Mr. George Keith.
At Turners-Hall in Philpot-Lane, London, in 1696.
CONTRADICTING Mr. Geo. Keith, At the Tolbooth of ABERDEEN, in 1668.
IN Fundamental POINTS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
DEMONSTRATED By Quotations out of The Exact Narrative of the Proceedings at Turners-Hall, &c. on the one hand: AND Quotations out of Immediate Revelation not Ceased, on the other hand.
In a LETTER to Himself.
By a Moderate Church man.
Conveniet nulli, qui secum dissidet ipse.
London Printed, and Sold by E. Whitlock, in Stationers-Court, near Stationers-Hall. 1696.
Mr. George Keith, at Turners-Hall in Philpot-lane, in London, 1696. Contradicting Mr. Geo. Keith, at the Tolbooth of Aberdeen, in 1668. in Fundamental Points of the Christian Faith, &c.
THE Controversie between you and the Quakers of late Years, hath made such a Noise, not only in America, where (I understand) it first began, but also in these parts of Europe, that he who in this populous City hath heard nothing of it, must likewise have been Banished from Humane Society. It hath been not only the Discourse of Porters and Carmen over a Pot of Ale, and Sparks and Beau's over a Glass of Wine; but also the Grave Cit over a Dish of Coffee, hath mixt his Observations upon State Affairs, with his Reflections upon the Quakers Differences: Nay, moreover the Reverend Clergy of the Church of England (not to mention the Non Cons) have been sometimes pleased to take notice of them in the Pulpit. Wonder not then, that an unknown Person should apply himself to you after this manner: For I being instigated by a sort of Curiosity, have taken the pains to peruse many, if not most of the Controversial Treatises, published both by your self, and your present Antagonists (though late Friends) the Quakers: And amongst the rest, your Advertisement of a Meeting to be held at Turners-Hall, on the 11th of June, 1696. wherein you Challenged (as I may so say) Mr. W. Penn, Mr. G. Whitehead, Mr. T. Ellwood, and Mr. J. Penington, to meet you. Thither I also came, amongst other Spectators, to observe the Management of the Dispute: But when I came there, found your Adversaries declined meeting you, and so you went on to Dispute by your self, those few Quakers that now and then put in a word or two, not pretending (as I apprehended) to engage with you on behalf of their Friends: How Matters would have issued, if your Opponents had appeared, I [Page 3] will not undertake to determine, but to your Honour be it spoken, who (I suppose) may be the sole single Disputant of this Age, you came off with Flying Colours, haranguing your Auditory into an Applause of whatever you offered. Where some passages dropt, which upon perusal of your Printed Account, I find in part there, which I shall take notice of by and by.
Now Sir, before I proceed to those passages, I shall premise this, viz. That it is not my intent to interpose between you and the Quakers in Point of Doctrine, being resolved not to concern my self at present in Vindicating either the one or the other; but as you have began an Intestine War among your selves, if you cannot agree upon a Treaty of Peace, and so come to a mutual Reconciliation, you must, for ought I can see, e'en beat up one another's Quarters, and Fight it out, till one side yields up the Conquest: Whilst I in the mean time, content my self with adhering to the Primitive Purity of Doctrine held by the Apestolical Church of England. But perceiving you under a Cloud, I should rejoice to see that Cloud disperst, and being as yet unstable, to see you come to stability. Remember the Prophets Reproof and Advice, 1 Kings 18.21. How long halt ye between two Opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: But if Baal, then follow him. Which that it is so with you, I shall by and by prove by Quotations out of The Exact Narrative, &c. opposed by Quotations out of a former Book of yours, Intituled, Immediate Revelation not Ceased, &c. Perhaps you may object, That that was published a great while ago; but pray remember withal what you asserted at Turners-Hall, as it is related, p. 15. of The Exact Narrative, viz. ‘If you prove me not to have changed in any Fundamental Principle, ye ought not to Charge me to be an Apostate. I know not any Fundamental Principle, nor indeed any ONE Principle of the Christian Faith, that I have varied from to this Day, ever since I came among the Quakers, which is about 33 Years ago, therefore I ought to be cleared of that Imputation.’ Which Assertion of yours, I propose as the Basis of my Building. But pray Sir, why did you conceal that part of the Assertion, wherein you affirmed, That in Fundamentals you were of the same Judgment while a Presbyterian as since? For to that purpose you did speak, I am very certain, and believe many that were there are able to justifie, which occasioned me immediately to draw this Conclusion in my own Mind; surely, either Mr. Keith formerly understood not the Presbyterian Principles, [Page 4] or since understood not the Quakers: Or else they are all one, and he one with them both, (which I suppose you will not grant). But if they are contradictory, (as I think they are) then consequently, he either wanted Understanding, how to distinguish between things, which are as contrary, in divers respects, as Black is to White; (a Suspicion highly derogatory to that Eminent Character of your great Learning, and Excellent Parts, for which you are generally so much applauded) or he must be very forgetful, and so not the Person he is represented to be for a vast Memory; and likewise insincere, in that he will stand by nothing, any longer than he apprehends it suits with his Interest; or can easily say and unsay to gratifie a Passion or Humour.
