Quakerism versus Calvinism: being a reply to "Quakerism not Christianity," or Reasons for renouncing the doctrine of Friends

Front matter

OF THE AT

PRINCETON, N. J.

SAMUEL AGNEW,

Appendix

The following pages, containing extracts from the standard writings of Friends, which could not conveniently be introduced into the body of the work, it is thought will be appropriate in the form of a supplement to the brief notice we have taken of this voluminous work. For when it is remembered that Dr. Cox's book is an octavo, of six hundred and eighty-six pages, it will be apparent, that the present reply bears but a very small comparison in point of size, and by consequence there may be many topics of doctrinal importance, which are either wholly omitted, or but briefly noticed, when greater amplification would have been desirable. The author, having but little leisure, has been obliged to study great brevity ; — and, indeed, being now at a distance from his relatives, who are members of the Society of Friends, he has had but limited sources of reference to books, and but little access to the writings of early Friends, except those which belong to his own library. His acquaintance with Friends in the city of New York is circumscribed, and hence he has been dependent mainly upon his own resources, and has no 14* means of knowing what reception his work may meet from those, whose vindication he has attempted. Had he consulted them, he might possibly have had his attention directed to some points which they deem important, and which he has overlooked ; and, perhaps, have obtained more recent doctrinal testimonies, than he has found accessible. But finding that the Society, as such, obviously intended to remain silent with reference to the work before us, sufficient time having elapsed for a reply, if one was to be expected from that source ; — and deeming it probable, that if the leading Friends had been consulted that they would be adverse to any notice being taken of the author or his book, such a course was deemed inexpedient.

Moreover, had my manuscript been submitted to any one Friend, I thought it probable that he would be disappointed, in finding that I had not defended the system and its peculiarities throughout, which I never designed, and, indeed, which I could not do conscientiously ; since, as I have already stated, some of their opinions and usages are, in my opinion, indefensible. Indeed, I had no means of distinguishing between members of the orthodox and the Hicksite party, nor yet between the moderate and violent partizans, and, of course, knew not into whose hands I might fall. But I considered that a rigid orthodox Quaker might wish me to animadvert at length upon the heresies of the other party ; while a rigid Hicksite would probably complain that I had said too much

APPENDIX.

already. I determined, therefore, to avail myself of my own resources, and perform the task of my review, uninfluenced by either. This work, therefore, goes before the Christian public, without the direct or indirect sanction or permission, of any man or set of men ; and no individual or denomination can, therefore, be justly regarded as responsible for any of its contents or its omissions. This distinct avowal is due to the Friends universal, who are ignorant of its contents, and only know of its being forthcoming, by the advertisement which announced it as in the press.

The reader is probably acquainted with the fact, that the assault made upon the Quakers, by Dr. Cox, is not the first instance in which these charges have been presented ; and, indeed, the precise allegations contained in his book may be found in the pamphlet of Rev. B. Hibbard, entitled " Errors of the Quakers ;" and, also, in the work of Rev. Dr. Brownlee, of this city ; although neither of these works contain a moiety of the denunciation and abuse, either of the system or its votaries, which are found in the volume under notice.

But it should also be more generally known than it is, that the Friends, as a Society, have long since officially denied and disclaimed each and every accusation contained in this work of Dr. Cox ; for he brings no new charge, but only reiterates for the thousandth time, the calumnies which have been as often refuted. And first, I would ask the attention of

APPENDIX.

the reader to the following official document, published as early as the year 1693 ; when the slanders wThich were circulated against the Friends by one George Keith, an apostate from their Society, who charged them with "cardinal heresy," rendered it necessary for them to make a public declaration of the doctrines which they held. It was published in London, and subsequently in Pennsylvania, where this Keith had also propagated his calumnies, to the great grief of the society in America. And though this " Confession of Faith" is so ancient, yet it has been recognized in the recent controversies and appealed to by the orthodox party, as containing their sentiments, on all the subjects on which it speaks. We regard it as worthy of insertion in this place, and therefore, give it entire, as furnishing in itself an unequivocal denial of every accusation contained in the volume of Dr. Cox. It is taken from Se well's History, vol. II. p. 250.

The Christian Doctrine, and Society of the people called Quakers, cleared, fyc.

