The preface, being a summary account of the divers dispensations of God to men from the beginning of the world to that of our present age, by the ministry and testimony of his faithful servant George Fox, as an introduction to the ensuing journal.
         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             The preface, being a summary account of the divers dispensations of God to men from the beginning of the world to that of our present age, by the ministry and testimony of his faithful servant George Fox, as an introduction to the ensuing journal.
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
             Fox, George, 1624-1691.
          
           [48] p.
           
             printed and sold by T. Sowle, at the Crooked Billet in Holly-well-lane, Shoreditch, and near the meeting-house in White-hart-court in Grace-church-street,
             [London :
             1694]
          
           
             Signed at end: VVilliam Penn.
             Caption title.
             Imprint from colophon.
             Signatures: A-M² .
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           THE
           PREFACE
           ,
           BEING
           A
           SUMMARY
           ACCOUNT
           Of
           the
           DIVERS
           
             Dispensations
             of
             God
          
           TO
           MEN
           ,
        
         
           FROM
           The
           Beginning
           of
           the
           World
           to
           That
           of
           our
           present
           Age
           ,
           by
           the
           Ministry
           and
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Faithful
           Servant
           
             George
             For
          
           ,
           as
           an
           Introduction
           to
           the
           ensuing
           Journal
           .
        
         
           DIVERS
           have
           been
           the
           Dispensations
           of
           God
           since
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           World
           unto
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ;
           But
           the
           Great
           End
           of
           all
           of
           them
           has
           been
           the
           
             Renown
             of
             his
             own
             Excellent
             Name
             in
             the
             Creation
             and
             Restauration
             of
             Man
             :
          
           Man
           ,
           the
           Emblem
           of
           himself
           ,
           as
           a
           God
           on
           Earth
           and
           the
           Glory
           of
           all
           his
           Works
           .
           The
           World
           began
           with
           Innocency
           :
           All
           was
           then
           good
           that
           the
           good
           God
           had
           made
           :
           And
           as
           he
           blessed
           the
           Works
           of
           his
           hands
           ,
           so
           their
           Natures
           and
           Harmony
           magnified
           him
           their
           Creator
           .
           Then
           the
           Morning
           Stars
           Sang
           together
           
           for
           Joy
           ,
           and
           all
           parts
           of
           his
           Works
           said
           Amen
           to
           his
           Law.
           Not
           a
           Jarr
           in
           the
           whole
           Frame
           ,
           but
           Man
           in
           Paradise
           ,
           the
           Beasts
           in
           the
           Field
           ,
           the
           Fowl
           in
           the
           Air
           ,
           the
           Fish
           in
           the
           Sea
           ,
           the
           Lights
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           the
           Fruits
           of
           the
           Earth
           ;
           yea
           the
           Air
           ,
           the
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Water
           and
           Fire
           Worshipped
           ,
           praised
           and
           exalted
           his
           Power
           ,
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           .
           O
           
             Holy
             Sabbath
          
           ,
           O
           
             Holy
             Day
          
           to
           the
           Lord
           !
        
         
           But
           this
           Happy
           State
           lasted
           not
           long
           :
           For
           Man
           ,
           the
           Crown
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Whole
           ,
           being
           tempted
           to
           aspire
           above
           his
           place
           ,
           unhappily
           yielded
           against
           Command
           and
           Duty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Interest
           and
           Felicity
           ;
           and
           so
           fell
           below
           it
           ,
           lost
           the
           Divine
           Image
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Power
           and
           Purity
           he
           was
           made
           in
           .
           By
           which
           ,
           being
           no
           longer
           fit
           for
           Paradise
           ,
           he
           was
           expelled
           that
           Garden
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           proper
           Dwelling
           and
           Residence
           ,
           and
           was
           driven
           out
           ,
           as
           a
           poor
           Vagabond
           ,
           from
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           wander
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Habitation
           of
           Beasts
           .
        
         
           Yet
           God
           ,
           that
           made
           him
           had
           pitty
           on
           him
           ;
           for
           He
           seeing
           he
           was
           deceived
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           not
           of
           Malice
           ,
           or
           an
           
             Original
             Presumption
          
           in
           him
           ,
           but
           through
           the
           Subtilty
           of
           the
           Serpent
           ,
           (
           that
           had
           first
           fallen
           from
           his
           own
           State
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Mediation
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           man
           's
           own
           Nature
           and
           Companion
           ,
           whom
           the
           Serpent
           had
           first
           deluded
           )
           in
           his
           infinite
           Goodness
           and
           Wisdom
           found
           out
           a
           way
           to
           Repair
           the
           
             Breach
             ,
             Recover
          
           the
           Loss
           ,
           and
           Restore
           fallen
           Man
           again
           by
           a
           
             Nobler
             and
             more
             Excellent
          
           Adam
           ,
           promised
           to
           be
           born
           of
           a
           Woman
           ;
           that
           as
           by
           means
           of
           a
           Woman
           the
           evil
           one
           had
           prevailed
           upon
           Man
           ,
           by
           a
           Woman
           also
           He
           should
           come
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           who
           would
           prevail
           against
           him
           and
           
             bruise
             his
             Head
          
           ,
           and
           deliver
           Man
           from
           his
           Power
           :
           And
           which
           ,
           in
           a
           signal
           manner
           ,
           by
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           in
           the
           fullness
           of
           Time
           ,
           was
           personally
           and
           fully
           accomplished
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           in
           him
           ,
           as
           Man's
           Saviour
           and
           Redeemer
           .
        
         
           But
           his
           Power
           was
           not
           limitted
           ,
           in
           the
           Manifestation
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           that
           time
           ;
           for
           both
           before
           and
           since
           his
           blessed
           Manifestation
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           He
           has
           been
           the
           Light
           and
           Life
           ,
           the
           Rock
           and
           Strength
           of
           all
           that
           ever
           feared
           God
           :
           Present
           with
           them
           in
           their
           Temptations
           ,
           followed
           them
           in
           their
           Travels
           and
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           supported
           and
           carried
           them
           through
           and
           over
           the
           Difficulties
           that
           have
           attended
           them
           in
           their
           
             Earthly
             Pilgrimage
          
           .
           By
           this
           
           Abel's
           heart
           excelled
           Cains
           ,
           and
           Seth
           obtained
           the
           preheminence
           ,
           and
           Enoch
           walked
           with
           God.
           It
           was
           this
           that
           strove
           with
           the
           
             Old
             World
          
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           rebelled
           against
           ,
           and
           which
           sanctified
           and
           instructed
           Noah
           to
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           outward
           Dispensation
           that
           followed
           the
           benighted
           State
           of
           Man
           ,
           after
           his
           Fall
           ,
           especially
           among
           the
           Patriarcks
           ,
           was
           generally
           that
           of
           Angels
           ;
           as
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           do
           in
           many
           places
           express
           ,
           as
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Jacob
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           next
           
           was
           that
           of
           the
           Law
           by
           Moses
           ,
           which
           was
           also
           delivered
           by
           Angels
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           .
           This
           Dispensation
           was
           much
           outward
           ,
           and
           suited
           to
           a
           low
           and
           servil
           State
           ;
           called
           therefore
           that
           of
           a
           School-Master
           ,
           to
           point
           out
           and
           prepare
           that
           People
           to
           look
           and
           long
           for
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           who
           would
           deliver
           them
           from
           the
           servitude
           of
           a
           Ceremonious
           and
           imperfect
           Dispensation
           ,
           by
           knowing
           the
           Realities
           of
           those
           Misterious
           Representations
           in
           themselves
           .
           In
           this
           time
           the
           Law
           was
           written
           on
           Stone
           ,
           the
           Temple
           built
           with
           Hands
           attended
           with
           an
           outward
           Priest-hood
           and
           
             External
             Rites
          
           ,
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           that
           were
           
             Shadows
             of
             the
             Good
             Things
             that
             were
             to
             come
             ,
          
           and
           were
           only
           to
           serve
           till
           the
           Seed
           came
           ,
           or
           the
           more
           excellent
           and
           general
           manifestation
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           whom
           was
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           Men
           only
           in
           him
           ,
           in
           whom
           it
           was
           Yea
           and
           Amen
           ;
           even
           Life
           from
           
             Death
             ,
             Immortality
          
           and
           
             Eternal
             Life
          
           .
        
         
           This
           the
           Prophets
           foresaw
           ,
           and
           comforted
           the
           believing
           Jews
           in
           the
           certainty
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           was
           the
           Top
           of
           the
           Mosaical
           Dispensation
           ,
           and
           which
           ended
           in
           
           John's
           Ministery
           ,
           the
           Forerunner
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           as
           
           John's
           was
           finished
           in
           him
           ,
           the
           Fullness
           of
           all
           .
           And
           God
           ,
           that
           at
           sundry
           Times
           and
           in
           divers
           manners
           had
           spoken
           to
           the
           Fathers
           by
           his
           Servants
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           Spoak
           then
           by
           his
           
             Son
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             Who
             is
             Heir
             of
             all
             things
          
           ;
           being
           the
           Gospel-Day
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           Sonship
           :
           Bringing
           in
           thereby
           a
           nearer
           Testament
           and
           a
           better
           hope
           ;
           even
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           latter
           days
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Restitution
           of
           all
           things
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           
             Restoration
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             unto
          
           Israel
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           was
           more
           sparingly
           communicated
           in
           former
           Dispensations
           ,
           began
           to
           be
           
             Poured
             forth
             upon
             all
             Flesh
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Prophet
           Joel
           ,
           and
           the
           Light
           that
           shined
           in
           Darkness
           ,
           or
           but
           
             dimly
             before
          
           ,
           the
           most
           gracious
           God
           caused
           to
           
             Shine
             out
             of
             Darkness
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Day-star
           began
           to
           arise
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Believers
           ,
           giving
           unto
           them
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Face
           (
           or
           Appearance
           )
           of
           his
           
             Son
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Poor
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Meek
           ,
           the
           true
           Mourners
           ,
           the
           Hungry
           and
           Thirsty
           after
           Righteousness
           ,
           the
           Peace-makers
           ,
           the
           
             Pure
             in
             Heart
          
           ,
           the
           Merciful
           and
           the
           Persecuted
           ,
           came
           more
           especially
           in
           Remembrance
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           were
           sought
           out
           and
           blessed
           by
           
           Israel's
           true
           Shepherd
           .
           Old
           Jerusalem
           with
           her
           Children
           grew
           out
           of
           Date
           ,
           and
           the
           New
           Jerusalem
           into
           Request
           ,
           the
           Mother
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Gospel-Day
           .
           Wherefore
           no
           more
           at
           Old
           Jerusalem
           ,
           nor
           at
           the
           Mountain
           of
           Samaria
           ,
           will
           God
           be
           worshipped
           above
           other
           places
           ;
           for
           ,
           behold
           ,
           he
           is
           declared
           and
           preached
           a
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           be
           known
           as
           such
           ,
           and
           worshipped
           in
           the
           Spirit
           and
           in
           the
           Truth
           .
           He
           will
           come
           nearer
           then
           of
           old
           time
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           write
           his
           Law
           in
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           put
           his
           Fear
           and
           Spirit
           in
           the
           
             inward
             parts
          
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           promise
           .
           Then
           
             Signs
             ,
             Types
          
           and
           Shadows
           flew
           away
           ,
           the
           Day
           having
           discovered
           their
           Insufficiency
           
           in
           not
           reaching
           to
           the
           inside
           of
           the
           Cup
           ,
           to
           the
           cleansing
           of
           the
           Conscience
           ;
           and
           all
           Elementary
           services
           were
           expired
           in
           and
           and
           by
           him
           that
           is
           the
           substance
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           this
           Great
           and
           Blessed
           End
           of
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           did
           the
           Apostles
           Testifie
           ,
           whom
           he
           had
           chosen
           and
           anointed
           by
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           turn
           the
           Jews
           from
           their
           Prejudice
           and
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           the
           Gentiles
           from
           their
           Vanity
           and
           Idolatry
           ,
           to
           Christ's
           Light
           and
           Spirit
           that
           shined
           in
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           might
           be
           quickned
           from
           the
           Sins
           and
           Trespasses
           in
           which
           they
           were
           Dead
           ,
           to
           serve
           the
           Living
           God
           in
           the
           Newness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           walk
           as
           Children
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Day
           ,
           even
           the
           Day
           of
           Holiness
           :
           For
           such
           
             put
             on
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           
             and
             make
             no
             more
             Provision
             for
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             to
             fulfil
             the
             Lusts
             thereof
             .
          
           So
           that
           the
           
             Light
             ,
             Spirit
          
           and
           
             Grace
             that
             comes
          
           by
           Christ
           ,
           and
           appears
           in
           Man
           ,
           was
           what
           the
           Apostles
           ministred
           from
           ,
           and
           turned
           Peoples
           Minds
           unto
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           they
           gathered
           and
           built
           up
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           in
           their
           Day
           .
           For
           which
           cause
           they
           advised
           them
           not
           to
           quench
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           wait
           for
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Speak
           by
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Pray
           by
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Walk
           in
           the
           Spirit
           too
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           approved
           them
           the
           truly
           begotten
           Children
           of
           God
           ;
           
             born
             ,
             not
             of
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             will
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             will
             of
             God
          
           ;
           by
           doing
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           denying
           their
           own
           ;
           by
           drinking
           of
           
           Christ's
           Cup
           ,
           and
           being
           Baptized
           with
           
             his
             Baptism
          
           of
           Self-denial
           :
           The
           Way
           and
           Path
           that
           all
           the
           Heirs
           of
           Life
           have
           trod
           to
           Blessedness
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           even
           in
           the
           Apostles
           Days
           ,
           (
           those
           bright
           Stars
           of
           the
           first
           Magnitude
           of
           the
           Gospel
           Light
           )
           some
           Clouds
           (
           foretelling
           an
           Eclipse
           of
           this
           Primitive
           Glory
           )
           began
           to
           appear
           ,
           and
           several
           of
           them
           gave
           early
           Caution
           of
           it
           to
           the
           Christians
           of
           their
           Time
           ;
           that
           even
           then
           there
           was
           ,
           and
           yet
           would
           be
           more
           and
           more
           ,
           a
           
             falling
             away
          
           from
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           and
           the
           Purity
           of
           that
           Spiritual
           Dispensation
           ,
           by
           such
           as
           sought
           to
           make
           a
           fair
           
             shew
             in
             the
             Flesh
          
           ,
           but
           with
           whom
           the
           offence
           of
           the
           Cross
           ceased
           :
           Yet
           with
           this
           comfortable
           Conclusion
           ,
           that
           they
           saw
           beyond
           it
           a
           more
           glorious
           Time
           than
           ever
           ,
           to
           the
           true
           Church
           .
           Their
           sight
           was
           true
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           foretold
           to
           the
           Churches
           ,
           gathered
           by
           them
           in
           the
           Name
           and
           Power
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           came
           so
           to
           pass
           :
           For
           Christians
           degenerated
           a-pace
           into
           outsides
           ,
           as
           Days
           and
           Meats
           ,
           and
           divers
           other
           Cerimonies
           .
           And
           which
           was
           worse
           ,
           they
           fell
           into
           Strife
           and
           Contention
           about
           them
           ,
           separating
           one
           from
           another
           ,
           then
           Envying
           ,
           and
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           Power
           ,
           Persecuting
           one
           another
           ,
           to
           the
           shame
           and
           scandal
           of
           their
           common
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           grievous
           stumbling
           and
           offence
           of
           the
           Heathen
           ,
           among
           whom
           the
           Lord
           had
           so
           long
           and
           so
           marvellously
           preserved
           them
           .
           And
           having
           got
           at
           last
           the
           Worldly
           Power
           into
           their
           Hands
           ,
           by
           Kings
           and
           Emperors
           embracing
           the
           
             Christian
             Profession
          
           ,
           they
           changed
           what
           they
           could
           ,
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           into
           a
           
             Worldly
             Kingdom
          
           ;
           or
           at
           least
           stiled
           the
           
             Worldly
             Kingdom
          
           that
           was
           in
           their
           Hands
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           and
           so
           they
           became
           Worldly
           ,
           and
           not
           true
           Christians
           .
           Then
           
             Humane
             Inventions
          
           and
           Novelties
           ,
           both
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Worship
           ,
           crowded
           fast
           into
           the
           Church
           ;
           a
           Door
           being
           opened
           thereunto
           by
           the
           Grossness
           and
           Carnality
           that
           appeared
           then
           among
           the
           generality
           of
           Christians
           ;
           who
           had
           long
           since
           left
           the
           Guidance
           of
           God's
           meek
           and
           heavenly
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           given
           themselves
           up
           to
           
             Superstition
             ,
             Will-worship
          
           ,
           and
           
             Voluntary
             Humility
          
           .
           And
           as
           Superstition
           is
           Blind
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           Heady
           and
           Furious
           ;
           for
           all
           must
           stoop
           to
           its
           blind
           and
           boundless
           Zeal
           or
           Perish
           by
           it
           :
           In
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           persecuting
           the
           very
           appearance
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           others
           ,
           and
           opposing
           that
           in
           them
           which
           they
           resisted
           in
           themselves
           ,
           viz.
           the
           
             Light
             ,
             Grace
          
           and
           Spirit
           of
           the
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ;
           but
           always
           under
           the
           Notion
           of
           
             Innovation
             ,
             Heresie
             ,
             Schism
          
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           plausible
           Name
           .
           Though
           Christianity
           allows
           of
           no
           Name
           or
           Pretence
           whatever
           for
           persecuting
           of
           any
           Man
           for
           matters
           of
           meer
           Religion
           ;
           Religion
           being
           in
           its
           very
           Nature
           ,
           
             Meek
             ,
             Gentle
          
           and
           Forbearing
           ;
           and
           consists
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             Hope
          
           and
           Charity
           ,
           which
           no
           Persecutor
           can
           have
           ,
           whilst
           he
           remains
           a
           Persecutor
           ;
           in
           that
           a
           Man
           cannot
           believe
           well
           ,
           or
           hope
           well
           ,
           or
           have
           a
           charitable
           or
           tender
           regard
           to
           another
           ,
           whilst
           he
           would
           violate
           his
           mind
           or
           persecute
           his
           Body
           for
           matters
           of
           Faith
           or
           Worship
           towards
           his
           God.
           
