The CHRISTIANITY of the People called QUAKERS Asserted, by GEORE KEITH: In ANSWER to a Sheet called, A Serious Call to the Quakers &c. Attested by Eight Priests of the Church of England, called • Dr. Isham, Rector of St. Battolphs Bish [...]sgate, , • Dr. Wincop, Rector of St. Mary abb Ch [...]rch, , • Dr. Be [...]ford, Rector of St. George Battl [...] Lane, , • Mr. Altham, M. A. Rector of St. Andrew Undershaft, , • Mr. Bradford, M. A. Rector of St Mary-le bow. , • M. Whitfield, M. A. Rect. of St. Martin at L [...]dgate. , • Mr. Batler, M. A. Rector of St. Mary Aldermanbary. , and • Mr. Ad [...]rs, M. A. Rector of St [...]. And Affirmed by George Keith, or the New Sw [...]rn De [...]con.
MEeting with a Sheet, Intituled, A Serious Call; wherein are several Quotations, already replyed unto, in a late Book, Intituled, The Creed Forgers detected, &c. Yet [Page 4] seeing they are said to be Atte [...]ted by the Eight Priests aforesaid, and Affirmed by George Keith▪ Exactly to Agree with the Books out of which they are taken, as Cited in the Margent▪ We therefore have examined these following, and find he is mistaken, and so are his Brethren, the eight Priests aforesaid, as those that will examine his 4 th, 6 th, 20 th, 21 st. Quotations may find; but we know, as to G. K. it [...]s not the first false Affirmation he hath made, both before and SINCE his Ordination, and to gratifie his new Brethren; and to shew his Enmity, is licking up, and casting forth again, those things against us, many of which were ca [...]t upon us before ever he was called a Quaker, although he was about [...]0 Years or more amongst us, and hath not yet granted that he was Err [...]ous in ANY of the Articles of Faith, commonly called, the Simpliciter Credenda; for he 'saith in his Antichrists and [...], p. 43. ‘I know [...]o Principles I now hold, Antichris [...]. A [...]d Sadd. p. 43. but I am able to prove, I have ne [...]d them EVER SINCE I came among the People called Quakers, as to [...]ching [...]ll the Articles of Faith, commonly called the Simpliciter Credend [...]—And indeed the GREATEST Mistakes that I find I have been under, were my misunderstanding these places of Scripture, Matth. 28.19. and 1 Cor. 11.26. Ibid. p. 42 For, saith he, I remain Constant to my FORMER Principles, Retract P. 41. with respect to these great Doctrines of the Christian Faith.’
‘I do therefore, saith G. K. make this Solemn Appeal to the more Sober, Serious Appeal, P. 6, 7. Impartial and Judicious People, to whose hands this may come, whether cotton Mather is not extremely uncharitable, and posessed with a spirit of Prejudice, and envious Zeal (to use R. Baxter's Phrase) against the Quakers in General, and me (G. K.) in Particular, as guilty of manifold Heresies, Blasphemies, [Page 5] and strong Delusions, to the rendering US no Christians in the lowest Degree or Rank (while I suppose he hath some Charity to some in the Church of Rome, called Papists; and to Lutherans, Arminians, and divers others that differ widely from him) yet agree in the aforesaid Fundamentals, when we hold the SAME FUNDAMENTALS of Christian Doctrine and Faith, notwith [...]tanding C. M [...]ther's strong Ass [...]erations against us, as if we denied almost all, or most of the Fundamental Articles of the Christian and Protestant Faith▪ yet he shall NEVER be able to prove it, That we are guilty o [...] this his so extremely RASH and Uncharitable Charge; either as in respect of the BODY of that People, called in Scorn Quakers, or in respect of ANY PARTICULAR Writers or Publishers of our Doctrines, and Principles, and Preachers amongst us.— [...]nd it sufficeth me, and I hope, doth to many others, Ibid. p. 7. that according to the best knowledge I have of the People called Quakers, and those most generally owned by them, as Preachers, and P [...]blishers of their Faith, of unq [...]estioned esteem amongst them, and worthy of double Honour, AS MANY SUCH THERE ARE; I know None that are guilty of any one o [...] such Heresies and Blasphemies, as he accuseth them —And I think I should know, and do know, those called Quakers, and their Principles, Writ. 1 [...]92.—having been Conversant with them in P [...]blick Meetings, as well as in private Discourses, with the most noted and esteemed among them for about Twenty Eight Years put, and that in many Places of the World, in EUROPE, & for these divers [...]ears in AMERICA.’
And now [...]oncernig INFALLIBILITY.
