modern bookplate with illustration of Swarthmore Hall 
FRIEND'S HISTORICAL LIBRARY SWARTHMORE COLLEGE PENNSYLVANIA  
Swarthmore Hall  FOR WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING   

A DECLARATION TO ALL THE WORLD OF Our Faith, And what we Believe who are called QUAKERS.  
AND This is written, that all People upon Earth may know by whom, and how we are Saved, and hope for Eternal Life; And what we Believe concerning God, Christ and the Spirit, and of the things that are Eternal, appertaining to all Mankind to know and Believe.  
Also, what MINISTERS and MAGISTRATES we own, and what, and whom we deny.  
London, Printed for Robert Wilson.   

Concerning God, Christ and the Spirit, thus we Believe.  
FIrst, That there is only one true God who is a Spirit, and his Presence filleth Heaven and Earth, and he is Eternal and Everlasting, the Creator and Preserver of all things, that Heaven and Earth, and all things therein by Him were framed and brought forth, and all things remain unto this day by his Power, and whatsoever he willeth in Heaven and Earth, he brings to pass by his Word & Power. And we Believe that this God only is, & aught to be Feared, Loved, Obeyed, & Worshipped by all Creatures, and no other thing besides him in Heaven and Earth; And we Believe that his Worship and Obedience, and Fear, and Love, is to be given in Spirit, even in what his own Spirit moveth and leadeth his people unto. And we Believe his true Worship required and accepted of him is, not by the Tradition of men in outward observances, or set days or places, but he is Worshipped only in Spirit and Truth, without respect of time, places or things, and that none can Worship him in Righteousness, but his Children who are Born of his Spirit, and are led and guided thereby. And we Believe that this God hath given his Son Jesus Christ into the world, a free gift unto the whole world, and that every man that cometh into the world is lighted by Him, that every man may believe and be saved; And we Believe that he is given into the world, & no Nation, Country, or people excepted, but to all mankind he is given of God, and hath lightened them; and every man through the world, that believeth in, and receiveth Christ, who is the wisdom and Power of the Father, shall be saved with Eternal Salvation; And every one that believeth not in him, shall be damned, and shall possess everlasting misery. And we Believe that Salvation, Justification and Sanctification, is only in Him, wrought by Him and no other; for there is no other Name given under Heaven but him alone, by which Salvation is; and we Believe all that receive Him, and believe in Him, are reconciled to God, and are made alive to God, to live to him in all things, and do receive the forgiveness of Sins, and are set free from all unrighteousness, and from the body of sin and death, and have the Witness of the Spirit in them, and the Spirit of the Father they have received, and it witnesseth in them of the Father and of the Son, and of the things that belong to their Peace; and it is the earnest of the Inheritance, and the Seal of the Promise of Eternal Life, and by it are the deep things of God revealed to mankind, and by it the Father and the Son dwell in the Saints, and by it they have fellowship one with another, and the Father, Son and Spirit are one; And this we faithfully Believe.  
Again concerning Christ, we believe that he is one with the Father, and was with him before the world was, and what the Father worketh it is by his Son, for he is the Arm of God's Salvation, and the very power and wisdom of the Creator, and was, is, and is to come without beginning or end. And we believe that all the Prophets gave testimony of Him, and that he was made manifest in Judea and Jerusalem, and did the work of the Father, and was Persecuted of the Jews, and was Crucified by his Enemies, and that he was buried, and risen again according to the Scriptures. And we believe he is now ascended on high, and exalted at the right hand of the Father for evermore; And that he is glorified with the same glory that He had before the World was; and that even the same that came down from Heaven, is ascended up to Heaven; and the same that descended, is he that ascended.  
And we believe, Even he that was dead, is alive, and lives for evermore, and that he cometh, and shall come again to Judge the whole world with Righteousness, and all people with equity, and shall give to every man according to his deeds at the day of Judgement, when all shall arise to Condemnation or Justification he that hath done good, shall receive life, and he that hath done evil, everlasting condemnation.  
And we believe he is to be waited for in Spirit, to be known after the spirit, as he was before the world was, and that is the knowledge unto eternal Life, which all that believe in Him doth receive, and he subdues death, and destroys him that hath the power of it, and restoreth from Death to Life, and quickeneth by his Spirit all that the Father hath given Him, and we believe such he justifieth and sanctifieth, and such are taught of him, but he condemns all that believe not, and continue in unbelief, and are not taught of him; And this we faithfully Believe.  