        
         
           Thus
           the
           
             False
             Church
          
           sprang
           up
           ,
           and
           mounted
           the
           Chair
           .
           But
           though
           she
           lost
           her
           Nature
           ,
           she
           would
           keep
           her
           good
           Name
           of
           the
           Lambs-bride
           ,
           the
           
             True
             Church
          
           and
           Mother
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ;
           constraining
           all
           to
           receive
           her
           Mark
           ,
           either
           in
           their
           Forehead
           or
           Righthand
           ,
           publickly
           or
           privately
           :
           But
           Indeed
           and
           in
           Truth
           she
           was
           
             Mystery
             Babylon
          
           ,
           the
           
             Mother
             of
             Harlots
          
           :
           Mother
           of
           those
           that
           with
           all
           their
           show
           and
           outside
           of
           Religion
           ,
           were
           adulterated
           and
           gone
           from
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Nature
           and
           Life
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           grown
           
             Vain
             ,
             Worldly
             ,
             Ambitious
             ,
             Covetous
             ,
             Cruel
             ,
          
           &c.
           which
           are
           the
           Fruits
           of
           the
           Flesh
           and
           not
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           Now
           it
           was
           that
           the
           True
           Church
           fled
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           from
           Superstition
           and
           Violence
           ,
           to
           a
           
             Retired
             ,
             Solitary
          
           and
           
             lonely
             State
          
           ;
           hidden
           and
           as
           it
           
             were
             out
             of
             Sight
          
           of
           Men
           ,
           though
           not
           out
           of
           the
           World
           :
           Which
           shows
           that
           her
           wonted
           Visibility
           was
           not
           Essential
           to
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           
             True
             Church
          
           in
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ;
           she
           being
           as
           True
           a
           Church
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           though
           not
           as
           Visible
           and
           Lustrious
           ,
           as
           when
           she
           was
           in
           her
           former
           Splendor
           of
           Profession
           .
           In
           this
           State
           many
           Attempts
           She
           made
           to
           return
           ,
           but
           the
           Waters
           were
           yet
           too
           High
           ,
           and
           her
           way
           blocked
           up
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           her
           excellent
           Children
           in
           several
           Nations
           and
           Centuries
           fell
           by
           the
           Cruelty
           of
           Superstition
           ,
           because
           they
           would
           not
           fall
           from
           their
           Faithfulness
           to
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
         
           The
           last
           Age
           did
           set
           some
           steps
           towards
           it
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
          
           and
           Practice
           .
           But
           Practice
           quickly
           failed
           ,
           for
           Wickedness
           flowed
           in
           a
           little
           time
           ,
           as
           well
           among
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           Reformation
           as
           those
           they
           reformed
           from
           ;
           so
           that
           by
           the
           Fruits
           of
           Conversation
           they
           were
           not
           to
           be
           distinguished
           .
           And
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           Reformers
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           Reformers
           themselves
           ,
           betook
           themselves
           very
           early
           to
           
             Earthly
             Policy
          
           and
           Power
           to
           uphold
           and
           carry
           on
           their
           Reformation
           that
           had
           been
           begun
           with
           
             Spiritual
             Weapons
          
           ;
           which
           I
           have
           often
           thought
           ,
           has
           been
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           reasons
           the
           Reformation
           made
           no
           better
           Progress
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Life
           and
           Soul
           of
           Religion
           :
           For
           whilst
           the
           Reformers
           were
           Lowly
           and
           
             Spiritually
             Minded
          
           ,
           and
           trusted
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           lookt
           to
           Him
           ,
           and
           lived
           in
           his
           Fear
           ,
           and
           consulted
           not
           with
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           nor
           sought
           Deliverance
           in
           their
           own
           way
           ,
           there
           were
           daily
           added
           to
           the
           Church
           such
           as
           ,
           one
           might
           reasonably
           say
           ,
           should
           be
           saved
           .
           For
           they
           were
           not
           so
           careful
           to
           be
           safe
           from
           Persecution
           as
           to
           be
           Faithful
           under
           it
           .
        
         
           Being
           more
           concerned
           to
           spread
           the
           Truth
           by
           their
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           in
           Tribulation
           ,
           than
           to
           get
           the
           worldly
           Power
           out
           of
           their
           Hands
           that
           inflicted
           their
           Sufferings
           upon
           them
           ;
           and
           it
           will
           be
           well
           if
           the
           Lord
           suffer
           them
           not
           to
           fall
           by
           the
           
             very
             same
             way
          
           they
           took
           to
           stand
           .
           In
           Doctrine
           they
           were
           in
           some
           things
           short
           ,
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           to
           avoid
           one
           extream
           they
           run
           into
           another
           :
           And
           for
           Worship
           ,
           there
           was
           for
           the
           generality
           ,
           more
           of
           Man
           than
           God.
           They
           owned
           the
           
             Spirit
             ,
             Inspiration
          
           and
           Revelation
           indeed
           ,
           and
           grounded
           their
           Seperation
           and
           Reformation
           upon
           the
           Sense
           and
           Understanding
           they
           received
           from
           it
           ,
           in
           the
           Reading
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           Truth
           ;
           and
           this
           was
           their
           Plea
           ,
           
             the
             Scripture
             was
             the
          
           Text
           ,
           
             the
             Spirit
             the
          
           Interpreter
           ,
           
             and
             that
             to
             every
             one
             for
             himself
             .
          
           But
           yet
           there
           was
           too
           much
           of
           humane
           
             Invention
             ,
             Tradition
          
           and
           Art
           that
           remained
           both
           in
           Praying
           and
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           of
           worldly
           Authority
           and
           worldly
           Greatness
           in
           their
           Ministers
           ,
           especially
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           
             Sweden
             ,
             Denmark
          
           and
           some
           Parts
           of
           Germany
           .
           God
           was
           therefore
           pleased
           among
           us
           ,
           to
           shift
           from
           Vessel
           to
           Vessel
           :
           And
           the
           next
           remove
           humbled
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           were
           more
           Strict
           in
           
             Preaching
             ,
             Devout
          
           in
           Praying
           ,
           and
           Zealous
           for
           keeping
           the
           Lords-day
           ,
           and
           Catechising
           of
           Children
           and
           Servants
           ,
           and
           Repeating
           at
           Home
           in
           their
           Families
           what
           they
           had
           heard
           in
           publick
           .
        
         
           But
           even
           as
           these
           grew
           into
           Power
           ,
           they
           were
           not
           only
           for
           Whipping
           some
           out
           ,
           but
           others
           into
           the
           Temple
           :
           And
           they
           appeared
           Rigid
           in
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           rather
           than
           Severe
           in
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           more
           for
           a
           Party
           then
           for
           Piety
           :
           Which
           brought
           forth
           another
           People
           ,
           that
           were
           yet
           
             more
             retired
          
           and
           select
           .
           They
           would
           not
           communicate
           
             at
             large
          
           ,
           or
           in
           common
           with
           others
           ;
           but
           formed
           Churches
           among
           themselves
           of
           such
           as
           could
           give
           some
           account
           of
           their
           Conversion
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           of
           very
           promising
           experiences
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           
             God's
             Grace
          
           upon
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           under
           mutual
           
           Agrements
           and
           Covenants
           of
           fellowship
           they
           kept
           together
           .
           These
           People
           were
           somewhat
           of
           a
           
             Softer
             Temper
          
           ,
           and
           seemed
           to
           recommend
           Religion
           by
           the
           Charms
           of
           its
           
             Love
             ,
             Mercy
          
           and
           Goodness
           rather
           than
           by
           the
           Terrours
           of
           its
           Judgments
           and
           Punishment
           ;
           by
           which
           the
           former
           Party
           would
           have
           terrified
           People
           into
           Religion
           .
        
         
           They
           also
           allowed
           greater
           liberty
           to
           Prophecy
           than
           those
           before
           them
           ;
           for
           they
           admitted
           any
           Member
           to
           Speak
           or
           Pray
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Pastor
           (
           whom
           they
           always
           Chose
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
             )
          
           .
           If
           such
           found
           any
           thing
           pressing
           upon
           them
           to
           either
           Duty
           ,
           even
           without
           the
           Distinction
           of
           Clergy
           or
           Laity
           ;
           Persons
           of
           any
           Trade
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           Low
           and
           Mechanical
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           even
           these
           People
           suffered
           great
           loss
           :
           For
           tasting
           of
           
             Worldly
             Empire
          
           ,
           and
           the
           favour
           of
           Princes
           ,
           and
           the
           gain
           that
           ensued
           ,
           they
           degenerated
           but
           too
           much
           .
           For
           though
           they
           had
           cryed
           down
           
             National
             Churches
          
           and
           Ministry
           and
           Maintenance
           too
           ,
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           their
           own
           turn
           to
           be
           Tryed
           ,
           
             fell
             under
          
           the
           Weight
           of
           
             Worldly
             Honour
          
           and
           Advantage
           ,
           got
           into
           profitable
           Parsonages
           too
           much
           ,
           and
           outlived
           and
           contradicted
           their
           own
           Principles
           :
           And
           ,
           which
           was
           yet
           worse
           ,
           turned
           some
           of
           them
           
             absolute
             Persecutors
          
           of
           other
           Men
           for
           God's
           Sake
           ,
           that
           but
           so
           lately
           came
           themselves
           out
           of
           the
           Furnace
           ,
           which
           drove
           many
           a
           step
           farther
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           into
           the
           Water
           .
           Another
           Baptism
           ,
           as
           believing
           they
           were
           not
           
             Scripturally
             Baptised
          
           ;
           and
           hoping
           to
           find
           that
           Presence
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           submitting
           to
           that
           Ordinance
           ,
           which
           they
           desired
           and
           wanted
           .
        
         
           These
           People
           made
           also
           Profession
           of
           Neglecting
           ,
           if
           not
           Renouncing
           and
           Censuring
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Necessity
           but
           use
           of
           all
           
             Human
             Learning
          
           as
           to
           the
           Ministry
           ;
           and
           all
           other
           Qualifications
           to
           it
           besides
           the
           Helps
           and
           Gifts
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           those
           natural
           and
           common
           to
           Men
           ;
           and
           for
           a
           time
           they
           seemed
           like
           John
           of
           Old
           ,
           a
           Burning
           and
           a
           
             Shining
             Light
          
           ,
           to
           other
           Societies
           .
        
         
           They
           were
           very
           
             Diligent
             ,
             Plain
          
           and
           Serious
           ,
           strong
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           bold
           in
           Profession
           ,
           bearing
           much
           Reproach
           and
           Contradiction
           :
           But
           that
           which
           others
           
             fell
             by
          
           ,
           proved
           their
           Hurt
           .
           For
           worldly
           Power
           spoiled
           them
           too
           ;
           who
           had
           enough
           of
           it
           to
           try
           them
           what
           they
           would
           do
           if
           they
           had
           more
           ;
           and
           they
           rested
           also
           too
           much
           upon
           their
           
             Watry
             Dispensation
          
           ,
           instead
           of
           passing
           on
           more
           fully
           to
           the
           Fire
           and
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           which
           was
           his
           Baptism
           ,
           who
           came
           with
           a
           
             Fan
             in
             his
             Hand
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             throughly
          
           (
           and
           not
           in
           part
           only
           )
           
             purge
             his
             Floor
          
           ,
           and
           take
           away
           the
           Dross
           and
           the
           Tin
           of
           his
           People
           and
           make
           a
           
             Man
             finer
             than
             Gold.
          
           Withall
           ,
           they
           grew
           
             High
             ,
             Rough
          
           and
           Self-righteous
           ,
           opposing
           further
           attainment
           ;
           too
           much
           forgetting
           the
           Day
           of
           their
           Infancy
           and
           Littleness
           ,
           which
           gave
           them
           something
           of
           a
           real
           Beauty
           ;
           in
           so
           much
           that
           many
           left
           them
           and
           all
           visible
           Churches
           and
           Societies
           ,
           and
           Wandred
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           as
           
           Sheep
           without
           a
           Shepherd
           ,
           and
           as
           Doves
           without
           their
           Mates
           ;
           seeking
           their
           Beloved
           but
           could
           not
           find
           Him
           ,
           as
           their
           Souls
           desired
           to
           know
           Him
           ;
           whom
           their
           Souls
           loved
           above
           their
           chiefest
           Joy.
           
        
         
           These
           People
           were
           called
           Seekers
           by
           some
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Family
             of
             Love
          
           by
           others
           ;
           because
           ,
           as
           they
           came
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           they
           sometimes
           met
           together
           ,
           not
           formally
           to
           Pray
           or
           Preach
           ,
           at
           appointed
           times
           or
           Places
           ,
           in
           their
           own
           Wills
           ,
           as
           in
           times
           past
           they
           were
           accustomed
           to
           do
           ;
           but
           waited
           together
           in
           Silence
           ,
           and
           as
           any
           thing
           rose
           in
           any
           one
           of
           their
           Minds
           that
           they
           thought
           Savoured
           of
           a
           
             Divine
             Spring
          
           ,
           so
           they
           sometimes
           Spoke
           .
           But
           so
           it
           was
           that
           some
           of
           them
           not
           keeping
           in
           Humility
           and
           in
           the
           
             Fear
             of
             God
          
           ,
           after
           the
           Abundance
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           were
           exalted
           above
           Measure
           ,
           and
           for
           want
           of
           staying
           their
           Minds
           in
           an
           humble
           Dependance
           upon
           him
           that
           opened
           their
           Understandings
           to
           see
           great
           things
           in
           his
           Law
           ;
           they
           run
           out
           in
           their
           own
           Imaginations
           ,
           and
           mixing
           them
           with
           those
           
             Divine
             Openings
          
           ,
           brought
           forth
           a
           
             Monstrous
             Birth
          
           ;
           to
           the
           Scandal
           of
           those
           that
           feared
           God
           ,
           and
           waited
           daily
           in
           the
           Temple
           ,
           not
           made
           with
           Hands
           ,
           for
           the
           Consolation
           of
           Israel
           ;
           the
           Jew
           inward
           ,
           and
           Circumcision
           in
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           This
           People
           obtained
           the
           Name
           of
           Ranters
           from
           their
           extravagant
           Discourses
           and
           Practices
           .
           For
           they
           interpreted
           Christ's
           fullfilling
           of
           the
           Law
           for
           us
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           discharging
           of
           us
           from
           any
           Obligation
           and
           Duty
           the
           Law
           required
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           Condemnation
           of
           the
           Law
           for
           sins
           past
           ,
           upon
           Faith
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           that
           now
           it
           was
           no
           Sin
           to
           do
           that
           which
           before
           it
           was
           a
           Sin
           to
           commit
           ;
           the
           slavish
           Fear
           of
           the
           Law
           being
           taken
           off
           by
           Christ
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           good
           that
           Man
           did
           ,
           if
           he
           did
           but
           do
           them
           with
           the
           Mind
           and
           Perswasion
           
             that
             it
             was
             so
          
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           divers
           fell
           into
           Gross
           and
           
             Enormous
             Practices
          
           ;
           pretending
           in
           excuse
           thereof
           that
           they
           could
           ,
           without
           Evil
           ,
           commit
           the
           same
           Act
           which
           was
           Sin
           in
           another
           to
           do
           ;
           
             thereby
             distinguishing
             between
             the
             Action
             and
             the
             Evil
             of
             it
             ,
             by
             the
             Direction
             of
             the
             Mind
             and
             Intention
             in
             the
             doing
             of
             it
             .
          
           Which
           was
           to
           make
           Sin
           Super-abound
           by
           the
           aboundings
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           to
           turn
           from
           the
           
             Grace
             of
             God
          
           into
           Wantonness
           ,
           a
           securer
           way
           of
           Sinning
           than
           before
           :
           As
           if
           Christ
           came
           not
           to
           
             take
             away
          
           Sin
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           might
           Sin
           
             more
             freely
          
           at
           his
           Cost
           ,
           and
           with
           less
           Danger
           to
           our selves
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           this
           ensnared
           Divers
           ,
           and
           brought
           them
           to
           an
           utter
           and
           lamentable
           Loss
           as
           to
           their
           
             Eternal
             State
          
           ;
           and
           they
           grew
           very
           troublesome
           to
           the
           better
           sort
           of
           People
           ,
           and
           furnished
           the
           looser
           with
           an
           occasion
           to
           Prophane
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           about
           that
           very
           same
           time
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           see
           in
           the
           ensuing
           Annales
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Eternal
             ,
             Wise
          
           ,
           and
           
             Good
             God
          
           was
           pleased
           ,
           in
           his
           Infinite
           Love
           ,
           to
           Honour
           and
           Visit
           this
           benighted
           
           and
           bewildred
           Nation
           with
           his
           
             Glorious
             Day-spring
             from
             on
             High
          
           ;
           yea
           with
           a
           
             most
             sure
          
           and
           
             certain
             sound
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             Light
             and
             Life
             ,
          
           through
           the
           Testimony
           of
           a
           Chosen
           Vessel
           ,
           to
           an
           effectual
           and
           blessed
           purpose
           ,
           can
           many
           thousands
           say
           ,
           
             Glory
             be
             to
             the
             Name
             of
             the
          
           Lord
           
             for
             ever
          
           .
        
         
           For
           as
           it
           reached
           the
           Conscience
           and
           broak
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           brought
           many
           to
           a
           Sense
           and
           Search
           ,
           so
           what
           People
           had
           been
           vainly
           seeking
           without
           ,
           with
           much
           Pains
           and
           Cost
           ,
           they
           by
           this
           Ministry
           found
           within
           ;
           where
           it
           was
           they
           wanted
           what
           they
           sought
           for
           ,
           
             viz.
             The
             right
             way
             to
             Peace
             with
             God.
          
           For
           they
           were
           directed
           to
           the
           
             Light
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             within
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             Seed
             and
             Leven
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
          
           ;
           near
           All
           ,
           because
           in
           All
           ,
           and
           God's
           Talent
           to
           All.
           A
           Faithful
           and
           
             True
             Witness
          
           and
           
             Just
             Monitor
             in
             every
             Bosom
          
           .
           The
           Gift
           and
           
             Grace
             of
             God
             to
             Life
          
           and
           
             Salvation
             that
             appears
             to
             all
          
           ,
           though
           few
           regard
           it
           .
           This
           ,
           the
           Traditional
           Christian
           ,
           conceited
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           strong
           in
           his
           own
           Will
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           overcome
           with
           blind
           Zeal
           and
           Passion
           ,
           either
           dispised
           as
           a
           low
           and
           common
           thing
           ,
           or
           opposed
           as
           a
           Novelty
           ,
           under
           many
           hard
           Names
           and
           opprobrious
           Terms
           ;
           denying
           ,
           in
           his
           ignorant
           and
           angry
           Mind
           ,
           any
           fresh
           Manifestation
           of
           God's
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           in
           Man
           in
           these
           days
           ,
           though
           never
           more
           needed
           to
           make
           true
           Christians
           :
           Not
           unlike
           those
           Jews
           of
           Old
           that
           rejected
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           at
           the
           very
           same
           time
           that
           they
           blindly
           professed
           to
           wait
           for
           the
           Messiah
           to
           come
           ;
           because
           ,
           alas
           ,
           he
           appeared
           not
           among
           them
           
             according
             to
             their
             Carnal
             Mind
             and
             Expectation
             .
          
