Something in answer to Thomas Curtis and B.C.'s reasons why the meeting-house doors were shut up at Reading
         Lamboll, William.
      
       
         
           1686
        
      
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         A48466
         Wing L214
         ESTC R3410
         12891989
         ocm 12891989
         95119
         
           
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         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 718:22)
      
       
         
           
             Something in answer to Thomas Curtis and B.C.'s reasons why the meeting-house doors were shut up at Reading
             Lamboll, William.
             Buy, John.
             Potter, James, fl. 1686.
          
           15 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London? :
             1686]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Signed at end: William Lamboll, John Buy, and the rest concerned.
             Letter to Benjamin Cole (p. 9-15) signed: James Potter.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Curtis, Thomas, 17th cent.
           Coale, Benjamin.
           Society of Friends -- England -- Reading.
        
      
    
     
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           Something
           in
           Answer
           to
           
             Thomas
             Curtis
          
           and
           B.
           C
           '
           s
           Reasons
           why
           the
           Meeting-House
           Doors
           were
           shut
           up
           at
           Reading
           .
        
         
           
             Friendly
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           FInding
           of
           late
           ●
           Printed
           Paper
           spread
           abroad
           ,
           in
           City
           and
           Country
           ,
           with
           the
           Name
           of
           
             Thomas
             Curtis
          
           to
           the
           first
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           
             B.
             C.
          
           to
           the
           latter
           ;
           wherein
           one
           of
           them
           pretends
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           the
           grounds
           upon
           which
           he
           intended
           to
           shut
           up
           the
           Publick
           Meeting-House
           Door
           ,
           of
           the
           People
           called
           Quakers
           in
           Reading
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           endeavours
           by
           certain
           Reasons
           to
           justifie
           and
           defend
           the
           doing
           thereof
           ;
           We
           held
           our selves
           engaged
           in
           Christian
           duty
           to
           give
           an
           Answer
           thereto
           ,
           for
           the
           Clearing
           of
           the
           Truth
           we
           profess
           ,
           Vindicating
           our selves
           in
           the
           profession
           thereof
           ,
           and
           Undeceiving
           all
           such
           as
           through
           the
           false
           Insinuations
           in
           the
           said
           Paper
           either
           already
           are
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           in
           danger
           to
           be
           deceived
           thereby
           .
        
         
           The
           Paper
           says
           ,
           
             It
             is
             publickly
             known
             in
             this
             Town
          
           (
           Reading
           )
           
             that
             a
             Difference
             is
             amongst
             the
             People
             call'd
             Quakers
             ,
             as
             very
             frequently
             at
             our
             publick
             Meeting-House
             doth
             appear
             ,
             to
             the
             dishonour
             of
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             stumbling
             of
             the
             Weak
             ,
             and
             grief
             of
             many
             tender
             hearted
             ,
             that
          
           W.
           L.
           I.
           B.
           &c.
           
             do
             from
             time
             to
             time
             stir
             up
             Strife
             ,
             by
             endeavouring
             the
             defamation
             of
             their
             ancient
             Friends
             ,
             rendering
             them
             to
             be
             departed
             from
             their
             first
             Principles
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           To
           which
           we
           answer
           in
           Truth
           and
           Plainness
           ,
           that
           what
           T.
           〈◊〉
           here
           charge
           upon
           us
           is
           indeed
           that
           which
           they
           themselves
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           too
           well
           known
           ,
           that
           many
           Scandalous
           and
           Reproachful
           Books
           and
           Papers
           ,
           have
           of
           late
           Years
           been
           Written
           ,
           and
           Published
           in
           Print
           to
           the
           World
           by
           some
           of
           their
           party
           (
           as
           namely
           
             W.
             Rogers
             ,
             F.
             Bugg
             ,
             Tho.
             Crisp
             ,
             S.
             Aldridge
             )
          
           greatly
           tending
           to
           the
           defamation
           of
           our
           ancient
           Friends
           in
           Truth
           ,
           and
           rendering
           them
           to
           be
           departed
           from
           men
           first
           Principles
           ,
           &c.
           
           This
           is
           too
           plain
           to
           be
           denyed
           ,
           their
           Books
           and
           Papers
           being
           in
           Print
           ,
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           and
           
             T.
             C.
          
           and
           others
           of
           party
           with
           him
           ,
           being
           in
           too
           great
           measure
           gone
           into
           ,
           &
           joyned
           with
           the
           same
           evil
           spirit
           of
           defamation
           ,
           as
           those
           opposers
           of
           Friends
           and
           Truth
           are
           in
           ,
           
           have
           received
           ,
           owned
           ,
           dispersed
           or
           spread
           aborad
           those
           Books
           and
           Papers
           or
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           have
           often
           with
           grief
           complained
           to
           them
           ,
           before
           we
           appeared
           in
           that
           Testimony
           against
           them
           ,
           of
           keeping
           on
           our
           Hats
           (
           which
           so
           much
           disturbs
           them
           )
           but
           could
           obtain
           no
           satisfaction
           from
           them
           ,
           although
           we
           plainly
           declared
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           continued
           in
           that
           spirit
           of
           Division
           ,
           and
           to
           own
           and
           spread
           those
           ungodly
           scandalous
           Books
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           necessiated
           to
           disown
           their
           Testimonies
           in
           our
           Meetings
           ;
           so
           that
           indeed
           and
           in
           truth
           it
           is
           they
           that
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           defame
           the
           ancient
           Friends
           of
           Truth
           (
           and
           that
           publickly
           in
           Print
           )
           rendering
           them
           to
           be
           departed
           from
           their
           first
           Principles
           ;
           it
           is
           they
           that
           in
           thus
           doing
           have
           stirred
           up
           Strife
           to
           the
           dishonour
           of
           Almighty-God
           ,
           stumbling
           of
           the
           Weak
           ,
           and
           grief
           of
           many
           tender
           hearted
           ,
           and
           this
           before
           we
           appeared
           in
           that
           Testimony
           of
           keeping
           on
           our
           Hats
           at
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           whereby
           we
           think
           it
           evidently
           appears
           that
           it
           is
           they
           that
           have
           caused
           the
           Divisions
           and
           Offences
           contrary
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           which
           we
           have
           learned
           ;
           and
           since
           the
           Apostle
           plainly
           says
           (
           as
           in
           their
           Paper
           is
           recited
           )
           
