Certain quaeries and anti-quaeries, concerning the Quakers, (so called) in and about Yorkshire.

A Reply to certaine QUAERIES propounded by an un-named Author , concerning those People hee calleth QUAKERS .

1. Quaere . WHether they have any other warrant to put themselves into those quaking and trembling Postures , then those generall parts of the word , which commend the working out salvation with feare and trembling , trembling at the word , serving the Lord with fear , and rejoycing before him with trembling ? &c.

Reply . Whether this man who propounds these Quaeries , speake soberly or rashly , if not maliciously of that he understands not , when as he saith in his first Quaere , They put themselves into quaking and trembling postures ? whereas it is a thing which they cannot avoid or fly from .

2. Quaere . Whether when holy trembling and feare is commended in the Scriptures , there be meant any other ordinarily , then the spirituall and holy dread in the soul , to stand in aw of God , and repent before him , and walk humbly with the Lord ?

Reply . Why dost thou put in the word Ordinarily ? it seems thou thy selfe darest not exclude an extraordinary trembling to be comprehended in those Scriptures ; and if it be comprehended at all in any of them , it is sufficient . If any of the Servants of the Lord have been made to roar , and have been so shaken untill they have thought all their bones to be out of joynt , it is sufficient . If it was so with David , who was a strong one , and yet a type of the weak ones who should afterwards arise ( for it is said , He that is weak , shall be as David , Zac . 12.8 . ) then it matters not whether some Scriptures that name trembling , do or do not comprehend that sense ordinarily . Shall nothing fall out but what was ordinary , when as God hath some work , and strange work to bring to pass , whatever it is ? Shall not the swords be beaten into Plow-shares ? Isa 2.4 . Shall not every Oak of Bashan , and Cedar of Lebanon , every one that is high & lifted up , be brought low ? Isa . 2.12 , 13. Shall not all the Honourable of the earth be brought into contempt ? Isa . 23.9 . Shall not all the Idols of the Heathen be utterly abolished , when the Lord arises to shake terribly the earth ? Isa . 2.18 , 19. Shall not men cast all their Idols of silver , and Idols of gold to the Moles , and to the Bats , for fear of the Lord , and for the glory of his Majesty , when he arises to shake terribly the earth , ver . 20.21 . ( which earth may comprehend the earthly , fleshly part of men for ought thou knowest ) Are not these things foretold ? Shall they not come to pass , seeing the Lord hath foretold them ? And how shall they be ordinary , when they come to passe , seeing they seldome or never were before ?

3. Quaere . Whether it were ordinary in the Old or New Testament , for the holy Servants of God to quake , be entranced , make strange noises , shew strange swellings and stirrings of the body , as if they were possest with some spirit ?

Reply . Whether dost not thou render this work of God under as odious terms as thou canst , to enrage every one against them upon whom it falls ? Why dost thou again put in the word Ordinary ? If it were at all , I tell thee it is sufficient . Was not roaring and mourning like Doves strange noises ? Was not Peter entranced , and Paul wrapt up , and John caught up in the Spirit higher and higher , to hear and see the Mysteries of God opened ? and yet thou darest revile the dealings of the Lord with his servants .

4. Quaere . Whether if they will heap up all Scriptures that mention trembling and quaking , they may not put in this also , The Devils believe and tremble ?

Reply . Whether this discover not a heart filled with maliciousness and indignation ? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh . And Secondly , whether this be not a contradiction to the Fourteenth Quaere ? where thou sayest , they make nothing of the outward command of the Word .

5. Quaere . Whether the spirit that this people are led by , be a good spirit , because they are led into disorders ? but Gods Spirit is a spirit of order .

Reply . Whether to assemble together in a peaceable , harmless way be disorder ? Whether did Christ or any of the Apostles judge the flocking together of the people after truth to be disorder , though the World counted it a turning of all upside down ?

6. Quaere . Whether they have not the Word of God as a shadow when they make it stand by at their pleasure ? as when the man will leave the Wife , or Wife the Husband , to follow their Circumcellion walkes , and roving about ?

Reply . Whether doth not Christ plainly put his servants sometimes upon forsaking all for his sake , Houses , Brethren , Sisters , Father , Mother , Wife , Children , Lands ? Mat . 19 29. How do they make the word of God as a shadow in obeying the Lord herein ? Dost not thou rather make it as a shadow in that thou sayest , but doest not ? Dost not thou make it stand by at thy pleasure , untill thou satisfie thy own will , in fulfilling the lusts of the flesh ? And for the word Circumcellion , why dost thou use a dark word so improperly ? which of them are Alehouse or Tavern haunters ?