" Whereas, divers accounts have been lately published in print, of some late division and disputes between some persons under the name of Quakers in Pennsylvania, about several fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, (as is pretended by one party,) which being particularly mentioned, and thereupon occasion very unduly taken by our adversaries, to reproach both the Christian ministry, and whole body of the people commonly called Quakers, and their holy and Christian profession, both in England and elsewhere, though no ways concerned in the said division or matters charged, but rather grieved and troubled at it, and at the indiscreet and reproachful management thereof in print, to the amusing and troubling the world therewith, and giving occasion to the loose, ignorant, and profane, to slight and contemn the truth, and the interest of the tender religion of our Lord Jesus Christ :

" We are, therefore, tenderly concerned for truth's sake in behalf of the said people, (as to the body of them, and for all of them who are sincere to God, and faithful to their Christian principle and profession,) to use our just endeavors to remove the reproach, and all causeless jealousies concerning us, touching those doctrines of Christianity, or any of them pretended, or supposed, to be in question in the said division ; in relation whereunto we do in the fear of God, and in simplicity and plainness of his truth received, solemnly and sincerely declare what our Christian belief and profession has been, and still is, in respect to Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, his suffering, death, resurrection, glory, light, power, great day of judgment, &c. p

" We sincerely profess faith in God by his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, as being our light and life, our only

APPENDIX.

way to the Father, and also our only mediator and advocate with the Father, (a)

" That God created all things, he made the worlds, by his Son Jesus Christ, he being that powerful and living Word of God by whom all things were made; (b) and that the Father, the Word, and Holy Spirit are one, in Divine Being inseparable ; one true, living, and eternal God, blessed for ever, (c)

« Yet that this Word, or Son of God, in the fulness of time, took flesh, became perfect man, according to the flesh, descended and came of the seed of Abraham and David, (d) but was miraculously conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary, (e) And also further, declared powerfully to be the Son of God, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection from the dead, (f)

"That in the Word, (or Son of God,) was life, and the same life was the light of men ; and that he was that true light which enlightens every man coming into the world ; (g) and therefore that men are to believe in the light, that they may become the children of the light ; (h) hereby we believe in Christ the Son of God, as he is the

APPENDIX.

light and life within us ; and wherein we must needs have sincere respect and honor to, and believe in Christ, as in his own unapproachable and incomprehensible glory and fulness : {i) as he is the fountain of life and light, and giver thereof unto us ; Christ as in himself, and as in us, being not divided. And that as man, Christ died for our sins, rose again, and was received up into glory in the heavens, (k) He having, in his dying for all, been that one great universal offering, and sacrifice for peace, atonement and reconciliation between God and man; (I) and he is the propitiation not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world, (m) We were reconciled by his death, but saved by his life.

" That. Jesus Christ, who sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens, yet he is our king, high-priest, and prophet, (ra) in his church, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. (o) He is intercessor and adyocate with the Father in heaven, and there appearing in the presence of God for us, (p) being touched with the feeling of our infirmities, sufferings and sorrows. And also by his spirit in our hearts, he maketh intercession according to the will of God, crying, Abba, Father, (q)

APPENDIX.

" For any whom God hath gifted, (r) and called sincerely to preach faith in the same Christ, both as within and without us, cannot be to preach two Christs, but one and the same Lord Jesus Christ, (s) having respect to those degrees of our spiritual knowledge of Christ Jesus in us, (t) and to his own unspeakable fulness and glory, (u) as in himself, in his own entire being, wherein Christ himself and the least measure of his light or life, as in us or in mankind, are not divided nor separable, no more than the sun is from its light. And as he ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, (x) his fulness cannot be comprehended, or contained in any finite creature ; (y) but in some measure known and experienced in us, as we are capable to receive the same, as of his fulness we have received grace for grace. Christ our Mediator, received the spirit, not by measure, (z)but in fulness; but to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of his gift, (a)

" That the gospel of the grace of God should be preached in the name of the Fat her, Son, and Holy Ghost, (6) being one (c) in power, wisdom, and goodness, and indivisible, or not to be divided, in the great work of man's salvation.

" We sincerely confess and believe in Jesus Christ,

APPENDIX.

both as he is true God and perfect man, (d) and that he is th'j author of our living faith in the power and goodness of God, as manifested in his Son Jesus Christ, and by his own blessed spirit, or divine unction, revealed in us, (e) whereby we inwardly feel and taste of his goodness, (•/) life-, and virtue ; so as our souls live and prosper by and in him : and the inward sense of this divine power of Christ, and faith in the same, and this inward experience, is absolutely necessary to make a true, sincere, and perfect Christian, in spirit and lite.

