The Quakers Unmasked 2, Part 1
THE QUAKERS UNMASKED, And clearly detected to be but the Spawn of Romiſh Frogs, Jeſuites, and Franciſcan Fryers; ſent from Rome to ſeduce the intoxicated Giddy-headed Engliſh Nation.
By an Information taken upon Oath in the City of Briſtol, January, 22. and ſome evident Demonſtrations.
By William Prynne of Swainſwick, Eſa
1 Sam. 14. 15. And there was Trembling (or Quaking) in the Hoſt, in the field, and among the people: The Garriſons and the Spoylers, they alſo Trembled, and the earth Quaked; ſo it was a very great trembling (or Quaking.)
2 Tim. 3. 5, 6, 7, 8. Having a form of godlineſſe, but denying the power thereof; FROM SUCH TURN AWAY. For of ſuch ſort are they which CREEP INTO HOUSES, and LEAD CAPTIVE ſilly women, laden with ſins, led away WITH DIVERS LUSTS; Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withſtood Moſes, ſo do theſe reſiſt the truth; MEN OF CORRUPT MINDES, Reprobate (or of NO JUDGMENT) concerning the Faith.
The Second Edition Enlarged.
London, Printed for Edward Thomas, at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain, 1664.
The Quakers unmasked, and clearly detected to be but the Spawn of Romiſh Frogs; Jeſuites, and Franciſcan Popiſh Fryers; ſent from Rome, to ſeduce the intoxicated Giddy-headed Engliſh Nation.
THE 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. But there were alſo falſe Prophers among the people, even As there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, who privily ſhall bring in damnable hereſies even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, And many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes, by reaſon of whom, the way of Truth ſhall be evill ſpoken of, and through covetouſneſſe ſhall they with ſeigned words make Merchandiſe of you; whoſe judgement now of a long time lingreth not, and their damnation ſl…mbreth not, &c. Is both a Propheſie of our times, and liuely Character of our Nation, who had never more cauſe to minde and practiſe that caution of our bleſſed Sav our, Math. 7. 15, 16, 17. Beware of falſe Prophets which come to you in ſheeps cloathing, but inwardly they are Ravening Wo'ves, ye ſhall know them by their fruits, then they have at this day; when ſuch multitudes of Romiſh Wolues, Locusts, Caterpillers, of all Sects, Orders; (as Jeſuites, Franciſcans, Benedictines, Dominicans, and the like come freely over in whole Troops from foreign Seminaries and Cels, act their ſeveral parts and Pageants on the Theatre of our diſtracted Engliſh Church and State, to bring both of them to … under all ſorts of diſguiſes, without any watches or ſearches at all to ſeclude, detect, eject, correct, their perſons diſcover their pernicious Impostures, or prevent their deſignes againſt us. It was Gods complaint of old, Jer. 12. 7, 9, 11. I have forſaken my Houſe, I have left mine Heritage, I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul into the hands of her Enemies. Mine Heritage is unto me as a ſpeckled bird, all the Birds round about are againſt her; Come ye, aſſemble all the Beaſts of the field, come to devour. Many Paſtors have deſtroyed my Vineyard, they have troden my Portion under foot, they have made my pleaſant portion a deſolate Wilderneſſe. They have made it deſolate, and being deſolate, it mourneth unto me; the whole land is deſolate, becauſe no man layeth it to heart. And may it not be our complaint, (at least in reſpect of the purity, ſincerity, practicall power of Religion, Church Diſcipline and Order, if not of our Civill Rights and Liberties) at this very instant. Compare but the Stationers Beacons fired, with Ramſy the Jeſuites examination at Newcaſtle (June 1653.) my Romes Maſter-Piece, The Popiſh Royal Favourite, Hidden workes of Darkneſſe brought to publick Light, my Epiſtle to the ſecond part of A Seaſonable, Legal, and Hiſtoricall Vindication of the Fundamental Liberties and Lawes of England, and this enſuing late Information, taken before the Town-Clark, and Magistrates of the City of Briſtol concerning the New Sect of QƲAKERS, or SHAKERS (derived rather from prophane Belſhazzar, Dan. 5. 9. And thoſe the Prophet David thus prayes against, Pſal. 69. 23. Let their eyes be darkned that they ſee not, and MAKE THEIR LOINS CONTINƲALLY TO SHAKE; then from that perfect Evangelical Spirit and love of God which casteth out fear, ſhaking, torment, and makes the Saints alwaies rejoyce in Gods love and favour, 1 John 4. 4. Phil 4. 4. Rom. 5. 2) lately brought into, and ſet up in England by Franciſcan Fryers and Jeſuites ſent from Rome, who I ſpread themſelves like Gangreens or Locuſts over moſt parts of the Nation; and make the very Pillars of our Church, State, and whole Land to ſhake and tremble; and then we may (by way of ſeaſonable admonition) conclude of them, their Diſciples, all other New Sects and ſeparate Conventicles, of late years erected amongst us by them and their Confederates, in every corner in St. John's words, 1 Epist. 2. 18, 19. Little children it is the laſt time, and as ye have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, EVEN NOW ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS: whereby we know that it is the laſt time. They went out from us, but they, were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be made manifeſt, that they were not at all of us: which will evidently appear by;
The INFORMATION of George Cowliſhaw of the City of Briſtol aforeſaid Ironmonger, taken the 22. day of January, 1654.
