THE QUAKERS Court of Justice, Laid open to public view.  
With a discovery of several of their errors in Principle and practise.  
And also certain Rules and directions for all those that are desirous to be admitted into the Society of the Quakers, being very easy to be attained unto.  
With several other Remarkable Passages worth your observation.  

With Allowance.   
LONDON, Printed, for F. coals, T. Vere, and J. Wright. 1669.   

The Quakers Court of Justice, laid open to public view.  
THere is not any understanding Person whatsoever, but will conclude that this Sect of men called Quakers, are the most Ridiculous, Ignorant, and stupid People in the world. Blinded with the grossest errors that ever can be imagined, and so far from being convinced, that a man may as soon wash a Blackamoor white, as make them to recant from any of their Principles though never so weak and falsely grounded. They are a people of an obstinate spirit and only wise in their own eyes. Neither Argument, nor reason, will serve to confute their errors, because they believe themselves to be a people that are not so subject to art as other men are.  
We need do no more for the evidencing of this truth but observe what insolences are comprehended in their Cannons, and institutions. Drawn up and agreed upon at their new Theatre in Grace-church-street in o● about January last, there is a parcel of nineteen of them but for that I shall refer you to the reading of that book for your further satisfaction.  
Now that the Quakers have their Courts of Judicature doth evidently appear by Doctor Smith who had two trials before them at the Peel in St. Johns-street, which he hath notably set forth in his Quakers Spiritual Court proclaimed. Where he was by their Judges cast out from their Soo●ety which since they have had time to repent of, for I do believe that they had rather a given a good sum of Money then he should have discovered their cheats and abuses to the World so plainly as he hath done.  
He excellently describes the manner of their Court, and how they confess their sinners, in form as followeth.  
First of all when the Court begins, there cometh the clerk with his green bag, like one of the clerks of the Peace, and he draweth forth his Papers and lays them before him. And after a little time when there are many come, then he that is judge for that day commandeth him to call over by name the transgressors, which being done they answer to their names; then they choose some of the Court to go to them into a private Room, and there they confess them; and if they be tractable and do submit and say they repent then they shall be forgiven, and there name shall be blotted out from among the wicked and be restored to the Saints, but if they justify themselves, then they shall be still in the hands of the Devil, and the World to further judgement.  
If they refuse to confess and repent, then they summon them in before the Court, there to, answer; which if they do not they go to them the third time; if they stand out then, they pass sentence on them, that they are not to come amongst them. After they have been once cast out, and then be found in any fault, then they are to be called as at the first, to their confession and repentance; but if they stand it out, then they are to be cast out from the Society of all men, which is as bad as banishment, for no man must have any commerce with such a one as is thus excommunicated, as he tendereth his own good, and the favour of the Church yet there is mercy for him, if he will sand his submission to them signed with his own hand, then they will pardon him and receive him amongst the Saints again,( but very doubtfully) but after the third transgression, there is no more remission for sin, for he is never to be received into the Church again although his repentance be never so great.  
By this you may discern the manner of their Court and proceedings of their Judges when they give sentence, which is by them styled the Condemnation and Judgement of the Spirit. But if this be their Spiritual Court I think he is worse then mad that hath any thing to do with it. In my opinion it was a gross mistake when one of their Judges was so overcome with the Creature that he lost his way as he was going to a meeting; and took Sh●reditch Church for a windmill I think such a fellow might more fitly be termed a Sot, then a Saint, for at that time he had not the true light in him, till one of his Brethren put him in the right way again, and yet such Sots as these must be Judges over others so far forth that it is credibly reported that before that many of them can make their Peace with their Brethren, t●ey were forced to bow down themselves and by a willing subjection to put their heads betwixt their Judges legs, and all little enough to be forgiven.  
It is to be admired how these sort of men are fallen from their first Principle when they declared themselves to be all the Sons of Adam, and that it was the pride and ambition of men which made them to Lord in over their Brethren.  
But what do I speak of one principle, when they are fallen from all true worship of God, and of civility one amongst another witness their third Cannon or institution concerning Marriage, where they must not do together( as they call it) at the time of their first conjunction without a Jury of twelve witnesses to see fair play betwixt them which is a most sordid and ridiculous piece of Folly.  
Beside many other absurdities which is not fit to be mentioned amongst any that believes there is a God. For to deny that there is either Angels Spirits, or souls of men after this life, they may as well deny that there is a God.  
But to satisfy you concerning the desperate blindness of this people, do but take a view off.  

A Collection of the Fundamental Errors of the Quakers.  
1. That there are not 3 persons in the Godhead.  
2. That Christ did not make satisfaction for the sin of man.  
3. That Justification is not by imputed righteousness.  
4. That our good works are the meritorious cause of our justification.  
5. That a state of Freedom from sin is attainable in this life.  
6. That there is a light in every man sufficient to guide him to salvation.  
7. That the Scripture is not the Word of God nor a standing rule of Faith and Life.  
8. That there is no resurrection of the Body.  
9. That there is no need nor use of Ordinances as Baptism, the Lords Supper, &c.  
All these most dangerous and gross Errors are plainly refuted by Mr. Tho. Danson sometime Minister of the Gospel at Sandwich in Kent, in his Book which is well worth your reading.  
But if there be any persons that( notwith-standing all that hath been said) are desirous either for profit or preferment to be admitted into the Society of the Quakers, let them take these instructions along with them which may stand them in great stead for that end and purpose.   

