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CHAP. VI.
Touching Respect of Person, Plain Language, disuse of the word Master, unless by a Servant to his Master; of Customs and Fashions of this World; and of the Cross of Christ.
It is not unknown, that the Outward Deportment of Friends in Truth, hath become as a Stumbling-block to many, concluding that our manner of Habit, Gesture and Language, distinct from others, was either the Fruit of Pride, or Ignorance, or else of both: and therefore on this occasion it was thought needful to add something in relation to this Subject, wherein our intent is, not to make an Apology for any Action, that in itself is really Rude, Whimsical, or Imaginary; but rather to give our testimony on behalf of our selves, and all those who through Obedience unto the In-shinings of Christ’s Light in their Consciences, are made or making Partakers of the Vertue, and Efficacy of the Blood of Christ, by which those whose Consciences are purified from dead works, come to serve the living God in Newness of Life, and therein to have their Conversations ordered aright, so as not to give any just Occasion of Offence, either to Jew or Gentile, or to the Church of God, but that keeping themselves unspotted of the world, nor yet fashioning themselves according to their former lusts, they might not have whereof to glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the World is crucified to them, and they unto the World.
On the behalf of our selves, and all such, our Testimony {Second Part 34} now is, that when the everlasting Light of our Lord Jesus (shining in every Conscience) was exalted as that Spiritual appearance of the Son of God, which was to lead and guide into all truth; we are witnesses, that it became a Discoverer, that man in his fallen estate was puffed up in Pride, using many Unnecessary Attires, and Complemental Expressions, to please and affect the mind, which was alienated from God, and estranged from the Cross of Christ; neither did this Light only make such a Discovery, but also prompted to bear a Testimony against the same, by Example and Conversation; and therefore we did not dare to go after the vain Fashions and Customs of this World; but rather had our eye unto that which was incorruptible, viz. The ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit.
Neither did we dare to give any other than Plain Language to any single Person, not only because it was according to the Propriety of Speech, but because we were sensible, that there was a Will in Man, which was ready to hold the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons; and that this Will is to be crossed, that so a Spirit of Pride, and Partiality might not be nourished in any.
And on the same ground that we have been led into the use of Plain Language, and Plain Habit, have we also been led not to use the word Master, unless unto such as are really Masters, and unto whom (as Masters) Obedience was, or is due from such as have or may use the Title; though some may have ignorantly thought, that the words of Christ unto his Disciples (viz. Neither be ye called Master) was our only ground.
Obj. Do you place Religion in Thee and Thou, and Not putting off your Hat, and calling men up by their proper Names, without adjoining the word Master, and going plainer in your Apparel than some other may?
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Ans. To this we answer, we place Religion in keeping our Conscience void of Offence toward God; and if thy Conscience be convinced by the Light of Christ, that the words Thee or Thou to a single person, is not only more proper than You, but that which on the aforesaid consideration thou oughtest to use; and that thou oughtest not to use the word Master, according to the custom of the world, unto such an one as is not thy Master, then it becomes thee to bridle thy Tongue, and express thy self according to such a Conviction, else thou mayest only seem to be religious, when thy Religion is vain; and so likewise may we say, that if thou hast the like conviction with relation to the Putting off thy Hat, and going in Plain Apparel, thou oughtest so to do, lest the contrary become Sin unto thee; since thou canst not pretend, after such a Conviction, that Freedom therein, which may stand with the Faith that is in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Obj. We have observed, that your Friends, have in many particular respects, behaved themselves so cross unto the Customs and Fashion of all others, as that they have appeared not only Rude, but as if their Ignorance were so great, as to conclude, that the taking up the Cross of Christ doth consist in acting a Cross unto all other Societies of People whatsoever.
To this we answer, If any have given just Occasion for this Objection, ‘tis to be lamented, because the great sign of taking up the Cross is, to deny Self, according to the words of Christ, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cros and follow me.
Besides, we do testifie, the principle of Truth leads none to be Rude, either in Word or Action; nor yet to {Second Part 36} cross the Customs and Fashions of other Societies, which in themselves are Comely, Decent, and of Good Report.
The Apostle tells us, That the Preaching of the Cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God1.
An Earthly-Spirited man may become singular, and cross unto all others, and yet not denying himself through the Operation of the Power of God, may therein be an enemy to the Cross of Christ.
Another man may be made Partaker of the Power of God unto Salvation, and yet not led by his Spirit to act cross unto others, though through the denial of Self, he may truly exercise in the Cross of Christ; and therein acting many things, which some (through Envy or want of right Understanding) may term the Fruit of Rudeness and Ignorance, when not so in itself.
To conclude, therefore we say, ‘tis Good for every one in all things to mind the inward, divine and spiritual Teacher, that so none may run before that Guide, and then doubtless such will be led to take up the Cross in denial of Self, and not be active in any thing that may justly be termed Rude or Ignorant, but in those things that are Comely, Decent and of Good Report.
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1 Cor. 1. 18↩
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