             They
             that
             are
             such
             ,
             serve
             not
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           We
           think
           it
           concerns
           them
           well
           to
           consider
           what
           ground
           they
           now
           have
           to
           claim
           a
           right
           to
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Ministry
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           our
           Lord
           ,
           since
           none
           that
           do
           not
           serve
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           can
           have
           a
           right
           to
           a
           part
           of
           his
           Ministry
           .
           And
           whereas
           their
           Paper
           intimates
           ,
           
             As
             if
             we
             had
             denyed
             that
             it
             is
             fit
             they
             should
             acknowledge
             to
             Almighty
             God
             in
             the
             Congregations
             of
             his
             people
             those
             Mercies
             and
             Blessings
             that
             he
             is
             gratiously
             pleased
             from
             time
             to
             time
             to
             bestow
             on
             them
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           We
           answer
           that
           in
           the
           wording
           of
           this
           Passage
           they
           have
           rather
           used
           Art
           to
           beguile
           the
           Reader
           ,
           then
           Plainness
           to
           set
           forth
           the
           true
           state
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           for
           as
           they
           have
           expressed
           it
           ,
           some
           may
           be
           misled
           to
           think
           that
           we
           are
           against
           acknowledging
           to
           Almighty
           God
           in
           the
           Congregations
           of
           his
           people
           the
           Mercies
           and
           Blessings
           by
           him
           bestowed
           ,
           and
           supplicating
           at
           the
           Throne
           of
           his
           Grace
           for
           a
           future
           supply
           ;
           whereas
           indeed
           we
           believe
           ,
           and
           hold
           that
           every
           one
           that
           is
           right
           sensible
           of
           the
           Mercies
           and
           Benefits
           received
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           own
           Inabillity
           ,
           ought
           in
           that
           sence
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           moving
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           make
           such
           acknowledgments
           and
           supplications
           ;
           yet
           we
           planly
           declare
           we
           hold
           it
           not
           fit
           for
           any
           who
           are
           gone
           out
           from
           the
           Unity
           and
           Communion
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           and
           have
           publickly
           defamed
           and
           disowned
           them
           as
           Apostates
           and
           Innovators
           (
           which
           those
           have
           done
           the
           faithful
           Friends
           of
           Truth
           )
           to
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           make
           any
           such
           Acknowledgments
           ,
           or
           put
           
           up
           any
           such
           Supplications
           in
           the
           Congregations
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           as
           the
           mouth
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           name
           and
           behalf
           of
           those
           Congregations
           which
           such
           are
           gone
           out
           of
           the
           unity
           of
           ;
           &
           when
           any
           such
           do
           take
           upon
           them
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           believe
           there
           is
           any
           obligation
           upon
           those
           Congregations
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           or
           any
           Members
           thereof
           ,
           to
           joyn
           in
           outward
           appearance
           with
           such
           who
           in
           Spirit
           are
           departed
           from
           the
           fellowship
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           but
           rather
           that
           such
           an
           outward
           complyance
           with
           that
           which
           in
           Spirit
           they
           have
           not
           unity
           with
           (
           but
           the
           contrary
           )
           would
           be
           but
           an
           effect
           of
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Deceit
           ,
           for
           
             T.
             C.
          
           said
           to
           
             I.
             B.
          
           (
           before
           the
           Meeting-House
           door
           was
           shut
           up
           )
           
             That
             the
             Difference
             between
             them
             and
             us
          
           (
           meaning
           Friends
           )
           
             was
             not
             only
             in
             outward
             things
             ,
             but
             it
             was
             now
             in
             the
             heart
             and
             spirit
             .
          
        
         
           Having
           thus
           endeavoured
           to
           clear
           some
           passages
           wherein
           we
           and
           our
           Friends
           have
           been
           mis-represented
           ,
           we
           now
           proceed
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Paper
           ,
           and
           first
           we
           take
           notice
           that
           the
           reason
           given
           for
           the
           publishing
           their
           Paper
           is
           ,
           
             That
             a
             Copy
             of
             it
             was
             read
             publickly
             in
             the
             Meeting
             ,
             and
             there
             tendered
             to
             some
             of
             them
             that
             were
             concerned
             ,
             but
             they
             would
             not
             take
             it
             .
          
           To
           which
           we
           answer
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           also
           unfairly
           represented
           ;
           for
           tho
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Copy
           of
           that
           Paper
           (
           or
           some
           such
           )
           was
           read
           ,
           and
           tendered
           in
           the
           Meeting
           ,
           and
           not
           then
           received
           ,
           not
           thinking
           fit
           at
           that
           time
           to
           meddle
           with
           it
           ,
           our
           Spirits
           being
           then
           engaged
           in
           the
           worship
           and
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           
             B.
             C.
          
           in
           the
           second
           reason
           of
           their
           Paper
           says
           ,
           
             Ought
             to
             be
             performed
             with
             great
             Seriousness
             and
             Reverence
          
           ;
           yet
           since
           some
           of
           us
           concerned
           did
           within
           the
           time
           in
           their
           said
           Paper
           per●ix'd
           go
           to
           them
           to
           ask
           for
           the
           said
           Copy
           ,
           but
           were
           denyed
           to
           have
           it
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           them
           put
           off
           with
           Flouts
           ,
           we
           think
           the
           not
           taking
           it
           at
           that
           instant
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           tendered
           (
           to
           divert
           us
           from
           the
           great
           Seriousness
           and
           Reverence
           which
           the
           Worship
           and
           Service
           of
           God
           (
           Friends
           were
           then
           engaged
           in
           )
           ought
           to
           be
           performed
           with
           )
           can
           by
           no
           meanes
           be
           admitted
           for
           a
           plain
           and
           just
           ground
           of
           putting
           it
           and
           us
           in
           Print
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           
             T.
             C.
          
           pretends
           in
           his
           Paper
           to
           a
           Power
           and
           Authority
           of
           shutting
           up
           our
           Meeting-House
           door
           ,
           and
           keeping
           us
           out
           there
           ,
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           his
           being
           the
           chief
           Proprietor
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           call
           himself
           ,
           and
           
             B.
             C.
          
           also
           calls
           him
           ;
           we
           answer
           we
           know
           not
           upon
           what
           just
           ground
           〈◊〉
           or
           any
           other
           of
           the
           Proprietors
           ,
           should
           claim
           a
           superiority
           ,
           or
           chiefship
           of
           propriety
           in
           the
           Meeting-House
           ,
           which
           was
           Built
           by
           common
           consent
           and
           agreement
           (
           tho
           
             B.
             C.
          
           in
           his
           fourth
           reason
           saith
           ,
           without
           distinction
           ,
           
             T
             C.
          
