THe Letter it ſelf was kindly ſent to me from the Governour Leveret, as alſo his Anſwer to it, which was truly Chriſtian that is friendly and heavenly: So that I had thoughts to acquieſce and reſt, &c. But conſidering that I was the principal Mr. Coddington gave fire upon, (both for diſputing and printing) and Governour Leveret but as 〈◊〉 for furthering publiſhing, &c.

2. That the Governour acquainted me with it.

3. That we are commanded (not only to 〈◊〉 but) 〈…〉 the work of the Lord, as not knowing which ſhall proſper, 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 knowing that our labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord. Theſe conſiderations moved me to put my work aged Brain • and fingers to this unpleaſing Task: pleaſing it is not in this ſenſe tha • Pagans, Turks, Jews, and Papiſts laugh and ſtumble at the Controverſies of Proteſtants, (who proteſt and 〈◊〉 againſt them all:) Partly, as Mr. Coddington is my ancient friend at Boſton, (Old and New) and any long kind friend, and Neighbour on Rhode Iſland. But what then? • o a true Child of God All things, our goods, our good works and 〈◊〉 our Friends and lives will be but droſs and 〈◊〉 when once we 〈◊〉 them Competitours with the true Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

On th •• e two Hinges turns Mr. Coddingtons Letter, firſt in angerly chiding the Governour Lever • t for his dealing with the people called Quakers at Boſton moſt unjuſtly▪ 〈◊〉 ungra • e •• lly for New- 〈◊〉 and Old too knows, (I know it) • how great 〈◊〉 Advocate the Governour Leveret (and others) living and dead 〈…〉 to plead for Moderation toward diſſenting Conſciences of Jews and Gentiles, and yet declare, that he and all Governours ought (moderately) to banniſh Incivilities, with which the people call •• Q ••• ers (or Foxians) are defiled, as much as moſt that 〈…〉 Name and worſhip.

〈…〉 hinge on which Mr. Coddingtons Letter tur •• , is a bitter charge on Governour Leveret for his furthering the publication of my poor Narrative of tranſactions between the Quakers and my ſelf.

The Governours Anſwer was truly Chriſtian▪ to this effect, viz. that the Narrative conteined a vindication of many excellent Truths of Chriſt Ieſus; and therefore, the particulars concern my ſelf, to which I humbly (before God Angels and men) ſay as followeth.

Firſt, Mr. Coddington goes on in the ſame bruitiſh Tract that Fox and moſt of them run in, viz a ſimple kind of reviling▪ viz. Lyes Lyes, Slaunders, Slaunders, (like poor Children and Scolds &c:) Thus moſt notoriouſly, doth G. Fox conclude moſt of his Anſwers to ſo many heavenly Pens in his Folio books, viz. [And as to the reſt of thy Lyes and Slanders they are not worth the mentioning] And thus deals Mr. Coddington (childiſhly and clamorouſly) againſt me thus clamoring, viz. a moſt ſlanderous lying book, a bundle of lyes, a book full of lyes: horrible impudence! to invent ſo many lyes and preſent them to the K. of England, (good manners would have taught him to have ſaid at leaſt our Royal Soveraign, &c.) And except he had ſold himſelf to do wickedly he had never uttered ſo many abominable lyes.

To theſe in general I Anſwer, what ſober ſoul (not intoxicate with the bloody Cu • of the Whore of Rome who is drunk with the blood of Saints) but will proclaim that oftentimes the whore like Potiphars wiſe cryes out whore firſt! though the accuſed Joſeph will be found heavenly chaſt, from theſe whoriſh Lights and worſhip, which will be found (with their worſhippers) all the world over in Gods moſt holy ſeaſon but Children of the Father of lyes the Devil.

But to particulars, he ſaith it is a lye, that I ſaid that G. • . slily 〈◊〉 , when ſaith he, he was never preſent, I ſay, who ever reads this, will ſee (eſpecially in my Narrative) that G. F. by Letters, by Relations, by Copies of my fourteen propoſals, knew all matters perfectly, and they kept my Letters ſent to the Dep. Governour Cra • ſton, (in which Letters my fourteen Propoſals to G. F. were) as the Deputy openly teſtified until G. F. was two or three hours under Sail, that it might be ſaid, that G. F. never ſaw the 〈◊〉 I ſent of my fourteen Propoſals to him. This buſineſs o • G. F. 〈◊〉 p • r • fectly informed of my offer of diſpute on thoſe fourteen • ropoſals and of his deliberate withdrawing (or running) is for apparent (as 〈◊〉 made clear in my Narrative) that he that ſhall deny 〈◊〉 moſt deny that he himſelf hath any breath or life, or is a man 〈…〉

2 Mr. Coddington ſaith that the firſt day of our diſpute at Newport was ſpent in examining whether any would ſubſcribe to my fourteen Poſitions, but they were found ſo groſs that none would ſub • ſcribe to them.

