Part 1

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AN APOLOGY FOR THE True Christian Divinity,

BEING AN EXPLANATION and VINDICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES and DOCTRINES Of the PEOPLE called _QUAKERS_.

Written in LATIN and ENGLISH By _ROBERT BARCLAY_, And since translated into HIGH DUTCH, LOW DUTCH, FRENCH, and SPANISH, for the Information of Strangers.

The EIGHTH EDITION in _ENGLISH_.

_BIRMINGHAM_; Printed by JOHN BASKERVILLE, and sold by the Booksellers of LONDON and WESTMINSTER. M DCC LXV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION To Charles II King of Great Britain. _R. B._ Unto the Friendly Reader wisheth Salvation. THESES THEOLOGICÆ. To the Clergy. i.

PROPOSITION I. 1 Concerning the true FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE.

PROPOSITION II. 4 Of IMMEDIATE REVELATION.

PROPOSITION III. 48 Concerning the SCRIPTURES.

PROPOSITION IV. 73 Concerning the Condition of MAN in the FALL.

PROPOSITIONS V. & VI. 86 Concerning the UNIVERSAL REDEMPTION by CHRIST. Concerning the SAVING and SPIRITUAL LIGHT, wherewith every Man is enlightened.

PROPOSITION VII. 164 Concerning JUSTIFICATION.

PROPOSITION VIII. 204 Concerning PERFECTION.

PROPOSITION IX. 224 Concerning PERSEVERANCE, and the Possibility of FALLING from GRACE.

PROPOSITION X. 231 Concerning the MINISTRY.

PROPOSITION XI. 296 Concerning WORSHIP.

PROPOSITION XII. 355 Concerning BAPTISM.

PROPOSITION XIII. 388 Concerning the COMMUNION, or PARTICIPATION of the BODY and BLOOD of CHRIST.

PROPOSITION XIV. 425 Concerning the POWER of the CIVIL MAGISTRATE in Matters Purely RELIGIOUS, and pertaining to the CONSCIENCE.

PROPOSITION XV. 449 Concerning SALUTATIONS and RECREATIONS _&c._

THE CONCLUSION. 502

INDEX _A TABLE of the AUTHORS cited in this BOOK._ _A TABLE of the CHIEF THINGS._

ERRATA.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE.

TO

_CHARLES_ II.

KING

OF

GREAT BRITAIN,

And the _Dominions_ thereunto belonging:

_ROBERT BARCLAY_,

_A Servant of JESUS CHRIST, called of GOD to the Dispensation of the _Gospel_ now again revealed, and, after a long and dark Night of _Apostasy_, commanded to be preached to all NATIONS, _wisheth Health and Salvation.

As the Condition of Kings and Princes puts Them in a Station more obvious to the View and Observation of the World than that of other Men, of whom, as _Cicero_ observes, neither any Word or Action can be obscure; so are those Kings, during whose Appearance upon the Stage of this World it pleaseth the GREAT KING of _Kings_ singularly to make known unto Men the wonderful Steps of His _unsearchable Providence_, more signally observed, and their Lives and Actions more diligently remarked, and enquired into by Posterity; especially if those Things be such as not only relate to the outward Transactions of this World, but also are signalized by the Manifestation or Revelation of the Knowledge of God in Matters spiritual and religious. These are the Things that rendered the Lives of _Cyrus_, _Augustus Cæsar_, and _Constantine_ the Great, in former Times, and of _Charles_ the Fifth, and some other modern Princes in these last Ages, so considerable.

