Mrs. James' DEFENCE OF THE Church of England, IN A SHORT ANSWER TO THE Canting Address, etc. With a Word or Two Concerning a Quakers Good Advice TO THE Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Dissenter.  
I find those that Vilifies the CHURCH Prints with Allowance and without, therefore I that Vindicate Her need not any; for the LAWS were made to Defend the CHURCH and GOVERNMENT, and why should any one think to Abuse Herald Surely it cannot be Unlawful to Vindicate Herald  
Printed for me Elinor James, 1687.  
I have been blamed for giving so much, and therefore Price 1 d.   

A Short Answer to the Canting Address of Thanks, etc.  
Mr. Larkin,  
I Am very sorry that you should Print such a Scurrilous Paper against me, because I never did you any Injury in Thought, Word, or Deed, and it seems to be Unkind (you being a Printer) for I have always had a Tender Regard for Printers (for my Husband's sake) but now you well Reward me; but if you can Abuse the King and His Government, and Sir Roger (who hath lately been so Kind to you) well may you (for your Interest) Lampoon upon me; but I'll spare you for this time, for the World knows what a great Enemy you have been to the King and Kingdom, and though you have suffered for it, yet I find you are not changed, but is as Malicious against the Government as ever. The Roman Catholics boast, That they would not Abuse me in any Thing, for all I have Printed so many Papers against them: I must needs say, The most part of them hath been very Civil; therefore you are Worse than they: Tho the Innocent Dissenters thinks that none of their Party would be guilty of any such Thing, as to Abuse me; they are much deceived, for I am very well satisfied it was a Dissenter; but however, I accept of their Excuse: I will not Think Amiss of those that are Innocent for the Guilty; for if they do well, they will be accepted, and for the Spiteful and Malicious, they shall he Rewarded accordingly; for God is Just, and will give to every one according to their Deserts.  
And for the Author, he says, The Sons of his Church are out of humour. What is your Church? It is not the Church of England that you own; therefore all that you say is Truth; for there was no Prince in the World could ever please you: for it is impossible that such as you can be pleased; for Magistrates may know where they begin, but they shall never know where to end: And if my Words hath operated upon you, surely it is a great Wonder (for it was more than all the Wise Men in the Kingdom could do) for your Hearts are so Envious against Kingly Authority, that you can neither Thank God nor the King for any thing that you do receive: For your Ambition is so great, that nothing but a Throne will Content you; so that it is not Liberty of Conscience will satisfy you, and therefore You would Remove Principalities and Powers, that you might come into Government yourselves, and so you may shake hands with the Quakers, for you can make Reflections upon the Spirit. And as for the Church, She needs no Godmother, for She is under the Protection of the Most High: And for my Fasting, it was not to Devour Widows houses: And as for your Reflection on the Clergy: It is the common Policy of the Devil, for he always Shoots at the Greatest Champions. You say, Our Church is the only Church for Loyalty, and so it is, and there is none but Devils and Vipers that says to the contrary. You talk of my Lightness, but I never was so Light as to Dishonour my Husband, or Defile my Bed; and in this Excellent Qualification, I may Weigh all such as you Down. You say, We are Good Subjects and Admirers of Prerogative as long as we are Pleased: And so We are; and when were we out of Humour, so as to deny our Loyalty, or the Interest of our Prince? And who can lay Rebellion to our Charge? And as for Nonresistance, who hath so much despised it as you? For your Party did condemn the Church of England for a Foolish Church, because She Taught Nonresistance. You say, It is boldness in me to Condemn your Loyalty. I do not question, but there is Innocent Souls amongst you, that I do not speak too, but it is such Snakes and Vipers as you, that would Destroy the Interest of all Christianity: But since you are are so Angry, Pray tell me in what your Loyalty consists; is it in plucking down Churches, and Destroying of Loyalty under the Notion of Popery? But now I see you are for Promoting it; for you are beholding to them for giving you Authority to Print your Paper; and so you are obliged to Gratify them with some Good Services. Therefore such as you are the Disturbers of Government, Destructive to Princes, by Misrepresenting them to the People, filling them full of Fears and Jealousies, and for that Cause the Laws were made for such as