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 First Particular thing made Mention of to be spoken to, and plainly proved in the First Part, of the Antichristian Treachery Discovered, and It's Way Blockt up. Viz.

That the Care of the Church of God in this our Day amongst the Children of the Light, with Respect to Discipline, according to the Order and Rule of Truth, and their Practice accordingly Stands Fustified, as consistent with the Doctrine of Christ, the Aposties Command, Scripture-example and the Primitive Practice amongst the Believers touching this Matter.

By that Eternal Word, that was man's Life and Glory in the beginning, before Sin and the separation from God was, a Remnant that have believed, and have been gathered home again unto God, (In which Word our Fellowship stands with the Father, and with the Son according to Antient experience) and through the Holy Spirit are we brought into Unity one with another in that Invincible life, which they that believe not, are strangers to: and in the Tabernacle the Lord hath given us in this World, as the Family of God, we are in that Society, wherein (in the Love that we bear one unto another, and in that Godly care we have amongst us for God's

Glory and Truth's Praise) our desires are to be one anothers help and advantage every way; so as that in all things we may be as becomes the Heritage of God. And for this cause is it, that we are a people Setled through the Power and Spirit of Truth, in that good Order and Discipline, as becomes the Family of him who hath chosen us: That Love and Care, (& none other) we have laboured to preserve amongst us, accord∣ing to Christ's Doctrine, and the Primitive Example, as that we may Glorifie God in Body, Soul and Spirit; and by reason whereof all men may know, that we are Christ's disciples, and that we are in that Faith which works by Love. And in the same eternal Power, by which we are a People, and in which we are made Help∣Governments in the Church of God, an eye is open and an Inspection given us, in which what ever is decent, comely, and of good report, is cherished and approved of; and what ever is contrary, is seen, whether in things appertaining to Doctrine or Practice, Conversation and Life: And in the same Power, which is the Terrour to the evil-doer, is the exercise of God's People in relation thereunto, according to the Blessed Order Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 directed unto, in the Case of Trespass of one Brother against another, where the Church might come to be concerned, as to hearing the Matter and giving judgment in the case as the Lord might direct, according to the Power and Authority given, in which the Sentence might be passed; for want of the Church being heard by the offending Brother, let him be unto thee as an heathen-man. This Order and Discipline was directed to, to be in the Church, and this Government and Judgment by Christ Jesus given unto them, who had received of his good Spirit: in which Spirit of Truth that leads into all Truth, it is, and in none other, that in our tender care in the Church of God we are concerned, and have a Witness in the Consciences of all the tender-hearted before the Lord. And whatever William Rogers sayes in his Malicious Slandering Mind, God is our Witness, we have no care upon us in Relation to the Church of God; but in that Love in which we were beloved of him, and in which we are knit together: We have no concern but in the Power, our Eye is unto that: There is no Rule, Discipline or Go∣vernment amongst us, but in the power in which our Souls are Subjected unto God, and in which we are Servants one to another: In which power we do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as given us of God, for his Glory's sake, Authority to hear, Determine and give Judgment not only in matters relating to the outward man, in cases of Difference brought before the Churches; and upon the case of any not hearing the Church, to declare him as not worthy of the Fellowship of God's people; but to be unto us as an Heathon-man: But also in matters relating to Conscience or the In∣ner man: As the Apostle said, A man that is an Heretick, after the First and second times 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reject: And as we have a concern upon us, to stand approved in Gods sight, and in all Consciences in the matter of Doctrine and Principles of Truth; so also with respect to Conversation and Life, to live void of offence towards God and Man, in that Pure Religion we are brought into, to visit the Fatherless and the Widdow, and keep our selves unspotted of the World; whose Care and Order relating thereunto, is no way Inconsistent with the Apostle's Coun∣sel and the Churches Practice in his day. The Apostle said to the Corinthians, Dare any of you having a Matter against another, go to Law before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.

