CHAP. I.

HAving perused the Second Part of Francis Bugg's Book, he miscalls, De Christiana Libertate, I do not so much as find any one page or passage to have the least resem­blance of,I doubt very much whether he knows what the true Chrsstian liber­ty means or Relation to Christian Liberty, in a true and proper sense; I mean what he has wrote himself, and not what is Tran­scribed from other Authors, abstracting which, there will be but a small parcel of his remaining.

Besides, thou may take notice of the Pride and Self-conceitedness of this vain Man, who gives his Book a Latin Title, which signifies no more in Latin then in [Page 18] English, and has no more Emphasis nor Authority in it, therefore only useful for Vain Ostentation: especially considering that the Book it self is no ways correspon­dent to the Title.

In his Epistle, page 4. He alledges two principal Reasons, why we look upon him and his Adherents to be no Quakers, or consequently as he says no Christians. ‘First, He says, Our Non-submission and Non-conformity to the New Order of the Wo­men.’ (He begins thus in his flouting Airy mind.) ‘And Secondly, That their way of compelling and Antichristian way of pro­ceeding to bring to, and force Ʋniformity, is by us slighted and contemn'd.’

Answer, But we know right well, there is a Third and a more weighty Reason than either of these, and that is, We have a certain inward sense and sure discerning from the Infallible Spirit of Truth (which I know they will not regard, or admit of) that the wrong, wicked, per­verse Spirit hath entered into them, and thereby are Adulterated in these minds from the blessed pure Spirit of Christ Iesus, and departed from the Truth in the inward parts, whereby they are degenerated, and were so in their Spirits, before ever they durst publickly appear in this treacherous [Page 8]work of Separation, and before it wa [...] so notorious as it is now. And so they having Apostatized from the Truth, and the living Vertue and sensible Operation and Experience of the Life thereof, firs [...] in their own particulars, thus, They (and not We) have rendred themselves n [...] Quakers, or no Christians.

For we never concluded any person to be truly a Christian simply because of his outward Conformity to the Profession of Truth, and because of his Submission to the Holy and Decent Order of Christs Church, in respect there is no­thing visible can rightly constitute and properly denominate any Man or Wo­man True Christians in the sight of God, who regards more the inward bent, frame and disposition of the Minds of People, than their outward appearance, however glorious it may be; and therefore it is of absolute necessity that their hearts and spirits be uprightly stated in his sight, if ever they attain to the Nature of true Christianity.

Now though it be confest, that many outwardly may appear in the view of o­thers for a time seemingly strict and seri­ous in their Conversations, so that nothing can be justly charged against them, that is apparently Wicked and Gross; yet in [Page 9]the mean time their Hearts not right, nor [...]ound before the Lord, something that is [...]bominable, offensive and grievous to his Holy [...]pirit, Thus hath it been with many of the sepe­rate party. is secretly lodg'd [...]nd privately enter­ [...]ain'd, as their beloved Delila, which at [...]ast (may be) breaks forth into some Ex­travagancy or other; I say one (as a Hy­pocrite) may be thus dressed up with a specious shew and fair cover, appear so and so; Yea, and for their interest sake Conform to that which is good and praise­worthy, and which in its self is com­mendable and laudible; but in the bot­tom rotten and deceitful; yet though these do so, it will not follow in good reason, that those who are truly and in­wardly sanctified, cleansed and purified in their Conscience from dead works, and whose Hearts are Sincere, Honest, and Upright, should not so and so ap­pear as to the outward, in an holy harm­less Life and innocent Conversation, and also in a Conformity and Submission to that which is Orderly and Decent, and to be subject to follow that which is con­venient, needful and profitable, amongst a People, no more then that's true; though as the common Proverb is, It is not all Gold that glisters. And as we [Page]say, All are not in the Possession of what they are in the Profession of. Yet is there no true Gold that glisters? And surely those who do possess of the living Vertue of Truth, and are faithful to the Lord, they are ingaged publickly to appear in Profession of, and Confession to the same.

In the beginning of the Preface, page 7, F. B. says, The main thing intended by this Discourse is to shew the Mischief of Im­positions on tender Consciences in matters Spi­ritual, &c.

Thus he insinuates as a false charge up­on the whole Body of our Friends to be guilty of, which indeed is their main principal Basis or ground, from whence doth proceed all their fierce violent Clash­ings, bitter and malicious Invectives, base and unchristian Reflections, viz. Their Imaginary, formed, and ground­less supposition and envious suspicion, That we endeavoured to compel and force tender Consciences in matters Spiritual, to be conform'd and in subjection to that, contra­ry to the perswasion of their minds, and Light of Christ in their Consciences; this is easily disprov'd, and has been fully con­futed by many living Testimonies that we have given forth on this account, both by word and writing, and for a further confirmation thereof, thus do I affirm [Page 11]on the behalf of all my dear Friends, who are thus abused by these foul, per­verse, and scoffing Spirits, That the Al­mighty God, the searcher of Hearts, and tryer of Reins, he knows we never endea­voured nor designed to compel any to subject in a Conformity to that which we know was both just and reasonable, who were not ful­ly satisfied in their own Consciences, and not freedom and clearness in their minds thereto.

For they who received Truth in the love thereof, and continue in subjection to it, the power and force of it will in­able and make them willing to obey the voice of God, immediately in their own Hearts, and in the Mouths of his Servants; which Voice of God calls un­to Holiness, without which none shall see him, and there being an aptness or prone­ness in many after they are reached to by the Lord to neglect that Duty he re­quires of them, therefore in his tender Love, hath he given Gifts for the work of the Ministry, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the Edifying of the Body, till we all come in the Ʋnity of the Faith into a perfect Man, unto the measure of his Stature, of the ful­ness of Christ, Eph. 4.8. &c. — And well said the Apostle Peter, Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you [Page 12]up (or) to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance) that we may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets, and of the Commandement of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour; knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own Lusts, 2 Pet. 1.15.3.1, 2. &c. Which also was practised by the Apostles in Ex­hortation, Admonition, Counsel, Re­proof, and Condemnation, as the Spi­rit of Truth Directed them, and accord­ing to the several states of People, to whom they Ministered by Word or E­pistle.

And Reader, it is well known, that any who were really scrupulous, from a true tenderness of their Spirits; careful, or fearful to do any thing but what they found to be their Duty, and in the Light of Christ Jesus, did see they were called to be obedient to the same; over these we have been very tender, and have en­couraged and counselled them, Singlely to wait upon the Lord, for a sight and sense from him by the in shinings of his pure Light of that which they ought to do, and if we could inform their understandings, and in the good hand of the Lord be instru­mental to clear their Judgments, by open­ing to them the profit and great advan­tage [Page 13]reaped by those who have found it their place to be in Unity with their Brethren in a Christian Condescention, to those things that are decent, orderly, and profitable in the Church of Christ, that we have endeavoured to do, and (blessed be the Lord) our labour of Love and pains therein hath proved successful, and many have been helped thereby, to see through the Mysterious wiles and sub­tle workings of the Enemy, both imme­diately and instrumentally.

So thou mayst be assured, we never pleaded for a conformity or submission of any to the Christian Order, and whole­some Discipline amongst us, but as they came to be Convinced in their own Consci­ences, and well perswaded in themselves from a clear and sensible Conviction, That it was their bounden duty so to do. And there­fore I say, and thou mayst see, that this Authors false Charge, with all the rest of his confederacy, in all their lying Cla­mours, proceed from a base perverse Spirit (that does surmise to People that we were bringing in an implicit Faith and blind Obe­dience, by forcing a Conformity before Con­viction; which is opposed by us, with our utmost endeavours) and is of the De­vil, the Father of lyes, who is the origi­nal Author of all this mischievous dark [Page 14]work of Separation, &c. and makes use of those his wicked Agents to defend the same, under the specious pretence of Liberty of Conscience, Liberty of Con­science; and influences them to defame the Lords faithful and innocent Servants, by malicious, abusive Reflections, and false Insinuations, to amuse People, as if the end of all their labours and travels in the Service of Truth, for the preservati­on of Gods Heritage, were to bring them into a Ʋniformity of such and such Canons, Decrees, and Orders, that tended to an Apostacy, Imposition, and what [...]ot.

Now, I hope, Reader, thou wilt plain­ly see, that the very main thing intended by this angry Author, as the principal foundation of his work, is notorious false, and abominable; seeing it is so, without all doubt, then thou mayst safe­ly conclude all the rest of his work (I mean, his ensuing Treatise) is a piece of perfect Forgery, absolute designed Lyes and Slanders, so much of it as insinuates and has a tendency to introduce a false report, and beget a wrong belief concern­ing us, whose Innocency is well known both in the sight of God and sober-mind­ed people, that it was never our business directly or indirectly, to drive any to a [Page 15]forced subjection contrary to their per­swasion & inclination of their own minds. And for my part, I do ingeniously declare, that I could never perceive any such thing less or more amongst Friends where ever I have been in any of our Meetings, nei­ther truly do I yet see (and I hope never shall, I desire never to see it whilst I live) that by all the vain Scribling, Prating, and Tattling of their Idle, Ridiculous Sto­ries, either by Words or Books of our Opposers, that they have produced any convincing solid proof, rational or clear demonstration to any judicious under­standing Persons, that the Body of Friends are so and so Apostatized, and do so and so drive, impose, force and compel any to a Conformity to the wholesome Chri­stian proceedings in their Men and Wo­mens Meetings, or that G. F. that faith­ful Servant of the Lord, is become an Apostate or Innovator, as W. R. &c. most maliciously suggests.

As for this of F. B's I have considered it, and I find much weakness, attended with a great deal both of extream Wicked­ness, and also of foolish Drollery, Malice, and Envy, and I doubt not but the impar­tial, and such as are not prepossessed with prejudice, will easily discern and readily observe the same by what follows.

For in Page 8. he brings in an imperti­nent parallel, saying, And now I will shew you a Parallel betwixt the Treatment, which the Protestants met withal from the hands of the Papists for their pains, and betwixt the Treatment W. R. T. C. and others have met withal from the hands of G. F. and those of party with him for their pains; and so sets down at large in page 11, 12, 13. the manner of the Papists Cursing Thomas Ben­net, for publishing and manifesting their Error.

Ans. Is not here the height of Malice and extream wickedness? first to insinu­ate most falsly our being like to the Pa­pists, for which F. B. thou deserves a dreadful reward, and shall unavoidably meet with it from the hand of the just God of Heaven and Earth, if thou speedi­ly repent not.

And Secondly, To compare what several of us have given forth from the Spirit of the Lord, in a true living Zeal, and from a holy Constraint and Detestation against that rending, tearing, and dividing Spirit, that is cursed of God for ever; which weighty Testimonies through his People shall stand over thy head, and all those joyned with thee in that mischievous work of Separation from the Lord, and Opposition to his Work, and that which [Page 17]would divide and scatter his Heritage: I say, to bring in Parallel, betwixt what the Lord gives forth in the Authority of his Eternal power, through his Children either singly, as with respect of them­selves; or joyntly, as a Body of People gathered together by his power, to give forth a true Sentence and Judgment upon that which is wrong, with what the Pope or Papists have done in their dark and blind minds, by their Bulls and Curses. Oh! what a wicked and abominable thing is this!

