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         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             A brief examination and state of liberty spiritual both with respect to persons in their private capacity and in their church society and communion / written ... by a lover of true liberty, as it is in Jesus, William Penn.
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
          
           [4], 15 p.
           
             Printed by Andrew Sowle and sold at his shop ...,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Society of Friends -- Apologetic works.
           Liberty -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
           Liberty -- Religious aspects.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Brief
           Examination
           and
           State
           OF
           
             Liberty
             Spiritual
          
           ,
           BOTH
           With
           Respect
           to
           Persons
           in
           their
           Private
           Capacity
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           Church
           Society
           and
           Communion
           .
        
         
           Written
           for
           the
           Establishment
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ,
           Information
           of
           the
           Simple-Hearted
           ,
           and
           Reproof
           of
           the
           Arrogant
           and
           High
           Minded
           ,
           by
           a
           Lover
           of
           
             True
             Liberty
          
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Jesus
           ,
           William
           Penn.
           
        
         
           To
           go
           amongst
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           called
           Quakers
           .
        
         
           
             If
             the
             Truth
             make
             ye
             Free
             ,
             then
             are
             ye
             Free
             indeed
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             walk
             in
             the
             Light
             as
             he
             is
             in
             the
             Light
             ,
             then
             have
             we
             Fellowship
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             and
             the
             Blood
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             his
             Son
             cleanseth
             us
             from
             all
             Sin
             ,
          
        
         
           1
           John
           8.
           
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Andrew
             Sowle
          
           ,
           and
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           in
           Devonshire
           Buildings
           ,
           without
           Bishops-Gate
           ,
           1681.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           called
           QUAKERS
           .
        
         
           
             Dear
             Friends
             and
             Brethren
             ;
          
        
         
           IT
           hath
           of
           long
           time
           rested
           with
           some
           pressure
           upon
           my
           Spirit
           ,
           for
           Zion's
           sake
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           to
           write
           something
           of
           the
           
             Nature
             of
             True
             Spiritual
             Liberty
          
           ;
           Liberty
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           most
           Glorious
           Words
           and
           Things
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           little
           understood
           ,
           and
           frequently
           abused
           by
           many
           .
           I
           beseech
           Almighty
           God
           to
           preserve
           you
           ,
           his
           People
           ,
           in
           the
           right
           Knowledge
           &
           Use
           of
           that
           Liberty
           ,
           which
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           
             Captain
             of
             our
             Salvation
          
           hath
           purchased
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           is
           redeeming
           us
           into
           ,
           who
           hath
           
             led
             Captivity
             captive
          
           ,
           and
           is
           
             giving
             Gifts
             to
             them
             that
             truly
             believe
             in
             his
             Name
             .
          
           Christ's
           Liberty
           is
           obtain'd
           through
           Christ's
           Cross
           ;
           they
           that
           would
           be
           his
           Free-men
           ,
           must
           be
           his
           Bonds-men
           ,
           and
           wear
           his
           blessed
           Yoke
           .
           His
           Liberty
           is
           
             from
             Sin
             ,
             not
             to
             Sin
          
           ;
           to
           do
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           not
           our
           own
           ;
           no
           ,
           not
           to
           speak
           an
           Idle
           Word
           .
           'T
           is
           
             not
             I
             that
             live
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             but
             Christ
             that
             liveth
             in
             me
             ,
          
           who
           had
           
             set
             him
             Free
             from
             the
             Power
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             brought
             Immortality
             to
             Light
          
           in
           him
           ;
           whence
           he
           learned
           thus
           to
           triumph
           ,
           
             O
             Death
             ,
             where
             is
             thy
             Sting
             !
             O
             Grave
             ,
             where
             is
             thy
             Victory
             !
          
           This
           is
           the
           Personal
           Freedom
           that
           comes
           by
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           to
           as
           many
           as
           receive
           him
           in
           the
           Way
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           End
           for
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           him
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
           
             to
             be
             a
             Saviour
             and
             a
             Leader
             ,
             to
             save
             us
             from
             our
             Corruptions
             ,
             and
             guide
             us
             in
             the
             Narrow
             Way
             of
             his
             holy
             Cross
             ,
             and
             through
             the
             strait
             Gate
             of
             Self-denyal
             ,
          
           which
           lead
           to
           
             Eternal
             Life
          
           .
           And
           as
           many
           as
           have
           entered
           at
           this
           Door
           ,
           are
           come
           to
           have
           
             Vnity
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             one
             with
             another
             ;
             To
             love
             him
             above
             all
             ,
             and
             their
             Neighbours
             as
             themselves
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           to
           prefer
           each
           other
           before
           themselves
           .
           Such
           will
           not
           violate
           the
           great
           Law
           of
           their
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ;
           
             Love
             one
             another
          
           ,
           the
           New
           ;
           and
           yet
           the
           
             Old
             Commandment
          
           :
           These
           dwell
           in
           Love
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           dwell
           in
           
             God
             ;
             for
             God
             is
             Love.
          
           'T
           was
           the
           beloved
           Disciples
           Testimony
           ,
           and
           it
           comes
           up
           to
           what
           another
           man
           of
           God
           hath
           said
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             The
             Church
             that
             dwells
             in
             God
             ,
             if
             she
             dwells
             in
             God
             ,
             then
             in
             Love
             ;
             consequently
             her
             Members
             are
             in
             Vnion
             ,
             of
             one
             Mind
             in
             Church
             Matters
             ,
             since
             she
             has
             but
             one
             Head
             to
             Rule
             her
             .
          
        
         
           Peruse
           this
           brief
           Discourse
           in
           this
           Love
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           to
           Edification
           .
           My
           aim
           is
           to
           assert
           the
           Truth
           ,
           detect
           Error
           ,
           and
           point
           in
           true
           Brotherly
           Kindness
           at
           those
           Shoals
           and
           Sands
           some
           by
           Mistake
           ,
           or
           Over-boldness
           ,
           have
           and
           may
           run
           upon
           .
           O
           Friends
           !
           I
           greatly
           desire
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           
             Love
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             a
             sound
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             of
             Meekness
             ,
             Judgment
             and
             Mercy
          
           may
           ever
           rest
           upon
           you
           ,
           that
           blamelesly
           you
           may
           be
           kept
           ,
           an
           holy
           Family
           ,
           at
           Unity
           with
           it self
           ,
           to
           the
           Lord
           God
           your
           Redeemer
           ,
           that
           he
           over
           all
           may
           in
           you
           ,
           through
           you
           ,
           and
           by
           you
           be
           Exalted
           ,
           Honoured
           and
           Praised
           ,
           who
           is
           worthy
           and
           blessed
           forever
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Brief
           Examination
           and
           State
           OF
           Liberty
           Spiritual
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Question
           .
           VVHat
           is
           Spiritual
           Liberty
           ?
        
         
           Answer
           ,
           It
           is
           twofold
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           true
           and
           a
           false
           Liberty
           ,
           as
           a
           true
           and
           false
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           right
           discerning
           of
           which
           concerns
           every
           ones
           Eternal
           Well-beeing
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           What
           is
           true
           Spiritual
           Liberty
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Deliverance
           from
           Sin
           by
           the
           Perfect
           Law
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           
             The
             Perfect
             Law
             of
             Liberty
          
           ,
           James
           2.
           otherwise
           called
           ,
           
             The
             Law
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Life
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             that
             makes
             Free
             from
             the
             Law
             of
             Sin
             and
             Death
          
           ;
           else-where
           stiled
           ,
           
             The
             Law
             of
             Truth
             writ
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
          
           which
           makes
           Free
           indeed
           ,
           as
           saith
           Christ
           ,
           
             If
             the
             Truth
             make
             you
             Free
             ,
             then
             are
             you
             Free
             indeed
             .
          
