A Quaker Response

In reading thorough some various works from the Early English Baptists I came across a Quaker reply to a declaration written by some Baptists against the Quakers. Although the piece is full of caricatures characteristic of the period the following quotation I found to be sobering. The desire of these early Baptists was to be biblical and to champion truth, something I hope we all as Christians desire. However, perhaps some of them only caught half of the message, that of religion and not of faith. The quotation below should be a reminder to all of us of the ethical demands upon believers and how an unlawful, disobedient lifestyle can render any work for the truth void.

And in your Post-script you say, you have under your hands sent forth your Declaration in behalf of your selves, and others of your Judgement; but I must tell you, I do believe there are some even of those called Anabaptists which will reject your work, and to them my answer is not, for I spare them: but to you fearful hypocrites in a time of danger, that have in this juncture of time renounced us without ground or reason in the sight of God, but for your ends, as if you would gain the favour of the Nation and City by denyal of us, and looking upon your selves to be reproached because of us, when as you are a company of unworthy men, even unworthy of our reproaches, and to escape them have denied us, as seeming to clear your selves, but you are deceived in this matter, and it shall turn to work against you in the Nation, and in the City; for we have a more surer witness in their Consciences, even in the Consciences of all people that we are of God, then you have; for take but away your outward water, and bread and wine, and some few outward practices, & what do you differ from the worst sort of men in the Nation; for doth not pride and hypocrisie, and self-love, and covetousness, and the love of this world abound amongst you, as much as amongst any others? the witness in peoples Consciences knows it, which shall be a witness for us against you. You may indeed have gained League with the worst sort of men in the Nation, but you have not gained the sincerity in people, and while we have that on our side to witness for us, take you the rude multitude, for we are not discouraged at all concerning this thing, but the rater do glory in the Lord though we be denied of all, for though men forsake us, yet the Lord careth for us; and your own doing shall return upon your own heads: and thus much is sufficient to the substance of your Declaration, and if I receive any reply, I shall expect it under the hands of you all, that I many further search and discover you unto your selves, and to the Nation. (Richard Hubberthorn, An Answer to a Declaration (London, n.p.: 1659), 19–20.)

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13).