And in 2 Cor. (i. 17;) "" When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay ?”

In short, shall we renounce that unbending adherence to the rule of right, by which our forefathers were distinguished ?" This is another of the "badges of Quakerism," according to friend Reviewer. An “ UNBENDING adherence to the rule of right," a badge! Excellent badge say I would that it were engraven upon the very heart of every one who nameth the name of Christ! Come, my friend, turn again to thy ultimate rule," and thou wilt find, in the seventh chapter of Matthew, our Saviour, likening those who "heard his sayings, and did them, unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock." And on another occasion, addressing his disciples, he says, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew x. 22.) And "FEAR NOT them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." And he that taketh not his cross and followeth me, is not WORTHY of me." And again to his disciples, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved." And in the Acts of the Apostles, in the fourth chapter, we find no very slight testimony to the soundness of that doctrine, which enjoins an unbending adherence to the rule of right," in the conduct of Peter and John, when forbidden by the Jewish rulers &c., to teach in the name of Jesus, "And they [the

rulers, &c.] called them [Peter and John,] and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered, and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you, more than unto God, judge ye.” And the Apostle Paul, in his affectionate farewell to the Church at Miletus, thus expresses himself; "And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself; so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts xx. 22.) Watch ye," (saith the same Apostle to the Corinthians,) STAND FAST in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." I marvel," (saith he to the Galatians,) "that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.” (Gal. i. 6.) And again," Ye did run well, who did HINDER you, that ye should not obey the truth?" (Gal. v. And to the Philippians, where he exhorts them, to stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." (Phil. i. 27.) Is an "unbending adherence to the rule of right," also "a badge of Quakerism?" Is it not recommended, both by precept and example, throughout the whole history and epistles of the Evangelists, and Apostles?

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7.)

Shall we exchange a child-like obedience to the

Shepherd's voice, for the mind which is ever ready to criticise and argue?" Now, I really think that the Reviewer has put a construction upon "the Shepherd's voice" which was never intended by the Writer of the Appeal;" for, in a note, he (the Reviewer,) writes, "Let not this be understood as if Mr. Gurney were hostile to such an appeal to the Scriptures: In the very next sentence he refers to the Shepherd's voice." This is really a sad perversion of terms. Who but the Re

are

:

I am the good his life for the Shepherd, and

viewer, or some other strangely misguided person, could apply the term, the "Shepherd's voice," to the Scriptures? The Scriptures do most certainly testify or "the Shepherd;" and "the Shepherd" himself said so to the Scribes; but that the Scriptures themselves "that Shepherd which laid down his life for his sheep," is really a most unwarrantable wresting of Scripture evidence. Come, get thee to the Scriptures themselves, which thou callest the "ultimate appeal for the truth of every doctrine." Jesus is there recorded to have said to his disciples, Shepherd the good Shepherd giveth sheep," (John x. 11.) "I am the good know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd." (John x. 14, &c.) "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth BEFORE THEM; and the sheep FOLLOW HIM; for they know his voice." (John x. 4.) And of whom was it Isaiah said (not the Scriptures, surely,)" He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the LAMBS with his arm, and

carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young?" (Isa. xl. 11.) Jesus, addressing some of the Jews,

"But ye," said "believe not, be

cause ye are not of my sheep; as I said unto you, My sheep hear my voice; and I know them, and they follow me." (John x. 26.) Thus, an "obedience to the Shepherd's voice," the Scripture testifies to be an infallible sign of the sheep of Christ's fold, and not a "badge of Quakerism," as the Reviewer declares. And of what is the gathering of the lambs symbolical—the tender, maternal care of carrying them in his bosom-but of that "child-like obedience" alluded to in the "Appeal ?" And what did our Saviour say to his disciples in reference thereto ? "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven," (Matt. xviii. 3.) "A child-like obedience," then, we find to be, not " a badge of Quakerism" merely, but a state of mind that must actually be attained, before an entrance will be granted into that " City, whose walls are salvation, and whose gates, praise."

I have now gone through the particulars, one by one, which the Reviewer has asserted to be "the badges of QUAKERISM," rather than of "CHRISTIANITY." The remainder of the quotation is rather a prospective lamentation over the consequences of abandonment of that sound, scriptural, and immutable principle which is embodied throughout the whole of these queries, than any distinct appeal on behalf of any " sectarian peculiarity." But even upon this it may be remarked, that in contemplation of so awful an event as that of the Friends, as a body or society, wandering like sheep that have gone astray on "the barren waste of an empty profes

sion," instead of lying down in "the green pastures of life," "beside the still waters;" in the contemplation, I say, of an event so awful, surely the forebodings of brotherly love and Christian compassion, might have merited a more sympathetic reception, than the scornful and unjust appellation of " a badge of Quakerism" bespeaks. And would that no cause had arisen to warrant such fear;-would that the love of the things of this world had not drawn away the hearts of, alas! too many;—would that no "grievous wolves" had entered in, tearing and devouring the flock;-would that, when the enemy had "come in as a flood," a greater number had flocked to lift "the standard of the Lord" against him. For, alas! are there not those who, with the Prophet of old, can exclaim, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!"

Well, I have gone through these "sectarian peculiarities," and applied to each of them the test which has been chosen by the Reviewer himself, and with which, I am free to confess, every thing that is of truth will be ever ready to accord. And how, let me ask, have they stood the test? Has the aquafortis-touch of Scripture truth changed their colour, and laid bare their impurity? or do they not exhibit in the native brilliancy in which they stand forth, a triumphant refutation of the Reviewer's misrepresentations, and discover themselves to be of that precious collection, acknowledged by those, of whom "In that day when the Lord of Hosts shall make up his jewels," He will say, "They shall be mine, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him?" I have shown that each of these