In short, Mr. Keith, if the Presbyterians and Quakers be one in Fundamentals, why did you forsake the former, and join with the latter? Was it because you were disappointed of an Expected Preferment amongst them? If the two Parties be not one in Fundamentals, Were you sincere in joining with the Quakers, or no? If sincere, Do you now own, that your Eyes were then so dim, that you could not see such a Barn-door, as the Errors you now exclaim against, and that your EYES have since been OPENED? Then the less deserving the Preferment you once coveted amongst the Presbyterians. If not sincere then, What Society of People think you will Trust you now? To whom can you give greater Security or Assurances of Fidelity and Adherence to their Cause; than you seemed to give the Quakers? I hope the Reverend Clergy (on whom you appear now to fawn) will be well assured of your being more in Earnest with them, than you have proved with your Old Friends, before they trust you too much. If neither the Presbyterians nor Quakers are in the Right, How have you jugled with them both, thus to keep in one while with the one, another while with the other, and yet all this while, notwithstanding they have been both in the wrong, and you at times joined to each of them, still to hold your own Orthodox Principles during these several REVOLUTIONS. But if you should say, You differed not in Fundamentals from one or both of these Sects. Then say I, The more unquiet Man you, to raise such Disturbances about Circumstantials.
However looking further, I find you expressing your self thus, Exact Narrative, page 38. ‘But if I had known they had had such Errours, I would as soon have put my Head in the Fire, [a very [Page 5] hot Expression; but I think you may save that pains, for your Head is hot enough already] as have owned such among them: But I am of the same Faith as I have been above this Thirty Years.’ Very well, here is first gross Ignorance, you knew not they had such Errours among them, notwithstanding your professing your self one of them. Secondly, Impli [...]ite Faith with a Vengeance, notwithstanding you knew not those Errours, yet you owned such among them, which is believing as the Church believes, without Search or Examination; nay, let me add, and Printing Bo [...]ks in Vindication of these Principles, which you pretend you knew not. And yet, to make you a wonderful Man, in all the Branches of this wonderful Mystery, you have kept your Faith untainted, notwithstanding the Evil Communication of these Corrupt Men. Credat Apella. Now for the Quotations I told you of before.
Now he says, It is contrary to Rom. 10. to direct People to Jesus Christ as he was Crucified at Jerusalem. But let the Bible be judge. He has not Cited the Verse, but the Verses he aims [...] shall read; Ver. 5, 6, 7, 8. For Moses describeth the Righteousness which is of the Law, That the Man which doth those things, shall live by them, &c. See Ver. 6, 7, 8.
Now in their Preachments they have used to stop there, and go no further. But read the 9th Verse, If thou shalt confess with thy Mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine Heart, that God hath raised him from the Dead, thou shalt be saved, &c.
Well Sir, I hope you will thank me for making no Comments upon the foregoing two-fac'd and double-tongu'd Quotations, I referring that part to your self upon a Review: Only Querying of you, Whether they Treat of Fundamentals or no? But pray excuse me, if I trouble you a little farther, and be pleased to exercise what little patience you may by this time have left in perusing what I have further to offer.