But among all the Transactions which it hath pleased God to permit, for the Glory of His Power, and the Manifestation of His Wisdom and Providence, no Age furnisheth us with Things so _strange_ and _marvellous_, whether with Respect to Matters civil or religious, as these that have fallen out within the Compass of Thy Time; who, though Thou be not yet arrived at the Fiftieth Year of thy Age, hast yet been a Witness of stranger Things than many Ages before produced. So that whether we respect those various Troubles wherein Thou foundest Thyself engaged while scarce got out of Thy Infancy; the many different Afflictions, wherewith Men of Thy Circumstances are often unacquainted; the strange and unparalleled Fortune that befel Thy Father; Thy own narrow Escape, and Banishment following thereupon, with the great Improbability of Thy ever returning, at least without very much Pains and tedious Combatings; or finally, the Incapacity Thou wert under to accomplish such a Design; considering the Strength of those that had possessed themselves of Thy Throne, and the Terror they had inflicted upon foreign States; and yet that, after all this, Thou shouldest be restored without Stroke of Sword, the Help or Assistance of foreign States, or the Contrivance and Work of human Policy; all these do sufficiently declare that it is the _Lord’s Doing_, which, as it is marvellous in our Eyes, so it will justly be a Matter of Wonder and Astonishment to Generations to come; and may sufficiently serve, if rightly observed, to confute and confound that _Atheism_ wherewith this Age doth so much abound.

As the Vindication of the _Liberty of Conscience_ (which Thy Father, by giving Way to the importunate Clamours of the _Clergy_, the Answering and Fulfilling of whose unrighteous Wills has often proved hurtful and pernicious to Princes, sought in some Part to restrain) was a great Occasion of those Troubles and Revolutions; so the Pretence of _Conscience_ was that which carried it on, and brought it to that Pitch it came to. And though no Doubt some that were engaged in that Work designed good Things, at least in the Beginning, albeit always wrong in the Manner they took to accomplish it, _viz._ by carnal Weapons; yet so soon as they had tasted the Sweets of the Possessions of them they had turned out, they quickly began to do those Things themselves for which they had accused others. For their Hands were found full of Oppression, and _they hated the Reproof of Instruction, which is the Way of Life_; and they evilly intreated the Messengers of the Lord, and caused his Prophets to be beaten and imprisoned, and persecuted his People, whom he had called and gathered out from among them, whom he had made to beat their _Swords into Plow-shares, and their Spears into Pruning-hooks_, and not to learn _carnal War_ any more: But he raised them up, and armed them with _spiritual Weapons_, even with his own Spirit and Power, whereby they testified in the Streets and High-ways, and publick Markets and Synagogues, against the _Pride_, _Vanity_, _Lusts_, and _Hypocrisy_ of that Generation, who were righteous in their own Eyes; though often cruelly intreated therefore: And they faithfully prophesied and foretold them of their judgment and Downfal, which came upon them; as by several Warnings and Epistles, delivered to _Oliver_ and _Richard Cromwell_, the _Parliament_, and other then _Powers_, yet upon Record, doth appear.

And after it pleased God to restore Thee, what Oppressions, what Banishments, and evil Intreatings they have met with, by Men pretending Thy Authority, and cloaking their Mischief with Thy Name, is known to most Men in this Island; especially in _England_, where there is scarce a Prison that hath not been filled with them, nor a Judge before whom they have not been haled; _though they could never yet be found guilty_ of any Thing that might deserve that Usage. Therefore the Sense of their Innocency did no Doubt greatly contribute to move thee, three Years ago, to cause some Hundreds of them to be set at Liberty: For indeed their Sufferings are singular, and obviously distinguishable from all the rest of such as live under Thee in these two Respects.

First, _In that among all the Plots contrived by others against Thee, since Thy Return into _Britain_, there was never any, owned of that People, found or known to be guilty, _(though many of them have been taken and imprisoned upon such Kind of Jealousies)_ but were always found innocent and harmless, _as became the Followers of Christ_ not coveting after, nor contending for the Kingdoms of this World, but subject to every Ordinance of Man, for Conscience Sake_.

Secondly, _In that in the hottest Times of Persecution, and the most violent Prosecution of those Laws made against Meetings, _being clothed with Innocency_, they have boldly stood to their Testimony for God, without creeping into Holes or Corners, or once hiding themselves, _as all other Dissenters have done_; but daily met, according to their Custom, in the publick Places appointed for that End; _so that none of Thy Officers can say of them_, That they have surprized them in a Corner, overtaken them in a private Conventicle, or catched them lurking in their secret Chambers; nor needed they to send out Spies to get them, whom they were sure daily to find in their open Assemblies, testifying for God and His Truth_.