7. Quaere . Whether the Apostle is to be justified in saying , Let every one abide in his own calling , in so doing he abideth with God ; or these parties are to be justified more , that leave their callings and Families , and take up the Trade of the spirit that runs about and compasseth the earth ?

Reply . Whether the thousands of Beleevers spoken of in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles , did not abide in that calling wherewith they were called of God , and so abide with God , although they sold up what they had , and lived together ? And if these should doe so , whether doth this man know that they doe not abide in that calling to which they are called of God ? And whether doe they who deny themselves of the pleasures , honors and riches of this world ; or they that run to and fro to compasse them , take up the trade of that spirit that compasses the earth ? And againe , whether that man that brings Scripture in his mouth to oppose therewith the practises and minde of them who write them , and thereby to keep off from self-deniall , and the crosse , be not a wrester of the Scriptures to his owne destruction ?

8. Quaere . Whether they walk according to that rule , Whatsoeever ye would that men should do unto you , do you even so to them : when they leave their houses , sell up their goods , and make their creditours lose many and great debts , making no conscience of it to defraud them , and leave them in the lurch ?

Reply . Whether dost thou not rather break that Rule , Do as you would have others do to you , when thou wouldst enrage and stir up both People and Magistrates , and all to swallow them up , and make an end of them ? Thou that sayest a man should not break that excellent Rule , dost thou break it ? thou that wouldst not have others to speak lyes of thee , dost thou speak lyes of others ? thou that judgest another , dost not thou condemne thy selfe , if thou be guilty of the same ? But whether dost thou know any of them to make no conscience of defrauding their Creditors ? I know but some of them , and I know that they do make conscience to discharge their debts to their power .

9. Quaere . Whether this wisdome of theirs be from Heaven , which is followed with this charity , to call all damned , and children of the Devil ( whether they know them or know them not ) that walk not their way ?

Reply . I cannot finde this to be true . But suppose some speak rashly , must that be clapt upon the backs of others that approve not of it ? And if some do to say so some , whose hearts are discovered to them by their deeds and words , what want of charity is in it ? and what want of heavenly wisdom , if it be spoken in due time , that is , when the spirit of the Lord shall pronounce it against a person by another ? what want of charity or heavenly wisdom was in Christ , when he told the Jews , Ye are of your father the Devil , and the works of your father ye will do ? or in Peter , when he said to Simon , Thou art in the gall of bitternesse , and bond of iniquity ? or in Paul , when he said to Elymas , Thou child of the Devil , thou enemy of all righteousnesse ? Acts 13.10 . What further knowledge needed Paul or Peter of these persons , then a discovery of their spirits by their present words and actions ?

10. Quaere . Whether they be not possessed with a higher and holier spirit then Paul , who gave Agrippa , Festus , and Felix their titles , being called before them , and behaved himselfe submissively and modestly ; but these , Thou , revile and scorn fully contemn all Superiours and Magistrates .

Reply . Whether are all Magistrates to be honoured alike , and have titles of honour given them , seeing its made a Character of one who dwells in God , not to honour but contemn a vile person ? Psal . 15 4. and seeing that Mordecai would not give honor to wicked Haman , although he was advanced by the King above all the Princes in the Land ; and command was given by the King that he should be honoured ; and the Kings servants pressed Mordecai daily with the Kings command , Esther 3.1 , 2 , 3. and seeing that Christ himselfe called Herod a Fox ; and Paul called Ananias whited wall , because he gave order to smite him contrary to Law ; and Stephen called the people and Rulers Uncireumcised in hearts and cares ; which was as hatefull a terme to them as any could be . For what was more hatefull among them , then to say Uncircumcised ?

Againe , Although God rules in the Kingdome of men , and sets up over it the basest of men , Dan. 4.17 . yet whether are not these wicked Powers which rule by Will and Violence called Beasts in Scripture ? Dan 7.3 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 17. ( the whole Chapter is worth the heeding ) read also the 17. of the Revelations , where you may see the Beast called Scarlet coloured Beast , Verse 3.

