Answer to George Keiths Libel, List of questions
Several mixed Quaeries, to be reſolved by Quakers in this juncture, for the Juſtification of themſelves and ſatisfaction of all. July 26th. 1692.
(Queſtion I.) WHat is the Reaſon Quakers are ſo far Metamorphoſed, or Changed, both in Judgment, and Practice at this Day, from what they once were, at their firſt riſe in Europe?
II. What is the Reaſon Quakers that look upon themſelves, as the only pure Church in the World, has never yet adventured to Publiſh a form of ſound words according to the Apoſtles language, containing a confeſſion of their faith, and principles, unanimouſly agreed upon among themſelves, as all other churches in the world have done.
III Seeing they own themſelves divinely inſpired from an immediate call, and Apoſtolick miſſion, why they have not adventured to publiſh interpretations of Scripture ſeeing they condemn & ſo far diſapprove all other Commentaries, as far from the mind of God, and full of groſs Errors, and miſtakes.
IV Wherefore did they write, and Bark ſo much againſt all witneſſing to truth,conviction of falſhood, in Judicatures by an oath, as ſinful, and unlawful under the Goſpel, and now in Penſilvania, and Mary-Land, ſeem only to quarrel, the manner and way of Swearing on the Book according to the Engliſh Form, and are willing to Swear now in Judicatures, with lifted up hands, which many look upon to be more ſolemn than the former?
V. Whether it be the ſame individual numerical Body for ſubſtance which falleth that ſhall riſe again at the Reſurrection, notwithſtanding of Changes, in Reſpect of Quality?
VI. If there be a ſufficient and ſaving light in all men to inſtruct, direct, and to teach them; what neceſſity is there for multiplying ſo many Teachers, both of Men and Women, among Quakers?
VII. Why Quakers are ſo hot, and Zealous for K. James, a Popiſh and Abdicated Prince, and was never ſo for any other Proteſtant King, tho' King WILLIAM and Queen MARY has been kinder than any other, by giving a Liberty eſtabliſhed by Law?
VIII. Whether the ſame individual Joſus, that was cloathed with Heſh, ſuffered, and died at Jeruſalem, is the ſame that roſe again, and is aſcended to Glory, and theſame they hold ſubſtantially in all men and women?
IX How Chriſt, the Spirit of God, ſaving Grace, and Light can be in thoſe, who have not the leaſt knowledg of him as Mediator and Interceſſour between God and ſinners.
X Whether the omiſſion of duty, as prayer or any other duty for a certain time, a week, a month, or a year, is excuſable in Quakers, before an all-ſeeing and Juſt God from this pretence, that they had no impulſe or motion of the Spirit thereunto.
XI Why they uſe not means for edifying & reforming thoſe of their families, by calling them together, reading Scripture daily to them & praying with & for them, as other Chriſtians in all Churches, and Ages have done, and is approved in the Word of God.
XII Wherefore Quakers have not adventured to publiſh their doctirnes publick… taught, which they ſay is immediate from the ſpirit of God, as moſt other Churches have done frequently.
XIII Seeing they decry the civil ſalutations of the Kingdom, & people, among whom they live, what warrant can they produce for their ſingular, ugly, & bad natured way of ſalutation, their Males & Females taking one another by the hands or wriſts, continuing a …onſiderable ſpace, wringing them hard, & looking ſtedfaſtly in each others faces, without one word ſpeaking.
XIV Whether it is Chriſt compleatly as modiator, you believe in, and is in all men.
XV Whether two men differing in a Fundamental truth, abſolutely neceſſary to ſalvation can be guided by the ſame infallible Spirit.
XVI. Whether Quakers do direct their Prayers to God in themſelves, or to God in Heaven.
XVII Where God is really, perſonally, & ſubſtantially; is he not in all fulneſs of Grace and Goodneſs.
XVIII What Worſhip, or Divine Service do the heathen nations perform unto the Living, and True God.
XIX Whether the inflicting of corporal puniſhments on children, ſervants, & other offenders, and hiring of men to take a Veſſel by force from Privateers, be not an uſing of the carnal Weapon.
XX Whether the receiving of a Competent maintainance, or neceſſary Aliment by Quaker teachers, however ſo freely and Voluntarily given, without appointment of humane law, and all compulſion, be a Preaching the Goſpel freely.