not onely makes some General Censure of me , and many others Professing the same fundamental Truths with him , but is very partricular and Peremptory , yea insinuating accusations , as if I in Particular intended to make way for an Authority to Rule over at least some of my Brethren , as his very Conclusion intimates , and in Divers other Places may be observed ; and it will aggravate this Injury done by him the more , that the Reader may Observe as well in his own Letter , as in what is above mentioned , that this his censure was Built upon his own mistakes .
So that I hope al who consider these things , will acknowledge a sufficient Answer is hereby returned ; and albeit I my self be fully satified , yet I should not have churled the Paines of a Perticular disquisition of every thing in Order as Asserted by him ( albeit he has not done that to mine , if I had not an aversion from multiplying Controversies of this kind , for the desire I have to avoid that sort of Work , and not for any strength of argumentation I Observe in W. R's . Papers , hath stoped me from so doing ) but if any do apprehend that strength of Reason in his Papers , as to Judge I was unable to Answer , or that this is not satisfactory , it will but evidence the Weakness of their own Understanding to the more Judicious , and I shall not think much to bear their Censure ; for I value more my own Inward Peace , and that of my Brethren , than to Obtain an Applause of my natural Capacity , wherein if any Judge W. R. do surpass me , I shall not therewith be troubled for I more and more see the excellency of the simplicity that is in Truth , and of that Unity that it Leades to , and thence do more earnestly than ever desire , to Witness all that is of and from self , Crucified in me and brought into True Subjection to the Cross of Christ , that there alone may be my Rejoycing , wherein I am at Unity with all those , who make self of no Reputation , for the Seed Sake , that the Prosperity of Truth may be advanced and the Peace of Israel Preserved .
Robert
Barclay
Book
of
Government
Here
now
follows
his
own
Letter
concerning
this
Matter
,
and
the
Judgment
of
the
Brethren
,
who
were
Witnesses
to
what
past
between
him
and
me
.
R.
B.
hath
given
these
Explications
of
his
meaning
,
yet
the
very
Explications
(
as
he
sayeth
)
are
to
be
found
in
his
Book
Robert
Barclay
And
albeit
these
things
,
which
were
chiefly
scrupled
at
by
any
,
be
sufficiently
cleared
by
own
Letter
,
yet
that
all
may
be
satisfied
in
having
them
from
my
own
hand
,
I
am
free
to
signifie
thus
as
to
them
.
Book
of
Government
R.
B.
seems
desirous
of
Unity
with
such
,
as
rejoycing
in
the
Cross
of
Christ
,
make
self
of
no
Reputation
,
and
that
he
values
more
his
Inward
Peace
,
than
to
obtain
an
applause
of
his
natural
Capacity
,
wherein
if
any
Judge
do
surpass
me
,
I
shall
not
therewith
be
troubled
but
if
any
do
apprehend
that
strength
of
Reason
in
his
Papers
,
as
to
Judge
I
was
unable
to
answer
,
or
that
this
is
not
satisfactory
;
it
will
but
evidence
the
weakness
of
their
own
Understandings
to
the
more
Judicious
I
have
never
found
Occasion
to
repent
,
or
retract
any
thing
from
the
matter
,
or
Principle
there
asserted
by
me
but
have
the
Testimony
and
Approbation
of
Gods
Light
and
Spirit
in
my
Heart
,
for
my
Work
and
Service
in
that
Matter
.
R.
B.
R.
B's
IT
was
upon
me
for
several
weeks
past
,
if
any
occasion
would
in
any
wise
permit
,
to
come
up
to
the
City
of
to
be
present
among
Friends
from
divers
parts
of
the
Nation
at
this
time
,
that
so
I
might
have
Opportunity
to
confer
with
Friends
,
who
were
dissatisfied
with
me
,
touching
what
I
had
written
in
Answer
to
Book
of
Government
.
And
a
few
dayes
before
my
coming
up
,
being
in
writ
unto
me
to
come
up
that
we
might
have
a
Conference
at
large
touching
the
same
.
This
his
Request
had
the
greater
Obligation
upon
me
to
be
present
in
London
at
this
Time
.
On
Conference
had
with
him
,
we
agreed
,
that
a
Free-Meeting
might
be
had
with
Friends
,
in
whose
Presence
and
my self
,
might
in
all
Coolness
and
Moderation
conferr
together
,
that
so
all
Mis-understandings
might
be
removed
,
and
the
Truth
be
evidenced
to
the
Consciences
of
the
Brethren
then
present
.
The
Meeting
for
this
End
was
this
day
had
,
and
a
very
Christian
and
fair
Debate
was
had
,
to
the
Satisfaction
of
both
of
us
,
as
far
as
I
can
understand
,
and
the
matters
chiefly
objected
by
me
were
fairly
and
Brother-like
,
and
in
much
Love
discoursed
,
and
upon
the
whole
Matter
I
am
satisfied
,
that
is
not
Principled
,
so
as
I
and
others
have
taken
his
Book
to
import
.
In
particular
,
he
doth
declare
as
he
declares
That
though
in
one
Place
affirms
to
this
purpose
.
He
declares
and
further
sayeth
And
whereas
he
sayeth
to
this
purpose
,
yet
he
declares
We
also
had
Discourse
touching
his
Assertion
,
and
in
another
Place
,
the
Book
produced
,
it
appeared
that
he
asserted
,
and
that
the
&c.
and
on
a
Debate
thereof
he
acknowledged
,
We
had
also
some
Discourse
touching
his
Title
Page
,
wherein
he
asserts
,
touching
which
he
declareth
which
in
the
Primitive
Dayes
was
,
and
now
is
the
great
And
though
hath
given
these
Explications
of
his
meaning
;
yet
the
very
Explication
(
as
he
sayeth
)
are
to
be
found
in
his
Book
,
if
duely
weighed
.
Having
given
you
an
account
in
short
of
what
was
discoursed
this
day
amongst
Friends
,
this
further
lies
upon
me
to
signifie
unto
you
,
on
the
behalf
of
I
am
satisfyed
that
he
is
not
Principled
as
I
and
many
,
by
some
Passages
in
his
Book
,
took
him
to
be
;
and
since
it
is
so
,
that
many
have
taken
an
offence
against
him
for
that
Cause
(
as
may
be
doubted
)
even
so
far
as
to
Reject
his
Testimony
,
and
Service
for
the
Truth
,
it
lyeth
upon
me
as
my
Duty
even
for
his
and
the
Truths
sake
to
warn
all
,
that
they
take
heed
not
to
entertain
Prejudice
against
his
Testimony
,
or
Jealousyes
that
may
enter
,
on
the
score
of
any
apprehensions
,
or
mistakes
of
his
Book
and
that
Answer
that
have
given
thereto
,
but
rather
in
an
unprejudiced
Spirit
to
wait
on
the
Lord
,
to
feel
and
Savour
his
Testimony
,
even
as
if
the
occasion
taken
had
never
been
.
And
I
do
Freely
confess
,
that
inasmuch
as
I
Publisht
my
Book
,
before
I
gave
notice
,
of
my
Objections
and
Intentions
therein
,
I
acted
(
in
that
Respect
)
not
according
to
Gospel
Order
,
but
am
Justly
worthy
of
blame
therein
.
It
is
with
me
also
to
signifie
to
you
that
I
am
abundantly
satisfied
,
that
Book
of
Government
was
Written
at
or
before
the
time
of
its
Date
,
for
that
he
Solemnly
Affirms
it
was
so
.
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclays
The
Anarchy
of
the
Ranters
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclays
Robert
Barclays
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
James
Claypoole
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay's
Robert
Barclay
Charles
Marshall
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay's
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
R.
B's
For
the
Reasons
in
the
Preface
annexed
to
the
his
Name
is
omitted
R.
B's
Robert
Barclay's
Robert
Barclay's
George
Fox
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
,
George
Fox
R.
B.
George
Fox
,
Charles
Marshal
Robert
Barclay
George
Fox
Robert
Barclay's
Robert
Barclay's
Robert
Barclayes
Cause
Robert
Barclay's
my
Memory
is
so
good
as
to
know
,
that
my
Hand
was
never
to
any
Paper
,
whereof
this
given
forth
in
my
Name
is
Copy
.
I
am
satisfied
that
is
not
Principled
so
as
I
and
others
have
taken
his
Book
to
Import
.
And
in
another
place
,
as
I
,
and
many
,
by
some
Passages
in
his
Book
,
took
him
to
be
.
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclays
my
so
doing
doth
not
import
that
I
mistook
his
Book
;
for
I
Affirm
,
that
his
Book
is
Erronious
,
and
shewed
him
otherwise
Principled
than
the
words
of
his
mouth
imported
.
In
Particular
he
doth
declare
,
That
his
Book
teacheth
not
that
the
Church
of
Christ
hath
Jurisdiction
over
the
Outward
Concernes
of
Friends
in
case
of
Difference
,
without
assent
of
the
Differing
Parties
,
and
that
it
was
far
from
his
Intentions
.
because
I
say
,
He
doth
Declare
,
therefore
they
will
conclude
that
I
do
so
declare
.
R.
B.
Robert
Barclay
That
there
never
will
,
nor
can
be
wanting
,
in
case
of
Controversy
the
Spirit
of
God
to
give
Judgment
thorough
some
or
other
in
the
Church
of
Christ
,
so
long
as
any
assembly
can
properly
,
or
in
any
tolerable
supposition
be
so
termed
;
and
that
he
Declares
the
Words
are
sound
,
That
't
is
disobedience
to
God
,
not
to
submit
to
the
sentence
of
such
Assemblies
,
though
the
Persons
refusing
to
submit
pretend
they
see
it
not
.
Robert
Barclay
viz.
That
the
Antient
Apostolick
Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
is
re-stablisht
on
its
Right
Basis
and
Foundation
,
and
that
his
meaning
therein
was
not
onely
with
respect
to
all
the
Outward
Orders
and
Forms
of
Discipline
in
Government
amongst
the
People
called
but
with
Respect
to
the
Power
of
God
,
which
is
the
Great
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
and
that
though
hath
given
these
Explications
of
his
meaning
,
yet
the
very
Explications
,
as
he
saith
,
are
to
be
Found
in
his
Book
.
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
viz.
This
further
lies
upon
me
to
signify
unto
you
,
on
behalf
of
I
am
satisfied
that
he
is
not
Principled
,
as
I
and
many
by
some
passages
in
his
Book
took
him
to
be
;
and
since
it
is
so
that
many
have
taken
an
offence
against
him
for
that
cause
,
and
as
may
be
doubted
even
so
far
,
as
to
reject
his
Testimony
and
Service
for
the
Truth
,
it
lies
upon
me
as
my
Duty
even
for
his
and
the
Truths
Sake
to
warn
all
,
that
they
take
heed
not
to
entertain
a
prejudice
against
his
Testimony
on
Jelousies
that
may
enter
on
the
score
of
any
apprhensions
or
mistakes
of
his
Book
,
and
that
Answer
that
I
have
given
thereto
;
but
rather
in
an
unprejudiced
Spirit
to
wait
on
the
Lord
,
to
feel
and
Savour
his
Testimony
,
even
as
if
the
occasion
taken
had
never
been
.
I
do
freely
confess
that
inasmuch
as
I
Publisht
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
Charles
Marshall
Thirty
six
Persons
more
Charles
Marshall
Second
Days
Meeting
Robert
Barclay's
False
Doctrine
False
Doctrine
False
Doctrine
Robert
Barclay's
And
hath
dispersed
his
Manuscript
in
several
parts
of
this
Nation
,
without
so
much
as
first
giving
either
to
the
said
or
the
any
Account
of
his
Scruples
,
contrary
to
all
Rules
of
Brotherly-Love
,
Christian-Fellowship
,
Gospel-Order
,
and
the
Exemplary
Practice
of
the
to
the
Defamation
of
the
said
the
great
Derogation
from
the
of
the
said
Meeting
,
and
the
General
Disservice
of
Truth
.
Robert
Barclay's
Second-Dayes
Meeting
Steven
Crisp
London
no
one
accused
my
Answer
as
erroneous
in
any
Respect
,
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay
'T
was
to
the
great
Derogation
of
the
Christian
Authority
of
the
said
Meeting
(
meaning
the
Second
Daies
Meeting
)
as
a
Christian
Authority
Second
Dayes
Meeting
that
the
Objections
of
the
said
lay
not
so
much
against
the
Matter
and
Substance
of
the
said
Book
,
as
against
the
way
of
Expressing
some
Passages
therein
.
very
Matter
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barcaly's
Book
Robert
Barclay
Charles
Marshal
his
Book
of
Womens
Meeetings
wherein
he
queries
,
and
was
not
Mother
a
virtuous
Woman
.
Read
and
then
a
few
Lines
of
these
and
such
like
Women
were
recorded
for
their
Wisdom
and
their
Virtue
.
a
Molten
Image
a
Graven
Image
Charles
Marshall
Robert
Barclay
Robert
Barclay's
Apostate
&
Innovator
Iohn
Story
George
For
G.
F.
William
Rogers
Hosea 9.7 .
The Dayes of Visitation are come , the Dayes of Recompence are come ; Israel shall know it ; the Prophet is a Fool , the Spiritual Man is Mad , for the Abundance of thine Iniquity , and great Hatred .
Christ
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
George
Fox
Iohn
Story
G.
F.
Fourth
Part
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
The
Lord
hath
not
spoken
by
them
,
The
Prophet
is
a
Fool
,
the
Spiritual
Man
is
Mad
,
for
the
Multitude
of
thine
Iniquity
,
and
great
Hatred
,
Ministring
Friends
Multitude
of
Iniquity
Great
Hatred
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
Whether
if
had
contented
himself
(
in
Reality
and
Truth
)
with
the
Place
of
a
Servant
of
that
sought
not
Dominion
over
his
Brethren's
Faith
,
and
Consciences
;
nor
yet
to
expect
Submission
to
his
outward
Precepts
,
Prescriptions
,
or
Orders
,
further
than
every
Friend
to
Truth
was
,
or
might
be
,
by
the
Light
of
in
the
Conscience
,
led
,
and
guided
therein
;
The
Differences
now
amongst
Friends
,
touching
which
some
seem
ready
to
bite
and
devour
others
,
might
never
have
been
.
G.
F.
is
one
chief
Instrument
,
that
a
destroying
and
devouring
Spirit
hath
entred
into
some
amongst
the
Flock
;
and
that
many
a
Simple
,
Honest-hearted
Friend
to
Truth
and
Righteousness
,
have
received
and
believed
Lyes
,
and
slanderous
,
false
Reports
against
many
Brethren
undeservedly
;
to
the
betraying
of
their
Simplicity
,
and
Love
to
the
Truth
,
and
filling
their
Hearts
with
Hatred
,
Enmity
,
and
Prejudice
,
And
of
this
am
I
as
well
satisfied
,
as
I
am
that
there
is
a
in
Heaven
,
before
whom
both
He
,
and
all
the
Sons
of
Men
,
must
come
to
Judgment
;
and
that
the
Blood
of
many
such
,
if
they
perish
(
before
true
Repentance
)
will
be
laid
at
'
s.
Door
:
Otherwise
,
I
should
not
have
appeared
to
discover
the
said
as
in
Conscience
I
am
now
constrain'd
to
do
.
That
they
Redeem
their
Time
,
because
the
Dayes
are
Evil
G.
F.
Beggerly
Elements
Dependency
on
any
Mortal
Man
G.
F.
The
Christian-Quaker
distinguish't
from
the
Apostate
and
Innovator
.
I
take
notice
of
which
were
sent
unto
and
others
;
who
said
G.
F.
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
concerning
that
Paper
sent
down
to
the
Quarterly-Meeting
at
That
it
came
from
the
Female
?
This
is
that
Paper
mentioned
in
the
Title-Page
,
that
Wife
caused
to
be
Read
in
a
Quarterly-Meeting
,
and
was
given
forth
in
her
Name
.
Paper
from
the
Female
our
Faithful
Brother
Whether
didst
thou
say
at
the
Quarterly-Meeting
at
What
Ground
or
Foundation
have
Friends
,
to
practise
things
which
are
imposed
by
Man
,
or
in
the
Will
of
Man
,
which
the
Scripture
gives
no
Authority
,
or
Warrant
for
;
or
Words
to
that
Effect
?
M.
F.
Whether
didst
thou
Read
,
or
consent
to
be
Read
,
in
the
latter-End
of
a
Quarterly-Meeting
at
a
Paper
of
or
others
,
that
directed
or
advised
,
That
the
Way
of
Truth
should
be
as
the
Way
of
a
Ship
in
the
Sea
;
or
such
like
?
Whether
didst
thou
advise
,
That
Papers
of
Condemnation
should
not
be
Recorded
?
That
Condemnations
should
not
stand
on
our
Deacons
Books
to
Posterity
,
God
Remitteth
Whether
thou
opposed
bringing
in
Friends
Testimonies
in
Writing
,
concerning
their
Faithfulness
,
or
Unfaithfulness
,
in
the
Case
of
Tythes
?
Whether
didst
thou
approve
,
or
consent
,
or
wer
't
present
at
the
racing
or
tearing
out
of
the
Book
Paper
of
Condemnation
,
for
being
Marryed
by
a
Priest
?
Whether
thou
didst
not
say
,
as
touching
Tythes
,
That
thou
wouldst
have
all
Friends
left
to
their
Freedom
,
to
pay
them
,
or
not
to
pay
them
?
Here
followeth
delivered
to
it
being
pretended
,
that
desire
was
,
that
should
Answer
them
and
the
Substance
of
Answers
thereto
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
concerning
the
Paper
sent
down
to
the
Quarterly
Meeting
at
That
it
came
from
the
Female
?
Whether
thou
preached
,
or
said
,
That
Tythes
in
themselves
was
Not
Unlawful
?
And
,
Whether
didst
thou
preach
in
the
Meeting
,
when
they
of
met
with
you
,
That
was
let
down
in
a
Basket
;
and
that
when
they
Persecuted
you
in
one
City
,
you
should
Flee
unto
another
;
and
that
sometimes
preach't
upon
the
Mountains
,
and
by
the
Sea-side
;
and
the
like
?
If
they
Persecute
you
in
one
City
,
Flee
unto
another
Whether
there
was
not
a
Boy
,
or
some
other
set
upon
an
Hill
,
as
a
Mark
for
some
to
know
where
the
Meeting
was
,
when
they
met
without
Doors
?
And
,
Whether
there
was
not
One
or
Two
appointed
to
come
to
every
Seventh
Day
,
to
receive
from
thee
,
or
others
,
Instructions
where
the
Meeting
should
be
the
First
Day
after
?
Whether
the
Persons
or
Person
were
not
then
,
or
at
some
other
time
,
ordered
privately
to
communicate
it
to
some
Friends
;
who
were
to
discover
the
Place
and
Marks
by
which
the
Meeting
might
be
known
,
where
it
was
;
which
some
,
for
want
of
the
Knowledge
of
,
wandered
a
great
part
of
the
Day
to
find
it
,
but
could
not
?
Whether
their
Houses
,
which
were
offered
to
meet
in
,
were
not
refused
,
when
they
met
as
afore-said
?
And
,
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
That
to
make
a
Distinct
Assembly
of
Women
,
was
a
Monster
,
and
Ridiculous
?
Whether
didst
thou
say
at
a
Meeting
,
at
's
,
when
was
at
Prayer
,
Friend
,
Keep
Order
?
M.
F's
And
,
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
That
had
been
a
Hearer
of
Lies
and
Stories
these
Fifteen
Years
,
and
cared
not
what
she
said
of
any
;
but
would
not
hear
the
Truth
spoken
from
none
?
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
That
whosoever
did
Sing
or
Sound
,
whilst
another
was
Preaching
or
Praying
,
it
was
Confusion
and
Disorder
,
and
a
Spirit
of
Delusion
that
led
them
to
it
?
Whether
didst
thou
term
or
compare
such
Singing
or
Sounding
,
to
a
Cat
,
or
Catterwouling
,
or
like
unto
an
Horse
,
or
Belching
of
a
Calf
?
Whether
didst
thou
Read
,
or
cause
to
be
Read
,
or
consent
to
the
Reading
of
,
in
the
Latter-End
of
the
Quarterly-Meeting
,
a
Paper
of
that
directed
,
That
the
Way
of
Truth
should
be
as
the
Way
of
a
Ship
in
the
Sea
,
and
such
like
?
Althony
Pearsons
Whether
didst
thou
advise
,
That
Papers
of
Condemnation
should
not
be
Recorded
,
or
gain-sayed
it
;
and
the
bringing
in
Friends
Testimonies
concerning
Friends
Faithfulness
,
or
Unfaithfulness
,
in
the
Case
of
Tythes
?
Fourteenth
Query
,
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Fifth
Queries
John
Wilkinson
Whether
didst
thou
consent
to
,
approve
of
,
or
wer
't
present
at
the
racing
or
tearing
out
of
the
Book
Paper
of
Condemnation
,
for
his
being
Marryed
by
a
Priest
?
And
,
Whether
didst
thou
say
,
Thou
wouldst
have
all
Friends
left
to
their
Freedom
to
pay
Tythes
,
or
not
to
pay
Tythes
?
Sixteenth
Query
,
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
denyes
,
that
he
ever
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
G.
F.
I now come to make some Observations on the afore-said Queries ; wherein I shall consider the Matter of them , and the Manner of Negotiating that Matter .
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
[
Yea
;
G.
F.
G.
F.
[
Yea
(
as
well
as
the
Informer
)
endeavoured
to
make
the
Person
so
concerned
,
an
Offender
in
that
Particular
,
which
is
no
Offence
.
(
Yea
Nineth
Query
J.
S.
J.
S.
Keep
Order
God
is
a
God
of
Order
,
and
not
of
Confusion
,
Second
Query
John
Wilkinson
[
Yea
,
That
the
People
called
Quakers
,
ought
to
practise
Things
that
are
Imposed
by
Man
,
or
in
the
Will
of
Man
,
which
the
Scripture
gives
no
Authority
or
Warrant
for
.
G.
F.
That
there
is
either
One
,
or
more
,
that
have
Power
to
Impose
in
the
Will
of
Man
,
that
which
the
Scripture
gives
no
Authority
,
or
Warrant
for
.
G.
F.
I
did
not
put
that
Question
with
an
intent
to
justify
Imposition
in
the
will
of
man
;
but
rather
to
find
out
,
whether
what
and
others
,
have
endeavoured
to
impose
,
(
having
a
perswasion
,
that
my
Papers
have
been
given
forth
in
the
Motion
of
God
,
)
was
accounted
Things
imposed
in
the
Will
of
Man
;
and
that
if
it
should
so
appear
,
unto
whom
the
Question
was
proposed
,
might
condemn
the
same
;
since
I
affirm
,
that
I
have
given
forth
nothing
to
be
imposed
,
but
what
I
have
been
Moved
by
the
Spirit
of
God
to
give
forth
,
and
therefore
ought
to
be
submitted
to
.
First
Part
of
the
Manuscript
" Object . The Spirit of God , which is but One in All , hath moved in our Brethren to give forth certain Orders , Commands , and Prescriptions , and therefore we ought accordingly to obey ; and this cannot be called the Dictates of fallible Man ; but of the Spirit , given forth through man : and wast thou ( that pretendest , Thou seest it not thy duty to obey ) but obedient to thy ow measure , thou wouldst then see it so , and be one with the Brethren , and therefore we cannot but tell thee , 't is Thy Duty to obey , since the Reason thou seest it not thy Duty , is thy Want of Diligence , and not waiting in thy own Measure . Besides , we find , that ; ; G. F. hath lately given forth a Paper ; the Import whereof is , to justifie Prescriptions .
"
To this we say , That if the Spirit of God moves in any Member of the Body of Christ , to give forth certain Orders , and Prescriptions , with respect to the rest of the Members ; as that which ( though relating to their Consciences ) they ought to perform , and practise , whether they see it their Duty or no , or whether they are free so to do or no ; then no doubt , but they ought so to Act , and Do , because the Spirit of Truth hath so moved . But this is to suppose that , which under the Dispensation of the Second-Covenant , we have not the least Ground from the Scriptures of Truth , or Light of Christ , to suppose ; and so we do not believe , that we ought to expect , that any such Motion from the Spirit of God , should appear through any one or more Members of the Body of Christ , with respect to other Members of the same Body . And our Faith is , That all those who are Heirs of that Kingdom which is Everlasting , are entitled to a like Freedom ; not to be imposed upon each by other , contrary to that Divine Sense and Heavenly Understanding , which as Co-heirs and Co-workers together , they are made Partakers of : And this in the ensuing Discourse , will evincingly be manifested from the Scriptures of Truth . However , we must confess , he that is not diligent to wait upon God in the Exercise of his own Measure of Grace received , is by the Light of Christ Condemnable ; not for refusing to perform that which he sees not to be his Duty , with respect to the Observation of Other Mens Lines made ready to his Hand , wherein he is not satisfied ; but for his Neglecting to wait upon God , because 't is manifest in every one , that hath been convinced of the Truth , that 't is our Duty to wait upon God . And this our Sense and Reason answers to the Testimony of the Scriptures of Truth ; where 't is said , Rom. 1.18 , 19. The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness , and Unrighteousness of Men , who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness ; because that which may be known of God , is manifest in them ; for God hath shewed it unto them . So 't is clear to us from the Scriptures of Truth without us , as well as from the Light of Christ within us , that the Wrath and Condemnation of God goes forth against such , as live not answerable to what God hath manifested in them : But 't is neither agreeable to the Scriptures of Truth , or Light within , for any to pour forth their Judgments against any , for not following , or giving heed unto this , or t'other Outward Prescription , or Observation ; wherein the Conscience is concerned , when such are Not convinced thereof to be their Duty from the Mainfestation of God's Spirit in them .
The next thing to be considered is this , That in all the last mentioned Objection , there is no Plea for Obedience unto , or following any thing , but the Spirit in its Appearance , whether through the Brethren , or thy self . — From whence we observe :
First , That there is no certain Description , who are meant by the word Brethren .
Secondly , That 't is the Appearance of the Spirit , that we ought to follow . Now , should this Question be asked of such , who may so object , as afore-said , Wouldyou have us follow we know not what ? We are ready to believe , that they would say , Nay , if they answered any thing to the Question : And if so , then the Force of the Objection falls ; for that we account it our Duty to follow the Appearance of the Spirit of God , through the meanest Member , when our Consciences are convinced , that 't is the Appearance of that Spirit . But before we cannot say in Truth , though we should do as such an one would have us , That we are Followers of , and led by the Spirit of God , 1 Cor. 12.13 . No more than Jesus can in Truth be called Lord , and not by the Holy-Ghost .
Besides , we cannot on this Occasion but testifie , That as that Obedience which is of Faith in Christ , finds Acceptance with the Lord ; so that Obedience which is not of Faith , being Sin , is but a Dead Performance , Rom. 14.23 . & not the Fruit of a Living Member ; who through the Obedience of Faith unto Righteousness , is made alive unto God . And therefore , it cannot be the Duty of any Member of Christ's Body , to run before his inward Guide ; but to wait upon the Lord , that all his Actions may be regulated according to the Manifestation , and Revelation of the Spirit of God in himself : Which seems clearly agreeable to the Testimony of the Apostle , where he saith ; Phil. 3.15 , 16. If in any thing ye be otherwise-minded , God shall reveal even this unto you : Nevertheless , whereunto we have already attained , let us walk by the same Rule .
He that savours the Things of God , may easily perceive , that the Meaning of the Spirit through Paul , unto those Philippians , was , That those who were come to a State of Perfection , should walk by that Rule whereunto they had attained ; but those who had not attained so far , and were otherwise-minded , were to wait for the Revelation of the Son .
Outward
Prescriptions
That
in
Process
of
Time
,
the
Enemy
may
so
enter
in
at
this
Door
,
as
that
Darkness
may
more
generally
over-shadow
again
,
than
it
yet
doth
Approached
Apostacy
Lyons
on
the
Behalf
of
the
Lyon
of
the
Tribe
of
Judah
,
Outward
Form
,
Observation
,
Prescription
,
Let
every
Man
be
fully
perswaded
in
his
own
Mind
;
for
whatsoever
is
not
of
Faith
,
is
Sin
.
That
Non-conformity
to
Outward
Prescriptions
,
is
taken
as
a
Mark
of
Apostacy
,
Meaning
an
made
mention
of
in
the
Preface
to
John
Wilkinson
William
Rogers
Meaning
the
afore-said
G.
F.
He
that
is
not
for
Womens
Meetings
,
Womens
distinct
Meetings
was
not
fit
to
fit
in
Mens
Meetings
:
Relieving
the
Poor
G.
F.
G.
E.
Are
you
for
Womens-Meetings
Are
you
for
Recording
Condemnations
Are
you
for
Settled
Mouthly
and
Quarterly-Meetings
,
touching
Outward
Business
;
since
those
who
would
have
Meetings
as
occasion
offers
,
are
accounted
Designers
to
throw
down
all
Meetings
for
Outward
Business
,
relating
to
the
Affairs
of
Truth
?
[
Yea
G.
F.
Dark
,
Leavened
,
Rending
,
Dividing
Spirit
Outward
Form
John
Story
Robert
Barrow
Meaning
the
afore-said
speaking
amongst
many
Friends
of
the
Danger
of
Forms
,
because
of
the
Consequences
that
might
follow
,
said
,
That
amongst
the
Christians
of
old
,
the
Differences
that
did
arise
,
were
about
Forms
;
which
could
not
be
seasonable
Words
,
when
we
were
Establishing
the
Churches
in
the
Holy
Order
of
Truth
.