you; and I think it is enough that you have Liberty of Conscience, and not to have the King Gratify you with His Laws: Are you so Fearful that you cannot Trust His Majesty? Is your Deeds so Evil, that you are afraid of the Laws? Surely I thought you would have Lived so Holy now, that no Law could touch you; but I see you have your Old Nature upon you, that nothing will Oblige you: And as for the death of Three thousand Persons; what is that to the Destruction of Three Kingdoms and the best of Princes? But the Destruction of those shall lie at the Doors of them that Perverted them: And if God was pleased to call you into the Bosom of His Church, that His House might be full, you had no Reason to Resist it, for it was not to Pray to Sticks not Stones, but to come to God through the Merits of Christ, without which, none can be Saved. Therefore there is none but bad Men that will be Enemies to the Church of England; and I count them Enemies to the King and Kingdom tha● is for the Abrogating of the L●ws. Your Old Proverb, of Reserving the Rods for the Back of Fools, You think to be counted Wise by destroying them. Doth this become the True Blue Protestants that were so Zealous for Religion? But all this will not do, for we will not Trust you, for the King hath graciously given you Liberty to Serve God, and not to Destroy the Church of England, nor to Afflict Her, for the King will not Allow any of you to Abuse Her, nor She to meddle with you; but if you do Abuse Her, you must not think but some or other will Vindicate Herald So I would entreat you to be Quiet, and keep your Addresses unto yourself, and let me alone, for I do not Love to be Disturbed with Controversies, but Wish you the Grace of Repentance.  
So I rest, ELINOR JAMES.   

A Word or Two to the Quakers Good Advice to the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Dissenter.  
YOu say, It is no Matter who you are, and you say, You are an English Man; Is that any Argument that you are a Good Man? Who was it that Disturbed Three Kingdoms and Destroyed the Best of Princes? Were they not English? You say, You are Obliged to this Country, and the Laws hath made you Free; but it is a clear Mistake, for you are in Bondage and Darkness, and are afraid of the Light, and therefore your Intentions are Evil; for if your Designs were Good, you need not be Ashamed to put your Name to the Book, and then we should have known who this Singular Friend was; but I find you are a Subtle Adversary, that would Wound us, and none should know it; and I see you have more Policy than Honesty: And therefore your Considerations signifies nothing; and we will not be Persuaded by such Hypocritical Canters as you are, for you Quote the Scripture for your own Ends, as the Devil did to my Blessed Saviour, when He was an Hungry, as to command the Stones to be made Bread, and then he would Believe he was the Son of God; but Christ did not satisfy the Devil, neither (I hope in God) will the King or the Church you: What Aileth you, that you are so Disturbed? If you do Well, what Law can Hurt you? But I find you are a Great Thief, and intends to Steal, and therefore you would have the Doors set open, than it might be counted no Robbery. I know your Designs well enough, and what you Aim at, and though you may Deceive others with your fair Pretences, yet (I hope in God) you shall not Deceive me. I know you can make yourself like an Angel, with Specious Pretences to Deceive the Innocent, and you know the way very well, for you are highly Guilty of such Crimes; and I find you are an Uncircumcised Goliath, for I have found you a Deceiver, for you told me, You would be a Friend to the Church of England, and give Her the Right Hand of Fellowship; but yet the Lord Deliver Her, for none hath Deluded the Church's Children so much as you; for you are like the Devil to Tempt those that go to the Temple, but it was no more than what he did, when he Tempted my Blessed Saviour, and said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, he shall give his Angels Charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. See what sweet Words the Devil can use for his own Purpose; Can Mr. Penn or any Mortal outdo him? And yet Satan knew at the same time, that if Christ had yielded, He could not have been the Son of God, for it would have destroyed His Intentions; for if He had yielded Obedience to him, how could He have Conquered him? Therefore pray rest Contented, and let the Church of England alone, for She meddles with none of you first, but till you provoke Her; but you think to Rend and Tear Her, and set up yourselves by it; for it is Honour you aim at, and that is the Principle that moves you; and therefore (as you say) You regard not Times nor Fashions, it is neither Thinking