A LOOKING-GLASS For all those called PROTESTANTS IN THESE Three Nations.  
Wherein they may see, who are True Protestants, and who are degenerated and gone from the Testimony and Doctrine of the Ancient Protestants.  
AND  
Hereby it is made to appear, that the People, called in derision Quakers, are true (yea the truest) Protestant's, bccause their Testimony agreeth with the Testimony of the Ancient Protestants in the most weighty things wherein the Lord called them forth in that day.  
Particularly, with the Testimony and Doctrine of William Tindal, who is called a Worthy Martyr, and Principal Teacher of the Church of England; Faithfully Collected out of his Works.  
By GEORGE KEITH.  
London, Printed in the Year, 1674.   

THE EPISTLE  
To the Impartial Readers unto whosoever hands this may come.  
COme all you called Protestants in these three Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland, whether you be of the Faith and Principles of those called Episcopalians, or whether you be Presbyterians so called, or Anabaptists, or Baptists, or Independents, or of any other Name or Denomination, Behold a Looking-Glass for you all, whereinto, if you will look, you may see, whether ye be true Protestants, or not. You do all indeed lay claim to the Title of Protestants; But as they were of old, who called themselves Jews, but were not; so in this day, there are many who call themselves Protestant's, but are not, for they agree not with the Ancient Testimony and Spirit of the Protestants, but are exceedingly degenerated from them, both in Life and Doctrine, who if they had been true to the Protetant Cause, for which God raised up the first Protestants, above one hundred years ago, had not only retained the Life and Doctrine of the Ancient Protestants, but had advanced further, and gone beyond them both in largeness of Discoveries, and Purity of Life, for at that time, it was but as the Twilight, or Dawning of the Day, so that they had not attained unto so clear and perfect discoveries of Truth, as were afterwards to come: but oh, how have the most of them all, who in this day are called Protestants, not only been deficient in advancing and carrying on that Testimony and Cause for which the Lord raised up the Primitive Protestants, but are fallen exceeding short of them, yea degenerated and back sliden from them in those weightiest and most material things, which they bore Testimony unto in their day, as they were called forth of th' Lord, and furnished by him, not only to appear for his Truth in Words, but with a most noble and invincible Courage to Seal it with their Blood, among whom William Tindal was one of the most Eminent, whose Works and Labours, by the Blessing and Grace of God, were of great use to propagate knowledge unto the people of these Nations in that day, wherein Ignorance and Darkness so much abounded. This William Tindal, was a man not only of a pious and good Life, but well Learned, as appeareth in that he Translated the Bible, both the Old and New Testament, so called, out of the Tongues in which they were originally writ, into the English; whose Translation is the first English Translation that is extant, and a good work it was in that day, and of great service among the peolpe, which made the Romish Clergy so angry (who would have still hoodwincked the People in Ignorance) that they ceased not until they got him burnt, who suffered Martyrdom for the Truth, in West Flanders, in the days of Queen Mary; But above all, he was a Man endowed with a good measure of the Spirit of God, and taught of God, as both his own Works, and the History of his Life Recorded by Fox in his Martyrology, doth sufficiently make manifest unto any who have a Spiritual discerning: and if there be any things found in his Works, which Answer not perfectly to the Truth, it is to be imputed to the Darkness and Ignorance of that time, which God winked at; nor should these things, which were given him, as Testimonies from the Lord, to bear in his day, be the less esteemed and received, because of any Weakness or Imperfections, as touching some things, wherein he might be swayed by the darkness of that time in which he lived; But rather we should be thankful unto God for his Mercy, in that he lighted such a Candle, and set it on a Candlestick to shine as a Light in a dark place, while Darkness was so thick throughout all the Land. I could cite the Testimonies of many other Witnesses, who sealed their Testimony with their Blood unto the Truth, both in England and Scotland, and also in other places. But this being done partly by others formerly, and as it may please the Lord so to order it, it may yet be done more largely, only at this time I found myself moved in the Zeal of the Lord, to give forth this small Treatise, being a faithful Collection of the words of the aforesaid William Tindal, extracted by me, out of his Printed Works with my own hand, without adding unto, or diminishing from them, so much as one word, only the Titles I have added before each Purpose, by way of Index. My design is to make it known, that we, the People in derision called Quakers▪ are truest Protestants; for all, who have any knowledge of our Principle, whether by reading our Books, or hearing our Declarations, cannot but see, that those Testimonies of William Tindal are more agreeable unto our Principles, than unto those of any other People in these three Nations.   