I observe you say of Mr. G. Whitehead, Exact Narrative, p. 39, 40. ‘Now all these proofs, [ Mat. 16.27, 28. Luke 9.26, 27. 1 Thes. 4.17.] he has Allego [...]ized to Christ within, he has Allegorized away his Birth, his Death, Resurrection, and Ascention, and coming to Judgment; and so we have nothing from Scripture to prove Christ's Death to be of any Benefit to us, and we have no Arguments to prove he came in the Flesh: And so all the Proofs against Jews and Philosophers h [...] has Allegorized away.’
But Sir, What if Mr. Keith have done the like, what will you say then? Perhaps the World may be ready to say, There is never a Barrel the better Herring of you in that respect. For if I were to ask Mr. Whitehead, Whether by the places you quote, his Intention was (the Explication thereof being always to be allowed to surviving Authors, according to your own Proposal in a Book I have by me) thereby to overthrow the Faith of Christ Crucified, &c? perhaps he might reply, No, and produce some of his Books in confirmation of such a denial. Then on the other hand, if it should be queried of Mr. Keith, Whether he never Allegorized (for the word away we must in Justice drop on both sides) the Birth, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Miracles of Christ? Up steps Immediate Revelation, and Answers in the Affirmative, and refers,
As to his Birth to p. 256. ‘And thus according to his Spiritual Birth in the Saints, is the Seed of Woman; for that the Saints are the Woman that bring him forth after the Spirit, and are his Mother; as Mary brought him forth after the Flesh, and after the Spirit also, so that she was the Mother of Jesus in a double respect; for as she brought him forth in her Body, so she brought him forth in her Soul, otherwise he could not have been her Saviour, as Augustine, and long after him, Erasmus hath well observed.’ Now as to his Death and Resurrection, see 244, 245. ‘And he is called the Hidden Man of the Heart, whom Paul witn [...]ssed that he lived in him, this he understood of Christ as Man; for as God he liveth in all, neither as God can he be Crucified, or Die, and yet he is Crucified in those that are ungodly, in whom, as they turn from their ungodliness, he cometh to live, whose Life, as a Seed, is sown in every Man; and as every Seed hath its Body, so hath this Seed its Body, which as it is raised up in us, the Life is raised up, or revealed in it; through which Life of the Man Jesus, we have access unto the Father, and have our Fellowship both with the Father and the Son.’ Then for Algorizing his Miracles, read p. 200. ‘And we witness the Power of God, which wrought all these outward Miracles, working Miraculously in our Hearts, opening the Blind Eye of the Mind, and Deaf Ear, raising to Life the Dead Soul; causing the Lame to leap as an Hart, and the Tongue of the Dumb to speak, &c. And these are the GREATEST Miracles, and the outward were but a Figure of them, and were for the sake of Ʋnbelievers, who believed not except they saw.’
Thus far Immediate Revelation. Now Mr. Keith, I can see no other Remedy, but [...]ou must either cry Peccavi, if you would have Mr. Whitehead to do so too, or else [...]ame him not whilst you are tardy your self; for, ‘Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum.’
But as a farther Confirmation hereof, and to evince that you have once had as high [...] Opinion (for ought I can perceive) and have given as high Titles (perhaps as [...] Whitehead, or any other Quaker) to what they call the Light within; and you [...]ewise in the aforementioned Treatise sometimes call so too, as well as Christ [Page 11] within, the Seed, Birth, Spirit, Wisdom, &c. I here present you with some of them.
Page 4. The Object and Foundation of Faith.
12. The Body, and Flesh, and Blood of Christ.
40. The Greatest, and most Principal, and absolutely necessary Means and Instrument of conveying Life unto Man.
52, 53. The Key of Knowledge.
71. Man's Blessedness; his Habitation of Rest, and Peace, and Joy. Christ the express Image of God in Man. Man's Life.
72. The Tree of Life.
74. The Lamb slain in Man from the Foundation of the World.
77. That New and Living Way. The Word of Faith.
86 The Kingdom of God. The stronger than the strong Man. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; the Emmanuel.
