Rogero-Mastix A rod for William Rogers, in return for his riming scourge, &c. By Thomas Ellwood.

A Rod for William Rogers, in return for his Rhyming Scourge, &c. THe Preacher tells us, that beneath the Sun There's no new thing: for, That which shall be done, Eccles. 1. 9. and 3. 15. Hath been before, And what is now a doing Shall acted be again, in Times ensuing. •… t none be shaken, therefore, in his Mind, 〈◊〉 he Gods People now Reviled find, Reproach't with bitter Words, and Vilifi'd, With filthy Slanders loaded, and bely'd By Wicked men: Such was the Churche's state Of old, as sacred Story doth relate. That Railing Herauld of th' Assyrian Host, The foul-mouth'd Rabshakeh, that man of Boast, Who from Senacherib, Assyrian's King, Did a proud Message unto Iudah bring; 2 Kings 18. When he design'd the faithful Iews to draw From their Observance of the holy Law, He labour'd to perswade them they had left The way of God already, and bereft Themselves, by that means, of all ground of hope That God would them defend. This was the scope Of his false Reas'ning with them: If, said he, 〈◊〉 answer, In the Lord our God trust we; Is not that He, whose Altars and High-places Vers. 22. Your Hezekiah takes down and defaces; And hath to Judah and Jerus'lem said, Your Worship at this Altar shall be made? By this, he hop'd their Confidence to shake, In God the Lord, and them 〈◊〉 make Of God's Protection, and from thence afford An open Ear to his seducing Word. And that he might the more amuze them, he Pretends his Mission from the Lord to be. Am I, says he, come up without the Lord Against this place, to put it to the Sword? Vers. 25. The Lord (adds he; for in a Lye he'll stand) Unto me said, Go up against this Land. Then let n •… t Hezekiah make you trust Still in the Lord, saying, The Lord (who's just) Vers. 30. Will surely us deliver, and this City Shall not be subject to Assyria's Pity. To this effect that Wretch, with strained Voice Proclaim'd, and in his Lewdness did rejoyce A little while; but, e'er 'twas long, the Rod Taught him what 'twas to Rail at Israel's God. When Treacherous Sanballat and Tobiah Perceiv'd the godly zeal of Nehemiah, The care and pains he took, his Diligence The holy City with a Wall to fence, How hard he labour'd (in despite of them) To build the Breaches of Ierusalem; Set up the Gates thereof, and hang the Dore, That they no longer could, as heretofore, Go in and out at pleasure, and prophane, With unclean Mixtures, Iacob's Seed again; Bring in mixt Marriages, and thereby make God's People him offend, him them forsake: At first it griev'd them sore to hear some tell Of one that sought the good of Israel. Nehem 2. 10. Then when they found the Work would be begun, They laught, and into scornful Scoffs did run; And by Derision and Disdainful Cries, Vers. 19. Declar'd how much they did the Work despise. But when they understood the Work went on, And was in likely posture to be done, Ch. 4. 7. They waxt exceeding wroth, and strait combin'd Together to oppose it; with them joyn'd Th' Arabian, Ammonite and Ashdodite, In League, against Jerusalem to fight: Vers 8. And all to the intent, to bring to nought The Work, which God had by his Servants wrought. Their War-like Preparations proving vain, Vers. 11. They use a Stratagem, they lay a Train Vers. 15. To catch the Innocent; thus him they greet, Come, let us in one place together meet. Ch. 6. 2. Fair the Pretence appeared, but their Thought Was, by that Medium, to have Mischief wrought. Good Nehemiah saw their Snare, and scap'd The hands of them that for his Ruin gap'd. I am, quoth he, about a Work too great To leave it, and come down, with you to treat. Four times (so did they long to circumvent Vers 3. The Righteous) They the self same Message sent And the same Answer did as oft receive, Vers. 4. I may not stop, the Work's too great to leave. When thus Sanballat saw his Counsels fail, That nor by Force, nor Guile, he could prevail; With Rage and Envy swell'd, at length he burst, And cast up Gall, and whatsoe'er was worst; Not only Nehemiah to defame, But bring an Odium on the Jewish Name. And that he might his Slander publick make, (As publick as he could) this way did take. He gave unto his Servant a command, Vers. 5. To bear a Letter open in his hand, In which he did suggest an Accusation Upon Report, (a sly Insinuation) That Nehemiah had imploy'd the Iews To build the Wall, that he might them abuse, And thrust himself upon them for their King, Vers. 6. And thereby double Bondage on them bring. And, that he might the Crown the better reach, He had appointed Prophets too, to Preach Vers. 7. So of him at Jerusalem, and say, There is a King in Iudah at this day. Thus wrought Tobiah, Sanballat, and those That with them joyn'd, the Work of God t'oppose. One while, by Scoffing, Scorning and Deriding, Another while, by Force and Factious Siding; Then by Deceit, and many a subtil Wile, In hopes they might the Innocent beguile; And lastly, by a publick Defamation, To make the Iews a Scorn to Gentile-Nation. When proud Diotrephes, whose swelling Breast, Love of Pre-eminence had long possest, Had by Surmize and false Insinuation, Leaven'd a Party in the Congregation, The Rancour of his Venom'd heart brake forth Against some, in the Church, of greatest Worth, Prating against them, with Malicious words, As, in his third Epistle, Iohn Records; Vers. 10. Nor only Prating, but from Words proceeds To work Division by Mischievous Deeds, Opposing what the Inspir'd Apostle writ Conducing to the Churches Benefit. By these Examples, plainly it appears, How Satan plaid his Pranks in former years, What Arts he us'd, how craftily he wrought, What Instruments, w •… ereby to work, he sought; One while, professed Enemies, and then Another while he chose false