And as if this was not sufficient to shew thy Rage, thou also basely insinuates, page 15. As if we were not a suffering Peo­ple our selves, and had but once the Law to assist us, in our Church Censures, &c. We would expose People to Fire and Faggot, Curse and Excommunicate them, and de­prive them of their Priviledges and Advan­tages, Temporal, as well as Spiritual, as ever the Papists did: And that Reader, this is the true English and natural Conse­quence of this Mans unsuitable Parallel, and not by bare Inferences there-from, he expresses the same more fully in plain le­gible Characters, falsly saying, page 200. A Man may transgress the Scriptures, days without number, but yet never be Excom­municated by G. F. and his Party (this is [Page 18]largly inserted, but not at all proved in his Book) but I. B. never sold but one Book, namely that of W. R. his publishing that ever I heard of (but I ask how many did I. B. vend and dispose of them into the Coun­try? and I doubt he sold many more then one, which I believe himself will not deny) And so you see he is dismembred, no Spiritual Followship, no spiritual Communion they can have with him (that's true, nor with thee either, or any such Rambling, Ranting, Loose, Libertine Spirits, like W. R. and thy self, yet here no Curse, though no Concord, no deprivation of Temporal Priviledges, though an Ex­clusion of Spiritual Communion) — Nay, (says F. B.) they do not only testifie against that Bad Spirit, as they account it, but him also, viz. the Man also. Oh that we could but say, Take him Iaylor, and that ef­fectually; and further as a compleat Draught of thy Divellish Malice in page 203. where thou says, Had I all the Books of Controversie by me, I presume it were a thing too hard for me to undertake, so that I must take a step into the Papists Road of Cru­clty and Severity, &c. Oh! the most En­vious, Cruel, Hard-hearted Man, full of Malice and Mischief, what shall I say unto thee? Certainly the Lord God will call thee to an account for this perverse, [Page 19]deceitful, devillish piece of Treachery, Lies, and implacable Enmity: and re­member I tell thee, in the fear of the great God, if thou do not deeply lament for, unfeignedly and speedily repent of it, most dreadful shall thy Portion be, and most terrible shall the Judgment and Indignation be, which thou must feel from the hand of the Righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth.

Being much astonished to see the great boldness and strange Impudence of this unruly Person, and other Rambling, Dis­orderly, Opposite Spirits, that dare give forth in Print, and publickly also report such manifest Forgeries, Notorious and Apparent Calumnies against the Faithful Innocent people of the Lord, and in the serious consideration of all their ungodly Railing Expressions, with many scurrilous Mockings, abusive and scoffing Reflecti­ons. May not I say, and many also with me, as they of old expressed their Admi­ration of that unusual passage mentioned in Judges 19. And it was so, that all that saw it, said, There was no such deed done nor seen, from the day that the Children of Israel came up out of the Land of Egypt unto this day. Consider of it, take Advice, and speak your minds, Was there ever such Wickedness and [Page 20]Folly done? Was there ever such Mad­ness and Envy seen in any People (since the time the Lord appeared unto us, and brought us from under the Egyptian Bon­dage and Darkness, and since the day that the Lord Visited us by his mighty Hand, and out-stretched Arm, and gathered us to be a People to himself) as in these now, who under the Profession of the same Truth, have (it seems) even made a Covenant with Hell, Death and the Devil, and pro­claimed a Confederacy together, to War against the Lord and his People, by their open Opposition to, and disdainful slight­ing of the comely and commendable Pra­ctices in the Church of Christ; especial­ly considering (which greatly aggravates their guilt) the singular advantages they have had above many people, what un­derstanding I believe divers of them came unto, concerning the work of Truth, their great knowledg they had attained of the Principles of the true Religion, and some of them (its like) once enjoyed ex­perimental nearness to the Lord, and Fellowship with him and his People; and yet for such to become as Absolute, Stour, Resolute Enemies, to oppose both, as e­verany, yea by many degrees are farworse, and as it were in the superlative endea­vours to exceed their former Predeces­sors [Page 21](I mean the old dry Apostates) was there ever such a deed done or seen? And that notwithstanding the Lord hath been so graciously pleased, both signally to ap­pear by his Heavenly and Divine power, as well for the preservation as the vindi­cation of his chosen faithful ones, who have stood in his Counsel, and in the uprightness of their Hearts could appeal their Innocency to him, and also hath evidently manifested, and apparently discovered his Wrath and fierce Indigna­tion against his and their Enemies on e­very hand, in so much that those who in their time rose up with a high, lofty and imperious Mind, proud and exalted Spi­rit, abusing and villisying the Innocent Servants of the Lord amongst whom our ancient faithful Friend G. F. has not been one of the least concern'd both then and at this present juncture of Controversie; I say, where are these now, with all their confused stuff of Janglings and Conten­tions? What came all their Noises and Bustlings to? We clearly see the Devil and all his cursed Agents could not pro­duce what they designed thereby; and why? The Lord Iehova, the mighty God of Heaven and Earth appeared as a terri­ble Enemy against them.

Now [...] it [...]o [...] Admiration to [Page 22]me; to see thee treading on in the very Foot-stepts of those old Back-sliders from the Holy Commandment of Life deliver­ed to them, who from the same perverse Spirit, to the same end, and much after the same method Opposed the Truth, and abused Friends thereof; as thou dost: but thou and W. R. &c. go some steps be­yond them, and did not they (as well as thou F. B.) print divers Scandalous Pamphlets, amongst which there was one called, Liberty of Conscience asserted against Imposition (if I be not much mi­staken) wherein they endeavoured to mis­represent Friends to the World as Apo­states and Innovators, and such as were setting up a Romish Hierarchy, and bring­ing in Arbitrary Jurisdiction over tender Consciences? so that now its clear as the Sun shines, their false charge thou and thy Adherents have revived, their way you have followed, their Cause you have un­dertaken, evidently demonstrates you to be in the same work of wickedness, and one with these in the very root of bitterness.

How comes it Francis that thou art so benumbed, stupified, hardned and be­ [...]o [...]ed, yea and befooled by the Devil. But alass! What shall I say,. He, eve [...] the God of this Wo [...]d hath lulled thee [Page 23]into a deep Lethargy or sleep, and so blinded thy Eyes again (if ever they were once opened) that thou, and such as thou art, cannot see nor apprehend what you are running and hurrying head-long into, till the Flames of Eternal Judgment, and the fury of that fiery Indignation make you sensible what your wicked devillish Work has been.

But O! the earnest Prayer of my Soul, is to the God of infinite Mercy, and un­speakable Compassions, That you may pre­vent such an awakning, and that you in time now may be roused up and allarm'd by his Righteous Judgments in your Hearts, by ly­ing under the same, and by bowing to the Indignation of the Almighty, you may obtain mercy from him to your poor Immortal souls, before the day of mercy be quite shut against you; that though you then may cry, yet you will not be heard.

CHAP. II.

IN p. 21. I find F. B. say, But if G. F. and his party shall stifly stand to it, that the womens meetings it of Divine Institution, &c. and then brings in an impertinent, need­less Query, Whether Christ was deficient ei­ther [Page 24]in his Delivering to that honoured Audi­tory or in his Memory.

Answ. I say he was in neither; but ac­cording to the Capacities of the People, amongst whom he conversed, it was that he spoke, delivered, and opened things to them: And F. B. scoffingly interro­gates, And who did he constitute in his room to supply that defect, whether a visible head, namely G. F. &c.

We do know very well whom he did appoint in his room, when he was to be removed bodily; he encouraged his Di­sciples with a sweet promise, I will not leave you comfortless but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my Name, Obs. The true force of the Greek word [...], is Advo­cate, one called to, sent for, invited to come, upon what oc­casions or for what end soever, see 1 John he shall teach you, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoe­ver I have said unto you: and although he gave forth and spoke much unto them, yet they were not able to bear all things, therefore he says, I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now; howbeit, when the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth; for he will not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he [Page 25]will shew you things to come; he shall receive of mins, and shall shew it unto you.

From which we may observe, that there is large room left for the Spirit of Truth (who should receive of Christ's and shew unto his followers to instruct and lead to, never contrary, but agreeable with the Scriptures of Truth, that which is needful, proper, and profitable in the Church; for the preservation of the Mem­bers thereof, in the comely commenda­ble gospel of Order, that thereby the lovely sweet Unity, Concord and Heavenly Harmony may be retained amongst them, to their mutual joy, comfort, and edifica­tion, and to the praise of his glory, who hath called us to be his peculiar people, zealous of good works, and hath preserved us against the malice, violence and rage of the Devil and all his Instruments, under every appearance or transformation.

Now whereas this angry peevish Man makes such a noise against and bustlings a­bout the Lawfulness of Womens Meet­ings, because he cannot find Chapter and verse expresly set down in the Scripture for erecting Womens Meetings distinct from the Men, to be constantly set up once a month about the 10th houre of the day. This he brings in (pag. 101, 102.) as in the name of the Professors; but I look upon it rather as [Page 26]his than theirs, and therefore shall apply my self particularly to him in what follows upon this Subject.

Tell me now F. Bugg. honestly (if there be the least dram of Ingenuity yet remaining with thee) hast not thou in thy time per­formed divers lawful, and may be (with respect to thy particular satisfaction) very necessary Duties, and that upon a Religious account too, and such as thou couldst not well omit without offending the Lord, or breaking thy peace with him; and yet if thou wert to be questioned by the profes­sors (for that hath been always then great plea against us) to produce expresly Scrip­ture Chap. and verse to prove the Lawful­ness thereof: if thou hast not, I am sure I have, and many have found it as a pleasure upon our Spirits, being commanded of the Lord to go about such and such a service (I could name many particulare) for which we could not give express Scripture to prove the lawfulness of the same. Pray what Chap. and verse from any of ther Four Evangelists can I give to any of the pro­fessours that would ask the same of me, Suppose I were commanded of the Lord to go to such or such a Steeple-house in City or Countrey, or it were weighty up­on my Sprit to visit any one particular Meeting or County in this Nation: this [Page 27]I hope thou wilt not deny but its in the first place lawful for me so to do; and in the second place necessary also, with re­spect to the Command of God, which I am bound to observe, as duly as if it were set down in Scripture expresly. R. S. I command thee to go to such a place, at such a day, in such an hour, &c.

And next F. B. where will thou find ex­presly Chap. and Verse in the Scriptures that thou should meet in such a place on the First day or Week day, at such an hour, either for Mens Meetings to take care of the Poor, &c. or other Solemn Meetings, on the Account of Gods Worship?

And further, to come closer to the Matter, if Professors should Query of thee, Come F. B. give us Chap. and Verse expresly: to prove thy Practice of keeping on thy Hat, or disprove our taking it off to persons, as a Vain Ʋnchristian Practice? and as to many other things I might men­tion.

Moreover as concerning Womens Meet­ings, something further.

As the Christian Women in the Primi­tive Gospel-times had their Services in the Church, as the Spirit of Truth then led and guided them, which was and is unlimited (and what does thou know Fr. but the Lord Jesus did then encourage [Page 28]them in the same?) So the Christian Women in this our Gospel day, having received a measure of the same Spirit, and as they walk in the Leadings and Gui­dings thereof (which I believe certainly many do) know and see their Services ap­pointed them of God, and by him are en­abled to perform their Duty.

Observe, The Apostle speaks of the Elder Women as Mothers, and the Aged were to Teach the Young Women to be sober, &c. Tit. 2.3, 4.

Josephus (in his Antiquites, p. 706.) speaks of a peculiar place destinated for Women for Religion sake, where as they exercised their Devotion, so no doubt but they performed their Services for the E­dification one of another, and doing good to such as they were related to and concerned with. And p. 60. he saith, The Women also strove with Emulation to exceed each other in the Work and Service; to the Honour of God.

In the Third Volumn of the Book of Martyrs, p. 24. Ann. 1563. And in Queen Elizabeths Reign. Its said as followeth.

Now by this Spirit of Truth the Christi­an Women are directed and l [...]d to meet to­gether to discharge the [...]r Duty aforesaid, in their taking care of the Poor & Fatherless, & other good Christian profitable Services, as the same directs them; and the Lord both attends them by his Counsel and [Page 30]Wisdom, and also countenances them with his Living, Divine, Refreshing Pre­sence in their Meetings, and by him are the Faithful Women justified, whoever may condemn them.