Some clear Testimonies unto the Truth, (as it is owned by the People called in derision Quakers collected out of the Works and Books of William tindal Martyr.  

CHAP. I.  
Concerning Christ's dying for all Men.  
In his Prologue upon the Prophet Ionas.  
WE be all equally Created, and Form os one God our Father, and indifferently bought and redeemed, with one blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ.   

CHAP. II.  
Concerning both the Law and Gospel, being in Man's heart.  
In the same Prologue upon Ionas.  
AS the Law which fretteth thy Conscience is in thy heart, and is no outward thing; even so seek within thy heart the Plaster of Mercy, the promises of forgiveness in our Saviour Jesus Christ: according unto all the ensamples of Mercy that are gone before. And with Ionas let them that wait on Vanities, and seek God here and there, and in every Temple, save in their hearts: go and seek thou the Testament of God in thy heat; sor in thy heart is the word of the Law, and in thine heart is the word of Faith in the promises of Mercy in Jesus Christ; so that if thou confess with a repenting heart, and knowledge; and surely believe that Jesus is Lord over all sin, thou art safe.   

CHAP. III.  
Concerning the outward and inward part of the Scripture.  
In the same Prologue.  
THE Scripture hath a Body without, and within a Soul, Spirit, and Life; it hath without, a Bark, a Shell, and as it were, an hard Bone, for the fleshly minded to gnaw upon; and within it hath Pith, Kernel, Marrow, and all sweetness for Gods Elect, which he hath chosen to give them his Spirit and to Write his Law, and the Faith of his Son, in their hearts.   

CHAP. IU.  
Concerning the Heathen, that they had the Spirit of God, and that Pharaoh had the Spirit of Grace, before his heart was hardened.  
In his Prologue upon Matthew.  
ANd Paul Writeth Rom. 1. that the Heathen because when they knew God, they had no list to honour him with Godly living; therefore God powered his Wrath upon them, and took his Spirit from them, and gave them up to their hearts lusts to serve sin, from Iniquity, to Iniquity; till they were throughly hardened, and past Repentance. And Pharaoh, because when the Word of God was in his Country, and God's People scattered, throughout all his Land; and yet he never loved them, nor it; therefore God gave him up: and in taking his Spirit of Grace from him, so hardened his heart with covetousness, that afterward no Miracle could convert him, hereunto pertaineth the Parable of the Talents.   

CHAP. V.  
Concerning Good works through working of the Spirit of God, how that they help to continue us in the favour and Grace of God.  
In the same Prologue.  
LEt us Arm ourselves with this remembrance, that as Christ's works justify from sin, and set us in the favour of God; so our own deeds through working of the Spirit of God, help us to continue in the favour and the Grace, into which Christ hath brought us; and that we can no longer continue in favour and Grace, than our hearts are to keep the Law.   

CHAP. VI  
Concerning a believer, and spiritual Man that is renewed, how he needeth no outward Law.  
In his Treatise on the Parable of the wicked Mammon.  
AS thouneedest not to bid a Tree to bring forth Fruit, so is there no Law put into him that believeth, and is justified through Faith (as saith Paul in the first Epistle to Timothy chap. I.) neither is it needful: for the Law of God is Written and Graved in his heart, and his pleasure is therein.  
And in another Treatise of his, called the Obedience of a Christian Man.  
He now that is renewed in Christ keepeth the Law, without any Law written, or compulsion of any Ruler, or Officer, save by the leading of the Spirit only. Chap. Obed. of Subjects.   

