On the whole Matter, in the Fear and Presence of the Almighty God, we declare, That as we do approve of Monthly and Quarterly-Meetings, for the necessary Service of the Truth; so we further say, That as these, or any other Meetings of Friends in Truth, shall be continued to answer these Services, we believe, that as it now is, it also will become our Duty {Fourth Part 38} to be at Unity with our Brethren in the Services thereof. And though one of us, (viz. John Wilkinson) did condescend to subscribe to a Paper, for the Erecting a Woman’s-Meeting in the Country, to answer the Ends in the Paper proposed; which (he testifies) he then did in Singleness of Heart, for Unity’s sake: Yet according to that inward Sense we now have, there appears to us no Absolute Necessity to continue Womens-Meetings in this Country, distinct and separate from the Men; and therefore, do Conscientiously forbear to Assent or Encourage to lay the Intentions of Marriages before them. Yet that Inward Sense, and heavenly Understanding we have received from God, hath and yet doth confirm us in this Judgement; That ‘tis not agreeable with the Line of Truth, to oppose others in the Exercise, and appointed Service of the said Meetings, as here-to-fore, and yet settled and agreed upon; who being Conscientious therein, are otherwise minded than we are. And if any of our Words and Actions have had any Tendency to oppose, &c. (which we are not Conscious of; but if we were, we would readily confess) we say, the Truth in us would have condemned it, even as it now doth. And if it shall please the Lord to manifest unto us a Service in those Meetings in the Country, as well as Cities, the same Integrity towards God, which hath dwelt with us these many Years, past, we believe, will become a Bond on us, to joyn hand and heart with others our Brethren and Sisters therein: But till then, our Desires are, That this may not become an Occasion of Straitness of Spirit each towards other; but that Embracing the wholesom Counsel of the Apostle in another Case, (If in any thing ye are otherwise-minded, wait till God reveal) we may walk together in the pure undefiled Love of our God, which thinketh no Evil.
{Fourth Part 39} That though many of our Brethren see a Service in Recording Condemnations, and Leaving them upon Record to Posterity; yet from that Inward Sense, and heavenly Understanding we have, we see no Necessity to leave them upon Record to Posterity, or retain them, when the Sin is blotted out, and remitted by the Lord; neither to be extended further than the Offence is known; nor yet to continue longer, than the Memory of the Offence abideth . But if any see meet from an Inward Sense of Truth in themselves, to leave such Testimonies relating to themselves to Posterity, we have there-with Unity. That this our Sense may be no Occasion of Straitness of Spirit each towards others, is the Earnest Desire of our Souls; who desire the Prosperity of Truth, and Peace amongst, all the Churches of God.
As to Tythes, We can in truth say, ‘Twas never so much as in our hearts to speak any Words whatsoever, with the least Intent to Strengthen any in the Payment thereof; nor yet to weaken the Faith of any, having a Testimony in our hearts, that Tythes, as at this Day paid, are Anti-christian.
That as Groanings, Sighing, Soundings. and Singings may proceed from Deceitful Spirits; so also we declare Groanings, Sighing, Soundings, and Singings, may be the Fruit of the Spirit of the Lord amongst God’s People. And that as the First is Discouraged, the Second ought to be Encouraged. And the Earnest Desires of our Souls are, That as to these things, nothing but the Spirit of Truth, and sound Judgment may appear, either to Reprove, or to Encourage. And though we have been Accused, as if we were Opposers of such Groanings, &c. which the Truth approveth; yet, God is our Witness, we know it not.
{Fourth Part 40} That though we have been represented, as Persons Encouraging Fleeing in Time of Persecution; We say, we are not Conscious to our selves of so doing: For we believe, those who stand not to their Testimony, but flee there-from in the Day of Persecution, may truly be accounted either Weak in the Faith, or Departing from the Faith.
And thus having given our Inward Sense, according to the Uprightness and Interity of our Hearts, concerning these Five General Heads, from whence all the Forty-Four Articles do arise, we shall with this conclude, That, the God of Heaven is our Witness, our Desires are, to approve our selves Men of Peace, in the Abhorrency of all Fleshly Liberty and Looseness, and to follow after Truth and Righteousness, that the Reign of the Power of the Eternal God may be over all; so will the Kingdoms of this World become Kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ.
As to the Two Questions Answered by the Friends and Brethren met on this Occasion; We, in the Fear of the Lord say, We in the Proposing thereof, had not the least Thoughts to obtain your Yea and Nay, with intent thereby to strengthen such who may be accounted our Party, in any thing that’s contrary to Truth; nor to encourage Looseness, or Bad Spirits: But conscientiously to remove the Scruples of some. And further, we say, We are better satisfyed with your Explication therein, than with your bare Yea and Nay: For that we as well as you are sensible, Apostates, and bad Spirits, seeking a Fleshly liberty, have made use of Arguments deducible from such Principles of Truth, to oppose the Power of God it self, and the Practice of God’s People in the Power.
John Wilkinson
John Story.
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