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 PREFACE.

Tender Reader,

THou mayest be satisfied that it hath been the Lot of Gods Peo∣ple (the Birth of the Righteous Seed) ever since Abel to this Day (who have desired to live a Righteous and Godly Life, void of Offence towards God and Man, during their abode in this World, and to leave a Memorial that might not rot) to suffer Per∣secution; of which the Scriptures of Truth doth largely make mention, being also demonstrated by the Testimonies of Antient and Modern writers, touching the Affairs of the Church of God, from Age to Age, even to this Generation of which we are: And that we, the People called by the Name of Quakers, who have believed in the Light of Christ Jesus, and testified thereof in Doctrine and Life, have had a large Portion thereof; let the many Reproaches, Mockings, Reviling 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the watchings for Evil, the Hatred, the Fury of malicious Men; we have undergone the many Slanders, and false Accusation that have been cast upon us, being numbered a∣mongst Plotters and Peace-breakers, and the like (though not any thing of that Nature was ever proved against us, or we guilty of:) And for the Testimony of Jesus, and Word in the heart, have we been hated all the Day long, by a wicked and perverse Generation: Yea, let the spoyling of our Goods, and Imprisonments that we have sustained, that we might keep our Consciences clear in the Lords sight, testifie on this wise concerning us, ever since we have been a People, for the space of nigh Thirty Years. And blessed be the Lord who hath been our Defence, our Hiding-place, our Refuge, and the Rock of our Salvation unto this present time; that notwith∣standing the many perils and dangers we have met withall (to the undoing of us as Men, and to the causing of us to decline the Testi∣mony God gave us to bear, if that Spirit had prevailed) we are a People at this Day saved by the Arm of the Lord, who is God and changeth not, let him, have the Praise for ever.

The good Apostle and faithful Servant of Christ Jesus, and one who laboured truly in the Gospel, had his share in the tribulating Exercise that attends Gods Heritage; and making mention of the Perils that he had met withal in his Travels and concerns for the Gospels sake, speaks on this wise, Often in Perils of Water, Perils of Robbers, Perils by my own Country-Men, Perils in the City, in the Wil∣derness, Perils on the Sea, and Perils amongst false Brethren.

It may be taken notice of, that amongst the Exercises that had happened to him in his Day, for the Gospels sake; he closes up the matter of his Lamentation and Grief, because thereof, with this, viz. And Perils amongst false Brethren.

God hath suffered the like Exercise to befal his People in this our Day; and of all the Enemies that we have met withal, accord∣ing to Antient Experience, the greatest (with respect to every par∣ticular Exercise for God and his Kingdom) have been them of our own House: And with respect to the general concern of Truth (the furtherance whereof is more in our eye then human Repute) that which we have met withal, from the Treachery of False Bre∣thren, led aside from the Simplicity of the Gospel, to the wounding of their own Souls, and tending to the breach of the Church's Peace, hath been our Sorrow and Grief.

That God which brought Israel out of Egypts Land, and was their Rock and sure Defence, their Walls and Bulwarks against their Foes, their Conduct, Deliverance, and Rest, to the Joy of that People, and his own eternal Praise, hath been the God of our Salvation, and none other; whose eminent Hand hath so appeared for us, that not a Tongue that hath in Judgment risen, hath prevailed, nor a Wea∣pon formed against us prospered. And this is the torment of the cur∣sed Serpent, the old Enemy to that innocent Life Man was placed in, in the beginning; and he hath once more attempted to set himself against the Lord and his People (who in sincerity desires to be ap∣proved in his sight, and hath a Witness in many Consciences accord∣ingly) and to break in upon the Heritage of God, by his subtil Sata∣nical Transformings (when by no other means he can prevail) is the design that of late he hath had in Hand, and hath entered a few that came out with us, and were Eye-Witnesses of that inestinable Glory, through the bright shining whereof many were turned from Dark∣ness to Light, to behold the excellency of that Kingdom that never

hath an end; and yet through an evil Heart of Unbelief are de∣parted from that eternal Power which once they knew, and from the fear of his name that appear'd for them, and only pretend to that they are gone from, that they may the more cunningly deceive, and lead back into a corrupt Fleshly Liberty again, to satisfie the Lusts of it, that's the center it tends to, and when it hath tired it self out, there will its end be.

Impartial Reader, When thou hast with an unprejudiced mind, in sincerity of Heart, looked over and weighed this William Rogers his Work, the Champion of the backslided Ones, and the Enemy to the Churches Peace, and looks upon the Engine he would per∣fect his Work by; thou mayest easily see of what Spirit he is, and what his Work tends to, and escape the Snare he would take thee in: Its a false Spirit in which he would betray his Brother even un∣to Death; its malicious, bending it self with false Accusations and lying Slanders to defame such as have kept their Garments clean, and whose Integrity is approved in Gods sight, and in many Con∣sciences; its wicked in bringing the same to publick view, having for the most part little evidence of any sort to produce, but — If Reports be true; its a treacherous Spirit that talks of the Light, and would seem to vindicate Truth's Principles with such a false, malicious, slanderous wicked Work as his Book is stuffed with; and with seeming Imbraces, and standing for the Truth, and the appearance of it; betrays it, and would deliver it up, and the ser∣vants of it into the hands of Sinners. Its a false libertine Spirit tending to Ranterism, that inveighs against Friends tender care in the Church of God according to Gospel Order; and vilifies with slanderous re∣proachful terms, the Government of the Power and Discipline therein Established in Gods visible Family, terming it the bringing into the Churches Mens Prescriptions, and lording it over Mens Consciences, the introducing of the Apostacy again, &c. (All which in Subjection to Gods Power we abominate — and turn it back upon its own Head, to receive the stroke of the Eternal God, which will fall upon the Abbetters of this Spirit (if in time they re∣pent not) as a burden too heavy to bear: They of that Spirit al∣so cry against the seasonable Exhortations and Reproofs of them whom God is pleased to concern on this wise, as Imposing, Over∣driving, and the like; they are letting loose, and gratifying a fleshly