Who informeth ON HIS OATH: that in the Month of September last, this Informant had ſome diſcourſe in Briſtol with one Coppinger, an Iriſh man, formerly a School-fellow of his, that came purpoſely thither for his paſſage into Ireland, who told this Informant, THAT HE HAD LIVED IN ROME AND ITALY Eight or Nine Years, and had taken upon him THE ORDER OF A FRYER OF THE FRANCISC AN COMPANY: And he told this Informant, that he had been AT LONDON lately for ſome months, and whileſt he was there, he had been at all the Churches, and Meetings, publick and private, that he could hear of, and that none came ſo near him, As the Quakers: And being at a meeting of the Quakers, he there met with two of his acquaintance in Rome (the which two perſons were of the ſame Franciſcan Order and Company) that were now become Chief Speakers amongst the Quakers, and he himſelf had ſpoke among the Quakers in London about thirty times, and was well approved of amongst them. And this Informant further ſaith, that the ſaid Mr. Coppinger asked him, what kinds of opinions in Religion there were in Bristol? and this Informant told him, That there were ſeveral opinions and judgements: and not naming any opinions of the Quakers; the ſaid Mr. Coppinger asked him, whether there had been any Quakers in Briſtol? And the Informant anſwered him, NO. Whereupon the ſaid Mr. Copinger told him, the ſaid Informant, two or three times That if he did love his Religion and his Soul, he ſhould not hear them: Whereupon this Informant told him, that he thought none of them would come to Briſtol: who expreſly replyed, that if this Informant would give him five pounds, he would make it five hundred pounds, if ſome Quakers did not come to Briſtol within three weeks or a month then following. And on the morrow following the ſaid Coppinger departed this City for Ireland, his native place, and about eighteen days after, there came to this City [Moſt likely his two fellow Franciſcan Fryers forementioned, who have there done much hurt and gained many Diſciples; ſome whereof diſturbed two of the Miniſters publickly in the Church, and aſſaulted, reviled one of them in the ſtreets very lately] two perſons that bear the name of Quakers.
This is a true Copy of the original Information taken upon Oath at Briſtol as aforeſaid, the 22. January, 1654, from whence the Reader and whole Nation may take notice, eſpecially thoſe in preſent power, who ſhould prevent ſuch dangerous growing miſchiefs with greateſt care, not to connive at them any longer.
1. That there are multitudes of Romiſh Emiſſaries and Vermin now reſiding and wandring up and down freely amongſt us, to ſeduce and divide the people, by ſetting up New Sects and Separate Congregations in all places, and broaching new Notions and Opinions of all ſorts, or old Hereſies or Blaſphemies; not ſaying Maſſes, praying to Saints and Images, or crying up the Popes Supremacy, &c. as heretofore. 2. That they are the chief Speakers and Rulers in moſt Separate Congregations, and particularly amongſt the Quakers, amongſt whom the Franciſcan Fryers act their parts as well as the Jeſuites.
3. That they have their ſeveral Miſſions and Directions into all parts from their generals and Superiors, of their reſpective orders, reſiding commonly in London (where they have a CONSISTORY AND COUNCEL ſitting, that Rules all the Affairs of the things of England;) beſides fixed officers in every Dioceſſe) & are all fore-acquainted both with the places and times of their ſeveral Miſſions; ſeeing Coppinger could ſo certainly predict the time of their Miſſion and coming to Briſtol, where they have done much harm, and aſſaulted, diſturbed the Miniſters both in publique and private.
4. That the Popes, and theſe his Emiſſaries chief endeavours are, to draw the people from our Churches, publique Congregations, Ordinances, Miniſters, Religion and to *See Thomas Cam…ella de Monarchia Hiſpanica c. 25, 27.divide and Crumble us into as many Sects, Separate Conventicles, as they have Popiſh Orders; and thereby into as many civil parties, factions, as poſſibly they can, to ruine us thereby, Mat. 12. 25, 27.
5. That by this their New Stratagem and Liberty, they have (under the Diſguiſes of being Quakers, Seekers, Anabaptiſts, Independents, Ranters, Dippers, Anti-Trinitarians, Anti-Scripturiſts and the like) gained more Proſelytes, Diſciples, and done more harm in eight or nine years ſpace to the Church and Realm of England, more prejudice, diſhonour, ſcandal to our Religion and Miniſters, then ever they did by ſaying Maſſe, or Preaching, Printing any points of groſſeſt Popery in 80. years time heretofore And if not ſpeedily, diligently, reſtrained, repreſſed, will ſoon utterly overturn both our Church, Religion, Miniſtry, and State too in concluſion, having already brought them to ſad confuſions and diſtractions.
Now that which gives great cauſe of ſuſpition, that theſe Quakers are either diſguiſed Franciſcan Fryers, or their ſeduced Diſciples and Emiſſaries, is,
1. Their rambling about from place to place by two and two together, to vent and ſpread their Errors; as the Franciſcan Fryers uſe by the *See Regula Fratrum minorum ſub Franciſo M…itantium. Ven. 150….Rules of their order are bound to do, and the Franciſcans did here of late. 2. Their uſe of vile and courſe aray and condemning not only all Pride and Luxury, but lawfull decency in apparell in themſelves and their Proſelytes, in imitation of the *See Surius & Riba … era, in vita & Regula Fratrum Minorum Sanct… Franciſc▪Franciſcans.