" That divine honor and worship is due to the Son of God ; (g) and that he is, in true faith to be prayed unto, and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ called upon, as the primitive Christians did, (A) because of the glorious union or oneness of the Father and the Son ; (/) and that we cannot acceptably offer up prayers aud praises to God, nor receive a gracious answer or blessing from God, but in and through his dear Son, Christ.

" That Christ's body that was crucified was not the godhead, yet by the power of God was raised from the dead ; and that the same Christ that was therein crucified, ascended into heaven and glory, (A.) is not questioned by

{d) John i. I. 9. Rom. ix. 5. 1 John v. 20. 1 Tim. ii. 5. (e) 1 John ii. 20.27. (/) 1 Pet. ii. 3. Johnvi. 33. 35. 51. 57, 58. (a) John v. 23. Heb. i. 6. (/t) l Cor. i. 2. Acts vii. 59. U) John x. 30. l John v Kk) Luke xxiv. 26.

APPENDIX.

us. His flesh saw no corruption, (/) it did not corrupt ; but yet doubtless his body was changed into a more glorious (m)and heavenly condition than it was in when subject to divers sufferings on earth ; but how and what manner of change it met withal after it was raised from the dead, so as to become such a glorious body, as it is declared to be, is too wonderful for mortals to conceive, to apprehend or pry into, and more meet for angels to see : the scripture is silent therein, as to the manner thereof and we are not curious to inquire or dispute it ; nor do we esteem it necessary to make ourselves wise above (w) what is written as to the manner or condition of Christ's glorious body, as in heaven ; no more than to inquire how Christ appeared in divers manners or forms ; (o) or how he came in among his disciples, the doors being shut ; (p) or how he vanished out of their sight after he was risen. However, we have cause to believe his body, as in heaven, is changed into a most glorious condition, far transcending what it was in on earth, otherwise how could our low body be changed, so as to be made like unto his glorious body; (q) for when he was on earth, and attended with sufferings, he was said to be like unto us in all things, sins only excepted ; (r) which may not be so said of him as now in a state of glory, as he prayed for ; (s ) otherwise where would be the change both in him and us ?

(Z) Psal. xvi. 10. Acts ii. 31. and xiii. 35: 37. (m) Phil. iii. 21. (n) 1 Cor. iv. 6. (o) John xx. 15. (p) John xx. 29. Luke xxiv. 36, 37, and xxiv. 13. (?) Phil. iii. 21. (r) Heb. ii. 17, and iv. 15. (s) John xxii. 5.

APPENDIX.

"True and living faith in Christ Jesus the Son of the living God, (t) has respect to his entire being and fulness to him entirely as in himself, and as all power in heaven and earth, is given unto him ; (w) and also an eye and respect to the same Son of God (x) as inwardly making himself known to the soul, in every degree of his light, life, spirit, grace, and truth ; and as he is both the word of faith, and a quickening spirit in us ; (y) whereby he is the immediate cause, author, object, and strength of our living faith in his name and power ; and of the work of our salvation from sin and bondage of corruption : and the Son of God cannot be divided from the least or lowest appearance of his own divine light or life in us or mankind, no more than the sun from its own light : nor is the sufficiency of his light within by us set up in opposition to him the man Christ, or his fulness, considered as in himself, as without us ; nor can any measure or degree of light, received from Christ, as such, be properly called the fulness of Christ, or Christ as in fulness, nor exclude him, so considered, from being our complete Saviour ; for Christ himself to be our light, our life, and Saviour, (z) is so consistent, that without this light we could not know life, nor him to save us from sin or deliver us from darkness, condemnation or wrath to come : and where the least degree or measure of this light and life of Christ

(f) John xvi. l. (u) Mat. xxviii. 18, andxi. 27. John xvii. 2. Heb. ii. 8. (x) John xiv. 23, and xvii. 21, 22, 23, 24, 26. (y) I Cor. xv. 45. Rom. x 7, 8. (z) John i. 4. 9. and iii. 19, 20, and xii. 35, 36, 46, and viii. 12-

APPENDIX.

within is sincerely waited in, followed and obeyed ; there is a blessed increase of light and grace known and felt; as the path of the just it shines more and more, until the perfect day; (a) and thereby a growing in grace, and in the knowledge of God, and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, hath been, and is truly experienced. And this light, life, or spirit of Christ within, (for they are one divine principle,) is sufficient to lead unto all truth ; having in it the divers ministrations both of judgment and mercy, both of law and gospel, even that gospel which is preached in every intelligent creature under heaven : it does not only, as in its first ministration, manifest sin, and reprove and condemn for sin ; but also excites and leads them that believe in it to true repentance ; and thereupon to receive that mercy, pardon, and redemption in Christ Jesus, which he halh obtained for mankind in those gospel terms of faith in his name, true repentance and conversion to Christ, thereby required.