mind, and to indulge the same, claiming a right in a wrong spirit, to be left to inward freedom, till they see the Lords re∣quirings; or that it is their duty so to do. This sort of* 1.1 abominable Work is clearly manifested to be the ten∣dency of William Rogers's Spirit, as his own Book de∣monstrates, cleared to the understandings of the unpre∣judiced and honest Hearted to God, and by the Answer thereunto, (called, The Accuser of our Brethren cast down, &c. Sub∣scribed by Ellis Hook, in the name of the second Day of the Weeks Morning Meeting in London) may be plainly seen.

That which demonstrates also the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, creeping Work, of this Spirit, is; that although William Rogers in his Title Page pretends his Book to come forth in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of himself and many of his Brethren.

The Question being often put (as Hundreds will Witness) and required of him or any to Answer to; Who would stand by it; Or say they had Unity with its coming forth in Print? We cannot yet find the Man that declares he owns it; or that will say, I am one that will stand by it: And yet a creeping sort of Men, backsliden (of a certain Truth) from God, and turned from the Truth, and work the Works of Darkness, hands it out amongst the loose sort of Pro∣fessors of Truth; and many other, as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 serves them, notwithstanding known Enemies to the Life of God, and the Testi∣mony of Truth, and despisers of such as have received the same, and holds their Integrity in it.

Reader, It may be cause of Wonder that this People that came out together in the Light and Unity of the one Spirit, and have stood together with Hand and Shoulder, against the many Heads and Horns that have pushed at them; and who have been struck at more or less, under every Government that hath been since they were a People, and none has been able to break them; but all has tended to their Encrease and Stability, in the way they have been led into, and walked in; that such should now, when their outward Ease comes to be enlarged, fall at Odds and Difference amongst themselves, apparently as some may expect, to the great damage, if not the Ruin of them.

In the first place we would have all to know, and take notice, that in the Light and Life of Truth, our antient Unity stands, and

in it all are established, who keep Entire and Faithful to it: In it we are the same in Love, in Fellowship (through the eternal Power against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail) that ever we were; our Life grows in God, our Testimony stands, we are on our way, the Lord is before us, and there's none shall be able to pluck us out of his Hand; our Faces are still Sion wards, and our Confidence through the Eternal Power thats inlarged amongst us, to have our Residence there, in that good Land which God hath given us to taste the Fruits of, and the earnest (blessed be God) we have with us of that Inheritance, that never hath an end; and we are comforted in our way, who keep to Truths Life, and if any turn out to the right Hand, or to the left, its their own fault, and will be their own loss; the Lord will be clear, and his People clear, having discharged our Duty thus far concerning them.

Its confessed to the grief of our Souls, there are a few that came out with us, by an Eternal Arm, that have not eyed the Lord and his Power for Safety; but are gone out from us, (having betrayed the Life in which they were with us) and are become not of us: As it was said, They went out from us, because they were not of us, for if they had been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us.

It may in truth be told you that have read William Rogers's Book, for your Satisfaction, if you desire it, what sort of Professors of Truth this Evil and Mischief (of being led back again from the conduct of Gods Power, to covet the Flesh-Pots of Aegypt's Land, and satisfie the Lusts of a corrupt mind, in opposition to the Churches Care, in this Gospel day) hath befallen.

First, They are such as although the Openings of life, and the hidden Wisdom of the pure God, were in some measure Revealed in some of them; and although in some measure they might have partaken of the Ministry of Christ Jesus, as Judas did amongst the Twelve; yet not giving God the praise, nor singly attributing the Glory to him that Worthy, deckt themselves therewith (as it was of old, the Lord said, I gave them of my Jewels, and they deckt them∣selves therewith, &c.) So Pride and Spiritual Ambition prevailing, instead of Humility in the Lords 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (the safe Habitation) the Lord became grieved, to the greatly withdrawing of his good Spirit from them, so that their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to others came to be in the Wisdom which is from below, and is Earthly, Sensual and Devil∣lish,

of which some of the principal of them were told, and warn∣ed of the Evil thereof many Years ago: So that the mystery of Gods mind, which is revealed to Babes in Christ, they became shut up from; and the concerns of the Kingdom in the life thereof they became strangers to; and as to the concerns relating to the visible Family of God, being at a loss in relation to, they became par∣takers with the loose sort in the opposition thereunto, till strife en∣tered, and to work Discord in the Church of God their Design broke forth; of which more may be said afterwards.

Secondly, This opposite Spirit to Church Care, entred amongst such as became unfaithful, in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Testimonies for God, and the honorable Truth once born and suffered for, to their Com∣sort and Peace, and to Indulge a wrong Spirit that began to draw back, pleading for a false Liberty, calling it Christian, therein to gratifie the Flesh, and that Sufferings might be avoided thereby, which the care in the Church of God could not but inspect, and Friends be concerned therein.