And we do very well know that as his living eternal power hath set up and esta­blished our publick solemn Assemblies, and our Mens Meetings, so I do confidently affirm from senblesi well grounded experi­ence; as I have been many times an eye­witness, the same hath established Womens Meetings; and I am fully satisfied with­out the least hesitation or scruple in my mind, that now which hath and doth give authority to the former, to render them lawful, attends the latter, to authorise and render them both lawful and laudable.

Therefore I may safely say, that Spirit which opposes, abuses and despises the Wo­men, in their respective Christian services, and would not allow them the liberty which they have in Christ their Head and Husband, is the Dark wicked Spirit of Im­position, &c. which condemns that which God justifies and approves of, and so an abomination before him: and I am truly sensible, that those joyned thereunto, I mean thee F. and such like to thee, who through that rancour and radicated Ma­lice, [Page 31]have hardned your selves (I am afraid) to destruction, and not all who through ignorance or simplicity are betrayed by your crafty designs and sub­tle insinuations to favour your work, such as stand in opposition to, and separa­tion from the Womens Meetings, that though they seem first and mostly to en­vy against Womens Meetings (and as I remember follows or imitates the old Serpent, who first set upon the Wo­man by his Temptations with a De­sign to gain ground upon the Man after­wards) yet the same wicked ranting loose libertine Spirit, that cries out so vehe­mently away with our Womens Meetings (as thou in thy scoffing Airy Mind abuses them, comparing them to the Papists great Idol, viz. the Roob of Grace, to Graceless as well as Lifeless Image (see p. 8. and 47.) will not only descry Wo­mens Preaching as some of them have done already) but also at last would over­turn our Mens Meetings, and so would bring all things topsiturvey,These are indeed the Babel Builders. up­side down, into a meer Chaos, Disorder and Confusion again, and here would be (which the Devil would be at, and mainly seeks) an open door for Libertinism, [Page 32]Ranterism, Atheism, Profanity, and all maner of Debauchery. But God Almighty will overthrow all these devilish Designs and hellish Imaginations, and Truth and Righteousness hath he decreed to establish in the Earth, ever­lastingly magnified be his holy Name for ever, for he is worthy over all to be feared, served and obeyed by all the Sons and Daughters of Men.

CHAP. III.

NOw I come to the first Chapter of F. Bugg's Book, p. 24. in the which he pretends to treat of Principles of Truth received and believed in the beginning, &c. wherein there is but little of weight to be noticed, being but a slender imperfect Relation thereof, and that too, with a crafty, subttle Design to strike against Friends of Truth, maliciously thereby in­sinuating to the World, How it was so and so with them in the beginning, and now other­wise.

This living Testimony I have to bear to the contrary, that (blessed be the name of the Lord) the same foundation principle and corner stone that was laid in the be­ginning [Page 33]for the building of Gods Spiritual House, is as precious to us now as ever; and is of as great esteem, and we do preach the same, and no other; even the saving sufficient Divine Light of Christ Iesus, and the Spiritual appearance thereof; and it is our work and labour to direct and turn the minds of people to be inward and retired thereunto, as unto the more sure word of Prophecy; and that there is suffici­ency in it, being obeyed, to lead to sal­vation: and as we are come to the experi­ence of the holy Unction, and feel and taste of the sweetness, excellency and vertue thereof in our own particulars, so we declare thereof unto others, that they might be stirred up to wait upon the Lord with us in his heavenly Gift, and have the same sense and experience in themselves, and so see and taste for themselves: and blessed be God, our love one to another. doth abound, and our zeal for his [...]oly name doth encrease, and a heavenly harmony of life sounds in our Assemblies as in the beginning, in which stands our Unity & Fellowship, and there are many who are living witnesses by how much the more we are spiritually minded and seriously exer­cised in the inward Testimony or Law of the Spirit of Life, and the more we take delight to meditate therein Night and [Page 34]Day, by so much the more the Lord is pleased to maifest his Love unto us, and to reveal his pure Power amongst us, and is our Hedge and Wall to this Day, and gives us favour in the sight of the People, glorified be his pure name for ever.

And we do testifie in a holy fresh zeal against all such Formalities, Will worships, Church-Authorities, Ceremonies, Orders, Insti­tutions, as are neither useful, decent nor comely in the sight of God; and our Testi­mony lives & remains as in the beginning (everlasting praise to the Almighty) against all that Trash and Trumpery of the Whore of Babylon, brought in and set up in the dark Night of Apostacy; and we do testifie, That Christ & his Kingdom is to be known within, not in any Observation or Pro­fession that is Visible, without the possession and inward enjoyment of him; and he, even the second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, is head of, and Lawgiver to our Church, on whose shoulders the Govern­ment and Authority thereof is laid. And we know, that though in the World there are Faiths many, and Lords many; yet unto us there is but one Faith, and one Lord Jesus Christ: who is the Author of that Faith.

And we have an honourable esteem of the Scriptures of Truth, and they are very [Page 35]good, and useful in their place, and they are by us believed, and a great comfort and blessing to us; but still the spirit of God is the first Principle, the Pale, and only Head of the true Church, and Sanctified people of God; and is likewise the Rule of our Life and Practice, and always hath the preheminence in our Testimony, as ever from the beginning: this we have declared, and do declare on all occasions, to all People, Professor, and Prophane, &c. and such as are faithful to the Lord, will not question the truth of this, as it is at present witnessed (Everlasting praises to the Lord over all.) And these need not go for proof thereof, as thou saist pag. 28. to such and such Testimonies of those good faith­ful Servants of the Lord, who did bear a Noble Testimony against all Apostates and Back-sli­ders, as the Reader may see in a Book of our worthy Friend Isaac Penington (whom F.B. mentions) concerning Church Government. For we have a certain evidence and many clear tokens of the powerful, divine, and refreshing presence of the Almighty God attending us in our holy Services and Chri­stian Practises, both in our Men and Womens Meetings, which shall stand and in Glory remain, when thou and all such clashing jarring, jangling, and perverse prating spi­rits shall vanish and be no more seen in this [Page 36]World. And indeed, I know for certain, and many times it hath livingly and with unspeakable comfort opened in mé, when I have had occasion to be under any sad Exercise, by any of this Opposite Party, that their wild and hasty furious Contentions and malicious Endeavours, against the Gospel Order in the Church of Christ, is but another smoak (though one of the blackest and thickest) that is come up, or may be, may hereaftercome up from the Bottomless Pit. And the breath of the Lord God Almighty is scattering of it, and will blow it quite away, so that it (as we have seen other smoaks) shall utterly disappear.

And the wise prudent Reader may observe, that many of the Epistles of Advice and Counsels to Friends from their Meetings, nothing now more than in the beginning implies any imposition or force thereun­to; and they are so worded as that Chri­stian liberty is preserved, and the people not imposed upon beyond their freedom; and that it is so I shall prove in the next Chapter.

And so we plainly see that the Devil and his Agents have but befooled themselves by falsely insinuating to any, as this F.B. doth in page 31. That we exercise Dominion, Gentile-like, and with Lording over Gods Heritage: for the same Christian Con­fession [Page 49]discension and true moderation appears amongst us as in the beginning.

CHAP. IV.

IN page 32. F. B. says, I am now to ma­nifest the alteration and the cause of Divi­sions amongst us about Matters of Faith, and the exercise of it, Church Discipline, and Con­formity to it.

Poor Man! Thou look'st far abroad to seek the Cause of Division, and little minds to look at home in thine own House; and for all thy vain insolent Braggs and proud Boastings, in bringing thy proof, That there is Violence, Tyranny, and what not, done to our first Principles of Union; cite­ing W. P's Saying in his Address to Pro [...] pag. 149. ‘That Perswasion and Convicti­on began all true Christian Societies; and whether his violence upon this part, Tyranny and not Order is introduced, &c.’ — I say it is a Lie in thee to insinu­ate the contrary as to us; and Reader, to evince the same, consider but the weak­ness of his Proof, for which he inserts G. F's New Order (as he in his flouring mind terms it) wrote about the year 71. for Womens Meetings to be held Distinct from [Page 50]Mens Meetings, and was confirm'd after­wards (as he says) by a General Council or Yearly Meeting, &c. viz Dear Friends, To whom is my love in that which chan­ges not, it would do well, and be of service for you, to have a Womens Meet­ing, as they have in other parts, &c. I refer thee to the perusal of the rest of G.F.'s Epistle, which I believe he wrote from a sense of the holy Power, and see if thou canst find any thing therein like unto im­position, violence, or alteration, done to our first Principles of Union.

In page 38. he scoffingly and imperti­nently says, At the Yearly Meeting or Gene­ral Council held at London, in the year 75. The said Grant or Order was strengthneed and confirmed in all points, and with as much Policy as ever the Learned Bishops or Grave Senates, used to establish their Monarchical Governments, &c. The understanding Reader may perceive his weakness and folly here­in.

And in page 40. he greatly braggs, to give both proof and president, of what he in­sinuated, and so transcribes something, con­cerning propounding of Marriages, which he calls, the confirmation of the Foundation of the Womens Meetings (namely, G. F. his Or­der above recited (by a General Council held at London, Anno 1675.

I have set this down verbatim as I found it in F. B's Book, wherein thou maist ob­serve, First, It's said, It is our Judgment, that for better satisfaction to all parties, &c. (not for Imposition upon any.) Secondly, It is convenient (here's a good cause and rea­son.) And Thirdly, Where both are esta­blished, &c. For my part he must see fur­ther than I can, that draws such an Unna­tural Conclusion from the premises of Im­position, Violence, or Tyranny, done to the first Principles of our Union.

But to prove yet the same, it seems he is somewhat pinched, for he strains and snatches greedily every thing he can to [Page 52]make out his matter. In pag. 42. he saith, I am necessitated to transcribe more of the transactions of this Notable, if not Ʋniversal Council, than I am willing (Alas! that ever thou should'st have been so willing to serve the Devil at such a rate as thou does; too too willing Francis to make use of all thy strength to hatch out of Hell and plod in the dark, if thou canst thereby but abuse an innocent people) lest G. W. should a­gain call for a Proof or Catalogue of their new stamped Government: And to this end he inserts another paper which Friends wrote concerning Men and Womens Meetings.

It is our Judgment and Testimony in the Word of Gods Wisdom, that the rise and practice, setting up, and establishment of Mens and Womens Meetings in the Church of Christ in this our day and ge­neration, is according to the mind and counsel of God, and done in the endear­ing of his eternal Spirit; and that it is the duty of all Friends and Brethren in the power of God in all places to be dili­gent therein, and to encourage and fur­ther each other in that blessed work, &c.

I refer the Reader to consider the rest of this, and compare it and the former with a Letter of advice and counsel for the help and information of the weak and lately convinced, pag. 28. where­in [Page 53]in he says, It was so worded, as that Chri­stian Liberty was preser­ved, and the People not imposed upon beyond their freedom. And see if there be such a vast difference as he would insinuate in pag. 45. Behold (says he) the difference be­tween this Decree and the n="*" Yet in that I do not find Chap. nor verse of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John; which he calls for so much. Letter of Advice and Counsel inn the first Chapter, &c.

That was not proposed otherwise then Advise and Counsel, and not as a Form or Rule to walk by, &c.

CHAP. V.

ANd Reader, That thou maist see whe­ther this Author either looks like to be a sober discreet prudent Man, or like a true Christian Quaker, as he and W. R. and some few of their party would be reckon­ing themselves, as only such; I will here insert something of his flouting Mockery and idle Drollery in his Observations up­on the fore-going paper, and indeed the greatest part of his Book (I mean this Se­cond part, and what properly may be termed his) is stuffed up with such imper­tinent Stories and uncivil Reflections.