Brethren. And though those Agents now are dead and gone, Satan remains the same, the Evil One. He Mischief always to the Church intends, And Mischief to effect, his Agents sends. Though Rabshakih be dead, Tobiah Rotten, Sanballat and Diotrephes forgotten, The Wicked Spirit that in them did strive Against Gods Truth and Church, is still alive; And other Instruments doth daily raise, To hinder Truth's fair Progress, in these dayes. He Agents has, great store, of ev'ry size And sort. How num'rous are Truth's Enemies! Yet blest be God! A greater Number's those That stand for Truth, than those that it oppose. I list not here a Muster-Roll to make Of all who, from without, in hand did take To Battel against Truth, and shake their Spears At Israel's Camp within these twenty years. Nor do I purpose to enum'rate all, Who, in that time, themselves did Quakers call, That through Misguided Zeal, or Discontent, Their Bows against their Brethren have bent. But since some few, of late, appear to be With Rage and Envy fill'd, to that degree, That with more Bitterness than all the rest, Their Malice against Truth they have exprest, My purpose is to single out from these Him, that appears as their Diotrephes. And that is ROGERS: For though Crisp and Bug, With other some, do at the same Oare Tug, And Toil hard at it too, with all their Might, Yet can they do no more but shew their Spite. And for the rest, that lie behind the Skreen, And move the Wheels, but like not to be seen; Although they help to carry on the Work, I take less notice of them, while they Lurk. Them therefore leaving, I return again, To view Will. Rogers his Poetick strain; Who having been too often foil'd in Prose, To try his Fortain, now in Verse hath chose; If Verse, without Offence, that may be call'd, Which is delivered in Rhimes so bald, So flat, so dull, so rough, so void of Grace, Where Symphony and Cadence have no place; So full of Chasmes, stuck with Prosie Pegs, Whereon his Tired Muse might rest her Legs, (Not having Wings) and take new breath, that then She might, with much a doe, hop on agen. His [P 11. Words to that effect,—p 3. 11. 16. Why so?—p. 9. 17 How so? p. 5. Hence I observe,—p. 20. See more p. 12. Hence I conclude—] do show, His Pu •… sy Muse was often out of Wind, And glad when she a perching place could find. What drew thee, William, to this Rhiming fit, Having no more p •… opensity to it? Could'st think such hobling and unequal Rhimes, That make a Iangling, like disorder'd Chimes, Could of a Poem e'er deserve the Name, Or e'er be read without the Author's Shame? What Clouds of Darkness in thy Lines appear! How is thy Stile perplext! how far from clear! Thy Muse is wrapt in thickest Fogs of Night, Which shews thou art departed from the Light. Nor Sun, nor Moon, nor Star throughout thy Book Is to be seen. No Spring nor Christal Brook Glides through thy Margin. No, thy Waters run Black, like the Streams of Styx, or Phlegeton. I will not, William, take the pains to trace The Snakey Windings of thy crooked Race; Nor do I mean to give my self the trouble To hunt thee, foot by foot, through ev'ry double; Nor do I purpose here to spend my time, To sweep away the stinking Mud and Slime, (The Sanious matter of a Putrid Brain, Which doth well nigh each page of thine distain) Which in base Terms, and for the basest Ends, Thou belchest forth against those worthy Friends, Who, maugre all thy foul Calumniation, Have in the Church an honourable Station. I hold it needless now to make Defence, Against plain Envy, for plain Innocence. Besides, they are more able far, I know, Thy Vomit back upon thy face to throw, 〈◊〉 they think fit; or, with a noble Scorn, •… nd, silent, set their feet upon thy Horn. •… oiding therefore that Scurrility, •… herewith upon some Persons thou dost fly, •… purpose more especially to look •… to those envious Parcels of thy Book, •… hich seem to have a more extenc •… relation To all the faithful Friends in ev'ry Nation; •… ot only those whom God hath call'd to be •… is Servants in a publick Ministry, •… t even all, beneath the Cope of Heaven Now living, who their Names to Christ have given And, in this Search, I make no doubt to find, And manifest, that, with malicious Mind, Like Sanballat, Tobiah, and the rest, Whose envious workings are before exprest, •… ou either chargest Friends with what's not true, 〈◊〉 blam'st their doing what they ought to do. After thou hast, in Misty Phrases, told What those call'd Quakers us'd to preach of old, (Which yet thou dost in Language so unclear, That common sense doth not therein appear:) Thou slily dost suggest, That Friends are gon From that great Truth they first insisted on. But thy Suggestion's false: We firmly hold The sure Foundation that was laid of old. Quakers (thou sayst) in Christ's Name thus did preach, Christ's Light's our Guide, it fallen Man doth teach. Pag. 1. And Quakers still (say I) do preach the same, [Christ's Light's our Guide] and preach it in Christ's Name; And that it fallen man Would teach, if he Would be perswaded by it taught to be. •… ut fallen man rebels, and often kicks Against this inward Teacher, when it pricks. Acts 9. 