3. Their perſwading people to deſert their lawfull Callings, imployments, and to embrace a kinde of idle, Monkiſh, laſie life, and ramble about from place to place to vent their pretended Viſions, Revelations, Propheeies, Meſſages, and New Lights; A practiſe uſual with Franciſcan Fryers and St Francis their Founder. 4. Their rude and uncivil behaviour in refuſing to ſalute, or ſhew any reverential reſpect, honour, or humble deportment towards Magiſtrates, or other perſons of what quality ſoever, either in words, or Geſtures, (of which the rude cinical Franciſcans are moſt guilty of all other Popiſh orders) contrary to expreſs Scripture, Precepts and Preſidents. Exod. 20. 12. Deut. 5. 19. Math. 15. 4. Epheſ. 6. 2. 5. Rom. 13. 1, 2, 7. Heb. 12. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 17, 18. (an obſervable Text againſt them) Tit. 3. 1, 2. 1 Tim. 6. v. 1, 2, 3. (a notable text) Eph. 5. 33. Gen. 18. 2, 3. c. 19. 1, 2; c. 23: 7: c: 24: v: 31: c: 27: 19: c: 33: 3, 4, 6, 7: c: 37: 9, 10: c: 41: 43: c: 42: 6: c. 43: 26, 28, 29. c. 48. 12. c. 49. 8. Exod. 11. 8. Ruth 2. 10. 1 Sam. 20. 41. c. 24. 8. c. 25. v. 23, 24, 25, 41. c. 28. 14. 2 Sam. 9. 8. c. 14. 22, 33. 1 Kings 1. 16, 23, 31. 47. c. 2, 19. 2 Kin. 2. 15. c. 4. 26, 27, 37. 1 Chro. 21. 21. Eſt. 3. 2. which compared with Math. 10. 12. c. 5. 4. Mar. 9. 15. Lu. 1. 40. Acts 18. 22. c. 21. 7. c. 25. 13. 1 Cor. 16. 21. 2 Cor. 13. 13. Phil. 4. 21, 22. Col. 4. 10, 12, 15, 18. Rom. 16. 15. 7. 9. to 17. 2 Theſſ 3. 17. may teach theſe rude Quakers and their Diſciples far better manners and civility, both in their geſtures, behaviours, and words, then now they exerciſe.
5. Their Doctrines, That the Saints are perfectly holy in this life, and do not ſin, being able to ſtand perfect in their own power: That they are as equally Holy, Juſt, Good, and Free from ſin, as Chriſt and God himſelf: maintained by *The perfect Phariſe. p. 1, 2, 11, 14.Fox, Naylor, affirmed of St. Francis, the Father of the Franciſcans, and juſtified by them, in their writings. as you may read in Surius and Ribadeniera in the life of St. Francis, and the blaſphemous Book Conformitatum Beati Franciſci ad vitam Jeſu Chriſti, lib. 3. cum addition. Heir. Bucchii. Bon. 1590. firſt writ by Bartholomeus de Piſa, and approved by a General Chapter of the Franciſcans held at Aſſize, Aug. 2. 1389. and ratified by their Popes. Antonini Chronicon. Tit. 24. c. 1, 2. Vincentius Belvacenſis. Speculum Hiſt. l: 3. c. 97. and Morney his Myſtery of Iniquity. London. 1612. p. 347, 348.
It is the obſervation of many learned intelligent *And of G. Emmot a late reclaimed Quaker in his Nothern Blaſt.Proteſtants, who have pried into the opinions and practiſes of all our late New Sects, That in their Books, Writings, Speakings, Preachments, *Witneſſe Extreame unction, uſed by many ſeparate Congregations, and their recuſancy to hear our Miniſters, or come to our publick Ordinances and the like.Practiſes, are interlarded, and mixed with ſome Jeſuitical and Popiſh Tenants, Opinions, Ceremonies, and Practiſes; by which we may as viſibly diſcover a Jeſuite, a Popiſh Prieſt, or Fryer in them, as we may a Lyon by his paw. And nothing (in my judgement) more clearly detects the Popiſh Fryers, Prieſts, Jeſuites, to be the principal Inventers of, erectors, actors, rulers, Speakers amongſt our Quakers, & other New ſects; then their pretended, *See G Emmot his Northern Blaſt. with Gilpins Book, both relenting Quakers.extraordinary ſudden extravagant Agonys, Trances, Quakings, Shakings, Raptures, Viſions, Apparitions, Conflicts with Satan, Revelations, Illuminations, Inſtructions in new divine Myſteries and Seraphical Divinity, whereof they pretend they were wholly ignorant before, being illiterate perſons; their intimate familiarity and immediate communion with God & Jeſus Christ, in, and after their agonies and extaſies: their extraordinary callings, Miſſions, Meſſages to ſuch and ſuch particular orders, ſects, places perſons; their ſudden ſpeaking, underſtanding of ſeveral languages which they pretend they never learned, but got by Inſpiration: All which are the very ſame in form and ſubſtance with thoſe ridiculous lying Enthuſiaſms, Impoſtures, Cheats, Agonies, *See Wierus de Praeſtigiis Daemonum. l. 1. c. 10. & 17. in Jo. Gerſon de Probatione Spirituum.Revelations, Viſions, Raptures, Illuminations, Inſpirations, Apparitions, &c. of Popiſh Saints, Fryers, Prieſts, Jeſuites, Nunnes, recorded in the lying Legends and lives of their Romiſh Canonized SAINTS, by Capgrave, Surius, Lippomanes, Ribadeniera, Mafeus, and