A Controversy  
which hath been betwixt the Quakers Protestant's and Papists, above this twelve years, Concerning the Church.  
Prot. and Pap.  
THe Protestants and Papists say their Steeple house is the Church to the Quakers, and say to the Quakers, what are you wiser than your forefathers? your fore fathers called it a Church, and owned it to be a Church, and gave it the Title of a Church, a Company of Silly people Say they, yea would be wiser than all your fore fathers, Ministers and priests, Clergy and Pope that have called it a Church these many hundred years.  
Qua. Answ. We do grant that the Papists and Protestants have called it a Church, with the Priests and Clergy and learned men, and if that be theirs and their fore father's wisdom to call it a Church; we are wiser than those their fore fathers that said so, for we are come to the wisdom of our forefathers the Apostles, who said Christ shed his blood for his Church, and is this the wisdom of you and your forefathers, that Christ shed his blood for a Steeple house? It is the wisdom of our forefathers that Christ shed his blood for the people: And so the People are the Church, and is it the wisdom of your forefathers that Christ came to purchase a Steeple house with his blood, the Apostle said he purchased the people with his blood, the People were the Church and are ye no wiser than your forefathers that said the Steeple house was the Church, and that Christ purchased it with his blood? and the Apostle said that Christ came to sanctify, cleanse purify and w●sh his Church. And is this the wisdom of your forefathers that Christ came to cleanse, sanctify and purify the Steeplehouse; which the Apostles said was the People and not an old house made with men's hands? Christ saith upon this Rock will I build my Church, Papists say it is upon Peter that Christ would build his Church: What would he set a Steeple house on top of Peter? The Church was built upon that which flesh and blood had not revealed to Peter. But our Father which is in heaven, and Christ said Mat. 18. and 19 If thy Brother trespass against thee, if he will not hear, thee and them, then tell it to the Church, and what is this the wisdom of your forefathers that they mu●t tell it to the Steeple houses, that can neither hear not see, hath this been the wisdom of your Clergy and forefathers and learned men? he must tell it to the Church which is the People, and if he neglect to hear the Church, let him become a heathen man; and what can the Steeple house speak, is this your fore father's wisdom? It is the People that hath the Title of Church, which he neglecteth to hear: In Acts the 2. and 47. The Lord added to his Church daily such as should be saved, and what was this adding to a Steeple house, was this your forefather's wisdom, your learned men? he added to the believers who were the Church, not a Steeple house Act. 5.11. Great fear came on all the Church: Is this your forefather's wisdom, that great fear came on the Steeplehouse? No, it was the People that was the Church fear came upon, that have the title of the Church.  
Acts the 8. and 1. Great persecution was against the Church, what great persecution against the Steeple house is this your learned men's wisdom? It was the People that was persecuted and not the Steeple house.  
Acts the 11. and 26. Where they assembled themselves together with the Church, what is this your forefather's wisdom that the Steeplehouse could assemble with the Elders? Nay it is the People that assembled with the Apostles and Elders.  
Acts the 14. and 23. They ordained Elders in every Church, that is they ordained Elders in every Congregation, he does not say they ordained Elders in every Steeplehouse.  
And when they came together and gathered the Church together, than they declared what God had done for them: what is this the wisdom of your forefathers that they gathered the Steeple houses together, and rehearsed to the Steeple house what God had done for them? nay this was before the Steeple house was, it was the People the Apostles gathered together which had the title of a Church and not an old house.  
And the Apostles were brought on their way by the Church as they passed their journey Acts the 15. and 3. what is this the wisdom of your learned men and forefathers that the Steeple house could bring the Apostles on their way? No, it was the People had the title of a Church who brought the Apostles on their Journey, for the Steeple house cannot go. It pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men etc. Is this the wisdom of your forefathers that this whole Church with the Apostles and Elders is a Steeple house? Nay it was the People that were the Church, the whole People.  
Acts. 18.22. When the Apostles had landed in Caesarea and gone up and saluted the Church: What was it the wisdom of your forefathers that he went and saluted a Steeple house? Nay it was the People that he saluted and gave the title of a Church to.  
