{Fourth Part 91} Bristol, the 3_d. of the 10_th Moneth, 1677.
George Fox,
I have one more a Constraint on my Spirit to write unto thee, and in Singleness of Heart thus to say.
On the the 25_th. of the last Moneth, a Separate Meeting was held in our City; unto which my Self, and divers other Friends went on these Two Considerations: First, to bear a Testimony against the Appointment of that Meeting, because it was held in our Publick Meeting-House, though divers Friends of the Monethly Men and Womens-Meeting did Oppose the same, when1 Proposed. And, Secondly, To prevent such Designs, which was believed might have a Tendency to Deceive the Simple, by bringing forth Scandalous Papers against John Story and John Wilkinson, toward whom many Friends dare not demean themselves, as if they were Apostatized from the Antient Truth. Being thither come, a Testimony was born Against the Appointment, and Holding the said Meeting; and some I believe, were made Instrumental to preserve others out of the Snare, which was laid to Betray the Simple. But that which greatly grieved my Heart, and which at this time is a Concern upon me to signify to thee, was The Reading a Letter, which was said to be from thee_.
If that Letter was really given forth by Thee, and made use of in the Meeting, according to thy Intent and End, and so will stand by the Person or Persons {Fourth Part 92}introducing the same to be read, as to their End and Intent therein; then tis plainly evident, That thou art at least the Espouser, if not the Head of the Cause of Men, that have appeared Partial, Unrighteous in Judgement, and Persecutors in high Degree. And, blessed be the Lord, (for in Zeal to the Cause of truth I speak it) that he hath not only given me a Sight hereof, but also Boldness (in which I have Peace) to testify against that Partial, Unjust, Persecuting Spirit, in whomever it appears; that under a Pharasaical Pretence of Love, and Bowels of Compassion, or such like, would destroy and nurture the Name and Reputation of the Lord’s Servants; whenas I am fully satisfyed, if they would but Bow to Men, they might avoid the Stroke of the Passion.
Alas, Friend! little did I in Dayes past think, that thou wouldst appear either as a Head, or Espouser of the Cause of such; nor yet of any, who would cast Stumbling-Blocks in the way of God’s People: But now ‘tis evident, that thou art the Man, under whose Name Papers are spread; which seems as a Strengthening to such, as well as one that puts Stumbling-Blocks before the Lord’s People thy self: And therefore if thou hast any Regard to the Flock of God, it becomes thee to cease sending abroad such Papers, or putting Stumbling-Blocks in the Way of the Simple.
Perhaps, thou may'st think the Language unbecoming me; yet I must tell thee, That though Darkness hath over-shadowed the Hearts of many, so that they seem like Men Void of all Wisdom and all Reason, (whereby it seems to me, as if they were Proselytes of such amongst the Sixty-Six Subscribers at Ellis Hook’s Chamber; who coming with another Gospel, than that which stands in the Wisdom of God, have Preach’t against All Wisdom and All Reasoning) yet the Eyes of many of the{Fourth Part 93} Antient Flock of God continued yet open, and have beheld the Whimsies and Imaginations that have entred some, whereby the Name of God hath been but too frequently Blasphemed, and the Word and power of God abominably Abused, by such whom the Papers seems to be a Strength to: which has long since created Jealousies, that the dread of that Antient Power (which many Brethren testifyed, was with thee in the Beginning) is departed. The Consideration whereof puts me in remembrance:
First, That though thou and many have judged John Perrot as an Apostatized Person from the Truth, for introducing a New Practice in the Church; yet those who (as far as I know) stand in and for the same Faith and Practice they were in from the Beginning, are now judged Apostatized, because they cannot imbrace (for Conscience sake) some New Prescription, which you are accounted either the Author or Countenancer of.
