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A Letter from Robert Rich to George Fox. containing Animadversions upon the foregoing Papers.
George Fox,
I Give thee to understand I have seen and read two printed Papers, one written by thee against John Harwood, declaring him as one taken in the act of Uncleanness, the other by John Harwood against thee, as more guilty of spiritual wickedness in high places: 1. J.H. in the 6th page and the 13th Article of his Book, chargeth thee with sending Papers of enmity, and setting thy servants on work in Barbados and Virginia to judge and reproach innocent John Perrott and Jane Stoakes: whereonto thou repliest in these words in the 9th page of thy Book, viz. And here are more of thy lies. Now G. F. if thou shalt appear as guilty of the rest of the Articles charged by J. H. against thee, and as deceitful in answering them as I know and can prove thee to be in this, thou hardly canst be parallell’d for subtilty, deceit, and falsehood: for such Papers thou didst send after John Perrot, and those filled with such revilings, that (were it not to manifest a truth) a modest person would not for shame mention after thee; four of which letters or Papers I have seen and read (taking Copies thereof) wherein I also find thy express order to thy servant Joseph Nicholson, that he or some other may read one of the same to J.P. which command was also performed by another of thy servants Henry Fell, as he hath since acknowledged, in a great Assembly of people at Gravesend, when J.P. was first coming to this Island, and am not ignorant of those bitter Censures thou loadest J.P. with, in reference to a Book of his called Unity and Amity. Thou sayest that J.P. writ the said Book with Cains spirit, crying against his foolishness and ignorance, affirming that a Cloud had compassed him, that he went in the way of False Prophets; that his spirit would give up the children of God to persecution; that he hath thrown his dung and excrements among friends, farther alledging that J.P. is one of Hams flock, and that his gross lies proceeded from a devilish spirit, that none that are in the least {Page 23} truth will believe him; that he seeks dignity and mastership, but in the wrong power, also his own proper interest, by calling himself I John, a Worm, a Lamb, &c. that he is a liar and Deceiver, and had in that Book sown so much confusion and contradiction, that in all the Books of the Priests thou hast not seen so much as in this Unity and Amity: now whether these be not the flood, the Dragon casts out of his mouth to devour the Manchild that must rule, though G. F. be angry thereat; and whether in this G. F. doth not lead into separation and parties and whether this be less than what J. H. hath charged thee with? and whether this spoken by a Rabih, a Father, and Leader of others was no: by thee intended to hinder the testimony of truth, and to beget the same spirit in others as in thy self? And whether this spirit of thee be the spirit of the Lamb or the Dragon, I leave to the wise in heart to judge? And that thou canst so boldly deny so clear and manifest a truth as this, and not be humbled before God and Man, greatly argues that thou carest not either what thou affirmest or deniest, that may tend to the exaltation of thy self in the reproach of others. As for that Book of JP.s called Unity and Amity, against which thou hast shot so many bitter venemous arrows, I have observed those very expressions against which (so oft) thou hast thrown thy Javelin, which are contained in the 12 and 13th pages of thy Book, where J.P. speaks as one that had seen an end of all distinctions and separations by names; not preferring one sect before or above another; but where the grace of God or Spirit of the Father (Christ Jesus, the true Seed and Heir of Gods Kingdom) is received in the heart and doth there abide to teach and lead into truth and righteousness (mark G.F.) These he only accompteth for the Children of God. And further saith, That though himself was known by the name of a Quaker, that there are of the People called Seekers, Baptists, Independents, and others (mark G.F.) whose conversations become the Profession of what they own and witness to be of God in themselves; whom (saith he) I as truly own, and with whom I have more unity than with divers what are called by the name of Quakers (whose name hath not changed them from the nature of the Enmity which works against the heavenly spirit of the unity and power of the Love of God) so it is to be understood (saith J.P.) that the love and unity I seek amongst all stands (mark G.F.) in no other than the measure of the spirit and grace of God, given to every one to profit with, the which as ‘tis improved in all hearts, will keep our minds up to God; fashioning and frameing us into a gracious Life, well pleasing unto him, which is the principal (mark G.F.) I stoop to in all sects and people wheresoever it is risen and sprung up. Now G.F. if these be lies, and that hellish and devilish consequence (which the smoak from the bottomless pit of Enmity seems to import) if this be to throw Excrements among Friends, then is G.F. the more excusable by {Page 24} these his heavy Exclamations; but if these things be the witness of Gods work in this day, wherein he is gathering all things into himself and (by nailing the enmity to the Cross) to reconcile both world to himself and also to one another in the death and finishing of the fleshly Testimony (it further) these things which thou opposeth, shall be engraven in the hearts of men, as with the Pen of Diamond, and shall stand and flourish in the House of God (the hearts of the regenerate) when thy name and authority (which hath condemned them) shall rot, perish, and stink as thine own Dung; then shall ye know that a Prophet hath been amongst you, whom ye have rejected (even Elias in the name of the Lord) to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, least God come in wrath and smite the Earth with a Curse. Sure I am that this Faith and Doctrine (which thou now revilest) is that which was first given to the Saints, and thou thy self hast preached, though now art fallen from it, and become a Persecutor of it XR6147. Tell me G.F. is not the Light of God in every mans Conscience the sure word of Prophecy to guide the soul out of death into the everlasting life, peace, and rest and must not every one that witness Redemption be lead by his own measure of Grace and not another? And thou that seest not this, are yet baptized to Moses in the Cloud, and a Vail is over thy heart, and oughtest not (as thou sayest by J.P.) to be a Teacher to others, whil'est in this state of Darkness. Know this therefore of a truth (which I have a long time seen) that the righteousness God is no respecter of Persons, Sects, or Opinions, but in every Nation, he that seareth God and worketh righteousness towards man, is accepted with him; yea and dearly beloved by me, as being bone of my bone, even as Christs Mother, Sister, and Brother, whether they are called Papist or Protestants, or any other name whatsoever; so that in vain it is for thee to shut up the Kingdom against all others but your selves; or to build a habitation for the all-filling Majesty out of one Sort or Sect of People, to dwell with (whom thou shalt think worthy) I tell thee G.F. thy spirit is much blinded from beholding Gods present work in the world, who is now sending the Angels of his Presence to sound his last Trump; which is the awakening Voice of Love, Peace, and Good-will to all men: at which (powerful blast and breath of Gods Spirit) the graves of Formality shall open and the Earth give up the dead, troops of sinners shall fly at this Voice, and come from the East, and from the West, from the North, and from the South, even from the ends of the Earth shall they come; bringing their gifts of Obedience to the Light and Love of God (which is better than any sacrifice of outward Observation what soever) yea they shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of God; when they that call themselves Children thereof (mark G.F.) shall be shut out.
