The Quakers Looking-Glass Looked Upon, Title page – To the reader
THE QUAKERS Looking-Glaſs Look'd upon; And turned towards Himſelf; IN A SOBER REPLY TO AN Uncivll Pamplet Publiſhed by Luke Howard a Quaker, Againſt A NARRATIVE formerly Publiſhed, Setting forth the Folly and Preſumption of Charles Baily a Quaker, ſometimes a Priſoner in Dover.
In which REPLY The Truth of the ſaid Narrative is further Evidenced and Vindicated againſt the Cavilling Quakers.
There are many Devices in a Mans heart; Nevertheleſs, the Councel of the Lord ſhall ſtand,
Prov. 19.21.
To the Law and to the Teſtimonies; If they ſpeak not according to this Word, It is becauſe there is no light in them,
Iſa. 8.20.
…ONDON, Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Caſtle, near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil. And alſo at the ſame Sign the firſt Shop without Temple-Barre. 1673.
To the Reader.
FRiendly Reader, I do here Preſent thee with a ſmall Tract, Containing a Brief Reply to a Book put forth lately by Luke Howard a Quaker, Entituled, A Looking-Glaſs for the Baptiſts; The Contents of which Book, and the Intents of the Author is to obſcure the Truth of the Narrative which is hereunto annexed, which Narrative is a Relation of ſome Remarkable Paſſages Concerning one Charles Baily an Eminent Quaker, and ſometimes a Priſoner in Dover upon the Quaking account, during which time of his ſaid Impriſonment thoſe (Extravigancies were committed by him) and alſo to reproach and defame the Publiſher of the ſaid Narrative; But how little he hath accompliſh'd his End in the firſt, (in oppoſing himſelf againſt ſo manifeſt a Truth) and how much he hath diſcovered his folly and envy in the latter, doth in ſome meaſure appear in this following Diſcourſe.
I alſo hereby further certifie thee, That the aforeſaid Narrative was not Publiſhed to blemiſh the Perſons of the Quakers, nor yet from a ſpirit of Envie, as the Quaker would inſinuate, but to ſhew what enormities the pretended light (to which they make the Scriptures give way and bow) leads them; And that thoſe that are in danger of being beguiled, by heeding a Light within themſelves, above the light of the Holy Scriptures, may not be deceived by them, to follow the uncertain motions of their own Heads, but may rather follow the Councel of the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 19.20 We have a more ſure word of the Prophets, (ſaith he) meaning the Scriptures, to which ye do well that ye take heed (mark) as unto a light that ſhineth in a dark Place, &c. And finally, he that knows the hearts, knows that this is my end in Publiſhing both the Narrative and this, and he will one day decide all Controverſies depending between them and us, and then ſhall every man receive according to his Works; In the mean time read and conſider what follow: And ſo I leave thee to the Guidance and Bleſſing of the Lord,
And remain, Thine in the Hope of Eternal Life by Jeſus Chriſt, Richard Hobbs.