The Christian-Quaker and his divine testimony vindicated by Scripture, reason, and authorities against the injurious attempts that have been lately made by several adversaries, with manifest design to rendor him odiously inconsistent with Christianity and civil society : in II parts. / The first more general by William Penn ; the second more particular by George Whitehead.

THE PREFACE.

THe Insatiable Thirst of Men after Religious or Civil Empire, has filled almost every Age with Contest: But for Pure Religion scarcely has any one contended.

To mention the Disorders within the first Six hundred Years from Christ (who have been by far worse succeeded) were to write the Ecclesi∣astical History; But such as are not ignorant in it, must needs know, that Religion so early, became a Cloak for Dominion, and Truth a Pretence for Revenge.

What better has happen'd since, Modern Stories tell us. Certainly the Separation of most Parties from former Institutions, however rightly begun, have basely degenerated into Self-Promotion, and when there, to the Exercise of that Power over Consciences, which, when it was their own Case •…•…o suffer from others, they esteem'd most Cruel.

I well know, that there is something in Man, that prompts to Religion, and such as stands not in the Tra∣ditions of Men, nor any meer Formality: But Man, that he may not wholy lose the Honour of a share, or be reputed sloathful; with an unwarrantable Activity so adulterates, and by an Intermixture of his own Conceptions with those Divine Dictates, and purer Discoveries, so sophisticates, that they

last become more his own Workmanship then the Truth's. And so fond is he of this Child of his Brain, that like some ancient Tyrants, he will rather cut his way to the Throne by a Violence upon all other Con∣sciences, then not put an Earthly Crown upon its Head.

They that know not the Truth of this, have scarcely look'd back to their Great-Grand-Father's time. Two Centuries have not past as yet, since Bold and Honorable Attempts were made against that Apostate Church of Rome, which prov'd so Suc∣cessful, as to win many Kingdoms from her Tyran∣ny: God certainly blest the Endeavours of those Consciencious Persons, who spent their Estate, Time and Blood in that truly Holy, but Passive War.

But this hath been the Misery, that they being intercepted by Death, their Successors, who acted not in the same Simplicity, and upon like Convictions as they did, began to think it no small Testimony of their regard to their martyr'd Ancestors, to invest what they call'd their Religion with Worldly Majesty, and then make use of the temporal Sword to esta∣blish it, with their own Additio•…•…s, as the most true, certain and infallible Way; Employing that Force, those Mulcts and cruel Penalties to extort Con∣formity, or else perish who dissented: which rendred Rome's Actions so detestable to the very Martyrs, and indeed without which they had not been Martyrs.

The Work was now to promote Religion by Power, who had so lately overcome It by Suffering. Leagues, stately Embassyes, great Conventions, raising of Armies, War with one, and Peace with another took up the Minds of most, how to defend the Stateliness

and Pompous Grandure of their Religion, though they by so doing, gave Testimony, they had lost much of the true Sence of that very Religion they pre∣tended to advance.

'Twas now that some appear'd dissatisfied with such Proceedings, decry'd that Superstition and For∣mality which had been unadvisedly detain'd by the English Church as Decent; for the Invention of that Church, the Protestants themselves stil'd Antichristian. They believed mens Lives were much corrupted, and laid the fault upon the Pride, Avarice, Voluptu∣ousness and Ignorance of the Clergy; they stript them∣selves of most Superfluities, and seem'd to pro∣mote a streighter Way, then what was then gene∣rally professed; these they called Puritans.

But such sowr Resentments had both the Powers and Prelates of their Procedure, that Laws were en∣acted, and executed to Blood, as well to hinder Religi∣on from being more refined, as they had for pre∣serving it from being again more gross. Surely, this look'd more like Care for Power, Faction and Interest, then Religi•…•…. For without doubt, the Plea of those Puritans was thus far unanswerable by their Adversaries. By this time almost all Peo∣ple were taken with their Complaints, especially those, who seem'd more Religiously inclin'd, which at last had so leavened the Gentry, as well as the Commonalty, that when that memorable Parliament was chosen, and for their Sitting, call'd afterwards, The Long-Parliament, the Sream clearly run on the Puritanical-side.