Directions how to attain to be a Quaker.  
Whoever thou art, that is desirous to be admitted, to be a member of the disorderly Society and fraternity of the Quakers, it will concern thee first of all, to gain the acquaintance of some one of them that may be a means to bring thee to their meetings, where thou must carry thyself with great care and circumspection, during the time of their zealous and divine worship, which being ended, make much of thy Friend and he sure to extol him that spake although he spoken neither sense nor reason.  
Be constant at their meetings until thou art very well acquainted least they should censure thee for want of Zeal.  
Whether it be a Man or a Woman that teaches thou must take no exceptions but say, that without all doubt what they deliver is the truth. Be not too hasty to use t●ee, and thou, as their fashion is, but stay till thou hast gained more acquaintance amongst them, and then thou mayst be the bolder to do it. But after thou hast once begun it be sure thou never forget it.  
Afterwards when thou art amongst thy Brethren have a special care to place thy words aright, say not yes, but yea, nor no, but nay, nor you, but thou, nor yours, but thine, to any single person, and in so doing thou wilt find a great mystery of Godliness therein, and see great wonders done thereby.  
Be sure thou do not move thy hat, if thou meet the best man in the City, for that is one of the most noted principles belonging to thy profession, be courteous to thy brethren, but do not salute thy Sisters with a kiss, for some of them have got great bellys by such salutes, since which time it is quiter out of fashion.  
If after thou hast frequented constantly their meeting for a time, some of the chief of them come to visit thee, then let it be thy care to give them more civil and courteous entertainment then thou would do to thy nearest Relations, spare not for cost, for it will gain thee credit, and their good report of thee, when they are gone, will make others sensible that thou art full of love, and hast not bestowed thy time in vain.  
After a short time the Minister will perhaps give thee a visit for whom thou must provide a bottle of the best wine and what else thy house will afford of the best. It may be, he may blame thee for being at so much charge; but however with an unwilling willingness he will take part of what is presented to him, and be very glad that so good a Friend is come into the truth. But be sure wherever thou meetest any of the g●andees, not to invite them into any public house as Tavern, or Ale-house, for then they will think thou art profane.   

Rules for buying and selling.  
If thou be a Tradesman this Profession of being a Quaker may be very advantageous to thee, after thou art come to be in esteem amongst them, but thou must be sure to use plainness of speech, and to be at a word in all thy bargaining, as thy charge increases thou mayst raise thy commodity a half-penny or a penny in the shilling, and yet not the buyer perceive it, because thou tells him at a word thou canst not afford it under, and the simplo novice taking thee to be a harmless innocent man, believes what thou saist, and so is cheated to his face.  
Likewise in buying thy commodity's either of the Merchant or Tradesman, they look upon thee as an honest man, which gives the opportunity to beat down their price, by telling them thou canst not live by it, and so rather then they will loose thy custom they will take thy Money, because they know thy payment is sure, and thus mayst thou get an Estate by being a Quaker.  
Then must thou praise thy God for it, and say that he lendeth thee good things, although thou hast got it by fraud and deceit and so under a cloak of Religion thou mayst grow rich, whilst poor simplo people believe that God sends it thee privately, and think themselves blessed if they can but come under the shadow of thy roof.  
The next observation is, that though thou be never so rich yet thou must not go gallant or gaudy in apparel, let thy habit be plain as a Pike-staff, and as much as pos●●ble thou canst, endeavour to differ from the World in fashions of their clothes; for that is a weighty matter.  
If the world wear low crowned hats, then do thou wear high, and if they were long toed shoes do thou wear short, but in any case let no Ribbons, nor Lace, be seen about thee, for that would make thee to resemble Lucifer the Prince of pride, thereby thou mayst bring a scandal upon the truth, and loose the good opinion of all thy Brethren.  
Whether thou wearest a Hatband, or no is not much material, and for show strings, and such small matters I leave them to thyself as things indifferent.  
I have now shown thee a ready way to become a Quaker and by that time thou hast made use of my instructions, perhaps thou mayst have cause to thank me for them but whether thou dost or no, I do not much care, for my intent was to discover to the World their insolency and abuses, rather then to encourage any one to enter into that stupid and sottish Society of men, who had rather continue in darkness then come out into the light.  
But I shall not need to enlarge my discourse herein, in regard that more able Authors have already undertaken the like task, however it is not unknown to all the world what a disturbant stupefied sort of people they have always been, and still are, never conformable to any government nor I fear never will be.  
There is but little hopes of their reformation so long as they remain so obstinate, I admire that a sort of people so much enlightened with the Spirit as they say they are, should not open their eyes to see their own Errors.  
It is not long ago since some of them brought a Scandal upon their professed truth, by committing that horrid sin of murder. Where one Farmer Restal and his Son two eminent Quakers in Glocestershire, murdered a poor innocent woman that came to them for Money which was due to her Husband, if these be the workings of the Spirit I pray God bless all good people out of their hands. And so I leave them to the Almighty in his due time to open their eyes, that they may see their Errors and conclude.   
FINIS.