The reviler rebuked: or, A re-inforcement of the charge against the Quakers, (so called) for their contradictions to the Scriptures of God, and to their own scriblings,: which Richard Farnworth attempted to answer in his pretended Vindication of the Scriptures; but is farther discovered, with his fellow-contradictors and revilers, and their doctrine, to be anti-Scriptural, anti-Christian, and anti-spiritual. By John Stalham, a servant of the great bishop and shepherd of souls, appointed to watch his little flock at Terling in Essex.

2. Head of their Self-contradiction. Concerning hearing of the Word.

Section 10.

I Had granted, they say, and say truly (because the Scri∣pture saith so, Joh. 8. 47.) They that are of God, hear his word, and they that hear his word, hear his voice; and yet they deny the hearing of Ministers that speak this word; and consequently they do either un-say what truth they spake before, or deny them∣selves to be of God, in that they both refuse themselves to hear, and call off others from hearing. R. F. because I granted the first part of their contradiction to be a Scripture truth, runs away with the conceit of an advantage, when 'tis nothing so. Thou says, They say and say truly (then they lye not) neither do they say and un-say; and so thou art taken with the lye again, and clears them thy self.

Rep. How weak and giddy this mans apprehension is, may appear many ways, by the review of this passage.

1. I attributed truth to their words no further then they agree with the word of God in Scripture; and so far I will acknowledge truth, because I love it, and the Scripture of truth; but this man, when I grant an inch, will take an ell.

2. It followeth not, if men say true in one thing, that they speak the truth in every thing. The devil can speak a truth, the more cunningly, to put off his lyes. That may be a truth materially, which will not be found in mens practical experience so acknowledged.

3. It is beyond all controversie, that in this (as many other instances) they say and unsay; first owning the Scri∣ptures, and ministery, and hearing of the word, and then dis-owning all teachers and teaching, but what is within: first saying, the peoples Teacher cannot be removed into a corner, and by and by telling them, you will finde your teacher as you lye in your beds. Even as customary swearers

reproved for their sin, will swear they did not swear; so men habituated in Self-contradiction, will vehemently pro∣test against it; but it helps them never a whit.

4. It is no new thing to have the reproach of lying cast up∣on me or others, by one who cannot judge, or understand what is truth, or when 'tis spoken truly.

5. I am so far from clearing them, that I renew my charge against them, if they be all like R. F. in this maner and form following, The more candidly the men, called Quakers, are dealt with, the more abusive they are. If any do make ingenuous confession (as the 42 Ministers, Pastors and Preachers) of their failings, the more readily they will hang them up, in a legal way without any Gospel-mercy. And if we grant they speak a truth (sometimes) they would make the world believe they speak all truth, at all times; when as hitherto, so many lies as R. F. (for his share) hath charged upon me (and hath proved none, nor will be able, (God still keeping me, and guiding my Tongue and Pen) to make good a proof) so many slanders will, by the Lord, be set upon his score and account: The Lord himself rebuke him, in time, savingly, and to purpose; even to the manifesta∣tion of the purpose of his love, to do him good for ever.

Notes

• Page 26.
• A discovery of some fruits &c. pag. 9.