In pag. 46. But (says he) to make good provision against any that shall yet dare to slight this new Model or new found Method of Church Government, or call in question their power and authority, see what a strict and severe Admonition is uttered forth, even as if it had come from the Popes Council of Jesuits and Crafty Friars, &c. In pag. 47. and speaking of Womens Meetings, I say, if it be so, why should not the Epis­copalians, Presbiterians, Independants, Baptists, &c. know of them (and why not? as many of them do, of which we are not ashamed, if all the World knew it; and by the sober part of them are com­mended therefore) but if it be a meer Ima­gination of their own brain (I think strange, Francis, thou hast now so much discretion as but to suppose it, and say [If] to it, it seems it sticks a little in thy throat, and thou wouldst fain come out with a positive Assertion, if it were not an absolute down-right Lie, of which it may be thou art con­scious thy self to the contrary, and there­fore couldst not determine that it is meer Imagination, &c.) and an Idol of their own erecting, why should it not publickly be brought to Light, and made as manifest as the Lord Crumwel made the Papists great Idol, viz. the Rood of Grace (which had gogling eyes, thou sain, and would smile when a good gift [Page 55]was offered to it) when he caused it to be brought to Pauls Cross, where the People tore it all to peices in King Henry the Eighths time.

Francis, Pray tell me, Couldst thou find it in thy heart to use the Women and their Meetings so? A body would think that such a gross wicked thing were far off from thy very thoughts, much less to do so wickedly, if it were in thy power.

But alas! what thou hast publickly print­ed and falsly insinuated to the World, that we are Imposers, Apostates, and Inno­vators, and like to the Papists, and are introducing Blind Obedience and Im­plicit Faith, and that G. F. and his part are more severe than the Bishops of the Prote­stant Churches; see pag. 195. These and many more malicious suggestions do they not be speak thy fury and envy, and may not many suspect that thou wouldst gladly that both our Men and Women Friends, and their Meetings too, were exposed to the Rage, Violence, and Cruelty of our Enemies and Persecutors, thereby to tear us in pieces.

Tell me, Francis, Would it not sadly grieve thee to see us so used, as Lord Thomas Cromwel in K. H's time cause the Papists Rood of Grace to be torn in pieces? Would not thine heart be sore to see such a dismal Tragedy? Some [Page 56]may be rather think thou wouldst rathe rejoyce at it, and may be as busie as any of them to add fewel to the fire, and help forwards their work of Persecution, as W. R. and T. C. have done, and are doing what in you lies, because they may safely judge, whout breach of Charity, that Spi­rit of Envy, Slander and Malice, by which you are guided naturally, leads to it, be­ing the same ground in you from whence all Persecution hath proceeded.

And therefore if such work as this please thee (I do not positively affirm it doth) would not this shew the very worst part of the Spirit of Popery; and too like the Spa­nish Inquisition.

I pray God to pity thee and the rest of thy Abettors, and if it may stand with his holy will to forgive you, and open your eyes to see the evil of your ways, and what you have cruelly acted against him and his faithful innocent People, This is the worst I wish you, I can upright­ly say, and God knoweth I lie not.

But to proceed, I will give thee, Reader, a further relish of this scoffing Spirit that hath prevailed upon this Author F. B. (if so be he is the very Pen-man or Compi­ler of all this Second Part, for I have my own reason to suspect some other Person to be concerned therein; I mean as to [Page 57]the bulk of it; for I find J. A's. name in pag. 87. whether F. B. had power from J. A. to insert this, yea or nay, I cannot tell:) making his Observations upon the rise, practice, &c. of the Womens Meet­ings according to the mind and counsel of God and the ordering of his Eternal Spirit, which blessed be his holy Name, many are living Witnesses this day, who can set their seal to the verity thereof, from their sensible experience of his sweet refreshing presence, countenancing us in our Men and Womens Meetings. — Whereby (says F. B. in his ordinary strain of mockery) G. F. his erection of this as New as Needless Cere­mony, is ratified by these presents, according to their true intent and meaning; No Pope ever had a more true and loyal Council, or one better skilled, or more politick, Is not F. B a plain Mocker and foolish Scoffer. to save his Holi­ness from any danger, or confirm his infallible and unerring [...]nstitutions; nay further, I think they have granted to him his heirs and succes­sors for ev [...]r, I see no limit in the whole Ec­clesiast [...]cal Cannon. And (in pag. 56.) he says thus — So that upon the whole matter, I cannot see what could have hindred the com­pleating this Grant and Confiirmation, had they put these four branches to the remaining six (for they are in all twelve particulars) [Page 58] and obtained their passing both Houses of Par­liament and the Royall assent; the neglect whereof hath been greatly d [...]sadvantageous to their carrying on their then notable De­signs.

Reader, What maist thou conclude, hath this Man the stile of a true like Christi­an Quaker, or sober discreet Man? No surely, one may more safely judge (without any breach of Charity) he is more like to a rambling Droller or Stage-player, and an absolute Prophane Mocker, in his base un­savoury expressions; and a great deal of such I could mention, had I either leasure or delight to trace him throughly. — But as we use to say, A Dogs bark is no slander.

In pag 58, 59. He most maliciously sug­gests, to amuse people (ignorant of us) with strange apprehensions and harsh thoughts concerning us. We (says he) that differ from others, and desires their for­bearance, yet at the same time, differing a­mong our selves, cannot, nay, will not bear one with another. (A humble lie) We cry to the Ma [...]strates for the liberty and free ex­ercises of our Consciences in Matters Spiritu­al, and will not, nay, resolves not, come what will come, to allow the free exercise of Conscience in Matters Spiritual to our Dis­senting Brethren. Oh depth of hypocrisie and [Page 59]fore-runner of Tyranny! should you have power put into your hands, be so you Peo­ples▪ eyes are a little opened to see your Trea­chery, your Double Dealing, your Anti­christian Dealing, &c.

Is not this Man a Compleat System both of gross Lies and Envy, and also of Malice, Rancor and Drollery?

And in pag. 71. But too much like the Papists, implicitely believe as the Church believes, practise as the Church practises, and in all points yield obedience to her Decrees without any examination, scruple, or doubt; or else why should that abettor of the cause of G. F. advise as followeth? viz.

By thy Observations on this, it seems thou doest not understand what that means, saying, Mark the tendancy of this advice; for should the Apostles have thus preached to the Bereans, what liberty had been left for their search and further exa­mination? Nay, Christ himself reasoned in the Synagogue of the Jews, and the Apostles did the like, a free Debate was admited when any difference arose amongst them, which a­mongst us is stiffly denied.

There is; Reader, first a wicked Slander [Page 60]and Oli [...]um cast upon us, suggesting false­ [...]y we are too much like to Papists, &c.

2. His ignorance of that sentence of one of G. F's abettor, as he calls him; Its that treacherous, deceitful, perfidious, oppo­site Spirit, and not the Persons joyned thereto, we are not to reason with, and which is to be fed with Judgment, and will be, I know certainly its Gods Decree; and its well known what pains and labour we have taken to reclaim and recover ma­ny who have been betrayed by their reasonings and consultings with that de­ceitful cursed Spirit of Separation, and the Lord has blessed our endeavours there­in, and our earnest Cry to him, That none may be lost but the Son of Perdition: such who are simply and ignorantly be­trayed, I hope may be restored into Uni­ty with God and his People (as many are) who have true honesty, or rather an ho­nest right ground, remaining in them. But for those who have sinned wilfully (as the Author to the Hebrews writes) after they have received the knowledg of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the ad­versaries: and so goes on, and gives the reasons, and concludes with a severe sen­tence, It's a fearful thing to fall into the [Page 61]hands of the Living God, who is a consum­ing Fire: Heb. 10.26, 27. For such who speaks lies in hypocrisie, having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron, whose hearts are quite hardned, and become twice dead, plucked up by the roots; whose day of visitation is expired by their reiterated abominable provocations and rebellion, I fear such are hardned to de­struction, and judicially sealed up to damnation.

And Thirdly, There is a notorious Lie. For when any difference arises amongst us, there is a free Conference and sober Debating thereof admited, to reconcile and resolve the same; so that he lies, in saying, That both by our practice and advice it's stiffly denied.

In pag. 101. Come give us Chapter and verse for your Womens Meeting distinct from the Men, to be con­stantly set up (unless a litle n="*" When that comes, we have seen by many obser­vable Instances, how these Separates have crept into holes of the Earth to save themselves from Persecuti­on, much like to the Flies, when it's warm Weather, they vex both Men and Beasts, but hardly to be seen, when Winter comes. cold weather intervene) Monthly about the 10th hour, to get a litle stock; we suppose thou meanest (speaking to G. F.) a lttle money for cer­tain select uses; it be­ing a more private way than the Bason and Platter, &c.

We say to thee F. Bugg and all Professors by way of retortion, Come give us expres­ly Chapter and verse for Mens meeting toge­ther to take care of the poor Widows and Fa­therless, at such a place in such a Month, and of such an hour of the day; as thou puttest us upon proof concerning Womens. Meet­ings, in pag. 101. Couldst thou bring Chap. and verse in express terms for the proof of the former (which thou allowest of to be Lawful) as with respect to place, Month, and hour of the Day.

Query. And ought not then the Men to meet together, to discharge the foresaid Chri­stian Duties, unless thou canst bring expresly Chap. and verse to prove their practice there­in, as with respect to place, month, and hour? If thou say, Nay, Then has not this a tendency to overthrow Mens Meetings, as well as the Womens Meetings?

Though we know in the holy Scriptures of truth, there is plentiful encouragment for both Men and Women to serve God, and each other in love and faithfulness; and though divers Circumstances relative to Men and Womens Meetings, as day, hour, month, and place, cannot be proved from express words of Scripture, yet the Meet­ing of Men and Women, and their appoint­ing (in the wisdom of God) day, hour, month, and place, is not contrary to the Scriptures.

For now any rational person may conceive that it were grosly absurd and irrational, to affirm that every good act or thing done, which cannot be proved by express plain Scripture words, without any sound inference and true consequence, is therefore contrary to Scrip­tures.

Consider this seriously and in the cool­ness and calmness of thy mind, and I hope thou willt not be so stout in opposing Wo­mens Meetings as thou hast been, and like­wise I desire thee and the rest of thy bre­thren in mischief, to consider what the wise man expresses in Ecclesiasticus, A Back-biting Tongue hath cast out vertuous women, and deprived them of their labours; who so hearkneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly: Eccl. 28.15, 16.

And to compleat thy Draught of Moc­kery, maliciously and unseemly abusing that worthy ancient Labourer of the Go­spel G. F. by thy proposing a Battledore, and in thy flouting airy mind sets within it the form of Spectacles, in pag. 163. thereby to beget a light wanton mind in the People; and so makes but thy self a Mocking stock, or the foolish like to thy self, to deride thee, and the sober to di­staste and disdain thy scurrilous, base, un­worthy doings.

May not I now say unto thee for these and many more of thy unchristian defa­mations, malicious suggestions, and inhu­humane reflections, as Paul said to Eli­mas? Art not like to him in his wicked work? Hast not thou by this Devilish piece of treachery, withstood the Lord and his Servants, and thereby endeavoured to turn away many from the faith of Gods elect. Thou enemy of all righteousness, thou Child of the Devil; O full of all subtilty! wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord? And now behold the hand of the Lord is against thee, and if thou humble not thy self speedily under the same, most lamentable shall thy state be, when thou must bid an everlasting Adieu to all thy comforts, pleasures, and riches, thou en­joyest in this life: God grant thou mayest find a place for repentance.

CHAP. VI.

IN pag. 63. F. B. inserts an Order record­ed in the Quarterly Meeting Book in the Isle of Ely, which I leave to those par­ticularly concerned to take notice of; but supposing that they had done amiss, which I do not grant, pray tell me what [Page]reason or justice is it, as amongst men, that a whole Nation or Body of People, should be charged so and so with the fault of a particular County, or any one Quarterly Meeting.