5. And that's the soundest Reason can be brought, Why thou, being fall'n from Truth, remain'st untaught. Christ's Teaching by his Spirit few deny'd, Thou say'st. Why Few? Let Truth the case decide. If [few] relates to Friends, there was not any: If to the World, not few, but very many, Christ's Teachings by his Spirit did deny, And 'gainst immediate inward Teachings cry. Now take which course thou wilt, 'tis plain in view, That what thou hast asserted is Untrue. Thus run'st thou on, till thou thy way hast lost, And run'st thy heedless head against a Post. Look not, said they, to us, 'tis our concern, That you from th' Light within your duty learn; So thou report'st. The same concern remains Upon Friends still, say I: Their Care, their P •… ns; Is exercis'd in this, that all may learn, From Light within their Duty, and discern The Light's true Voice, which never did oppose In some, what from the same in others rose. And, if some said, Look not to us (which yet, I ne'er saw prov'd in aught that thou hast writ) It cannot well in other sence be took, That they would not others so should look To them, as thereby to neglect or slight The inward Teachings of the heav'nly Light. And that, all faithful Friends at this day are As careful to prevent, as e'er they were. But that Friends ever •… eemed it unright, To look to one another, in the Light, To help, encourage, comfort any Brother, Be good Examples one unto another, To stir the pure Mind up, provoke to Love, And to good Works, •… s God thereto doth move; That ever this by Friends condemned was, I never heard, •… or to believe see cause. We read, that the Apostles, (chiefly Paul) On the believing Christians oft did call To follow them, as they themselves were found 1 Cor 4 16. and 11 1. Phil. 3. 17. 〈◊〉 Tim. 4. 12. 1 Thes 1. 7. and 2. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Antidote, p 17, &c. The followers of Christ: Was this unsound In them? If not, how comes it now to be Exclaim'd on, as so high a Crime, by thee? But of this Subject, William, thou hast writ Before; and I at large have answer'd it. What in thy Book comes next, is very dark, And, as it stands, seems quite besides the Mark. From th' Scriptures they Light, such a Teacher prov'd, As into Corners could not be remov'd: These are the words; If Printer be in fault, (Which I to know, have the Errata sought, •… t find no mention of it there) then he The blame must bear, and set the Author free. •… an while, so far as I thy meaning guess, 〈◊〉 will Reply, and readily confess, •… at ev'ry one, who in the Gospel-Path •… th walk uprightly, such a Teacher hath, 〈◊〉 can't into a Corner be remov'd, •… hich from the holy Scripture may be prov'd. Isa. 30. 20. •… hich if it be of th' inward Teacher meant, •… s I to take it here, am well content) •… t do the Scriptures plainly too declare, •… d Paul himself doth Testimony bear, •… at Christ, when he ascended up on high, •… e Teachers for the Work o'th' Ministry. Ephes. 4. 11, 12. •… d gave those Teachers Gifts to fit them to •… e Work he had appointed them to do. •… e of those Teachers too, in down-right Terms, 〈◊〉 Apostle Paul himself to be, affirms. 1 Ti •… . 2. 7. 2 Tim. 1 11. 〈◊〉 which we plainly see, our gracious Lord 〈◊〉 outward Teachers to his Church afford, •… ough they had the inward. And to them 〈◊〉 outwardly, he said, who do condemn Luke10. 16. 〈◊〉 me contemns; who yield to you the E •… r, Mat 10 40. 〈◊〉 you receive, me too receive and hear. Joh. 13. 20. I have enlarg'd, because I see thou'rt bent To vilifie those Teachers Christ hath sent. Thou add'st (while speaking of Teacher prov'd, That into Corners could not be remov'd) But did not preach it up, a slight to bring, On holy Scriptures, pen'd for our Learning. What means this, William? Dost thou any know Amongst the Quakers, who do now preach so? Name, if thou canst, among us all, one Friend, That slights the Scriptures for our Learning pen'd. Such dark Suggestions do from Envy •… ow, And a malicious concred Mind they show. For selfish ends, thou sayst, some thus did se •… , You see not right, your Light directs not well. Pag. 2. Thy drift is here, the Quakers to compare With the Worlds Teachers, who in Darkness are; And so art thou. The cases differ quite: For their Objection was against the Light; But so's not ours. You see not right, they said, The fault whereof upon the Light they laid. We see, and truly, that you see not right, But far be't from us to reproach the Light. We never say, the Light directs not well: We tell you, That you from the Light are fell. Their case with ours, doth no proportion bear, But serves to make thy Envy more appear. In all these Passages that I have quoted, And divers others that I have not noted, Of the same tendency with these, thy aim Is, by Insinuation to defame Gods faithful Servants, and beget suspition, That they have lost their primitive condition: Whenas it is indeed thyself, and those Who with thee joyn. Truths Order to oppose. That art from Truth and Godliness departed, And leagu'd in War against the honest hearted; Whom, with malicious Mind, and words untrue, Thou, in the following Lines dost thus pursue. What Hypocrites, are all such Quakers then, As touching Souls concern, have said Amen, On the meer credit of auother's Lines, That seeking Self, from Scripture-Truth's declines. Here's Slander by the Lump: A Whole-sale Trade: Who are the Quakers thou dost thus upraid? Come to Particulars; leave gen'ral Work: Deceit, thou knowst, in Generals doth Lurk. Name none 'gainst whom thou darest undertake, The charge thou here hast publisht, good to make, And make it good too: I will then declare, He and thy self, may make an even pair. Hadst thou consider'd, as it thee behov'd, How many things must in this Charge be prov'd; Not only that the Author of those Lines, Which Souls concern, from Scripture Truth's declines, And seeketh self; but that some Quakers do, On his meer credit, say Amen thereto: It might perhaps, have thee more wary made, And the loose Ramblings of thy Pen have staid. But when dark Envy once the Eye doth blind, It bars Consideration from the Mind. Have any told thee, that they said Amen On the meer credit of another? Then Prethee conceal them not, disclose their Names, And let them of their Follies bear the Shames. But if none so have told thee, prithee, whence Assum'st thou to thy self the Confidence, To dive mens Hearts, and undertake to know The only Motive whereupon they go? Thou, that hast so derided inward S •… se, Wilt not pretend, I hope, to judge from thence. And if thou hast not been expresly told By themselves, how dar'st thou be so bold And positive, that some have said Amen On the meer credit of another, when, For ought thou know'st, they had an inward sense The thing was right, and said Amen from thence. And that Amen may to another's words 1 Cor. 14. 