The Exalted Diotrephes Reprehended

An Exalted Diotrephes
REPREHENDED,
Or the Spirit of
Error and Envy
in
William Rogers against the Truth

And many of the Antient and Faithful Friends thereof, Manifested in his late Monstrous Birth, or Work of Darkness, (viz.) his False and Scandalous Book, Intituled, The Christian Quaker Distinguished, &c., Wherein he hath discovered himself to be an Apostate and not the True Christian Quaker; but as one driven out of the Presence of the Lord, and Unity with His Chosen People.
Also a Comparison between his said Book, and many Exhortations and Reproofs, Contained in an Epistle, given forth under his Hand against that Spirit, and work of Division, he is now fallen under; whereby his Apostacy, Self Contradiction, and Confusion may appear.

To be dispersed only among Friends, unless his Book is made more Publick.

Out of my Mouth will I Judge thee, thou Wicked Servant, Lu. 19.22.
But Evil Men and Seducers shall Wax worse and worse, Deceiving and being Deceived, 2 Tim. 3.13,14.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast Learned, and been Assured of, knowing of whom thou hath Learned them, vers. 14.
In vers. 9,10. But Diotrephes, who Loveth to have the Preheminence, prating against Us with malicious Words, &c.

London, Printed for John Bringhurst, Printer and Stationer, at the Sign of the Book in Grace-Church-Street. 1681.

Let it not seem strange to any, As though some new thing had happened to Us, that We have Occasion thus publickly to Appear against One that hath made Profession of the Truth with Us, but is gone out from Us; according to that of 1 John 4.2 & 1.9. They went out from Us, but they were not of Us; for if they had been of Us, they would no doubt have Continued with Us: But they went out, that they might be made Manifest that they were not of Us.

THE
PREFACE

Amongst the many Exercises and Perils, the Lords People in this Age, as in all Ages have met with, they have not been unacquainted with Perils by False Brethren, according to what the Apostle Paul Testified, Acts 20.30. Also of your own selves, shall Men Arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away Disciples after them; whose Qualifications are at Large spoken by the said Apostle in his Second Epistle to Timothy and Third, (viz.) Without natural Affection, Truce-Breakers, false Accusers, Incontinent, fierce Despisers of those that are Good, Traitors, Heady, High-Minded, &c. as the certain Fruits, by which they should be known.

To the Great Exercise, Grief, and Sorrow of the Faithful, there hath not been wanting divers of the like Instances of such Men, who since we have been a People, have Arisen from amongst our selves (as this Man William Rogers now doth) under the Profession of the Truth, to oppose and gain=say the Blessed Order and Government thereof, whereby the loose Conversations of the Wicked are Restrained or Judged, and the Truth cleared from the Reproach thereof XR6495. And these have not been without the like specious pretences with William Rogers, as standing up for the Antient Testimony, and Principle of the Light, and against Apostacy, setting up Mans Prescriptions, Impositions, Innovations, Persecutions, &c. but their Fruits withering: And their End hath made them Manifest, as this Mans also doth, and will do, to be the Men Apostatized themselves, Led, and Acted by a Spirit that would open a Gap, and break down the Hedge, that every Man may do as he List, whilst under the Profession of the same Truth, without being called to Account, and dealt with in a Gospel=Church Order for it XR6594.

This small Treatise is not Intended for a full Answer to William Rogers’s Voluminous Book, which requires considerable time for Inspection into divers Matters and Papers; for such a Reply to trace him in all his False Insinuations, grievous Perversions, and notorious false Charges of many Innocent Men, and Faithful and Eminent Labourers in the Work of the Gospel amongst Us, already Manifest to Us by their Answers and Certificates in Writing; wherein they have Largely Vindicated their Innocency, in most, if not all those things relating to matter of Fact, alledged against them, especially G.F. and have caused Copies thereof to be Delivered to William Rogers many Months since, and long before his Book was in the Press: Such more full Answer more publickly to be made, we Refer to some other Hand or Hands, who are Eminently concerned to do it. In the mean time, we thought it not Amis, to give the Reader some short discovery of the Subject, and Occasion of the Differences William Rogers Writeth about; and of His Work in General; and that by Comparing his former Exhortations and Reproofs, with his late Printed Book; and Behaviour amongst Us; the Reader may have some Taste of his Spirit of Errour and Envy, and be cautioned in himself thereby, how he gives Credit to his many, and false Accusations against the Innocent.

{Page 7} An Exalted Diotrephes Reprehended.

When the Unclean Spirit is gone out of a Man, he walketh through dry Places seeking Rest, and finding none, Then he saith, I will Return into mine House, from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it Swept and Garnisht.

Then Goeth he and taketh with himself Seven other Spirits, more wicked than himself, and they Enter in, and Dwell there; and the last State of that Man is worse then the first, even so shall it be to this Wicked Generation, Mat. 12. vers. 43, 44, 45.

That this is the Case of this miserable Man William Rogers, manifested by his late Fruits, is past doubt with us, whom, through Unwatchfulness, Disobedience, and Rebellion against God (which is as the Sin of Rebellion against God (which is as the Sin of Witchcraft) the unclean Spirit and Adversary of Mans Soul, the old Accuser of the Brethren, hath thus Entred, and Exalted upon the Pinnacle of his own conceited Abilities; and having now the Rule in him, and over him, makes War through him, against the Lamb and his followers; and having fitted him for his Service, now sets him about that which hath been all along his Work (viz.) To Reproach the faithful People of God, the whole Profession, and the good Order and Government of the Truth, which the Lord hath brought forth amongst them (as that which striketh at the downfal of his Kingdom) {Page 8} with many false and opprobrious Accusations as of being Apostatized, and Guilty of Imposition, Persecution, Innovation, Gentilian=Lordship, Blind Obedience, &c. Whereby William Rogers hath not only Rankt himself among a Number of those Apostates, who from the beginning in a Spirit of Enmity and Prejudice have risen up like Core (saying) You take too much upon you, against the Heavenly Care and Order of such as truely Fear and Love God, and in whom, as he himself hath confessed, God hath opened Councel for that End (viz.) To be as helps and Governments in the Church, which are not to be Despised, being in Subjection to Christ the one head, and Law-giver. But as may appear in the Following Epistle, with this Aggravation, That which he formerly Approved and Exhorted to, he is now found fighting against, and what he then severly detested and reproved in others, He is now found heinously Guilty of himself (viz.) of Representing such as Aiming at other Ends and Interests, in such their Religious Care, and Heavenly Order and Government, than Christ’s Interest and Government over All; whereby out of his own Mouth he is Condemned.

And now for as much as he has so publickly, and injuriously appeared in his late Book, to the great Scandal of our Profession, as an open Enemy to the Truth, we are concerned for the Honour of the Lord’s Name, which is dear unto us, publickly to make him manifest (A work otherwise not pleasing to Us) that he may proceed no further but that his Folly may appear to all Men, and that the Ignominy and Reproach, he hath as much as in him lieth, brought upon the Lord’s People, and faithful Labourers, and their Holy Profession may be Rouled and Washed away.

But before we proceed to make William Rogers manifest by his late Fruits among us, we think it requisite to give some short account of the Subject, Occasion, {Page 9} and present state of the Divisions mentioned in his Book, and how William Rogers is concerned therein.

Many of the antient and faithful Brethren of the Northern parts, as we are credibly informed, being under an Exercise in their Spirits, by reason of the Unfaithfulness of some that walk amongst them, with Respect to divers things, amongst whom J.S. J.W. &c. were Interested, they had a godly care upon their Spirits, to make a narrow search and inspection thereinto, which the Guilty could not bear, but set themselves to oppose their proceedings; by which means a great difference arose: so that the Friends who were zealous against such as were Backsliding from the Truth, and its Heavenly way and Testimonies, remained some time under a burthen and exercise because thereof. At length, as we are credibly informed, the Friends of the Quarterly Meeting at Kendal, made known their Exercise to divers other Brethren, desiring a meeting with J.S. and J.W. before them, in order to the composing the Difference, which was Rejected by them. However, those Friends and Brethren sent to them again, and also some of them went to them, and appointed a Meeting, near the place where they were, desiring them to come, but they would not, as holding themselves not obliged to submit to them in that case, and leaving things under this state of Disreconciliation, came into the South, making their complaints, and spreading their differences, particularly amongst us at Bristol, where they met with some that adhered to them, strengthened them, and set them up, too forwardly Espousing the Cause upon the alone hearing of their Complaints against the Friends of the other Party, who were far distant from us; amongst the rest, William Rogers was an early Proselite, and so great a Devotee to these mens Interest, that he industriously laboured to Proselite others there-unto, upon {Page 10} the Credit of his pretended knowledge of the ground of those Differences: what an evil Instrument this man was, from the beginning thereof, in this City and elsewhere, is not easily to be Related, how he forstering up J.S. and J.W. laboured to stave off the early endeavours and expedients for reconciliation, as being not altogether suited to his mind, who was now become as a Master of this Faction, with which some of this City were like to be led aside, whose Souls the Lord in his Mercy hath rescued out of the Snare XR5419.