But why doth Mr. Coddington forget theſe two things, Firſt, that the firſt day was ſpent (mainly and chiefly after ſome preparations) in the examination of a true and falſe Quaker as appears in my Narrative. 2. (and conſequently) that many ſpake as my brother Robert Williams, Thomas Ward, Richard Ba • l •• , William Hichcock, againſt the monopolizing of Civil and Chriſtian Liberty, viz. that none ſhould ſpeak to any point except they would ſubſcribe to my fourteen propoſitions.

Mr. Coddington ſaith that theſe propoſitions were ſo groſs that none would ſubſcribe to them.

Anſw. What then? if I never offered them to any one Soul to ſubſcribe to them?

2. If they were ſo ſudden ſo ſtrange, and high, and unexpected, that my brother (as it is in print) thought I charged too deep &c.

But 3. What were my charges to this that Spaniſh Inquiſition that none muſt ſpeak or object, or query, e • cept he ſubſcribe to my propoſals? doth not this juſtifie the Popiſh, and Epiſcopal ſubſcriptions, and proclaim that the Papiſts and Foxians are all one in their ſnares and Engines of ſubſcription, which my brother Robert Williams in his Lette • proves from ſome propoſitions of the Biſhops at Lambeth, ſhewing more moderation then pretended Quakers at Rhode Iſland.

The third Lye Mr. Coddington faſtens on me is that I ſhould acknowledge that John Burnet ſpake in his publick ſpeech or Sermon) many excellent Truths of God, and that afterwards I denyed them.

This Charge hath reference (or may) to twelve diſtinct times and 〈…〉 of m • ne to their General Aſſembly were I ſpake ſol • mnly that John Burnet had ſpoke many holy Truths of God 〈…〉 alſo propoſed many Queries whether their Spirit was the true 〈…〉 God by which they ſpa • e then and whether their Chriſt was 〈…〉 Lord Jeſus Chriſt? which ſhews my approbation of 〈…〉 , but alſo my witneſs againſt their falſe application of them 〈◊〉 had gone on in preſſing thoſe Queries had not the prayers of th • Governours wife, and the ſinging of Henry Nic • ols, and the 〈…〉 and diſſolving of the meeting by John Burnet, 〈…〉 proceedings.

〈…〉 me off from their general meeting I reſolved (by Gods help) to aſſault this Camp of Anti-Chriſtian • to wit by off • r • ng to G. F. and all their Apoſtles a ſolemn diſpute upon fourteen propoſals. In this diſpute Wil • iam 〈◊〉 fell upon (contrary to the order of an equal diſpute • a large Sermon of ſpeech to the people, of about an hour long. John Stubs followed him▪ and afterward John Burnet, who ſpake beſt as to Repentance, in general, and turning unto God, and yet I ſaid, although he had delivered many heavenly general Truths: yet he had ſaid no more then he might have ſaid before the Pope and the Cardinals in the Popes Chappel at Rome, whereas if matters come to be examined what true Repentance and Faith is▪ it will then be ſeen what the holy Truth of God is, and what the deſtroying juglings and Lyes of Satan are.

4 Mr. Coddingtons fourth particular Charge againſt me is, that I lyed in ſaying that the firſt day of our diſpute at Newport was 〈◊〉 Eclipſe of the Sun which I applied to the Foxians Eclipſing the Sun of Righteouſneſs, and to his glorious breaking forth in his primitive and Eternal Truth at laſt, I know not the meaning or ſenſe of this Lye charged on me▪ for he confeſſeth there was an Eclipſe) as I affirm) only he ſaith there was a Thunder before it (which who denyes?) Only Mr. Coddingtons Application▪ in oppoſition to mine) Let every Soul judge in the preſence of Jehovah, who hath and will decide the Difference to Eternity.