Againe , Whether did not Paul , and all the rest of the Disciples use the word Thou to all Magistrates , and all men , when they spake to one particularly ? Yea , is it not the constant language used in the Scripture to one in particular ? And if it should not be used in the English tongue , as well as in other Languages , why did not the Translators of the Bible put in You instead of Thou ? Whether dost not thou who Quaeties use the word Thou to him who is higher then all Magistrates ? If it be dishonour to Magistrates to be Thoued , why is it not dishonour to the Lord himselfe to be Thoued at every word ?

11. Quaere . Whether the Nation of England , be not blinde of both eyes , when they do not see the designs of Satan by these , and such like instruments is to tread underfoot both Magistracy and Ministery ?

Reply . If the Nation of England be blinde of both eyes ( that is wholly blinde ) then whether is it not high time for them to remove their Teachers , who have got their moneys all this while , and yet have communicated no light to them , but left them altogether blinde , even of both eyes ? But although the Nation of England be left blinde of both eyes by their Teachers ; yet whether hath it not got some sparks of light some other way , and so much as may serve to let it see these things to be a designe of God against corrupted Magistrates , and corrupt and blinde Guides ? You are blinde , and would make them blinde .

12. Quaere . Whether this be not the high way highly to offend and Grieve Gods spirit , to say , That standing naked on the top of a Crosse , in a Market-place , a mans lying naked , and a woman coming to lye with him , is commanded them by God , and by the spirit of God , that so they should doe ?

Reply . Whether Isaiahs being naked did grieve the spirit of God ? Isa . 20. And if theirs be not of that nature , but their worke be made to burne , then they shall suffer the losse of that worke , 1 Cor . 3.15 But where hast thou any Scripture for crying out for punishment upon their bodies for being naked ? and whereas thou speakest of a woman coming to lie with a naked man ; whether wouldst thou not here insinuate a lye under ambiguity of words ?

13. Quaere . Whether did Paul , or this people say right , when Paul said . That the workes of the flesh were Adultery , Fornication , Uncleannesse , Lasciviousnesse , &c. and yet they say , they are fruits of the spirit , and the power of God urges them to them ?

Reply . Where or when didst thou heare any of them say , That Adultery , Fornication , Uncleannesse , &c. were fruits of the spirit ? or which of them have beene urged to these things ?

14. Quaere . Whether this be not the ready path to Atheisme , to make nothing of the outward command of the Word , Magistrates , Ministers ? but onely to hearken what is within one ; and if the Devill and spirit of Delusion be there , it must be counted the voyce of God ?

Reply . Whether the Spirit that speakes in thee be not a lying spirit , in seeking to make men believe that they make nothing of the outward Command of the Word ? when as their lives and words come nearest to the outward Rule of any that thou canst set before them : Is it not rather evident , that thou and such like make nothing of the outward Command of the Word , but a Trade to get money by it , and so make merchandize of the Word ? And as for the inward guide of the Spirit , the living Word , thou clearest thy selfe thereof sufficiently , as one who knows it not , nor will acknowledge it in others . As to Magistrates , wherein are they against the just Commands of Magistrates ? but if God Command one thing , and Magistrates another , whether must they obey God or man ? As to Ministers : For shame leave off that name ; for how can they be called the Ministers of Christ , who are so far wide from the example and rule of Christ and his Ministers ? Are they not the Hirelings of men , rather then then the Ministers of Christ ? What doe they minister to the people , when as they leave them blinde of both eyes , as thou sayest ?

15. Quaere . Whether those Magistrates be not most faithfull friends to their Countrey and Office , that doe most labour to restraine their Ryots and Tumults , that we may lead a quiet life in all godlinesse and honesty ?

Reply . Whether are these people , who quietly passe to and fro ; or a heady people , who gather together to stone and beate them the Ryoters ? And whether is it not he who encourages that brutish behaviour among people , worthy to be accounted the head of Ryoters ? And whether are those Magistrates more faithfull to their Office , who punish such Ryoters , and brutish Assaulters , countenancing the peaceable ; or those who punish the innocent and harmlesse , but countenance the evil doers ? Whether there be not a woe belonging to him that calls good evil , and evil good ; that puts light for darknesse , and darknesse for light ; that calls a secure life in the sinfull ways of the flesh , a quiet life in godlilinesse and honesty ; and a quiet life in godlinesse and honesty , a tumultuous life in ungodlinesse and dishonesty .

16. Quaere . Whether a quiet and honest Papist be not a Saint in comparison of these , though both of them be Idolaters ; the one worshipping the fancy of ROME , the other the fancy of his Brain ?