Robert
Barrow
How
Earnestly
and
Zealously
the
very
Outward
Form
of
Things
is
contended
for
:
Lord
God
Boasters
,
Proud
,
Blasphemous
,
False
Accusers
,
Despisers
of
those
that
are
Good
Form
of
Godliness
From
whom
to
turn
away
Meaning
the
afore-said
Second
Part.
That
our
Consciences
are
concerned
for
the
Cause
of
God
,
and
his
Truth
Against
that
Spirit
that
would
Exalt
it self
over
the
Heritage
of
endeavouring
to
Rule
over
their
Consciences
,
whenas
Christ
alone
is
Lord
thereof
.
Master
,
Christ
Jesus
Judge
not
,
that
ye
be
not
Judged
:
Be
not
ye
called
for
one
is
your
Master
,
even
and
all
ye
are
Brethren
:
But
he
that
is
Greatest
amongst
you
;
shall
be
your
Servant
;
and
whosoever
shall
Exalt
himself
,
shall
be
Abased
;
and
he
that
shall
Humble
himself
,
shall
be
Exalted
.
It
is
expedient
for
you
,
that
I
go
away
;
for
if
I
go
not
away
,
the
Comforter
will
not
come
unto
you
:
But
if
I
depart
,
I
will
send
him
unto
you
;
And
he
will
guide
you
into
all
Truth
;
for
he
shall
not
speak
of
himself
.
Christ
Jesus
'T
is
expedient
I
go
hence
,
that
the
Comforter
come
.
Though
we
have
known
after
the
Flesh
,
yet
hence-forth
know
we
Him
no
more
After
the
Flesh
no
more
The
Father
would
send
in
his
Name
,
to
teach
us
all
Things
;
and
that
this
Comforter
should
be
In
us
.
Every
Thought
ought
to
be
brought
into
Obedience
.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
G.
F.
To
follow
Reports
until
the
Author
was
found
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Whether
't
was
not
much
more
unjust
to
Conceal
them
,
when
the
Answers
gave
not
Satisfaction
;
especially
since
testifieth
,
That
he
writ
to
those
who
pretended
desired
an
Answer
to
the
Queries
,
to
desire
to
give
the
Names
of
the
Informers
,
with
the
witnesses
?
Robert
Barrow
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Forty-Four
Articles
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Iohn
Wilkinson
Iohn
Story
And
Friends
,
it
is
not
any
Personal
Trespass
against
any
of
us
,
that
we
charge
them
with
,
nor
any
Particular
Concern
of
our
own
,
as
Men
,
that
we
are
in
the
Defence
of
:
But
the
Cause
of
Almighty
and
in
the
Sense
of
the
Wrong
they
have
done
to
him
.
They
have
born
a
Dear
Love
,
and
Honourable
Respect
unto
them
,
in
the
Holy
Truth
.
Third
Article
Forty-Four
Articles
Slighting
the
Heavenly
Motion
on
Spirit
,
in
that
Case
,
in
the
Unity
preciously
felt
,
and
closed
with
,
G.
F.
Slighting
of
Outward
Rules
,
Methods
and
Orders
,
with
Respect
to
amongst
the
People
called
is
a
Slighting
of
the
Cause
of
Robert
Barrow
G.
F.
Robert
Barrow
Robert
Barrow
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Forty-Four
Articles
John
Story
Man
of
a
Dark
Spirit
,
and
in
Confusion
,
That
what
was
given
forth
by
was
by
him
intended
to
be
urged
with
Severity
,
upon
any
of
Faithful
People
;
but
as
Instructions
and
Directions
commended
to
the
Churches
,
G.
F.
John
Story
M
on
.
Whatever
was
pretended
to
be
Failing
;
yet
nothing
would
give
Satisfaction
,
but
Submission
to
him
,
and
his
Outward
Orders
,
Prescriptions
or
Rules
,
whether
led
thereinto
by
the
Grace
of
or
no.
Why
dost
thou
speak
of
to
him
?
Would
not
a
to
his
Outward
Orders
have
given
Satisfaction
I
answer
G.
F.
I
tell
thee
,
Them
that
thou
calls
Accused
,
are
not
Right
;
for
had
they
been
Right
,
and
in
the
Light
and
Power
of
as
at
the
first
,
they
would
have
come
to
me
,
when
I
sent
for
them
.
Seven
Queries
John
Wilkinson
John
Blaikling
gender
Strife
John
Wilkinson
That
he
was
Moved
of
the
a
second
time
to
write
unto
those
,
who
concerned
themselves
about
the
said
advising
them
to
call
in
their
Papers
,
and
tell
how
far
they
had
been
spread
;
Warning
them
in
the
Word
of
the
that
came
unto
him
the
Day
of
the
6
th
.
M
on
.
to
Repent
,
and
Turn
from
their
Proceedings
,
and
leave
God's
People
to
the
Order
of
his
Gospel
and
Command
;
and
that
if
they
would
not
,
then
the
Lord
himself
would
break
them
,
and
turn
them
one
against
another
about
their
Orders
.
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
We
are
not
satisfied
from
all
thou
yet
hast
signified
,
that
was
an
Abetter
of
and
those
others
who
concerned
themselves
about
the
afore-said
and
Proceedings
therein
;
and
we
believe
,
if
should
be
Interrogated
touching
it
,
that
he
would
disown
,
that
it
was
done
by
his
Authority
,
or
Approbation
.
John
Blaikling
Robert
Barrow
G.
F.
Fifth
Part
John
Wilkinson
That
we
should
be
broken
to
pieces
?
John
Blaikling
G.
F.
John
Blaikling
John
Blaikling
The
Fifth
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
G.
F.
[
Vs
,
G.
F.
[
Vs
John
Blaikling
Forty-Four
Articles
Robert
Barrow
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Forty-Four
Articles
Since
many
of
the
Articles
were
Uncondemnable
.
G.
F.
Accomodation
of
the
Differences
G.
F.
viz.
One
unto
whom
Infallible
Iudgment
hath
been
Committed
in
all
Things
;
and
that
he
knew
a
State
of
Purity
at
Eleven
Years
of
Age
;
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
G.
F.
Alas
!
I
have
an
Inward
Savour
,
that
the
Fruit
of
the
Tree
is
bad
;
though
I
confess
,
I
have
been
so
far
from
tasting
of
the
Fruit
,
as
that
I
have
never
seen
the
Tree
,
nor
yet
what
kind
of
Fruit
it
bears
,
more
than
by
Report
.
Thy
whole
Discourse
seems
to
carry
a
kind
of
an
Edge
,
against
the
Spirit
that
of
late
years
hath
acted
through
of
whom
't
is
certainly
known
from
his
Writings
(
yet
extant
)
That
he
hath
thus
advised
,
Take
heed
of
Iudging
one
another
,
and
Iudge
not
one
another
,
I
command
you
,
in
the
Presence
of
the
Lord
;
neither
lay
open
one
anothers
Weakness
,
behind
one
anothers
Backs
:
For
thou
that
dost
so
,
art
one
of
Family
,
which
is
under
the
Curse
;
and
that
there
be
no
Back-biting
behind
one
anothers
Backs
,
but
Love
.
And
so
the
same
that
doth
Condemn
behind
the
Back
,
is
for
Condemnation
with
the
Light
.
To
follow
an
Evil
Report
,
until
the
Original
Reporter
be
found
:
That
Judgment
might
be
laid
on
the
Head
of
the
Transgressor
.
How
comes
it
to
pass
,
that
many
of
his
Actions
come
under
the
just
Stroke
and
Censure
of
his
own
Words
?
That
Pride
must
have
a
Fall
,
other
Name
Name
of
Jesus
What
cunning
Devices
have
been
used
amongst
the
People
called
whereby
the
Weak
,
and
most
Ignorant
Sort
amongst
them
,
have
been
so
ensnared
,
as
to
Judge
from
a
pretended
inward
Sense
,
that
the
Tree
is
bad
,
when
the
Person
so
Judging
,
hath
neither
seen
the
Tree
nor
Fruit
,
nor
yet
knows
any
thing
thereof
,
more
than
by
Report
.
G.
F.
G.
F.
Seeming
Zeal
Thundering
Lungs
Away
with
this
Iealous
Spirit
:
Oh
Friends
!
exclude
the
Reason
,
the
Wisdom
,
and
the
Iealousy
,
and
have
an
Eye
to
the
Brethren
:
If
you
do
not
see
your selves
,
then
follow
us
that
do
see
.
Friends
Back
Lamb's
Nature
By
what
Mark
may
we
best
be
Informed
to
discover
those
Ministring
Persons
,
in
your
Publick
Meetings
,
who
are
of
Party
with
and
that
are
the
Encouragers
of
such
Doctrine
,
and
Exhortation
,
to
exclude
the
Reason
,
the
Wisdom
,
and
the
Jealousie
;
and
to
have
an
Eye
to
the
Brethren
,
[
Brethren
Ministring
Friends
This
I
query
of
thee
the
rather
,
because
thou
accountest
it
a
Good
Rule
,
to
Judge
of
the
Tree
by
thy
own
Taste
and
Savour
of
the
Fruit.
Hearing
of
my
Ear
Dark
Spirits
,
Leavened
Spirits
,
Troublers
of
Israel
,
Evil
Consersation
Unsoundness
of
Doctrine
is
treating
of
Things
in
a
general
Way
,
without
particular
Matter
,
to
evidence
this
general
Reflection
.
pure
Good
Bread
Empty
Husks
Exclude
the
Reason
,
the
Wisdom
,
and
the
Jealousie
;
and
to
have
their
Eyes
unto
others
,
so
as
to
follow
them
:
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Dark
Spirits
Have
an
Eye
to
the
Brethren
;
and
if
you
do
not
see
your selves
,
you
must
follow
us
that
do
see
.
G.
F.
G.
F.
Outward
Prescriptions
Labours
,
Tryals
,
Sufferings
G.
F.
The
Fourth
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
The
Fifth
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
G.
F.
Robert
Barrow
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
That
by
the
Authority
of
Power
,
they
have
an
Understanding
given
them
of
to
Act
and
Determine
in
Affairs
appertaining
to
the
Gospel
,
and
its
Order
.
G.
F.
G.
E.
[
Vs
John
Blaikling
Accommodation
of
the
Differences
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
ON
the
whole
Matter
,
in
the
Fear
and
Presence
of
the
Amighty
we
declare
,
That
as
we
do
approve
of
for
the
necessary
Service
of
the
Truth
;
so
we
further
say
,
That
as
these
,
or
any
other
Meetings
of
Friends
in
Tenth
,
shall
be
continued
to
answer
these
Services
,
we
believe
,
that
as
it
now
is
,
it
also
will
become
our
Duty
to
be
at
Vnity
with
our
Brethren
in
the
Services
thereof
.
And
though
one
of
us
,
did
condescend
to
subscribe
to
a
Paper
,
for
the
Execting
a
in
the
Country
,
to
answer
the
Ends
in
the
Paper
proposed
;
which
(
he
testifies
)
he
then
did
in
Singleness
of
Heart
,
for
Vnity's
sake
:
Yet
according
to
that
inward
Sense
we
now
have
,
there
appears
to
us
no
Absolute
Necessity
to
continue
in
this
Country
,
distinct
and
separate
from
the
and
therefore
,
do
Conscientiously
forbear
to
Assent
or
Encourage
to
lay
the
before
them
.
Yet
that
Inward
Sense
,
and
Heavenly
Vnderstanding
we
haue
received
from
hath
and
yet
doth
confirm
us
in
this
Iudgment
;
That
't
is
not
agreeable
with
the
Line
of
Truth
,
to
oppose
others
in
the
Exercise
,
and
appointed
Service
of
the
said
Meetings
,
as
here-to-fore
,
and
yet
settled
and
agreed
upon
;
who
being
Conscientious
therein
,
are
otherwise
minded
than
we
are
.
And
if
any
of
our
Words
and
Actions
have
had
any
Tendency
to
oppose
,
(
which
we
are
not
Conscious
of
;
but
if
we
were
,
we
would
readily
confess
)
we
say
,
the
Truth
in
us
would
have
Condemned
it
,
even
as
it
now
doth
.
And
if
it
shall
please
the
Lord
to
manifest
unto
us
a
Service
in
those
Meetings
in
the
as
well
as
the
same
Integrity
towards
which
hath
dwelt
with
us
these
many
Years
past
,
we
believe
,
will
become
a
Bond
on
us
,
to
joyn
Hand
and
Heart
with
others
our
Brethren
and
Sisters
therein
:
But
till
then
,
our
Desires
are
,
That
this
may
not
become
an
Occasion
of
each
towards
other
;
but
that
Embracing
the
wholesom
Counsel
of
the
Apostle
in
another
Case
,
we
may
walk
together
in
that
pure
undefiled
Love
of
our
which
thinketh
no
Evil.
That
though
many
of
our
Brethren
see
a
Service
in
yet
from
that
Inward
Sense
,
and
Heavenly
Vnderstanding
we
have
,
we
see
no
Necessity
to
leave
them
upon
or
retain
them
,
when
the
Sin
is
blotted
out
,
and
remitted
by
the
neither
to
be
extended
further
than
the
Offence
is
known
;
nor
yet
to
continue
longer
,
than
the
Memory
of
the
Offence
abideth
.
But
if
any
see
meet
from
an
Inward
Sense
of
Truth
in
themselves
,
to
leave
such
Testimonies
relating
to
themselves
to
Posterity
,
we
have
there-with
Vnity
.
That
this
our
Sense
may
be
no
Occasion
of
Straitness
of
Spirit
each
towards
others
,
is
the
Earnest
Desire
of
our
Souls
;
who
desire
the
Prosperity
of
Truth
,
and
Peace
amongst
all
the
Churches
of
As
to
We
can
in
truth
say
,
'T
was
never
so
much
as
in
our
Hearts
to
speak
any
Words
whatsoever
,
with
the
least
Intent
to
Strengthen
any
in
the
nor
yet
to
weaken
the
Faith
of
any
,
having
a
Testimony
in
our
Hearts
,
that
as
at
this
Day
paid
,
are
That
as
may
proceed
from
Deceitful
Spirits
;
so
also
we
declare
may
be
the
Fruit
of
the
Spirit
of
the
People
.
And
that
as
the
ought
to
be
And
the
Earnest
Desires
of
our
Souls
are
,
That
as
to
these
Things
,
nothing
but
the
Spirit
of
Truth
,
and
sound
Iudgment
may
appear
,
either
to
Reprove
,
or
to
Encourage
.
And
though
we
have
been
Accused
,
as
if
we
were
Opposers
of
such
&c.
which
the
Truth
approveth
is
our
Witness
,
we
know
it
not
.
That
though
we
have
been
represented
,
as
Persons
We
say
,
we
are
not
Conscious
to
our selves
of
so
doing
:
For
we
believe
,
those
who
stand
not
to
their
Testimony
,
but
flee
there-from
in
the
Day
of
may
truly
be
accounted
either
And
thus
having
given
our
Inward
Sense
,
according
to
the
Vprightness
and
Integrity
of
our
Hearts
,
concerning
these
General
Heads
,
from
whence
all
the
Articles
do
arise
,
we
shall
with
this
conclude
,
That
,
the
of
Heaven
is
our
Witness
,
our
Desires
are
,
to
approve
our selves
Men
of
Peace
,
in
the
Abhorrency
of
all
Fleshly
Liberty
and
Loosness
,
and
to
follow
after
Truth
and
Righteousness
,
that
the
Regin
of
the
Power
of
the
Eternal
may
be
over
all
;
so
will
the
Kingdoms
of
this
World
become
the
Kingdoms
of
our
and
his
As
to
the
Answered
by
the
Friends
and
Brethren
met
on
this
Occasion
;
We
,
in
the
Fear
of
the
say
,
We
in
the
Proposing
thereof
,
had
not
the
least
Thoughts
to
obtain
your
with
intent
thereby
to
strengthen
such
who
may
be
accounted
our
Party
,
in
any
thing
that
's
contrary
to
Truth
;
nor
to
encourage
Loosness
,
or
Bad
Spirits
:
But
conscientiously
to
remove
the
Scruples
of
some
.
And
further
,
we
say
,
We
are
better
satisfyed
with
your
therein
,
than
with
your
bare
For
that
we
as
well
as
you
are
sensible
,
Apostates
,
and
Bad
Spirits
,
seeking
a
Fleshly
Liberty
,
have
made
use
of
Arguments
deducible
from
such
Principles
of
Truth
,
to
oppose
the
Power
of
it self
,
and
the
Practice
of
People
in
the
Power
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Eighth
Section
Second
Part
THis
is
the
Word
of
the
to
you
and
your
Company
,
to
call
in
all
your
Papers
,
which
ye
have
given
forth
in
your
Separation
;
which
tend
to
nothing
but
disquieting
Minds
,
and
bring
them
into
Strife
,
Jangling
,
and
vain
Disputing
;
and
corrupt
their
Minds
,
and
draw
them
from
better
Things
,
and
from
the
and
his
Peaceable
Truth
And
you
may
see
,
if
you
will
not
shut
your
Eyes
,
what
your
Spirit
begetteth
into
,
Strife
;
and
what
Spirit
is
it
,
that
hath
led
and
guided
you
.
So
,
if
you
do
not
give
over
your
Work
and
Separation
,
the
will
blast
your
Spirit
and
Work
,
and
you
will
become
hardned
,
and
as
bad
as
the
old
Opposers
,
and
his
Company
,
and
Mark
your
End
;
for
the
Seed
of
Life
Reigns
,
and
will
grind
to
Powder
its
Opposers
.
Received
thy
Lines
,
in
which
thou
say'st
,
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
&c.
I
judge
,
thou
meanest
not
,
that
that
is
a
Separation
,
that
all
Friends
meet
not
Outwardly
together
.
Truly
,
we
might
have
expected
,
thou
would
have
told
us
in
Love
,
what
the
Separation
thou
speakest
of
consisted
in
;
whether
we
are
separated
from
the
Light
within
,
the
Doctrine
of
Truth
;
or
have
builded
again
that
which
we
have
once
destroyed
;
or
what
we
have
left
undone
,
that
Truth
in
our
Hearts
requires
of
us
;
and
what
Papers
we
have
given
forth
against
the
Light
Within
?
When
the
Word
through
thee
,
concerning
this
Matter
,
enters
our
Hearts
,
and
gives
Light
to
us
,
that
the
Light
of
Truth
manifests
us
guilty
of
a
we
shall
readily
confess
it
,
and
Repent
.
But
till
we
know
it
,
the
Word
of
the
that
is
as
a
Hammer
,
and
thy
Prophesies
be
to
them
,
who
are
in
the
Separation
,
and
in
Strife
,
causing
Divisions
,
disquieting
Friends
Minds
with
a
New
Form
,
and
Way
of
Proceeding
,
carryed
on
with
a
Profession
of
and
great
Help
;
which
indeed
,
was
seldom
wanted
in
a
Separation
from
Truth
,
when
the
Apostacy
entred
.
And
truly
,
there
is
great
Cause
of
Iealousie
,
what
will
be
the
End
of
these
Things
.
Thou
shouldst
have
told
us
,
what
new
Things
we
have
brought
in
,
as
bad
as
the
old
Opposers
,
and
his
And
if
Opposition
consisted
in
when
they
bowed
to
him
,
and
cryed
let
it
be
a
Warning
to
thee
,
and
Reprove
thy
Company
when
they
give
thee
the
lest
they
that
love
Preheminence
and
Rule
,
out-live
thy
Time
,
and
render
thy
Weakness
to
others
,
as
thou
hast
done
his
,
when
thou
art
Dead
,
and
in
thy
Grave
,
turned
to
Dust
.
Therefore
,
be
Humble
,
as
a
Member
of
the
Heavenly
Body
,
under
the
Head
,
who
Ruleth
in
his
Church
and
People
,
whose
Right
it
is
.
And
remember
the
word
to
with
the
time
and
place
of
his
Death
,
who
sanctified
not
God
in
the
sight
of
his
people
.
Oh!
well
may
Friends
be
called
in
their
Day
,
and
be
Curst
of
Men
when
they
are
Dead
,
whose
Condemnations
are
left
on
Record
by
others
to
Posterity
,
in
the
Churches
Books
;
seeing
by
thee
is
called
an
who
confest
his
Weakness
,
Repented
and
Dyed
in
Truth
,
and
Peace
with
God
:
But
,
we
might
have
been
perswaded
that
thy
Counsel
,
and
Advice
thou
gavest
to
the
Churches
in
writing
,
is
greatly
abused
;
and
we
cannot
Judge
,
how
thou
couldst
intend
or
such
a
way
of
proceeding
with
Friends
about
them
.
That
which
I
see
at
present
tending
to
Vnity
is
,
for
thee
to
Manifest
,
what
thou
intendedst
by
them
if
thou
intendest
no
force
with
them
(
which
thou
couldst
not
do
in
Truth
;
for
that
would
let
thee
see
Divisions
would
be
the
effect
of
them
)
then
manifest
the
Abuse
they
have
done
to
thee
,
and
thy
Counsel
to
Friends
,
by
their
proceedings
about
them
,
that
we
may
know
that
thou
art
the
same
in
Principle
,
in
Doctrine
,
and
Practice
,
as
in
the
beginning
(
when
thy
Testimony
was
recommended
to
the
Witness
of
God
in
all
Consciences
)
that
thou
mayst
clear
thy self
,
that
thou
approvest
of
no
but
the
Force
and
Effect
of
the
Word
delivered
;
that
the
encrease
may
be
of
God
,
and
we
all
,
unto
whom
Gods
Love
hath
been
large
,
may
have
Vnity
in
Truth
,
as
in
the
Beginning
.
Received
thy
Letter
,
as
I
judge
,
Subscribed
J.
W.
wherein
thou
wouldst
seem
to
shuffle
off
that
which
I
writ
to
and
the
rest
,
as
the
Word
of
the
to
you
;
and
that
I
should
have
told
you
,
Your
Paper
of
your
is
not
from
the
Light
of
nor
as
it
was
in
the
Beginning
,
which
you
sent
up
and
down
;
and
if
it
was
not
to
beget
into
Strife
,
Why
did
you
send
it
to
and
up
and
down
to
other
Places
;
and
another
Paper
lately
that
you
have
sent
,
besides
all
your
other
Papers
?
And
as
for
my
Papers
or
Writings
,
that
I
have
been
moved
of
the
to
give
forth
,
I
know
no
Friends
that
do
abuse
them
;
if
thou
knowest
any
,
thou
shouldst
have
mentioned
them
:
And
if
thow
wer
't
not
Blind
,
(
who
art
gone
from
the
Light
of
and
the
Spirit
by
which
thou
wast
first
Convinced
)
thou
wouldst
see
,
that
I
am
the
same
as
I
was
in
the
Beginning
.
And
as
for
thy
Fear
of
making
there
is
nothing
but
what
is
Pure
can
come
into
it
:
But
look
into
your
own
Paper
,
wherein
you
say
,
But
I
say
unto
you
And
thy
Neighbours
,
and
all
that
have
been
concerned
with
you
,
do
know
what
you
are
Separated
from
:
And
I
say
also
,
You
are
Separated
from
that
Power
and
Spirit
,
which
did
first
Convince
you
;
for
if
not
,
you
would
have
been
in
Unity
with
me
,
as
at
the
first
.
And
thou
hadst
better
have
taken
the
Word
of
the
patiently
,
and
not
resisted
it
:
But
it
seems
,
it
has
been
as
a
Fire
unto
Thee
,
and
You.
For
it
was
sent
in
Tenderness
and
Care
unto
you
,
and
for
your
Good
;
though
thou
wouldst
make
thy self
ignorant
of
what
Separation
you
were
gone
into
:
For
you
are
separated
from
the
Inward
Light
and
Spirit
;
that
you
went
from
before
you
separated
Outwardly
.
And
this
Spirit
was
afraid
of
being
limited
;
but
it
would
limit
the
Universal
Spirit
,
both
in
Males
and
Females
,
as
your
Fruit
has
manifested
,
concerning
the
Practice
of
and
other
Evils
,
as
your
Books
,
and
Papers
,
and
Neighbours
can
testify
.
But
thou
who
hast
said
,
&c.
this
gives
Liberty
to
the
Flesh
:
For
whil'st
it
is
to
Day
,
they
must
hear
his
Voice
.
I
savour
thy
Spirit
,
and
know
that
thy
Words
come
from
an
Angry
,
Disquieted
,
Fretful
,
Peevish
Spirit
.
And
poor
Men
and
People
!
for
my
part
,
I
pitty
you
,
as
knowing
and
seeing
,
that
you
are
out
of
the
Life
,
and
are
not
in
the
Spirit
that
did
first
Convince
you
,
and
so
not
in
the
First
Love
:
And
if
ever
thou
comest
to
the
tender
Spirit
,
and
Light
of
in
thy
Heart
,
thou
wilt
see
all
those
your
Books
and
Papers
of
Strife
,
and
your
Separation
is
all
for
Condemnation
with
the
Light
of
and
they
are
the
Works
of
that
Spirit
that
led
thee
into
Death
,
and
Strife
.
And
now
thou
cryest
,
and
the
But
come
in
,
and
look
into
thy self
.
And
I
say
again
,
It
is
the
same
Spirit
that
led
and
others
;
and
cryed
against
as
you
do
;
and
against
the
as
you
do
against
the
Though
I
know
did
for
himself
Condemn
that
Spirit
,
that
led
into
a
Separation
;
which
had
been
well
,
if
you
had
done
so
too
:
And
his
is
Recorded
,
as
well
as
his
But
many
of
his
People
remain
to
this
Day
out
,
and
have
been
,
and
are
as
much
against
as
you
:
And
so
it
is
but
the
same
Spirit
still
.
Opposition
did
not
consist
only
in
but
his
Opposition
stood
several
Years
,
about
other
Matters
;
and
his
People
cryed
against
our
Meetings
,
and
sought
with
all
their
Might
to
destroy
them
:
But
the
Power
blasted
them
all
,
that
did
not
come
in
by
Repentance
and
Judgment
.
And
thou
further
sayest
and
bid'st
me
Poor
Man
!
Is
here
thy
Envy
broken
out
?
But
,
What
are
the
Titles
?
and
,
Who
are
them
that
have
given
them
?
And
,
When
?
and
,
Where
?
And
whereas
thou
sayest
Who
are
those
that
love
And
,
What
is
my
that
they
may
render
it
?
Why
didst
thee
not
mention
it
in
thy
Paper
?
But
this
is
from
a
prejudiced
,
malicious
Spirit
,
and
not
from
the
Light
of
to
render
my
Weakness
when
I
am
Dead
,
and
in
my
Grave
turned
to
Dust
.
Nay
,
that
which
thee
strikes
at
,
and
thy
Company
,
and
all
the
Evil
Spirits
in
the
World
have
struck
at
,
and
all
the
Apostates
before
thee
,
shall
never
turn
it
to
Dust
;
neither
shall
you
ever
get
it
into
the
Dust
;
Glory
to
the
Everlasting
for
ever
.
For
But
if
this
be
the
Way
of
thy
Preaching
,
that
the
Members
of
the
Heavenly
Body
turn
to
Dust
,
I
fear
thou
hast
begotten
none
to
but
into
a
Profession
,
that
will
turn
to
Dust
,
like
thy self
;
and
Dust
is
the
Meat
of
this
Spirit
;
that
I
know
.
For
I
am
in
a
Life
that
is
over
that
Spirit
,
which
neither
Thee
,
nor
the
World
cannot
touch
:
And
if
thou
comes
to
be
as
and
Betray
the
Truth
to
the
I
know
what
thee
,
and
they
can
kill
,
if
will
suffer
you
:
But
I
do
not
fear
it
.
And
I
must
tell
thee
,
it
is
the
Spirit
of
the
Betrayer
,
that
is
gone
from
Truth
;
and
now
would
betray
others
from
the
Heavenly
Body
,
in
the
Eternal
Fellowship
,
in
the
Eternal
Head
:
For
,
And
thou
bidst
me
&c.
So
,
thou
tell'st
me
,
yet
thou
sayest
Is
this
thy
Doctrine
?
Are
the
Members
of
the
Heavenly
Body
turned
to
Dust
,
and
Dead
?
This
Doctrine
surely
proceeds
from
Darkness
,
and
not
from
the
Light
of
And
,
Is
it
to
this
thou
wouldst
have
me
bow
,
and
be
humbled
to
?
Nay
,
I
need
none
of
thy
Ministry
;
and
it
will
do
no
good
,
in
the
State
thou
stands
in
,
to
any
:
For
it
is
an
Angry
,
Malicious
,
Froward
Spirit
,
that
has
possest
thee
.
And
further
,
thou
bid'st
me
,
What
dost
thou
infer
from
thence
,
That
I
have
not
Sanctified
before
his
People
?
So
,
thou
hast
set
me
above
a
Common
Member
,
and
put
me
into
an
Office
then
;
but
,
Must
that
which
Sanctifies
be
turned
to
Dust
I
thought
thou
hadst
owned
to
be
the
Sanctifyer
of
all
,
who
is
Greater
than
and
the
End
of
Wherein
have
not
I
Sanctified
the
What
Liberty
have
I
given
to
Sin
;
or
any
that
are
Faithful
,
that
have
not
followed
you
in
your
Separation
?
