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. Of the Actions and Manners of the Quakers.

THey will not put off their Hatts, nor bow their bodies, to the greatest Persons. The Parliament 1659 appointed a Committee of purpose to hear their Complaints; before which the Quakers stood covered, and thou'd and thee'd the Chair∣men and Members thereof, to the greatest dishonour of the Au∣thority of England, as ever was admitted.

They will not petition to men, no not the highest Powers, but Councel and Command: Witness all their Addresses to the Protectors and Parliaments, in Print many of them to be seen.

They will not take an Oath, before a Magistrate, or other∣wise, saying, it is unlawfull. And yet this Summer, 1659. to revenge themselves of some Countrey men, about Sawbridg∣worth in Hartfordshire, for affronting them, they could freely swear against them, in order to the binding them over to the Sessions, and rail against St. T. H. a Justice of the Peace, accu∣sing him in Print, for not taking the Parliaments new Engage∣ment.

They say, the Magistrate hath nothing to do, to meddle in matters concerning Religion; and yet do continually importune him to pull down Religion, as is well known to all the late Au∣thorityes, and thousands more, by Edward Burrow's Letters to the Protectors, and other Papers Printed.

They cry up Liberty of Conscience, but are not willing to give it to others. How many thousand times have some Mi∣nisters or other in all parts of the Laud, been most impudently disturbed by them, in their publike religious exercises, is so well known, that none but John Impudence will deny it.

They are notorious Lyars; for all their Blasphemies and Er∣rors are so many lyes: Not because I say they are lyes (that's their common disproof) but because they are contrary to the Law and the Testimony, the Scriptures, as all do know, and can witness, that have savingly learned those Statutes, and so are taught of God. If St. Paul himself had told the Bereans, that for Masters and Mistresses to make their Servants read the Scripture,

is Treason against the King of Saints and his tender Lambs, as Mason against Mr. Rayner doth (See Catal. Educa.) would not they who tryed his Doctrine by the Scriptures (and therefore are called noble) Acts 17.11. have told him he lyed.

2. Every one of the Quakers saith, he is taught and guided by an infallible Spirit, and is without sin: And that they are all so, and that's a lye with a latchet, as I'le prove presently by ano∣ther way, then by comparing what they say with the Scripture, though that's the best way; even by their notorious contradicting one another. Many instances might be given; I'le only name one or two.

Hubberthorn, in his Truths defence against Refined Subtilties, p. 101. doth affirm, That the wicked are not to read the Scriptures but the godly; and gives his wise Reasons for it. But Burroughs against Firmin, p. 16. allows only the wicked and ungodly: Such as the Scribes and Pharisees were, to search and read the Scriptures, and not the godly. Here's a plain opposition and contradiction, from which I infer, that both of them did not write truth, they were not both guided and directed by an unerring infallible Spirit; and consequently, that to say all the Quakers have the guidance of such a Spirit, ey and that in all their speeches and writings, as they say they have, is such a lye as I called it: And there is that in all men, that will not offer violence to their Reasons, that will witness to the truth hereof. Take but one more instance.

James Natlor, in his Answer to Francis Harris, useth the name SCRIPTURE, and the WORDOF THE LORD, indifferently as convertible termes, as being fullfilled by mens coming from far, and sitting down in the Kingdome, &c. thereby contradicting his well known elsewhere Assertion, That the Scripture is not Gods Word, p. 3.

They are the most immodest, obscene, people in the world, next to the late Ranters. If all the Stories of their womens stripping themselves to the very skin, in the presence of men, and of mens so doing in the presence of women of late years, should be here et down, they would be enough to make a large Volume. I will set down but those few, which I am sure I can prove to be true, and that are by many hundreds known to be true.

1. A Female Quaker about four or five years ago, came into White-hall Chappell stark naked, while a great Congregation was

at the publike worship of God, the Lord Protector O.C. being present.

2. Since then, a Relation of mine had a Maid-servant that be∣came a Quaker, and one day at Putny where his house was, and when he had many friends at dinner with him, she came into his Parlour stark naked while they were at dinner, to the asto∣nishment of their modesty. And another day, she did Stark naked go from her Masters house through Wandser, and to Lam∣beth, or near it, where some Watermen by force stop'd and co∣vered her, and carried her back. It was said, that she intended to have entred London over the Bridge, and to have gone in that posture through London Streets unto West minster.