The Church of England disdaining their preten∣ded

Reformation, and as resolved to abate in nothing of Her Splendor, Wealth and Preser∣ment, in e•…•…ther Civil or Ecclesiastical Matters, makes Head against th•…•…se supposed Disturbers of the Peace of both Church and State: And as the blind Wrath of Heathens taught the Papists, and the Papists the Protestants; so the Protestants by their Coercive Power for Religion, taught the Puritans to be re∣solute and fierce in the Defence of their Separation. The Complaints of the one, meeting with strong Denials from the other, they came to Big Words, and from thence to Heavy Blows. Such Feud, such Hatred, such War, Spoil and lamentable Slaughter, as for many Ages had not been known, were the most deplorable Effects of that Contest for Reli∣gion. By this time Victory turning to the Purita∣nical Party, now degenerated into harsh Presbytery; they who before did fasten Anti-Christianism upon the Church of England, for offering to act Coercively towards them, in what concern'd Consciencious Separation, become themselves the most Narrow in Re∣ligion, and Vigorous in imposing upon the sharpest Penal∣ties (known to those times) what they Synodically agreed to be Scripture-Faith, Worship and Discipline; forgetting or denying to leave that Liberty of Ex∣amination to others, they had so earnestly con∣tended for against the Prelates of the English Church. So partial is Self, so blind is Interest.

But neither doth our Story end here; for these Men forgetting their Primitive Tenderness, and that lowly Spirit, which justly charged the English Clergy with some Degeneracy, as had that done the Romish, were quickly Reminded by the timely and honest Zeal of those they call Independants and Anabap∣tists:

who having a clearer Sight of things, as I believe, and more Regard for Reformation, at once charg'd them with neglect, and endeavour'd to push things a Step further. They lowdly exclaim'd against the Loosness of their Parishes, and their too free Administration of the Sacraments to mixt and unquali∣fied Persons; They decry'd the Absoluteness of their Church-Monarchy, with the Necessity of Humane Learn∣ing to Ministerial Qualification: And lastly, with great Earnestness they disclaim'd against the Imposition of any Faith or Worship, or punishing with Corporal Pe∣nalties, such as dissented for the sake of Conscience. One would have thought, these Men had set the last bounds to the Spirit of Superstition and Re∣venge, and that having seen the Rock on which their Predecessors split, they should have learnt Safe∣ty by their Destruction, and Construed those foregoing Calamities Land-marks for their preservation, as was an∣ciently said —

— aliena pericula cautum.

that is, having beheld so many fair Adventures for Reformation (begun certainly from an inward sense of the corrupt, and Un-Christ-like State of things) to issue in Fulness, Pride, Superstition, and base Coertion upon Conscience, they should have liv'd in an holy Subjection, and awful Regard to that holy Spirit of Truth, that had given them some farther Illumination, which would have taught the Denial of those Worldly Lusts, that Covetous∣ness and Revenge whetted their desires after, and have preserved them in the Way of Meekness, Patience, Long-suffering and Holiness, without which none shall ever see God. But alas! as Reformation from Popery and Prelacy was soon over-run by Party-Asperity, and Self-Promotion; so truly these Men

made as little Conscience to employ the old Wea∣pon of external Force to advance themselves, and depress others, as had those that went before them.

'Tis true, the Presbyterian, who shewed them the Way, as had the Protestant him, and the Pa∣pist the Protestant, being so considerable in Num∣ber, and these Peoples Maxime so narrow (viz.) Out of a Church, out of the Faith; Not Dipt, not Chri∣stian'd: That too great Division might not perish the whole Affair, of continuing the Government in its present Channel of incredible Advantage un∣to them, they much against their Will, admitted the Presbyterian into a share with them, especially of Parochial Churches, as they are called, and did not wholy exclude the more Moderate of them, a part in the Administration of the Civil Go∣vernment.