Most part of this Chapter relates to par­ticular Persons to answer, if they find it worthy the pains.

But he makes such a bustle and noise a­bout J. A's Marriage, its meet something should be particularly hinted at as con­cerning the same.

Our Friends for Conscience sake could not own nor countenance J. A's Marri­age, which he would impose on us to own, without the Womans appearing, whom he intended to take. And is this W. R's and F.B's Conscience, that we must own J.A's Marraige to a Woman that comes not with him to the Mens Meeting to declare her mind (for we know our Womens Meetings they are against and disregard. And we must declare its a matter of Con­science to us in the Case of J. A. or any other, for him to come to our Meeting and tell us, that he intends to take his House­keeper to be his Wife; and we desire him to bring her to our Mens Meeting to hear what she says to it: And he says, He is not free to bring her to declare that she intends to take him to be her Husband) that we may [Page 66]hear both parties: And if he make a mat­ter of Conscience of this to let the Meet­ing hear what she saith, but we must take his word without hearing the Woman what she says; and if he be ashamed of her to appear before the Meetings toge­ther, is not this wilfulness? We have no Unity with such. If a Man should come to one of our Meetings, and say, I would take such a mans daughter to Wife; you will impose upon us, that we must have Uni­ty with it; and he will not bring the Wo­man with him, nor Relations, that we may have satisfaction from their mouths (or by a Certificate) and hear what they say to it; such Marriages we can have no Unity with. And if W. R. F. B. and T. C. that was married with a Priest, can nurse up such, we say, we have no Fellow­ship nor Unity with them as be not de­cent, civil, modest, and of good report; for we would have the satisfaction of the Man and Woman, and their Relations also, that all things may be done decent­ly and in good Order; that no Man or Woman, or Relations, may be wronged: for our God is a God of Order, and not of Confusion.

Now Reader, thou may'st easily discern whether we or they be the Imposers and Innovators. F. B. and W. R's new Order, [Page 67]Traditions, Prescriptions, Impositions, and Innovations, is, that J. A. or another Man, must tell his intention of Marriage without the Woman being there, to know her mind; and this is their new Way, new Order, and new Method: And this was J. H's way (at the Peel) and the Woman M. P. was not there, who when she heard of it, she utterly denied him: And ano­ther in Kent did so foolishly declare he pre­tended to take a Woman not present there, which grieved her sore, when she heard of it.

And so by this new Order, Prescription, and Innovation, which F. B. and W. R. would impose on us to have Unity with, Women may be greatly wronged and their Relations abused by every bad loose Man, and make people believe that their consent is to it, when it is not; and so be scan­dalized and offended: therefore to prevent which, we do judg that in the Wisdom of God the Man and Woman ought both to come together, when they lay their intentions of Marriage before a Meeting, and their Relations to be satisfied; and if they live far off beyond Sea or in ano­ther County, then to have a Certificate from them that they are satisfied: And this I understand hath been our Friends practice before thee F. B. came amongst [Page 58]us, and will remain, I doubt not, when thou art gone.

Other particulars I would mention, whereby it may be justly repelled upon W. R. F. B. &c. that they are the Inno­vators and Imposers, but what I have set down already may serve as a sufficient proof at present.

In pag. 74. there are some Queries, strange sort of ones as I have read; viz. Whether Christ Jesus, the true God and eter­nal life, in whom the fulness of the God-head dwelt bod [...]ly, be the Head of the true Church? Or whether George Fox, who is but a Man, unto whom the Spirit is given but by mea­sure, be head thereof? His second Query is an Answer to the first, and the third to the second, &c.

I wonder much F. B. has shewn so much discretion and civility, as to confess (but I believe he cannot otherways do) that we acknowledg Christ Jesus to be both the Head, Ruler, and Lawgiver of the true Church.

But then in his Fifth Query he seems to boast greatly, and brag at a high rate, as if (forsooth poor Man) he had gained all (how wise is a fool in his own vain conceit, what his empty noddle or brain doth ap­prehend, that he judges none can dis­prove?) If you say that Christ nor his Apo­stles, [Page 69]left neither command, example, nor pre­sident for Womens Meetings, &c. then I que­ry further of you the said Imposers, where had you your power, or from whence had you your Authority to institute such a way of Go­vernment in the Church, by Women or other ways, containing such Rites and Ceremonies; and in whose name do you compel to an Ʋni­formity and Conformity thereto?

What I have formerly said in Chap. 4 may be enough to answer the foresaid Query; but in short, I say again, from the Lord God of Heaven and Earth his People have received power, and there­with are they endued to perform those Holy Christian Practices in their Men and Womens Meetings; and thereby are they invested with Authority and Dominion to stand up as Noble Witnesses for the Stand­ard of Righteousness against all opposition: and by how much the more we are saith­ful and singly resigned in a holy Zeal and due diligence to attend and wait upon the Lord in our Meetings to perform that which tends to his Glory, and the good of one another, &c. by so much the more doth he countenance us with his divine comfortable presence; and therefore we are not careful, nor need we be troubled what unruly, disorderly, loose, ranting Spirits, such as are given to a Fleshly li­berty [Page 70]and wanton mind, say to the contrary, question, or condemn us therefore.

And I may say as an encouragement to you that are faithful to the Lord in your services, both in your Men and Womens Meetings, as the holy Apostle said in his day to the Philippians; Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any vertue, and if there be any praise, think on these things; and not onely so, but those things, says he, which ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you; Phil. 4.8, 9.

And Francis, that's an absolute plain for­gery to imply by way of Query (taking it for granted that it were really so) in whose Name do we compel to a Conformi­ty, &c. For we do deny it as feigned and false, and many living powerful Testi­monies arise in the hearts of Gods Chil­dren against this wicked, malicious, abu­sive Spirit, that would defame us by fals­ly suggesting we did compel, force and drive People (nolens volens) against the perswasion of their own minds, whether they will or not, comply they must. We ne­ver endeavoured such driving forward [Page 71]work to bring any to an uniformity and subjection to that which we know of cer­tain to be according to the mind of God, and the counsel of his eternal Spirit, con­sentaneous or correspondent to the Prin­ciples of Truth, or the true Christian Re­ligion, and no ways repugnant to, but congruous with the sentiments of sound Reason, &c. and its our desire, that e­very one should be fully perswaded in their own minds; and we direct them to wait upon the Lord, that he may reveal that to them which would tend to his glory and their good; and I know such, who singly wait and are freely given up in an entire Resignation to obey what God opens and commands, they will not want clearness nor freedom in their minds to follow that which is praise worthy, comely, and commendable in the sight of the Lord and all sober People; and then they will see (as many have come so to understand, who were once blinded and hardned also for a time, by the alluring snares and cunning stratagems of the ene­my) and confess, that those wholsom Counsels and weighty Admonitions from the Spirit of the Lord through his Ser­vants, are not Prescriptions and Institu­tions of Men, or Innovations, Canons, &c. as F. Bugg basely insinuates pag. 175. but [Page 72]that which is very profitable, yea, and necessary to prevent Loosness, Libertinism, Confusion, Prophanity, and all manner of De­bauchery, which this selfish, disorderly, seperate Spirit opens a door unto; and to keep down that ranting, rambling, wild, and wanton mind, that's got up in many, and matters not, nor will not bow to the good Discipline and heavenly Govern­ment in the Church of Christ.

And to show thee, Reader, a little more of this vain Mans Impertinencies, he queries in an Ishmaelitish Spirit, pag. 78. Then I still further query of you Directory-makers (Dictator-like indeed, in an Impe­rious manner) What's the reason, and what doth it mean, that neither Matthew, Mark, Luke, nor John, nor any one Chapter of any of those Books are recorded in our Great Book of Records, first and before the Epi­stle of G. F. as that which is more powerful, more binding, and of much more Authority?

What thinks thou, Reader, is not here a mighty fault committed? surely worthy of condign punishment, had he power to inflict it upon us; but I doubt much if he or others of his confused fraternity, would e [...]cape this imputation, notwithstanding of a [...]l their wisdom, had they distinct Quar­terly Meeting Books, to insert in the be­ginning of their great Books of Records, [Page 73]either the Books or any one Chap. may be hardly so much as a single verse of Mat­thew, Mark, Luke, or John.

One may surely suppose this vain, idle man either misses of his prudentials, or else seems not to be in good earnest and serious in what he scribles here and there.

Thus, Reader, I have followed the Wisemans advice, and in the middle way have kept, neither altogether on the one hand disregarded these needless, sensless, Queries, and not to take no notice at all of them; nor to be too much concerned with them on the other hand, as to spend more time (and truly I think much more I have taken, than the Author or they ei­ther deserve, and am almost wearied now in canvassing him, and tracing through his dirty puddles) and therefore it is said, Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (Here must be a holy slighting of the vain pratings and idle stories of ridiculous Fools) but then says the same Wiseman, Answer a Fool according to his folly; and he gives the reason,As the phrase is, Plus rogat asinus, quam pro­bat P [...]ilosophus. lest he be wise in his own conceit. Oh would to God that the many seasonable Answers had but this good effect upon those Fools our present Antagonists and this peevish [Page 74]angry man F. B. amongst the rest, that he and they might seem no longer wise in their own conceits and imaginations, as this might tend to their unspeakable mercy and lasting welfare; so alas! this is their great misery, that comonly befalls these opposing, wilful, stubborn persons, that instead of being bettered by due, correction, they (as ill-natured Boys, the more they are beat, the more cross they are) they grow more obstinate; or like to those the Apostle mentions, Such as they are, even evil men and seducers, wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived; yea and whose latter end is worse than the beginning: so that for my part I have but little hopes of these self-conceited, im­perious, proud ones, who in their own foolish fancies imagine themselves to be such and such, as its said, Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool, than him.

CHAP. VII.

IN his IV. Chapter, pag. 87. in which he transcribes the Testmonies of R. H. F. H. with G. F's Old Doctrine and New Practice, &c. as he calls it.

Reader, I desire thee to take no­tice that it hath been the constant work of our Opposers to pervert and bring in one page or sentence of Friends Testi­monies which (as distinct by it self, with­out coherence and relation, either to what precedes, or what follows) may both seem to answer their crafty designs, and their malicious ends, and also clash against the rest of the matter not cited. Mysteries I do certainly know that they are not only mis­understood and perverted with respect to what the Authors really meaned and in­tended, but also mis-applied by our Oppo­sers in this present matter.

For I have obser­ved F. H's Testimo­ny out of his Works in p. 614, 616, &c. directly speaking a­gainst the Church of Rome, and this F. B. brings in against Friends of Truth.And as concerning the false suggestiion of this wicked, lying, perverse man, that G. F's new pra­ctice were contradicti­ons to his Old Doctrine, and seems to repeat W. R's false, abusive Charge of G. F's being an Apostate and Innovator. For I do firmly believe that faithful, ancient Labourer of the Gospel G. F. his testimony and practice now is not contrary to what he first preached; and the same almighty power and holy divine presence that attended his Mini­stry in the beginning, continues with him [Page 76]now in his services and exercises; and I do know that his life is hid with Christ in God: and let the Devil rage and roar, and his cursed instruments on every hand stamp and stare; yea, let the wicked bend their bow and shoot their arrows of de­ceit and malice, the great God, the Lord Jehovah he will certainly surround us with his heavenly power, and over-shadow us with his divine wing, and protect us under his safe pavilion; whereby as we continue faithful to him, according to that good understanding he hath bestowed upon us, and so retain our innocency and upright­ness before him, we shall be defended, and all our enemies confounded: For blessed be his holy name, that G. F. and many thousands with him, know Christ Jesus by his eternal spirit to rule in us, to be our Guide, our Head, our Law-giver, and who is made unto us of God, Sanctifica­tion, Righteousness, Wisdom, and Re­demption.

