THE

John Holmes,

FAITH

OF THE

PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS,

IN

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST,

SET FORTH IN

Various Extracts from their Writings.

BY HENRY TUKE.

THE SECOND EDITION ENLARGED.

YORK:

PRINTED BY R. AND J. RICHARDSON,

HIGH-OUSEGATE.

1810.

INTRODUCTION,

THE object of this compilation is threefold.

First, To bear, in this age of scepticism and infidelity, when many are swerving from the Christian faith, a public testimony to the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, and to the benefits derived to mankind thereby.

Secondly, To remove from the Society of which I am a member, the suggestions and imputations of unsoundness in this great point of Christian doctrine, which have at times been cast upon it.

Thirdly, To manifest, by clear and in. disputable testimonies, to such of our own members as have not maturely considered the subject, what our uniform and acknow. ledged principles are; that they may be the more upon their guard against any persons, who may endeavour to draw them from the stability of faith.

It appears to me to be a time, wherein true believers in Christ, of all denomina. tions, should unite in the support of our holy religion; but whilst we are carefully endeavouring to maintain the Truth as it is

in Jesus, and even willing to contend, when occasion requires, for that faith, which was once delivered to the saints, let us also be especially careful to adorn the gospel of Christ with a consistent conduct, regulated by that grace and truth which are come by Him, in whom we all profess to believe. Without this we bear but a very imperfect testimony to the superior excellence of the gospel dispensation, give its enemies an opportunity to defame it, and prove ourselves to be like the foolish builder upon the sandy foundation, to whom our blessed Redeemer compared those who heard his sayings, but did them not.

Nevertheless, the truth of Christianity does not depend upon the conduct of its professors; for however inconsistent this may be, yet the excellency of the Christian faith, and the purity of its precepts, will ever bear a strong and unequivocal testimony against the conduct of those who hold the Truth Let none therefore, in unrighteousness. from the weakness or wickedness of man. kind, condemn a religion, the best calcu lated of any for the correction of these evils, and for our redemption from them; and which is indeed peculiarly adapted to the nature of a Being prone to sin, and en. compassed with many infirmities; but who is at the same time called to glory and to virtue, and designed for that life and im. mortality which are brought to light by the gospel.