doctrine in a true light, and reviving and unjustly the said clergymen have reflected pressing the necessity of a better practice, upon the people called Quakers, with respect they may see the obligation they are under to the said charges, we are contented that the to redeem the precious time they have lost, reader should go no further than their own by a more careful employment of that which printed relation, dated November 12th, 1698, remains, to a better purpose. In this short not doubting but by that and the letters therevindication of our mistaken principles, the with printed, he will meet with entire satisfacingenuous reader may easily discern how tion, with respect to the reasonableness and illy we have been treated, and what hard-justice of the Quakers' proceedings in that ships we have laboured under, through the affair, and how ready they were to come to prejudice of some, and the unreasonable credulity of others, and that we are a people in earnest for heaven, and in that way our blessed Lord trod for us to glory.

"A TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH OF GOD, &c.

"By the observation we are led to make from Francis Bugg's late book, upon the bishop of Norwich giving him his recommendatory letter to the clergy, &c., in his diocess, to relieve by a collection, the necessities of that apostate; a copy of which letter the said Francis Bugg has published in his said book; and also by the observation we have made on the malicious attempts of the 'Snake in the Grass,' in his first, second and third editions, which is a disingenuous and unjust collection from Francis Bugg, and some other deserters, of things for the most part, long since answered; as also lately, by the book entitled, An Antidote,' &c.

"And lastly, by the observation we have made on the relation subscribed by some of the Norfolk clergy, dated October the 12th, 1698; we cannot forbear thinking, that as their confederacy is deep, so it aims at nothing less than the ruin of us and our posterity, by rendering us blasphemers and enemies to the government, and to be treated as such.

And

the test, and to bring the pretended charge upon the stage, and to purge themselves from the guilt of the same: provided they might be accommodated with what the common law allows malefactors, viz. a copy of their indict. ment; but this could not be obtained. though the said clergy have thought fit to print the charge in general, without any proof, we think ourselves obliged to vindicate our profession, by freely declaring, as now we do, without any mental reservation, our sincere belief of the very things they most unjustly charge us with denying.

1. "Concerning God.] Because we declare, that God is a God nigh at hand, and that he is according to his promise, become the teacher of his people by his Spirit in these latter days; and that true believers are the temples for him to walk and dwell in, as the apostle teacheth; experiencing something of the accomplishment of this great and glorious Truth among us, and have therefore pressed people earnestly to the knowledge and enjoyment thereof, as the blessing and glory of these latter days; we have been ignorantly, or maliciously represented and treated as heretics and blasphemers, as if we owned no God in heaven above the stars, and confined the holy One of Israel to our beings: Whereas we believe him to be the eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, all-wise and omnipresent "The Norfolk relation from the clergy God, the Creator and upholder of all things, aforesaid, charges the said people with blas- and that he fills heaven and earth, and that the phemy: first, against God. Secondly, against heaven of heavens cannot contain him; yet Jesus Christ. Thirdly, against the Holy he saith by the prophet Isaiah, "To that man Scriptures; with contempt of civil magistracy, will I look, that is poor, and of a contrite spiand the ordinances which Jesus Christ insti- rit, and who trembles at my word." So that tuted, víz. baptism by water, and the Lord's supper by bread and wine. And lastly, that the light within, as taught by us, leaves us without any certain rule, and exposes us to the blasphemies aforesaid, with many others. "Now because these charges refer to doctrine rather than fact, or particular persons, we think ourselves concerned to say something in vindication of our profession, and to wipe off the dirt thereby intended to be cast upon us, in giving our reader a plain account of our principles, free from the perversions of our enemies.

"But to manifest how uncharitably and

for professing that which is the very marrow of the Christian religion, viz. Emmanuel, God with us, we are represented as blasphemers against that God; with whom we leave our innocent and suffering cause. Isaiah vii. 14, 1. 28. lviii. 17. lxxvi. 1, 2. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Rev. xxi. 3.

2. "Concerning Jesus Christ.] Because we believe that the Word which was made flesh, and dwelt amongst men, and was and is the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and Truth; his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and whom we ought to hear in all things; who tasted death for every man, and

declaration of those things most surely be lieved by the primitive Christians, and that as they contain the mind and will of God, and are his commands to us, so they in that re spect, are his declaratory word; and therefore are obligatory on us, and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work.'