" So that the light and life of the Son of God within, truly obeyed and followed, as being the principle of the second or new covenant, as Christ the light is confessed to be, even as he is the seed or word pf faith in all men, this does not leave men or women, who believe in the light, under the first covenant, nor as the sons of the bond, woman, as the literal Jews were, when gone from the

APPENDIX.

Spirit of God, and his Christ in them ; but it naturally leads them into the new covenant, in the new and living way, and to the adoption of sons, to be children and sons of the freewoman, of Jerusalem from above.

" It is true, that we ought not to lay aside, nor any way to undervalue, but highly to esteem, true preaching and the Holy Scriptures ; and the sincere belief and faith of Christ, as he died for our sins, and rose again for our justification ; together with Christ's inward and spiritual appearance, and work of grace in the soul ; livingly to open the mystery of his death, and perfectly to effect our reconciliation, sanctification, and justification ; and wherever Christ qualifies and calls any to preach and demonstrate the mystery of his coming, death, and resurrection, &c, even among the Gentiles, Christ ought accordingly to be both preached, believed, and received.

" Yet supposing there have been, or are such pious and conscientious Gentiles, in whom Christ was and is as the seed or principle of the second or new covenant, the light, the word of faith, as is granted ; and that such live uprightly and faithfully to that light they have, or, to what is made known of God in them, and who therefore in that state cannot perish, but shall be saved5 as is also confessed ; and suppling these have not the outward advan* tage of preaching, scripture, or thence the knowledge of Christ's outward coming, being outwardly crucified and 15# risen from the dead ; can such, thus considered, be justlj excluded Christianity, or the covenant of grace, as to the virtue, life, and nature thereof, or truly deemed no Christians, or void of any Christian faith in the life and power of the Son of God within, or be only sons of the first covenant, and bond-woman, like the literal outside Jews ; or must all be excluded any true knowledge or faith of Christ within them, unless they have the knowledge of Christ as without them ? No sure ! for that would imply insufficiency in Christ and his light, as within them, and to frustrate God's good end and promise of Christ, and his free and universal love and grace to mankind, in sending his Son. We charitably believe the contrary, that they must have some true faith and interest in Christ and his mediation, because of God's free love in Christ to all mankind and Christ's dying for all men, (&) and being given for a light of the Gentiles, and for salvation to the ends of the earth ; (c) and because of their living up sincerely and faithfully to his light in them — their being pious, conscientious, accepted and saved, as is granted. We cannot reasonably think a sincere, pious, or godly man, wholly void of Christianity, or what nation soever he be, because none can come to God or godliness but by Christ (d) by his light and grace in them : yet we grant if there be such pious, sincere men or women, as have not the scripture or knowledge of Christ, as outwardly crucified,

(6) 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. (c) Isa. xlix. 6. Luke ii. 32. Acts xiii. 47- {d) John xiv. 6.

APPENDIX.

&c. they are not perfect Christians in all perfection, as in all knowledge and understanding, all points of doctrine outward profession of Christ ; so that they are better than they profess or pretend to be ; they are more Jews inward, and Christians inward, than in outward show or profession. These are Christians sincere and perfect in kind or nature, in life and substance, though not in knowledge and understanding. A man or woman having the life and fruits of true Christianity, the fruits of the Spirit of Christ in them, that can talk little thereof, or of creeds, points, or articles of faith, yea many that cannot read letters, yet may be true Christians in spirit and life ; and some could die for Christ, that could not dispute for him ; and even infants that die in innocency, are not excluded the grace of God, or salvation in and by Christ Jesus, the image and nature of the Son of God, being in some measure in them, and they under God's care and special Providence. See Mat xviii. 2. 10.

" And though we had the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and a belief of Christ crucified and risen, &c, we never truly knew the mystery thereof, until we were turned to the light of his grace and spirit within us : we knew not what it was to be reconciled by his death, and saved by his life ; or what it was to know the fellowship of his sufferings, the power of his resurrection, or to be made conformable unto his death3 we knew not, until he opened our eyes, and turned our minds from darkness unto his own divine life and light within us.

APPENDIX.