Have
you
not
taken
Offence
against
some
of
them
,
that
came
to
Admonish
such
as
were
not
Faithful
amongst
you
,
and
called
it
yea
,
such
as
have
been
moved
by
the
Spirit
of
And
,
Was
it
not
called
when
some
went
to
Admonish
Meeting
,
when
they
did
not
stand
stedfast
to
the
And
,
How
was
the
sanctifyed
amongst
you
then
?
And
,
How
was
the
sanctifyed
amongst
you
,
concerning
your
Paying
of
or
your
Conniving
at
your
Wives
or
others
Paying
for
you
?
Much
of
which
I
could
write
concerning
such
like
Things
,
but
I
shall
forbear
.
But
when
you
were
in
Strife
,
I
would
have
had
you
come
over
to
me
,
that
you
might
have
been
brought
into
Unity
before
your
Separation
;
but
you
refused
.
Nevertheless
,
if
bring
your
and
come
to
me
,
I
will
shew
you
wherein
you
Writings
and
Actions
are
contrary
to
the
Light
of
and
Spirit
of
by
which
you
were
Covinced
in
the
Beginning
.
Which
had
you
loved
the
Gospel
of
Peace
,
you
would
have
come
to
me
,
before
you
had
made
such
a
Jumble
with
your
strife
up
and
down
the
Nation
:
For
I
have
heard
by
several
Faithful
Friends
,
where
you
have
sent
your
Papers
to
prejudiced
Persons
against
and
other
Practices
;
which
has
begotten
a
great
Dislike
in
concerning
you
:
For
what
hath
this
been
,
but
to
stir
up
Strife
,
and
to
sow
Discord
?
But
,
Are
not
and
many
others
their
Sins
recorded
,
and
their
Repentances
,
and
Changing
recorded
in
the
Holy
Scriptures
?
And
,
What
needs
be
afraid
,
and
trouble
himself
about
the
Recording
the
Condemnation
of
Sin
,
and
the
Resurrection
of
the
Just
?
But
,
Who
has
cursed
or
any
other
,
(
whose
Condemnation
of
Sin
and
Repentance
,
and
turning
from
it
,
is
Recorded
)
or
called
them
And
,
What
Spirit
is
this
in
that
would
not
have
such
Things
recorded
now
,
which
the
Spirit
of
Truth
recorded
in
former
Ages
?
Surely
,
it
is
not
the
Spirit
of
nor
Light
of
For
if
they
be
Sins
private
,
that
only
the
Church
knows
them
,
then
they
go
no
further
than
the
Church
:
But
if
they
be
open
Sins
,
to
the
World
amongst
Sinners
,
then
their
Condemnation
and
Repentance
must
go
as
far
as
the
Fact
is
known
.
But
if
be
afraid
,
lest
he
should
be
Curst
,
and
his
Company
,
and
counted
to
Posterity
,
if
their
Failings
,
Sins
,
and
Transgressions
should
be
Recorded
:
Truly
,
without
your
Repentance
,
they
will
be
Recorded
;
and
it
would
be
well
,
if
you
did
Repent
and
Condemn
them
;
for
then
your
Resurrection
would
be
Recorded
out
of
this
Apostacy
:
Else
you
need
not
question
standing
upon
Record
.
And
they
that
have
been
led
by
you
into
a
Separation
,
and
now
come
off
from
you
,
do
not
bless
you
,
as
several
have
declared
:
So
you
bring
that
upon
your selves
,
which
you
think
to
avoid
.
But
,
Why
shouldst
be
so
afraid
of
having
your
Repentance
from
Sin
,
and
Evil
Actions
recorded
,
which
you
have
committed
in
grieving
Spirit
,
and
his
People
;
and
opening
the
Mouthes
of
the
World
,
without
a
Fear
of
being
Curst
,
or
counted
Apostates
?
Is
this
the
Cause
you
would
hide
your
Sins
,
and
have
no
Testimony
given
forth
against
you
?
If
have
such
a
Love
to
them
,
may
keep
them
;
but
the
Truths
Testimony
will
stand
against
all
that
is
out
of
the
Truth
.
And
there
are
upon
Record
ever
since
so
no
new
thing
amongst
us
,
but
according
to
the
Light
of
But
the
knows
,
I
would
have
nothing
but
what
is
Pure
to
Rule
and
Reign
,
and
all
Sin
and
Evil
to
be
Condemned
;
and
that
which
is
Private
to
be
only
amongst
and
that
which
is
Publick
,
to
be
publickly
Condemned
to
the
World
.
And
if
the
World
should
say
,
there
is
a
upon
Record
,
that
such
an
one
was
Converted
and
Translated
,
to
Posterity
,
as
was
from
the
Evil
to
Good
,
and
from
the
Darkness
to
the
Light
:
And
had
you
continued
in
the
Light
of
and
in
his
Spirit
that
led
the
Saints
to
condemn
those
Evils
,
which
are
Recorded
in
Scripture
,
and
to
Glorify
in
their
Resurrection
,
you
would
never
have
been
in
Opposition
against
the
Church
of
Practice
now
;
in
such
things
,
by
the
same
Spirit
,
you
call
it
a
New
Way
.
And
that
which
would
not
have
Sin
and
Evil
condemned
,
and
condemns
that
which
Records
it
,
is
for
Condemnation
:
For
,
instead
of
being
Curst
(
as
thou
sayest
)
them
that
do
condemn
Sin
and
Evil
,
and
arise
out
of
that
which
is
condennied
,
and
this
being
Recorded
to
Posterity
,
the
Church
,
and
their
Relations
can
testify
to
their
Change
,
and
their
Dying
in
the
But
I
am
sorry
for
you
,
of
Heaven
knows
)
that
you
should
dishonour
the
and
his
Truth
and
People
in
the
and
have
separated
from
the
Light
and
Spirit
,
that
did
first
Convince
you
:
For
,
had
you
been
in
the
Love
and
Spirit
,
you
would
have
been
in
the
same
Love
,
in
the
same
Gentleness
,
and
Meekness
,
and
Wisdom
,
that
is
pure
,
and
easie
to
be
intreated
,
as
it
was
in
the
Beginning
.
And
so
you
have
lost
that
Glory
that
was
in
the
Beginning
,
and
your
Nakedness
is
discovered
;
that
the
can
say
And
look
into
your selves
,
if
there
be
not
a
Froward
,
Stubborn
,
Self-willed
Spirit
,
and
Rough
,
and
Short
,
that
now
may
talk
of
the
Light
of
and
of
the
Spirit
,
and
would
have
Liberty
;
but
is
to
be
Reproved
;
and
well
it
would
be
for
you
,
if
you
would
turn
at
the
Reproof
.
And
whereas
thou
speakest
of
a
Alack
for
thee
!
If
thou
wast
in
the
Universal
Spirit
,
and
Power
of
God
,
that
is
over
All
,
thou
wouldst
not
make
such
a
Noise
about
For
indeed
,
it
is
the
very
in
Thee
and
You
,
that
does
not
know
what
it
would
be
at
it self
,
nor
to
what
to
bring
others
.
And
much
I
could
say
,
as
to
that
:
But
that
whereby
you
may
come
into
it
must
be
in
the
Unlimited
Power
,
and
Spirit
,
and
Light
,
that
did
first
Convince
you
,
and
brought
you
into
and
Meeting
without
Prescription
of
your
or
your
So
,
your
Way
to
come
into
is
,
to
come
to
the
Light
and
Spirit
,
that
did
first
Convince
you
,
and
Judge
and
Condemn
this
Spirit
,
that
hath
led
you
into
Separation
,
with
all
its
Works
since
:
And
then
,
in
that
Spirit
,
there
is
no
Fear
of
Imposition
,
but
Everlasting
Unity
,
in
the
Everlasting
Seed
,
that
bruises
the
Head
of
the
Serpent
,
and
all
his
Sons
of
that
are
without
the
Yoak
,
and
are
afraid
of
it
.
Now
,
there
are
them
that
would
not
be
Yoaked
with
the
Law
of
God
,
nor
with
the
Gospel
,
nor
with
the
Word
of
God
,
which
is
a
Hammer
,
and
a
Fire
;
and
this
is
counted
by
such
to
be
Yoaked
,
and
Hammered
down
,
and
to
be
Reproved
,
and
Rebuked
,
and
Admonished
;
this
is
though
the
Power
and
Spirit
of
the
Everlasting
God
leads
to
it
;
which
Spirit
of
God
sanctifies
and
exalts
God
,
with
a
sanctifyed
Spirit
,
and
reproves
all
that
which
dishonours
him
,
or
would
defile
,
and
walks
not
in
the
Spirit
,
by
which
the
Body
of
is
Baptized
,
and
made
to
drink
into
.
And
the
Spirit
of
God
charged
,
and
warned
,
and
reproved
all
the
Unruly
;
and
charged
the
Faithful
to
stand
fast
,
and
Admonished
,
as
in
the
may
be
plentifully
seen
And
what
,
Is
this
(
think
you
)
which
God's
Spirit
led
the
Prophets
and
Apostles
unto
,
and
had
no
Fellowship
but
with
them
that
Walked
in
the
same
Spirit
?
Or
,
Will
you
say
,
There
is
not
the
same
Holy-Ghost
now
,
as
was
then
?
Yes
,
I
must
tell
you
the
same
;
and
all
that
keep
in
it
,
are
in
the
Holy
and
Eternal
Fellowship
;
and
it
leads
to
the
same
Practice
now
,
as
then
:
And
all
such
as
the
Apostles
admonished
,
to
have
no
Fellowship
withal
,
as
in
their
and
in
Might
not
those
have
cryed
as
well
as
you
And
whereas
thou
speakest
of
a
&c.
This
is
the
that
used
to
tell
us
of
our
But
our
was
before
the
was
,
and
all
the
and
all
and
will
be
when
they
are
gone
;
and
this
I
tell
Thee
and
Them
.
But
these
Words
of
thine
are
not
from
the
Light
of
nor
the
Spirit
of
for
I
know
no
carryed
on
with
(
as
thou
Reproachfully
sayest
.
)
But
here
thou
hast
manifested
thy
Separate
Spirit
and
Mind
:
For
the
Authority
of
our
is
the
Power
of
who
is
the
New
and
Living
Way
,
and
never
changes
.
And
all
Men
and
Women
,
that
believe
in
his
Light
,
and
receive
him
,
he
gives
them
Power
to
become
the
Sons
of
and
such
are
Heirs
of
the
Power
,
which
is
the
Authority
of
the
Meetings
:
And
they
ought
freely
to
come
and
go
to
that
which
they
are
Heirs
of
,
without
your
And
all
that
receive
him
in
the
Light
,
he
gives
them
Power
,
and
they
are
Heirs
of
his
Power
,
and
his
Life
;
So
they
are
Heirs
of
the
Authority
of
the
and
every
Man
and
Woman
that
is
an
Heir
,
has
Right
to
the
Authority
;
and
they
have
taken
their
Possessions
,
and
are
taking
their
Possessions
.
And
you
,
in
your
Separate
Spirit
from
the
Divine
Light
of
And
say
And
that
And
so
,
this
kind
of
amongst
you
,
(
as
you
call
it
)
is
worse
than
any
And
much
I
could
say
to
it
;
but
you
may
read
your
though
you
make
a
great
Pretence
of
Liberty
in
it
.
But
I
have
not
heard
yet
of
any
,
that
like
your
Prescription
,
that
keep
their
First
Love
and
Habitation
:
And
therefore
,
as
I
said
before
,
the
Way
to
come
into
Unity
,
is
to
Condemn
it
all
,
and
give
over
your
Spirit
of
Strife
,
and
Fightings
,
and
come
into
that
which
did
first
Convince
you
;
that
by
it
you
may
be
made
true
Members
,
and
so
come
into
Meekness
and
Unity
:
For
I
saw
,
many
Years
before
I
went
forth
,
that
such
should
rise
in
Opposition
;
and
so
it
is
nothing
to
me
,
because
it
is
the
same
Spirit
that
hath
risen
formerly
in
many
others
;
and
the
Peaceable
Truth
,
and
Gospel
of
Peace
is
over
it
,
and
it
is
out
of
the
Kingdom
,
that
stands
in
Peace
.
And
the
efore
,
what
I
write
,
is
for
your
Good
;
and
it
had
been
well
for
had
you
taken
what
I
writ
before
patiently
:
For
I
see
,
the
more
you
stir
,
the
more
you
will
heap
upon
your
own
Heads
;
and
the
further
ye
will
put
your selves
,
except
you
come
to
Repentance
,
and
come
down
in
the
Humility
are
too
high
and
I
Judge
this
Spirit
,
as
I
said
before
,
and
its
Works
,
with
the
Spirit
,
and
Light
of
Christ
:
For
in
the
Spirit
and
Light
of
Christ
is
my
Unity
,
that
is
atop
of
this
Spirit
;
and
its
Works
;
and
in
that
is
my
love
to
all
for
their
everlasting
good
,
whether
they
will
hear
or
forbear
;
and
my
Life
is
out
of
your
Spirit
of
Strife
,
and
over
it
;
for
the
Seed
of
Life
reigns
,
which
had
you
kept
in
it
,
you
would
have
seen
me
the
same
now
,
as
I
was
in
the
beginning
;
and
being
gone
from
that
,
and
gone
into
Doubts
,
Jealousies
,
and
Questions
,
and
Evil
Surmisings
(
by
which
you
are
blinded
)
so
as
you
see
not
me
,
as
I
was
in
the
beginning
,
as
many
others
have
done
the
same
before
you
;
and
when
they
are
gone
from
the
unlimited
Spirit
of
Christ
,
then
they
are
afraid
to
be
limited
.
And
therefore
,
be
advised
,
and
come
to
judge
that
Spirit
,
lest
your
Bonds
be
made
strong
,
and
you
grow
worse
and
worse
;
and
find
not
a
Day
of
Repentance
,
and
the
Lord
give
you
up
to
Hardness
of
Heart
,
and
to
your
Hearts
Lusts
,
and
that
your
Latter-End
be
not
worse
than
your
Beginning
;
for
it
is
the
Universal
Spirit
and
Life
,
that
your
Spirits
fight
against
,
which
,
as
I
said
before
,
God
will
blast
.
And
so
,
mind
your
End
;
for
it
will
manifest
it self
,
and
has
manifested
it self
to
all
that
be
in
the
Light
,
which
,
I
fay
once
again
,
come
unto
,
and
condemn
this
Spirit
,
and
its
Works
,
and
your
Separation
,
that
in
it
you
may
have
Unity
;
for
it
s
out
of
the
Paradise
,
in
the
Transgression
.
I
thought
to
have
written
nothing
to
but
to
have
sent
thy
Letter
back
unto
again
,
knowing
what
Spirit
it
came
from
,
which
indeed
was
not
worth
Answering
,
but
only
to
the
intent
,
that
thou
and
you
might
Repent
,
and
come
into
that
which
you
were
brought
into
in
the
beginning
,
and
in
that
you
will
see
what
a
spirit
is
gotten
up
in
you
,
that
by
it
you
may
judge
it
,
and
not
die
and
perish
in
your
Gainsaying
:
for
the
word
which
I
writ
to
you
will
stand
,
and
you
will
find
it
,
and
I
shall
be
manifest
to
that
of
God
in
all
,
though
it
be
the
Condemnation
of
them
that
walk
not
in
it
;
and
my
Unity
is
with
them
that
walk
in
it
,
and
such
need
no
outward
Prescriptions
,
that
are
written
with
the
Spirit
of
God
in
one
anothers
Hearts
,
to
gather
them
withal
,
who
are
written
in
Heaven
,
and
whose
Names
are
written
in
the
Book
of
Life
,
before
the
Foundation
of
the
World
was
,
Glory
to
God
for
Ever
.
And
I
shall
not
much
take
notice
of
You
,
if
you
continue
in
Strife
,
except
it
be
by
publick
Testimonies
.
And
the
might
have
reflected
against
the
who
spoke
the
Word
of
the
Lord
often
to
them
,
but
they
did
not
regard
it
,
neither
would
they
be
convinc'd
,
who
stood
in
their
Own
Wills
.
And
truly
I
must
needs
tell
thee
,
Thou
and
You
are
gotten
up
into
the
same
,
and
I
have
been
sorry
for
You
,
and
my
Spirit
has
sometimes
Travelled
;
but
I
saw
there
was
a
perverse
Spirit
in
thee
,
when
thou
wert
at
though
I
dealt
tenderly
,
and
plainly
,
and
faithfully
with
you
,
and
spoke
the
word
of
the
Lord
to
You
,
and
told
You
,
that
and
that
was
and
is
the
Word
of
Truth
,
which
will
stand
,
and
is
Sealed
.
And
I
was
grieved
that
the
Glory
of
the
Lord
,
which
had
appeared
in
the
North
,
and
his
Name
,
should
be
dishonoured
by
your
cross
thwarting
Spirit
,
and
that
You
should
bring
an
Evil
Report
upon
it
into
the
South
,
of
any
difference
;
but
that
was
and
is
a
true
Word
,
You
are
got
up
into
a
wrong
Spirit
,
that
is
Rough
and
Course
,
which
I
feel
and
see
,
that
is
not
savoury
nor
gracious
,
which
had
you
retained
your
primitive
Love
,
and
Light
and
Faith
,
that
works
by
Love
,
and
been
in
the
quiet
meek
Spirit
,
and
the
Gospel
of
Peace
,
and
in
the
Wisdom
that
is
peaceable
,
you
would
have
sought
the
Peace
,
or
come
to
me
,
as
I
desired
You
,
before
these
things
broke
out
(
as
I
said
before
)
but
you
are
of
a
High
Lofty
Spirit
,
which
those
Vertues
are
over
it
,
and
they
,
and
the
Truth
remain
in
themselves
,
and
amongst
them
,
that
have
right
to
them
;
but
they
have
little
place
in
You
,
till
you
come
to
that
which
will
bring
you
to
Condemn
all
the
contrary
;
For
though
,
you
think
you
may
get
ease
by
Scribling
and
Writing
,
but
that
will
not
ease
you
;
for
what
you
Sow
,
that
you
must
Reap
;
for
had
they
had
place
in
You
,
you
would
have
been
preserved
in
Peace
.
My
love
is
to
all
that
fear
God
,
and
retain
their
First
Simplicity
in
the
Humility
,
the
Foundation
of
God
,
that
stands
sure
.
My
writing
so
largely
,
has
been
for
the
sake
of
the
Simple
,
which
Thou
mayst
Communicate
to
them
,
that
they
may
Hear
,
Fear
,
and
Consider
.
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
Pertinent
Answer
G.
F.
and
such
as
might
account
their
Company
,
were
separated
from
the
Light
of
the
Doctrine
of
Truth
,
or
had
builded
again
the
Things
which
they
once
destroyed
.
might
clear
himself
,
that
he
approves
of
no
Force
about
Religion
,
but
the
Force
and
Effect
of
the
Word
delivered
.
How
is
the
sanctifyed
amongst
you
,
concerning
your
Paying
of
Tythes
,
or
your
Conniving
at
your
Wives
or
others
Paying
for
you
?
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
G.
F.
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Wilkinson
John
Wilkinson
Sufferer
for
Tythes
We
are
now
sensible
,
the
may
be
ready
to
query
John
Wilkinson
To
this
we
answer
,
We
never
understood
any
other
Pretence
,
that
such
as
have
Accused
him
thereof
have
made
,
when
narrowly
examined
,
but
this
,
That
he
payeth
and
whether
that
can
he
such
a
just
Occasion
,
as
to
render
him
a
by
which
he
is
taken
to
be
a
Man
,
that
hath
as
a
Maintenance
for
the
we
shall
leave
to
the
Consciences
of
Vnprejudiced
when
they
have
in
the
Light
of
throughly
weighed
the
‖
‖
Note
Recorded
in
the
Fourth
Section
of
this
Second
Part
of
*
*
Meaning
the
aforesaid
Manuscript
,
mentioned
in
the
Preface
to
the
First
Part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
.
this
Treatise
;
and
compared
the
same
with
this
ensuing
Testimony
,
given
under
the
Hand
of
in
relation
to
the
Payment
of
John
Story
Single
Man
,
not
managing
any
Estate
in
his
Possession
Declaration
against
that
Oppression
John
Wilkinson
Deed
of
Purchase
Deeds
of
Purchase
Witness
my
Hand
,
this
of
the
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Dark
Spirits
That
they
are
Separated
from
the
Inward
Light
,
and
Spirit
,
viz.
If
not
,
you
would
have
been
at
Unity
with
me
,
as
at
first
.
Note
,
John
Wilkinson
,
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
,
That
he
is
of
an
Angry
,
Disquieted
,
Froward
,
Peevish
,
Pretful
,
Malicious
,
High
,
‖
‖
As
to
the
words
High
and
Lofty
.
Spirit
,
with
Application
to
John
Wilkinson
by
G.
F.
we
think
it
needful
to
give
a
Character
of
John
Wilkinson
,
and
likewise
of
G.
F.
according
to
their
Deserts
;
and
leave
it
to
the
Consciences
of
Impartial
Readers
,
to
consider
,
which
of
them
deserves
to
be
termed
of
a
High
and
Losty
Spirit
.
when
he
was
first
Convinc'd
of
Truth
,
had
an
Estate
of
Tenant-Right
Land
,
valued
between
Fifteen
and
Twenty
Pounds
,
per
Annum
;
and
ever
since
,
(
at
Times
and
Seasons
)
when
he
is
at
Home
,
exercises
himself
in
Bodily
Labour
;
sometimes
at
Plow
,
and
sometimes
otherwise
.
He
also
hath
ever
since
kept
his
Family
to
labour
;
and
so
hath
Lived
handsomly
,
according
to
the
manner
of
his
Country
,
upon
his
Estate
;
which
he
hath
kept
in
his
own
Hand
,
and
managed
the
same
by
his
own
and
Families
Labour
;
having
no
more
nor
less
Land
,
than
at
first
;
nor
yet
is
his
outward
Estate
added
to
,
or
diminished
from
,
since
that
time
,
to
the
Value
of
Twenty-Five
Rounds
,
to
this
Day
.
He
Travels
often
alone
,
without
a
Companion
;
but
at
all
times
,
without
any
Attendant
,
as
his
proper
Servant
;
and
contented
with
the
meanest
of
Meats
and
Drinks
,
that
the
Houses
wherein
he
usually
Lodged
afforded
:
His
Conversation
lowly
and
meek
;
And
takes
not
upon
him
to
give
forth
an
Outward
Directory
,
for
the
Children
of
Light
to
walk
by
;
nor
yet
was
ever
known
to
write
to
any
,
That
if
they
were
in
the
Light
,
and
Power
of
God
,
they
would
come
to
him
,
when
he
sent
for
them
.
As
to
G.
F.
He
was
a
poor
Shoe-maker
,
and
of
mean
Parentage
,
having
very
little
,
if
any
Outward
Estate
at
all
;
that
never
(
as
we
can
understand
)
set
up
his
Trade
,
but
work't
Journey-works
:
For
his
Meanness
,
he
neither
was
nor
is
Despised
,
as
we
know
of
;
for
that
cannot
savour
of
a
Christian
Spirit
.
Since
his
first
Coming
forth
,
we
never
have
understood
,
that
he
hath
Laboured
with
his
Hands
,
at
his
Lawful
Calling
,
or
any
other
;
but
are
well
satisfied
,
that
(
at
teast
)
for
many
Years
past
,
whether
in
Bonds
or
at
Liberty
,
he
hath
not
.
Since
his
first
Coming
forth
,
he
hath
marryed
Judge
Fell's
Widdow
of
Lancashire
.
When
he
Travels
,
't
is
certainly
known
,
he
hath
had
such
Attendance
,
which
(
considering
the
Work
he
is
on
)
may
be
termed
Great
,
as
well
as
when
resident
in
some
Places
,
and
not
on
Travel
;
and
of
late
hath
Travelled
with
a
Man
,
termed
George
Fox's
Man
.
And
as
to
Enjoyment
of
Things
that
are
Lawful
in
the
Creation
,
that
may
be
termed
Necessary
for
the
Ease
of
the
Body
,
and
Pleasure
of
the
Palate
;
it
is
certainly
known
,
that
G.
F.
hath
often
freely
made
use
thereof
,
when
to
be
had
,
in
a
manifold
larger
Degree
,
than
John
Wilkinson
(
so
far
as
we
can
understand
)
ever
did
.
Moreover
,
G.
F.
by
a
Letter
written
unto
William
Rogers
,
dated
Swarthmore
,
the
14th
.
of
the
11th
.
Month
,
1676.
thus
writes
:
I
tell
thee
,
Them
that
thou
calls
Accused
,
are
not
Right
;
for
had
they
been
Right
,
and
in
the
Light
and
Power
of
God
,
(
as
at
the
first
)
they
would
have
come
to
me
when
I
sent
for
them
;
that
all
those
Things
,
which
have
made
such
a
Noise
,
might
have
been
fairly
ended
in
the
North
,
and
not
have
troubled
any
in
the
South
.
Those
whom
William
Rogers
termed
Accused
,
are
John
Wilkinson
and
John
Story
;
and
some
of
the
Matters
whereof
John
Story
was
Accused
,
were
Acted
in
the
South
;
and
so
no
reason
to
come
to
G.
F.
or
any
,
to
have
them
Judged
in
the
North.
We
now
query
,
Whether
G.
F.
is
not
hereby
manifested
to
be
a
Man
of
so
High
and
Losty
a
Spirit
,
as
to
endeavour
to
Assume
unto
himself
a
Power
to
Judge
of
all
Cases
amongst
Friends
,
even
from
North
to
South
;
and
that
such
who
will
not
come
unto
him
at
Swarthmore
in
Lancashire
,
for
that
end
,
when
he
sends
for
them
,
are
not
lyable
to
be
Censured
to
be
wrong
,
and
departed
from
the
Light
and
Power
of
God
?
Which
being
compared
with
what
is
written
in
a
Marginal-Note
,
in
the
‖
Meaning
the
afore-said
Manuscript
.
Ninth
Section
,
gives
us
occasion
to
query
,
Whether
there
be
not
just
Cause
to
conclude
,
or
at
least
to
be
Jealous
,
That
G.
F.
looks
upon
himself
Invested
with
Power
to
Judge
all
Causes
amongst
the
Children
of
Light
,
in
this
Day
,
as
Moses
was
amongst
the
Children
of
Israel
in
his
Day
?
Making
a
Jumble
For
had
he
not
been
of
a
High
and
Lofty
Spirit
,
he
would
not
have
reflected
on
them
several
times
,
as
not
loving
the
Gospel
of
Peace
,
because
they
came
not
to
him
Good
Shepherd
Leaving
the
Ninety
Nine
,
to
seek
that
which
was
Lost
Poor
Men
and
People
!
For
my
part
,
I
pitty
you
;
I
am
sorry
for
you
:
That
their
Failings
,
Sins
,
and
Transgressions
,
without
their
Repentance
,
will
he
Recorded
:
If
Thou
and
You
have
such
a
Love
to
them
,
you
may
keep
them
John
Wilkinson
,
viz.
An
Angry
,
Disquieted
,
Froward
,
Peevish
,
Fretful
,
Malicious
Spirit
Occasion
of
Offence
Wo
unto
him
,
by
whom
Offences
come
!
viz.
That
might
clear
himself
,
that
he
approves
of
no
Force
about
Religion
,
but
the
Force
and
Effect
of
the
Word
delivered
G.
F.
G.
F.
Pertinent
,
Friendly
Christian
Answer
Seasonable
,
Tender
As
to
thy
Fear
of
making
Force
in
Religion
,
there
is
nothing
but
what
is
Pure
can
come
into
it
.
Alack
for
thee
!
If
thou
wast
in
the
Universal
.
Spirit
,
thou
wouldst
not
make
such
a
Noise
about
for
indeed
,
it
is
the
very
Spirit
of
that
does
not
know
,
what
it
would
be
at
it self
,
nor
to
what
to
bring
others
:
And
much
I
could
say
as
to
that
.
Scossing
,
Shaffling
,
Impertinent
Answer
For
indeed
,
it
's
the
very
Spirit
of
Imposition
in
thee
.
That
does
not
know
,
what
it
would
be
at
it self
.
Nor
to
what
to
bring
others
.
Thou
wouldst
not
make
such
a
Noise
about
Imposition
John
Wilkinson
Imposing
Spirit
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
That
they
will
become
as
bad
as
If
they
give
not
over
their
Separation
G.
F.
G.
F.
But
this
is
from
a
prejudiced
malicious
Spirit
,
and
not
from
the
Light
of
Christ
,
to
Render
my
Weakness
,
when
I
am
in
my
Grave
turned
to
Dust
,
that
which
thou
strikest
at
,
and
thy
Company
,
and
all
the
evil
Spirits
in
the
World
have
struck
at
,
and
all
the
Apostates
before
thee
,
shall
never
turn
it
to
Dust
.
But
:
if
this
be
the
way
of
thy
Preaching
,
that
the
Members
of
the
Heavenly
Body
turn
to
Dust
,
I
fear
thou
hast
begotten
none
to
God
.
So
thou
tells
me
,
I
am
a
Member
of
the
Heavenly
Body
,
yet
thou
say'st
,
when
I
am
turned
to
Dust
,
and
Dead
,
surely
this
Doctrine
proceeds
from
Darkness
,
and
not
from
the
Light
of
Christ
:
And
is
it
to
this
thou
wouldst
have
me
to
bow
,
and
be
humbled
?
