One Sheet Against the Quakers, Text
One Sheet againſt the QUAKERS.
By RICHARD BAXTER.
LONDON, Printed by Robert White, for Nevil Simmons, Book-ſeller, in Kederminſter, Anno Dom. 1657.
One Sheet againſt the QUAKERS.
THE lamentable ignorance and ungodlineſs of too many of the common people, and the pride and ſelf-conceitedneſs of many Profeſſors of godlyneſs, and the weakneſs, unſettledneſs and giddineſs of others, doth give advantage to all ſorts of Hereticks and Deceivers to make their attempts with hope of ſucceſs. And to our wonder, grief, and ſhame we ſee, that ſcarce any of them are ſo groſly unreaſonable and vile, but they get ſome followers in moſt places where they come: And when this wind ariſeth to try our Congregations, and neighbours, the light, unſtable, chaſſie Profeſſors are carried away. And though one ſect have carried away ſome of them, and another hath riſen and condemned that, and carried away more; and another and another have done the like by them; yet ſtill the next ſect that riſeth up, is as confident that they are in the right, and as zealouſly vent their own conceits, and condemn all others, as if they had never been warned by the examples of ſo many before them, whoſe confidence hath left them in contempt, like Prognoſticators, Wizards and falſe Prophets, that will be bold to propheſie of uncertain events, though ſo many of their predeceſſors have leſt their names to the deriſion of poſterity; We cannot wonder therefore, if among other ſects, the Quakers (with their German Brethren, the Paracelſians, Behmeniſts, and Seekers) do ſtep in and take their turns in the game; who will come down with greater ſhame then moſt that have gone before them, when they have plaid their part.
The man that will ſtand ſafe, and look on the folly and miſery of all theſe ſects, with prudence to his own advantage, muſt be A ſincere Catho…ck Chriſtian, ſaved from Infidelity and Impiety: Having one God, one Mediator between God and man, one holy Spirit; being a member of that one Catholick Church, which is not confined to the ſect of Papiſts, or the ſect of Anabaptiſts, or any ſect, but containeth all the true Chriſtians in the world, though ſome parts of it be Reformed and pure, and others more deformed and corrupt: having one Catholick Rule, the Word of God; and a Catholick Love to all Chriſtians in the world, with a care and deſire of their welfare, proportionable to their ſeveral degrees of lovelineſs, Being my ſelf a member of this Catholick Church, and finding my ſelf on the Rock which the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt, the ſecurity of my ſtation encourageth me the more boldly to do my part in defending the cauſe of God, againſt the aſſaults of all theſe deluded ones; and particularly the Quakers. And if any man find in himſelf the leaſt temptation to like of their way, I ſhall here give him thoſe Reaſons in a little room that move me to conceive, that no Chriſtian, or reaſonable man, ſhould be a Quaker, or approve of, or excuſe their way.
Reaſon 1. The Quakers (with the Seekers) deny and revile the Church and Miniſters of Chriſt, and yet cannot tell us of any Church or Miniſtry which is indeed the right, and to be preferred before theſe that they do deſpiſe. If the Quakers are of no Church themſelves, they are no Chriſtians; and then they are Infidels, Atheiſts or Heathens. If they be of the Church, let them tell us which is the Church that they are of. They renounce the Church that we are of: and that is the only Church on earth, containing all true believers in Chriſt. They have not told us of any ſect but their own, which they take to be the true Church: And he that takes the Quakers to be the only Catholick Church, muſt deny the Church and Chriſt himſelf, if he underſtand what he ſaith. For the Quakers are but of a few years ſtanding: They roſe from among the Papiſts, Seekers, Ranters, and Anabaptiſts but a while ago. And if Chriſt had not a Catholick Church before then, and ever ſince his Aſcenſion, he ceaſed to be Chriſt in Office, the Head and Saviour of the Church: For no Church, no Saviour; No body, no Head: No School, no Teacher: No Kingdom, no King: No Wife, no Husband. So that its all one to ſay, that the Quakers have made a new Catholick Church, when there was none before; and to ſay, they have made a new Chriſt, where was no Chriſt before. This Argument the Papiſts abuſe upon falſe ſuppoſitions; but it is only the Catholick that can make juſt advantage of it, and may better ask the Papiſts, [Where was your Roman Catholick Church before 400. or 500. or 600. years after Chriſt?] then they can ask us, [Where was your Church before Luther:] Where there were viſible Societies of Chriſtians, there was a viſible Church. I dare not be of ſo narrow a Catholick Church as the Papal is, much leſs as the Quakers or any upſtart ſect; I profeſs my ſelf a member of a far wider Catholick Church then all of them ſet together; in which I hope to live and die.