CHAP. VII.  
Concerning Faith, how that the true Faith, is a feeling Faith.  
In his Answer to Sir Tho. Moor's Dialogue, 1530.  
THere are two manner of Faiths, an Historical Faith, and a Feeling Faith. The Historical Faith hangeth on the Truth and Honesty of the Teller, or on the Common Fame and Consent of many: as if one told me, that the Turk had won a City, and I believed it, moved with the Honesty of the man: now if there comes another that seemeth more Honest, or that hath better persuasions that it is not so, I think Immediately that he lied, and lose my Faith again. And a Feeling Faith is, as if a man were there present when it was won, and there were wounded, and had there lost all that he had, and were taken Prisoner there also. That Man should so believe that all the World could not turn him from his Faith: even likewise if my Mother had blown on her Finger, and told me that the Fire would burn me, I should have believed her with an Hystorical Faith, as we believe the Stories of the World, because I thought she would not have mocked me: and so I should have done, if she had told me that the Fire had been cold, and would not have burned: but assoon as I had put my Finger in the Fire, I should have believed, not by reason of her, but with a feeling Faith, so that she could not have persuaded me afterward the contrary. So now with an Historical Faith, I may believe that the Scripture is Gods, by the teaching of them, and so I should have done, though they had told me that Robin-hood had been the Scripture of God, which Faith is but an Opinion, and therefore abideth ever fruitless, and falleth away, if a more glorious reason be made unto me, or if the Preacher live contrary.  
But of a Feeling Faith, it is written, John 6. they shall be all taught of God, that is, God shall writ it in their hearts with his Holy Spirit, and also teftifieth Rom. 8. The Spirit beareth record unto our Spirit, that we be the Sons of God; and this Faith is none Opinion, but a sure feeling, and therefore ever fruitful, never hangeth it of the honesty of the Preacher, but of the Power of God, and of the Spirit: and therefore if all the Preachers of the World would go about to persuade the contrary, it would not prevail no more than though they would make me believe the fire were cold, after that I had put my finger therein. Of this ye have an ensample, Job. 4. of the Samaritanish Wife, which left her Pitcher and went into the City, and said, come and see a man, etc. but when they had heard Christ, the Spirit wrought, and made them feel, whereupon they came unto the Woman and said, We believe not now, because of thy saying, but because we have heard ourselves, and know, that he is Christ, the Saviour of the World: for Christ's Preaching was with Power and Spirit, that maketh a man feel and know, and work too, and not as the Scribes and Pharisees preached, and as ours, make a man ready to cast his gorge to hear them, rave and rage as mad men.   

CHAP. VIII.  
Concerning the Inward Preaching, Teaching, and Speaking of the Spirit of God, unto the Soul, and inward reading and hearing, and that true Believers believe the Principles of their Faith, not because they are written in books, but because they are inwardly taught by the Spirit of God.  
In the same Treatise of his Answer to Sir T. Moor's Dialogue.  
WHen thou art asked why thou believest that thou shalt be saved by Christ, and of such like principles of our Faith, answer thou wottest and feelest that it is true, and when he asketh how thou knowest that it is true, answer, because it is written in thine heart; and if he ask, who wrote it, answer the Spirit of God; and if he ask, how thou came first by it, tell him, whether by reading in Books, or hearing it Preached, as by any outward Instrument, but that inwardly thou wast taught by the Spirit of God; and if he ask whether thou believest it not, because it is written in books, or because the Priests so Preach, answer no, not now, but only because it is written in thine heart, and because the Spirit of God so Preacheth, and so testifieth unto thy Soul; and say, though at the beginning, thou wast moved by Reading or Preaching, as the Samaritans were by the words of the Woman, yet now thou believest it not therefore any longer, but only because thou hast heard it of the Spirit of God, and read it written in thine heart.   

CHAP. IX.  
Concerning the feeling of the working of the Spirit, and that none ought to think that his Faith is right, who hath not this feeling.  
In his Parable of the wicked Mammon.  
HOW dare a Man presume to think that his Faith is right, and that God's Favour is on him, and that God's Spirit is in him, when he feeleth not the working of the Spirit, neither himself disposed to any godly thing. And again, where the Spirit is there is feeling: sor the Spirit maketh us feel all things; where the Spirit is not there is no feeling.   