Nay
,
I
need
none
of
thy
Ministry
,
it
is
an
Angry
,
Malicious
,
Froward
Spirit
that
hath
possest
thee
.
Malice
,
Envy
,
Perversion
James
Naylors
John
Wilkinson
All
the
Evil
Spirits
in
the
World
,
double
Honour
Meaning
the
afore
said
Monuscript
John
Wilkinson
Evil
Spirits
Speeches
,
Threats
John
Wilkinsons
John
Wilkinsons
John
Wilkinson
he
(
is
a
Member
)
of
the
heavenly
Body
,
Be
humble
,
as
a
Member
of
the
heavenly
Body
,
Whosoever
will
be
a
perfect
Disciple
shall
be
as
his
Master
.
John
Wilkinson
G.
F.
Visible
Body
George
Fox
John
willinson
G.
F.
outward
Body
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
That
which
strikes
at
,
shall
never
turn
it
to
Dust
The
body
is
not
for
Fornication
:
Know
ye
not
,
that
your
Bodies
are
the
Members
of
Christ
?
shall
I
then
take
the
Members
of
Christ
,
and
make
them
the
Members
of
an
Harlot
?
God
forbid
:
know
you
not
,
that
your
Body
is
the
Temple
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
which
is
in
you
,
whom
you
have
of
God
,
and
you
are
not
your
own
?
That
the
Life
of
might
be
made
Manifest
in
your
mortal
Bodies
.
G.
F.
whether
these
Bodies
which
the
Apostle
termed
the
were
not
the
same
in
which
the
Holy
Ghost
dwells
,
and
the
Life
of
Jesus
was
manifested
?
And
if
so
,
then
Mortal
and
convertible
unto
Dust
.
And
whether
or
no
an
exclusion
of
all
mortal
Bodses
whatsoever
,
from
being
concerned
as
Members
of
the
Church
be
not
the
very
ready
way
,
whereby
all
that
's
pleasing
to
the
mortal
Body
,
may
be
And
not
only
so
,
but
whether
the
will
not
of
Course
,
and
so
no
such
Places
where
those
who
George
Fox
are
Heires
of
the
Power
,
may
go
to
in
Order
to
the
taking
of
their
Possessions
,
as
George
Foxe's
Language
,
in
his
aforesaid
Letter
,
is
.
G.
F.
turned
to
Dust
John
Wilkinson
Moses
;
but
wherein
have
not
I
Sanctified
the
Lord
?
G.
F.
Mortal
Man
John
Wilkinson
Fretful
,
Peevish
,
Angry
,
Spirit
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
'T
is
a
Spirit
that
doth
not
know
what
it
would
be
at
it self
,
G.
F.
wherein
have
not
I
Sanctified
the
Lord
?
Mind
,
Sense
,
Meaning
G.
F.
not
Sanctified
the
Lord
Womens
Meetings
half
a
side
Meetings
of
Women
Womens
Offering
Sacrifices
,
Preaching
,
Teaching
,
Exhorting
,
Admonishing
,
Prophesying
,
Governing
,
Judging
,
Singing
,
Dancing
,
Playing
upon
Musick
,
Idolatrous
Woman
was
a
Vertuous
one
Womens
,
Meetings
Sanctified
the
Lord
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Conniving
at
others
Paying
for
them
,
Advising
Two
Persons
to
buy
their
Tythes
,
Continual
Payment
Nathaniel
Crips
Robert
Arch
Twenty-First
Section
'T
is
the
Second
,
Part
of
the
Manuscript
,
first
mentioned
in
the
Preface
to
the
First
Part.
Second
Part
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
But
that
whereby
you
may
come
into
Unity
,
it
must
be
in
the
unlimited
Power
,
and
Spirit
,
and
Light
,
that
did
first
Convince
you
,
and
brought
you
into
Unity
,
and
meeting
without
Prescription
of
your
Elders
,
or
Deacons
,
or
your
Members
:
So
your
way
to
come
into
Unity
,
is
to
come
to
the
Light
and
Spirit
,
that
did
first
Convince
you
;
and
judge
and
condemn
this
Spirit
,
that
hath
led
you
into
Separation
,
with
all
its
Works
since
;
and
then
,
in
that
Spirit
,
there
is
no
fear
of
Imposition
.
G.
F.
I
told
you
,
That
if
you
did
not
come
to
that
which
did
first
Convince
you
,
and
bring
all
others
whom
you
had
drawn
into
a
Separation
with
you
,
to
condemn
it
,
the
Blood
of
all
them
would
be
required
at
your
Hands
:
And
that
was
and
is
the
Word
of
Truth
to
you
,
and
will
stand
,
and
is
sealed
.
G.
F.
Unlimited
Spirit
G.
F.
Unlimitted
Spirit
limit
the
Spirit
viz.
and
Judge
,
and
Condemn
this
Spirit
,
that
hath
led
you
into
a
Separation
,
with
all
its
Works
since
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Outward
Separation
Outward
Separation
Outward
Methods
outward
Affaires
troublesome
Party
John
Wilkinson
That
such
need
no
Outward
Prescriptions
;
that
is
written
with
the
Spirit
of
God
in
one
anothers
Hearts
,
to
gather
them
withal
.
Outward
Prescriptions
viz.
without
Prescriptions
of
your
Elders
,
a
scoffing
manner
Chosen
Men
Meaning
the
Second
Part
of
the
aforesaid
We
indeed
Declare
and
Testify
,
that
our
Sense
and
Meaning
in
what
we
proposed
formerly
to
Reunite
the
Meetings
,
was
,
not
to
hinder
any
Friends
of
staying
in
the
Meetings
,
who
behaved
themselves
Men
of
Peace
(
as
we
Testified
unto
them
in
our
Reply
to
their
Answer
to
our
Proposals
)
but
such
as
inclined
to
cause
Offences
with
rash
Censures
,
and
false
Judgments
,
which
hath
made
,
and
will
make
Divisions
,
contrary
to
the
Doctrine
we
have
Learned
.
If
they
had
Objected
against
any
thing
in
Love
,
which
we
proposed
,
and
with
respect
to
the
Honour
of
Truth
,
given
us
any
Reason
of
its
inconveniency
,
if
we
could
not
have
Convinced
them
of
the
Inconveniency
thereof
,
with
Weightier
Reasons
;
we
should
readily
have
Consented
unto
them
.
whether
our
Perswasion
aforesaid
is
not
on
sufficient
Ground
?
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
That
he
knows
not
what
he
would
be
at
,
separate
Spirit
And
whereas
thou
speakest
of
a
new
Way
,
and
a
new
Form
,
and
carryed
on
with
Church-Authority
,
for
I
know
no
new
Way
,
nor
new
Form
,
carried
on
with
Church-Authority
,
as
thou
reproachfully
;
sayest
but
hear
thou
hast
manifested
thy
separate
Spirit
and
Mind
.
G.
F.
Womens
Meetings
G.
F.
Authority
of
the
Church
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
New
Form
Quibble
,
Shift
Christ
Jesus
That
what
hath
written
by
way
of
Reply
to
could
not
be
given
forth
from
the
Spirit
of
the
which
cannot
Lye
;
but
is
rather
the
Fruit
either
of
Ignorance
,
Pride
,
Scorn
and
Disdain
in
the
best
Sense
.
Prids
oft
times
goes
before
a
Fall
:
G.
F.
'T
is
meant
of
the
Manuscript
,
first
mentioned
in
the
Preface
to
the
First
Part.
Proud
a
Spirit
Submission
to
him
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
One
Letter
John
Wilkinson
G.
F.
WIth
the
Truth
of
in
my
Heart
,
I
have
of
late
been
greatly
concerned
,
in
the
Remembrance
of
thee
,
in
whom
appeared
in
the
Beginning
of
the
Day
of
Life
,
and
reached
unto
us
with
his
Word
;
who
gave
us
Faith
to
believe
,
and
to
receive
thy
Testimony
thou
gave
of
his
Light
in
our
Hearts
:
which
gathered
us
into
Vnity
with
him
,
and
one
with
another
,
and
made
us
of
the
Church
of
the
First-Born
,
or
of
the
First
Fruits
unto
continuing
many
Years
in
Love
and
Good-Will
one
to
another
:
But
of
late
Dayes
,
the
we
once
had
,
seems
much
to
be
broken
;
and
many
Instruments
,
whom
hath
wrought
by
,
(
and
in
great
Love
have
laboured
together
,
but
)
of
late
time
have
greatly
Iarred
:
And
the
Cause
hath
manifested
to
me
It
may
be
feared
,
many
do
eye
more
the
than
they
eye
the
Accusing
and
Iudging
all
out
of
Truth
,
that
practise
not
with
all
freed
from
them
,
using
all
Force
they
can
devise
,
according
to
the
Power
they
have
,
to
compel
all
unto
them
which
is
the
greatest
they
can
inflict
,
for
want
of
And
many
Friends
think
it
for
the
Love
of
and
for
his
Peoples
sake
,
open
thy
Mind
plainly
,
what
thou
intended
by
them
:
and
make
it
known
unto
Friends
,
if
thou
intended
and
no
but
commending
to
's
Witness
in
each
particular
,
and
not
before
:
If
thou
so
do
,
it
would
much
clear
Thee
,
and
thy
Orders
,
from
being
the
Cause
of
Division
;
for
Iniquity
worketh
in
a
Mystery
in
many
,
that
think
it
Godliness
to
Accuse
and
Condemn
their
Brethren
about
Outward
Things
,
as
I
said
before
,
which
was
the
Cause
of
great
Strife
in
former
Ages
.
But
if
thou
open
not
thy
Mind
to
Friends
,
and
deal
plainly
,
and
testify
,
and
then
,
I
fear
,
the
Cause
of
Divisions
will
lye
at
thy
Door
,
which
Almighty
,
in
his
Mercy
,
prevent
,
and
raise
Thee
up
to
put
a
Stop
unto
;
for
the
Enemy
of
Truth
hath
taken
occasion
from
thy
Orders
,
to
work
and
beget
a
False
Birth
in
many
,
even
as
the
Number
of
Accusations
,
and
angry
Proceedings
about
them
of
late
declare
,
which
was
not
before
in
our
Age
:
Neither
did
Heads
nor
Horus
of
the
appear
,
to
cast
down
the
Holy
People
,
by
lying
against
them
,
saying
,
And
by
approving
of
such
Proceedings
,
is
let
lose
in
our
Time
,
to
deceive
;
and
all
that
see
his
Transformings
,
he
casts
Flouds
out
of
his
Mouth
against
them
,
to
carry
them
away
,
and
casts
such
to
the
Earth
;
wanting
nothing
to
effect
his
Designe
,
but
the
to
carry
them
on
to
Kill
:
For
his
Wrath
is
against
them
that
keep
the
Testimony
of
and
such
he
accuseth
of
and
of
being
I
desire
thee
once
again
,
to
warn
all
Friends
,
that
they
neither
one
another
any
more
,
about
the
afore-said
Things
;
for
if
that
do
continue
amongst
Friends
,
it
will
cause
a
great
Falling
away
,
and
will
visit
with
great
Iudgments
that
the
will
not
save
from
,
while
the
in
such
(
that
is
deeply
in
it
)
is
not
cast
down
.
It
is
not
the
Transforming
of
into
a
Shape
of
Austerity
,
and
forming
Power
to
fright
the
Simple
into
this
or
that
we
have
waited
for
,
nor
laboured
after
;
nor
a
of
overcoming
Love
in
words
,
that
can
deceive
us
,
Blessed
be
for
his
Gifts
of
Light
for
ever
more
when
such
are
bitterly
smiting
their
Fellow-Servants
,
and
filling
Mens
Minds
with
False
Accusations
,
that
even
our
Holy
Profession
is
defiled
.
What
I
desire
of
thee
,
is
not
for
fear
of
more
they
do
not
move
me
from
the
Hope
of
the
Gospel
:
But
I
desire
it
for
and
the
And
we
are
bound
to
follow
him
,
our
Redeemer
,
who
knits
together
in
the
Autient
Unity
,
and
breaks
not
the
Holy
Fellowship
amongst
Brethren
.
I
have
cleared
my
Conscience
,
(
which
was
concerned
in
the
Remembrance
of
thee
)
desiring
thou
mayst
quit
thy self
with
Truth
in
all
Things
,
in
thy
latter
Dayes
,
that
thy
End
may
be
Crowned
with
True
Honour
.
WHat
Spirit
or
Motion
thy
were
from
,
is
not
my
Concern
;
but
I
need
not
ask
,
Whether
the
or
the
have
attended
them
,
if
Trees
in
our
Age
may
be
truly
known
by
their
Fruits
.
John
Wilkinson
G.
F.
G.
F.
William
Rogers
G.
F.
" IN a bowed down Spirit to God , that my Pen may not commit a Tittle of Error to this Paper , either by Want of Plainness , on the one Hand , or Taking too much upon me , on the other , do I now write unto thee , in expectation that thou wilt have a right Savour of my Integrity to the Truth , and so much Charity ( if thou apprehend I herein Err ) as to inform me wherein : For my Hope is , that I shall for ever have a ready Ear to hear , and a ready Mind to weigh any Instruction , though but from the Meanest of the Flock , much more from an Elder Brother .
Thine of the 14 th . of the 11 th . Month , I received ; but have nothing upon me to write , as Answer thereto ; not being willing to strive : Yet ( through a Sense of the present and increasing Distractions amongst Friends ) I have somewhat on my Spirit to clear my Conscience , ( as in the Sight of God ) having a certain Sight , Sense , and Knowledge , that many honest-hearted Friends ( as well as my self ) remain , for the Truths sake , Unchangeable in their Affections to the Two persecuted Brethren , John Wilkinson and John Story : And many are more and more confirmed through a Certain Knowledge , ( which is a better ground than Report ) that Persons professing Truth , ( and such as are supposed to be had in great Estimation by those , who appear against John Wilkinson and John Story ) do foment Lies and Slanders , to the Dishonour of God , Increase of Division , and Hurt of the Souls of the Simple ; where the Lies , and False Reports of Slanderous Tongues have place . This may be termed Matter of great Reflection ; but in as much as 't is really True , 't is proper enough to be spoken to thee ; because , I firmly believe , that thou art in a Capacity to be a Stop to such things as these , by thy publick Exhortation , to all such as are concerned in this Matter .
I remember thy Publick Exhortation hath been ( in a Paper read amongst Friends , and not long since ) To cease Striving , or to that Effect : My Soul would rejoyce to hear more Papers of that Tenour , read amongst Friends ; and not only so , but also that such Publick Persons , as seem in a more peculiar Manner to esteem of thee , than some others may , would shew themselves true Friends to the Truth , by following that Counsel . Such as are fit to be Exhorted , learn more by Example than Precept or Exhortation . And if any exhort to Cease Striving , and should yet be found Movers of Strife , or Encouragers of those that are , such therein reach not to the Better Part , neither answer God's Witness in the Conscience , though it proceeds from an Elder Brother .
Dear George ; for so I call thee , ( not in Flattery , my Soul abominates that Spirit , but ) because thou wast once so to me , and that through a Sense of that Immortal Life which appeared in theee ; and as yet I dare not from Reports of any , positively judge of thee otherwise ; but yet cannot but tell thee , If I should appear so Uncharitable as to make Reports ( which come with the Face of no less ( if not much more ) Credit against thee , than Reports against John Wilkinson and John Story do ) the Measure of my Faith concerning thee , I must conclude , That thou also art guilty of Accusing wrongfully ; And I know , 't is much doubted , that thy Example of Giving heed to Reports , hath encouraged others to do the like ; and for want of discerning what is True , and what is False , do sometimes run into such Actions and Proceedings , as are grand Marks of an Apostatized Spirit .
Neither dare I positively Judge of thee from Jealousies that have entred , which I confess abundantly have † †
Note , The Reader may here take notice , that G. F. in his afore-cited Letter of the 14th . of the 11th . Month , 1676. being an Answer to one sent unto him by me , hints at something Written by me to him , and so seems to make Answer , which ( as laid down in G. F.'s Letter ) runs thus . And thou ( meaning my self ) sayest , That there is a Spirit risen at this day , that gives many occasion to be Jealous , that thou ( meaning G. F. ) art lookt upon by some as that Prophet , which Moses Testified of , that God would raise up , &c. but who those are , thou hast not mentioned , and thou saiest Christ is that Prophet ( we know ) that is to be heard , &c. and he is the only Law-giver , and no Outward Man , &c.
To this G. F. thus Answers , Then is not this Prophet to be in Man , to give forth his Law , which comes after Moses ? but I cannot deny that Prophet which Moses spoke of , to be raised up , for I know , that it is he that is Opposed , and his Law too , by many talkers of him , and the Light of his Glorious Gospel , and the Order of it , &c. And what I am , I am by the Grace and Love of God , and will not deny the Prophet which came after Moses , nor the Election before the World began ; though all turn into the Jealousies , in which they were before they were convinced : for I believe , few of them that does oppose , knows this Prophet , that comes after Moses , though they may speak of him in words , of which Prophet I am not ashamed of .
Thus far G. F. in the said cited Letter , which being compared with what he said in the Great Meeting-house in Bristol , before several Hundreds in the 12th . Month , 1677. viz. I AM ELECT BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN , I take to be sufficient ground for such a Jealousy mentioned in this Letter . from thine aforesaid , written unto me , more than all that ever I heard , I ever was of this mind , To give little credit to Reports , that tended to the Scandal of a Brother : amongst other things this Jealousy enters me , viz. That thou looks upon thy self , that Man at least , in whom the Son of God hath appeared to give forth his Law ( and to be Recorded as his Law ) under the dispensation of the Gospel ; even as Moses was the giverforth of the Law in that day : If this be so , and plainly manifested , and confest to by thee , and espoused by other Friends ; a separation will then plainly , and above Board appear ; and many , though not concerned in the late Differences , yet being Men of unchangeable Spirits ( and so cannot in that respect esteem of thee , otherwise than in the beginning ) will be concerned in this : But if this be not so , and be but so declared by thee , the sense of many Friends is , that then the many Differences lately arisen , and fomented amongst Friends , may quickly cease , and the primitive Love be restored , wherein we thought our selves ( as far as ever I could perceive ) all Servants one to another , and to the Truth ; but not Masters : but until one of these do appear in plainness ; no doubt but Jealousies , and Differences will more and more appear , and increase ; especially , if the Weakness of any ( though ever so few ) be such , as to give occasions of Jealousy to others , that their Faith stands in thee , when our Faith ought to stand in none but the Power of God .
Thy Counsel hath often been to this purpose , Follow an Evil Report till the original Reporter be found , in order to the clearing of Truth , that so the Guilty Person ( whether Reporter , or he on whom the Report is ) might Condemn the same .
Now , whosoever hath been the Reporter of a wrong thing against his Brother or Sister , or hath refused to bring forth the Author of a Report that is reprovable , is ( according to thy own Counsel ) Condemnable ; and as it was said by Nathan in another case to David ( who to Nathan confest he had Sinned ) Thou art the Man , so if report ( as credible as any that ever I knew ) be true , may it be said of thee , Thou art the Man : Thomas Lower hath lately shown me a Certificate as Evidence that John Story upon the coming of Persecutors to disturb a Meeting , departed out of it ; and I perceive this is intended to render him a wrong Man ; whereupon Iacquainted Thomas Lower to this effect , That if Report of thee was true , thou wast in no measure less Gailty of such a Crime , than John Story : he then Proposed to me , To have it under my Hand ; I told him , I would very freely so do , provided he would give it under his Hand , that if it was proved against thee , thou oughtest to Judge and Condemn the same ; this he would not do , which to me denoted either a Spirit of Partiality , or a sort of Fear like unto that , that is taught by the Precepts of Men ; and so I refused to Answer his desire ; yet I now give it under my Hand to thee ; and my Plain end in short is this , viz. in expectation to receive a Plain , and Satisfactory Answer from thee , that if it be possible , some sort of Jealousies may be removed out of my Mind , or else the Reasonableness thereof more confirmed ; for 't is a day wherein I account it my Duty to be plain , without Respect of Persons , and the Duty of none to reprove others for shuflers , and become shufters themselves .
Those Scriptures which mention the words [ Tradition and Examples ] are in this Day or Age Strained to prove it Friends Duty to follow the Traditions and Examples of some of the Brethren , &c. How then can it consist with the Honour of Truth , or Good Conscience , for such who Esteem of thee above their Brethren , and who seem to esteem of themselves as Countenanced by thee , to Condemn any Brother for doing any thing , if so be it be according to the Example thou hast given ?
Since therefore ( as I said before ) Example is a better Teacher , than Precept , how can it be other than thy Duty to endeavour the removing these stumbling Blocks out of the Way of God's People , by giving thy Testimony , That thou art not Guilty in either of these particular Things , if in Truth thou canst do so ? And by farther manifesting ( if it can be proved against thee , and made appear unto thee ) that thou art so Guilty , that then Thou wilt Judge and Condemn the same , as that whereby thou hast offended the Church of God ; but if Clear in the Sight of God , thou may'st also be cleared in the Sight of his People ; and those who have reported such things concerning thee , may Judge and Condemn the same . I hope this Proposition will not be look't upon by thee , and those who contend for the Establishment of an Outward Form of Government amongst God's People at this Day , unbecoming the Pen of the Meanest Member in the Body . But if it should , I may justly appeal to God's Witness in all , whether that Outward form of Government , contended for both by Word and Printing , be such , under which Equal Justice may be Administred to Every One , and the Infirmities of every Member of the Body be equally brought to Judgment .
If thou shouldst look on my Lines as the Fruit of too great Presumption , I have this to say , that what I now Write , is barely to clear my Conscience ; as in the sight of God ; and I am constrained in Spirit thus to do , knowing that not any such Form of Government ( wherein the Infirmities of every Member may not be Equally Reproved , and brought to Judgment ) can be the Form of Christs Government ; nor yet that the seasonable mentioning of an Infirmity in an Elder Brother , can be accounted a departing from the Truth , and an Indication that such shall never Prosper .
Whatever the Calumnies , and false Reports , raised on several Brethren may be , whereby , both they , and the Cause of Truth , may be rendred Ignominious , 't is to be doubted that the secret Cause of all these late Commotions , which distract the Minds of many , springs from this ; That some are esteemed to Exalt Thee , above what is meet ; that others are ecteemed to look on Thee , as Less than they ought ; and that jealousies enter many , that Thou esteemest of thy selfe beyond what thou art . And if these , or at least , some of these things be that secret Cause , and that Thou hast no less esteem than the Repute of an Elder Brother by all Friends ( which , as far as I know , thou hast not ) how can it be less then thy Duty to interpose , that such Differences as of late have arisen , may no longer Live , to the Increase of Division amongst Gods Heritage : That so Records to Ages , and Generations to come , may not tell our Childrens Children , that that People who were clearly gathered out of all Outward Forms , Out-ward Heads , and Outward Laws , relating to the Inward-man , to the Law-giver in themselves , should in so few Years , fall out concerning Outward Orders , and the Head-ship of one Man ; for so will it be Reputed , unless thou by Plain Testimony dost Clear the same , by Manifesting , that Thou never intendedst , that what thou hast given forth as Instructions , or Directions to the Churches , should be urged with Severity ( which is no less than an Inforceing ) upon any of Gods faithfull People ; but rather commended them to the Churches , leaving the same to God , and his leading Grace in his People , to make use thereof , as he should Manifest a need of such Direction , Counsel or Advice .
Many Antient Brethren besides my self , account this but a Reasonable Proposition , and that which we firmly believed , was according to thy Sense , when thou Travelledst among us , and gave forth several things ; and yet thou mayst remember , that when I was at Swarthmore , I acquainted thee , that because John Story had that very Sense , it was said of him , Truly John Story , thy Darkness and Blindness is easily to be felt , and séen , and they must be very Dim of sight , that sée thée not . Oh the Confusion thy Dark Spirit is in ! Whereupon the Book , wherein it was so said , was in thy House brought forth , amongst others , thy Wifes Son in Law was a subscriber thereof ; and when John Story his said Sense concerning thy giving forth some things was Read , and their Answers thereto , wherein the above Sentences concerning John Story were Read unto Thee , yet I never heard from thee , thy Wife , or her Son in Law , so much as one word disapproving that Answer ; but rather a Vindication thereof : Now whether this be not a just Cause of Jealousy , and so thy duty in all plainess to Answer this matter , that so Jealousies ( which Friends are Exhorted to shut out , and for which they are accounted little less than Offenders ) may be removed , let Gods Witness in every Conscience Judge .
In the beginning of that day , wherein we were young , and first convinced , and turned to the Light , we experimentally came to know , That if we did walk according to what it did certainly Manifest unto us , we could not Err. But now I do know , 't is the Labours of some ( disaffected to John Wilkinson and John Story ) by false Reports , to turn the minds of Brethren one against another , and this is not a turning the Mind to the Light , nor yet an Exhortation to keep within the Limits of its Leadings ; besides which is no safety ; and so many young People growing up , and who are fit Objects for the Seed , to take Root in , have their minds much Exercised to consider whether this Report of such an one be True , or that Report concerning another False , though neither of them True ; and so through their Affection , or weakness of Understanding ( being too Credulous of other Mens Words , and too much affected with other mens Lines , made ready to their Hands ) joyn to one party , and despise another , and all this while ( believing a false Report ) are led by another Leader , than that whereby Gods people in the beginning were led , viz. Christ's Light in the Conscience . Such are in a ready way Eternally to Perish , and the Blood of such ( if by reason thereof they Perish ) will be required at some Hand . May the Righteous God in his Mercy turn the Hearts of such Watchmen , as have been guilty of this sin , saith my Soul , that so they may therein sin no more ; for such things are stumbling Blocks in the way .
If that Body , which is called George For ( which must return to Earth from whence it came ) remains but a few Years upon the Earth , I have this firm Perswasion that Experience will inform Thee , that my plain Lines are not only the Fruit of a plain hearted Friend , but also a seasonable Caution , more worthy thy Notice , than the Words of a flattering Tongue ; with my Love to thee , &c. I Remain
G.
F.
for
the
Clearing
of
my
Conscience
,
Peace
of
Conscience
G.
F.
G.
F.
to
Take
my
Letter
back
,
and
Tear
it
,
and
he
would
Pass
it
by
G.
F.
" I Have once more a Constraint on my Spirit to write unto thee , and in Singleness of Heart thus to say .
On the the 25 th . of the last Moneth , a Separate Meeting was held in our City ; unto which my Self , and divers other Friends went on these Two Considerations : First , To bear a Testimony against the Appointment of that Meeting , because it was held in our Publick Meeting-House , though divers Friends of the Monethly Men and Womens-Meeting did Oppose the same , when ‖ ‖ Note , The said Proposition was made after several Friends were departed , and the Meeting broken . Proposed . And , Secondly , To prevent such Designs , which was believed might have a Tendency to Deceive the Simple , by bringing forth Scandalous Papers against John Story and John Wilkinson , towards whom many Friends dare not demean themselves , as if they were Apostatized from the Antient Truth . Being thither come , a Testimony was born Against the Appointment , and Holding the said Meeting ; and some I believe , were made Instrumental to preserve others out of the Snare , which was laid to Betray the Simple . But that which greatly grieved my Heart , and which at this time is a Concern upon me to signify to thee , was The Reading a Letter , which was said to be from thee .
If that Letter was really given forth by Thee , and made use of in the Meeting , according to thy Intent and End , and so will stand by the Person or Persons introducing the same to be read , as to their End and Intent therein ; then 't is plainly evident , That thou art at least the Espouser , if not the Head of the Cause of Men , that have appeared Partial , Vnrighteous in Iudgment , and Persecutors in a high Degree . And , blessed be the Lord , ( for in Zeal to the Cause of Truth I speak it ) that he hath not only given me a Sight hereof , but also Boldness ( in which I have Peace ) to testify against that Partial , Unjust , Persecuting Spirit , in whomsoever it appears ; that under a Pharasaical Pretence of Love , and Bowels of Compassion , or such like , would destroy and murther the Name and Reputation of the Lord's Servants ; whenas I am fully fatisfyed , if they would but Bow to Men , they might avoid the Stroke of their Passion .
Alas , Friend ! little did I in Dayes past think , that thou wouldst appear either as a Head , or Espouser of the Cause of such ; nor yet of any , who should cast Stumbling-Blocks in the Way of God's People : But now 't is evident , that thou art the Man , under whose Name Papers are spread ; which seems as a Strenghening to such , as well as one that puts Stumbling-Blocks before the Lord's People thy self : And therefore , if thou hast any Regard to the Flock of God ; it becomes thee to cease sending abroad such Papers , or putting Stumbling-Blocks in the Way of the Simple .
Perhaps , thou may'st think the Language unbecoming me ; yet I must tell thee , That though Darkness hath over-shadowed the Hearts of many , so that they seem like Men Void of all Wisdom , and all Reason , ( whereby it seems to me , as if they were Proselytes of such amongst the Sixty-Six Subscribers at Ellis Hook's Chamber ; who coming with another Gospel , than that which stands in the Wisdom of God , have Preach't against All Wisdom and All Reasoning ) yet the Eyes of many of the Antient Flock of God continue yet open , and have beheld the Whimsies and Imaginations that have entred some , whereby the Name of God hath been but too frequently Blasphemed , and the Word and Power of God abominably Abused , by such whom the Papers seems to be a Strength to ; which hath long since created Jealousies , that the dread of that Antient Power ( which many Brethren testifyed ; Was with thee in the Beginning ) is departed . The Consideration whereof puts me in remembrance :
First , That though thou and many have judged John Perrot , as an Apostatized Person from the Truth , for introducing a New Practice in the Church ; yet those who ( as far as I know ) stand in and for the same Faith and Practice they were in from the Beginning , are now judged Apostatized , because they cannot imbrace ( for Conscience sake ) some New Prescription , which thou art accounted either the Author , or Countenancer of .