Reaſon 2. No wiſe man can be a Quaker, becauſe their Religion is an uncertain thing; And ſo is not that Religion that muſt ſave us. The things that they agree in, beſides the furious oppoſition of others, are but a few broken ſcraps of Doctrine, which they never yet ſet together, as making the ſubſtance of their faith: I never met with man that heard of any ſum or body of their Divinity, Faith or Religion, which they have publiſhed: No not ſo much as in Catechiſm, or ſhort Confeſſion: Nor did I ever hear that one of their Speakers did ever recite the ſubſtance of their belief. If they know not yet the contents of their own Religion, they are too blame to be ſo zealous for it, and thruſt that upon others, which they know not themſelves: and well may we ſtay till they know it better, before we become their followers for we know not what. The Chriſtian faith is known long ago, even this 1600 years, and more. If they ſay that they wait till the Spirit revealeth it; I anſwer, The Spirit hath revealed and ſealed the Chriſtian Faith long ago: though it muſt tranſcribe it out of the Scripture into the heart of every believer. The Spirit is not given now to make us a new Religion, or new Goſpel, Gal. 1. 8, 9. but to cauſe us to believe and receive the old one. I abhor any Goſpel or Religion that was not made 1600. years ago at leaſt. If they look for a Spirit to make them a new Religion or belief, they have not, and expect not the Chriſtian Religion or belief. Well, and will any but a mad man let go his Chriſtian Faith, before he know where to have a better? or for he knows not what? ſhall we turn Quakers meerly becauſe they bark and bawl at our Religion, Miniſtry and Church, before they once tell us where to find a better, or give us ſo much as a Catechiſm, or Confeſſion to tell us what their own Religion is, which they would have us to receive? We know not but the fag-end of it that is yet out of ſight, may be ſo abominable as to ſhame all the reſt; I am reſolved to be of no Religion that is kept in the pockets of men, and muſt not be all made known to the Church, as the Papiſts keep things undetermined, to make us new Articles of ſaith (quoad nos, as they ſpeak) when they pleaſe.
Reaſon 3. No man of Reaſon ſhould be a Quaker, conſidering that among thoſe ſcraps of their Religion which is made known, there is ſo much notorious falſhood and ungodlineſs. Its like to have a good end that hath ſuch a beginning. This falſhood and wickedneſs, cannot ſoder with ſaving truth. The very perſon of Jeſus Chriſt many of them blaſpheme, and ſpeak allegorically and equivocally when they mention his name and nature, and ſo ſhew that indeed they are not Chriſtians. One of them lately ſpoke to a Chriſtian in theſe words, [I deny the God that thou worſhippeſt.] The Scriptures, many of them in my hearing and in others, have denyed to be the rule of Faith and Life, and the Hebrew and Greek text they expreſly ſaid, they do deny. They reproach the Catholick Church, and the Miniſters: They deny many of Gods Ordinances; not only the Baptiſm of Infants, but of any; and uſe not the Lords Supper: They deprave the Doctrine of Juſtification, denying the imputed righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and truſting to that which is in them only: Many more ſuch abominations they maintain, which certainly tell us they are not of God. If any man ſay that all of them are not of theſe opinions: I anſwer, What a fair diſtracted company are they already then, when they are of ſo many minds, and we are never the nearer knowing what they hold by hearing and reading the ſayings of ſo many!