By which those who have an Eye to see, may observe their Christian Patience and Courage, Constancy and Suffering joined in one, more than in any other People that differ from them, or oppose them. And yet, in the midst of those Troubles, Thou canst bear Witness, that as on the one Part, they never sought to detract from Thee, or to render Thee and Thy Government odious to the People, by nameless and scandalous Pamphlets and Libels; so on the other Hand they have not spared to admonish, exhort, and reprove Thee; and have faithfully discharged their Consciences towards Thee, without flattering Words, as ever the true Prophets in ancient Times used to do to those Kings and Princes, under whose Power Violence and Oppression was acted.

And although it is evident by Experience to be most agreeable both to divine Truth, and human Policy, to allow every one to serve God according to their Consciences; nevertheless those other Sects, who for the most Part durst not peep out in the Times of Persecution, while these innocent People stood bold and faithful, do now combine in a joint Confederacy, notwithstanding all the Former Janglings and Contentions among themselves, to render us odious; seeking unjustly to wrest our Doctrine and Words, as if they were both inconsistent with Christianity and civil Society; so that to effectuate this their Work of Malice against us, they have not been ashamed to take the Help, and commend the Labours, of some invidious _Socinians_ against us. So do _Herod_ and _Pontius Pilate_ agree to crucify Christ.

But our Practice, known to Thee by good Experience to be more consistent with Christianity and civil Society, and the Peace and Welfare of this Island, than that of those who thus accuse us, doth sufficiently guard us against this Calumny; and we may indeed appeal to the Testimony of Thy Conscience, as a Witness for us in the Face of the Nations.

These Things moved me to present the World with a brief, but true Account of this People’s Principles, in some short _Theological Propositions_; which, according to the Will of God, proving successful, beyond my Expectation, to the Satisfaction of several, and to the exciting in many a Desire of being farther informed concerning us, as being every where evil spoken of; and likewise meeting with publick Opposition by some, as such will always do, so long as the _Devil rules in the Children of Disobedience_; I was thereby farther engaged, in the Liberty of the Lord, to present to the World this _Apology_ of the Truth held by those People: Which, because of Thy Interest in them, and theirs in Thee, as having first appeared, and mostly increased, in these Nations under Thy Rule, I make bold to present unto Thee.

Thou knowest, and hast experienced _their Faithfulness towards their God, their Patience in Suffering, their Peaceableness towards the King, their Honesty, Plainness and Integrity in their faithful Warnings and Testimonies to Thee_; and if Thou wilt allow Thyself so much Time as to read this, Thou mayest find _how consonant their Principles are both to Scripture, Truth, and right Reason_. The Simplicity of their Behaviour, the Generality of their Condition, as being poor Men and illiterate; the Manner of their Procedure, being without the Wisdom and Policy of this World, hath made many conclude them Fools and Mad-men, and neglect them, as not being capable of Reason. But though it be to them as their Crown, thus to be esteemed of the Wise, the Great, and Learned of this World, and tho’ they rejoice to be accounted Fools for Christ’s Sake; yet of late some, even such who in the World’s Account are esteemed both Wise and Learned, begin to judge otherwise of them, and find, that they hold forth Things very agreeable both to Scripture, Reason, and true Learning.

