The Two Letters written by me unto G.F. do now follow.
Bristol, the 27_th of the 1_st Month, 1677.
George Fox,
In a bowed down Spirit to God, that my Pen may not commit a Tittle of Error to this Paper, either by Want of Plainness, on the one Hand, or Taking too much upon me, on the other, do I now write unto thee, in expectation that thou wilt have a right Savour of my Integrity to the Truth, and so much Charity (if thou apprehend I herein Err) as to inform me wherein: For my Hope is, that I shall for ever have a ready Ear to hear, and a ready Mind to weigh any Instruction, though but from the Meanest of the Flock, much more from an Elder Brother.
Thine of the 14_th of the 11_th Month, I received; but have nothing upon me to write, and Answer thereto; not being willing to strive: Yet (through a Sense of the {Fourth Part 82} present and increasing Distractions amongst Friends) I have somewhat on my Spirit to clear my Conscience, (as in the Sight of God) having a certain Sight, Sense, and Knowledge, that many honest-hearted Friends ( as well as my self) remain, for the Truths sake, Unchangable in their Affections to the Two persecuted Brethren, John Wilkinson and John Story: And many are more and more confirmed through a Certain Knowledge, (which is a better ground than Report) that Persons professing Truth, (and such as are supposed to be had in great Estimation by those, who appear against John Wilkinson and John Story) do forment Lies and Slanders, to the Dishonour of God, Increase of Division, and Hurt of the Souls of the Simple; where the Lies, and False Reports of Slanderous Tongues have place. This may be termed Matter of great Reflection; but in as much as ‘tis really True, 'tis proper enough to be spoken to thee; because, I firmly believe, that thou art in a Capacity to be a Stop to such things as these, by thy publick Exhortation, to all such as are concerned in this Matter.
I remember the Publick Exhortation hath been (in a Paper read amongst Friends, and not long since) To cease Striving, or to that Effect: My Soul would rejoyce to hear more Papers of that Tenour, read amongst Friends; and not only so, but also that such Publick Persons, as seem in a more peculiar Manner to esteem of thee, than some others may, would shew themselves true Friends of the Truth, by following that Counsel. Such as are fit to be Exhorted, learn more by example, than Precept or Exhortation. And if any exhort to Cease Striving, and should yet be found Movers of Strife, or Encouragers of those that are, such therein reach not to the Better Part, neither answer God’s Witness in the Conscience, though it proceeds from an Elder Brother.
{Fourth Part 83} Dear George; for so I call thee, (not in Flattery, my Soul abominates that Spirit, but) because thou wast once so to me, and that through a Sense of that Immortal Life which appeared in thee; and as yet I dare not from Reports of any, positively judge of thee otherwise; but yet cannot but tell thee, If I should appear so Uncharitable as to make Reports (which come with the Face of no less (if not much more) Credit against thee, than Reports against John Wilkinson and John Story do) the Measure of my Faith concerning thee, I must conclude, That thou also are guilty of Accusing wrongfully: And I know, ‘tis much doubted, that thy Example of Giving heed to Reports, hath encouraged others to do the like; and for want of discerning what is True, and what is False, do sometimes run into such Actions and Proceedings, as are grand Marks of an Apostatized Spirit.
Neither dare I positively Judge of thee from Jealousies that had entred, which I confess abundantly have †1 from thine aforesaid, written unto me, more than all that ever I heard, I ever was of this mind, To give little credit to Reports, that tended to the Scandal of a Brother: amongst other things this Jealousy enters me, viz. That thou looks upon thy self, that Man at least, in whom the Son of God hath {Fourth Part 84} appeared to give forth his Law (and to be Recorded as his Law) under the dispensation of the Gospel; even as Moses was the giver forth of the Law in that day: If this be so, and plainly manifested, and confest to by thee, and espoused by other Friends; a separation will then plainly and above Board appear; and many, though not concerned in the late Differences, yet being men of unchangeable Spirit (and so cannot in that respect esteem of thee, otherwise that in the beginning) will be concerned in this: But if this be not so, and be but so declared by thee, the sense of many Friends is, that then the many Differences lately arisen, and fomented amongst Friends, may quickly cease, and the primitive Love be restored, wherein we thought our selves (as far as ever I could perceive) all Servants one to another, and to the Truth; but not Masters: But until one of these do appear in plainness; no doubt but Jealoousies, and Differences will more and more appear, and increase; especially, if the Weakness of any (though ever so few) be such, as to give occasions of Jealousy to others, that their Faith stands in thee, when our Faith ought to stand in none but the Power of God.
Thy Counsel hath often been to this purpose, Follow an Evil Report till the original Reporter be found, in order to the clearing of Truth, that so the Guilty Person ({Fourth Part 83} (whether Reporter, or he on whom the Report is) might Condemn the same.