        
         
           This
           brought
           forth
           many
           abusive
           Books
           ,
           which
           filled
           the
           greater
           sort
           with
           Envy
           ,
           and
           lesser
           with
           Rage
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           way
           and
           progress
           of
           this
           Blessed
           Testimony
           Straight
           and
           Narrow
           indeed
           to
           those
           that
           received
           it
           .
           However
           ,
           God
           owned
           his
           own
           Work
           ,
           and
           this
           Testimony
           did
           effectually
           Reach
           ,
           Gather
           ,
           Comfort
           and
           Establish
           the
           Weary
           and
           
             Heavy
             Leaden
          
           ,
           the
           Hungry
           and
           Thirsty
           ,
           the
           Poor
           and
           Needy
           ,
           the
           Mournful
           and
           Sick
           of
           many
           Maladys
           ,
           that
           had
           spent
           all
           upon
           Phisitians
           of
           no
           Value
           ,
           and
           waited
           for
           Relief
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           Help
           only
           from
           above
           :
           Seeing
           upon
           a
           serious
           Tryal
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           nothing
           else
           would
           do
           but
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           the
           
             Light
             of
             his
             Countenance
             ,
             a
             Touch
             of
             his
             Garment
          
           and
           
             Help
             from
             his
             Hand
          
           ,
           who
           cured
           the
           poor
           
             Womans
             Issue
          
           ,
           raised
           the
           
             Centurions
             Servant
          
           ,
           the
           
             Widows
             Son
          
           ,
           the
           
             Rulers
             Daughter
          
           ,
           and
           
             Peter's
             Mother
          
           ,
           and
           like
           Her
           ,
           they
           no
           sooner
           felt
           his
           Power
           and
           Efficacy
           upon
           their
           Souls
           ;
           but
           they
           gave
           up
           to
           obey
           him
           in
           a
           Testimony
           to
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           with
           resigned
           Wills
           and
           faithful
           Hearts
           ,
           through
           all
           
             Mockings
             ,
             Contradictions
             ,
             Beatings
             ,
             Prisons
             ,
          
           and
           many
           other
           Jeopardies
           that
           attended
           them
           for
           his
           Blessed
           Name
           Sake
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           ,
           they
           were
           very
           many
           and
           very
           Great
           ;
           so
           that
           in
           all
           
             Humane
             Probability
          
           they
           must
           have
           been
           
             swallowed
             up
             Quick
          
           of
           the
           Proud
           and
           Bosterous
           Waves
           that
           swelled
           and
           beat
           against
           
           them
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           God
           of
           all
           their
           tender
           Mercies
           was
           with
           them
           in
           his
           
             Glorious
             Authority
          
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Hills
           often
           Fled
           and
           the
           Mountains
           melted
           before
           the
           Power
           that
           filled
           them
           ;
           working
           mightily
           for
           them
           as
           well
           as
           in
           them
           ,
           one
           ever
           following
           the
           other
           .
           By
           which
           they
           saw
           plainly
           ,
           to
           their
           exceeding
           great
           Confirmation
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           were
           possible
           with
           him
           with
           whom
           they
           had
           to
           do
           .
           And
           that
           the
           more
           that
           which
           God
           required
           seemed
           to
           cross
           
             Man's
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           and
           expose
           them
           to
           
             Man's
             Wrath
          
           ,
           the
           more
           God
           appeared
           to
           help
           and
           carry
           them
           through
           all
           to
           his
           Glory
           :
           Insomuch
           that
           if
           ever
           any
           People
           could
           say
           in
           Truth
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             our
             Sun
             and
             our
             Shield
             ,
             our
             Rock
             and
             Sanctuary
             ,
             and
             by
             thee
             we
             have
             leaped
             over
             a
             Wall
             ,
             and
             by
             thee
             we
             have
             run
             through
             a
             Troop
             ,
             and
             by
             thee
             we
             have
             put
             the
             Armies
             of
             the
          
           Aliens
           
             to
             Flight
          
           ,
           these
           People
           had
           Right
           to
           say
           it
           .
           And
           as
           God
           had
           delivered
           their
           Souls
           of
           the
           warisom
           Burthens
           of
           Sin
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           and
           enriched
           their
           poverty
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           satisfied
           their
           great
           Hungar
           and
           Thirst
           after
           
             Eternal
             Righteousness
          
           ,
           and
           filled
           them
           with
           the
           
             Good
             Things
          
           of
           his
           own
           House
           ,
           and
           made
           them
           Stewards
           of
           his
           Manifold
           Gifts
           ;
           so
           they
           went
           forth
           to
           all
           Quarters
           of
           these
           Nations
           ,
           to
           Declare
           to
           the
           Inhabitants
           thereof
           ,
           
             what
             God
             had
             done
             for
             them
          
           ;
           what
           they
           had
           found
           ,
           and
           where
           and
           how
           they
           had
           found
           it
           ;
           
             viz.
             The
             way
             to
             Peace
             with
             God
             :
          
           Inviting
           them
           to
           come
           and
           see
           and
           taste
           ,
           for
           themselves
           ,
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           they
           Declared
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           their
           Testimony
           was
           to
           the
           
             Principle
             of
             God
             in
             Man
          
           ,
           the
           
             precious
             Pearl
          
           and
           Leven
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           blessed
           means
           appointed
           of
           God
           to
           
             Quicken
             ,
             Convince
          
           and
           Sanctifie
           Man
           ;
           so
           they
           opened
           to
           them
           what
           it
           was
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           was
           given
           to
           them
           for
           :
           How
           they
           might
           know
           it
           from
           their
           own
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           the
           Subtil
           appearance
           of
           the
           
             Evil
             one
          
           ;
           and
           what
           it
           would
           do
           for
           all
           those
           whose
           minds
           are
           turned
           off
           from
           the
           Vanity
           of
           the
           World
           and
           its
           Lifeless
           ways
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           ad-hear
           to
           this
           blessed
           Light
           in
           themselves
           ,
           which
           discovers
           and
           condemns
           Sin
           in
           all
           its
           appearances
           ,
           and
           shows
           how
           to
           overcome
           it
           ,
           if
           minded
           and
           obeyed
           in
           its
           holy
           Manifestations
           and
           Convictions
           :
           Giving
           Power
           to
           such
           to
           Avoid
           and
           Resist
           those
           things
           that
           do
           not
           please
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           grow
           Strong
           in
           
             Love
             ,
             Faith
          
           ,
           and
           
             Good
             Works
          
           :
           That
           so
           Man
           ,
           whom
           Sin
           hath
           made
           as
           a
           Wilderness
           ,
           over-run
           with
           Briers
           and
           Thorns
           ,
           might
           become
           as
           the
           Garden
           of
           God
           ,
           cultivated
           by
           his
           divine
           Power
           ,
           and
           replenisht
           with
           the
           most
           Virtuous
           and
           
             Beautiful
             Plants
          
           of
           God's
           own
           
             Right
             Hand
          
           Planting
           ,
           to
           his
           Eternal
           Praise
           .
        
         
           But
           these
           Experimental
           Preachers
           of
           
             Glad
             Tydings
          
           of
           God's
           Truth
           and
           Kingdom
           could
           not
           run
           when
           they
           List
           ,
           or
           Pray
           or
           Preach
           when
           they
           
             Pleased
             ,
             But
             as
             the
             Christ
             their
             Redeemer
             prepared
             and
             moved
             them
             by
             his
             own
             Blessed
             Spirit
             ,
          
           for
           which
           they
           waited
           in
           their
           Services
           and
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           Spoak
           as
           that
           gave
           
           them
           utterance
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           as
           those
           having
           Authority
           ,
           and
           not
           like
           the
           
             Dreaming
             ,
             Dry
          
           and
           formal
           Pharisees
           .
           And
           so
           it
           plainly
           appeared
           to
           the
           serious
           Minded
           ,
           whose
           
             Spiritual
             Eye
          
           the
           
             Lord
             Jesus
          
           had
           in
           any
           measure
           opened
           ;
           so
           that
           to
           one
           was
           given
           the
           Word
           of
           Exhortation
           ,
           to
           another
           the
           Word
           of
           Reproof
           ,
           to
           another
           the
           Word
           of
           Consolation
           ,
           and
           all
           by
           the
           same
           Spirit
           and
           in
           the
           good
           Order
           thereof
           ,
           to
           the
           Convincing
           and
           Edifying
           of
           many
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           ,
           they
           waxed
           Strong
           and
           Bold
           through
           Faithfulness
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           became
           very
           Fruitful
           ;
           thousands
           ,
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           being
           turned
           to
           the
           Truth
           through
           their
           Testimony
           in
           Ministry
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           insomuch
           as
           in
           most
           Counties
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           the
           considerable
           Towns
           of
           England
           ,
           Meetings
           were
           settled
           ,
           and
           daily
           there
           were
           added
           such
           as
           should
           be
           saved
           .
           For
           they
           were
           Diligent
           to
           Plant
           and
           to
           Water
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           blessed
           their
           Labours
           with
           an
           
             Exceeding
             great
             Increase
          
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           opposition
           made
           to
           their
           blessed
           Progress
           ,
           by
           false
           
             Rumors
             ,
             Calumnies
          
           and
           bitter
           Persecutions
           ;
           not
           only
           from
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           from
           every
           one
           that
           listed
           to
           injure
           and
           abuse
           them
           :
           So
           that
           they
           seemed
           indeed
           to
           be
           as
           
             poor
             Sheep
             appointed
             to
             the
             Slaughter
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             People
             killed
             all
             the
             Day
             long
             .
          
        
         
           It
           were
           fitter
           for
           a
           Volumn
           than
           a
           Preface
           ,
           but
           so
           much
           as
           to
           repeat
           the
           Contents
           of
           their
           cruel
           Sufferings
           from
           Professors
           as
           well
           as
           from
           Prophaine
           ,
           and
           from
           Magistrates
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Rabble
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           well
           be
           said
           of
           this
           abused
           and
           
             despised
             People
          
           ,
           they
           went
           forth
           Weeping
           and
           sowed
           in
           Tears
           ,
           bearing
           Testimony
           to
           the
           
             Precious
             Seed
          
           ,
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           stands
           not
           in
           Words
           ,
           the
           Finest
           the
           Highest
           that
           Man's
           Wit
           can
           use
           ,
           
             but
             in
             Power
          
           ;
           the
           Power
           of
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           to
           whom
           
             God
             the
             Father
          
           hath
           given
           all
           Power
           in
           Heaven
           and
           in
           Earth
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           rule
           Angels
           above
           ,
           and
           Men
           below
           ;
           who
           impowred
           them
           ,
           as
           their
           Work
           witnesseth
           ,
           by
           the
           many
           that
           were
           turned
           through
           their
           Ministry
           
             from
             Darkness
             to
             the
             Light
          
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           Broad
           into
           the
           Narrow
           Way
           ,
           bringing
           People
           to
           a
           
             Weighty
             ,
             Serious
          
           and
           God-like
           Conversation
           ;
           the
           Practice
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           which
           they
           Taught
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           without
           this
           Secret
           
             Divine
             Power
          
           there
           is
           no
           
             Quickning
             and
             Regenerating
             of
             dead
             Souls
             ,
          
           so
           the
           want
           of
           this
           Generating
           and
           begetting
           Power
           and
           Life
           ,
           is
           the
           Cause
           of
           the
           little
           Fruit
           that
           the
           many
           Ministrys
           that
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           the
           World
           bring
           forth
           .
           O
           that
           both
           Ministers
           and
           People
           were
           sensible
           of
           this
           !
           My
           Soul
           is
           often
           troubled
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           Sorrow
           and
           Mourning
           compass
           me
           about
           for
           their
           Sakes
           .
           O!
           that
           they
           were
           Wise
           ,
           O!
           that
           they
           would
           consider
           ,
           and
           lay
           to
           Heart
           the
           things
           that
           truly
           and
           substantially
           make
           for
           their
           lasting
           Peace
           .
        
         
         
           Two
           things
           are
           to
           be
           briefly
           toucht
           upon
           ,
           the
           Doctrine
           they
           Taught
           ,
           and
           the
           Example
           they
           lead
           among
           all
           People
           .
           I
           have
           already
           toucht
           upon
           their
           
             Fundamental
             Principle
          
           ,
           which
           is
           as
           the
           
             Corner
             stone
          
           of
           their
           Fabrick
           :
           And
           to
           speak
           eminently
           and
           properly
           ,
           their
           Characteristick
           ,
           or
           main
           distinguishing
           Point
           or
           Principle
           ,
           viz.
           the
           
             Light
             of
             Christ
             within
          
           ,
           as
           God's
           Gift
           for
           Man's
           Salvation
           .
           This
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           as
           the
           Root
           of
           the
           goodly
           Tree
           of
           Doctrines
           that
           grew
           and
           branched
           out
           from
           it
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           now
           mention
           in
           their
           Natural
           and
           Experimental
           Order
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             Repentance
             from
             dead
             Works
             to
             serve
             the
             Living
             God.
          
           Which
           comprehends
           three
           Operations
           .
           First
           ,
           a
           sight
           of
           
             Sin.
             Secondly
          
           ,
           A
           Sense
           and
           
             Godly
             Sorrow
          
           for
           it
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           An
           Amendment
           for
           the
           Time
           to
           come
           .
           This
           was
           the
           Repentance
           they
           preached
           and
           pressed
           ,
           and
           a
           Natural
           result
           from
           the
           Principle
           they
           turned
           all
           People
           unto
           .
           For
           of
           Light
           came
           Sight
           ;
           and
           of
           Sight
           came
           Sense
           and
           Sorrow
           ;
           and
           of
           Sense
           and
           Sorrow
           ,
           came
           Amentment
           of
           Life
           :
           Which
           Doctrine
           of
           Repentance
           leads
           to
           Justification
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             Forgiveness
             of
             the
             Sins
             that
             are
             past
             through
             Christ
             the
             alone
             Propitiation
             and
             the
             Sanctification
             or
             Purgation
             of
             the
             Soul
             from
             the
             defiling
             Nature
             and
             Habits
             of
             sin
             present
          
           ;
           which
           is
           justification
           in
           the
           compleat
           Sense
           of
           that
           Word
           ;
           comprehending
           both
           justification
           from
           the
           Guilt
           of
           the
           Sins
           that
           are
           past
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           never
           been
           commited
           ,
           through
           the
           Love
           and
           
             Mercy
             of
             God
          
           in
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Creatures
           being
           made
           inwardly
           just
           through
           the
           Cleansing
           and
           
             Sanctifying
             Power
          
           and
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           revealed
           in
           the
           Soul
           ;
           which
           is
           commonly
           called
           Sanctification
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           sprang
           a
           Second
           Doctrine
           they
           were
           led
           to
           declare
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Mark
             of
             the
             Price
             of
             the
             High
             Calling
          
           of
           all
           true
           Christians
           ,
           viz.
           
             Perfection
             from
             sin
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           Truth
           ,
           which
           testifie
           it
           to
           be
           the
           
             end
             of
             Christ's
             coming
          
           and
           the
           
             Nature
             of
             his
             Kingdom
          
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           his
           Spirit
           was
           given
           .
           But
           they
           never
           held
           a
           Perfection
           in
           Wisdom
           and
           Glory
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           or
           from
           
             Natural
             Infirmities
          
           or
           Death
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           with
           a
           weak
           or
           ill
           mind
           ,
           imagined
           and
           insinuated
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           This
           they
           called
           a
           
             Redeemed
             State
             ,
             Regeneration
          
           ,
           or
           the
           New-Birth
           :
           Teaching
           every
           where
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           Foundation
           ,
           that
           without
           this
           Work
           were
           known
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           inheriting
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
          
           
        
         
           Third
           ,
           To
           an
           acknowledgment
           of
           
             Eternal
             Rewards
             and
             Punishment
          
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           good
           Reason
           ;
           for
           else
           of
           all
           People
           ,
           certainly
           they
           must
           be
           the
           
             most
             Miserable
          
           :
           Who
           for
           about
           
             Forty
             Years
          
           ,
           have
           been
           exceeding
           great
           Sufferers
           for
           their
           Profession
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           Cases
           ,
           treated
           worse
           then
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ;
           yea
           ,
           as
           the
           Refuge
           and
           Off-scowering
           of
           all
           things
           .
        
         
         
           This
           was
           the
           Purport
           of
           their
           Doctrine
           and
           Ministry
           ;
           which
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           is
           what
           other
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           pretend
           to
           hold
           in
           Words
           and
           Forms
           ,
           but
           not
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           ;
           that
           has
           been
           long
           lost
           by
           Mens
           departing
           from
           that
           Principle
           and
           
             Seed
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           Man
           and
           which
           Man
           has
           not
           regarded
           ,
           but
           lost
           the
           Sense
           of
           ;
           and
           in
           and
           by
           which
           he
           can
           only
           be
           quickned
           in
           his
           Mind
           to
           serve
           the
           
             living
             God
          
           in
           Newness
           of
           Life
           .
           For
           as
           the
           Life
           of
           Religion
           was
           lost
           ,
           and
           the
           generality
           lived
           and
           
             Worshipped
             God
          
           after
           their
           own
           Wills
           ,
           and
           not
           after
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           stood
           in
           the
           Works
           and
           Fruits
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           ;
           so
           that
           which
           they
           prest
           ,
           was
           not
           Notion
           but
           Experience
           ,
           no
           Formality
           but
           Godliness
           ;
           as
           being
           sensible
           in
           themselves
           ,
           through
           the
           Work
           of
           
             God's
             Righteous
             Judgments
          
           ,
           that
           
             without
             Holiness
             no
             Man
             should
             ever
             see
             the
             Lord
          
           with
           Comfort
           .
        
         
           Besides
           these
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           larger
           Branches
           ,
           there
           sprang
           forth
           several
           particular
           Doctrines
           ,
           that
           did
           exemplifie
           and
           further
           explain
           the
           Truth
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           General
           Doctrine
           before
           observed
           ,
           in
           their
           Lives
           and
           Examples
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           I.
           Communion
           and
           
             loving
             one
             another
          
           .
           This
           is
           a
           noted
           Mark
           in
           the
           Mouth
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           People
           concerning
           them
           .
           
             They
             will
             meet
             ,
             They
             will
             help
             and
             stick
             one
             to
             another
             .
          
           Whence
           it
           is
           common
           to
           hear
           some
           say
           ,
           
             Look
             how
             the
             Quakers
             love
             and
             take
             care
             of
             one
             another
             .
          
           Others
           less
           Moderate
           will
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Quakers
             love
             none
             but
             themselves
             ,
          
           and
           if
           
             loving
             one
             another
          
           and
           having
           an
           
             Intimate
             Communion
          
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           constant
           care
           to
           meet
           to
           
             Worship
             God
          
           and
           help
           one
           another
           ,
           be
           any
           Mark
           of
           
             Primitive
             Christianity
          
           ,
           they
           had
           it
           ,
           Blessed
           be
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           an
           ample
           manner
           .
        
         
           II.
           
             To
             love
             Enemies
          
           :
           This
           they
           both
           Taught
           and
           Practised
           :
           For
           they
           did
           not
           only
           refuse
           to
           be
           revenged
           for
           Injuries
           done
           them
           ,
           and
           condemned
           it
           as
           of
           an
           
             Unchristian
             Spirit
          
           ,
           but
           they
           did
           freely
           Forgive
           ,
           yea
           ,
           Help
           and
           Relieve
           those
           that
           had
           been
           Cruel
           to
           them
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           in
           their
           Power
           to
           have
           been
           even
           with
           them
           ;
           of
           which
           many
           and
           singular
           Instances
           might
           be
           given
           :
           Endeavouring
           ,
           through
           Patience
           ,
           to
           overcome
           all
           Injustice
           and
           Oppression
           ,
           and
           Preaching
           this
           Doctrine
           as
           Christian
           for
           others
           to
           follow
           .
        
         
           III.
           
             The
             Sufficiency
             of
             Truth
             speaking
          
           ,
           according
           to
           Christ's
           own
           form
           of
           Words
           ,
           of
           
             Yea
             ,
             Yea
          
           ,
           and
           
             Nay
             ,
             Nay
          
           ,
           among
           Christians
           without
           Swearing
           ,
           both
           from
           Christ's
           express
           Prohibition
           
             to
             Swear
             at
             all
          
           .
           Mat.
           5.
           
           And
           for
           that
           they
           being
           under
           the
           
             Tye
             and
             Bond
             of
             Truth
             in
             themselves
             ,
          
           there
           was
           both
           no
           Necessity
           for
           an
           Oath
           ,
           and
           it
           would
           be
           a
           Reproach
           to
           their
           Christian
           Veracity
           to
           Assure
           their
           Truth
           by
           such
           an
           Extraordinary
           way
           of
           Speaking
           :
           But
           offering
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           to
           be
           punnisht
           to
           the
           full
           ,
           for
           false
           Speaking
           ,
           as
           others
           for
           Perjury
           ,
           if
           ever
           guilty
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           hereby
           they
           exclude
           ,
           with
           all
           True
           ,
           all
           False
           and
           
             Prophane
             Swearing
          
           ;
           for
           which
           the
           Land
           did
           and
           doth
           Mourn
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           God
           was
           and
           is
           not
           a
           little
           offended
           with
           it
           .
        
         
         
           IV.
           