           Built
           it
           )
           and
           at
           the
           common
           charg
           of
           the
           Friends
           of
           Reading
           ,
           and
           other
           places
           ,
           with
           what
           came
           out
           of
           the
           
           publick
           Stock
           and
           Rents
           ,
           for
           if
           in
           common
           and
           publick
           Works
           and
           Services
           joyntly
           undertaken
           &
           performed
           by
           any
           Christian
           Society
           or
           People
           for
           their
           common
           and
           publick
           Christian
           use
           ,
           &
           so
           declared
           and
           settled
           by
           and
           amongst
           them
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Contributor
           should
           afterwards
           challenge
           to
           himself
           a
           power
           and
           right
           of
           disposing
           the
           whole
           ;
           this
           were
           indeed
           a
           ready
           way
           to
           introduce
           a
           Gentile
           like
           Lordship
           and
           Usurpation
           over
           one
           another
           ,
           but
           would
           be
           altogether
           unlike
           the
           Disciples
           and
           Followers
           of
           Jesus
           ;
           but
           if
           
             T.
             C.
          
           did
           repute
           himself
           the
           chief
           Proprietor
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           being
           the
           largest
           Contributor
           ,
           yet
           since
           he
           well
           knows
           ,
           that
           after
           the
           Meeting-House
           was
           Built
           and
           Finished
           ,
           he
           did
           (
           because
           the
           Lease
           of
           the
           Ground
           whereon
           it
           was
           Built
           was
           taken
           in
           his
           Name
           )
           pass
           over
           and
           legally
           convey
           his
           particular
           and
           personal
           Right
           and
           Property
           therein
           to
           certain
           Friends
           in
           Trust
           ,
           then
           agreed
           on
           by
           the
           whole
           ,
           to
           receive
           and
           keep
           the
           same
           for
           the
           whole
           ,
           he
           might
           both
           in
           Reason
           and
           Modesty
           have
           foreborn
           now
           to
           stile
           himself
           the
           cheif
           Proprietor
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           from
           taking
           upon
           him
           as
           such
           ,
           to
           shut
           up
           the
           Meeting-House
           door
           ,
           and
           keep
           others
           of
           the
           Proprietors
           out
           ,
           his
           telling
           the
           Justices
           that
           he
           was
           chief
           Proprietor
           doth
           not
           make
           him
           so
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           it
           did
           regain
           the
           House
           from
           the
           Souldiers
           that
           had
           entered
           into
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           had
           never
           been
           regained
           ,
           the
           loss
           had
           been
           occasioned
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           adherence
           ,
           inasmuch
           as
           that
           Meeting
           for
           which
           the
           House
           was
           seized
           on
           ,
           was
           set
           up
           by
           them
           ,
           without
           and
           against
           the
           Consent
           and
           Unity
           of
           Friends
           .
           And
           whereas
           
             He
             bids
             the
             Impartial
             Reader
             judge
             whether
             in
             Reason
             and
             Equity
             he
             ought
             to
             look
             upon
             himself
             engaged
             to
             hazard
             his
             Estate
             to
             pay
             Fines
             for
             a
             Meeting-House
             ,
             for
             such
             as
             publickly
             do
             disown
             him
             and
             his
             Friends
             .
          
           We
           say
           ,
           that
           although
           some
           of
           us
           have
           been
           fined
           because
           of
           the
           Preaching
           of
           some
           of
           them
           who
           disowned
           us
           ,
           yet
           we
           never
           desired
           
             T.
             C.
          
           or
           any
           other
           particular
           of
           them
           should
           hazard
           their
           Estates
           on
           our
           accounts
           ;
           if
           
             T.
             C.
          
           exposed
           himself
           or
           Estate
           to
           any
           hazard
           in
           that
           respect
           ,
           it
           was
           his
           own
           doing
           ,
           neither
           desired
           consented
           to
           ,
           nor
           approved
           of
           by
           us
           ,
           yet
           we
           offered
           to
           secure
           him
           from
           any
           danger
           that
           should
           come
           upon
           him
           ,
           if
           he
           left
           the
           Meeting-House
           to
           us
           .
           To
           his
           offer
           of
           reimbursing
           any
           that
           were
           dissatisfied
           because
           of
           their
           having
           disburst
           some
           Mony
           on
           the
           Premises
           ,
           &c.
           
           We
           say
           we
           had
           not
           freedom
           to
           receive
           the
           Money
           again
           which
           we
           had
           freely
           giving
           and
           devoted
           to
           that
           Service
           ,
           knowing
           that
           we
           had
           given
           it
           with
           an
           upright
           and
           conscientious
           regard
           to
           God
           ,
           neither
           were
           we
           willing
           to
           consent
           to
           ,
           or
           help
           forward
           the
           Seperation
           ,
           which
           we
           saw
           was
           designed
           and
           
           intended
           thereby
           ,
           yet
           because
           we
           sawsome
           of
           them
           uneasie
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           off
           from
           them
           all
           occasions
           of
           Complaint
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           see
           we
           desired
           not
           to
           enjoy
           what
           they
           had
           any
           Share
           or
           Interest
           in
           against
           their
           minds
           without
           making
           allowance
           to
           them
           ;
           therefore
           we
           did
           offer
           to
           make
           them
           reasonable
           Satisfaction
           for
           what
           Money
           they
           had
           laid
           down
           upon
           the
           Premises
           ,
           &
           we
           saw
           not
           ,
           nor
           yet
           see
           any
           just
           ground
           they
           have
           to
           expect
           that
           we
           should
           be
           more
           obliged
           to
           part
           with
           our
           Intrest
           then
           they
           with
           theirs
           ;
           therefore
           in
           truth
           of
           Heart
           and
           plainness
           of
           Speech
           we
           do
           sincerely
           declare
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           believe
           