           So
           that
           the
           Liberty
           of
           Gods
           People
           stands
           
             in
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             their
             Communion
             in
             it
             ,
          
           and
           in
           the
           Perfect
           Spiritual
           Law
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           which
           delivers
           and
           preserves
           them
           from
           every
           Evil
           Thing
           that
           doth
           or
           would
           embondage
           .
           In
           this
           blessed
           Liberty
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Will
           nor
           Wisdom
           of
           man
           ,
           neither
           the
           vain
           Affections
           and
           Lusts
           that
           rule
           ,
           or
           give
           Law
           to
           the
           Soul
           ;
           for
           the
           Minds
           of
           all
           such
           as
           are
           made
           Free
           by
           the
           Truth
           ,
           are
           by
           the
           Truth
           conducted
           in
           doing
           and
           suffering
           through
           their
           Earthly
           Pilgrimage
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           What
           is
           False
           Liberty
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             A
             Departing
             from
             this
             blessed
             Spirit
             of
             Truth
             ,
          
           and
           
             a
             Rebelling
             against
             this
             Perfect
             Law
             of
             Liberty
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
          
           and
           being
           at
           Liberty
           to
           do
           our
           own
           Wills
           ;
           upon
           which
           cometh
           Reproof
           and
           Judgment
           .
        
         
         
           Qu.
           But
           are
           there
           not
           some
           things
           wherein
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           left
           to
           our
           own
           freedom
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             We
             are
             not
             our
             own
             ,
             for
             we
             are
             bought
             with
             a
             Price
          
           ;
           and
           in
           all
           things
           ought
           we
           to
           glorifie
           God
           with
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           Souls
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Lords
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           must
           we
           have
           a
           Motion
           or
           Command
           from
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           for
           all
           things
           that
           we
           do
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           That
           may
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           which
           may
           not
           be
           by
           the
           immediate
           Motion
           or
           Command
           of
           the
           Truth
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           according
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           against
           the
           Mind
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           either
           particularly
           or
           generally
           exprest
           .
           The
           Truth
           commands
           me
           to
           
             do
             all
             to
             the
             Praise
             and
             Glory
             of
             God
          
           ;
           but
           not
           that
           I
           should
           wait
           for
           a
           Motion
           to
           do
           every
           particular
           thing
           .
           For
           Example
           :
           The
           variety
           of
           Actions
           in
           Trading
           ,
           Commerce
           and
           Husbandry
           ,
           the
           variety
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           Fish
           and
           Fowl
           for
           Food
           ,
           with
           more
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           ,
           in
           all
           which
           there
           is
           a
           Choice
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           but
           still
           according
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           within
           the
           holy
           Bounds
           and
           Limits
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           Then
           it
           seems
           there
           are
           some
           things
           left
           to
           our
           Freedom
           .
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Yes
           ;
           but
           it
           must
           still
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Mind
           of
           Gods
           Truth
           :
           There
           are
           things
           enjoyned
           ,
           such
           as
           relate
           to
           our
           Duty
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           our
           Superiours
           ,
           to
           the
           Houshold
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           Men
           and
           Creatures
           ,
           these
           are
           Indispensible
           .
           There
           are
           also
           things
           that
           may
           be
           done
           or
           left
           undone
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           called
           Indifferent
           ;
           as
           what
           sort
           of
           Meat
           I
           will
           eat
           to
           day
           ,
           whether
           I
           will
           eat
           Flesh
           ,
           Fish
           or
           Herbs
           ,
           or
           what
           Hours
           I
           will
           eat
           my
           Meals
           at
           ,
           with
           many
           such
           outward
           things
           of
           Life
           and
           Converse
           ;
           yet
           even
           in
           these
           cases
           I
           ought
           to
           act
           according
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           Temperance
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           doth
           not
           Freedom
           extend
           farther
           than
           this
           ;
           for
           since
           God
           hath
           given
           me
           a
           Manifestation
           of
           his
           Spirit
           to
           profit
           withal
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           have
           the
           Gift
           of
           God
           in
           my self
           ,
           should
           I
           not
           be
           left
           to
           act
           according
           as
           I
           am
           free
           and
           perswaded
           in
           my
           own
           Mind
           ,
           in
           the
           things
           that
           relate
           to
           God
           ,
           lest
           looking
           upon
           my self
           as
           obliged
           by
           what
           is
           revealed
           unto
           another
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           not
           revealed
           unto
           me
           ,
           I
           should
           be
           led
           out
           of
           my
           own
           Measure
           ,
           and
           act
           upon
           anothers
           Motion
           ,
           and
           so
           offer
           a
           blind
           Sacrifice
           to
           God
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           This
           is
           true
           in
           a
           sence
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           thou
           art
           such
           an
           one
           
           that
           canst
           do
           nothing
           against
           the
           Truth
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Truth
           ,
           then
           mayst
           thou
           safely
           be
           left
           to
           thy
           freedom
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Reason
           is
           plain
           ;
           Because
           thy
           Freedom
           stands
           in
           the
           Perfect
           Law
           of
           Liberty
           ,
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Truth
           ,
           which
           is
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           which
           makes
           thee
           Free
           indeed
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Perfectly
           Free
           from
           all
           that
           is
           Bad
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           Free
           to
           all
           that
           is
           
             Holy
             ,
             Just
             ,
             Lovely
             ,
             Honest
             ,
             Comely
             ,
             and
             of
             good
             Report
          
           ;
           but
           if
           thou
           pleadest
           thy
           Freedom
           against
           such
           things
           ,
           yea
           ,
           obstructest
           and
           slightest
           such
           
             Good
             ,
             Wholesome
          
           and
           Requisit
           Things
           ,
           thy
           Freedom
           is
           Naught
           ,
           Dark
           ,
           Perverse
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           perfect
           Law
           of
           Love
           and
           Liberty
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           must
           I
           conform
           to
           things
           whether
           I
           can
           receive
           them
           or
           no
           ?
           Ought
           I
           not
           to
           be
           left
           to
           the
           Grace
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           my
           own
           Heart
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           To
           the
           first
           part
           of
           the
           Question
           ,
           Nay
           ;
           to
           the
           last
           ,
           Yea.
           But
           now
           let
           us
           consider
           what
           is
           the
           Reason
           thou
           canst
           not
           receive
           them
           :
           Is
           the
           fault
           in
           the
           things
           themselves
           ?
           Are
           they
           inconsistent
           with
           Truth
           ,
           or
           will
           not
           the
           Truth
           own
           or
           assent
           unto
           them
           ,
           or
           is
           the
           fault
           in
           thee
           ?
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           Is
           it
           thy
           Weakness
           ,
           or
           thy
           Carelesness
           ?
           If
           thy
           Weakness
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           born
           with
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           informed
           ;
           if
           thy
           Carelesness
           ,
           thou
           oughtst
           to
           be
           admonished
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           a
           dangerous
           Principle
           ,
           and
           pernicious
           to
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           worse
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Root
           of
           Ranterism
           to
           assert
           ,
           
             That
             nothing
             is
             a
             Duty
             incumbent
             upon
             thee
             ,
             but
             what
             thou
             art
             perswaded
             is
             thy
             Duty
          
           ;
           for
           the
           Seared
           Conscience
           pleads
           his
           Liberty
           against
           all
           Duty
           ,
           the
           Dark
           Conscience
           is
           here
           unconcerned
           ,
           the
           Dead
           Conscience
           is
           here
           uncondemned
           ,
           unless
           this
           Distinction
           be
           allowed
           of
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           an
           Ignorance
           or
           an
           Insensibility
           from
           Inability
           or
           Incapacity
           ,
           or
           a
           Dark
           Education
           ,
           and
           an
           Ignorance
           and
           Insensibility
           ,
           from
           
             Carelesness
             ,
             Disobedience
             ,
             Prejudice
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           So
           that
           though
           thou
           art
           not
           to
           conform
           to
           a
           thing
           ignorantly
           ,
           yet
           thou
           art
           seriously
           to
           consider
           ,
           why
           thou
           art
           ignorant
           ,
           and
           what
           the
           cause
           of
           such
           Ignorance
           may
           be
           ;
           certainly
           it
           can't
           be
           in
           God
           ,
           nor
           in
           his
           Gift
           to
           thee
           ;
           it
           must
           then
           needs
           be
           in
           thy self
           ,
           who
           hast
           not
           yet
           received
           a
           Sense
           for
           or
           against
           the
           Matter
           ,
           about
           which
           thou
           art
           in
           doubt
           .
           To
           the
           second
           part
           of
           the
           Question
           ;
           
             Ought
             I
             not
             to
             be
             left
             to
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             my
             own
             Heart
             ?
             Ans
             .
          
           That
           is
           of
           all
           
           things
           most
           desirable
           ,
           since
           they
           are
           well
           left
           that
           are
           there
           left
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           fear
           of
           want
           of
           Unity
           ,
           where
           all
           are
           left
           with
           the
           one
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           ;
           they
           must
           be
           of
           one
           Mind
           ,
           they
           can't
           be
           otherwise
           .
           So
           that
           to
           plead
           this
           against
           Unity
           ,
           is
           to
           abuse
           the
           very
           Plea
           ,
           and
           to
           commit
           the
           greatest
           Contradiction
           to
           that
           very
           Doctrine
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           viz.
           
             That
             all
             should
             be
             guided
             by
             the
             Grace
             and
             Spirit
             of
             God
             in
             themselves
          
           ;
           for
           the
           end
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           is
           ,
           certainty
           .
           
             They
             shall
             all
             know
             me
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             from
             the
             least
             to
             the
             greatest
             .
             And
             I
             will
             give
             them
             one
             Heart
             ,
             and
             one
             Way
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             fear
             me
             forever
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Children
             after
             them
             ,
          
           Jer.
           32.
           39.
           
           
             And
             I
             will
             give
             them
             one
             Heart
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             put
             a
             new
             Spirit
             within
             you
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             take
             the
             Stony
             Heart
             out
             of
             their
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             will
             give
             them
             an
             Heart
             of
             Flesh
             ,
          
           Ezekiel
           11.
           19.
           
           
             And
             the
             multitude
             of
             them
             that
             believed
             were
             of
             one
             Heart
             ,
             and
             of
             one
             Soul
             ,
          
           Acts
           4.
           32.
           
           Is
           not
           this
           Unity
           too
           ?
           
             I
             will
             restore
             unto
             you
             a
             pure
             Language
             ;
             they
             shall
             be
             of
             one
             Heart
             and
             of
             one
             Mind
             ,
             and
             great
             shall
             be
             their
             Peace
             .
          
           Therefore
           I
           must
           say
           to
           thee
           ,
           Friend
           ,
           What
           if
           thou
           wilt
           not
           be
           left
           with
           the
           Grace
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           thy self
           ,
           nor
           wait
           for
           its
           Mind
           ,
           nor
           be
           watchful
           to
           its
           Revelations
           ,
           nor
           humble
           and
           quiet
           till
           thou
           hast
           received
           such
           necessary
           Manifestations
           ,
           but
           pleadest
           against
           the
           Counsel
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           other
           faithful
           Persons
           ,
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           being
           left
           to
           his
           Spirit
           in
           thy self
           ;
           by
           which
           means
           thou
           opposest
           the
           Spirit
           to
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           pleadest
           for
           Dis-unity
           ,
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           Liberty
           ;
           I
           ask
           thee
           ,
           May
           not
           I
           exhort
           thee
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           that
           I
           am
           moved
           to
           press
           thee
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           thou
           art
           the
           Imposer
           ,
           by
           restraining
           me
           from
           my
           
             Christian
             Liberty
          
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           away
           goeth
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           with
           it
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           that
           are
           both
           appointed
           of
           God
           for
           
             Exhortation
             ,
             Reproof
          
           and
           Instruction
           .
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           are
           there
           not
           various
           Measures
           ,
           diversities
           of
           Gifts
           ,
           and
           several
           Offices
           in
           the
           Body
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           True
           ;
           but
           therefore
           are
           not
           the
           Members
           of
           one
           Mind
           ,
           one
           Will
           and
           one
           Judgment
           in
           common
           and
           universal
           Matters
           ,
           especially
           relating
           to
           the
           Family
           and
           Church
           of
           God
           ?
           And
           indeed
           there
           can't
           be
           a
           falser
           Reasoning
           than
           to
           conclude
           Discord
           from
           
             Diversity
             ,
             Contrariety
          
           from
           Variety
           .
           Is
           there
           Contrariety
           of
           
             Bloods
             ,
             Lifes
             ,
             Feelings
             ,
             Seeings
             ,
             Hearings
             ,
             Tastings
             ,
             
             Smellings
          
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Body
           ,
           at
           one
           and
           the
           same
           time
           ?
           No
           such
           matter
           :
           Experience
           is
           a
           Demonstration
           against
           all
           such
           Insinuations
           .
           So
           that
           though
           it
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           Diversity
           of
           Gifts
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           Disagreement
           in
           Sense
           ;
           and
           though
           Variety
           of
           Offices
           ,
           yet
           no
           Contrariety
           in
           Judgment
           concerning
           those
           Offices
           .
           Well
           saith
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           of
           Truth
           ,
           
             there
             is
             but
             One
             God
             ;
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             is
             but
             One
             Lord
             ;
             there
             is
             but
             One
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             all
             things
             (
             that
             are
             good
             ;
             )
             and
             there
             is
             but
             One
             Lord
             ,
             One
             Faith
             and
             One
             Baptism
          
           ;
           and
           his
           Light
           ,
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           is
           at
           Unity
           with
           it self
           in
           all
           ;
           what
           comes
           from
           the
           Light
           ,
           Life
           or
           Spirit
           in
           one
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           same
           in
           Truth
           and
           Unity
           to
           the
           rest
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           rise
           in
           themselves
           :
           This
           is
           seen
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           every
           day
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           throughout
           all
           Generations
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           among
           those
           that
           live
           in
           the
           lowly
           Truth
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           pure
           Sense
           and
           sound
           Judgment
           stands
           ;
           
             God
             is
             not
             the
             God
             of
             Confusion
             ,
             but
             Order
             :
          
           Every
           one
           in
           his
           Order
           is
           satisfied
           ,
           hath
           Unity
           and
           true
           Fellowship
           with
           whatever
           comes
           from
           the
           Life
           of
           God
           in
           another
           ;
           for
           this
           precious
           Life
           reacheth
           throughout
           the
           Heritage
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           common
           Life
           that
           giveth
           the
           common
           Feeling
           and
           Sense
           to
           the
           Heritage
           of
           God.
           Degree
           or
           Measure
           in
           the
           same
           Life
           can
           never
           contradict
           or
           obstruct
           that
           which
           is
           from
           the
           same
           Life
           for
           the
           common
           Benefit
           of
           the
           Family
           of
           God.
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             the
             Vnmeasurable
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Glorious
             being
             of
             Life
             ,
          
           yet
           have
           we
           Unity
           with
           him
           in
           all
           his
           Works
           ,
           who
           are
           come
           to
           his
           divine
           Measure
           of
           Light
           and
           Truth
           in
           our
           own
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           live
           therein
           ;
           and
           shall
           we
           not
           have
           Unity
           with
           that
           which
           proceeds
           from
           a
           Fellow
           Creature
           ?
           In
           short
           ;
           the
           Saints
           Way
           is
           in
           the
           Light
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           neither
           Doubts
           nor
           Discord
           ;
           yea
           ,
           they
           are
           Children
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           called
           Light
           ,
           and
           
             The
             Lights
             of
             the
             World
          
           ;
           and
           can
           it
           be
           supposed
           that
           such
           should
           disagree
           and
           contradict
           each
           other
           in
           their
           exteriour
           Order
           and
           Practice
           in
           the
           Church
           before
           the
           World
           ;
           Oh
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Seamless
           Garment
           of
           Jesus
           !
           where
           that
           is
           known
           ,
           these
           things
           can
           never
           rise
           .
           But
           yet
           again
           ,
           
             The
             Just
             Mans
             Path
          
           is
           not
           only
           a
           Light
           ,
           
             but
             a
             shining
             Light
          
           ,
           Brightness
           it self
           :
           Certainly
           there
           can
           be
           no
           stumbling
           .
           It
           is
           also
           said
           ,
           
             That
             Light
             is
             sown
             for
             the
             Righteous
          
           ;
           then
           the
           Righteous
           shall
           never
           want
           Light
           upon
           any
           occasion
           :
           And
           saith
           that
           beloved
           Evangelist
           and
           Apostle
           of
           
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           
             They
             that
             walk
             in
             the
             Light
             have
             Fellowship
             one
             with
             another
             ,
          
           1
           John
           1.
           
           Whence
           it
           is
           easie
           to
           conclude
           ,
           they
           that
           go
           out
           of
           the
           Fellowship
           ,
           go
           out
           of
           the
           Light
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           that
           walk
           in
           the
           Light
           ,
           have
           Fellowship
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           what
           shall
           we
           say
           of
           those
           that
           plead
           being
           left
           to
           the
           Light
           to
           justifie
           their
           not
           having
           Fellowship
           one
           with
           another
           ?
           and
           which
           is
           yet
           worse
           ,
           who
           suppose
           People
           may
           Conscientiously
           and
           Justifiably
           Dissent
           within
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Variety
           of
           the
           Degrees
           of
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Grace
           that
           are
           given
           of
           God
           unto
           them
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           lesser
           Degree
           may
           dissent
           from
           the
           greater
           ,
           because
           of
           its
           not
           being
           able
           to
           comprehend
           it
           .
           And
           to
           make
           this
           Principle
           more
           Authentick
           ,
           such
           tell
           us
           ,
           
             This
             is
             the
             Antient
             Principle
             of
             Truth
          
           ;
           and
           object
           ,
           
             How
             will
             you
             else
             be
             able
             to
             maintain
             the
          
           Quakers
           Principles
           ?
           The
           Fallacy
           of
           all
           which
           ,
           lieth
           (
           as
           I
           said
           before
           )
           in
           not
           rightly
           distinguishing
           between
           Diversity
           and
           Disagreement
           ,
           Variety
           and
           Contrariety
           ;
           for
           this
           Diversity
           hath
           Concord
           ,
           and
           this
           Variety
           hath
           Unity
           :
           And
           it
           is
           a
           Blindness
           that
           hath
           too
           much
           of
           late
           happened
           to
           some
           ,
           by
           going
           from
           the
           one
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           first
           to
           fall
           into
           Disagreements
           ,
           and
           then
           plead
           for
           it
           ,
           under
           the
           Notion
           of
           
             Diversity
             of
             Measures
          
           .
           I
           would
           ask
           all
           such
           Persons
           ,
           who
           arrogate
           to
           themselves
           such
           a
           peculiar
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Antient
           Principles
           of
           Truth
           ,
           or
           the
           Quakers
           first
           Principles
           ;
           1st
           ,
           
             Whether
             they
             believe
             there
             be
             a
             Christian
             Body
             ?
          
           2dly
           ,
           
             Whether
             this
             Body
             hath
             a
             Head
             ?
          
           3dly
           ,
           
             Whether
             Christ
             be
             not
             this
             Head
             ?
          
           4thly
           ,
           
             Whether
             this
             Head
             be
             without
             Eyes
             ,
             Ears
             ,
             Smell
             and
             Taste
             ,
             and
             this
             Body
             without
             Sence
             and
             Feeling
             ?
          
           If
           not
           ,
           
             Whether
             this
             Head
             Seeth
             ,
             Heareth
             ,
             Smelleth
             ,
             Tasteth
          
           DIFFERINGLY
           and
           CONTRARILY
           
             to
             it self
             ?
             And
             whether
             this
             Body
             hath
             a
             Contrary
             Feeling
             at
             the
             same
             time
             about
             the
             same
             thing
             ?
          
           And
           if
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           redeemed
           by
           his
           most
           precious
           Blood
           to
           live
           to
           him
           ,
           see
           with
           the
           same
           Eye
           ,
           hear
           with
           the
           same
           Ear
           ,
           speak
           with
           the
           same
           Mouth
           ,
           live
           by
           the
           same
           Breath
           ,
           and
           are
           led
           by
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ,
           where
           is
           this
           
             Disagreement
             ,
             Contrariety
          
           or
           Dissent
           about
           the
           things
           of
           his
           Church
           ?
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           the
           Members
           of
           Christs
           Church
           in
           the
           Primitives
           had
           
             different
             Apprehensions
          
           ;
           as
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           gathered
           by
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           Pray
           let
           me
           know
           who
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           Cases
           ?
        
         
           Qu.
           The
           Persons
           were
           PAUL
           and
           PETER
           ,
           and
           those
           Christians
           that
           differ'd
           about
           Meats
           ;
           and
           the
           Scripture
           is
           plain
           in
           the
           Case
           .
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Difference
           between
           Peter
           and
           Paul
           [
           in
           the
           Acts
           ]
           testifies
           the
           Weakness
           of
           Peter
           ,
           and
           the
           place
           justifies
           
           Paul's
           Reproof
           of
           his
           too
           great
           Compliance
           with
           the
           Jews
           in
           some
           of
           their
           Rites
           ;
           which
           makes
           against
           
             Liberty
             of
             various
             Practices
          
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           indulging
           them
           .
           That
           Instance
           about
           the
           Difference
           of
           Christians
           as
           to
           Meats
           ,
           &c.
           has
           nothing
           in
           it
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           is
           alledged
           ;
           for
           this
           related
           not
           to
           Church-Order
           or
           Communion
           ,
           but
           Private
           and
           
             Personal
             Freedoms
          
           ,
           what
           each
           might
           do
           with
           respect
           to
           themselves
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           might
           make
           Laws
           to
           themselves
           ,
           in
           things
           that
           only
           concern'd
           private
           Persons
           ,
           and
           it
           centred
           there
           ;
           Here
           ,
           
             What
             I
             will
             eat
             ,
             When
             I
             will
             eat
          
           ;
           things
           to
           my self
           ,
           and
           for
           my self
           ,
           as
           a
           man
           having
           Power
           over
           my
           own
           Appetite
           :
           This
           Liberty
           in
           things
           Private
           ,
           Personal
           and
           Indifferent
           ,
           makes
           nothing
           for
           
             Dissenting
             about
             Church
             Matters
             in
             things
             of
             Communion
             and
             Society
             ,
          
           and
           that
           also
           are
           not
           Indifferent
           ,
           as
           to
           
             eat
             Fish
          
           ,
           or
           
             eat
             Flesh
          
           ,
           or
           
             eat
             Herbs
          
           ,
           plainly
           is
           :
           But
           necessary
           ;
           As
           to
           be
           careful
           and
           orderly
           about
           the
           External
           Business
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           These
           are
           no
           
             Jewish
             Rites
          
           ,
           nor
           
             Shadowy
             Ceremonies
          
           ,
           no
           Meats
           nor
           Drinks
           that
           are
           Private
           and
           Personal
           ,
           where
           Weakness
           ▪
           is
           apt
           to
           mistake
           (
           That
           were
           an
           Unnecessary
           and
           an
           
             Vnchristian
             Yoke
          
           to
           bear
           )
           but
           things
           comely
           ,
           orderly
           and
           of
           good
           Report
           ,
           that
           tend
           to
           Purity
           ,
           Peace
           and
           Diligence
           in
           things
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           requisit
           among
           his
           People
           in
           their
           Temporal
           Christian
           Capacity
           .
           And
           herein
           the
           Apostle
           Paul
           exercised
           his
           Godly
           Authority
           ;
           and
           we
           find
           that
           not
           only
           those
           that
           opposed
           themselves
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           thinking
           ,
           
             he
             took
             too
             much
             upon
             him
             ,
             (
             demanding
             a
             Mark
             of
             Christs
             speaking
             in
             him
          
           )
           are
           in
           Scripture
           branded
           with
           Contention
           .
           But
           the
           true
           Believers
           ,
           that
           had
           in
           themselves
           a
           
             Mark
             of
             Christs
             speaking
             in
             him
             ,
          
           were
           of
           
             One
             Mind
             ,
             and
             avoided
             such
             as
             were
             given
             to
             Contention
          
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           not
           the
           Custom
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           .
           Thus
           were
           Christ's
           People
           of
           
             One
             Heart
          
           ,
           in
           things
           relating
           to
           their
           Communion
           .
           Yet
           a
           little
           further
           ;
           They
           that
           have
           the
           Mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           are
           of
           One
           Mind
           ;
           for
           Christ
           is
           not
           divided
           :
           They
           that
           have
           Christ
           for
           their
           Head
           ,
           have
           One
           Counsellor
           and
           Prophet
           ,
           
           One
           Seer
           and
           Bishop
           ,
           they
           disagree
           not
           in
           their
           Judgments
           in
           things
           relating
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           ;
           they
           have
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Guide
           ;
           
             For
             the
             one
             Spirit
             ,
             into
             which
             they
             have
             all
             drank
             ,
             and
             by
             it
             are
             baptized
             into
             one
             Body
             ,
             leads
             them
             all
             .
          
           Now
           to
           every
           Member
           is
           
             a
             Measure
             of
             the
             same
             Spirit
             given
             to
             profit
             with
          
           ;
           and
           though
           every
           Member
           is
           not
           an
           Eye
           ,
           nor
           an
           Ear
           ,
           nor
           a
           Mouth
           ,
           yet
           every
           Member
           hath
           Unity
           with
           the
           Eye
           ,
           with
           the
           Ear
           ,
           with
           the
           Mouth
           in
           their
           proper
           and
           respective
           Acts
           ,
           and
           they
           one
           with
           the
           other
           :
           The
           Eye
           sees
           for
           the
           Mouth
           ,
           the
           Mouth
           speaks
           for
           the
           Eye
           ,
           and
           the
           Ear
           hears
           for
           both
           ;
           this
           Variety
           hath
           no
           Discord
           ,
           but
           in
           this
           Diversity
           of
           Gifts
           and
           Offices
           ,
           each
           Member
           is
           sensible
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           moves
           and
           acts
           by
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Life
           ,
           Spirit
           and
           Guidance
           ,
           which
           is
           Omnipresent
           proportionable
           to
           every
           Member
           in
           its
           distinct
           Office.
           It
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           Helps
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Church
           at
           all
           ;
           and
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           has
           compared
           those
           Helps
           (
           as
           is
           before
           mentioned
           )
           to
           several
           Members
           and
           Senses
           of
           mans
           Body
           ,
           as
           an
           Eye
           ,
           an
           Hand
           ,
           a
           
             Foot
             ,
             Hearing
             ,
             Smelling
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           All
           then
           cannot
           be
           the
           Eye
           ,
           neither
           can
           all
           be
           the
           Hand
           ,
           for
           then
           they
           would
           confound
           their
           Office
           ,
           and
           act
           disagreeably
           to
           the
           Ordination
           of
           the
           great
           Orderer
           of
           his
           Church
           .
           And
           if
           I
           will
           not
           comply
           with
           him
           that
           God
           hath
           made
           an
           Eye
           ,
           because
           I
           am
           not
           that
           Eye
           ,
           or
           an
           Hand
           ,
           because
           I
           am
           not
           that
           Member
           my self
           ,
           nor
           a
           Party
           to
           the
           Action
           ,
           or
           Performance
           of
           that
           Member
           ,
           I
           resist
           the
           Lord
           ,
           though
           under
           pretence
           of
           resisting
           man
           for
           the
           Lords
           sake
           .
           And
           truly
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           Rock
           that
           some
           of
           our
           own
           time
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Persons
           of
           former
           Ages
           have
           split
           upon
           ;
           they
           have
           not
           been
           contented
           with
           their
           own
           Station
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           they
           have
           not
           kept
           to
           their
           own
           Gift
           ,
           nor
           been
           taken
           up
           with
           the
           Duty
           of
           their
           own
           place
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           If
           he
           that
           is
           a
           Foot
           would
           be
           an
           Hand
           ,
           and
           the
           Hand
           covets
           to
           be
           an
           Eye
           ,
           envying
           others
           their
           allotted
           Station
           ,
           through
           highth
           of
           Mind
           ,
           and
           walking
           loose
           from
           the
           holy
           Cross
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Concord
           and
           Fellowship
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           Furthermore
           ,
           since
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           one
           in
           all
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           obeyed
           through
           another
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           ones
           self
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           affirm
           to
           you
           ,
           That
           the
           same
           lowly
           frame
           of
           Mind
           that
           receives
           and
           answers
           the
           Mind
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           a
           
           mans
           self
           ,
           will
           receive
           and
           have
           Unity
           with
           the
           Mind
           of
           the
           same
           Spirit
           through
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           Reason
           is
           plain
           ;
           Because
           the
           same
           Self-evidencing
           Power
           and
           Virtue
           that
           ariseth
           from
           the
           Measure
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           in
           ones
           self
           ,
           and
           that
           convinceth
           a
           man
           in
           his
           own
           Heart
           ,
           doth
           also
           attend
           the
           Discovery
           of
           the
           Mind
           of
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ,
           when
           delivered
           by
           another
           ;
           for
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
             Second
             Adam
             ,
             the
             quickning
             Spirit
          
           through
           another
           ,
           are
           Spirit
           and
           Life
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           thy
           own
           particular
           ;
           this
           is
           discerned
           by
           the
           Spiritual
           Man
           that
           judgeth
           all
           things
           ,
           although
           the
           Carnal
           Man
           pleadeth
           ,
           
             Being
             left
             to
             his
             Freedom
          
           ;
           and
           it
           may
           be
           talks
           of
           
             being
             left
             to
             the
             Spirit
             in
             himself
             too
             ,
          
           the
           better
           to
           escape
           the
           Sense
           and
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           Man.
           It
           is
           my
           earnest
           Desire
           ,
           that
           all
           that
           have
           any
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           would
           have
           a
           tender
           care
           how
           they
           use
           that
           Plea
           against
           their
           faithful
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           God
           put
           into
           their
           Mouthes
           against
           the
           persecuting
           Priests
           and
           Hirelings
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             I
             must
             mind
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             in
             my self
          
           ;
           for
           though
           it
           be
           a
           great
           Truth
           that
           all
           are
           to
           be
           thereunto
           left
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           as
           true
           ,
           that
           he
           whose
           Soul
           is
           left
           with
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           in
           himself
           ,
           differs
           not
           from
           his
           Brethren
           that
           are
           in
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           as
           true
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           err
           from
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           ,
           may
           plead
           ,
           
             being
             left
             to
             the
             Spirit
             in
             themselves
             ,
          
           against
           the
           Motion
           and
           Command
           of
           the
           Spirit
           through
           another
           ,
           when
           it
           pleaseth
           not
           his
           or
           her
           high
           Mind
           and
           perverse
           Will
           ;
           for
           a
           Saying
           may
           be
           true
           or
           false
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           subject
           Matters
           it
           is
           spoken
           upon
           ,
           or
           applyed
           to
           ;
           We
           own
           the
           Assertion
           ,
           we
           deny
           the
           Application
           :
           There
           lies
           the
           Snare
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ought
           to
           be
           left
           to
           the
           Guidings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           themselves
           ;
           but
           for
           this
           to
           be
           so
           applied
           ,
           as
           to
           disregard
           the
           Preachings
           or
           Writings
           of
           Christ's
           enlightned
           Servants
           ,
           because
           by
           them
           applied
           properly
           to
           the
           Preaching
           or
           Writing
           of
           false
           Prophets
           and
           Seducers
           ,
           will
           by
           no
           means
           follow
           .
           I
           say
           the
           Doctrine
           is
           true
           ,
           but
           not
           exclusively
           of
           all
           external
           Counsel
           or
           Direction
           ;
           therefore
           false
           in
           application
           ,
           where
           men
           are
           allowed
           to
           have
           had
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           mind
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           proved
           to
           have
           acted
           in
           their
           own
           Wills
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           or
           without
           the
           guidance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           about
           the
           things
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
         
           Qu.
           But
           though
           this
           be
           true
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           alledged
           for
           heavenly
           Concord
           ,
           yet
           what
           if
           I
           do
           not
           presently
           see
           that
           Service
           in
           a
           thing
           ,
           that
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           Brethren
           agree
           in
           ;
           in
           this
           case
           what
           is
           my
           Duty
           and
           theirs
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           is
           thy
           Duty
           to
           wait
           upon
           God
           in
           Silence
           and
           Patience
           ,
           out
           of
           all
           fleshly
           Consultations
           ;
           and
           as
           thou
           abidest
           in
           the
           Simplicity
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           thou
           wilt
           receive
           an
           Understanding
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           thy
           Brethren
           about
           the
           thing
           doubted
           :
           And
           it
           is
           their
           Duty
           ,
           whilst
           thou
           behavest
           thy self
           in
           Meekness
           and
           Humility
           ,
           to
           bear
           with
           thee
           ,
           and
           carry
           themselves
           tenderly
           and
           lovingly
           towards
           thee
           ;
           but
           if
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           thou
           disturbest
           their
           Godly
           Care
           and
           Practice
           ,
           and
           growest
           Contentious
           ,
           and
           exalts
           thy
           Judgment
           against
           them
           ,
           they
           have
           Power
           from
           God
           to
           Exhort
           ,
           Admonish
           and
           Reprove
           thee
           ;
           and
           (
           if
           thou
           perseverest
           therein
           )
           in
           his
           Name
           to
           refuse
           any
           further
           Fellowship
           with
           thee
           ,
           till
           thou
           repentest
           of
           thy
           Evil.
           
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           lest
           I
           should
           mistake
           ,
           when
           thou
           speakest
           of
           true
           Liberty
           ,
           that
           it
           stands
           in
           being
           made
           Free
           by
           the
           Truth
           ,
           from
           all
           Vnrighteousness
           ,
           
             dost
             thou
             mean
             ,
             That
          
           no
           other
           Persons
           ought
           to
           have
           the
           Liberty
           of
           Exercising
           their
           Dissenting
           Consciences
           ,
           but
           that
           Force
           may
           be
           lawful
           to
           reduce
           such
           as
           are
           reputed
           Erroniously
           Conscientious
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           no
           means
           :
           It
           were
           a
           great
           Wickedness
           against
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           Lord
           of
           the
           Souls
           and
           Spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           preside
           in
           all
           Consciences
           ,
           who
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           is
           the
           only
           Potentate
           ,
           and
           
             hath
             Immortalety
          
           .
           For
           though
           I
           give
           the
           true
           Liberty
           of
           Soul
           and
           Conscience
           to
           those
           only
           that
           are
           set
           free
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           Christ
           ,
           from
           the
           Bondage
           of
           Sin
           and
           Captivity
           of
           Death
           ,
           yet
           do
           I
           not
           intend
           ,
           that
           any
           Person
           or
           Persons
           should
           be
           in
           the
           least
           harm'd
           for
           the
           external
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Dissenting
           Consciences
           in
           Worship
           to
           God
           ,
           though
           Erronious
           ;
           for
           though
           their
           Consciences
           be
           blind
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           to
           be
           forced
           ;
           such
           Compulsion
           giveth
           no
           sight
           ,
           neither
           do
           Corporal
           Punishments
           produce
           Conviction
           :
           This
           we
           above
           all
           People
           in
           our
           Day
           have
           withstood
           ,
           in
           Speaking
           ,
           Writing
           and
           Suffering
           ,
           and
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           continue
           so
           to
           do
           with
           faithlness
           .
           For
           Faith
           is
           the
           Gift
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           forced
           Sacrifices
           are
           not
           pleasing
           to
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           according
           to
           thy
           Argument
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           my
           Fault
           ,
           that
           I
           
           have
           not
           the
           Gift
           of
           Faith
           ;
           and
           upon
           this
           Presumption
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           thou
           wilt
           inflict
           some
           Temporal
           Penalties
           upon
           me
           .
        
         
           Answ
           .
           No
           such
           matter
           ;
           for
           such
           kind
           of
           Faults
           are
           not
           to
           be
           punished
           with
           Temporal
           or
           Worldly
           Penalties
           ;
           for
           whether
           the
           Errors
           be
           through
           Weakness
           or
           Willfulness
           ,
           not
           relating
           to
           Moral
           Practice
           ,
           all
           External
           Coertion
           and
           Corporal
           Punishment
           is
           excluded
           .
           
             For
             the
             Weapons
             of
             our
             Warfair
             are
             not
             Carnal
             ,
             but
             Spiritual
             .
          
        
         
           Qu.
           But
           what
           then
           is
           the
           Extent
           of
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           Schism
           or
           Heresie
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Power
           that
           Christ
           gave
           to
           his
           Church
           was
           this
           ,
           
             That
             Offenders
             ,
             after
             the
             first
             and
             second
             Admonition
             ,
          
           (
           not
           Repenting
           )
           
             should
             be
             Rejected
          
           :
           Not
           imprisoned
           ,
           Plundered
           ,
           Banished
           or
           put
           to
           Death
           ;
           this
           belongs
           to
           the
           Whore
           and
           false
           Prophet
           :
           Oh!
           all
           these
           things
           have
           come
           to
           pass
           for
           want
           of
           Humility
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           the
           antient
           Fear
           ,
           and
           keeping
           in
           the
           quiet
           Habitation
           of
           the
           Just
           :
           The
           Truth
           in
           you
           all
           shall
           answer
           me
           .
           And
           this
           I
           affirm
           ,
           from
           the
           Understanding
           I
           have
           received
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           only
           that
           the
           Enemy
           is
           at
           work
           to
           scatter
           the
           Minds
           of
           Friends
           ,
           by
           that
           Loose
           Plea
           ,
           
             What-hast
             thou
             to
             do
             with
             me
             ?
             leave
             me
             to
             my
             Freedom
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             my self
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           but
           this
           Proposition
           and
           Expression
           ,
           as
           now
           understood
           and
           alledged
           ,
           is
           a
           Deviation
           from
           ,
           and
           a
           Perversion
           of
           the
           Antient
           Principle
           of
           Truth
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           the
           plain
           Consequence
           of
           this
           Plea
           ,
           if
           any
           one
           (
           especially
           if
           they
           are
           but
           lately
           convinced
           )
           shall
           say
           ,
           
             I
             see
             no
             Evil
             in
             paying
             Tythes
             to
             Hireling
             Priests
             ,
             in
             that
             they
             are
             not
             claimed
             by
             Divine
             Right
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             Civil
             Laws
             of
             the
             Land.
             I
             see
             no
             Evil
             in
             Marrying
             by
             the
             Priest
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             but
             a
             Witness
             .
          
           Furthermore
           ,
           
             I
             see
             no
             Evil
             in
             declining
             a
             publick
             Testimony
             in
             Suffering
             times
             ,
             or
             hiding
             in
             times
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             for
             I
             have
          
           Christ
           '
           
             s
             and
          
           Paul
           '
           
             s
             Examples
             .
             I
             see
             no
             Evil
             in
             Worshipping
             and
             Respecting
             the
             Persons
             of
             Men
             ;
             for
             whatever
             others
             do
             ,
             I
             intend
             a
             sincere
             Notice
             that
             I
             take
             of
             those
             I
             know
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             good
             Esteem
             for
             .
          
           Lastly
           ,
           
             I
             see
             no
             Evil
             in
             keeping
             my
             Shop
             shut
             upon
             the
             Worlds
          
           Holy-days
           and
           Mass-days
           (
           as
           they
           call
           them
           )
           
             though
             they
             are
             rather
             Lewdly
             and
             Superstitiously
             than
             Religiously
             kept
             ;
             for
             I
             would
             not
             willingly
             give
             any
             Offence
             to
             my
             Neighbours
             .
          
           And
           since
           your
           Testimony
           is
           against
           Imposition
           ,
           and
           for
           leaving
           every
           one
           to
           the
           
           Measure
           of
           the
           Grace
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           him
           ,
           not
           only
           ,
           
             No
             man
             hath
             Power
             to
             reprove
             or
             judge
             me
             ,
             but
             I
             may
             be
             as
             good
             a
             Friend
             as
             any
             of
             you
             ,
             according
             to
             my
             Measure
             .
          
           And
           now
           ,
           here
           is
           
             Measure
             set
             up
             against
             Measure
          
           ,
           which
           is
           Confusion
           it self
           —
           Babel
           indeed
           :
           This
           is
           that
           very
           Rock
           both
           Professors
           and
           Prophane
           would
           long
           since
           have
           run
           us
           upon
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             That
             a
             way
             is
             hereby
             opened
             to
             all
             the
             Worlds
             Libertines
             ,
             to
             plead
             the
             Light
             within
             for
             their
             Excesses
          
           ;
           Which
           indeed
           grieves
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           &
           was
           severely
           judged
           by
           our
           Friends
           in
           the
           beginning
           ,
           and
           is
           still
           reproved
           by
           them
           that
           keep
           their
           Habitation
           ,
           though
           some
           are
           become
           as
           wandering
           Stars
           through
           their
           own
           Pride
           ,
           and
           the
           Prevalency
           of
           the
           hour
           of
           Temptation
           that
           hath
           overtaken
           them
           ;
           whereas
           had
           they
           kept
           in
           the
           Channel
           of
           Love
           and
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           Orbe
           and
           Order
           of
           the
           Celestial
           Power
           ,
           they
           had
           shined
           as
           fixed
           Stars
           in
           the
           Firmament
           of
           God
           forever
           .
           And
           from
           the
           deep
           Sense
           that
           I
           have
           of
           the
           working
           of
           the
           Enemy
           of
           Zions
           Peace
           ,
           to
           rend
           and
           divide
           the
           Heritage
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           crying
           down
           
             Man
             ,
             Forms
          
           and
           Prescriptions
           ,
           is
           crying
           down
           the
           
             Heavenly
             Man
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             his
             blessed
             Order
             and
             Government
             ,
          
           which
           he
           hath
           brought
           forth
           by
           his
           own
           Revelation
           and
           Power
           through
           his
           faithful
           Witnesses
           .
           This
           I
           further
           testifie
           ,
           First
           ,
           That
           the
           Enemy
           by
           these
           fair
           Pretences
           strikes
           at
           the
           Godly
           Care
           and
           Travail
           that
           dwells
           upon
           the
           Spirits
           of
           many
           faithful
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           might
           be
           preserved
           Sweet
           ,
           Comely
           ,
           Virtuous
           ,
           and
           of
           good
           Report
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           there
           never
           was
           greater
           necessity
           of
           this
           Godly
           Care
           than
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           since
           we
           were
           a
           People
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Cross
           by
           too
           many
           is
           not
           so
           closely
           kept
           to
           as
           in
           dayes
           past
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           there
           is
           not
           only
           a
           great
           Convincement
           ,
           but
           a
           Young
           Generation
           descended
           of
           Friends
           ,
           who
           though
           they
           retain
           the
           Form
           their
           Education
           hath
           led
           them
           into
           ,
           yet
           many
           of
           them
           adorn
           not
           the
           Gospel
           with
           that
           sensible
           ,
           weighty
           and
           heavenly
           Conversation
           as
           becomes
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           Undefiled
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Seed
           of
           that
           precious
           Faith
           which
           works
           by
           the
           Love
           that
           Overcomes
           the
           World.
           And
           the
           Lord
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           that
           hath
           sent
           his
           Son
           Christ
           Jesus
           a
           Light
           into
           our
           Hearts
           and
           Consciences
           ,
           to
           whose
           Search
           and
           Judgment
           all
           ought
           to
           (
           and
           must
           )
           bring
           their
           Deeds
           ,
           &
           render
           up
           their
           Account
           ,
           beareth
           holy
           Record
           ,
           that
           for
           this
           end
           
           hath
           he
           moved
           upon
           the
           Spirits
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           and
           for
           this
           good
           end
           only
           have
           his
           Servants
           given
           forth
           ,
           recommended
           ,
           and
           put
           in
           Practice
           those
           things
           that
           are
           now
           in
           Godly
           Use
           among
           his
           People
           ,
           whether
           in
           this
           or
           other
           Nations
           ,
           relating
           to
           Men
           and
           
             Womens
             Meetings
          
           ,
           and
           their
           divers
           and
           weighty
           Services
           .
           And
           further
           ;
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           the
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           ,
           That
           heavenly
           Peace
           and
           Prosperity
           dwell
           with
           those
           who
           are
           found
           in
           a
           holy
           and
           zealous
           Practice
           of
           them
           ;
           wherefore
           I
           warn
           all
           ,
           that
           they
           take
           heed
           of
           a
           slight
           and
           obstinate
           Mind
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           have
           a
           care
           how
           they
           give
           way
           to
           the
           Outcry
           of
           some
           ,
           faisly
           entituled
           ,
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             against
             Imposition
          