‘We affirm, P. 7. said G. K. That the Spirit of God in us▪ and all Believers, in every Discovery it gives, i [...] Infallible; yet we have never judged Our se [...]es absolutely Infallible; nor did [...] place o [...] fix an [Page 6] absolute Infallibility upon ANY Man—but on the contrary, Truth's Defe [...]e. p. 65. that the Dictates and Leadings of God's Spirit in [...]s, are [...]nfallible, and have a direct tendency to Lead, Guide, and Move us Infallibly.’
And if G. K. now thinks it's a vile monstrous Error for any to speak and write from God and Christ, Immediately and Infallibly, and that those that have only gotten the words, and have not the Spirit of God and Christ, are nor under the Curse, and in another Spirit than the Apostles were in, let him.
And if he doth not, Why doth he quote G. F. & esteem it a vile Error, See Serious Call. for his saying, viz. ‘And Thou and You, all that Speak and Write, and not from God Immediately and Infallibly, as the Apostles did, and Prophe [...]s and Christ; but ONLY have gotten the words: You are all under the [...]rse, in another Spiri [...], Ravened from the Spirit that was in the Apostles.’
Note. G. K. did whilst among the Quakers, vindicate these very Pers [...]ns, in the same Doctrines which he n [...]w calls Vile Errors; and thereby re [...]ders himself Ins [...]cere, in Pretending to be ign [...]rant of them,If this be a vile and monstrous Error, will and doth he Assert the contrary, viz. ‘That all that only have gotten the Words, but are in another Spirit, than Christ, the Prophets and Apostles were in, do all Write and Speak from God Immediatly and Infallibly, and are not under the Curse, nor ravened from the Spirit that was in the Apostles:’ If so, and this be now his Doctrine, he is changed from what he was when a Quaker, when he Vindicated their Doctrines in the Name of the Lord; and when he held, as the Quakers [...]ill do, all the Doctrines and Princ [...]es of the Christian Faith.
Concerning the Scriptures.
' Geo, [...]ox says, as quoted, The Scriptures are not Infallible no [...] Divine, but H [...]mane. Note, But there are no such words in the Place Cited, altho' it is elsewhere, notwithstanding the Attestation of the three Doctors, and [...] M [...]ers of Art, and Rectors, and G. K [...]s Affirmation to the T [...]th as [Page 7] Cited: However hear G. K.
‘I Answer, That not only th [...] Old Testament, but even the Writings or Letter of the New Testament, G. K's [...] De [...]e, P. [...]3. may be called a Killing Letter to those that [...]emain alienated from the Spirit that quickens, even as Origen hath formerly Taught, in his Commentary of [...]. Not only (saith he) in the Old Testament is found the Killing Letter; there is also in the New Testament the Letter which Killeth him who doth not Spiritually attend unto the things which are spoken. Now if any go from the Spirit, that only makes the true Gospel Administration, and set up the Letter or Writing of the Apos [...]les, in the roem of the same these Writings of the Apo [...]les do eventually become a killing Letter, no less than that of the Law, and can no more give Li [...]e, o [...] make Perfect, than the outward Law could. Ibid. 59.—’
‘The Translations o [...] the Scripture (the which Translations are commonly called Scripture) have divers Addions, 54. which Men have added without any pretence to Divine Inspiration. 49.—The Letter or External Form of the Writing is not properly the Word of God. 47.—By the Word of God in the Scriptures, is not unders [...]ood the Letter, but Christ.’ Thus far G. K.
'And will he now say, Only the bare Writing or Characters, co [...]si [...]ing of Ink and Paper, is properly the Word of God, and are Infallible, Divine, and not Humane? I [...] G. K. will now so assert, let him.
Concerning Christ's Coming to Iudgment Is quoted G. W. as followeth.
‘ Call.What is the Glory of the Father, in which Christ's Coming is? Is it visible to the carnal Eye, and where is that Coming to be? Is it now to be looked for outwardly?’ G. K. saith,
‘ G K 's [...] Co [...] P. 16.I do serious [...]y and truly tell thee, as I faithfully believe that Christ did locally Ascend upwards into the Heavens, whence also he shall Descend at the time [Page 8] of the Restitution of all things.’
And if G. K. hath Retracted this, the Quakers see no cause to Retract, nor yet to affirm that Christ's Comming is Visible to the carnal Eye.
Concerning Heaven and Hell.