Thirdly, The opposition prevailed upon such as became (in de∣parting from Truth's Life, and the pure fear) vain in their Minds, and inclined to liberty in the Flesh again in the Worlds Spirit, becoming Enemies to the Cross, and casting off he Yoke of (Christ to which Subjection is to be given) and entering into the Worlds loose Spirit again, a reproach to Truth, which the godly care for God's Honour, and Truths 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Faithful, could not let pass unre∣proved, which became the Torment of all such.

Fourthly, This Spirit of opposition to Church care (that what∣ever things were decent might be cherished, and the contrary Judg∣ed) hath wrought in such (and drawn them into a Separation) as through the Imaginations of a corrupt Mind, and in an airy Spi∣rit would have entertained things to be put in practice, in relati∣on to the honourable State of Marriage, inconsistant with Truths sweet Savour, with respect to Man and Womans duty therein, or were inclined to, inconsiderate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 undertaking, to accom∣plish the same without bringing them twice before the Mens and Womans Meetings, which for Inspections sake, as to clearness there∣in, we account a very necessary, decent and comely thing; a fro∣ward, loose and fleshly Spirit, would not be thus limited, and un∣der pretence of seeing no need of these things, or not seeing it a

duty, &c. Crys for Liberty of Conscience, and let me be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to freedom, although in a wrong Mind, which Gods Truth gives no liberty to, and the care of the Church of God would limit, that in all things we may be kept of the praise of Truth.

We desire, that in every Country or Place, where a knowledge of this Separation, from the fellowship of the Church of God hap∣pens to be, or where the aforementioned Book of William Rogers's comes to be seen, all would take notice, if they that are fled off through a backsliding Spirit, into a distance as to the Antient fel∣lowship of Brethren, and become disconcerned in Church affairs amongst Gods antient People, and labour to promote the Publish∣ing of William Rogers's ungodly Book, be not clearly manifested to be some of the fore-going sorts of Professors of Truth; which as any finds them to be, let that which is pure, peaceable, and easie to be entreated, judge what they are, and what this Spirit and Work would lead unto.

Thou needest not Reader, think it a strange thing, with respect to this backsliding People, whose Reproach to all hastens on (For Righteousness doth Establish a People or Nation, when Ignominy is the Portion of Fools) for the like hath happened concerning the Rebelli∣ous to Gods Mind and Will made 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amongst such as have known the Lord, and the Work of his mighty Hand, in Ge∣nerations past and gone; which holy Men of God have left upon Record to be a warning to such as may come after, and may meet with like Temptations.

First, Of them that came out of Egypt, through the Arm of the eternal God, under the conduct of Moses a Servant of the Lord, and an Instrument in his Hands, and of them that had seen the mighty Wonders God wrought for their Deliverance, Two Hun∣dred and fifty of the Princes of the People, mighty Men, Men of Re∣nown, Rebelled against the Lord, and despised his Servant Moses, con∣federated together to Work mischief in the Camp, and stood in their opposition, till the Righteous God caused the Earth to open and Swallow them up.

Amongst the Twelve of Christ's own choise, one of them became an Enemy to him, to the betraying him into the Hands of Sinners.

Some are made mention of to have tasted of the good Word of God, and of the powers of the Life to come; and yet afterwards

might fall away, and hard to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Repentance: It were well if these could yet find any place.

Paul made mention of the falling back of the Galatians, from the Simplicity of the Gospel, and lamented the case of their being Bewitched; and he Travelled that the Seed Christ might be again formed in them: He also made mention of false Brethren that had been his Exercise and Grief.

The Lord suffers these things to be, and such to be over-taken on this wise, whose Hearts do not abide upright to God, who have known God in his Power, and yet do not Honour him as God.

It is considerable, and worth the notice taking, to see what effects the Lord hath wrought, and what he hath suffered to be, through such Exercises as these are. And

First, with respect to the Heretage of God, the Family that does Believe, through the exercise that is met withal from false Bre∣thren, whose backslidings and opposite Work, and the tendency of it to Strife is the Churches Grief; there is a tender concern in all such wrought (upon the observation of it) to have a more inward Eye to God, by whose Grace all are saved that believe therein, that they may be kept to him, in the feeling of that Power which preserves every one upon the Rock, for help and salvation: So that the Lord being more eyed, the more he comes to be feared, and dependency comes to be laid on him; and on this occasion all con∣fidence in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comes to be laid down, seeing the Mighty and the Wise amongst Men are overcome, and a retirement to that antient Arm, that brought Salvation in the beginning, is wrought upon the Souls of them that believe; that Spirit in Children of the Night that would divide, being seen, and in Gods Name resisted; the Children of the Day are the more knit together in Soul and Spi∣rit; and the delight of the Lord comes to be with them, and his Glory over-shaddowing them, to the encrease of Life and Faithful∣ness to God amongst them: Love encreases, and Life springs in the Assemblies of the Righteous, a People saved by the Lord; and all srinking creeping hidden Works of Darkness are judged down; the snare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 laid therein being seen, Deliverance is wrought to Gods praise, and his Peoples joy, and this is the effect God hath wrought to our Advantage, glory to his Eternal name for ever∣more.