87. King, Priest, and Prophet. The Messenger of the Lord of Hosts to Man. Man's Advocate unto God. The alone Mediator.
92. The Word of God. The Spring of Man's Life. The Word of Life, and Heavenly Power, and Virtue.
96. In whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen.
100. The Ʋndermost Stone. The FOƲNDATION Stone. The Corner Stone. A Living Stone, which is Life and Spirit.
101. A Foundation. The Revelation of the Arm of the Lord in Man's Heart.
112. The Anointing. The Lamb. The Witness. Known to be a Saviour. The Wisdom and Power of God.
115. The very FƲLNESS of God himself.
125. The Treasure hid in the Field in them. The Piece of Money lost in the House in them.
127. The Seeds-man, the Seed, and also the precious Fruit. That Life which was in the Beginning.
151. The OBJECT of his Knowledge that overcometh.
193. The Word of their, viz. the Lamb's Followers Testimony. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
238. The Heavenly Man, or Second Adam.
242. The Gospel preached in every Creature.
244. The Hidden Man of the Heart.
256. The Seed of the Woman. That Man-child which John the Beloved Disciple, saw brought forth by the Woman that was cloathed with the Sun and Moon under her Feet.
But reviewing your Exact Narrative, I find a passage which s [...]ems Calculated for the Meridian of a Recantation, enough, one would think, to perswade the Incredulous World, that you are just mounting the Stool of Repentance; I read it thus, p. 35. ‘I thank God, that hath given me that humble Heart, that if they bring any passage [Page 12] out of my Books that is not to be justified, I will own my Errour and Shortness.’ Now if they would do the like it would be well. And therefore to lay it the more home upon you both, I would Counsel both Parties, so far as either or both of you are concerned, to take the advice given in your Preface, viz. ‘But if they really disown these gross and vile Errours, which I have proved them guilty of in this following Narrative, and be Cordial [...] the belief and acknowledgment of the great Fundamental Truths opposite to these Errours then it will be that which the sincere Professors of Christianity in these three Nations will expect from them, and may justly require of them, as publickly to retract and renounce these Errours, as they have publickly asserted them in their Printed Books, in the Face of the Christian World, otherwise no sincere Christians will believe them to be in good Earnest, but that they resemble many Old Hereticks, and particularly the Crafty Arrians, that pretended and made great Protestations, that they owned the true Faith, according to all contained in the Scriptures, when they did nothing less.’
Now Sir, Example [...] being more prevalent than Precepts, do you lead the way, and if they do not follow, you will have acquitted your self, and so far left them without Excuse, if in Obstinacy they should refuse to write after your Copy. For I hope you will by this time be Convinced, that the above Quotations are so diametrically opposite to each other, that they cannot all be true and sound Doctrine. But if should still remain of another Mind, and think them all defensible, you would do well to reconcile them so as to evidence it to others; which if you should forbear to endeavour, I must then tell you, That the sincere Professors of Christianity, may justly require of you publickly in Print, to retract and renounce those that by Scripture and Sound Reason you cannot defend: For Mr. Keith, we have an Old Proverb amongst us, That which is Sauce for the Goose, is Sauce for the Gander.
Furthermore, it is expected of you, that you should once come to stability, and no longer be like Caesar at the River Rubicon, one while a mind to go back, another while a mind to go forward; one while profess your self a Quaker, another while almost ashamed of the Name: But either come wholly over to the Church of England (to whom you seem much inclined, and who seems ready with open Arms to receive you, as a true Penitent) and thereby make amends for your so long joining with the Quakers (who have so fiercely opposed Her) whereby in probability you may obtain a Settlement, which may prevent the Ruin of your self and Family, you seem so apprehensive of by leaving the Quakers; who perhaps in Retaliation of your good Service, may be pleased to Reward you with some Ecclesiastical Preferment, which your great Learning and Abilities may Entitle you to. Or else e'ne turn back to your late Abdicated Opinions, and once more embrace your forsaken Friends with a Brotherly Love, if after all the Affronts you have put upon them, they will yet receive you. For in short, neither God, nor good Men love a Laodicean Lukewarmness; but if you continue so, neither hot nor cold, will be ready to Spew you out of their Mouths.
Thus have I adventured to gi [...]e you my Opinion, and so intend to conclude, designing brevity, because I would take the Poets Advice,