{Fourth Part 106} To the Two afore-said Letters, I never received any Answer in Writing, nor yet by Word of Mouth, as ever I remember, more than to the Effect: William, If thou wilt take thy Letter back again, ‘tis well enough, or such like Words. But yet, on G.F’s proposing to have a Meeting with me concerning them, we agreed on a Meeting to consist of Twelve Friends on a Side; and after the Reading of the last Letter, I by Writing under my hand desired, That if George Fox had ought against it, he would deliver me his Charge therein in Writing; and then I would make Answer thereto: But my Proposition therein, G.F. refused to Answer, and so the meeting parted.
I now come to take Notice, that there was a Paper given forth from Ellis Hooks his Chamber, by Charles Marshall, and Sixty-Five Persons more, as a Testimony against John Wilkinson and John Story, to which Two Answers were written; and not only so, but a Testimony from John Jennings, and about Seventy Friends more in the County of Wilts, and Thomas Gouldeny, William Ford, and My Self, together with Sixteen Friends besides in Bristol, against it.
This I make mention of, because that Paper from Ellis Hooks his Chamber, signed by Charles Marshal, &c. hath proved but Fuel added to the Fire of Contention, that was Burning before.
Now, forasmuch as I am well sensible, that G.F. esteems himself One having the Care of all the Churches upon him; and that John Story positively affirms, that when he was at Worcester with George Fox, He, viz. G.F. {Fourth Part 107} did then tell him, (which he took as Threatening) Friends would Write against them, and that the Power of God would cast them out, meaning John Wilkinson and John Story: It may be needful for G.F. to give an Account, how he came to be so careless of the Chruches, as not so to sist into the Matter, as that the Unrighteous Proceedings thereof might have been Judged, especially since he was then in London: The Neglect whereof in him, (so Circumstantiated, as he accounts himself to be) occasions this Jealousy, That he was an Approver of the Manner, and Method of their Proceedings; and so may account it a Fulfilling of the Words cited, as spoken to John Story at Worcester; viz. That Friends would write against them, and the Power of god would cast them out.
The Fire of Contention thus increasing, and it being rumour’d, that there was a Separate - Meeting in the North; John Story writes unto the Two Meetings in the North, viz. that called Separate and that called Quarterly; therein proposing Expedients for a Re-uniting, which was Recommended by Thomas Gouldney, and My Self, together with Sixty Friends besides; and was Accepted by those called Separate, as by their Testimony, signed by William Cartmell, and Fifty-Seven Persons more, appears: But Robert Barrow, and Fifteen others of the Quarterly - Meeting, so termed, Condemned John Story’s Proposition, before heard, as by their Answer appears.
This also is thus hinted, because I doubt not, but that it may come to the View of Robert Barrow; who (if he please) may thereupon take Occasion to signify to {Fourth Part 108} me, That George Fox was not concerned in that Council; If in Truth, he can so signify.
This I propose, because ‘tis jealoused, That Matters of no less Moment, are not very commonly Resolved upon by Robert Barrow, and others of Party with G.F. without Advising with him, when they have Opportunities so to do which doubtless are frequent enough, since their Dwellings are but few Miles distant each from other.
William Rogers.
No comments:
Post a Comment