The Quaker vindication against Francis Bugg's calumnies in his scandalous pamphlet stiled, Something in answer to the allegations of the Quakers (in their printed case presented to the House of Commons, December 1693) ... ; together with Francis Bugg's own vindication of the people called Quakers since he left them and turned to the Church of England. Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723. 1694 Approx. 35 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 3 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A65883 Wing W1950 ESTC R35241 15081085 ocm 15081085 103190 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A65883) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 103190) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1581:15) The Quaker vindication against Francis Bugg's calumnies in his scandalous pamphlet stiled, Something in answer to the allegations of the Quakers (in their printed case presented to the House of Commons, December 1693) ... ; together with Francis Bugg's own vindication of the people called Quakers since he left them and turned to the Church of England. Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723. 4 p. s.n., [London : 1694] Caption title. Signed: George Whitehead. Imprint suggested by Wing. Statement at end signed with the names of 32 people. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bugg, Francis, 1640-1724? -- Something in answer to the allegations of the Quakers. Society of Friends -- Apologetic works. 2005-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2006-01 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE QUAKERS VINDICATION AGAINST FRANCIS BUGG'S CALUMNIES : In his Scandalous Pamphlet , stiled , Something in Answer to the Allegations of the Quakers ( in their Printed Case , Presented to the House of Commons , December 1693. ) But his second Edition , Stiled The Converted Quakers Answer . Together with Francis Bugg's own Vindication of the People called Quakers , since he left them and turned to the Church of England . Conveniet nulli qui secum dissidet ipse . First , IT 's not unknown unto you that we are Dissenters from the Church of England , and as such we injoy our Liberty by Law under you who are in Authority , ( which we have and do thankfully acknowledge ) and consequently not to be reputed Criminal for being such . 2. That Francis Bugg himself did not account us Criminal for our Principles two Years after he had left our Communion , and joyned himself unto the Church of England , see his Book . The Quakers detected , &c. printed 1686. The first point under Consideration is , how I came to be a Member of their Society . In the beginning they taught that all Men were Inlightned , according to John 1. 9. And that this Light wherewith Christ had enlightned them , was sufficient , if obeyed , to lead to Salvation , and that it was the work of the Ministers of Christ , to turn the Peoples minds from Darkness to Light , and from the Power of Satan to God , Affirming that this Light was a sufficient Teacher , Leader & Guide to every Believer , without the help of outward Prescriptions , Forms , Orders and Decrees of Men ; upon these and the like Notions I became perswaded to make tryal of their Doctrine . And when I came to see and observe their Practice , Conversations and Deportments in the beginning , and what Simplicity and Plainness attended their Ministry , I was still more confirmed that it was a Dispensation of the Love of God sent as a Visitation to Mankind ; and being thus perswaded , I was resolved to bear the Cross , and did utterly despise the Shame , that attended them and their Message , and was not behind any of my Equals , both in doing and suffering for the Testimony thereof , as some amongst them can still bear me witness . And in this manner we went on for many Years , and loved one another with Love unfeigned , and doubtless God blessed our Meetings with the comfortable enjoyment of his presence . Thus far Francis Bugg , which plainly shews himself very Inconsistent with himself , and renders his late Work abusive , malicious , and not to deserve any Credit , against us . And although this is enough to Clear us from his Calumnies , from what he now pretends or alledgeth against our Doctrine and Conversation with all Impartial Men. Yet as F. Bugg hath vindicated our Doctrine and Ministry as aforesaid , we shall herewith give a general Account by many credible Witnesses of our Belief and Innocency , in opposition to Bugg's great Scandals . So we beseech you to peruse the following particular Examination of his Calumnies , Partialities and Perversions of our Friends Writings . Which Writings be pleased to note , were extant in Print many Years before he left us , or gave the aforesaid ample Vindication of our Doctrine and Ministry ; and although he confesseth he was more than 25 Years a Member of our Society , Yet in all that time , and some time after he left us , found no fault with our Doctrine or Testimony but own'd and confest the same as aforesaid . And he himself must needs then know , that neither he nor we held any such Doctrines as he would now represent . Upon which we query . 