Reaſon 4. Beſides their falſe pernicious Doctrines, their Practical Religion doth much conſiſt in notorious wickedneſs, injuſtice and uncharitableneſs. I ſhall here inſtance but in three parts of it. 1. Their very preaching and zealous talk is much, if not moſt of it, malicious prating againſt Gods ſervants, (3 Joh. 10.) and railing accuſations and reviling words; yea lyes and ſlanders; impudently charging that upon the Miniſters of Chriſt, which they have not ſo much as a reaſonable pretence to accuſe them of. There is ſcarce a ſcold heard among us in ſeven years time, that uſeth ſo many railing words to the baſeſt that they quarrel with, as theſe people will uſe familiarly in their Religious exerciſes againſt the faithful ſervants of Chriſt. Nay I have had more railing language from one of them in one letter, then I ever heard from all the ſcolds in the Countrey to my remembrance this twenty years. And no ſervant of Chriſt who hath learnt of him to be meek and lowly, can believe (if he be well in his wits) that this is the language of the Spirit of Chriſt. He that being himſelf reviled, reviled not again, 1 Pet. 2. 23. and hath commanded us not to eat with a railer, 1 Cor. 5. 11. and hath given ſuch an odious Character of ſuch, 2 Pet. 2. 10, 11, 12. Jude 8, 9, 10, &c. will hardly own them for his beſt ſervants. If we may judge what Countrey men are of by their language, theſe are not of heaven, nor fellow-Citizens with the Saints, that ſo reproach and rail at Saints. And it is the more impious in that they entitle God to it, and think they do him ſervice, by reviling his ſervants: yea, and abuſe the phraſes of Scriptures to it; as if they might call ſuch by any names which God hath called the worſt of men by; Even dogs, wolves, greedy dogs and hirelings, children of the Devil, and enemies of all righteouſneſs, hypocrites, Devils, with abundance ſuch. 2. They break the fifth Commandment by open diſhonouring of Magiſtrates and Miniſters, and impenitently juſtifie themſelves in all. They will not only deny civil honour to the Magiſtrate, but revile him if he diſpleaſe them. Their language is like the rebellious followers of Corah, Numb. 16. 3. Ye take too much upon you—wherefore liſt ye up your ſelves above the Congregation of the Lord?] 3. Many of them live idly and diſorderly, going up and down the Countrey, and living on the bread of others, and not working with their hands, contrary to 2 Theſ. 3. 6, 11.
Reaſon 5. The worſt of all is, that they behave themſelves like Malignant enemies to the very Cauſe, and Church, and Goſpel, and Servants of Jeſus Chriſt. And if they be of the Serpentine brood, they cannot be the only ſervants of Chriſt ſure. Moſt of them that I have ſeen, have an altered countenance, looking upon every man that they ſuſpect to be a Miniſter or a friend to the Miniſtry, with ſuch deteſtation and hatred, as if malice it ſelf had choſen their faces to demonſtrate its complexion in. Their very deſign, Religion and work, is, to make the people hate the Miniſters and revile them as they do, as if this were a mark of a converred man. And beſides this Miniſtry (as much as they revile them) who have we to carry on the work of the Goſpel? A mean wit may eaſily ſee what would come of the Goſpel, and of the Church, and the ſouls of men, if the Miniſtry were hated, rejected or caſt out. Doth it go well with any Nation on earth without them? Name me the place. Will the Goſpel be propagated without Preachers? Or have you better enough if all theſe were down? Where be they? that we may ſee and know them. He that would deſtroy the Commanders, and Magiſtrates, is like to be an enemy to the Army and the Common-wealth. They take the ſame courſe againſt the Church and Cauſe of God, as the malicious enemies in all ages have done; even to oppoſe the beſt and painfulleſt Miniſters. Such as the Heathens tormented, and the Papiſts burnt, and others ſilenced, theſe men chooſe out to vilifie and oppoſe. Mark when they come to any Town, whether they do not ten times more oppoſe the Miniſters that ſpend themſelves in private and publick labours againſt ſin, then they do the moſt ignorant or vicious men. Cannot we ſee whoſe ſervants they are, when we ſee who they fight againſt, even the choiceſt ſervants of Chriſt! It is a wonderful thing that even Malignant enemies ſhall be thought to be Chriſts only ſervants by any that know what it is to ſerve him, or what an enemy differeth from a friend.