As it is inconsistent with the Truth I bear, so it is far from me to use this Epistle as an _Engine_ to _flatter_ Thee, the usual Design of such Works; and therefore I can neither Dedicate it to Thee, nor crave Thy Patronage, as if thereby I might have more Confidence to present it to the World, or be more hopeful of its Success. To God alone I owe what I have, and that more immediately in Matters spiritual; and therefore to Him alone, and to the Service of His Truth, I dedicate whatever Work He brings forth in me; to whom only the Praise and Honour appertain, whose Truth needs not the Patronage of worldly Princes; His Arm and Power being that alone by which it is propagated, established and confirmed. But I found it upon my Spirit to take Occasion to present this Book unto Thee; that as Thou hast been often warned by several of that People, who are Inhabitants of _England_; so Thou may’st not want a seasonable Advertisement from a Member of Thy ancient Kingdom of _Scotland_; and that Thou may’st know, which I hope Thou wilt have no Reason to be troubled at, that God is raising up and increasing that People in this Nation. And the Nations shall also hereby know, that the _Truth_ we profess is not a Work of Darkness, nor propagated by Stealth; and that we are not ashamed of the _Gospel of Christ_, because we know it to be _the Power of God unto Salvation_; and that we are no Ways so inconsistent with Government, nor such Disturbers of the Peace, as our Enemies, by traducing us, have sought to make the World believe we are: For which to Thee I dare appeal, as a Witness of our Peaceableness and Christian Patience.

Generations to come shall not more admire that singular Step of Divine Providence, in Restoring Thee to Thy Throne, without outward Bloodshed, than they shall admire the Increase and Progress of this _Truth_, without all outward Help, and against so great Opposition; which shall be none of the least Things rendering Thy _Memory_ remarkable. God hath done great Things for Thee; He hath sufficiently shewn Thee, that it is _by Him Princes rule_, and that _He can pull down and set up at His Pleasure_. He hath often faithfully warned Thee by His Servants, since He restored Thee to Thy _Royal Dignity_, that Thy Heart might not wax wanton against Him, to forget His Mercies and Providences towards Thee; whereby He might permit Thee to be soothed up, and lulled asleep in Thy Sins, by the Flattering of _Court-parasites_, who, by their Fawning, are the _Ruin_ of many _Princes_.

There is no King in the World, who can so experimentally testify of God’s Providence and Goodness; neither is there any, who rules so many free People, so many true Christians: Which Thing renders Thy Government more Honourable, Thyself more Considerable, than the Accession of many Nations, filled with slavish and superstitious Souls.

Thou hast tasted of Prosperity and Adversity; Thou knowest what it is to be banished Thy native Country, to be over-ruled, as well as to rule, and sit upon the Throne; and being _oppressed_, Thou hast Reason to know how _hateful_ the _Oppressor_ is both to God and Man: If after all these Warnings and Advertisements, Thou dost not turn unto the Lord with all Thy Heart, but forget Him, who remembered Thee in Thy Distress, and give up Thyself to follow Lust and Vanity; surely great will be Thy Condemnation.

Against which Snare, as well as the Temptation of those, that may or do feed Thee, and prompt Thee to Evil, the most excellent and prevalent Remedy will be, to apply Thyself to that _Light of Christ_, which _shineth in Thy Conscience_, which neither can, nor will flatter Thee, nor suffer Thee to be at Ease in Thy Sins; but doth and will deal plainly and faithfully with Thee, as those that are Followers thereof have also done.

_GOD Almighty, who hath so signally hitherto visited Thee with His Love, so touch and reach Thy Heart, ere the Day of Thy Visitation be expired, that Thou mayest effectually Turn to Him, so as to improve Thy Place and Station for His Name._ So wisheth, so prayeth,

Thy Faithful Friend and Subject,

ROBERT BARCLAY.

_From _Ury_, in my native Country of _Scotland_, the 25th of the Month called _November_, in the Year_ MDCLXXV.

_R. B._

_R. B._ Unto the Friendly Reader wisheth Salvation.

_Forasmuch as that, which above all Things I propose to myself, is to declare and defend the _Truth_; for the Service whereof I have given up and devoted myself, and all that is mine; therefore there is nothing which for its Sake (by the Help and Assistance of God) I may not attempt. And in this Confidence, I did sometime ago publish certain Propositions of Divinity, comprehending briefly the chief Principles and Doctrines of _Truth_; which appearing not unprofitable to some, and being beyond my Expectation well received by many, though also opposed by some envious Ones, did so far prevail, as in some Part to remove that false and monstrous Opinion, which lying Fame, and the Malice of our Adversaries, had implanted in the Minds of some, concerning us and our Doctrines._