             Not
             Fighting
          
           but
           Suffering
           ,
           is
           another
           Testimony
           peculiar
           to
           this
           People
           :
           They
           affirm
           that
           Christianity
           teacheth
           People
           
             To
             beat
             their
             Swords
             into
             Plough
             Shears
             ,
             and
             their
             Spears
             into
             Pruning
             Hooks
             ,
             and
             to
             learn
             War
             no
             more
             ,
             that
             so
             the
             Wolf
             may
             lie
             down
             with
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             and
             the
             Lyon
             with
             the
             Calf
             ,
             and
             nothing
             that
             destroys
             be
             entertained
             in
             the
             Hearts
             of
             People
          
           ;
           exhorting
           them
           to
           employ
           their
           Zeal
           against
           Sin
           ,
           and
           turn
           their
           Anger
           against
           Satan
           ,
           and
           no
           longer
           War
           one
           against
           another
           ;
           because
           ,
           all
           Wars
           and
           Fightings
           come
           of
           Mens
           own
           
             Hearts
             Lusts
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Apostle
           James
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           the
           
             Meek
             Spirit
          
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           who
           is
           Captain
           of
           
             another
             Warfare
          
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           carried
           on
           with
           
             other
             Weapons
          
           .
           Thus
           ,
           as
           Truth
           speaking
           succeeded
           Swearing
           ,
           so
           
             Faith
             and
             Truth
             succeeded
             Fighting
          
           ,
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Practise
           of
           this
           People
           .
           Nor
           ought
           they
           for
           this
           to
           be
           Obnoxious
           to
           
             Civil
             Government
          
           ,
           since
           if
           they
           cannot
           Fight
           for
           it
           ,
           neither
           
             can
             they
             Fight
             against
             it
          
           ;
           which
           is
           no
           mean
           security
           to
           the
           State
           :
           Nor
           is
           it
           reasonable
           that
           People
           should
           be
           blamed
           for
           not
           doing
           more
           for
           others
           than
           they
           can
           do
           for
           themselves
           .
           And
           Christianity
           set
           aside
           ,
           if
           the
           Costs
           and
           Fruits
           of
           War
           were
           well
           considered
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           with
           its
           Inconveniencies
           ,
           is
           generally
           Preferable
           .
           But
           though
           they
           were
           not
           for
           Fighting
           ,
           they
           were
           for
           submitting
           to
           Government
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           
             not
             only
             for
             Fear
             ,
             but
             for
             Conscience
             Sake
             ,
          
           where
           Government
           doth
           not
           interfere
           with
           Conscience
           :
           Believing
           it
           to
           be
           an
           
             Ordinance
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           where
           it
           is
           justly
           administred
           ,
           a
           great
           Benefit
           to
           Minkind
           :
           Tho'
           it
           has
           been
           their
           Lot
           ,
           through
           blind
           Zeal
           in
           some
           ,
           and
           Interest
           in
           others
           ,
           to
           have
           felt
           the
           Strokes
           of
           it
           with
           greater
           Weight
           and
           Rigour
           than
           any
           other
           Perswasion
           in
           this
           Age
           ;
           whilst
           they
           ,
           of
           all
           others
           (
           Religion
           set
           aside
           )
           have
           given
           the
           
             Civil
             Magistrate
          
           the
           
             least
             occasion
             of
             Trouble
          
           in
           the
           Discharge
           of
           his
           Office.
           
        
         
           V.
           Another
           part
           of
           the
           Character
           of
           this
           People
           is
           ,
           
             They
             refuse
             to
             pay
             Tythes
          
           ,
           or
           
             Maintenance
             to
             a
             National
             Ministry
          
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           two
           Reasons
           ;
           The
           one
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           believe
           all
           
             compelled
             Maintenance
          
           ,
           even
           to
           
             Gospel
             Ministers
          
           ,
           to
           be
           Unlawful
           ,
           because
           
             expresly
             contrary
          
           to
           Christ's
           Command
           ,
           who
           said
           ,
           
             Freely
             you
             have
             received
             ,
             freely
             give
             :
          
           At
           least
           ,
           that
           the
           Maintenance
           of
           
             Gospel
             Ministers
          
           should
           be
           free
           and
           not
           forced
           .
           The
           other
           Reason
           of
           their
           Refusal
           is
           ,
           Because
           those
           Ministers
           are
           not
           
             Gospel
             ones
          
           ,
           in
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           not
           their
           Foundation
           ,
           but
           
             Humane
             Arts
             and
             Parts
          
           :
           So
           that
           it
           is
           not
           matter
           of
           Humor
           or
           Sullenness
           ,
           but
           
             pure
             Conscience
          
           towards
           God
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           help
           to
           support
           
             National
             Ministers
          
           where
           they
           dwell
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           too
           much
           and
           too
           visibly
           become
           ways
           of
           
             Worldly
             Advantage
          
           and
           Preferment
           .
        
         
           VI.
           
             Not
             to
             respect
             Persons
          
           ,
           was
           another
           of
           their
           Doctrines
           and
           Practices
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           were
           
             often
             Buffeted
          
           and
           Abused
           .
           They
           Affirmed
           it
           to
           be
           sinful
           to
           give
           
             Flattering
             Titles
          
           ,
           or
           to
           use
           
             Vain
             Gestures
          
           and
           Complements
           of
           Respect
           ;
           tho'
           to
           Virtue
           and
           Authority
           they
           ever
           made
           a
           Difference
           ,
           but
           after
           their
           Plain
           and
           
             Homely
             Manner
          
           ,
           yet
           sincere
           and
           substantial
           way
           ;
           well
           remembering
           the
           
           Example
           of
           Mordecai
           and
           Elihu
           ,
           but
           more
           especially
           the
           Command
           of
           their
           Lord
           and
           Master
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           who
           forbad
           his
           Followers
           to
           call
           Men
           Rabby
           ,
           which
           implies
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           also
           the
           
             fashionable
             Greetings
          
           and
           Salutations
           of
           those
           Times
           ;
           that
           so
           Self-love
           and
           Honour
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           proud
           Mind
           of
           Man
           is
           incident
           ,
           in
           his
           fallen
           Estate
           ,
           might
           not
           be
           Indulged
           but
           Rebuked
           .
        
         
           They
           also
           used
           the
           Plain
           Language
           of
           Thou
           and
           Thee
           to
           a
           single
           Person
           ,
           whatever
           was
           his
           Degree
           among
           Men.
           And
           indeed
           the
           
             Wisdom
             of
             God
          
           was
           much
           seen
           ,
           in
           bringing
           forth
           this
           People
           in
           so
           Plain
           an
           Appearance
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           a
           Close
           and
           
             Distinguishing
             Test
          
           upon
           the
           Spirit
           of
           those
           they
           came
           among
           ;
           shewing
           their
           Insides
           and
           what
           predominated
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           High
           and
           Great
           Profession
           of
           Religion
           .
           This
           ,
           among
           the
           rest
           ,
           sounded
           so
           harsh
           to
           many
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           took
           it
           so
           ill
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           say
           ,
           
             Thou
             me
             ,
             Thou
             my
             Dog
             :
             If
             thou
             thouest
             me
             ,
             I
             'le
             thou
             thy
             Teeth
             down
             thy
             Throat
             ,
          
           forgetting
           the
           Language
           they
           use
           to
           God
           in
           their
           own
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           Stile
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           an
           absolute
           and
           essential
           Propriety
           of
           Speech
           :
           And
           what
           good
           had
           their
           Religion
           done
           them
           ,
           who
           were
           so
           sensibly
           toucht
           with
           Indignation
           for
           the
           use
           of
           this
           
             Plain
             ,
             Honest
          
           ,
           and
           
             True
             Speech
          
           ?
        
         
           VI.
           They
           recommended
           Silence
           by
           their
           Example
           ,
           having
           very
           few
           words
           upon
           all
           Occasions
           :
           They
           were
           
             at
             a
             Word
          
           in
           Dealing
           ;
           nor
           could
           their
           Customers
           many
           Words
           tempt
           them
           from
           it
           ;
           having
           more
           regard
           for
           Truth
           than
           Custom
           ,
           to
           Example
           then
           Gain
           ,
           they
           sought
           Solitude
           ;
           but
           when
           in
           Company
           ,
           they
           would
           neither
           use
           nor
           willingly
           hear
           Unnecessary
           as
           well
           as
           
             Unlawful
             Discourses
          
           ;
           whereby
           they
           preserved
           their
           Minds
           pure
           and
           undisturbed
           from
           unprofitable
           Thoughts
           and
           Diversions
           :
           Nor
           could
           they
           humour
           the
           Custom
           of
           
             Good
             Night
             ,
             Good
             Morrow
             ,
             God
             Speed
          
           ;
           for
           they
           knew
           the
           Night
           was
           Good
           ,
           and
           the
           Day
           was
           Good
           ,
           without
           wishing
           of
           either
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           the
           other
           Expression
           ,
           the
           
             Holy
             Name
          
           of
           God
           was
           too
           lightly
           and
           unthinkingly
           used
           ,
           and
           therefore
           taken
           in
           Vain
           .
           Besides
           ,
           they
           were
           Words
           and
           Wishes
           of
           Course
           ,
           and
           are
           usually
           as
           little
           meant
           ,
           as
           are
           Love
           and
           Service
           in
           the
           Custom
           of
           Cap
           and
           Knee
           ;
           and
           superfluity
           in
           those
           as
           well
           as
           in
           other
           things
           was
           Burthensom
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           They
           did
           not
           only
           decline
           to
           use
           them
           ,
           but
           found
           themselves
           often
           prest
           to
           reprove
           the
           Practice
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           same
           reason
           they
           forbore
           
             Drinking
             to
             People
             ,
             or
             Pledging
             of
             them
             ,
          
           as
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           World
           is
           :
           A
           Practice
           that
           is
           not
           only
           Unnecessary
           ,
           but
           they
           thought
           Evil
           in
           the
           Tendencies
           of
           it
           ;
           being
           a
           Provocation
           to
           Drinking
           more
           than
           did
           
             People
             Good
          
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           it
           was
           in
           it self
           Vain
           and
           Heathenish
           .
        
         
           VII
           .
           Their
           way
           of
           Marriage
           is
           peculiar
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           is
           a
           distinguishing
           Practice
           from
           all
           other
           Societies
           professing
           Christianity
           .
           They
           say
           that
           Marriage
           is
           an
           
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             only
             can
             rightly
             join
             Man
             and
             Woman
             in
             Marriage
             .
          
           Therefore
           they
           use
           
           neither
           Priest
           nor
           Magistrate
           ,
           but
           the
           Man
           and
           Woman
           concern'd
           take
           each
           other
           as
           Husband
           and
           Wife
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           divers
           Credible
           Witnesses
           ,
           
             promising
             unto
             each
             other
             with
             God's
             Assistance
             ,
             to
             be
             Loving
             and
             Faithful
             in
             that
             Relation
             till
             Death
             shall
             separate
             them
             .
          
           But
           ,
           antecedent
           to
           all
           this
           ,
           They
           first
           present
           themselves
           to
           the
           
             Monthly
             Meeting
          
           for
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           where
           they
           reside
           ;
           There
           declaring
           their
           Intentions
           to
           take
           one
           another
           as
           Man
           and
           Wife
           ,
           if
           the
           said
           Meeting
           have
           nothing
           material
           to
           object
           against
           it
           .
           They
           are
           constantly
           askt
           the
           necessary
           Questions
           ,
           as
           in
           Case
           of
           Parents
           ,
           or
           Guardians
           if
           they
           have
           acquainted
           them
           with
           their
           Intention
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           Consent
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           Method
           of
           the
           Meeting
           is
           to
           take
           a
           Minute
           thereof
           ,
           and
           to
           appoint
           
             Proper
             Persons
          
           to
           enquire
           of
           their
           Conversation
           and
           Clearness
           from
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           whether
           they
           have
           discharged
           their
           Duty
           to
           their
           Parents
           or
           Guardians
           ;
           and
           make
           report
           thereof
           the
           next
           
             Monthly
             Meeting
          
           ;
           where
           the
           same
           Parties
           are
           desired
           to
           give
           their
           Attendance
           .
           In
           case
           it
           appears
           they
           proceeded
           Orderly
           ,
           the
           Meeting
           passes
           their
           Proposal
           ,
           and
           so
           Records
           it
           in
           their
           Meeting
           Book
           ;
           and
           in
           Case
           the
           Woman
           be
           a
           Widow
           and
           hath
           Children
           ,
           due
           care
           is
           there
           taken
           ,
           that
           Provision
           also
           be
           made
           by
           her
           for
           the
           Orphans
           before
           the
           said
           Marriage
           ;
           advising
           the
           Parties
           concerned
           to
           appoint
           a
           convenient
           Time
           and
           place
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           fitting
           Notice
           to
           their
           Relations
           ,
           and
           such
           Friends
           and
           Neighbours
           ,
           as
           they
           desire
           should
           be
           the
           Witnesses
           of
           their
           Marriage
           :
           Where
           they
           take
           one
           another
           by
           the
           Hand
           ,
           and
           by
           Name
           promising
           Reciprocally
           after
           the
           Manner
           before
           expressed
           .
           Of
           all
           which
           Proceedings
           ,
           a
           Narative
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Certificate
           ,
           is
           made
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           said
           Parties
           first
           set
           their
           Hands
           ,
           thereby
           making
           it
           their
           Act
           and
           Deed
           ;
           and
           then
           divers
           of
           the
           
             Relations
             ,
             Spectators
          
           and
           Auditors
           set
           their
           Names
           as
           Witnesses
           of
           what
           they
           Said
           and
           Signed
           .
           Which
           Certificate
           ,
           is
           afterward
           Registred
           in
           the
           Record
           belonging
           to
           the
           Meeting
           ,
           where
           the
           Marriage
           is
           Solemnized
           .
           Which
           Regular
           Method
           has
           been
           ,
           as
           it
           deserves
           ,
           adjudged
           in
           
             Courts
             of
             Law
             a
             good
             Marriage
             ,
          
           where
           it
           has
           been
           Disputed
           and
           Contested
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           the
           accustomed
           Formality
           of
           Priest
           and
           Ring
           ,
           &c.
           which
           Ceremonies
           they
           have
           Refused
           ,
           not
           out
           of
           Humour
           ,
           but
           Conscience
           reasonably
           grounded
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           no
           Scripture
           Example
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Priest
           had
           any
           other
           part
           of
           
             Old
             Time
          
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           a
           Witness
           among
           the
           rest
           ,
           before
           whom
           the
           Jews
           used
           to
           take
           one
           another
           :
           And
           therefore
           this
           People
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           an
           Imposion
           ,
           to
           advance
           the
           Power
           and
           Profits
           of
           the
           Clergy
           .
           And
           for
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Ring
           ,
           it
           is
           enough
           to
           say
           that
           it
           was
           an
           Heathen
           and
           vain
           Custom
           .
           and
           never
           in
           Practice
           among
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           Jews
           or
           
             Primitive
             Christans
          
           .
           The
           words
           of
           the
           Usual
           form
           ,
           as
           
             With
             my
             Body
             I
             thee
             Worship
             ,
          
           &c.
           are
           hardly
           defensible
           :
           In
           short
           ,
           they
           are
           more
           Careful
           ,
           Exact
           and
           Regular
           than
           any
           Form
           now
           used
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           Free
           of
           the
           inconveniencies
           other
           Methods
           are
           attended
           with
           .
           Their
           Care
           and
           Checks
           being
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           such
           ,
           as
           no
           Clandestine
           Marriages
           can
           be
           perform'd
           among
           them
           .
        
         
         
           VIII
           .
           It
           may
           not
           be
           unfit
           to
           say
           something
           here
           of
           their
           Births
           and
           Burials
           ,
           which
           make
           up
           so
           much
           of
           the
           Pomp
           and
           Solemnity
           of
           too
           many
           called
           Christians
           .
           For
           Births
           ,
           the
           Parents
           Name
           their
           own
           Children
           ,
           which
           is
           usually
           some
           days
           after
           they
           are
           Born
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Midwife
           (
           if
           she
           can
           be
           there
           )
           and
           those
           that
           were
           at
           the
           Birth
           ,
           &c.
           who
           afterward
           sign
           a
           Certificate
           ,
           for
           that
           purpose
           prepared
           ,
           of
           the
           Birth
           and
           Name
           of
           the
           Child
           ,
           or
           Children
           ,
           which
           is
           Recorded
           in
           a
           proper
           Book
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Monthly
             Meeting
          
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Parents
           belong
           ;
           avoiding
           the
           accustomed
           Cerimonies
           and
           Feastivals
           .
        
         
           IX
           .
           Their
           Burials
           are
           performed
           with
           the
           same
           Simplicity
           .
           If
           the
           Corps
           of
           the
           Deceased
           be
           near
           any
           publick
           
             Meeting
             Place
          
           ,
           it
           is
           usually
           carried
           thither
           ,
           for
           the
           more
           convenient
           Reception
           of
           those
           that
           Accompany
           it
           to
           the
           Ground
           they
           Bury
           in
           ,
           and
           it
           so
           falls
           out
           sometimes
           ,
           that
           while
           the
           Meeting
           is
           gathering
           for
           the
           Burial
           ,
           some
           or
           other
           have
           a
           
             Word
             of
             Exhortation
          
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           People
           there
           met
           together
           :
           After
           which
           ,
           the
           Body
           is
           borne
           away
           by
           the
           Young
           Men
           ,
           or
           those
           that
           are
           of
           their
           Neighbourhood
           ,
           or
           that
           were
           most
           of
           the
           Intimacy
           of
           the
           
             Deceased
             Party
          
           :
           The
           Corps
           being
           in
           a
           plain
           Coffin
           ,
           without
           any
           Covering
           or
           Furniture
           upon
           it
           .
           At
           the
           Ground
           ,
           they
           pause
           some
           time
           before
           they
           put
           the
           Body
           into
           its
           Grave
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           one
           there
           should
           have
           any
           thing
           upon
           them
           to
           exhort
           the
           People
           ,
           they
           may
           not
           be
           dissappointed
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Relations
           may
           the
           more
           Retiredly
           and
           Solemnly
           take
           their
           last
           leave
           of
           the
           Corps
           of
           their
           departed
           Kindred
           ,
           and
           the
           Spectators
           have
           a
           Sense
           of
           Mortality
           ,
           by
           the
           occasion
           then
           given
           them
           to
           reflect
           upon
           their
           own
           
             Latter
             End.
          
           Otherways
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           set
           Rites
           or
           Ceremonies
           on
           those
           Occasions
           ;
           neither
           do
           the
           Kindred
           of
           the
           Deceased
           ever
           wear
           Mourning
           ;
           they
           looking
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           
             Wordly
             Ceremony
          
           and
           piece
           of
           Pomp
           ,
           and
           that
           what
           Mourning
           is
           fit
           for
           a
           Christian
           to
           have
           at
           the
           Departure
           of
           a
           beloved
           Relation
           or
           Friend
           ,
           should
           be
           worn
           in
           the
           Mind
           which
           is
           only
           sensible
           of
           the
           Loss
           ,
           and
           the
           Love
           they
           had
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           Remembrance
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           outwardly
           exprest
           by
           a
           respect
           to
           their
           Advice
           ,
           and
           care
           of
           those
           they
           have
           left
           behind
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           Love
           of
           that
           they
           Loved
           .
           Which
           Conduct
           of
           theirs
           ,
           though
           unmodish
           or
           unfashionable
           ,
           leaves
           nothing
           of
           the
           Substance
           of
           things
           neglected
           or
           undone
           ;
           and
           as
           they
           aim
           at
           no
           more
           ,
           so
           that
           simplicity
           of
           Life
           is
           what
           they
           observe
           with
           great
           Satisfaction
           ,
           though
           it
           sometimes
           happens
           not
           to
           be
           without
           the
           Mockeries
           of
           the
           vain
           World
           they
           live
           in
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           gave
           them
           a
           Rough
           and
           Disagreeable
           Appearance
           with
           the
           Generality
           ;
           who
           thought
           them
           
             Turners
             of
             the
             World
             upside
             down
             ,
          
           as
           indeed
           ,
           in
           some
           Sense
           they
           were
           ;
           but
           in
           no
           other
           than
           that
           wherein
           Paul
           was
           so
           charged
           ,
           
             viz.
             To
             bring
             things
             back
             into
             their
             Primitive
             and
             right
             Order
             again
             .
          