"Nay, after all, so unjust is the charge, and so remote from our belief concerning the Holy Scriptures, that we love, honour and prefer them, before all books in the world; ever choosing to express our belief of the Christian faith and doctrine in the terms thereof, and rejecting all principles or doe

died for sin, that we might die to sin; is the great Light of the world, and full of grace and truth; and that he lighteth every man that cometh into the world, and giveth them grace for grace, and light for light, and that no man can know God and Christ, whom to know is life eternal, and themselves, in order to true conviction and conversion, without receiving and obeying this holy light, and being taught by the Divine grace; and that without it, no remission, no justification, no salvation, can be obtained, as the Scripture plentifully testifies; and because we therefore press the necessity of people's receiving the inward and spiritual appearance of this Divine Word, in order to a right and beneficial application of whatsoever he did for man, with respect to his life, miracles, sufferings, death, resurrec- trines whatsoever, that are repugnant theretion, ascension and mediation; our adversa-unto. ries would have us deny any Christ without "Nevertheless, we are well persuaded, that us. First, as to his Divinity, because they notwithstanding there is such an excellency make us to confine him within us. Secondly, in the Holy Scriptures, as we have above deas to his humanity or manhood, because as he clared, yet the unstable and unlearned in was the son of Abraham, David and Mary, Christ's school often wrest them to their according to the flesh, he cannot be in us, own destruction; and upon our reflection on and therefore we are heretics and blasphemers. their carnal constructions of them, we are "Whereas we believe him, according to made undervaluers of Scripture itself. But Scripture, to be the son of Abraham, David certain it is, that as the Lord hath been and Mary, after the flesh, and also God over pleased to give us the experience of the fulall, blessed for ever. So that he that is within filling of them in measure, so it is altogether us, is also without us, even the same who laid contrary to our faith and practice, to put any down his precious life for us, rose again from manner of slight or contempt upon them, the dead, and ever liveth to make intercession much more to be guilty of what malifor us, being the blessed and alone Mediator ciously is suggested against us; since no between God and man, and him by whom God society of professed Christians in the world, will finally judge the world, both quick and can have a more reverend and honourable dead: all which we as sincerely and stead-esteem for them than we have. John iv. 24 fastly believe, as any other society of people, whatever may be ignorantly or maliciously insinuated to the contrary, either by our declared enemies or mistaken neighbours. Deut. xv. 18. Mic. v. 2. John i. 1, 2, 3. Rev. xxii. 16.

3. "Concerning the Holy Scriptures.] Because we assert the Holy Spirit to be the first great and general rule and guide of true Christians, as that by which God is worshipped, sin detected, conscience convicted, duty manifested, Scripture unfolded and explained, and consequently the rule for understanding the Scriptures themselves, since by it they were at first given forth; from hence our adversaries are pleased to make us blasphemers of the Holy Scriptures, undervaluing their authority, and preferring our own books before them, with more to that purpose.

"Whereas, we in truth and sincerity believe them to be of Divine authority, given by the inspiration of God, through holy men; they speaking or writing them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost: that they are a

and xvi. 8. Rom. i. 19. Luke i. 1, 2. Tim. iii. 16, 17. 2 Pet. iii. 16.

4. "Concerning magistracy.] Because we have not actively complied with divers statutes, which have been made to force an uniformity to what we had no faith in, but the testimony of our consciences is against, and because, for conscience sake, we could not give those marks of honour and respect, which were and are the usual practice of those who seek honour one of another, and not that honour which comes from God only, but measure and weigh honour and respect in a false balance and deceitful measure, on which, neither magistrate, ruler nor people can depend; we say, because we could not for conscience sake, give flattering titles, &c., we have been rendered as despisers and contemners of ma gistracy: whereas our principles, often repeated upon the many revolutions that have happened, do evidently manifest the contrary, as well as our peaceable behaviour from the beginning, under all the various forms of government, hath been an undeniable plea in