And I have this farther to declare to thee and the whole world, to Jew, Gentile, {Page 25} Barbarian, and Christian, though I know it will be an offence and stone of stumbling to G. F. as to all Masters of Assemblies in every Sect; who prescribe, impose, and would have dominion over the Faith of others; That the Eternal God (who wills not the death of any sinner) hath sent his dear Son Emmanuel, his light and spirit of Grace, into the World, his everlasting Covenant, a Divine Law writ in every mans heart: that whosoever believeth in him, and followeth him, shall have eternal Life. Hallelujah.
And this Divine Law and Word in the Heart, is the Ensign to gather together all things in to himself and to present every man perfect in God, being thereby sanctified, justified, and saved from their sins. Hallelujah. To which word in the heart, Gods Preacher, his Law and Covenant of Grace to all the world, do I recommend all Sects and Opinions, as the onely rule of their souls progress into everlasting Peace and Rest. Hallelujah.
And I have yet further to testifie, That where this grace and gift of God is received, all outward Teaching, Admonitions, Interpretations, and Instructions, that G.F. or any other can give or allow of, are but Candles that the Lords Temple needs not; for the glory of God and the Lamb are the Light thereof XR2859. So there that imposing spirit of G.F. (which endeavours to limit the Light of God in others, and Lord it over Gods heritage) will in time be seen to be but mans wisdom, that great Antechrist and Mother of Harlots, which hath deceived the hearts of the Simple; which Babel shall most certainly fall like Dagon before the Ark and power of God in the Saints: To which condemnation of Babilon, let all that see and feel (or that wait for) Christ Jesus his more glorious appearing in Spirit to teach, lead and guid into Truth and Righteousness; whether they be Jews or Gentiles, Papists, Protestants, Presbiterians, Independants, Anabaptists, Seekers, or Quakers, say Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus, save and redeem thy Elect Seed, the Breath of thy Nostriles, thy Turtle Dove, that hath long lyen defiled amongst the Potsherds of the Earth: Even so Amen. Hallelujah Then, O then shall Mercy and Truth meet, Righteousness and Peace shall kiss each other: Then shall the Lyon lie down with the Lamb, the Leopard with the Kid, and the little Child of the New Birth shall lead them. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the Earth shall fear him. Hallelujah. Now is come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God and the Power of his Christ. Shout Sion, let the hosts of Gods anointed ones, his Ministers, shout aloud for joy, Hallelujah; for the Accuser of the Brethren is cast down (mark G.F.) and let the smoke of Babilons torments ascend for ever. Amen. Hallelujah
After those former of thine against J.P. two others of thy Letters are come to my hand, importing thy still eager pursuit after J.P. one bearing date the 13th of the 11th moneth 64, the other without a date, whereof thou ordainest {Page 26} thy servant, dear Anne Clayton, to send copies into New England Virginia, Maryland, and Jamaica; also that she take care to disperse them in Barbados and other Plantations, still verifying J. Harwood’s Charge against thee in his 13th Article; as if the seed of Enmity had not yet fully manifested it self; nor the Dragon surely got his Army of wars (the Children of Pride, Wrath, and Envy) together, to oppose Micheal the Prince of Love and Peace in God, regeneration; which Papers contain many better expressions against J.P. charging him with Charles Bayly and Jane Stokes with some unclean Actions done in the Ship. Also that J.P. had made use of carnal weapons, as having a Sword, Shooting off Guns, and (?). Also thou accuseth him for having a Staff tipt with Gold, and wearing Gorgeous apparrel, as having a Satan Suite and a Velvet Coat, and turning Ambassador: some of which particulars thou hast (in one of these Letters reiterated against him no less than fifteen times) be sides many other Crimes of a (?) high and spiritual nature, charged against him, which in a place more Proper may be remembred.
