Anabaptists Declaration 1659

                                Declaration

                      Of several of the People called

                                ANABAPTISTS,

                      In and about the CITY of LONDON.
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We being mis-represented to the Nation,
1. As such, as are opposite to Magistracy.
2. That we would destroy the Publick Ministry of the Nation, who differ
from us in some things about Religion.
3. That we do countenance the people called Quakers, in their irregular
practise.
4. That we endeavour a Toleration of miscarriages in things Ecclesiastical
and Civil, under pretence of Liberty of Conscience,
5. That we design to murder and destroy those who differ from us in matters
of Religion, thereby endeavouring to make us odious to some people fearing
God, And also to incense the rude Multitude against us, to provoke them (if
possible) to destroy us.

To the first: Though we cannot answer in justification of every individual
person that is of our Profession in matters of Religion, yet we can say
this, and prove it to all the world, that it hath been our profession, and
is our practise, to be obedient to Magistracy in all things Civil, and
willing to live peaceably, under whatever Government is, and shall be
established in this Nation: for we do believe, and declare, Magistracy to
be an ordinance of God, and ought to be obeyed in all lawful things.

To the second: As for the public Ministers of the Nation, who differ from
us in the matter of Baptizing Infants, and some things in
Church-Government; We are so far from endevouring to destroy them, that we
judge, they ought to have the Liberty of their Consciences therein; and
that it is our duty to stand by them, and preserve them (so much as in us
lies) from all injury and violence.

To the third: Concerning the people called Quakers, it is well known to
all, (that are not wilfully ignorant) there are none more opposite to their
irregular practices then we are: nor are there any, that they have exprest
more Contradiction to, (in matters of Religion) then against us; though
their provocations therein, hath not put us (in the least) on a desire of
depriving them their just Liberty, while they live morally honest, and
peaceable in the Nation.

To the forth: Whereas we are further charged with endeavouring an universal
Toleration of all miscarriages, both in things Religious and Civil, under
pretense of Liberty of Conscience; it is in both respects notoriously
false. And we do before the Lord, that shall judge both quick and dead,
yea, before Angels and men, declare our utter detestation of such a
Toleration; for in matters Civil, we desire there may not be the least
Toleration of miscarriage in any, much less in our selves.

Nor do we desire, in matters of Religion, that Popery should be tolerated,
the bloud of many thousands of the people of God, having been barbarously
shed, by the Professors thereof; or any persons tolerated, that worship a
false god; nor any that speak contemptuously and reproachfully of our Lord
Jesus Christ; nor any that deny the holy Scriptures, contained in the books
of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God: And yet, we are not
against tolerating of Episcopacy, Presbytery, or any stinted form, provided
they do compel any others to a compliance therewith, or a conformity
thereunto: for whatever Composers of any form of worship, may possibly
erre; it is derogating from God, and his holy Word, and injurious to men,
to compel any to practice thereof.

To the last: For as much as we are charged, with designs, to murder or to
destroy those that differ from us in matters of Religion; We do not only
abhor and detest it, as a cursed practice; but we hope, have approved our
selves, both in this City and in this Nation, to the contrary;
notwithstanding the great provocation of some, who have endeavoured our
ruine: for all we desire, is just liberty to men, as men; that every man
may be preserved in his own just rights, and the Christians may be
preserved as Christians, though of different Apprehensions in some things
of Religion; in the prosecution whereof, our lives shall be dear unto us,
when we are thereunto lawfully called. The designs of our Adversaries in
these Calumnies, are, to mis-represent us to some people fearing God, and
also, to incense the rude Multitude against us, purposely to provoke them
(if possible) to destroy us.

We hope, hereby, it will appear to them that fear God, that we are no such
persons, as our Adversaries have represented us, And for their incensing
the rude Multitude against us, it is no more, than some others did to our
Master; and it is not for the Disciples, to expect better usage then their
Lord: and we do not find, the rude Multitude ever joyned with him, nor do
we expect, they should favour us: it is enough to us, we have his Promise,
that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.

This we think meet to Declare, to undeceive those, who through the
unchristian actions and expressions of some persons, have been, and are,
prejudiced against us.

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                                  LONDON,
   Printed for Livewell Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley, 1659.

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- Faith, Declaration, Baptist,