_In this Respect it seemed to me not fit to spare my Pains and Labour; and therefore, being actuated by the same Divine Spirit, and the like Intention of propagating the Truth, by which I published the Propositions themselves, I judged it meet to explain them somewhat more largely at this Time, and defend them by certain Arguments._

_Perhaps my Method of Writing may seem not only different, but even contrary, to that which is commonly used by the Men called _Divines_, with which I am not concerned: Inasmuch as I confess myself to be not only no Imitator and Admirer of the _School-men_, but an Opposer and Despiser of them as such, by whose Labour I judge the _Christian Religion_ to be so far from being bettered, that it is rather destroyed. Neither have I sought to accommodate this my Work to itching Ears, who desire rather to comprehend in their Heads the sublime Notions of Truth, than to embrace it in their Hearts: For what I have written comes more from my Heart than from my Head; what I have heard with the Ears of my Soul, and seen with my inward Eyes, and my Hands have handled of the _Word of Life_, and what hath been inwardly manifested to me of the Things of God, that do I declare; not so much regarding the Eloquence and Excellency of Speech, as desiring to demonstrate the Efficacy and Operation of Truth; and if I err sometimes in the former, it is no great Matter; for I act not here the _Grammarian_, or the _Orator_, but the _Christian_; and therefore in this I have followed the certain Rule of the _Divine Light_, and of the_ Holy Scriptures.

_And to make an End; What I have written, is written not to feed the _Wisdom_ and _Knowledge_, or rather _vain Pride of this World_, but to starve and oppose it, as the little Preface prefixed to the _Propositions_ doth shew; which, with the Title of them, is as followeth._

_THESES THEOLOGICÆ._

TO THE CLERGY, OF WHAT SORT SOEVER, Unto whose Hands these may come; BUT MORE PARTICULARLY

To the DOCTORS, PROFESSORS, and STUDENTS of Divinity, in the Universities and Schools of _Great Britain_, whether Prelatical, Presbyterian, or any other;

_ROBERT BARCLAY_,

A Servant of the LORD GOD, and one of those who in Derision are called QUAKERS, wisheth unfeigned Repentance, unto the Acknowledgment of the Truth.

FRIENDS,

_Unto You these following Propositions are offered; in which, they being read and considered in the Fear of the Lord, you may perceive that simple, naked Truth, which Man by his Wisdom hath rendered so obscure and mysterious, that the World is even burthened with the great and voluminous Tractates which are made about it, and by their vain Jangling and Commentaries, by which it is rendered a Hundred-fold more dark and intricate than of itself it is: Which great Learning (so accounted of) to wit, your _School-divinity_ (which taketh up almost a Man’s whole Life-time to learn) brings not a Whit nearer to God, neither makes any Man less wicked, or more righteous than he was. Therefore hath God laid aside the Wise and Learned, and the Disputers of this World; and hath chosen a few despicable and unlearned Instruments (as to Letter-learning) as he did Fishermen of old, to publish his pure and naked _Truth_, and to free it of those Mists and Fogs wherewith the _Clergy_ hath clouded it, that the People might admire and maintain them. And among several others, whom God hath chosen to make known these Things (seeing I also have received, in Measure, Grace to be a Dispenser of the same Gospel) it seemed good unto me, according to my Duty, to offer unto you these _Propositions_; which though short, yet are weighty, comprehending much, and declaring what the true Ground of Knowledge is, even of that Knowledge which leads to _Life Eternal_; which is here witnessed of, and the Testimony thereof left unto the _Light of Christ_ in all your Consciences._

Farewel.

_R. B._

The First Proposition.

Concerning the true FOUNDATION of KNOWLEDGE.

Seeing the Height of all Happiness is placed in the true Knowledge of God ([1]_This is Life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent_) the true and right understanding of this Foundation and Ground of Knowledge is that which is most necessary to be known and believed in the first Place.

[1] John 17. 3.

The Second Proposition.

Concerning IMMEDIATE REVELATION.