Antichristian treachery discovered and its way block'd up in a clear distinction betwixt the Christian apostolical spirit, and the spirit of the antichristian apostate : being an answer to a book put forth by William Rogers, falsely called, The Christian Quaker distinguished from the apostate and innovator ... In three parts ...

Here follows a Paper given forth by them that came off from them of the Separation.

To the faithful Flock of God, the Children of Light every where, the dear and tender Salutation of your Friends, whose Names are here unto Subscribed, your little Bre∣thren through the Redeeming Hand of the Lord most dearly reacheth you.

SIgnifying that we are given to understand, that there are Copies of a Paper formerly subscribed by many professing the Truth, in this our County of Westmerland, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and spread up and down the South and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 England, and what farther we know not, directly opposire to the Exercise of the Church of God, in its tender Care in these Parts; upon which said Paper was grounded the unchristian and disorderly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from the ancient 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 (in the

Exercise and Service of Truth faithfully continued amongst them) to Truth's great Blemish, principally occasioned by John Story and John Wilkinson, and some other chief Abetters thereof, and Pertakers with them.

And whereas we also understand, that all the Names which at the first were inserted in the said Paper of Subscription do continue thereat, as if no Testimo∣nies had been given against the same, by any of the said Subscribers, that there∣by the Leaders in that said Work of Separation and Strife might hold their In∣terest in the Minds of such as are led away by the same Spirit, to persecute the design and Work thereof.

And in as much as our Names were once put to the said Paper, and thereby were Encouragers of them that were the Fomenters and Upholders of that Spi∣rits Work, (which we now see would have laid waste the Heritage of God, if it could have prevailed (we are heartily sorry that ever we should be any encourage∣ment thereof, or that ever our Names should be put thereunto: And (as formerly several of us have given forth Papers to the same effect, to follow the said subscri∣bed Paper) we do now from the bottom of our Hearts, and with one Heart and Soul condemn that Spirit that led us thereunto, (which was the very same Spirit that led some of us to leave our Houses, in the Worship of God, in the time of Persecution, and to meet together in private hidden Places, to our shame, which thing also we do really judge, together with a Paper given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in vindication thereof) and the aforesaid Paper of Subscription against the Brethren of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and Exercise thereof we do bear our Testi∣mony against, as Inconsistant with the Honour of the Naked Truth, and Order of the Gospel in the Power of God, and the Unity of dear Brethren, having a true sence of what evil report it hath been, and what hurt we our selves incur∣red thereby, together with many simple Ones, who were offended and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by it, and what Exercise Gods faithful People have met withal by reason thereof, and we desire that our Names may be rased out of the said Paper where-ever it may be met withal, and that where this our Paper and Testimony may come. Copies of it may be sent abroad (where any occasion may be seen for it) amongst such as may feed themselves in the wrong Spirit by the said Subscription; and we desire our good Friends to take occasion to read the same to such, as opportunity serves, as also amongst the more simple minded, that have been any way hurt thereby; that the ancient Truth, and sweet Society in the Gospel of Peace, all who have ever known the same may be restored into again, and blessedly kept therein, to the Honour of God's Name, and the Delight of Him who hath Loved us; which (to the breaking of our Hearts, in the sence of Gods free Love) we can say, in the humility of our Souls, the Lord hath given us the enjoyment of, be∣yond what we can declare; and in the Testimony of the Spirit we do really say, that next unto our sweet and comfortable Peace with God, which is blessedly re∣newed in our happy return unto him, (and hath rested with us since that day) that the holy Fellowship and Unity of Spirit, with our dear Brethren, in the Life and Service of Truth (which God hath given us again to pertake of) is that which we highly Prize, and do desire to Live in whilst we have a Beeing.

Subscribed by sincerity of souls, and in true fear, by William Ellery, Richard Tompson, Thomas Moore, Richard Cadeson, Simon Tompsou, Charles Story, Myles Bateman, Thomas Pearsou, Richard Atkinson, Thomas Scaeife', Authur Barrow, Edward Sutton, John Prestson, Henry Skyring, Edward Cragge,

We desire also that it may be further taken notice of, that many more, (who were not concerned, in puting their Hands to the said Paper) that did adhere to them of the same Spirit in the hour of Temptation, are clearly come off from them, in their Hearts and Souls, to their own great Satisfaction, and Friends Refreshment, as several of our Families, and others; for which thing we our selves have cause to Magnifie the Lord, while we have a Beeing.

And also some there are who have declared, that though their Hands were put to the said Paper, yet they knew nothing of it, neither had they ever seen or heard of the said Paper till long afterwards.