‘There is none have a Glory and Heaven, but within them:’ And in Answer to this, and what W. Penn saith, Call. he [...]r G. K. saith,
‘ Note, if every Regenerate Man is in Heaven, Rector Cor. P. 14. then he hath a Heaven wit [...]in him, or hath a Peace and Joy in him, from Christ.This is no great Ridd [...]e nor Paradox to the least Child of the New Jerusalem; P [...]l indeed was before in Heaven, and so is every Regenera [...] [...] Present.’
Concerning doing Servile Work on the Lord's Day and the Moral Law.
We might [...] G. K. [...]ought [...] and express Scripture, and proved by plain and express Scripture, and in express Scripture Terms, that the doing of any Servile Work on the 1st D [...]y of the Week, called here the Lord's Day, is forbid; and by express Scripture, proves the 1st Day of the Week▪ and none of the other Days, is called the Lord's Day, & that Christ is not the Life of a Christian, or the true Christians Life and doth by express Scripture Terms, prove that it [...]s an Article of Faith or Doctrine, in common to be believed▪ but he may expect some Quotations to that Head; and seeing in this Sheet use is made of a Quotation, out of Appeal, as it's said, out of a Quakers Book concerning the Church of England's Ministry, we refer the Reader to a Sheet, Intituled, Mr. Geo. Keith's Account of a National Church, and the Ministry of the Church of England; and to the Animadversions thereon; and also to the Book, intituled, The Portraiture of Mr. Geo. Keith, wherein it doth appear, what Account G. K gives [...]erning the Ministry of the Church of England, and [Page 9] the Dissenting Ministry; and let him now, if he will, own or deny them to be Heretical and Antich [...]istian, so far as they reflect upon the Persons of our Opposers, and most Heretical.
From the foregoing and following Quotations it will appear, what G. K's Belief was, a [...]d the Quakers is concerning the Ten Articles.
1st Concerning Infallibility G. K. saith,
‘ G. K's T [...]t [...]'s De [...]ce P, 64.How [...] this Conseq [...]e [...]ce is, I leave unto sober Men to Judge; as to Conclude▪ because Men are fallible, that therefore the [...] Light of God's Spirit in Men is [...]allible [...] not Peter Fallible in some [...] ▪ Did not he fail sorely when he denied his [...] it therefore follow that the Dictate o [...] Light of God's Spirit in him was Fallib [...]e?’
‘To say that they have no Infallible Spirit, the plain English of which is▪ that the Spirit of God, and God himself, is Fallible; thus saith G. K. in his Pres [...]. and In [...]. Visible Churches, P. [...]7.’
Concerning the Holy Scriptures, and their being the Only Rule of Faith and Practice, or to try Spirits, &c. G. K. saith.
‘Its no Repugnancy, that one and the same thing he Superiour and Inferiour in differe [...] [...]espects, [...]uth's Defence, P. 65. and as it respecteth different Subjects. But there is no necessity to understand the Dictate and Light of God's Spirit in divers Men to be Superiour and Inferiour, when it Examines and is Examined, for one equal may be a Measure or [...]le to another; yea, one thing may be said to [...]e a Rule unto it self, according to that common Maxim or Principle, Linea rec [...]a est n [...]rma [...] Obliqui, i. e. A right Line is a Rule of it self, and also of that which is Crooked — The Power of God is the Rule—For none know truly the S [...]iptures, [...] but they who know the Power of God; and therefore that Power which is Life, Light and spirit, is the more [...] and Orginal Rule.’
Concerning the Trinity, G. K. saith.
‘ G. K's [...] App. P. 2.The only Exception we have, [...]is against that Unscriptural Term or Phrase of Three Persons, or a Trin [...]y of Persons.’
‘ G. K 's [...], P. 5 [...].And therefore let all Men know, to whose hand this may come. That the People called Quakers never denied, but on the contrary f [...]ithfully be [...]ieved, and do Still faithfully believe, [...] is Recorded, in the holy Scriptures, of that great Mystery; to wit, That God is One, and that the F [...]ther▪ the Son, and the Holy Gho [...]t, is that One Only True and Living God, the Creator and Upholder of all.’
Ibid. P. [...]8.Concerning Christ and his Blood.
G. K. saith, ‘The Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Apostles pre [...]ched, that died for our Sins, and rose again for our Justification, is ascended and gone into Heaven, is [...] alone Son of God, [...] that his Body was Cr [...]cified▪ and Buried, did not see Corruption, that the People called Quakers own.’
‘ [...] G. K. such further [...]l [...]grant neither our Souls nor our [...] Heaven no [...] Redemption, as Meri [...] [...] seeing God hath [...] so [...]ear as to [...] as the [...]lood of his dear Son [...] may [...] to have some Dignity [...] which is to say [...], otherwise God would never have given so great Ransom for them, in the Souls of Men, in respect of their Nature and Being, had not been of great Value [...] which is all I understand by the word [...] Me [...]it, as used by any of us.’