Secondly, that though the Apostle thus exhorted; Little Children, keep your selves from Idols; yet thy Book touching Womens-Meetings, &c. (very Scandalous to the Truth, and worthy in several Particulars to be Judged and Condemned) informs us, as if Micah’s Mother, spoken of Judges 17. (when she gave Money to make a Graven Image to be Worshipped) was a Virtuois Woman; for touching her thou hast thus written: And was not_Micah’s Mother a Virtuous Woman? Read Judges 17. and see what she said to her Son. And in a few lines after, thou thus testifyes: These, and such like Women are Recorded to Posterity, for their Wisdom and Virtue: See thy Book, Pag_. 43, 44.
Thirdly, Though there are Endeavours to send Papers to and fro, to bespatter John Story, for going out of a Meeting when the Persecutors came, yet I know, that {Fourth Part 94} thou thy self hast been found in the like Action, and (if Reports be true) the frequentest of any Man, that ever I heard called by the Name of a Quaker: And ‘tis to me a broad Signe, that this would not have been omitted, as a grand Article against him amongst others at Drawel, hadst not thou been Guilty in the like Case.
Fourthly, That though John Wilkinson and John Story are persecuted by such, unto whom thy Papers seem a Strength, because they will not Condemn themselves: Yet I never heard, that thou, as yet, hast ever given forth any Paper of Condemnation for the Errors thou hast Committed, in writing the Book about Womens Meeeting, &c. or any thing else; Though I cannot believe, but that thou art Conscious to thy self, that Truth is scandalized thereby; unless so great Imagination hath entred thee, as to conclude, That all thy Words, Writings, and Actions are Right, because they are brought forth through thy Earthly Vessel. And to speak plain I must tell thee, Thou are not free from giving Occasion to be Jealous, that thou dost so conclude: Else, when I treated thee about the Business of Micha’s Mother, Why didst thou tell me, as thou then didst, viz. That thou Knewest what thou didst, and that Thou sawest ‘twould be a Stumbling-Block? But rather, on the Sight of thy Mistake, have ingeniously confest the same; for 'tis an Abominable thing in thee, or any Man knowingly to put Stumbling-Blocks in the Way of God’s People. And know this from me, thou wilt never be able to wipe away the Reproach that lyes upon thee, for writing that Book, until thou Condemn and Judge thy self, for many things therein contained.
And to be yet more plain: When I do consider, that the Reputation and Respect, that hath been given unto {Fourth Part 95} thee by many (if not most of those, who in Parts here-a-way were first convinced of Truth) did first spring from the Testimony we had concerning thee, from the Mouths of those who we believed the Lord (and not thou) sent forth to gather us; it seems a very strange Thing, and the Badge of a grand Apostacy: That any of the surviving Remnant of those Antient Labourers (being as sound in Doctrine and principle, and as blameless in their own outward Lives and Conversation, as in the Beginning, and thereby manifesting themselves Stayed in the Unchangeable Truth) should be Persecuted, and rendered Offenders, for that which Truth declares to be no Offence; and yet thou so far from being a Reproof thereto, that ‘tis evident to me from my Discourse had with thee at Swarthmore, and other things, that thou art become a Strength to them.
Hast thou forgotten, that Truth was Preach’t in the Beginning, under he Name of the Unchangeable Truth? And, Is the Day now come, that a Remnant of the Antient Stock (who bore the Brunt, and Heat of the Day) must now be Persecuted; whenas I am satisfyed, if they could but now run with others to Change their way, they might yet be esteemed Good Friends?