Thus then (though with regret, and no small Jealousie) being tollerably well agreed, like as he that from a poor Priest to a Pope, was wont to be remembred of his Original, by a Net (because se∣veral of the Apostles were Fishermen) which he commanded to be brought to his Table, when Pope, cried, Take it away, Take it away, the Fish is caught; So they having caught the Great Two∣Headed Fish of Civil and Ecclesiastical Power, and upon one a Crown, upon the other a Miter, Lao∣dicea-like, Full, Rich, and wanting nothing, and willing to forget their small Original; their Fa∣thers House, those Heavenly Convictions, and their hum∣ble frame of Spirit, their early Sense in some good mea∣sure had reduct them to; O! Into what Falsness, Cru∣elty, Covetousness, and Folly did they not precipi∣tate

themselves! To violate Faith with Men, and break the most Solemn Covenants that any Age have ever made with GOD himself, to sayl to Security through Blood, and establish their Church in Per∣secution; not un-like the Ottoman Emperors, that never think their Imperial Crowns better settled, then in the Murther of their Brethren. But a∣bove the rest, to decry Tyranny and Persecution, and yet to be the Authors of both •…•…s if they could not have used their Power without abusing it, is un∣worthy the Name of true Men. I will believe succeeding times may have out-done them in De∣bauchery; but I can never think (unless better in∣form'd) that any Age hath so much as equal'd them in a Treacherous Hypocrisie: though (that I may be just) several among them were not wanting to express their utter Abhorrence of such Procedure, which hath thus far aggravated the others Apo∣stasie, that they were worse treated then such that were reputed their Publick Enemies; as if not to be Treacherous, had been to be Dis-affected: con∣cerning which I refer the Reader to the first and se∣cond Narratives, printed in the Year 1659.

Certainly, it was now time, that God should arise, and that his Enemies should be manifest; who, under the Splendidst Shew of Reformation, that almost any Age for 1400. Years could parallel, had Cru∣cified the Holy Life of Religion, stifling the Spiritua∣lity thereof by reform'd Formality, empty Shews, and meer tinckling Cymbals of Sin-pleasing Doctrines: And their Primitive Tenderness being worn off by Time and Preferment, none grew more Superstitious and Persecuting then those who once seem'd most averse from it (I charitably forbear the mention

of particular Persons) In short, Pride, Self-Seek∣ing, and Self-Establishment, in Glory, Wealth, and Worldly Prosperity having undermin'd the Worthy Ho∣nesty, that was at first stirring in the Hearts of some of them: Behold a Glorious, but Empty Trunk of Pro∣fession! as lofty as the Jews themselves, pretending to be Children of Abraham, and Heirs of the Pro∣mise, yet Servants to Sin; Christians by Imputati∣on, but not by Qualification; saved in Christ, though lost, through Sin, in Themselves; pray by the Spirit, yet their Duties unholy Things. Behold Babylon in one of her best Trims!

But it was at this time, serious Reader, when Reli∣gion was so much talk'd of, and so little practis'd, that it pleased the Eternal Wise God, who is un∣searchable in his Goings, to appear, and manifest the Knowledge of Himself, by a Way contempti∣ble to the World (as indeed, when did he otherwise) shewing himself first to Shepherds, and Men of mean Rank, whose, outward Abilities were as incapable to gain Applause from Men, as their Meanness to invite them: Men, Plain and Simple, who desired of long time above Worldly Treasure, they might be acquainted with the true & unchangable Way of God. All the Religion they were taught of Men, or the strength of Me∣mory could collect from Books, joyn'd with their own Simplicity and Zeal, was not able to over∣come the Enemies of their Souls, for whose Re∣demption God appear'd, and they often groan'd in secret; being truly willing to undergo any cross, that might but help them to this Knowledge, af∣ter which they had daily thirsted more then for appointed Food.