Secondly , That though the Apostle thus exhorted ; Little Children , keep your selves from Idols ; yet thy Book touching Womens-Meetings , &c. ( very Scandalous to the Truth , and worthy in several Particulars to be Judged and Condemned ) informs us , as if Micah's Mother , spoken of Judges 17. ( when she gave Money to make a Graven Image to be Worshipped ) was a Virtuous Woman ; for touching her thou hast thus written : And Was not Micah's Mother a Virtuous Woman ? Read Judges 17. and see what she said to her Son . And in a few Lines after , thou thus testifyes ; These , and such like Women are Recorded to Posterity , for their Wisdom and Virtue : See thy Book , Pag. 43 , 44.
Thirdly , Though there are Endeavours to send Papers to and fro , to bespatter John Story , for going out of a Meeting when the Persecutors came ; yet I know , that thou thy self hast been found in the like Action , and ( if Reports be true ) the frequentest of any Man , that ever I heard called by the Name of a Quaker : And 't is to me a broad Signe , that this would not have been omitted , as a grand Article against him amongst others at Drawel , hadst not thou been Guilty in the like Case .
Fourthly , That though John Wilkinson and John Story are persecuted by such , unto whom thy Papers seem a Strength , because they will not Condemn themselves : Yet I never heard , that thou , as yet , hast ever given forth any Paper of Condemnation for the Errors thou hast Committed , in writing the Book about Womens Meeeting , &c. or any thing else : Though I cannot believe , but that thou art Conscious to thy self , that Truth is scandalized thereby ; unless so great Imagination hath entred thee , as to conclude , That all thy Words , Writings and Actions are Right , because they are brought forth through thy Earthly Vessel . And to speak plain , I must tell thee , Thou art not free from giving Occasion to be Jealous , that thou dost so conclude : Else , when I treated thee about the Business of Micha's Mother , Why didst thou tell me , as thou then didst , viz. That thou knewest what thou didst , and that Thou sawest 't would be a Stumbling-Block ? But rather , on the Sight of thy Mistake , have ingeniously confest the same ; for 't is an Abominable thing in thee , or any Man knowingly to put Stumbling-Blocks in the Way of God's People . And know this from me , thou wilt never be able to wipe away the Reproach that lyes upon thee , for writing that Book , until thou Condemn and Judge thy self , for many things therein contained .
And to be yet more plain ; When I do consider , that the Reputation and Respect , that hath been given unto thee by many , ( if not most of those , who in the Parts here-a-way were first convinced of Truth ) did first spring from the Testimony we had concerning thee , from the Mouths of those whom we believed the Lord ( and not Thou ) sent forth to gather us ; it seems a very strange Thing , and the Badge of a grand Apostacy : That any of the surviving Remnant of those Antient Labourers ( being as sound in Doctrine and Principle , and as blameless in their outward Lives and Conversation , as in the Beginning , and thereby manifesting themselves Stayed in the Unchangeable Truth ) should be Persecuted , and rendred Offenders , for that which Truth declares to be no Offence ; and yet thou so far from being a Reproof thereto , that 't is evident to me from my Discourse had with thee at Swarthmore , and other things , that thou art become a Strength to them .
Hast thou forgotten , that Truth was Preach't in the Beginning , under the Name of the Vnchangeable Truth ? And , Is the Day now come , that a Remnant of the Antient Stock ( who bore the Brunt , and Heat of the Day ) must now be Persecuted ; whenas I am satisfyed , if they could but now run with others to Change their Way , they might yet be esteemed Good Friends ?
Hast thou forgotten , how often the Testimony of the Ancient Brethren were on this wise , We Preach not our selves , look not unto us , but unto the Appearance of Christ in your selves ? And yet one Cause Assigned by thee , that John Wilkinson , and John Story are wrong , is their not Coming to thee , and by the sixty six Subscribers at Ellis Hook's Chamber in London , their not Coming to Them ? Truly those who have received their Ministry from God , are not to run hither and thither at thy Call , or any man's Call whatsoever ; though I do know thou hast ( in a Letter written to me ) Assigned their not coming to Thee , when thou send'st for them , to be as a Proof , that they were not Right , nor in the Light and Power of God . But by what Authority , or according to what Principle of Truth , Men , called of God into the Work of the Ministry , must be declared to be not right , nor in the Light and Power of God , because they come not to Thee , when thou sendest for them , I understand not : for thou in thy best Estate , wast but a Member of the Christ of God , unto whom we are all to come , when he calls : And if any shall Affirm , that thou hast , and dost retain thy place , yet in that Case , Thou canst be but a fellow-servant , accountable unto the Christ of God , as every Member of the Body ( whereof Christ is Head ) is ?
Hast thou forgotten , how Thou hast Testified against James Naylor's Spirit , whose great fall was his owning , or at least not Reproving the Women , when they Cryed with a Carnal Tongue Hosanna to him ? And hast Thou no Sense , that its gross Ignorance , and thick Darkness for any to look upon Thee , as that Prophet whom the Lord by his Servant Moses Prophesied he would raise up , like unto him , whom the People are to hear in all things ? I cannot believe thou art Ignorant , that such there are , who so Look on thee ; and I never understood thou becamest a Reproof to this Spirit .
Hast thou no Sense , that the same Spirit of Ignorance , hath and can look upon that abominable Quotation , touching Micahs Mother , as well enough , which , where-ever it is , doth undoubtedly Spring from this , that 't is George's giving forth , and so there must be something in it ? And hast Thou not been desired to Clear things of this Nature , and to be a Reproof to such Ignorance and Darkness , which tends to lead us into Egypt again ? I am the man who have Cause to be Jealous , that there are some who look upon others either Apostatizing from the Truth , or standing in slippery Places ; when they find not a more than ordinary Respect for thee , I will not say , an Hosanna in their Breasts , as the Women had in their Mouths for James Naylor ; and therefore I cannot but say , it might well become thee by a plain Testimony to Clear things of this Nature .
Many for Truth 's sake , and out of an indeared Respect for thee in particular , and a Hope that these little Differences amongst Friends might pass over ( and that thou wouldest use the Interest thou hast in the Hearts of the Professors of Truth , to quell those many little Commotions , which seemed some Moneths and Years past , but as sparks of Fire ) have born in a Spirit of Patience ; yet now , since it is evident , that Ignorance , Envy , and Zeal without Knowledge , Joyn Hands together , to make War against Gods Servants , and that thy Papers seem a Strength thereto , therefore is the Zeal of the Lord of Hosts kindled to War in Righteousness against that Ungodly , Insinuating Spirit , that makes it its business to bespatter John Story and John Wilkinson , whereby the Simple-hearted may be in danger to be turned out of the Way . 'T is unnatural amongst the Heathen , for the Father to pierce and Wound his Children ; Oh Friend ! Consider of that .
If thou art the Head and chief Promoter of this War against the Antient Brethren , appear like a Man of War open-faced ; and if thou art not , Remove the Jealousies , that have entred the Breasts of many concerning thee , which I know not how may be better done , than by a plain and Candid Answer to this and the last Letter I writ thee , which I was constrained to write , to Clear my Conscience ; but thy not Answering my last Letter shews plainly to me , that thou canst not in Truth so Answer , as to keep thy self from coming under the just Censure of Truth ; for several Things which I therein say are reported concerning thee , I know are True : And if such things are Crimes in others , How comes it to pass , that the like are not Crimes , when committed by thee ? And therefore , since such things have been accounted by those , whom thy Papers seem a Strength to , as Crimes ; I cannot tell how thou canst shew thy self at Unity with them , or they with thee , till by thine or their Repentance and Condemnation , ye become Reconciled : For otherwise , either they will shew themselves Wrong , or thou wilt appear as if in thy own Sense , Thou wert Exempted from the Stroke of that Justice , which in the same Case is prescribed for others .
And truly , Friend , 't is much taken notice of , that All Reasoning , and All Wisdom is preach't against of late : Who would but think , that such Men esteem all sorts of Ignorance and Unreasonableness , to be Vertue ? For my part , I measure not so ; yet this measure I take , That when I find such an one to use Wisdom and Reason , to evidence a Good Cause , I cannot but conclude , Such an ones Cause is stark Nought ; when his best Argument to evidence it to be Good , is to cry out against All Wisdom , and All Reasoning . Such an Argument I have not known to convince Men of Conscience and Wisdom , though some such have , or may be , of whom Solomon thus speaks ; How long , ye Simple Ones , will ye love Simplicity , and Fools hate Knowledge ! Turn ye at my Reproof .
One other Shift I have of late also observed , as a Practice to manifest a Bad Cause to be Good , viz. To get a Multitude of Hands to vilify Antient Brethren , when not heard to speak for themselves ; as that Paper signed by Sixty-Six Persons at Ellis Hook's Chamber , against John Wilkinson and Jonn Story , doth evidence : For 't is not Reasonable to conclude , 'T was given forth with respect to any Offence , but such as hath been committed since the Meeting at Drawel ; because they have been once Condemned already , for the Things there treated on .
And therefore , I cannot but say , Here the Arm of Flesh and Egyptian Darkness meet together ; and the Lord hath a Controversy with those who are guilty hereof ; and the Blood of the Deceived thereby , may be required at their Hands . Oh! This Sin cryes aloud in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts , thus to endeavour the Defamation of God's Servants , under fair plausible Pretences of Love and Brokenness , or such like , when so much Gall and Bitterness of Spirit appears in the Bottom , that Men of Understanding and Conscience cannot joyn thereto .
To be short ; Things are brought to that pass amongst us , that those who contend for the Antient Principles of Truth , and to walk according to the Measure of Grace received , are now accounted Bad Spirits , by such whom thy Papers seem a Strength to ; though the Cause thereof , is nothing but Matters relating to their Consciences , and not any thing of Evil Conversation : By which 't is easily to be discerned , that Darkness is over-shadowing again , and the Glorious Light vailing . And though 't is said by some , That the Simple-honest-hearted Joyn in , and so makes as if the rest were but Chaff , that are in the Jealousies , and the Reasonings , and the Wisdom ; I have this Faith , That there are Hundreds of God's Antient Flock , who have retained their First Love , are those they call the Chaff ; and many of those who are accounted the Wheat , are such Chaff-Spirited People , who , had they not Outward Props to lean upon , and Outward Persons to have an Eye unto , and Outward Papers , wherein they think their Cause is pleaded , would quickly lose their Confidence , being Built upon the Foundation that is Sandy , and not on the Christ of God ; for were their Faith in Him , their Faith would not stand in Man or Men : And this with many ( with whom Right Reason takes place , and the Wisdom from Above is known ) is plainly discerned .
Outward Forms and Precedents , eyeing others under the Notion of the Brethren , is so much discours't on of late by some ignorant Persons , that 't is but too evident , that the great Difference amongst Friends , is about Outward Things and Ceremonies ; wherein some appear like People contending about the Shell , and lose the Kirnel : Which occasions me to tell thee , That when I have heard thee Preach against Austin the Monk's bringing into England a Snap-Sack of Ceremonies , ( which I have at many Meetings heard from thee ) I then little thought , I should ever see the Day , wherein thou shouldst appear a Countenancer of such , who fall out with Antient Friends about Outward Orders and Prescriptions ; but rather would have appeared a Strength to such , who contend , that their Order for Gospel-Discipline ought to spring from Truth within themselves : For that was the undoubted Sense of those Honourable Brethren , who knew a Travel of Spirit for the Gathering of those , who in the Beginning of this latter Day were gathered , as a sort of First Fruits unto God ; though some others coming in at the Eleventh Hour of the Day , and seeming as Countenanced by thee , appear of another Language .
I have this further to add ; That if thou wouldst be acquitted in the Breasts of all Friends , As a Man that art not a Countenancer of such Contentious-Spirited Men' that appear as the Beginners and Carriers on of this War ; 't is needful for thee to satisfy Friends , whether thou dost own all the Forty-Four Articles , drawn up against John Wilkinson and John Story . Thy Example of sending thy Questions abroad to be ask't of other Friends , manifests , that 't is reasonable in another Friend , to expect an Answer from Thee : But yet I have sufficient Cause to doubt , thou wilt not be so plain , as to Answer the Question ; because I cannot believe , but that thy Understanding is now so opened , as to see , that if thou own them , thou wilt bring thy self under the Just Censure of Truth , for endeavouring to make any Brother an Offender for that which is no Offence : And if thou own them not , then thou wilt shew thy self out of Unity with the great Opposers of John Wilkinson and John Story .
However , if thou refusest to Answer , 't will be Evidence enough , that thou walkest not by that Golden Rule , To do as thou wouldst be done by .
More-over , Since thy Papers give Testimony against a Spirit , Why dost thou not tell us in plain Words , who they are , in whom ( according to thy Sense ) it works ? For I much doubt , that if thou art not the Secret Mover to all this Strife ; yet the want of the Right Application of some Expressions in thy Papers , testifying against Bad Spirits , &c. is one great Cause of the Increase of Bad Spirits , and of their Scribling . And therefore , be Plain-hearted : For I do know , that a dark , imaginary Spirit is entred , and under the Outward Profession of Truth : and that also , such a Spirit appears amongst those , who espouse the Cause against John Wilkinson and John Story ; and the Fruits that are brought forth by them , which evidence that they are of such a Spirit , are as followeth : viz. Judging the Lord's Servants out of the Truth , for particular Matters laid to their Charge , without hearing them speak for themselves , or first sending their Judgment or Condemnation to them , before the spreading thereof , contrary to the known Practice of Friends in Truth ; gathering Friends together , on purpose to entertain their Ears with Reports against John Wilkinson and John Story , and refuse to bring forth the same to John Story 's Face before Friends equally to be Chosen , though desired so to do , both by John Story and others : Magnifying Unity amongst Brethren , and yet appear those who break the Unity ; reproving the Spirit of Strife , and yet not only the Movers , but Carryers on of Strife , both by Word and Writing , or ( to speak in thy Language ) Stribling , to the Dishonour of God , and the Cause of Truth . And though such , who espouse the Cause against John Wilkinson and John Story , may suppose themselves capable to quote Thee for an Example , or at least as an Approver of such Actions , ( for none of them , as I know of , do so much as suppose , that thy Words or Scribling tends to reprove them ) yet know this from me , That there are many of God's Antient Flock , who retain their First Love for Truth ; and every Honourable Labourer in the Vineyard , dare not approve of this Late and New-found Doctrine , publish't against All Reasoning and All Wisdom ; nor yet can suffer their Faith to stand in Thee , or any Man : And therefore , if Thou , or any Man , bring forth a Dream , or pretend a Night-Vision , to run against Faithful Friends , and on that foot Scrible against them , under the Notion of Bad Spirits ; it hath no place with them , because the Day hath discovered such Folly to Men of Conscience , and indued with the Wisdom that 's from Above . But yet I cannot say , but that , as it hath , it may have place with some , who are of this Number and Sort ; viz. Such whose Ignorance is so Great , as to conclude it the Fruit of Vertue , to avoyd All Reasoning , and All Wisdom ; or whose Understandings are so vailed , as to have an Eye to the Night-Visions , or Dreams of Men , more than to the Truth in themselves ; and on that foot , eyeing the Scriblers of Papers more than the Matters therein contained ; as being convinced , that they ought to shut out All Wisdom , and All Reasoning , ( a most dextrous Expedient , where it takes place , for Anti-christ so to exalt his Kingdom , as that all manner of Iniquity and Deceit may quickly enter the Flock , if once the Leader or Leaders of the People bring forth their own Imaginations under the Notion of Night-Visions , and publish them for the Word of the Lord ) and then no marvail , if such conclude , That every Friend is justly Condemned , if they are not at Unity with the Paper given forth by the Sixty-Six Subscribers at Ellis Hooks's Chamber ; as if now 't were Good Doctrine or Exhortation , to direct to the Spirit and Power that appeared in the Sixty-Six Subscribers , ( when they brought forth their Unchristian like Papen ) instead of directing to the Measure of Grace in themselves .
One thing more lyes upon me to say unto thee ; That though amongst the Princes of the World , there are such Politick Contrivances to carry on their Designs , as to ingage such others therein ; who for Self-Advancement , become of a Temporizing Spirit , or for want of the Things of this World , are ready to follow for the Loaves ; for being of a Mean Spirit , are Hurried or Over-awed with Fear : And so , if their Designes succeed ill , then 't is the Fruit either of Evil Counsel , or ill Management ; but if well , then they carry away the Glory thereof : Yet it becomes not any one , or many , professing themselves Members of Christ's Body , thus to do .
And now to Conclude ; I have this further to Query , Whether thou Conclude thy self no way obliged to bring thy Writings to the Second Dayes Meeting in London , to be approved of there , before they be Printed ? If thou dost not , Thou hast been wrong Represented ; if thou dost , and yet think'st all other Friends are , ( as 't is to be doubted , thou dost ; for I have never heard , that thy Book about Womens Meeting was there approved , or that all the Things therein contained , will be stood by , or owned by any one Friend in Truth ) then 't is an evident Token , Thou wouldst Exalt thy self : For , What is that less than to conclude , That the Infallible Spirit is limited to appear through thy Earthen Vessel only ? For if ( according to the Principle of Truth ) the Spirit is the Judge , and that its pouring forth in our Day , is upon many Sons , and many Daughters ; Why then should not the Appearance of the Spirit , through any Vessel , have its free Passage , as well as through Thine ? Or , Why must Some Writings , given forth by the Spirit , be brought to the Second Dayes Meeting , to be approved ; and Others not ? But to return ; I have this further to say , That if Thou or any are so imaginary , as to conclude , That all thy Writings and Books are given forth by the Infallible Spirit , and that as such they ought to be made use of , ( a part of which , I am satisfyed , have so been , thereby to obtain Proselytes against John Story and John Wilkinson ) it appears to me , as if thy Notorious Erring from the Infallible Spirit , in writing some things contained in thy Book of Womens-Meetings , hath been permitted to be as an Evidence Recorded against all such , who ignorantly look upon thee so to be , as afore-said : And therefore , it becomes thee to be Humbled before the Lord , and to Acknowledge thy Errors therein .
I am not without a Sense , what Entertainment my plain Dealing will have amongst many , if thou suffer it to be read or spread amongst any Prejudiced against me , as thou didst my last Letter ; whereby I became Judged , before Treated withal , either by Thee , or any touching the same : However this gives me Satisfaction , that I have Counted the Cost ; and if I must be Reproach't ( as once I have been already ) for clearing my Conscience to thee , yet as I now have , so my Faith is , I shall have Peace of Conscience , when the Neglect thereof would have become my Burthen .
And if any for this Cause should give forth such Papers against me , as are undeservedly given forth against other Friends in Truth , and that also by such , who have not heard them speak for themselves , 't will redound to their Shame , as in the End will undoubtedly be more publickly manifested .
For several Weeks past , it hath been under my serious Consideration , whether I might pass these Things over in Silence ; but with Peace of Conscience , I cannot so do : And therefore , do conclude , They are more worthy thy Notice , than the Words of Flattering Tongues . I am
If
thou
wilt
take
thy
Letter
back
again
,
't
is
well
enough
,
Twelve
Friends
George
Fox
G.
F.
Ellis
Hooks
Charles
Marshall
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Jonnings
Seventy
Friends
Thomas
Gouldeny
,
William
Ford
Sixteen
Friends
Ellis
Hooks
Charles
Marshal
G.
F.
John
Story
George
Fox
,
He
G.
F.
Friends
would
Write
against
them
,
and
that
the
Power
of
would
cast
them
out
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
G.
F.
John
Story
That
Friends
would
write
against
them
,
and
the
Power
of
would
cast
them
out
Separate
-
Meeting
North
;
John
Story
North
,
viz.
Thomas
Gouldeny
Sixty
Friends
William
Cartmell
Robert
Barrow
Robert
Barrow
was
not
concerned
in
that
Council
Robert
Barrow
G.
F.
Apostate
&
Innovator
George
Fox
William
Rogers
Malachi 2.8 , 9.
But ye are departed out of the Way ; ye have caused many to stumble at the Law : ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi , saith the Lord of Hosts : Therefore have I made you Contemptible , and base before all the People , according as ye have not kept my Ways , but have been Partial in the Law .
George
Fox
G.
F.
G.
F.
George
Fox
G.
F.
G.
F.
This
is
an
Encouragement
to
all
Womens-Meetings
in
the
World
,
And
was
not
's
Mother
a
Virtuous
Woman
?
read
and
see
what
she
said
to
her
Son
.
And
there
was
a
Man
of
Mount
whose
name
was
Micah
,
and
he
said
unto
his
Mother
,
The
Shekels
of
Silver
that
were
taken
from
thee
,
about
which
thou
cursedst
,
and
spakest
also
in
mine
Ears
,
behold
the
silver
is
with
me
;
I
took
it
;
and
his
mother
said
,
Blessed
be
thou
of
the
Lord
my
Son
:
and
when
he
had
restored
the
Shekels
of
Silver
to
his
Mother
,
his
Mother
said
,
I
had
wholly
dedicated
the
Silver
unto
the
Lord
from
my
Hand
,
for
my
Son
to
make
a
Graven-Image
,
and
a
Molten-Image
;
now
therefore
I
will
restore
it
thee
;
yet
he
restored
the
money
to
his
Mother
,
and
his
Mother
took
Shekels
of
Silver
,
and
gave
them
to
the
Founder
,
who
made
thereof
a
Graven-Image
,
and
a
Molten
Image
,
and
they
were
in
the
house
of
and
the
man
had
an
house
of
God's
Idolatrous
Woman
it
is
but
a
question
askt
scoffing
Spirit
So
these
,
and
such
women
are
recorded
to
Posterity
for
their
Wisdom
and
their
Virtue
.
And
the
woman
of
see
what
a
Sermon
she
preacht
to
King
a
subtile
woman
lying
story
For
when
King
David
asked
her
;
is
not
the
hand
of
with
thee
in
all
this
Joab
put
all
these
words
in
her
mouth
Lying
story
Good
and
Convincing
Sermon
Virtuous
Woman
These
and
such
women
are
recorded
to
posterity
for
their
Wisdom
and
their
Virtue
.
And
the
Women
had
their
assemblies
in
the
daies
of
the
Iudges
and
the
Kings
;
Now
old
was
not
against
the
Assemblies
of
the
Women
,
who
assembled
by
Troops
,
as
you
may
see
in
the
1st
Sam.
though
some
men
now
adayes
may
be
against
Womens
Meetings
or
Assemblies
in
the
Gospel
Times
;
and
against
womens
speaking
and
prophecying
,
&c.
was
old
,
and
heard
all
that
his
Sons
did
unto
and
how
they
lay
with
the
Women
who
assembled
at
the
Door
of
the
Tabernacle
of
the
Congregation
Now
when
the
dayes
of
her
purifying
are
fulfilled
,
she
shall
bring
to
the
Priest
a
Lamb
of
one
year
old
for
a
Burnt-Offering
,
and
a
young
Pigeon
or
Turtle
Dove
for
a
Sin-Offering
,
unto
the
Door
of
the
Tabernacle
of
the
Congregation
And
likewise
you
may
see
their
Counsel
to
who
answered
and
said
unto
him
,
is
there
yet
any
Portion
or
Inheritance
for
us
in
our
Father's
house
?
are
we
not
counted
of
him
as
strangers
?
for
he
hath
sold
us
,
and
he
hath
quite
devoured
also
our
money
;
for
all
the
riches
that
God
hath
taken
from
our
Father
,
that
is
ours
,
and
our
Childrens
:
and
now
therefore
whatsoever
God
hath
said
unto
thee
,
do
;
this
was
Rachels
and
Leahs
counsel
unto
Iacob
,
and
were
not
these
three
a
Church
then
?
and
did
he
forbid
them
from
speaking
in
the
Church
?
See
Genses
Womens
speaking
in
the
Church
Womens
Discourses
with
their
Husbands
about
their
outward
estates
,
Womens
speaking
in
the
Church
of
God
And
the
Daughters
of
went
yearly
to
lament
the
Daughter
of
So
here
they
had
a
Yearly
Meeting
on
this
Occasion
.
If
thou
shalt
deliver
the
Children
of
into
my
Hand
,
then
that
thing
that
cometh
out
of
the
Doors
of
my
house
to
meet
me
,
when
I
come
home
in
peace
from
the
Children
of
shall
be
the
Lords
,
and
I
will
offer
it
for
a
Burnt-Offering
.
And
so
it
happened
that
his
only
Child
being
a
Daughter
,
came
out
to
meet
him
with
Timbrels
and
Dances
,
and
when
he
saw
her
,
he
rent
his
Cloaths
and
said
,
alas
my
Daughter
!
but
yet
at
the
end
of
two
months
,
did
unto
her
according
to
his
Vow
,
having
given
her
two
months
time
,
to
go
to
the
Mountains
with
other
Virgins
to
bewail
her
Virginity
;
which
afterwards
became
a
custom
in
to
go
Yearly
to
the
Mountains
to
bewail
the
Daughter
of
Jeptha's
Vow
Rash
Vow
Womens
speaking
in
the
Church
Womens
Meeting
distinct
from
Men
womens
speaking
in
the
Church
Womens
distinct
meeting
on
account
either
of
Worship
,
or
exercise
of
Discipline
in
the
Church
of
God
,
G.
F.
Friends
,
to
you
all
this
is
the
Word
of
the
Lord
;
take
heed
of
judging
one
another
,
and
judge
not
one
another
,
I
command
you
in
the
Presence
of
the
Lord
,
neither
lay
open
one
anothers
weakness
behind
one
anothers
backs
;
for
thou
that
dost
so
,
art
one
of
's
Family
,
which
is
under
the
curse
,
and
that
there
be
no
backbiting
behind
one
anothers
backs
,
but
love
,
and
so
the
same
that
doth
condemn
behind
the
back
is
for
Condemnation
with
the
Light
.
Oh
man
whosoever
thou
art
that
judgest
another
;
for
wherein
thou
judgest
another
,
thou
condemnest
thy self
:
for
thou
that
judgest
.
doest
the
same
thing
;
but
we
are
sure
that
the
Judgment
of
God
is
,
according
to
Truth
,
against
them
that
commit
such
things
;
and
thinkest
thou
this
,
oh
man
,
that
judgest
them
which
do
such
things
,
and
dost
the
same
,
that
thou
shalt
escape
the
Judgment
of
God
?
G.
F.
more
than
a
man
Instructions
to
others
Justified
in
acting
contrary
thereto
himself
G.
F.
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
that
they
are
not
willing
that
the
things
occasioning
the
difference
amongst
Friends
and
the
continuation
and
encrease
thereof
,
should
be
brought
to
light
;
nor
yet
are
willing
to
come
to
the
touch
,
G.
F.
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
part
of
the
Christian-Quaker
That
each
may
have
a
Scribe
to
take
all
those
Passages
in
the
conference
which
to
them
severally
shall
seem
meet
;
and
that
before
any
one
Head
be
left
,
or
a
new
Matter
begun
,
all
that
each
Party
have
thought
fit
to
have
written
be
first
read
;
if
in
any
thing
defective
,
amended
;
and
finally
agreed
by
both
persons
to
be
a
true
Record
,
Minute
,
or
Memorial
of
the
Conference
;
and
if
any
thing
be
written
or
exprest
short
(
or
beside
the
Meaning
of
the
Speaker
)
that
the
said
Speaker
hath
Liberty
to
correct
and
help
the
said
Expression
.
That
all
things
so
written
by
both
Scribes
,
and
so
agreed
upon
to
be
recorded
,
shall
be
at
the
end
of
every
meeting
subscribed
by
both
Parties
,
and
by
at
least
six
credible
persons
of
each
side
,
and
by
as
many
more
as
shall
please
to
sign
the
same
as
Mitnesses
of
what
is
so
recorded
;
and
the
said
six
respectively
to
be
named
before
the
Meeting
begin
,
and
they
then
to
declare
,
that
they
are
free
to
it
;
but
if
in
any
thing
they
are
dissatisfied
with
what
there
passeth
,
that
though
they
subscribe
the
Narrative
as
Witnesses
,
that
the
same
is
a
true
Narrative
,
yet
that
they
have
Power
and
Liberty
(
in
case
of
dislike
)
to
declare
or
write
their
Protestation
against
the
same
.
That
if
any
Friend
present
hath
any
thing
upon
him
or
her
to
say
,
or
offer
to
the
matter
in
hand
,
that
such
hath
his
or
her
Christian
Liberty
to
speak
his
or
her
Mind
;
and
that
every
such
thing
said
by
Friends
on
either
side
(
if
the
Friends
that
speak
,
or
either
of
the
two
persons
whose
names
are
hereunto
subscribed
,
shall
desire
it
)
be
also
recorded
.
That
Matters
or
Subjects
to
be
debated
on
by
each
party
,
be
first
written
down
,
and
respectively
delivered
to
each
other
.
That
the
meeting
begin
,
and
be
held
at
the
hour
in
the
morning
,
on
the
fourth
day
of
this
instant
,
being
the
second
day
of
the
week
,
and
at
the
house
of
That
this
Agreement
be
written
in
the
head
of
the
Narrative
to
be
made
in
pursuance
of
this
Agreement
.
