The Reading Quakers Vindicated from False Aspersions; SHEWING That Unneighbourly Proceedings is no Testimony of Christianity or real Quakers, but destructive to Christian Society.
WHereas there is a Printed Sheet industriously spread, called, The Christian Testimony of some called Quakers at Reading in Berkshire, to some Fundamental Truths of the Christian Religion; containing 12 Queries and Answers (and a Copy of a Letter) sign'd by George Jaques, William Paine and Robert Sandiland, against some Preachers at Reading, called Quakers; wherein they tell their Reader a Story of the said Preachers, that they refused to give them an Answer to their said Queries, sent to Tho. Curtis, William Soundey and Benjamin Coales, above a Month ago. [Page 2]Now was it such a great Crime, to deserve to be thus expos'd in Print, and that their own Friends and near Neighbors too, on purpose to render them no Christians, because they had not an Answer in that time? Let all sober People judge in this Matter.
Again they say, They had threatning, uncivil Language given them, and were denied a Meeting of publick Conference. As to this they do very ill to charge T.C. W.S. and B.C. after this manner, it being utterly false that ever, to their knowledge, they did give them any uncivil Language; and as to a Meeting of Conference, we may say more in what follows: But they go on, and tell of disorderly Opposition and Confusion in the publick Meeting-house, the 27th Septemb. 1696. This also is very unfair, to charge the Three Preachers above mentioned withal, for Two of them were out of Town that Day; and as for W.S. how can they, with any Face of Honesty, charge him with it? Had Robert Sandiland been so innocent and peaceable, there would have been no such Disorder that Day, nor at other times.
And as for their Charge against the three accused Persons, as that they were unfound in Doctrin; we never heard any such Complaint until of late our Opposers took Offence, and watched to get occasion against them to bespatter them and other Friends, and then make a Man an Offender if he did but mistake a Word; which is very Unchristian-like.
But the beginning of this Fraction, and of their taking this Course, was this: When George Keith came to Reading, George Jaques and some others affecting him, entertain'd some hard Thoughts against several Friends, thinking they did not well like him, and that we were not kind enough to him; for before he came we lived in much Love, as on a religious Score: Then several espousing his Cause, began to discourse much of him and his Notions, until at length they began to be very hot and contentious, notwithstanding Friends have indeavoured to persuade them, that there was not so much difference as to those things (which they call essential Principles) between [Page 3]them and us, but for want of a right Understanding of each other (which is no just ground for them to make this Clamor) for at some Conferences, where things were moderately discoursed, some of them, G. J. by Name, seem'd to be pleas'd that we so well agreed; afterwards, they sent those Queries mentioned, which Friends never refused to answer: They say they were sent above a Month ago; which shews that they were in great haste to Print, that they could stay no longer: Those Queries then were as industriously spread in Writing, and that before two of the accused Persons had so much as read them; for one of them had not seen them before they were spread far and near: Then they were earnest for an Answer, which was never refused, but as opportunity offered Friends gave them the best Satisfaction they could by Words, Face to Face, as looking on that to be the most Friend-like to open our Hearts one to another, than to write Papers, living so near one to another, and familiar Friends, (which practice hath been very hurtful;) but nothing would serve a hungry Mind after Contention, but we must write an Answer to their Queries, tho' Friends had spoken to most of them, which in effect was according to their own Positions, and agreeable to Scripture.
And as for their Challenge to give them a Meeting of publick Conference; and to this we are required to give an Answer in a short time, because (as may be supposed) they were in great haste to bring forth this printed Sheet to make themselves Popular, that they might set up a Meeting by themselves; Thomas Curtis and Benjamin Coales made this Proposition to G. Jaques, &c. That at any time they would meet them Two and Two at a time, where they pleased, if it were every Day (except any thing more than ordinary of Business should happen to prevent) till they had indeavoured to satisfie every one of them that was disatisfied, excepting against none but Robert Sandiland, whom we have just ground to object against; for he that seems to be Religious and bridles not his Tongue, [Page 4]it is but Vanity; and he that may be called a Quaker, or pretends to be one, and yet have the Impudence to say, That if he had known the Quakers had held such Things, he would as soon have put his Head in the Fire as joined with them: Surely such a one is not fit to be a Preacher among a People, whom he so unworthily vilifies. More might be said, but we shall forbear at present.