1. Didst thou Francis Bugg , when a Quaker , deny Jesus of Nazareth ? 2. Didst thou Francis Bugg , when a Quaker . 25 Years , account that the Quakers denyed Jesus of Nazareth ? 3. Didst thou F. Bugg contemn the holy Scriptures ? 4. Didst thou F. Bugg , when a Quaker , account the Quakers contemned the holy Scriptures ? 5. Didst thou F. Bugg disown Magistracy ? 6. Didst thou F. Bugg , when a Quaker , account the Quakers disown'd Magistracy ? Bugg pag. 5. Concerning his Charge of our denying Jesus of Nazareth , We utterly deny it : How proves he it , 1. Observe some of his Instances , viz. pag. 5. Thou must wait to know something of God in thee , which in thy own Conscience he makes manifest . 2. That of God within us is so , viz. the Foundation , for we know it is Christ , we know Christ in us , &c. 3. We believe that Christ in us doth interceed the Father on our behalf . 4. The very Christ of God is within us — We dare not deny him . By these four Instances of his , he endeavours to prove that The Quakers deny Jesus of Nazareth ; but doth not he himself hereby deny the Mystery of Christ in Spirit , and implicity accuse the holy Apostles with denying Jesus of Nazareth for the same Testimony ? 1. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them , Rom. 1. 19. 2. Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith , prove your own selves ; know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is IN you , except ye be Reprobates ? see 2 Cor. 13. 5. Query 1. Was this another Jesus Christ than Jesus of Nazareth ? No sure , there was but one Lord Jesus Christ , 1 Cor. 8. 6. 3. Query 2. And was it not Jesus of Nazareth whom Saul persecuted in the Primitive Christians ? Yea sure , see Acts 22. 8. I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest . And tho' Bugg cannot conceive this Mystery of Christ IN us , and WITHOUT us also , yet the Apostle says , It was manifest to his Saints . 4. To whom God would make known what is the Riches of the glory of this Mystery amongst the Gentiles , which is Christ IN you the hope of Glory , Col. 1. 27. 5. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts , crying , Abba , Father , Gal. 4. 6. Another of his Instances to prove we deny Jesus of Nazareth ; Is , out of W. Smith's Primmer , or demonstration of the New and Living Way , viz. They that are false , preach Christ without , and bid People believe in him as he is in Heaven above ; but they that are Christ's Ministers preach Christ within . We confess there is one Edition in Octavo , reads it as he quotes it ; But the other Edition in Folio , bound up with his Works . The Paragraph runs expresly thus in the fourth Leaf of his said Demonstration , viz. Why ? they that are false , preach Christ without ONLY , and bid People believe in him as he is in Heaven above , in opposition to his being within , but they that are true Ministers they preach Christ within , and direct People to wait to feel him in themselves , and so to believe in him as he makes himself manifest in them , whereby they truly confess his being without also . [ Thus far W. Smith . ] And this said Author W. S. is yet more full and express in this point , and that too in the very Edition quoted by Bugg in his confessing the same Christ both WITHOUT and WITHIN , viz. We believe all things which are spoken by the holy Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ , are true according to the Scriptures : And that he humbled himself to the Death of the Cross , and from Death did rise again : And we believe that he is the Resurrection and the Life , and gives Eternal Life to all that believe in him . 