nor Talking, but you would fain come into Action, to fling down the Penal Laws that You may come into Government, and fling down others to set up Yourselves, and to be Members in Parliament, than we shall have Fine Do; but (I hope in God) it shall never come to that. But for your Three sorts of People that will find themselves Concerned in this Question, you say, the Church of England, the Roman Catholics, and the Protestant Dissenters. As for the Church She doth not fear the Penal Laws nor Distrust Her Prince, for She intends to do no Ill Thing, but to Fear God and Honour the King: And as for Roman Catholics, they would be very disingenuous if they should doubt the King's Fidelity: And the Protestant Dissenters seems to be very well pleased, and is Contented, and says, They will not misimploy His Majesty's Favour, but hopes they shall do Good, and redeem the Time that is past; and indeed if they do as they say, I shall be very much their Friend, for I am a Lover of Peace and Unity, and desires that all should do Well, and you may assure yourself, they will never be for the Abrogating of the Test; for it was them of their own Nature that did it, and for the honour of them they will never disannul it? for you must not think to Fool them, as you do us. Therefore I would have you Study to be Quiet, and do not Deceive the People by your fair Pretences; for have you not declared to the World, That you are an Innocent, Harmless People, and did not concern yourselves with any thing of Government more or less? But I find you to be great Liars, and Vipers and Snakes, that would destroy the whole. And what have you to do with the Whole Body of the Kingdom? We are not to yield Obedience to you: You say, If it appears to be their Duty, Principles, and Interest, the Question is gained: Ay, that is true, but stay till that is made out; for I am sure it is not their Duty, Principle, nor Interest, and therefore the Question is lost, and you yourself Mistaken: And for your Great Inclination to serve them all, there is none desires it, and therefore their Good Nature cannot plead your Excuse. You say, You are neither moved by Hopes nor Fears, private Loss nor Gain: But who shall believe you, for you have been a great Enemy for these several Years, and nothing will content you but our Ruin. And since Liberty of Conscience cannot content you without taking away the Test and the Penal Laws, it makes me to think that you have some Design underhand more than the World knows of: Therefore I count you a Person not fit to be Trusted, for the King hath been to Gracious, that He hath given Liberty of Conscience Freely: But you say, The Penals Laws hinder you from coming into Action: Therefore the Laws must be taken away to Humour you! Yes: For what Cause? That the King should lessen Himself for you: And if you will not Trust His Majesty with the Laws, why should the King trust you Without them? If you do Well, there is no Law can Hurt you, but if you do Ill, why should not the King and the Church have Power to Help themselves? For They are not to be Divided, no more than a Man should be from his Wife: For the King is to Defend the Church, and to keep all in Peace, and therefore you are Mistaken, it was not the Church that Compelled you, but it was the Civil Magistrate, for the Peace of the Kingdom, thinking it was the best way to Preserve the Government: For they did not Force Conscience, when His Majesty gave Liberty to Four or Five to Exercise, but when that would not do, but said, They wanted a Prince and Governor whom they could Trust, I think it was high Time for the late King to look about Him; and for that which happened, you may Thank yourselves, for you have been the sole Cause of it: For do you think that it would have been Reasonable for the Church of England, when the late King desired Her Assistance, that She should have refused it? No, no, such Treachery doth not Lodge in Her Breast; and therefore She needs not Repent of what She hath done, for She hath done no more than Her Duty. You say, No Man ought to be deprived of his Native Right: And who doth is? For some Complained, That the Government ●●y too heavy upon them, but it was you that refused it, because you would not have the Trouble and the Charge: Therefore She doth not (as you say) deprive you of any Station in Government: and you cannot condemn Her for being Careful, for you yourself would do the same; for if you were to Entertain any one at your House, and was to Trust them with your Treasure, would you not question him whether he would be True and Honest, and if he should not satisfy you, would you think him a fit Person to be Trusted? And why should not the Church have the same Power to question them that comes into Her Government? Is not