Thus, that no Flesh might glory in his Presence,

did the Almighty God, according to his many Pre∣cious Promises, break in upon the Spirits of a poor despised People, by his terrible Power, which caused the old Foundations to shake, and begat holy Terror and Dread, because of the Glory of his Majesty, who had reveal'd Himself. Judgment overtook for Sin, and Righteousness was laid to the Plummet, and a true Scale was erected, wherein all the Profession in the World was lighter then the Chaff, which is blown away of the Tempest. This Day of Judgment for Sin, and Con∣sumption upon all the pleasant Pictures of Religion, that Tradition, Education, or Imagination had drawn in the Minds of Men, they were constrain'd to De∣clare, and the very Utterings thereof were astoni∣shing, both to Professors and Prophane; For being Witnesses of a nearer thing, then an Out-side Reli∣gion, however refin'd, in which the whole World was adulterated from God, and that the Time of the Kindling of the Indignation of the Lord God Al∣mighty was come, because of Iniquity and Unrigh∣teousness that cover'd the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea (which made the Controversie Essential; Not to consist about exterior Order, Church-Go∣vernment, or meer Articles of Faith; But that In∣ward Principle of Righteousness, which reduceth the Soul to the Heavenly Order, and that Faith which overcomes the World.) Therefore in the Name of the Lord, and by the alone Arm of the Almighty, did several of these poor Men go forth into Towns, Citties, and Countries, proclaiming the Day of the Controversie of God with Men, by the pleadings of his Holy Light, Power, or Spirit in their Hearts and Consciences, decrying all Notions of Christ above Possession; calling the lofty Cedars to bow, and the sturdy Oakes to bend before the Heavenly Appea∣rance

of the Lord, by his Light within: that all Knowledge of God, not gotten through inward Judg∣ment, and Experience of the Operation of his saving Hand, was accurst of God: And that as the Earth of Wickedness in Mens Hearts should be consum'd by the Refiners Fire, so the Heavens of lofty Knowledge should by the fiery heat thereof, be wrapt up as a scrole, that a new Heaven and a new Earth, in which dwelleth (not IMPU•…•…ATIVE, but) Real, Inherent, & Everlasting Righ•…•…ousness, might be known to be created by the Word of God, nigh in the Heart.

I say, these Men alarming the Nation with the Sound of this harsh and terrible Trumpet, who had taken so long a Nap in Pleasure, Ease, and Fleshly Religion, caused very strange, and differing Ap∣prehensions.

Some prickt to the very Heart, cryed out, What shall we do to he saved? whilst the Wolf and the Fox lay in wait to intercept the blessed Work of the Lord, by several wayes of Cunning and Cruelty. The Priests (who were degenerated as well as the People, basely Teaching for Hire, and Divining for Money: The best accounted of them making Bar∣gains, how much a Year to preach the Gospel, as they call it, and so is it to this Day) like Foxes seeing their Kennel found out, into which they had so long hid their Prey, and fearing that the Turning Men to the Light in the Conscience, and their so resolutely Testifying, That no Man could be at Peace with God who went condemn'd thereof; and that all Knowledge of the things of God, which hath not been received through the holy Subjection of the Crea∣ture to God's Heavenly Appearance Within him (for

whatever may be known of God, is manifested within, saith the Apostle) was above the true Teacher and the Sufferings of the Cross of Christ: They posted to the Magistrates, Saul-like, with whole Packets of Lyes, Slanders and Invectives, on purpose to beget a Wolf fish Nature in them, to put a stop to the Progress of this blessed Manifestation of the Eternal Light of Righteousness; but the Exercise of a Merciless Power. Some few would not be pre∣vailed upon; but the Generality, seeing their World∣ly Honour, and which to some of them was dearer, their beloved Easie Religion was struck at, Root and Branch, they, as an Arm'd Man, furiously employ'd their Strength to the Relief of the Priests, and Subver∣sion of these poor Men: Some were Imprison'd, others Whipt, several Bruised, not a few Murther'd, and many Robb'd and Spoil'd of their Goods.