other of their fraternity, eſpecially in the Lives of St. Francis, Ignatius Loyola (the founders of the Franciſcans and Jeſuites orders, the principal Actors, Speakers amongſt the Quakers, and other late Enthuſiaſts, if fully examined) and of St. Dominick, for men: & of St. Katherine of Sienna, and St. *Imitated b ſome women Quakers.Briget of Sweden, for women. Out of this St. Brigets Life and Revelation, printed in Folio at Nuremberg; An. 1524. moſt of our Male and Female Quaker Extravagant new Revelations and Impoſtures are extracted, as thoſe who will but compare them may at firſt diſcern. And though they conceal their Jeſuitiſme and groſſeſt points of Popery from their Diſciples at firſt, baiting their hookes only with pleaſing Novelties, ſhewes of Superlati…e Sanctity, and *Se G. Emmot his Northern Blaſt. p. 1. 13. 14. The perfect Phariſe. p. 9, 10, 11, 14. 29. 35. &c.invectives againſt our Miniſters, Ordinances, Church Tithes, Presbyterian Government, and the like; that ſo they may more eaſily catch the ſilly people; yet they diſcover their Jeſuitical Poſitions and Popiſh Doctrines, more openly by degrees; at laſt, (as Evangelical perfection, Juſtification by our own inherent righteouſneſs and holineſs, &c.) crying them up for new Goſpel Light amongſt the ignorant vulgar; and crying down our Proteſtant Miniſters, Ordinances, Sacraments, the Articles of our Creed, Church Litergies, Gods Ten Commandements, the Lords Prayer, our Churches, and ſometimes the Letter of the Old and New Testament as Popiſh and *The Jeſuites, Popiſh Prieſts and Fryers condemned our Miniſters here toſore as unlawful Miniſters, becauſe they derived not their ordination from the Church of Rome: now they turn the ſcales and affirm them to be no lawful Miniſters but Antichriſtian and popiſh upon this falſe pretext, That they derive their ordination and Miniſtery from the Pope and Church of Rome.Antichriſtian: As the Fryars and Jeſuites did heretofore in their Books and Diſcourſes in their very language. And it is evident by ſome late inſtances, that they are Anti-magistratical as well as Anti-miniſterial. Yea that theſe *See John Gilpins, and others printed Relations concerning the Quakers in the North.Quakers uſe inchanted Potions, Braclets, Ribons, Sorcery and Witch-craft, to intoxicate their Novices and draw them to their party; As Simon Magus bewitched the people of Samaria with his Sorceries, Acts 69. 11. and other ſeducing falſe teachers, bewitched the fooliſh Galatians, that they ſhould not obey the truth, Gal. 3. 1. which Enchantments, Sorceries, Charmes, Faſcinations, and Exorciſmes are very frequent amongſt Popes, and Popiſh Prieſts, Monkes, Fryers, Jeſuites, as you may read at large in Joannes, Wierus de Prestigiis Daemonum & Incantationibus. Baſilae. 1568. eſpecially l. 2. c. 7. l. 5. c. 2, 3. &c. Platina, Benno Cardinalis, Balleus, and others in the lives of Popes Silveſter, 2. Benedict the 9. John 20. and 21. and other Popes, who were all moſt infamous Magicians, Sorcerers, and Inchanters, by which black arts they got the Papacy. And Dell Rio, his Diſquiſitio Magie, and John Jee his Foot out of the Snare, London, 1624. will prove the Jeſuites and Prieſts in Engand are ſtill accuſtomed to them, to win and ſeduce their Proſelytes. Whence we finde this Scripture-expreſſion concerning Romiſh Babylon, Revel. 18. 23. By thy SORCERIES were ALL THE NATIONS DECEIVED. Now for our Quakers, and others better inſtruction, I ſhall inform them by way of Caution of theſe conſiderable particulars, relating to their Agonies, Inſpirations and Revelations.
1. That the *Joannes Wi… rus de Preſtigiis Daemonum. l. 1. c. 11. Petrus Thyaraeus de Demoniacis & obſeſſis, pars 1. c. 3. to 9. pars 2. c. 25, 27 Georgius Piſtorius de Demonum ortu, Officiis, Illuſionibus, &c. Iſagoge. Baſiliae, 1563.Devil by Gods permiſſions frequently doth cauſe and produce, by his own immediate power, extraordinary ſtrange Convulſions, Contractions, Diſtortions, Agonies, Tremblings, Quakings, Shakings, Motions, Jeſtures of the Bodies, Members, Joynts, Nerves, Muſcels both of men and women, when, where, and in what manner he pleaſeth; as we ſee by common experience in ſuch perſons as are either poſſeſſed by the Devil himſelf, or bewitched by his Inſtruments; and by the Convulſions, Trances, Quakings, Shakings, Geſtures of Witches, Sorcerers and other, acted or poſſeſſed by the Devil; of which we have many examples in Hiſtory and experience; and one recorded in the Goſpel it ſelf, Mar. 9. 17. to 28.