,

our favour, when those that also have pro- death, and that cup which he promised to fessed the same principles of non-resistance drink new with his disciples in his Father's and passive obedience, have quitted their prin-| kingdom, we not only believe, but reverently ciples, and yet quarrel with us upon a suppo- partake of, to our unspeakable comfort. This sition that we will in time, write after their is rightly and truly the communion of the copy; which, as nothing is more contrary to body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who our principles, faith and doctrine, so nothing said, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of can be more contrary to our constant practice. man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in ،، For we not only really believe magistracy | you. For it is the Spirit that quickens, the to be an ordinance of God, but esteem it an flesh profits nothing. It is also his promise extraordinary blessing, where it is a praise to to all those who open at his knocks, That them that do well, and a terror to evil-doers : he will come in, and sup with them; which and that it may be so in this our native inward and spiritual coming, we have both land, is the fervent desire of our souls, that known and testified to, feeling the blessed the blessing and peace of God may be con- effects thereof in our souls. And knowing tinued thereupon. Job xxxii. 21. John v. 44. that the outward breaking of bread and drinkActs v. 29. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14. ing of wine, in the way commonly practised, 5. " is no more than it is declared to be, viz. ‘An outward and visible sign;' why then, should any contend about it, and render us unchristian, for disusing what themselves allow to be but an outward and visible sign?' None can reasonably believe it to be an essential part of religion, as is the bread from heaven; of which the outward is, at best, but a signification: but the wine that Christ promised to drink new with his disciples, is such an essential, that without it none have, nor can have eternal life. Mat. xxvi. 29. Mark xiv. 25. John vi. 41, 50, 51, 58, 63. Rev. iii. 20.

Concerning baptism.] Because we do not find in any place in the four Evangelists, that Jesus Christ instituted baptism by water, to come in the room of circumcision, or to be the baptism proper to his kingdom, which stands in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; we are therefore rendered as contemners of Christ's baptism: Whereas the baptism of Jesus Christ, of which he was Lord and administrator, according to the nature of his office and kingdom, is by John the Baptist declared to be that of fire, not water, and of the Holy Ghost; of which water baptism was but the forerunner, and is, by them that now practice it, called but the outward and visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace; and therefore not the grace itself: which grace, as the apostle saith, is sufficient for us, and we believe, profess and experience it to be come by Jesus Christ, who is the substance of all signs and shadows to true believers; he being no more a Jew or Christian who is one outwardly, by the cutting or washing of the flesh; but he is a Jew or Christian who is one inwardly, and circumcision and baptism are of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is therefore not of men, but of God: and this baptism Christ preferred and recommended at his farewell to his disciples: in reverence and duty to whom, to say nothing of the abuse of water baptism, we decline the use thereof. Mark i. 8. Luke iii. 16. John i. 17. Acts i. 5. Rom. xiv. 17. Rom. ii. 28, 29. 1 Cor. i. 17. 2 Cor. xii. 9. 6. "Concerning breaking bread, &c.] Because we also disuse the outward ceremony of breaking bread and drinking wine, which 8. "Concerning the Father, the Word, and is commonly called the Lord's supper, we are the Spirit.] Because we have been very cautherefore rendered deniers and contemners of tious in expressing our faith concerning that the Lord's supper: Whereas the inward and great mystery, especially in such school spiritual grace thereby signified, viz. That terms and philosophical distinctions as are bread which came down from heaven, which Christ prefers to the bread the fathers ate in the wilderness, which did not keep them from VOL. V No. 8.

7. "Concerning the light of Christ.] Because we assert the sufficiency of the light within, it being the light of Christ, viz. That if men live up to the teaching thereof, in all manner of faithfulness and obedience, they shall not abide in darkness, but have the light of life and salvation, and the blood of Christ shall cleanse them from all sin; our adversaries from thence conceive, that we undervalue the rule of Holy Scriptures and all outward means, as having no need thereof, since we have such a means and rule within us; and that this leaves us without any certain rule, and exposeth us to many blasphemies, &c. Whereas the light within, or Christ by his light inwardly teaching, was never taught by us in opposition to, or contempt of, any outward means that God, in his wisdom and providence, affords us for our edification and comfort, no more than did that blessed apostle, who said, 'Ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie.'

unscriptural, if not unfounded, the tendency whereof hath been to raise frivolous controversies and animosities amongst men, we 37

have, by those that desire to lessen our Chris-only sensible of those human infirmities that

tian reputation, been represented as deniers of the trinity at large.

attend us, whilst clothed with flesh and blood, but know that here we can only know in part, and see in part: the perfection of wisdom, glory and happiness, being reserved for an other and better world. John viii. 24, 25. Heb. xiii. 20, 21. Heb. vi.