And that the Priests might shew themselves; some of them thinking it to long to wait the Ma∣gistrates Leisure, turn'd their own Pay-Masters upon Heads, Shoulders, and other Limbs of Men, and Women, not distinguishing in either Sex, or Age.

The Cry of these Innocent People came up to the then Supream Authority, but Relief could not be had. One Book came out upon another, conju∣ring the Magistrates to employ their Power, to the utter Extirpation of these Seducers, & commanded the People that they should not so much as have any common Intercourse with them, but avoid them as the Pest, and fly them as Witches & Sorcerers: It were to irksom to tell the moity of their Stratagems. O the Mercys of these Men were Cruelties! But yet farther, many things were writ by us in Vindi∣cation

o•…•… our Innocency. Some that sought for the Redemption of Israel, and the Right Way of God, believ'd; here & there a Simeon, a Centurion, a Priest, a Lawyer, a Physitian, a Customer, & Fisherman, and a∣bundance of Handecrafts, for the Poor receiv'd the Go∣spel. But Alas! Neither our Apologies, nor grievous Sufferings, were enough to allay that swelling spirit of Cruelty; nor in the least affect the minds of Priests or Rulers with the Deploredness of our Condition, so as to redress all these grievious Sufferings: per∣haps, somtimes a little shew of Favour there might be, but usually attended with a more terrible Storm. They at last (I mean the Magistrates) by the detestable Suggestions of the Priests, not having any Law in force, by which they could just•…•…fie the Rigor of their Carriage towards us, enacted first, that no Man should Travel on the Sabboth-Day, there∣by to punish us as Criminals, for going to our As∣semblies to Worship the living God; and next, that such Persons as should be found above so many Miles from their own Homes, not being able to give a good account of themselves, should be whipt as Vagabonds; by which Laws, they miserably opprest our Friends, ma∣ny Men of considerable Estates, being worse us'd then very Vagabonds. Thus covering the one over with Devotion, for the Day of rest, and the other, with prudent care, for the Good of the Common-Wealth.

Nor was this all; but as if they would out-do the Ages of cruel Popery and degenerated Prelacy, they received both the Oath of Queen Mary, made against such Protestants as came to decry the Idolatrys and Superstitions of the Romish Worship in the time of their Service, thereby to justifie themselves in the Exercise of Cruelty and Revenge upon us, for

bea•…•…ing our faithful Testimony against their Formal and Hypocritical Preachments; and that Oa•…•…h of Abro∣gat•…•…on of Popery, that by the Advantage they took of our not Swearing at all, they might the better fasten upon us the Character of Papists, as Men Jesuited to that Interest, with plain Design to ren∣der us odious, and cover their own Cruelty; Well may I say OUT-DONE, when pretended re∣formed Protestants, endeavour the Security of their Religion by the enaction of those Laws, which were made by Inhuman Papists, against such as in good measure we can say, were truly reformed Protestants; thereby condemning that in the Papists, which they vigorously acted themselves: and basely sought to entrap us by a colourable Oath, wickedly fore∣cast, because they knew we could not Swear at all, to punish us for not swearing against the Papists. This was their Cloak they had to cover their Malice, but it is grown to short, scanty, and out of date. The Bruises, Blood-shed, grievous Beatings and tedious Im∣prisonments which followed this procedure, are now seen with detestation of almost the very mul∣titude it self, and after Generations shall have it in utter abhorrance.