A fifth Lye charged on me is, that as I abuſed G. F. ſo I abuſed the Original which John Stub • (in effect) reproved me in, and I ac • knowledged my errour.

Anſw. I do not think that John Stub • (I hear gone to the pit of 〈◊〉 and I am going) would have ſaid ſo much: For the ninth of Iſai▪ which he quoted to prove that Chriſt was God, (which I no • no true Proteſtant denies) I perceived was quoted in der • gation to his true Manhood, (which was then in Agitation:) and therefor • though I granted that Chriſt Jeſus was an Everlaſting Father (as he was God) yet • alleadged the thoughts of many excellent, holy, an • learned men, that the word Everlaſting Father 〈◊〉 in the Hebrew [ 〈◊〉 ] did but ſ • gnifie Pater •• culi the Father of an Age or Ages ſignifying the propagation of and Succeſſion of true Believers or followers of Jeſus to the worlds end.

John Stubs only ſaid that ſome ſaid it ſignified Pat • r Eternitat •• Fa • ther of Eternity, which I denied not (as to the God ••• d of the Lord Jeſus) but that it ſignified not ſo in this place, and 〈◊〉 it did not e • clude his Humanity, as the poor Souls the 〈…〉 at.

My ſixth Lye is, that I denyed that Moſes 〈…〉 John S • ub • produced Heb. 12.

I ſay it is not rational, that I ſhould deny Moſes, or David, or Ha • akk • ks, or Daniels trembling only I denyed that the Quakers trembling now in queſtion is ſuch a Quaking as theirs was, but is only an external and notoriouſly cheating, Quaking, inſtead of true Chriſtian trembling.

Unto theſe he addeth a Story, that Anthony Cook came to Providence to diſpute with me but that I waved him and ſaid, come let us gather Apples; The truth is, it is a ſilly and ridiculous paſſage, for it pleaſing God to burn and break to pieces Mr. Scots houſe and Fence, (who was the great entertainer of the Quakers againſt his wives Conſcience, no ſmall perſecution, though one of them formerly and a ſufferer) my Lot being next, was open to all ſpoyle by Reaſon of Mr. Scots defect: the Governour Clerk in Mr. Scots name agreed with me to make up all the Fences, and look to the Orchard, and gather the fruit, and to have the half, I did ſo, and the Governour coming to Town with Mr. John Eaſton, Chriſtopher Hol • sworth, Mr. Joſeph Bria • , and others coming into the Orchard and gathering what they pleaſed: My ſelf and my Indian were intent and careful to gather Apples (what I could in haſt) for Governour Clerk (who requeſted me &c.) going away ſpeedily, amongſt others whom I knew, a ſtranger • it ſeems one Arthur Cook asked me why I would write a book againſt innocent people called Quakers, I remember • ſaid to this purpoſe that every body was a Chriſtian, every body was Innocent in their own eyes, and it is poſſible I might ſay to my Indian, let us gather, or make haſte but that I ſhould avoid diſpute with Arthur Cook, or all of them (in ſeaſon or out of ſea • on) is not to be imagined, conſidering what I have done already, and what (through the help of the true Lord Jeſus) I reſolve to do while I have breath to draw or a pen and hand to handle it.

2. Mr. C • ddington ſaith Roger Williams his hands are bound, but he perſecuted 〈◊〉 his Tongue▪ &c.

I Anſwer▪ it is true, there is a perſecution with the Tongue, the Tongue is 〈◊〉 Arrows, a Sword, a Viper, a fire from Hell, &c. but is there not alſ • a juſt Reproof? Rebuke them ſharply, Tit. 1. Anſwer a • ool accor • ing to • is folly, &c. Only we muſt be ſure that our lips be opened 〈◊〉 our pens employed by the Father of Lights, and not by the 〈…〉 Light within ourſelves, which will end in Eternal 〈◊〉

3. Mr. Coddington ſaith that he hath the Word of two Majors in this Country the one of Major Winſlow now Governour of Plymouth Co • ony, who ſaith▪ Mr. Coddington after he had heard Iohn Burnet ſpeak at or about Marsfield, he ſaid, he had never heard ſo much of the Goſpel in all his life: the ſecond is of Major Cra • ſton Dep. Governour of Rhode Iſland, &c. who ſaid after our diſputations (as Mr. Coddington ſaith) that he was glad he heard ſo much, and he was ſatisfied: To which I ſay, what is this to the Truth? if all the Majors and Governours, Princes, Kings and Emperors of the world agree upon an Opinion, Verdict, Sentence, or Decree, may not Pete • a poor Fiſherman, and Paul a poor Tent-maker overturn them all? yea, a poor lad or Handmaid bringing one holy Scripture for evidence?

