C 8324268 WARNARD COLLEGE LIBRARY F 12 1985 "I acknowledge the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, IN ALL THE FULNESS in which it is taught in Scripture; but I ADMIT NO SUCH DOCTRINE AS THE INWARD LIGHT,' BECAUSE I FIND IT NOT IN SCRIPTURE: an I never can tell what is meant by these words, without the definition of the person who uses the unscriptural phrase." ISAAC CREWDSON. $5-214 CONTENTS. Is the sacrifice of Christ held in proper esti- mation by the Society of Friends? . SECTION II. Concerning the Lord's Supper 272 Chap. VI. Is the doctrine of perfection, as held by the Society of Friends, sanctioned by Holy ADVERTISEMENT. A considerable time after I had begun writing this small volume, I heard of the existence of the paper, whereof a fac-simile is given to face the title-page. It is in the possession of an intimate and valued friend, who is descended from the Fell family; and who, on my application, very kindly allowed me to avail myself of the opportunity of exhibiting so undeniable an evidence of the nature and tendency of the profession which Friends originally made, and are still making. I present the fac-simile therefore as a basket of genuine first-fruits, which it may fairly be considered to be: because some of the persons whose signatures are affixed to this remarkable document, were individuals of much influence, and were highly esteemed in the Society. They are also still regarded as preeminently entitled to veneration, not only on account of their supposed sanctity; but as having been among the first to unite with George Fox in the formation of the Society. As it will be difficult for persons who have not been accustomed to read the hand-writing of that day, to make out some of the words, a copy of the paper is subjoined; and there need not at present be any thing further said in explanation of it, than just to remark, that the words "This was sent to G F & he came back againe to thes that sent for him and he that he shak'd the dost of hise feet against was not long after convinsed," are in George Fox's hand-writing; so is also part of the indorsement, as well as the "for G. F.," prefixed. Therefore his making the memorandum, and affixing his initials, must be considered as evidence that he was not dissatisfied with the contents of the paper. On the contrary, from the purport of what he wrote, it would appear that the paper was acceptable to him and this also is corroborated by the evidence which other documents in the possession of the same parties afford. A copy of my letter of resignation of membership in the Society of Friends, is also added for the purpose of reference. Wycombe, Oct. 28th, 1836. |