The lybeller carracterizd [sic], or a hue and cry sent after him. Some of his works made publick: with observations thereupon

HEre is the work of a formal Apostate manifested, and some Ob∣servations and Queries made publick, that was long since

delivered to some of the Formal Preachers in Reading, but no An∣swer given to them; or an Hue and Cry after a nameless Author, that hath made it his business to send great Packets by Post, from London to Reading, and to many other Places in the Nation, where∣by honest men have been put to great Charge, and much abused by one that would seem to be Religious and very Zealous, for the setting up of Outward Things, as may be seen by his own words, as they were sent to two Persons in Reading, set down verbatim: also a short Postscript.

First Query. Was not Peoples going from the Light and Spi∣rit in their own Particulars many Ages since, the Cause why so many Forms of Prayers were made to be said by the Church of England.

2 dly. And did not their compelling and using Violence to those that were otherwise minded, proceed from the Spirit that made the Form?

3 dly. Did not the Presbyterians with their Church-Faith and Directory that they had made, do like the Church of England, when they had power; Excommunicate and cast into Prison, such as could not bow to their Image, which they had set up?

4 thly. 'Did not the Baptists with their Form which they did cry up, do like the former? And hath not all the Lo heres, and the Lo theres arisen, when the People in every Generation have gone from the Spirit's Teaching?

5 thly. 'And hath it not been so with all other Sects, when they have erred from the Spirit, which was given to be for a Leader, and have run into the setting up of Outward Things; which hath proved a Snare in all Ages; read and see how it was with Israel of old, when they forsook the Lord; how did their Ene¦mies prevail over them? Let it be a warning to all in our days.

6 thly. And now it is come to the Formal Quakers turn; and are not they, with all their strength and might they can get in most places, a setting up the Form that they have made, and giv∣ing it higher Names than any that hath gone before: and some hath had the Confidence to say, and preach openly (that what they had set up) was to keep things sweet and clean; notwithstand∣ing many things have happened amongst them in many Places, which is a stink and a shame to mention; yet calling them Holy Orders, and such like N••m••s as they in their imaginary Minds could think on; too much like the Golden Image that was set up

in the days of Daniel, which the Lord did and will Confound.

7thly. And doth not many of the Formal Preachers sit with their Hats on, when many of the Lord's Servants are moved to pray.

8thly. And doth not many others imitate them in that ungod∣ly Practice; so that it may be said as it was in times past, like Priest, like People: which is a trouble to many, and a stumbling Block to the Weak that beholds it; and may it not be said now as in Times past; The Teachers of the people have caused them to err.

9thly. And do not some of you, Formal Preachers, send great Packets by the Post, directed to honest men in the Countrey with∣out any Name to them, on purpose to put them to Charge, wit∣ness Reading, where four were sent to two Persons in eight days time, and charged 3 s. 8 d. to be paid by them they were sent to; and many more have come to this Town since, besides what have been sent to other Places.

10thly. And are these the Fruits of a Christian Spirit? or from them that are Apostatized from it? Let any that have any under∣standing of the Things of God, Judge.

11thly. And have not you, according to your Power, been like them before mentioned, considering your standing, in giving bad Names, both in your Prayers, and also Preaching; calling such dark Spirits (that cou••d not joyn with you about your Forms) and that they were gone in the way of Cain: and many such like Expressions; and have you not endeavoured to make the People believe it; when you know in your Consciences, that many that you so brand, are blameless, both in Life, Conversation, and Doctrine.

12thly. And was it not the Elders of Israel in days that are past, that gave unrighteous Judgment, and did condemn the In∣nocent? And hath it not been so in our days? Witness the Paper that was signed by 66 against their innocent Brethren in the North? And may not the same Cry be sounded in this our day, as was then, in the Ears of many, Return, return to the place of Judgment. Even to that Principle that was first preached, which was the first, and will be the last.

13thly. When David kept to the Spirits teaching, did not he say, O Lord, thou hast made me wiser than all my Teachers, and thy Word is a Light to my Feet, and Lanthorn to my Paths. And this teach't him to order his Conversation aright: and it is the same at this day, and will remain for ever.

14thly. And is not the Lord God, who hath an All-seeing Eye, ap∣peared, and made known himself in this our day, for this very end, ac∣cording to his Promise, to gather a People to himself, from all the Lo-heres and the Lo-theres, as hath appeared, and is bringing them to wait upon him; who is feeding all that do truly hunger after him, with that Bread that doth truly satisfie their longing Souls, and all such, as they abide under his Teaching, need go no more forth, blessed and praised be his everlasting Name for ever.

26th. 11th. Mo. 1683.

L. K.