Early Q Disciplinary Letters 5 1666

A Testimony from the Brethren, who were Met Together at London in the third Month, 1666, to be Communicated to Faithful Friends and Elders in the Counties, by them to be read in their Several Meetings, and Kept as a Testimony amongst them.

XR7963 WE, your friends and brethren, whom God hath called to labour and watch for the eternal good of your souls, being at the time aforesaid, through the Lord’s good hand which hath preserved us at liberty, met together in his name and fear, were by the operation of the Spirit of Truth brought into a serious consideration of the present state of the church of God; which in this day of her return out of the wilderness, hath not only many open but some covered enemies to contest against; who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities, and despise government; without which, we are sensible our safety and fellowship cannot be kept holy and inviolable. Therefore, as God hath put it into our hearts, we do communicate these things following unto you, who are turned from darkness to light, and profess fellowship with us in the glorious gospel, throughout nations and countries where we have travelled; as well for a testimony against the unruly, as to establish and confirm you, to whom it is given to believe the Truth which unto us is very precious, as we believe it is also unto you, who in love have received it, and understood the principles, and felt the virtue and operation of it; in which {Page 319} our spirits breathe, that we all may be preserved, until we have well finished our course and testimony, to the honour and glory of the Lord God, who is over all, blessed for ever.

XR6674 First, - We having a true discerning of the working of that spirit, which under a profession of Truth, leads into a division from, or exaltation above, the body of Friends, who never revolted nor degenerated from their principles; and into marks of separation from the constant practice of good ancient Friends, who are sound in the faith which was once delivered unto us; and also into a slight esteem of their declaration or preaching, (who have and do approve themselves as the ministers of Christ, ) and of the meetings of the Lord’s people, whereby and wherein Friends are, and often have been preciously revived and refreshed: and under pretence of crying down men and forms, do cry down the ministry and meeting, or encourage those which do the same. -We say, the Lord having given us to see, not only the working of that spirit and of those that are joined to it, who bring forth those ungrateful fruits, but also the evil consequences and sad eftects of the same, which are of no less importance than absolutely tending to destroy the work of God, and lay waste his heritage:1 {Page 320} -we do unanimously, (being encouraged thereto by the Lord, whose presence is with us, ) declare and testify, that neither that spirit, nor such as are joined to it, ought to have any dominion, office, or rule in the church of Christ Jesus, whereof the Holy Spirit, that was poured forth upon us, hath made us members and overseers: neither ought they to act or order the affairs of the same; but are rather to be kept under with the power of God, till they have an ear open to instruction, and come into subjection to the witness of God; -of the increase of whose kingdom and government there shall be no end.

XR1157 Secondly. -We do declare and testify, that the spirit of those that are joined to it, who stand not in unity with the ministry and body of Friends who are stedfast and constant to the Lord and hIs unchangeable Truth, (which we have received and are witnesses and ambassadors of, ) have not any true spiritual right, nor gospel authority to be judges in the Church, and of the ministry of the gospel of Christ, so as to condemn them and their ministry neither ought their judgment to be any more regarded by Friends, than the judgment of other opposers, which are without; for of right the elders and members of the church, which keep their habitation in the Truth, ought to judge matters and things which differ; and their judgment which is given therein, to stand good and valid amongst Friends though it be kicked against, and disaproved by them who have degenerated, as aforesaid. And we do further declare and testify, that it is abominable pride that goes before destruction, that so puffs up the mind of any particular, [individual,] that he will not admit of any Judgment to take {Page 321} place against him for he that is not justified by the witness of God in Friends, is condemned by it in himself; though being hardened, he may boast over it in a false confidence.

XR3113 Thirdly. -If any difference arise in the church, or amongst them that profess to be members thereof, we do declare and testify, that the church, with the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, have power, without the assent of such as dissent from their doctrines and practices, to hear and determine the same. And if any pretend to be of us, and in case of controversy, will not admit to be tried by the church of Christ Jesus, nor submit to the judgment given by the Spirit of Truth in the Elders and members of the same; but kick against their judgment as only the judgment of man, -it being given and manifested according to Truth, and consistent with the doctrine of such good ancient Friends, as have been, and are sound in the faith, and agreeable to the witness of God in his people; when we testify in the name of the Lord, that if judgment so given be risen against and denied by the party condemned, then he or she, or such as so far partake of their sin as to countenance and encourage them therein, ought to be rejected, as having erred from the Truth.