             Tho.
             Curtis
          
           hath
           no
           right
           nor
           just
           power
           in
           Equity
           ,
           or
           in
           Law
           to
           do
           as
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           in
           shutting
           up
           the
           Meeting-House
           Doors
           ,
           and
           keeping
           out
           those
           that
           both
           in
           Law
           and
           Equity
           have
           a
           right
           thereto
           :
           That
           the
           Propositions
           he
           mentions
           in
           his
           Paper
           are
           Arbitrary
           and
           Penal
           ,
           Arbitrary
           because
           they
           depend
           only
           upon
           his
           and
           other
           mens
           Wills
           and
           Humours
           without
           Right
           and
           Reason
           ;
           for
           what
           Right
           or
           Reason
           can
           he
           pretend
           for
           tying
           us
           to
           give
           him
           our
           Answer
           to
           this
           Paper
           of
           his
           by
           next
           6th
           .
           day
           at
           farthest
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           caused
           it
           to
           be
           Read
           amongst
           us
           on
           the
           first
           day
           before
           ,
           or
           to
           bind
           us
           to
           claim
           our
           Money
           in
           one
           Months
           time
           :
           And
           that
           it
           is
           Penal
           appears
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           in
           case
           his
           Proposals
           were
           not
           complyed
           with
           ,
           he
           declared
           in
           his
           Paper
           he
           did
           intend
           to
           fasten
           up
           the
           Doors
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           accordingly
           ,
           for
           on
           the
           7th
           .
           day
           following
           the
           6th
           .
           day
           
             B.
             C.
          
           came
           to
           
             W.
             L.
          
           and
           
             J.
             B.
          
           and
           told
           them
           
             That
             if
             they
             had
             any
             thing
             to
             offer
             for
             Reconciliation
             they
             might
             come
             ,
             but
          
           W.
           L.
           
             came
             not
             ,
             so
             the
             Doors
             that
             Evening
             were
             fastened
             up
          
           ;
           says
           
             B.
             C.
          
           in
           his
           9th
           .
           Reason
           ,
           but
           in
           this
           as
           in
           other
           parts
           he
           writes
           unfairly
           ,
           stating
           it
           as
           if
           the
           reason
           of
           their
           shutting
           up
           the
           Doors
           that
           evening
           was
           because
           
             W.
             L.
          
           came
           not
           ,
           &c.
           whereas
           
             W.
             L.
          
           being
           hindred
           by
           necessary
           occasions
           desired
           
             J.
             B.
          
           to
           go
           ,
           who
           accordingly
           did
           go
           ,
           and
           offered
           such
           terms
           both
           in
           his
           own
           and
           
             W.
             L.
          
           Name
           as
           they
           in
           Truth
           judged
           most
           expedient
           for
           a
           right
           Reconciliation
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           the
           Reader
           may
           see
           how
           ready
           we
           have
           been
           to
           comply
           with
           any
           reasonable
           and
           just
           Proposals
           for
           a
           right
           Reconciliation
           ,
           (
           however
           we
           have
           been
           misrepresented
           in
           that
           respect
           )
           we
           will
           here
           for
           brevity
           give
           one
           particular
           Instance
           ,
           and
           leave
           it
           to
           the
           Impartial
           Readers
           Judgment
           ;
           In
           the
           first
           Month
           1685
           ,
           86.
           
           
             J.
             O.
          
           a
           Friend
           of
           London
           (
           an
           ancient
           Acquaintance
           both
           of
           theirs
           and
           ours
           )
           came
           to
           this
           Town
           ,
           and
           desired
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           Meeting
           with
           
             T.
             C.
          
           and
           some
           others
           of
           those
           that
           shut
           us
           out
           of
           the
           Meeting-House
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           us
           that
           were
           shut
           out
           ,
           where
           he
           signified
           to
           both
           them
           and
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Friends
           
           London
           having
           heard
           that
           they
           had
           shut
           up
           the
           Meeting-House
           doors
           ,
           whereby
           Truth
           might
           suffer
           ,
           and
           Friends
           were
           kept
           out
           ,
           and
           exposed
           to
           the
           Cold
           and
           Rain
           ,
           and
           were
           very
           much
           concerned
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           had
           desired
           him
           to
           enquire
           the
           Reasons
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           Reasons
           they
           gave
           (
           being
           mostly
           such
           as
           
             B.
             C.
          
           hath
           now
           Published
           )
           were
           not
           Satisfactory
           to
           
             J.
             O.
          
           he
           proposed
           several
           ways
           to
           them
           and
           us
           joyntly
           to
           refer
           the
           matter
           to
           some
           Friends
           to
           be
           Indifferently
           chosen
           on
           both
           Parties
           ,
           to
           deside
           the
           matter
           between
           us
           ,
           which
           we
           willingly
           agreed
           to
           ,
           but
           they
           refused
           .
           By
           which
           the
           honest
           Reader
           may
           judge
           how
           little
           sincerity
           there
           is
           in
           all
           their
           talk
           of
           terms
           of
           Reconcilement
           ,
           Accommodation
           ,
           &c.
           who
           had
           set
           up
           their
           own
           wills
           for
           a
           Law
           ,
           and
           would
           admit
           no
           Judges
           but
           themselves
           in
           their
           own
           Cause
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           B.
           C's
           Reasons
           ,
           although
           being
           much
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           with
           T.
           C's
           part
           of
           the
           Paper
           ,
           they
           either
           deserve
           no
           Answer
           ,
           or
           no
           other
           then
           what
           is
           already
           giving
           to
           that
           ,
           yet
           to
           take
           from
           him
           all
           pretence
           of
           Boasting
           that
           he
           is
           not
           particularly
           Answered
           ,
           we
           shall
           here
           annex
           the
           Answer
           that
           was
           some
           time
           ago
           sent
           him
           by
           another
           Friend
           in
           writing
           ,
           while
           they
           were
           only
           in
           writing
           ,
           which
           notwithstanding
           the
           Alterations
           
             R.
             C.
          
           hath
           since
           ,
           made
           in
           some
           of
           his
           Reasons
           ,
           will
           yet
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           doubt
           appear
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Answer
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Reading
             
               the
               4th
               .
               of
               the
               4th
               Month
               1686.
               