But be it so that J.P. did wear a carnal Sword and a Staff tipt with Gold, did wear Gorgeous Apparrel, make a Feast and shoot off Guns, I would enquire of G.F. whether there may not be a time and season for all these things under the Sun? And whether any man of God was ever against the lawful use of them? And whether all these things may not be rational and useful in the Kingdom of Nature without him? Who (therefore) art thou that wouldest limit the light in other mens conscience herein? Pray tell me why may not Mordicai (who suffered with Christ Jesus in the loss of all) in bearing testimony against the pride of Haman and his abuse in Government) wear the Gold Ring and Royal Apparel himself (when lawfully thereunto Joseph and understanding Daniel do the same? And why may not this be a sign and example to them that have suffered for well-doing, that they with Christ may also reign, even in this world of Nature as well as in that more spiritual and eternal, in the Kingdom of Grace and Glory? And why may not the honour given by (?) Magistrates) to those which are honest, discreet, and upright in heart be the honour which originally come from God? For my part I have long seen, that the Tribe of Joseph, that in heart are circumcised and baptized with the same spirit that was in Christ Jesus, who are meek and lowly in heart; rendring good for evil; and who by patience and well doing overcome evil with good: also that can distinguish aright between a shadow and the substance in matters temporal and spiritual; as having the use of divine inspiration, as well as that of natural reason; who having no conscience of an idol nor of the Elders Traditions, can nevertheless for loves sake (the Principle of God) become all things to all men, and act any thing that is not against the Law of Love: {Page 27} First, Towards our Neighbors: Secondly, Towards our Selves: Thirdly, Towards God, the reason and light in our souls. These, I say (I have a long time seen) must and shall ride in the second Chariot with Pharaoh, and shall stand as Saviours on Mount Sion to judge the Mount of Esan; not in the power of Carnal Wrath and Emnity (as Hagars Children do, whose [?] in the Letter that Killeth; who judge according to outward appearances) but in the same spirit of love, tenderness, and compassion which God shewed to them (when in their blood and enmity against him) for thus shall all flesh come to see and receive Gods salvation, yet the sons of Sion (?) shall come bending and stooping with cheerfulness to this Government of Love; which shall extend its universal healings to all parties, powers, and interests, without difference or distinction. These are the true Jews, whose skirts the nations of the earth shall strive to fasten on, because the healing, reconciling, saving spirit of the love of God, shall be of a truth perceived amongst them: Yes these are those without whom (I clearly see) no Government shall prosper, and whom God will bless though G.F. curse) and set as Princes in all Lands, who shall rule in righteousness and true judgment, even in this world of nature. Then shall the Kingdoms of the Earth (as well natural as spiritual) become Kingdoms of the Lord in his Christ. Hallelujah.
Further (to pursue thy discourse) why may not J.P. feast his friends or his enemies in love or fear, as Hester did Haman (and in times of trouble when some may say feasting is not comely) did not Joseph do the like to his Brethren that sought to murther him; yea did not blessed Jesus do the like to Judas, who give him a sop and called him friend? And what Law of God or man hath J.P. offended? Or why may not such a feasting rather condemn that Pride, Self-love, Strife, and Enmity, which are spots (too apparent) in their Feasts of Charity, who shut the Door of the Kingdom against all but themselves; who being pufft up in their own knowledge and self righteousness, blindly censure him that (in liberty of the Law of Love) can eat with Publicans and Sinners. And why is G.F. so angry with J.P. for having a Staff tipt with Gold? I am assured there are some present in this Island, when Major General Modyford presented him with it, who believe that if he had refused the same, he might therein have rejected the Love of God, By contemning so free and clear a demonstration of kindness in his Friend, which makes me think that surely it is the evil eye in G.F. that moves him so bitterly to reproach and condemn J.P. in a thing so innocent, as is the receiving a sign of true love from a friend.
And further, why may not J.P. wear any kind or sort of Apparel (and himself be judge what is best and most suitable to his Place and Calling? And wherefore is Velvet or Satin (which the silk worm produceth) worse and more sinful than what is made of Sheeps Clothing? For my part I see no one thing {Page 28} (of all that God hath made) worse or more evil than another, therefore may not judge my Brother in any such thing as either Meats, Drinks, or Apparels; neither know I any reason why G.F. should (in this Case) be so censorious, unless the evil eye or exalted mind provoke him thereunto; or because he hath no better food than dust the Serpents meat, such outward carnal things to feed upon; for I well know neither that which fills the Belly, nor that which cloaths the Back, defiles man: Sin is of a more subtile nature, and lodgeth within the heart; ‘tis indeed the root of bitterness, pride, envy, and all uncharitableness, &c. This is that which pollutes a man, and where this is, nothing is pure to that mind; his prayers and preaching (though never so good in words of Truth) are sin. And although such a one should eat Locust and Wild Honey, wear Sackcloth and a Leathern Girdle about his Loins: Nay let him cover the Altar with tears, make long Prayers, fast oft, prophecy in the name of Christ, speak much truth of God and the light within, and all this with great zeal and earnestness of spirit: Nevertheless the Conscience being impure and unclean, the Sacrifice is as Cains, which God hath no respect unto. But where the mind is purified with the Love of God, which thinketh no evil; such a one can do none, and all things are lawful, good, and holy to him; nothing is common or unclean: for all is sanctified by the power of love. So that whether he eats or drinks, feasts or fasteth, whether cloathed or naked, in robes or rags, finally, in all actions and in all conditions (as the inward law of love acts him so) the eternal God accepts him, as one without spot and blemish: though condemned by G.F. as a Ranter and as the vilest and worst of sinners. I observe also thou art much offended with J.P. for wearing a Sword and making use of Carnal Weapons; as if in a Civil State or Common-wealth there were no use or place for such things. I would therefore know of G.F. what is more meet and proper to obtain and keep and defend carnal things than carnal weapons? And how is the Earth tilled or dressed without them, and why may not the Sword be (in its kind) as useful as the Plow-share or Pruning-hook, both being Instruments of our common preservation from that Curse which the whole Creation groans under? And why may not a Magistrate (one that is in Authority) wear a Sword, to signfie that he beareth it not in vain; and without a Sword (or Carnal Weapons) pray tell me how shall Justice be administered, wither in the protection of good or punishment of evil doers? And did not holy Jesus (that Son of Wisdom) say, That if the good man of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and kept him out. And may not every honest good man do the same? And if the Disciples of Jesus (who by him were commanded to give to Ceasar his due) did in obedience to that Command, subject themselves to every Ordinance of the Civil Power (yea rendred Obedience even in matters unjust; as Mat. 17.24, &c.) I see no {Page 29} reason but that the Civil Magistrate ought now also (by all good Christians) to be obeyed; especially in a Command so just and reasonable as the drawing of a Sword to defend that Government under which we enjoy a quiet and peaceable Protection. But certainly if John Harwood’s first Article charged against G.F. be as true as his 13th is found to be, G.F. hath without cause inveyed so bitterly against J.P. for wearing a Sword, to signifie his outward authority, he being chose or made an Agent , or (as G.F. saith) Ambassador to the Spaniards; which first Article of J.H. (though G.F. so confidently denies, yet) I have great cause to believe is true: For if such Papers were dispersed (as he there alledgeth) with G.F.’s name to them, for the nomination and appointment of such as thy Friends in several parts of the Nation should esteem fit for the Magistracy, and their names to be presented