Reaſon 6. Moreover that part of the Quakers peculiar Religion, which conſiſteth not in errour and Malignant impiety, is very much of it made up of childiſh unreaſonable fopperies. When they have called me Dog and Devil, and abundance of ſuch names, and I have asked them what was my fault? forſooth, it was that I was called Maſter, that I ſtood above the people in a pulpit, that I preached by an hour-glaſs, that I preacht by Doctrine, and Uſe, and ſuch like. And doth the Chriſtian Religion conſiſt in ſuch ridiculous accuſations as theſe? Doth God lay mens ſalvation upon an hour-glaſs, or a Pulpit, or being called Maſter? Little do I care what they call me, or where I ſtand, ſo I may but be heard: or whether I have glaſs or clock. As for the grounds of theſe ſilly cavils, I have ſhewed in [The Quakers Catechiſm] how weak they are. Chriſt doth no more forbid the title of [Maſter] then of [Father] or then [ſitting in the uppermoſt ſeat] as you may ſee in Mat. 23. And ſeriouſly would theſe wiſe men have no man called Father, or ſit uppermoſt? It is the proud affectation of honour, and the abuſe of it that Chriſt doth forbid, and not the thing; when he hath made it the firſt Commandment with promiſe, that children (and ſo all ſubjects and inferiours) muſt honour their parents and ſuperious in the Lord. See what a difference there is between this ſort of prophetical people, and the antient Prophets and Apoſtles of Chriſt. The Apoſtles of Chriſt did preach up Faith, and Hope, and Love, and a Kingdom conſiſting in Righteouſneſs and Peace, and Joy in the holy Ghoſt, and not in meats or drinks, Circumciſion or uncircumciſion. But ſee now a new generation of preachers; and what is their meſſage? I am aſhamed to mention it. They go about the world to preach down hour-glaſſes, and pulpits, and tithes, and the title of Maſter; Do you think that the ſalvation of the world doth lie upon this Doctrine? They come to preach down ribbons, and lace, and points, and cuffs: O glorious and excellent Doctrine, for children to make ſport with!
Reaſon 7. Moreover their Malignity doth blind them to make that the principal Cauſe of their rage and revilings againſt the Miniſtry, which is plainly agreeable to the will of God, and neceſſary to the Churches good. The principal ſin which we muſt be hated, reproached and caſt out for, is, that we take either Tithes or other ſet maintenance. And where is this forbidden? They liken us to the covetous Prieſts among the Jews who neglected the work of the Lord, and looked every one for his gain from his Quarters: And do they believe that God was then againſt paying Tithes, or that this was the ſin of thoſe Prieſts that they took Tithes? Let them read Mal. 3. 8, 9, 10. and judge, and be aſhamed [Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me. But ye ſay, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are curſed with a curſe, for ye have robbed me, even this whole Nation. Bring ye all the Tithes into the Store-houſe, that there may be meat in my houſe, and prove me now herewith, ſaith the Lord, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bleſſing.] And Chriſt himſelf ſaith of them that …ithed Mint and Anniſe, [Theſe things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone, Mat. 23. 23.] And Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 9. 6, 7, 11, 12, 13. [Have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charge? who planteth a Vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I theſe things as a man? or, ſaith not the Law the ſame alſo?—If we have ſown to you ſpiritual things, is it a great thing if we ſhall reap your carnal things? Do ye not know that they which miniſter about holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even ſo hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Goſpel ſhould live of the Goſpel.] God ordaineth it, and the Quakers make a new Religion of railing at it. The Law of the Land ordaineth it: and God bids every ſoul be ſubject to the higher powers, and ſaith, the reſiſters receive to themſelves damnation, Rom. 13. and yet the Quakers expect ſalvation by reſiſting. The tenths are the Churches, and not the peoples: And God ſaith, Thou ſhalt not ſteal: And yet the Quakers make a Religion of teaching the people to ſteal or defraud others of the tenths. In the Apoſtles daies men ſold all and devoted it to God, and laid it down at the Apoſtles feet; But now we ask not men for a penny, they are taught by the Quakers to deny thoſe tenths which be none of their own; forgetting that A…anias and Sapphira were ſtruck dead, for retaining half their own, when they had devoted it to God and the Church. But I have ſaid enough of this to them in two Books already, viz. The Defence of the Worceſterſhire Petition, and the Quakers Catechiſm.