6. Bugg's chief and most remarked Instance to prove the Quakers deny Jesus Christ , is out of Saul's Errand , pag. 32. ( which was James Nalyer's Answer ) viz. If I cannot witness Christ nearer than Jerusalem , I shall have no benefit by him ; but I own NO OTHER Christ but that ( i. e. Christ ) who witnessed a good Confession before Pilate , which Christ I witness suffering in me now , pag. 6. Who but a Person blinded with Envy , Malice and Folly would have rendred this a denyal of Jesus of Nazareth ? It appears holy Scripture Testimony is not free from his Reproach . Bugg , pag. 6. A Question to Professors , pag. 33. Now the Scriptures do expresly distinguish between Christ and the Body ( or Flesh ) which he took , saying he can never call the Bodily Garment ( or Vail ) Christ. But Bugg is very unfair in this , in leaving out the Author 's own explication , viz. We cannot call the Body ( which he took upon him ) CHIEFLY and in the FIRST place Christ. As also F. Bugg is quarrelsome in bringing this over again . It having been answered before , and to which he hath given no reply . So he may see a little of it again , viz. We readily grant the Names , Jesus and Christ chiefly belong to him that took the Body or Flesh , yet the names Jesus and Christ were given to both , joyntly and severally , it was Christ that dyed ; but how ? as concerning the Flesh , 1 Pet. 3. 18. his divine Life never dyed , nor did the Soul of the Messiah ever dye . On the other hand the Apostle , Heb. 10 20. calls his Flesh the VAIL , Mat. 27. 28. The body of Jesus ; the Psalmist , A Body hast thou prepared me . And Dr. Barnes , Jesus Christ took Flesh of the Virgin. And thus often in Scripture is each expressed distinct . To Bugg's Query 5. Whether was the Sufferings of Christ , or the Sufferings of the Quakers greatest ? 1. In the first place , we answer , The Sufferings of Christ , in the Nature of them , both inward and outward , in Agony of Soul , and pains of Body ●y that most Cruel Death of the Cross following that of Scourging and Crowning with Thorns . 2. It was both most unjustly and wickedly inflicted by his Persecutors the Jews and Heathen , yet worse in the Jews , because they might have known better , and because they prosecuted him upon false witness . And as Christ's Sufferings were most cruel and unjust , both as to the Nature thereof , and the dignity of him that suffered : So he was a most acceptable Sacrifice , and sweet smelling Savour to God , and his Suffering and Sacrifice of universal advantage and benefit to mankind , in that he died for all men , and gave himself a Ransom for all , that all might be capable of Redemption and Salvation through him . VVe do not accept of what F. B. partially cites for Answer to his said Question , which was not put unto Edward Burrough's , nor made by him , nor justly deducible from E. Burrough's intention in his Explanatory Reasons , not cited by F Bugg . nor the Year when his Reflection was made upon the Arbitrary and unjust proceedings of those then in Power , being in 1657. too tedious here to recite . His Reproach of Contempt of Scripture , if he means the holy Scripture , as he elsewhere saith , we utterly deny his Charge herein , as contrary to our Principle and to our Christian profession of the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament , as being given by Divine Inspiration . And Bugg has been told That our Friends distinguishing between the Letter and the Spirit , between the Ministry of the Letter , and that of the Spirit , as between the Shadow and the Substance , the meer writing in outward Characters ( which will decay and wear out ) and the Holy divine Doctrines and Truths therein contained , ( or holy Scriptures ) is so Scriptural , that we know no true Christian will deny such distinction ; for the holy Apostle distinguished between the Letter and the Spirit . 2 Cor. 3. 6. Which hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament , not of the Letter , but of the Spirit , for the Letter killeth , but the Spirit giveth Life : This could be no Contempt of holy Scripture . Note , That in the very Book , News out of the North , quoted against us in this point , there 's frequent reference had to holy Scripture Testimonies , both of the Old and New Testament , and accordingly abundantly quoted in the Margents , which does not bespeak a Contempt thereof , but the contrary , as we think is undeniable . In the said News out of the North , the Scripture is plainly own'd that the Lord hath spoken it by his former Prophets , &c. p. 5. As for Baptism and the Lords Supper , Scripturally considered in their several Dispensations , both as in the Figure , and in the Substance , in the Type and Antitype , we confess and own ; but the Substance is more excellent and permanent than the Shadow , as the Inward and Spiritual Grace is more excellent than the outward and visible Signs . About this point Bugg is very partial and unjust in his citation out of E. Burrough's Works , p. 518. both in varying his Words , leaving out his explanatory Part , and representing him as writing thus at first , viz. About Water-Baptism and the Sacrament we do utterly deny , and do say it is no Ordinance of God , but an Institution of the Whore of Rome ; and England received it by a Popish Institution , and your practice of it is Idolatry , and no part of the Worship of God. [ Thus Bugg cites . ] This is very partially and