to the then present Power, who will not easily apprehend that G.F.s compliance (at least) wherein evident; for those Papers thou deniest not, nor that thy name was to them: (which is something) of which Charge (at first) thou saidst there was not a word true. But thou saist thou were not in London, when those Papers were sent, and that thou knewest not of their going forth til they were out (it hath been long since that the Foxes have holes.) Yet all this doth not prove the thing done without or against thy consent or approbation, but rather seems to me a crafty evasion of the Charge; for who of the Quakers owned by G.F. should act in such a thing without his good liking? And that which seems to me to make good the truth of J.H.s Article more fully, is that thou wert for certain very busie in the year 1659. in numbering thy people, as plainly appears by the printed Papers, one subscribed (as it saith) by more that Fifteen thousand hands, and the other by more than Ten thousand, all presented to the then Parliament, enough to make a great and potent Army, and well worth their acceptance, as the case then stood: Besides, had not those Papers (formerly mentioned) as well been owned by thy authority, as signed with thy Name, and presented also by the Chief of thy Friends, they would not have produced such resembling effects to their intended purpose: For I have seen in an Act of Parliament for the settling of the Militia of Westminster only, date the 28th of June 1659. no less then five of G.F.s Friends (all noted Quakers) viz. Nich Bond, William Woodcock, A. Scoddort, Richard Davis, and Stephen Harte, with how many more I know not; all nominated and chosen to be of that Committee, whereof seven made a full one; who were impowered by the Act aforesaid to chuse such persons as they should think fit to bear Arms, and those to form into Troops and Regiments; as also to ordain Collonels and other Officers, and to provide them with Horse and Arms; likewise to assess and raise moneys to maintain the said Force: from all which a great probability may be gathered that J.H. hath not so grosly belied G.F. in charging him with those Papers, and also with endeavouring thereby {Page 30} to exalt himself over the Government of the Nation. Now if this were thy intention (as is seems to me to be) I have onely herein this to ask of thee; viz. If this had taken effect, how long thou wouldst have preserved thy Power in External Government, without the use of Carnal Weapons? Or if in truth thou doest disown the use of Carnal Weapons as unlawful for a Christian Magistrate (as thy answer to J.H. seems to import) whether therein thou art as great an Enemy to the Civil Power which God hath set over thee (and to whom in all reason thou oughtest to render obedience and faithful subjection) as those are to the Spiritual Government of Christ Jesus, who by force of Carnal Weapons do impose upon the Conscience in Matter of Faith and Religion? And let all sober rational men in this Case judge between us.
Indeed I have seen a fore evil under the Sun, under which the Creation hath a long time travailed: viz. The Sword of the Civil Power imployed and made use of to compel mens Consciences in things merely spiritual and tending only to the Worship of God. This, as it hath occasioned the ruin of many People, Countreys, and Kingdoms, so many wise men have conceived that the unnecessary charge which the several Courts and Offices belonging to the Antechristian Power, have drawn more Treasure to maintain them, than would maintain a Civil State in a well ordered Peace and Prosperity; I am not ignorant how directly repugnant this usurpation is both to the highest Power of Love and also to that more inferiour Law of Nature and common Right; in which two a Christian Magistrate (being rightly taught) is compleatly furnished to every good Work, which may render him committed in his Charge. This Apostacy (for in the beginning it was not so) from the Life and Doctrine of Christ Jesus (who saith Love your Enemies, and who suffered patiently the contradictions of sinners against himself, &c. I say this falling from the faith (Christ delivered to the Saints) then began when Christian Magistrates (so called and pretended Ministers of Christ did joyn and mix their Powers; viz. The Ministers to make a Religion, to frame Articles of Faith and Rules of Worship ( suiting perhaps the carnal and self-ends of both parties) and the Magistrates to joyn with him in imposing this Created Novelty upon the Consciences of men: Thus even thus, hath the Glory of true Religion faded; and that Worship of God which stood in a free, candid, and ingenious aproach to himself, by the guidings of his own light and spirit of Grace in the heart, not limited to any time, place, form, or prescript whatsoever, is now become a forced receipt of traditional Formality, an ignoble correspondence with hard impositions of Faith and Worship; yea a stinted and straightened acknowledgment of that God, that Truth, and that Light, which is not known to any Creature; but as God reveals himself by his Spirit; in whose Light only we see Light. Therefore let G.F. consider whether the same spirit {Page 31} of imposing upon others, hath not been evidently demonstrated in his unquiet and uncharitable proceedings against Brethren, which is no better than the Beast where ere it be found, though among Quakers or any other Sect whatever, and wants but the outward power to assist and rise upon, to the enforcement of as great a Tyranny as the Pope or Lucifer himself can possibly execute. But to proceed, Thus hath the false Prophet (mans wisdom and invention in spiritual matters) mounted it self upon the Back of Civil Power, without whose strength to support, it could not perform those false wonders in the World; but being joyned with that it commands all both small and great to bow before him and that Image of Religion which he shall set up and establish: Whereas the true Faith and Worship of Christ (as it is not of this world so) it seeks no worldly Power to support it, but doth chiefly consist in free and dear persuasion of the mind (according to light received) which innocently yet strongly draws the heart to offer up your selves in all reasonable Service to God through the spirit of Christ Jesus our Lord. And as I have observed from whence this Apostacy first sprung and wherein it yet standeth, so in some measure the Lord hath opened my understanding to discover how it shall sink again into into its bottomless pit of Darkness. Which must containly be when the Kings of the Earth (with Nabuchadnezer) come to see and understand that the Most High (alone) ought to rule and raign (by his spirit of Grace) in the hearts and Consciences of all men: And that by mixing of their Power with those that have set up Mans Traditions instead of Gods Light in everymans Conscience, they have devested themselves of that their proper Honour conferred by God upon them; and have been so long grazing in the Wilderness of Popular strife and contention, that their Tallons are grown monstrous and dreadful to all those that are under them: So that by the abuse of that Power God hath given, they have rendered themselves but the bearers and supporters of the False Prophets Invention, to the great disturbance and (too oft) ruin of the Government and Governours. But when their understanding is returned, God will surely make them to see (and also to hate) the Whore and burn her Flesh with fire, and them will be given free passage for the Light of God to break out, whose divine flames will soon consume all that Carnal Religion and Will worship which the wisdom of the Flesh hath established; and truly till this be accomplished I see small ground to hope for a removal of those great Evils which the imposition of False Religion hath brought into the world. But when Caesar shall give Christ Jesus his due, viz. the Throne of his Father David, the new heart and right spirit (of which he is Lord and Master) to rule and raign in; then will God give a ready and chearful obedience from subjects (as due reward) to their Sovereigns; and then God shall bless us, and we shall render unto him all honor, glory, and thanksgiveing. Amen. Hallelujah. XR5873
{Page 32} G.F. I thought this digression needful to inform thee and others how far I own and submit to the Civil Power as in things only external; transferring all Spiritual Jurisdiction upon the shoulders of Christ Jesus. So also thou mayst from hence reflect upon thy deportment toward others, and consider whether in a due subjection both to God, as only Lord of the Conscience, as also to the Magistrate, in claim of all external Obedience; thou hast not been much wanting to both. But to proceed.