2. That it was the uſual practice and cuſtome of Devils heretofore by their Idolatrous Pagan Prieſts and Prophets to give anſwers in their temples, & oracles to their worſhippers in Greece & other places, which of latter times and at this day is likewiſe frequent amongſt the Pagan idolatrous Indians, by humane voyces, nods, antique geſtures; affictis ſub inde geſtibus Furentium, nonnunquam Ebriorum, alias Trementium, aut Ridiculae Gesticuiantibus, as *De Praeſtigiis Daemonum, l. 1. c. 1. p. 63.Joanni Wierus relates out of Strapo Geogr. lib. 16. Their Prieſts (who were and are *See Purchas Pilg. l. 8. c. 6. l. 9. c. 6. Wierus de Praeſtigiis Dem l. 2 c. 3.4uſually Witches and Sorcerers) when they prophecied and gave anſwers to the people, being caſt into ſtrange real or feigned Extaſies, Trances and Quaking fits, uſing ſometimes the geſtures of mad-men, ſometimes of Drunkards, other times of Quakers, Tremblers, and of ridiculous Anticks; oft-times howling, ſhaking their breſts, foaming at the mouth, and falling down in a ſwoon, (as ſome of our Quakers do now) as if they had the Falling ſickneſs, the Devil in ſeeming entring into, and acting in them; as you may read at leiſure in Wierus and Mr. Samuel Purchas his Pilgrimage, l. 9. cap. 5. l. 8. cap. 6. and elſewhere in his Voyages. VVhether our Quakers Shaking-fits, Convulſions, Trances, Agonies, running *As William Strickland and others did at Kendal. See the Perfect Phariſee, London 1654. p. 20, 42, 43.about naked into the open ſtreets ſometimes, and to particular Perſons, Towns, Miniſters, Magiſtrates, with pretended Meſſages, Prophecies and Oracles from God, (but really from the Devil himſelf) like ſo many diſtracted Bedlames, Drunkards, Antiques, Furies and Enthuſiaſts, are not exactly paralleld with, and originally derived from theſe Idolatrous Pagan Idol-prieſts, and the very Devil himſelf; I refer you to John Gilpin (a reclaimed Quaker) his late printed Relation touching his own Shaking-fits and Actions, (proceeding from the Devils poſſeſſing of, and acting in him, as he and others believed) and to thoſe who have ſeen them in their Fits and Raptures; the wiſeſt whereof are of that opinion, and many of the vulgar people too. Theſe Quaking Fits and Trances were really and feignedly taken up, and imitated of late times by many Popiſh Prieſts, Monks, Nuns, and female Saints, as you may read at leiſure in Surius, Ribadeniera, and other Collectors of their Lives and Legends: and which verified Coppingers relation, and Cowliſhaw his oath; Mr. Tillam the Adminiſtrator of the Anabaptiſtical new-dipped Congregation at Hexam, near New-caſtle, (a *See a Falſe Jew diſcovered, anno 1653. p. 6, 1. 1.Papiſt or Popiſh Prieſt of late, though now a zealous Anabaptist and Dipper) in his Banners, p. 24. profeſſeth, That theſe Shakings, Tremblings and Extaſies, (now uſed by the Quakers) were derived from the FRANCISCAN FRYARS, as Mr. Tho. Weld Richard Priderux, Sam. Hammond, William Cole, William Durant, (five reverend Miniſters in & near New-caſtle) aſſure us in their Perfect Phariſee, under Monkiſh Holineſs, manifeſting it ſelf in the generation of men called QUAKERS, London, 1654. p. 13. who by their Emiſſaries firſt infected the Northern parts about Kendal and Lancaſter with this Sect, and now the Weſtern parts by George Fox, John Audland, James Nayler, and other of their Diſciples ſent from thence, whoſe Heretical, Erronious, Blaſphemous opinions, and unchriſtian Practiſes, are ſolidly and fully refuted in this their Treatiſe.
3. That as Hereticks, Schiſmaticks and ſeducers, do derive their Hereſies, Doctrines, Practiſes from the very Devil himſelf, the Father of Lyes, Lying propheſies, Hereſies, Errors, as the Scripture atteſts in poſſitive terms, 1 Kings 22. 21, 22, 23. 2 Chron. 18. 21, 22. Zech. 13. 2, 3, Rev. 18. 2 John 8. 44. 1 Tim. 4. 1, 2. 2 Theſ. 2. 9, 10, 11. Rev. 16. 13, 14. Acts 13. 10. 1 John 3. 8. who frequently (to delude and ſeduce men with more facility) transforms himſelf and his Ministers into Angels of light, and Apostles of Chriſt, as if they were the only ſaints and Miniſters of righteouſneſs; when as in truth they ſtill are but Devils, falſe Apoſtles, and deceitful workers or Impoſtors, as the Scripture expreſly defines them, 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14, 15. as that Devil who tempted our Saviour to caſt himſelf down from the pinnacle of the Temple, with a Scripture miſapplied, and mutilated, was ſtill a Devil, though he alledged Scripture to accompliſh his deſignes (as his ſeducing Inſtruments now do) Math. 4. 5, 6, 7, 8. Luke 4. 9. to 13. So ſome Hereticks and Seducers of old, as Simon Magus, Marcion, Menander, Thedotus, Carpocrates, Eutyches, and others have actually traded with, received their Heretical Tenents from, and been poſſeſſed by the Devil himſelf; as *Lib. 3 de Excid: Heir:Egeſippus, *De Anima, liTertullian, *Hiſ: 5: c. 16. 33.Euſebius, *Lib. 1, & 4. Fab:Theodoret, *Haereſ: 22. l. 3 c 3.Epiphanius, *De Demoniacis pars 2. c 21. p. 55.Petrus Thyareus, with others record: yea, many Popiſh Monks, Fryers, Prieſts, Nunns, Papi…s ſpecially Females, have likewiſe been actually poſſeſſed, ſeduced, caſt into ſtrange, real, or feigned Extaſies, Agonies, Shakings, convulſion Fits, Trances, and inſpired with ſtrange Revelations, Viſions, Dreams, Fancies, Opinions, Propheſies and Enthuſiaſms by the very Devil himſelf, as you may read at large in Joannes Wierus De Praeſtigiis Daemonum; in Petrus Thyareus (a Jeſuite) his Daemoniaci: hoc eſt, De obſeſſis à Spiritibus Daemoniorum Hominibus. Coloniae Agrip. 1598. and in Sir Edwin Sands his Europae Speculum. 1629. p. 169. where thus he writes. That the multitude of Indemoniati; (or perſons poſſeſſed with the Devil) WHEREOF MOST ARE WOMEN, is ſo hugh in Italy, even as of witches in Savoy: of which ſome are daily cured in ſhew, by their Enorciſms (being moſt of them Impoſtors to cheat the people) but for one that is holpen, almost twenty are either paſt their curing, or otherwiſe (as in Counterfeits) unwilling to be cured.