CHAP. X.  
Concerning Justification. How to be justified, is to be made inwardly righteous, good and holy; and when he pleadeth, that we are not justified by works, he meaneth by warks, the outward works; but doth not exclude inward righteousness, Regeneration, and Sanctification, from having any place or respect in our Justification; but doth indeed include it.  
In the Parable of the wicked Mammon.  
SO now by this abide sure and fast, that a Man inwardly in the heart, and before God, is Righteous and good, through Faith only, before all works: notwithstanding, yet outwardly and openly before the People, yea, and before himself is he Righteous through the work: that is, he knoweth, and is sure, through the outward work, that he is a true believer, and in the Favour of God, and Righteous and good, through the mercy of God; that thou mayest call the one, an open and outward Righteousness; and the other, an inward Righteousness of the heart (so yet) that thou understand by the outward Righteousness, no other thing, save the Fruit that followeth, and and a declaring of the inward justifying and Righteousness of the heart; and not that it maketh a Man Righteous before God, but that he must be first Righteous before him in the heart; even as thou mayeft call the Fruit of the Tree the outward goodness of the Tree, which followeth and uttereth the inward natural goodness of the Tree.  
Again in his Answer to T. Moor's fourth Book.  
That thing which maketh a Man love the Law of God, doth make a Man Righteous, and justifieth him effectually, and actually; and maketh him alive, as a Workman, and cause efficient.   

CHAP. XI.  
Concerning the Sabbath.  
In his Answer to T. More his first Book.  
AND as for the Sabbath a great matter! we be Lords over the Sabbath, and may yet change it into the Monday, or any other day, as we see need: or may make every tenth day Holiday, only if we see a cause why, we may make two every Week, if it were expedient, and one not enough to teach the People. Neither was there any cause to change it from the Saturday, than to put difference between us and the Jews; and lest we should become Servants unto the day, after their superstition. Neither needed we any Holiday at all, if the People might be taught without it.   

CHAP. XII.  
That Magistrates may Preach, and that every Man that is well taught may Preach, or Teach, in case of necessity; as when the ordinary Preachers are ignorant, and Preach false Doctrine, and that Women may Teach.  
In his exposition on Mat. 5.  
ALL Kings and all Rulers are bound to be Salt and Light, not only in example of living, but also in Teaching of Doctrine unto their Subjects, as well as they be bound to punish evil doers. Doth not the Scripture testify that King David was chosen to be a Shepherd, and to feed his People with God's Word? It is an evil Schoolmaster, that cannot but beat only; but it is a good Schoolmaster, that so teacheth, that few need to be beaten.  
Again, moreover every Man ought to Preach in word and deed unto his Household, and to them that are under his governance. And though no Man may Preach openly, save he that hath the Office committed unto him; yet ought every Man to endeavour himself, to be as well Learned as the Preacher, as nigh as it is possible. And every Man may privately inform his Neighbour; yea, and the Preacher and Bishop too, if need be: For if the Preacher Preach wrong, you may, any Man, whatsoever he be, rebuke him, first privately; and then (if that help not) to complain further; and when all is proved, according to the order of Charity, and yet no amendment had: then ought every Man that can to resist him, and to stand by Christ's Doctrine, and to jeopard Life and all for it; look on the old ensamples, and they shall teach thee— when we have proved all that Charity bindeth us, and yet in vain; then we must come forth openly, and rebuke their wickedness in the face of the World, and jeopard Life and all thereon.  
And in Answer to T. M. 1. Book.  
If Baptism be so necessary, as they make it, then love thy Neighbour as thyself, doth teach Women to Baptise, yea and to teach, and to rule their Husbands too, if they be beside themselves.  
Again, in his Answer to Moors 4 th' Book.  
If a Woman learned in Christ, were driven into an Isle, where Christ was never Preached, might she not then Preach and teach to Minister the Sacraments, and make Officers? the case is possible, show you what should let, that she might not, love thy Ncighbour as thyself, doth compel.   