The Intelligence of those Differences, spreading through divers Parts of the Nation, especially where J.S. and J.W. Travelled and Resorted; a Concern under the Apprehension of the evil consequences thereof came upon some Antient Brethren, to endeavour a speedy stop thereto, moved for a new Hearing, which at length was agree to on all hands. Accordingly a meeting was appointed, and held a Drawel in York-shire, Anno 1676. to which resorted several of the Ancient Friends and Brethren, leaving all Occasions and Relations in love to God, and earnest desires for the preservation of the Church’s Peace.

After their great Travel, and tender Endeavours, then for Reconciliation and Peace, J.S. and J.W. being bowed into some Degree of Submission, at length produce a Paper Containing a Condemnation against themselves.

It may not be amis here to Relate out of W.R. his Narrative, the Character he hath given of the Temper and Frame of the Spirits of those Brethren at the Meeting a Drawel, when they gave forth their Sence, and Account, concerning the Difference relating to J.S. and J.W. which doth not a little confirm the integrity and Soundness of it, being from the Pen of so great an Opposer and Villifier, as he hath Manifested himself to be.

{Page 11} The words of W. Rogers on the aforesaid account are, that,

In all friends there appeared as far as I could perceive, a spirit inclined to peace and unity in the Truth, many hearts being bowed down, in the earnest desires of their souls breathing unto God, and that in great Zeal, and sincerity for the gathering them into nearer Union and fellowship with their brethren therein.

Again, in his account of the Fourth days Travel, he saith as follows.

The Matter so gone through, and ended, the brethren waited, and great was the exercise that was upon their spirits, for a very considerable time; after some silence the brethren chosen at London, and many other Friends, that were not of the six last chosen, spoke their sense and Judgment upon the whole matter, not only relating to the fact before them, but also to that spirit, which according to their inward sense, caused a separation to this effect:

That they (viz.) [I.S. and] I.W. had not kept in Unity with their brethren as they ought to have done; but had let in jealousies, doubts and scruples, whereby they had given way to a spirit of division and separation; which spirit they did condemn and judge, yet so as there appeared amongst the brethren a Travelling Love and Life beyond that I can now declare, that they might not be cut off from them, but brought into perfect Unity with them: so that at length, the two accused brethren, being, as I was perfectly sensible, ready to condescend to their brethren, therein, so far as their understandings were opened, brought forth this Insuing Paper of satisfaction to their Travelling brethren, and the Church of Christ. Thus far R.W.

{Page 12} Here follows their Paper of Condemnation.

We are sensible, that in the hour of temptation, that hath appeared though us, which hath given an occasion of offence to the Churches of God, unto whom the knowledge of the Northern differences hath come, and since the inward sense of our brethren, who we are sensible, have a Travel on their spirits, for preservation of peace and Unity in the Church of God, concerning us is such, That Jeaslousies have entred us, and that we have been at sometimes exercised in things, tending to oppose Friends in the practice of those things, that they testifie, are commendable in the Church of God; we are sorry that any weakness should appear in us to give occasion for such offence, and ¹ as satisfaction to our brethren, and the Church of God in general, we do from the very bottom of our hearts condemn that spirit, whether it hath appeared in us or any, that hath given offence to the Church of God in general, or that oppose the order of the Gospel, or any faithful Brethren in the practice of those things they believe are their Duty. XR3873

This paper being sent to some Friends in divers parts of the Nation, for the satisfaction of such to whom the knowledge of the differences had come; the end for which it was given forth J.S. and J.W. were offended at it, set themselves to etenuate (or take off) the weight of it; not owning it according to the common acceptation of A condemnation of themselves therein; confessing, they owned the Paper, but in another sence, than against themselves. Notwithstanding, what it plainly imports, and they {Page 13} knew the brethren took it for; and William Rogers, who confessed he drew it for J.S. and J.W. Reported, there was nothing in it; and that the most innocent man amongst us might own it, and never hurt himself; and that is was no better than a Rattle to please Children: implying, those Friends and Brethren Assembled at Drawel, he hath, as before Recited our of his own Narrative, given such a Character of: and these things we have proved already by sufficient Witnesses, out of his own mouth, instead of bringing Fruits of Peace and Humiliation, that said J.S. and J.W. having dealth thus un-sincerely with the Brethren, began a new Quarrel with them that were concerned in the hearing and declaring the judgment of the Spirit of truth, at Drawel, concerning the differences, &c. calling their Account, a lying Narrative, and charging them with doing wickedly by them, both by word and writing; W.R.: also joining with them, who by this time began to be desparate, and warmly to engage in their Quarrel; and in defence of their pretended Innocency, they set themselves to oppose and Exclaim against the proceedings of the Brethren at Drawel-Meeting, with many opprobrious terms, in perfect contraries to the Character W.R. had before given thereof; all which things have been made appear at large. And instead of breaking up their separate Meeting, or clearing themselves of them (which is a publick Ensign of Division, and Reproach to the Truth) and instead of making void their Subscription, tending to a separation, both are continued with J.S. and J.W.’s names thereto, whereby some have been encouraged in the Divisions XR6545; and so far have they made void (as to themselves) the benefit of all the Transactions of the Meeting at Drawel. And now because the Friends of Truth, cannot be at Peace and Unity with them in their work of Separation and Division; but keep the Spirit of sound judgment upon the dividing Spirit, {Page 14} and are at a distance from them, until they Repent, and be Reconciled, therefore are they disquieted.

And as for William Rogers their furious Warrier, and whom they have permitted to fight their Battells for them against the Lamb’s followers, we have look’d upon him of late, as A Man Tormented in Spirit, under the disappointments he hath met with in his way on the one Hand, in not being able to Effect that Mischief of Division and Separation, which both publickly, and privately he hath Laboured to bring to pass² in this City, about those Men; and on the other Hand, finding the Cause of his Party, whom under pretence of Crying down Man, he hath industriously Laboured to Exalt Man or Men above, as well as against their Brethren XR3735, notwithstanding all his Endeavours, Manifestly to Decline, not only in the General, but in the Consciences of some from amongst themselves, as by divers Testimonies under many of their Hands, shewing how they were Betrayed, and Led aside from the Antient Unity, to joyn in a Subscription of Party with J.Story and J. Wilkinson, may be made appear.

And now, as to the utmost Mischief, W.R. is able to do, he hath in the Bitterness and Envy of his Spirit and Power of Darkness, with which of late he hath been Acting, Printed his most scandalous and abusive Book, which he had long threatened to bring forth, and which is now come Abroad; and so wicked, that we must needs say, though we knew the Mans lofty Spirit, and expected no other than bad from him; yet we are sorry for his sake, at what he hath brought forth, it being so Monstrous, and Confused. and abundantly supplyed with the most grievous Falsehood, wicked Perversions, and Mis-representations of many Faithful and Innocent Men, who {Page 15} truly fear God, though he hath for the most part omitted their Names, which we take not to be out of Favour or Kindness in him towards such; but rather under apprehension, that the Eminency of divers of them, together with the Credit of their Integrity in the Consciences of persons of all Qualities and Degrees, would have but worsted and disserted his Cause: and for as much as it is Evident to us, that the Generality of the People called Quakers in this Nation (some few here and there, in some Countries excepted) are at Unity with those Brethren in their Testimony against this Spirit and Work of Division, William Rogers is now principally concerned in, and for which those Brethren are so villified and abused in William Rogers his Book, we cannot but look upon such his Injuries and Reproaches, to extend through them to the Body of the People called Quakers in this Nation, and their Holy Profession, thereby prostrated to the publick Ignominy and Contempt of the open and secret Enemies of the Truth, who may be too apt to believe what he Writeth: which being duely considered, let all that have the Fear of God before their Eyes, Judge whether the Man, that is Guilty of these things , can be rightly esteemed a True Chrisitian Quaker. We having thus given a short, but true Account of the Occasion, Subject, Proceedings, and Continuance of the present Differences, shall proceed to say something of William Rogers his late behaviour amongst us, in this City.