And we believe that unto all people upon the face of the whole earth, is a time and day of visitation given, that they may return and be saved by Jesus Christ, who is given of the Father to call the worst of men to repentance, and the most ungodly of sinners are convinced by Him of their ungodly deeds, that they might believe, and be converted and saved. And we believe herein is the love of God manifested to all mankind, and that none is shut out by him before they were born into the world; But unto all men is a visitation given, and they that do perish, it is because they do not believe in Christ, and destruction is of a man's self, but salvation is of God, through believing in his Son who takes away sin, and reneweth into his own Image, that they may become heirs with him; And we believe that there is a Crown of Eternal Glory, and an Inheritance of Eternal Life to be enjoyed for evermore, by all that believe and are chosen of God; And that there is an everlasting misery and destruction to be possessed by all that believe not, but continue in the state of Reprobation, and are not changed from the ways of sin and death, but walk after the ways of their own hearts lusts, fulfilling the will of the flesh in the evil of this world, and follow not Christ the Light of the World that they may be saved; and we believe upon all such the Wrath of God abideth, and that they have no part in the Inheritance of God. And we believe that it is only he that is born again of the Spirit, and that walks after the Spirit who is changed from death to life, and who is redeemed out of the world and all its ways, such only must inherit the kingdom of God, and they only have right thereunto and none besides, even they that are washed and cleansed from all unrighteousness by the Blood of Jesus, by which their sins are Remitted; for his Blood cleanseth them from all unrighteousness and sin, all such as walk and abide in the Light which Christ Jesus hath lightened the world withal. And we believe that the Saints upon earth, may receive forgiveness of sins, and may be perfectly freed from the body of sin and death, and in Christ may be perfected and without sin, and may have victory over all temptations by Faith in Christ Jesus. And we believe every Saint that is called of God, aught to press after perfection, and to overcome the Devil and all his temptations upon Earth; and we believe they that faithfully wait for it shall obtain it, and shall be presented without sin in the Image of the Father, and such walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and are in Covenant with God, and their sins are blotted out and remembered no more, for they cease to commit sin being born of the Seed of God; And we believe the Gospel of Christ is the Power of God unto Salvation, and that it ought to be Preached freely unto all people, and Christ to be held forth to all Mankind by the Ministry sent of him. And we believe this Ministry is received by the gift of the Holy Ghost, and all they that receive it, are lawfully called to the Ministry, and they may Preach the Gospel of Christ freely, as they have received it freely; and this Ministry is not of man but of God, and is made powerful to the converting of sinners, and to the bringing of people to God, and to the knowledge of his ways. And we do not believe that any man is a Minister of Christ, without the gift of the Holy Ghost, or that the Gospel can be received by natural learning or education. And we believe such as preach for hire, and have hire for preaching, are not the lawful called Ministers of the Gospel of Christ; such as are proud and highminded, and covetous men, who do not profit the people at all, such as have run, but never were sent of Christ, who calleth by his Spirit into the work of the Ministry; and as every one hath received the gift of that his Spirit, so he may administer to others.  
Concerning Rulers and Governors, we believe that there ought to be Rulers and Governors in every Nation, City, Country or Town, and they ought to be such men as fear God, and hateth every evil way, who will judge for God, and not for man; and will judge righteously, equally and justly, and will give true and sound judgement unto all men, without bribery, or respect of persons, not regarding the rich above the poor, but being a praise unto all that do well, and a terror to all evil doers whatsoever, having knowledge in the pure Law of God, and themselves continually exercised therein. And we believe that every Law of man, aught to be grounded upon the Law of God, pure reason and equity being the foundation thereof, that God's witness in every man may answer to it; and the Law ought to be known unto all people, before transgression be charged or punished in any man. And we believe that every transgression ought to be punished according to its nature, and that the punishment exceed not the greatness of the Transgression, neither aught any Transgressor to escape unpunished, neither aught any upon false suspicion or jealousy, to be caused to suffer without the Testimony of true men, or the confession of the party. And we believe that the Executors of the Law ought to be just men, and not given to Pride, Drunkenness, or any other evil whatsoever. And we believe that all Governors and Rulers ought to be accountable to the people, and to the next succeeding Rulers, for all their actions which may be enquired into upon occasion, and that the chiefest of the Rulers be subject under the Law, and punishable by it if they be Transgressor's, as well as the poorest of the people. And thus true Judgement and Justice will be brought forth in the earth, and all that do well will have praise, and live in rest and peace, and all evil doers whatsoever, may stand in awe and be afraid of God, and just Men, and the Execution of good Laws.  
Concerning Religion; We believe that it is only the Spirit of the Lord that makes men truly Religious, and that no man ought to be compelled to, or from any exercise or practice in Religion, by any outward Law or Power, but every man ought to be left free, as the Lord shall persuade his own mind in doing or leaving undone, this or the other practice in Religion, and every man of what profession in Religion soever, aught to be protected in peace, provided himself be a man of peace, not seeking the wrong of any man's person or estate.  