26. In Truth be said, the Scripture Proof affords. And for that cause th' Apostle doth command, To use a Tongue that People understand. In thy third page, thy Mouth thou open'st wide, To Rail at Fox, his Preachers and his Pride. Thy Railing's slighted, and laid under foot, And for the rest, I'll say but this unto't; George Fox is, of the Truth, a faithful Teacher, And hath been from the first: but has no Preacher That he calls his. They that by thee are meant, Are Preachers that, as he, by Christ are sent. I dare thee but one Preacher to impeach, That was by him commissioned to preach. And as for Pride, hadst thou been half so humble, Thou hadst not climb'd so high, to take this tumble. Thou sayst, He fram'd i'th' Church a Government. I say, not he, but Christ, that had him sent. Pag 3. Christ, by his Spirit, first in him did move: The Church the same, in Spirit did approve. When Deacons first were in the Church appointed, By those that with the Spirit were anointed, Acts 6. Was that appointment to be call'd their own, Or Christ's, whose Life and Pow'r through them was shown? Paul in the Church did sundry things ordain, (Bear with the word, the Scripture speaks it p •… in) For Order sake. Was therefore th' Order his? 1 Cor. 7. 17. and 16. 1. No sure, not his, but Christ's: And so in this. Thou Cavil'st too, that (after Government) Preachers, approv'd by man, beyond Seas went. Pag. 3. This too, perhaps, may serve, at least is meant, 〈◊〉 kindle Jealousies and Discontent •… raw unsettled Minds: Let's therefore scan •… e meaning of those words [Approv'd by Man] 〈◊〉 Man thou mean'st the Church (for so I find, •… hou hast a few Lines off exprest thy Mind:) •… d to approve, imports to own, receive, •… end, or like: This then no room doth leave 〈◊〉 Cavil: For he must be stupid grown, •… at thinks Christ's Church should not Christs Preachers own. •… des, I note that here thou hast not said •… ose Preachers were by man ordain'd or made; •… t that that they were approv'd. Now 'tis most plain, 〈◊〉 thing t' Approve, another to Ordain. •… ey had their Ordination from above: 〈◊〉 Christ Ordains, his Church may well approve. •… d to receive the Churches Approbation, 〈◊〉 to Christ's Servants no Dis-reputation. 〈◊〉 that in Righteousness and Peace, says Paul, 〈◊〉 Christ, and in the Spirit joy withal, Rom. 14. 17, 18. 〈◊〉 •… to God acceptable, and then, •… dds he, Approved also is of men. Thou giv'st an hint, as if of them that went. Beyond the Seas, some by G. F. were sent. How prov'st thou that? I Proof thereof demand: Thy proofless Affirmation will not stand, •… ch less dark Hints. Come, name the man that went A preaching at G. F's commandment, Without an inward Motion from the Lord, To sound abroad his everlasting Word. 〈◊〉 solemnly profess, I do not know One Friend amongst us all, that e'er did so. Thou sayst, The Church hath cry'd once and agen 'Gainst Black-Coats, for their being sent of men. Thou Envy-blinded art, and much unlearn'd 〈◊〉 Truth, nor hast thou Right from Wrong discern'd. See'st thou no odds? Put'st thou no difference then 'Twixt those that run, as only sent by men, Who neither waited for, nor yet believ'd The Spirit's motion was to be receiv'd, And did 〈◊〉 Mission too from such men take, As have against the Spirit's sending spake: And them that •… wait for, and in Truth rejoyce At hearing, in themselves, the Spirit's Voice Giving a certain Echo to the sound Of the same Voice, when in another found? Hast thou not read, how, in the purest state Of Christian Faith, (as Scripture doth relate) The blest Apostles sometimes others sent, And sometimes also, sent by others, went? How oft did Paul send 1 Cor. 4 17. Phil. 2. 19. 1 Tim 3. 2. Timothy and 2 Cor. 8. 6. and 12. 18. Titus, Beloved Ephes. 6. 21. Col. 4. 7, 8. 2 Tim. 4. •… 2. Tychicus, Phil •… . 2. 25. Epaphroditus, Col 4. 〈◊〉 Onesimus, Acts 19. 22. Erastus, and 2 Cor. 8. 18 22 some others, True Gospel-Preachers, and beloved Brothers? Was this like Black-Coats sending? Blush for shame, That e'er thy Envy did thy Black-Coats name. Canst thou imagin, they who thus were sent, On the meer Motion of th' Apostle went? No: They, no question, in themselves did find The same good Motion stirring up their Mind. With what the good Apostle did advise, The holy Ghost in them did harmonize. Titus his case so clearly is exprest, That it may serve to open all the rest. Him Paul to Corinth had desir'd to go; He thereunto a Readiness doth show: 2 Cor. 8. 6. But why? God put it in his heart to do V. 16, 17. What the Apostle did exhort him to. Peter and Iohn, Luke tells us, being sent By the Apostles, to Samaria went. The Church too, after Stephen's fatal Stroke, Sent Barnabas as far as Antiock. Examples of this kind are many found, The holy Scriptures do therewith abound. One Instance more is in my mind to give, Of some that in the purest Age did live, Ev'n holy Barnabas and blessed Saul, (Whose Christian Name was after called Paul) Ch 13 •… , 〈◊〉 That these were sent by Simon, and the rest, In Scripture positively is exprest: V. 3. Yet in the very words that follow next, It is recorded in the holy Text, That they were by the holy Ghost sent forth: Whence plainly follows, (and indeed 'tis worth Our Observation) that what those men did Is to the holy Ghost attributed. And there's great Reason that it should be so, Since what they did, did from the Spirit