4. That William Lindan. Dialog. 3. Dubitantii & Petrus Thyreus De Daemoniatis pars. 2. c. 21. p. 56, 57, 58. write expreſly; that ſome of the Ring-leaders and Captaines of the Anabaptiſts, and ſome of their new Converts, have not only communion and familiarity with the Devil, but in all probability, are likewiſe actually poſſeſſed by him, though they be not raging mad, and furious: Becauſe ſome of them have (not only ſuch raptures, Agonies, Fits and Quakings as perſons actually poſſeſſed by the Devil uſe to have) ſo ſoon as they have deſerted the Catholicks Religion, and adhered to that ſect: but Mox, poſt hauſtum poculum, aut ſumptam buccellam norant Sacras literas legere, &c. Preſently after the drinking of ſome potion, or eating of a Sop, which their chief Apoſtles give them, they know how to read the ſacred Scriptures without any teaching, though they could not read before; to diſpute of divine things they knew not before which they alledge to oppugn the true faith and Religion; and forget ſo ſoon as they return to the true Religion; of which Thyreus gives two inſtances on his own knowledge; one of a Taylor; the other of a Country peaſant. Now who (writes he) can doubt, that this proceeds from the evil ſpirit dwelling in them. For it is apparent that neither the ſop meat nor drink they took, had any ſuch virtue as to inſtil the knowledge of the ſacred Scriptures into them. Neither is it God who confers this learning on them, ſeeing they are enemies to his true faith and religion, and lead (uſually) a moſt impure life. Therefore ſince they get it not by ſtudy, nor the inſtruction of any man, from whence ſhould they have it, but from the Evil Spirit that dwell within them? Beſides, what is the cauſe, that ſo ſoon as they return to the Tents of the Catholicks again, they forget all or moſt of the things they remembred before, and know not how to read, though they could read as well as moſt, whiles they continued in theirhereſy: but that the Devil, their Tutor forſakes & leaves them to themſelves? Ʋpon which grounds ſome men juſtly ſuſpect & conceive, THAT IT IS NOT THE ANABAPTISTS PROPERLY WHO SPEAKE SCRIPTURES THUS BY THEMSELVES, ſed Daemones in Anabaptiſtis loqui; BUT THAT THE DEVILS SPEAKE IN THE ANABAPTISTS: even as when perſons poſſeſsed by the Devil ſpeak ſtrang Languages they knew not before, *See Toſtarus Abulenſis in 8? Math. qu. 114.it is not themſelves but the Devil in them who form the voices and the ſounds. which he proves more largely. pars: 1. c. 17. p. 44, 45.
From all theſe particulars, I refer it to the moſt ſerious conſideration of all our Quakers, Shakers and other Anabaptistical Enthuſiaſts, as likewiſe of thoſe who are addicted to their wayes, or tolerate their courſes without oppoſition; whether all their Shakings, Quakings, Extaſies, Revelations, Inſpirations, Propheſies, and new Illuminations, which are real and not counterfeit (as many of them are) proceed not from the very *See the perfect Phariſee p. 41. &c.Deluſions and Inſpirations of the Devil himſelf, and his Inſtruments, Miniſters ſent over from Jeſuitical and Popiſh Ceminaries, Cells, Monaſters, to ſeduce them by ſuch Sorceries and Impoſtures as theſe from our Reformed Church and Religion, rather then from the Impulſes, Dictates, Illuminations, Revelations, of Gods holy Spirit? And ſo much the rather becauſe many of their Doctrines, Poſitions, Practiſes are not only meer Monkiſh and Popiſh, but alſo directly contrary and deſtructive to the two great Ordinances of God in the world, Magiſtracy and Miniſtry, ſo much commended by Gods Spirit in the Goſpel; Yea ſome of them moſt Atheiſtical, Irreligious, Blaſphemous, Diabolical, Ʋnchriſtians, Ʋn-evangelical, diametrically contrary to the Scripture and Fundamental Principals of the Goſpel, dictated by Gods Spirit; as you may read at large, in The perfect Phariſe under Monkiſh Holineſſe, &c. in the Generation of men called QUAKERS; To which I ſhall refer the Reader, where in the Blaſphemies, Hereſies, Popiſh Tenents of John Autland, George Fox, and James Nayler (three of the principle Quakers ſent to Briſtol) are ſo fully detected and ſolidly refuted, that it made them aſhamed to continue in their former Quarters, and to pretend a New divine Miſſion from God, to ſpread their Hereſies & blaſphemies in the Weſt (though not ſo fit for Quakers as that Northern colder Climate of England and Scotland, where many Shake and Quake for cold alone, without the Spirits motion) whether they deſerve to be ſent packing again, or, into ſome ſorraign Franciſcan Cells, or Jeſuites Semenaries, from whence their Sect was immediately propagated, by Jeſuites and Fryers ſent from thence, to act the parts of Independants and Sectaries, to blow up differences and contentions amongſt us; as you may read at large in Mr. Edwards his Gangrena; part third. p. 99. and in a Grandees printed Speech in the painted Chamber. 4. Sept. 1654. p. 16, 17. to which I ſhall referre you for fuller Conviction.