And we believe that to reprove false Opinions, and unsound Doctrines and Principles, seeking to convince them that oppose themselves by exhortation or sharp reproof, by word or writing, ought not to be counted a breach of the Peace, and to strive about the things of the Kingdom of God, by men of contrary minds or judgements, this ought not to be punishable by the Magistrates and their Laws; for we believe that the outward law and powers of the earth, is only to preserve men's persons and estates, and not to preserve men in Opinions; neither ought the law of the Nation to be laid upon men's Consciences to bind them to, or from such a judgement or practice in Religion. And we believe that Christ is, and ought only to be the Lord and Exerciser of men's Consciences, and his Spirit only must lead into all Truth.  
And we believe that obedience and subjection in the Lord, belongs to Superiors, and that Subjects ought to obey them in the Lord that have rule over them, and that Children ought to obey their Parents, and Wives their Husbands, and Servants their Masters in all things which is according to God, which stands in the exercise of a pure conscience towards God; but where Rulers, Parents, or Masters, or any other commandeth or requireth subjection in any thing which is contrary to God, or not according to him, in such causes all people are free▪ and ought to obey God rather than man; and we believe that herein God will justify them, being guided and led by his Spirit in all that which is good, and out of all that which is evil.  
Again, we believe concerning Election and Reprobation, that there is a state of Election, and state of Reprobation, a state chosen of God, and a state rejected of God, and that all mankind are in one of these states; all that are Elected, are Elected in Christ; and all that are out of him, are in the state Reprobate, bringing forth fruits of death and darkness, being children of wrath and disobedience, in the alienation and separation from God in the transgression, unreconciled to God, the enmity ruling in the heart being in the fall, and not restored to God again, but ignorant of his Power, and of his Wisdom, having the understanding darkened, that they cannot see nor perceive the things that are Eternal: and in this condition his best works are sin, and whatsoever he doth, he cannot be accepted with God, for he is dead to God and alive to all evil, bringing forth all his works out of that ground which is cursed. This is the condition of all mankind upon the face of the earth in the first Adam; and this is the state of Reprobation, and all that abide herein are rejected of God, and shall never inherit Eternal Life, but go into perdition; yet have all such a day of visitation, that they may turn out of the state of Reprobation; but hating knowledge, and despising the Love of God, they continue in the state Reprobate, and the wrath of God abides upon them; but they that are chosen of God, are delivered from wrath, for they believe in the Light, and become children of the Light, and are renewed in mind and heart, and receive the Love of the Father, and become planted into Christ the second Adam, and are chosen in him to bring forth fruit unto the Father, and all their Fruit springeth from that ground which is blessed; for they are led by the Spirit of the Father, and such are in the state of Election, who are made heirs with Christ of the everlasting Inheritance that never fades away. And this we faithfully believe, that Mercy is not showed to the Reprobate, nor Judgement to them that are chosen of God.  
And this to go abroad into the world, that all people may understand what we Believe, and what we have received of God; and they that believe this, and walk therein by the Spirit of the Father, shall be saved; but they that believe not, but are disobedient to the Truth shall be condemned, because they do not believe. Much more might be written, but in short this is given forth by one that hath Believed, and received the knowledge of these things from God, a friend unto all people.  
E. B.   

To all that say we (whom the World do in scorn call Quakers) do deny Ministers and Magistrates; These things I writ unto you, to give you in short an understanding what Ministers and Magistrates we own, and what, and whom we deny.  
FIrst, Such Ministers as are made by God, who are Sanctified by his Word and Power, who have freely received perfect gifts from God, and so by the Spirit and Power of God are sent forth into the world to turn the people from darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan, to the Power of God; who freely minister unto others, without coveting any man's Gold, or Silver, or Apparel, not seeking theirs, but them; warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Such as minister from the Spirit, and have the Word of God abiding in them, who are never unprovided, but at all times and seasons, and in all places, do speak and declare the truth as they are moved and instructed, and as the Spirit of Truth doth give them utterance: Such Ministers we own, and have in great esteem for their Works sake, Gal. 1.1.12. Joh. 15.3. Eph. 4.7, 8, 11, 12, 13. Act. 26.15, 16, 17, 18. Mat. 10.8. Act. 20.33. 2 Cor. 12.14. Col. 1.27, 28, 29. 2 Cor. 3.6. Joh. 15.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Joh. 4.10, 14. & 7.38, 39 2 Tim. 4.2, 3. Act. 2.4.  