unjustly cited ( and in the first Words falsly ) E. Burrough's Answer in the very place is thus , viz. As for Baptism and the Supper of the Lord , we do own it , and it is practised of us in the Life and Power of God : But as for your Baptism , that is to say Sprinkling of Infants , calling it the Baptism into the Faith , and that they are made Members of the Church thereby , and that it is a Seal of Regeneration as you say [ these foregoing Words Bugg leaves out ] that we do utterly deny , and do say it is no Ordinance of God , neither was it ever commanded by him , or practised by his Saints , &c. [ Thus F. Bugg . ] Note , Here he did not say that Water Baptism is a Popish Institution , but Sprinkling Infants , calling it the Baptism into the Faith , &c. For he knew that Water Baptism was practised by John Baptist , and in the Apostles time long before the Pope was . And now F. Bugg , if E. B. was in an Error herein , we Query , 1. Why didst thou not disprove the same by Scripture . 2. Dost thou in thy Conscience believe Sprinkling Infants to be of divine Institution ? 3. Dost thou believe it was practised by the Saints or Primitive Christians in the Apostles d●ys ? 4. Dost thou believe that it is the Baptism into the Faith , Church , and Kingdom of Christ ? 5. If thou believest all these , pray produce us plain Scriptare-Rule for thy Faith , that we ( who believe the contrary ) may be convinced , or else do not impose an implicit Faith upon us . Reader , observe what the Author ( Bugg quotes in this point ) chiefly here opposed was the Popish Notion or Opinion , That no man can enter into the Kingdom of God , nor into the fellowship of Holy Church without Water Baptism , as held by the Rhemists ; see their Annotations upon John 3 , 5. And therein opposed by the Protestants , as appears in Dr. Fulke's Answer , viz. It is not necessary in this place by Water to understand Material Water , but rather the purifying Grace of Christ , as in 4. ch . ver . 11. 14. where 't is called Living Water , whereof ( he saith ) washing with Water in Baptism is an outward Sign . So that the reformed Protestants did not esteem the outward Element Essential to Salvation . And Bugg pag. 3. quotes W. Smith unfairly also , out of his Primmer , where he speaks of these things which arose or had their Institution from the Pope , Bugg leaves out what these things were he meant , viz. Sprinkling Water in a Child's Face , and signing its Forehead with the Sign of the Cross ; and intimating his not owning Bread and Wine to be the Body and Blood of Christ , or calling the Bread the Body of Christ broken for them , when ( saith he ) People neither discern the Body nor the Blood of Christ , pag. 39. 40. What great Error was this ? Did he not here chiefly oppose Infant Baptism with the Sign of the Cross , and the Doctrine of Transubstantiation , and Receiving unworthy Communicants to eat and drink their own damnation ? Which we think was not to oppose any Command of Christ , nor to Contemn his Disciples taking the Bread and the Cup in Remembrance of him , &c. As to the Publick Ministry and Tythes . If we could in Conscience have been satisfied with them , we should not have dissented from them nor suffered by them . Yet his Charging us with Contempt of the Publick Ministry , is too general and harsh we charitably distinguish between the more moderate sort , and the ridgid Persecutors . As for those termed Priests of the World , namely the Covetous and Persecuting sort , mentioned as greedy Dogs , &c. pag. 4. So the Prophet terms such , Isa. 56. 11. for which F. B. accuseth us with Reproaching Christ's Ministers , pag. 8. We do not believe him herein , nor proves he that such were either qualified as Christ's Ministers , or their Call to be Divine . We confess some did give them as hard Language , as the Prophets of Old did those in the same Steps , but their severe Persecution , spoiling our Friends Goods , and causing many to indure long Imprisonments , some till Death , sometime for Tythe of a small value , it may be for the value of a Tythe-Pigg , Goose or Hen , &c. This sure was far harder Treatment . Bugg , pag. 4. quotes a Brief discovery , writ by some body , in which he has Collected ten Lines against the Covetous Persecuting Priests of the World out of 4 Pages , and places them together as one intire Paragraph , but neither tells us the Author's Name , nor the date of the Book , nor can we find the Book it self . F. Bugg , pag. 4. accuseth some body for objecting against paying of Tythes under the New Covenant , because abrogated by Christ , &c. on which he makes his Observation . 