It may be observed that G. Jaques, &c. to whom T. C. &c. made the last Proposition, seem'd willing to comply therewith to meet Two and Two at a time; but when they had conferred (as we suppose with R. S. and his Wife) they returned an Answer, That they did not except of our Proposition; and so they went on to finish a Meeting-place, and set up for themselves in Gutter Lane. And then their Agent John Knapp was very diligent to give abroad the printed Sheet, who hath ill requited his Friends for their Kindness to him in time of Need. But we are heartily sorry for them, especially those that are honest-hearted, who are betrayed, and are going they know not whither, being listed up in their own Imaginations above the Simplicity of that Truth, which will out-live all those that oppose the Work of the Lord, and his Servants therein.
From a Monthly Meeting held at the Meeting-house in Sun Lane in Reading, 27th 9th Month, 1696.
As we believe we speak; first hear, and then judge charitably of what we say.
IT was the Saying of wise Solomon, That in making many Books, there is no end, &c. And if every one should Write or Print what they believe is true Religion, it were the way to fill the World with Books. Many Testimonies have been [Page 5]published by particular Friends of their Faith, and also in a general way, of our Belief who are called Quakers, concerning the Principles of True Religion, at sundry times; yet so unhappy is the Age in which we live, that some that are Contentious will not believe: However, for the Sakes of others, we have this to say in these following Particulars.
I. We do sincerely believe, That there is but one only true and living God, who is a Spirit, the Creator and Upholder of all Things by the Word of his Eternal Power, who is Infinite and Incomprehensible in himself; and all Words of Men and Angels cannot define him as he is, being in all, through all, and over all blessed for ever, whom all ought to fear and dread.
II. We sincerely believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, both as he was the eternal Son of God from the beginning, glorified with the Father before the World began, and also as he was the promised Seed spoken of, Gen. 3.15. The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents Head; which the Prophet Isaiah pointed at, Isa. 7.14. Behold a Virgin shall be with Child and bring forth a Son, and (thou O Virgin) shalt call his Name Immanuel; which being interpreted is God with us: Which in due time was born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem in the Land of Judea, Mat. 2.15.
III. We believe, That the Man Christ Jesus, according to the Flesh, was the Seed of Abraham, to which the Promise was made, That in him (to wit Christ) all Nations of the Earth should be blessed, Gen. 22.18. Who was the Son of Abraham, and the Son of David, &c. Mat. 1.1.
IV. We believe, That the Man Christ Jesus had a real Soul that was not the Godhead, and a real Body that was not the Godhead; but in a most holy and mystical Union of the Divinity and Humanity in One, better known and understood through a living Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, than to be expressed in Words, Psal. 16.10. Acts 2.27.
V. We also believe, That the same Christ Jesus that was born of the Virgin, was the Son of God, having no immediate Father but God, Luke 1.35. Jo. 1.39.
VI. We do believe, That Jesus Christ, as to his Human Nature, was in all things like unto us, except Sin; yet the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him Bodily: He was both God and Man and yet but One Christ, the Nature of the Manhood being most gloriously united with his Godhead, according to Tim. 2.5. Heb. 2.16. And to this we may add that Saying of the Apostle, 1 Pet. 1.8. Whom having not seen ye love; in whom though ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory.