           For
           these
           and
           such
           like
           Practices
           of
           theirs
           were
           not
           the
           Result
           of
           Humour
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           fancied
           ,
           but
           a
           Fruit
           of
           
             Inward
             Sense
          
           ,
           which
           God
           ,
           
           through
           his
           Fear
           ,
           had
           begotten
           in
           them
           .
           They
           did
           not
           consider
           how
           to
           contradict
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           distinguish
           themselves
           ;
           being
           none
           of
           their
           Business
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           not
           their
           Interest
           ,
           no
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           the
           Result
           of
           Consultation
           ,
           or
           a
           framed
           design
           to
           declare
           or
           recommend
           Schism
           or
           Novelty
           .
           But
           God
           having
           given
           them
           a
           sight
           of
           themselves
           ,
           they
           saw
           the
           
             whole
             World
          
           in
           the
           same
           Glass
           of
           Truth
           ;
           and
           sensibly
           discerned
           the
           Affections
           and
           Passions
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Rise
           and
           Tendency
           of
           Things
           .
           What
           gratified
           the
           
             Lust
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             the
             Lust
             of
             the
             Eye
             and
             the
             Pride
             of
             Life
             which
             are
             not
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             World
          
           ;
           and
           from
           thence
           Sprang
           in
           that
           Night
           of
           Darkness
           and
           Apostacy
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           over
           People
           ,
           through
           their
           Degeneration
           from
           the
           Light
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           these
           and
           many
           other
           vain
           Customs
           ;
           which
           are
           seen
           by
           the
           Heavenly
           day
           of
           Christ
           which
           dawns
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           to
           be
           ,
           either
           wrong
           in
           their
           Original
           ,
           or
           ,
           by
           Time
           and
           Abuse
           ,
           Hurtful
           in
           their
           Practice
           .
           And
           though
           these
           things
           seemed
           Trivial
           to
           some
           ,
           and
           rendered
           this
           People
           Stingy
           and
           conceited
           in
           such
           Persons
           Opinions
           ;
           there
           was
           and
           is
           more
           in
           them
           than
           they
           were
           aware
           of
           .
           It
           was
           not
           very
           easie
           to
           our
           
             Primitive
             Friends
          
           ,
           to
           make
           themselves
           Sights
           and
           Spectacles
           ,
           and
           the
           Scorn
           and
           Derision
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           which
           they
           easily
           foresaw
           must
           be
           the
           Consequence
           of
           so
           Unfashionable
           a
           Conversation
           in
           it
           .
           But
           herein
           was
           the
           
             Wisdom
             of
             God
          
           seen
           in
           the
           Foolishness
           of
           these
           things
           ;
           First
           ,
           That
           they
           discovered
           the
           Satisfaction
           and
           Concern
           that
           People
           had
           in
           and
           for
           the
           Fashions
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           Pretences
           to
           another
           ;
           in
           that
           any
           disappointment
           about
           them
           came
           so
           very
           near
           them
           ;
           that
           the
           greatest
           
             Honesty
             ,
             Virtue
             ,
             Wisdom
          
           and
           Ability
           ,
           were
           unwelcom
           without
           them
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           seasonably
           and
           profitably
           divided
           Conversation
           ;
           for
           making
           their
           Society
           uneasie
           to
           their
           Relations
           and
           Acquaintance
           ,
           it
           gave
           them
           the
           opportunity
           of
           more
           Retirement
           and
           Solitude
           ,
           wherein
           they
           met
           with
           better
           Company
           ,
           even
           the
           Lord
           ,
           God
           their
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           grew
           strong
           in
           his
           
             Love
             ,
             Power
             and
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           and
           were
           thereby
           better
           qualified
           for
           his
           Service
           ;
           and
           the
           success
           abundantly
           show'd
           it
           :
           
             Blessed
             be
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           And
           though
           they
           were
           not
           Great
           and
           Learned
           in
           the
           Esteem
           of
           this
           World
           (
           for
           then
           they
           had
           not
           wanted
           Followers
           upon
           their
           own
           Credit
           and
           Authority
           )
           yet
           they
           were
           generally
           of
           the
           
             most
             Sober
          
           of
           the
           several
           Perswasions
           they
           were
           in
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           
             most
             Repute
          
           for
           Religion
           ;
           and
           many
           of
           them
           of
           
             good
             Capacity
             ,
             Substance
          
           and
           Account
           among
           Men.
           
        
         
           And
           also
           some
           among
           them
           neither
           wanted
           for
           
             Parts
             ,
             Learning
          
           nor
           Estate
           ;
           though
           then
           ,
           as
           of
           Old
           ,
           
             not
             many
             Wife
             ,
             nor
             Noble
             ,
          
           &c.
           were
           called
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           received
           the
           
             Heavenly
             Call
          
           ;
           because
           of
           the
           Cross
           that
           attended
           the
           Profession
           of
           it
           in
           Sincerity
           :
           But
           neither
           do
           Parts
           or
           Learning
           make
           Men
           the
           better
           Christians
           ,
           though
           the
           better
           Orators
           and
           Disputants
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           the
           Ignorance
           of
           People
           about
           the
           
             Divine
             Gift
          
           that
           causes
           that
           vulgar
           
           and
           mischievous
           mistake
           .
           Theory
           and
           
             Practice
             ,
             Expression
          
           and
           
             Enjoyment
             ;
             Words
          
           ,
           and
           Life
           ;
           are
           two
           things
           .
           Oh!
           't
           is
           the
           Penitent
           ,
           the
           Reformed
           ,
           the
           Lowly
           ,
           the
           Watchful
           ,
           the
           Self-denying
           and
           
             Holy
             Soul
          
           that
           is
           the
           Christian
           ;
           and
           that
           Frame
           is
           the
           Fruit
           and
           Work
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           
             Life
             of
             Jesus
          
           ;
           whose
           Life
           ,
           though
           hid
           in
           
             God
             the
             Father
          
           ,
           is
           
             shed
             abroad
          
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           them
           that
           truly
           Believe
           .
           Oh!
           that
           People
           did
           but
           know
           this
           to
           cleanse
           them
           ,
           to
           circumcise
           them
           ,
           to
           quicken
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           them
           
             New
             Creatures
          
           indeed
           ;
           Re-created
           or
           Regenerated
           after
           Christ
           Jesus
           unto
           good
           Works
           .
           That
           they
           might
           live
           to
           God
           and
           not
           to
           themselves
           ;
           and
           offer
           up
           living
           Prayers
           and
           living
           Praises
           ,
           to
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           through
           his
           own
           living
           Spirit
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           is
           only
           to
           be
           Worshipped
           in
           this
           
             Gospel
             Day
          
           .
           Oh!
           that
           they
           that
           read
           me
           could
           but
           feel
           me
           ;
           for
           my
           Heart
           is
           affected
           with
           this
           Merciful
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Father
           of
           Lights
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           to
           this
           poor
           Nation
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           World
           through
           the
           same
           Testimony
           .
           Why
           should
           the
           Inhabitants
           thereof
           reject
           it
           ?
           Why
           should
           they
           loose
           the
           
             Blessed
             Benefit
          
           of
           it
           ?
           Why
           should
           they
           not
           turn
           to
           the
           Lord
           with
           all
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           say
           from
           the
           
             Heart
             ,
             Speak
             Lord
             ,
             for
             now
             thy
             poor
             Servants
             hear
             .
             Oh!
             that
             thy
             will
             may
             be
             done
             ,
             thy
             Great
             ,
             thy
             Good
             and
             Holy
             will
             in
             Earth
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Heaven
             :
          
           Do
           it
           in
           us
           ,
           do
           it
           upon
           us
           ,
           do
           what
           thou
           wilt
           with
           us
           ,
           for
           we
           are
           thine
           and
           desire
           to
           glorifie
           thee
           our
           Creator
           ,
           both
           for
           that
           ,
           and
           because
           thou
           art
           our
           Redeemer
           ;
           for
           thou
           art
           redeeming
           us
           from
           the
           Earth
           ;
           from
           the
           Vanities
           and
           Pollations
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           
             Peculiar
             People
          
           unto
           thee
           .
           Oh!
           this
           were
           a
           
             Brave
             Day
          
           for
           England
           ,
           if
           so
           she
           could
           say
           in
           Truth
           .
           But
           alas
           ,
           the
           Case
           is
           otherwise
           ,
           for
           which
           some
           of
           thine
           Inhabitants
           ,
           O
           Land
           of
           my
           Nativity
           !
           have
           mourned
           over
           thee
           with
           
             bitter
             Wailing
             and
             Lamentation
          
           .
           Their
           Heads
           have
           been
           indeed
           as
           Waters
           ,
           and
           their
           Eyes
           as
           
             Fountains
             of
             Tears
          
           ,
           because
           of
           thy
           Transgression
           and
           Stiffneckedness
           ;
           because
           thou
           wilt
           not
           Hear
           ,
           and
           Fear
           and
           Return
           to
           the
           Rock
           ,
           even
           thy
           Rock
           ,
           O
           England
           !
           from
           whence
           thou
           wert
           Hewen
           .
           But
           be
           thou
           warned
           ,
           O
           Land
           of
           great
           Profession
           ,
           to
           receive
           him
           into
           thy
           Heart
           ;
           Behold
           at
           that
           Door
           it
           is
           ,
           he
           hath
           stood
           so
           long
           Knocking
           ,
           but
           thou
           wilt
           yet
           have
           none
           of
           him
           .
           Oh!
           be
           thou
           awakned
           ,
           least
           
             Jerusalem's
             Judgments
          
           do
           swiftly
           overtake
           thee
           ,
           because
           of
           
             Jerusalems
             Sins
          
           that
           abound
           in
           thee
           .
           For
           she
           
             abounded
             in
             Formality
          
           ,
           but
           
             made
             void
          
           the
           Weighty
           things
           of
           
             God's
             Law
          
           as
           thou
           
             daily
             doest
          
           .
        
         
           She
           withstood
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           thou
           
             resisteth
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Spirit
             .
             He
             would
             have
             gathered
             her
             as
             an
             Hen
             gathereth
             her
             Chickens
             under
             her
             Wings
             ,
             and
             she
             would
             not
          
           ;
           so
           would
           he
           have
           gathered
           thee
           out
           of
           thy
           
             Life-less
             Profession
          
           ,
           and
           have
           brought
           thee
           to
           inherit
           Substance
           ,
           to
           have
           known
           his
           Power
           and
           Kingdom
           ,
           for
           which
           he
           often
           knockt
           within
           ,
           by
           his
           Grace
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           without
           by
           his
           Servants
           and
           Witnesses
           ;
           but
           thou
           wouldest
           not
           be
           gathered
           :
           But
           on
           the
           Contrary
           ,
           as
           Jerusalem
           of
           old
           persecuted
           the
           Manifestation
           of
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           in
           the
           
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           Crucified
           him
           and
           Whipt
           and
           Imprisoned
           his
           Servants
           ;
           so
           hast
           thou
           ,
           
             O
             Land
          
           ,
           Crucified
           to
           thy self
           afresh
           the
           
             Lord
             of
             Life
             and
             Glory
          
           ,
           and
           done
           dispite
           to
           his
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           ;
           slighting
           the
           Fatherly
           Visitation
           ,
           and
           persecuting
           the
           blessed
           Dispensers
           of
           it
           by
           thy
           Laws
           and
           Magistrates
           ;
           though
           they
           have
           Early
           and
           Late
           pleaded
           with
           thee
           in
           the
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           in
           Love
           and
           Meekness
           ,
           that
           thou
           mightest
           know
           the
           Lord
           and
           serve
           him
           ,
           and
           become
           the
           Glory
           of
           all
           Lands
           .
        
         
           But
           thou
           hast
           Evilly
           entreated
           and
           requited
           them
           .
           Thou
           hast
           set
           at
           naught
           all
           their
           Counsel
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           none
           of
           their
           Reproof
           ,
           as
           thou
           shouldest
           have
           done
           .
           Their
           appearance
           was
           too
           Straight
           ,
           and
           their
           qualifications
           were
           to
           Mean
           for
           thee
           to
           receive
           them
           ;
           who
           like
           the
           
             Jews
             of
             Old
          
           ,
           that
           cryed
           ,
           
             Is
             not
             this
             the
             Carpenters
             Son
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             his
             Brethren
             among
             us
             ;
             which
             of
             the
             Scribes
             ,
             of
             the
             Learned
             (
             the
             Orthodox
             )
             believe
             in
             him
             ?
          
           Prophesying
           their
           fall
           in
           a
           year
           or
           two
           ,
           and
           making
           and
           executing
           of
           severe
           Laws
           to
           bring
           it
           to
           pass
           ;
           by
           endeavouring
           to
           terrifie
           them
           out
           of
           their
           
             Holy
             way
          
           ,
           or
           distroying
           them
           for
           abiding
           Faithful
           to
           it
           .
           But
           thou
           hast
           seen
           how
           many
           Governments
           that
           rise
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           determined
           their
           Downfal
           ,
           have
           been
           overturned
           and
           extinguished
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           still
           preserved
           ,
           and
           become
           a
           great
           and
           a
           considerable
           People
           ,
           among
           the
           Middle
           sort
           of
           thy
           numerous
           Inhabitants
           .
           And
           notwithstanding
           the
           many
           difficulties
           without
           and
           within
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           Laboured
           under
           ,
           since
           the
           Lord
           God
           Eternal
           first
           gathered
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           an
           
             encreasing
             People
          
           ,
           the
           Lord
           still
           adding
           unto
           them
           ,
           in
           divers
           Parts
           ,
           such
           as
           shall
           be
           saved
           ,
           if
           they
           persevere
           to
           the
           End.
           And
           to
           thee
           ;
           were
           they
           and
           are
           they
           lifted
           up
           as
           a
           Standard
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           City
           set
           upon
           a
           Hill
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Nations
           round
           about
           thee
           ,
           that
           in
           
             their
             Light
          
           ,
           thou
           may'st
           come
           to
           see
           Light
           ,
           even
           in
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           the
           
             Light
             of
             the
             World
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           thy
           Light
           ,
           and
           Life
           too
           ,
           if
           thou
           wouldst
           but
           turn
           from
           thy
           many
           evil
           ways
           ,
           and
           receive
           and
           obey
           it
           .
           For
           in
           the
           
             Light
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             must
             the
             Nations
             of
             them
             that
             are
             saved
             walk
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Scriptures
           Testify
           .
        
         
           Remember
           ,
           O
           Nation
           of
           great
           Profession
           !
           How
           the
           Lord
           has
           waited
           upon
           thee
           since
           the
           Days
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           the
           many
           Mercies
           and
           Judgments
           with
           which
           he
           has
           pleaded
           with
           Thee
           ;
           and
           awake
           and
           arise
           out
           of
           thy
           
             deep
             Sleep
          
           ,
           and
           yet
           hear
           (
           his
           Word
           in
           thy
           Heart
           )
           that
           thou
           may'st
           live
           .
        
         
           Let
           not
           this
           thy
           day
           of
           Visitation
           pass
           over
           thy
           Head
           ,
           nor
           neglect
           thou
           so
           great
           Salvation
           as
           is
           this
           which
           is
           come
           to
           thy
           House
           ,
           Oh
           England
           !
           For
           why
           should'st
           thou
           die
           ,
           Oh
           Land
           that
           God
           desires
           to
           Bless
           ?
           Be
           assured
           it
           is
           he
           that
           has
           been
           in
           the
           mid'st
           of
           this
           People
           ,
           in
           the
           mid'st
           of
           thee
           ;
           and
           no
           Delusion
           ,
           as
           thy
           mistaken
           Teachers
           have
           made
           thee
           believe
           .
           And
           this
           thou
           shalt
           find
           by
           their
           Marks
           and
           Fruits
           ,
           if
           thou
           wilt
           consider
           them
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Moderation
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
         
           I.
           They
           were
           changed
           Men
           themselves
           before
           they
           went
           about
           to
           change
           others
           .
           Their
           Hearts
           were
           rent
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Garments
           ;
           and
           they
           knew
           the
           Power
           and
           
             Work
             of
             God
          
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           this
           was
           seen
           by
           the
           great
           Alteration
           it
           made
           ,
           and
           their
           stricter
           Course
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           more
           Godly
           Conversation
           ,
           that
           immediately
           followed
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           II.
           They
           went
           not
           forth
           or
           Preached
           in
           their
           own
           Time
           or
           Will
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           
             Will
             of
             God
          
           ,
           and
           Spoke
           not
           their
           own
           
             studdied
             Matter
          
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           were
           opened
           and
           moved
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           with
           which
           they
           were
           well
           acquainted
           in
           their
           own
           Conversion
           ;
           which
           cannot
           be
           exprest
           to
           
             Carnal
             Men
          
           so
           as
           to
           give
           them
           any
           intelligible
           account
           ;
           for
           to
           such
           it
           is
           as
           Christ
           said
           ,
           
             like
             the
             blowing
             of
             the
             Wind
             ,
             which
             no
             Man
             knows
             whence
             it
             cometh
             ,
             or
             whether
             it
             goeth
             :
          
           Yet
           this
           Proof
           and
           Seal
           went
           along
           with
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           that
           
             many
             were
             turned
          
           from
           their
           Life-less
           Professions
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Evil
             of
             their
             Ways
          
           ,
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           
             Holy
             Life
          
           ,
           as
           thousands
           can
           witness
           .
           And
           as
           they
           Freely
           received
           what
           they
           had
           to
           say
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           so
           they
           Freely
           administred
           it
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           III.
           The
           Bent
           and
           Stress
           of
           their
           Ministry
           was
           Conversion
           to
           God
           ,
           Regeneration
           and
           Holiness
           ;
           not
           Schemes
           of
           Doctrines
           and
           Verbal
           Creeds
           ,
           or
           new
           
             Forms
             of
             Worship
          
           ;
           but
           a
           leaving
           off
           in
           Religion
           the
           Superfluous
           ,
           and
           reducing
           the
           Ceremonious
           and
           Formal
           part
           ,
           and
           pressing
           earnestly
           the
           Substantial
           ,
           the
           Necessary
           and
           Proffitable
           part
           ;
           as
           all
           upon
           a
           serious
           Reflection
           must
           and
           do
           accknowledge
           .
        
         
           IV.
           They
           directed
           People
           to
           a
           Principle
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           that
           they
           asserted
           ,
           Preached
           and
           Exhorted
           others
           to
           ,
           might
           be
           wrought
           in
           them
           and
           known
           ,
           through
           Experience
           ,
           to
           them
           to
           be
           true
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           high
           and
           distinguishing
           Mark
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ;
           both
           that
           they
           knew
           what
           they
           said
           ,
           and
           were
           not
           afraid
           of
           coming
           to
           the
           Test
           .
           For
           as
           they
           were
           bold
           from
           Certainty
           ,
           so
           they
           required
           Conformity
           upon
           no
           
             Humane
             Authority
          
           ,
           but
           upon
           Conviction
           ,
           and
           the
           Conviction
           of
           this
           Principle
           ,
           which
           they
           asserted
           was
           in
           them
           that
           they
           
             Preached
             unto
             ,
             and
             unto
             that
             directed
             them
             ,
          
           that
           they
           might
           examine
           and
           prove
           the
           Reaality
           of
           those
           things
           which
           they
           had
           affirmed
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           its
           Manifestation
           and
           Work
           in
           Man.
           And
           this
           is
           more
           than
           the
           many
           Ministries
           in
           the
           World
           pretend
           to
           .
           They
           declare
           of
           Religion
           ,
           say
           many
           things
           true
           ;
           in
           words
           
             of
             God
             ,
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             of
             Holiness
             and
             Heaven
             ;
             that
             all
             Men
             should
             Repent
             and
             mend
             their
             Lives
             ,
             or
             they
             will
             go
             to
             Hell
             ,
          
           &c.
           but
           which
           of
           them
           all
           pretend
           to
           speak
           of
           their
           own
           Knowledge
           and
           Experience
           ?
           Or
           ever
           directed
           Men
           to
           a
           Divine
           Principle
           ,
           or
           Agent
           ,
           placed
           of
           God
           
             in
             Man
          
           ,
           to
           help
           him
           ;
           and
           how
           to
           know
           it
           ,
           and
           wait
           to
           feel
           its
           Power
           to
           work
           that
           good
           and
           acceptable
           
             Will
             of
             God
          
           in
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Some
           of
           them
           indeed
           have
           Spoke
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           Operations
           of
           it
           to
           Sanctification
           ,
           and
           Performance
           of
           Worship
           to
           God
           ;
           but
           where
           and
           how
           to
           find
           it
           and
           wait
           in
           it
           to
           perform
           ,
           was
           yet
           as
           a
           Mistery
           reserved
           for
           
             this
             further
             degree
             of
             Reformation
          
           .
           So
           that
           this
           People
           did
           not
           only
           in
           words
           ,
           more
           than
           equally
           press
           
             Repentance
             ,
             Conversion
          
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           but
           did
           it
           knowingly
           and
           experimentally
           ;
           and
           directed
           those
           to
           whom
           they
           preach'd
           ,
           to
           a
           sufficient
           Principle
           ,
           and
           told
           them
           where
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           Tokens
           they
           might
           know
           it
           ,
           and
           which
           way
           they
           might
           experience
           the
           Power
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           it
           to
           their
           
             Soul's
             Happiness
          
           .
           Which
           is
           more
           then
           Theory
           and
           Speculations
           ,
           upon
           which
           most
           other
           Ministries
           depend
           ;
           for
           here
           is
           certainly
           ,
           a
           bottom
           upon
           which
           Man
           may
           boldly
           appear
           before
           God
           in
           the
           great
           Day
           of
           Account
           .
        
