A Brief DECLARATION To all the WORLD From the Innocent people of God, called QUAKERS Of our Principle and belief concerning Plottings and Fightings with Carnal Weapons against any people, Men or Nations upon the Earth, to take away the Reproach or any jealousies out of the minds of all People, concerning us in this particular, and to answer that common objection whether we would not fight if the Spirit moved us.  
AS for us, our Kingdom is not of this world, and our warfare is not for earthly Crowns, honours or glory, but its spiritual and for a Kingdom without end; and our weapons are not carnal but spiritual, and mighty through God against spiritual wickedness in high places, and all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and not against their persons or estates outward, (and we are them of whom Enock prophesied (the Saints) in whom the Lord God would come to convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds and hard speeches, and to execute his Judgements upon them, not by outward Sword to destroy Creatures; but by the Sword of the spirit of the Living God, who is come to destroy the works of the Devil.  
And as for our Principle it is everlasting and Universal, without beginning or end, it is the foundation of God and all the holy Prophets, Apostles and Saints, since the Word began; on which our Faith, hope and belief is sounded, as upon a Rock steadfast and unmoveable, against which the gates of Hell and Death cannot prevail, for it is the same that was in the beginning, before Death, Hell, Strife and Wa●s (or enmity the ground of it) we see, or before disobedience transgression, confusion, or the hardness of heart we see even Christ Jesus the everlasting Covenant of Life and Peace, the Son of the living God, who is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them, and he being come to us (and dwells in us) hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and are in him that is true, and we know what spi it we are of, for being joined unto him (the Lord) we are one spirit with him, even the Lamb of God that takes away the sin, and destroys the wo●ks of th● Devil, the Author and ground of strife and mischief, or Plottings, Murders, Wars and confusion; and reconciles men unto God again and one unto another in true love & peace, (Mark) he destroys the Devil and his works, he takes away the sin, takes away the Nature, destroys the ground of enmity in men, kills the contrary Seed in the Root from whom the Wars and Fightings comes, breaks the Cockatrice in the Egg lest it should become a Serpent; This is our Saviour, and our everlasting principle, that doth these things in us and for us, even Christ the power of God, and the Wisdom of God, the Saviour and not the destroyer of men's lives, who gives his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that pluck off the hair in all ages, in whom or what persons soever he was made manifest, so that we perfectly know what spirit we are of, and are not in doubt whether this be the Saviour, or whether we should look for another; But we know and are assured that this is the son of God, and we are in him that is true (as we have said) who works all our good works in us and for us, this is the true God and eternal life, which was in the beginning before enmity was, who hath brought us and is bringing many (through the daily Cross to the will of man) before strife was, or that Spirit that is afraid that every one that findeth him will kill him, (which was in Cain the killer and persecutor about Sacrifice and Offerings) but we fear not their fear of killing or of Death (the fling thereof being taken away) which is sin (the enmity) the ground of the fear, of murder, of strife, and plottings of mischief, and violence against Creatures, being redeemed up to God the Creator of all, who hath made all Nations of men of one blood, that dwell upon the face of the whole Earth, who will rebuke them (even the spirit of Enmity and Pride the ground of strife and Wars.) That they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pruning hooks, and not Learn War any more Isa. 2.4.  
This hath the Lord God by his eternal power, through his Righteous Judgements, and everlasting mercies begun among us, who are a poor and afflicted people, whose trust is only in his name, and arm of salvation, and not in the arm of Flesh, for that which trusteth in man and makes flesh his arm is a cursed as it is written; And this we do faithfully and impartially in singleness of heart declare unto the whole world, that God by his Son in us, which is his power, hath taken away the nature and ground of Wars, strife and violence, and subdued it, which stood in times passed between him and us, which hindered the good things, and hid his face from us, even peace, joy and comfort to our immortal souls, and hath created in us a new heart, and renewed a right spirit, in which we are justified in his sight and presence, and in which we bear good will to all people, and seeks the peace and well being of the bodies and souls of all people upon Earth, Jew and Gentile, bond and free, Barbarians, Turks, Indians, Greeks, Romans, English or any other, God hath made us all of one blood to dwell upon the face of the earth, (Mark) we are all of one blood, all the workmanship of one Creator, who hath appointed them times and seasons that they should all seek him, (though he be not far from every one of us, as it is written, Acts 17.26, 27. Amos 4.13, And saith the Prophet, he that form the Mountains and created the Hills showeth unto man his thoughts, and they that seeks God, seeks him that searcheth the heart, and tryeth the Reigns, who rebuketh the people and strong Nations that their Swords may be beaten into Plowshares, and their Spears into Pruning hooks, (Mark) he rebuks the strong Nations that are in the strife, enmity, and Wars, which is of the Devil the Author of strife, the Murderer and Liar from the beginning, the destroyer of souls.  