Secondly, Through the workings of the Spirit that prevails on them whose Habitation is not in the Lord; the Negligent, the Careless, the Rebellious that dwell in the dry Land, and have wanted the vertuous Life of God through unbelief, into whom Looseness is entered, and the Works of the Flesh wrought; anti∣ent Testimonies for God let fall by them, to Truths dispraise, and the wounding the Hearts of the Innocent, whose Testimony abides sure, and through whose unfaithfulness, Afflictions are added to the Bonds of the Upright to God, to the Churches Grief; they having turned the many visitations of Gods Love behind the Back, and grown worse and worse, such as these comes to be shaken off, and the Camp cleansed of them, and they manifested to all; and that they who are approved may be made manifest; a Separation being wrought between them that truly serve the Lord, and them that serve him not, betwixt them that live in the Antient Power, and in Life and Faithfulness glorifies the same, and them that talk only of the Light and inward guidance of the Spirit of Jesus, and yet in Works deny him: Let but the Reader and the Innocent wait a little in the patience, and you shall see the end of this Spirits Work to its utter Reproach; its Memorial shall rot, and never rise again.

Thirdly, That although this appearing Difference amongst us, may, and hath caused a Flutter amongst the Gazers and Wonderers that would not believe, and for the present might put a little discou∣ragement for a time upon the unestablished in God, and obstruct a little the gathering unto us such as the Lord will deliver, and shall be saved; and what an expectation hath there been (through this oc∣casion) in our publick Enemies (that have watched for it) of our disadvantage thereby in the way of Truth, if not our Ruin; yet it were well if such would take notice, that notwithstanding the worst of this Spirit's Work, how the Lord hath Blessed his People in eve∣ry place, even where the greatest Blunder hath been, with the more Zeal and Integrity for him; and that more is added to us since that day then for many Years before.

And lastly, That which we observe, and it were well if notice of it were truely taken, this talk of Difference amongst us, (which we do affirm is not in the Camp of God) but a Testimony is born by us against the Backslided and Apostate, it doth tend to the hard∣ning

of a disobedient and gainsaying People, that would not re∣ceive the Testimony of the Light and Life of Christ Jesus; to believe in him for Salvation, but have turned the visitations of Gods love behind their backs, in their rebellion against the Lord, and the Spi∣rit of his Grace, to their greater ruin, and the more speedy executi∣on thereof (if in time they repent not) and it were well if such yet would fear Almighty God, and be subject to the Truth, before it be too late to find Mercy.

In our Advice to the Reader, and Introduction to the ensuing mat∣ter of what is before us to concern our selves with, we cannot but first take notice, that some may say,

If it were true that the Author af the aforesaid Book, and those he seems so much to standby, are in a backsliding state, and seperated from you, whom you seem to disown as out of fellowship with you. What is the meaning of all this Writing against George Fox so vehemently (and more principally then any others) together with others also, whom by name he makes mention of? And what is the truth of the matters and things laid to his and others charge, which, if true, bespeaks a backsliding in him and others he speaks of, as well as in them you declare against?

Answer, As for George Fox we say and Testifie, that as he was an Instrument in Gods hand through the Demonstration of the Spirit, being a Minister of the new Testament the everlasting Gospel, through whom many were turned from Darkness to Light, to be∣hold the Glory of the everlasting Day; and the Faces of many Thou∣sands have been truely and livingly set Sion-wards, and their Feet established in the way thither: Let William Rogers say and do his worst; he is one who hath kept his Integrity to the Lord, and is honorable in Gods power amongst the Children of the Light, that keep their habitation in it; an Elder that hath ruled well, and is worthy of honour for the gift of Gods sake, that he hath been faith∣ful in the concern of, and is the same with an encrease of Life and pure Wisdom that ever he was, notwithstanding the fury of wicked and lying Tongues: And as it was in Christ and the Apostles days, because of the testifying against the World, by him and his Desci∣ples, that their deeds were evil, the World hated them above all; the Jews stumbled at him, because of his Testimony against the A∣dulterous profession of the chiefest of them, and their Righteous∣ness

which it was said must be exceeded, or no coming into Gods Kingdom; for which cause also they hated him, and put him to Death.

The first and most Glorious appearance of the breaking forth of the more clearer Day, after an Apostatized state was ever resisted with great Indignation, by them upon whom the Apostacy from the Life and Power of God had prevailed, and the publishers of the same Testimony from God, the most hated and persecuted with the cry of — Help Men and Brethren; and withal the fury and might imaginable, to obstruct the breakings forth thereof.

This Generation hath not forgot, that in a resolved combined Covenant made with Death, was the Testimony resisted that this Servant of the eternal God bore against the Sin, self Righteousness and false Judgment that a wicked and a pervers Generation lived in, and under the profession of, to the total stopping and crushing of it by all means Imaginable if they could, or that could be contrived, and far contrary to the work of a professing Gospel Ministry and dis∣pensation of a Gospel day, to the shame of such as were the contri∣vers thereof, and stirrers up of Persecution therefore: It may be remembered what such an one he was rendered to be, even as the worst of Men, and yet nothing could be laid to his charge, save for his crying against Sin, &c. and keeping a good Conscience to God, recommending his Testimony to the Witness of God in all Consciences, in the patience that possessed the Soul; the Lyes, the false Aspersions, Calumnies and Reproaches raised against him, and cast upon him with rage and fury, and gnashing of Teeth for grief, they are far beyond expression. To a gainsaying Rebellious Spirit, the Testimony of Light that condemns for Sin is an hateful thing, and the Ministers of Antichrist have bent themselves against it, and against them the Testimony is born by: And seeing that Early of this our day it was first and principally born by him, how could he e∣scape the wrath of Man that produceth evil things, and avoid the fury of it? Nay, this was his Lot (with others of Gods faithful Servants) whom God hath upheld and delivered through all; and he hath seen the travel of his Soul, and the fruit of his labour into his bosome manifold in recompence for all, to his hearts Joy, what∣ever the worst of Men imagine against him.