Reaſon 8. The Quakers way is too cruel and uncharitable to be the way of God. They damn the moſt humble, holy, faithful ſervants of God; to whom God hath promiſed ſalvation. All the Miniſters and Churches of Chriſt that adhere to the Miniſtry, they pronounce them, children of the Devil: and as ſoon as they do but hear a man ſpeak for the Miniſtry, though they know nothing of his life, they can preſently tell that he is an Hypocrite and child of the Devil; ſo quick and ſagacious they are in damning men, as if they were as forward to it as Chriſt to ſave, and pleaſed as much in curſing, as good men in bleſſing. Yea they muſt venture into the Throne of God, and ordinarily take on them to know mens hearts, to judge them hypocrites. Thoſe that dwell and walk with God, and have lain longer at his feet in prayers and tears, then any of them, and walk in uprightneſs in the midſt of a malicious world, and ſpend themſelves in the work of God; even theſe muſt be damned at a word by a boy or wench that's but a Quaker, as confidently as if God had bid them ſpeak it. And thus they repeal the Goſpel it ſelf, the ground of our ſalvation, which ſaith, that Whoſoever believeth ſhall not periſh.
Reaſon 9. After all their ſins, they moſt impudently pretend to a ſinleſs perfection. They are not content that we allow of a perfection in kind, which is our ſincerity, or a perfection of parts, which is our integrity, or a perfection of eminency or high degree: all theſe we do allow of; and we deſire an abſolute ſinleſs perfection, and confeſs it is our commanded duty. But they maintain that many of them are without ſin altogether. Though James ſaith, In many things we offend all, James 3. 2. and John ſaith [If we ſay that we have no ſin, we deceive our ſelves, and the truth is not in us: If we ſay that we have not ſinned, we make him a lyar, and his word is not in us, 1 John 1. 8, 10. And Chriſt ſaith, that the whole have no need of the Phyſitian, but the ſick, Mat. 9. 12. So that by this you may ſee that the Quakers ſuppoſe themſelves to have no need of Chriſt, and ſo the word and truth is not in them. They dare ſay it ſeems, to God or to the Redeemer, We will not be beholden to thee for the patdon of any more ſin, or for the blood of Chriſt to that end. They will not ſay, Forgive us our treſpaſſes: For what need they a Chriſt and pardon that have no ſin? And thus they ſuppoſe themſelves to be in heaven already! For if they are perfect and ſinleſs, whats that but a great part of heaven? and how is it that they have not the beatifical viſion, and be not with the Angels! for what can hinder them but ſin? Nay it ſeems, they take themſelves to be as perfect as Chriſt himſelf. For what can they have more then a ſinleſs perfection? And ſee here what an unhumbled people theſe are that dare think ſo highly of themſelves; and how ſhameleſs, to boaſt of finleſs perfection, even with railing and other ſin in their mouths, or open in their practices and Doctrine.
Reaſon 10. And in this and many other Doctrines, they do ſo openly comply with the Papiſts, that we may plainly ſee that the Jeſuites and Fryers are their Leaders. This hath been proved by many Confeſſions, as I have ſhewed elſewhere. The Papiſts make the Scripture a dead letter, no ſufficient Rule of faith, or Judge of Controverſies; and ſo do they. The Papiſts cry down our Church and Miniſtry, and ſo do they. The Jeſuites cry up free-will and ſufficient grace to all, and a common ſufficient Light, and ſo do they. The Papiſts do extenuate imputed righteouſneſs, in ſetting up inherent: and ſo do they. The Papiſts place moſt in external abſtinence, and obſervances, and ſeeming auſterity; and ſo do they. The Papiſts ſay the Pope is not the Antichriſt; and ſo do they. The Papiſts ſay that they can keep all Gods Commandments, and have a ſinleſs perfection; and ſo do they. Many other of their Doctrines they maintain. So that you may eaſily conjecture, that Quakers do but prepare you to be either Papiſts or open Infidels, at laſt.
Reaſon 11. Their Doctrines are ſelf-contradictory, and therefore they cannot be of God. They ſay that all men have a ſufficient light within them. And yet they go up and down preaching with great zeal and violence. And what do they preach? is it light or darkneſs? If darkneſs, who would have ſuch Preachers? If light, what needleſs labour is this, when all men have ſufficient Light already? And they will revile the Miniſters as blind guides, and tell their people they are all in darkneſs, and the way to damnation? And yet all have ſufficient Light within them? If all, why not the Miniſters, and their people? Are not they men?