His Qualifications (with Respect to his Profession) of being a True Christian Quaker, is that we are concerned about; and to lay him open, as they have been plentifully Manifested to us, by his behaviour of late Years amongst us in this City, to our Great Grief and Exercise. Know then, that whatever William Rogers hath formerly been, or whatever he is yet accounted to be, by any that taketh part with him, & hath made him as a Head & Captian in this late work {Page 16} of Strife and Division, from the Antient Unity and Fellowship in the Truth; which the Lord through his Goodness and Mercy, hath put a great stop unto, and Hedged up their War; and is now causing the Rebellious Instruments thereof to Wither and Blast, and become as Unsavory Salt, fit for nothing, but to be trodden under the Feet of Men. XR2590

And for such who have any Tenderness and Sincerity remaining in them towards the Lord and his People; such the Lord hath Gathered, and is gathering out from amongst them; especially in some of the Northern Parts, where this Division first Sprang and Arose. We say, whatever William Rogers may be accounted of, by such as take part with him:

We, whose names are Subscribed to this small Treatise (being his Neighbors) have by frequent Experience, known many times to our Grief and Sorrow; and therefore in Truth and Righteousness, and in Sincerity of Heart, we declare, that he is a Man of a Heady, Willful, high-Minded, Unruly, Passionate, and Furious Spirit; and therefore cannot be Justified: For the Sway of his Fury shall be his Destruction, if he repent not. XR6297

We have known him upon frequent Occasions, to be so very Extravagant with his Tongue, as well as his Pen (which we doubt not but in time will be undeniably Manifested in his Book) insomuch, that his many slanderous Assertions have long since been but of little Credit with us: and therefore, we conclude with the Apostle, His Religion is vain, and whatever his talk of Religion and Christianity is, it is Manifest to us, it consists more in his Head, than in his Heart; and so indeed is a Stranger to the Life of it, he being alive in the contrary Nature. And truely, he hath long been a Burthen, not only to us (but as we have too much Cause to believe) to some Hundreds in this City, by his very rude and clamorous Behaviour, at our Mens {Page 17} Meetings, as well as publick Meetings, wherein we account he hath been the chief Instrument of the great Disturbance and Disorder, that hath been at sometimes therein Manifested; though with no small Impudence he now makes mention of it in his Book, without taking Shame to himself; but Assigning to others what himself was Guilty of XR1278, as one chief cause of the present Publishing the things contained in his Book; and having thus diligently, both sought, caused, and took occasion, he now vents the Bitterness that is in his Heart, which we believe is Naucious and Offensive to them that truely Fear God amongst us.

We think it not necessary, particularly here to Recite the many Abuses of his lavish Tongue, together with his Frequent, Rude, Insolent, and Imperious Behaviour, at out Mens Meetings, as the Natural Effects of this his Qualifications before Mentioned, wherein, and whereby he hath from time to time, Industriously laboured to cause a Separation amongst us.

Neither do we think it necessary at present, to particularize his Profane Speaking concerning the Power of God, no more then we have already done, concerning his Horrible unsincere Dealing with the Brethren at Drawell, both proved out of his own Mouth, unless required thereto; and the Reason why we so think it not necessary at Present, is not only for that it would Render us much the Larger and the Credit of our testimony, not strictly Requiring it; but because some of us have already, both by Word and Writing, Charged him home with divers of these things; so that he is not Ignorant of them, for which we could never have any Satisfaction, either publick or private, to this day; in such Cases of Charge against him, his way and manner hath been, and we Judge it is according to his Principles, To Refuse the Submitting such matter to the Hearing, Judgment, and {Page 18} Determination of Friends of the Meeting, indefinitely Assembled in a Church-Way and Method, as is Establish’t amongst us, for the strenghtening the God & Reproof, & Discouragement of the Evil, and loose Walkers XR1159. But his Manner is in such Cases to urge, The Choosing so many Men on each Part, like as if the Case were about an Horse or Cow; a subtle Method of his, to shelter the Head of the Transgressor from the stroke of Righteous Judgement: a practice he hath been of late too Eminently Guilty of in our Meetings, to the Grief of the Upright: For the Transgressor will be sure to Chuse such, as are like himself, and of party with him, to stand by him to the Uttermost; and this effects but Confusion XR6536. Thus it appears it was not without Cause, that William Rogers hath stood up too Zealously for Liberty, and some of his Adherents against Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, which called them in Question for their back-sliding: seeing they, if they should submit to such Meetings are likely to have their Fleshly Liberty Restrained, XR2040 or to be publickly Judged, and Disowned for it; and this is the Reason in the Ground and Bottom whatever contrary Pretences they make that W.R. &c. are so disquieted, & of his Exclaiming in his Book against the Godly Care and Zeal, of the faithful, under the black Characters of persecution, imposition, and the like.

These things considered, we cannot but admire the confidence of W. Rogers in the 27th page of his Preface, wherein he saith, He blesseth God, that hath so preserved him, by the Arm of his power, as that none of his Opposers have, so far as he knew, laid any thing to his charge, but for things wherein he hath acted (though misrepresented by them) to keep a Conscience void of offence towards God.

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, having heard the foregoing relation of W. Rogers, his being of a heady self-willed, unruly, and passionate spirit, of his Lavish and {Page 19} abusive tongue, rude Carriage, and behaviour in meeting of late years, amongst us, do hereby certifie that to our knowledge, the Character given of him therein is true, and that we also have many times, to our great grief and exercise, been eye, and ear witnesses of his being notoriously guilty therein, to the great shame of his profession, witness our hands. Date Bristol, the 16th of the 6th Month, 1681.

Lawrence Steel,
John Moone,
John Bainton,
Henry Diddicott,
Paul Moone,
Charles Jones,
Samps. Consguarne,
John Cowlinge,
John Higgins,
John Barnes,
William Minor,
Peter Young,
James Sturridg, Jun.
William Rouch,
Thomas Bayley,
RIchard Philips,

Here follows the Epistle before mentioned under W. Rogers & Arther Eastmeads hands; together with divers brethren, who still keep their habitations in the Unity of the Spirit and power of God, given forth from the yearly Meeting, since the beginning of the Divisions, in the North, as W. Rogers confesseth by the date thereof, in the second page of his preface XR1342, and is manifest Reproof to the Spirit of Strif and Division, then at work; as also a discovery against whom, and what the instruments thereof did then, and do still oppose themselves, into the mischief of which spirit, and work, W.R. himself is of late fallen, so that he must bear his own judgement, and condemnation.

Thou art inexcusable O man! whosever thou art, that judgeth. For wherein thou judgeth another, thou comdemnest thy self. For thou that judgeth, dost the same things. But we are sure, that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things, Rom. 2.1.28.

{Page 20} The Epistle, with the following marginal observation, is here commended to the Conscience of the impartial reader. London the 26th 3d month, 1673.

Dear Friends and Brethren,

The Lord our God having by his Eternal Power, raised up, and preserved many faithful, and living Witnesses of his blessed Truth, until this Day; both for the Conversion of many from Darkness to Light, and for the building up, Establishment and Comfort therein by his own Living Word of Life and Reconciliation. And having also signally Blessed³ this precious Opportunity of our assembling together, with his glorious presence, power and Majesty, manifest among us, which many were, and are Eye witnesses of, and in the unspeakable sense thereof, many have been as melted, and their hearts exceedingly broken, and their souls overcome, and deeply affected with Gods unspeakable goodness and power, love and life, so plentifully shed abroad amongst us, and in our hearts, in the sense whereof our hearts are open, and affected towards you all, even in the same dear, and tender love and life, that is abundantly shed forth unto us, and from which our salutation is to all our dear Friends, brethren and Sisters, in this and other nations: having the General State of the Churches, and people of God opened unto us, with a tender care upon our hearts, and breathing of our souls, that they all may grow, prosper, and be preserved in Unity, Peace, and good order, that divine life and vertue may Reign, and abundantly flow over and through all, to the Replenishment, and unspeakable comfort, and you may keep out the Enemy in all his appearances, that would make divisions, and disturbances in the Churches XR2442; for at this time the Enemie is busie, and secretly at work for that end, to make rents⁴, endeavouring thereby to bring the open opposers, and adversaries of truth over; it is that strife, & division may be stirred amongst our selves, that they desire and watch for; and therefore where any are instruments thereof, they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ: but the Lord Enemy. They that make divisions⁵, and cause offences, contrary to the Gospel, and that seek to sow discord amongst brethren, are not only to be marked, but the Lord will make them manifest, and his power will bring them under, and debase them, as it hath done (and will do) that spirit that is guilty of jealousies, Evil=surmisings, whisperings, and hard speeches against the brethren, and faithful Labourers in the Lords work; it is the accuser of the brethren that strikes at their Testimony, and seeks to undermine to beget a disesteem and slight of them in it, which adversary must be watch’t against, and forever cast down and out: and we are assured from the Lord, that all sowers of discord, accusers and undervaluers of their Testimony and gifts, self-seekers Whispers, Black-bitter, and all self=willed and self=exalted spirits, God will abuse them, his eternal power will work them under and all that which offends shall be removed, Gods pure power is at work, refining, throughly purging his floor, and sanctifying his Church and people, that there may be no rent, nor schism; but that the Lord may be one, and his name one, amongst us; and blessed are you, that keep to your first love, and retain your integrity to the end XR3380. ⁶ Oh, dear friends and brethren, watch in the light against all the enemies wiles, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that she may be seen in his beauty and splendor or as a City without breaches, that peace may remain within her walls, and prosperity with in her palaces: Oh! let it be the general care of all our brethren, to whom the Lord hath committed an oversight in the Churches, to keep things quiet, and in good order by the power and wisdom of God, which is not the Author of confusion, but of peace XR1965; and that the publick affairs of Truth be managed, and carried on in the same power and wisdom, which is pure, and peaceable that all in humility may submit to Christs Rule and Government in a spirit of meekness & condescension; keep out all roughness, harshness, one towards another, and all self rule, and dominion, that is not of the life, but in the will of the flesh, and let all this be kept down for ever, and no strange fire be kindled among you, nor in your meetings: and elders, and Overseers, must not be ⁷self willed, nor soon angry, nor given to haste or passion, nor any shortness or britleness; for such keep not in a sound mind, nor in discerning, either of true judgment or mercy, which are both to be exercised, among you, as the spirit of life openeth to you the conditions and states, to which they properly belong; for as all looseness, disorderly walking, and scandalous conversations and practices, must be severly reproved, and judged out, especially amongst them that are convinced of the precious Truth, and the guilty to bear their own judgment, and burthen; so likewise mercy and forgiveness, must be extended to such as having been over-taken with a fault, comes to feel a true tenderness in their hearts through judgment, and to receive counsel that they may be preserved in fear and watchfulness: and let not Judgments, and Testimonies against miscarriages and offences be made⁸ more publick, than the miscarriages are, to harden those that miscarry, and give the adversaries of Truth advantage to throw dirt upon friends; but be careful and tender for the truth and friends in that matter, and endeavour to save the souls even of those that are tempted, and drawn aside: as also that private differences that may happen amongst any friends or brethren, be ended by some few in the wisdom and counsel of God, with as much privacy as may be, without troubling or disturbing that publick meeting, or Churches with them, and without publick reflections upon persons, where the difference or offence on either hand, is not notorious or publickly manifest, but best to be ended privately, both for the preservation of them who are concerned therein, and the preventing of such occasions, as may either stumble the weak, cause confusion, or give the world occasion to ⁹reproach friends and Truth. And friends, we do desire that all differences may be ended in the several Counties, where they do arise; and that the honour of God, and the peace of the Church, may be minded both by those who caused it to be defamed, and those who are to determine, and that none joyn with such a singular spirit as would lead him to be¹⁰ sole judge in his own cause, but in the restoring and healing spirit of Christ, both the offended, and the offender may for the truths sake submit to the power of God in his people, XR1926 in those City’s, place, or Countrys, with such friends, as the parties concerned shall call to their Assistance.