The same enmity lodgeth still, and venteth it self again and again,

through any new occasion given to it, or that it can get hold of, in the wilful resisters of our principle and lifes appearance, and in all them that Backslides therefrom, and enters again into the old Cainisn Murthering Spirit, that crucifies the Lord of Life again, and would put him to open shame: Never a publick opposing Apostate from the life of Truth, that hath risen up in Judgment against it, since we have been a People, but in the old Enmity of the cursed Serpents Image, he hath run against George Fox: Oh, its admirable to us! (and renders William Rogers in this cursed work of his, to be a Man running on to Ruin) that he does not take notice, and that with Ter∣ror, of the breakings forth of the eminent hand of the Lord against such to their misery and shame, that thus tempts the Lord to deal with him, as hath been dealt with his predecessors gone before, whose footsteps he follows with all the haste and fury he can appear in; let him take heed, though his presumption be great in defying the Work of God in his Servants; let him vapour with the Bulk of the Weapon (his ungodly Book) he hath formed in his stout and ambitious mind; the Lord is risen to dash in peices, and is upon the Throne, who with the Antient (though dispised) Instrument of simplicity, and the naked truth which he hath in his Hand, will wound the head and glory of this uncircumcised One to its utter Ruin, and the perpetual reproach of all them that lean upon it; the Mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, and it shall surely come to pass. And as to the particular matters of Accusations by William Rogers cast upon George Fox, we do testifie, and in the Truth affirm, and can commit the same to the tryal of the righteous prin∣ciple of God, and equal Law of doing as one would be done by; that if many of the matters in charge against him were true, (which we believe are malicious and false) the malice the rancour of his Spirit that appears in his perverting George Fox his words, his mis∣construing and putting his own corrupt sence upon them, disingeni∣ously and unlike a Man, and then placing a Judgment thereupon; his disorderly bringing them forth having not first examined the truth of matters, and dealt with him face to face, as in the sequel of our matter may be manifested he hath not done: His publish∣ing in Print and exposing the same to publick view by sale or allow∣ing thereof in Shops, so that it is come to the view of the great enemies of Truth and us; and the applications he puts upon our tender care

in the Church of God, as Antichristian and Rome-like, with the in∣vectives and malicious Smitings he can invent, renders him plainly to be an Apostate from Truth, an enemy to God, and the Principle we have believed in, an accuser of the Brethren, not fit for Christi∣an Society, but to be rejected as reproachful thereto, and left to the righteous God of Heaven and Earth to reward him according to his works.

Friendly Reader, our Testimony is for the sake of that principle of Light and Life in Christ Jesus our Lord and Law-giver, in which we have believed, and are bold to Testifie to, and stand in the vindica∣tion of against all the opposers thereof, as that which is our life, and the comfort of our days through the Salvation that we have known thereby, wherein we have peace, and for the sake whereof re∣proaches are not hard for us to bear; and for the removing of the Stumbling-blocks out of the way thereof, that if it were possible all Men might walk therein, and find mercy: We say in a godly con∣cern that lies upon us, we intend through Gods assistance a little to discover the Face and Image of a Ungodly Backsliding Separate divi∣ding Spirit, by rending off the covering it hath got upon its head to hide its nakedness and shame withal, in the departing of those it hath prevailed upon, from the living God, from the way of Truth, and from the unity of the Brethren; to the casting off the Subjection to Gods power (which they once knew, and unto which also Obedience should be given) and giving way to a corrupt mind in themselves, and to a false Liberty that Truth leads not to, have set themselves (being of that sort that loves not found Judgment) against the rule and government of Christ Jesus (whose right it is) in the Spirits of their own minds, and against the Discipline of the Church of God, according to Gospel-order, and the practice of the Church in the Apostles dayes; and thereby encouraging a loose and licentious Spi∣rit in others, that would draw back into the liberty of the flesh again, to satisfie the Lusts thereof, and thereby bring a reproach upon that eternal name in which we have believed, and testified Salvation to be thereby; as if it were not Sufficient to compleat the work thereof by us expected and waited for; which we Testifie against whoever otherwise say.

Reader, If thou dost but duely consider (as before the Lord) of William Rogers's Book, thou mayest easily see (whatever he pretends

