{Third Part 125} The copy of a Letter pretended to be given forth by W.R.
Friends,
It was upon me several weeks past, if any occasion would in any wise permit, to come up to the City of London, to be present among Friends from divers parts of the Nation at this time, that so I might have Opportunity to confer with Friends, who were dissatisfied with me, touching what I had written in Answer to Robert Barclays Book of Government. And a few dayes before my coming up, Robert Barclay (being in London) writ unto me to come up that we might have a Conference at large touching the same. This his Request had the greater Obligation upon me to be present in London at this Time. On Conference had with him, we agreed, that a Free-Meeting might be had with Friends, in whose Presence Robert Barclay and my self, might in all Coolness and Moderation concert together, that so all Misunderstandings might be removed, and the Truth be evidenced to the Consciences of the Brethren then present.
The Meeting for this End was this day had, and a very Christian and fair debate was had, to the Satisfaction of both of us, as far as I can understand, and the Matters chiefly objected by me were fairly and Brother-like, and in much Love discoursed, and upon the whole Matter I am satisfied, that Robert Barclay is not Principled, so as I and others have taken his Book to import.
In particular, he doth declare That his Book teacheth not, that the Church of Christ hath Jurisdiction over the Outward Concerns of Friends, in case of Difference, without the Assent of the Differing Parties, and that it was far from his Intention.
For his Intention, as he declares, was only to manifest, that Friends ought to submit their Cases of Difference to the Decision of the Church, and in Case of Refractoriness, {Third Part 126} that Such Persons Ought to be Disowned.
That though Robert Barclay in one Place affirms to this purpose. That there never will or can be wanting in case of Controversy the Spirit of God, to give Judgement through some or other in the Church of Christ, so long as any Assembly can properly, or in any tolerable Supposition, be so term’d. He declares, that the words were Sound, and further sayeth, that thereby he intends no other, but such Assemblies as in reality, and Truth may be termed the Church of Christ. And whereas he sayeth to this purpose, That ‘tis Disobedience to God, not to submit to the Sentence of such Assemblies, though the Persons refusing to submit, pretend they see it not; yet he declares, that his meaning thereby is not, that if they submit before Conviction of Conscience, they therein find Acceptance with the Lord; but rather to shew that their want of Sight is through Disobedience, Or unwatchfulness to the Grace of God in themselves, which if they did take heed thereunto, would shew it their Duty to obey.
We also had Discourse touching his Assertion, that Principles and doctrines, &c. believed through the Force of Truth on the Understanding, are as it were the Terms (and in another Place, the Books produced, it appeared that he asserted, there was a more Inward Bond, viz. the Life of Righteousness; and that the book declares, that we are gathered into the Belief of the Principles and Doctrines by the Truth, and its Power and Influence upon our Hearts) and the very Bond by which we became Centered into one Body, and Fellowship, &c. and on a Debate thereof he acknowledged, that his meaning was not they were the Original Bond, but rather as Fruits and Branches of that Bond, and so in that respect might be as an Outward Bond whereby we are united in an Heavenly Society.
We had also some Discourse touching his Title Page, wherein he asserts, that the Ancient Apostolick Order of the Church of Christ is Re-established on it right Basis and Foundation: {Third Part 127} touching which he declareth, That his meaning is not only with respect to all the Outward Orders and Forms of Discipline in Government amongst us, but also with respect to the Power of God, which in the Primitive Dayes was, and now is the great Order of the Gospel. And though Robert Barclay hath given these Explications of his meaning; yet the very Explication (as he sayeth) are to be found in his Book, if duely weighed.
Having given you an account in short of what was discoursed this day amongst Friends, this further lies upon me to signify unto you, on behalf of R. Barclay I am satisfyed that he is not Principles as I and many, by some Passages in his Book, took him to be; and since it is so, that many have taken an offence against him for that Cause (as may be doubted) even so far as to Reject his Testimony, and Service for the Truth, it lyeth upon me as my Duty even for his and the Truths sake to warn all, that they take heed not to entertain Prejudice against his Testimony, or Jealousyes that may enter, on the score of any apprehensions, or mistakes of his Book and that answer that I have given thereto, but rather in a unprejudiced Spirit to wait on the Lord, to feel and Savour his Testimony even as if the occasion had never been.
And I do Freely confess, that inasmuch as I Publisht my Book, before I gave Robert Barclay notice, of my Objections and Intentions therein, I acted (in that Respect) not according to Gospel Order, but am Justly worthy of blame therein, It is with me also to signifie to you that I am abundantly satisfied, that Robert Barclays Book of Government was Written at or before the time of its Date, for that he Solemnly Affirms it was so.
William Rogers.
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