O what did not the Blood-thirsty Spirit in its Day? These were the great pretending Presby∣terians, Independents and Anabaptists, Fighting, Knoc∣king, Kicking, Robbing, Imprisoning and Murthering an Innocen•…•… People, whose whole Business was to Deny the daw•…•…g Doctrines of the Times, and to Direct People to a certain Holy Principle in themselves, unto which being Obedient, they should experience Sin con∣quer'd, and Peace with God; preferring this above all

the Traditions of Men, or utmost Power of Human Ministry.

But, as many of us saw in the Eternal Light, that such Obstinacy in both Priests and Rulers, to the Heavenly Truth, would provoke the Just God, to overturn them forever (which though we did once and again tell them by Writings, and by Word of Mouth, they slighted our plain-Dealing, turning it upon us, that we should vanish in a little while) So within very few Years God wrought the wonderfull Revolution; and those who had been In∣flicters of Heavy Punishments upon us, became the Objects of their greatest Dis-pleasure, whose Power and Estates they had so long usurp'd: I can call it no otherwise, for not the Country, but Self was wickedly advanc'd thereby.

Behold the Justice of the Almighty, such as refused us our Liberty, after their Solemn Oathes to God and Men, for the Preservation of Liberties, Civil and Religious, became destitute of their Own; and who spoil'd us, were spoil'd by Others, and we just now under their Fee•…•…, came upon Equal Terms with Our Adversaries: At what time, though both They and We, used our Endeavours to prevent Coertion upon Conscience, yet whether they prevailed or no, some were in Hopes, that the Edge of their Spi∣rits, by this Change of Affairs, had been so doubl'd, as never more to cut, or wound a People that had never wrong'd them; and that their Retirement would have been rather employ'd in hearty Sor∣row, for their Abuse of Government, in their Unjust Severity, towards us as well as others, then

a Continuance of the same Enmity. But thus far such fail'd in hopes, their Displeasure against us surviving their Power to inflict it; for though it is true, that in time of Persecution, they would inquire out of their By-Holes, of our Well-fare (for who had so long reigned shew'd they were most un∣fit for Suffering) and like People upon City-Walls or from other conven•…•…ent standings, would dili∣gently observe the State of things, and by their Observation, or Inquiry, carefully acquaint them∣selves with the Success (for our Overthrow had been the End of them) and as one of themselves said, We were the Bulworks that receiv'd the Shot) Yet, so un∣abated hath their implacable Malice been; at the King's first coming in they thought to do great Matters by letting the Powers know they were no Abettors of the Quakers; which indeed stood us in great stead, least we might have been taken for those Tumultuous, Blood-thirsty, Covenant∣breaking, Government-destroying Anabaptists: and that they might prove to the World, we were not of them. No sooner those Storms of Persecution have been over, but like forgetful Mariners, they have faln to their Old Work of bitter Envying: Either some one of their Church leaves them; or the Quakers are prosperous in their Labours; or any thing else that is next for a Cover, to palliate their Emulous Spirit in all its base Detractions from us, and the blessed Truth.

Which truly when I have beheld it, Grief has overwhelm'd my Soul, and a Pitty for their sakes has risen in my Heart, that all those Tryals, which rightly understood and improv'd, would have turned to great Advantage, should be as water spil'd on the Ground.

Many Instances we have had, of this, since their Descending the Throne of Power; Particularly in the Years 1668, 1669. which time; there being some respit, from any violent Persecution of men, upon the account of Conscience. What preaching was almost in every Meeting against the Danger∣ous Errors of the Quakers, as they pleas'd to traduce them, and how were they slander'd upon Several Stationers Stalls? we could scarcely walk the Street, but our Ears must be disturb'd, with the Cryes of the Antidote against Quakerisme; the Synopsis of Qua∣kerisme; the Damnable Heresie of the Quakers, with the like virulent Expressions, bestow'd upon us in their Title-Pages, to be-speak their Sale more easie, with Persons Inquisitive or prejudic'd.