to) its liberty for the Flesh, that the design of him and others in this their work tends to, and for that cause is it that the Churches care is undervalued by them, despised and maliciously reproached under the denomination of over-driving, imposing, lording over Mens Consciences, setting up in the Church another Government, then that of the Spirit, (which we testifie to be false and a malicious smiting) accounting the wholsome directions according to Gospel∣Order, taken notice of, and practized amongst us, (that in all things we may be of good report) the bringing in of Ceremonies, Mens Prescriptions, and the like; thereby to put a dis-esteem upon them in the minds of such as are unto liberty in the flesh inclined, whence the opposition hath sprung, and the dividing Spirit has sought to prevail, to the exercise of rhe true and upright to God, and the Churches grief, the looseness also of this Spirit, and its design to gratifie the Flesh (which produceth contempt and opposition to the Churches care (that the Author to the aforesaid Book is charged with) and its dis-regard to Truths praise and the glory thereof) is plainly manifested by the Work William Rogers hath made, to de∣fame with all possible reproachful Speeches, slanderous and lying ac∣cusations, such as have kept their first love to Truth, unchristian∣like, yea, unhumanly and contrary to all Gospel-order (and Rule of common Societies) Printing and publishing the same against the Antient and Elder Brethren, without hearing or convicting after any human or Gospel way, such as have been made more particu∣larly Instrumental in the matter of setling thereof, in the Power and Spirit of Jesus, in the Churches, justified, owned and practis∣ed amongst the upright-hearted to God, to their unspeakable com∣fort, for the Glory and blessings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that attends the concerned therein; particularly George Fox is the Man that his venomous Darts are shot at (which his corrupt heart hath been filled with) which through his Printed Book he hath let fly, with all the eagerness and extravagancy of Spirit that he can work himself into, to bring a reproach upon, and make him contemptible to all, to the undoing of him, if it were in his power, both as a Man and a Christian; and supposing in his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fall, to throw down the Discipline and the Order of Truth amongst the faithful; to the letting go from the Bond of the Power, such as would be from under the yoke thereof, which the pure God blesseth the faithful with, as Instruments in

his hand, for discouraging of Sin and Wickedness, and incourage∣ment of Christian Vertue Purity and Holliness. The tendency of this our Adversaries Spirit to liberty in the Flesh, and to gratifie the Backsliding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thats going thitherward: Reader, thou mayest be more fully satisfied thereof, if thou do but take notice with what vigour, and the might he hath, he appears to stand by to applaud and to proclaim, John Wilkinson and John Story for two Antient and honourable Labourers in the Gospel, whose Conversation and Doctrin I have not known or understood, saith he, to be exceeded by any mortal man whatsoever: Which by several passages relating to them in William Rogers's Printed Book inserted, and explained in the Answer to it, (called The Accuser of our Brethren cast down) thou mayest detect and plainly see its but a meer flattering boast of his unbridled Tongue; and that they are no such ones as he would render them to be; And when (through Gods help) we shall have laid open the exercises and griefs we have met withal, in the Church of God in Westmoreland through the opposition that these two Men have made, to Friends tender Care amongst Gods People, for the promoting the honour of his Truth in Righteousness and Holiness of Life, and against our care that all might keep faithful in their Testimony for the Truth, as received of God, and the obstructions in our work, and concerns relating thereunto wrought by them, and others of a wrong and loose Spirit encouraged thereby to stand by them; which by sad experience we have found, and are able to demonstrate as in plain∣ness, and according to the naked Truth, through Gods help we in∣tend to do, of this Spirit, and of its work, we shall then leave thee (as more capable) to judge; and doubt not but to give thee also cause to say and conclude, that the Author of the aforesaid Book hath been Malicious, Partial and Fallacious in the work he hath had in hand; and that it is no matter whom he Blesseth, and whom he Curseth, whom he Justifieth, or whom he Condemneth.

Now as to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off the Fig-leave covering of this Apostate Spirit, which its fallen to be our Lot to be concerned with, amongst the many perils we have been carried through, by the Arm of Is∣raels God; and to manifest to all its nakedness and shame, to be the more detestable, because of the impudency it appears in; the cause whereof William Rogers hath presumed principally to espouse, and appear in the defence of, to the utmost of the Breath and Force that

he hath; and that he is a man departed from the Faith, and the good 〈◊〉〈◊〉, standing by a Rebellious loose sort, despising the dignity of Gods Power; and though talking of the Light and antient Truth, yet out of the Life of it, an Opposer of Gospel-Order, and wholsom Discipline in the Church of God; a discourager of the weak in their antient Living Testimonies for the Truth; an encourager of the Backsliders from the Life of God, and a separate faction from the Fellowship of Truth, in the visible concerns of Gods People, rela∣ting to the honour of Truth; and that he is a false Accuser of the Bre∣thren, a malicious Slanderer of the Innocent, and one that hath set him∣self to do the mischief he can, to the defamation of our holy Principle and Profession, and to bring an Odium upon all those that will not ad∣here to his Spirit, and abet him in his contentious Work, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against the same, in their Testimony that stands sure, and shall never be shaken by him, and that he is a man rejected of the Lord for his works sake, and shut out from the fellowship of the Saints in Light, and his Works cast out as the unsavoury Salt, good for nothing but to be troden under foot of men: And for a further proof thereof, several things are materially necessary to be made good, reduced into these following heads.

First, That under a Gospel dispensation, visible Order, Disci∣pline and Government, in the exercise of the Spirit, is necessary, justifiable, and ought to be found in Subjection to Gods Power, a∣mongst Gods People, according to Christs Doctrine, Apostolical care, and the practice of the Primitive Churches of Christ, proved by Scripture Record.

Secondly, That the care of the Churches of God in this our day, a∣mongst the Children of the Light, with respect to Discipline, ac∣cording to the order and rule of Truth, and their practice according∣ly stands justified, as consistant with the Apostles Doctrine, with the command of Christ, Scripture Example, and the primitive practice touching this matter.