flow, Yet, think I, not the other two did go Without a Motion, in themselves, thereto. But, William, that which frets thee most of all, And makes an overflowing of thy Gall, I •… , that the Church hath Money to supply The just occasions of her Ministry, When they, to preach the Word, are mov'd to travel Beyond the Seas. At this thou thus dost cavil; S •… h Church men unto Christ's Church strangers are, And most rely upon their Churches car: Unlike those whom Christ sent i'th' Ministry, Without a Scrip, to sound the Gospel free: •… d therefore when her Cash was empty'd, she, •… v'd Money for to serve the Ministry. Hence prating Preachers turn'd the Silver Bait, •… ught not a few o'th' Church with zeal to wait. As favour was obtain'd by Parasites, They labour'd hard to ga •… n more Pro •… elites. Thus, like a troubl'd Sea, thou' castest up The Mire and Dirt that's in thy filthy Cup: Then, in a paltry kind of Bal •… d Tone, Like scoffing Ishma •… l, thou thus go'st on; At length her Papers, like to Briefs, did e •… y. For Money, Money for the Ministry. A •… d in th •… fifth page, having given a yerk A •… R •… chardson, for being an hired Clerk, Thou sayst, Its true, that some do frequent say, Both Cl •… ks and Priests from th' Flock obtain their pay. Thy envious term of Priests, as 'tis apply'd To Friends, is by the Truth in Friends deny'd. Th' Apostle Peter call'd the Saints of old 1 Pet. 2. 9. A Royal Priesthood: We no other hold. But that Christ's Ministers should be supply'd With necessaries, by the Church (his Bride) Is such a known and certain Truth, as none, Perhaps, hath e'er oppos'd, but thou alone. 〈◊〉 •… 0 10 〈◊〉 107 •… im 5. Read but the Scriptures in the Margin set, And thou'lt be forc'd to grant (though with Regret) That 'tis the Churches duty, to supply Th •… needful wants of all her Ministry. Cor 9. •… l. 6 6. I know, these Texts which I have here inserted, Have oft been misapply'd, and much perverted B •… Parish-Preachers, who these Scriptures strain, To draw unto themselves dishonest Gain. But what of that? Truth must not be refus'd, Because it is by Evil men abus'd: And truth it is, too plain to be deny'd, Christ's Church should for Christ's Ministers provide. What carp'st thou at then, William? Would thy Muse Plead that St. Paul did not his Priv'ledge use? I grant he did not, in some special cases, And that too only in some factious places: And I, perhaps, if need requir'd, could name Some scor •… s of Friends too, that have done the same, That at their own charge have a Warfare gone, And crost the Seas, being chargeable to none. But what of that? Th' Apostle Paul we find His Right assert •… d, though he had no mind •… r. 9. To tak •… it there: And else-where doth declare, 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . That other Churches did of him take care; That what was lacking to him, privately The Macedonian Brethren did supply. 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 9. Thus it appears, th' Apostle did partake Phil. 4 〈◊〉 18. Of that Provision, which the Church did make. And what, but Envy, hath bewitcht thy Mind, With what was then approv'd, now fault to find! Pretend thou canst not, that the stock is given To such as have no need thereof; for even Thy self here sayst, The Church supply'd the need Of those that wanted Monies to proceed To go beyond Seas. What a groundless Cavil Is this of thine! How should such Preachers travel Beyond the Seas, whom Christ thereto doth move, And whom the Church, as faithful, doth approve, If neither have they Monies to proceed, Nor Church may, with her Stock, supply their need? May none beyond Seas go, but who can spare Sufficient of their own, the charge to bear? Must Christ be so confin'd, he may not send Any, but such as have Estates to spend? God bless us from such Doctrine, and such Teachers, As will admit of none but wealthy Preachers. Peter, we read, nor Silver had, nor Gold, Acts 〈◊〉 (So he the Cripple, at the Temple, told) Yet after that he travell'd far and near, By Sea and Land, pray, who the Charge did bear, Unless the Church? And is that now a Crime, Which was a Virtue in the purest time? No sure: Though Dissolute Apostates slight Her care, the Church then did, and now doth right Tit. 3 Christ's Messengers to furnish, and their need Supply, when they want Monies to proceed In this Work. As for what thou add'st, to wit, [If they their Motion freely did submit To •… h' London Church, and do as she thought fit:] I count it a malicious Slander, and Of thee an Evidence thereof deand. •… duce one I •… iance, if thou canst; declare One Person's Name, with whom it did so fare. Name one (or else thou may'st be thought a Lyar) Of whom the Church in London did require, That he his Motion freely should submit To her, and do therein as she thought fit. I know, 'tis usual with thee to suggest The false Surmizes of thy envious Breast, Void of all Proof, and many a Calumny, By thee flung at us, yet unprov'd doth ly. I know, the Friends of London, to whose Care And Trust, those Services committed are, Are faithful men, and tender of the good, By whom true Motions will not be withstood. They'r such as would not break a bruised Reed, Nor quench the smoaking Flax. Yet they had need Be satisfi'd, how they dispense that Stock, Which is the Free-Will Offering of the Flock, Not limitted to any single use, (As thou insinuatest in Abuse) But is impl •… d in a more gen'ral way, The Churches common Charges to defray. And, William, ask thy Friends, T. C. E. M. If the Accompts were not perus'd by them Within these In 1681. few years, and each set his Name Thereto, to shew he did approve the same. Thou sayst, Her Papers, like to Briefs did cry For Money, Money for the Ministry: But thou sayst falsly; I thy words deny: Prove them, or Falshood at thy door shall ly. Thy naming Briefs, on this occasion, shows Thy Cavil from a Scoffing Spirit flows. 