Postscript

{Postscript 1}

Post-script.

Understanding, that some among the People called Quakers, within the City of London, either from Knowledge, or Jealousy, that of late I have been concerned to publish in Print something against George Fox, have already concerned themselves to Dislike, and give pretended Reasons against my so doing; (which if past over in Silence, and the Truth not cleared, may have a tendency to defile the minds of some of the Friends of Truth, and to establish the Opposers thereof in their present Evil, and wrong Sentiments of those, who encourage the bringing forth of the Treatise) I am now in Conscience concerned, to add this Postscript, for this End.

First, That all Friends may have a further Caution, to hear, see, and savour for themselves; and not too hastily censure any unheard in their own Defence.

Secondly, That they may not be ensnared by the evil Insinuations, false Suggestions, or unreasonable Constructions, whether of the Blind Zealot (principled to Eye the Brethren, in stead of the Light in himself) or the Luke-warm Partial appearing *¹ Newter, that is sensible of the great falling away, and yet either for Ease, and Interest Sake, or a Slavish Fear, stifles his own knowledge. For the time is come, wherein a Discovery must be made, of the Ignorance of the one, the Hypocrisy of the other, and the irreligious, unchristian-like {Postscript 2} Deportments and Constructions of both.

To the Matter in hand on this Occasion, I now proceed.

First, The Matter (as I understand) disliked, is my proceeding to print against George Fox.

Secondly, The Reasons pretended to be given behind my back, without so much as First signifying any thing by Word or Writing to me (so far as I know) against my so doing, are these.

First, That though I pretended, I had often sent to George Fox about giving me a Meeting, and that I also came up to London, to read a Charge against him, behind his back, at which time (as ‘tis said) I was then told by some, that they understood George Fox would be at the General Meeting; yet when he did come to it (although I had from James Claypoole of his being come) I neither took any notice thereof, nor yet sent to him: and yet further also (as I now am informed) some do raise as a great Argument (in their Esteem) against me this also, viz. That when I was last in the City of London, since the General Meeting, I was also informed by the said James Claypoole, that George Fox was but a few Miles off, and yet did neither go to him, nor stay until he came to the City; but instead thereof, hasted out of Town, with great Diligence; which (as some say) showed, that whatever I had pretended to meet George Fox, yet I had no desire thereto.

My Concern now is for the Sakes of such simple ones, who may be apt to take Shadows for Substance, and impertinent irrational (as well as irreligious and unchristian-like) Discourses for Oracles, when dropping either from the Mouth or Pen of one, unto whom (according to their Principle) they may think themselves oblieged to have an Eye, to discover the Impertinency and Fallaciousness of the Reasons urged against my proceeding to print against George Fox.

{Postscript 3} In order thereto, I first observe, that from the aforesaid pretended Reasons, this pretended Argument may be urged.

James Claypoole, being at London informs William Rogers, then at Bristol, that George Fox was come to the City, and afterwords informs William Rogers, when at London, that George Fox was but a few Miles from the City; but William Rogers takes no notice thereof, nor yet sent to him, nor waited for George Fox’s coming to the City; therefore William Rogers had no desire to meet G.F. when he formerly so pretended.

Were this to come only to the View of Men of Understanding, and impartial, I might well stop my Pen from any further attempt to discover the weakness and fallacy of such idle sort of Discourses; because such would first be apt to enquirer, For what End I desired a Meeting with G.F? and when they should be Informed, That ‘twas to prove him guilty of things reproachfull to the Truth and that he would by no means assent to such a Meeting; they would be ready to conclude, that ‘twas his best defence to cover his Guilt from the Knowledge of such, whose Faith might be in him; and so conclude, that Obligation in Truth might be upon me to take any further notice of him as to a Meeting (had it so happened, as that I had accidently meet him in the very Street; much less ride 94 Miles upon bare report from the said J.C. that he was in London; as if my Business were the Business of such a poor Pensioner, that had nothing to do, but to attend G.F.’s Motion) but rather to endeavour to clear my Conscience otherwise, as now I am about to do. However, for the Sakes of others, I shall proceed to clear the matter objected somewhat more.

First, Then I must tell those evil Insinuators, who say, That I had no desire to meet G.F. when I writ to him of my readiness so to do, that therein they belye me.

{Postscript 4} Secondly, The Argument pretended to be deducible from the aforesaid Reasons, cannot be good, unless this following Assertion ought to be owned by every one, that hath desire to meet with George Fox, on the like occasion I had, viz. First, That on the said J.C’s notice, that George Fox is, or will be at London, then ‘tis the Duty of any Friend, that hath a desire to meet G.F. to come ninety four Miles to London, to wait for George Fox’s coming thither, when near it, to ask him by Word of Mouth, that which hath been before asked by Writing, and no Answer given, signifying the least assent to meet, as hereafter will appear. This indeed will be a very ready way to bring Outward Blasting, according to the Prophesies of some of my Opposers, if they could but create a Belief in me, that on J.C’s notice, that G.F. will be in London, I must then run after him, and attend upon him, on no other Foot, but to know whether he will meet me, without any assurance that he would be willing, notwithstanding I have laboured and endeavoured so long before to obtain it, and all in vain.

On this Occasion, two things are worthy of some Enquiry.

First, Whether George Fox is really so dignified, as that ‘tis an Additional Errour in one whom he accounts a lost Sheep, not to run after and wait on him. If he were in reality the great Apostle of Christ (as esteemed by some) methinks he should have in his Remembrance, the Parable spoken of by Christ, touching leaving the Ninety nine Sheep  to seek the one that was lost; and so account it his Duty so seek after (much more be ready to meet) one accounted a Lost Sheep that has been so desirous to meet him, as I have been?

Secondly, Whether James Claypoole be in reality so dignified, as that on his Notice ‘tis the duty of a friend, having a concern upon him relating to George Fox, to ride ninety for miles or wait, out of all his urging occasions many days to attend on G.F. {Postscript 5} When not willing to Answer the end to be waited for, or else must incur such like Censures as are put upon me for such an Omission? I cannot but conclude, that the Lord hath not so dignifyed either of them; and that the Occasion of this Enquiry is the Fruit of Pride, or a Gentilian sort of Lordship, which the God of Heaven is determined to abase.