CHAP. XIII.  
Concerning Philosophy, how it is not needful to understand the Scripture.  
In his Parable of the Wicked Mammon.  
MAny are not ashamed to rail and blaspheme, saying how should he understand the Scripture, seeing he is no Philosopher, never hath seen his Metophysick. Moreover, they blas pheme, saying, how can he be a Divine, and wotteth not what is subjectum in Theologia. Nevertheless as a man without the Spirit of Ariristotle or Philosophy, may by the Spirit of God understand Scripture, even so by the Spirit of God understandeth he, that God is to be sought in all the Scripture, and in all things, and yet wotteth not, what meaneth Subjectum in Theologia, because it is a term of their own making.   

CHAP. XIV.  
Concerning Heretics, that they should not be corporally punished.  
WHereas T. More alleged that S. Paul gave two Heretics to the Devil, which tormented their flesh, which was no small punishment, and haply he slew them: W. tindal answereth," O Expounder of the Scripture! like Hugo Charensis, which expoundeth Hereticum hominem de vita, take the Heretic out of his life: we read of no pain that he had whom the Christians Excommunicated and gave to Satan to slay his flesh, save that he was ashamed of himself and repent, etc.  
A Testimony of John Frith, another English Martyr, against outward and bodily compelling and punishing of them that believe not aright.  
In his Answer to the Lord Rochester Bishop.  
To say that Christ would have his Disciples to compel men, with Prisonment, Fetters, Scourging, Sword and Fire is very false, and far from the mildness of a chaste Spirit, although my Lord approve it never so much; for Christ did forbid his Disciples such Tyranny, yea rebukes them, because they would have desired, that Fire should descend from Heaven and consume the Samaritans, which would receive not Christ: but with Violence will God have no man compelled unto his Law. Paul also testifieth, 2 Cor. 1. that he had not rule over the Corinthians, as touching their Faith. And again, As no man can search the heart, but God only, so can no man judge or order our Faith but God only through his Holy Spirit.  
Collected faithfully by me G. K. out of the Works of W. tindal and John Frith, who are called Worthy Martyrs, and Principal Teachers of the Church of England, in the Title Page of the Book Printed at London by John Day, Anno 1573.   