         
           V.
           They
           reached
           to
           the
           
             Inward
             State
          
           and
           Condition
           of
           People
           ,
           which
           is
           an
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Virtue
           of
           their
           Principle
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           Ministring
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           their
           own
           
             Imaginations
             ,
             Glosses
          
           or
           Comments
           upon
           Scripture
           .
           For
           nothing
           reaches
           the
           Heart
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           
             from
             the
             Heart
          
           ,
           or
           pierces
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           but
           what
           comes
           from
           a
           living
           Conscience
           .
           Insomuch
           as
           it
           hath
           often
           happened
           ,
           where
           People
           have
           under
           Secrecy
           revealed
           their
           State
           or
           Condition
           to
           some
           choice
           Friends
           ,
           for
           Advice
           or
           Ease
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           so
           particularly
           directed
           in
           the
           Ministry
           of
           this
           People
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           challenged
           their
           Friends
           with
           discovering
           their
           Secrets
           ,
           and
           telling
           the
           Preachers
           their
           Cases
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           very
           Thoughts
           and
           Purposes
           of
           the
           hearts
           of
           many
           have
           been
           so
           plainly
           detected
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           (
           like
           Nathaniel
           )
           cryed
           out
           of
           this
           inward
           appearance
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             thou
             art
             the
             King
             of
          
           Israel
           .
           And
           those
           that
           have
           embraced
           this
           
             Divine
             Principle
          
           ,
           have
           found
           this
           Mark
           of
           its
           Truth
           and
           Divinity
           (
           that
           the
           Woman
           of
           Samaria
           did
           of
           Christ
           when
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           
             Messiah
             ,
          
           )
           viz.
           
             It
             had
             told
             them
             all
             that
             ever
             they
             did
          
           ;
           showed
           them
           their
           insides
           ,
           the
           
             most
             inward
          
           secrets
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           laid
           Judgment
           to
           the
           Line
           ,
           and
           Righteousness
           to
           the
           Plummet
           ;
           of
           which
           Thousands
           can
           ,
           at
           this
           day
           give
           in
           their
           Witness
           .
           So
           that
           nothing
           has
           been
           affirmed
           by
           this
           People
           ,
           of
           the
           Power
           and
           Virtue
           of
           this
           
             Heavenly
             Principle
          
           ,
           that
           such
           as
           have
           turned
           to
           it
           have
           not
           found
           true
           ,
           and
           more
           ;
           and
           that
           one
           half
           had
           not
           been
           told
           to
           them
           of
           what
           they
           have
           seen
           of
           the
           
             Power
             ,
             Purity
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             Mercy
          
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           herein
           .
        
         
           VI.
           The
           Accomplishments
           with
           which
           this
           Principle
           fitted
           ,
           even
           some
           of
           the
           meanest
           of
           this
           People
           ,
           for
           their
           Work
           and
           Service
           ;
           Furnishing
           some
           of
           them
           with
           an
           
             Extraordinary
             Understanding
          
           in
           
             Divine
             Things
          
           ,
           and
           an
           admirable
           Fluency
           and
           Taking
           way
           of
           expression
           ,
           which
           gave
           occasion
           to
           some
           to
           wonder
           ,
           saying
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           of
           their
           
             Master
             ,
             is
             not
             this
             such
             a
             Mechanick's
             Son
             ,
             how
             came
             he
             by
             this
             Learning
             ?
          
           As
           from
           thence
           others
           took
           occasion
           to
           suspect
           and
           insinuate
           they
           were
           Jesuites
           in
           Disguise
           ;
           
           who
           have
           had
           the
           Reputation
           of
           learned
           Men
           for
           an
           Age
           past
           ;
           though
           there
           was
           not
           the
           least
           ground
           of
           Truth
           for
           any
           such
           Reflection
           .
        
         
           VII
           .
           That
           they
           rise
           Low
           ,
           and
           Dispised
           and
           Hated
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           did
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           the
           help
           of
           
             Worldly
             Wisdom
          
           or
           Power
           ,
           as
           former
           Reformations
           ,
           in
           part
           did
           :
           But
           in
           
             all
             things
          
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           this
           People
           were
           brought
           forth
           in
           the
           Cross
           ,
           in
           a
           Contradiction
           to
           the
           
             Ways
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             Fashion
          
           and
           Customs
           of
           this
           World
           ;
           yea
           ,
           against
           Wind
           and
           Tide
           ,
           that
           so
           no
           Flesh
           might
           Glory
           before
           God.
           
        
         
           They
           could
           have
           no
           design
           to
           themselves
           in
           this
           Work
           ,
           thus
           to
           expose
           themselves
           to
           Scorn
           and
           Abuse
           ;
           to
           spend
           and
           be
           spent
           :
           Leaving
           Wife
           and
           
             Children
             ,
             House
          
           and
           Land
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           can
           be
           accounted
           dear
           to
           Men
           ,
           
             with
             their
             lives
             in
             their
             Hands
             ,
          
           being
           daily
           in
           Jeopardy
           ,
           to
           declare
           this
           
             Primitive
             Message
          
           ,
           1
           Jo.
           1.
           5.
           revived
           in
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           by
           the
           good
           Spirit
           and
           Power
           of
           God.
           
             viz.
             That
             God
             is
             Light
             ,
             and
             in
             him
             is
             no
             darkness
             at
             all
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             has
             sent
             his
             Son
             a
             Light
             into
             the
             World
             to
             enlighten
             all
             Men
             in
             order
             to
             Salvation
             ;
             and
             that
             they
             that
             say
             they
             have
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             and
             are
             his
             Children
             and
             People
             ,
             and
             yet
             walk
             in
             Darkness
             ,
          
           viz.
           in
           Disobedience
           to
           the
           Light
           in
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           after
           the
           Vanity
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           they
           lie
           and
           do
           not
           the
           
             Truth
             .
             But
             that
             all
             such
             as
             love
             the
             Light
             and
             bring
             their
             Deeds
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             walk
             in
             the
             Light
             ,
             as
             God
             is
             Light
             ,
             the
             blood
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             his
             Son
             should
             cleanse
             them
             from
             all
             Sin.
             
          
        
         
           VIII
           .
           Their
           known
           great
           Constancy
           and
           Patience
           in
           Suffering
           for
           their
           Testimony
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Branches
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           sometimes
           unto
           Death
           ,
           by
           
             Beatings
             ,
             Bruisings
             ,
             long
          
           and
           
             crowded
             Imprisonments
          
           ,
           and
           
             Noisom
             Dungeons
          
           .
           Four
           of
           them
           in
           
             New
             England
          
           Dying
           by
           the
           Hands
           of
           the
           Executioner
           ,
           purely
           for
           Preaching
           amongst
           that
           People
           ;
           besides
           Banishments
           and
           
             Excessive
             Plunders
          
           and
           Sequestrations
           of
           their
           Goods
           and
           Estates
           ,
           almost
           in
           all
           parts
           ;
           not
           easily
           to
           be
           expressed
           ,
           and
           less
           to
           be
           endured
           ,
           but
           by
           those
           that
           have
           the
           support
           of
           a
           good
           and
           glorious
           Cause
           ;
           refusing
           Deliverance
           by
           any
           indirect
           ways
           or
           means
           ,
           as
           often
           as
           it
           was
           offered
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           IX
           .
           That
           they
           did
           not
           only
           ,
           not
           show
           any
           disposition
           to
           Revenge
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           at
           any
           time
           in
           their
           Power
           ;
           but
           forgave
           their
           cruel
           Enemies
           ;
           shewing
           Mercy
           to
           those
           that
           had
           none
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           X.
           Their
           Plainness
           with
           those
           in
           Authority
           :
           not
           unlike
           the
           
             Antient
             Prophets
          
           ,
           not
           fearing
           to
           tell
           them
           to
           their
           Faces
           of
           their
           
             Private
             and
             Publick
             Sins
          
           ,
           and
           their
           
             Prophecies
             to
             them
             of
             their
             Afflictions
             and
             Downfall
             ,
          
           when
           in
           the
           Top
           of
           their
           Glory
           ;
           also
           of
           some
           National
           Judgments
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Plague
           ,
           and
           Fire
           
           of
           London
           ,
           in
           express
           Terms
           ,
           and
           likewise
           particular
           ones
           to
           divers
           Persecutions
           ,
           which
           accordingly
           overtook
           them
           ;
           and
           which
           were
           very
           remarkable
           in
           the
           Places
           where
           they
           dwelt
           ,
           and
           in
           time
           they
           may
           be
           made
           publick
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Thus
           Reader
           ,
           thou
           seest
           this
           People
           in
           their
           
             Rise
             ,
             Principles
             ,
             Ministry
          
           and
           Progress
           ,
           both
           their
           General
           and
           Particular
           Testimony
           ,
           by
           which
           thou
           maist
           be
           informed
           how
           and
           upon
           what
           foot
           they
           Sprung
           and
           became
           so
           considerable
           a
           People
           .
           It
           remains
           next
           that
           I
           shew
           also
           their
           
             Care
             ,
             Conduct
          
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           as
           a
           Christian
           and
           
             Reformed
             Society
          
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           found
           living
           up
           to
           their
           own
           Principles
           and
           Profession
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           hardly
           suffered
           more
           in
           their
           Character
           from
           the
           Unjust
           Charge
           of
           Error
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           false
           Imputation
           of
           Disorder
           :
           Which
           Calumny
           indeed
           has
           not
           failed
           to
           follow
           all
           the
           true
           steps
           that
           were
           ever
           made
           to
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           under
           which
           Reproach
           none
           suffered
           more
           than
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           themselves
           ,
           that
           were
           the
           Honour
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Lights
           and
           Examples
           of
           their
           own
           and
           succeeding
           Ages
           .
        
         
           This
           People
           encreasing
           daily
           both
           in
           Town
           and
           Country
           ,
           an
           Holy
           Care
           fell
           upon
           some
           of
           the
           Elders
           among
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           Benefit
           and
           Service
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           the
           first
           Business
           in
           their
           View
           ,
           after
           the
           Example
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Saints
          
           ,
           was
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Charity
           ,
           to
           supply
           the
           Necessities
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           answer
           the
           like
           Occasions
           :
           Wherefore
           Collections
           were
           early
           and
           liberally
           made
           for
           that
           ,
           and
           divers
           other
           Services
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           intrusted
           with
           Faithful
           Men
           ,
           fearing
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           good
           Report
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           weary
           in
           well-doing
           ;
           adding
           often
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           in
           large
           Proportions
           ,
           which
           they
           never
           brought
           to
           account
           ,
           or
           desired
           should
           be
           known
           ,
           much
           less
           restored
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           none
           might
           want
           ,
           nor
           any
           Service
           be
           retarded
           or
           disappointed
           .
        
         
           They
           were
           also
           very
           careful
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           that
           belonged
           to
           them
           ,
           answered
           their
           Profession
           in
           their
           Behaviour
           among
           Men
           ,
           upon
           all
           Occasions
           ;
           that
           they
           lived
           Peaceably
           ,
           and
           were
           in
           all
           things
           good
           Examples
           .
           They
           found
           themselves
           engaged
           to
           record
           their
           Sufferings
           and
           Services
           ;
           and
           in
           case
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           perform
           in
           the
           usual
           Methods
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           but
           among
           themselves
           ;
           they
           took
           care
           thal
           all
           things
           were
           clear
           between
           the
           Parties
           and
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           then
           rare
           that
           any
           one
           entertain'd
           such
           Inclination
           to
           a
           Person
           on
           that
           account
           ,
           till
           he
           or
           she
           had
           communicated
           it
           secretly
           to
           some
           very
           Weighty
           and
           Eminent
           Friends
           among
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           a
           sense
           of
           the
           Matter
           ;
           looking
           to
           the
           Council
           and
           Unity
           of
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           as
           of
           great
           Moment
           to
           them
           .
           But
           because
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           the
           Number
           of
           Orphans
           ,
           Marriages
           ,
           Sufferings
           and
           other
           Matters
           multiplied
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           good
           that
           the
           
           Churches
           were
           in
           some
           way
           and
           Method
           ,
           of
           proceeding
           in
           such
           Affairs
           among
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           they
           might
           the
           better
           correspond
           upon
           occasion
           ,
           where
           a
           Member
           of
           one
           Meeting
           ,
           might
           have
           to
           do
           with
           one
           of
           another
           :
           It
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           open
           the
           Understanding
           of
           the
           first
           Instrument
           of
           this
           Dispensation
           of
           Life
           ,
           about
           a
           Good
           and
           Orderly
           way
           of
           Proceeding
           ;
           and
           he
           felt
           an
           Holy
           Concern
           to
           visit
           the
           Churches
           in
           Person
           throughout
           this
           Nation
           ,
           to
           begin
           and
           establish
           it
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           by
           his
           Epistles
           the
           like
           was
           done
           in
           other
           Nations
           and
           Provinces
           abroad
           ;
           which
           he
           also
           afterwards
           Visited
           ,
           and
           helped
           in
           that
           Service
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           observed
           when
           I
           come
           to
           speak
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           
             Care
             ,
             Conduct
          
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           speaking
           of
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           now
           practised
           among
           this
           People
           ,
           is
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           III.
           This
           Godly
           Elder
           ,
           in
           every
           County
           where
           he
           travelled
           ,
           exhorted
           them
           ,
           that
           some
           out
           of
           every
           Meeting
           of
           Worship
           ,
           should
           meet
           together
           once
           in
           the
           Month
           ,
           to
           confer
           about
           the
           Wants
           and
           Occasions
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Case
           required
           ,
           so
           those
           Monthly
           Meetings
           were
           fewer
           or
           more
           in
           number
           in
           every
           respective
           County
           ;
           Four
           or
           Six
           Meetings
           of
           Worship
           ,
           usually
           making
           one
           
             Monthly
             Meeting
          
           of
           Business
           .
           And
           accordingly
           the
           Brethren
           met
           him
           from
           place
           to
           place
           ,
           and
           began
           the
           said
           Meetings
           ,
           viz.
           
             For
             the
             Poor
             ,
             Orphans
             orderly
             Walking
             ,
             Integrity
             to
             their
             Profession
             ,
             Births
             ,
             Marriages
             ,
             Burials
             ,
             Sufferings
          
           &c.
           
           And
           that
           these
           Monthly
           Meetings
           should
           ,
           in
           each
           County
           make
           up
           one
           Quarterly
           Meeting
           ,
           where
           the
           most
           Zealous
           and
           
             Eminent
             Friends
          
           of
           the
           County
           should
           assemble
           to
           
             Communicate
             ,
             Advise
          
           and
           Help
           one
           another
           ,
           especially
           when
           any
           Business
           seemed
           difficult
           ,
           or
           a
           Monthly
           Meeting
           was
           tender
           of
           determining
           a
           Matter
           .
        
         
           Also
           these
           Quarterly
           Meetings
           should
           digest
           the
           Reports
           of
           the
           Monthly
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           prepare
           one
           for
           the
           County
           ,
           against
           the
           Yearly
           Meeting
           ;
           in
           which
           the
           Quarterly
           Meetings
           resolve
           ,
           which
           is
           held
           Yearly
           in
           London
           ;
           where
           the
           Churches
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           other
           Nations
           ,
           and
           Provinces
           Meet
           ,
           by
           chosen
           Members
           of
           their
           Respective
           Counties
           ,
           both
           mutually
           to
           communicate
           their
           
             Church
             Affairs
          
           ,
           and
           to
           advise
           and
           be
           advised
           in
           any
           depending
           Case
           to
           Edification
           .
           Also
           to
           provide
           a
           requisite
           Stock
           ,
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           general
           Expences
           for
           general
           Services
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           not
           needful
           to
           be
           here
           particularized
           .
        
         
           At
           these
           Meetings
           any
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Churches
           may
           come
           if
           they
           please
           ,
           and
           speak
           their
           Minds
           freely
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Fear
             of
             God
          
           ,
           to
           any
           matter
           ;
           but
           the
           Mind
           of
           each
           Meeting
           therein
           represented
           is
           chiefly
           understood
           ,
           as
           to
           perticuler
           Cases
           ,
           in
           the
           Sense
           delivered
           by
           the
           Persons
           deputed
           or
           chosen
           for
           that
           Service
           .
        
         
         
           During
           their
           Yearly
           Meeting
           ,
           to
           which
           their
           other
           Meetings
           referr
           in
           their
           Order
           and
           Resolve
           themselves
           ;
           care
           is
           taken
           by
           a
           Select
           Number
           ,
           for
           that
           service
           chosen
           by
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           to
           draw
           up
           the
           Minutes
           of
           the
           said
           Meeting
           ,
           upon
           the
           several
           matters
           that
           have
           been
           under
           Consideration
           therein
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           that
           the
           Respective
           Quarterly
           and
           
             Monthly
             Meetings
          
           may
           be
           informed
           of
           all
           Proceedings
           ,
           together
           with
           a
           general
           Exhortation
           to
           
             Holiness
             ,
             Unity
          
           and
           Charity
           :
           Of
           all
           which
           Proceedings
           in
           
             Yearly
             ,
             Quarterly
          
           and
           
             Monthly
             Meetings
          
           ,
           due
           Record
           is
           kept
           by
           some
           One
           appointed
           for
           that
           Service
           ,
           or
           that
           hath
           voluntarily
           undertaken
           it
           .
           These
           Meetings
           are
           opened
           ,
           and
           usually
           concluded
           in
           their
           Solemn
           waiting
           upon
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           sometimes
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           answer
           them
           with
           as
           signal
           Evidences
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Presence
           ,
           as
           in
           any
           other
           their
           Meetings
           of
           Worship
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           further
           to
           be
           Noted
           ,
           that
           in
           these
           
             Solemn
             Assemblies
          
           ,
           for
           the
           Church's
           Service
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           one
           presides
           among
           them
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           other
           People
           ;
           Christ
           only
           being
           their
           President
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           appear
           in
           Life
           and
           Wisdom
           in
           any
           one
           or
           more
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           whatever
           be
           their
           Capacity
           or
           Degree
           ,
           the
           rest
           adhere
           with
           a
           
             Firm
             Unity
          
           ,
           not
           of
           Authority
           but
           Conviction
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           
             Divine
             Authority
          
           and
           way
           of
           Christ's
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           in
           his
           People
           :
           Making
           good
           his
           blessed
           Promise
           ,
           
             That
             he
             would
             be
             in
             the
             Midst
             of
             his
             ,
             where
             and
             whenever
             they
             were
             met
             together
             in
             his
             Name
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             End
             of
             the
             World.
          