1. That the Quakers by this have condemned the Martyrs , and all Christians , &c. but herein he Unfairly imposeth on us without Proof , and his Observation is too general upon the Martyrs , &c. for both John Wickliff , William Swinderby , Walter Brute , William Thorpe , the Bohemians , with others mentioned in the Book of Martyrs , and others did bear Testimony against the Corruptions of the Popish Clergy , and against Tythes and compelled Maintenance . ( And were not these Martyrs Christians ? ) This was made a Principle Article against them by the Papists , as more largely appears in the first Volume of Martyrs , in the Reigns of Richard the Second , Henry the Fourth , and Henry the Fifth , 2. Bugg argues , That if the Quakers are of the same mind still , how can they have the Face to ask Favour ( meaning of the Parliament . So that if we cannot for Conscience sake pay Tythes , Bugg will neither allow us to seek , nor to have any Favour from the Government , and consequently our heavy Sufferings , Imprisonments , Sequestrations , and Spoil , to the Ruining of many Families , must be continued upon us if his Uncharitable Attempts may take effect . Oh! Unmerciful Man ! But let it be remembred , that the House of Commons not long since were of a better mind , and of more tender Inclination , when they passed two Bills for the more easie Recovery of small Tythes , being without Imprisonment of the Persons , or Ruining Families thereby . Bugg's charging the Quakers with contempt of Governours . We sincerely deny , and we had need to examine his Proofs , seeing in his Observation he gives this severe and Mandatory order thereupon , viz. Let the Quakers first recant of their Errors , and condemn their Books , and make a Confession of the Christian Faith , and all under their Hands , and then , and not whilst then , let Compassion be shewn unto them . Is not this an Imperious and presumptive Dictator to the Government , trow ye ? How now F. Bugg , thou wast more merciful when a Quaker . but now since thou art now gotten among the Priests and Levites thou hast lost all Mercy and Compassion towards us . Now observe , that Bugg quotes Edward Burrough's Works for proof , pag. 507 , 501 , 621 , 53 , 522 , 524. here out of six pages thus far remote from each other he has Pickt and Catcht up a few Words here and there , to prove the Quakers Contempt of Governours , which is a very foul Abuse and Perversion for any Reasonable Man that reads those Passages , may easily perceive that the Author did not testifie against Magistracy or Government it self , nor against Governours in general , but only against Persecuters and Usurpers over Conscience who frustrate the just ends of Government . As between Anno 1654. and 1659. as appears in the pages quoted , see what pains this Adversary takes Unjustly to pick out Words that he thinks make against us , and leaves out at the same time what more explains the matter for us . As pag. 501. E. B. speaking of Arbitrary Usurpt dominion over the Consciences of Men , to which ( says he ) we cannot yield our Obedience ; within two Lines after he goes on ( We ) Preach Jesus Christ alone in the things of God , to be our Lawgiver , and own Magistracy in civil things . Which last Words Bugg leaves out , basely to infinuate that we contemn Magistracy . And as for the Power , the said People ascribe only to God , which they cannot give to Man , or any Earthly Power ; it is that Power which God only has given them in point of Conscience , Religion and Worship , which no Mortal Man nor Worldly Powers have dominion or prerogative over , it only appertaining to God's Prerogative ; and 't is on that account we cannot seek to Earthly Powers to make or establish our Religion , for if we could , what need had we ever to have suffered by them ? Nevertheless we may seek to Authority and thereby own Magistracy ) to be eased from Unjust Oppressions , and desended from unreasonable men in our civil Rights and Properties , without infringing God's undoubted Prerogative and Power over our Consciences . Note , That the Instances Bugg has chopt out and given in pag. 7. to prove the Quakers contempt of Governours , being between the year 1654 , and 1659. 'T is evident therein that E. B. testified against the corruption of O. Cromwell and his Ministers and Magistrates in that day , for which Bugg has past this heavy Judgment upon the Quakers , not only that they contemn Governours ( which is without exception ) pag. 7. But also that they are Those wretched Impostors who revile Christ's Magistrates , and reproach his Ministers , pag. 8. This is sad indeed ! when 't is very clear that the Magistrates and Ministers which he has here instanced , and which Edward Burrough's reprehended were those very Persecutors and Usurpers over Conscience in Cromwell's days , whereby ( to do us an ill turn ) Bugg has at unawares run his own Head against a Wall , and at once justified those Magistrates or Governours in those days as Christ's Magistrates ; and consequently the Usurpation of that Government testified against by E. Burrough's , and others . But we now Query of F. Bugg , wilt thou indeed stand by it pursuant to thy Charge ? 