" Notwithstanding, we do sincerely and greatly value the Holy Scriptures, preaching and teaching of faithful, divinely inspired, gifted, and qualified persons, and ministers of Jesus Christ, as being great outward helps, and instrumental in his hand, and by his spirit, for conversion, where God is pleased to afford those outward helps and means ; as that we neither do nor may oppose the sufficiency of the light or Spirit of Christ within, to such outward helps or means, so as to reject, dis-esteem, or undervalue them ; for they all proceed from the same light and spirit, and tend to turn men's minds thereunto, and all centre therein.

" Nor can the Holy Scriptures or true preaching without, be justly set in opposition to the light or Spirit of God or Christ within ; for his faithful messengers are ministers thereof, being sent to turn people to the same light and spirit in them, Acts xxvi. 18. Rom. xiii. 2. 2 Cor. iv. 6. 1 Pet. ii. 9. 1 Johnii. 8.

" It is certain, that great is the mystery of godliness in ifself, in its own being and excellency : namely, that God should be and was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

tl And it is a great and precious mystery of godliness and Christianity also, that Christ should be spiritually and

APPENDIX.

effectually in men's hearts, to save and deliver them from sin, satan, and bondage of corruption, Christ being thus revealed in true believers, and dwelling in their hearts byfaith, Christ within the hope of glory, our light and life, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 1 Cor. i. 30. And therefore this mystery of godliness, but as in its own being and glory, and also as in men, (in many hid, and in some revealed,) hath been and must be testified, preached, and believed ; where God is pleased to give commission, and prepare people's hearts for the same, and not in man's will.

" Concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the great day of judgment yet to come, beyond the grave, or after death, and Christ's coming without us, to judge the quick and the dead, (as divers questions are put in such terms.) what the Holy Scriptures plainly declare and testify in these matters, we have great reason to credit, and not to question, and have been always ready to embrace, with respect to Christ and his apostles own testimony and prophecies.

" 1. For the doctrine of the resurrection ; if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable, 1 Cor. xv. 19. We sincerely believe, not only a resurrection in Christ from the fallen sinful state here, but a rising and ascending into glory with him hereafter ; that when he at last appears, we may appear with him in glory, Col. iii. 4. 1 John iii. 2.

APPENDIX.

"But that all the wicked who live in rebellion against the light of grace, and die finally impenitent, shall come forth to the resurrection of condemnation.

" And that the soul or spirit of every man and woman shall be reserved in its own distinct and proper being, (so as there shall be as many souls in the world to come as in this,) and every seed, yea every soul shall have its proper body, as God is pleased to give it, 1 Cor. xv. A natural body is sown, a spiritual body is raised ; that being first which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual. And though it is said, this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality ; the change shall be such as flesh and blood cannot inherit the king, dom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Cor. xv. We shall be raised out of all corruption and corruptibility, out of all mortality ; and the children of God and of the resurrection, shall be equal to the angels of God in heaven, (e)

" And as the celestial bodies do far excel terrestrial, so we expect our spiritual bodies in the resurrection shall far excel what our bodies now are ; and we hope that none can justly blame us for thus expecting better bodies than now they are. Howbeit, we esteem it very unnecessary to dispute or question how the dead are raised, or

(e) Mat. xxii. 30. Mark xii. 25. Luke xx. 36.

APPENDIX.

with what body they come : but rather submit that to the wisdom and pleasure of the Almighty God.

2. For the doctrine of eternal judgment :

" God hath committed all judgment unto his Son Jesus Christ, and he is both judge of quick and dead, and of the states and ends of all mankind, John v. 22. 27. Acts x. 42. 2 Tim. iv. 1. 1 Pet. iv. 5.

" That there shall be hereafter a great harvest, which is the end of the world, a great day of judgment, and the judgment of that great day the Holy Scripture is clear, Mat. xiii. 39, 40, 41. ch. x. 15. and xi. 24. Jude 6. " When the Son of Man cometh in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations, &c." Matt. xxv. 31, 32, to the end compared with ch. xxii. 31. Mark viii. 33. Luke ix. 26, and 1 Cor. xv. 52. 2 Thes. i. 7, 8, to the end, and 1 Thes. iv. 16. Rev. xx. 12, 13, 14, 15.

" That this blessed heavenly man, this Son of Man, who hath so deeply suffered and endured so many great indignities and persecutions from his adversaries, both to himself and his members and brethren, should at last, even in the last and great day, signally and manifestly appear in glory and triumph, attended with all his glo-