Let all our Rulers, Miniſters and people therefore, who have any care of their own or others Souls; or our Churches, Kingdomes, ſafety and ſettlement, now ſeriouſly conſider that ſpeech of our Saviour Chriſt himſelf, John 10. 1. 10, 11, 12. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you; He that entreth not by the Door into the Sheepfold, but climbeth up ſome other way, (as theſe new Romiſh Apoſtles and wandring Predicants do) THE SAME IS A THEEF and A ROBBER The theef cometh not BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, DESTROY. The good Shepherd giveth his life for the Sheep: But he that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whoſe own the Sheep are not, ſeeth the woolf coming, and leaveth the Sheep and fleeth, and the woolf catcheth them, and ſcattereth the Sheep. And ſuch falſe Shepherds and hirelings (whether Eccleſiaſtical or Temporal) who through negligence, cowardize, or any other deſigne, ſhall *See my Sword of Chriſtian Magiſtracy ſupported: & Mr Thomas Edwards treatiſe againſt Toleration.ſuffer ſuch Romiſh Woolves, Theeves and Robbers as theſe, to ſcatter and devour their ſheep in St. Bernards verdict are PASTORES, NON OVIUM, SED LUPORIUM: Pastours only of the Woolves, not Sheep; and in the opinion of Chriſt, and all real Chriſtians likewiſe.
Fredericus Broeckrous in his Epiſtle Dedicatory to the States of Holland and Weſt-Frizland, before his Antidotum Errorum praecipuorum in Tractatu de Deo, &c. D. Conradi Vorſtii, obſerves and proves at large; That nothing is more diſhoneſt or more pernicious to mankinde and humane ſociety, than the toleration & propagation of falſe religions, contrary to the doctrine of the Prophets and Apoſtles. 1. Becauſe men are hereby †2 Pet. 2. 1. 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11. compared with John 17. 3. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2. &c. 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11. Gal. 5. 20, 21. Rom. 16. 17, 18. 1 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3. 2 Tim. 3. 1. to 9. 2 Pet. 2. 1. to the end. Jude 4. to 20.withdrawn from the true God, the fountain of all happineſs. 2. Becauſe thereby they are deprived of the poſſeſſion of Eternal life. 3. Becauſe falſe religions are the moſt deadly poiſons to mens ſouls, which bring a ſpeedy and infallible death & damnation to all Eternity if perſiſted in. 4. Becauſe by them men are made twofold more the children of hell than they were before, Mat. 23. 16. 5. Becauſe thereby all Piety is undermined, aboliſhed; and in Chriſtian States all Wickedneſs, Impiety, Cruelty, Folly and Wretchedneſs, inſtilled into the hearts of men. 6. Becauſe by differences and multiplicity of opinions and controverſies in Religion, the greateſt of people are brought; 1. To doubt of the truth of Chriſtian Religion. 2. To ſlight and neglect it, together with the Miniſtry and publick Ordinances. 3. To give over prayer, and private family-Duties. 4. To oppoſe Religion, and reſiſt the propagation of the Goſpel. 5. In concluſion, to renounce all Religion, and turn profeſſed Scepticks, Seekers, Atheiſts (as we finde by ſad experiences.) 6. Becauſe Pagans, Infidels, and others, are diſcouraged from embracing the doctrine of Chriſtianity, when they find ſo many controverſies and diſputes even among Chriſtians themſelves: And the common Enemies of the true reformed Religion, and Romiſh Emiſſaries hereby take occaſion to calumniate that true Religion we profeſs, and to ſeduce the ignorant people from it, to embrace their damnable and ſuperſtitious practices: Upon which conſiderations, aEuſeb. d. vita Conſtantini. Socrates Eccl. Hist. l. 1. c. 9. Theodor. Hist. Eccleſ. l. 5. c. 6.Conſtantine the great, bIn my Sword of Chriſtian Magiſtracy ſupported, and Truth triumphing over falſhood.Theodoſius, and all zealous Chriſtian Emperors, Kings, Princes, and Governors truly fearing God, in all ages, have made it their principal care & ſtudy to maintain peace and unity, concord in the purity and principles of Religion; to ſuppreſs all Hereſies, Errors, Schiſms, repugnant thereunto, both by Laws and penalties, as I have elſewhere largely evinced againſt all oppugners of the civil Magiſtrates coercive power, and Juriſdiction in matters of Religion, who never yet returned the leaſt reply thereunto in ſundry years, though challenged to do it.