1. That those Magistrates and Ministers in O. Cromwell's days were Christ's Magistrates and Ministers ? 2. That to testifie against , and reprehend them for their Corruptions , Persecutions , and Arbitrary Usurpations over Conscience , &c. ( as E. Burrough's did ) was a reviling Christ's Magistrates , and reproaching Christ's Ministers ? Answer directly and ingenuously , if thou wilt adventure to stand by thy own Charge and Instances as proof thereof . 3. Dost thou really believe that no Compassion ought to be shewn to us , because E. Burrough's reproved O. Cromwell and his Ministers for their Corruptions ? Concerning Humbling our selves in Fasting and Prayer . His Insinuation against us , as slighting Authority is still unjustly to render us obnoxious ; for the Intent , Substance , and end of a true Fast , Humiliation and Prayer to Almighty God for an universal Humiliation and Repentance through the Nation , &c. for the Sins thereof , that God in Mercy may avert his Judgments , and turn away his Wrath ; this we are frequently mindful of in our Solemn Assemblies , and sincerely desire to be manifest unto God in the Spirit of Grace and Supplication ; for the good of our whole Nation , and safety thereof , knowing also that the FAST that God hath chosen and accepts , is described by the Prophet Isaiah . Is it such a Fast as I have chosen ( saith the Lord ) a Day for a Man to afflict his Soul ? Is to bow down his Head as a Bull-Rush , &c. Is not this the Fast that I have chosen , to loose the Bands of Wickedness , to undo the heavy Burdens , and to let the Oppressed go free , and that ye break every Yoke ? Is it not to deal thy Bread to the Hungry , & c ? see Isa. 58. 5 , 6 , 7. 'T is farther observable that by Bugg's course of chopping , mangling and perverting , an Atheist may grosly abuse and Injure the best Writings extant in the World , even the holy Scripture it self , and make them to look with another Face , than they naturally import , or ever were intended by the first Writers . F. Bugg tells us of a brief History of the Rise , Growth , and Progress of Quakerism , which in time possibly you may see , But who will believe him to be an impartial Historygrapher ? Or what rational man will be so credulous of his partial and perverse Works against a People whom he hath so grosly defamed and abused ? And now suppose any particular Person amongst us have formerly , or at any time been defective in the manner of some expressions , is it just or ingenuous in F. Bugg , captiously to take advantage thereat , and then charge his ill Constructions upon the whole People : When the same Persons in the same Books have elsewhere better explained themselves , and safely laid down what might else seem more doubtful ? His accusation That a Spirit of Persecution hath been among us from the beginning , is manifest in the Tryal of G. K. &c. Is absurd in him to say . 1. We have not heard the noise of the said Tryal till very lately , how then could that manifest a Spirit of Persecution among us from the beginning ? Did that Tryal continue from the beginning ? And how contrary is this to his own confession before cited , that we went on for many Years , and loved one another with Love unfeigned , &c. 2. The said Tryal at Phyladelphia , mentioned by him , is forreign to us , and we have had no other Account that any such Tryal was but from one party . Nevertheless if any thing turbulent , unwarrantable or Arbitrary on either side was acted or done , we shall not espouse nor justifie the same ; when it shall so appear to us . 'T is observable that Bugg in his Book of Christian Liberty , or Liberty of Conscience , 2d . part , p. 28. approves of the testimony of those very Authors , viz. I. Pennington , E. Burrough's . &c. whom he now condemns as blasphemous and wretched Impostors . So that they were good men and sound in testimony while alive , but wicked men and blasphemers when dead , such is the Folly and Contradiction of this Perverter . Note also , that F. Bugg in his said Book of Christian Liberty . printed 1682. 2d part pag. 83. affirms THAT CONFORMITY is a Monster conceived by the great Whore , Mystery Babylon , the Mother of Harlots , a Monster because of its Deformity and degenerate Birth , it can be no other , for the Devil is the Father of it ( I speak of a forced Conformity upon Mens Consciences ) saith he . And yet in about two Years after in 1684. he himself turned about and conformed contrary to his own Testimony ; what credit then can be given to this unstable and partial man's Scribling , or pretending to give Account or History against the Quakers , so grosly Reviled and Calumniated by him ? In Bugg's Q. 4. 