From whence came wars, and fightings (let Gods witness answer) came they not from the enmity, Lusts, Pride and ambition, which wars against the immortal Soul, and is not he his own souls enemy, that lives in the Spirit of enmity against God, and them of his flesh and blood; and is he not in the disobedience to Christ Jesus, who saith Love your Enemies, do good to them that despitefully use you and persecute you; And doth not God's wrath abide upon the disobedient and rebellious, who obeys not his Commandments? Let all people upon Earth consider these things, who profess Christianity, and see if you obey and follow him whom you profess in words, who is not come to destroy men's lives, but the Devil and his works, the Author and ground of Strife, Wars and Confusion, and to guide the feet of all people in the way of peace.  
So this is our principle, not as an Opinion or Judgement which may fail us, or in which may be mistaks or doubts, but it's the infallible ground & unchangeable foundation of our Religion (that is to say) Christ Jesus the Lord, that spirit, Divine Nature, of way of Life, which God hath raised and renewed in us, in which we walk, and in whom we delight to dwell, and cannot but worship, and yield obedience unto, even him which destroys all enmity, and reconciles to himself and in himself all things in Heaven and Earth, who by his power bringeth down the high looks, lays low the haughtiness of men (in which is the ground of strife and wars,) and exalts truth and Righteousness in the Earth, even his Kingdom over all, which is an everlasting Kingdom of peace, into which no unclean thing, Dogs, Sorcerers, unbeleivers, or Hypocrites can enter, but only them whose minds are redeemed from the Earth, and the spirit of Enmity and wickedness whose Robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.  
So that if any be yet doubtful concerning us, or our principle in this particular, whether we have any secret intents or private reservations that if we had opportunity we would fight or raise outward force of the arm of flesh for our defence or preservation, and not any longer suffer such grievous oppressions and cruel provocations as these many years past we have undergone with patience, etc.  
This we do declare, and that in and by the spirit of the Lord, that we are in our measures redeemed by the precious blood of his Son Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God (that takes away the sin, and reconciles unto him and to all men) from that nature and spirit of enmity from whence the wars and fightings comes, and we are taught, led, and guided by (and are possessors of a measure of the same spirit of Grace and Truth, that was in that person Christ our Elder Brother, that suffered patiently (the contradictions and false accusations of sinners) as a Lamb without the Gates of Jerusalem, of whose Resurrection and life we are eye witnesses) even of his Majesty and glory, and the coming of his Kingdom with power (full of grace and truth) so that the tree being now made good the fruit is the same also; and a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit (to wit) wickedness, enmity, mischief, or violence against any of the children of men upon the face of the earth: so we have not only the name or outward profession of Christ in words (as it is in the world) but we are made partakers of a measure of the same divine nature, and we are now (being regenerated raised and renewed into his own image of truth and love, righteousness and peace) his offspring, and he is our God and Father, who rebukes the strong nations, and makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; Glory and honour be to him in the highest over all for ever.  
And now as concerning the objection which sometimes hath been asked as a question, some thinking thereby to ensnare us, (viz,) Whether or no we would fight if the spirit should move us, (etc.) To which we answer in the fear of God in the truth and simplicity of our hearts as it is in Jesus, that we do really and confidently believe that the Lord our God (who is that good spirit that guides us in all Truth) will never move us to do that or those things again for which he hath rebuked us, and smitten us by his righteous Judgements, (and for which he will smite and rebuke the strong Nations) and not only so, but hath redeemed us from the very root, Nature, Spirit, and ground of the Enmity and curse from whence the wars and the fightings comes; So that to us, it seemeth as impossible for us to be found in such things (plottings fightings and violence) as for a good tree to bring forth evil fruit, or for one Fountain to yield salt water and fresh, for we have felt God's rebukes because of that strong nature that dwelled in us, from whence envy, pride, wrath, malice and hartburning one against another sprang, and all manner of evil thoughts which defiles men proceeded; the which rebukes, reproofs and just judgements of God, have melted and broken our hearts, and taken out the stone (the hardness) and made them soft and tender towards God, and towards all people, and that love is now felt, shed abroad in our hearts which thinks no evil, much less can we act evil or mischief against any.  
So that our kingdom and glory, delight, joy and peace is not of this world (but we are as strangers in it, as all our Fathers were) for if it had been so, we would long ere this have plotted and contrived to defend and preserve ourselves from these many, great and cruel sufferings, which we these many years with patience have borne and endured, and shall yet bear and endure all things, in the measure of the love and charity which the holy God of all power hath endued us with, and made us partakers of, committing our cause and all things concerning us to him that judgeth righteously, who will plead for his seed with all flesh, in his own due time and season, even in the hearts and consciences of all his enemies that wrong and abuse his children; and what is done to us, is done to him, for we are his; and he careth for us.  
And now if any subtlety of the Serpent should arise in any, and boast itself over us, because we have declared the nakedness of our hearts, in simplicity and truth in God's sight, and in the sight of all people in this particular, and say now they have declared that their principle is not (or leads not to fight) or to destroy men's lives, or to resist or strive with flesh and blood with carnal weapons, etc. But to be patiented in whatsoever is laid upon them without plotting, mischief, or doing violence against any, though it be done to them; Therefore we now may use them as we list without fear of opposition or violence again from them for they are engaged by their everlasting Principle, not to do violence or plot mischief, or shed any man's blood, but to endure all in patience whatsoever is said or done against them etc.  
To which we reply, and that from the spirit of the Eternal all powerful God of truth; Woe be to that man, people or Nation that shall seek advantage against us hereby, or take occasion to harm us, because of our harmless principle, (which is of God and for his sake) & of our good will to all people; No prosperity from God shall be to that people, man or Nation (in that state,) and it were better for that man or people, that they had never been born, or that a Millstone were hanged about their necks, and cast into the depth of the Sea, that should thus contrive and act against us, to offend his little ones the Lord hath said it. But they shall prosper that favour this Zions cause which God hath redeemed through Judgement, for the Eternal God hath sworn by himself and will perform it, that this people only shall prosper of all the Families of the Earth, (who fear his name and tremble at his word) and he will gather unto them (in one) thousands of thousands from the four quarters of the Earth and they that bless them shall be blessed, and they that curse them shall be cursed, for the Lord of Hosts is with us, and the God of jacob is our refuge, which breaketh the Bow and snapeth the Spear asunder, and burneth the Chariots in the fire, that makes disolation (and will make disolations) in the Earth for his Elects sake; Therefore be still all ye sons of men, and know that he is God, for he will be exalted in the Earth (and over all flesh,) who maketh the wars to cease unto the ends of the World: This is our God whom we serve and worship in the spirit and in the truth, before whom all things are open, naked and bear, who searcheth the heart and tryeth the Reigns, from whose sight, knowledge, presence and righteous Judgements, the ungodly cannot hid, but shall be fully rewarded for all their do, in that day which the eye lids of the morning light, will be unto them as the shadow of death.  
For our unchangeable principle is the Royal Law which God hath written in the heart, and is an everlasting light (the truth) which lighteth every man that cometh into the World, which reproves for sin and transgression and the ground of it, and all that live in it (in their own Consciences,) which lets them see their thoughts, words, and Actions, whether they are good or evil, setting before all people life and death, and the ways of it, & it's their condemnation that dispises the reproofs and are disobedient unto it, but to them that take heed unto it, love & obey it, it leads them in the ways of righteousness truth and uprightness, through the midst of the paths of Judgements to the Fountain of life and love, in which there is no enmity, but everlasting salvation and peace, where the holy Mountain of the Lord is felt known and witnessed, in which there is no hurting nor destroying, into which God Almighty is gathering his Seed, out of every Nation kindred, people, and language upon the earth, that all his people may sit and live under their own Vine, where none can make them afraid. This is the highway of holiness, which God hath prepared before the face of all people, into which all that are saved must walk, (as it is written) in the light of the Lord, Isa. 2.5. and in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him, but to the wicked (that despise his Counsel) God saith, What hast thou to do to take my words into thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to be reform.  
And now if any that hath been at our meetings, o have come at any time (as many do) to see our manner, or that may be by some called a Quaker should be (which we have never yet known among us) found in any plotting against any men or people whatsoever, to contrive mischief, danger or hurt either to body soul or estate, any way under any pretence whatsoever, we do utterly (in the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour) deny that part or spirit in all men upon the earth, as that which our principle (the everlasting foundation of God) and our spirit have no fellowship or unity with, but is judged of God and of us his people, to be of the seed of enmity unreconciled to God and man, or at best a blind zeal, and not according to the true knowledge of the living God or of their own spirit's. Luke, 9.55, 56.  
So we being clear in the sight of God concerning these things, (and many other false accusations and evil surmisings, reproaches and aspersions) do freely commit our cause and all that we are and have, body soul and spirit, into the hands of our God to whom alone vengeance belongs, who will repay it to all his adversaries, and will not at all acquit the wicked nor condemn the innocent, but will reward every man according to his words and works, in whose will and power we rest and remain in patience, which is our sanctification, wherein we are satisfied, having that joy and peace (in the land of the living) where none can make us afraid, hallelujah Amen.   

POSTSCRIPT,  
BEfore this general Declaration of our Principle concerning these things came forth into public view, there hath been several times (and some months ago) mention made by particular persons to the same effect, which was seen meet in the light of our God, to prevent the joining of the minds of any that are weak to the temptations of the Enemy of man's peace, (which goes about seeking whom he may devour) (and to satisfy such as are doubtful in this particular) for our Vine have tender Grapes, that though the wild Boars of the Forest cannot so much hurt them, yet the subtle Foxes of the Desert may (if not prevented by the wisdom of God) spoil their resting place, which all the faithful have in God, and in the spirit of the Lamb in whom is found no guile (which must get the victory, Amen.  
Given forth from the Royal Seed of God, in the behalf of the numberless number, or the whole body of the Elect wheresoever gathered or scattered upon the face of the whole earth called Quakers. London the 11th. month, 1662.   

PRINTED for W. M. 1662.