And as for thy bringing in the Professors (pag. 99.) saying so and so, according to thy foolish invented stories and base lies, I know the sober sort of you and the very civil people of the world, will rea­dily acknowledg, and have done, when they have been witnesses to our orderly Christian way, in the beginning, proceed­ing, [Page 77]and accomplishing of our Marriages, that they have been really satisfied therewith, and that it was but lying slanders cast upon us, that we did so and so, without regard either to God or Men.

And further, Such also will condemn thee Francis and thy adherents, who in your hasty, forward, and rash minds can­not wait in the patience to have your mat­ters done in that orderly discreet way and method amongst the Lords people.

And this brings before me, and which I cannot well omit, but take notice, how impudently thou insinuates and slily in­fers, That the way Friends take, were an ea­sie way and more pleasing to the flesh, and is most taking, and drawing after them the greatest number; I speak of them that profess the Truth: (see pag. 83.) Now let but a­ny rational and judicious person consider in the first place, Whether that way is more easie and pleasing to the flesh, which leads people to a weighty serious deliberati­on of such a great solemn Concern as Mar­riage is, and so after their ponderous considerations to propose it before Meet­ings of Friends both of Men and Wo­mens, and so to be satisfied in patience and submission of mind with the ordering hand of God, as they have Unity there­with, and gives way to be accomplished, [Page 78]which sometimes as occasion presents, as circumstances stand, and need is, may be pretty long betwixt the proposal and accomplishment: this I know has been so far from being an easie way and more pleasing to the flesh, that on the contra­ry to several it hath proved a very un­pleasant, hard, and difficult exercise, to come before our publick Meetings, so of­ten in the way and order of Truth, and it has been in the cross to their own wills; and they have got good by it both out­wardly and inwardly, though for the pre­sent time it might seem tedious and grie­vous to some.

And next consider Reader, Whether this way of Marriage be not indeed an easie and more pleasing to the flesh, for a man, after that his affections are drawn out towards a woman, immediately to give Friends a kind of a general slight notice thereof, may be after your publick Meetings, and tell them he intends to take such a woman to be his wife; and so whe­ther they have the consent of Friends and their Unity therewith or not, they are re­solved, and in their minds fixed to go on and so in their own wills and at their own time, out of the fear of God and the good order of Truth, begins and ends their matter.

And because several disorderly, hasty, [Page 79]forward spirits could not have Friends at all to countenance them, they have run to the Priest and been married by him, and become either on the one hand loose, yea and more wicked and extravagant in their debauched conversations than they were formerly, before they were convin­ced of the Truth, or made profession thereof, or on the other hand from the pride and prejudice of their minds, turn­ed disaffected, and so joyned to the dis­contented opposite party; and as this was the very rise or original cause, viz. either pride and prejudice in some, or looseness and libertinism in others, that hath brought forth this cursed work of se­paration from and opposition to the Lord and his people, and which at last leads into Ranterism, yea Atheism, and all man­net of prophanity; so its the very same this day that draws so many to joyn with these Separatists, and become their prose­lites; either such I say as are from pride and prejudice disaffected and discontent­ed, or are inclinable to looseness, wanton­ness, and false liberty, and so such grow weary of the Cross, and cannot, nor de­light not to walk longer in the strait and narrow way of holiness, that alone leads to everlasting life. Thus that proverb is ful­filled as to them, The Dog is turned to [Page 80]his own vomit again, and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

CHAP. VIII.

AS concerning the V. and VI Chap­ters. wherein he inserts the Opini­on of several of the Clergy both Bishops and Ministers, and shews the judgment of ancient Protestants and Martyrs, against Im­positions and forcing a Conformity to Mens Traditions not grounded on Scripture Autho­rity, &c. We are not at all concerned with the wrong, abusive application of these and divers other good testimonies of those worthy men, the great tendency of all which, both what's cited by F. B. and al­so much more could be produced, was to testifie against the Romish Antichristian Tyranny of Imposing upon Tender Con­sciences to be subject to their Superstition and Idolatry, and of persecuting and in­flicting Temporal or Bodily Punishments upon such as could not comply nor bow to them therein. See R. B's Anarchy of the Ranters, &c. that opens this very clearly.

For though we do say, and always have [Page] [Page] [Page 81]declared that forced Imposition of Con­sciences is an Antichristian, Abominable, and Unreasonable Practice: Yet we also affirm, according to the Scriptures of Truth, The true Church is to exert that Power and Authority with which she is invested, and to improve that Priviledge God Almighty has bestowed upon her in those Admonitions, Re­proofs, &c. this in short being more largely treated of by T. Ellwood, see his VI. Chap. in his Antidote, &c. and other Friends, and also I direct thee to peruse W. Gibson's General Epistle for the preservation and increase of Charity and Unity, amongst the Professors of Christ Jesus, &c. late­ly Printed and Sold by John Bring­hurst.

But to return to the Matter in hand, Thou maist observe the height of Wicked­ness, Baseness, and Malice in the Su­perlative Degree in F. B. falsly insinua­ting (in p. 115.) in his ungodly, lying, pretended Discovery of that Hypocriti­cal and two-fold Practice, Viz. Of plead­ [...]ng to the Magistrate for liberty of Consci­ence, and at the same time are using and ex­ercising all force, rule, dominion, and au­thority, they are capable to inflict upon [Page 82]their dissenting Brethren (thou shewest thy self here a to be an impudent lyar, that I must needs tell thee by the way) who cannot fall down and cry Hosannah to every likeness (and here thou art an insolent Scoffer) lest the accepting and conforming to one needless Ceremony, should be ground of encouragement to the Ruling Party, to intro­duce another, and so a numberless number, until at length Rome may (if possible) be out­done, &c.

Reader, I cannot but signifie to thee that we are not unsensible what the main Design is of all this sad, grievous, work of Unchristian Defamations, base, lying, Reflections, and groundless Suggestions, as if we were endeavouring to impose up­on tender Consciences, and so to Persecu [...] such as will not Conform, and be in Ʋnifor­mity; this I say is the very Work of the Devil, to expose an innocent, harmles [...] People, to the hard Censures, sever [...] Thoughts, and strange Apprehensions o [...] them, and not only so, but to be an oc­casion of ambage to the cruel maliciou [...] Persecutors, both to harden them i [...] their work, and also to instigate others whose inclination leads them not thereto So thou maist easily discern what is th [...] tendency of this devilish Work of Opposi­tion [Page 83]to the Heavenly Government of Christ, established in and amongst his People, and what Spirit it is that drives and hurries them on joyned thereunto; no doubt but that it is a murdering one (even that of Cain, and that of Rabshakeh, not­withstanding its fair pretences, as if it were for Liberty of Conscience against Impositions, Prescriptions, and Innovations of Men, and so seem to be for the Lord, as he pre­tended; Am I now come (saith he) without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me (here was a great boast) Go up against this Land, and destroy it, &c. Yet good He­zekias said, This is a day of Trouble, of Rebuke, of Blasphemy, when the King of Assyria had sent this Rabshakeh to re­proach the living God, &c. 2 Kings 18.25.19.3. which would not only be contented to stain our Reputations amongst sober people, but also labours by these in­direct means, that we might be in hazard of being deprived both of our Lives and Estates, in falsly and most ma­liciously rendring of us as Papists, Apostates, Innovators, and Impo­sers.

Well Francis, we leave the God of Heaven to reckon with thee for all thy [Page 84] Hellish Lies, Slanders, and Insinuations, and we desire thou may'st find a place of Repentance.

In thy 7th. Chap p. 128. I find little of weight in it to be noticed by me, in respect that the substance of the matter therein contained, for the most part re­lates to particular persons by Epi­stles, &c.

Onely amongst some of thy Queries I shall observe thy 6th, in p. 158. where­in thou asks, Whether it be not a Popish Tenet to cry down Wisdom, and to say that Wisdom will destroy us, as it is usual with you to say? (And then comparing us with the Papists, goes on) for the Papists can not how foolish the common people are, not how much in Ignorance (it being, as they say, the Mother of Devotion) they edu­cate them; provided their Ministers an [...] Jesuits be very expert and able to defen [...] their way of Worship, and heap of Ceremo­nies: And when do any that Write or Dis­pute to defend our way of Worship, Obs. Its well known how great Fools and Ideots the blind World hath ac­counted and reckoned us to be in our Speaking or Writing to defend the true VVay and VVorship, &c. Write on Speak like Fools, ex­cept they can neithe [...] Write nor Speak other ways? And why do yo [...] cry out against Wisdom [Page 85]upon every occasion; as if Ignorance were be­come our only Darling. Thus far F. B. in his Query.

And his Answer is with the words of W. P's Address to Protestants (p. 187.) end as he abuses this passage with many o­thers in his Book, perverting them by misapplications to a wrong use, never, I know, intended by the Author, to grati­fie this evil, malicious Spirit, and its a pity that such a good Book that has been of so great a Service, should be thus abused; and I cannot pass by, but desire, VV. P. may take notice of this twofold Practice of this deceitful, hypocritical Person, who sometimes seems to admire and fawn upon him, when he expresses himself thus in (p. 133.) Now let us a little Animadvert upon this Noblemans words, viz. VV. P's and yet at other times seems basely to abuse and indirectly Reflects upon him (as in p. 145.) saying to VV. P. That they may not look one way, and row another, a thing some suspect (may be thy self as ready as any, for all thou seems to be clear of such a suspicion) by thy disputing on G. F's. part, &c. But as to what the Queries say, VVhy do we cry out against VVisdom on every occasion, &c. he either is a very Ignora­mus of that Wisdom against which we do [Page 86]thus cry, otherwise he would not im­pose such an impertinent Query; or else its from a malicious premeditated Design, contrived from his carnal fleshly Wisdom (as I rather judge) to amuse simple peo­ple, and beget a wrong Apprehension in their Minds of our oneness with the Papists in this point.

For its well known, that we never de­nied that Wisdom and Understanding which cometh down from above, that's heavenly, pure, peaceable, and gentle, easie to be intreated, wherewith God endows his people, to discern and see o­ver all bad, dark, and opposite Spirits in all their twinings and twistings from the earthly, carnal Wisdom that's from below, devilish and sensual, which hath begot in the hearts of those who are led by it, bitter envy and strife; and as the Apostle said, Where this is (as we may observe by daily experience on every hand) Confusion, and every evil work is amongst them.

Our Testimony stands against this sort of Natural Wisdom, unsubjected to the holy divine power, and therefore hear what the Wise Man saith unto thee, who cries up so much the same, Cease from thy own Wisdom, Pro. 23.4. and see how much the Apostle speaks against this Wis­dom, [Page 87]Citing the Prophets words, Isa. 29.14. For it is written, I will destroy the Wisdom of the Wise, &c. and where is the Wise, the Scribe, the Disputer of this World? Hath not God made foolish the Wis­dom thereof, and the World by Wisdom knew not God: 1 Cor. 1. (nor to this day doth the World by its Wisdom know him) and Bre­thren ye see your Calling, how that not many Wise men after the Flesh are called: But we know that there is a Divine Understand­ing and heavenly Wisdom better than strength, and better than Weapons, and it is the lowly that feels this Wisdom to a­bide in and remain with them, and bles­sed be the Lord there are a remnant who have supplicated before him, not for Riches, Honour, Wealth, nor Long life, but with the Wise King, Give us Wisdom and Knowledg, and he hath granted this our Request; O magnified be his most Holy Reverend Name for ever and for ever­more.