As to the report, That I came up to the City of London, to read a Charge behind George Fox’s Back, I thus answer; as ‘tis above represented, the Action seems vile and unchristian-like, because from the Representation, it may be understood, as if I would in a Secret way endeavour to back bite and reproach George Fox, and avoid all Occasions of meeting him Face to Face, which I abhor: and as on the one hand I so do, so on the other hand, I account it vile and unchristian-like, to spread such a Representation of the matter, and not declare the whole Truth, and End for which my coming then was, which if it had, I might not have had Occasion to have added this Postscript; but since it is so, I think it needful to inform the Reader of the very naked Truth, from whence I take evil Insinuation or partial Report to arise.

After I had by several Letters, signifyed to G.F. divers things, touching which I expected Satisfaction from him, and had sufficient ground to believe, that he would not give it; and having a Jealousie that many under the Name of Quakers, looked upon him as Infallible; I was constrained in my Spirit to prepare a Manuscript, to discover his Errours, but still with this reserve, that if Friends would so assist, as that I might have Justice among them, in relation to him, I might forbear. Amongst other Places I came to London, and spread the matter before James Claypoole, and three other Antient Friends, reputed of the chiefest, from whom I could have no hopes, that a Meeting would be assented to on the Occasion desired, to clear my self; and therefore a concern of Conscience was upon me, to write the ensuing Letter {Postscript 6} to James Claypoole and those three Friends, to give cover unto the ensuing Remonstrance to the Friends of London, from both which the purpose of my Mind may be collected, and whether or no I did not therein Act Christian-like, and so as much as in me did lie with a clear Conscience, that G.F’s Nakedness might not be so publickly discovered, as now it is.

—————————
William Rogers his Letter to James Claypoole and three other Antient Friends of London.
London 25_th. of 12_th. Month 1679.

James Claypoole, &c.
Friends, you may remember, that when I parted with you Yesterday, you were desirous to know, where would be in the Evening, I told you to this purpose, I know not certainly, but yet also acquainted you to this purpose, That if you would appoint me to meet you, I should readily assent thereto: and though you did not appoint me, yet I was in Expectation that you, or at lest some of you, might have had a Desire to speak with me again: but understanding nothing thereof, I am clear in my Spirit to depart the City, and to let you have the Enclosed with an earnest breathing unto the Lord, that he may direct you to make that use thereof, as may tend to his Honour. And that I may not be wanting to open unto you that Counsel, which I believe is the Counsel of the Lord in this Case, I thus say, that my Perswasion is, ‘twill tend most to the Honour of God, not to keep the enclosed from the Knowledge of the Friends {Postscript 7} of the City, and if you are not free to appoint a Meeting for the reading thereof, then to consider of some other Way, to communicate the same unto the Flock of God in this City. For you know not, but that a Word from the Lord may arise out of the Breast of a Babe or Suckling, that may in this Case be piercing as a Dart, to cause the High and Lofty to bow to Justice, and no longer give Occasions of Jealousy, that any one amongst those who profess the Truth, should stand as an Infallible and Justifyed Person, when such an One (being charged with things reproachful to the Truth) endeavours to evade the stroke of that Justice, which in the like Cases he hath prescribed for others.

Oh Friends! In the presence of the Lord, I affirm, the Sins of G. Fox to have been notorious. God in his Mercy hath manifested him to be a Fallible Man, and according to a Gospel Method his Errours have been laid before him, and he will not hear; and now my Concern of Conscience is, to cry aloud for justice, and to signifie, that I am constrained to detect him for his Evil, and Errours by a printed Record,  unless some Expedient may be found agreeable to Truth, to satisfy my Conscience otherwise. And if you and others, appear not to take Notice of the Call, and Cry, so as in Truth you, and they ought, then (since he will not hear the word of Truth from my Pen) let both you and all such unto whom this Cry, and Call, may, or shall come, stop your Mouthes from gainsaying my proceeding, to clear my Conscience, in the method that may seem to me most expedient, lest you be found fighters against that which the Lord by a Constraint of his Power leads into. And Builders again of things that you have destroyed. For as the Principle of Truth, never led us to respect Persons in Judgement: so hath it not led us to refuse to call upon the Highest, as well as the Lowest to stoop to a just hearing, when Matters of Errour and Evil Fact shall be laid at the Door of such an one.

{Postscript 8} That I may as much as in me lies, be eased in my Spirit, with Relation to you, I cannot but in Bowels of true Love warn you, that these my few Lines may be read in the Fear and Dread of the Loving God, that so if it may be with you to Answer, or Act any thing in Relation hereunto, you may not Add to my Burthens, by grieving that which the Lord never grieved. Having thus far cleared my Conscience to you, as it was me on my Bed this very morning, I have Peace herein, and remain,
Your Friend,
William Rogers

A Postscript.

That which hath dropt from one, or some of your Lips since my coming to London, hath occasioned me to add this Postscript.