Hast thou forgotten, how often the Testimony of the Ancient Brethren were on this wise, We Preach not out selves, look not unto us, but unto the Appearance of Christ in your selves? And yet one Cause Assigned by thee, that John Wilkinson and John Story are wrong, is their not Coming to thee, and by the sixty six Subscribers at Ellis Hook’s Chamber in London, their not Coming to Them? Truly those who have received their Ministry from God, are not to run hither and thither at thy Call, or any man’s Call whatsoever; though I do know thou hast (in a Letter written to me) Assigned their not {Fourth Part 96} coming to Thee, when thou send'st for them, to be as a Proof that they were not Right, nor in the Light and power of God. But by what Authority, or according to what Principle of Truth, Men, called of God into the Work of the Ministry, must be declared to be not right, nor in the Light and Power of God, because they come not to Thee, when thou sendest for them, I understand not: for thou in the best Estate, wast but a Member of the Christ of God, unto whom we are all to come, when he calls: And if any shall Affirm, that thou hast, and dost retain thy place, yet in that Case, Thou canst be but a fellow-servant, accountable unto the Christ of God, as every Member of the Body (whereof Christ is Head) is?
Hast thou forgotten, how Thou hast Testified against James Naylor’s Spirit, whose great fall was his owning, or at least not Reproving the Women, when they Cryed with a Carnal Tongue Hosanna to him? And hast Thou no Sense, that its gros Ignorance, and thick Darkness for any to look upon Thee, as that Prophet whom the Lord by his Servant Moses Prophesied he would raise up, like unto him, whom the People are to hear in all things? I cannot believe thou art Ignorant, that such there are, who so Look on thee; and I never understood thou becamest a Reproof to this Spirit.
Hast thou no Sense, that the same Spirit of Ignorance, hath and can look upon that abominable Quotation, touching Micahs Mother, as well enough, which where-ever it is, doth undoubtedly Spring from this, the ‘tis George’s giving forth, and so there must be something in it? And hast Thou not been desired to Clear things of this Nature, and to be a Reproof to such Ignorance and Darkness, which tends to lead us to lead us into Egypt again? I am the man who have Cause to be Jealous, that there are some who {Fourth Part 97} look upon others either Apostatizing from the Truth, or standing in slippery Places; when they find not a more that ordinary Respect for thee, I will not say, an Hosanna in their Breasts, as the Women had in their Mouths for James Naylor; and therefore I cannot but say, it might well become thee by a plain Testimony to Clear things of this Nature.
Many for Truth’s sake, and out of an indeared Respect for thee in particular, and a Hope that these little Differences amongst Friends might pass over (and that thou wouldest use the Interest thou hast in the Hearts of the Professors of Truth, to quell those many little Commotions, which seemed some Moneths and Years past, but as sparks of Fire) have born in a Spirit of Patience; yet now, since it is evident, that Ignorance, Envy, and Zeal without Knowledge, Joyn Hands together to make War against God Servants, and that thy Papers seem a Strength thereto, therefore in the Zeal of the Lord of Hosts kindled to War in Righteousness against that Ungodly, Insinuating Spirit, that makes it its business to be spatter John Story and John Wilkinson, whereby the Simple-hearted may be in danger to be turned out of the Way. ‘Tis unnatural amongst the Heathen, for the Father to pierce and Wound his Children; Oh Friend! Consider of that.
If thou art the Head and chief Promoter of this War against the Antient Brethren, appear like a Man of War open-faced; and if thou are not, Remove the Jealousies, that have entred the Breasts of many concerning thee, which I know not how may be better done, that by a plain and Candid Answer to this and the last Letter I writ thee, which I was constrained to write, to Clear my Conscience; but thy not Answering my last {Fourth Part 98} Letter shews plainly to me, that thou canst in Truth so Answer, as to keep thyself from coming under the just Censure of Truth; for several Things which I therein say are reported concerning thee, I know are True: And if such things are Crimes in other, How comes it to pass, that the like are not Crimes, when committed by thee? And therefore, since such things have been accounted by those, whom thy Papers seem a Strength to, as Crimes; I cannot tell how thou canst shew thy self at Unity with them, or they with thee, till by thine or their Repentance and Condemnation, ye become Reconciled: For otherwise, either they will shew themselves Wrong, or thou wilt appear as if in thy own Sense, Thou wert Exempted from the Stroke of that Justice, which in the same Case is prescribed for others.