3. This last Summer 1659. in Colchester a Man-Quaker went stark naked all through the Market: And another day, which was the Lords day, in the same posture entred into the greatest Assembly that was in that Town, walking unto the further end of the lower cross He through many people, and then returned without saying a word. And from thence he went to a great company of the Quakers, assembled together in that Town, where he did for a long time act the part of a Speaker; which considered, as also that when he did go naked, he had a Brother waiting upon him, carrying his Cloaths under his Arms, it was the more apparent, that it was an act well-plea∣sing to, and approved of by the Quakers.

4. This last Summer 1659. A Man-Quaker went naked through the City of London down Cheapside, as hundreds can wit∣ness.

5. In Colchester this last Summet, 1659. many of them, as also the Anabaptists, have opened their Shops, and followed their handicraft Callings every Lords day for many weeks to∣gether, notwithstanding the Legal oppositions that have been made against them; and it's likely they continue so to do, they did untill very lately. The like (as is known to thousands) hath been done several Lords dayes by some of them of late in London, and Southwarke.

6. In Colchester this last Summer 1659. a Woman-Quaker brought her needlework into a Church, and fell to work, and singing, while the Minister was officiating.

7. In Aldermanbury-Church in London, this last Summer

1659. a Man-Quaker after one frustrated attempt, did (while the Psalm was singing, and before the Minister ascended) get up into the Pulpit, and there sate upon the Cushion, with his foot upon the Stool, or Seat, and with a Needle and Thread sewed a Pocket, untill he was pulled down; since which, the same Per∣son hath in Print published the reason of his so doing, to be only this: That the Burden of the Lord was upon him: That he was so prest in his spirit to do it, that he could have no rest untill he had done it, but declares no end for which he did it: Surely the Devil that moved him, did not exercise his wit; or else had a very fool to work upon, that would move to no end.

They do exceedingly covet that, which impudently they say they have, but have not, namely the gift of working Miracles; con∣cerning which, take these following Stories, wherein may be seen their pride, and how the lying Spirit hath befooled them.

WIlliam Pool (a professed Quaker) servant to George Knight Clothier, of the City of Worcester, and a Qua∣ker also, seemed for some short time to be much troubled in mind and dejected, which his Master and some others tookno∣tice of: But not finding satisfaction from the Quakers, with whom he did converse, upon the 19. of February 1657. being Friday, he was more then ordinarily troubled, (but the man∣ner and grounds of it are variously reported) and at evening∣went suddenly out of his Masters house, and could not be found or heard of that night, nor the next day; but on the Lords day, early in the morning, was found within half a Mile of the City, dead, and naked, with his face downward in a little puddle of water, all his Cloaths lying by him. Upon the view of which and hearing the matter, the Coroners Inquest found him guilty of self-murder: His Mother and Friends on Munday morning, the 22. of February, caused him to be buried in Claynes Church∣yard, two Miles from the Ciry: And the same day in the after∣noon, after he had lain buried six or seven hours, a strong per∣swasion of pride and confidence, seized upon one Susnnah Peir∣son (one of the most violent, heady, and high-minded Quakers in the City) that she could raise William Pool from the dead;

whereupon she took three or four more of her way, and went to the Church-yard, caused his body to be digged out of the earth, and laid upon the ground, and opened his shroud, touch∣ing him, and calling him by his name, saying, Arise and walk, with sundry other expressions, many being present: But she and her companions returned with shame, yet persists still in her O∣pinion without any change. The Lord shew her her sins, and give her repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth, that she may recover her self out of the snare of the Devil, who is taken captive by him at his will.

They compass Sea and Land to make Proselites, and have too much succeeded both in Virginia and Amsterdam: But I hope where ever this Book shall arrive before them, the people will so well know them, as to abhor any further acquaintance with them.

They are a very cruel, bloudy people, if we may judge of the Lion by his paw, or what is abundantly in their hearts, by such speakings of their mouths as these, to our Captains in Christs Army: That they are of the Synagogue of Satan, and know nothing of God, but are enemies of God, being guided by the spirit of errour, with∣out, among dogs, whose humility is fained: That their Sermons are fleshly fancies and Conjurations, dirty miry Doctrine, a stinking pud∣dle: That their hearts are filthy deceitfull, seeking praise from men: That they are scandalous, following the wayes of Balaam and Cain: worse then Simon Magus, knowing nothing of the life of the Gospel, That they are Heathens, wallowing in the mire and filth of the flesh, on whom all the Plagues of God are to be powred, blinde guides, proud, Baals Priests, Lyars, Blasphemers, Enemies to Christ Jesus, Mur∣therers, Sorcerers, Whoremongers, Children of disobedience, greedy dumbrdogs, Witches, Antichrists, Antichrists Merchants, Robbers, Deceivers, Ministers of the world, Conjurers, Devils of a Serpentine nature, a Brazen-fac't Beast, Covetous, Idolatrous Priests, Tleeves, Devilish Priests, Priests of the world, Foxes, Ministers of Antichrist, Proud Pharisees, Envious, malicious Priests, Egyptians, Sodomites, Gog and Magog, a Seed of evil doers, children of the devil, Blinde Watchmen, Back-biters, Raylers, Seducers, Taskmasters of Egypt, Devouring Lions, Firebrands of hell, Sonnes of Belial. What would not these men that use such language, do, if they had power to their will.