Reaſon 12. Conſider alſo how ſuitable their Doctrine is to the Intereſt and Pleaſure both of the Papiſts and the Devil? When they damn all the Miniſters and Churches of Chriſt, how can they pleaſe the Devil better? O what would he give them that this were but true? Now the Kings of France and Spain are ſtriving for part of Italy or Flanders; if you ſay, This Countrey is all the King of Spains, and none of it the Kings of France, is not this for the intereſt of Spain? So Chriſt and the Devil are ſtriving about the ſouls of men, and you ſtep in and ſay of almoſt all the Church of Chriſt, yea of the moſt eminent godly Chriſtians, [all theſe are hypocrites, and the children of the Devil] is not this for the Devils intereſt, and are you not the Patrons of his cauſe againſt Chriſt? And if you do but unchurch all the Reformed Churches, the Papiſts will give you a ſee.
Reaſon 13. The Doctrine and practice of the Quakers is contrary to the experience and holy nature of the Saints. They have found a renewing light and life by this Scripture and Miniſtry which the Quakers make ſo light of. They tell our people, that our Miniſtry doth no good, and none are the better for it: which the experience of many thouſands doth confute, who can ſay as the man in John 9. 25. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I ſee.] Moreover, the Chriſtians nature containeth in it a Catholick Love to all the Saints, and they honour them that fear the Lord, Pſal. 15. 4. And therefore it is quite againſt their holy nature to damn and reproach the Saints, and call them the children of the Devil; and to diſhonour and ſpit in the faces of them that are their fathers or guides in Chriſt, that watch for their ſouls as men that muſt give an account, 1 Theſ. 5. 12. Heb. 13. 17. They cannot be ſo barbarouſly ungrateful, and ſo rebellious.
Reaſon 14. The Quakers are unlikely to be better then other men, ſeeing they are ſo notoriouſly Proud. Pride is an high eſteem of our ſelves, with a deſire to be highly eſteemed by others. And this they manifeſt openly without all ſhame: ſome may take them to be humble that judge by their cloaths and crying down high titles. But alas it is a childiſh Pride to be Proud of fine cloathes. This is too low a game for them to play. The greater the matter is that men are proud of, uſually the greater is their pride: It is duplicate page duplicate page the ſuppoſed Spirit of God, and extraordinary holineſs and inſpiration and abilities that they are Proud of. Do you need any proof? How could the Devil himſelf ſhew Pride more notoriouſly? when they proclaim themſelves perfect without ſin; can they yet think highlier of themſelves, or ſpeak highlier of themſelves, then this? What is proud boaſting if this be not? And when they pretend to know mens hearts, which is the prerogative of God; and to ſpeak by inſpiration: when they condemn almoſt all the Church of God, and vilifie the holyeſt of his people; as if they ſhould ſay, [Stand by; we are more holy then you; you are all ungodly in compariſon of us] When they revile the ableſt godly Miniſters, as if they ſaid, [Come down thou deceiver; thou ignorant man, thou hypocrite, thou dog; and let us be the Speakers that can do it far better then thou; that are more underſtanding, holy, ſelf-denying and ſincere.] Is not one half of this their ordinary ſpeech, and the other half their practice, when they ſet up themſelves to ſpeak in the ſtead of Miniſters, yea and proclaim their own goodneſs to the world? I confeſs I never ſaw greater appearance of Pride in men.
Reaſon 15. They plainly diſcover a perſenting ſpirit. For what man can in reaſon think but that they that run up and down the world to bring the Miniſtry into hatred, and call them greedy dogs and Devils, and judge them to damnation, and call on the Magiſtrates and people to caſt them out as dung, would quickly uſe them thus themſelves, if it were in their power? Will they perſwade others with ſuch exceeding pains and zeal to that which they would not do themſelves? And they that ſo damn our godly hearers, would not they perſecute them alſo: I confeſs I make no doubt of it, but if they had power, many of them would do more then ſilence the miniſtry, even perſecute them to death as their Anceſtors have done.
Reaſon 16. What reaſonable man would turn Quaker that ſeeth the common fruit of their Doctrine? What good do they where they come? but make people hare both godly Teachers and people whom they loved? and doubtleſs Love is Chriſts work and Sheep-mark; and envy, ſtrife and hatred is the Devils. They break people into Diviſions, and ſet them a reviling, and caſt their ſpirite into a malicious mould and tincture of bitterneſs, and bring in confuſion and abominable error: And to ſay that this wiſdom is from above is to glory and lye againſt the truth: No, it it earthly, ſenſual, deviliſh. For the wiſdom from above is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, eaſie to be entreated, &c. Jam. 3. 13, 14, 15, 17. The fruit of their labour is to make ſome ſilly profeſſors turn Malignant enemies of the Church, and to ſhew themſelves humble, to caſt off ſome points or lace, and wander about the Country, and at laſt many of them fall into diſtraction.