And truly, Friend, ‘tis much taken notice of, that All Reasoning, and All Wisdom is preach’t against of late: Who would but think, that such Men esteem all sorts of Ignorance and Unreasonableness to be Vertue? For my part, I measure not so; yet this measure I take, That when I find such an one to use Wisdom and Reason to evidence a Good Cause, I cannot but conclude, Such an ones Cause is stark Nought; when his best Argument to evidence it to be Good, is to cry out against All Wisdom, and All Reasoning. Such an Argument I have not known to convince Men of Conscience and Wisdom, though some such have, or may be, of whom Solomon thus speaks; How long, ye Simple Ones, will ye love Simplicity, and Fools hate Knowledge! Turn ye at my Reproof.
One other Shift, I have of late also observed, as a Practice to manifest a Bad Cause to be Good, viz. To get a Multitude of Hands to vilify Antient Brethren, when not {Fourth Part 99} heard to speak for themselves; as that Paper signed by Sixty-Six Persons at Ellis Hook’s Chamber, against John Wilkinson and John Story, doth evidence: For ‘tis not Reasonable to conclude, 'Twas given forth with respect to any Offence, but such as hath been committed since the Meeting at Drawel; because they have been once Condemned already, for the Things there treated on.
And therefore, I cannot but say, Here the Arm of Flesh and Egyptian Darkness meet together; and the Lord hath a Controversy with those who are guilty hereof; and the Blood of the Deceived thereby, may be required at their hands. Oh! This Sin cries alone in the ears of the Lord of Hosts, thus to endeavour the Defamation of God’s Servants, under fair plausible Pretences of Love and Brokenness, or such like, when so much Gall and Bitterness of Spirit appears in the Bottom, that Men of understanding and Conscience cannot joyn thereto.
To be short; Things are brought to that pass amongst us, that those who contend for the Antient Principles of Truth, and walk according to the Measure of Grace received, are now accounted Bad Spirits, by such whom thy Papers seem a Strength to; though the Cause thereof, is nothing but Matters relating to their Consciences, and not any thing of Evil Consideration: By which ‘tis easily to be discerned, that Darkness is over-shadowing again, and the Glorious Light vailing. And though 'tis said by some, That the Simple-honest-hearted Joyn in, and so makes as if the rest were but Chaff, that are in the Jeaslousies, and the Reasonings, and the Wisdom: I have this faith, That there are Hundreds of Gods Antient Flock, who have retained their First Love, are those they call the Chaff; and many of those who are accounted the Wheat, are such Chaff-Spirited People, who, had {Fourth Part 100} they not Outward Props to lean upon, and Outward Persons to have an Eye unto, and Outward Papers, wherein they think their Cause is pleaded, would quickly lose their Confidence, being built upon the Foundation that is Sandy, and not on the Christ of God; for were their Faith in Him their Faith would not stand in Man or Men: And this with many (with whom Right Reason takes place, and the Wisdom from Above is known) is plainly discerned.
Outward Forms and Precedents, eyeing others under the Notion of the Brethren, is so much discourse’t on of late by some ignorant Persons, that ‘tis but too evident, that the great Difference amongst Friends, is about Outward Things and Ceremonies; wherein some appear like People contending about the Shell, and lose the Kirnel: Which occasions me me tell thee, That when I have heard thee Preach against Austin the Monk’s bringing into England a Snap-Sack of Ceremonies, (which I have at many Meeting heard from thee) I then little thought, I should ever see the Day, wherein thou shouldst appear a Contenancer of such, who fall out with Antient Friends about Outward Orders and Prescriptions; but rather would have appeared a Strength to such, who contend, that their Order for Gospel-Discipline ought to spring from Truth within themselves: For that was the undoubted Sense of those Honorable Brethren, who in the Beginning of this Latter Day were gathered, as a sort of First Fruits unto God; though some others coming in at the Eleventh Hour of the Day, and seeming as Countenanced by thee, appear of another Language.