           So
           be
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           it
           may
           be
           expected
           ,
           I
           should
           here
           set
           down
           what
           sort
           of
           Authority
           is
           exercised
           by
           this
           People
           ,
           upon
           such
           Members
           of
           their
           Society
           ,
           as
           correspond
           not
           in
           their
           Lives
           with
           their
           Profession
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           Refractory
           to
           this
           good
           and
           wholesom
           Order
           settled
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           the
           rather
           because
           they
           have
           not
           wanted
           their
           Reproach
           and
           Suffering
           from
           some
           Tongues
           ,
           upon
           this
           occasion
           in
           a
           plentiful
           manner
           .
        
         
           The
           Power
           they
           exercise
           is
           such
           as
           Christ
           has
           given
           to
           his
           own
           People
           ,
           to
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           the
           Persons
           of
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             viz.
             To
             Oversee
             ,
             Exhort
             ,
             Reprove
             ,
          
           and
           after
           long
           Suffering
           and
           Waiting
           upon
           the
           Disobedient
           and
           
             Refractory
             ,
             to
             disown
             them
             ,
             as
             any
             more
             of
             their
             Communion
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             will
             any
             longer
             stand
             Charged
             in
             the
             Sight
             and
             Judgment
             of
             God
             or
             Men
             ,
             with
             their
             Conversation
             or
             Behaviour
             as
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             untill
             they
             Repent
             .
          
           The
           subject
           matter
           about
           which
           this
           Authority
           ,
           in
           any
           of
           the
           foregoing
           Branches
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           Exercised
           ;
           is
           First
           ,
           in
           Relation
           to
           common
           and
           general
           Practice
           ,
           and
           Secondly
           ,
           about
           those
           things
           that
           more
           strictly
           referr
           to
           their
           own
           Character
           and
           Profession
           ,
           and
           distinguish
           them
           from
           all
           other
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           avoiding
           two
           Extreams
           upon
           which
           many
           Split
           ,
           
             viz.
             Persecution
          
           and
           Libertinism
           .
           A
           Coercive
           Power
           to
           Whip
           People
           into
           the
           Temple
           ,
           
           that
           such
           as
           will
           not
           Conform
           ,
           though
           against
           Faith
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           shall
           be
           punisht
           in
           their
           Persons
           or
           Estates
           ;
           or
           leaving
           all
           loose
           and
           at
           large
           ,
           as
           to
           Practice
           ,
           unaccountable
           to
           all
           but
           God
           and
           the
           Magistrate
           .
           To
           which
           hurtful
           Extream
           ,
           nothing
           has
           more
           contributed
           than
           the
           Abuse
           of
           
             Church
             Power
          
           ,
           by
           such
           as
           suffer
           their
           Passions
           and
           private
           Interests
           to
           prevail
           with
           them
           to
           carry
           it
           to
           outward
           Force
           and
           
             Corporal
             Punishment
          
           .
           A
           Practice
           they
           have
           been
           taught
           to
           dislike
           ,
           by
           their
           extream
           Sufferings
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           known
           Principle
           for
           an
           universal
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           they
           equally
           dislike
           an
           Independency
           in
           Society
           .
           An
           unaccountableness
           in
           Practice
           and
           Conversation
           to
           the
           Terms
           of
           their
           own
           Communion
           ,
           and
           to
           those
           that
           are
           the
           Members
           of
           it
           .
           They
           distinguish
           between
           Imposing
           any
           Practice
           that
           immediately
           regards
           Faith
           or
           Worship
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           never
           to
           be
           done
           nor
           suffered
           or
           submitted
           unto
           )
           and
           requiring
           
             Christian
             Compliance
          
           with
           those
           Methods
           that
           
             only
             respect
             Church
             Business
          
           in
           its
           more
           Civil
           part
           and
           Concern
           ,
           and
           that
           regard
           the
           Discreet
           and
           Orderly
           Maintenance
           of
           the
           Character
           of
           the
           Society
           as
           a
           Sober
           and
           
             Religious
             Community
          
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           what
           is
           for
           the
           Promotion
           of
           Holiness
           and
           Charity
           ,
           that
           Men
           may
           Practice
           what
           they
           profess
           ,
           live
           up
           to
           their
           own
           Principles
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           at
           Liberty
           to
           give
           the
           Lie
           to
           their
           own
           Profession
           ,
           without
           Rebuke
           .
           They
           compell
           none
           to
           them
           ,
           but
           oblige
           those
           that
           are
           of
           them
           to
           walk
           Suitably
           ,
           or
           they
           are
           denyed
           by
           them
           :
           That
           is
           all
           the
           Mark
           they
           set
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Power
           they
           Exercise
           ,
           or
           Judge
           a
           Christian
           Society
           ,
           can
           Exercise
           upon
           those
           that
           are
           the
           Members
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           way
           of
           their
           Proceedings
           against
           such
           as
           have
           Lapst
           or
           Transgrest
           ,
           is
           this
           .
           He
           is
           visited
           by
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           matter
           of
           Fact
           laid
           Home
           to
           him
           ,
           be
           it
           any
           evil
           Practice
           against
           known
           and
           general
           Virtue
           ,
           or
           any
           Branch
           of
           their
           
             Particular
             Testimony
          
           ,
           which
           he
           ,
           in
           Common
           ,
           professeth
           with
           them
           .
           They
           labour
           with
           him
           in
           much
           Love
           and
           Zeal
           for
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Reputation
           of
           their
           Profession
           ,
           to
           own
           his
           Fault
           and
           condemn
           it
           ,
           
             in
             as
             ample
             a
             Manner
             as
             the
             Evil
             or
             Scandal
             was
             given
             by
             him
          
           ;
           which
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           is
           performed
           by
           some
           
             Written
             Testimony
          
           under
           the
           Partys
           Hand
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           so
           happen
           that
           the
           Party
           prove
           Refractory
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           willing
           to
           clear
           the
           Truth
           they
           profess
           ,
           from
           the
           Reproach
           of
           his
           or
           her
           evil
           doing
           or
           Unfaithfulness
           ,
           they
           ,
           after
           repeated
           Entreaties
           and
           due
           waiting
           for
           a
           Token
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           give
           forth
           a
           Paper
           to
           disown
           such
           a
           Fact
           ,
           and
           the
           Party
           offending
           ;
           recording
           the
           same
           as
           a
           Testimony
           of
           their
           care
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           the
           Truth
           they
           profess
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           he
           or
           she
           shall
           clear
           their
           Profession
           and
           themselves
           ,
           by
           sincere
           Acknowledgment
           of
           their
           Fault
           ,
           and
           Godly
           sorrow
           
           for
           so
           doing
           ,
           they
           are
           received
           and
           looked
           upon
           again
           as
           Members
           of
           their
           Communion
           .
           For
           as
           God
           ,
           so
           his
           true
           People
           upbraid
           no
           Man
           after
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           account
           I
           had
           to
           give
           of
           the
           People
           of
           God
           called
           Quakers
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           
             Rise
             ,
             Appearance
             ,
             Principles
          
           and
           Practices
           ,
           in
           this
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           both
           with
           Respect
           to
           their
           Faith
           and
           
             Worship
             ,
             Discipline
          
           and
           Conversation
           .
           And
           I
           Judge
           it
           very
           proper
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           to
           Preface
           the
           Journal
           of
           the
           first
           Blessed
           and
           Glorious
           Instrument
           of
           this
           Work
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Testimony
           to
           him
           in
           his
           singular
           Qualifications
           and
           Services
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           abundantly
           excelled
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           are
           worthy
           to
           be
           set
           forth
           as
           an
           Example
           to
           all
           succeeding
           Times
           ;
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           
             Most
             High
             God
          
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           just
           Memorial
           to
           that
           Worthy
           and
           Excellent
           Man
           ,
           
             his
             Faithful
             Servant
             and
             Apostle
          
           to
           this
           Generation
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           I
           am
           now
           come
           to
           the
           Third
           Head
           or
           Branch
           of
           my
           Preface
           ,
           viz.
           The
           
             Instrumental
             Author
          
           .
           For
           it
           is
           Natural
           for
           some
           to
           say
           ,
           Well
           ,
           here
           is
           the
           People
           and
           Work
           ,
           but
           where
           and
           who
           was
           the
           Man
           ,
           the
           Instrument
           ;
           he
           that
           in
           this
           Age
           was
           sent
           to
           begin
           this
           Work
           and
           People
           .
           I
           shall
           ,
           as
           God
           shall
           enable
           me
           ,
           declare
           who
           and
           what
           he
           was
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           report
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           from
           my
           own
           long
           and
           most
           inward
           Converse
           and
           intimate
           knowledge
           of
           him
           ;
           for
           which
           my
           Soul
           blesseth
           God
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           often
           done
           ;
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           by
           that
           time
           I
           have
           discharged
           my self
           of
           this
           part
           of
           my
           Preface
           ,
           my
           serious
           Readers
           will
           believe
           I
           had
           good
           Cause
           so
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           The
           Blessed
           Instrument
           of
           and
           in
           this
           day
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           whom
           I
           am
           now
           about
           to
           Write
           ,
           was
           
             George
             Fox
          
           ,
           distinguished
           from
           another
           of
           that
           Name
           ,
           by
           that
           Other
           's
           addition
           of
           Younger
           to
           his
           Name
           in
           all
           his
           Writings
           ;
           not
           that
           he
           was
           so
           in
           Years
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           was
           so
           in
           the
           Truth
           ,
           but
           he
           was
           also
           a
           
             Worthy
             Man
          
           ,
           Witness
           and
           Servant
           of
           God
           in
           his
           time
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           
             George
             Fox
          
           was
           Born
           in
           Leicestershire
           ,
           about
           the
           Year
           1624.
           
           He
           descended
           of
           Honest
           and
           
             Sufficient
             Parents
          
           ,
           who
           endeavoured
           to
           bring
           him
           up
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           the
           rest
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           in
           the
           Way
           and
           Worship
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           especially
           his
           Mother
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           Woman
           accomplisht
           above
           most
           of
           her
           Degree
           in
           the
           place
           where
           she
           lived
           .
           But
           from
           a
           Child
           he
           appeared
           of
           another
           Frame
           of
           Mind
           than
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           Brethren
           ;
           being
           more
           
             Religious
             ,
             Inward
             ,
             Still
             ,
             Solid
          
           and
           Observing
           beyond
           his
           Years
           ,
           as
           the
           Answers
           he
           would
           give
           ,
           and
           the
           Questions
           he
           would
           put
           upon
           occasion
           ,
           manifested
           to
           the
           Astonishment
           of
           those
           that
           heard
           him
           ,
           especially
           in
           
             Divine
             Things
          
           .
        
         
           His
           Mother
           taking
           Notice
           of
           his
           
             Singular
             Temper
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Gravity
             ,
             Wisdom
          
           and
           Piety
           that
           very
           early
           shined
           through
           him
           ,
           
           refusing
           Childish
           and
           
             Vain
             Sports
          
           and
           Company
           ,
           when
           very
           Young
           ;
           she
           was
           Tender
           and
           Indulgent
           over
           him
           ,
           so
           that
           from
           her
           he
           met
           with
           little
           Difficulty
           .
           As
           to
           his
           Employment
           he
           was
           brought
           up
           in
           
             Country
             Business
          
           ,
           and
           as
           he
           took
           most
           delight
           in
           Sheep
           ,
           so
           he
           was
           very
           skillful
           in
           them
           ,
           an
           Employment
           that
           very
           well
           suited
           his
           mind
           in
           several
           Respects
           ,
           both
           for
           its
           Innocency
           and
           Solitude
           ;
           and
           was
           a
           just
           Figure
           of
           his
           after
           Ministry
           and
           Service
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           break
           in
           upon
           his
           own
           Account
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           much
           the
           best
           that
           can
           be
           given
           ,
           and
           therefore
           desire
           ,
           what
           I
           can
           ,
           to
           avoid
           saying
           any
           thing
           of
           what
           is
           said
           already
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           perticular
           Passages
           of
           his
           coming
           forth
           ;
           but
           ,
           in
           general
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           somewhat
           above
           Twenty
           ,
           he
           left
           his
           Friends
           ,
           and
           visited
           the
           most
           Retired
           and
           Religious
           People
           in
           those
           Parts
           ;
           and
           some
           there
           were
           short
           of
           few
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           who
           waited
           for
           the
           Consolation
           of
           Israel
           Night
           and
           Day
           ;
           as
           
             Zacherias
             ,
             Anna
          
           and
           good
           Old
           Simeon
           did
           of
           Old
           Time.
           To
           these
           he
           was
           sent
           ,
           and
           these
           he
           sought
           out
           in
           the
           Neighbouring
           Countrys
           ,
           and
           among
           them
           he
           Sojourned
           till
           his
           more
           ample
           Ministry
           came
           upon
           him
           .
           At
           this
           time
           he
           taught
           and
           was
           an
           Example
           of
           Silence
           ,
           endeavouring
           to
           bring
           them
           from
           Self-performances
           ,
           Testifying
           and
           turning
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Christ
           within
           them
           ,
           and
           encouraging
           them
           to
           wait
           in
           Patience
           to
           feel
           the
           Power
           of
           it
           to
           stir
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           that
           their
           Knowledge
           and
           Worship
           of
           God
           might
           stand
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           an
           Endless
           Life
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Light
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           obeyed
           in
           the
           Manifestation
           of
           it
           in
           Man.
           
             For
             in
             the
             Word
             was
             Life
             ,
             and
             that
             Life
             is
             the
             Light
             Men.
          
           Life
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           Light
           in
           Men
           ,
           and
           Life
           in
           Men
           as
           the
           Light
           is
           obeyed
           ;
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           Light
           living
           by
           the
           Life
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           word
           begets
           them
           again
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Regeneration
           and
           
             New
             Birth
          
           ,
           without
           which
           there
           is
           no
           coming
           unto
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           which
           ,
           whoever
           comes
           to
           ,
           is
           greater
           than
           John
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           than
           John's
           Dispensation
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           that
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           the
           Consummation
           of
           the
           Legal
           ,
           and
           Forerunning
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             Times
          
           .
           Accordingly
           ,
           several
           Meetings
           were
           gathered
           in
           those
           Parts
           ,
           and
           thus
           his
           Time
           was
           employed
           for
           some
           Years
           .
        
         
           In
           1652.
           
           He
           being
           in
           his
           usual
           Retirement
           to
           the
           Lord
           upon
           a
           very
           
             High
             Mountain
          
           ,
           in
           some
           of
           the
           hither
           parts
           of
           Yorkshire
           ,
           as
           I
           take
           it
           ,
           his
           Mind
           exercised
           towards
           the
           Lord
           ,
           he
           had
           a
           Vision
           of
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           way
           that
           he
           was
           to
           go
           forth
           to
           begin
           it
           .
           He
           saw
           People
           as
           thick
           as
           
             Motes
             in
             the
             Sun
          
           ,
           that
           should
           in
           time
           ,
           be
           brought
           Home
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           that
           there
           might
           be
           but
           
             one
             Shepherd
             and
             one
             Sheepfold
          
           in
           all
           the
           Earth
           .
           There
           his
           Eye
           was
           directed
           Northward
           ,
           beholding
           a
           great
           People
           that
           should
           receive
           him
           and
           his
           Message
           in
           those
           Parts
           .
           Upon
           this
           Mountain
           he
           was
           moved
           of
           the
           Lord
           
           
             to
             sound
             out
             his
             Great
             and
             notable
             Day
             ,
          
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           in
           a
           great
           Auditory
           ,
           and
           from
           thence
           went
           North
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           had
           shown
           him
           ;
           and
           in
           every
           place
           where
           he
           came
           ,
           if
           not
           before
           he
           came
           to
           it
           ,
           he
           had
           his
           particular
           Exercise
           and
           Service
           shown
           to
           him
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Lord
           was
           his
           Leader
           indeed
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           not
           in
           vain
           that
           he
           Travailled
           ,
           God
           in
           most
           places
           sealing
           his
           Commission
           with
           the
           Convincement
           of
           some
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           as
           well
           Publicans
           as
           sober
           Professors
           of
           Religion
           .
           Some
           of
           the
           first
           and
           most
           Eminent
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           are
           at
           Rest
           ,
           were
           
             Richard
             Farnsworth
             ,
             James
             Nayler
             ,
             William
             Dewsberry
             ,
             Francis
             Howgil
             ,
             Edward
             Burroughs
             ,
             John
             Camm
             ,
             John
             Audland
             ,
             Richard
             Hubberthorn
             ,
             T.
             Taylor
             ,
             John
             Aldam
             ,
             T.
             Holmes
             ,
             Alexander
             Parker
             ,
             William
             Simpson
             ,
             William
             Caton
             ,
             John
             Stubbs
             ,
             Robert
             Widders
             ,
             John
             Burnyeat
             ,
             Robert
             Lodge
             ,
             Thomas
             Salthouse
             ,
          
           and
           many
           more
           Worthies
           ,
           that
           cannot
           be
           well
           here
           Named
           ,
           together
           with
           divers
           yet
           living
           of
           the
           first
           and
           great
           Convincement
           ,
           who
           after
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God's
           purging
           Judgments
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           some
           time
           of
           waiting
           in
           silence
           upon
           him
           ,
           to
           feel
           and
           receive
           Power
           from
           on
           High
           to
           speak
           in
           his
           Name
           ,
           (
           which
           none
           else
           rightly
           can
           ,
           though
           they
           may
           use
           the
           same
           Words
           .
           )
           They
           felt
           the
           
             Divine
             Motions
          
           ,
           and
           were
           frequently
           drawn
           forth
           ,
           especially
           to
           visit
           the
           
             Publick
             Assemblies
          
           ,
           to
           reprove
           ,
           inform
           and
           exhort
           them
           ,
           sometimes
           in
           
             Markets
             ,
             Fairs
             ,
             Streets
          
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           High-way-side
           ,
           calling
           People
           to
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           to
           turn
           to
           the
           Lord
           with
           their
           Hearts
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Mouths
           ;
           directing
           them
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Christ
           within
           them
           ,
           to
           see
           and
           examine
           and
           consider
           their
           ways
           by
           ,
           and
           to
           eschew
           the
           Evil
           and
           do
           the
           Good
           and
           Acceptable
           Will
           of
           God.
           And
           they
           suffered
           great
           Hardships
           for
           this
           their
           Love
           ,
           and
           Good-will
           ,
           being
           often
           
             Stockt
             ,
             Stoned
             ,
             Beaten
             ,
             Whipt
          
           and
           Imprisoned
           ,
           though
           
             Honest
             Men
          
           and
           of
           
             Good
             Report
          
           where
           they
           lived
           ,
           that
           had
           left
           Wives
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           Houses
           and
           Lands
           to
           visit
           them
           with
           a
           living
           Call
           to
           Repentance
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Priests
           generally
           set
           themselves
           to
           oppose
           them
           ,
           and
           write
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           insinuated
           most
           False
           and
           
             Scandalous
             Stories
          
           to
           Defame
           them
           ,
           stirring
           up
           the
           Magistrates
           to
           suppress
           them
           ,
           especially
           in
           those
           Northern
           Parts
           ;
           yet
           God
           was
           pleased
           so
           to
           fill
           them
           with
           his
           living
           Power
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           such
           an
           open
           Door
           of
           utterance
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           a
           mighty
           Convincement
           over
           those
           Parts
           .
        