12. "Concerning worship to God.] Be

"Whereas we ever believed, and as constantly maintained the truth of that blessed Holy Scripture. Three, that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Spirit, and that these three are one; the which, we both sincerely and reverently believe, accord-cause we say with the apostle, that men ought ing to 1 John v. 7. And this is sufficient for us to believe and know, and hath a tendency to edification and holiness, when the contrary centers only in imaginations and strife, and in persecution where it runs high and to parties, as may be read in bloody characters in the ecclesiastical histories.

9. "Concerning works.] Because we make evangelical obedience a condition to salvation; and works wrought in us by the Spirit, to be an evidence of faith; and holiness of life, to be both necessary and rewardable; it hath been insinuated against us, as if we hoped to be saved by our own works, and so make them the meritorious cause of our salvation, and that consequently we are popish.

"Whereas we know, that it is not by works of righteousness that we can do, but by his own free grace is he pleased to accept of us through faith in, and obedience to, his blessed Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. v. 9. and xii. 14.

to pray, preach, sing, &c., with the Spirit, and that without the preparation and assist ance of it, no man can rightly worship God, all worship without it being formal and carnal, from hence ignorance or envy suggests against us, that if God will not compel us by his Spi rit, he must go without his worship.

"Whereas nothing can be more absurd, since without it no man can truly call Jesus Lord: besides, it is our duty to wait upon him, who hath promised, not to compel, but to fill them with renewings of strength, who so wait upon him, by which they are made capa. ble to worship him acceptably, be it in pray. ing, preaching, or praising of God: and how warrantable our practice herein is from Holy Scripture, see Psalm xxv. 5. xxxvii. 7. xxvii. 14. cxxx. 5, 6. Hosea xii. 6.

13. "Of God and Christ being in man.] Because we say, as do the Holy Scriptures, that God is light, and that Christ is light, and that God is in Christ, and that Christ by his

world, and dwelleth in them and with them that obey him, in his inward and spiritual manifestations; people have been told by our adversaries, that we believe every man has whole God and whole Christ in him, and con sequently so many Gods and Christs, as men.

10. "Of Christ's being our example.] Be-light, lighteth every man that cometh into the cause in some cases we have said the Lord Jesus was our great example, and that his obedience to his Father doth not excuse ours; but as by keeping his commandments, he abode in his Father's love, so must we follow his example of obedience, and so abide in his love; some have been so ignorant, or that which is worse, as to venture to say for us, or in our name, that we believe our Lord Jesus Christ was, in all things, but an example.

"Whereas we assert nothing herein, but in the language of the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures of Truth; and mean no more by it, than that as God is in Christ, so Christ by his Spi"Whereas we confess him to be so much rit and light, dwelleth in the hearts of his peomore than an example, that we believe him ple, to comfort and consolate them; as he doth to be our most acceptable sacrifice to God his in wicked men, to reprove and condemn them, Father, who for his sake, will look upon fallen as well as to call, enlighten and instruct them; man that hath justly merited the wrath of that out of that state of condemnation they God, upon his return by repentance, faith and may come, and by believing in him, may ex obedience, as if he had never sinned at all. perience their hearts cured of the maladies 1 John ii. 12. Rom. iii. 26. and x. 9, 10. which sin hath brought upon them, in order Heb. v. 9. to complete salvation from sin here, and from 11. " Concerning freedom from sin.] Be-wrath to come hereafter. 2 Cor. v. 9. 1 John cause we have urged the necessity of a perfect freedom from sin, and a thorough sanctification in body, soul and spirit, whilst on this side the grave, by the operation of the holy and perfect Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the testimony of Holy Scripture: we are made so presumptuous, as to assert the fulness of all perfection and happiness to be attainable in this life: whereas we are not

i. 5.