And that the Care of the Churches of Christ in this matter, amongst this peo∣ple (whom William Rogers presumes to render as Apostates and Innovators) and their Order and Practice is consistent with the Apostles advice, let the Records of our Meeting-Books Testifie; and let our disconcern with any other People, (save them

of our Principle and Profession) in any matters relating to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amongst us, speak in all men amongst whom our residence is: The Care and Order we have in relation to the Widdow and Fatherless, and them that are in necessity, let our Practice touching that matter declare thereof: Unto whom are we Burthensom in that case? Unto what Magistrate have we complained, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 relief from, in the case of any Brothers Indigency or want? save in the case of laying be∣fore them the Oppressions and sufferings that we have been exposed to for our Testimonies sake, that the cry of the Poor, the Widow and the Fatherless on that Account may not enter the Lord's ears, to bring his wrath upon them because there∣of. Or which of the Widows, that are Widows indeed, or of the Poor amongst us that keep faithful to Truth, have found fault with us, and complained of Neg∣lect amongst us concerning them? Wherein are We Inconsistent with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Practice in Relation to dealing with such as become any way Scandalous to Truth? let our Records in that case speak for us, in bearing a Testimony against the same, and publishing of it according to the Merits thereof, and the Knowledge of it abroad, for the clearing of Truth, and declaring our disowning of such as are led aside on that wise, till Repentance be wrought, and the Lord's Forgiveness be felt concern∣ing them. Let the Care and the Order we have, and the Practice we are found in, in Relation to the Inspecting Marriages as to clearness, every way consist∣ent with Truth's Life, and the Churches allowing or disallowing as matters are found in relation thereunto, being twice brought before our Men and Womens Meetings; and our decent, comey and orderly proceeding (with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Parents, &c.) in the Accomplishment thereof before many of the Lord's People, in publick Assem∣blies for the most part gathered for that very occasion, that they may be Witnesses thereof. We say; let our practice in these matters Testifie to our consistency with the Care that's incumbent upon us as God's People; and with the primitive Care, Or∣der and Practice, and in which we are of Good Report every where.

And for the more perfectly Answering the Care that's upon us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the a∣foresaid matters and things, and the like, and the effectually compleating the Work relating to it, are our Men and Womens meetings, our Monthly and Quarterly meetings setled in the Unity of the Life, and observed, that we may be in readiness to attend every Concern that may fall amongst us, relating to the Tabernacle in which we are, in it to be Truth's Praise: Our constant Opportunities of our Setled Meetings, attends the exercise of inspecting Marriages, of putting a stop to every appearance of any difference to arise amongst any professing Truth; and putting a timely End to all such as through mistakes or otherwise, may have risen: Our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Meetings in Relation to the Churches concerns, attends the occasion of any 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that any way may happen to any, through Sufferings, and the like; that Assistance may be readi∣ly Administred accordingly: Our Constant meetings are ready to Answer the Order of Truth, in the case of any publick Scandals, thr ough any one's Misdeameanor that have been 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Profession with us; In which we have felt the Presence of the Eternal God with us, and his Blessings attend us, to the comfort of the Family of God, and to our Repute every way. Now we appeal to that in all the Consci∣ences to Judge and Testifie, what cause William Rogers hath, (and they of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with him, on whose behalf he says the Printing of his Book was, as that which was a great concern of Conscience upon them) to publish us (and leave a memorial of it to Posterity) Apostates and Innovators, on the account of the aforesaid Care, Order and Discipline amongst us, in Relation to the Concerns, that, as a Society,

necessarily attends us: And whether in the practice of things relating thereunto we are not consistent with our first Principle, our Antient Love to God and to the Brethren and our care for Gods Glory; as also with the Churches-practice in the Primitive 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and that on these Accounts We can be no way detectable of having the life of Christianity extinct amongst us, as William Rogers hath asserted us to have: And whether the clamorous work he has made against Church-order and Government in the Ground; as also against our Care, Order and Practice touching the same, be any thing else but the fruit of his wicked, malicious, opposite Spirit, to the Life of Truth: And that all his cluttering work on this wise signifies nothing with respect to his charge against us, but that in the matter thereof he hath rendred himself 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 to all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people and Christian Societies: more especially, because that he goes not about to detect us, on the account of having lost the Kernel of Christianity, nor to be gone from the principles of Truth, or the Doctrine of Christ, or the practice of what the Truth leads the members of the Heavenly Body into; but by him and John Wilkinson, under their own hands are we cleared thereof.