I have this further to add: That if thou wouldst be acquitted in the Breasts of all Friends, As a man that {Fourth Part 101} art not a Contenancer of such Contentious-Spirited Men that appear as the Beginners and Carriers on of this War; ‘tis needful for thee to satisfy Friends, whether thou dost own all the Fourty-Four Articles, drawn up against John Wilkinson and John Story. Thy Example of sending the Questions abroad to be ask’t of other Friends, manifests, that 'tis reasonable in another Friend, to expect an Answer from Thee: But yet I have sufficient Case to doubt, thou wilt not be so plain, as to Answer the Question; because I cannot believe, but that thy Understanding is now so opened, as to see, that if thou own them, thou wilt bring thy self under the Just Censure of Truth, for endeavouring to make any Brother an Offender for that which is no Offence: And if thou own them not, then thou wilt shew thy self out of Unity with the great Opposers of John Wilkinson and John Story.
However, if thou refuses to Answer, ‘twill be Evidence enough, that thou walkest not by that Golden Rule, To do as thou wouldst be done by.
More-over, Since thy Papers give Testimony against a Spirit, Why dost thou not tell us in plain Words, who they are, in whom (according to thy Sense) it works? For I much doubt, that if thou are not the Secret Mover to all this Strife; yet that want of the Right Application of some Expressions in thy Papers, testifying against Bad Spirits, &c. is one great Cause of the Increase of Bad Spirits, and of their Scribling. And therefore, be Plain-hearted: For I do know, that a dark, imaginary Spirit is entred, and under the Outward Professions of Truth: and that also, such a Spirit appears amongst those, who espouse the Cause against John Wilkinson and John Story; and the Fruits that are brought forth by them, which evidence that they are of such a Spirit {Fourth Part 102} are as followeth: viz. Judging the Lord’s Servants out of the Truth, for particular Matters laid to their Charge, without hearing them speak for themselves, or first sending their Judgement or Condemnation to them, before the spreading thereof, contrary to the known Practice of Friends in Truth; gathering Friends together, on purpose to entertain their Ears with Reports against John WIlkinson and John Story, and refuse to bring forth the same to John Story’s Face before Friends equally to be Chosen, though desired to do, both by John Story and others; Magnifying Unity amongst Brethren, and yet appear those who break the Unity; reproving the Spirit of Strife, and yet not only the Movers, but Carryers on of Strife, both by Word and Writing, or (to speak in thy Language) Scribling, to the Dishonour of God, and the Cause of Truth. And though such, who espouse the Cause against John Wilkinson and John Story, may suppose themselves capable to quote Thee for an Example, or at least as an Approver of such Actions, (for none of them, as I know of, do so much as suppose, that thy Words or Scribling tends to reprove them) yet know this from me, That there are many of God’s Antient Flock, who retain their First Love for Truth; and every Honourable Labourer in the Vineyard, dare not approve of this Late and New-found Doctrine, publish’t against All Reasoning and All Wisdom; nor yet can suffer their Faith to stand in Thee, or any man: and therefore, if Thou, or any man, bring forth a Dream, or pretend a Night-Vision, to run against Faithful Friends, and on that foot Scrible against them, under the Notion of Bad Spirits; it hath no place with them, because the Day hath discovered such Folly to Men of Conscience, and indued with the Wisdom that’s from Above. But yet I cannot say, but that, as it hath, it may have {Fourth Part 103} place with some, who are of this Number and Sort; viz. Such whose ignorance is so Great, as to conclude it the Fruit of Vertue to avoid All Reasoning, and All Wisdom; or whose Understandings are so vailed, as to have an Eye to the Night-Visions, or Dreams of Men, more than to the Truth in themselves; and on that foot, eyeing the Scriblings of Papers more than the Matter therein contained; as being convinced, that they ought to shut out All Wisdom, and All Reasoning, (a most dexterous Expedient where it takes place, for Anti-christ so to exalt his Kingdom, as that all manner of Iniquity and Deciet may quickly enter the Flock, if once the Leader and Leaders of the People bring forth their own Imaginations under the Notion of Night-Visions, and publish them for the Word of the Lord) and then no marvail, if such conclude, That every Friend is justly Condemned if they are not at Unity with the Paper given forth by the Sixty-Six Subscribers at Ellis Hook’s Chamber; as if now ‘twere Good Doctrine or Exhortation, to direct to the Spirit and Power that appeared in the Sixty-Six Subscribers, (when they brought forth their Unchristian-like Paper) instead of directing to the Measure of Grace in themselves.
