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 ...

The Certificate is as followeth.

WHereas it is reported (say they) that William Rogers kept a Bauling and making an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Noise, &c.

We say its true, that William Rogers did so, for at our said Meeting, a Friend tenderly proposed to the Meeting, to sit still and wait upon the Lord, to see whether something might not arise in their Hearts, to write to John Story in order to Recon∣cile the said Difference: William Rogers after a rude and unsavery manner Re∣plyed; Friends, my Soul Abominates this Practice, with more to the same purpose, thereby prejudging, and what in him lay diverting so good and necessary a Proposal; and when by his continual Interruptions (on purpose to put Friends by their Testimonies in that matter) he had almost over-run the Proposals for Peace; William Penn stetp to the Table, and writ down a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be read in the Meeting, that if it An∣swered the sence of Friends there Assembled, it might be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by them, and

sent to John Story, as their Christian offer towards the Reconciliation of those sad Differences; but William Rogers notwithstanding he knew not the contents thereof judged it an unfit Paper to be read; and as we conceive contrary to all Truth, Justice, and common Sobriety, said, I will oppose it, it shall not be read; again I say it shall not go as from the Meeting: Which we took to be in high Arrogancy and Vsurpa∣tion upon the Meeting, raising and continuing his voice when it was begun to be read, so loud on purpose, as to drown the reading of the Proposition, his behaviour being so Rude, that we never had the like in our Meeting before, which rude practice we look upon to be condemnable in all sober and free Societies, &c.

This is testisied to, by Twenty Eight Friends of Bristol, who were present at the Meeting before mentioned.

And therefore what credit can be given to William Rogers, and them that gives forth such false Certificates to make People believe Lyes, which they are glad to make their Refuge, let the wise in Heart consider.

Again, as we hinted before, William Regers saith in his Narraitive, That the Se∣cond Days Meeting at London have allowed that which they are not satisfied can stand justified, &c.

The matter is something concerning Robert Barclay's Book. In his Narrative he saith thus — Robert Barclay speaking of the Order of Government, thus saith, &c. In his Book, Entituled, the Anarchy of the Ranters; in which Book it seemeth (as he says) is that which he and others are dissatisfied with: This is mentioned in his Narrative written at Bristol, the Eleventh Month, 1677. [This is a Passage that happened at London, and not at Bristol, and so contradicts the preamble to his Relation]

The Reader also may take notice, that in the Third Month, 1677. being Seven Months before his Narrative was writ. William Rogers by a Paper under his own Hand acknowledgeth; that touching Robert Barclay's Book, a fair and Christian debate was had before many Friends at a Meeting in London, to both Robert Barclay's and his Satisfaction, and the things by him objected was fairly and Brotherlike, and in much love discoursed; and he saith, that upon the whole matter, he was satisfied, that Robert Barclay was not principled as he and others took him to be.

And further William Rogers saith in his own Paper, That it lies upon him to sig∣nifie on the behalf of Robert Barclay: Since many have taken occasion of Offence against him for that cause, and as may be doubted so far as to reject the Testimony and service for Truth; it lieth upon me as my duty for his and the Truths sake, to warn all to take heed not to entertain a prejudice against his Testimony, on jealousies that may en∣ter on score of my apprehensions or mistakes of his Book, or that Answer that I have given thereto, but rather in an unprejudiced Spirit, to wait upon the Lord to feel and savour his Testimony, even as if the occasion had never been.

And further, saith William Rogers, I freely confess in as much as I published my Book before I gave Robert Barclay notice of my Objections and Intentions therein; I acted in that Respect not according to Gospel order, but am justly worthy of Blame therein.

Thus far William Rogers.