But 2. I have many Arguments to perſwade me that both the Governour Winſlow & Dep. Governour Cra • ſton are far from approving their Impieties & Incivilities▪ eſpecially that monſtrous practice of their Womens and maidens ſtark nakedneſs, which might make each religious or ſober Spirit to abhor that Spirit which dictates and guides theſe Unchriſtian, Inhumane, Unwomanly, and loathsome practices.

I have humbly (in the preſence of the Eternal, All-ſeeing Eye) preſented my Apology for my ſelf againſt Mr. Coddingtons charges of Lyes, Lyes, Slaunders, &c. I end with a few queſtions friendly propounded to Mr. Coddington.

1. Will he deny what his Eyes and Ears have ſeen and heard in this buſineſs I Hath he not ſeen me (I know by the power of Chriſt Ieſus whoſe is all power in Heaven and Earth a poor old Creature ſtand up alone againſt them all together in the flouriſhing of their Teachers and Profeſſions of Earthly power about them, &c.

2. Hath he not heard me abuſed with the Terms of th •• Old man, Old man, till for ſhame they left it?

3. Hath • e not heard me ſay that one Woman as well as another, and all the Women in that Aſſembly might ſtrip themſelves naked at noon day to the horror of all mankind if ſuch a perſwaſion come upon them?

4. Was there not liberty for William Harris, William 〈◊〉 and others to ſpeak freely for the Quakers, but not my 〈…〉 Mr. Hitchcock, nor Mr. Ward, &c. might have the 〈…〉 but ſome were threatned with the Conſtable, &c?

5. Hath not his Ears heard that when I produced a great many of G. Foxes words, and deſired to apply, that all of them and eſpecially W. Edmundſon ſtopt my mouth with [Let G. Fox his words alone, &c.] and ſo bruitiſhly ſtopt all my proofs, which can not be ſtopt, though Heaven and Earth periſh.

6. Did not Mr. Coddingtons Ears hear me and others often complain of Interruptions, when Iohn Stubs profeſſed thrice I had not interrupted them, though ſome had: and that when W. Edmundſon began his firſt Sermon, and the reſt followed, and I deſired to ſpeak after their long ſpeeches or Sermons: yet then I was ſtopt, and ſometime • ſo groſsly by W. Edmundſon that Major Cra • ſton was forced to ſay out of the Gallery) let the man ſpeak, let him have liberty to make out his matter? &c.

7. Did not Mr. Coddington ſenſibly (to all mens view) rejoice when I offered to diſpatch the five remaining points [remaining at N • w • ort] in five quarters of an hour, which I had performed exactly had not the impatiences of my opposites interrupted me, and yet I was not much above my time, though if I had, my Oppoſites interpoſings only were the cauſe of it?

8. Did not Mr. Coddingtons Eyes ſee and Ears hear that from the beginning to the end of three dayes diſpute at Newport I never gave them a reviling paſſionate, or reproachful word, but drew them gen • l • • n to de • ate the Matter, incumbent and proper to us with 〈◊〉 and patience. Did not Mr. Coddingtons Ears hear in the cloſe of the three dayes • t Newp • rt a woman [Eliz. Williams now with God in Heaven] ſay aloud, [The man hath made good 〈…〉 undertook again • t you, and the words that he hath ſpoken ſhal • 〈…〉 the last 〈◊〉 ?

More I might inferr to Mr Coddingtons very ſence, but I paſs on • nother queſtion, What ſhould be the Reaſon that [1 Ioh. 2.13.] Gods 〈◊〉 ſh • uld ſay, • f any man love this world, or the things in this world▪ 〈…〉 not in him.

