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 ...

Answer, This Certificate, although it may seem to have some weight in it, to William Rogers, and such as watcheth for Evil against the Innocent; Yet with re∣spect to many considerable Circumstances, that very remarkably appertain to it, together with the inward sence that lives upon our Souls in Relation to George Fox's clearness touching this matter; we cannot but signifie that we cannot give any credit to it. First, Because it cannot be reasonably gathered, why George Fox, who is, and hath been found a Man of great Integrity of Heart, both in this and other his Testimonies for Truth, without ever being Impeached by any of the up∣right to God, that ever we have yet heard of, although the Disobedient, and Un∣faithful, that backslde from the Life of Truth, have been ever running upon him on this wise; we say, wherefore he should advise any so to do, we see not, It be∣ing so far below his known Integrity; as also far Remote from his frequent Advice to his dearest Friends. Secondly, In as much as that he that stands approved in the Conscience of the upright to God, gives a plain, sincere and positive denial thereof. Thirdly It being alledged in Charge against him, by one that was not Faithful himself to God in that Testimony, having as we understand payed the Impropriator his Tythes all along; and therefore not excuseable himself in God's sight touching that matter; all which being weighed in the equal Ballance, and just Measure we would give to all Men, we have sufficient ground in our selves to believe the one rather then the other. And besides, what occasion was there for this Advice, being he declared it was his Judgment to pay the Impropriator his Tythes? And to advise him to buy off the Priests Tythes, that he would never do, George Fox knowing well enough, that those were not to be bought, the Priest having no state of Inheritance therein, but at longest during Life, or his enjoying of the Benefit that the Tythes belonged to; therefore its plain here is Confusion, which makes the Certificate very inconsistant with it self. Nathaniel Cripps also being under a jumble in his own Mind about the matter, as not seeing the evil of paying the Impropriator his Tythes, might easily mis-apprehend George Fox in the Discourse which it appears they had touching such things, his old Age also being considered, and the time of the said Discourse, nigh Twenty Years before the afore∣faid Certificate (as we understand) was given forth by him; his Remembrance with respect to the Circumstances relating to it, might easily fail him, and leave him under on incapacity of giving a just Relation concerning it: This is the most charitable Construction, that we can give of what relates to him touching this matter; which we are enclined rather to take hold on, then to render him one that would wickedly bely the Innocent on purpose, although he leaves a sufficient ground of sus∣pition, by making himself a Party with William Rogers, viz. an Accuser, as the latter part of his Certificate doth Import; and that which makes the case much worse, in

relation to him, is, that we cannot understand, that ever before he gave forth this certificate and smiting Charge against George Fox he did discourse George Fox about it, to inform himself concerning it, where the Mistake might lye betwixt them, or to see, if George Fox had been faulty in that matter, what satisfaction he would have given him and the Truth, before he came to be so publickly informed against, and judged, nor that ever Nathaniel Cripps told George Fox what he intended to do concerning the same: And that which we would ask William Rogers is, whether ever he had the Examination of this matter (according to Gospel Order, and the rule of Justice before Judgment be given) betwixt them Face to Face, and the Accused to have Liberty to Answer for himself? did he examine all the Circum∣stances, that might relate to it, and alter the case, in order to a clear understand∣ing of the matter before the Judgment was given, and put upon Record by him to posterity? It is a very remarkable saying of one — He that shall Judge and Determine of a matter, the one Party being not heard, although he shall Judge aright; yet he is not a Just Judge, meaning if the Judgment do not go against him that is heard. And this also may be pertinently observed, that William Rogers, contrary to Gospel allowance, hath received an Accusation against an Elder upon one single Evidence with respect to time, place and occasion, and given Judgment upon the same, and put it in Print to remain on Record to Posterity: We might insert George Fox's Answer to this Charge against him, it being in Manuscript, which would clearly demonstrate, his Innocency therein, and the occasion of that Dis∣course betwxt Nathaniel Cripps and him about this matter, and the very words that passed betwixt them concerning it which are not yet denied, though the Manuscript hath been abroad two Years time, which plainly makes out, that there was not the least ground for any such Accusation to be made against him or the Account thereof, but the same being inserted in the Treatise formerly made mention of, subscribed by Ellis Hookes; together with a full and pertinent Answer to this matter relating to Nathaniel Cripps; we shall not again insert the same, but refer the Reader to the said Treatise in Print, being an Answer to William Rogers's Christian Quaker; as also to George Fox's Answer in Manuscript to William Rogers's smiting Queries, of which this was one.