1 Cor. 16. Paul to the Church did his Epistles send, 2 Cor. 8, & 9. In which he to their care did recommend Collections for the Saints. Why dost not flout At those Epistles too? Why cry'st not out Against the Papers of th' Apostle Paul, That They, like Briefs, for Money, Money, call? Thy Cavil doth as mach against him ly, Is against us: and 'twas thy subtilty, Not openly of Paul to shew dislike, But rather through our sides at him to strike. Thy Work is seen; thy Undertaking's vile; Thy Spirit scornful; frothy is thy Stile. But, William, art thou sure, thou never yet To what thou termest Briefs, thy Name hast set? Take heed, lest while thou Stones dost upward throw, They fall not back, and give thy self a blow. Thy flurt at Richardson, for taking pay for what, as Clark, he writes, doth much bewray Thy Folly and Injustice: Is't not fit, Who works for others, should be paid for it, And that by them, who him, to work, desire? The Labourer is worthy of his Hire. Have you no things, call'd Clerks? From whom, I pray, Do your Apostate-Clerks obtain their pay, Save from the Herd to which they do belong? And is Reward due only to the Wrong! Come, William, come; one Heav'n, instructed Scribe Will weigh down all your Pharisaical Tribe. Mat. 13. 5 •… . Thou mention'st Impositions, Humane Laws, Pag 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. •… ms, Yokes, Decrees, Pales, any thing to cause Strange Apprehensions, Fears and Jealousies, (Whence Discontent and Prejudice might rise) In some professing Truth, who have not taken Root deep enough therein, not to be shaken: And that thou also mightst the Church expose To the Contempt and Fury of her Foes. But (blest be God) though thy mischeivous Heart Be desperately Wicked, yet thy Art Hath fail'd thee: for thou art so full of Fiction Confusion, Envy, and Self-Contradiction, That he must be already more than blind, Who to believe thee can perswade his Mind. One while thou sayst, (but in deriding-wise) The Churches Laws, are, to her Members, Eyes. This is a plain Acknowledgment, that she Would have her Members with their own Eyes see. Yet, ten Lines further off, thou sayst, she cryes, Dark Spirits, he that sees not with our Eyes. This needs no Comment: 'Tis so plain, that he Is blind, that don't the Contradiction see. But, William, here's not only Contradiction, But a foul Slander too; a Lying Fiction. Thou, speaking of the Church, here say'st, She cryes Dark Spirits, he that sees not with our Eyes. This is a down-right Falshood, I declare; Make Proof on't, if thou canst, and do not spare: Acquit thy self thereof, or it shall ly Upon thee, as a Badge of Infamy. 'Tis by such base dishonest tricks as these, Thou thy misguided Party, seek'st to please, And captivated hold: But Truth thee strips, And thy deceitful workings open rips. Fox is term'd Head, thou say'st. I ask, By whom? Pag. 8. Such terms ne'er from the Church of Christ did come. This is another Slander: One would think Thy Heart were full of Falshoods to the Brink, And these run over. What a horrid Sin Is this of Lying, when its once let in! And thou hast let it in so deep, that now Thou tumblest out thy Lyes, thou car'st not how. Thou sayst, External Forms by Fox decreed, Are set as Marks to know the Chaff from th'Seed. Pag. 9. This is another Whisker, like the rest, Hatcht by the Lying Spirit in thy Breast, •… rought forth by cancred Envy, with design To shake the weak, and cause them to decline The way of Truth. Thus doth the Serpent lay, His baited Hooks, the simple to betray, •… ut by the Truth, his Wi •… es discover'd are, That the most weak may see, and shun the Snare. •… n thy last cited words I do detect •… o most notorious Falshoods, and expect Thy Proof; for what thou chargest, I deny, •… nd turn't back on thee as a double Ly. One, That External Forms have been decreed •… y FOX: This is a shameless Lye indeed. Bring that Decree forth, that it may be seen, 〈◊〉 ever any such Decree hath been, That ev'ry one may with his own Eyes see, •… nd not be fain to pin his Faith on thee. Thy other Falshood is, Those Forms decreed, •… e set as Marks to know the Chaff from th' Seed. •… his also, as a Slander, I reject, By which thou would'st unstable Minds infect. •… o Forms, as Marks to know the Seed, are set. •… he Seed is known by weight and Vertue; yet 〈◊〉 is not void of Form, but doth receive •… s proper Form, which thou can'st not bereave 〈◊〉 of, with all thy Railing: Truth remains •… e same, not blemished by Envy's stains. The Chaff too, William, is by lightness known: •… y lightness hath thy chaffy Spirit shown. •… rnt up, the Chaff shall be with quenchless Fire: •… h William! unto thee that day is nigher •… han tho'rt aware. My Spirit mourns to see Thee raving on the brink of Misery. Some scatt'red flurts, with hideous Exclamation, Thy Pamplet has at Excommunication, Pag 10 •… 1 •… . Wherewith thou mak'st a rumbling noise, to scare •… ch as thou apprehend'st unsettled are. Thou talk'st of BULLS and Persecution too: And with thy BULLS thou mak'st a great a-do. Rome thou upbraid'st us with; but prethee whence Had'st thou thy Bullish Term, if not from thence Sp •… ak plainly, William, tell us, who thee hope U •… o that title [BULLS] unless the Pope. 〈◊〉 •… ham'd the Pope should thee so gull, To make thee take a Paper for a Bull! That whilst thou of a Paper wast a Treating, The thought of B •… lls strait made thee fall a Bleating. Come, William, whilst thou writ such Paltry Trash, Ne'e, wo •… der, if thou sometimes get'st a Lash. Thou 〈◊〉 whose Back, the Wise man says, The 〈◊〉 Is for: Henceforth let Wisdom's Path be trod. Prov. 26. 