COme hither all you called Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, and any others, and let us try your Faith, whether it be the same, with that of the Ancient Protestants, as also we are willing, that our Faith be put to the trial, that it may appear, whose faith is most agreeable to the faith of Ancient Protestants and Martyrs; one of the most eminent whereof was this William Tindal: who above one hundred years ago, was a principal Teacher of the Church of England, and died a Martyr.  
1. First, his Faith was, that as we are all Created of one God, so we are all indifferently bought with one blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, so tbat Christ his shedding of his blood, is as universal for men, as the work of their Creation: and this is our Faith who are called Quakers, to wit, that Christ hath tasted death for every man, and that he hath died for all according to the Scriptures. But whether is this your Faith yea or nay?  
2. Secondly, his Faith was, that both the Law and the Gospel, are in the Hearts of Men, and is none outward thing, and that we should seek within our hearts the Plaster of Mercy, yea that we should seek the Testament of God in our hearts, and the Word of the Law, and of Faith, and that we should let them go who seek God here and there, and in every Temple save in their hearts: and this is our Faith, who witness unto the Words in the Heart, and bid people seek God within them, and Christ within, and not without them, in Temples made with hands, or outward Observations. But whether is this your Faith, yea or nay?  
3. Thirdly, his Faith was, that the Scripture had a body without, a bark and shell, and as it were a hard bone, but within it had a Soul, Spirit and Life, etc. and this is our Faith, who say, the Letter killeth, and the Letter of the Scripture is not the Word, but the Life is the Word that is within, and is no outward thing: But whether is this your Faith yea or nay, who say the Letter is the Word, and deny the Word originally to be in the Heart?  
Fourthly, his Faith was, that the Heathen once bad the Spirit of God, and that Pharaoh, before his heart was bardened, had the Spirit of Grace, and this is our Faith who say, the true Light which is Spirit, doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, sufficiently unto Salvation, and that a manifestation of the Spirit is given unto every man to profit withal. But whether is this your faith yea or nay? who deny the saving Light of Christ to be Universal.  
Fifthly, His Faith was, that Goodworks through working of the Spirit of God, are absolutely needful to continue us in the favour of God, and in a justified state, and this is our Faith, but whether this is your Faith yea or nay, seeing many of you say, David continued in the favour of God, and justified, while he committed Murder and Adultery.  
Sixthly, His Faith was, that a Believer needed no outward Law nor Rule, for he keepeth the Law, by the leading of the Spirit only, and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who say the Scripture, (which is outwardly) is the only Rule, and will not acknowledge the Spirit within to be the Rule.  
Seventhly, his Faith was, that the Scriptures are to be believed that they are of God, because of the Inward Testimony and teaching of the Spirit of God, and that the true Faith is a feeling Faith, & a sure feeling, & who have this Faith, are taught of God himself, as immediately as when a man is taught that the fire is hct, by putting his finger in it, here the fire teacheth him immediately, that it is hot, and he needeth no man to tell him, and this is our Faith in all these parculars, who witness unto the immediate Teachings of God by his Spirit in our hearts. But whether is this your Faith yea or nay, who deny spiritual feeling and sense to be essential to true Faith, telling people they must not seek to live by spiritual sense and feeling, but by Faith; as also telling them, that Faith may be without assurance. This is contrary to, Will. tindal his Faith, and contrary to the Scriptures Testimony, which calleth Faith and Guidence, a Seeing, a Handling, all which imply both spiritual Sense and Assurance.  
Eighthly, His Faith was, that men were to believe the Principles of their Religion, not because they are written in books but because they are inwardly taught by the Spirit of God, and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who say, the Scriptures are the formal object of Faith, and the first Rule or moving Cause by way of object, to make us believe, and who say, immediate Revelation is ceased, and is not the general privilege of all true Believers.  
Ninthly, His Faith was, that the Working of the Spirit was to be felt, and was to be known by feeling, and that none should think his Faith right, who hath not the feeling of the Spirit, and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who deny the feeling of the Spirit, properly so called, and mock and deride us when we speak of feeling, and when ye ask us, how know ye that you are moved & led by theSpirit to such things, we answer, by our feeling, which bath certainty, and evidence in it that is sufficient. This Answer ye reject, as Fanatical, Heretical, and what not?  
Tenthly, His Faith was, that men are justified by an inward Righteousness wrought by the Spirit of God in the bear't: and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who deny that any are justified by an inward rigbteousness in their hearts, although wrought in them by the Spirit of God.  
Eleventhly, His Faith was, that the first day of the Week, was not commanded by God to be kept boly, but the Church keepeth that day, because of convenience for instructing the people, and worshipping God: and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who say, that day is of Gods commanding to be kept as a Sabbath.  
Twelfthly, His Faith was, that Magistrates may Preach, and every man may Preach or Teach, who is taught of God, in case of necessity, and that Women may teach: and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who would monopolise it unto the Clergy, or a certain order of Literate Men.  
Thirteenthly, His Faith was, that Philosophy and School. learning was not needful to understand the Scripture, nor to be a Preacher or Divine: and this is our Faith, but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, who lay so great stress upon Philosophy and School-Learning, that ye permit none to be Preachers, or Doctors of Divinity who have not them.  
Fourteen, His Faith was, as also the Faith of John Frith, another Principal Teacher in England, and Martyr, that Heretics were not to be punished with Prisonment, Fetters, Scourging, Sword and Fire: and this was the Faith of many others in that day, and this is our Faith; but whether is this your Faith, yea or nay, whose chiefest Arguments against us, the people in derision called Quakers, have been Prisons, Banishing, Scourge, spoiling of Goods, and such like carnal and violent ways.  
Writ by me George Keith, one of these People, in derision called Quakers, who am a true and cordial Protestant.   
The End.