Many of the Quakers are no doubt inchanted and bewitched, and possessed by the Devill. I could instance in Glipin of Kendell, and Tolderby, as may appear by their severall Narratives pub∣lished by themselves. And of a Physitian in Lincoln, who with his consent was made a Quaker for twenty four houres, by a Quaker who he privately convicted to be a man in Popish Or∣ders beyond Sea. The Agreement was, That at the end of so many houres he should cease to be a Quaker; which so fell out; but he affirmed, that for that time he could not chuse but Preach and Pray at the Quakers rate; but at the end of the said time he found himself exceeding weary, and as indisposed to such work as ever.

In Colchester Gole, within this last two years, Parnell the Quaker would needs fast fourty daies and nights as Christ did, who after he had fasted eight or nine daies suffered some food to be applyed to him, but his body by fasting having lost its power of reception and concoction, he dyed. And after he was laid in his Grave, a man Quaker (how many more then one I cannot say) waited by his Grave untill the end of three dayes, expecting his Resurrection, but James not rising the poor man ranmad upon it, and so continued many weekss, but at last got loose both from his madness and Quaking, through Gods mercy to him.

These Stories following are Published by Mr. Ford, and Mr. Fow∣ler Ministers of Reading, in their Answer to Speed, p. 75. 1656.

A Quaker acted that most abominable, unnameable sin with a Mare.

Another poor wretch hanged himself: these two you may find at large added to the relation of Gilpin of Kendall, and con∣fessed by the Prime of that way to be true; what may be your thoughts of those?

Some Quakers killed their Mother. They were taught to hearken to, and follow after the Light within them; this Light taught them they ought to destroy the Originall of Sin, and by the said Light they apprehend their Mother to be the Originall, and from thence still by the said Light they most wickedly em∣brued their hands in the bloud of their Mother, this you may

read in Mr. William Keys Minister of Stokesly his Answer to eigh∣teen Quaeries, who was with them in Prison.

Nicholas Kate of Harwell in this County of Berks? about ten moneths since came into Newberry between eight and nine in the morning on the Lords day, starke naked in a most immodest manner, even beyond the Pagans, and so walked through a long Street, only with an inchanted belt about him (which belt we have ground to call inchanted,) this man did not converse or live as a Husband with his wife for many moneths before this: we will tell you what his Doctrines were.

1. That Marriage was made by Man.

2. That Christians were worse than Beasts.

3. That any woman was as free to him as his Wife.

4. That his Wife was no Wife of his, she was a limb of the Devill.

5. That he was holy, and all things that he toucht were holy, as his very Hatchet, his pot, his Knife.

6. That when the fullness of time was come, he should work mi∣racles.

This man hath left his own Family, his Land and Stock of a very considerable value, entred upon by Persons whom the Countrey esteemeth Ranters, his Wife a weak diseased Wo∣man, who brought him a valuable portion, left to the mercies of these Persons, which are cruell enough to her: the Farmer Kate himself since his departure was never heard of by his wife or any of her friends, if any Person can tell where he is, or what is become of him, they may do a charitable Christian Office to informe his much distressed Wife.

One of Bristoll, who lately even the twenty ninth of Aprill last, at Marleborough in the County of Wilts in a discourse with a God∣ly, discreet, and Learned Friend, held out this Light.

1. He knew no such things as the Resurrection of the body.

2. That the Body of Christ was not in Heaven, neither should be come thence with a body.

3. He defended those that went naked, but as yet he had no command to do so.

4. That of late he went to bed with a woman, who was not his wife, and that he did it without Sin.

5. That that very Christ crucified at Jerusalem, was in-dwel∣ling in him.

6. That he was confident of his perfect holiness, and on that ac∣count went to bed with the woman, and yet afterwards excused himself saying, there was a necessity for it, there was no other spare bed in the house.