Something by way of testimony concerning Clement Lake of Crediton in Devonshire with something he wrote in his life time by way of answer unto John Flavell, independent preacher of Dartmouth.

A Letter sent by John Flavell, an Indepen∣dent Preacher at Dartmouth, in Deven∣shire, to Clement Lake of Crediton, The Second day of the Fifth Month, 1687.

DEar Christian Friend, the true Christian love I have born to you, ever since I came acquainted with you, and saw the Grace of God in you, hath engaged me in real Tender∣ness to your Soul, to give you this Paper, if happily the Lord may thereby Confirm you in his Truth, against the Soul-de∣stroying Errors of Quakerism; I am perswaded if the Princi∣ples of those Men were but truly understood, and the conse∣quence that necessarily flow from them, known to you, you would with as much Satisfaction, chuse to dye a Martyr in opposition to that Error, as the Christians of Queen Mary's Dayes did, against Romish Idolitry; give me leave to say plainly, a Quaker cannot be a Christian, I mean a Quaker that knoweth and defend∣eth the Principles of that party, and I can confirm it as strongly as I assert it plainly, and will do it for your sake, by this Ar∣gument, every part and Branch whereof I am fully satisfied in.

If Quakerism Subvert the Fundamental and Essential Articles of the Christian Religion, then no Quaker that under∣stands and professeth the Principles of Quakerism, can be a Christian, But it doth so as will presently appear; For:

1. They Deny the Existance of the Human Nature, and Sa∣tisfaction of the Blood of Christ.

2. They Deny the Imputed Righteousness of Christ, as the matter of our Justification.

3. They Deny the Resurrection of the Body, and its Partisipa∣tion of Glory with the Soul.

4. They lead Men to the Covenant of Works, and Obedience to the Light within for Salvation.

All these are there real Opinions, let them dissemble, and hide themselves never so Cunningly, I can prove it out of their own wicked Pamphlets, I have had it from there own Mouths, and that often; and to satisfie you of the truth of what I charge them, if you will but conseal the Paper from them, and ask any of their Lead∣ers your self, so as they apprehend not your design, these Questions you shall find the Charge Just and Real against them; take a fit Season, and Demand thus.

1. Are we Justified and Saved by that very Blood of Christ that was shed at Jerusalem, or by some other means then by the Blood of the Man Christ Jesus?

2. Is Jesus Christ now in Heaven in a true and real Body of Flesh and Blood? Or is he not?

3. Is the Active and Passive Obedience, which Christ per∣formed here on Earth, in the dayes of his Flesh, the matter of our Righteousness before God? Or is it something in our selves?

4. Shall these very Bodys of Flesh and Blood rise again at the last Day, and be glorified with the Souls, and remain Hu∣man Bodys still, for Substance, though glorified Bodys for qua∣lities? Or what shall become of them?

5. Must we expect Salvation by believing in Christ for Righ∣teousness, and applying his Righteousness to our Souls by Faith? or must we expect it by Obedience to the Light within us?

This being done discretly, so as that they see you do for Satisfaction, and not to intangle them, I am confident you will find to your Sorrow, that I have too Justly charged them with those Damnable Errors, and then the Snare is broken, and

your Soul escaped; But you must have a care of there deceitful Answers, and hold them close to the words of each Question, else they will hide the hook in general and plausable answers.

But it were better for you to converse on these points with sound and sollid Christians, that know their Principles, then trust your self amongst them; but if you must, I doubt not but by a discreet management you may have it from the Mouthes of their chief Leaders; the Lord keep your Soul in his Truth; remember there are damnable Errors, 2 Peter 2. 5. as well as Practices Give me a few Lines that may rejoyce, and comfort my Heart concerning you, for my love to you makes me Jealous over you. I Remain yours in Jesus Christ our Hope,

John Flavell.