Reaſon 17. And its no great encouragement to us to turn Qua…ers, when we conſider who are their followers and ſociety that make all this ado in the world. Very few experienced, humble, ſo…er Chriſtians, that ever I heard of that turn to them? but its …he young raw profeſſors, and women, and ignorant ungrounded people that were but novices and learners in the principles, and ſuch as are notorious for ſelf-conceitedneſs and pride, being wiſe in their own eyes. And moſt of all theſe that ever I heard of, were Anabaptiſts or the members of ſome ſuch Sect, that by their diviſion and errour were prepared before.
Reaſon 18. So that tis an evident judgement of God upon thoſe people that turn Quakers; and a puniſhment for their former ſin. Becauſe they received not the truth in the love of it, that they might be ſaved, God giveth them up to believe a lye, 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11. Becauſe they were falſe to the light revealed, and unprofitable under precious helps, and proudly diſobeyed and ſlighted their faithful guides, God giveth them up as a prey to theſe devourers: And who would chooſe that for his Religion, which is nothing but a dreadful judgement of God upon proud, dividing, ſelf-conceited, ignorant men, eſpecially of the Anabaptiſts?
Reaſon 19. They are already in Diviſions among themſelves, as few as they are: As the contention between Naylor and his followers, and Fox and his followers, and others of them ſhew.
Reaſon 20. And to make all their deluſion a more odious wickedneſs, they father it upon the holy Ghoſt, and would perſwade the world that they ſpeak all their moſt wicked ſpeeches by his inſpiration or command: and ſay [Thus ſaith the Lord:] and [the Spirit of God within me ſaith thus or thus.] O horrible impiety! when they diſhonour the very Word of God, the Righteouſneſs, yea the …erſon of Chriſt, they ſay, God bids them do it, and indite all as from the Spirit of the Lord, when they ſpeak againſt the Doctrine of the Spirit. They cry down the union and love of the Saints, and …he Miniſters and Ordinances of Chriſt, and ſay, the Spirit bids them do it. When they pronounce damnation againſt Gods Church or holy ſervants to whom Chriſt hath promiſed ſalvation, and the Spirit ſealed it, yet do they prophanely make the Holy Ghoſt the author of their wickedneſs. I think there's not a whore or thief, or ſwearer in the Town or Country, but might as juſtly ſay, The Holy Ghoſt commandeth them to whore, or ſteal, or ſwear. Yea when ſome of them preach another Goſpel, they father it on the Spirit: when Paul ſaith, If an Angel from heaven preach other Goſpel then had been preached, he ſhould be accurſed, Gal. 18.
Reaſon 21. The Quakers themſelves renounce (in words) the Ranters and the Papiſts, as a deluded ſort: But the Ranters and Papiſts hold the ſubſtance or greateſt part of the Quakers Doctrine, in which they differ from us. Yea the Ranters did fall into trances as they do; and ſpoke juſt as they againſt the Miniſtry and Scripture: Yea the Drunkards and all Prophane ungodly Malignants cry out againſt the ſame Miniſters, and ſame exerciſes and ordinances, and ſame Churches and godly people as the Quakers do. Now let any man judge that hath not forſworn all wit and reaſon, whether it be likely that the Holy Ghoſt would inſpire a generation of new Prophets, to acquaint them with the ſame points, which Ranters, Papiſts, and Drunkards knew before, and could have taught them without the Spirit? Or whether the ſame point be Heavenly in a Quaker, and Helliſh in a Ranter, Papiſt or Drunkard? And whether the Quakers have not condemned themſelves in condemning theſe ſects that hold their opinions? And whether it be likelyer that Ranters, Drunkards and all Malignants, or the holy and faithful Miniſters and people of Chriſt ſhould in theſe points be in the right?
Reaſon 22. And if I had any cauſe to be weary of the Chriſtian Catholick Reformed Religion, what reaſon have I to turn Quaker any more then to any other ſect? why not to the ſect of Papiſts as well? or to the Anabaptiſts, or the Antinomians, or Libertines, or Familiſts, or Socinians, or ſuch like? How do they prove that they are more in the right then all theſe? What do they bring to ſatisfie a wiſe man that they only among all theſe and many other ſects are in the right?
