Remarks upon an advertisement, of a meeting at Turners-Hall.

REMARKS UPON AN Advertisement, OF A MEETING At Turners-Hall.

He that is first in his own Cause, seemeth Just; but his Neighbour cometh and searcheth him,

Prov. 18.17.

The foolishness of Man perverteth his Way; and his Heart fretteth against the LORD,

Prov. 19.3.

HAving seen an Advertisement, subscribed G. K. Relating to a Meeting to be held by George Keith and his Friends in Turners-Hall, London, the 11th of June, 1696. My Curiosity led me to Read it, having heard he was a Man of Learning and Distinction. And therein I observe these things:

First, That it Principally related to some things already Expressed in Publick Print.

Secondly, To four Men expressed by Name, viz. William Penn, George Whitehead, Thomas Ellwood, John Pennington.

Thirdly, To a Meeting called the Second Days Morning-Meeting, for Li∣mitations he preicribes, Countenancing, some Books, Particularly one from Pensilvania; called, A Modes•••• Account of the Principal Differences in Point. of Do∣ctrine, &c. which is chiefly, as I perceive by view thereof, a Col∣lection out of former Books of G. K's. &c.

And the other part of this Advertisement is, to give Account of the Cause to Intimate such a Meeting.

And one Cause assigned is, That he hath neither Time nor Abillity to Print Answers.

And another, That a Meeting of People have owned him in their Printed Testimony, called, A Seasonable Testimony; which therefore he accounts is Parallell'd with what the Quakers did some Years ago against Tho. Hicks.

And much of the other part being Invectives, and black Epithites, he brings forth and casts upon the said Persons.

All which I must need say falls greatly short, in my Opinion, of rendering the said G. K. a Person justly Meriting the Character of a Man of Learning and Distinction, or Wisdom, or Justice.

For had he been such an one, so much Folly, Pride and Con∣ceitedness would never have dropt from his Pen.

His, Folly 1st, In proposing a Meeting under the Restrictions and Li∣mitations he prescribes, without Throng or Croud, when he gives a Months publick notice in Print, of Time and Place, in this Populous City.

2dly, In desiring them to be there to hear themselves Charged, and Proved Guilty, of the following Things; when he hath al∣ready Charged them to be Guilty, and that in Publick Print, of Defamations, &c. and most Erronious and Hurtful Principles, to the great Shame and Scandal of the Christian Religion: But he pre∣tends a Justness, in desiring them to be there, to hear themselves proved Guilty; by which he shews he hath not yet been so Just, as now he would seem to be; but so far as his Charge will go to∣wards Proof, he is not wanting to do it, and that in Print, before such hearing

Would ever a Scholar, or Wise Man, manifest such Folly, thus to expose the said Persons, without hearing, or being justly desired to be present, to answer to their several Charges.

Is not this like Abbington Law, viz. Condemn first, and Try after; and contrary to the Wise Mans saying, viz. Blame not before thou hast examined the Matter; first understand, and then Rebuke; And below Felix his saying of Paul, I'll hear thee and thy Accusers when they come Face to Face?

3dly, The Pride and Conceitedness of this Man to me greatly appears, in his taking upon him so Peremptorily, in Publick Print, to summons so many Persons to attend him at Time and Place he sets and Appoints; ought not they to be consulted with, about such a Meeting, and Inquired of, whether they would Consent thereto, and agree to Time and Place? Was it not so with the Baptists and the Quakers formerly? If not, I think it ought to have been so; but for this Man, that without so doing, appoints Time and Place, and Summons; and moreover suggests, that if few or none of them be present, that it is from a being conscious to themselves of the badness of the Cause: This makes me think of the Proverb, Hasty Folks never wants Wo. Why so hasty to conclude they are Conscious of the badness of their Cause, before they are heard? Besides, are there not many justifiable or allowable Reasons, to Enduce them to the contrary, or occasions to Excuse them? Therefore why should this Man of all others, be so hasty to Condemn them ALTOGE∣THER ƲNHEARD?

For instance, If these Men, with regard to the preservation of Peace, and preventing such Disorders and Riotous Actions, that may be committed at such Assemblies, shall rather choose to content them∣selves with such a Vindication, that may be more Peaceably, and Inoffensively managed, must there be no less then a Consciousness of Guilt to be presently concluded on their side, without hearing and perusing their Answer already in print? For will not such that impartially examine what both writes, be a fitter Judge then this Man in his own Case, who Accuses, Summons, and passes Sentence, upon his own Authority, and without hearing? For the time he hath appointed for that, is not yet come: But the Proverb is, Curst Cows have short Horns.

But truely after all, it's my Advice both to this Man and the Quakers, to make better use of the present Priviledges and Liberty they enjoy from the Government, than to incur their Displeasure, and expose themselves to the rage and fury of a mixed Multitude, to the Endan∣gering the Breach of the publick Peace, and thereby give a just occasion of Offence to the Magistrates, which tho' it may not be by them im∣mediately, yet may occasionally, and may tend to the great shame of their Profession, and Scandal of the Christian Religion.

And if the People G. K. is joyned with, are so few, so poor, or so Niggardly, as they will not be at a little Charge in Printing Books, relating to their Religious Controversies, in matters of Faith, they'll shew less Zeal to the Cause, than those G. K. writes against, and ac∣counts in Error: And his Friends thereby give but lit••le Demon∣stration

of their love to him, or of their owning him, except in Words

And altho' I have made some Remarks on the Method proposed by G. K. to shew his Folly therein, and also his presumption, as it ap∣pears to me in his Concluding others to be, what he thinks and says they are, without or before hearing (for that time is not yet come) as if he, tho' in his own defence, was the great Judge of Matters of Fact, and prime Director of Method and Manner to proceed, Sum∣mons, Hear, Try, Judge, Condemn, Acquit, Excuse or Discharge, Alter and Change, Way, Method, and Place, as well as prescribe, if he sees meet. Oh what a great HE this Man conceits himself! And what a power he. assumes! It be speaks his Pride, and he to be such an one as seeks Preheminence. For what Just or Legal Power or Au∣thority hath he to do this? Sure he doth not well understand our English Laws, which have made better Provision, than to admit or allow any to Exercise an Arbitrary Power over her free-born English; to Summons, Hear, Judge, at will and pleasure, and in their own Case.

This, as an English Man, I so Illy resented, that I have Adventured thus to show my Opinion, and give my Advice, not designing to Inter∣pose in the Management of the Controversie: But rather desire the Provoker, and the Provoked, may dispose themselves to the study of Quietness, and in a proper way to be Instrumental to put an End to their Controversies, and get a winding Sheet for it, that it may be Bu∣ried, and never have a joyful Resurrection, what ever they may, that are concerned therein.

VALE.

FINIS.