            
          
           
             
               
                 William
                 Lamboll
                 ,
              
               
                 John
                 B●y
                 ,
              
            
          
           
             and
             the
             rest
             concerned
          
           .
           This
           to
           go
           in
           persuance
           of
           the
           Paper
           it
           is
           an
           Answer
           to
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Postscript
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           THese
           things
           are
           not
           pleasant
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           rather
           a
           grief
           that
           we
           have
           cause
           on
           this
           wise
           to
           appear
           in
           Publick
           upon
           such
           a
           Subject
           ,
           especially
           ,
           against
           them
           who
           were
           once
           our
           Friends
           and
           Familiers
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           cry
           out
           against
           them
           as
           Job
           did
           against
           his
           Friends
           (
           who
           oft
           spoke
           good
           words
           ,
           as
           these
           may
           do
           )
           yet
           said
           he
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             cry
             out
             of
             Wrong
             ,
             but
             I
             am
             not
             heard
             ,
             I
             cry
             aloud
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             no
             Judgment
             :
          
           So
           that
           notwithstanding
           their
           good
           words
           ,
           their
           Ear
           was
           shut
           to
           the
           cry
           of
           the
           Wronged
           ,
           &
           though
           he
           cryed
           aloud
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           Judgment
           ;
           &
           now
           may
           not
           we
           well
           thus
           complain
           ,
           who
           are
           kept
           out
           of
           our
           Right
           (
           which
           we
           have
           called
           for
           )
           and
           our
           Bodies
           exposed
           to
           the
           Weather
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           hazard
           of
           our
           Healths
           ,
           and
           endangering
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           yet
           our
           cry
           of
           wrong
           cannot
           be
           heard
           ,
           and
           tho
           we
           cry
           aloud
           there
           is
           no
           Judgment
           .
           Oh
           that
           it
           should
           be
           thus
           with
           any
           professing
           the
           equal
           Truth
           to
           do
           (
           in
           some
           measure
           )
           too
           like
           Ahab
           ,
           who
           did
           not
           not
           cover
           ,
           and
           presently
           take
           ,
           but
           proffered
           first
           a
           better
           Vinyard
           ther
           it
           ,
           or
           would
           have
           given
           Naboth
           the
           worth
           of
           it
           in
           Money
           ;
           but
           when
           this
           would
           not
           do
           ,
           the
           Woman
           Jezabel
           contrives
           or
           lays
           a
           Plot
           against
           Naboth
           ,
           through
           whose
           crafty
           Means
           &
           subtil
           .
           Contrivances
           ,
           Innocent
           &
           Conscientions
           Naboth
           ,
           who
           scrupled
           to
           sell
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           was
           deprived
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           Vinyard
           too
           ,
           and
           as
           we
           are
           now
           deprived
           of
           our
           Property
           ,
           so
           may
           we
           be
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           hardships
           we
           are
           exposed
           too
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           by
           his
           power
           and
           goodness
           doth
           not
           preserve
           us
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           Conscientiously
           concerned
           not
           to
           let
           go
           our
           Right
           ,
           and
           give
           way
           to
           that
           which
           is
           Wrong
           ,
           as
           Naboth
           was
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           shall
           we
           say
           to
           such
           ,
           but
           as
           Paul
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           see
           1
           
             Cor.
             6.
             5.
             
             Is
             there
             not
             a
             wise
             man
             among
             you
             ,
             no
             not
             one
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             be
             able
             to
             Judge
             ,
             that
             you
             refuse
             a
             Reference
          
           ;
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           follow
           
           Paul's
           Advice
           ,
           (
           if
           ye
           account
           your selves
           of
           Christs
           Church
           )
           and
           set
           them
           that
           are
           least
           esteemed
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           Judge
           ;
           for
           said
           
             Paul
             ,
             There
             is
             utterly
             a
             fault
             among
             you
             ,
             for
             you
             Wrong
             and
             Defraud
             ,
             and
             that
             your
             Brethren
             .
          
           So
           that
           it
           appears
           there
           were
           some
           such
           that
           were
           Cloaked
           under
           the
           name
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           yet
           did
           Wrong
           and
           Defraud
           even
           their
           Brethren
           :
           Therefore
           ,
           let
           none
           think
           it
           strange
           ,
           if
           some
           now
           under
           the
           
           name
           of
           Quaker
           ,
           yea
           such
           as
           account
           themselves
           THE
           CHRISTIAN
           QUAKER
           ,
           are
           found
           in
           that
           which
           is
           wrong
           ;
           neither
           let
           any
           think
           it
           strange
           if
           there
           be
           some
           from
           among
           us
           that
           are
           unrulely
           ,
           for
           there
           were
           such
           among
           the
           Primitive
           Believers
           ,
           whom
           the
           Apostle
           exhorted
           the
           Christians
           to
           warn
           ,
           see
           1
           Thess
           .
           5.
           14.
           yea
           ,
           there
           was
           also
           a
           falling
           away
           ,
           see
           ,
           2
           Thess
           .
           2.
           
           And
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             11.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
             I
             hear
             ,
             there
             be
             Divisions
             among
             you
             ,
             and
             I
             partly
             believe
             it
             ,
             for
             there
             must
             be
             Heresies
             among
             you
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Reason
           he
           gives
           is
           ,
           
             That
             they
             which
             are
             Approved
             may
             be
             made
             manifest
             among
             you
             .
          
        
         
           So
           to
           that
           divine
           Light
           that
           lighteth
           every
           man
           ,
           are
           we
           willing
           to
           bring
           our
           Deeds
           ,
           knowing
           that
           what
           is
           reproved
           is
           made
           maniest
           by
           the
           Light
           ,
           in
           which
           our
           Desires
           are
           ,
           that
           all
           may
           have
           their
           minds
           exercised
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           have
           a
           true
           Discerning
           ,
           and
           right
           Judgment
           in
           these
           and
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           stumbled
           at
           what
           of
           this
           kind
           hath
           or
           may
           happen
           ,
           but
           may
           live
           and
           walk
           in
           that
           Light
           where
           no
           occasion
           of
           stumbling
           is
           .
        