3. Leave thy Scurrilities; cease to Revile: And, if thou wilt write, learn a more cleanly Stile, Thy Language is most Loathsom: Take a tast Thereof, in what thou in thy tenth page say'st; [Hence Sixty Six, like Mercenary Iudges, Or rather like Self-seeking slavish Drudges, By Satan led:] What N •… sty Terms are these! How Foul must that Mind be that this can please! No question. William, but thou, at this rate, May'st all the Scolds out scold at Billings-Gate. As to thy Cavil, that what was prepar'd By one, was past against thy Iohn unheard; Thy STORY's false: He had been fully heard, And faulty found, as at Drawell appear'd. But this same Cavil has before been brought, And Answer'd fully in my Antidote, To which I now refer thee, not delighting, Pag. 98. &c. On the same ANVIL to be always-smiting. Thy Curtailling the Number of the Beast, 〈◊◊〉 To make thy g •… ddy Folk a j •… lly Feast, Is such a Beastly Prank, as n •… 'er was play'd By any, that of Truth Profession made. What? To prophane the Text with frothy wit, And sport at what the Holy Ghost hath writ? He that shall dare invent such slipp'ry Tricks, May shrink the Number of the Beast to six. But William, nothing can more plainly show How scard that Conscience is, from which did flow Thy scoff, than that thou therewith dost belye The Chief of Christian Vertues, Charity. Thy Clamour against Excommunication, Shēws what thou wouldst be at▪ A Toleration For Unclean Spirits in the Church to l •… rk, And uncontroul'd to carry on their work Against the Truth; that so they might effect? The Mischief the •… design, and not be checkt. That such as in their practice do Oppose The principles of Truth, as do all those That pay the Priest for preaching (though they may It do, in never such a covert way) That these, and other such (who are no less Unfaithful to the Truth which they profess) Might notwithstanding from Reproof be free, Upon pretence they don't the Evil •… ee. That such as will, when Persecution shall Arise, may let Truth's Testimony fall; Forsake their Meeting Places, Skulk and hide, And closely into Obscure Places glide; Meet now and then, by stealth, in pit, or Gill, And set a Lad to watch upon an Hill, Or Hireling like, into a Cock loft creep, See Line of Truth, pag. 14. & 〈◊〉 Themselves to save, what e're befals the Sheep. And though by such Unfaithfulness they break The strength of Others, and make many Weak▪ Though they Examples so pernicious show, Yet should f •… r Friends, and Preachers, blameless go That such as hav •… in Truth's Profession stood, May now, as •… me such did before the Flood, Gen. 〈◊〉 In Marriages with Unbelievers link, And yet expect, the Church, at least, should wink. That Zimri might his Cozbi (without fear Numb. 25. Of being peirced by a Phineas-Spear,) From Mid •… an fetch; And with her (as befell Of old) the Plague bring upon Israel. That by such Mixtures, They the Holy seed Might Stain, and introduce a Mungrel Breed, Ezra. 9 2. Which half the Language should of Ashdod speak; And make God's Warth against his People reak. Neh. 13. 24 That such as list might in their Discontent, The seamless Garment of our Saviour rent: Make Breaches in the Church, D •… ssention sow, And cause Divisions amongst Friends to grow; And that they might, although they Guilty be Of All these Crimes, from all Reproof be free; Nor only so: but to be own'd expect Ev'n by that Church, whose Power they reject. This pleases wondrous well the Libertine; The loose Licentiats think it very fine. And to be loose and yet retain their Station, They baul amain at Excommunication. But (blest be God) our Saviour hath not left His Church so void of power, nor her bereft Thereof to be will suffer; but that shee Hath in her selffull pow'r her self to free From such Pretenders, who unto her cling, Only that they may Scandall on her bring, Our Saviour his Disciples hath directed, That such, as private Warnings had neglected, Mat. 18. Should to the Churches Censure be refer'd, (Which plainly shews, The Church is to be heard) Vers. 17. And •… whoso Her neglects to hear, saith He, Let him be as an Heathen Man to th •… e. 1 Tim. 1. 20 1 Cor. 5. 5. Rom. 16. 17 Gal. 5. 12. And that the Church did such Cut off declare From her Communion, as unruly were, In the Apostles days, the Texts here set Sufficient are a Credence to beget. This is a Principle that hath a place Even in Nature too as well as Grace. In living Bodies how doth Nature strive The foul and penant Humours out to drive? And reason good: for why should that remain Which would corrupt the Health, or Beauty stain? All Liquors that have life, by defectation, •… urge out their Dregs, and make a separation. And shall Christs Church alone less power have, Than unto natural Bodies Nature gave, That she must to Communion those receive, Who her of Life and Honour would bereave, No, no our Saviour hath his Church indu'd With pow'r, from her Communion to exclude •… ruly spirits, Evil Workers, Those That Christian Order in Christs Church oppose. That which to other Churches is a stain, 〈◊〉 that they don't within due Bounds contain Themselves; but outward paenalties impose, •… n Body, or Estate, or both on those They Excommunicate: which doth not stand With Christian Practice, or with Christ's Command. But William, no such things can charged be On Friends; Nay, that they from such things are free, Thy Self hast own'd, than whom where's any more sparing, To own a Truth, or to Asperse more daring? That which of Persecuting thou dost tell us, P. 17. 18. 〈◊〉 but what Hymeneus, or Phygellus, Dimas, Her •… ogenes, Philetus, with •… rim Alexander to •… , the Copper-Smith, •… ight have Objected to th' Apostle Paul, •… ad they as Envious been, and apt to braul. 〈◊〉 Tim. 1. 19. 20. 2 Ti •… 1. 15. & 2. 13. 18. & 4. 