The
above
Agreement
was
also
sign'd
by
another
Person
on
behalf
of
himself
and
other
Friends
concerned
.
G.
F.
William
Ford
G.
F.
Thomas
Gouldney
,
William
Ford
William
Rogers
with
the
rest
of
's
and
's
Party
,
who
are
known
or
unknown
.
G.
F.
That
no
Papers
were
to
go
forth
without
the
Consent
of
both
Parties
:
North
,
Bukinghamshire
Lewis
Landy
no
Papers
should
go
forth
without
both
sides
seeing
them
,
When
the
unclean
spirit
is
gone
out
of
a
man
,
he
walketh
in
dry
places
,
and
returns
again
with
seven
other
Spirits
worse
than
himself
;
and
the
latter
end
of
that
man
is
worse
than
the
beginning
.
The
wicked
shall
grow
worse
and
worse
.
Lewis
Landy
breaking
Covenants
and
Engagements
That
will
not
do
your
Business
.
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
break
all
Covenants
and
Engagements
Separate
Meeting
Lewis
Landy
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
Grim
Death
Justified
the
Wicked
Condemned
the
Innocent
;
and
your
latter
end
is
worse
than
the
beginning
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
William
Rogers
both
Partyes
six
credible
persons
W.
R.
Treacherous
,
Covenant
breakers
men
not
of
Truth
Credit
amongst
men
,
of
no
Reputation
,
they
were
not
fit
for
the
Society
of
men
,
that
all
judicious
men
would
,
and
do
abhor
their
Practice
and
Doings
:
thirteen
,
sixteen
twenty
four
sheets
large
writing
small
Paper
lying
Spirit
That
Articles
and
Covenants
were
drawn
and
agreed
on
both
sides
,
that
no
Papers
were
to
go
forth
,
without
the
Consent
of
both
Parties
.
G.
F.
G.
F.
a
Friend
no
Friend
Alexander
Pyott
Cornelius
Sarjant
" I do understand that William Rogers and his company have spread abroad a bad and lying Paper against me , and that he and they have , contrary to their Order and Friends Agreement , ( when I and they were at Bristol , and had a meeting with them ) he has made a kind of Narrative of the same , and sent it abroad in the Nation among bad spirits , and never sent it to me ; but this is like the Work of Darkness , I expect no better Fruits ; except they do repent , which I fear will be hard ; though I can forgive them : I do not matter what they can do or say against me , it toucheth me not ; but in the end it will fall on their own heads .
WE whose Names are hereunto subscribed do testifie , that Joseph Forrest of Bristol , Button-maker ( one that was never accounted ( as we know or ever heard ) to be of the people called Quakers ) related that he saw a Letter in the hands of Joan Hily of Bristol , A. P. and C. Sarsant their testimony relating to G. F. Lines . Widow , wherein William Rogers was much vilified , as a wicked and bad man by G. F. the said Forrest asking Joan Hily who was meant by W.R. she said , William Rogers ; whereupon William Rogers desired us to go with him to Joan Hily to see the Letter , who this day shewed us a Letter lately written unto her by Isabel Yeomans ; what her writing contained we did not see nor hear read , but at the end thereof we saw written the above-recited Lines , which Joan Hily said , was written by G. F's . own hand , and subscribed by him ; we also do believe , that it was his hand-writing .
William
Rogers
Joan
Hily
,
Alexander
Pyott
Cornelius
Sarjant
G.
F.
ANd
forasmuch
as
was
desirous
to
know
what
I
could
say
for
my self
,
I
thought
it
necessary
to
acquaint
thee
,
that
I
thus
said
to
her
,
I
have
not
concerned
my self
to
spread
abroad
any
bad
and
lying
Paper
against
thee
,
nor
yet
have
been
any
way
concerned
in
spreading
a
kind
of
a
Narrative
,
contrary
to
any
Agreement
wherein
I
was
concerned
;
and
that
thy
Writing
to
touching
me
,
is
a
and
a
(
the
common
Method
thou
of
late
,
to
thy
shame
,
hast
taken
to
scandalise
men
of
Honesty
and
truly
Consciencious
)
and
so
will
become
thy
burthen
;
wast
thou
an
innocent
man
,
thou
wouldst
have
endeavoured
in
a
Christian
Method
,
to
clear
the
things
touching
which
I
have
often
written
unto
thee
.
G.
F.
a
bad
lying
Paper
spread
by
[
as
one
that
cannot
err
,
nor
shall
ever
fall
]
Joan
Hily
G.
F.
William
Rogers
G.
F.
scandalous
Paper
S.
H.
Thomas
Gouldney
,
William
Ford
William
Rogers
Truth
sought
no
Corners
G.
F.
John
Story
S.
H.
John
Story
ANd also I do hear , that a Book or Narrative is made of our Meeting which we had at Bristol , when I was there last , and spread up and down Westmoreland , Cumberland , Yorkshire and the South , amongst prejudiced People ; which was utterly contrary to the Agreement then , that no Papers should go forth , without the knowledge or consent of both Parties ; which Agreement was taken down in writing , as there at Bristol may be seen ; and therefore , this Practise to the contrary is below Common Moral Men , and not for the Society of civil People ; short of Christianity , &c. This their Work bespeaks their Spirit . A Truce-breaking Spirit , a Covenant-breaking Spirit , and not to be Credited , &c. short of Christianity , and below some Priests , to spread such things behind our Backs in a secret , underly way ; which doth clearly manifest it is not the Spirit of Christ , nor Honesty amongst men . Thus far G. F. to John Story .
Withering
in
Basquet
and
Store
upon
me
,
and
all
that
joyn
unto
that
Spirit
,
G.
F.
Proper
Expedient
to
bring
a
withering
on
my
Outward
Estate
.
Scandalous
Reproach
Joan
Hily
John
Story
Scandalous
Reproaches
False
Certificate
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
securing
a
part
of
my
Estate
out
of
the
Hands
of
the
Spoilers
G.
F.
William
Rogers
William
Rogers
G.
F.
William
Rogers
ALL
you
that
do
make
away
,
or
over
your
Estates
to
the
World
,
or
your
Servant
for
fear
of
the
Spoilers
in
time
of
Persecution
,
for
the
sake
of
Christ
and
his
Gospel
,
and
the
Worship
of
God
;
First
do
not
you
Distrust
and
Despair
of
God
Almighty
,
his
Protecting
and
Delivering
you
with
his
Almighty
Power
?
Secondly
,
Are
you
sensible
that
the
Earth
is
the
Lord's
,
and
the
Fulness
thereof
is
the
Lord's
,
and
that
he
giveth
the
Encrease
,
and
that
,
how
that
he
may
Try
you
,
whether
your
Minds
are
in
the
Creatures
,
or
with
him
the
Creator
?
And
whether
is
it
not
a
Greater
thing
to
give
up
the
Life
and
Soul
,
and
to
dye
for
the
Lord
Jesus
,
than
to
give
up
the
Goods
and
Estates
,
and
suffering
the
Spoil
of
the
Goods
for
Christ's
sake
and
Worshiping
of
God
?
and
whether
or
no
they
that
cannot
for
God
and
Christ's
sake
,
Worship's
sake
,
can
give
up
their
Lives
,
and
suffer
for
Christ
,
who
hath
dyed
and
suffered
for
you
?
And
whether
or
no
they
that
make
away
their
Estates
to
the
World
,
lest
they
should
lose
them
for
the
Worship
of
God
,
do
not
they
distrust
God
of
keeping
them
,
whose
they
are
indeed
;
and
have
more
belief
and
trust
in
the
World
,
than
they
have
in
God
?
And
whether
this
Spirit
,
that
doth
so
,
is
not
the
Spirit
of
the
World
,
that
doth
lust
to
Envy
,
and
not
the
Spirit
of
God
and
his
Wisdom
;
but
that
which
is
Earthly
,
Sensual
and
Devilish
,
that
would
have
its
Liberty
,
and
not
the
wisdom
that
is
above
,
that
is
Pure
,
Peaceable
and
easie
to
be
entreated
?
And
whether
he
that
will
save
his
Life
,
and
not
lose
it
for
Christ's
sake
,
doth
not
he
think
to
be
his
and
not
And
whether
he
that
will
save
his
Estate
,
and
not
lose
it
for
Christ's
sake
and
the
Worship
of
God
,
by
making
it
away
to
the
World
in
time
of
sufferings
,
shall
not
lose
it
?
And
so
whether
it
's
safer
in
this
case
to
make
away
your
Estates
to
the
World
,
that
cannot
save
its
own
,
or
to
make
or
commend
it
into
the
hands
of
God
,
Creator
of
all
,
and
Jesus
Christ
,
by
whom
all
things
were
made
,
who
upholds
all
things
by
his
Word
and
Power
,
and
the
Great
Lord
of
Heaven
and
Earth
,
and
all
things
therein
;
and
which
out
of
his
hand
a
Sparrow
shall
not
fall
without
the
Will
of
him
that
made
them
?
Bristol
,
William
Rogers
G.
F.
having
by
his
Paper
,
dated
proposed
many
Queryes
,
and
caused
them
to
be
read
in
our
Mens-Meeting
of
Friends
in
the
City
of
it
is
now
with
me
(
being
present
in
the
said
Meeting
at
the
reading
thereof
)
to
write
something
in
Answer
thereto
,
to
be
read
in
the
said
Mens-Meeting
;
and
as
his
was
ordered
to
be
sent
to
I
desir
that
this
also
may
be
sent
thither
,
to
be
read
amongst
Friends
,
and
also
sent
to
that
so
he
may
Answer
the
Queryes
I
now
propose
.
The
above-recited
Paper
I
take
to
be
wholly
made
up
of
Queryes
to
all
those
who
do
make
away
their
Estates
,
for
fear
of
the
Spoilers
,
in
time
of
Persecution
,
excepting
this
one
sentence
of
Exhortation
,
Do
not
distrust
and
despair
of
God
Almighty
his
protecting
and
delivering
you
with
his
Almighty
Power
.
The
queries
being
contracted
amounts
to
thus
much
.
Are
you
sensible
the
Earth
is
the
Lords
,
and
that
he
giveth
the
Encrease
,
and
that
how
he
may
try
you
,
whether
your
Minds
are
in
the
Creatures
,
or
with
the
Creator
,
and
whether
it
is
not
a
greater
thing
to
give
up
the
Life
and
to
dye
for
the
Lord
Iesus
,
than
to
give
up
Goods
and
Estates
;
whether
those
that
cannot
suffer
Spoiling
of
Goods
for
Christ's
sake
can
give
up
their
Lives
;
whether
those
that
make
away
their
Estates
,
lest
they
should
lose
them
for
the
worship
of
God
,
do
not
distrust
God
of
keeping
them
,
and
haue
mo●●
Belief
and
Trust
in
the
World
than
God
;
and
whether
this
Spirit
,
that
doth
so
,
is
not
the
Spirit
of
the
World
,
that
doth
lust
to
Envy
,
and
not
the
Spirit
of
God
and
his
Wisdom
,
but
that
which
is
below
,
which
is
Earthly
,
Sensual
,
and
Devilish
,
that
would
have
its
Liberty
?
To
the
Exhortation
I
say
,
't
is
in
itself
good
,
but
would
have
much
better
become
the
Mouth
of
if
when
the
Persecutors
came
up
one
pair
of
Stairs
in
our
Meeting-Room
in
whilst
he
was
speaking
,
he
had
not
been
of
such
a
Spirit
(
which
some
may
term
Distrustful
and
Despairing
)
as
on
a
sudden
to
step
down
,
and
hasten
out
of
the
Meeting
at
a
Back
pair
of
Stairs
,
which
he
once
did
,
and
of
which
my
Eyes
(
with
many
more
)
were
witnesses
:
Besides
,
I
query
of
whether
he
doth
not
remember
,
that
when
the
Souldiers
or
some
other
Persecutors
came
to
a
Meeting
,
in
or
near
at
a
certain
time
when
he
was
there
,
he
did
not
go
out
of
the
Meeting
,
and
betook
himself
to
an
upper
Room
or
Cock-loft
?
For
so
have
I
been
informed
he
did
,
and
that
by
a
person
of
known
Credit
and
Repute
then
present
at
the
Meeting
,
who
,
as
he
said
,
had
discoursed
with
him
at
that
time
and
place
,
near
half
an
hour
;
and
if
Report
be
true
,
this
is
but
very
little
of
what
might
at
large
be
manifested
to
prove
him
one
of
the
greatest
Fleers
and
Shifters
in
time
of
Persecution
,
that
ever
I
knew
professing
the
Truth
,
and
esteemed
by
others
a
faithful
Friend
.
As
to
the
queries
,
I
have
this
to
say
,
that
the
Earth
is
the
Lord's
,
that
he
giveth
the
Encrease
;
that
't
is
a
nearer
thing
to
part
with
Life
than
Estate
;
that
't
is
the
Duty
of
a
Christian
to
offer
up
both
Life
and
Estate
,
rather
than
to
depart
from
his
Testimony
for
the
Truth
,
when
the
Lord
calls
for
it
:
I
am
also
sensible
,
there
is
a
Spirit
that
lusteth
to
Envy
dwelling
in
such
,
that
would
lay
heavy
Burthens
on
others
,
but
not
touch
them
with
their
little
Fingers
themselves
;
and
that
this
is
not
the
Spirit
of
God
,
nor
his
Wisdom
;
but
that
which
is
Earthly
,
Sensual
,
and
that
would
have
its
Liberty
:
I
am
also
sensible
,
that
this
very
Spirit
hath
lately
,
and
yet
doth
dwell
in
if
God
hath
not
given
him
Repentance
.
And
therefore
if
any
of
you
,
unto
whom
these
Lines
may
come
,
may
think
,
that
this
my
sense
of
be
not
true
,
I
desire
such
(
for
the
Truths
sake
)
to
use
their
Endeavour
,
that
may
Answer
these
following
Queries
Art
not
thou
the
man
that
hast
taken
Liberty
to
stay
almost
a
or
at
least
a
considerable
time
,
though
held
in
the
very
House
of
thy
stesidence
;
or
if
thou
didst
at
any
time
come
within
the
aforesaid
space
,
whether
it
was
not
so
seldom
,
that
it
became
matter
of
Exercise
to
other
Friends
for
thy
sake
?
and
did
not
by
Name
manifest
his
Burthen
and
Exercise
of
Spirit
,
on
thine
and
the
Truths
behalf
,
for
thy
so
doing
?
and
didst
thou
not
after
he
had
so
done
,
a
little
amend
in
that
Case
?
Wouldst
thou
not
have
accounted
this
in
another
,
to
be
the
that
was
either
from
the
Truth
Hast
thou
not
a
sense
,
that
thy
aforesaid
Paper
of
may
cast
a
Line
of
on
every
one
,
that
may
secure
from
the
Devourer
any
part
of
that
outward
Substance
which
God
hath
given
them
to
maintain
their
Families
?
and
yet
art
not
thou
sensible
,
that
thou
art
the
that
hast
advised
the
Rich
to
that
so
the
Persecutors
might
not
become
Spoilers
thereof
?
And
if
so
,
Will
it
not
evidently
appear
,
that
these
thy
are
the
Fruit
of
that
Spirit
that
and
appears
with
two
Faces
Dost
thou
not
remember
,
that
at
a
Quarterly-Meeting
in
suddenly
after
thy
last
departure
from
there
was
a
Person
,
that
judged
me
not
sit
to
judge
in
that
Meeting
,
(
though
I
had
left
*
Note
,
My
Fines
have
been
above
ninety
pounds
Sterling
,
and
I
have
more
than
double
that
value
unsecured
and
subject
to
the
Spoilers
at
the
place
of
my
Residence
,
besides
,
what
hath
been
distrained
from
me
already
.
Enough
subject
to
the
Spoilers
besides
?
)
and
dost
thou
not
remember
,
that
none
of
the
said
meeting
declared
any
Approbation
of
his
so
doing
,
and
that
thou
thy self
then
present
,
manifested
a
dislike
thereof
(
as
well
as
several
others
)
after
thy
usual
manner
thus
,
Dost
thou
not
also
remember
,
that
I
then
signified
to
this
effect
,
Dost
thou
not
remember
that
nothing
was
then
said
in
Answer
thereto
,
either
by
thee
or
any
other
?
and
if
't
was
then
a
Crime
,
why
didst
thou
not
then
inform
the
Meeting
,
and
to
speaking
thine
own
Language
,
become
a
reproof
to
that
Spirit
,
and
to
me
in
particular
?
If
it
be
not
a
crime
,
why
hast
thou
sent
forth
thy
Paper
of
which
plainly
carries
a
Line
of
Reflexion
on
such
as
have
,
or
may
secure
from
the
Spoiler
,
when
I
cannot
but
believe
that
thou
dost
know
those
who
have
not
accounted
their
Lives
too
dear
,
to
offer
up
for
the
Testimony
of
Truth
,
Witness
many
faithful
Friends
in
Reading
,
or
near
it
.
and
would
not
have
departed
a
foot
from
the
Meeting
where
their
testimony
for
truth
hath
been
concerned
(
though
thou
hast
proved
a
have
notwithstanding
secured
their
Estates
for
their
Families
,
and
never
have
been
exhorted
to
the
contrary
,
or
reproved
by
thee
,
so
far
as
ever
I
could
hear
?
Whether
thou
hast
not
,
contrary
to
thy
own
Conscience
and
thy
former
Counsel
,
written
thy
Paper
of
to
gratifie
that
envious
Spirit
,
which
exclaims
against
me
,
for
securing
And
whether
thou
therein
hast
hot
acted
that
by
directing
it
to
be
read
at
the
Meetings
,
which
I
have
,
and
usually
do
frequent
,
that
thou
wast
either
to
have
spoken
to
in
the
hearing
of
others
,
lest
openly
in
the
view
of
the
Country
,
thou
shouldst
have
been
detected
for
appearing
with
for
so
do
I
now
believe
thou
hast
manifested
thy self
and
that
one
of
these
Appearances
is
but
the
Fruit
of
that
Spirit
in
thee
which
,
because
I
remember
not
,
that
ever
I
heard
,
before
the
time
of
my
late
securing
something
from
the
Persecutors
,
that
any
Friends
judged
one
another
in
that
respect
,
or
that
any
,
from
a
Principle
of
Conscience
,
refused
to
do
the
thing
that
I
then
did
,
which
was
no
more
than
what
I
often
have
done
,
when
there
was
occasion
for
the
Preservation
of
my
Outward
Estate
,
though
now
,
this
must
be
made
use
of
as
the
only
Matter
of
fact
to
and
to
render
me
one
that
's
Whether
it
be
not
better
,
to
secure
a
man's
and
maintain
his
Family
(
when
he
is
capable
so
to
do
)
and
than
when
Persecutors
come
,
to
whereby
both
too
may
be
as
thou
hast
done
Whether
it
be
better
so
to
do
,
as
aforesaid
,
Thy
Language
to
of
this
City
,
occasions
this
last
Query
,
which
,
as
he
hath
said
,
was
on
this
wise
,
or
to
this
effect
Whether
thy
writing
so
much
of
being
compared
with
thy
aforesaid
which
hath
proved
but
like
a
Reed
of
shews
not
Whether
it
be
fit
for
one
that
feeds
of
the
fat
of
the
Land
,
and
lives
in
fullness
of
Plenty
,
attended
in
many
respects
like
an
earthly
Prince
,
and
that
hath
with
the
increase
thereof
for
many
years
(
if
any
be
)
well
secured
out
of
the
reach
of
the
Spoilers
and
Persecutors
,
to
admonish
a
company
of
Poor
,
Innocent
,
Harmless
Friends
,
that
may
have
three
or
four
Cows
a
piece
to
feed
themselves
and
Children
,
and
if
it
be
not
fit
for
such
an
one
so
to
admonish
,
I
then
query
,
Whether
thou
art
not
the
man
that
art
so
and
who
in
effect
hast
so
Whether
a
man
under
the
aforesaid
Qualifications
and
Circumstances
,
can
by
such
an
admonition
;
as
aforesaid
,
answer
God's
Witness
in
the
Consciences
of
such
to
whom
he
is
so
known
,
especially
,
when
no
better
Care
is
taken
,
by
the
Admonisher
for
the
Relief
of
such
,
when
their
is
gone
,
than
this
Whether
or
no
a
suffering
for
the
Testimony
of
such
False
Prophets
,
as
hath
proved
himself
to
be
,
(
as
is
manifest
by
his
prophesying
and
since
expired
)
can
be
called
a
suffering
for
the
Gospel
of
Christ
?
and
if
not
,
whether
it
be
not
better
to
secure
ones
than
to
let
it
lie
open
to
be
taken
away
for
Fines
imposed
for
the
preaching
of
such
False
Prophets
?
and
since
,
't
is
said
,
manifested
the
same
first
to
thee
,
I
query
whether
thou
wast
not
an
of
the
said
because
't
is
said
he
cryes
thee
up
as
one
that
's
greater
than
or
whether
thou
didst
become
a
to
him
Whether
or
no
it
be
not
the
fruit
of
an
in
those
who
are
called
to
secure
what
they
have
from
being
taken
away
for
Fines
imposed
,
for
the
babling
of
such
,
whose
great
business
at
Meeting
is
to
rail
against
Faithful
Friends
,
under
the
Notion
of
and
whether
otherwise
the
Prophesies
of
those
,
who
have
prophesied
outwardly
,
might
not
quickly
come
to
pass
where
The
aforesaid
queries
,
my
desire
is
,
that
thou
mayest
answer
,
that
so
the
simple-hearted
Friends
may
plainly
know
,
what
thy
Iudgment
is
in
things
of
this
nature
;
for
I
have
cause
to
believe
that
many
such
are
at
this
day
drawn
into
the
Belief
and
Practice
of
some
things
,
for
which
they
have
no
sufficient
ground
from
the
Conviction
of
Conscience
in
themselves
;
but
rather
as
prompted
thereto
by
such
,
who
are
like
unto
those
,
who
lay
heavy
Burthens
on
others
,
which
they
themselves
will
not
touch
with
their
little
fingers
;
but
blessed
be
the
Lord
,
there
are
Eyes
that
see
and
do
perceive
,
there
are
Ears
that
hear
and
do
understand
,
and
have
boldness
and
Confidence
given
them
of
the
Lord
,
to
stand
in
the
Gap
as
Witnesses
against
such
,
who
cry
against
and
yet
are
that
blame
others
for
and
yet
that
prompt
the
to
offer
up
their
and
yet
take
Care
to
advise
the
that
cry
against
others
as
because
they
will
not
be
subject
to
them
,
and
yet
that
testifie
against
and
yet
take
Liberty
to
that
declare
against
and
yet
be
the
chief
Nourishers
and
Upholders
of
such
;
that
bear
witness
against
Wickedness
and
Dark
Spirits
,
and
be
so
dark
as
to
record
*
*
Read
G.
F's
book
touching
Womens
Meetings
,
page
43.44
.
an
for
a
and
(
as
it
's
said
)
to
try
the
Bad
Spirits
;
that
cry
against
loosness
,
and
yet
be
so
loose
as
to
quote
a
meeting
of
Men
and
Women
where
*
*
Viz.
The
Meeting
before
the
door
of
the
Tabernacle
of
the
Congregation
,
where
old
Ely's
Sons
lay
with
the
Woman
,
as
in
G.
F's
book
of
Womens-meetings
.
Lewdness
was
committed
,
to
prove
hath
done
;
that
would
be
accounted
and
yet
appear
by
adding
Fewel
to
the
Fire
,
and
that
appear
Reprovers
of
such
for
who
ever
bore
a
and
yet
that
say
and
yet
appear
notoriously
Fallible
.
How
far
thou
art
concerned
in
such
things
as
these
,
will
appear
in
the
day
of
the
Lord
,
when
every
mans
must
be
brought
to
judgment
;
for
I
firmly
believe
,
thou
art
the
man
that
hast
been
guilty
in
all
these
things
;
and
in
the
mean
time
take
this
as
the
fourth
Warning
,
Caution
or
Advice
,
from
the
Hand
of
thy
Friend
let
the
time
past
be
sufficient
,
repent
for
thy
many
which
God
hath
raised
me
(
as
an
Instrument
in
his
Hand
)
to
discover
unto
thee
;
for
the
hath
but
an
ill
Savour
in
the
Noscrils
of
God's
people
,
and
as
it
was
said
of
the
priests
of
old
(
whereof
the
prophet
declares
)
that
so
it
may
in
time
,
be
said
of
thee
,
unless
thou
Repent
,
because
thou
hast
laid
before
many
The
Righteous
God
is
Witness
between
thee
and
me
(
when
no
mortal
Ear
,
that
I
know
of
,
did
hear
,
save
our
own
)
that
thou
toldst
me
(
after
thou
grantedst
my
Request
of
having
an
hours
private
Discourse
with
thee
,
at
my
being
at
this
last
spring
(
though
thou
rendredst
her
as
one
recorded
for
her
Wisdom
and
her
Dirtue
)
and
I
therefore
cannot
but
take
this
opportunity
,
seriously
to
put
it
to
thy
Conscience
;
dost
thou
think
thou
hast
done
well
to
put
a
Stumbling
block
before
the
people
of
the
Lord
?
dost
thou
think
a
blessing
can
attend
such
an
Action
in
thee
,
when
Christ
himself
hath
pronounced
a
general
woe
against
those
who
are
guilty
thereof
?
consider
,
before
it
be
quite
too
late
;
do
not
continue
an
instrument
to
raise
amongst
the
professors
of
the
Truth
;
for
if
thou
dost
,
the
loss
of
many
souls
may
be
laid
at
thy
door
,
which
in
one
day
may
be
a
burthen
too
heavy
for
thee
to
bear
.
Perhaps
,
some
may
think
,
many
things
I
hint
at
,
are
groundless
,
especially
the
matter
relating
to
and
therefore
to
come
a
little
closer
,
I
add
these
two
queries
:
Whether
thou
was
in
prison
,
and
in
Erpectation
of
being
premunired
)
didst
not
thou
or
at
least
to
secure
her
or
their
Estate
?
and
whether
afterward
,
thou
didst
not
speak
in
discourse
with
another
Friend
about
the
same
matter
to
this
effect
,
(
viz.
Mary
Penington
(
meaning
as
to
outward
Estate
.
)
If
thou
deny
this
,
I
will
undertake
to
prove
it
,
or
bring
Teltimony
under
the
hand
of
a
Credible
Friend
in
Truth
,
that
did
signifie
so
much
,
as
is
queried
in
the
first
part
of
the
query
,
and
also
prove
,
or
bring
under
the
hand
of
a
Credible
Friend
in
Truth
,
to
whom
thou
spoke
,
according
as
is
queried
in
the
latter
part
.
Whether
thou
didst
not
advise
of
the
County
of
to
buy
his
Eythes
both
of
If
thou
deny
it
,
I
will
undertake
to
prove
it
,
or
bring
it
under
the
hand
of
that
thou
so
didst
G.
F.
William
Rogers
was
in
the
City
and
that
,
if
they
pleased
,
they
might
appoint
a
Meeting
on
purpose
with
on
this
Occasion
G.
F.
G.
F.
False
Certificate
John
Blaykling
G.
F.
G.
F.
John
Blaykling
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
False
Assertions
False
Charges
False
Assertions
six
sheets
no
proof
False
Assertion
viz.
[
My
Paper
is
an
Epistle
to
Friends
,
which
thou
confessest
,
is
an
Exhortation
in
itself
good
.
]
Exhortation
in
itself
good
viz.
The
above-recited
Paper
I
take
to
be
wholly
made
up
of
Queries
,
to
all
those
,
that
make
away
their
Estates
for
fear
of
the
Spoilers
in
time
of
Persecution
;
excepting
this
one
Sentence
of
Exhortation
,
Do
you
not
distrust
and
despair
of
God
Almighty
,
his
Protecting
and
Delivering
you
with
his
Almighty
Power
?
to
the
Exhortation
,
I
say
,
it
is
in
itself
good
,
Epistle
to
Friends
viz.
An
Epistle
to
Friends
Exhortation
,
Counsel
,
Doctrine
,
Instruction
,
Teaching
,
Prophesying
,
viz.
Whether
such
a
Paper
can
properly
be
called
,
an
Epistle
to
Friends
in
Truth
?
Friends
,
all
you
that
do
make
away
,
or
over
your
Estates
,
Whether
this
spirit
that
doth
so
,
is
not
the
Spirit
of
the
World
,
that
doth
lust
to
Envy
?
G
F.