And Friends, let the Authority of Gods power, heavenly and peaceable Wisdom, be Eyed in all your Assemblies, that the Government of the Truth and Righteousness may be Exalted over All, that true Judgement and Mercy may have the place: And although a general Care be not laid upon every Member¹¹, touching the good Order and Government in the Churches Affairs; nor hath many Travelled therein: yet the Lord hath laid it more upon some, in whom he hath opened Counsel for that End XR2901; and particularly in our dear Brother, God’s Faithful Labourer, G.F. for the help of many. And God hath in his Wisdome, afforded those helps and Governments in the churches, which are not to be Despised being in Subjection to Christ, the one Head, and Lawgiver, Answering, his Witness in all, and so all necessary Counsel, Admonitions, or Testimonies¹² that have been given Forth, and Received in the Universal Spirit of Life and Unity, have their Service for God, in subjection to his Light and Subservency to, and in order to Answer the great Rule and Law of the Spirit of Life, as proceeding from it : And they that are Spiritual, will acknowledge those things spoken or written from this Spirit: and for this end, to be the Requirings of the Lord; and many divers Places have Received Help and Encouragement from him; through those helps and Governments, that he hath Afforded in the Church, the True and Living Body, which we are Members of XR3437; in which (as all keep their habitations) there is a Sweetness, & Harmony of Life, Unity, and Subjections, one to another, and a preserving one of another, in the Lord. Yet every Man in his own proper Order; for every Member of the body is not an Eye¹³; and yet each Member hath its proper place, and Service, and all in Subjection to the one Life, Power, and Head, which is Christ; & it hath been observed by us, that that Spirit which despiseth Government and Dominion, and speaks Evil of Dignities; is either a Singular, or a Self-Righteous, Self-Separating Spirit, that would (itself) bear Rule, and be Judge over all; which also Works to stumble and darken the Simple, or a Loose, Disobedient, Careles Spirit, that would not be Reformed, but altogether live at Ease in the Flesh, and Fleshly Liberty, which the Power of God will Rebuke; ¹⁴ but though he hath given us Dominion over that Spirit, and its perverse Wayes, which opposeth the Power, and would work Division, and lead into corrupt Liberty XR1848; yet ‘tis no Dominion over Faith, that we seek, but that we may be helpers of your Joy in the Lord XR3223; and you as diligent Co=workers together in the Faith and Love of God, wherein we may be all a mutual , Joy and Crown of Rejoycing, one to another, as having one Master, and we all Brethren in Him, who is the Lord of the Houshold, and God of Glory; whose Glorious presence is with is; and it is a wrong Spirit that would surmise, or insinuate Jealousies, or begat prejudice against the Faithful Labourers in the Gospel, and Helpers in Government, to Mis-represent such, as aiming at any other Ends and interests than Christ’s Interest and Government over all XR1369, which God is Record, we are clear from seeking or claiming at any other. And in his {^15] Authority and Power, we stand Witnesses against that Spirit forever, both in our open and secret Enemies, which either Smites at our Heavenly Society, or would break our Unity with the Prince of Peace, who is our Head and Lawgiver, unto whom Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers are subject, be Glory for ever, unto whose Power and Government we commit our all, and in true, and endeared Love, Rest

Your Dear Brethren

William Rogers.
Aurthur Eastmead.

William Penn,
James Hall,
George Coal,
Charles Marshall,
William Gibson,
John Moone,
John Langstaff,
Samuel Thornton,
John Bauldren,
Will. Fallowfield,
Samuel Cater,
James Adamson
Edward Brown,
James Claypoole,
Robert Barclay,
John Cox,
James Merrick,
Thomas Briggs,
Morgan Warkins,
John Rauce,
Stephen Crisp,
John Grave,
George Whitehead,
Jasper Batt,
Charles Lloyd,
Richard Almond,
Robert Cary,
Thomas Green,
John Anderdon,
Alexander Parker,
John Whitehead,
William Brend,
Thomas Salthouse,
Samuel Wattson,
Luke Howard,

We desire true Copies hereof may be Communicated to, and Read in the several Quarterly, Monethly, and other Meetings, of Friends and Brethren throughout England and elsewhere.

Now if it be queried How cometh it to pass, that William Rogers is so Metamorphosed or Changed in a few Years, as to appear thus in perfect Contradiction to himself, in judgment about the same things; either he must be in the right then, and wrong now; or contrary wise, in the right now, and wrong then?

The Answer according to the Witness of the Spirit of Truth in our hearts, and experience we have had of him by his late Fruits, that Evil (viz. Pride and Envy) hath altered his Understanding, and Deceit beguil’d his Soul, and Prejudice against the Lords Work, and many of his faithful Labourers hath Eaten as a Canker until the Love that was once raised in him, came to be destroy’d: And now his Soul is fill’d with Bitterness, in which the Enmity lodgeth, and though his pretences are high, as all his Predecessors in this Work were, in whom Satan was Transformed, and wrought in a Mystery; yet with the Light he is seen, & judged to be as they also were, in the Mystery of Iniquity: And what, though in his fallen Wisdom, which is Accurst, he lifts up himself on High, and would have the World believe, as though God had raised him up as the great Reformer of our Age; yet do we know, and are assured with many hundreds more of the Flock and Family of God in this City, and in the Counties adjacent, to whom he is personally known, That he is not of God; for, we have not only try’d his Spirit, but his Works also have made him manifest. And albeit, he begins and makes use of these Words of Christ in his abusive Book (As I hear, I judg) we know he is a man Uncircumcised in Heart and Ears, and therefore his judgment is unjust, & he hath no right to take up the words of Christ, & apply them to himself; for, he hath judged many he hath never heard. Christ said, judge not according to outward Appearance, but judge Righteous judgment: But how void William Rogers is, either of the true hearing or judgment, hath been by his Un-Christian behaviour amongst us, and by his self Contradiction, as by the foregoing Epistle, is abundantly manifest. And, truly we are sorry for him, that he should so backslide, as he hath done, and fall from the right way of the Lord, and foot-steps of his Flock and Family, which he once rejoyced in. And it’s very remarkable; to see how directly William Rogers hath troden in the same foot-steps with the several Apostates that have arisen up from among our selves, in that, like Saul against David, he hath so malitiously level’d his Arrows, and cast his Javlin against that one Man, G.F. above all others; loading him as hitherto been done with manifold Calumies and Reproaches, which the Lord hath, and we doubt not, but still will blast, and make his Innocency to appear over all his wicked Designs, to the confusion of his, and Truths Adversaries, what so ever they are, or may pretend to the contrary. And, the cause thereof, we conclude to be from the Enmity of the wicked one, the Son of Perdition, that hath entred the heart of this man, William Rogers, as he hath other Instruments formerly, where he sits, and is Exalted, in a high Profession, to the end that he may the better deceive, and draw from the Blessed Unity, & fellowship in the Truth and heavenly Guidance of the Light it self, into a Selfish, Disorderly, Looss, Libertine Spirit, from God, and unsubmission, & unsubjection one unto another XR5179, according to the Gospel-Order in the Churches of Christ; That by how much the more God hath made use of our dear Friend, G.F. and honoured him with the first Message of the Light and Truth, as reveal’d in our day and age, whereby the Hearts of many thousands have been gathered from the Evil of their wayes, and converted unto god, and remain living Witnesses of the Appearance, blessing and Presence of God with him, and bear the Seal of Ministry, and continues faithfulness unto God therein, who hath also indued him with Understanding, and Wisdom, in the openings of his Council, wherein he hath been, and is instrumental in the hand of the Lord; For the settlement of good Order and Discipline in the Church of Christ, as Helps and Government; for its Establishment and Comfort in him, who is its sure Foundation and rock forever. By so much the more adbundantly, hath the enemy wrought his Instruments against that faithful Servant of the Lord viz. G.F. to hinder the Lords Work, and to Obscure his blessed appearance in him, and through him, and among his Chosen People, to their joy and Comfort in their Heavenly Society, they are gathered into: But the Lord hath hitherto blasted their Designs, and made their Folly manifest, as he doth, and is doing at this day, Blessed be his Name for ever.

We shall now proceed to take same notice of a few more passages in his Book, and first, that, in the 2d and 3d. pages of the Preface, wherein he saith, That so great a Concern of Conscience lieth on many, to encourage the publication of his Book, as we can no longer forbear, lest it should be reputed, that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly extinct amongst the aforesaid People.

{Page 32] Here, as in divers other places of his book, we cannot but Observe, that, he claims many to be concern’d in Conscience with him, in the publishing thereof, thereby magnifyig his Number; But, who or where those many are, we know not; WIlliam Rogers might (if he had pleas’d) or may yet, tell us by what name they are call’d, and we would have him know, we expect it; that so, we may be able to satisfy our selves, upon a due Consideration of the example in Life and Doctrine, whether they are men more fitly qualified them himself, for such an undertaking; especially if any of them live in this City, because upon enquiry hitherto we have not been able to find them out. It seem to us, if W.R. had so many bright, and shining Lights in the Doctrine and life of Christianity, above the rest of their Neighbors, (viz.) the people call’d Quakers, to whom it was become such a Concern of Conscience, as he writes, they should be as a City, set on a hill, and come forth, and own it publickly in the face of all people: but this we are doubtful is too plain and open for him, to talk of many in the dark to father a work of darkness, seems to carry more credit with it than to particularize a few as Rash, Self-will’d, and Injurious as himself, that doth own it.

Alas, Alas! To what a height of folly and Pinacle of Conceitedness is this man arriv’d. The Prodigy of our Age, as it should seem by his Book and Bullwork against Apostacy, now shewing himself as an ensign to the Nation, lest it should be reputed, that the Doctrine and Life of Christianity were wholly Extinct among the People call’d Quakers.

As to the Life of Christianity, we have already manifested how much he is a stranger to it, through his perverse Practices among us, and corrupt Nature Ruling in him, and consequently a very unfit man to be set up as {Page 33} so great a Reformer, or, to concern himself so much about the miscarriages of others, as he account them, Mat. 7.5. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own Eye, & then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote our of thy Brothers Eye.

And as to the Doctrines of Christianity, not to insist upon his saying and unsaying again, (viz. in that he hath one while confessed they are publickly owned, another while charging an Apostacy therein, We refer to the many principled Testimonies written by divers eminent Brethren, still living, in the Defence of the Gospel-Truths; and how much in perspecuity and clearness they are beyond any thing in William Rogers his Book, is left to the impartial Reader to judge; as a Reproof to his strange conceited Confidence, as well as false and ungodly insinuations against them and the People call’d Quakers in general, as though the Doctrin and Life of Christianity were in danger of being reputed to be wholly Extinct among them, unlesse he and a few others (in comparison of the People call’d Quakers; however he is pleased to magnify their number) who are of party with him, had discharg’d that concern of Conscience, he pretends lay on many, to incourage the publication of his Book, designing thereby, no doubt, being the natural Consequence of his Lynes, to obviate the Universality of such a Reputation, by rendring themselves the men that kept their primitive Station in the Life of truth, and retain’d the ancient Doctrines thereof, whil'st they undertook so generally to detect so many of the most publick, and most reputed Quakers (so call’d) and their Adherents, who are People in general who have Unity with them in the Truth and blessed order thereof (and which makes up the other part) of Degeneracy therefrom into an Apostacy and Innovation.

It still seemes strange to us, that such men (if such they be whom W.R. intends) should lye so hidden and {Page 34} conceal’d, as not to be found and no less strange, that they should make use of, and encourage W.R. to be their mouth to speak to the world by, who hath known so little of the sanctification of his Nature, and consequently very unlike what his lines bespeak them to be. This adds no Credit to their matter, but gives just occasion of jealousie, and will do, unless they disprove it, by a discovery of themselves, That what ever is pretended, they are but too much like him; for if it be otherwise, and that they really are such a excel in the Doctrine and Life of Christianity, let them come forth, and shew themselves: What though they are but as one of a City, and two of a Tribe, yet if they have the Truth on their sides, that is stronger than all, and shall prevail.

It is likewise to be observed, after what an injurious as well as disingenuous a rate William Rogers, hath dealt with the People call’d Quakers, in often gathering up the words of some person or persons, we know not who, neither doth he tell us, nor when, if ever spoken by any, particularly the doctrine in the sixth page of his Preface which he makes so much adoe about several parts of his Book, as one of his great Marks of Apostacy, wherewith he reflects upon the Brethren, (viz.) Let us exclude Reasoning, the Wisdome, and the jealousie, and let us have an Eye to the Brethren. But who seeth not the unrighteousness of such dealing, which together with many pieces and scraps of matter collected out of divers Papers and Epistles, he hath not only quoted in such a confused manner, that no Reader, unless before acquainted with the grounds and occasion thereof, can rightly understand, and consequently, not in a capacity to make a sound judgment thereform: But to extort a judgment, as it were, from the inconsiderate and prejudiced, he hath to paraphased upon such Words and Doctrines, such scraps and pieces of matter, so collected by him, and {Page 35} framed such notorious false insinuations, and perversions therefore, and vilification of many faithful and eminent Labourers, and through them the generality of the People call’d Quakers that adhear to them, as guilty of such things as their Souls abhor, and is particularly mentioned in the beginning of this Treatise, which the Righteous God of Heaven and Earth sees and beholds, and will plead with him, and recompence him for it in his due time, if he Repent not.

The next thing we have to notice of, is his unjust Charges and Reflections on those Sixty-Six Friends and Brethren, that subscribed the Epistle dated from Ellis Hooks his chamber the 12th of the 7th month, 1677 and more particularly with relation to his manifest abuse of the four Friends of Bristol, that were concern’d therein.

On this Epistle it is (to take little notice of his Objections against the Constitution of the Meeting it came from, more than to tell him, that what he would not have it to be, that it is, (viz. from the Yearly Meeting) we observe William Rogers ground another of his great Marks of Apostacy he chargeth those Brethren with, viz. judging of the Merits of the Cause without a hearing the same, Preface, page the Sixth; and for the proof thereof, saith, That John Story and John Wilkinson have been judg’d by many of the Subscribers thereof, if not all, without a hearing of either Party; for, that the Epislte doth not import, that the judgment given was on the hearing of either of one or both Parties, Convened before them, 2d. Part page 77. but the fallaciousness of this Insinuation will easily appear by what follows.

We have already given an Account of the Meeting, that many Friends and Brethren had with John Story and John WIlkinson at Drawell in Yorkshire, and the Result of that Meeting.

We have also signified, how J.S. and J.W. have {Page 36} behaved themselves since, to the grief of those very Friends, abusing them both by word and writing, with many opprobrious Terms, disowning their Judgement, as Unjust and Unrighteous, &c. Extenuating Their Paper of Condemnation, not owning it as such against themselves, continuing their former Subscriptions to a Paper tending to a Separation, upheld and maintained in some part of Westmoreland, &c. whereby they have made void, as to themselves, the Benefit of all those transactions at the Meeting aforesaid, and which would have Succeeded, had they behaved themselves as they ought to have done: But forasmuch as they have continued in the same Spirit of Division and Separation, Contemning the Counsel and Advice of those Brethren, they still stand justly Chargeable with those things they were before found Guilty of.

Those things consider’d, the Sixty Six Friends and Brethren, who subscribed the Epistle, some of them being the same that were personally present, & concerned at the Meeting at Drawell, before mentioned; and many other approved Travelling Brethren in the Work of the Ministry (however now termed, Upstarts, Apostates, and Innovators) having received satisfactory Knowledge, upon the undoubted Credit and Testimony of many Brethren of their Proceedings at Drawell. And likewise, many of them being abundantly sensible; and divers having certain Knowledge of their persisting in the same Spirit of Division and Separation, had a Concern upon their Spirits, under the Apprehension of the dangerous Consequence of such Men’s Travelling up and down in a disreconcil’d Estate (sowing and spreading their Discontents and Divisions, being forewarn’d thereof) with a renewed Admonition against that Spirit of Division, and causion to Friends to beware thereof which was the cause of their giving forth that Testimony; which {Page 37} however they (William Rogers, and some others) are Disquieted at, is Just and Righteous in the Sight of God, and stands good upon their Heads, and will do, untill they Repent, and be humbled under the sense of their great Offences.

Friends having this Sense, as abundantly appears in their Epistle, That they still persisted in the same Spirit of Opposition and Separation, as before; What Merits of the Cause were here to judge of more, than was already Determined, unless it were Their persisting in the same Work of sowing and spreading their Divisions, and offering their Gifts, whilst disreconciled to the Brethren? Which was Evident to the Friends of that Meeting, in their rejecting the Advice and Counsel before given them, by Epistle from the Yearly-Meeting, to the contrary.

We having thus open’d the Ground of this Matter, do Commend it, with the following Queries, to the Conscience of the Impartial Reader, to Judge, Whether such a Charge, as William Rogers hath given, against no less then above Sixty Friends and Brethren, at once, as no small Mark of their Apostacy, viz. * of being Guilty of judging the Merits of a Cause, without hearing the same, or of Disowning J.S. & J.W. though they could not justly Charge them of Evil, be rightly imputable to those Brethren, upon signing their Epistle, to whom the knowledge of Matters transacted at Drawell*, were so Transmitted, as is before Related.

First, Whether? Since it was not feazible, that the Church, or every Friend concerned, for the understanding of the Truth of the Matter, relating to J.S. and J.W. could go down into the North, to hear the probation thereof, the Testimony given in a Narrative, from so many faithful, approved Men, upon inward Sense, and plain external Evidences of Witnesses, be not sufficient proof against the said Men?

{Page 38} Secondly, And if this be not, What can be? Matters considered, with those Circumstances abovesaid, amongst the Societies and Transactions of Men, either in things Temporal or Spiritual, wherein Men many times transact Matters upon the unquestioned Credit one of another, whilst under necessity of great Remoteness one from another?

Thirdly, Whether to give Credit to one or two Men, in his or their own Cause, against more than twenty Eye and Ear Witnesses, who are Conscientiously concerned to hear and search into the Truth of Matters, be consistent with Reason, Christianity, and true Wisdom?

Fourthly, Whether not only the Refusal of such Testimony, Evidence, and Judgement, as was given from the Meeting of Drawell, upon Examination, and Proof of Matters, John Story and John Wilkinson being present, but the Invalidating thereof, and Reflecting on those Meetings and Friends (as False Accusers, and Judges of the Merits of a Cause, before they Hear it) who do Receive it, and joyn with it, and unto whom the Truth hath been so evidently Transmitted, carrieth not with it an unavoidable Tendency to over-throw the Authority, Credit, Service, and frequent Practice of Friends of Truth, in their Meetings throughout the Nation, in any Case; and thereby to Strengthen the Hand of transgressors, and their Abetters in the Insolency against the Truth, and the Friends thereof in General?

Let all Persons of Sobreity Judge, Whether the Consequences of this, which hath been, and is William Rogers’s Practice, be not to open a wide Door for Apostacy and Licentiousness, by which means, A man may be proved The Worst of Men in one Country, and come into another, and stand upon his Justification, and be Abetted therein, notwithstanding the Testimony of such as heard Matters prov’d against him? And, {Page 39} Whether this doth not Manifestly Destroy the Faith and Credit one of another, the Ground, both of Christian and Civil Society¹⁵. XR6359

And now, as to William Rogers his several Charges against the Four Friends of Bristol, of being False Accusers, and refusing to admit a Meeting to Prove the Matters in Charge, in the aforementioned Epistle against John Story and John Wilkinson, before an equal number of Friends, Chosen on each Part, part, 2. pag. 10.

To this we Answer, It’s no wonder William Rogers hath termed those friends false Accusers, seeing he hath not stuck to say the like, or worse, concerning many other Faithful Brethren. How Unrighteous this Charge is against the Four Friends of Bristol, or and of the rest that Signed the Epistle, may appear by what is already Written: Neither do they nor we remember, That ever we refused a Meeting upon those Terms, provided, they should agree, what should be taken for Evidence; although, if they had refused such a Meeting, we cannot see how that could deserve any just reflection, seeing Experience teacheth us: That when the Guilty, or any of party for them, hath equal Liberty to chuse, without whose Concurrence, no discisive Judgement must be given: The Consequence there of, is like to effect nothing but Controversy, and a shelter to the Offender, XR2473 as is before hinted, which Leadeth us to make this Query; That

Whether the admitting of no Meeting to be equal for the decision of spiritual matters in Controversy, but what is made up of a certain number of chosen men of each side to judge (the offender having an equal Choice) {Page 40} be not wrong and inconsistent with the practice of the Friends of Truth; and hath not a tendency to make void the Authority of our Meetings, in which the Power of the Lord, is its free Exercise, is to be Guide and Judge?

But, whatever, William Rogers pretends, The obstruction to a Meeting by consent, principally, lay in the disagreement, as to the reflection of this Question, viz.

What should be sufficient evidence for proof of those several Charges contained in the Epistle? Which lead the four Friends, and others in their behalf, to insist upon the Narrative of Friends from Drawell with the Examinations and proofs of matters there, which they had in Custody, together with John Story and John Wilkinsons Writings, to which their hands were; but this would not be accepted by W.R.

And, as to the other abusive passage in the same pages of his Book, viz. whether will they (meaning the four Friends of Bristol) as yet admit a Hearing before any Meeting, wherein the Witnesses to the Accusations, should be excluded from being judges.

Both they and we say, Its utterly false; most of us then, being present at the Meeting, which was on the 16th day of the 5th month, 1677 where these things were discoursed , do declare, that we never heard them so express themselves, but do look upon it as one of William Roger’s ungodly Charges, and grievous Perversions of their words; what was spoken, from whence it is supposed William Rogers hath falsly drawn the afore-mentioned Conclusion, was That they could not have any of the several Brethren excluded from being present, and to be concern’d in judgement, that had given forth the Account from Drawell (whom William Rogers indeed hath call’d false Accusers) but who were faithful Witnesses to the {Page 41} proof of the Accusations, and not Accusers themselves, as his Charge seem to insinuate: All which things they have manifested more at large, in a particular Answer long since. And although, William Rogers is pleased to say, in his Book, That a Reply thereto hath manifested their notorious Weakness, we esteem it as the Fruit of an over-fond conceit of his own Abillities, above others: And if he hath Charity to excuse those Friends from the Imputation of wilful Wickedness, we should be glad of the like, were not our Eyes and Ears witnesses of such Fruits from him, on divers occasions, as almost leaves us void of room, or any just pretence for so much Charity, in many respects, concerning him.

And as for the Bristol Certificate, subscribed by twenty seven Friends on behalf of G.F. his Innocency, to the best of their knowledge As a man remote in Spirit and Example, from any such Practice, either in Bristol, or else where, as Flying in times of Persecution, though often charged therewith by Apostates and bad Spirits, and now imply’d in William Rogers Charge against him: To which they not only oppose their Observation of him in Bristol, but their Experience, and confirmed since to the contrary, by his large Travells, Sufferings, and Imprisonments in many Jales, in which They never knew that he hath flinched, but endured patiently, &c.

Which Testimony of those Friends of Bristol stands clear, and unspotted over all W.R. his Cavils, and injurious Reflections in the 69th and 70th pages of his fifth part, wherein he compares them to Perjured Informers, suggesting, That their Evidence must needs be false, as though they undertook to prove a Negative, which was impossible for them to do, because they conjectured the time of G.F.’s being in Bristol, then about fifteen years past (being a time of Persecution) to which they supposed it must needs be, that W.R. should Assign that fact of G.F. his departing out of the Meeting, and going down a back pair of stairs, to avoid the Persecutors, adding thereto, That they never knew, or could remember, any such thing by him; They being generally all, or the most part of them, at all the Meetings G.F. was at here, and yet they do not limit or restrain their Testimony to that time only; but extend it to all others, to the best of their knowledge, having never seen any just occasion for such a Charge: But William Rogers taking advantage in that he had not nominated any time for his Charge, maketh use thereof, endeavouring thereby to baffle their Evidence, though in truth it renders his the weaker; hence what was impossible for them to do, unless they had been at all the Meetings in Bristol with G.F. that ever he was at with him, which is not unlikely, but that most of them might: But what juggling is here? and how doth this man fence and dodge, not only to extenuate the Credit of those Friends Testimony, but to stave off the imputation of a false Accusation from himself, in saying, he had affixed no time; and yet doth not deny, but that the time they mention, was the time intended by him, which should in reason render their Testimony more Credit with the Considerate.

Neither doth he say any thing to the Objection made against his mentioning a back pair of Stairs that G.F. should go down, &c. For indeed there was none such, both pair of stairs being equally publick, and common for Friends constantly to go up and down at, our or into the street, as he and others well knew. More might be said, but this we judge sufficient to every impartial Reader, who shall have the sight of that Certificate on behalf of G.F. {Page43} and William Rogers’s Objections thereto, to manifest how unrighteously he hath done, by comparing the Subscribers thereof to Perjured Informers who are many of them both men and women, anciently and publickly known in this City, & approved for their Truth and Faithfulness in the Consciences of honest People of all sorts therein; The Consideration as well as knowledge whereof W.R. we cannot but apprehend was the Cause why he omitted all their Names, except One, viz. John Ware, a man less publickly known in the City, then most, if not any one of the rest, whereby his disinginuity and unfaithfulness doth not a little appear.

Thus it may be seen, how William Rogers takes upon him to abuse the People call’d Quakers by whole-sale (as we use to say) having so learnt the habit of impudence, as sometimes upon his bare singe Credit or say so, and that in his own Cause too, not only to oppose the Truth of the Testimony of many Brethren; but to abuse them with approbrious Reflections, whom he hath therefore termed false Accusers and Persecutors, and no less than above sixty Friends and Brethren at once, whom he renders Upstarts, Apostates, and Innovators, for signing the aforesaid Epistle.

And at another time, Charles Marshall and thirty six Brethren more, are by him, as sole judge in his own Cause, charged of being guilty of signing an unrighteous Paper, because of their decisive judgment given against him therein, upon a free hearing of the Difference betwixt him and Robert Barclay, as may be more particularly taken notice of ere we have done.

And many of the Ancient and faithful Friends, and Inhabitants of the City of Bristol, are wickedly compared by him to Perjured Informers, because of their Christian Testimony in behalf of G.F.’s Innocency, in that matter W.R. Chargeth him with, and against whom his {Page 44} Enmity and Rage is great. But let him consider, that the time hastneth, that for all these things he must come to judgment.

And now as to the many & personal Injuries, & Misrepresentations of Robert Barclay, and George Fox, the one with respect to Doctrine, the other to Life and Conversation, wherewith great part of William Roger’s is supply’d, we refer to their own, or some other hand, for particular Replies thereto; only noting first, as to the business of Robert Barclay, that it is an Argument to us of no small Impudence in William Rogers, to continue his Cavils against His own meanings, and misconstructions of Robert Barclay’s Dontrin in his Book intituled, The Anarchy of the Ranters, &c. And perfectly savors of his being led, and Acted by a Spirit that will be sole judge in his own Cause, a thing he hath formerly Condemn’d in others, as may appear in the afore-recited Epistle XR1368, to which his Name was: And the reason of this Observation is, because his Unchristian dealing with Robert Barclay, and slender ground he had for his large Objections against some passages in his Book, was so clearly Evidenced in the Consciences of many weighty Friends at London, with whom he had a Meeting by consent (Robert Barclay, being present) for the hearing, and resolving his Objections, which was effectually done, and by his own Confession he most Christianly dealt with therein, & the Truths asserted by Robert Barclay, were vindicated and cleared from the Misconstructions of William Rogers, whereof some of us were both Eye and Ear Witnesses, as at large appears, as well by the Testimony of the Meeting, subscribed by thirty seven Brethren, as from William Rogers his Letter under his own hand-writing, which he drew up as satisfaction for the wrong he had done Robert Barclay; wherein William Rogers doth not only acknowledge, That he hath not done according to Gospel order by Robert Barclay, but was justly worthy of blame, in what {Page 45} he did; But also, that he is perswaded, that Robert Barclay is not principled as he and some others, by some passages in his Book, took him to be. Notwithstanding all this, William Rogers hath gone about in his Book, to undo, or unsay, what he hath said in his Letter, and to publish his Objections against his own meanings and miscontructions of what Robert Barclay hath written in his said Book, like a man fighting with his own shadow XR1658; thereby making void as much as in him lieth, the determination of that Meeting, reflecting on the Friends, as guilty of signing an Unrighteous Paper.

What shall we say, or think concerning this Man, whom nothing will serve, but to be sole Judge and Umpire in his own Cause; and unless this be granted him, he appears to us resolved to be Contentious, though it be to his own Ruin XR6740.

The other thing we have to take notice of, with Relation to William Roger’s Charges against G.F. is (not only considering William Rogers, a man of such a Temper as is before implyed) to hear how little reason G.F. had to take notice of his pretended Dissatisfactions against him, though indeed restlessness, turmoil and enmity, of Spirit against him, manifest by his rude and unchristian method he hath taken, to large here to recite; but also as a Reproof to his false Insinuations against G.F. in his Book, as though he shunned the Test, and as being unwilling to submit to justice; to manifest the contrary, how G.F. called William Rogers to account at a Meeting here in Bristol, for proof of divers Charges and Insinuations, contain’d in a Letter under William Rogers his own hand against him, and now made publick in William Rogers his Book, and what the Result of the Meeting was, as it appears by the following Certificate.

{Page 46} We under-written, being at a Meeting at Richard Sneads, the 15th of the 12th month 1677 to hear a Letter read, that was writ by William Rogers to G.F. containing several Accusations, Charges, and Insinuations against him, do hereby declare, that it was read, and that William Rogers own’d it, and when he was call’d upon by G.F. William Penn, George Whithead, Lawerence Steel, William Gibson, and others, to prove his Accusations and Charges against G.F. and others, he refused so to do; and notwithstanding he was entreated, and urged long thereto, yet said, it shall not be, I will not proceed, unless G.F. will under his hand Charge me, and give me his Charge in Writing. Thus he shuffled with the Meeting: And though we told him, that the Letter was his, and consequently, the Accusations and Charges were his, and therefore, that it lay at his Door to prove them, yet he persisted. Obstinately to give us no Proof, and so went his way.

William Penn,
Charles Jones,
John Moone,
Richard Snead,
Richard Vickris,
James Merrick,
Charles Jones, Jun.
Peter Walter,
Stephen Smith,
Erasmus Dole, &c.

These things consider’d, and William Rogers his apparent shifting and shuffling herein Manifested: What Reason had G.F. or any other to take any more Notice of his Letters, than of Waste-Paper? or to Regard his impertinent Rambling, Clamours, and Railing up and down in divers Parts of the Nation, against him (about Matters whereof he had already Clear’d himself in Writing) and that whilst G.F. was far remote in the North; and yet when he was near the City of London, and William Rogers in the City, he would not, (as we are credibly inform’d) go to him. We say, What Reason had G.F. {Page 47} or others, to Regard William Rogers in these practices, and more than they would any other Apostates or open Adversaries? What hopes could G.F. or any other, have to satisfy such a Man, whose Prejudice and Enmity was so great, that he was in Travel to give Vent thereto; and yet thus Manifestly depriv’d of common Modesty and Equity, usual amongst Men, in case of Difference; insomuch, that he either will not Acquiesce in the Determination of a Matter, when Heard and given Judgement upon; but instead thereof, make it his business to inlarge his Abuses against the concern’d therein; or otherwise shift and shuffle, and at length, utterly refuse to make proof of his Charges, when call’d thereunto?

There is one thing more, we cannot omit to make mention of, viz. the manner of William Rogers his abusive Insinuations and Charges, not only against many Eminent and Faithful Brethren; but (through them) against the generality of the People call’d Quakers, as Apostatized, &c. chiefly with Respect to the blessed Order and Government they are Exercised in, and is Established among them XR4608, viz. That it is most frequently to be observ’d in his Book, that his Method is to draw positive, and scandalous Conclusions, and wicked Perversions, from not only uncertain, but most false Premises and Conjectures, salving himself, as well as he can, with these and such like Expressions (which are his usual best Reasons for his many soul Accusations against them) viz. If Reports be true, we take it to be thus; we have cause to Believe; I cannot but be full of Jealousies, &c. like the wicked, that said, Report, and we will Report; And after the Example of Thomas Hicks, and John Faldo; when by his Suppositions, Jealousies, Doubts, Meanings, and Misconstructions, he hath made up his Man of Straw, as we may Term it, or Apsotate - Innovator, and call’d him a Quaker, he then bestirs himself, and as yet retaining some Notions of truth in his Head, he doth bring them forth as Arguments to Fence with against his own Work, whilst the Enemy of his Soul keeps him in Blindness, that he cannot see himself to be the Man. How much this is his manifest Practice throughout his whole Book, and how wretchedly bad such Courses are, is left to the impartial Reader to judge.

We having thus (for the Truth’s sake) discovered William Rogers his Spirit and Behaviour amongst us, and something of {Page 48} his many Abuses in his Book, more particularly with Relation to some Friends, and Passages in this city; we Commend what we have Written to the Witness of God in every Conscience, not doubting, but the judicious Reader, when he hath duely weighed the Management of William Rogers, with reference to the Matters herein treated of, will see Cause, as well from the Matters themselves, as the slenderness of the Credit, wherewith the Abuses therein manifested are attended, both to detest and loath such extravagant Courses as he hath taken, to Reproach the People call’d Quakers, and their Holy Profession, and to suspend his Belief of other things deliver’d in his book, against some particulars, no less Injurious, until time, by some other Hands so Manifest them.

Richard Snead,
Charles Harford,
Richard Vickris,
Charles Jones,

THE END.

LONDON,

Printed for John Bringhurst, Printer and Bookseller, at the Sign of the Book in Grace-Church-Street, near Cornhil, 1681

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1. How comes it to pass, that there is now nothing in all this, and that it is no better than a Rattle to please Children? is not this manifest deceit and hypocrisie?↩

2. Note, his Articles have not only Demonstrated this to be his Design, but his words also very frequently to be what he would have accomplished amongst us.↩

3. This was at the yearly, or general Meeting; which Meeting, was then Approved by W.R. And the Members thereof, as consisting of an uncertain Number of uncertain qualified Persons p.1. p.7. and yet in the same page, undertakes to Assign some of the following Qualifications, viz. False Accusers, Men-pleasers, and many of them Lovers of Preheminence, and time Servers, that take that as an opportunity to appear unto others, that which they are not in themselves; and do take upon them, to call themselves a general Meeting. See his Confusion and Self-contradiction, both in word and practice.↩

4. Note, the end and occasion of this Epistle, against the Rents and Divisions then on Foot: and now Espoused by William Rogers, to the Gratifying the Enemy, and bringing the open opposers, and Adversaries of Truth over us, formerly judged, but now practiced by William Rogers, witness his whole Book, made publick to the view of the World. ↩

5. Mark, the very Chracter of William Rogers his Work and Spirit, and his Judgement against all such as are Guilty of these things, which now includes himself in chief, Witeness not only his Offene against such like exhortations, as excluding of Jealousies, and having an Eye to the Brethren, Preface, p.6. but also his own evil Surmises, and hard Speeches in this Book, against many of these very Brethren, with whom he joyned in the Epistle; and many other faithful Labourers in the lord’s Work, though most of them are not particularly Nominated, whom he terms Up-starts, Innovaters, Adherents to G.F. Pag. 3. of his Preface; Insinuating most grievous and false Charges against them, as the main Design of his Book, rendering Apostates, false Accusers, Imposers, Persecutors, Exercising Gentilian Lordship, blind Obedience, Setting up ad outward Directory, Orders, Innovations, Prescriptions, Decrees, an what not; seeking thereby to Undermine, and to beget a disesteem, and flight of their Testimony. See how this Man is not found in the very Practice of those things he once Condemn’d; whereby out of his own Mouth he is Judged; being like the dog, returned to the vomit; and the Sow that was Washed, to the Wallowing in the Mire.↩

6. Had William Rogers been of this Spirit, and continued, we had never seen his contrary Work of Darkness and Confusion; but this he is far from; now having approved himself an utter Enemy, Villifier, and Opposer of Christ’s Rule and Government in his Members; insomuch, that the very Term it self (viz.) Church-Government is become an Offence unto him, as may appear in Divers parts of his Book, particularly Pag. 45. Of part the First↩

7. This is the very Temper and Spirit he is fallen under, as is already Observed at Large.↩

8. If the Matter alledged in W.R. his Book against G.F. and others by Name, were ture, How doth it agree with this Exhortation, in making of them so publick as he hath done? See how he condemns that in others, which he alloweth in himself. ↩

9. It’s a very little matter what becomes of the Honur of truth, and the Holy Profession thereof, and W.R. now, who hath set himself in defiance of the Friends thereof, under the Notion of Apostates and Innovators.↩

10. This W.R. is not a little guilty of, in frequently Refusing to refer his Matters, and Acquiesce in the Judgement of a free Meeting of Friends; and when he hath upon Occasion agreed to such a Meeting, he hath made it his business to Quarrel with the Judgement and Determination thereof, as in the Case of Robert Barclay, more particularly observed hereafter: See his Back-slidings, and Condemning himself now, in that which he Allowed not formerly.↩

11. This Testimony in behalf of the good Order and Government in the Church of Christ; and G.F. as one more particularly Instrumental therein, as that which Answered God’s Witness in All, compared with the Character of him and it, in W.R., his Book, would require large Observations; to which, we give general Reference, but may instance a few Passages in pag. 45 of the first part, he saith, We are Jealous (but who that we is, he does not say) the Corruption, Usurpation, and Injustice may creep in by such, who contend so much for Church-Government, with Respect to outward Forms of divers Apostate Christians; this is a wicked Abuse of many Faithful Friends, concerned in his Charge, in the said page.↩

12. How doth this agree with his Advice in the Epistle? and, What is the matter now/ Is the Constitution of the Government owned amongst the people called Quakers, and the helps afforded thereby, which he so much Commended formerly, as having a Service in a Subtendency to the Light, and as proceeding from it, now become altered, or ceased, and worse then Apostate christians (God forbid) and Rebuke his lying Spirit? what were those Dignities and Governments the W.R. with others gave such a Judgment upon the Despisers of, but same he now poureth out so much Contempt upon? And is the Encouraging of the People Of God to be Diligent and Faithful therein, and to Judge all contrary, exalted, and opposing Spirits; now become doting on outward Outward Orders, and a neglect of God’s Teaching, as he Insinuateth in his Preface, pag. 30 or justly be termed Imposition, Persecution, or Setting up another thing than Christ Jesus, to be King and Lawgiver; no such matter: It appears by this Epistle, he thought it not so formerly; or are the said Helps and Governments Christ hath so afforded in his Church, as he confesseth become the promoting a Zealous Observation of other Men’s Lines, made ready to their hands; Or the pretended Dicates of the Spirit, through others, or at best through that one Man George Fox, as is Contained in pag. 40 of his Preface. No sure, the Change is in himself; see his Prevarication, and how he is become Degenerated, and found by his Writing and Opposition, pulling down and Destroying what he once Built up. — What is the matter that he had so much Unity with George Fox, and adhered to him in these things formerly, and now so bitterly Smitheth, and Inveighs against him? Is he (viz.) George Fox, a Changed Man? No, Thousands can Witness to the contrary whose Consciences he hath Answered, and doth Answer in the Power and Wisdom of God; and is A sweet Savour of Christ in them that are Saved, and in them that Perish: For the Apostle saith, Unto one, We are the savour of Death unto Death; and unto the other, the Savour of Life unto Life, 2 Cor. 2.15,16. Or are the principle Matters of Fact, which William Rogers alledeth against him, said to be of late Years, since he so highly owned him: No, no, but many of them long before; from which, as also what he Chargeth him with of later Times, he hath already Answered, what seemed worth taking Notice of; and Vindicated his Innocency, and Manifested William Rogers his malicious Abuses of him. ↩

13. Note, it is not Intended, or Understood hereby, That some of the Members of Christ’s Body, should be without his Divine Light in their own inward Parts: for Christ the Head of the Body is One in the Male, and in the Female (as the Apostle Saith) who gives Light unto them all; which as they abide in it; which as they abide in it, give them to see, and have Unity one with another, and with the Doctrine, Counsel, and Instruction, which he Immediately opens, & gives forth, in, & by, his Faithful Servants, in whim he more fully opens his Divine Counsel; unto whom, he hath comitted a Dispensations of the Everlasting Gospel of Peace, who faithfully Labour in the Life and Doctrine of Christianity; and therein are good instrumental Helps in Government. ↩

14. It had been well for W.R. if he ever had this Dominion, that he had kept it; for it is the same, and no other, that the Brethren seek, and are Exercised in, for no other End, or Interest, as they have Declared; God is their Witness, who knoweth the Secrets of all Hearts, and will plead with W.R. in his Righteous Judgements, for being found in the wrong Spirit, that doth surmize or insinusate Jealousies, to the contrary, as these Lines Import.↩

15. Had not that, the Consequence of this, had it been the Practice of the People called Quakers as it Manifestly hath been of W.R. and his party, given the World just Cause to judge, as W.R. by many Suppositions, and false Premises doth insinuate, That the Doctrine and Life of Christianity, were in danger to wholly Extinct amongst them.↩