In thy two last Letters thou writest to J.P. thou still continuest reproaching of him, and that in things spiritual and most notoriously wicked: Thou sayest that instead of greeting none had more smitten than J.P. that he is like a dog smarling and biting such as are in the life of Truth, and would neither bear nor forbear; and so like a Dog thou thinkest he will die: Also that J.P. had not out-lived envy and strife, but was in persecution and cruelty, and in hypocrisie and pride; being one that would have compassed all if he could. Also that he gave forth a Paper of Curses against all that would not observe his pretended Form, which he dream’d he had a command for; but (thou sayest) it was deceit of his own imagination, and further that J.P. Judged others with the beam in his Eye and before the Lord was come; that his bowels were bowels of cruelty and malice, from whence his perverse spirit did flow: All which thou sayest makes J.P. manifest that he is twice dead, pluckt up by the Roots, with much more to this or the like purpose. And are not these the words or spirit of Rabshekey? This is a charge so high, that more evil can hardly be spoken against any man (but how proved I no where find.) And whether G.H. (G.F.) hath not writ these things more against his own life and practice then J.P. I leave to the consideration of every one that hath seen their writings (?), and have been best acquainted with their spirits and practices. For my own part, I apprehend G.F. (as Saul) falling upon the point of his own Sword and (therewith) so wounded as never to recover thereof; having only accused J.P. with those things which more properly and peculiarly appertain to himself, and in no case verified against J.P. in all thy bitter exclamations and unjust condemnations of him XR4753. Thus hath the Bramble, with the consent of the Trees, made himself King over the Children of Pride, Contention, and Strife. Besides I think I well know J.P. and have seen all or most of his Writings that he writ against thee, and thine against him; but could yet never apprehend that he hath deserved that Character of a bitter envious cruel spirit, which thou bestowest on him; for where hath J.P. in all his Writings returned railing for railing, and smitten G.F. with the fist of wickedness, as he hath reproachfully been smitten by him (and I challenge G.F. and all his men of war to prove this thy allegation against J.P. else thou hast proved thy self a Lyar and false Accuser of the innocent upon Record.) How much rather doth J.P. patiently give his Cheeck, and leave {Page 33} all to God (the righreous Judge) denying himself as one of no reputation (as his Letter doth shew) waiting for a Resurrection from the dead of the shame and reproach wherewith his Enemies have covered him, if not from that Generation G.F. calleth Friends, yet from others that must succeed him; as David did Saul in the Kingdom (from whom the Spirit of Faith, Love, and Charity, is departed) and God answering not, G.F. is now turned to the witch of the mind, mans own wisdom and understanding, which certainly can raise all that man fancies or fears to trouble him; and then walks (like him possessed) amongst the Tombs and Ghosts of Darkness, and converseth with those evil Familiars and Zyms and Jems of the Desart XR1978, I have also seen that Paper which thou sayeth J.P. left amongst Friends, cursing all those that would not observe his pretended Form; wherein according to my understanding, thou hast as much abused him, in perverting his true sense and meaning in that paper, as thou didst in his Book called Unity and Amity; and in this work of perverting, is not G.F. a murtherer of those souls whom he leads into such deceit; for ‘tis plain (to the unprepossessed mind) that J.P. curseth only that which stands out of the power and liberty of the spirit (in the Custom and Tradition of men) and that God will curse, though G.F.(by subtilty and craft) endeavours to bless: And not only J.P.’s words in that Paper, but also his constant practice, did daily demonstrate that he never intended (as thou chargest upon him) to introduce or impose the Observation of keeping on the Hat in Prayer: neither did he approve of the same (as a Form) in any man, but as they were commanded of God, and perswaded in the light of their testimony against the traditional and customary worship of others; from which ground J.P. sometimes pull’d off his Hat in Prayer, as at other times he kept it on, even as his light and freedom led him, to shew the thing was to him indifferent, and to be no part of Gods Worship: and surely had not G.F. opposed J.P.’s obedience to God Commands, there would have been no division amongst Friends in this thing; but he setting himself above all that is called God in his Brethren, hath caused this confusion. And whether G.F. by opposing J.P. doth not preach to the world that the light is an uncertain thing, and that himself is an Enemy to the leadings thereof, and a Judge above it? But now whether G.F. be as clear from prescribing and imposing on others (what himself practiseth as his pretended Form) will be worth the pains to examine: And because this may tend to the undeceiving of the minds of many simple ones who are engaged to follow G.F. as their Lord and Leader (either for love of the loaves or some other carnal end) and not from any command of God upon their spirits (thus the many Pastors have spoiled Gods Vineyard) I shall therefore take liberty, first to enquire, Whether G.F. hath at anytime (to shew that thing indifferent) kept on his Hat in {Page 34} Prayer, or had a Command from the Lord (at all times) to pull it off? If neither, whether then this be not thy pretended customary set Form and not J.P.’s whose liberty of practice in either hath demonstrated the contrary. Secondly, Whether the Action of keeping on the Hat in Prayer be more sinful in the Male than in the Female? Or whether the Hat or not Hat be not all one in the Worship of God, which is Spiritual? And (if so) why is it that thou in the Book against John Harwood, sayest that men with their Hats on in Prayer are like a Company of Women and that thou hast no unity with them that keep on their Hats in Prayer? Whether this was not intended as a reproof to those that keep on their Hats, and also to impose G.F.’s pretended form upon others, I refer to the judgment of the wise in heart to determine. But why must the Hat be kept on, when common civility and courtesie to man is concerned, and pull’d off only to worship God with? Is not this to