EMINENCE OF THE APOSTLES; it discriminates little or not at all between what was spoken or promised to them exclusively, and what is equally appropriate to all believers; it seems to assume that miracles and inspiration (the latter necessarily) were not all confined to the first century, or merely adapted to the initials of the last and most perfect dispensation, and so having performed their office and fully accomplished the cause which they were given to subserve, have passed away with the occasion that required them; while vital religion, quite another thing, reaps the perpetual harvest of their usefulness, and flourishes without their repetition. It implies that those things are revealed for imitation, rather than faith.

But let us reason the case. The apostles wrought miracles, and for this they were expressly trained by their Master. Directions, prohibitions, and promises of a peculiar nature, were hence propounded for them. If the Quakers are just as much inspired, then indeed all the furniture above referred to is equally their own. But mind! all or none is the word. For, if some and not all appertains to them, then there must be discrimination; then it is not enough to show what is written in the scriptures, as having been spoken to the apostolic disciples, since the passages may refer to them alone; then it may be delusion and sin for Friends to apply, as they do, to themselves, whatever was said to the apostles. If however all, saving mere local circumstances, appertains to them, then let us see them dispose of such passages as these, which, if not

confined to the persons of the apostles, are confined wholly to the age of the apostles. "And these signs," &c. Mark, 16: 17, 18. Luke, 17: 5, 6. This last, we think, respects the faith of miracles alone; or the faith necessary to work a miracle; and which it behoved them to understand, who were soon to be put upon that perilous service in the sight of maddened adversaries. Mark, 13:11. Such passages abound in the New Testament and afford a fine paradise for sincere visionaries. The Friends, those of them who are not degenerate formalists and nothingarians, are distinguished for this devout insanity; though they are not alone in its fits and excesses. It has been the partial and occasional error of millions of christians, who have in general avoided it. Ultimately, it is in principle the very thronal error of the papacy. The fact is, THE APOSTLES, AS SUCH, HAD NO SUCCESSORS; SUPERSEDED often, they have been SUCCEEDED never; while the assumption of apostolical powers, apostolical derivation, and apostolical succession, in this style of feudal reasoning and military commission and romanizing pride, has been the bane of visible christianity since the apostles "fell asleep." It were well if an assumption so ignorant and criminal had been totally confined to the pale of the papacy. For one I am as much opposed as Barclay, to an earthly politico-ecclesiastical hierarchy; but, while I see this shameful error at the very basis of many organized corruptions, I can see the same principle, a little spiritualized and of a more tranquil aspect, arrogating the commission and the honors of the

apostles of the Lamb, in the persons of Barclay and his associates, his predecessors and successors of the foxian school, for nearly two centuries. It is enough for sober christians to belong to a church whose profession is pure, whose officers are "sound in the faith," and whose practice is humbly in coincidence; enough to be "built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord; in whom they also are builded together, for a habitation of God through the Spirit." To these foundations of divine sanction and certain immovability, the christian of intelligence would be very sorry to add, "and built also upon George Fox, Robert Barclay, Sarah Grubb, and a thousand other prophets and prophetesses, who have been recently commissioned and inspired, exactly as were Moses and Isaiah, Matthew and Paul, and all the other writers of the holy scripture!" It is however much more evident that the whole massive structure of Quakerism rests on Fox, Barclay, and others, than that it touches "the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." Wo be to it, if it be found in eternity not on this foundation! "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ!" "For their rock is not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

As to the way in which Friends manage to resist the appeal; Why do you not pluck up trees by the roots and transport them into the midst of the ant

arctic ocean; why do you not take up venomous serpents and fondle them with impunity; why not drink poison or other deadly thing without prejudice to health? Their way of rejoinder we know, having often listened to the responses of the oracle within, on that article: "Why, dear Friends, it is plain to the vision of my mind that nothing is wanting but faith. The Almighty is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Be it unto Be it unto you according to your faith. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. His hand is not shortened, nor his ear heavy: he can both hear and save. But where is your faith? Alas! in what days do we live?" True! degenerate times. Not a soul to be found on the earth who can, for example, transport the Alleghany mountains one mile to the east of their present lodgment, or. even remove a bramble bush that grows on its breast six inches from the position of its local obstinacy. No faith to be found! And what is to become of us all! He that believeth not, said the Savior, shall be damned!

Who can doubt the necessity that preachers of religion should be apt to teach? who can knowingly approve of those, whose à priori illusion, resulting from its parent illusion of "inward objective manifestations in the heart," so metamorphoses and mangles the doctrine of Christ? and at the same time removes them, (instead of the mountains,) to the very antipodes of sober sense? The Spirit of God denounces those busy teachers, who need themselves to be taught; "understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm!" Now, as they

assert when they answer, I shall just take the same liberty; and assert that their light is darkness, their confidence confusion, and their solution utterly ignorant and utterly false! The reason is-that what was said to the apostles, as such, and all that related to THEIR working of miracles, is FORMALLY APPLICABLE TO THEM ALONE, and of use to us only in a way of instruction, advertisement, and sober accommodation. Other sayings of God apply to us, and are objects of faith to christians of our age; our want of faith, toward objects that properly relate to us, may be rebuked by what was said to apostles in other relations and this is what I mean by the use of sober accommodation under the guidance of the great moral truths of christianity. Faith is indeed sufficiently and quite criminally infirm, even in true christians; but if we were all as destitute of it, as we are of all attained or attainable power to remove trees and mountains, the plain consequence were that no true church exists on the earth, and we shall all perish for ever! Let them father the consequence, who hold the doctrine! and let every Friend, who cannot perform these prodigies, "examine himself whether he be in the faith!"-for I can inform him that it is possible to be a true christian without them: and more, that " many will say to Christ in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will he profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me ye that work iniquity." Judas may head this forlorn company, as their "chief speaker;" for