10. •… or Two of these th' Apostle doth declare, •… or their bold •… lasphemies, deliver'd were •… y him to Satan: And of all the rest, •… ome Evil Note, or other, is exprest. These thought, no doubt, St Paul was much to blame, For casting such a Blemish on their name. 'Tis like, They took it for a Defamation; As thou, a Wounding of their Reputation: And might against St Paul have learnt to prate, Had they but had thee for their Advocate. But, William, One short Answer may Suffice, To stop the Clamour of thy causless Cries All they that into such disorders run, As cause the Church their Fellowship to shun, And to the World ev'n-force Her to declare, That they in her Communion have no share: These on themselves do that Discredit bring, Which thou so fain upon the Church would'st fling. 'Tis They themselves their Reputation wound: The Church is only in Her duty found. But O the Impudence? that Friends should be▪ With Persecution tax't, and that by thee, By thee, who with some others did combine At Bristol, and a kind of Warrant sign, By which you took upon your selves, O base! To Order him that kept the Meeting Place, That Friends he should not there to Meet permit, Because (forsooth!) to you it seem'd not fit. By Thee, I say, who but a while agoo, Didst keep Friends out at Olston-Meeting too; And didst to such their Meeting-House deny, As had therein a rightfull Property▪ By thee, whose Party to your foul disgraces R. Sading. Chippenham▪ Clan. Hath done the like in divers other places Now after all these Arbitrary Tricks, The same which now, on Friends the World inflicts, Who can, without a just Abhorrence, view Thy charge 'gainst Friends, for persecuting you! Thou spend'st some pages, William▪ to inherse Thy John in dobefull Weeds of Threadbare Verse; •… mickle Pains thou tak't to gain some glory, •… king Rimes, unto thy lifeless STORY. 〈◊〉 dead: His Memory, perhaps, may want 〈◊〉 Odours than his Friends can cast upon't. •… ll, make the best on't: I no pleasure have •… et my foot upon a Dead Man's Grave. 〈◊〉 William, let me tell thee, Couldst thou free 〈◊〉 Story from the Faults, that fastned be •… n him, by The Line of Truth (A Book •… hich thy Title page some notice took) •… ld unto his Credit more conduce, 〈◊〉 all the hobling Rimes thy fumbling Muse 〈◊〉 tag together, to Revive his Name, •… ile still that Book, unanswer'd, Speaks his shame. •… t leaving Iohn to moulder in his Urn, •… en doth, William, unto thee return, •… d to thy Work Some notice I have took 〈◊〉 what seem'd most material in thy Book. 〈◊〉 all the Filth that Thou, and Others Spaul, 〈◊〉 honourable Friends, in course will fall •… pon your Selves; On them it ne'er can stick: 〈◊〉 selves your Vomit up again must lick. •… iam, Thy work is weigh'd, thy Spirit try'd; •… d both thy Work and Spirit are deny'd. •… y Spirit is the same that wrought of old 〈◊〉 Sanballat, Tobiah, and the bold •… yrian Railer, Rabshakeh, who sought •… d's Work and People to have brought to nought, 〈◊〉 thou hast done: And what the Prophet cry'd 〈◊〉 that case, may to thee be well apply'd. •… he Virgin hath despis'd thee, Zion's Daughter 2 Kings 19. vers. 21. 22. •… akes thee the Object of her Scorn a •… d Laughter. 〈◊〉 Daughter of Ierusalem hath shook 〈◊〉 thee her head (with a disdainfull look:) •… or, whom hast thou Reproached and Blasphem'd, And against whom hast thou so loudly Scream'd, And life thine Eyes on high? Thy spleen doth swell Against the Holy One of Israel, To this effect the Prophet did declame Against the proud Assyrian, from whom came That cursed Railer, who ev'n seems to be, In railing Blasphemies, a Type of thee. What Nehemiah, to Samballa •… said, (When he foul Slanders to his charge had laid) That I to thee, of all thy Slanders, Thus, There are no such things acted, amongst us, As thy abusive Pamphlet doth contein; But out of thine own heart thou dost them feign▪ And where thou carp'st at what we do aright, Neh. 6. 8. We can for Truth's sake, in Reprocah delight. The Lord rebuilding is his Holy City, Which thou and Others envy (more's the pity) And put forth all the strength and Art you have, The work to stop, the Workmen to deprave. But never be so vain, to think you can The work obstruct: 'tis not the work of man. Neh. 2. 20. The God of Heaven, he will prosper us; And therefore we his Servants, (strengthned thus) Will rise and build, as God shall us indue With courage, Strength and Counsel for't: But you No Portion have, who do the work condemn, Right, Nor Memorial in Jerusalem. My soul laments your state, who once have felt That tend'ring Pow'r, which stony hearts can melt, And have been in some measure, tend'red by it, But now so hardned are as to defy it: All you I mean, who have in Print appear'd (With Envious hearts and Conscience doubly sear'd) To fight against the Truth, and to expose God's People to the Fury of their Foes. And all you too, who do that work abet, Although your Names thereto ye have not set Ah? had ye kept unto the heav'nly Grace, (Which in your inward Parts the Lord did place) And not, in discontented Humour, run After Lo-heres, Lo theres, as you have done; Ye mi •… ht, in Truth, the Bond of Peace have known, And in the Spirits Unity have grown, Which is the Churches Girdle, highly priz'd By all the Faithfull, though by you despis'd, Whereas (by letting in first false Surmisings Of others, which ere long Produc'd Despisings, And so made way for Prejudice to enter, Till cancred Malice in your hearts did center) Ye now are broke, and into pieces Shatter'd, And from the Body and the Head are Scatter'd. Without the Camp ye stand (Oh dismal State!) •… rling amongst the Dogs, without the Gate; •… elching forth Slander and Calumniation Rev. 22. 15 •… ainst those that in the Light have kept their Station. Oh! may the God of Heaven stop your Way, That Ye no more the Simple may betray. THE END.