Rom. 16.5, Paul saith greet me to the Church that is in thy house: so here you may see the Church was in the house; and that it was the People that was in the house and what is this the wisdom of your forefathers, that the Apostle bid them greet a Steeplehouse. Cor. 1 and the 4. The Apostle said I teach in every Church, that was in every Congregation, he doth not say every Steeple house.  
Cor, 14. and 4. He that prophesieth ed●fieth the Church. Is this the wisdom of your Clergy and fore fathers, that he edifie● the Steeple house? and are you no wiser than they? this prophecy was among the People which edified them, who had the title of Church.  
In the Church (the Apostle saith) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, than ten thousand in an unknown tongue; and this was in a Congregation of People who were called the Church.  
Seek (saith the Apostle) that you may excel to the edifying of the Church: What is this the wisdom of your Fathers that the Steeple house should be edified? No it was the People that was to be edified who were the Church.  
And the Apostle saith, when the whole Church comes together to one place and all speak with tongues etc. Is this the wisdom of your forefathers that a Steeple house should gather together and speak with tongues, and an unbeliever should come into a Steeple house and think the Steeple house was mad? This was the People that was the Church and were gathered together and spoke with tongues.  
The Apostle faith the Spirit of the prophets is subject to the Prophets, and God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints. This was in all the congregations of the Saints, he does not say in all the Steeple houses. The Church is the pillar and ground of truth, and truth were before Steeple houses: And is this the wisdom of your fore fathers that the Steeplehouse is the pillar and ground of truth? the Church is the body of Christ which he is the head of.  
The Apostle says the Churches of Asia salute you. Is this the wisdom of your forefathers to say the Steeple-houses salutes people? No it is the people of Asia which have the title of Church, that Christ is head of doth salute the Brethren. And the Church which is in their house 1 Cor. 16.19. This contradicts you and your Fathers, for if the Church were in their house it was not the Steeple house, but the People met in their house, who had the title of Church.  
Ephes. 1.22. Christ is the head over all things to the Church, which is his body, what is this the wisdom of your forefathers? is the Steeplehouse Christ body? No it is the People.  
Ephe. 3.10. The manifold wisdom of God might be known by the Church. And what is this your forefather's wisdom that the manifold wisdom of God should be known by the Steeple house?  
Ephes. the 5. the Church is subject to Christ. And is this your fore father's wisdom to say it is the Steeplehouse? No it is the People that is subject to Christ not an old house.  
Christ loved his church and gave himself for his church, what did Christ love the Steeplehouse and gave himself for it? No it was for the People.  
That Christ might present to himself a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, holy without blemish, and what is all this put to the Steeplehouse by the wisdom of your fore fathers? what doth Christ present the Steeplehouse without spot or blemish or wrinkle.  
The Lord cherishes his Church, what are you wiser than your forefathers? is it a Steep'e-house he cherisheth.  
Col. 1.18. Christ is the head of the body the Church. And what is he head of the body of your Steeplehouse? Nay this church which is the body is the People and not the Steeplehouse. Col. 4.15. Salute the Brethren of Laodicea and Nymphas and the Church in his house; Mark here again the church was in his house which was the People, and the Steeplehouse was not the church, neither was to be saluted.  
Thes. 1.1. 2 Thes. 1. Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus unto the church of Thessalonica, which is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And what is this the wisdom of your forefathers, are the Steeple-houses in God the Father of Christ? No it is the People and children of God which be in him, which have the title of church.  
Philemon 2. To the Church in thy house, Mark here again it was in philemon's house, and not his house nor the Steeplehouse, it was the People.  
Heb. 12.23. To the General Assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in heaven. Is this the wisdom of your forefathers to say the Steeplehouse is the firstborn, the general Assemble written in heaven? Nay these were the Saints born of God the Assembly of them written in heaven, who had this title of the Church.  
1 Peter 5 13 The Church, which is at Babylon elected together, salute you. Is a steeple house elected together to salute the Saints? is this the wisdom of your forefathers it is not the wisdom of our forefathers the Apostles, for the Elect are the Saints.  
joh. 3.9. I wrote unto the Church &. What did john write unto a Steeple house? nay it was the People, it was the Saints.  
Acts the 8 and 38 the Church that was in the Wilderness, what was it, the Steeplehouse that was in the Wilderness? no it was the People that was in the Wilderness the Assembly of God's People.  
Acts the 8. Now there were certain Prophets in the Church at Antioch: That was, the Prophets was in the Congregation, which was the People.  
1 Cor. 6.4. who are the least esteemed to be set up in the Church to judge of outward matters, this was in the assemblies of the righteous who had the title of a Church before a Steeplehouse was.  
1 Cor. 11.18. When ye come together in the Church etc. This your forefathers might think was coming together in the Steeplehouse, nay, this was before your Steeple house was hallowed by the Pope, coming together was the People in the Congregation.  
Cor. 12.28. God hath set in the Church Apostles and Teachers and Pastors etc. That was in the Assemblies of the Righteous, which was the People which was before the hallowed Steeplehouse was.  
Col. 4.16. The Epistle was caused to be read in the Church, so that was among the Assembly of the Saints, which was before Steeple houses were.  
Ephe. 3.2. Unto God be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages, world without end; The Steeple-houses were not in all ages, but it was the People that were in all ages, which had the title of the Church.  
Acts the 8. and the 3. Saul made hayock of the Church, what was it the Steeplehouse Saul made havoc on? is this the wisdom of your sore fathers?  
Acts the 11.22. Tidings came to the Ears of the Church at Jerusalem, what hath your Steeplehouse Ears which you call your Church? are you no wiser than your forefathers yet? Tidings came to the Ears of the People, of the Saints which were titled the Church.  
Acts the 12. 1. Herod the King vexed certain of the Church, this was not certain of the Steeple-houses but certain of the Saints.  
And Prayers was made without ceasing of the Church, this was not prayers made of the Steeple-houses without ceasing, but of the Saints which is the Church.  
The Apostles was brought on their way by the Church, Acts the 15. and the 3. That is, they were brought on their way by the Saints, and not by the Steeple-houses.  
And Paul called the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, not the elders of the Steeple house, but the Elders of the Saints. Acts 20.17.  
Phebee a servant of the Church not servant of a Steeplehouse but servant of Saints, who was before Consecrated Steeplehouses were.  
Paul saith Gaius mine host and the whole Church Salutes you, this was not the whole Steeple house that did salute, is this your forefather's wisdom? but this was the whole Saints, which had the Title of a Church.  
Cor. 1.14. That you may excel to the edifying of the Church, this was not to excel to edify a Steeplehouse but the People is called a church.  
1. Tim. 3.5. Paul saith to Timothy how that he should take care of the Church, what is this your forefather's wisdom that Paul said that Timothy should take care of a Steeple house? No it was of the People.  
Heb. 1.12. Christ said he would sing praises in the midst of his Church. That was in the midst of the People and not in the midst of a Steeplehouse.  
James the 5. and 14. Let them call for the Elders of the Church etc. that was for the Elders of the Saints.  
Diotrephes which loved to have the pre-eminence did cast some out of the Church which was rep roved, that was not out of the Steeple house, for it was before they were, but it was out of the Assemblies of the Saints Jo. 3. Ep. 10.  
Rev. 2.1.8.11.18. unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus writ, unto the Angel of the Church of Smyrna writ, and unto the Angel of the Church of Pergamos writ, unto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira writ, what were these Angels of Steeple-houses, which your forefathers call Churches? No they were the Saints and People of Ephesus and Smyrna etc.  
Rev. 3. unto the Angel of the Church of Sardis, to the Angel of the Church of Philadelphia, and to the Angel of the Church of Laodicea, what were these also Angels of Steeple houses, which your forefathers call Churches? No they were Angels of a Church of People.  
Acts the 20.28. the Apostles saith take heed to yourselves and to the flock, which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, are you no wiser than your forefathers the Papists, that say the Steeplehouse is the Church? and is this the Steeplehouse that they are to feed? For the Apostle says they were to feed the Church of God; and is it not the wisdom of your fore fathers that say the Steeple house is the Church? And it was not the Steeplehouse they were to feed, but the People which were the flock of God, Christ purchased the People with his own blood, not the Steeplehouse. 2 Cor. 1. where Paul writes, to the Church of God at Corinth; he doth not write to the Steeple-houses (which you call Churches) at Corinth but it was to the People.  
The Apostle says give no offence to the Church of God, despise not the Church of God, what was the wisdom of your fore fathers that they were not to give any offence to a Steeplehouse nor despise a Steeple house? Nay it was the People that they were to give no offence to, nor to despise.  
The Apostle Paul said he once persecuted the Church of God, what was it an old house he persecuted? No it was the People of God called the Church that he persecuted 1 Cor. 15.9. and in the Galathians he says the same.  
Acts the 15.31. The Churches had rest in all Judea and Galilea and were edified and walked in the fear of God and comfort of the Holy Ghost what was it the Steeple-houses that walked in the fear of God and the comfort of the Holy Ghost? And was it the Steeplehouse was edified and had rest? No it was the People of God. Paul went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the Churches, these was not the Steeple-houses that he confirmed, but the People of God.  
Acts. 16.5. The Churches were established in the faith; these were the People of God, that were established in the Faith and not the Steeple-houses.  
Rom. 16. The Churches of the Gentiles gave thanks; and is this the wisdom of your fore fathers? can the Steeple house give thanks? no it was the Saints.  
The Churches of Christ salute you, these are not the Steeple-houses salutes you but the Saints.  
1 Cor. 7.17. And so ordained I in all the Churches, that was in all the Assemblies of the Saints and before your Steeple houses were hallowed and called Churches.  
1 Cor. 11.16. No such custom is in the Church of God saith the Apostle, that was not in the Steeple-houses, but in the Assemblies of the righteous.  
1 Cor. 16.16. I have given order to all the Churches, he doth not say he has given order to all the Steeple-houses, which you call Churches by the wisdom of your forefathers, but not from the Apostles, for this order was to the Saints, who had the title of Church.  
2 Cor. 8.1. The grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia, this grace of God was not bestowed upon the Pope's consecrated Steeple-houses, but upon the People, which were before they were that are called Churches.  
Whose praise in the Gospel throughout all the Churches, who was chosen of all the Churches, meaning Titus, he was not chosen of all the Steeple-houses which you and your forefathers call Churches, but this was the People that had chosen Titus whose praise was in the Gospel throughout all the Churches, and Titus was a Messenger of the Churches, he was not a Messenger of the Steeple-houses that you call Churches, but a Messenger of the Churches before Steeple houses were. Before the Churches they were" to show the proof of their Love, that was before the Assembly of the righteous not before the Steeple houses.  
Paul said upon him was the daily care of all the Churches; that was not of a company of houses which are Steeple-houses, but it was the Saints which are called Churches.  
2 Cor. 12. Wherein you were not inferior to other Churches; that is to other congregations, not to other Steeple-houses.  
Paul writes to the Churches of Galatia 1 Gal. 2. that was to the Saints and congregation, and not to an old house a Steeplehouse.  
Paul saith in the same Chap. I was not known by face to the Churches of Judea. Is this the wisdom of your forefathers to say the Steeplehouse is the Church, for can the Steeplehouse know faces?  
1 Thes. 2 Cham 14. for ye brethren became followers of the Church, of God that was followers of the congregation of the Saints, and not followers of the Steeple-houses, for the Steeplehouse cannot go.  
1. Thes. 2, Paul saith we ourselves glory in you, in the Churches of God; so the Churches were the Assemblies of the Saints. For the Apostle did not glory in men nor in houses as the Apostate Christians have done, neither did they hollow houses as them that have consecrated houses and called them Churches, have done, and given the title to houses which belongs to People,  
Rev. 1.4.11.20. The seven Churches of Asia are seven Candlesticks, and what is the wisdom of you and your forefathers to call the Steeple houses which the Pope hath consecrated Candlesticks? Nay, this was the People of Asia the seven congregations, yea they are called golden Candlesticks, and the Steeple-houses are not golden Candlesticks, but this Title was given to the People of Asia who were golden Candlesticks,  
Rev. 2.7. for he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, this was to the People, for the Steeple-houses cannot hear, for they have no ears which you and your forefathers call churches, and finds fault with the Quakers that will not give your house the Saints Title. And all the Churches shall know" that I am he that searcheth all hearts and tries the reins and this is the Congregation of the People of God, for the Steeplehouse which you and your fore fathers call Churches cannot know that God searches the hearts and tries the reins but it is the People must know this.  
Rev, 22.16. I Jesus send mine Angels to testify these things unto you in the Churches, this was to the Congregations of his People, and he did not send them to the Steeple-houses which you call Churches, for that title belongs to the Saints, for the Church is flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, and the Steeplehouse is not flesh and bone: for it is his People that are. Christ's Church is a Spituall household made of living stones, but so is not the Steeplehouse: it is not living stones nor a Spiritual household offering up Spiritual sacrifices, and the Church is Christ's Spouse, the Steeplehouse is not Christ's Spouse: the Church is Christ's Bride and and his Wife, but the Steeplehouse is not Christ's Bride nor his Wife, but his People. The Bride saith come which is the Church; but the Steeple house cannot say come, it cannot speak no more than Baal's God. The Church which is the woman she fled into the Wilderness and was there fed of God 1260 days: Then the witness prophesied in sackcloth and ashes 1260 days: Then the Beast got up having the Dragon's power (and the whore the false Church) and he was to continue 42. Months 1260 days this time did he set up a wooden and stone house, and called it a Church when the true Church was gone to the wilderness, and so came up the wood and stone Cross 300 years after Christ, and then was set up instead of the fine linen and white, which is the Saints garment, the righteousness of Christ, then did they set up the Surplice. And again after the judgement of the great whore should come and the beast the Dragon and false prophet should be taken, and cast alive into the lake of fire, and the everlasting Gospel should be preached again to all Kindred's, tongues and People, and the true Church the Bride should prepare herself and make herself ready for her husband, and the Man child which was caught up to God should come down again to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron, and the Marriage of the Lamb should be known, and now the marriage of the Lamb is come Christ and his Wife which is the true Church, which he is head of: and flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, who reigneth over the false Church, so the true Church, the title of Church belongs to her, she cannot give her title away to a house made with men's hands, the true Church cannot give an old Steeple house the title of Church, nor worship, who sees over it and is come to the Church worship which belongs to herself and the wisdom that was amongst the Apostles: so cannot give a house made with men's hands the title of the flesh and bones and body of Christ, which is the Church no more than they can give the title to bread and wine, and say that is Christ and his body, no more than the true Prophets could give the title of God to Jesebels baal, so you must never look for us more to give that title to Christ's body and wife which is flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone to an old house, for Christ's Church were the Temples of God and his body is set above all those Temples or Churches which are made with men's hands, as it was in the Apostles days, so God's work is set above man's work.  
G. F.   

POSTSCRIPT  
YOur Steeple-houses you call Churches when there is no People in them, this is as much as to say that the Steeplehouse is the People, seeing the People is the Church; so whether People be in or out you call a house of Wood, Lime and Stone a Church, which you never read neither Jews nor Heathen did so, for a Church signifies a Congregation of People, you know: And all the persecutions ever since the Papists set them up both amongst Papists and Protestants hath been the greatest part of it for not going to the Steeple-houses, which you call Churches, which are the works of men's hands; which never did the Apostles nor Christ persecute any for not coming to their Assemblies which was the Church, and not a house. For what Laws have been made, and Fines since the Apostles days, and set upon People for not coming to that house you have set up which you call a Church, which People could not give a house the title which belongs to themselves: And what persecution has been, and Stocking, and Prisoning, and Shedding of their blood that have come to declare against those houses, and the teachers made of men, and testifying that all should b● taught of God, and the title Church: belongs not to the house made with men's hands but to the People, and the other ground is as holy as that ground, for the Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, and so all is made holy by him, and all that he made was good & blessed, as you may read in Genesis, and so one place not holier than another.  
And do you not give the s●me worship to the house of wood and stone which you call your Church, in putting off your hats? Yea, and when you go through it do not you commonly go bare headed all the way through it, though there be no body in it, and what do you more to them that are in it.  
The End.