         
           For
           had
           those
           of
           whom
           we
           complain
           ,
           walked
           in
           this
           Light
           ,
           they
           had
           kept
           in
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Fellowship
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Saints
           in
           Light
           ,
           and
           had
           not
           given
           offence
           to
           Jew
           ,
           or
           Gentile
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Christ
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             Benjamin
             Cole
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           received
           thy
           Paper
           given
           (
           as
           thou
           sayest
           )
           as
           Reasons
           why
           the
           Meeting
           House
           Doors
           were
           shut
           up
           ;
           which
           for
           my
           part
           I
           look
           upon
           as
           no
           good
           or
           sufficient
           Reasons
           at
           all
           ,
           neither
           can
           any
           good
           or
           sufficient
           reason
           be
           giving
           for
           us
           (
           or
           indeed
           for
           a
           any
           people
           )
           to
           take
           away
           or
           detain
           one
           anothers
           Rights
           from
           them
           ,
           or
           to
           do
           one
           another
           any
           Wrong
           or
           Injury
           ,
           which
           is
           wholly
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           inconsistant
           with
           the
           Truth
           which
           leads
           to
           overcome
           Evil
           with
           Good
           ,
           and
           such
           who
           walk
           in
           the
           path
           of
           it
           ,
           their
           Weapons
           are
           not
           Carnal
           ,
           but
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           can
           do
           no
           violence
           to
           any
           mans
           Person
           ,
           State
           or
           Interest
           ,
           neither
           forcibly
           or
           unjustly
           detain
           either
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           the
           Carnal
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           Spiritual
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           as
           to
           thy
           first
           pretended
           Reason
           ,
           whereas
           thou
           sayest
           ,
           
             you
             could
             not
             enjoy
             peaceable
             Society
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           I
           say
           ,
           your
           rising
           up
           against
           your
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           justifying
           and
           spreading
           the
           Scurrillous
           ,
           Clamorous
           ,
           False
           ,
           Scoffing
           ,
           Unsavory
           and
           Pernitious
           Books
           ,
           of
           
             William
             Rogers
             ,
             Thomas
             Crisp
          
           and
           
             Francis
             Bugg
          
           ,
           who
           joyned
           together
           ,
           and
           published
           their
           Books
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           endeavouring
           to
           stir
           up
           Persecution
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           Professors
           and
           Profane
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           they
           could
           ,
           atop
           of
           us
           ,
           to
           tread
           us
           down
           (
           which
           might
           be
           ,
           together
           with
           some
           things
           within
           your selves
           of
           like
           nature
           )
           could
           not
           but
           break
           the
           Society
           or
           Fellowship
           betwixt
           you
           and
           them
           .
           And
           so
           I
           know
           they
           have
           born
           against
           you
           in
           their
           Testimonies
           ,
           and
           so
           have
           you
           against
           them
           ,
           which
           if
           this
           be
           the
           Opposition
           ,
           they
           may
           likewise
           say
           ,
           that
           
             Tho.
             Curtis
          
           &
           you
           did
           oppose
           them
           ;
           Though
           I
           am
           satisfied
           ,
           
           that
           if
           they
           had
           been
           in
           the
           possession
           of
           it
           (
           as
           it
           should
           seem
           you
           were
           )
           they
           would
           have
           abhorred
           to
           have
           shut
           you
           out
           of
           the
           House
           ,
           though
           I
           see
           not
           but
           that
           they
           might
           as
           justly
           and
           as
           honestly
           have
           done
           it
           ,
           as
           what
           you
           have
           done
           ,
           their
           right
           being
           as
           real
           and
           as
           just
           as
           yours
           ,
           though
           its
           probable
           not
           so
           much
           .
        
         
           II.
           
             That
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             is
             to
             performed
             with
             Seriousness
             ,
             &c.
          
           is
           not
           denyed
           ,
           but
           if
           you
           could
           charge
           any
           of
           them
           with
           being
           light
           ,
           and
           not
           serious
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           love
           in
           their
           service
           ,
           such
           after
           due
           admonition
           are
           to
           be
           left
           to
           the
           Lord
           to
           deal
           with
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           take
           away
           or
           keep
           them
           out
           of
           their
           rights
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           the
           way
           to
           make
           them
           Serious
           ,
           or
           to
           bring
           them
           into
           Love
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           harden
           them
           ;
           and
           indeed
           it
           s
           too
           manifest
           that
           you
           are
           but
           talkers
           of
           Love
           and
           Charity
           ,
           which
           beareth
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           thinketh
           no
           Evil
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           full
           of
           Jealousies
           and
           evil
           surmisings
           against
           so
           many
           ancient
           ,
           serviceable
           and
           honest
           Friends
           ;
           and
           do
           not
           all
           those
           clamorous
           scandalous
           Books
           ,
           spread
           about
           the
           Country
           by
           you
           ,
           tend
           to
           bring
           Friends
           into
           Confusion
           ,
           and
           set
           them
           one
           against
           another
           ;
           and
           now
           keeping
           your
           Brethren
           out
           of
           their
           Propriety
           ;
           these
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           Strife
           and
           Envy
           on
           your
           parts
           ,
           and
           answers
           that
           Scripture
           which
           thou
           hast
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           
             Where
             Envying
             and
             Stife
             is
             ,
             there
             is
             Confusion
             and
             every
             evil
             Work.
             
          
        
         
           III.
           
             Though
             where
             Contention
             is
             ,
             and
             a
             Meeting
             divided
             ,
             cannot
             be
             profitable
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           I
           say
           such
           who
           hold
           the
           Truth
           in
           the
           love
           of
           it
           ,
           will
           bear
           and
           suffer
           till
           the
           Lord
           make
           the
           decision
           ,
           which
           your
           contrary
           unfruitful
           work
           of
           fastening
           up
           the
           Meeting-House
           Doors
           against
           your
           Brethren
           sufficiently
           shewes
           (
           to
           any
           that
           are
           in
           any
           true
           measure
           of
           it
           )
           that
           you
           are
           too
           far
           out
           of
           it
           .
        
         
         
           IV.
           I
           doubt
           not-but
           when
           the
           House
           was
           built
           
             Tho.
             Curtis
          
           and
           they
           were
           in
           one
           mind
           ,
           and
           unanimous
           in
           building
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           good
           ends
           ,
           for
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           to
           be
           performed
           in
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           Strife
           ,
           which
           I
           could
           wish
           your
           were
           clear
           of
           your selves
           ,
           though
           you
           would
           altogether
           charge
           it
           on
           them
           ,
           though
           the
           effects
           manifest
           too
           much
           the
           contrary
           ,
           and
           though
           the
           end
           hath
           been
           too
           often
           perverted
           for
           which
           it
           was
           built
           ,
           and
           therefore
           thou
           sayest
           ,
           
             it
             s
             not
             reasonable
             it
             should
             be
             continued
             ,
          