XR6105 Fourthly. -That the ministry may not be justly blamed, we declare that if any go abroad hereafter, pretending to that weighty work and service, who either in life or doctrine grieve good Friends that are stedfast in the Truth and sound in the faith, so that they are not manifest in their consciences, but disapproved by the witness of God in them; then ought they, whatever have been their gifts, to leave them before the altar, and forbear going abroad, until they are reconciled to the church, and have [Page 322} the approbation of the Elders and members of the same. And if any, that have been so approved of by the church, do afterwards degenerate from the Truth, and do that which tends to division, and countenance wickedness and faction, as some have done, then the church hath a true spiritual right and authority to call them to examination and if they find sufficient cause for it by good testimony, they may judge them unfit for the work of the ministry, whereof they have rendered themselves unworthy; and so put a stop to their proceedings therein: and if they submit not to the judgment of the Spirit of Christ in his people, then ought they publicly to be declared against, and warning given to the flock of Christ in their several meetings to beware of them, and to have no fellowship with them, that they may be ashamed; and the lambs and babes in Christ Jesus preserved.

XR4824 Fifthly, -And if any man or woman who are out of unity with the body of Friends print, or cause to be printed or published in writing, anything which is not of service for the Truth, but tends to the reproach or scandal of faithful Friends, or to beget or uphold division or faction then we do warn and charge all Friends that love the Truth, as they desire it may prosper and be kept clear, to beware and take heed of having any hand in printing, publishing, or spreading such books or writings; and if at any time such books be sent to any of you that sell books in the country, after ye, (with the advice of good and judicious Friends, ) have tried and find them faulty, send them back from whence they came. And, we further desire that from time to time, faithful and sound Friends and brethren, may have the view of such things as are {Page 323} printed upon Truth’s account, as formerly it has used to be, before they go to the press; that nothing but what is sound and savoury, that will answer the witness of God in all people, (even in our adversaries, ) may be exposed by us to public view.

XR4916 Sixthly -We do advise and counsel, that such as are made overseers of the flock of God by the Holy Spirit, and do watch for the good of the church, (meeting together in their respective places, to set and keep the affairs of it in good order, ) to beware of admitting or encouraging such as are of weak and of little faith, to take such trust upon them for by hearing things disputed that are doubtful, such may be hurt themselves, and hurt the Truth not being grown into a good understanding to judge of things. Therefore we exhort that you, who have received a true sense of things, be diligent in the Lord’s business, and keep your meetings as to Him; that all may be kept pure and clean, according to that of God which is just and equal. We also advise that not any be admitted to order public business of the church, but such as are felt in a measure of the universal Spirit of Truth, which seeks the destruction of none, but the general good of all, and especially of those that love it, who are of the household of faith.

XR6363 So dear Friends and brethren, believing that your souls will be refreshed in the sense of our spirits and integrity towards God, at the reading of these things, as we were, whilst we sat together at the opening of them; and that ye will be one with us in your testimony on the behalf of the Lord and his precious Truth, against those who would limit the Lord to speak without instruments, or by what instruments they list, and who reject the counsel of the {Page 324} wise men, and testimony of the prophets, whom God sanctified and sent among you in the day of his love, when ye were gathered, and would not allow Him liberty in and by his servants, to appoint a place wherein to meet together, to wait upon and worship Him, (according as He requires )in spirit, but call this formal, and the meetings of man ; we say, believing that ye will have fellowship with us herein, as we have with you in the Truth, we commit you unto God, and to the word of life, that hath been preached unto you from the beginning which is neither limited to time, nor place, nor persons, but hath power to limit us to each, as pleaseth Him: -that ye with us, and we with you, may be built up in the most holy faith, and be preserved to partake of the inheritance, which is heavenly, amongst all those that are sanctified.
Richard Farnsworth, Stephen Crisp, Alexander Parker, Thomas Green, George Whitehead, John Moon, Thomas Loe, Thomas Briggs, Josiah Cole, James Parke, John Whitehead.

[Source: Letters, &c., of Early Friends; Illustrative of the History of the Society, From Nearly it’s Origin, to about the Period of George Fox’s Decease; with Documents Respecting It’s Early Discipline, also Epistles of Counsel and Exhortation, &c. London: Harvey And Dayton, Gracechurch Street, 1841 pages 318-324]

  1. The spirit of disaffection and separation prevalent at this period through the inffuence of John Perrot, is here doubtless in view. Several addresses were issued by faithful Friends to warn and exhort the flock against this deceitful and wasting snare of the enemy; amongst them might be mentioned an Epistle of Stephen Crisp, as very instructive and affecting, viz. “An Epistle to friends concerning the present and succeeding times,” &c. 1666. On referring to the Historical Letters in this volume, page 166-168, the subject wil also be found adverted to.

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