obtrude thy customary traditional Form in both? Pray consider and tell me who is the imposer on the Faith first delivered to the Saints, G.F. or J.P. in these and other like things; wherein thou hast taken upon thee to judge thy innocent Brethren, and in those matters God doth justifie them in ? And what is the name Quaker, which thou givest thy self in thy great Books called, The Quakers Answer to Priests and Professors? Doth the tru light distinguish Saints from others by such Formal Appellations? Or was this done, that it might be known who thou ownest, and who are thy Men of War, that fight under the number of thy name; that thou deniest all others? And what is thy Form of words (in Thee and Thou) but a customary singularity in speech, another mode of speaking, than which is commonly used; which no way respects the truth of what is spoken? Pray tell me is not truth (where understood) the language of Canaan, in what Speech or Dialect soever exprest? Or did the Disciples of Christ (in their Declarations of truth to every man in his own language) refuse that Dialect either of the Medes, Persians, Egyptions, or any other) by which they could only convey the truth to their understandings? Or is Thou more acceptable to God than You in the Declaration of Truth? I believe those words and that language which proceeds from the Spirit of Love is best and most acceptably received by them that are in the same Spirit.
And what is there in refusing to swear after that manner which the Magistrate commands, while in the mean time you will call God to witness to what you affirm for truth; is it any more than to oppose the Magistrates Form by your own? Doth not he that speaks the Truth (and calleth God and man to witness the same) swear by Christ Jesus the Truth and Oath of God? Doth true swearing consist in the meer Ceremony of Kissing the Book, or stands it not rather in calling God to record to the truth which we declare? And yet this manner of Swearing is owned by G.F. and his Friends, as (in a Discourse between {Page 35} Richard Huberthorne and the King, now in print) is plainly evident: and what is all this but to swallow the Camel and swear substantially, while you strain at the Gnat of some small Ceremony which the Magistrate thinks fit to enjoyn, perhaps more to obtain credit from those who have Conscience in such a Form of Swearing, rather than to offend them that know how to distinguish between the Ceremony and the Substance (and is not Verily, Verily, a kind of Oath and more than Yea and Nay?) And doth not St. Paul say (who had Christ Jesus in him) That he called God to record upon his soul, &c. And is not this a great Oath? And why may not the Son do what he seeth the Father do? who swore Gen. 50,24. Exod 33.1. Psal, 89.49. and 110.4. Luke 1.73. Acts 2.30. Hebr. 3.11. and * 6.13. and 16. 17. and whether you have any other thing to rule and guide you (in not swearing) save the Letter? And whether that be not more against you than with you, I leave to the wise in heart (who have read and are acquainted with the Scriptures) to judge in this case.
Have not also the Quakers (as the Sects) their appointed daies, their set times and seasons to meet, teach the Worship of God? (What else are their New Moons for monthly meetings) with their 1,2,3,4,5, and 6th daies, assemblies? Are not all these formal and customary, and rather more to set some distinction between them and other Sects, than from any clear Testimony that the Lord at all times leadeth them into these observations? However these Traditions are become Idols of so great value that they (not only) suffer (as Papists and other Sects do) the loss of much outward peace and happiness to uphold them (but also at the same time) do grieviously persecute those of their Brethren, who with themselves hold the head (as Christ is the true Light which enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world) and that this Spirit of Light and Life ought to rule and guid every one in things appertaining to God; and not only differ from them in those (fore-named or the like) their Traditions and Observation: what evil had they else against divers others (that loved James Nayler and G.F.) whom they so oft scourged in and cast out of their Synagogues (their hearts) and (by false reports and evil surmisings) sold into Egypt. And doth it not appear by all this strife and contention about these shadows and Ceremonial circumstances, that the holiness and righteousness of the Quakers doth much hang upon the outside of the Cup and Platter; and stand not in that inward circumcision of the heart, whose praise is (not of man) but of God? So ye, as other sects, continue teaching one another; but the People of the Lord are only and alone taught of him and thereby brought into peace and rest Hallelujah. XR1612. I would not however be herein understood to enveigh against your form more than against others, nor your zealous, consciencious , and strict walking therein; I know you must and ought to be, while your perswasion is such: but (in as much as you claim this priviledge to your selves) why {Page 36} should you deny it to others to walk as God enlightens them? This is that spirit of usurpation under which the Creation of God groans at this day, and is certainly that evil destroying devouring spirit that takes Peace from the Earth, and hath bred the famine which is so evidently seen even amongst the Sons and Family of Jacob. (Gods teaching) the Stone which the Builders rejected is become the Head Stone of the Corner, the which is mervellous in our eyes. Hallelujah. I would have G.F. therefore consider, That all men have not received one and the same measure of Light, for as one Star differs from another, and all different from the Moon, and both differing from the Sun in glory, some men are vessels of greater honour and some of less, yet all for the Masters use. Some labour hard in the Vineyard the whole day, receive their Penny, and ought therewith to be contented others come into the Vineyard at the last hour, and are as a Nation born at once into the rewards of heavenly and divine enjoyments. And is it seemly for any one (to be like Jonas) angry with God for shewing his abundant mercy to some more than others, according to the free distribution of his own Favours. So there are diverse operations and dispensations, yet all good, as having their beginning and end in God. And why therefore may not God enjoyn that as an Ordinance too day, and give his power to it also, which too morrow he will lay aside as