Hell broke loose: or An history of the Quakers both old and new.: Setting forth many of their opinions and practices. Published to antidote Christians against formality in religion and apostasie. By Thomas Underhill citizen of London.

CHAP. III. The Quakers chief Predecessors in the several Ages of the World since Christ.

AS to the main design of the Spirit of Hereticks, viz. The dis∣gracing and opposing of Christ and his Gospel (both the Scrip∣ture, Ministry and Ordinances) The Quakers are the chiefest Instruments upon the earth (as will appear by their Opi∣nions and Practices) And these were the chief of their Predecessors in the several Ages of the World, since Christ was upon the earth.

1. The false Apostles that did so oppose the true ones, and teach Justification by the workes of the Law, that they occasioned Saint Paul to write the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians against them, and charge them with setting up a new Gospel, which in∣fection proceeded so far, that those who before would have pluck∣ed out their eyes for him, did now take him for their enemy.

2. Simon Magus, a Leader of a deluded Society, and an oppo∣ser of the Apostles and the Gospel of Christ, pretended himself to be God and Christ, that seemed to die at Jerusalem, denied that Christ was really come, or did suffer, also the Resurrection of he body, and brought in the promiscuous use of Women, Jacks. Chron. 186.

3. Menander his Disciple. And

4. Saturnius his Disciple, who said that Marriage and Genera∣tion were of Satan, many of whose followers would not eat of my living sensitive creature.

5. Basilides taught that it was not Jesus, but Simon of Cyrene in his shape that was crucified. And that saving Faith did not termi∣nate in him that was crucified, but in Jesus that came in the shape of a man, and was thought to have been crucified.

6. Carpocrates and the Nicolaitans; some of them made them∣selves to be equal with Christ, and some the same with him; they used multitudes of amazing words, Inchantments; and were familiar with Devils.

The Cerinthians, Cordonites, Ebionites, Valentinians and Mar∣cionites,

who had all the general name of Gnosticks, from their own proud pretences of the Knowledge of such mysteries, as the Catholick Church was ignorant of, but were called by the names of their respective succeeding Leaders, because every one added to, or altered somewhat from the Doctrine of the former, yet holding the same in the main. These were as Irenaeus shews, Lib. 1. cap. 30. all the Disciples of Simon Magus the Witch, and continued the substance of his Doctrine, with some additions though some of them would not own his name. All the fore, going were against the Christian Doctrine Ministery and Or∣dinences.

The Arrians, who denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that he was the only begotten Sin of God, Coequall and Coeternall with the Father and the holy Spirit; and consequently his Merit and Satisfaction, and Justification by the imputation thereof, and his Ministers.

The Katharoi, who affirmed, that they being justified, were perfect and free of all sin, as the glorified in Heaven, Anno 1118.

Adamites devised a Church, to be as a hot house to keep them from cold: The Service time they were all naked men and wo∣men; the Virgins preached unto the rest; their Church they cal∣led Paradise, and themselves Adam and Eve, Epiphan. haeres. 52.

Priscilianus a Gnostick said, the Soul was of one Substance with God; mans actions were governed by the Stars; condemned the eating of flesh; parted married Couples? ascribed Creation of the flesh to wicked Angels, Aug. lib. de Haeres.

Pelagius a Monk of Bangor, he held that man without the grace of God was able to fullfill all the commands of God; that the Just have no sin in this life; that Children have no original sin, Aug. de Haeres. See Baxters sin against the Holy Ghost.

All these Hereticks with their Heresies and Blasphemies, were in the Church many hundred years ago; and condemned by Councils and Fathers; and many of them witnessed against from Heaven by dreadfull judgements.

For the truth of my Collections, I appeal to all that have read the ancient Histories of the Church, which are of as clear evi∣dence, as the Chronicles that give us the Names and Reigns of William the Conquerour, Henry the Eight, and Queen Mary. So that it is not lawfull for any man to say these Stories are lies,

untill after diligent search he find them to be so; or untill upon his enquiry of honest learned men they say so, which will never be.

Mahomet growing famous for Wealth and Magick, by the advice of Sergius a Monk, called himself the great Prophet of God; denied the Sufficiency, Perfection, and Authority of the holy Scriptures; (but stole abundance of the words, names and things therein con∣tained, to make up his Speeches and his Alchoran) also the Tri∣nity. He held Community of Women; was an Enthusiast, pretend∣ing to Revelations and Infallibility.