〈…〉 to be ſo high a Saint [above the Biſhops, 〈…〉 , ab • ve the In • ependants, above the Baptiſts 〈…〉 in mens 〈◊〉 loves the World exceedingly, and the 〈…〉 world 〈…〉 life, ever ſince he came to 〈…〉 hath 〈…〉 Mr Coddington he is an hard man, a 〈…〉 man 〈…〉 Rh • de Iſland how many • nſtances come 〈…〉 have 〈…〉 of Mr. Codding. a worldly man, a self 〈…〉 for publick but all for himſelf and private.

I will not mention particulars at Portsmouth & Newport, of which I have told him as I had opportunity, but I will only remember him of ſome Covetous and Unchriſtian paſſages during the late bloody 〈◊〉 amongſt us, and his high profeſſion of a Quaker,

1. A conſiderable company of Providence people fled to Rhode Iſland, their Houſes here, their Forts, their Fences burnt up, and much if not moſt of their Cattel deſtroyed: they obteined leave of the Government at Newport to incloſe a piece of the Common to get Corn, &c. They inclo ••• and ſent two men (thought to be acceptable with Mr. Coddington) to pray his favour to make uſe of ſ • me of his windf • ll Trees (which lay by them) for two gates▪ (that all might paſs throu •• ▪ &c.) But Mr. Coddington (who had never had a foot on Rhode Iſland but by one man of Providence his means) now abounding with Land and Trees, turns theſe poor Providence diſtreſſed Souls off with a denyal, viz except they would gratify his worldly ſelfiſh ends and conditions, which their grieved Souls (coſidering the moſt unſeaſonable Covetouſneſs of them) turned away with grief, and made ſome other ſhifts which God provided for them:

2. Again, when Providence men had broken up the Land, and planted the firſt year, and hoped to reap a ſecond Crop [which we all know to be the better] Mr. Coddington for his own private end ſhewed himſelf a Mole-rooting in the Earth, and would not give way to it.

3. I could name many Instances of elder and later date: One I will further particularize: A poor man came to Mr. Coddington in theſe late bloody diſtreſſes, and offers to buy a Bushel of Corn for his poor Wife and Children in great want, &c. Mr. Coddington though abounding, &c. would not let this poor Soul have a Buſhel, except he would pay him a weeks work for it, which it is ſaid the poor man was forced to give him. Alas▪ what doth the Pope, Cardinals, Jeſuits, Biſhops, Doctors, Presbyters, Independants, Baptiſts, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Chriſtian name, and new and old-England talk of • eligion? How many thouſands will this holy Scriptu •• un • a • e, unmask & diſcover? Love not this world, nor the things that are 〈…〉 World, if any man love this World, the love of the father is not 〈…〉 How doth Paul (by the true Spirit of God) tell us, that 〈…〉 of ſuch a ſtinking 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 not to 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 .

〈◊〉 not 〈…〉 Spirit of God 〈…〉 cry out, Is 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 do 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 Enmity with God, whoſoever therefore 〈…〉 Enemy to God. Few among thouſands will 〈◊〉 they are 〈◊〉 Adulterers. Enemies to God, but our 〈…〉 diſcover 〈◊〉 at laſt (what e're our pretences be) to our own Souls, and the 〈◊〉 and Conſciences of all men: Oh let not Mr. 〈…〉 perſecution of the Tongue, with which his whole Letter 〈…〉 and ſour'd, while he imputes it only to R. W. and let him not forget his cutting Letter to Mr. Sellingham, and his damning of him Body and Soul (after his Soul was I hope in 〈…〉 , and his Body at reſt in his grave. I would 〈◊〉 Mr. Coddington to bring forth thoſe printed Letters which were printed at London for him, and ſent him over, and he hath them by him, or hath burned them, or keep • them for a day to come, wherein let his perſecuting & damning Tongue (and the perſecuting damning Tongues and Pens of the Quakers be ſet theirs & mine, the one againſt the other, and let it be ſeen whither I raile & ſcold with crying out Lyes, Lyes, Bundles of Lyes, &c. yea, whether I damn the Bodies and Souls of all my 〈◊〉 , and though I ſometimes reprove ſharply, (ſometimes) as the holy Spirit pr • cticeth and commandeth in Scripture▪ yet whether I tender not the perſons of mine Oppoſites, pity them, and pray for the deſtruction of their ſins only, but the ſalvation of their precious Souls and Bodies alſo. Let it be ſeen whether I damn all the Saints that ever were, are, or ſhall be that are not of my opinion, as G. F. and moſt of them that ſpeak and write for their • pinion do?