G. K 's [...], 180.Concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
G. K. saith, o [...] their Two Sacraments, called Baptism and the Supper: ‘ [...] for the [...] or Word Sacrament, it is no where to be found in all [Page 11] the English Trans [...]tions of the Bible, received among Protestants; neither is there any W [...]d either in the Hebrew or Greek, that doth [...] answer unto it, unless they will Translate the Greek Word that signifieth Mystery, to signifie a Sacrament; as the old Latin hath it in E [...]h. 5. [...]2. Loc est [...]num Sacramentum, i. e. This is a great Sacrament: For which our English Trans [...]t [...]on [...] more property▪ This is a great Myst [...]y. But if Sacrament signifie Mystery, then the [...]e must be [...]o many Sacraments as [...].’
‘As for Inf [...]s Baptism▪ p. 1 [...]1. and [...] a Child of Eight D [...]ys or more or less, on the [...]o [...]e he [...]d, and call it Baptism, it hath [...] in all the Scripture, neither of Pr [...]ce [...]t no [...] [...]; as will easily appear, by considering the places of Script [...]re, they cite 10.1 [...]— [...]s [...]. 9.10. to 22 — Gen. 17.9.—we find neither [...] nor Practice in all the Scripture, nor was the Practice of Baptizing Infants in use for an Hundred Years and more after the Apostles days, among Professors of Christianity.’
‘And [...] for W [...]t [...]-Baptism in General, Ibid. P. 1 [...]4. We say [...] It did only pro [...]rly belong to John [...]s Mini [...]y a [...]d Dispensation, and is Expresly [...] from the Baptism of Christ, both by [...] and also by Christ himself—And i [...] any were [...] up by the Lord, as John was▪ and could prove and instruct their being sent to Baptize with Wa [...]er, as he was; these, to whom they should be sent, ought gladly to Receiv [...]; but to [...] by BARE IMITATION [...] pretended Call, which they CANNOT PROVE to be either Mediate or Immediate, is great Presumption, yea, Superstition; and to call that a Command of God: which he hath given them no Command to Practice; is to set up the Precepts of Men in the Room of God [...]s Commandments, as [Page 12] the Pharisees did o [...] old, N. E. and is a taking of his Name in vain; for which he wil not hold them Ga [...]l [...]less. And they can never prove, by all their Art and S [...]ill, that Water Baptism is Command [...] by Christ, N. E. Mat. 2 [...].18, 19. For all God [...]s Commands and Precepts, Especially of Publick Institution, relating to the Church, are Express in so many express Words, and are not left to be gathered by uncertain and doubtful Consequences.’
‘ P. 185.When God sent John to Baptize with Water, Water was expressed; but in the Apostle's Commission to Baptize, no mention is made of Water, nor no words of Institution commanded to be used.’
‘ P. 187.We grant that Christ had an outward Supper with his Disciples, when he did eat the Paschal Lamb with them; and this was a real Supper, and not like that which ye now use, that is neither Substantial Supper nor Dinner, being only a little Crumb of Bread, scarce so big as a [...]ut; and a Spoonful of VVine, or two, which hath little outward Substance, and no Inward and Spiritual Signification unto you—your Supper is a meer Shadow, and none of Christ [...]s Supper, nor of hi [...] Institution. With much more.’
Concerning the Resurrection.
G. K's [...], P. 9.In the [...]aid Sacet it [...]s said, They (that is the, Quakers) deny the Resurrection of the Body after Death.
G. K. saith, ‘By W. Penn's words, it is clear to pro [...] the contrary, of a Carnal Resurrection.’
G. K. also saith to this charge, That they (i. e. the Quakers) Deny the Resurrection of the Dead.
‘ Presb. and I.d. visib. C [...]rr [...]hes. P. [...]29. [...]8.This is also a most false Charge, which they can never prove: But beause we deny their Carnal Conceptions of the Resurrection, and hold [...] to Scripture words, which is most safe, therefore they have so belyed us.’
