The
Preface
to the
Reader.
Reader,Preface
to the
Reader.
Thou art here presented with the Copy of a Letter, wherein thou wilt find (upon reading) a Discovery made of the transactions of the Governing Quakers, both in some of their Persons singly, and in their Body, or Convention, jointly: For thou shouldest know, that the Quakers have for some years formed themselves into a kind of Politic-Ecclesiastick Body, and have held their Meetings for matters of Covenant, every Monday, or Second day of the week, at Devon-shire House: there they take cognizance of those things that concern them as Quakers, that is, A party of Fox that desire to appear different from all others in Religion, Government, Speech, Apparel, Civil Converse, and what not.
Of some of their Transactions in these Meetings, thou maist perhaps have read in a Book intituled the Quakers Spiritual Court, writ by one Smith, who had been a Quaker, but was gone from them. This piece which is now put into thy hands, appears also to be writ by a Quaker, and one that is still (at the writing of this) in Principle and Practice; but offended at the governing Body, by reason of their Defection, as he conceives, from their former Principles in their present Practices, as in the Letter it self will fully appear; wherein he doth not only declare matter of Fact, But compares it with the Quakers Principles, and the Practices of the Apostastised Romanists, and others, whom they condemn.
The Quakers are wont to glory in their Profession, as standing not in word, but in power; Whereby they seem to mean the excellent Conversation of their People above all others; But if particular Persons among them transgress so manifestly, that it cannot be excused, then they defend themselves, as others do, by saying, That it is no fault of their Principles, but the Person, that did not walk according to his Principles; But if it do appear, as here it doth, that not only as particular persons, but as a Body, they are guilty of the like Tyranny, Oppression, Persecution, &c. as other faulty Bodies or Corporations, I hope we shall not suffer our selves to be imposed upon by their nauseous Self-commendations, to believe that they transcend all others, or that their Principles are better than those of other Christians whom they condemn, at least it will not appear from their Practices that they are so.
I must needs say, I see no reason at all why the writings of particular persons, that are of the greatest eminency among them, who write in their names, and are generally, if not universally, approved by them, as written by their true spirit, should not be imputed to the Quakers, as Quakers; but that what they do as a Body and Society should reflect upon them as such, I cannot see with what face they can deny.
I do indeed easily foresee, they will endeavour to invalidate the Evidence that is here given against them, from the want of the Authors name; To which exception I have this to say to the judicious Reader;
(1.) That in truth, I do not know his name, for that Copy it pleased God to bring to my hand, had no Name subscribed, nor was it addressed to any; and the person from whom I had it, either cannot, or will not (being perhaps engaged to the contrary) tell me the Authors name.
But (2.) I suppose the considerate reader may find sufficient reason, from the intrinsic nature of this Relation, and from the circumstances wherewith it is accompanied, to exact of him credence of the matters of Fact contained in it; If not, he is at his liberty to judge as he shall see cause.
(3.) I desire the Reader to consider what weight is to be put upon, or what credit is to be given to the name of an obscure Author, when even Mr. Pen, the Son Of Sir William Pen deceased, hath (for instance) failed so egregiously in his Book entitled, The Spirit of the Quakers tried, that in relation thereto, and after a diligent comparing of these two pieces, Mr. John Faldo in his Book entituled Quakerism no Christianity, hath given this judgment; But for Pen’s sake I shall believe it more than possible, that a man of the highest pretences, having some more than ordinary means to deal rightly and ingeniously, may yet so far deceive my expectations, as to give the highest Contradictions to them all. Part. 3 S.1
And how ordinary a thing it is, in these times, for one Controvertist to charge the other with notorious falsities in matters of Fact; what credit then to be given to mens Names, except other things concur to give testimony to their Narratives?
(4.) I am not conscious to my self of any the least injury I have done to the Copy, or undue practice in presenting it, God knows, I believe the publishing it may be useful to the Publick.
There was one line in the Copy which could not be so read as to be made Sence of, and therefore ‘twas left out. I shall say no more, but assure the Reader, the Author seems to me to be faithful and ingenious, however let him judg of him and his work as he sees cause.
Farewel.
G.J.
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