Now, whosoever hath been the Reporter of a wrong thing against his Brother or Sister, or hath refused to bring forth the Author of a Report that is reprovable, is (according to thy own Counsel) Condemanable; and as it was said by Nathan in another case to David (who to Nathan confest he had Sinned) Thou art the Man, so if report (as credible as any that ever I knew) be true, may it be said of thee, Thou art the Man: Thomas Lower hath lately shown me a Certificate as Evidence that John Story upon the coming of Persecutors to disturb a Meeting, departed out of it; and I perceive this is intended to render him a wrong Man; whereupon I acquainted Thomas Lower to this effect, That if Report of thee was true thou wast in on measure less Guilty of such a Crime, than John Story: he then Proposed to me, To have it under my Hand; I told him, I would very freely so do, provided he would give it under his Hand, that if it was proved against thee, thou oughtest to Judge and Condemn to same; this he would not do, which to me denoted either a Spirit of Partiality, or a sort of Fear like unto that, that is taught by the Precepts of Men; and so I regard to Answer his desire; yet I now give it under my Hand to thee; and my Plain end in short in this, viz. in expectation to receive a Plain and Satisfactory Answer from thee, that if it be possible, some sort of Jealousies may be removed out of my Mind, or else the Reasonableness thereof more confirmed; for ‘tis a day wherein I Account it my Duty to be plain, without Respect of Person, and the Duty of none to reprove others for shuflers, and become shuflers themselves.
Those Scriptures which mention the words [Tradition {Fourth Part 84} and Examples] are in this Day or Age Strained to prove it Friends Duty to follow the Traditions and examples of some of the Brethren, &c. How then can it consist with the Honour of truth, or Good Conscience, for such who Esteem of thee above their Brethren and who seem to esteem of themselves as Countenanced by thee, to Condemn any Brother for doing any thing, if so be it be according to the Example thou hast given?
Since therefore (as I said before) Example is a better Teacher, than Precept, how can it be other than thy Duty to endeavour the removing these stumbling Blocks out of the Way of God’s People, by giving thy Testimony, That thou are not Guilty in either of these particular Things, if in Truth thou canst do so? And by farther manifesting (if it can be proved against thee, and made appear unto thee) that thou art so Guilty, that then Thou wilt Judge and Condemn the same, as that whereby thou hast offended the Church of God; but if Clear in the Sight of God, thou may'st also be cleared in the Sight of his People; and those who have reported such things concerning thee, may Judge and Condemn the same. I hope this Proposition will not be look’t upon by thee, and those who contend for the Establishment of an Outward Form of Government amongst God’s People at this Day, unbecoming the Pen of the Meanest Member in the Body. But if it should, I may justly appeal to God’s Witness in all, whether that Outward form of Government, contended for both by Word and Printing, be such, under which Equal Justice may be Administered to Every One, and the Infirmities of every Member of the Body be equally brought to Judgement.
If thou shouldst look on my Lines as the Fruit of too great Presumption, I have this to say, that what I now Write, is barely to cleare my Conscience; as in the sight of {Fourth Part 88} God; and I am constrained in Spirit thus to do, knowing that not any such Form of Government (wherein the Informities of every Member may not be Equally Reproduced, and brought to Judgement) can be the Form of Christs Government; nor yet that the seasonable mentioning of an Infirmity in an Elder Brother, can be accounted a departing from the Truth, and an Indication that such shall never Prosper.
Whatever the Calumnies, and false Reports, raised on several Brethren may be, whereby, both they, and the Cause of Truth, may be rendred Ignominious, ‘tis to be doubted that the secret Cause of all these late Commotions, which distract the Minds of many, springs from this; That some are esteemed to Exalt Thee, above what is meet; and others are esteemed to look on Thee, as Less than they ought; and that jealousies enter many, that Thou esteemest of thy selfe beyond what thou art. And if these, or at least, some of these things be that secret Cause, and that Thou hast no less esteem than the repute of an Elder Brother by all Friends (which, as far as I know, thou hast not) how can it be less then thy Duty to interpose, that such Differences as of late have arisen, may no longer Live, to the Increase of Division amongst Gods Heritage: That so Records to Ages, and Generations to come, may not tell our Childrens Children, that that People who were clearly gathered out of all Outward Forms, Out-ward Heads, and Outward laws, relating to the Inward-Man, to the Law-giver in themselves, should in so few Years, fall out concerning Outward Orders, and the Head-ship of one Man; for so will it be Reputed, unless thou by Plain Testimony dost Clear the same, by Manifesting, that Thou never intendedst, that what thou hast given forth as instructions, or Directions to the Churches, should be urged with Severity {Fourth Part 86} (which is no less than an Inforceing) upon any of Gods faithful People; but rather commended them to the Churches, leaving the same to God, and his leading Grace in his People, to make use thereof, as he should Manifest a need of such Direction, Counsel or Advice.