useless, and by which his withdrawing his power from it, leave it no better than a dead Idol; such was the brazen Serpent, such were the Temple and the Tabernacle, such were the Legal Offerings, the Jewish Ceremonies and Sacrifices; and such also are many things at this day (both amongst the Quakers and other Sects) which have been Forms and Figures of good things to come: but that being withdrawn, are become dead and cold, as Idols of no use. Wherefore my advise is that all men walk as they see and have received from the Lord, and none to look out at others or to call any man Master or Father of their spirits, save God only; and if the Lord commands any to forsake Father or Mother the Forms or Traditions brought up in, ought not all rather to obey God than man? Consider this G.F. and whether to forsake our own Guid and to follow thee or any number of People that call themselves a Church, whether this usurpation did not at first lead the Church of Rome into the Apostacy; and whether it will not the second time lead the Quakers to apostatize from the true Faith once delivered to them, let the wise in heart judge? XR2126 And why shouldG.F.* be offended at him that hath Conscience or no Conscience of an Idol? Let him to whom an Idol is nothing, to whom all shadows, Types and Figures, are come to an end, let him exercise his freedom; yet with all tender love and forbearance to those that see not the same liberty XR7529: so let not the weak (as they are most apt to do) judge the strong. And truly till the Spirit of Love and Reconciliation {Page 37} be brought forth, wherein every Christian shall willingly leave each other to the guiding of Gods holy Spirit of grace (in that form they are brought up in) the strife which is occasion’d by outward traditional observations will never cease, and the weighty matters of the Law (as love, mercy, truth, equity and righteousness) will be most neglected; which is the whole sum and substance of all God requireth, and without which, all assemblings, prayings, and preachings (together with all external devotions) are nothing worth, but are as sounding brass and tinkling Cymbals XR6484. So that if men were Christians indeed, they would bring forth fruits worthy of this high calling; by walking in that humble, harmless, meek and loving spirit of Christ, wherein he himself walked, then would envying and disputing about the outward body of truth cease, together with all evil surmisings, backbitings and persecutions of all sorts whatsoever, by which, all men will know you to be the true disciples of Christ, that chosen Generation and Royal Preist-hood of Heaven: which innocent, harmless, tender, loving Spirit of Grace I commend to thee and all men of all sects and opinions in the whole world, by it to be led and taught, and in it to live and dye XR7349. Hallelujah.
And as G.F. hath exercised his cruel enmity against J.P. hunting him (as Saul did David) by thy papers and evil spirit which thou hath begotten and raised in others against him whithersoever he went; so I have just cause to believe it was the same spirit that acted in thee (and other of thy friends) against James Naylor in the day of his visitation and tryal, when he was led by the spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil, for did not G.F. (during J.N.’s imprisionment in the West) come thither to him, accusing, threatening, and condemning him as one departed from the truth, and that had lost his authority; also tempting him with fair speeches and promises, if he would bow down and be obedient to him: To all which threats and promises J.N. being silent and regardless, and G.F. thereby thinking he was cast under his subjections, heldest forth thy hand for him to kiss as a testimony of thy favour to him, and of his obedience to thee; which he refusing to do, didst thou not immediately offer thy foot to him, saying thou wert mistaken, it should have been thy foot and not thy hand. I appeal to thine own conscience, whether this Allegation be not true, for I assure thee, I received it from J.N.’s own mouth, as I went with him from London to Bristol to receive his Crufixion there. Doth not this manifest G.F. to have lost his guide, and that he is elevated above the fear of God and life of love, and to be possest and led by the spirit of Destrophes, who sought preheminence. Moreover, didst not thou G.F. and thy friends, still continue your enmity towards him, so long, till for love and peace sake he bowed down to thee, making himself of no reputation, yea sin, that knew none, rather then ye by continuing your enmity against him should destroy your souls whom he so much loved; and was not this, think ye, the mind of Christ Jesus in J.N. which ye call his weakness, fall and recantation; which nevertheless these Scriptures, (viz. {Page 38} Phil. 2.5. and 6. & 7. 1 Cor. 2.16. Rom. 15.3. and 9.3. 2 Cor. 5. 21.) call his strength and his conformity to Christ. Further, didst not thou, G.F. (before J.N.’s tryal at Westminster) give forth a paper under thy hand, wherein thou didst not only judg him thy self, but also provoked other thy friends to do the like, saying in thy Paper, Friends shall not be judged for judging of him; and was not this Judas his spirit, and the first cause or ground of separation, and of Friends judging their innocent Brethren, and betraying one another; though in that Paper thou didst not declare (much less prove) the least evil J.N. had said or done. This Paper of thine was openly laid upon the Table in the little Room by G.R.’s meeting Room, for any to see, especially those in the ministry; which Paper I took (G.F. being present) and have it still by me in this Island, to shew to any that herein desire satisfaction : and was it not Core, Dathen, and Abiram’s spirit writ this Paper? From all which, ‘tis clearly evident, that G.F.’s charge against J.P. is fallen upon his own head, (viz.) that he is full of pride and arrogancy (even as the Pope and Lucifer) seeking his own honour preheminence and interest, but in the wrong power; one who would have compassed all if he could, who like a Dog, is snarling at, and biting all such as are in the life of truth (even all that differ from him, and will not call G.F. master of their faith, practice, and spirit;) and so like a Dog thou art like to die: that thou hast not out-lived envy and strife, but art in persecution, and in hypocrisie and pride. I say, search with the candle of the Lord, and see whether thou are not more guilty of these things than J.P. whom thou so fiercely hast accused