           Then
           it
           should
           be
           with
           consent
           of
           both
           Parties
           ;
           seeing
           both
           are
           concerned
           in
           it
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           be
           therefore
           reasonable
           for
           one
           Party
           to
           take
           it
           away
           from
           the
           other
           ,
           then
           such
           who
           are
           the
           perverters
           of
           it
           may
           take
           it
           away
           from
           the
           most
           innocent
           ,
           and
           most
           likely
           so
           to
           do
           ;
           for
           be
           sure
           ,
           such
           as
           keep
           in
           the
           innocent
           Truth
           cannot
           do
           any
           such
           thing
           ,
           its
           nature
           being
           to
           lead
           otherwise
           ,
           into
           Patience
           ,
           Quietness
           and
           Contentedness
           of
           Mind
           ,
           committing
           their
           Cause
           to
           him
           that
           judgeth
           righteously
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           
             Tho.
             Curtis
          
           his
           standing
           engaged
           for
           the
           House
           ,
           it
           s
           no
           ground
           at
           all
           for
           him
           or
           you
           to
           take
           it
           away
           ,
           or
           keep
           your
           Brethren
           out
           of
           that
           wherein
           they
           have
           a
           right
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           let
           it
           alone
           when
           it
           was
           forth
           of
           his
           hands
           ;
           and
           since
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           upon
           reasonable
           terms
           he
           may
           be
           clear
           of
           that
           danger
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           .
        
         
           V.
           The
           endeavouring
           to
           have
           innocent
           Women
           keep
           their
           Meeting
           in
           so
           sitting
           a
           place
           for
           them
           to
           do
           and
           perform
           those
           things
           that
           God
           hath
           concerned
           them
           in
           ,
           is
           no
           reason
           ,
           nor
           part
           of
           any
           reason
           for
           you
           to
           take
           it
           away
           ,
           I
           think
           no
           understanding
           man
           can
           judge
           so
           ;
           and
           for
           Friends
           keeping
           on
           their
           Hats
           when
           you
           have
           Prayed
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           no
           Unity
           with
           you
           ,
           nor
           you
           with
           them
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           it
           had
           been
           better
           ,
           and
           more
           fairer-dealing
           for
           you
           to
           have
           kept
           yours
           on
           ,
           when
           they
           Prayed
           (
           and
           so
           have
           signified
           to
           your
           Brethren
           that
           
           you
           had
           no
           Unity
           with
           them
           )
           then
           to
           put
           them
           off
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           call
           them
           
             Image-makers
             ,
             setters
             up
             of
             Idols
             and
             Roods
          
           publishing
           them
           
             Apostates
             ,
             Popishly
             Principled
          
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           ,
           to
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           VI.
           As
           for
           your
           endeavouring
           for
           Peace
           ;
           I
           have
           heard
           them
           say
           as
           much
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           have
           had
           cross
           and
           abusive
           Language
           from
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           case
           the
           Lord
           who
           knows
           both
           your
           hearts
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           the
           decision
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           and
           such
           who
           are
           of
           him
           ,
           can
           trust
           him
           till
           that
           time
           .
        
         
           VII
           .
           
             When
             no
             accommodation
             nor
             reasonable
             satisfaction
             can
             be
             had
             ,
             and
             persons
             will
             not
             agree
             ,
             except
             others
             will
             submit
             to
             their
             wills
             ,
             or
             give
             them
             the
             House
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Your
           taking
           of
           it
           away
           shews
           you
           to
           be
           too
           much
           in
           your
           wills
           .
           And
           I
           do
           not
           believe
           that
           they
           did
           seek
           or
           desire
           that
           you
           should
           give
           them
           the
           House
           ,
           for
           theyhave
           offered
           to
           give
           you
           your
           Money
           that
           you
           laid
           out
           for
           it
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           reasonable
           ,
           which
           also
           shews
           that
           they
           have
           not
           in
           that
           refused
           to
           make
           a
           bargain
           with
           you
           ;
           though
           in
           something
           ,
           or
           things
           of
           another
           nature
           ,
           they
           might
           refuse
           to
           bargain
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           think
           it
           reasonable
           that
           they
           should
           take
           their
           Money
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           you
           may
           keep
           it
           wholy
           from
           them
           ,
           then
           is
           it
           not
           as
           reasonable
           that
           you
           should
           take
           your
           Money
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           most
           reasonable
           ,
           for
           they
           were
           contented
           it
           should
           have
           been
           continued
           as
           it
           was
           ,
           and
           you
           were
           the
           disatisfied
           Persons
           ;
           and
           seeing
           you
           call
           your selves
           the
           
             Christian
             Quakers
          
           ,
           and
           us
           Apostates
           ,
           how
           do
           you
           herein
           answer
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ?
           who
           saith
           ,
           
             Whatsoever
             you
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             unto
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             the
             same
             unto
             them
             ,
             for
             this
             is
             the
             Law
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           which
           if
           you
           are
           short
           of
           ,
           besure
           you
           are
           short
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           so
           I
           think
           understanding
           men
           will
           not
           judge
           ,
           that
           because
           you
           are
           pleased
           to
           leave
           off
           to
           meet
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           that
           therefore
           you
           should
           keep
           them
           out
           ,
           nor
           yet
           because
           you
           are
           
           the
           greatest
           Proprietors
           ,
           that
           therefore
           you
           may
           justly
           take
           away
           the
           lessers
           Right
           ,
           and
           so
           you
           have
           great
           reason
           to
           fear
           you
           should
           be
           counted
           Persecutors
           ,
           whatever
           thou
           sayest
           .
           And
           how
           it
           can
           be
           said
           that
           any
           have
           no
           right
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           given
           and
           setled
           upon
           by
           Act
           and
           Deed
           for
           a
           publick
           House
           to
           meet
           in
           ?
           for
           my
           part
           I
           cannot
           see
           ,
           nor
           yet
           for
           any
           after
           such
           gift
           and
           settlement
           ,
           how
           they
           can
           justly
           take
           it
           away
           or
           detain
           it
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           VIII
           .
           