Ingenuous
as
a
Man
ingenuous
Readers
Thirteen
Queries
The aforesaid queries , my desire is , that thou George Fox mayest answer , that so the simple-hearted Friends may plainly know , what thy Iudgment is in things of this nature ; for I have cause to believe that many such are at this day drawn into the Belief and Practice of some things , for which they have no sufficient ground from the Conviction of Conscience in themselves ; but rather as prompted thereto by such , who are like unto those , who lay heavy Burthens on others , which they themselves will not touch with their little fingers ; but blessed be the Lord , there are Eyes that see and do perceive , there are Ears that hear and do understand , and have boldness , and Confidence given them of the Lord , to stand in the Gap , as Witnesses against such , who cry against Fleers in time of Persecution , and yet , are Fleers at such times themselves ; that blame others for securing of their Goods from the Spoilers , and yet Secure their own ; that prompt the Poor to offer up their ALL , and yet take Care to advise the Rich to secure their Estates ; that cry against others as Unruly , because they will not be subject to them , and yet think themselves not obliged to be subject to any Rule , but their own ; that re●●●ite against Libertines , and yet take Liberty to Backbite , Slander , and False Accuse ; that declare against Tale-bearers , and yet be the chief Nourishers and Uphoiders of such ; that bear witness against Wickedness and Dark Spirits , and yet be so dark , as to record an Idolatrous Woman for a Virtuous one ; and ( as it 's said ) to try the Bad Spirits ; that cry against loesness , and yet be so loose as to quote a meeting of Men and Women where Lewdness was committed , to prove Womens Meetings as G. F. hath done ; that would be accounted Watch-men , watching for Good , Healers of Breaches , Removers of Stumbling-blocks ; and yet appear Watchers for Evil , and not for Good ; Increasers of Differences , by adding Fewel to the Fire , and casting Stumbling-blocks in the way of the Simple ; that appear Reprovers of such to , Tythe-Payers , who ever bore a Faithful Testimony against it , and yet advise others to buy their Tythes ; that say , God hath given them Infallible judgment in all things , and yet appear notoriously Fallible . How far thou G.F. art concerned in such things as these , will appear in the day of the Lord , when every mans Words and Works must be brought to judgment ; for I sirmly believe , thou art the man that hast been guilty in all these things .
George
Fox
And
thou
hast
many
queries
upon
my
Epistle
,
and
on
thy
conclusion
sayest
;
Thou
believest
,
that
I
am
the
Man
that
is
guilty
of
them
all
.
G.
F.
believe
a
Charge
no
hand
in
giving
the
Charge
he
doth
not
believe
the
Charge
.
False
Accusations
false
Assertion
viz.
thirteen
(
viz.
That
I
have
manifested
Madness
and
Folly
)
one
Lye
eight
times
over
thirteen
particular
Lyes
False
Assertions
in
him
was
the
Fruit
of
Madness
and
Folly
John
Blaykling
False
Certificate
G.
F.
Hireling
Priests
Meeting
of
Friends
Mens
Meeting
G.
F.
Thomas
Cam
Thomas
Cam
Mens
,
Meeting
Thomas
Cam
John
Wilkinson
John
Wilkinson
Encourager
of
Wickedness
Thomas
Cam
John
Wilkinson
Wicked
John
Blaykling
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
securing
Outward
Estate
advised
the
like
G.
F.
without
his
Assent
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
G.
F.
Bray
Dayly
,
that
I
sent
it
three
weeks
before
it
was
read
in
the
Meeting
Charles
Jones
G.
F.
Here
it
is
evident
thou
hast
fulfilled
my
former
words
,
that
these
thy
pretended
Queries
were
all
of
them
real
Charges
,
seeing
here
thou
saist
,
thou
firmly
believest
,
that
I
am
the
Man
,
that
hath
been
guilty
of
all
these
things
before-mentioned
;
and
therefore
,
the
less
I
do
lake
notice
of
them
,
because
I
know
them
to
be
all
False
and
Malicious
Charges
.
All
false
Malicious
Charges
viz.
before-mentioned
staying
almost
a
quarter
of
a
year
from
Meeting
,
a
very
considerable
time
,
though
held
in
the
very
house
of
his
Residence
Weak
,
so
that
the
breath
of
People
,
sitting
near
him
,
did
overcome
him
viz.
So
that
it
was
hard
for
me
to
sit
by
any
out
of
the
Meeting
,
much
more
in
it
.
G.
F.
Thou
hast
not
particularized
any
,
though
thou
hast
generally
charged
me
;
and
therefore
,
this
is
a
groundless
Accusation
and
Calumny
.
Isaac
Penington
Thou
hast
not
particularised
any
G.
F.
Isaac
Penington
Isaac
Penington
Mary
Penington
Though
thou
hast
generally
charged
me
:
viz.
As
thou
goest
over
and
over
thy
Paper
of
False
Charges
,
that
I
should
advise
the
Rich
,
in
a
general
way
,
to
secure
their
Estates
.
[
groundless
Mary
Penington
That
if
in
her
weakness
did
secure
her
Land
for
her
,
and
her
Children
,
&
c
make
what
I
can
of
it
,
Hers
was
but
a
particular
case
Third
Lye
viz.
Thou
hast
not
particularized
any
,
though
thou
hast
generally
charged
me
,
and
therefore
this
is
a
groundless
Accusation
and
Calumny
:
I
never
advised
thee
to
make
away
thy
Estate
,
nor
none
else
,
Mary
Penington
no
body
yet
what
is
this
to
thy
making
away
thy
Estate
?
G.
F.
G.
F.
outward
Patterns
Outward
Example
G.
F.
Mary
Penington
For
sometimes
when
people
are
weak
and
tender
,
and
in
trouble
,
they
are
to
be
left
in
some
Cases
,
which
they
cannot
bear
,
as
in
another
case
the
Apostle
said
concerning
&c.
but
when
they
would
make
a
sect
of
it
,
and
their
Principle
as
thou
dost
,
then
the
Apostle
judged
them
.
George
Fox
What
are
they
to
be
left
to
?
Mary
Penington
He
heard
say
,
She
durst
not
remove
her
Moveable
Goods
:
But
when
they
would
make
a
Sect
of
it
,
and
their
Principle
,
as
thou
dost
,
then
the
Apostle
judged
them
.
[
make
a
Sect
of
it
and
their
Principle
]
G.
F.
Mary
Peningtons
Fruit
of
her
Weakness
That
he
heard
say
,
she
durst
not
remove
her
Moveable
Goods
:
respect
of
Persons
Securing
of
her
Estate
Making
away
Estates
for
Fear
of
the
Spoiler
in
time
of
Persecution
,
G.
F.
others
,
not
outwardly
related
to
him
,
Outward
Blasting
And
dost
thou
not
remember
,
that
at
a
Quarterly-Meeting
in
suddenly
after
thy
last
departure
from
there
was
a
Person
,
that
judged
me
not
fit
to
judge
in
that
Meeting
,
(
though
I
had
left
above
two
Hundred
Pounds
value
of
Moveable
Goods
,
subject
to
the
Spoilers
besides
?
)
and
dost
thou
not
remember
,
that
none
of
the
said
meeting
declared
any
Approbation
of
his
so
doing
,
and
that
thou
thy self
then
present
,
manifested
a
dislike
thereof
(
as
well
as
leveral
others
)
after
thy
usual
manner
thus
,
Dost
thou
not
also
remember
,
that
I
then
signified
to
this
effect
,
G.
F.
But
I
did
not
say
nothing
else
but
whisht
,
whisht
.
viz.
I
know
them
to
be
all
False
and
Malicious
Charges
George
Fox
twelve
or
thirteen
hundred
pounds
&
c
The
Lord
knows
,
I
had
neither
twelve
,
or
thirteen
hundred
Pounds
in
my
life
,
secured
out
of
the
Reach
of
the
Spoiler
.
It
's
true
I
might
have
had
something
in
the
other
Powers
dayes
,
that
descended
to
me
as
my
Birth-Right
;
but
I
gave
it
away
to
my
Relations
,
not
for
fear
of
Persecution
,
or
to
make
it
away
from
the
Spoilers
.
thirteen
hundred
Pounds
thirteen
hundred
Pounds
thirteen
hundred
Pounds
God
hath
chosen
the
Foolish
things
of
the
World
,
to
confound
the
Wise
;
and
God
hath
chosen
the
Weak
things
of
the
World
,
to
confound
the
Mighty
;
and
Base
things
of
the
World
,
and
things
which
are
Despised
,
hath
God
chosen
;
yea
,
and
things
which
are
not
,
to
bring
to
Nought
things
that
are
,
that
no
flesh
should
glory
in
his
Presence
:
Journyman
Shoemaker
George
Gee
Glory
to
God
Everlasting
Light
,
Christ
Jesus
G.
F.
Outward
Calling
twelve
,
or
thirteen
hundred
pounds
,
twelve
,
or
thirteen
hundred
Pounds
,
he
would
take
Care
of
his
poor
Relations
,
that
so
their
Outward
Man
might
be
somewhat
more
Refresht
,
and
Comforted
with
necessary
Food
,
Rayment
and
Living
,
than
of
late
Years
they
have
been
,
and
that
whilst
he
was
reputed
to
be
in
the
Enjoyment
of
all
things
needful
as
to
Outward
Enjoyments
.
Nonsense
of
his
Words
Meaning
of
his
Mind
Lying
Tongue
False
Certificates
G.
F.
John
Story
for
giving
unto
his
Mother
the
Rent
of
a
small
Estate
,
that
his
Kinsman
gave
him
;
saying
,
should
have
kept
the
Estate
in
his
own
Hands
,
or
at
least
got
a
Tenant
that
would
not
have
paid
Tithes
,
that
so
a
Testimony
might
have
been
kept
up
against
Tythes
:
born
a
Testimony
in
the
Case
of
Tythes
,
False
Prophet
Solomon
Eccles
John
Story
's
Death
within
a
year
,
Here
is
another
of
thy
deceitful
Queries
That
he
would
not
have
him
made
an
Offender
for
words
,
since
he
acknowledged
them
viz.
And
it
is
not
right
to
make
a
man
an
Offender
for
Words
,
if
he
acknowledge
them
;
as
I
perceive
,
hath
done
George
Fox
I
know
them
to
be
all
False
and
Mavicious
Charges
.
viz.
And
it
is
not
right
to
make
a
man
an
Offender
for
words
,
if
he
acknowledge
them
.
Solomon
Eccles
False
Prophet
He
was
no
False
Prophet
he
was
on
this
Occasion
made
an
Offender
for
a
Word
by
me
It
is
not
right
to
make
a
man
an
Offender
for
words
,
if
he
acknowledge
them
that
was
not
my
Meaning
Solomon
Eccles
G.
F.
deceitful
Contrivance
to
cover
a
False
Prophet
.
Solomon
Eccles
his
Words
were
Wrong
False
Prophet
That
make
a
Man
an
Offender
for
a
Word
,
True
Prophets
False
Prophets
Solomon
Eccles
False
Prophesie
False
Prophet
Solomon
Eccles.
John
Story
False
Prophets
viz.
'T
is
not
Right
to
make
a
Man
an
Offender
for
Words
,
when
he
acknowledgeth
them
.
James
Naylor
true
Repentance
open
Confession
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
That
they
would
become
as
hardned
and
as
bad
as
the
old
Opposers
,
James
Naylor
true
Repentance
Contrition
of
Heart
James
Naylor
George
Fox
Nathaniel
Crips
buy
his
Tythes
Nathaniel
Crips
But
for
him
to
turn
this
,
and
say
,
I
advised
him
to
buy
his
Tythes
,
he
doth
me
a
great
deal
of
Wrong
,
and
so
he
might
have
spared
to
impeach
me
Wrongfully
.
In
the
Morning
I
was
walking
in
his
Chamber
,
I
saw
this
Spirit
made
some
like
Devils
,
that
they
mattered
not
what
they
said
,
to
blemish
the
Reputation
of
them
,
that
wished
them
well
,
both
Temporally
and
Spiritually
.
Nathaniel
Crips
buy
his
Tythes
Mary
Penington
secure
her
Estate
from
the
Spoilers
What
should
be
the
Reason
that
should
seem
to
deny
this
,
and
not
his
advising
to
secure
her
Estate
,
since
here
also
he
might
have
as
well
crept
out
(
under
the
Notion
,
that
Friends
in
some
Cases
,
when
they
are
weak
,
are
to
be
left
;
)
as
he
did
in
the
Case
of
are
these
Mary
Penington
John
Story
Nathaniel
Crips
Mary
Penington
Twenty
Eight
False
Certificate
False
Certificate
Twenty
Eight
that
,
what
I
and
many
more
,
saw
with
our
Eyes
,
was
Vntrue
Nathaniel
Crips
False
Certificate
Twenty
Eight
Nathaniel
Crips
Opposers
are
Wrong
Nathaniel
Crips
to
buy
his
Tythes
,
Nathaniel
Crips
Robert
Arch
THis
is
to
certifie
all
whom
it
may
concern
,
that
being
several
Years
past
at
my
house
,
and
as
he
and
I
were
speaking
together
,
concerning
Payment
of
Tythes
;
I
told
him
,
that
in
the
Parish
where
I
dwell
,
and
amongst
our
Discourse
that
we
had
thereabout
,
then
advised
me
this
he
spake
in
Love
to
me
,
and
I
took
it
no
Otherwise
;
but
if
he
will
prosecute
others
for
such
things
,
whereof
he
is
more
guilty
himself
,
he
will
much
lose
his
honour
,
and
hardly
ever
recover
it
again
;
this
I
thought
fit
(
and
indeed
bound
)
to
certifie
,
whereunto
I
subscribe
my
Name
being
at
my
house
(
as
I
remember
,
it
was
that
time
that
he
came
into
our
Country
,
to
set
up
the
manthly
,
and
quarterly
Meetings
)
and
there
being
several
Writings
or
Epistles
read
of
's
,
which
were
as
Instructions
to
Friends
,
to
be
read
at
the
quarterly
Meetings
,
in
which
there
was
written
(
as
I
remember
)
which
I
took
notice
of
,
and
when
I
had
a
convenient
Opportunity
,
as
was
in
my
Garden
,
I
told
him
to
me
(
said
he
.
)
I
answered
him
,
So
that
what
did
then
say
to
me
,
I
took
it
that
it
was
in
tenderness
to
me
,
and
so
I
believe
to
this
day
.
Broad
Mead
John
Story
Fleer
in
time
of
Persecution
G.
F.
for
thee
to
term
this
a
distrustful
and
despairing
Spirit
which
some
may
term
distrustful
and
despairing
:
" WHereas William Rogers hath falsly charged me , that I should Flee in time of Persecution ; and it is spread up and down City and Country , and brought to ballance John Story and his Company 's Fleeing in time of Persecution , who had a Boy set on a Hill to wave his hat to Friends when they met in Holes and Gills in Westmoreland , which brought a Dishonour to God's Truth and People over a great Part of the Nation ; and several went to admonish him and the others of it , but never did any of these these fourteen Years come to me , and admonish me concerning Ringwood Meeting , or Bristol Meeting , where I am reported to Flee ( as they say ) in Persecution ; which are all horrid Lyes — As for Ringwood Meeting , there is a Certificate to the contrary , that clears the thing : As for the Meeting at Bristol , there came no Souldiers nor Officers while I was in the Meeting , neither before nor after . Now at that time , I lay at Edward Pyotts , and several Friends came from Bristol to me , and desired me not to come to the Meeting , and said , What were they ? and thou art more than a thousand of us ; if they were taken ( they said ) it was no great matter ; but they would not have me to come , unless I was Eternally Moved ; I reserved my Mind to my self , and bid them , Go their way , and did not say I would , or I would not ; and afterwards I said to Edward Pyott , I shall go to the Meeting , and one may stay to guide me through the Fields ; and Edward Pyott said , his Son Edward might go with me : so walking through the Fields , I met Dennis Hollister and Thomas Gouldney , and Dennis Hollister said , What! would I go in the mouth of the Beast ? and Thomas Gouldney smil'd at me , and I bid them Walk by , because many People were walking there ; and I met George Bishop after , and he said , what ! would I go into the mouth of the Dragon ? and I bad him Walk by . Now they did all that ever they could to stop me ; so I past up into the Meeting , and Margaret Thomas was speaking , but had quickly done , and the Fear was upon the People concerning me , but after , the Power of God struck the Fear out of them , and Life sprang , and a precious glorious Meeting we had ; and when I was cleared , I was moved to Pray , and when I had stept down about three or four Steps , I was moved to turn back again , and stood up , and told them : Now they might see there was a God in Israel , that could deliver : and so I stept down and went away , and Friends began to busle out , and I said , Why do they busle and make such a throng ? and George Bishop said , 't was time to break up the Meeting ; so I came down the Stairs , and there was neither Officer nor Souldier , nor nothing like any such thing , and many Friends and People were in the Street . Now if I had been persuaded , and had hearkned to them that would not have had me come to the Meeting , what work would these evil Spirits have made above fourteen Years afterward ! and for any to say , I went up the Back-Stairs ; I did not know which was Fore-Stairs , and which was Back-Stairs , but went as I was guided , and Friends say since , The one was as common as the other . This is a Malicious Charge above fourteen Years afterwards , and never come to my Face till now ; to justifie John Story , they accuse me .
Now something I shall say concerning Ringwood Meeting , or about a Mile and an Half thence ; I came there over-night , and in the Morning about the sixth hour there came about ten or twelve Women from Pool , and I was sitting within in the house till towards the eight hour , and it being summer time , and hor , I walked out with a Young Man into the Orchard , and after I had walked a while with him , and asked him of the Affairs of Truth ( for they had been many of them convinced by me before I was Prisoner in Cornwal ) and there came another Young Man to us , and told us , The trained bands were rising , and he heard , they would come and break up the Meeting ; so one desired me to walk over the Stile , it being , as I judged , about the eight hour , so I walked over into the corn fields , on the out side of the hedge , and one of the Young Men went from me , and of the Women , some walked in the Orchard , and some went to refresh themselves ; and I asked the Young Man , What time of the day it was ? and he said , Betwixt Eight and Nine : and I asked him , What time the Meeting would come in ? and he said , about Eleven or Twelve of the Clock : and I said , If the Souldiers should come before that time , we might happen to get a good Meeting afterward : and the Man said , They are Neighbours , and Civil People ; if they should come , they would hardly meddle : But after the Young Man went from me a matter of two Bow shots , he stood under the Hedge , waving his Hat to me , so I bid the other Young Man see what ailed him ; so I kept my walking and they did not come at me again ; and as I turned back to go round about the Orchard , there was a place I could see over the Hedge , the Souldiers were all over the Orchard ; I heard say , some of the Souldiers did see me , but they were loth to meddle ; so I being out in the open Fields , where they might easily see me , truly I did not go in among them , for it was between nine or ten a Clock , and they swept the Barn , and got in Stools and Blocks . and we had a very large and blessed Meeting , till about Three of the Clock , and broke up our Meeting in the Power of God and in Peace ; and afterwards the Woman of the House being Dead , some desired me to walk up to a Friends house about two Bowshots off in our way , and Friends went along with us , and I bad them bring up my Horse thither , for I was to ride twenty Miles to one Fries house that Night , and so I went up to that house , and Friends went generally with me , and after we had refreshed our selves , we past away in Peace and Quietness , and no Souldiers at all came . And how can this be called a Fleeing in time of Persecution ? and that was a horrid Lye , that I hid my self in a Ditch ; there was ( as I saw ) but a Bank cast up from a Lane , and I think it was a Market High-Way ; and at this Fries House , I had a Meeting , and there the Constables came to the Meeting ; but News was brought , That their house was broke up ; so they let us alone ; and also I heard , that the Souldiers came after from Ringwood to the House , when our Meeting was broke up , but we knew nothing of them , being gone before , and they never spake to me none of them about these things , these fourteen years ; and in these Meetings the Glory of God was seen , and Fleeing in time of Persecution , it was abhorred .
And as for their saying , Some body spoke in Bristol Meeting after I was gone down ; I know nothing of that , but I came down to Joan Hilyes , and Friends were in the street , and came to me there , and I knew nothing , but they all came down : and if I had fled in time of Persecution , I had not been in so many Goals and Prisons , but might have kept out of them ; and yet this they say , Iohn Story , he hath born the heat of the day ; and George For , he hath fled in time of Persecution .
I
remember
,
I
was
sitting
in
a
Meeting
at
when
another
was
speaking
,
and
some
Officers
came
up
,
and
took
him
away
,
and
when
he
was
gone
,
I
kept
the
Meeting
,
and
none
meddled
with
me
.
hath
falsly
charged
me
,
that
I
should
flee
in
time
of
Persecution
,
As
for
the
Meeting
at
there
came
no
Souldiers
or
Officers
,
whilst
I
was
in
the
Meeting
,
neither
before
nor
after
.
George
Fox
Nathaniel
Crips
made
some
like
Devils
Go
away
Dennis
Hollister
Thomas
Gouldney
Walk
by
George
Bishop
Walk
by
unusual
Ways
That
he
stayed
in
the
Meeting
,
until
the
Meeting
broke
up
Why
do
Friends
busle
and
make
such
a
Throng
?
Friends
,
keep
your
Meetings
,
keep
your
Meetings
,
G.
F.
Fleeing
in
time
of
Persecution
False
Witness-Bearer
John
Story
G.
F.
John
Story
had
acted
from
that
very
Spirit
which
said
,
Master
,
save
thy self
.
G.
F.
Fled
in
time
of
Persecution
WE
do
hereby
declare
,
that
we
were
present
at
a
certain
Meeting
held
in
within
the
City
of
on
account
of
the
Worship
of
God
,
and
that
it
was
at
a
time
when
attended
Friends
in
their
Meeting
,
and
that
at
that
Meeting
,
and
the
ground
of
his
Departure
at
that
time
,
we
have
cause
to
believe
,
was
To
this
Testimony
I
also
can
bear
witness
,
with
this
further
Addition
,
that
after
he
stept
down
from
the
place
he
stood
upon
to
speak
,
and
was
departing
,
some
Friends
were
moving
to
go
with
him
,
and
he
perceiving
it
(
as
I
took
it
)
said
,
holding
out
his
hand
,
and
accordingly
the
Meeting
was
held
,
a
considerable
time
longer
after
his
Departure
.
I
Do
remember
on
this
Occasion
aforesaid
,
that
and
that
at
that
time
Friends
were
attended
with
and
as
he
was
departing
,
he
said
to
Friends
to
this
Effect
,
and
I
believe
his
so
departing
was
,
Do
on
the
Occasion
aforesaid
,
declare
,
that
I
do
remember
,
and
that
at
that
time
,
Friends
were
attended
with
I
do
also
remember
Dennis
Hollister
George
Fox
Cause
of
Jealousie
The
Spirit
that
seeks
to
save
Self
,
John
Story
There
came
ten
or
twelve
Women
from
Pool
,
who
,
in
Probability
,
came
with
an
Intention
to
come
to
a
Meeting
G.
F.
walkt
with
a
Young
Man
,
and
then
there
came
another
Young
Man
Cause
of
Jealousie
Friends
,
Go
their
Way
Thou
art
more
than
a
thousand
of
us
G.
F.
good
Meeting
after
the
Souldiers
were
gone
,
if
the
Souldiers
should
come
before
that
time
,
we
might
happen
to
get
a
good
Meeting
afterward
that
the
Souldiers
were
Neighbours
,
and
civil
People
,
and
would
hardly
meddle
George
Fox
that
one
of
the
Young
Men
went
from
him
about
two
Bow
shots
under
the
Hedge
,
waving
his
Hat
to
a
Boy
on
top
of
a
Hill
,
waving
his
Hat
to
Friends
G.
F.
John
Story
John
Story
a
Boy
Vnder
a
Hedge
,
waving
his
,
Hat
to
G.
F.
As
I
turned
back
to
go
round
about
the
Orchard
,
there
was
a
place
I
could
see
over
the
Hedge
,
the
Souldiers
were
all
over
the
Orchard
;
truly
I
did
not
go
in
among
them
:
set
a
Boy
on
top
of
a
Hill
,
to
wave
his
Hat
,
to
signifie
the
Way
Friends
might
pass
unto
a
good
Meeting
,
have
a
Boy
under
a
Hedge
,
to
wave
his
Hat
,
to
keep
from
Meeting
[
That
was
a
horrid
Lye
that
I
hid
my self
in
a
Ditch
;
]
horrid
Lye
[
Ditch
[
Bank
that
he
hid
himself
behind
a
Bank
.
That
the
Meeting
broke
up
about
three
of
the
Clock
,
and
that
he
went
not
into
the
house
where
the
Meeting
was
,
but
to
another
,
two
Bowshots
off
,
and
stayed
to
refresh
himself
twenty
miles
that
Night
Fleer
in
time
of
Persecution
[
in
a
Ditch
[
behind
a
Bank
that
they
swept
the
Barn
Meeting
broke
up
Distressed
Family
being
dead
that
at
Times
and
Seasons
he
hath
contrived
to
save
himself
,
and
keep
out
of
the
reach
of
Persecutors
;
than
after
he
hath
so
done
,
to
cover
the
matter
by
such
sort
of
Discourses
,
as
these
now
manifested
are
John
Ward
would
have
favoured
his
Cause
" WHereas William Rogers in his Paper of Queries to George Fox ( which some of us have already given our Testimony against ) hath charged the said George Fox to be one of the greatest Fleers , in time of Persecution , of any that he knew , professing the Truth , and accounted by others a faithful Friend ; and for Confirmation thereof hath brought an Instance at a Meeting here at Bristol , at which George Fox was present , about fifteen years since , at which Meeting he saith , The Persecutors coming up one pair of Stairs , while George Fox was speaking , the said George Fox ( as some may term it , in a distrustful Spirit ) did step down , and went out at a back pair of Stairs , to which ( he saith ) his Eyes with many more were witnesses . As to which we have this to say , who were generally , all of us , at all , or most part of the Meetings which George Fox was at here , that we never knew or can remember , that ever any Persecutors did come up the Stairs whilst George Fox was speaking , so as to occasion the ceasing his Testimony on that account , as William Rogers would insinuate ; but this may be put amongst the rest of his False Calumnies and Charges . And we further testifie , that whereas there was two pair of Stairs , ( one of which William Rogers calls a Back-pair ) that both pair of Stairs were common for Friends to come up and down at , and that George Fox was known to come up the same Stairs to that Meeting .
" And this Testimony we have in our hearts for George Fox , as a man Remote in Spirit and Example from any such Practice , as Fleeing in time of Persecution , though charged therewith by Apostates and Bad Spirits ; and we have cause to believe , that he hath held up his Testimony in Faithfulness , both in Doing and in Suffering on Truths Account , being confirmed herein by his large Travels , Sufferings and Imprisonments in many Goals , in which we never knew that he hath flinched , but hath endured Patiently ; as also the known Care that hath been upon him , for the Preserving and Encouraging of all , by Word and Pattern , to stand in time of Persecution . And this we thought fit to insert , as persons concerned for the Vindication of our dear Friend George Fox's Innocency in this Case , which we have done according to the best of our Knowledge and Remembrance , who never saw any just Occasion for such a Charge as William Rogers hath so wickedly aspersed him with .
False
Charging
Innocency
in
this
Case
perjured
Informers
It
is
a
False
Charge
George
Fox
did
in
every
Meeting
,
in
time
of
Persecution
,
particular
Evidence
and
that
we
never
knew
or
can
remember
,
that
ever
any
Persecutors
came
up
the
Stairs
while
was
speaking
stepping
down
on
a
sudden
hastning
out
of
the
Meeting
George
Fox
one
of
the
greatest
Fleers
in
time
of
Persecution
,
of
any
that
I
know
professing
the
Truth
,
and
accounted
by
others
a
Faithful
Friend
:
falsly
charge
me
And
,
if
Report
be
true
,
this
is
but
very
little
of
what
might
at
large
be
manifested
to
prove
him
one
of
the
greatest
Fleers
,
in
time
of
Persecution
,
that
ever
I
knew
,
professing
the
Truth
,
and
esteemed
by
others
a
Faithful
Friend
.
George
Fox
one
of
the
greatest
Fleers
in
time
of
Persecution
,
Meeting
was
held
they
never
knew
or
could
remember
,
that
he
stept
down
,
and
hastned
out
of
the
Meeting
,
at
a
Back-pair
of
Stairs
,
False
Witness-Bearers
George
Fox
John
Ware
George
Fox
that
he
believes
there
are
many
in
that
will
witness
against
this
False
Charge
,
John
Ware
time
of
Persecution
G.
F.
My
Paper
was
not
worth
answering
,
Doubtless
these
words
came
from
some
of
's
Party
George
Fox
six
Sheets
what
's
become
of
their
Vnity
now
?
Nathaniel
Crips
[
all
False
and
Malicious
Charges
]
six
Sheets
False
Charges
denied
to
be
true
the
Word
of
the
Lord
by
his
Servant
is
fulfilling
that
I
threatned
the
Constables
at
their
Perils
,
not
to
meddle
with
any
thing
of
mine
within
doors
,
False
Charge
Door
is
open
,
the
Goods
in
the
house
are
mine
,
they
might
go
in
,
and
there
was
enough
That
if
they
did
meddle
before
I
spoke
with
the
Justice
,
I
should
lay
that
Injustice
at
their
Doors
,
because
of
right
I
ought
to
be
first
heard
,
before
my
Goods
ought
to
be
distrained
,
G.
F.
That
I
had
made
all
fast
,
False
Charge
all
was
not
secured
Without
none
secured
Within
Thirty
Sheets
of
Paper
Here
follows
the
Epistle
that
hath
so
touched
which
he
makes
all
this
Work
and
Writing
about
,
who
would
make
me
inconsistent
with
my self
;
and
so
he
might
have
done
the
Apostle
,
who
one
while
and
then
again
and
one
while
said
and
afterward
But
in
's
Charges
,
he
hath
not
proved
me
inconsistent
with
my self
,
but
rather
himself
is
inconsistent
with
what
he
was
formerly
.
forbid
Circumcision
in
the
same
Case
where
he
practised
Circumcision
that
they
should
not
judge
one
another
about
Dayes
and
Meats
and
Drinks
,
not
to
observe
a
Day
,
Meats
G.