Nay, whilst they commended the King's In∣dulgence to their own Parties, and publickly ren∣der'd him their Acknowledgment of his Clemen∣cy, they sedulous endeavour'd my Imprisonment, in particular, and did not stick, both to character me the most wretched and enormious of Men, for a Book, they (I may in a manner say) extorted from me, and at that time too, when both my Body was straightly imprison'd, and my Life greatly indanger'd; and as the Completement of their Wickedness, they maintain'd the Justness of my Confinement.

But to pass over this, and observe the Conse∣quence of succeeding Troubles; The former Acts receiving New Life, from one more sharp and Cruel, what could we hope, but that this Act exe∣cuted, were enough to make these Professors forever out of Love with Persecution, who are yet too warm Abettors of it.

For, though their Vain Boasts of Standing, quickly vanisht at the Rattling of a few Musquets, and that God, by his Almighty, Invisible Power upheld us, through all those Hardships, of Bruises Blood-shed, broken Limbs, tedious Imprisonments, and Great Spoi•…•…ing of our Goods (enough to melt the Hearts of Infidels) And I cannot say, but then they would Nicodemus-like give us their Night-Encou∣ragements; some Blessing God that we were set to blunt the Edge of Persecution, and so be as a Bul∣wark for them) yet so quickly did their Kindness coole, upon a Relaxation of such Procedure against us, that their Tenderness seem'd to Dye with the Hard∣ness of our Persecutors; For no sooner were we out of Prison, but instead of Congratulations, we were Saluted, or Affronted rather, with an Imposture from Lincoln, and a Lye from Dover; the Former stampt by R. James, the Latter by T. Hobbs, both Anabap∣tists, as they are commonly call'd, to their own In∣famy, and the great Disgrace of their Profession.

These Beginnings, Reader, were followed by the pressing Endeavours of Our Dissenters in ge∣neral, whether by Preaching, Disputing, Writing or other more secret Traducings, both in Cities and Country, but more especially in London: where the greatness of our Sufferings from the Powers, seems out-done by the Malicious Practices of Dissenters. Nay, so Restless are they in their Attempts against us, that they will Disturb themselves rather, then let us be Quiet; and care not whom they molest, if the poor Quakers may but be render'd Odious; witness among others a Libel, call'd The Spirit of the Quakers Tryed; A Letter, subscrib'd J. G. and a Dialogue, T. H. (the two Last of the same Fraternity with those before mention'd.)

Behold, what Use these Men make of Tolle∣ration! with which since Authority hath oblieg'd them, their Gratitude, or their P•…•…licy has turn'd the torrent of their virulent Hammer against us; whom they daily wreak under their ungodly Hate, as if they were resolv'd to interrupt the King's Indulgence, with their Persecution: and by a kind of Revenge upon us for our Liberty, suffer it to be a time of Calm with none but themselves. But, what makes the Matter worse, some Emulous Spirits among them wisht, as I heard, for an other Storm, that the Quakers might but be shipwrackt by it. O strange Impiety! that Men should lay our Prosperity so to Heart, as therefore to wish our Ruin; and rather, then not effect it, run the Bold Hazard of their Own: Unless they resolve to keep their Old Haunt of Creeping into Garrats, Cheese-loifts, Coale-holes, and such like Mice-walkes, and using more Equivoca∣tion to hide a Meeting, then a Romish Priest hath been wont to do, to conceal his Function.

Well may we take up a Lamentation for these things, that Men should so fearfully rend Religion from Charity, and Faith from the good Works of Pati∣ence, Mercy, and Universal Love, as if to Quarrel about Religion were to be Religious, and to call Names, and Jeer a Mark of Zeal and Witt.