Thirdly, That William Rogers in his Book (though after a broken contradictory manner, and very much inconsistant with himself) hath denied the care, discipline and order used amongst us in the Church of God, and hath Judged the same: And that John Wilkin∣son and John Story, with them of the Separation in the North, and of Party with him, in an opposite Spirit thereunto, have sleighted, de∣spised

and laboured to put a dis-esteem thereupon; and have laid Stumbling-blocks in the way of the weak in relation thereunto; and have laboured to obstruct the care and exercise of Gods People in relation thereunto.

Fourthly, That George Fox, and others of the Antient Brethren, their care and exercise, as Instruments in the Lords hand to see the Churches of Christ every where, in this our age, setled in the afore∣said Order and Discipline (as the Apostles care was in his day) hath been Justified, Embraced and freely closed with (as that which has tended to Friends Advantage in the Truth, and the honour thereof) by the Churches of Christ in this Nation, and in other Nations, which the practice of our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings demon∣strate.

Fifthly, That notwithstanding William Rogers's, and others of Party with him, their abusing George Fox, and slandering him with lying accusations, as one that would Introduce his own Prescriptions and Orders, and invade Christs Prerogative, &c. And would exalt him∣self in a wrong Spirit, in Rule and Government, Lording it over the heritage of God: His advice and directions in relation to the duty of Gods People, in the Tabernacle God hath given us visibly to appear in, hath been acceptably closed with, and testified to, by Word and Writings, as shall be made appear in the Sequel of our con∣cerns, and as the Churches Records in our Quarterly Meetings doth declare.

Sixthly, To prove that William Rogers's Charges and malicious Ac∣cusations exhibited in Print, against George Fox, and others of the Brethren, are idle, frivolus and fallacious, and his exercise in that matter a Scandal to Christianity, and ridiculous amongst Men and sober Societies, which the said William Rogers hath framed and made up (and brought to publick view) through his perverting George Fox's Honest and Christian words and discourse, and by his uncha∣ritable deductions in a jealous prejudiced mind; and putting his own perverted Constructions and Inferrences upon George Fox's sin∣cere and Christian sence of matters his words related to, otherwise then ever was intended by him (as the plain and charitable constructi∣on thereof naturally deducible therefrom demonstrates) and then places his own judgment upon him, which is an horrid and abomi∣nable thing in the Lords 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and detestable amongst Men: And

through Gods help, this is before us to manifest; which we Que∣stion not to effect, to the Satisfaction of all the unprejudiced, and upright minded where this Book may come.

We have also a desire in sincerity of heart, to demonstrate to all, where the knowledge of any difference amongst this People hath come (as the relation thereof may most properly fall in our way) the Christian care that hath been amongst the truly established in God (who have kept their first love and care for Gods glory, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 habitation upon the Rock abides sure) to have preserved this scat∣tered divided People, within the Fold of the true Shepherd, unto whom the gathering is, whilst they were in any measure near unto us; before they turned away from Gods Power, and broke away as the Israel of old did, unto whom the Lord had given of his good Spirit, and yet they rebelled against him; and therefore the Lord, (after many visitations and willingness to heal their backslidings, which they regarded not) withdrew from them and gave them up to a reprobate mind, to harden themselves to their utter Ruin.

We would declare also, as that which is material to our present concern, and yet as briefly as we well can, what exercises particu∣larly and more generally, after a more publick manner, many dear Brethren have met withal through this Spirit; what brotherly trea∣ting them, that the Temptations of it was prevailed upon, with Advice and Councel, to remove that groundless ungodly jealousie that entred them, in which the vail came over, and there the temp∣tation to Strife and Contention got place. What care; what ten∣derness and Gospel-Order hath been over them, & used towards them? letting the honest hearted see some part of the honest labours and tra∣vels in Soul and Spirit, and bodily endeavours that have been indured, and used towards them, for the Lord and his Truths sake, and their Eternal good; and how unwilling the Church of God was to have had them rent off from us: What patience, long-sufferings, brotherly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have been used towards them; if possible they might live and find rest in God for their Souls; how clear the Lord and his People are of their blood, if they perish for evermore; what pitty was it, hath it been often said, that a jealous prejudi∣ced Spirit, should prevail upon any who have known God, to work them into such a wilful froward perverse state, as to let nothing en∣ter that might do them good, having rejected that in themselves,

which God had made manifest in them, not liking to retain the same in their knowledge; as it was of old concerning such whom God gave up to a reprobate mind, and unto great hardness of heart, to the filling up the measures of their Iniquities, for the Damnation that slumber'd not: God Suffers these things to be, that they who are approved may be made manifest.

Considerate Reader, If these before recited particulars be made good, which necessarily relates to our present work, which we doubt not but to be able to do, we hope that clearness of understanding concerning the matter in hand will be opened in thee (as desires a∣bides with thee to God on that wise) as that thou wilt easily judge of the ground of the Controversie betwixt us, and our present Adversary, whom we treat not with now as a Brother, or one of us, but as a pub∣lick Enemy to the Life of our Principle, and holy Profession, a caster of Stumbling-Blocks in the way of many to fall upon; which will prove a burden too heavy for him to bear: And thou wilt plainly see what manner of man he is, what Spirit he is of, what his design and all his fluttering Work tends to; and that upon this occasion, if thou hast a Sence of Gods Truth, thou wilt be the more con∣firmed in it, and be the more concerned to keep thy Habitation in it, for thy Salvation and peace sake; or if thou beest one who has not hitherto given up thy self to serve the Truth (though convinced by it) nor our Lord Jesus Christ: We hope (as that which we truly 〈◊〉〈◊〉) thou wilt not find by this occasion, any ground to continue in hardness of Heart against it, but in subjection to Gods Light and Life in thy self; thou wilt be given up in self-denial, to close with that Principle thou hast the sence of, and which we have believed in, and testifie of, and is our Life and Portion in God, and cause of our re∣joycing; and that thou mayst come to have a share with us in the In∣heritance of God, amongst Gods sanctified ones; which in the uni∣versal love God hath appeared in, in these latter Days, and in which we travel for the good of all, we truly breath for, as that which will be our Joy, and a Recompence into our Bosoms, for our Labours, Sorrows and Travels manifold.