'And for the more Satisfaction of the Reader, [Page 13] I refer him to a little Book, called The Principles of Truth, published by some noted Men of the Quakers; in which Book it is expresly [...]ffirmed, ‘That [...] (to wit, the Quakers) believe, That the same body which is laid down▪ shall be Rised up at the Resurrection of the Dead, as much as a Natural Body can be the same with a Spiritual Body, or an Earthly Body can be the same with a Heavenly Body, according to the Scriptures Testimony; It is [...] Natural, but raised▪ Spiritual; and the Glory of the Heavenly is one, and the Glory of the Earthly is another; and this may satisfie any sober Inquirer.’ And Paul, writing concerning the Resurrection of the Dead, saith, That is not first which [...]s Spiritual, but that which is Natural (or. Animal, and afterward that which is Spiritual) 1 Cor. 15. [...]6. And vers. 49. As we have born the Image of the Earthly; we shall hear the I [...]ge of the Heavenly.
Concerning that called the Sabbath.
The Posts. also saith, [...], the Quakers, S [...]r. Call. do allow doing Servile Work on the Lord's Day:
G. K. saith, Pres [...] and [...] [...]hurche [...]. p. 192.194. ‘Concerning that ye call your Christian Sabbath, which ye say is the first Day of the Week.—but ye bring no sober proof for any such Charge, and the Scriptures ye c [...]te say no such thing, as Gen 2.2, 2. Rev. 1.10. E [...]. 20.8, 10. Mat. 5.17. For that outward Sabbath, that was enjoyned unto them was a Sign and Figure.—And when the pure G [...]pel and Christian Dispensation did take place [...] these Figurative and Shadowy Sabbaths were cha [...]ged to the Substance, and that Substance or Body is Christ, according to Col. 2.17. With much more on this Head.’
And now, hear G K. farther, in his Preface to his Serious Appeal.
Concerning the Quakers.
[...] [Page 15] have opportunity, they may see the Christianity of the Quakers, and G. Keith also, [...] Quaker. and [...]nquire if ever they [...], heard or read o [...] any M [...]n that [...] done like him, that prete [...]ed to be so many Years sound, as to the Fundamentals of Christianity, and all the Doctrines of the Christian Religion, and that hath made so b [...]ld [...] Name of the Lord, and pretended to such Zeal and Co [...]cern [...]or God, to c [...]n [...]rad [...]ct himself, and feignedly to say, He judgeth it his [...] from true [...], and out of real Love to Truth, to say and unsay, and [...]o confidently Assert he doth [...] and hum [...]ly; Can you think this is a Teacher sent or called of Go [...], commisionated by Christ, g [...]ided by his Spirit, and fit to Follow, or to Pre [...]ch up that Dispensation, of which it [...] said, every Man shall speak the Truth to his N [...]gh [...]r [...] [...]nd [...]are the so called [...], and [...], and those that [...] him, to be commended [...]or their W [...]sdom? And do they thereby [...] they have [...]re in, or are guided [...]y, the Wisdom [...]f God and his Holy Spirit (by which so many as are the Sons of God are [...]ed) [...] the [...]r [...]oyning with his Man? h [...]s hoped, [...] t [...]at [...]ollow [...] will duly and well consider these things, you will not [...] ounce him, but consider that his evil Works, and those that Joyn with him therein, ought to beforsaken, and that it wil be more for your Profit▪ and tend more to your Inward Peace and Christian Reputation, to hearken to the Voice of Christ in your own Hearts, and to mind that Light by which all things that are reproved are made manifest, and [...]e [...]ieve in him who said, I am the Light of the World, and exhorted to earn [...]f him, who will teach you [...]reely; and no longer to follow [...] and su [...]h Preachers, if you would be Christia [...] [...] and then it's ho [...]ed you will acknowledge, viz as G. K. saith, p. 230. to the P [...]esb [...] and [...] [Page 16] Churches viz of New England. [...] by what's herein, and what G. K. saith, P. 15. of his Exact. [...]. and Preface [...]ere [...], whether he hath not proved himself an Apostate, a great Hyp [...]crite, stra [...] Mad, and Crazed in his Understanding.
‘It had been more Manly and seemingly Christian, (for G. K. and his Abettors) or any others of their Sect or Society, Fairly to have stated the Quakers Principles, and then to have refuted them by the best or strongest Arguments they could find: But this none of the [...] have done [& he truly hath said, They never can] nor, says he, did I ever see to this day, any one Writer, that did write against the Quakers, that did fairly state their Principles, but, miserably belyed and abused them, by either affirming things to be their Principles which were not, or by so unfairly Representing and Wresting the words of our Honest Friends, by their Addings and Diminishings, that they could not at all acknowledge them as such; all which is a manifest Evidence of the Weakness and Badness of their Cause, as well as of that evil Conscience that is in them; when they use such unlawful ways and means to defend themselves, or to oppugn others.’
Published on Behalf of the People called Quakers, by some of them.
Reprinted at Philadelphia by Reynier Jansen 1700.