F.
And
afterward
judged
them
for
it
,
who
made
it
their
Principle
they
might
observe
a
day
,
when
they
were
not
principled
so
to
do
principled
to
observe
a
day
,
then
it
became
Sin
and
Matter
worthy
of
Judgment
and
Condemnation
by
the
Apostle
Matters
of
Conscience
not
according
to
ones
Principle
,
in
matters
of
Conscience
G.
F.
their
Principle
G.
F.
Circumcision
,
Days
,
Meats
not
Practising
Apostle's
Permission
G.
F.
Practice
of
Circumcision
a
Power
to
permit
not
to
permit
Without
the
Assent
of
Parties
differing
differing
Parties
That
Circumcision
was
not
fit
to
be
laid
on
the
which
were
Believers
according
to
Faith
Whatsoever
is
not
of
Faith
is
Sin
Circumcision
,
Dayes
,
Meats
Robert
Barclay's
" We find that many of the Believing Jews were not come from under Circumcision , and that those Jews , who saw beyond it , did not condemn such their Brethren ; but we do not find that the Apostles ( as persons that had Power to permit or not permit such a Practice in the Church ) did approve of it in any of the Jews , or Condemn the same in such as practised it , until by Faith they saw beyond it ; for , as on the one hand , 't was not in their Commission to preach up Circumcision ; so on the other hand , 't was not in their Power to be a Bond on any to forbear , who through Faith were not first led therefrom .
" For though the Apostle saith , Gal. 5.2 . I Paul say unto you , if ye be Circumcised , Chrast shall profit you nothing ; and Gal , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11. But now after ye have known God , or rather are known of God , how turn ye again to the Weak and Beggar by Elements ? Ye observe Dayes and Months , &c. I am afraid of you : Yet this did not at that time condemn that Christian Liberty and Forbearance , which the Apostle before approved , in and with respect unto such as made Conscience of Circumcision , and the Observing of Dayes , before they had so received the Spirit , as to be led out of it ; for it plainly appears , he spoke to a People who were redeemed out of those begganly Elements , and were come past those Rudiments , which is evident by those his words , How turn ye again ? and so●e might well exhort such , neither to Circumcise , nor yet be in the Observation of Dayes ; for that God hath not usually led into those things , which he hath led out of ; and this might well consist with the truth even at such a time and season , when others through a consciencious scruple , might in a Plea for both , with respect to themselves ( respectively according to their differing Faith ) be Uncondemned .
Dayes
,
Meats
Mary
Penington
(
when
she
durst
not
remove
her
moveable
goods
,
nor
made
it
as
her
principle
)
condemn
others
that
are
principled
so
to
do
Papers
of
Condemnation
known
Errors
and
Failings
Acknowledgment
so
publickly
spread
,
as
his
Errors
and
Failings
have
been
Acknowledgment
unto
Repentance
before
the
Lord
James
Naylor
remove
such
Stumbling-Blocks
John
Blaykling
False
Charge
And
I
do
believe
that
are
there
many
in
that
have
not
let
in
Prejudice
and
Enmity
against
me
,
that
will
witness
against
this
False
Chrrge
,
John
Blaykling
John
Blaykling
six
Letters
George
Fox
Two
Letters
no
Place
Name
not
known
to
me
any
Place
Iohn
Blaykling
T.
B.
S.
H.
John
Blaykling's
Postscript
Sheet
of
Paper
Here
followeth
the
Testimony
and
Certificate
from
to
the
clearing
of
the
Aspersions
that
and
others
would
cast
upon
as
afore-mentioned
George
Fox
renders
not
Evil
for
Evil
,
that
's
blessed
with
Honour
above
many
Brethren
,
that
thousands
will
stand
by
him
in
an
Heavenly
Record
unto
the
Integrity
of
his
Soul
to
Truth
,
that
still
lives
with
him
;
that
his
Life
reigns
,
and
is
Spotless
,
Innocent
,
and
still
retains
his
Integrity
,
whose
Eternal
Honour
and
Blessed
Renown
shall
remain
;
yea
,
his
Presence
and
the
Droping
of
his
Tender
Words
in
the
Lord's
Love
,
was
my
Souls
Nourishment
.
John
Blaykling
,
John
Ware
twenty
seven
False
Certificate
Heavenly
Record
nothing
that
maketh
a
Lye
can
therein
enter
.
John
Blaykling
one
still
keeping
his
integrity
to
God
,
and
his
Truth
,
John
Blaykling
Earthly
Prince
Serious
,
Well
meaning
,
Consciencious
Christian
Servant
of
Christ
seeks
not
the
Praise
of
Man
:
Sober
Man
cast
lying
Slanders
upon
George
Fox
Government
of
Christ
in
the
hearts
of
them
that
believe
,
Lying
Aspersions
Lying
Paper
,
to
defame
the
Brethrens
Care
in
the
Church
of
God
Government
of
Christ
,
in
the
hearts
of
them
that
believe
,
Concern
of
Conscience
Christ's
Government
in
the
hearts
of
Believers
,
Narrative
of
Passages
George
Fox
Bristol
,
Anno
Outward
Orders
George
,
Fox
are
judged
and
condemned
for
refusing
submission
,
without
true
regard
to
a
Consciencious
Scruple
Christ's
Government
in
the
heart
Conformity
to
other
mens
lines
made
ready
to
our
hands
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
four
dayes
Meeting
Charles
Marshal
Part
of
the
Christian
Quaker
John
Blaykling
John
Blaykling's
Postscript
And
as
to
that
particular
cast
upon
him
,
which
if
his
be
an
of
the
Matter
would
ground
an
John
Blaykling
I
answer
,
if
affirm
,
that
I
had
a
burthen
on
my
Spirit
,
with
respect
to
I
do
testifie
,
that
he
affirms
an
and
that
it
doth
arise
in
him
from
a
Spirit
of
Envy
,
watching
for
Evil
against
the
Innocent
,
whom
God
justifies
.
John
Blaykling
John
Blaykling
John
Blaykling
contradicting
himself
Is
this
the
Shift
you
are
put
to
,
that
he
John
Wilkinson
should
not
be
found
a
False
Prophet
,
to
charge
a
Lye
upon
me
to
defame
the
Innocent
withal
?
George
Fox
Word
of
the
Lord
John
Wilkinson
George
Fox
False
Charge
John
Blaykling
doth
not
the
Lord
confound
you
in
all
your
undertakings
?
George
Fox
,
John
Blaykling
John
Blaykling
And
whereas
George
Fox
&
c
John
Blaykling
Might
not
have
applied
this
at
home
,
who
knows
in
his
Conscience
what
a
Libertine
,
Loose
and
Dark
Spirit
,
departing
from
his
Subjection
to
the
Truth
,
he
hath
given
way
to
,
and
hath
taken
a
Liberty
to
himself
to
make
away
his
visible
Estate
,
or
at
least
a
considerable
part
of
it
,
to
avoid
suffering
thereby
.
securing
a
part
of
my
Estate
,
George
Fox
spotless
and
still
keeping
his
Integrity
George
Fox
Isaac
Penington
,
to
secure
her
or
their
Estate
,
from
the
hands
of
the
Spoilers
.
George
Fox
Aspersions
,
that
my self
and
others
had
cast
on
him
,
G.
F.
Irreligious
Confidence
G.
F.
John
Blaykling
George
Fox
Nathaniel
Crips
Nathaniel
Crips
's
advising
him
to
buy
his
Tythes
John
Blaykling
,
Robert
Barrow
Bristol
,
That
they
by
the
Authority
of
God's
power
have
an
Vnderstanding
given
them
of
God
to
act
and
determine
in
Affairs
appertaining
to
the
Gospel
and
its
Order
John
Story
False
Certificate
prophane
ungodly
Spirit
Lyes
,
False
Certificates
,
Vnjust
Slanders
Good
Name
Will
of
Man
Conformity
to
Outward
Ordinances
that
those
who
have
begun
in
the
Spirit
,
cannot
be
made
perfect
by
the
Flesh
.
G.
F.
J.
Story
George
Fox
John
Story
John
Story
and
it
is
a
Work
of
Darkness
from
a
Malicious
Spirit
.
George
Fox
Henry
Sweeting
George
Fox
John
Story
,
That
he
either
hath
forged
,
or
hath
some
to
forge
them
for
him
,
John
Story
Thou
must
bring
forth
the
Authors
and
the
Informer
,
with
his
Town
and
County
,
else
they
will
lie
on
thine
own
Head
:
John
Story
George
Fox
add
to
another
man's
words
another
man's
words
G.
F.
Henry
Sweeting
John
Blaykling
False
Certificate
Henry
Sweeting
GEorge
Fox
Separate
Meeting
John
Story
Rogues
,
Drunkards
Mr.
Story
,
I
take
such
a
one
to
be
my
Wife
Mr.
Story
,
I
take
such
a
one
to
be
my
Husband
,
and
they
went
afterwards
to
drink
and
eat
some
Cake
and
Cheese
,
Thank
you
,
Sir
G.
Fox
it
was
true
John
Story
These
Words
were
spoken
by
in
my
house
in
and
if
will
come
to
Tryal
,
I
shall
then
prove
the
substance
of
what
is
above
written
,
by
other
Testimonies
,
that
he
spake
it
in
this
Town
,
in
other
places
The
cause
of
this
my
writing
is
chiefly
,
because
I
have
met
with
a
Paper
,
wherein
my
name
with
others
is
,
that
came
from
which
is
a
very
although
he
speaks
so
much
of
's
sending
and
spreading
a
Paper
,
and
not
sending
to
him
first
,
has
done
it
,
and
must
not
be
corrected
for
this
his
great
failing
:
I
shall
leave
it
to
the
Lord
,
who
correcteth
and
judgeth
in
Righteousness
,
who
is
God
,
that
sees
and
knows
all
.
Thus
much
following
in
Vindication
of
Truth
.
coming
to
's
house
in
there
was
and
the
time
I
was
there
,
I
heard
him
speak
,
the
greatest
part
of
what
is
in
a
little
Paper
,
written
by
with
his
name
to
the
same
:
where
I
spoke
to
then
,
&
asked
him
to
which
he
would
not
answer
me
.
And
also
I
asked
him
about
the
that
he
spoke
so
much
of
in
our
publick
Meeting
,
and
this
he
referred
me
to
this
I
here
set
down
,
that
these
things
may
bring
him
to
remember
the
Truth
of
what
he
spoke
then
;
so
if
he
,
did
speak
a
rable
of
of
people
be
it
upon
his
and
he
must
be
careful
in
his
Travel
the
time
to
come
,
to
speak
nothing
but
the
Truth
:
for
indeed
I
must
say
,
I
never
heard
so
much
spoken
by
no
man
,
that
did
profess
himself
to
be
a
minister
of
the
Gospel
,
as
if
he
had
surrounded
the
Countries
,
to
get
up
all
the
miscarriages
,
and
failings
,
done
and
committed
in
time
past
,
which
indeed
,
I
told
him
then
,
at
and
so
I
left
him
at
(
where
I
found
him
in
his
Carriage
)
going
on
THou
hast
sent
a
Paper
to
judge
me
,
concerning
what
I
heard
thee
speak
about
thou
deniest
it
;
but
I
testifie
in
the
sight
of
the
Lord
,
that
thou
saidst
,
Thou
saist
,
I
have
laid
my
foundation
with
Tyes
,
but
I
have
laid
it
with
the
Light
within
;
thou
spakest
at
's
house
,
there
was
and
others
in
the
County
of
Iohn
Story
Story
.
Witness
John
Story
John
Story
as
to
the
Report
the
Inclosed
carries
,
I
know
nothing
of
it
,
no
more
than
a
Child
Vnborn
;
and
in
the
presence
of
Almighty
God
,
I
do
deny
any
such
thing
was
done
where
I
was
present
,
or
that
I
ever
heard
of
any
such
thing
done
any
where
,
under
the
Profession
of
Truth
.
And
as
to
that
which
they
call
a
to
manage
Church
affairs
,
I
never
was
at
any
of
them
to
this
day
,
neither
was
I
of
Counsel
with
them
about
any
Business
they
transacted
in
those
Meetings
to
this
day
:
I
have
acquainted
them
with
it
,
they
also
deny
they
know
any
such
thing
,
and
do
deny
the
abominable
practices
of
all
in
the
World
.
These
are
not
the
first
Lyes
hath
reported
,
both
against
my self
and
the
Meeting
they
call
He
hath
not
given
us
Ground
of
late
years
to
expect
any
Right
of
Justice
from
him
.
John
Story
G.
F.
John
Story
John
Story
Henry
Sweeting
John
Story
William
Rogers
Breaker
of
his
Covenant
under
hand
,
G.
F.
William
Rogers
Breaker
of
his
Agreement
Breaker
of
his
Covenant
under
hand
,
particular
Matters
William
Rogers
Breaker
of
his
Covenant
G.
F.
John
Story
William
Rogers
Westmoreland
,
Cumberland
,
Yorkshire
That
no
Paper
should
go
forth
,
without
the
knowledge
and
Consent
of
both
Parties
truce-breaking
Spirit
Covenant-breaking
Spirit
G.
F.
John
Story
S.
H.
G.
F.
S.
H.
Thomas
Gouldney
,
William
Rogers
William
Ford
G.
Fox
Letter
,
whereof
the
above
written
is
a
copy
,
came
several
Weeks
past
,
to
our
hands
;
but
being
dated
from
nor
yet
signed
any
otherwise
than
we
could
not
tell
unto
whom
to
send
Answer
:
We
have
sufficient
Cause
of
Jealousie
,
that
thou
art
neither
unacquainted
with
the
therein
contained
,
nor
yet
the
that
writ
it
,
and
therefore
we
desire
thee
to
acquaint
us
,
if
thou
canst
,
who
it
was
,
that
wrote
such
a
Letter
,
or
a
Letter
to
the
like
import
:
but
if
thou
shalt
pretend
thou
canst
not
,
then
we
desire
thee
to
acquaint
us
Whether
thou
dost
know
of
any
thing
acted
by
us
,
or
either
of
us
according
as
in
the
above
copy
is
mentioned
,
to
render
us
,
or
either
of
us
&
as
in
the
above
Copy
exprest
.
The
Reason
why
we
thus
desire
of
thee
,
is
this
;
't
is
commonly
reported
,
that
thou
hast
thus
rendred
us
,
and
in
particular
to
thou
hast
written
of
&c.
as
a
person
concerned
in
sending
abroad
a
kind
of
a
in
the
Nation
contrary
to
their
order
&
Friends
Agreement
,
Truth
seeks
no
corners
;
we
desire
thee
,
to
be
Plain-hearted
,
and
send
us
an
Answer
by
the
bearer
hereof
,
who
comes
on
purpose
to
bring
this
,
and
to
receive
an
Answer
from
thee
:
We
are
G.
F.
abusive
Letter
George
For
hath
been
acted
by
an
Erroneous
Spirit
,
and
been
Guilty
of
many
Things
reproachful
to
the
Truth
,
for
which
he
ought
to
Humble
himself
,
That
Repentance
that
's
never
to
be
Repented
of
Mortal
Man
Assembly
of
Men
Against
his
Brother
Christ
Jesus
viz.
By
their
Fruits
ye
shall
know
them
That
such
an
one
hath
cutt
him
off
from
being
a
Member
of
the
Body
of
Christ
,
by
departing
from
the
Rock
on
which
Preservation
and
Help
is
laid
.
G.
F.
Iohn
Wilkinson
Iohn
Story
Thomas
Gouldeny
,
William
Forde
William
Rogers
Charles
Marshall
Ellis
Hooks
Apostolick-Order
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
Robert
Barclay
Book
of
Government
Authority
of
the
Church
,
BAptisme
of
Water
End
of
the
World
One
Baptisme
Baptisme
of
the
Spirit
Christian-Bond
of
their
Fellowship
not
broken
:
Isaac
Penington's
Testimony
Authority
which
Christ
excluded
out
of
his
Church
:
viz.
Weakness
,
Presumption
,
Danger
of
going
beyond
ones
Gift
,
excluding
Reason
,
eyeing
Man
,
and
Things
without
,
instead
of
our
inward
Teacher
.
Charles
Marshall
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay
Power
over
Property
Acceptable
Obedience
carryes
with
it
Conviction
of
Conscience
Rulers
over
each
other
Teach
Traditions
,
Exercise
an
Authority
to
Ordain
,
Appoint
,
Command
,
Rule
over
others
Reverence
,
Honour
,
and
Obey
such
,
as
are
set
over
them
:
Christian
Believer
Command
,
Ordain
Conformity
to
other
Mens
Lines
,
without
Faith
,
Church
-
Government
Robert
Barclay
sound
Language
Robert
Barclay
Cross
of
Christ
Customs
of
the
World
:
DIfferences
touching
outward
Property
,
Dis-union
amongst
Friends
:
Doctrines
delivered
in
the
Beginning
:
Robert
Barclay
Bond
by
which
we
became
Center'd
in
one
Body
:
EDward
Burroughs
That
we
ought
to
know
the
Spirit
of
to
be
the
Ground
of
all
our
Actions
in
our selves
.
Edward
Burroughs
Scattered
in
Israel
,
Anno
That
there
were
unlearned
Dogs
,
not
acquainted
with
the
Shepherd's
manner
of
Gathering
the
Sheep
;
but
having
something
of
the
Wolfe's
Nature
,
would
not
be
governed
by
their
Master
;
and
that
there
were
others
,
well
acquainted
with
the
Masters
manner
of
Gathering
the
Sheep
;
and
the
Fruit
of
both
:
proper
Distinction
FAith
:
Different
Faiths
Faith
taken
in
a
two-fold
Sense
;
unto
Salvation
further
Growth
GEorge
Fox
George
Fox
Setter-forth
of
Forms
of
Church-Government
,
to
be
like
unto
an
Establisher
of
Men
and
Womens-Meetings
,
in
a
Separation
each
from
other
.
George
Fox
Variance
amongst
Friends
George
Fox
Fourth
Part
George
Fox
Seven
Questions
Iohn
Wilkinson
Iohn
Story
G.
F.
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Answer
,
Yea
Evil
Principles
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Religious
Score
Will
of
Man
George
Fox
Obedience
to
the
Spirit
is
due
,
but
not
to
other
Mens
Lines
,
whil'st
not
by
the
Spirit
convinced
thereof
.
Slighting
of
the
Cause
of
God
:
Forty-Four
Articles
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
George
Fox
George
Fox
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
Iohn
Wilkinson
if
he
gives
not
over
his
Work
and
Separation
:
George
Fox
That
he
approves
of
no
Force
about
Religion
,
but
the
Force
and
Effect
of
the
Word
delivered
:
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
Iohn
Wilkinson
is
separated
from
that
Power
if
not
,
he
would
have
been
at
Unity
with
him
,
as
at
first
:
if
Iohn
Wilkinson
had
loved
the
Gospel
of
Peace
,
he
would
have
come
to
him
:
That
if
he
loves
his
Sin
,
he
may
keep
it
He
thought
to
have
written
to
him
His
Letter
was
not
worth
Answering
John
Wilkinson
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
Against
Tythes
George
Fox
John
Wilkinson
Angry
,
Disquieted
,
Froward
,
Peevish
,
Fretful
,
Malicious
,
High
,
Lofty
Spirit
George
Fox
Iohn
Wilkinson
George
Fox
All
Causes
of
Differences
Not
loving
the
Gospel
of
Peace
:
George
Fox
That
he
approves
of
no
Force
in
Religion
,
but
the
Force
and
Effect
of
the
Word
delivered
George
Fox
Malice
,
Envy
,
Perversion
John
Wilkinson
George
Fox
Cause
of
Divisions
,
viz.
his
Orders
Blind
Zeal
of
the
Weak
to
promote
them
George
Fox
his
Papers
Counsel
only
to
the
Churches
no
Compulsion
That
an
Image
of
the
Government
of
Christ
,
consisting
in
Outward
Prescriptions
,
attended
with
Force
over
the
Inward
Man
,
we
never
expected
in
this
Gospel-Day
,
to
bite
and
devour
one
another
about
:
John
Wilkinson
George
Fox
ill
Consequences
William
Rogers
George
Fox
William
Rogers
George
Fox
Religious
Score
Gospel
-
Law
John
Story
George
Fox
Ending
of
Differences
amongst
Friends
That
the
Division
was
concerning
the
Headship
of
One
Man
George
Fox
That
he
never
intended
,
that
what
he
gave
forth
,
as
Instructions
,
should
be
urged
with
Severity
on
God's
Faithful
People
Scandalous
to
the
Truth
Just
Reproofe
Dark
Spirit
George
Fox
George
Fox
Reproach
to
Truth
Articles
of
Agreement
Thomas
Gouldney
,
William
Forde
William
Rogers
S.
H.
That
they
are
Covenant-Breakers
George
Fox
That
there
was
no
Ground
for
rendring
them
Covenant-Breakers
:
George
Fox
William
Rogers
George
Fox
Will
m.
Rogers
George
Fox
Securing
Worldly
Estate
in
time
of
Persecution
William
Rogers
Thirteen
Queries
William
Rogers
is
detectable
of
many
Lyes
,
from
the
Sight
of
his
own
Answer
,
and
compared
with
what
he
pretends
to
Answer
should
term
his
Paper
a
Good
Exhortation
in
it self
had
many
Queries
on
's
Epistle
and
it
appears
George
Fox
that
they
are
all
Charges
against
him
:
George
Fox
George
Fox
viz.
William
Rogers
[
viz.
Before-mentioned
Mary
Peningtons
William
Rogers
That
he
had
no
Dispensation
from
to
secure
his
Estate
George
Fox
Mary
Penington's
George
Fox
Mary
Penington
She
durst
not
remove
her
Moveable
Goods
?
George
Fox
Thirteen
Hundred
Pounds
That
something
descended
to
him
,
as
his
Birth-Right
God
hath
chosen
the
Foolish
Things
of
the
World
,
to
confound
the
Wise
,
George
Fox
viz.
And
it
is
not
right
,
to
make
a
Man
an
Offender
for
Words
,
if
he
acknowledge
them
Solomon
Eccles
As
I
perceive
hath
done
George
Fox
James
Naylor
Old
Opposer
Nathaniel
Crips
Nathaniel
Crips
Robert
Arch
did
so
Advise
William
Rogers
William
Rogers
I
was
sitting
in
a
Meeting
at
when
another
was
Speaking
,
and
some
Officers
came
up
,
and
took
him
away
.
There
came
no
Souldiers
,
nor
Officers
whil'st
I
was
in
the
Meeting
,
neither
before
nor
after
:
John
Story
Master
,
save
thy Self
Testimonies
,
That
departed
out
of
the
Meeting
at
in
Time
of
Persecution
,
before
the
Meeting
was
ended
:
George
Fox
George
Fox
George
Fox
False
Charge
That
the
Apostle
one
while
Circumcised
,
and
then
again
forbad
it
;
and
one
while
said
,
They
should
not
Iudge
one
another
about
Dayes
,
and
Meats
,
and
Drinks
;
and
afterward
Judged
them
for
it
,
who
made
it
their
Principle
To
Vindicate
his
Advising
to
Secure
her
Estate
,
that
durst
not
Remove
her
Moveable
Goods
,
and
made
it
not
George
Fox
her
Principle
;
nor
yet
to
Judge
another
for
Securing
his
Estate
,
when
Principled
so
to
do
:
Circumcision
,
Observation
of
Dayes
,
Meats
,
and
Drinks
,
George
Fox
That
his
Testimony
for
him
,
is
more
like
a
Parasite
to
an
Earthly
Prince
,
than
a
Well-meaning
Christian
;
and
that
his
Villifying
William
Rogers
,
is
more
like
a
Scold
,
than
a
Sober
Man
;
for
that
he
is
not
proved
by
Particular
Matter
of
Fact
,
worthy
of
any
Evil
Reflection
.
George
Fox
George
Fox
John
Blaikling
George
Fox
George
Fox
Iohn
Story
John
Story
Henry
Sweeting
George
Fox
John
Story
William
Rogers
Outward
Government
Inward
Government
of
Christ
Visible
Persons
Outward
Natures
Establish't
by
Man
.
Received
the
Gift
That
't
is
Hypocrisy
,
to
profess
our selves
Members
of
the
True
Church
;
and
yet
not
Believe
thus
,
as
the
True
Church
Believes
:
IAsper
Batt
Ellis
Hooks
Sixty-Six
Persons
Iasper
Batt
Whether
they
acted
not
from
the
Light
within
,
in
Crucifying
Christ
.
That
we
are
Principled
,
to
depend
on
the
Sufficiency
of
Grace
,
and
not
on
Man
,
Infallible
Spirit
That
the
Church
of
Christ
is
Infallible
,
and
cannot
Err
:
Iohn
Story
and
Iohn
Wilkinson
Forty-Four
Articles
That
't
is
not
any
Personal
Trespass
against
any
of
them
,
that
they
charge
Iohn
Story
and
Iohn
Wilkinson
with
,
nor
any
particular
Concern
of
their
own
,
as
Men
,
that
they
are
in
the
Defence
of
;
but
the
Cause
of
Almighty
and
the
Wrong
they
have
done
to
him
.
Slighting
some
of
George
Iohn
Wilkinson
That
the
Word
of
the
Lord
came
to
him
the
Day
of
the
That
the
Lord
would
break
his
Opposers
,
and
turn
them
one
against
another
about
their
Orders
,
if
they
Repent
not
:
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Five
Heads
Forty-Four
Articles
of
Accusation
Payment
of
Tythes
Isaac
Penington
Christ
excluded
out
of
his
Church
Of
the
Danger
of
running
into
Religious
Practices
,
before
led
thereinto
by
the
Spirit
Of
receiving
Things
for
Truths
,
because
others
see
them
to
be
Truths
That
the
great
Error
of
the
Ages
of
the
Apostacy
,
hath
been
,
to
set
up
an
Outward
Order
and
Uniformity
,
and
to
make
Mens
Consciences
bow
thereto
:
Iustification
,
and
Salvation
through
Faith
in
Christ
,
Christs
Obedience
That
though
such
as
are
in
are
Redeemed
from
under
the
Law
,
which
consisted
in
Carnal
Ordinances
;
yet
they
ought
to
be
subject
to
the
Law
of
Faith
,
which
is
accompanyed
with
Works
of
Righteousness
,
wrought
in
Man
by
the
Spirit
of
God
:
KIngdome
of
GOD
the
Spirit
through
Man
through
Himself
Knowledge
without
Zeal
[
Knowledge
puffeth
up
:
LIberty
and
Forbearance
Liberty
of
Conscience
Liberty
of
the
Conscience
Light
of
Christ
We
were
taught
to
follow
the
Light
in
our
Consciences
,
and
not
the
Orders
of
Men
That
we
will
not
have
Men
to
Rule
over
us
,
Robert
Barclay
MAgistracy
:
Obedience
Active
Nine
Meetings
John
Wilkinson
John
Story
Churches
Affairs
One
Man
George
Fox
Quarterly-Meetings
of
Men
Christ's
Government
Cburch
of
the
First-Born
Members
of
Christ's
Body
Outward
Marks
Tokens
:
Outward
Orders
Church
of
Christ
Obedience
of
Christ
made
many
Righteous
Order
of
the
Gospel
,
Outward
Orders
Christ's
Prerogative
PErfection
:
Every
Gift
of
God
is
Perfect
Securing
Outward
Estate
,
in
Time
of
Persecution
,
Power
of
Decision
of
Differences
,
Power
to
Bind
and
Loose
,
Robert
Barclay
Bond
by
which
we
became
Centered
into
One
Body
Professors
of
Christianity
Prophet
Raised
like
unto
Moses
,
Christ
Jesus
Second
Covenant
Christ
Jesus
REign
of
Christ
Robert
Barclay
Book
of
Government
Epistle
to
Friends
That
he
never
found
Occasion
,
to
Repent
or
Retract
any
thing
from
the
Matter
and
Principles
there
asserted
by
him
:
That
though
the
Things
chiefly
scrupled
at
,
are
cleared
by
his
own
Letter
;
yet
that
all
may
be
satisfyed
by
having
them
from
his
own
Hand
,
he
was
free
to
Write
his
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Robert
Barclay
William
Rogers
Letter
.
Fourthly
SAlvation
of
Mankind
:
Kingdom
of
God
Church
of
Christ
,
viz.
Faith
in
Christ
Antient
Friends
Robert
Barclay
Sentences
or
Degrees
,
viz.
Dark
,
Leaven'd
,
Rending
,
Dividing
,
Separate
Spirit
:
Spiritual
Matters
,
Robert
Barclay
Swearing
under
the
Gospel-Dispensation
,
Submission
to
any
Assembly
,
Church
of
Christ
Robert
Barclay
Supper
of
the
Lord
,
Doctrine
of
Christ
(
Let
th'
Testimonies
of
Friends
arise
)
Tree
of
Knowledge
,
of
Good
and
Evil
Universal
,
Establish't
Unity
Weak
-
Believers
Wisdom
from
Above
;
Necessary
to
Salvation
Writings
for
Publick
View
:
ZEal
without
Knowledge
:
Zeal
,
according
to
Knowledge
That
I
came
up
to
to
read
a
Charge
behind
's
Back
That
though
I
pretended
a
Readiness
to
Meet
him
,
I
had
no
Desire
thereto
:
James
Claypoole
Three
other
Friends
Friends
of
London
George
Fox
George
Fox
George
Fox
George
Fox