17. Quaere . Whether the toleration of these be not more intollerable then the toleration of the walking about of Bedlammers and Frantick-people , since those cannot perswade others to be mad ; but these by spirituall Delusions draw our wives and children all over the Land to SPIRITUALL MADNESS .

Reply . I love not to render railing for railing : The Lord shall rebuke thee thou reviling spirit . But as for spirituall delusions , whereby they draw people as thou sayest ; whether have they the spirit of delusion sent them from the Lord , who receive the truth in the love of it , casting off the works of darknesse ; or they who will abide in the works of darknesse , fighting against that light which would discover their works ? 2 Thes . 2.10 , 11 , 12. Is not that deluding spirit , and those Prophets in whom it is , discovered by their works ? Mat . 7.16 . By their fruits ye shall know them : Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles ?

18. Quaertie . Whether there be not a great deale of ignorance and blindnesse in the Nation , when the people that act not those things , do yet speak well and favourably of the obscoenity , immodesty , disorders , irregularity of these wandring stars ?

Reply . Whether there be any thing in all these Quaeries but expressions of malice and wrathfulnesse ; not onely against these people , but also against all that come not up to thy height of indignation against them ? What Obscoenity , Immodesty , Disorders , Irregularity is that which thou clapst upon the back of all these People ? Is it that nakednesse which thou speakest of before ? if it be , what canst thou doe with it , but let it rest till the day of tryall , which shall discover every mans work , of what sort it is ?

What is that which thou callest disorders and irregularity , is it their meeting together , their speaking often one to another , their edifying of one another in love ? if so , what disorder or irregularity is here ? Or is it their crying out against sin in the open streets , bidding all repent and minde that inward teacher which is in them ? if so , what disorder or irregularity is in this ? Or is it their going into the Synagogues , and crying downe the Parish Hirelings , as Deceivers and Seducers , and blinde Guides ? If this be it , why doe not you manifest it to the contrary before all the People , by the power of truth : and by your works ? But is not that which you count Order , Disorder with God ? and that which you count disorder , was it not once order ? Was it not Pauls usuall accustomed manner of preaching the truth , to reason with others , and that in the Synagogues ? Acts 17.2 . Now reasoning with them , is not a set Oration of one alone , but othe●s speak as well as he . But this is disorder with you .

Whereas thou callest them Wandring stars ; whether are they wandring stars who have no certair , setled , abiding place in the earth where to lay their heads ; such as are spoken of Heb . 11.36 , 37 , 38. or such as are removed out of the Firmament of truth , wandering to and fro in their own inventions , and following the Traditions of men ? whether art not thou in this very expression , besides many others , A wandering star , wildly wandering from the truth of the Scriptures , in applying them as thou doest ?

19. Quaere . Whether this be not strange Divinity , or strong Hellish vanitie , that they may leave callings , revile , be obscaene , disobedient , care neither for order nor office ; and yet they sin not , but are perfect ?

Reply . Why doest thou lie , to say they leave their callings ? and if some of them be called off from their outward callings , and sent forth by the Lord to minister the word unto others ; is not this a cleaving to that calling to which they are called ? But wouldst not thou have them locked up in outward callings or prisons , or any where , so as they might be kept back from discovering thine and others nakedness ? But whom do they revile ? is speaking the truth reviling ? Christ called the Pharisees , Blinde Guides , Hypocrites , Painted Sepulcres , and such like ; was this reviling ? And if they call the Parish-Teachers no more but what they are , how is that reviling ? And as for their obscenity , I know not where it lies : for my part , I have not heard an immodest word come out of any of their mouthes It may be they are disobedient to such as would Lord it over their consciences ; and care neither for the order nor office of those who falsely call themselves the Ministers of Jesus Christ . And as for their being perfect , and without sin ; I think they are nearer to that condition , then thou art who revilest them .

20. Quaere . Whether this people have not light upon some better Scripture then Christ hath given us , which tells them , That perfect Iniquity , is perfect Sanctity ?

Reply . I wonder how thou canst invent such a lie against them . Wilt thou not cease to adde lie to lie ? who ever heard such a Tenent come out of their mouths ? or how can any such thing be gathered from their lives , when as they abhor the workes of darkness more then any ? Who are clearer then they , of Swearing , Drunkeuness , Revelling , Banquerting , Gluttony , Sports , Excess , Pride , Covetousnesse , Uncleanness , Foolish talking and jesting , Strife , Quarrellings , Suits , Defrauding , and Overreaching , and such like iniquities , as the Scripture doth forbid ?