the Peace of a Kingdom of greater Consequence than that of a Private Family? And Therefore do not Complain so much against Her, for God hath given Her Power, and (thro' Him) She will be so Wise as to keep it: For hath not God re-established Her by a Miracle? Can any deny, but that it was an Extraordinary Providence to Restore my late Sovereign to His Crown and Dignities, without Spilling of Blood; and do you think that we are so Ungrateful as to forget such Wonderful Deliverances? No, no, it is our Resolution to Trust God with all things, and therefore we are not to be Wheadled out of our Senses by Quakers or Ranters, or any other: You talk of God's Will, Faith, Conscience, Religion, Christianity, Principles of Love, the Evidence of Truth, with its Light, which silenced the Oracles of the Heathens: But what signifies these Good Words when it is to Bad Purposes? And as for the Power of the despised Cross, I don't allow that you should meddle with that; for it was not the Wooden Cross that Christ Exhorted His Disciples to bear, for He could not carry that Himself, but it was to bear such Evil Spirits as you with Patience, that Despises Him, and counts Wholesome Counsel Madness, and imputes the Power of God to the Devil, and to call His Blessed Spouse, The Whore of Babylon, and his Saints Anti-christians: And when Christ says, Use all Things as if you used them not, you contradict it, and make as if the Creature was Damned if they go in Gay Clothing, when (God knows) you are Prouder in your Plain Dress than some are in their Silks and Satoins. O! ye Hippocritical Devils, That strain at a Knat, and swallow a Camel. You know Christ hath commanded his Disciples to Baptise as well as well as Teach; and He left His Blessed Sacrament to be Administered in Remembrance of His Death; but how presumptuously do you disdain both? Therefore I cannot count you Real Christians as long as you do so; but that you are deluded by Lucifer, for you show his Pride to the World, and you think none walks by the Spirit but you, and I believe he was of the same Nature; therefore the Heavens could not contain him: and where will you be hurried when God is Angry? I pity your condition: I desire you to beg of God to give you Humility and Repentance, that you may Mend for the time to come. For the Church of England doth not delight in the Destruction of Her Enemies; but desires that all might be Convinced and Converted, that they might be Happy, which bespeaks Her to be a True Church; for Christ's Church must have His Nature, or else she cannot be His: You say, Christ Settled not his Religion in Worldly Empires: Pray where was it then? Or what did He come from Heaven for? Was it not to Save His Church that was almost lost, and to Plant His Religion in the World, and to restore Man to that Felicity he had lost, and to Reveal such Secrets that had been hid from the Beginning of the World, and to Adopt us to cry Abba Father? So I find it was Christ's Intentions that God should be all in all. And when Christ departed this World, He did not leave His Church Destitute, but sent his Holy Spirit to Subdue her Enemies, by whose Power Kingdoms were Converted; and for the Building of his Church, he chose plain and honest Men, that had so much of the Innocency of the Dove, that they wanted a little of the Subtleness of the Serpent; or else Christ would never have Exhorted them, That they should be as Wise as Serpents, and as Innocent as Doves. But I find you have more of the Subtleness of the Serpent, than the Innocency of the Dove: Therefore you are not Qualified for a Disciple: You speak of St. John's Love, and Christ's Obedience to his Father's Will; but what signifies that to you, when you are filled full of Anger-and Mischief, and are Disobedient and Rebellious. Indeed I have been told, That you were Subtle Dissemblers, but I would not believe it; but when I came to speak to your Great Dons, I found I was Deceived! Tho I do not doubt but there are Thousands of Innocent Souls; but it is not You, Mr. Penn. I am told, You are at Bristol, very Busy about Parliament Members! But if they be such as you, to Abrogate the Laws, they shall not Prosper, for God's Hand is against you. I know the Devil will Rise in you, but I value him not, for God's Power is above you all, and you must submit to it. You told me, You were a Father; but what did you beget, Evil Spirits? You think to Deceive, but I hope your Deceit is at an end, for the People gins to see your Cloven Foot; therefore I would Advise you to go to Pennsilvania, for they are in a Distracted Condition for want of you; for indeed it was very unkind for you to Entice them out of their own Country, and to leave them Destitute. O! I would not be in your Condition for a Kingdom.  
FINIS.