Reaſon 23. Moreover, the way by which they prevail, is not by producing any evidence: For they renounce that, and offer you all on the Authority of the Spirit within them; and therefore they muſt prove that Authority, and their Revelations and Divine Miſſion by Miracles, or ſuch ſupernatural means, before any reaſonable man can believe them: Unleſs you will believe every man that ſaith, he is ſent of God. I have askt them to ſhew their Commiſſion from God, or prove that he ſent them, and not one of them would ever do it, but tell me I was blind, and he had the witneſs in himſelf: But why muſt I believe him that ſaith this more then other men? Can I ſee the witneſs in him? He muſt be a witneſs to me if he will have credit. The Miniſters of Chriſt do not call you to receive their Doctrine upon the Authority of themſelves or their own Miſſion, but of the Apoſtles and their Miſſion, from whom they prove they had it, and who ſealed it with Miracles long ago: And therefore whether we were Miniſters or no, you have reaſon to believe us, when we prove our Doctrine to be from God, as delivered by Apoſtles in Scripture, and Sealed by the Spirit: But Quakers that give us their Doctrine on a new Authority within them (and ſo Behmeniſts, Paraceiſians and all Enthuſiaſts) and Papiſts that give it us on their own Authority as above or before the Scripture Authority, theſe are bound to prove their pretended Authority by Miracles, if they will be believed by wiſe men that love their ſalvation.
And we ſee that it is by the Novelty, and the ſeriouſneſs and earneſtneſs of ſpeech, and threatning Hell to poor people, that frightneth-in their followers to them, and not by evidence of truth. I have urged many of them to name one truth which the Quakers held, but what we hold as well as they: and I could never yet hear of any one.
Reaſon 24. Laſtly, they teach but ſuch like Doctrines, and take the like courſe as many of the antient Hereticks did (of whom Epiphanius, Irenaeus, and other Antients will give you a full account.) Preſently after the Apoſtles daies juſt ſuch Hereticks as theſe aroſe and troubled the Church: And they brought themſelves to ſhame by their wickedneſs, folly and diviſion, and God was ſtill againſt them, and brought them to confuſion! And ſo all along through moſt ages have they ſped, even down to the David-Georgians, Wegelians, Familiſts, aad the like of late. And ſhall we play an old game as if it were a new one, where all have ſped ſo ill before? And ſhall we run our ſelves into the fire, which hath conſumed ſuch Hereſies through former ages?
To conclude, as I am ſure it is not an unwillingneſs to be informed, but the knowledge of their groſs deceits, that hath cauſed me to oppoſe the Quakers; So I beſeech all young and raw Profeſſors, to conſider impartially of theſe 24 REASONS; and withall to bethink themſelves, 1. What a doleful caſe it is that Profeſſors of Religion ſhould be ſo ignorant, looſe and unſtable; and God and his word ſhould have no more hold of them, but that any confident ſect that riſeth up ſhall preſently carry them away, even with nonſenſe, or that which a child might ſee through? O what a ſhame is this to your profeſſion? 2. What an heavy judgement is it to your ſelves to be ſelf-condemned and ſelf-divided from the Church, Tit. 3. 10, 11. and carried away as chaff with every wind of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4. 14. and to prove rotten in a day of tryal! Know you not that Hereſies muſt ariſe, that thoſe that are approved may be made manifeſt? 1 Cor. 11. 19. 3. Would you not turn Jews and Infidels, and renounce Chriſt himſelf, if you had but ſome body to …ry you? Its moſt likely that you would. For an Infidel can put a far greater ſhew of reaſon upon his cauſe, in oppoſing Chriſt, then theſe Quakers have yet put on theirs! Well Sirs, as ever you would ſtand faſt and be ſaved, 1. See that you be ſerious Chriſtians, and true to the light received; and prepare not by unholy hearts and lives, to be forſaken of God. 2. Stick cloſe to the Word of God. 3. And to a faithful Miniſtry; and obey their Doctrine. 4. And to the Unity and Catholick Peace of the Church. 5. And to the communion of Saints. 6. And to the Spirit which ſtill concur's with theſe.
Sept. 5. 1657.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, One Sheet Against the Quakers (1657)