2d Edition , That we seemed to embrace the Whore in King James 's Reign , in presenting Addresses to him , but not one to King William ; Bugg is false and envious in both . For 1st , Our gratitude for our Liberty , was no embracing the Whore. 2 We have more publickly expressed our hearty Thanks several times even in Parliament to the present Government for the Kindnesses we have now received by Law , which is more than we could do before . Bugg pag 2. 4. That We ( the Quakers ) undermine the Christian Religion ( and Principles ) to overthrow it , Is both false and Contradictory to Bugg's own Confession , Of the Christian Quaker's being Innocent , and what they hold SOUND , and that tho' they do dissent from the Established Religion , yet they hold the true Faith , at least for Substance . Thus Bugg , in his New Rome Unmask'd , pag. 68. printed but in 1692. And yet those Christian Quakers he mentions declares against Swearing under the Gospel , and against Tythes , as being no Gospel Ministers Maintenance , Artic. 25. and 27. of the same Book he quotes for his Authority , for the Christian Quakers . These foregoing Citations were examined and compared by divers intelligent Persons . And further , seeing F. Bugg has shewn his Hatred and Revenge against George Whitehead especially , for discovering his Self-condemnation and Malice , &c. I ( the Person concerned ) freely offer , and am willing ( with the Lord's Assistance ) to make it plainly appear before any Six , Ten or Twelve competent Witnesses , who are moderate , men of Sense and common Reason , that F. Bugg has grosly and wickedly abused and perverted Truth , and wronged the People called Quakers , both in Charge , Citation , and Observation , in his said Pamph●et . And that in his late Book New Rome arraigned , he has forged notorious Lyes in other mens Names , to Ridicule , Desame , and Scandalize divers Citizens of London , and Men of good Repute ▪ condemning them also to the Pillory as Perjured Persons , in his pretended Tryal , in a way of Judicature unwarrantably acted by himself , assuming the place of both Judge , Accuser , Jury , Condemner and Executioner ; with a form of a Pillory and Effigies in it , to represent the Persons so grosly Scandalized by him . I say for these Ends mentioned , I do proffer ( God willing ) to meet F. Bugg before Witnesses , at any convenient Time and Place within the City of London , that the Persons so defamed by him may be present . To which Proposal I subscribe George Whitehead . To the Members of PARLIAMENT ; And others to whom Bugg's said Pamphlet has been delivered . WE whose Names are underwritten ( being in Christian Society with the People commonly called QUAKERS ) Do in good Conscience Declare and Certifie all Persons concerned . 1. That we sincerely believe and Confess , That Jesus of Nazareth , who was born of the Virgin Mary , is the true Messiah , the very Christ , the Son of the Living God , to whom all his Prophets gave Witness . And we do highly value his Death , Sufferings , Works , Offices , and Merits for the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind , together with his Laws , Doctrine and Ministry . 2. That this very Christ of God , was and is the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World , who was slain , was dead , and is alive , and lives for evermore , in his divine eternal Glory , Dominion and Power with the Father . 3. That the HOLY Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are of divine Authority , as being given by Inspiration from God. 4. And that Magistracy or Civil Government is God's Ordinance , the good ends thereof being for the Punishment of Evil doers , and Praise of them that do well . And we know of no other Doctrine or Principle preachead , maintained , or ever received among ( or by ) us since we were a People , contrary to these before mentioned . Signed in Behalf of the said People , Thomas Lower , William Crouch , William Ingram , William Meade , William Macket , Philip Ford , Francis Camfield , John Edge , Thomas Hutson , Charles Marshall , Josiah Ellis , Gilbert Latey , Theodor Eccleston , Joseph Wassey , Thomas Cox , John Bowater , Benjamin Antrobus , William Philips , Edward Brook , William Townsend , John Hall , George Oldner , Thomas Barker , Abraham Johnson , Tho. Twinbarrow , Michael Russel , John Harwood , John Danson , John Stringfellow , Will. Paul , Fra Etteridge , Benj. Bealing . The Quakers Vindication and Buggs Testimony against Bugg's Calumnies .