To Conclude, and sum up what I have said; This hath been the Misery of almost every Refor∣mation, that its Authors have Degenerated from their first Sense (which plac'd Religion in a clean Conscience, not in a full Head: in Walking with God, more then in Talking of Him) to Self-Promo∣tion, and Persecution of all Dissenters from their Establishment: and the Cause of it is briefly this;

a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from that He•…•…venly Illumination in them∣selves, setting up their Own Contrivance, before they had pull'd down all Contrivances of Men; and their Co∣vetousness, to advance their own Inventions; and Im∣patience, to see them not assented to, •…•…ave promoted Crue•…•…ty, and with this very Cup have the Nations been Drunk, as well Refin'd, as more Gross Professors of Religion. That God therefore fir•…•…t Appeared to, and Impower'd, and Sent forth Plain Men, to de∣clare the Plain Truth, to turn Men from that Dark∣ness, which cover'd their Hearts, notwithstanding their splendid Profession, to the Light that hath shined therein uncomprehended, which obeyed, was sufficient to Sal∣vation; that they were first Slandered, then Perse∣cuted, and that by most Sorts: But their Persecu∣tion not always continuing from the Powers, they have been, and now are diligently followed by their old Adversaries, the Separatists, with their Cryes of Heresie, Error, Blasphemy, and the like, if possible, to make them a Burden upon Earth, witness their many printed Books and Impostures, parti∣cularly, The Spirit of the Quakers Tryed, The Letter, The Dialogue betwixt a Christian and a Quaker, Qu kerism no Christianity, and The Controversie Ended; unto all which from Beginning to End, so far as concerns CHRIST, THE TRUE LIGHT, ENLIGHTNING ALL MEN, THAT EVER CAME, AND DO, OR SHALL COME INTO THE WORLD, WITH A SAVING LIGHT; & WHAT IS THE GENERAL RULE OF FAITH TO CHRISTIANS, I here present the World with our plain & full Defence, having throughly considerd them, with what other Objections, I thought to carry any weight against Us: Which being our Funda∣mental Principle, if prov'd, the common Notion of

Satisfaction for Sins past, present, and to come, Justifica∣tion in the strictest Sense, without inherent Righteous∣ness; their fearful Tale of Predestination, and their P•…•…eas against Perfection will tumbleto the Ground.

And I earnestly beseech the Reader in the Love of God, not to believe every wandring Book or Story that is out against us, but hear us before he passeth Judgement against us, and then let his Conscience tell, if We are not the True Apostolical Christians, promo∣ting the Interest of the Pure Spiritual Apostolical Religi∣on. For, what we believe and assert, we Witness; We don't Steal, nor Robb our Neighbours, God has brought it to us, beyond all Imitation: Our Religion He has made our Own through his internal Operations; And a∣gainst Convictions there is no standing, as well as with∣out them there can be no solid Knowledge: the want of which makes the World miserable, & renders us unknown.

Having thus Historically introduc'd my present Discourse; and my Witness is with God, the Right∣teous Judge of all, not out of ill-Will to any, but in perfect Love to all, that the very Truth of things may be brought to Light, in order to a more clear Understanding of that Controversie, which is now on foot betwixt the so much despised Quakers and their Adver∣saries. For this let all know, I Write not for Con∣troversie, but truly for Conscience sake, that not empty Conquest, but sound Conviction may be the End of all my Labours for the Lord my God, who is over and above every Name, worthy of Eternal Praises and Dominion. I shall conclude, with these Earnest Desires in uprightness of Soul to God; that Truth, Righteousness and Peace may prevail to the more plain Detection of Error, and utter Con∣fusion of all Envy and Prejudice.

Notes

• Read Euseb. Evag. Socr. Ruffin. Coun. Trent. Simps. Full. Perr. Bak. Dan. Trus. Daval. Clark. Morl. Milt. &c.
• See Book of Mar. Luth. contr. Ecc.
• Zuing. Calv.
• Beza &c.
• Hayl. of Re∣form.
• Cambd. Life of Q. E.
• Rush. Hist. Collect.
• Cambd.
• Hist: Wars of Engl.
• The King's Return.
• See Annab. Decl.