But such as are brought up at Schools and Colleges, and so made Ministers by the will of man, who have not freely received perfect gifts from God for perfecting of the Saints, but denies perfection, and so denies the Ministers work; neither do Minister freely, but seek for gain from their quarters, and will not preach without a price, who are not Sanctified by the Word of God, but pleads for a continuance in sin, while people walk upon the Earth. Such as minister from the Letter, and not from the Spirit, who cannot Preach except they have a time to study, and so by their industry provide themselves, and are not provided of the Lord (such a Ministry is of works, and not the free gift from God) such cannot profit people, but leads them captive in an empty and dead form, always learning, but never able to come to the true knowledge of God; such called Ministers we do deny, and turn from them, and testify against them, as the holy men of God formerly did, read Isa. 56.10, 11. Jer. 5.30, 31. Mica. 3.11. 1 Cor. 1.19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29. & chap. 2.10, 11. Jer. 23.22, 30, 31, 32. Isa. 56.10, 11. Phil. 3.18, 19 Judas 11. Joh. 8.24. 1 Joh. 3.8. Jer. 23.15, 16, 17. 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Ezek. 34. chap. Hos. 6.9. Mat. 23. chap. 1 Tim. 5.6, 10, 11. 2 Tim. 3. chap. 2 Pet. 2. Judas 11.  
2. Such Magistrates who Rule for God, who be men of Truth, fearing God and hating covetousness, who execute true Justice and Judgement in the earth without partiality, not respecting the persons of the rich, nor despising the persons of the poor, but in truth and equity giving to every one his due and proportion according to the Law of Equity, who neither seek nor receive honour from men, but seeks the honour that comes from God only, who are a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well; such Magistrates we own, and in the Lord honour, Exod. 18.21. Deut. 16.18, 19, 20. Joh. 3.41, 44. Rom. 13.3, 4.  
But such Magistrates who be Proud and Lofty, who Rule not for God, but for themselves; who love the praise of Men, and Judge for gifts and reward, and love Money which is the Root of all evil, who respect the Rich in their gay clothing, above the Poor in vile raiment, who seek and receive honour from men (and if they be not honoured with that which they seek for, turns Judgement backward, that Equity cannot enter) such as be wrathful and malicious cannot Rule for God, such are encouragers of vice and wickedness, and turns their sword backward against the upright and Innocent, who reproves sin in the gate; such Magistrates we do deny and testify against; for when the wicked bears Rule, the righteous mourns, and the evil doers rejoice over them, and mock and reproach them, Isa. 2.11, 12, etc. Isa. 1.21, 23. Joh. 6.43. Mica. 3.11. Jam. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 9 Joh. 5.44. Isa. 59.13, 14, 15. Isa. 29.21 Prov. 29.2.  
Such as live in Pride and Pleasure, and follow ungodly Lusts, and wicked Practices, denies God, though in words they may profess him, even so, all such as do evil, who follow drunkenness, oaths, games, vain sports and pleasures, and such like ungodly actions, do deny, and disgrace, and greatly dishonour both Ministers and Magistrates, though in words they may own them, and bow the hat and knee, and give flattering Titles to them, Tit. 1.16. Psal. 15. Hos. 4. Jam. 1.25. Job. 32.21, 22.  
To walk Soberly, Righteously, and doing justly, according as the grace of God which brings Salvation doth teach and direct, is a sweet savour to the Lord, and a true owning, and in the Lord honouring true Ministers and Magistrates, Mica. 6.8. Tit. 2.11, 12. Psal. 51.17. Isa. 57.15. Rom. 13.3.  
But to walk loosely and profanely, doing wicked and unjust actions, turning the grace of God into wantonness; such are an ill savour to God, and denies, and dishonours true Ministers and Magistrates, Jam. 3.14, 15, 16. Judas 4. Isa. 59.2, 3, etc.  
True honour doth not consist in bowing the hat and knee, and such like things, (for that is the honour below, which men seek and receive one of another, which is in the unbelief) but in the obedience of the Magistrates just commands, who are a terror to wickedness, but a praise to them that do well; for the Law was not made for the Righteous, who fear God and live uprightly, but for the Lawless, who are out of God's fear; who live wickedly, casting the Law of God behind their backs, Joh. 5.44. Rom. 13.3, 4. 1 Tim. 1.8, 9, 10. Psal. 50.16, 17.  
So this may certify all whom this may come unto, That we do not deny Ministers nor Magistrates who are made and ordained by God, but honour them in the Lord, let our lives and conversations and that of God in all your Consciences judge; for if all were brought into our life, the Magistrate should live at peace; and so as the eyes of your understandings comes to be opened with true light, you will see that those who live soberly and righteously, do own and honour Ministers and Magistrates, though they cannot for conscience sake respect their persons, nor give them flattering Titles, as your Highness, your Lordship, your Worship, and such like; for such belongs to God: For (Christ Jesus said) I receive not honour from man; And saith he, How can you believe that receive honour one of another, and seeks not the honour that comes from God only? Gal. 1.1.12. Rom. 13.1. Deut. 16.18, 19 Joh. 1.9. Jam. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 9 Joh. 5.41, 44.  Read with understanding, prove all things, hold fast that which is good, 1 Thes. 5.21. 
A. P.  
THE END.