and comdemned? also, whether by thy bitter instigation of others against J.N. thou hast not (as thou saidst of J.P.) thrown thy excrements amongst Friends; and by thy subtile endeavours to render the names of J.N. and J.P. (with others) odious, all which are but snares of craft and cruelty, wherein the Judgment of God hath catched thee, Dost thou think the work thou hast begun, in rending and tearing one another, will cease so long as one stone stands upon another (I tell thee nay) for so long it will continue till Quakers cease from man, and stand fixed upon the rock which is higher than G.F. XR4580 And because the hour of the Judgment is come (wherein that which hath a long time been in secret, must by the witness of truth be now declared on the top of thy Tabernacle) and some there are prepared for such an hour, a day, a month, and a year. But before I leave this business of J.N. I cannot but observe one thing of thee which is remarkable (and which many in that day took special notice of ) via. that in those very things in which the worlds Rabble, and many angry Quakers had (with Herod and Pilate) united in the condemnation of J.N. for that some had bowed to him, and sang Hosanna before him, wash’d and kiss’d his feet, and called him by the name of Jesus, Prince of peace, &c. Yet in these didst not thou, G.F. (after thy former censures) plead his cause before the parliament by Papers thou gavest me to deliver to them (four whereof have been printed in a Narrative of J.N.’s sufferings) proving those things lawful and good, if done to the seed ( as thou sayest) from whence (I say) some have concluded, that if those very things had been openly acted (as thy were in a private chamber) to the seed of exaltation, pride, and self-love in G.F. (as they were to that innocency, humilty, and self-denial inJ.N.) all had been well approved, both by G.F. and all that owned him; who notwithstanding judged J.N. therein, as one that had lost his authority, was fallen from the truth, and with whom they had no unity. Thus hath the just suffered by the unjust, of whom thou thy self (notwithstanding all thy fair pretences to truth and love) are now found to be the chief opposer, which shews (exalted Capernaum) how the mighty are fallen, and left to be of that generation, one guilty of all the innocent blood shed from righteous Abel to this day, who being now taken in thy craft and subtilty, must be judged according to thy works, which have manifested thee to be a head and member of the false Church, and not of the true, whereof Christ Jesus is head. And some there are prepared and appointed to this work, who (being faithful and chosen) have received power from God to judg Angels that are fallen (who would have made they self master over the faith and light of Christ Jesus, in J.N. and in many others;) and of this be thou certain, G.F. that the day is at hand wherein the righteous God will judg for the poor of his stock, and will distinguish between Cattel and Cattel, viz. those full and pamper’d Professors, who have trampled upon the food of others, and mudded the waters which the poor in spirit wait at, that gore and thrust at the weak, hungring and thirsting flock of God, those that in the simplicity of their minds prize the lowest of Gods feeding, and will either go or stay, walk or lie down, only when and where the Shepherd of their soul guideth them: I say, the eternal God is come to give righteous Judgment, who will gather the Lambs with his Arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young; but (markG.F ) the fat and the strong will God feed with Judgment. And how righteous is it that the judgment wherewith thou hast judged the innocent should now fall upon thy head, as measure for measure, which surely now lies at thy door ready to be poured out, for thou hast not remembered the afflictions of Joseph, but hast evilly intreated them, and lorded thy self over the light of God in others, and thereby carried them out of the sure way (wherein the fool cannot err) into the darksome and lonesome wilderness of strife and contention, where many have perished in the loss of their true guide, which would have led them into unity and amity, the City of rest and safety: Therefore shalt thou also fall unlamented, and those poor worms that have enthroned thee as Lord and King over their consciences, and have been estranged from {Page 40} their true guide, shall (in Gods due time) cease from man, and ascribe unto God only as the light and life of their souls, yea, curse their God and their King:(mark G.F.) for the hour of Gods judgment against Babylon, (that adulterate spirit which leads from the anointing to hearken to words of mans wisdom) is come, (and then is that Scripture fulfilled, Herod is eaten up of worms,) and Babylon (amongst the Quakers) fall'n like a milstone into the Sea, never more to rise again, Hallelujah.
Thus G.F. at the command of the Lord; and for loves-sake to the souls of those poor Lambs I see he slain under the Altar (of love, to truth and righteousness, and for their testimony thereunto) have I written, and sent these things as the return of thy own money in thy own sack, that thou mayest see from whence thou art fallen; and consider whose Image and Superscription thou now bearest, Whether that of the Lamb or that of the Dragon: In which Spirit of the Lamb, I am a lover of thee, and of all men and creatures, whilst I am, and when no more.
By the help of my God I have leaped over a wall; a whited wall and painted Sepulchre. Hallelujah.
When G.F. offered to J.N. his hand, and afterwards his foot to kiss, whether J.N. in falling down and worshipping, had not given that honour to man which belongs to God alone, which honour the faithless generation gives and received one of another, and not the honour that cometh from God alone: and when James Naylor and several others went down upon their knees before G.F. to confess, &c. (as divers have reported that were eye-witnesses) and what my self have seen at John Kilams at Balby), A Woman fall down before G.F. near an hours time (he never so much as reproved her;) and is not this to worship men, which is Idolatry: and when Solomon Eccles cryed up G.F. to be God, and not a man, whether this were not blasphemy against God, and to worship the creature mor than the Creator, blessed for ever. Amen. And how can you believe aright that thus seek and receive honour one of another, and not the honour which comes from God alone. Hallelujah.
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