| The Ancient Testimony and Principle |
| Of the People called |
| QUAKERS |
| Renewed with Respect to the
King and Government, and touching the Present Association. |
| We the said People do solemnly and sincerely declare,
That it hath been our Judgment and Principle from the first Day we
were called to profess the Light of Christ Jesus manifested in our
Consciences, unto this Day, That the setting Up, and putting Down
Kings and Governments, is Gods peculiar Prerogative, for Causes best
known to himself; and that it is not our Work or Business to have
any Hand or Contrivance therein, nor to be Busibodies in matters above
our Station; much less to Plot and Contrive the Ruine or Overturn
of any of them: But to pray for the King, and for the Safety of our
Nation, and good of all Men, that we may live a Peaceable and Quiet
Life, in all Godliness and Honesty under the Government which God
is pleased to set over us. |
| And according to this our Antient and Innocent Principle,
we often have given forth our Testimony, and now do, against all Plotting,
Conspiracies and contriving Insurrections against the King or the
Government, and against all Treacherous, Barbarous, and Murtherous
Designs whatsoever, as Works of the Devil and Darkness: And we sincerely
Bless God, and are heartily Thankful to the King and Government, for
the Liberty and Priviledges we Enjoy under them by Law; Esteeming
it our Duty to be True and Faithful to Them. |
| And whereas we the said People are required to sign
the said Association, we sincerely declare, That our Refusing so to
do, is not out of any Disaffection to the King or Government, nor
in Opposition to his being Declared Rightful and Lawful King of these
Realms, but purely because we cannot for Conscience-sake Fight, Kill,
or Revenge, either for our selves, or any Man else. |
| And we believe that the Timely Discovery and Prevention
of the late Barbarous Design, and Mischievous Plot against the King
and Government, and the sad Effects it might have had, is an Eminent
Mercy from Almighty God; for which We, the whole Nation, have great
cause to be humbly Thankful to Him, and to Pray for the Continuance
of his Mercies to Them and Us. |
| From a Meeting of the said People in London, the
23d of the First Month, called March, 1695/6. |
| Richd Baker |
| Jos: Mason; |
Thomas: Zachary |
|