We ſhall conclude all with this word to Magiſtrates, Cant. 2. 15. Take for us the Foxes, the little Foxes that ſpoyle the Vines, for our Vines have tender grapes. Search after reſtrain, ſecure, proſecute, puniſh all Romiſh Foxes, Wolves, Conſpirators, Enemies, Traytors to our Church and Religion, (according to our Lawes and Statutes yet in force againſt them) with as great diligence, care, zeal, as you now ſearch after, reſtrain, ſecure, proſecute any reall, or imaginary Plotters, Conſpirators, Enemies, Traytors to the Kingdome, Nation, or to your ſelves: And be as vigilant, as induſtrious to ſecure Gods and our Churches cauſe, intereſt, as your own, that ſo you may turn away Gods wrath, and inherit Phineas bis praiſe and benediction for his zeale in this kinde, Num. 25. 11, 12. 23. with theſe four Apoſtolical Admonitions and Cautions to the people, recorded in the Goſpel, as the beſt Preſervatives againſt Seducers, Rom. 16. 17, 18. Now I beſeech you Brethren mark them which cauſe DIVISIONS and OFFENCES, contrary to the Doctrine which you have received, & AVOID THEM. For they that are ſuch ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair ſpeeches, deceive the hearts of the ſimple. But evill men and ſeducers ſhall wax worſe and worſe, deceiving & being deceived. But continue thou in the 2. Tim. 3. 13. 14.things which thou haſt heard and haſt been aſſured of, knowing of whom thou haſt learned them, Epheſ. 4. 14. Henceforth be … more children, toſſed to and fro, and carried about with even wind of doctrine, by the ſlight of men, and cunning craftineſſe whereby they lie in wait to deceive. And 2. John 10. 11. If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him mot into your houſe, neither bid him God ſpeed, for he that biddeth him God ſpeed IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS, with this ſad Meme… to ſuch who are reduced by theſe Impoſtors, 2. Theſſ. 2. 9, 10, 11, 12, whoſe coming is after the working of Satan with all power, and Signs, & lying wonders; and with all deceivableneſs of unrighteouſneſs in them that periſh, becauſe they received not the love of the truth, that they might be ſaved: And for this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhall believe a lye; that they might all be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe: and like the unjuſt Judge, Luke 18. 2. 4. Neither fear God, nor regard or reverence men. 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14, 15. For ſuch are falſe Apoſtles, deceitful workers, transforming themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt. And no marvel, for Satan himſelf is transformed into an Angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his Miniſters be alſo transformed as the Miniſters of Righteouſneſs, whoſe end ſhall be according to their works.
With theſe ſacred Scriptures to theſe New quaking male Prophets whom God never ſent abroad to ſeduce the people of England, but the very Father of Lies. Jer. 14. 14, 15, 16. ch. 23. 21. to 33. ch. 27. 15. ch. 29. 31. Theſe Prophets propheſie lies in my name, I SENT THEM NOT, NEITHER HAVE I COMMANDED THEM, NEITHER SPAKE UNTO THEM: They propheſie unto you a falſe viſion & divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. I have not ſent theſe Prophets, yet they run; I have not ſpoken to them, yet they prophecyed; I have heard what the Prophets ſaid, that propheſie lyes in my name, ſaying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed: How long ſhall this be in the hearts of the Prophets that propheſie lyes? yea they are Prophets of the deceit of their own heart, which think to cauſe my people to forget my name by THEIR DREAMS which they TEL EVERY MAN TO HIS NEIGHBOR. Therefore behold, I am againſt the Prophets ſaith the Lord, that ſteal my See Alphonſi d Vargas. Relatio, p. 317. 330.word every one from his neighbor; that uſe their tongues, and ſay, be ſaith: Againſt them that do prophecy falſe dreams, and do tell them, & cauſe my people to erre by their lyes, yet I ſent them not, nor commanded them; therefore they ſhall not profit this people at all ſaith the Lord: FOR THEY PROPHECIE A LYE unto you; for I have not ſent them, ſaith the Lord, yet propheſie a Lye in my name, that I might drive you out, and that ye might periſh; ye, and the Prophets that prophecie unto you; for I will powr their wickedneſſe upon them. With theſe Goſpel-Texts to our New Quaking Female Propheteſſes, who now (in imitation of the New Order of Jeſuiteſſes, who out of a pretended zeal of propagating the Goſpel, and converting Souls to God, preſumed to wander abroad, and preach publickly in England and elſewhere to women and others, above the imbecility, and beyond the modeſty of their ſex for ſundry years, to the great ſcandal of Religion, till at laſt they were excommunicated and totally ſuppreſſed by Pope Ʋrban the third, his Bull, Anno Dom. 1631. printed at Rome 1632.) preſume to ſpeak publickly to the people in ſome of their Congregations, as well as to deliver certain pretended Meſſages from the Lord (who never ſent them) to private Miniſters and others. 1 Cor. 14. 33, 34, 35, 37. Let your Women keep ſilence in your Churches (or Aſſemblies) FOR IT IS NOT PERMITTED UNTO THEM TO SPEAK; but, they are commanded to be under obedience, as alſo ſaith the Law. And if they will learn any thing, let them aske their Husbands (if married) at home. For it is a ſhame for women to ſpeak in the Church: For God is not the Author of confuſion, (or tumult) but of Peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints. If any man thinks himſelf to be a Prophet, or Spiritual; let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you (and this againſt women ſpeaking publickly in the Church) are the Commandments of the Lord: Therefore their ſpeaking againſt Gods Commandments in this ſort, is onelyonly by the inſtinct, miſſion, and command of the very Devil, in oppoſition to theſe Goſpel-precepts: thus ſeconded again by the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Tim. 2. V. 11, 12, 13, 14. Let the Women learn in ſilence with all ſubjection: For I ſuffer not a woman to teach, to Ʋſurp authority over the Man; but TO BE IN SILENCE, for Adam was firſt framed, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived, but the Woman being deceived was in the tranſgreſſion. And let thoſe who run after, and liſten to theſe Feminine Predicants remember that of Iſa. 27. V. 11. The Women come and ſet them on fire; for it is a people of no underſtanding; therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will ſhew them no favour.
And with this complaint and prayer to God himſelf, Pſal. 60. …, 2. O God thou haſt caſt us off, thou haſt broken us, thou haſt been diſpleaſed: O turn thy ſelf to us again: Thou haſt made the land to tremble; thou haſt broken (and *So the old Tranſlation renders it.divided it) O heal the breaches thereof, FOR IT SHAKETH.
FINIS.