miscalled the "Christian Observer," and I think, the "Christian Pilot." I heed them not. It is the cause of the hirelings they support; and I know, however smooth, however specious, however righteous, they may appear either in their own eyes, or the eyes of others, that they will "flee when the wolf cometh, because they are hirelings;" and that their foundation is rotten and unstable to the very core, because it is founded not in "the power of God, but in the wisdom of man." A few words more, upon a report in circulation, and once again I send forth this little volume under the title of "The Truth Vindicated." It has been said, that the writer is not a "Member of the Society of Friends," as though Truth depended upon the mere external recognition of outward fellowship amongst men. Let me tell those who attempt to depreciate the Truth, as it appears in these pages, by so unworthy a stratagem, that although the writer may have wandered from the Truth, the Truth may not have wandered from him; that, though he may have left the fold, and gone far and wide astray, still the Shepherd of Israel may have sought him amongst the valleys and the mountains; that, though he may have fed with the swine upon the husks, he may still remember, with a grateful and penitent heart, the good things he had tasted at his Father's table; and that, though, like Peter, he may even have denied his Lord, he might still be addressed with the language of "feed my sheep." Be it, however, as it may, I do not feel at liberty either to acknowledge or deny the truth of this statement. The principles of "Friends," the principles of Truth, the principles of Christianity are herein advocated and upheld; and it matters nought, in reference to the real nature of those principles themselves, whether he who thus anonymously defends them, be a nominal Friend or not. Common sense appears to me of itself sufficient to show us, that neither religious, moral, nor physical truth rests on so narrow a basis, as the mere external acknowledgment of membership; and although it is a form innocent in itself, and, doubtless, attended with many advantages, yet we should be extremely cautious lest that which was at first instituted for the clearing of Truth from false charges, in the recog nition of sin and error, should be converted into a source of empty pride, or an invidious and altogether unchristian dis tinction. To the great searcher of all hearts, to the only ordainer of all true ministers, is only known, how far, as a people, the "Society of Friends" have been faithful to the testimonies given to them to bear. Whether through fear or worldly-mindedness they have shunned "to declare the whole counsel of God;" or whether Almighty Wisdom has not of late years seen meet to qualify any of his servants, conspicuously to bear these testimonies to the world; yet sure I am, that unless his Holy Spirit, move upon the waters, man's earthy heart will be "without form and void, and darkness upon the face of the deep." "As ye have therefore," beloved, "received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." Col. ii. 6—10. THE Page 1 2 3 The Society of Friends, how far implicated in this book "Extracts from Periodical Works," and their tendency Fatal consequences to the Society of Friends, if the opinions promulgated in the " Beacon" be imbibed Scriptures considered as an auxiliary by the early Friends Scripture; just weight and authority of The Divinity and all-sufficiency of Christ, and the just au- thority of Holy Writ testified to by the ministers of the Circumstances under which we may be justified in placing evil before each other ∞ Young Friends recommended to make themselves acquainted with the doctrines, lives, and labours of the early Friends Page 8 9 Controversy not the chief means of eradicating, but of pro moting, error An appeal to another testimony, as well as Scripture, as to what is the whole duty of man The "Word of God," not the Scripture, but He who was in the beginning with God" 10 11 12 14 The Scripture applies the term to, not itself, but to Him who was "clothed in a vesture dipped in blood" Reasons of publishing anonymously CHAPTER II. Artful manner in which the Society is attacked by its opponents under a disguise of flattery This duplicity exposed and condemned 16 17 Religious "peculiarity" vindicated, as the necessary dis- 18 18 The observances of formality to be distinguished from those of principle Wherein do all religious" sects" differ between themselves, but by their several " peculiarities?" The term "sect" disowned by Friends, there being nothing sectarian or exclusive in the universal love of God The "peculiarites" of Friends explained and defended by Contrasted with various religious observances of others Vindicated by the example of faithful and persecuted followers of Christ, against whom the pride of man hath always warred Gospel ministers of Divine appointment only, and not of Both compulsory, and, falsely so called, voluntary PAY- 26 A call to faithfulness under the exercise of searching temp tation The beauty and excellence of spiritual silent worship set Ministers of human appointment no part of the Gospel; Pecuniary corruption in the Church wholly at variance with A free ministry powerfully recommended by the lively example and precept of the Apostle Paul Riches, the "impedimenta virtutis," especial stumbling blocks in the Christian's path All swearing totally forbidden by clear and absolute Gospel authority 36 A peaceable profession and practice are genuine characte- 36 37 The servile use of flattering titles inconsistent with the character of Brethren in Christ 38 39 “Unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers,” reproved 40 41 |