We further advise the Reader, when this our ensuing Tratise shall happen to fall in the Hands of such, as have not received the Prin∣ciple of Light (which we have testified to) so as to believe therein;

or when it comes amongst such, as have hurt themselves by too much adhering to a wrong Spirit, (which very probably it may somtimes do) by reason of the endeavours that are used, by the promoters of William Rogers's Book, to hand it out to any, where it may have reception, to the dafamation of our holy Profession, and the Unity we have enjoyed therein; as also to the disparagement of such, as the said William Rogers, and they who adhere to him, in their malicious undertakings, sets themselves against: We 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that such where this may come, (who have also seen William Rogers's Book would weigh the matters discoursed upon betwixt him, together with his Adherents, and us with them in whose be∣half we are thus concerned; not in that Spirit which is gratified with an occasion, which seems through this Exercise amongst us, to be put into their hands; which appears to them to be that which may work us under, and blot out our name from off the Earth, (as too many are apt to do) as that which hath been long desired by an un∣believing People, and hath been waited for, that they might re∣joyce in our fall, thereby to strengthen themselves in their unbelief of that holy Principle of Light and Spirit of Truth, (which con∣demns for Sin, and convinceth the World thereof, and of their self Righteousness and false Judgment) which we have born wit∣ness to; for if things be weighed in such a Spirit as this, it will be an occasion, Reader, to shut thee up from the blessing of God that gives an understanding, and under the vail of that darkness that will (by reason thereof) cover thee, thou wilt betray thy self of that inward sence that God gives, and be left uncapable to give right judgment of matters in hand, not knowing what thou sayest, or whereof thou affirms; wherefore to prevent the danger thou art in on this wise; we desire in all sincerity that thy Heart may be open to God, who opened the Heart of Lidia, and made her capable to receive the Truth: And let all prejudice be shut out, and prejudging of us (because of any former grudg that hath been too much born concerning us, because of our Testimo∣ny in any respect, and our practice accordingly) otherwise, as to any advantage that thou canst gain, in the matter of thy peru∣sing hereof, thy Labour will be altogether in vain.

And do not think that we are too severe with William Rogers,

for with great Gentleness and Brotherly care, hath he and others of party with him been treated, whilest we felt the Door of mer∣cy open (as in the Sequel of our concern shall be made appear) and they still hardened over all; so that as we have said before, we cannot now treat him as a Friend or Brother in Truth, but as an open Enemy of the highest rank; and the Testimony we have now from God on his account, and our exercise accordingly; is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Judgment upon the head of that Spirit (he hath been led by, and the work he hath had in hand) and let it go into the Pit forever, from whence it came, that some that have entered the snare of it may yet be brought back, and escape the Torment that is its due for evermore.

We desire thee also, whilest thou Reads, consider of things with respect to our Principle, our antient Practice, our Testimo∣nies, our faithfulness therein, our Sufferings by reason thereof, our Labours to confirm each other in the way of Truth (and not to weaken each others hands to the letting fall any of our Testimo∣nies for Truth) our antient Love each to other, as one Family led by one and the same Spirit; our Brotherly fellowship and care over each other, our desire and endeavours to cover the weaknesses of any that have partaked with us, of the Grace of God, for the honour of that Principle and holy Name, we have (as a People distinct from other Professions) received and believed in, and had our Society together in the power of. Mind also, what abhor∣rence hath been upon our Spirits, to watch for evil against any, to get occasion to defame them thereby, much more our antient Bre∣thren, and Elders in the Truth, least our Enemies should rejoyce and harden themselves by it, against our Principle, which we would have all to receive, and find Salvation by; if thou doest but consider things on this wise, thou mayst easily apprehend what Spirit it is that William Rogers is led by, in his Printing, Pub∣lishing and spreading abroad his Books, stuffed with the most In∣famous, Disgraceful terms he can find out, whereby to bespat∣ter our Profession, our Fellowship and Unity (that he is gone from) our Innocent care in the Church of God, and our decent Or∣der and Diseipline in relation thereunto; calling it but a Form of Government set up by Man, other mens lines made ready to our

hands, Mens Orders and Prescriptions, and the like: And what work he makes to defame the Instruments the Lord hath been pleased to make use of, in this concern, we need not say much, they that Read his Book may see, how its stuffed with such ridicu∣lous work as this: So that it may be affirmed, and that in truth, they are blind, who does not easily apprehend the wickedness of this Spirit, and the tendency of its work, whence it arises, and whither it leads, (to wit) into the Earth again, to satisfie the Flesh with its affections and lusts, they are happy that are aware thereof, and do not touch therewith.

John Pearson, Robert Barrow, Brian Lancaster, Joseph Bains, John Blaykling.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Which wrong Spirit will never give them to see their duty, nor lead them into it.