Many Antient Brethren besides my self, account this but a Reasonable Proposition, and that which we firmly believed, was according to thy Sense, when thou Travelledst among us, and gave forth several things; and yet thou mayst remember, that when I was at Swarthmore, I acquainted thee, that because John Story had that very Sense, it was said of him, Truly John Story, thy Darkness and Blindness is easily to be felt, and seen, and they must be very Dim of sight that see thee not. Oh the Confusion thy Dark Spirit is in! Whereupon the Book, wherein it was so said, was in thy House brought forth, amongst others, thy Wife’s Son in Law was a subscriber thereof; and when John Story his said Sense, concerning thy giving forth some things was Read, and their Answers thereto, wherein the above Sentences concerning John Story were Read unto Thee, yet I never heard from thee, thy Wife, or her Son in Law, so much as one word disapproving that Answer; but rather a Vindication thereof: Now whether this be not a just Cause of Jealousy, and so thy duty in all plainness to Answer this matter, that so Jealousies (which Friends are Exhorted to shut out, and for which they are accounted little less than Offenders) may be removed, let God Witness in every Conscience Judge.
In the beginning of that day, wherein we were young, and first convinced, and turned to the Light, we experimentally came to know, That if we did walk according to what it did certainly Manifest unto us, we could not Err. {Fourth Part 89} But now I do know, ‘tis the Labours of some (disaffected to John Wilkinson and John Story) by false Reports, to turn the minds of Brethren one against another, and this is not a turning the Mind to the Light, nor yet an Exhortation to keep within the Limits of its Leadings; besides which is no safety; and so many young People growing up, and who are fit Objects for the Seed, to take Root in, have their minds much Exercised to consider this Report of such an one be True, or that Report concerning another False, though neither of them True; and so through their Affection, or weakness of understanding (being too Credulous of other Mens Words, and too much affected with other mens Lines, made ready to their Hands) joyn to one party, and despise another, and all this while (believing a false Report) are led by another Leader, than that whereby Gods people in the beginning were led, viz. Christ’s Light in the Conscience. Such are in a ready way Eternally to Perish, and the Blood of such (if by reason thereof they Perish) will be required at some Hand. May the Righteous God in his Mercy turn the Hearts of such Watchmen, as have been guilty of this sin, saith my Soul, that so they may therein sin no more; for such things are Stumbling Blocks in the way.
If that Body, which is called George Fox (which must return to Earth from whence it came) remains but a few Years upon the Earth, I have this firm Perswasion that Experience will inform Thee, that my plain Lines are not only the Fruit of a plain hearted Friend, but also a seasonable Caution, more worthy thy Notice, than the Words of a flattering Tongue; with my Love to Thee, &c. I Remain
A Friend to thee and the Unchangeable Truth,
William Rogers
{Fourth Part 90} ‘Tis now to be observed, That suddenly after I had sent the above-said Letter to G.F. (which I solemnly affirm, I did for the Clearing of my Conscience, and could not with Peace of Conscience pass by the same) I had some occasion calling me to the City of London; where being come, the afore-said private Letter was very publickly spoken of amongst Friends; for which I was compared to Pennyman and Muggleton: Whereupon being startled, that such a Report should go forth against me on the writing of such a private Letter (before I had been written to, or treated withal about it) I did desire to have a Hours private Discourse with G.F. which he granted; though some Persons interrupted us, that we staid not so long together.
At that time, and at some other time after G.F. urged me to Take my Letter back, and Tear it, and he would Pass it by; but never spoke a word, nor yet ever writ any Answer thereto, whereby I might be saitisfied in the Matter whereof it treated: and therefore, since I have been compared to Muggleton and Pennyman, for writing that private Letter, ‘tis thought meet it may be now Publish’t and Recommended to the Consciences of every Reader.
Here now follows the other of the Two Letters, whereof I make mention, as before, written unto G.F. by me, for the further Clearing of my Conscience.
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† Note, The Reader may here take notice, that G.F. in his aforesaid Letter of the 14h of the 11th. Month. 1676. being an Answer to one sent unto him by me, hints at something Written by me to him, and so seems to make Answer, which (as laid down in G.F’s Letter) runs thus. And thou (meaning my self) sayest, That there is a Spirit risen at this day, that gives many occasion to be Jealous, that thou (meaning G.F.) art lookt upon by some as that Prophet, which Moses Testified of, that God would raise up, &c. but who those are, thou hast not mentioned, and thou saiest Christ is that Prophet (we know) that is to be heard, &c. and he is the only Law-giver, and no Outward Man, &c. To this G.F. thus Answers, Then is not this Prophet to be in Man, to give forth his Law, which comes after Moses? but I cannot deny that Prophet which Moses spoke of, to be raised up, for I know, that it is he that is Opposed, and his Law too, by many talkers of him, and the Light of his Glorious Gospel, and the Order of it, &c. And what I am, I am by the Grace and Love of God and will not deny the Prophet which came after Moses nor the Election before the World began; though all turn into the Jealousies, in which they were before they were convinced: for I believe, few of them that does oppose, knows this Prophet, that comes after Moses though they may speak of him in words, of which Prophet I am not ashamed of. Thus far G.F. in the said cited Letter, which being compared with what he said in the Great Meeting-house in Bristol; before several Hundreds in the 12th. Month, 1677 viz. I AM ELECT BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN, I take to be sufficient ground for such a Jealousy mentioned in this Letter. ↩
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