The Reader may now take notice that Robert Barclay did not only spread abroad an Explanatory Postscript to his Book of Government, but also therewith two other Papers, adding thereto this Title.
Here now follows William Rogers _his own Letter concerning this Matter, and the Judgement of the Brethren, who were Witnesses to what past between him and me.
On which I observe, First, That the Brethren giving the Judgement, were but a part of the Meeting.
Secondly, That the said Letter is pretended to be mine, though I never signed any Letter or Paper, whereof what he hath given forth is Copy. Yet must confess, that when at that Meeting he declared himself by the words of his mouth to be otherwise principled than I know his Book doth teach, I did intend the best I could (with a clear Conscience) to send forth amongst Friends my own accord, the most Favourable account of him and that Meeting as I could, that so (if possible) breaches, then broken forth amongst Friends, might be healed: but of this more anon, when I come to make my Observations on the aforesaid Letter, and Judgement: yet at present I think it proper, before I cite the said Letter and Judgement to notife the Reader, that by the little added thereto it appears that R.B. hath sent it abroad; and for as much as in the said Letter ‘tis signified in these words, Although Robert Barclay hath given these Explications of his meaning, yet the very Explications (as he sayeth) are to be found in his Book; 'tis rational to conclude, that Robert Barclay (if he was then to be believed) was then principled as the said Letter {[Third Part 132 (123)} declared him to be; and how his Postscript will now bespeak his Credit, I know not, since he therein doth not declare himself principled according to the Explications given in the said Letter of his words; notwithstanding in the said Postscript he thus declares, “And albeit these things, which were chiefly scrupled at by any, be sufficiently cleared by W.R’s own Letter, yet that all may be satisfied in having them from my own hand, I am free to signifie thus as to them. From these words what rational man could have expected less than a Confirmation of the Sense given in the said Letter; but how remote he is from that, I doubt not but will be sufficiently obvious to every impartial understanding Reader, that on Perusal of the said Letter (hereafter-cited) his Postscript, and the annexed Observations will give them all but their due weight: and if thereto they add a due consideration of his Book of Government, no Question but he will then appear like a man with three Faces, having on the Sheeps Clothing in the midst of a briery Thicket, who wilest striving to get out thereof, is the more and more entangled. And though by one part of the Conclusion of his Postscript, R.B. seems desirous of Unity with such, as rejoicing in the Cros of Christ, make self of no Reputation, and that he values more his Inward Peace, than to obtain an applause of his natural Capacity, wherein (as his own words are) if any Judge W.R. do surpass me, I shal not therewith be troubled; yet in his Apology for his not making a particular Disquisition of every thing in order as asserted by me, he thus sayeth, but if any do apprehend that strength of Reason in his Papers, as to judge I was unable to answer, or that this is not satisfactory; it will but evidence the weakness of their own Understandings to the more Judicious; which is no great sign, that he is one who desires to make self of no Reputation, especially if compared with this his Expression (which my first Observation hath related to) and that to maintain Principles obviously Erroneous, viz. I have never found Occasion to repent, or retract any thing form the matter, or Principle there {Third Part 124} asserted by me; (being his Book of Government) but have the Testimony and Approbation of Gods Light and Spirit in my Heart, for my Work and Service in that Matter. For my own part I am perswaded that the Law of Charity is accompanied with no such Rules, as to prompt any rational Christian and Conscientious man to conclude, that R.B. (considering his Capacity is free from offering a willful Violation to his own Knowledge, Reason, and Understanding, both as a Man and Christian; and that to keep up his Name and Repute: or else for some other (more sinister) end, for which may the Lord in his due time give him Repentance to the Acknowledgement of the Truth and then I cannot but Believe, that the Lord will lay a Constraint upon him to bear Testimony in plain against the Erroneous Principles which he hath been found an Asserter, and Promotor of.
The copy of the aforesaid Letter, termed to be my Letter, together also with the Paper containing (according to R.B’s Title thereon given as aforesaid) the Judgement of the Brethren, who were Witnesses to what past Between him, and me, doth now follow; to which is added my Observations on both, manifesting the Errour of those who subscribed the Judgement, and concerned themselves as the first Publishers.
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