             That
             they
             have
             another
             Meeting-Place
             ,
             or
             Place
             to
             Meet
             in
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           I
           know
           no
           other
           ,
           but
           what
           they
           have
           by
           permission
           from
           the
           Owner
           .
           But
           if
           they
           had
           an
           other
           publick
           Meeting-House
           wherein
           several
           of
           them
           were
           concerned
           as
           Proprietors
           that's
           no
           reason
           for
           you
           to
           take
           away
           their
           right
           in
           that
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           meet
           on
           purpose
           to
           oppose
           and
           disquiet
           you
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           in
           the
           least
           believe
           ,
           nor
           that
           their
           practice
           did
           at
           all
           manifest
           it
           ;
           being
           fully
           satisfied
           that
           they
           are
           not
           persons
           of
           such
           unruly
           Spirits
           ,
           but
           if
           they
           were
           such
           as
           thou
           art
           pleased
           to
           render
           them
           ,
           as
           some
           such
           have
           been
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           
             Temperance
             Taylor
          
           in
           your
           Town
           ,
           and
           many
           at
           London
           ,
           and
           other
           parts
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           never
           Friends
           way
           ,
           who
           abode
           in
           the
           Truth
           ,
           to
           deal
           in
           that
           nature
           ,
           or
           after
           that
           manner
           with
           them
           ;
           but
           to
           stand
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           judge
           them
           down
           in
           Gods
           Authority
           ,
           and
           also
           patiently
           to
           bear
           and
           suffer
           when
           the
           Lord
           should
           please
           to
           exercise
           them
           under
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           who
           hath
           pleaded
           with
           many
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           will
           in
           his
           time
           with
           all
           others
           that
           are
           of
           their
           Spirit
           :
           And
           if
           any
           through
           these
           things
           ,
           that
           are
           fallen
           out
           among
           you
           ,
           are
           gone
           back
           to
           the
           Steeple
           House
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           the
           way
           to
           bring
           them
           back
           again
           (
           or
           at
           least
           to
           the
           Truth
           )
           for
           you
           to
           do
           such
           unreasonable
           things
           ,
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           contrary
           to
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           IX
           .
           By
           thy
           last
           it
           seems
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Doors
             were
             shut
             up
             by
             consent
             ,
             
             and
             concluded
             on
             by
             several
             of
             you
             .
          
           Then
           it
           was
           not
           wholly
           
             T.
             Curtis
          
           his
           act
           ,
           though
           I
           cannot
           see
           but
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           contrary
           to
           his
           Act
           and
           Deed
           to
           the
           Trustees
           ,
           of
           which
           I
           know
           not
           how
           you
           will
           clear
           him
           of
           the
           breach
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           who
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           made
           it
           over
           by
           a
           Deed
           of
           Uses
           to
           four
           Friends
           ,
           for
           a
           publick
           Meeting-House
           ,
           for
           the
           People
           called
           Quakers
           at
           Reading
           ,
           and
           there
           abouts
           ,
           and
           though
           three
           of
           them
           did
           unworthily
           relinquish
           their
           Trust
           ,
           yet
           
             William
             Lambole
          
           ,
           who
           was
           one
           of
           them
           refused
           so
           to
           do
           :
           So
           what
           was
           done
           in
           relation
           to
           that
           must
           needs
           stand
           effectual
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           what
           you
           have
           done
           in
           taking
           it
           away
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           contrary
           to
           that
           Engagement
           ,
           several
           of
           them
           ,
           with
           himself
           ,
           being
           by
           you
           shut
           out
           of
           Doors
           ,
           and
           cannot
           have
           the
           benefit
           to
           keep
           their
           Meeting
           in
           it
           accordingly
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           end
           several
           of
           them
           gave
           considerable
           sums
           of
           Mony
           ;
           sure
           such
           dealings
           would
           have
           been
           abhorred
           by
           you
           many
           years
           since
           the
           beginning
           ,
           which
           you
           are
           very
           forward
           to
           talk
           of
           ,
           but
           too
           far
           degenerated
           from
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           Benjamin
           ,
           one
           of
           my
           ancient
           Acquaintance
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           what
           shall
           I
           say
           unto
           thee
           ,
           or
           what
           could
           I
           not
           do
           if
           the
           ancient
           Love
           and
           Society
           among
           you
           in
           that
           place
           may
           be
           again
           revived
           ?
           surely
           it
           cannot
           be
           as
           things
           stands
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           could
           wish
           that
           a
           deep
           and
           narrow
           search
           may
           pass
           through
           every
           heart
           that
           is
           concerned
           among
           you
           .
           And
           now
           as
           things
           stands
           you
           have
           outwardly
           separated
           your selves
           from
           your
           Brethren
           (
           indeed
           an
           inward
           Separation
           was
           before
           )
           and
           you
           have
           left
           the
           Meeting-House
           ,
           and
           keep
           them
           out
           also
           ;
           I
           desire
           thee
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           you
           to
           be
           like
           men
           ,
           and
           let
           true
           reason
           have
           place
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           let
           them
           in
           again
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           a
           right
           and
           propriety
           ,
           and
           let
           not
           breach
           of
           Covenant
           rest
           upon
           your
           ancient
           friend
           
             Tho.
             Curtis
          
           ,
           nor
           injustice
           nor
           wrong
           doing
           upon
           any
           of
           you
           .
           Or
           if
           you
           would
           not
           be
           counted
           Persecutors
           ,
           nor
           examples
           to
           Persecutors
           ,
           I
           say
           let
           them
           meet
           in
           the
           House
           
           again
           ,
           and
           not
           keep
           them
           forth
           any
           longer
           ;
           for
           though
           you
           are
           the
           greatest
           Proprietors
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           a
           considerable
           share
           in
           it
           ,
           sufficient
           to
           answer
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Meeting-Room
           twice
           or
           three
           times
           a
           Week
           ,
           and
           you
           also
           may
           meet
           or
           forbear
           as
           you
           please
           ;
           &
           for
           that
           which
           thou
           livest
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Buildings
           belonging
           to
           it
           ,
           you
           may
           do
           as
           in
           reason
           shall
           be
           seen
           meet
           .
           And
           sure
           what
           I
           here
           offer
           is
           according
           to
           that
           true
           and
           right
           reason
           that
           God
           hath
           endued
           me
           with
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           will
           answer
           Gods
           witness
           in
           all
           unbyassed
           Friends
           ,
           and
           innocent
           wel-wishing
           People
           ,
           and
           I
           can
           truly
           say
           is
           in
           love
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           you
           .
           And
           is
           from
           your
           wel-wishing
           Friend
           .
        
         
           
             James
             Potter
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           Page
           3.
           
           Line
           25.
           for
           
             go
             to
             them
          
           ,
           read
           ,
           
             go
             to
             some
             of
             them
          
           .
           Page
           7.
           line
           14.
           dele
           not
           .
           page
           7.
           l.
           32.
           for
           defraud
           ,
           r.
           defrauded
           .
           p.
           8.
           l.
           11.
           for
           mauiest
           ,
           r.
           manifest
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .