THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
Since first that great Apostacy took place in the Hearts and Heads of those who began even in the Apostles days, to depart from the simplicity and purity of the Gospel, as it was then delivered in its primitive Splendor and Integrity, innumerable have been the manifold Inventions and Traditions, the different and various Notions and Opinions, wherewith Man (by giving way to the vain and airy Imaginations of his own unstable mind) hath burdened the Christian Faith: so that indeed, first by adding these things, and afterwards by equalling them, if not exalting them above the Truth, they have at last come to be substitute in the stead of it; so that in process of time, Truth came to be shut out of doors, and another thing placed in the room thereof, having a shew and a Name, but wanting the substance and thing itself: Nevertheless it pleased God to raise up Witnesses for himself almost in every Age and Generation, who, according to the Discoveries they received, bore some Testimony, less or more, against the Superstition and Apostacy of the time; and in special manner through the appearing of that Light which first broke forth in Germany about One hundred and fifty years ago, and afterwards reached divers other Nations; the Beast received a deadly Wound: and a very great Number did at one time Protest against, and Rescind from the Church of Rome in divers of their most gross and sensual Doctrines and superstitious Traditions: But alas! it is for matter of lamentation, that the Successors of these Protestants are Establishing and Building up in themselves that which their Fathers were pulling down, instead of prosecuting and going on with so Good and Honourable a Work; which will easily appear.
The generality of all Protestants (though in many other things miserably rent and shattered among themselves) do agree in dividing from the Church of Rome in these two particulars:
First, That every Principle and Doctrine of the Christian Faith is, and ought to be founded upon the Scripture; and that whatsoever Principles or Doctrines are not only not contrary; but even not according thereto, ought to be denyed as Antichristian.
Secondly, That the Scriptures themselves are plain and easie to be understood; and that every private Christian and Member of the Church ought to read and peruse them, that they may know their Faith and Belief founded upon them, and receive them for that Cause alone, and not because any Church or Assembly has compounded and recommended them; the choicest and most pure of which they are obliged to look upon as Fallible.
Now, contrary to this their known and acknowledged Principle, they do most vigorously prosecute and persecute others with the like Severity the Papists did their Fathers, for believing things that are plainly set down in the Scriptures, and for not believing divers Principles for which themselves are forc'd to recur to Tradition, and can by no means prove from Scripture: To shew which I shall not here insist, having allotted a Chapter for it in the Book it self, because to put it here, would swell beyond the bounds of a Preface.
Oh! how like do they show themselves (I mention it with regret) to the Scribes and Pharisees of old, who of all men most cryed up and exalted Moses and the Prophets, boasting greatly of being Abraham's Children? And yet those were they that were the greatest Opposers and Vilifiers of Christ, to whom Moses and all the Prophets gave witness; yea, their chief Accusations and Exceptions against Christ, was, as being a Breaker of the Law, and a Blasphemer.
Can there any Comparison run more parallel, seeing there is now found a people, who are greatly Persecuted, and bitterly reviled, and Accused as Hereticks by a Generation that cry up and exalt the Scriptures; And yet this People's Principles are found in Scripture, Word by Word, though the most grievous, and indeed the greatest Calumny cast upon them is, that they vilifie and deny the Scriptures, and set up their own Imaginations instead of them.
To disprove which, this Catechism and Confession of Faith is compiled, and presented to thy Serious and Impartial view: If thou lovest the Scripture indeed, and desirest to hold the plain Doctrines there delivered, and not these Strained and Far-fetched Consequences, which Men have invented, thou shalt easily observe the whole Principles of the People called QUAKERS, plainly couched in Scripture-Words, without Addition or Commentary; especially in those things their Adversaries oppose them in, where the Scripture plainly decideth the Controversie for them, without Nicities and School-Distinctions, which have been the Wisdom by which the World hath not known God; and the Words which have been multiplied without knowledge, by which Counsel hath been darkned.
In the Answers to the Questions, there is not one Word that I know of, placed, but the express Words of Scripture: And if in some of the Questions there be somewhat subsumed of what in my Judgment is the plain and naked Import of the Words, it is not to impose my Sense upon the Reader, but to make way for the next Question, for the dependence of the Matter's sake; I shall leave it to the reason of any Understanding and Judicious Man, who is not byassed by Self-Interest, that great Enemy to true Equity, and who in the least measure is willing to give way to the Light of Christ in his Conscience, if the Scriptures do not pertinently and aptly answer to the Questions.
As I have upon serious grounds separated from most of the Confessions and Catechisms heretofore published; so, not without Cause, I have now taken another method: They usually place their Confession of Faith before the Catechism: I judge it ought to be otherwise, in regard that which is easiest, and is Composed for Children, or such as are weak, ought in my Judgment to be placed first; it being most regular to begin with things that are easie and familiar, and lead on to things that are more hard and Intricate: Besides, that things be more largely opened in the Catechism, and divers objections answered, which are proposed in the Questions, the Reader having past through that first, will more perfectly understand the Confession, which consisteth mainly in positive Assertions.
Not long after I had received and believed the Testimony I now bear, I had in my view both the possibility and facility of such a work; and now after a more large and perfect acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, I found access to allow some time to set about it; and have also been helped to accomplish the same.
I doubt not but it might be enlarged by divers Citations, which are here omitted, as not being at present brought to my Remembrance: Yet I find Cause to be contented, in that God hath so far assisted me in this Work by his Spirit, that good Remembrancer; the Manifestation of which, as it is minded, will help such as Seriously and Conscientiously read this, to find out and cleave to the Truth, and also Establish and Confirm those who have already believed: Which of all things is most earnestly desired, and daily prayed for, By
Question, Seeing it is a thing unquestioned by all sorts of Christians, that the height of Happiness consisteth in coming to know and enjoy Eternal Life, what is it in the Sense and Judgment of Christ?
A. This is Life Eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent [John 17:3].
Q. How doth God reveal this knowledge?
A. For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, hath shined in our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ [2 Cor. 4:6].
Q. How many Gods are there?
A. One God [Eph. 4:6].
We know, that an Idol is nothing in the World, and that there is none other God but one. But to us there is but one God [1 Cor. 8:4,6].
Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit [John 4:24].
Q. Among all the Blessed, Glorious and Divine Excellencies of God, which are ascribed and given to him in the Scriptures; what is that which is most needful for us to take notice of, as being the Message which the Apostles recorded in special manner to declare of him now under the Gospel?
A. This then is the Message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in him is no Darkness at all [1 John 1:5].
Q. What are they that bear Record in Heaven?
A. There are Three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One [1 John 5:7].
Q. How cometh any man to know God the Father according to Christ's words?
A. All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him [Luke 10:22; Matt. 11:27].
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me [John 14:6].
Q. By whom, and after what manner doth the Son reveal this knowledge?
A. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have entered into the Heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of a man, which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God [1 Cor. 2:9-12].
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my Name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your Remembrance, &c. [John 14:26].
Question. Seeing it is by the Spirit that Christ reveals the Knowledge of God in things spiritual, is it by the Spirit that we must be led under the Gospel?
A. But ye are not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his [Rom. 8:9].
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God [Rom. 8:14].
Q. It is an Inward Principle then, that is to be the Guide and Rule of Christians?
A. But the Anointing, which ye have received of him, abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things, and is Truth, and is no Lye, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him [1 John 2:27].
But as touching Brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you; for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another [1 Thess. 4:9].
Q. I perceive by this, that it is by an inward Anointing and Rule that Christians are to be taught; Is this the very tenor of the new Covenant Dispensation?
A. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel, after those Days, saith the Lord, I will put my Laws into their Mind, and write them in their Hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a People: And they shall not teach every Man his Neighbour, and every Man his Brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the Least to the Greatest [Heb. 8:10-11].
And they shall all be taught of God [John 6:45].
Q. Did Christ then promise, that the Spirit should both abide with his Disciples, and be in them?
A. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the World cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you [John 14:16,17].
Q. For what End were the Scriptures written?
A. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our Learning, that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope [Rom. 15:4].
Q. For what are they profitable?
A. Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all Good Works [2 Tim. 3:15-17].
Q. Wherein consisteth the Excellency of the Scriptures?
A. Knowing this first, that no Prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private Interpretation; For the Prophecy came not in Old Time by the Will of Man, but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [2 Pet. 1:20-21].
Q. The Scriptures are then to be regarded, because they came from the Spirit, and they also testifie, that not they, but the Spirit is to lead into all Truth; In what respect doth Christ command to search them?
A. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life; and they are they which testifie of me. [John 5:39]
Q. I perceive there was a Generation of old that greatly exalted the Scriptures, and yet would not believe, nor come to be guided by that the Scriptures directed to; How doth Christ bespeak such?
A. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is One that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust: For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me: But if ye believe not his Writings, how shall ye believe my Words? [John 5:45-47]
Q. What ought then such to be accounted of, notwithstanding of their Pretences of being ruled by the Scriptures?
A. In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own Destruction [2 Pet. 3:16].
Question. What are the Scriptures which do most observably prophesie of Christ’s Appearance?
A. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy Brethren, like unto me, unto him ye shall hearken [Deut. 18:15].
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a Sign: Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his Name Immanuel [Isa. 7:14].
Q. Was not Jesus Christ in being before he appeared in the Flesh? What clear Scriptures prove this, against such as erroneously assert the contrary?
A. But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the Thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose Goings forth have been from of Old, from Everlasting [Mic. 5:2].
In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; The same was in the Beginning with God: All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made [John 1:1-3].
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am [John 8:58].
And now, O Father, Glorifie thou me with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was [John 17:5].
And to make all Men see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ [Eph. 3:9].
For by him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers: All things were created by him and for him [Col. 1:16].
God hath in these last Days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also he made the Worlds [Heb. 1:2].
Q. These are very clear, that even the World was created by Christ; But what Scriptures prove the Divinity of Christ against such as falsly deny the same?
A. And the Word was God [John 1:1].
Whose are the Fathers, and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came, who is over all God, blessed forever, Amen [Rom. 9:5].
Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God [Phil. 2:6].
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ: This is the true God, and Eternal Life [1 John 5:20].
Q. What are the Glorious Names the Scripture gives unto Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God?
A. And his Name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace [Isa. 9:6].
Who is the Image of the Invisible God, the First born of every Creature [Col. 1:15].
Who being the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person (or more properly, according to the Greek, of his Substance) [Heb. 1:3].
And he was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood, and his Name is called the Word of God [Rev. 19:13].
Q. After what manner was the Birth of Christ?
A. Now, the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph (before they come together) she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost [Matt. 1:18].