One thing more lyes upon me to say unto thee; That though amongst the Princes of the World, there are such Politick Contrivances to carry on their Designs, to ingage such others therein; who for Self-Advancement, become of a Temporizing Spirit, or for want of the Things of this World, are ready to follow for the Loaves; or being of a Mean Spirit, are hurried or Over-awed with Fear: And so, if their Designs succeed ill, then ‘tis the Fruit of either Evil Counsel, or ill Management; but if well, then they carry away the Glory thereof: {Fourth Part 104} Yet it becomes not any one, or many, professing themselves Members of Christ’s Body, thus to do.
And now to Conclude; I have this further to Query, Whether thou Conclude thy self no way obliged to bring thy Writings to the Second Dayes Meeting in London, to be approved of there, before they be Printed? If thou dost not, Thou has been wrong Represented; if thou dost, and yet think'st all other Friends are, (as ‘tis to be doubted, thou dost; for I have never heard, that thy Book about Women’s Meeting was there approved, or that all the Things therein contained, will be stood by, or other by any one Friend in Truth) then 'tis an evident Token Thou wouldst Exalt thy self: For if (according to the Principle of Truth) the Spirit is the Judge, and that its pouring forth in our Day, is upon many Sons, and many Daughters; Why then should not the Appearance of the Spirit, through any Vessel, have its free Passage, as well as Thine? Or, Why must Some Writings, given forth by the Spirit, be brought to the Second Dayes Meeting, to be approved; and Others not? But to return; I have this further to say, That if Thou or any are so imaginary, as to conclude, That all thy Writings and Books are given forth by the Infallible Spirit, and that as such they ought to be made use of, (a part of which, I am satisfyed, have so been, thereby to obtain Proselytes against John Story and John Wilkinson) it appears to me, as if thy Notorious Erring from the Infallible Spirit, in writing some things contained in the Book of Womens-Meetings, hath been permitted to be as an Evidence Recorded against all such, who ignorantly look upon thee so to be, as afore-said: And {Fourth Part 105} therefore, it becomes thee to be Humbled before the Lord, and to Acknowledge thy Errors therein.
I am not without a Sense, what Entertainment my plain Dealing will have amongst many, if thou suffer it to be read or spread amongst any Prejudiced against me, as thou didst my last Letter; whereby I became Judged before Treated withal, either by Thee, or any touching the same; However this gives me Satisfaction, that I have Counted the Cost; and if I must be Reproach’t (as once I have been already) for clearing my Conscience to thee yet as I now have, so my Faith is, I shall have Peace of Conscience, when the Neglect thereof would have become my Burthen.
And if any for this Cause should give forth such Papers against me, as are undeservedly given forth against other Friends in Truth, and that also by such, who have not heard them speak for themselves, ‘twill redound to their Shame, as in the End will undoubtedly be more publickly manifested.
For several Weeks past, it hath been under my serious Consideration, whether I might pass these Things over in Silence; but with Peace of Conscience, I cannot so do: And therefore, do conclude, They are more worthy thy Notice, than the Words of Flattering Tongues. I am
Thy Plain-hearted Friend,
William Rogers.
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Note, The said Proposition was made after several Friends were departed, and the Meeting broken.↩
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