VII. We do verily believe, That Christ's Body that died on the Cross and was laid in the Sepulchre, did rise again the Third Day, and that he ascended up into Heaven after his Resurrection, according to the Scriptures: And that Heaven into which Christ hath ascended in the most glorified Nature of Man, is above the Earth, a Place of unexpressible Glory with his Father: And as he that dwells in Heaven is unlimitable, so is the Place of his Habitation above the reach of the carnal Mind to define where it is; yet measurably we poor Mortals taste of it here on Earth, so that we believe it is not included in us, nor excluded from the Regenerate; Christ is Lord of Heaven, yet as to his Godhead he is measurably within us, by his Grace, Light and Spirit; For he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his.
VIII. We are justified and cleansed from Sin by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, that was outwardly shed; and we are sanctified by that precious Blood, through the Spirit of God that dwelleth in us, 1 Cor. 6.11.
IX. We believe, That it is necessary for all to believe in Christ Jesus, as he came outwardly for our Eternal Salvation; and also to believe in his spiritual Appearance, Grace and Light, wherewith he hath Inlightened every Man that cometh into the World; and in the Spirit of Truth, which is sufficient to lead and guide into all Truth: Also living Faith in Christ as he died for our Sins, and to reconcile us to God, and rose again, and is at the Right Hand of God making Intercession [Page 7]for us, according to Rom. 8.34. is necessary to be Preached, with his inward and spiritual Appearance, by every true Minister of Christ, as God shall require it by his Spirit, John 1.9. Mat. 16.13.
X. And we believe it is absolutely needful for every Man and Woman that do profess themselves to be Christians, and hope to be saved by our Lord Jesus Christ, to be very careful that they are certain and know in themselves, that they are true and faithful Witnesses of their own true and unfeigned Repentance towards God, and that they so believe as to have saving Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and rightly to know what the Apostle saith, viz. Not by Works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Tit. 3.5.
XI. We believe, That all that are or shall be saved in any Age of the World, have their Sins blotted out and forgiven for Christ's sake, and on the account of his most holy and perfect Obedience unto Death; and what Light and Grace all Men ever did, doth or shall receive to the Worlds end, it is given to Men for the Man Christ Jesus his sake, and by his Purchase and Merits, and continual Mediation and Intercession, 1 Tim. 2.5.
XII. We believe, That Christ Jesus shall come again to judge the Quick and the Dead, according to Act. 1.11. And that God hath appointed a Day, in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by the Man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance to all Men, in that he hath raised him from the Dead, Act. 17.31. but in what manner he shall come, we must submit to the Pleasure of the Almighty.
XIII. We faithfully believe, That there will be a Resurrection both of the Just and Unjust; and if our Hope were only in this Life, we were of all Men most miserable: Christ Jesus saith, That he is the Resurrection and the Life, and he that believes in him, tho' he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that lives and believes, [Page 8]shall never die. We believe, That the deceased Saints are at Rest in the Kingdom; for we do not believe a Purgatory or Place of Cleansing hereafter; For as Death leaves, Judgment finds; but we believe, That there is a Resurrection of the Body more than what we have already attained, which after the Dissolution and putting of that which is Corruptible, we shall attain to the full Injoyment of that which we now, through Mercy, have the Earnest of, Knowing that he which raised up our Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus, 2 Cor. 4.14.
XIV. We believe, That Body that dieth shall rise again, but wonderfully changed; yet so far the same Body, as it is possible for a Natural Body to become a Spiritual Body; God will give it a Body as it pleaseth him, 1 Cor. 15.38. In short, the Resurrection is a Mystery too great for the carnal Mind to perceive; and the things of God knows no Man, but the Spirit of God: Let us therefore take the Counsel of an eminent Man; viz. To be solicitous to know the Power and inward Operation, whereby we may be made Sons of God, and attain to the Resurrection of the Dead, as being Children of God and of the Resurrection: If Men walk in the true Light, and so truly serve and please God here on Earth, they shall not need to doubt or dispute about their future Being in Heaven; their Business is to get thither, and God will well accommodate them there; Men ought not to be too curious and scrutinous in Matters beyond their Reach, as to the manner of their future Beings, or how they shall be reserved for eternal Rewards.
- Thomas Curtis,
- William Soundey,
- Benjamin Coales.