14. "Of Christ's coming both in flesh and Spirit.] Because the tendency, generally speaking, of our ministry, is to press people to the inward and spiritual appearance of Christ, by his Spirit and grace in their hearts, to give them a true sight and sense of, and sorrow for, sin, to amendment of life, and practice of holiness: and because we have

often opposed that doctrine of being actually justified by the merits of Christ, whilst actual sinners against God, and living in the pollutions of this wicked world: we are, by our adversaries rendered such as either deny or undervalue the coming of Christ without us, and the force and efficacy of his death and sufferings, as a propitiation for the sins of the whole world.

hold the soul to be infinite, and consequently God: whereas the words before and after, as well as the nature of the things, show plainly, he only meant that it is not finite; that is, not terminable, or that which shall come to an end.

"And also, because we have not declared ourselves about matters of faith, in the many and critical words that man's wisdom teach"Whereas we do, and hope we ever shall, eth, but in the words which the Holy Ghost as we always did, confess to the glory of God teacheth, we have been esteemed either ignothe Father, and the honour of his dear and be- rant or equivocal and unsound: whereas it is loved Son, that he, to wit, Jesus Christ took our really matter of conscience to us, to deliver nature upon him, and was like us in all things, our belief in such words as the Holy Spirit, sin excepted; that he was born of the virgin in Scripture, teacheth; and if we add more Mary, went about amongst men doing good, for illustration, it is from an experience of the and working many miracles; that he was work of the same Spirit in ourselves, which betrayed by Judas into the hands of the chief seems to us the truest way of expounding priests, &c. that he suffered death under Scripture, in what concerns saving know. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, being crucified between two thieves, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea; rose again the third day from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and sits at God's right hand, in the power and majesty of his Father; and that by him, God the Father, will one day judge the whole world, both of quick and dead, according to their works.

15. "Concerning the resurrection.] cause from the authority of Holy Scripture, as well as right reason, we deny the resurrection of the same gross and corruptible body, and are neither over inquisitive, nor critical about what bodies we shall have at the resurrection, leaving it to the Lord, to give us such bodies as he pleases, and with that we are well pleased and satisfied, and wish all others were so too; from hence we are made not only deniers of the resurrection of any body at all, however spiritual or glorified, but eternal rewards too.

ledge.

16. "Concerning separation.] Because we are separated from the public communion and worship, it is too generally concluded, that we deny the doctrines received by the church, and consequently introduce a new religion: whereas we differ least, where we are thought to differ most: for setting aside some school terms, we hold the substance of those docBe-trines believed by the church of England, as to God, Christ, Spirit, Scripture, repentance, sanctification, remission of sin, holy living, and the resurrection of the just and unjust to eternal rewards and punishments. But that wherein we differ most, is about worship and conversation, and the inward qualification of the soul by the work of God's Spirit thereon, in pursuance of these good and generally received doctrines. For it is the Spirit of God only that convinces and converts the soul, and makes those who were dead in trespasses and sins, and in the lusts, pleasures and fashions of this world, alive to God; that is, sensible of his mind and will, and of their duty to do them; and brings to know God and his attributes, by the power of them upon their own souls; and leads to worship God rightly, which is in his Spirit and in Truth, with hearts sanctified by the Truth, which is a living and acceptable worship, and stands in power, not formality, nor in the traditions and prescriptions of men, in synods and convocations, but in the Holy Spirit.

"Whereas, if it were true, as it is notoriously false, we were, indeed, of all men, most miserable: but, blessed be God, it is so far from being truc, that we most steadfastly believe, that as our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, by the power of the Father, and was the first fruits of the resurrection, so every man in his own order, shall arise; they that have done well, to the resurrection of eternal life; but they that have done evil, to everlasting condemnation.

"And because we are a people, whose education hath not afforded us an accuracy of language, some passages may perhaps have been mis-expressed, or improperly worded: as for instance, one of us hath denied in his book, the soul to be finite, by which he plainly meant mortal or final, to die or have an end, which finis signifies, from whence finite comes; our uncharitable opposers have concluded, we

"First, in showing us our real wants, and then in helping our infirmities with sighs and groans, and sometimes words, to pray for a suitable supply, for which we in our meetings wait upon God, to quicken and prepare us, that we may worship him acceptably and profitably, for they go together. Now, because we are satisfied that all worship to God and exhortations to men, as praying, praising and