In p. 211. he brings in another busi­ness concerning the Order of Barbadoes, which VV. R. makes a great noise about in his bustling bulksome Book, that's a heap of Lies and Consusion; but they have no such reason, considering in the first place, that if they did that which was not [Page 88]agreeable to Truth, should be a just oc­casion to impeach a Body of people as guilty thereof: I desire they may learn bet­ter the right Rule of Reasoning of Mat­ters; for any person of small judgment may conceive it were unreasonable to conclude, because that F. B. may be of such a heady, wilful, cross, perverse Nature, or that W. R. may be of such a high, self-conceited, violent, opposite Spirit, therefore that all who are inclinable to follow or favour him a little in his Curs­ed Work of Division, are so malicious and envious, &c. as he or F. B. are.

And Secondly, I believe Friends at Lon­don have disproved in that particular a­foresaid.

But Lastly, If those belonging to that Meeting were all contented with, and gave their consents to that Order, from divers Considerations, inducing them thereto; here I think then was no imposi­tion or forcing in the matter relating particularly to themselves, though it was an Error which they themselves have con­fessed, as R. R. hath fully shewn in his Answer to T. C.

But what will not wrong minded Men catch advantage against, and raise jang­ling and contention about!

I cannot pass by, but discover to thee Reader a little more of this railing, abu­sive Mans Temper, F. B. who in p. 178. most basely Calumniates and falsly Slan­ders that precious worthy Servant of the Lord G. W. at a most unworthy, uncivil rate, saying, He being lately in Hunting­tonshire and else where, where he took too much upon him, and behaved himself more like a Lordly Bishop or Popish Prelate, than an humble Minister of Christ; and by me at this time is, and stands impeached, as an E­nemy to Christian Liberty, a Vsurper over the Conscience, the which I stand ready publickly to Assert, Maintain, and Vindicate; and in p. 39. in his scoffing strain says, (Citing the words of the Ac­cuser of the Brethren) we do profess seriously (a notable serious George, if we may be­lieve him) saith F. B.

I desire the Reader to peruse the said Book, which he supposes G. VV. to be the Author of; and he shall find both him and Friends finally Vindicated from these foul wicked Villanies, base and lying Imputa­tions; and though its well known gene­ally amongst Friends that G. W. is of a tender, mild, and meek Spirit, and there needs little to be said to Vindicate his Re­putation, his Honesly, and Fidelity [Page 90]being so apparent and noted amongst us; yet meeting with a Certificate from Friends in Huntingtonshire, I was willing to insert it.

CHAP. IX. A Catalogue of the Scoffing Lyes, and Scandalous, Abusive Insinu­ations from F. B's Second Part, consisting of false Matter, placed on a wrong Subject, and tending to a bad end.

1. IN page 4. he falsly Insinuates, That their way (intending G. F. &c.) of compelling, and antichristian way of pro­ceeding to bring to, and force an Ʋniformity, is by us slighted and contemned.

II. (p. 6.) He says, And how far these Tyrannical proceedings have been used by our new Spiritual Lords.

III. (P. 8.) And now I will shew a Paral­lell betwixt the Treatments which the Pro­testants met with from the hands of the Papists for their pains, An odious Com­parison. and betwixt the Treat­ment that W. R▪ T. C. and others have met withal from the hands of G. F. and those of party with him, for their pains, and I expect no better reward; for I know they will be very angry, yea dread­ful angry, to see their Rood of Grace, or Graceless, as well as Lifeless Image [Note a graceless as well as lifeless Applicati­on] brought forth to the peoples view in its proper dress, in all its imperfect parts, ana deformed shapes, as I have done, shew­ing the several sorts of Mettals it is made up with, and the ill composed Ingredients therewith tempered to make it stand; when all is done, it is so lame of its Feet, and so benummed to the Toes end, that it must and will fall as soon as ever Implicit Faith; and Blind Obedience [the Papists old Crutches] do but take away their hands from it, &c.

Francis, I tell thee, unless thou un­feignedly repent of this thy base, scur­rilous, treacherous work of Folly, En­mity, and Mockery, of these envious Suggestions, scurrilous Reflections, no­torious Abuses and Perversions of thy [Page 93]Scoffing, Railing, and Reviling; remem­ber I warn thee of it, a most terrible dreadful reward may thou expect and look for to meet with from the hand of the Righteous Judge of all Flesh, and which unavoidably shall overtake thee.

IV. P. 59. We cry to the Magistrates for the liberty and the free exercise of our Consci­ences in Matters Spiritual; and will not, nay resolves not, come what will come, to allow the free Exercise of Conscience in Matters Spiritual, to our Dissenting Brethren. [A falshood; we allow the same Liberty we call for, i. e. from Corporal Punishments, &c. but not from Spiri­tual Gospel Reproofs.]

V. P. 71. The whole Rubrick, Laws, and Canons Ecclesiastical of G. F. and other Innovators — they have no will to reason things, to debate things; but too much like the Papists, would have things taken up­on Trust. [Note, these are abominable-Lies upon Lies, and most odious Slan­ders; and he is a lying Informer that is the Author of them.]

VI. P. 75. And in as much as you seem to make G. F. the Author of the Errors, it stands him upon, finally to reject, and to bear a publick Testimony against the new strange and dangerous Innovations and Ba­bylonish [Page]Inventions. — In whose Name you compleat a Conformity to the new Invent­ed Orders and Rules, under pain of Con­demnation. [These are all Clamorous A­buses, and Slanderous Aspersions, with­out Proofs.]

VII. And p. 83. Drawing them from the A­nointing within to Observations with­out, to express the Kingdom there, being an easie way, and more pleasing to the Flesh, is most taking, drawing after them the greatest number: I speak of them that pro­fess the Truth. [The Charge is general and Abusive.]

VIII. P. 95. Speaking of G.F. saith, And if W. R. calls him Apostate and Innovator, as that he is manifest enough to be, then he is angry, and those of party with him stigma­tize and abuse W. R. instead of endeavour­ing to convince G. F. of the Error of his way. [Note, what abuse of W. R? and what Errors, &c.]

IX. And p. 95. Antichristian Canons, which limit people to a Stated Form. [A soul Slander again, yet we must hold the Form of Godliness, though Ranters op­pose it.]

X. P. 97. To cover their Deceit and Hypocri­sie, and Arbitrary Church Government, Do­minion, Lordship, &c. [All gross Slanders.]

XI. And page 102. But you deny the Scrip­tures of Christ and his Apostles to ben="*" A Lye. A Rule; and yet we see you are for A Rule as much as any People: only you must have a Rule of your own Making, of your own Framing; a Child of your own Brain must be your Darling — And so make to your selves a Graven Image. [This is not true of the people called Quakers, but of thy self, and such as thou art.]

XII. P. 115, 116. he saith, — To discover that Hypocritical and Two-faced Practice, viz. Of pleading to the Magistrate for Liberty of Conscience, and at the same time are using and exercising all Force, Rule, Dominion, and Authority they are capable to inflict upon their Brethren, who cannot fall down, and cry HOSANNA to every Likeness, &c.

[How loathsome is F.B. heaping up such a Dunghil of lyes!]

XIII. And (p. 150, 151, 152, 153.) In a Letter of his to G.W. he thus saith, It is re­ported that Nicholas Lucas told thee, THOU WENTEST UP AND DOWN TO CHEAT THE COUNTRY; [I reckon he meant not of Money, but the people of their Liberty they have right to.] Truly thy Behavi­our hath manifested the Truth of his words in a great measure, as I am abbe to make appear not only by thy Advice in Huntingtonshire; but also by thy Erronious Doctrine amongst us, [Page 96]&c. — Exercise Dominion, Gentile-like, over your Brethren; as if you were resolved to turn Monopolizers, and Ingrossers of all Pow­er Rule and Dominion over Consciences into your hands—Oh! the Discord, Contention and Debate, which entered, and doth daily increase by reason of the Ceremonies, and your forced Conformity to them: and the chief cause hereof lies at your Doors. [See the Certi­ficate from Friends of Huntingtonshire in­serted p. 90. which sufficiently detects his Abuses, and Defamations against G. W.]

XIV. And in p. 164. he thus insinuates, viz. Whereby we thwart and contradict our avowed Principles; and so are building again the thing we once destroyed and cryed out against, con­demning in others the things we allow in our selves. Through which Practices a man may discern, without a pair of Spectacles, ERROUR and SUPERSTITION coming in apace; LIMPING upon the old Crutches of IMPLICITE FAITH and BLIND OBEDIENCE. [What are those he thus accuseth? The people called Quakers are not chargeable herewith.]

XV. And in page 159. he thus insinuates, When do any that write or dispute, to defend our way of Worship, write and speak like Fools, except they can neither write nor speak other­wise? and why do you cry out against Wisdom upon every accasion? as if Ignorance were be­come [Page 97]our only Darling. [This is an abominable abuse: we cry out against no Wisdom, but cor­rupt, fleshly, earthly, sensual, devilish Wisdom]

XVI. P. 163. George Fox, See if thou hast not as much need of a battledore as the Schollars and Professors had, n="*" A Gross Lye. who art as much APOSTATIZED from thy former Principles for liberty of Conscience as the Schollars and Professors were from the single Language, viz. THEE and THOU to a single person.

And a little after he brings in this abu­sive lye and wicked Insinuation in rhime, viz.

Think'st to scare us out of our good Order with thy Goggle-eyed Image of Jealousie: which if thou didst see through thy own Spectacles might affright thee out of thy shallow Conceits. An ugly Spectacle. For,

XVII. And pag. 178. Speaking of Richard Richardson, he thus Scossingly insinuates, viz. If R. R. hath no better Lo­gick, he need not be admir­ed by G. W. in print for his great Learning, See R. R. Ingre­dients against the Venom in W. R s. Book Printed for John Bringhurst. nor per­haps had not, only he hath found out some History, or Popish Author (This is a lye; for there are many Protestant Authors) which say, There were Deaconnesses, as well as Deacons: which were helpful to G. W. in his preaching and disputing for Womens Meetings lately in Huntingtonshire, and elsewhere; where he took too much upon him, & behaved himself more like a Lordly Bishop or Popish Prelate, than an humble Minister of Christ. [This is confuted before.]

XVIII. Pa 195. And now I shall turn to the Bishops of the Protestant-Churches, and do not question, but shall make it appear, that they (their Power considered, and that the Laws are on their sides) are more moderate, and use not that Severity to the Members of their Church (although they are severe enough too) that George Fox, and those of party with him, use to the poor QUAKERS, if they chance to transgress their Traditions, &c. [These are false and proofless insinuations.]

XIX. And in p. 200. They do not only testi­fy against that BAD SPIRIT, as they ac­count [Page 99]it, but HIM ALSO, viz, the MAN ALSO: Oh! that we could but say, TAKE HIM GOALER, and that effectually. [A wicked Lye and base Insinuation.]

XX. And in p. 291. he hath this abusive Scoff, viz. For which very piece of Service, Stamp and Probatum est, I think that very Meeting deserves a TRIPPLE CROWN. [For this thou F. B. deserves to be reputed a Scornfull Lying Informer.]

XXI. Page 208. And now may they [the Presbyterians,] say to G. F. What hadst thou rather that B. Clark and J. Bringhurst, should sell Papists-Books, Play-Books, Jesting-Books, nay Books, rather than that Book of W.R. [What Papists books are these? Prophane books we own not, mark that; and then brings in this lye for the reason of their not Selling it] because it Discovers the Naked Truth of their NEW MODEL OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. [But J. B. gives a Conscientious Reason to the Reader, at the beginning of Chr. Taylors Epistle of Caution; &c. why he could not fell them. And we testifie against Play-books, Jesting-books, Popish-books, and disown the selling of them, as we do the selling W. R's and thine, for they are all from one spirit, only yours the most malicious and less to be born, because of your hypocritical pretended Friendship. See Psalm. 55.12, 13.]

CHAP. X.