21. Quaere . Whether when they will be naked , deny meat for some days , and use some other strange pranks , they go not both against light of Nature , and light of Scripture ?

Reply . Concerning Nakedness : Why dest thou mention it , as if they were all accustomed to be so ? when as thou canst produce but two persons who were so acted ; wherof one suffers imprisonment for owning that action to be of God . And how knowest thou , but that God may make them signs as he did Isaiah , to shew how God is about to discover thine and others Nakedness ; and to set your Nakedness in open view , as upon a Market-cross , before all the People ?

As for denying meat for some days ; for shame wilt thou offer to set Pen to Paper , as if thou wouldst keepe the people from error , and lead them into trut ? Wilt thou be a Teacher in Print , and art ignorant , That to deny meat for some days , is agreeable to Scripture , both Rules and Practises ? Did not Moses fast forty days ; and so the Lord Christ as many ? Did not Hester and the Jews fast three days ? Hester 4.16 , 17. did not Nineveh fast as many ? Ionah . 3.7 . Was it not an usuall thing with David , Daniel , Ezra , and all the Prophets ? Did not Iohns Disciples fast often ? did not Paul deny to eat or drink for three days ? Did not Christ also give Rules for Fasting , that we should not be as the hypocrites ? Mat . 6.16 . And yet art thou ignorant that this is according to the light of Scripture .

As for other strange pranks , I know not what they are , and seeing nothing is mentioned , I can therefore say nothing of them .

22. Quaere . Whether it be a good thing to maintain ( without any limitation or bounds ) We have fought for our libertie , and we will have our libertie ?

Reply . How can they maintain this without any bounds , when as they cannot use the Sword to procure it , being kept within the bounds of peace voluntarily ? And is it unreasonable for them to desire as freeborn Inbabitants of England , a harmless and innocent liberty , especially seeing some of them have fought for their liberty as well as other men ?

23. Quaere . Whether the Lord be more displeased , or the Devil be more pleased with these practises , and principles , vented , spread , increased ?

Reply . The Lord is in his servants ; the Devill is also in his servants , who delight in wickedness and cruelty ; in pride and vaine glory ; in drunkenness and excess ; in envy and wrath ; in covetousness and fraud , and such like . Well now , see by the children how the father that acts them is pleased : Who are they that deride and scorn , that whip and stock , buffet , abuse , stone and imprison these harmless people ? Are they children of the light , acted by the Lord ? are they Lambs , Doves , Little Ones , Babes in Christ , that so rage against them ? or are they not rather such as are given over to all headiness and licentiousness ? Is it not the Devil who is so displeased , shewing himselfe with great wrath in his children , knowing that he hath but a short time ? Rev. 12.12 .

24. Quaere . Whether it concerns not the Whole Countrey to move the Magistrates , or Parliament , or both , timely to provide some remedy , lest the whole Countrey be sawllowed up by Divine permission , in Tumults , Madness , Disorders and Anarchicall licentiousness ?

Reply . Whether it be the whole Countrey , or only the Priests who are in danger to be swallowed up by these people ? And if it be done by Divine permission , how canst thou or any body else set themselves against it without danger ?

Whether are made Tumults , Madness , Disorders and Anarchicall Licentiousness to be found with , and charged upon a peaceable quiet people ; or found with and charged upon a heady , rude , savage , blood-thirsty and unruly people , and their setters on ; who stone , cast dirt at , beat with clubs and cudgels , drag up and down , and duck into the water such as move not a hand against them ; nor seek revenge upon them for such cruelties , when they have done , though by Law they might ?

25. Quaere . Whether the men of Malton that burnt their goods because they might be abused by pride , had not better counsell , even from Judas , to sell them and give the price to the poor , whereas the fire devoured their goods and charity ?

Reply . Whether thou and Iudas be not both of one counsell , in advising to sell their pretious things for the use of the poor ? and whether do you not both care for the poor alike ? And whether is Iudas his counsell and thine better to be followed in this case , then the practice of Moses , who burnt the golden Calf in the fire , and ground it to powder , &c. Exod . 32.20 . and the practice of Hezekiah , who did the like with the brazen Serpent ; And of them in the Acts , who burned their Books , amounting to fifty thousand pieces of silver ? Acts 19.19 .

26. Quaere . Whether any sober and pious souls , well grounded in , and cleaving to the Word , can eafily fall into these Brain Calentures and Dotages ; and whether it be a thing fained and put upon them , the Judges and Countreys at Assizes can witness it ?

Reply . I may let the former part of the Quaere stand good against thy one selfe , without altering one word . And as for the last part of it ; What is it that the Judges and Countrey at Assizes can witness against them ? any thing but what they openly confess and stand for , even unto suffering ? Can they witness any thing against them , but that they ascribe honor to God only , and not to men , whose ways are corrupt ? and that they told them of their evills ; and that they affirmed that all the Priests of England , who Preach for hire , are Thieves and Robbers ? What wickedness can they witness against them , or lay to their charge ?

27. Quaere . Whether they say true , when they say they are the Prophet Isaiah , Jeremiah , Ezekiel , &c. and therefore they may goe naked , and do what they will ? or do they not maintain some transmigration of souls of others long since upon earth , into their bodies ? And if they have Isaiahs soul , what becomes of their own soul ?

Reply . It s a tedious work for me to answer to all frivolous Quaeries ; nevertheless , lest thou shouldst be wise in thy own conceit , tell me , whether Iohns comming in the spirit and power of Elias , held forth a transmigration of souls ? and if it did , what became of Iohns soul ? clear but this , and thou mayest easily answer thy selfe .

28. Quaere . Whether when about Malton , there are towards two or three hundred that neglect their callings , and meet together , old and young , to confer and compare notes of entranced and quaking madness , it concernes not a Church , nay , a Commonwealth ( if it were no more then Pagan ) to look to it , to prevent the growth of further mischief ?

Reply . Whether it be the spirit of Christ , or of Antichrist his enemy , that repines and rages to hear of the encreasing of the number of such Disciples , as deny themselves of the Honors , Pleasures and Riches of this present evill world , and take up their crosse to follow Christ ? Whether would the spirit of the Dragon cast ; out such a flood out of his mouth to devout them , if there were not a man-childe among them ; a seed that strikes at the head of the Serpent ? Whether durst any one that fears the Lord give such language as to call that entranced and quaking madnesse , which he understands nothing of ; and which may be for ought he knows , the power of the Lord upon sturdy flesh , to bring it into subjection to himselfe , seeing that by the fruits of it , it doth not appeare as yet to be otherwise ? Whether the spirit that is in thee , be not worse then that in Pagans , seeing that some of them have suffered such things as thou canst not suffer , being like a wilde Bull in a net , because thou canst not be avenged on them ? Isa . 51.20 . Whether is not this another lye also added to the former , to say , that there are about Malton , towards Two or three hundred that neglect their callings ?

29. Quaere . Whether these evils at Land be not worse then the Dutch at Sea , which call on us all to call on God to reclaim poor soules from madly running on in Satans drove , and to preserve us , ours , and the Countrey from being left to our lusts , lyes , and unevangelical liberties ?

Reply . Whether Scotch or Dutch , or Papists , or any publike enemy that would overrun the Land ( if they would but let the Priests keepe their hire ) be not wished by thee , and such as thou , rather then a swordlesse , weaponlesse people , who are against that hire , discovering the deceit of it by Scripture ? Whether we should all dance after thy pipe to engage in the quarrell of the Priests to maintaine their Pride , Covetousnesse , False Worship , unwarrantable Hire , and such like works of the Devill , which Christ came to destroy ; or stand cleare from them , lest we partake of their sins , and so partake of their plagues ? Whether the Priests are worthy to stand , if they cannot defend their practises without a Sword , against a people that use no Sword ? If the Priests be able to defend themselves by Scripture against a people that use only the weapon of the Scripture , why doe they cry out for help to the Magistrate ?

Whether this be not palpable hypocrisie , to fight with lyes against those who would crosse thy lusts , and unevangelicall liberties , and yet call upon men to pray to be delivered from lusts , lyes , and un evangelicall liberties ?

30. Quaere . Whether this people thinke there is any Christ but Christ in them ; and whether it be not a strange Christ that crosses his owne Gospell , Word Practises and Rule ?

Reply . Do they not propound the example of Christ to thee , and the Words of Christ , to confound thy hire ( if thou be a Priest ? ) doe they not tell you that Christ calls such Thieves and Robbers , who come not in by the doore , and so forth ? what needst thou then question , whether they owne that Christ that lived on earth , and was hated and persecuted as they are ? But whether dost thou thinke that the same Christ can live in them or in thee ? whether is it not the same Christ in them that is the hope of glory ? Col. 1.17 . Whether it be not a strange Christ indeed that crosses his owne Gospell , Word , Practiles and Rule , as thou sayest : in fewer words , his owne word and practise ? But whether is this strange Christ to be found in thee or in them ? seeing that thou art for carnal weapons to subdue spirituall madnesse by ( as thou callest it ) but they are not for such weapons , their Kingdom not being of this world . Thou art for plucking up all that thou but imaginest to be Tares , contrary to Christs word , they are not ; thou art for upholding the pompe and glory of the World : but these are against such things , both in word and practise , and herein conformable to their Lord and Master . Thy Christ that is in thee , railes against such Meetings as the true Christ was conversant among ; Thy Devill that is in thee ( for I cannot again call him Christ ) rages against that which is a high Lesson of selfe-denyall , and was the condition of Christ indeed , to forsake all , to have no where to lay his head ; to wander about Destitute , Afflicted , Tormented by such spirits as thine . But some of them herein are conformable to the true Christ : The Christ that is in them is hated of the World , perfecuted and imprisoned ; but that in thee doth Hate , Persecute and Imprison : That in them is Stoned , Abused , Scorned , Reviled , Stocked , made the Off-scouring and Gazing-stock in the World , and slandered with lies by that which is in thee : Which of these is likely to be the strange Christ , crossing the Word and Practise of the true Christ ? judge in thy selfe .

Thou musterest together some Scriptures in the end of all ; but to what purpose I know not , except to be a Rod for thine own back ; we will therefore consider them . 1 COR . 6.5 .

I speake it to your shame ; is it so , that there is not one wise Man among you ?

REply . Why didst thou not read on ? No , not one that shall be able to judge between his Brethren ? Verse 6. But Brother goeth to Law with Brother , and that before the Unbelievers ?

Now see whether this word in thy mouth be true ? Which of them goes to Law with his Brother , for want of a wise man among them , to judge betweene them ? You goe to Law one with another , and that before Unbelievers , or any : You will not stick to goe to Law with your owne flock ; yea , with your own flock ( as you call them , for I presume that thou art one who challenges a flock ) Yea , which is worse , you stick not to goe to Law with them , if they will not make shipwrack of their consciences , to satisfie your lusts , in paying you Tythes , which you have no warrant for : And this all the Kingdom may witness against you ; and it is not the meanest , or refuse of you that do thus , but such as are accounted eminent : Where is your tenderness to any of their consciences herein ? You wicked and ungodly Wolves , you greedy Dogs , that cannot be satisfied with Christs allowance ; how can any man hold his peace at such things as these ? to see you do such things , and yet call your selves the Ministers , of Jesus Christ ? O horrible Blasphemy of those that say they are the Ministers of Christ , and speake in the Name of the Lord , and yet practise such things ? Did ever Christ speak a word to encourage you to do such things ? or did ever any of the Holy Apostles come near such practises ? and yet you must be accounted the wise men , and all that obey the truth in practise must be fools . Well , be it so : And if any man will be wise , let him become a foole in the account of such as thee , that be may be wise , 1 Cor . 3.18 .

Another Scripture thou settest downe is this . 1 COR . 14.33 .

God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace , as in all the Churches of the Saints .

Reply . Now consider , dost thou not here condemne that for confusion , which is order with God ? even that which is set down Verse 30.31 . If any thing be revealed to another that fitteth by , let the first hold his peace ; for ye may all prophesic one by one , that all may learne , and all may be comforted : Is not this confusion in thy sight , though it be order with God ? But tell me , O man , is not this rather confusion , to invent or hold up ways of worship that have no correspondency with , or firme ground from the Scriptures ? Was not this the very sin of Nadab and Abihu , who offered up strange fire before the Lord , which he commanded them not , Lovit . 10.1 . and therefore brought confusion upon themselves from the Lord , for confounding and mingling their own inventions with the Ordinances of the Lord ?

And whereas it is said , God is not the Author of confusion , but of peace : How canst thou take these words into thy mouth , when thou art preparing war against thy Brethren , and not peace ? If thou wert his Son who is the Author of peace , thou wouldst be a peace-maker , Mat . 5.9 . and not a stirrer up of an unruly rage among the people against these who are peaceable , and do suffer patiently the abuses of ungodly men against them .

Another Scripture is this . 1 COR . 14.34 , 35.

Let your women keepe silence in the Churches ; for it is not permitted unto them to speak , but they are commanded to be under obedience , as also saith the Law .

And if they will learn any thing , let them ask their husbands at home ; for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church .

Reply . If this Scripture doth wholy exclude women from speaking at all meetings ; then what is the meaning of that Chap. 11.5 . Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered , dishonoreth her head ? Where are women to use their spirituall gifts , when they are given them ? Daughters have the promise of the Spirit as well as Sons , and to prophesie as well as Sons ; where shall they prophecy , if not in that place where the Power of the Spirit shall come upon them ? Shall they prophesie to walls , or to people that shall be about them ?

Last of all this Scripture is added . 2 Thes . 3.6 .

Now we command you Brethren , in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ , that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly , & not after the tradition which he received of us .

Verse 11.

For we heare that there are some which walke among you disorderly , working not at all but are busie-bodies .

Verse 12.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ , that with quietness they work , & eat their own bread .

Reply . Whether doth this Scripture bear an edge against a laborious people who love not idlenesse , as he would turne it ? or whether doth it not fully and truly strike home at all idle Hirelings who walke disorderly , and not after the Tradition which is left by the Apostles ; who worke not at all , but are busie-bodies , medling with that which they have nothing to doe with , so long as they hate to be reformed ? Psal . 50.16 , 17. from such we are commanded to withdraw ; and they are commanded that with quietnesse they worke , and eate their owne bread , and not bread got by unquietnesse and Robbery : Yea , the Lord hath spoken it , and they shall be withdrawn from , Ezek . 34.10 . Thus saith the Lord , I am against the Shopherds , and will require my flock at their hand , and cause them to cease from feeding the flock ; neither shall the Shepherds feed themselves any more ; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth , that they may not be meat for them .

Having now finished my Replyes to this mans Quaeres , and to those Scriptures as they are used , or rather abused by him : I shall now return a few Quaeres back againe .

1. Quaere . WHether the man that propounded the foregoing Quaeres against the People he calls Quakers , was acted by the Spirit that was in Paul , or by a contrary Spirit ? because Paul saith , The weapons of our warfare are not carnall : But he cries aloud for the carnall weapons of the Magistrate to subdue them , though they be a peaceable harmlesse People .

2. Qaere . If this people were tares ready to choak the wheat , yet whether doth not his counsell contradict the counsell of Christ , Mat . 13.29 , 30. Where he saith , Let both grow together untill the Harvest , lest you pluck up the Wheat with them .

3. Quaere . Whether Gamaliel or this man gave better counsell Act. 5.34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39. where Gamaliel said , Let them alone ; if it be not of God it will come to nought ; but this man saith , move the Magistrate to subdue them ?

4. Quaere . Whether this man who cannot heare the meetings of a peaceable harmlesse People at Malton in Yorkshire could have born the sight of such a multitude who hurried up and downe after Christ ( if he had lived in those dayes ) any better then the disdainfull Pharisees ?

5. Quaere . Whether this man ( seeing he wants Gamaliels patience ) he not struck with fear , lest if this People be let alone , they will take away his place in the Nation & his gain by their means shal be destroyed ?

6. Quaere . Whether the Idols of the Nations , needing hoops of iron to fasten them in the walls , lest they fall , doe not represent and bear an affinitie to all Idoll Ministers , that are afraid to fall , except they be surrounded and guarded with the power of the sword to uphold them ?

7. Quaere . Whether the Priests are worthy to stand any longer , if they cannot defend themselves and their callings by spirituall weapons alone , against a people who use no other weapons but spirituall ?

8. Quaere . Lastly , Suppose that there were some reall and true occasion of stumbling given by some of them at Malton , or any where else : Suppose that some heresies should arise among some of them , as it came to passe in those Churches , called the Primitive Churches , 1 Cor . 11.19 . Yet whether were it safe for thee to drown all under calumnies and reproach for these fews sake ? Do not these People most resemble those who were called out of the world in those dayes of the Primitive Apostles , of any that have yet appeared ? and how knowest thou , but that there may be a blessing among them , a seed that cannot be destroyed ? And how darest thou utter such perverse things against them ? Repent , O man , and declare unto all people , what thou hast done , and what folly hath proceeded out of thy mouth . He that falleth upon this stone shall be broken ; but he upon whom it shall fall , it will grinde him to powder . Even so Amen .