           ,
           &c.
           for
           the
           end
           thereof
           is
           to
           lead
           back
           again
           ,
           and
           give
           ease
           to
           the
           Carnal
           Mind
           ,
           which
           ,
           at
           last
           ,
           will
           bring
           Death
           again
           upon
           the
           Soul
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           living
           Society
           of
           his
           Children
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           great
           shame
           that
           any
           who
           have
           ever
           known
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           in
           the
           inward
           Parts
           ,
           and
           the
           sweet
           Society
           of
           Brethren
           ,
           especially
           those
           who
           were
           early
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           this
           blessed
           Day
           and
           heavenly
           Dispensation
           ,
           should
           so
           far
           depart
           from
           the
           Fear
           and
           Awe
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           as
           to
           use
           such
           Unsavoury
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Untrue
           Expressions
           ;
           this
           is
           very
           far
           from
           that
           Meek
           Spirit
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           Love
           ,
           which
           they
           pretend
           to
           have
           so
           singularly
           kept
           in
           ,
           which
           beareth
           all
           things
           ,
           suffereth
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           endureth
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           teacheth
           to
           keep
           the
           Word
           of
           Patience
           in
           the
           Hour
           of
           Tribulation
           ;
           Nay
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           judging
           of
           Spiritual
           things
           with
           a
           Carnal
           and
           Prejudiced
           Mind
           ,
           stumbling
           at
           the
           Matter
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Persons
           through
           whom
           it
           comes
           ,
           not
           eying
           nor
           weighing
           the
           Spirit
           the
           thing
           arises
           from
           ,
           but
           the
           Person
           by
           whom
           it
           is
           spoken
           ,
           which
           darkens
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           blinds
           by
           Prejudice
           the
           Mind
           that
           should
           discern
           ,
           taste
           and
           judge
           ;
           from
           whence
           many
           Mischiefs
           have
           sprung
           to
           the
           Courch
           of
           Christ
           in
           divers
           Ages
           :
           Nor
           is
           it
           the
           least
           Evil
           this
           Spirit
           of
           Strife
           is
           guilty
           of
           ,
           even
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           that
           it
           useth
           the
           words
           ,
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           and
           Imposition
           against
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           as
           our
           suffering
           Friends
           have
           been
           alwayes
           accustomed
           to
           intend
           them
           against
           the
           persecuting
           Priests
           and
           Powers
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           the
           same
           thing
           to
           admonish
           and
           reprove
           Conceited
           ,
           High-minded
           ,
           Loose
           or
           Contentious
           Persons
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           to
           compel
           Conformity
           in
           
           matters
           of
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           ,
           by
           Worldly
           Violence
           upon
           the
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           of
           Conscientious
           Dissenters
           :
           O
           such
           Iniquity
           God
           will
           not
           leave
           unreproved
           !
        
         
           This
           ,
           
             Dear
             Friends
          
           ,
           I
           send
           amongst
           you
           ,
           as
           a
           token
           of
           my
           true
           Love
           ,
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           free
           Spirit
           of
           our
           God
           and
           Father
           ,
           who
           have
           ever
           been
           a
           Friend
           to
           true
           Liberty
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           State
           according
           to
           Law
           ,
           so
           in
           the
           Church
           according
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           standeth
           in
           the
           Truth
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           that
           makes
           them
           who
           love
           it
           Free
           indeed
           .
           Let
           us
           all
           keep
           low
           ,
           and
           remember
           the
           Rock
           from
           whence
           we
           were
           hewn
           ,
           and
           dwell
           in
           a
           tender
           and
           reverent
           Sense
           of
           the
           daily
           Mercies
           and
           Providences
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           looking
           well
           to
           our
           own
           Growth
           and
           Prosperity
           in
           his
           heavenly
           Way
           and
           Work
           ,
           then
           shall
           the
           Desire
           of
           our
           Hearts
           be
           more
           and
           more
           after
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           remembrance
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           with
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           will
           our
           Love
           encrease
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           helping
           and
           aiding
           one
           another
           :
           And
           I
           no
           ways
           doubt
           ,
           but
           God
           that
           has
           brought
           us
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           Aegypt
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           delivered
           us
           from
           the
           Mouth
           of
           the
           Lyon
           ,
           and
           the
           Paw
           of
           the
           Bare
           ,
           will
           preserve
           his
           People
           from
           this
           Uncircumcised
           Spirit
           that
           is
           not
           in
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           nor
           under
           the
           Yoke
           of
           his
           Holy
           Royal
           Law
           of
           
             True
             Spiritual
             Liberty
          
           ;
           for
           they
           that
           keep
           and
           walk
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           are
           fenced
           from
           the
           Power
           of
           this
           Crooked
           Serpent
           ,
           that
           seeks
           whom
           he
           may
           betray
           ;
           nor
           are
           any
           stung
           by
           him
           but
           the
           Unwatchful
           ,
           the
           Lisseners
           and
           Hearkeners
           after
           his
           jealous
           Whispers
           ,
           and
           detracting
           Insinnations
           :
           They
           are
           such
           as
           make
           their
           Dwelling
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           where
           his
           Region
           is
           ,
           and
           where
           he
           creeps
           and
           twists
           ,
           who
           is
           Earthly
           ,
           Sensual
           and
           Devilish
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           all
           the
           Wisdom
           that
           comes
           from
           him
           .
        
         
           
             My
             dear
             Friends
          
           ,
           Keep
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           Simplicity
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Cross
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           wait
           for
           your
           daily
           Bread
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           daily
           renewed
           from
           the
           Lord
           ;
           look
           to
           your
           Increase
           about
           Eternal
           Riches
           ,
           and
           be
           sure
           to
           lay
           up
           Treasure
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           fadeth
           not
           away
           ,
           that
           your
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           may
           have
           Eternal
           Foundations
           ,
           which
           the
           cross
           Occurrences
           of
           Time
           and
           fears
           of
           Mortality
           cannot
           move
           ;
           and
           beware
           of
           that
           Loose
           and
           Irreverent
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           has
           not
           those
           in
           high
           esteem
           among
           you
           ,
           that
           are
           faithful
           in
           the
           Lords
           Work
           ,
           and
           that
           labour
           in
           his
           blessed
           Word
           
           and
           Doctrine
           :
           I
           plainly
           see
           a
           coldness
           and
           a
           shortness
           on
           this
           hand
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           pretence
           as
           it
           will
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           pleasing
           to
           the
           Lord
           :
           They
           that
           love
           Christ
           ,
           his
           Servants
           are
           dear
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           bear
           a
           tender
           Regard
           to
           their
           Tryals
           ,
           Travails
           ,
           Spendings
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           who
           seek
           not
           yours
           ,
           but
           you
           ▪
           that
           you
           may
           all
           be
           presented
           Blameless
           at
           the
           Coming
           of
           the
           great
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           Saviour
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           that
           so
           the
           Gospel
           Ministry
           and
           Testimony
           may
           be
           held
           up
           with
           holy
           fervent
           Love
           and
           Godly
           Esteem
           ,
           to
           the
           keeping
           under
           every
           raw
           and
           exalted
           Mind
           ,
           and
           whatever
           may
           slight
           and
           turn
           against
           it
           ,
           lest
           God
           that
           has
           Richly
           visited
           us
           with
           his
           Fatherly
           Visitations
           and
           Day
           springing
           from
           on
           High
           should
           remove
           his
           Blessing
           from
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           place
           his
           Candlestick
           amidst
           another
           People
           .
           Be
           wise
           therefore
           ,
           O
           Friends
           !
           for
           behold
           ,
           he
           is
           at
           the
           Door
           that
           must
           have
           an
           Account
           of
           your
           Stewardship
           :
           Be
           watchful
           ,
           keep
           to
           your
           first
           Love
           and
           Works
           ,
           that
           so
           you
           may
           endure
           to
           the
           End
           ,
           and
           be
           saved
           :
           And
           having
           Overcome
           ,
           you
           may
           have
           right
           to
           eat
           of
           the
           Tree
           of
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           Paradise
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           The
           God
           of
           Peace
           ,
           who
           hath
           brought
           our
           dear
           Lord
           Jesus
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           and
           Vs
           with
           him
           ,
           more
           abundantly
           enrich
           you
           all
           with
           Wisdom
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           himself
           ,
           through
           Faith
           in
           his
           Son
           ,
           by
           whom
           in
           these
           last
           dayes
           he
           hath
           spoken
           to
           us
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           blessed
           and
           only
           Potentate
           ,
           King
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           Lord
           of
           Lords
           ,
           who
           only
           hath
           Immortality
           ;
           to
           whom
           be
           Honour
           and
           Power
           Everlasting
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           
             Your
             Friend
             and
             Brother
             in
             the
             Tribulation
             and
             Salvation
             of
             the
             enduring
             Kingdom
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             William
             Penn.
             
          
           
             Warninghurst
             in
             Sussex
             ,
             
               the
               20th
               of
               the
               9th
               Moneth
               ,
               1681.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
  