My End in communicating unto you, what is with me on this Occasion, is not that either you, or any should take upon you to Judge the Cause, without assent or hearing both of George Fox and my self: and if any hath, or shall endeavour to insinuate the contrary, from any thing which I have either Spoken, or Written, the God of Heaven will blast that Spirit from whence it hath or may come, as that which seeks Occasion against me undeservedly. The like Practice is the Crying Sin, which my Conscience hath been concerned to cry against, knowing that it hath entered many under the Profession of Truth, and for which their Names lye on Record to their Shame; but yet, I am not without this secret hope, that the Day will come, wherein many of them may repent of the same: I cannot also {Postscript 9} but inform you, that it is the Fruit of Gross Darkness, to compare such as are at Unity with John Wilkinson and John Story on a religious Score (and that on the Foot of such Unity) to John Parrot and his Followers in the Practice of keeping on their hats in Prayer; because John Perrot’s Practice therein might properly be termed such Innovation in the Church, as tended to Schism, contrary to the approved Practice of the Church of God, and so was worthily Judged, and Condemned: but as to John Wilkinson and John Story, I remember not, that ever any accused them, for introducing any Practice into the Church of God, contrary to the Scriptures of Truth, Light of Christ Jesus, or the approved Practice of Friends, when at Unity in the Truth: and not only so, but I am well satisfyed in my Conscience (and that on sufficient ground, to large here to insert) that the very secret reason wherefore John Story and John Wilkinson have been Judged by many, though unheard be such to speak for themselves, and that Certificates against them have been either sent, or approved to be sent abroad by George Fox, with direction to send them both to Enemies and Friends, is, because they cannot stoop and bow to Innovation, not practiced by Friends when in Unity in the Truth; nor yet justifyable from the Scriptures fo Truth, or the Light of Christ in their Consciences. And if any, to whom these Lines may come, have, or may think me too Jealous, I earnestly desire, that such may Watch against a Luke-warm Spirit, and that which in inclinable to Respect of Persons in Judgement; and not only so, but against that Spirit that hath been ready to proclaim the supposed Infirmities of some on the House-top, whilst Endeavours are made to cover the Sins of the High and Lofty one, George Fox, though he so doing, hath tended to the stumbling of many amongst the Flock of God, whoever may so do, and for the Accomplishment {Postscript 10} thereof shall pervert the Counsel, and Intent of the Apostle, when he exhorted to bear all things, as if that Scripture might be produced to cover the Notorious Sins of One, that may pretend himself Infallible, I then say, It is ready way to introduce a Justification of Rantism itself. 

I now am further to acquaint you, that if either of you, or any Friend unto whom this may come, being written for publick View amongst Friends, shall within twenty dayes time after the date hereof, write unto George Fox, and therein signify to this Purpose, That since I call for Justice and Satisfaction for Wrongs done, and Things acted by him reproachful to the Truth, he then ought to submit to a Hearing thereof before Friends in Truth, that so if guilty, he may Condemn it, and if not, he may be Justifed; I then shall freely forbear printing against him, until such time he either sendeth Answer to such a Letter, or else sendeth no Answer, when it may be desired of him; but yet with this proviso, that such, so to be concerned, send the said Letter to me, to be sent unto him, and if he shall Answer, and propose such a Method for a Hearing, as may be approved in my Conscience, I may then submit thereto.
William Rogers
[To this Letter I never received any Answer.]

{Postscript 11} Here follows William Rogers his Remonstrance (to which his aforesaid Letter gave cover) to the Friends of London in relations to G.F. to the intent that some Expedient might be found to prevent Printing against him.

Friends,
It is not unknown unto many of you, that I have been concerned touching the Differences arisen amongst Friends, and whatever Censures some may pass upon me, yet I have this Evidence in my Conscience, That my Concern hath been for the Cause of God, his Truth and People, and so through his Mercy am inwardly mad Partaker of his Peace, though many under the Profession of Truth, have endeavoured to give me Outward Trouble, and were it so, that with Peace of Conscience I could have forborn, to come up unto this City of London on the Occasion I now am here, I should much rather have stayed at home, about my outward Business, than have taken this Journey, which I have done, and that through a Constraint upon my Spirit, to lay before Friends in several Parts of the Nation, a part of those things which have been, and are my burthen; to the end, that as much as in me lyes, I may endeavour, that an Expedient may be found, whereby they may be removed and laid at the Proper Door, and that so the guilty, after serious Examination, by an equal Consent of Parties, may be by those, who retain their Integrity to the Lord and his Truth, visited, exhorted, and warned to repent, and turn from that Spirit, which hath beguiled; so may the Judgements of the Lord be witnessed, to the renewing of the Spirit of the Mind unto God again.

{Postscript 12} Amongst Friends in general, the Friends at London were before me to visit on this Occasion: but to be very plain and lest my so doing, should become a Stumbling-Block to any of the Friends of Truth, it is with me also to say, that I do not so with Expectation that the Friends of London should look upon themselves, as having any Authority, or Jurisdiction, in any Matter or Concern whatsoever, relating to the Friends of Truth, without the Consent of Parties given them. But my chief End in choosing to lay such things, which I at present have Freedom to do, before the Friends of this great City is, because I suppose that there are several Persons in, and adjacent thereunto, who may be more capable to negotiate a Matter, tending to Reconciliation in this Case, than some in some other places may, and that because of the Influence which (as I suppose) some amongst them (if any at all elsewhere) have with George Fox, touching whom my present Concern of Spirit and Conscience is, and my End in thus opening my self to several Friends in divers Parts of the Nation, whereof you are a part; is not that upon my thus writing to you, you should take upon you to Judge the matter; but that when you have heard the Matter laid before you, and if any thing shall be with you to propose unto George Fox and me, in order to a Decision of the Differences between us, and it shall appear that which may be approved by the Witness of God in my Conscience, I have this Faith, that a Constraint will be upon my Spirit, to submit thereto for Conscience Sake, so far as may concern me.

That now you may be made sensible of what I am at present free to communicate unto you, I think meet to transcribe a Letter written by me unto George Fox, for the further clearing of my Conscience, and that if possible (with a clearness to my Conscience) his many Errours, and Slanderous {Postscript 13} false Accusations, may not lye on a Printed Record to his Shame unto Posterity.

The said Letter now followeth.  

Bristol, the 6_th. of the _12th. Mo. 1679

George Fox,
I doubt not, but that thou mayst remember, that in a Letter unto Joan Hily in or about the 10th. Month, 1678. thou thus writ: I do understand that William Rogers and his Company hath spread abroad a Bad and Lying Paper against me, and that he and they have, contrary to their Order & Friends Agreement (when I and we were at Bristol, and had a Meeting with them, he has made a kind of Narrative of the same, and sent it abroad in the Nation among Bad Spirits. Thus far, thou in thine to Joan Hily. The report thereof coming to my Ears, and understanding , that ‘twas the ground of a Wicked Report in the Mouth of another not professing the Truth, I concerned my self to enquirer into the Matter and thereupon obtained the following Certificate.

We whose Names are hereto subscribed do testify, that Joseph Forrest of Bristol, Button-Maker (one that was never accounted, as we know or ever heard, to be of the People called Quakers) related, that he saw a Letter in the Hands of Joan Hily of Bristol, Widdow, wherein William Rogers was much vilifyed, as a wicked and bad Man by George {Postscript 14} Fox. Whereupon William Rogers desired us to go to Joan Hily to see the Letter,  who this Day showed us a Letter, &c. at the End whereof we saw written the above recited *² Lines which Joan Hily said, were written by George Fox’s own Hand, and subscribed by him; we also do believe it was his Hand-Writing. 

Dated Bristol 4_th of 11_th. Mon. 1678
Alexander Pyott
Cornelius Sarjant

This occasioned me to write unto thee in the presence of Joan Hily, Alexander Pyot, and Cornelius Sarjant the same Day, and therein repeating the Matter of Accusation, &c. As abovesaid, I thus answered: And forasmuch as Joan Hily was desirous to know what I could say for my self, I thought it necessary to acquaint thee, that I thus said unto her, I have not concerned my self to spread abroad any bad or lying Paper against thee, nor yet have been any way concerned in spreading a kind of Narrative, contrary to any Agreement wherein I was concerned, and that the Writing to Joan Hily touching me is a Slander, and a Lye, &c. and so will become thy Burthen: wast thou an Innocent Man, thou wouldst have endeavoured, in a Christian Method, to clear the things touching which I have often written unto thee.

Thou mayest also remember, that on the 11_th. of the 11_th. Month 1678. I writ unto thee again, and sent it by a Messenger on purpose, that so I might have an Account of its Delivery unto thee, &c. and the End of my so doing {Postscript 15} was twofold: First, lest the other should miscarry, which Joan Hily undertook to send unto thee under her Cover.

Secondly, To signify my Expectation of Satisfaction from thee, for the Wrong thou hast done me, &c.

Thou mayest also Remember, that by Letter dated the 22_nd. of the 2_d. Month, 1679. Written by my self and three others, unto thee and two others: ‘Twas signifyed unto thee on the Occassion of my being rendred a Covenant-Breaker, or to that purpose, that thou hadst used many Aggravating Expressions concerning me, viz. Rendering my practice therein in these Words, Below Common Morral Men, not for the Society of Civil People, short of Christianity, a Truce-breaking Spirit, a Covenant Breaking Spirit, not to be Credited, and below some Priests, to spread such things behind our Backs in a secret underly way, which doth clearly manifest, is not the Spirit of Christ, nor honesty among Men. And in the same Letter I declared, That ‘twas but reasonable that thou shouldeth prove the Matter whereof thou accusedst me, because I declare thou wast a False Accuser.

Thou mayest also remember, that Thomas Gouldney, William Ford, and my self, signifyed unto thee by our Letter, dated the 11_th. of the 11_th. Month, 78. and because we would be sure it might come to thy Hand, we caused it to be sent by a Messenger on purpose to thee, and then we gave the Copy of the Letter, dated from no Place, and subscribed S.H. Thou mayest also remember, that in the said Letter these following Reflections were made upon us, on the aforesaid Occasion, viz. You in a secret underly Way, sent Papers behind the backs of them that were concerned; this Practice of yours is worse than the Priests, and made your selves of no Reputations, nor Credit amongst Men; such Work, &c. Not fit for the Society of Men; all Judicious Civil Men would abhor your Practice; {Postscript 16} made yourselves of no Credit, degenerate from Common Civil Men in breaking Covenants. And forasmuch as we were jealous that thou wast the *³ Dictator thereof, we writ unto thee, desiring thee to acquaint us, if thou couldst, who it was that wrote such a Letter, or a Letter to the like Import; and whether thou didst know of any thing acted by us, or either of us, according as in the said Copy was mentioned, telling thee also, that Truth seeks no Corners.

But notwithstanding the aforementioued four Letters on the aforesaid Occasion, yet nothing is come to this Day to either of our hands, as Answer from thee, so far as I know, which considering how forward thou hast been in other Cases to answer in thy Vindication, its to me a Demonstration, that thy Guilt is such, as that no Answer in Truth, can render thee an Innocent Man.

This is not all the Abuse, which thou hast offered to me as well as to the Truth it self. But thou hast farther (and that at a large rate too) persisted by thy Lyes, Slanders, &c. to gainsay the Truth, as I have sufficiently manifested in my rejoiner (which thou hast not yet Answered, so far as ever I understood) to thy Reply, and John Blackings Postscript, which was written in Answer to what I writ unto thee, dated the 20th. of the 7th. Month, grounded on thy sending Queries to be read in our Mens Meeting in Bristol, and nor only so, but thy Agents have been very busy to publish thy aforesaid Reply, into divers parts of the Nation, to the corrupting the Minds of many, who give Credit thereto; all which being in much seriousness of Spirit, weighed by me, encreaseth the Concern of Conscience on me, to wipe away thy Refuge of Lies, by detecting thee in Print (if by any reasonable means, the Door may be open so to do) for thy manifold Abuses of me, unless some other Expedient, agreeable to {Postscript 17} the Truth may be found, to satisfy my Conscience: touching which, I shall forever have an Ear open to any one, that may speak unto me in the Word of Truth. And thus I am concerned the more, for that I have been by several Friends from divers Countryes, and Places called upon, to Vindicate the Truth, as well as my self, against thy Reproach. 

However I doubt not, but I may yet forbear to Print against thee, if per the next Post after thy receipt hereof, thou give me that satisfaction as is proposed in mine above cited, of the 11_th. of the 11_th. Mounth, 1678. and acknowledge the Errours, Lyes, Slanders, and Forgery, &c. whereof I have detected thee, in my aforesaid Rejoynder, sent unto thee several moneths past, with direction that it may be read amongst Friends as publickly, as thy false Scandalls have extended; or otherwise, if thou shalt pretend, that thou art not convinced of being guilty of, Lyes, &c. If thou furnish me before the General Meeting with such a number of fair Copies in Manuscript of my Rejonder, as may be sufficient to Inform all such of the Truth, as have been mis-informed by thy Fallacious Reply, and give thy Directions, that it may be read in the General, and other Mens Meetings, it may be, for ought I yet know, a consideration to me to forbear. For my desire is not to discover thy Errours and Evil Practices, further than amongst those, who Profess the Truth, if by any meanes possible I can, and yet so clear my Conscience, as that they may have a Proper Looking=Glass to behold thee in, as thou art, and ought to be seen. If thou condescendeth to what is last proposed, it may also be ground of Hope, that thou wilt condescend to give Satisfaction for thy other Miscarriages. And of this I desire to hear from thee, by a Letter to be directed to James Claypoole, under thy Cover, desiring him to send it unto me. If thou answer not my Request, I then think it needful to inform thee that my self and others may then have no ground of Hope, that thou wilt give us Satisfaction, for other thy {Postscript 18} Offences, committed against thy Brethren, to the Dishonour of God and his Truth, which the Friends thereof profess: and so my Concern will then be, not only to detect thee, for such thy Errours and evil Practices, which thou hast occasionally committed with respect to me; but forasmuch as I am fully satisfyed in my Conscience, on such grounds as I think not my self oblieged to reiterate, that thou hast been one chief Instrument, or at least an Abetter of such as have, whereby *⁴ a biting and devouring Spirit is entered some amongst the Flock; and that Heaps of unsound and aiery Teachers, that appear amongst us, as if they were sent to call for Fire from Heaven, receive Life from thee, and thereby are emboldened to entertain the Congregation with Empty and Idle vain Discourses, to the obstruction of such, as I firmly believe, have the Word of God to deliver, in the demonstration of the Power, and Spirit; and therefore my Concern hath been, to treat on several Particulars, which have been as so many several Steps; by which Divisions have ascended to the Height they now are at. To send the Copy thereof is unreasonable, because thou mayst (when I have so done) take no more notice thereof, than thou hast of the four forementioned Letters. However, lest thou should now imagine, that I will act against thee in a secret underly way, and to prevent thee from running into further Errour, by such evil Suggestions, from thy Imaginations, as heretofore, with Relation to me, thou hast done, I think meet to signify unto thee, the Matters wherein I have treated in that Manuscript, prepared by me for the Press (unless my Conscience can be otherwise satisfyed) in Relation {Postscript 19} to thee, wherein I doubt not, but to every Impartial Reader, there will appear matter, whereby thou wilt be manifested guilty of many Evil Practices and Errours, for which thou ought to give Satisfaction, both to Particular Persons, whom thou hast wronged, as well as to the Church of God in General. 

In the said Manuscript, I treat on the seven Queries sent unto John Wilkinson, the sixteen Queries sent unto John Story, making Observations on Proceedings thereon, and which had Relation thereto; I also take notice of two of thy Letters to John Wilkinson and John Story, and several of mine to thee, and of John Story’s Letter to the two Meetings in the North; the Dissatisfaction relating to thee at Bristol, thy Queries read at Bristol, and other things relating thereto.

I now come to take Notice, that John Blaickling in his Postscript to thy Reply to me, thus sayeth: But let me ask William Rogers, and them that take his part, hath George Fox shewed forth the Fruit of a Careless, Loose, Libertine, or Dark Spirit? Let that Man come forth in the whole nation, that can justly charge him with such a Spirit from his Child-hood. This seems a Challenge made by John Blaickling on thy Behalf, and approved by thee, since ‘tis sent by thee to me, annexed to thy Reply unto me; and therefore I am concerned thus to Answer, that if thou wilt acknowledge, that the Publication of Lyes, the Making use of a Certificate in the Favour, given forth by a Man that thou thy self knows, knew nothing of some of the Matters whereof by the Words of his Testimony, he undertook to clear thee, giving Instructions to others to perform Duty, and yet take Liberty to violate the same thy self, as if thou wouldst have Friends follow thy Words, but not thy Example, be the Fruit of a Careless, Loose, Libertine, or Dark Spirit, then I am the Man in this Nation, who am ready to come forth to charge thee with the Fruit of a Careless, loose, libertine, Dark Spirit, and to Justify the Charge against thee, and {Postscript 22} not only so, but shall at that time very freely give thee Liberty to take copy of what is prepared against thee, as aforesaid, after the Reading thereof in such an Assembly, as we may agree upon. And to be plain, I cannot, but for the clearing of my conscience tell thee, that if thou refuse to come forth on the Challenge, occasioned as aforesaid, I hope all Friends, who shall come to the Knowledge thereof, will be on their Watch, that they may escape the Snare in which many have been caught, through the Belief of Lies publish’t by thee, and that none for the future, will account, That Friends Disunity with thee, is an Infallible Demonstration, of being out of Unity with the Lord and his People. I am,
Thy Friend,
William Rogers.

In the above-said Letter to G.F. together with what I have written preceding to same, is contain as much as at present I am free to communicate unto you, untill such time I may understand, whether my Lines may be by you deem’d worthy your notice; which if it be, my desire is, that I may hear from you in writing touching the matter presented to your view; and as I said before, if any thing shall be with you to propose unto me, and it shall appear, that which may be approved by the Witness of God in my Conscience, I have this Faith, that then a constraint will by upon my Spirit to submit thereto for Conscience sake I am,
Your Friend,
William Rogers.

{Postscript 21} There was a Postscript added, which I omitted to take Copy of; but suddenly after Remembering it, I noted, that to the best of my Remembrance, ‘twas to this purpose.

Had you obtained a Meeting of the Friends of the City, as was desired, I should, if it had been proposed, readily assented to the reading amongst them of the Manuscript prepared.

To the aforesaid remonstrance, I never received any Answer, neither have I understood that ‘twas at any time communicated by those unto whom it was sent unto any other Friends within the City of London. 

One thing more yet worthy observation, viz. That George Fox had no inclination to meet me, for which many evidences might have been produced, had there been occasion; but lest any one should think it an unjust Reflection, I desire that what follows may be duely weighed.

William Rogers to Daniel Smith of Marlborough

Bristol the 13_th. of the 4_th. Moneth, 1680.

Daniel Smith;
Understanding that thou hadst some words with G.F. concerning me and that in relation to my proposition of giving him a Meeting before Friends, to the end that {Postscript 22} if he were guilty of any thing reproachful to the Truth, he might condemn it, if not, he might be cleared, I thought meet to request thee, to send me a few Lines, signifying what his Answer was, to that Proposition; and forasmuch as thou appeared a plain man, and accounted (to the best of my Remembrance) that my Proposition was rational, I hope thou wilt Answer this my Request, &c.
Thy Loving Friend,
William Rogers. 

Now followeth so much of Danial Smiths Answer, as relates to the above Request.

Malborough the 6_th. of 5_th. Mo. 1680.

William Rogers,
Friend, thine I received, and this Account I can give thee, thy Charge concerning George Fox, writ by thee at Calne, I gave to him, and shewed thy Mind concerning a hearing; and he judged it would prove but a Jangle, as it was at Bristol, &c. 
Daniel Smith.

The above said few Lines from Danial Smith the Elder, in Answer to mine, compared with G.F.’s Silence to what I have written to him desiring a Meeting, and his Neglect to give Answer unto two letters sent unto him by John Rance {Postscript 23} and written on purpose to entreat him to give a Meeting, clearly shew, that George Fox had no mind to concern himself to meet me, and therefore, I had no Reason at my last being in London, to attend and wait for George Fox’s coming to the City.

To conclude; much more might in Truth be written to evidence the Matter intended by this Postscript, which at present I shall omit, having this Faith and Confidence, that as in Conscience I have been concerned to prepare and publish this Treatise, and at this Moment and Conclusion have the Answer of Peace in my Bosome, so there will be a Service for the Lord, his Truth and People therein. And though some may make Lies their Refuge, evil Insinuations and false Constructions their Defence, to abuse both it and me, and other Friends in Truth concerned, as well as to cover the Head of Deceit, and to uphold that which the Lord (as I firmly believe) hath determined to bring down into the Dust; yet my Faith is, that the Lord in his due time will discover the Skirts of such, and take away the unjust reproaches from off his Peculiar People, and cause Vengence and Indignation to take hold on the Adversary, and give unto those who are Obedient unto that Spirit, in which the Election stands, an Encrease of the Antient Love, Peace, and Joy in the Everlasting Light, so that being enabled to sit down together under their own Vine and Fig-Tree (where none shall make them afraid) they will be made partakers (notwithstanding all False Prophesies, and Imaginary Visions) of the Joy of Gods Salvation, to the Consolation of one another’s Souls in the Lord. Amen, Amen, saith my Soul.
William Rogers. 
Dated Bristol the 3_d.  of the 9_th. Mo. 1680.

[Postscript 24} Bristol the 8th. of Novemb. 1680

Notwithstanding that all this Treatise excepting the Postscript, Index, and Errata, is already printed, yet as a further Evidence of my readiness to meet George Fox, and his declining thereof, I thought meet to insert this Additional Post-script. A friend from London advised me, That my Proceeding to print, was much discoursed of in the City of London: And that William Mead desired Nicholas Lucas, that it might be intimated to me, that now George Fox would give me a Meeting. Which I did understand (or at least suppose) was urged as an Argument, that I ought thereupon to forbear Printing, which occasioned me immediately on receipt thereof to take care, that my Mind might be communicated unto Nicholas Lucas of Hartford, who thereupon, as I am advised, acquainted William Mead, that their Desire (meaning that I would give George Fox a Meeting) was accepted by me, provided that George Fox would give it under his Hand (meaning thereby to meet me) to which William Mead said, he would speak to George Fox about it; and afterwards the said William Mead told Nicholas Lucas he had spoke with G.F. and his Answer was, He will not give it under his hand, nor write to me; By which all impartial Readers may further Judge, whether G.F. have any Inclination at all to give me a Meeting for the clearing of Matters laid to his Charge.

I do hereby testify, that which is contained in the Additional Post-script, so far as relates to me and William Mead is Truth.
Nicholas Lucas

{Postscript 25} Bristol the 10th. of November, 1680.

Forasmuch as it hath of late been frequently discoursed, amongst some of the People called Quakers, That I intended to Print against Friends: and not only so, but such my reputed Intentions have been made use of as a Argument to render me Wicked, and thereby to disaffect Simple-hearted well meaning Friends, towards my self and other Friends in Truth: ‘tis now become my further Concern to add these few Lines.

First, Such Insinuators cannot be therein guilty of less than Injustice, and Slander, because it was not then known what would be printed by me.

Secondly, They have no ground to conjecture, that my Intentions were to treat on any thing more, than the Wayes and Means by which the said People (once at Unity) came to be divided; together with some part of the Fruits of that Division, and the Doctrines and Practices we stand for, which if brought to Light, so as that nothing but the Naked Truth might be publish’t (which ought to have been supposed, until the contrary should have appeared) the Question then needful to be answered is this, Whether ‘tis matter of evil Fact in me, to publish in Print an Historical Relation of the Truth, as aforesaid; and that for the clearing of my Conscience, that the Sin of Disobedience may not lye at my Door? The Answer in short is, Nay. To every impartial and unprejudiced Reader, I doubt not, but that the Preface to the Reader, the Introduction to the First and Fourth Parts of this Treatise, may give sufficient Satisfaction: but lest the Ignorance and Blindness of any should be so great, as not from thence to perceive the Righteousness of my present proceeding to Print, or that the Partiality of any that do so, should so abound, as to Strengthen Evil Insinuations against me on that {Postscript 26} Account, I have this to say: that such as have been of Party against us (concerned in the Publication hereof) have been the First (and frequent) Promulgators by Declaration, by Manuscript, and by Printing, That there have been Divisions amongst the aforesaid People. 

As to a Publication thereof by Declaration, I refer to what I have already written in the Preface to the reader, the Introduction to the First and Fourth Parts of this Treatise.

As to the Publication thereof by Manuscript, I referr to the Fourth Part, and in particular to the title page thereof; to the Forty Four Articles of Accusation, draw an up against John Wilkinson and John Story, to the Paper subscribed by Charles Marshal and Sixty five more, at Ellis Hooks his Chamber; (both mentioned in this Treatise) to the *⁵ Paper called The Brethrens Narrative at Drawel: And to an Epistle written by a publick Preacher (and one of the Party against such as are concerned in the Publication hereof, whose name for the Reasous mentioned in the Preface I omit) directed to be read, (and accordingly was read) in a Publick Meeting for the Worship of God, within the City of Bristol, held in the great Meeting- {Postscript 27} House on the 21_st. of the 11th. Month 1678. in the presence of several, not accounted to be of the People called Quakers,wherein mention is made of Rents, Schismes, Contention, Difference, Breach, Strife, Distraction, Discord, Quarrel, late and present Division, and of a Separation in some Parts of this Nation, _on such wise, as that in the Authors Sense, ‘tis Evident, that they are mentioned with relation to one party of Friends, amongst those who have professed the Truth as rent and divided from another Party.

But that which on this Occasion is chiefly my Concern, is to evidence that there hath been a Publication of the aforesaid Divisions in Print before the Publication hereof, and that by (and on the behalf of) some of George Fox’s Party.

On the 8_th. Instant came to my hands two Sheets of Printed Paper, Entituled An Epistle (pretended to be for true Love, Unity, and Order in the Church of Christ, against the Spirit of Discord, Disorder and Confusion. In the bottom of the Title Page thereof, ‘tis thus written, Printed by Andrew Sowle, and are to be Sold at his Shop in Devonshire Buildings, without Bishopsgate, 1680. That direction for Sale is a sufficient Notification to me, that ‘twas not Printed for a limited Service *⁶ and forasmuch as ‘tis well known that Ann Whitehead and Mary Elson (the Subscribers thereof) are such qualifyed Persons, as not to Print any thing on a Religious Score, without the Approbation of a Meeting held in London _every Second Day (usually consisting of uncertain Numbers of uncertain qualifyed Persons) who therein pretend to take upon them the approbation, or the contrary of what is intended for the PRESS. I reasonably conclude, that whatever is written in the above cited Sheets, was there approved.

{Postscript 28} I should now proceed to cite a few Sentences out of it, which amounts to a Publication of Divisions.

Page 4. The Lord hath suffered Blindness in part to happen to some, through declining their First Love, who came out amongst us, and had a Part in the Belief and Discovery of the Way of Truth; but now some only have the Sheeps-Cloathing, and others have lost that too, who through a prejudiced Mind, are alienated from the Unity of Spirit, and Bond of Peace, in which we keep our wholsome Practices, which we have received in the Unity, and Order of the Gospel of Peace, and Truth of Christ Jesus, in the Fellowship of the Spirit, in Bowels of Mercy, being like-minded, and of one accord, in whatsoever things are True, Just, Honest, and of good Report, not that we should think of them only, but be in the Practice of them, as we are. In the same Page,, it is further thus written; But to our Burthen, and Grief, we find amongst some a Contrary Spirit, that will not subject to Unity in wholsome Order and Practices received amongst us, as a Church and People: and through this contrary Spirit, and Prejudiced Mind, the Accuser of the Brethren is broken out, under a specious Prestence, crying Liberty of Conscience, Liberty of Conscience, in Opposition to those needful, convenient, and wholsome Practices excercised amongst us in outward Things. Also Page 5th. thus, This *[^6] Accusing, Opposing, Dividing Spirit, that is at work in this our Day, to confound Order against the Peaceable Government of Christ amongst his People, This Dividing, Accusing, Prejudicial Worker would introduce a Belief, that an Apostasy is Entring, and are gone from the Beginning and First Principle, and the Power lost, and now Forms are setting up, and Imposition on Consciences, and the like, and amongst whom is all this say they, but amongst us who are in Unity of Spirit {Postscript 29} both in Faith and Practices, and ‘tis amongst such, that they imagine this Fearful Imposture, and Arbitrary Rule, Imposing Prescriptions and Laws on the tender Conscience of the Weak, is now gotten up to exercise, and so the Liberty of the tender Conscience is Lost; and you say they are intangled with the Yoak of Bondage to this Day. And Page 10th thus; Inasmuch as the envious Worker is suffered to proceed, that would even race out the Foundations of Christ’s Kingdom and Government under which his Subjects do only own their Christian-Freedom and true Liberty of Conscience, &c. In the 12th Page it is thus written: And he (meaning G.F. As by his Name before cited in the same Page appears) was moved of the Lord to advise to a Womens Meeting, &c. and when Dear G.F. declared unto us, what the Lord had made known unto him by his Power, that there should be a Women’s Meeting, that so all the Sick, the Weak, the Widdow and the Fatherless should be *⁷ minded, and looked after in their Distresses. And Page the 13th. thus: I have a word in my Heart to say unto all Back-Sliders, Obstructors, Opposers (and such as Countenance them secretly) of this our heavenly Order of Men and Women’s Meetings; which the Lord by his Power hath set up (and further thus) You that have despised Dignities to speak Evil of the Servants of the Lord, such that faithfully have laboured amongst us from the Beginning, which the Lord hath found worthy of double Honour; for I do know, and the Lord hath sealed it in my Heart, that that Spirit which hath opposed the Blessed Unity, and Order of Truth in those our Mens and Women’s Meetings, shall never prosper, nor they who are in it, inwardly to God without Repentance. And in the 15th. Page ‘tis thus written: And a true sense hath been upon me of our Dear Friends up and down the Nation, of their great Tryal and Exercise that hath been upon them because of the Wicked Dividing Spirit, and especially in {Postscript 30} my Native Country, viz. Wiltshire. Thus much out of the aforesaid Sheets, to manifest that this Treatise contains not the first printed and published Papers, evidencing Divisions amongst the People called Quakers. 

I am now sensible some may be apt thus to Object. If the Meeting held on every Second Day, whereof thou makes mention, may be Justifyed, in approving the aforesaid sheets to be printed; yet it can be Plea to Justify thy Printing, because thou hast descended more particularly to describe wherein the Difference doth consist, and hast mentioned some Names of both Parties concerned in the Difference. But in the afore it’s Sheets, we find but some Names, of one Party only, viz. G.F. and the two Subscribers of the said two Sheets. 

Answ. I confess, the latter Part of the Objection to be true, but yet not sufficient for any to condemn my printing, who may Justify the printing of the aforesaid Sheets. For, if the mentioning of one particular Matter wherein the Difference is reputed to consist (even as in the said Sheets it is) be according to Truth in one Party, I know not why the mentioned of more may not be justifiable in the other Party; and it is be justifyable to mention a Part of the Names of one Party concerned in the Difference, why not also of the other? And though in the aforesaid Sheets, there is no so particular a Description, wherein the Differences do consist, as in this Treatise is mentioned. Yet the understanding Reader may collect many things of importance from it, and in particular, that in the Sense of the Subscribers thereof, and such as are at Unity with them (who may reasonable be taken to be of one Party) they are such as are for True Love, Unity, Order of the Gospel of Peace, Fellowship of the Spirit, Bowels of Mercy, and things that are True, Honest, Just, and a good Report &c. And that the other Party whom they oppose, are such as are for Disorder, Confusion, unto whom Blindness {Postscript 31} hath happened, and that they are decline form their First Love, having only the Sheeps-Clothing, of Prejudiced Minds Opposing, Dividing, Confounding, Order against the Peaceable Government of Christ; Envious Workers, that would raze out the very Foundation of Christ’s Government, Despisers of Dignity, &c. All which leads me to this Observation, that since no matter of Fact is signifyed, to evidence any under the Profession of Truth worthy of those General Reflections, nor yet any thing referred to for Evidence; I may reasonably conclude, that the Intended Oppositions to Christ’s Government, is in their Sense no other than a supposed Dislike to Women’s-Meetings, distinct and separate from Men; Because I find that a Dislike to those Meetings is the Chief Matter treated on, which being duely weighed, seems to me very Unchristian-like so to reflect, as aforesaid; especially when on such whose Persons and Purses have not been wanting to Administer to the Necessities of the Sick, the Weak, the Widdows and the Fatherless, which are the Ends Declared in the aforesaid Sheets, whereof Womens-Meetings were set up, and advised to by George Fox. 

To conclude, I no leave it to the Impartial Reader to consider, whether the Method that is to be learned out of the before cited sheets, or that in this Treatise, be most justifiable. The First being to praise themselves, and defame others in a general way, without evidencing matter of Fact, worthy either of such Praise on Defamation; and so consequently can convince none, but such as are ready to pin their Faiths on the Sleeves of others. The other being a Demonstration from matter of Faith, or Fact, leaves every Readers Judgement free.

{Postscript 32} To conclude, I no leave it to the Impartial Reader to consider, whether the Method that is to be learned out of the before cited sheets, or that in this Treatise, be most justifiable. The First being to praise themselves, and defame others in a general way, without evidencing matter of Fact, worthy either of such Praise on Defamation; and so consequently can convince none, but such as are ready to pin their Faiths on the Sleeves of others. The other being a Demonstration from matter of Faith, or Fact, leaves every Readers Judgement free.

---

1. *Note, I would not be hereby understood, that all who appear Newters, are either Luke-warm, or Partial, because I am satisfyed, many honest-hearted Friends; that know the Truth, have not a Knowledge of all the Differencies, and so may be accounted with Respect to some parts of the Controversy, as Newters; and others not being concerned in the Controversy, may be termed Newters, and such as walk in the Antient Path of Truth in all Sincerity. ↩

2. * Note. The Lines mentioned to be above recited, are the same mentioned in this Letter as written by thee, touching me. ↩

3. *Note, The Language used by him, and already cited, is so near like this, that few will suppose that it dropt from two distinct Persons. ↩

4. *Note, This Letter is intended to be spread abroad amongst Friends, and the Reason wherefore I Insert these general Reflections, without particular Evidence, is chiefly to become a Remembrance unto Friends, that they may consider, whether they have not been Witnesses that my Sense is true; for I know, there are many amongst us, who if Occasion required, are ready to give the like Testimony. I certainly know the particular evidences hereof producible are so many, as might fill a large Volume, and for that reason also improper on this Occasion. ↩

5. *Note, in the said Paper, these Words (relating to John Story and John Wilkinson are, viz. And we do hereby warn all, to have a Care, that they be not lifted up by reason of the Temptation and hurt that’s come upon these Men, nor yet insult over them: for that Spirit is not of God: but rather let all watch, in the Fear and Dread of Almighty God, against that Spirit, that they need not into Temptation. The aforesaid Words are cited to shew the Inconsistency of John Wilkinson and  John Story, their Opposers Actions with the aforesaid Advice. For ‘tis well known, that contray to the aforesaid Counsel, Their Opposers have been so drunk with Prejudice and an Insulting Spirit, as that the said Paper (called a Narrative) hath been read against them in several Counties, in publick Meetings for the Worship of God; from which Assemblies no Persons whatsoever (though not professing the Truth) as excluded. This Action may reasonably be concluded to spring from the same Spirit, that dictated a few Lines subscribed by George Fox, whereof mention is made in the Preface, directing to shew Certificates against John Story, both to Enemies and Friends. ↩

6. *Note, An accusing Spirit is now accounted a Confounder of Order: by this Rule, may not the Accusers of J.W. and J.S. be accounted Confounders of Order.↩

7. *Note, here is no mention made of bringing Marriages before them. ↩