IN this following Chapter I shall insert what the sense of J. S. and J. W. is concerning Womens-meetings, and also what T. C. sayes in his Babels, part 1st. page 9. with a paper subscribed by Iohn Wilkinson, and others of his party, approving of and unanimously consenting to the Epistle of G. F. which F. B. terms his new order (which was wrote about the year 1671) for womens Meetings; all which contradicts F. B. in his violent Rage, and most furious Clashings against Womens Meetings, as the understand­ing impartial Reader may readily perceive by his perusing of the same.

First, John Wilkinson's and John Story's Sense concerning Womens Meetings.

This I have from T. C's Book, called, Se­veral Testimonys concerning Liberty of Con­science, page 23. the same also is set down at large in W. R's Book, 4 part, page 37. which we suppose he has abbreviated out of it.

Secondly, But that which more closely contradicts F. B. hear what T. C. his Bro­ther in Iniquity saith in the 9'th page of his Babels, part 1st.

Thus far T. C. fairly grants: from which 1st. observe, They declare, or T. C. on their behalf, that they are not against Men and Wo­mens [Page 104]Meetings, and that they are only against Womens Meetings apart from the Men, when they have no business; which grants they are for them when they have business even to be apart from the Men though they say there is no Precept, President nor Command for them in Scriptures; and who should be the most proper Judges of the Business? I hope they'l grant, that those who are most immediately concerned to do the business must judge when they have business, &c.

Secondly, They declare, or T. C. for them, that they are not against Womens Meet­ings distinct or apart from the Men, in City's, Great Towns and Places; and yet Cry out against, without distinction, scoffing at them, and calling them a Dead Lifeless Image, and comparing them to the Rood of Grace, (so called) &c. that F. B. saith, would smile when a good gift was given it, &c.

Thirdly, They are only against Womens Meetings where they live remote from each o­ther & have no business; but if they have busi­ness then they may meet. He doth not say, they must bring Chapter and Verse for their meeting at the tenth hour of the day, to get a little stock, &c. no, no; if they have but business, they may meet, saith T. C. though there is neither Precept, President nor Com­mand for them, I will dispense with that in Cities, great Towns and places, nay in [Page 105]Counties too, if they have business,) and then I hope if there be need they'l grant they may meet when they be found in the practice of communicating and doing good, which the Apostle saith is that Sacrifice wherewith the Lord is well pleased, as also to visit (and communicate where need is) the Fa­therless and the Widow, and not be like to those the Apostle mentions; If a Bro­ther or Sister be naked and destitute of day­ly food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be you warmed and filled, notwith­standing ye give them not those things which are needfull to the body, Ja. 2 16. And if they have a stock for these Christian Chari­table Uses it matters not what the Devil, envious or hard-hearted men & women may say, that may have of this Worlds goods, and yet suffer your Brothers and Sisters, or the poor Fatherless and distressed to want, for these Cannot truly say with good Job, 31.16, 17. vers. If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have Caused the Eyes of the Widow to fail, or have eaten my mor­sell alone, and the Fatherless have not eaten thereof: If I have seen any perish for want of Cloathing, or any poor without Covering? If his loines have not blessed me; and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, &c. Then let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade, [Page 106]and mine arm be broken from the bone.

So by what T. C. writes it is over and over granted, that the women may meet apart from the men. So that one may tell F. B. that T. C. (whose Babells he quotes) grants what he spends many pages against: And Prints a foolish nonsensical Ballad of scorn against, (to which is added many verses that were not in the former,) and this saith T. C. is the great part of the difference and the case of those persons G. F. terms Apo­states, &c. viz. in short, that they are only for womens meetings when there is business and necessary occasions, &c. Well, if they can produce when or where any women had their meeting and no business, nor ne­cessary occasion, let them, and then prove that its a Crime at such times to wait upon the Lord in his Spirit and fear, to receive of his Divine Counsel and Wisdom, by which they may be acted and guided to the praise of his Grace, to shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them, &c. and that that is not a necessary occasion. And furthermore observe, we have mens monthly meetings, and must they not meet at the time appoint­ed if no business should present? And if they meet not, pray how should they know whether they have business or not? And if they may meet, why not the women like­wise? If neither, except as before, why [Page 107]is any time appointed? This looks as if they would have Friends only meet when they can tell of outward business to be proposed; so if any but say, he knows no business, he is excused. Oh what a disorder and confusion would they lead into! Well may they be termed Babell's-builders, and compared to the foolish woman, &c.

3^ly. Moreover Reader, I desire thee to consider that notwithstanding F. B. so much abuses that Epistle of G. F's concerning Wo­mens meetings, which he transcribes in p. 33. and brings in as a proof of an alterati­on and violence done to our first Principles of union, whereof I have already taken no­tice: See Chap. IV. p. 50. Yet this very same paper was approved of by John Wilkin­son and others of his party, and for thy fur­ther satisfaction, and to shew thee both how much they have contradicted this foolish con­ceited man F. B. and likewise thou mayst clearly see how much they are degenerated, and Apostatized from what they once own­ed, I shall present a paper writ from the Quarterly meeting at Kendall the 6th of 8th month 1671. where the foresaid Epistle of G. F's. was read and joyned with, and with an unanimous Consent to be Practised, as ap­pears by what follows.

CHAP. XI.

THE last part of my present business is in something by way of tender Counsel, and Brotherly advice unto all Friends of truth, both here and also beyond Seas, &c.

That which will render you in a true Capacity in your several stations, to be a good savour in your places before the Lord, and Instrumental in his Blessed Hand, to be serviceable in advancing this great and glo­rious Work of the universal Restoration of the Sons and Daughters of men; is, as you are kept in the continual daily sub­jection of your Spirits to the Leadings of that holy pure power of Almighty God, who hath called you unto a high and Honou­rable vocation; For that hath been as well the ground of our preservation in a right state and good condition, as the alone founda­tion of the infinite loving kindness and con­tinuation of the tender Care of our heaven­ly Father towards us, till this moment of time,

And because of the want of this holy subjection, in the particulars of those who have been convinced of the blessed Truth, and publickly have appeared for it; but having gone from the life of it in themselves, [Page 111]and because that they have not kept in the Constant dependency on the Lord, in the day­ly self-denyal, and in the Cross to their own wills, and so have not abode in the lowlike, humble, meek and quiet peaceable Spirit of Jesus, therefore is it that a disorderly, treacherous, loose, libertine, reaching, high, perverse Spirit hath entered into them, and hath so far prevailed upon them, as to in­fluence them thus to appear in such an abusive, heady, Cross, opposite, willful and stubborn mind; that they become like those mentioned in Jude, likewise also saith the Apostle, These filthy dreamers (mark well the sayings they are so apposite to illustrate and clearly demonstrate the very Chara­cters of these Apostates, defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speake evil of dignities, and of those things which they know not; and what they know naturally as bruit Beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves: Wo unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and perished in the gain-saying of Core; these are Spots in your feasts of Charity, feeding themselves without fear, Clouds with­out water, Carried about with Winds; Trees, whose fruit withereth, twice dead plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the Sea, foam­ing out their own shame; wandering starrs, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness [Page 112]for ever: But beloved, Remember ye th [...] words which were spoken before by the Apostle [...] of our Lord Jesus Christ: How that they told you, there should be Mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts, (and at last very evidently concludes, demon­strating what persons these are, as a signal mark to know them by) These be they that SEPARATE themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. And Observe further how the Apostle Peter describes them more fully, for when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption: For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they had known it to turn from the holy Commandment de­livered unto them; but 'tis happened accord­ing to the true Proverb, the Dog hath turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire, 2 Pet. 2.

Every one of these passages are so Cor­respondent with, and agreeable to the pra­ctices and wayes of this dividing opposite party, who have seperated themselves from our blessed unity, First as with respect to the good Spirit of God in their own par­ticulars, and next (which of necessity and so [Page 113]naturally follows) as to fellowship, con­cord and Communion with his People, and methinks one neer parallel, and a more close comparison could not be drawn as to every circumstance betwixt those in the Apo­stles time, and those in ours; it is so apparent that people of small understanding may rea­dily observe the same.

And its my firm Faith, and certain per­swasion, that as on the one hand they are daily discovering their own shame, by their uncivil defamations abominable lyes and malicious suggestions, so on the otherhand shall their folly thereby be the more laid op­en: For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, So do these also resist the Truth; but saith he, they shalln="*" Obs. In Gods appointed time all the resi [...]ers and Rebellers are stopped in their envy and malice against his People. proceed no further; why so? the reason is clear as followes; for their folly shall be made manyfest (to whom? not only to a few, or a little rem­nant who from that inward sense and true discerning, the Lord hath indewed them with, do see and have seen when first they began their wicked work of separation, and before it was so notorious as it is now; but) unto all men as theirs was

Now to return unto that which was most weighty in my view (having made some [Page 114]little digression) seeing it hath thus sadly befallen such who have not kept their habitati­on in the Truth, by reason of their woful departure from that due constant subjecti­on of their Spirits thereunto, having also the advantage of observing the Rock they have split upon, and as this F. B. saies in his word of advice to the Pennsylvanians in his last Chap. such a slender pitiful dry one as it is, and indeed I think better could not be well expected from him; for as I remember the substance of what he saies that's worth observing, much like to the dead pro­fessors, strain, keep the Scripture in esteem a­mongst you, &c. But never so much as a syllable of the antient Principle of Truth, viz. To mind the light of Christ) you may perceive what hath been one Impediment to the increase of love and Charity, which Blessed be the Lord God of Eternal Glory, plentifully abounds amongst Friends in Scot­land, Ireland & other places, where this op­posite dividing party hath not gain'd any In­terest among them, and so in most Counties of this Nation of England, where it hath not prevailed, there is great amity, blessed unity, sweet concord, Peace & Heavenly harmony, daily increases amongst them; O Blessings and glory and Honour unto the Lord our God for ever for the same!

Therefore my tender Counsel and brother­ly advice, in the love of our Lord Jesus un­to you all is, be very Careful, that at all times, above all things whatsoever, and on all occasions you may be found in that ho­ly Reverend subjection of your Spirits, to the blessed Divine power of the living God, that hath reached unto you, and by which you are Called to be his holy pure People, and then in this holy frame I do right well know shall you be kept neer unto and in unity with himself, and in concord and fellow­ship one with another, in the unity of his Spirit, and in the bond of peace, bundled up in the bundle of everlasting Life, and so there­by shall you be preserved from that rend­ing, tearing, and devouring Spirit; and the same God of blessings, who as he hath gra­ciously attended you here in your various exercises, will also favourably accompany, and be present with you (his faithful, honest right-hearted ones) in all your several ser­vices for the advancement of his glorious work, even the Salvation of Souls, the pro­motion of the pure name, and the exalta­tion of the glorious fame of holy Jesus amongst the Heathen and all the World over.

And our Confidence is, that notwith­standing of the great fury and wrath of the [Page 116]Devil, the implacable malice and envy of his cursed agents, against the Lord & his faithful Children, yet I am fully perswaded Truth & innocency shall over all prevail, as John saw, and said behold a white horse, and he that, sate on him had a bow, and a Crown was given unto him, and he went Conquering and to Conquer.

So I recommend you all to the saving Word of Gods Grace, that by it you may be guided, and under the safe conduct there­of, preserved to the End of all those vari­ous Changes, Tryals and troubles here; that you may finish your time, and testimo­ny, and lay down your heads in peace, and in the close of all return to your God, and my God, the Father of Spirits, from whence we came, & with all the Heavenly Host Laud and Extol his holy worthy Name, with e­verlasting Songs of pure thanksgivings, and living praises, and so receive the product of all your labours, and excercises in the Lord, even the immortal Crown of eternal Glory and perpetual Renown; is the sincere supplication of my Soul for you all, as for my self, and who earnestly prayes for the establishment & preservation of all the Lords people upon the everlasting Rock, that un­changeable Foundation, against which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail.