This following being a Copy of a Letter I carried to Devonshire-house the 21th instant, (there being a Meeting of the People called Quakers) I gave it to John Bolton, it being directed to him to be there read.
But neither the said J. Bolton, nor any other that I spoke to would so much as move it to the Meeting, (though I waited there several hours) whether they would have it read or no; but said, they knew it was their Friends minds, not to receive any Paper from mee. I told them, that seeing they would neither suffer mee to come into their Meeting, nor suffer what I had writ to them to be read, I did believe I should make that Letter (which now I am to do) much more publick.
THE LORD ordered mee to come to Devonshire-house this day two weeks, my purpose being to speak about that business the Letter I had writ to George Fox related to (which gave an account of some passages at my last being with you, where I had charged one of your Ministers (viz. John Rous) with Theft, &c.) But seeing two of your number brought mee word, that their Friends were resolved I should not come in; it is with mee, and that from the LORD, to commit to Writing what I have to lay before you at this time; Viz. As I came to the Exchange (this day) one lent mee a Book, called The Quakers Challenge, &c. put forth by another of your Ministers, viz. Solomon Eccles, where I find in the sixth page, in one paragraph, these words, viz. Stand up Muggleton the Sorcerer, whose mouth is full of Cursing, Lies and Blasphemy; who callst thy last Book a Looking-Glass for G. FOX, whose name thou art not worthy to take into thy mouth, who is a Prophet in deed, and hath been faithful in the Lords business from the beginning: It was said of Christ, That he was in the World, and the World was made by him; and the World knew him not: So it may be said of this true Prophet, whom John said, he was not; but thou wilt feel this Prophet one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee; and although the World knows him not, yet he is known.
Now seeing that the said Book is printed and published in the name of the Quakers by (one of your Ministers) Solomon Eccles, whom I did expect should publickly have owned his Condemnation for his blasphemous Title, which hee hath thus publickly given to (a mortal man) George Fox, whose breath is in his nostrils: But perceiving that he hath lately taken Ship (with George) for the Barbadoes, and not publickly owned any such Condemnation, nor that George ever did bear a publick Testimony against this his Blasphemy, but rather seems to be an encourager of him, by taking him (as one of his Preachers) along with him; I am now to lay it before you (it being put forth in the name of the Quakers) to see whether you will publickly disown the said Solomon and his Blasphemy; and whether you can own the said George Fox to be a faithful Servant to the LORD, who dared (in the least) admit of any such blasphemous Title to be given him by such a Blasphemer.
As I was waiting for their Answer in William Crowch his Shop, I looked in a Bible, where I read concerning (my elder Brother, and faithful Servant of the LORD) PAUL, who when the People would have done sacrifice to him and Barnabas, hee rent his Clothes (like a madman) being zealous for the GLORY of the LORD, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do you these things? wee also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities, to serve the living God.
Now if PAUL when hee [by the Power of GOD] was made instrumental to heal one who had been impotent from the womb, would not, I say, durst not (in the least) admit of any such Honour, which was onely and alone due to the LORD; then what will become of the abovesaid George Fox? who doth not only admit of blasphemous Titles to be given him, but is an encourager of such Blasphemers. O let my Soul (and all the Souls of the Righteous) for ever abhor such Blasphemous, Cursed Hellish Practices, either to be given to, or received by any Mortal: Even so, Amen, saith the Servant of the LORD, who hath made mee to be of a willing mind to serve his People.
The Printer was willing to put a Flourish at the top of some of the abovesaid Papers, there being too much white left: (which I was to allow of, foreseeing that several who are very zealous for Mint and Anise, would be more offended at it than at the Blasphemy aforesaid, or at the Injustice the Letter to G. F. related to, which said Letter I am now to publish, and may give or shew it to any: Ʋnderstanding that John Rous hath printed an Answer to it, though the People called Quakers it seems are so asham'd o [...]t, that they will neither give nor shew it me) two of which Papers I so sent to John Bolton and Rebekah Travers, (with these following Lines) which I am willing here to insert, that so the said vacancy may be filled up with that which may be of more service.
Seeing thou wert not so faithful to the LORD, nor to mee his Servant, as to move the reading of that Letter at your Meeting I gave thee yesterday, it is with mee to send thee this inclosed; the day being come, that what hath been seen in secret, must be published upon the house top: and no longer must your calling of your selves Elders in God be owned either by the LORD, or his faithful Servants, who have a living Testimony to bear against all Deceipt and Deceivers: Wherefore I am to warn thee speedily to repent, and turn to Him from whom thou hast deeply revolted. Reject not this my Warning, for it is the Love of GOD to thee, through his Servant J. P.
Dated the 22d instant.
The inclosed I am to send thee; the day being come that your deeds must come to the Light, from which you are not, you cannot be hid: Wherefore happy wouldst thou be if yet thou shouldest turn to the LORD, from whom thou hast deeply apostatized; yea, it is the Word of the LORD, whether thou hear or forbear: Therefore whilst it is called to day, repent; for the hour of his Judgment is come and coming, yet more to be revealed against all proud Boasters and vain Talkers: Wherefore I am to warn thee, to cease from speaking the Imaginations of thy own brain for the WORD of the LORD, who assuredly will not let you go unpunished, ye that have so often told lies in his Name, when he neither spoke in you, nor by you. O where will you hide your selves from the WRATH of the LAMB, which is come and coming yet more to be revealed and made manifest against all Deceipt and all Deceivers; yea, I say, against all who hold the Truth [...]n Unrighteousness.
Printed the 28th instant.