         
           And
           through
           the
           tender
           and
           singular
           Indulgence
           of
           Judge
           Bradshaw
           and
           Judge
           Fell
           ,
           who
           were
           wont
           to
           go
           that
           Circuit
           ,
           in
           the
           Infancy
           of
           things
           ,
           the
           Priests
           were
           never
           able
           to
           gain
           the
           point
           they
           laboured
           for
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           have
           proceeded
           to
           Blood
           ,
           and
           if
           possible
           ,
           Herod
           like
           ,
           by
           a
           Cruel
           exercise
           of
           the
           
             Civil
             Power
          
           ,
           to
           have
           cut
           them
           off
           and
           rooted
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Country
           .
           Especially
           Judge
           Fell
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           only
           a
           Check
           to
           their
           Rage
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           
             Legal
             Proceedings
          
           ,
           but
           otherwise
           upon
           occasion
           ,
           and
           finally
           countenanced
           this
           People
           ;
           for
           his
           Wife
           receiving
           the
           Truth
           with
           the
           First
           ,
           it
           had
           that
           Influence
           upon
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           
           being
           a
           Just
           and
           
             Wise
             Man
          
           ,
           and
           seeing
           in
           his
           own
           Wife
           and
           Family
           ,
           a
           full
           Confutation
           to
           all
           the
           popular
           Clamours
           against
           the
           
             Way
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           that
           he
           covered
           them
           what
           he
           could
           ,
           and
           freely
           opened
           his
           Doors
           ,
           and
           gave
           up
           his
           House
           to
           his
           Wife
           and
           her
           Friends
           ,
           not
           valuing
           the
           Reproach
           of
           Ignorant
           or
           Evil
           
             Minded
             People
          
           ,
           which
           I
           here
           mention
           ,
           to
           His
           and
           her
           Honour
           ,
           and
           which
           will
           be
           I
           believe
           ,
           an
           Honour
           and
           a
           Blessing
           to
           such
           of
           their
           Name
           and
           Family
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           found
           in
           that
           
             Tenderness
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Love
          
           and
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Truth
           and
           People
           of
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           That
           House
           was
           for
           some
           Years
           at
           first
           ,
           till
           the
           Truth
           had
           opened
           its
           way
           in
           the
           Southern
           parts
           of
           this
           Island
           ,
           an
           Eminent
           Receptacle
           of
           this
           People
           .
           Others
           of
           good
           Note
           and
           Substance
           in
           those
           Northern
           Countrys
           ,
           had
           also
           opened
           their
           Houses
           with
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           to
           the
           many
           Publishers
           ,
           that
           in
           a
           short
           time
           the
           Lord
           had
           raised
           to
           declare
           his
           Salvation
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           where
           Meetings
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Messengers
           were
           frequently
           held
           ,
           to
           communicate
           their
           Services
           and
           Exercises
           ,
           and
           Comfort
           and
           Edify
           one
           another
           in
           their
           
             Blessed
             Ministry
          
           .
        
         
           But
           least
           this
           may
           be
           thought
           a
           Digression
           ,
           having
           touched
           upon
           this
           before
           ,
           I
           return
           to
           this
           
             Excellent
             Man
          
           :
           And
           for
           his
           
             Personal
             Qualities
          
           ,
           both
           
             Natural
             ,
             Moral
          
           and
           Divine
           as
           they
           appeared
           in
           his
           Converse
           with
           Brethren
           and
           in
           the
           
             Church
             of
             God
          
           ;
           take
           as
           follows
           .
        
         
           I.
           He
           was
           a
           Man
           that
           God
           endued
           with
           a
           Clear
           and
           
             Wonderful
             Depth
          
           ,
           a
           discerner
           of
           others
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           very
           much
           a
           Master
           of
           his
           own
           .
           And
           though
           the
           side
           of
           his
           Understanding
           which
           lay
           next
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           Expression
           of
           it
           might
           sound
           Uncouth
           and
           Unfashionable
           to
           
             Nice
             Ears
          
           ,
           his
           matter
           was
           nevertheless
           very
           profound
           ;
           and
           would
           not
           only
           bear
           to
           be
           often
           considered
           ,
           but
           the
           more
           it
           was
           so
           ,
           the
           more
           Weighty
           and
           Instructing
           it
           appeared
           .
           And
           as
           abruptly
           and
           brokenly
           as
           sometimes
           his
           Sentences
           would
           fall
           from
           him
           ,
           about
           
             Divine
             Things
          
           ,
           it
           is
           well
           known
           they
           were
           often
           as
           Texts
           to
           many
           fairer
           Declarations
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           showed
           beyond
           all
           Contradiction
           that
           God
           sent
           him
           ,
           that
           no
           Arts
           or
           Parts
           had
           any
           share
           in
           his
           matter
           or
           manner
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ;
           and
           that
           so
           many
           
             Great
             ,
             Excellent
          
           and
           
             Necessary
             Truths
          
           as
           he
           came
           forth
           to
           Preach
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           had
           therefore
           nothing
           of
           Man's
           Wit
           or
           Wisdom
           to
           recommend
           them
           .
           So
           that
           as
           to
           Man
           he
           was
           an
           Original
           ,
           being
           no
           Man's
           Copy
           .
           And
           his
           Ministry
           and
           Writings
           show
           they
           are
           from
           one
           that
           was
           not
           Taught
           of
           Man
           ,
           nor
           had
           Learned
           what
           he
           said
           by
           Study
           .
           Nor
           were
           they
           Notional
           or
           Speculative
           ,
           but
           sensible
           and
           
             Practical
             Truths
          
           ,
           tending
           to
           Conversion
           and
           Regeneration
           ,
           and
           the
           setting
           up
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           in
           the
           
             Hearts
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           it
           was
           his
           Work.
           So
           that
           I
           have
           many
           times
           been
           overcome
           in
           my self
           ,
           
           and
           been
           made
           to
           say
           ,
           with
           my
           Lord
           and
           Master
           upon
           the
           like
           Occasion
           ;
           
             I
             thank
             thee
             O
             Father
             Lord
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             hid
             these
             things
             from
             the
             Wise
             and
             Prudent
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             revealed
             them
             to
             Babes
             ,
          
           For
           many
           times
           hath
           my
           Soul
           bowed
           in
           an
           Humble
           Thankfulness
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           choose
           any
           of
           the
           Wise
           and
           Learned
           of
           this
           World
           to
           be
           the
           first
           Messenger
           in
           our
           Age
           ,
           of
           his
           blessed
           Truth
           to
           Men
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           took
           one
           that
           was
           not
           of
           
             High
             Degree
          
           ,
           or
           
             Elegant
             Speech
          
           ,
           or
           learned
           after
           the
           way
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           that
           his
           Message
           and
           Work
           he
           sent
           him
           to
           do
           ,
           might
           come
           with
           less
           Suspicion
           or
           Jealousie
           of
           
             Humane
             Wisdom
          
           and
           Interest
           ,
           and
           with
           more
           Force
           and
           Clearness
           upon
           the
           Consciences
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           sincerely
           Sought
           the
           way
           of
           Truth
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           it
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           beholding
           with
           the
           Eye
           of
           my
           mind
           which
           the
           
             God
             of
             Heaven
          
           had
           opened
           in
           me
           ,
           the
           Marks
           of
           God's
           Finger
           and
           Hand
           visibly
           in
           this
           Testimony
           ,
           from
           the
           Clearness
           of
           the
           Principle
           ,
           the
           Power
           and
           Efficacy
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Exemplary
           
             Sobriety
             ,
             Plainness
             ,
             Zeal
             ,
             Steadiness
             ,
             Humility
             ,
             Gravity
             ,
             Punctuality
             ,
             Charity
          
           and
           Circumspect
           care
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           Church
           Affairs
           ,
           which
           shined
           in
           his
           and
           their
           Life
           and
           Testimony
           that
           God
           employed
           in
           this
           Work
           ,
           it
           greatly
           confirmed
           me
           that
           it
           was
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           engaged
           my
           Soul
           in
           a
           
             Deep
             Love
             ,
             Fear
             ,
             Reverence
          
           and
           Thankfulness
           for
           his
           Love
           and
           Mercy
           therein
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           in
           which
           Mind
           I
           remain
           ,
           and
           shall
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           of
           my
           Daies
           .
        
         
           II.
           In
           his
           Testimony
           or
           Ministry
           ,
           he
           much
           laboured
           to
           open
           Truth
           ,
           to
           the
           Peoples
           Understandings
           ,
           and
           to
           bottom
           them
           upon
           the
           Principle
           ,
           and
           
             Principal
             ,
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           by
           bringing
           them
           to
           something
           that
           was
           of
           God
           in
           themselves
           ,
           they
           might
           the
           better
           know
           and
           judge
           of
           him
           and
           themselves
           .
        
         
           He
           had
           an
           Extraordinary
           Gift
           in
           opening
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           He
           would
           go
           to
           the
           Marrow
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           show
           the
           
             Mind
             ,
             Harmony
          
           and
           Fullfilling
           of
           them
           with
           much
           Plainness
           ,
           and
           to
           great
           Comfort
           and
           Edification
           .
        
         
           The
           Mistery
           of
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Adam
           ,
           of
           the
           Fall
           and
           Restoration
           ,
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           of
           Shadows
           and
           Substance
           ,
           of
           the
           Servant
           and
           
             Sons
             State
          
           ,
           and
           the
           fullfiling
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           by
           Christ
           the
           
             True
             Light
          
           ,
           in
           all
           that
           are
           his
           ,
           through
           the
           
             Obedience
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           were
           much
           of
           the
           Substance
           and
           Drift
           of
           his
           Testimonies
           .
           In
           all
           which
           he
           was
           witnessed
           to
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           being
           sensibly
           felt
           to
           speak
           that
           which
           he
           had
           received
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           was
           his
           own
           Experience
           ,
           in
           that
           which
           never
           Ers
           nor
           Fails
           .
        
         
           But
           above
           all
           ,
           he
           excelled
           in
           Prayer
           .
           The
           Inwardness
           and
           Weight
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Reverence
           and
           Solemnity
           of
           his
           Address
           and
           Behaviour
           ,
           and
           the
           Fewness
           and
           Fulness
           of
           his
           Words
           ,
           have
           
           often
           struck
           ,
           even
           Strangers
           ,
           with
           Admiration
           ,
           as
           they
           used
           to
           reach
           others
           with
           Consolation
           .
           The
           most
           
             Awfull
             ,
             Living
             ,
             Reverent
             Frame
          
           I
           ever
           Felt
           or
           Beheld
           ,
           I
           must
           say
           was
           his
           in
           Prayer
           .
           And
           truly
           it
           was
           a
           Testimony
           he
           knew
           and
           lived
           neerer
           to
           the
           Lord
           than
           other
           Men
           ;
           for
           they
           that
           know
           him
           most
           will
           see
           most
           reason
           to
           approach
           him
           with
           Reverence
           and
           Fear
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           of
           an
           
             Innocent
             Life
          
           ,
           no
           
             Busie
             Body
          
           ,
           nor
           
             Self
             Seeker
          
           ,
           neither
           Touchy
           ,
           nor
           Critical
           :
           What
           fell
           from
           him
           was
           very
           Inoffensive
           ,
           if
           not
           very
           Edifying
           .
           So
           
             Meek
             ,
             Contented
             ,
             Modest
             ,
             Easie
             ,
             Steady
             ,
             Tender
             ,
          
           it
           was
           a
           pleasure
           to
           be
           in
           his
           Company
           .
           He
           exercised
           no
           Authority
           but
           over
           Evil
           ,
           and
           that
           every
           where
           and
           in
           all
           ;
           but
           with
           
             Love
             ,
             Compassion
          
           and
           
             Long
             Suffering
          
           .
           A
           most
           
             Merciful
             Man
          
           ,
           as
           ready
           to
           Forgive
           as
           unapt
           to
           take
           or
           give
           an
           Offence
           .
           Thousands
           can
           truly
           say
           ,
           he
           was
           of
           an
           Excellent
           Spirit
           and
           Savour
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           because
           thereof
           ,
           the
           most
           Excellent
           Spirits
           loved
           him
           with
           an
           unfained
           and
           unfading
           Love.
           
        
         
           He
           was
           an
           Incessant
           Labourer
           ;
           for
           in
           his
           Younger
           time
           ,
           before
           his
           many
           great
           and
           deep
           Sufferings
           and
           Travels
           had
           enfeebled
           his
           Body
           for
           Itinerant
           Services
           ,
           he
           laboured
           much
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           in
           
             England
             ,
             Scotland
          
           and
           Ireland
           ,
           turning
           many
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           confirming
           those
           that
           were
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           setling
           Good
           Order
           as
           to
           
             Church
             Affairs
          
           among
           them
           .
           And
           towards
           the
           Conclusion
           of
           his
           
             Travelling
             Services
          
           ,
           between
           the
           Years
           Seventy
           One
           ,
           and
           Seventy
           Seven
           ,
           he
           Visited
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           Plantations
           in
           America
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           
             United
             Provinces
          
           ,
           and
           Germany
           as
           his
           following
           Journal
           Relates
           ,
           to
           the
           Convincement
           and
           Consolation
           of
           many
           .
           After
           that
           time
           he
           chiefly
           resided
           in
           and
           about
           the
           City
           of
           London
           ,
           and
           besides
           the
           Services
           of
           his
           Ministry
           which
           were
           Frequent
           and
           Serviceable
           ,
           he
           writ
           much
           both
           to
           them
           that
           are
           within
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           without
           the
           Communion
           .
           But
           the
           care
           he
           took
           of
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           General
           was
           very
           great
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           often
           where
           the
           Records
           of
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Church
           are
           kept
           ,
           and
           the
           Letters
           from
           the
           many
           Meetings
           of
           God's
           People
           over
           all
           the
           World
           where
           settled
           ,
           come
           upon
           Occasions
           ,
           which
           Letters
           he
           had
           read
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           Communicated
           them
           to
           the
           Meeting
           that
           is
           Weekly
           held
           there
           for
           such
           Services
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           sure
           to
           stir
           them
           up
           to
           discharge
           them
           ,
           especially
           in
           
             Suffering
             Cases
          
           .
           Showing
           great
           Sympathy
           and
           Compassion
           upon
           all
           such
           Occasions
           ,
           carefully
           looking
           into
           the
           
             Respective
             Cases
          
           ,
           and
           endeavouring
           
             Speedy
             Relief
          
           according
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           them
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Churches
           and
           any
           of
           the
           
             Suffering
             Members
          
           thereof
           ,
           were
           sure
           not
           to
           be
           forgotten
           or
           delayed
           in
           their
           Desires
           if
           he
           were
           there
           .
        
         
         
           As
           he
           was
           Unwearied
           ,
           so
           he
           was
           Undaunted
           in
           his
           Services
           for
           God
           and
           his
           People
           ,
           he
           was
           no
           more
           to
           be
           moved
           to
           Fear
           than
           to
           Wrath.
           His
           Behaviour
           at
           
             Darby
             ,
             Litchfield
             ,
             Appleby
          
           ,
           before
           
             Oliver
             Cromwell
          
           at
           
             Launston
             ,
             Scarborough
             ,
             Worcester
          
           and
           Westminster-Hall
           ,
           with
           many
           other
           Places
           and
           Exercises
           ,
           did
           abundantly
           evidence
           it
           to
           his
           Enemies
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Friends
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           in
           the
           
             Primitive
             Times
          
           ,
           some
           rise
           up
           against
           the
           blessed
           Apostles
           of
           our
           Lord
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           even
           from
           among
           those
           that
           they
           had
           turned
           to
           the
           Hope
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           who
           became
           their
           greatest
           Trouble
           ;
           so
           this
           
             Man
             of
             God
          
           had
           his
           share
           of
           Suffering
           from
           some
           that
           were
           convinced
           by
           him
           ,
           who
           through
           prejudice
           or
           mistake
           run
           against
           him
           ,
           as
           one
           that
           sought
           Dominion
           over
           Conscience
           ;
           because
           he
           prest
           by
           his
           Presence
           or
           Epistles
           ,
           a
           ready
           and
           zealous
           compliance
           with
           such
           good
           and
           wholesome
           things
           ,
           as
           tended
           to
           an
           
             Orderly
             Conversation
          
           about
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           walking
           before
           Men.
           That
           which
           contributed
           much
           to
           this
           ill
           Work
           ,
           was
           in
           some
           a
           begrudging
           of
           this
           
             Meek
             Man
          
           ,
           the
           love
           and
           esteem
           he
           had
           and
           deserved
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           weakness
           in
           others
           ,
           that
           were
           taken
           with
           their
           groundless
           Suggestions
           of
           Imposition
           and
           blind
           Obedience
           .
        
         
           They
           would
           have
           had
           every
           Man
           Independent
           ,
           that
           as
           he
           had
           the
           Principle
           in
           himself
           ,
           he
           should
           only
           stand
           and
           fall
           to
           that
           and
           no
           Body
           else
           ;
           not
           considering
           that
           the
           Principle
           is
           One
           in
           all
           ;
           and
           though
           the
           Measure
           of
           Light
           or
           Grace
           might
           differ
           ,
           yet
           the
           Nature
           of
           it
           was
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           ,
           they
           struck
           at
           the
           
             Spiritual
             Unity
          
           ,
           which
           a
           People
           ,
           guided
           by
           the
           same
           Principle
           ,
           are
           naturally
           led
           into
           :
           So
           that
           what
           is
           an
           evil
           to
           One
           ,
           is
           so
           to
           All
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           
             Vertuous
             ,
             Honest
          
           and
           of
           good
           Report
           to
           One
           ,
           is
           so
           to
           All
           ,
           from
           the
           Sense
           and
           Savour
           of
           the
           one
           
             Universal
             Principle
          
           which
           is
           common
           to
           all
           ,
           (
           and
           which
           the
           disaffected
           profess
           to
           be
           )
           the
           Root
           of
           all
           
             True
             Christian
             Fellowship
          
           ,
           and
           that
           Spirit
           into
           which
           the
           People
           of
           God
           drink
           and
           come
           to
           be
           
             Spiritually
             Minded
          
           ,
           and
           of
           one
           Heart
           and
           one
           Soul.
           
        
         
           Some
           weakly
           mistook
           good
           Order
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           
             Church
             Affairs
          
           ,
           for
           Discipline
           in
           Worship
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           so
           prest
           or
           recommended
           by
           Him
           and
           other
           Brethren
           :
           And
           they
           were
           ready
           to
           reflect
           the
           same
           things
           that
           Dissenters
           had
           very
           reasonably
           objected
           upon
           the
           
             National
             Churches
          
           ,
           that
           have
           coercively
           pressed
           Conformity
           to
           their
           
             Respective
             Creeds
          
           and
           Worships
           :
           Whereas
           these
           things
           related
           wholly
           to
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           the
           Outward
           (
           and
           as
           I
           may
           say
           )
           Civil
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           Men
           should
           walk
           up
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           their
           Belief
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           wanting
           in
           Care
           and
           Charity
           .
           But
           though
           some
           have
           stumbled
           and
           fallen
           through
           Mistakes
           ,
           and
           an
           unreasonable
           Obstinancy
           ,
           even
           to
           a
           Prejudice
           ;
           yet
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           the
           Generality
           have
           returned
           to
           their
           
             First
             Love
          
           ,
           and
           seen
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           
           that
           looses
           no
           Opportunity
           or
           Advantage
           by
           which
           he
           may
           check
           or
           hinder
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           disquiet
           the
           Peace
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           chill
           the
           Love
           of
           his
           People
           to
           the
           Truth
           and
           one
           to
           another
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           hope
           of
           divers
           that
           are
           yet
           at
           a
           Distance
           .
        
         
           In
           all
           these
           Occasions
           ,
           though
           there
           was
           no
           Person
           the
           Discontented
           struck
           so
           sharply
           at
           ,
           as
           this
           
             Good
             Man
          
           ,
           he
           bore
           all
           their
           Weakness
           and
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           returned
           not
           Reflection
           for
           Reflection
           ;
           but
           forgave
           them
           their
           weak
           and
           bitter
           Speeches
           ,
           praying
           for
           them
           that
           they
           might
           have
           a
           Sense
           of
           their
           hurt
           ,
           and
           see
           the
           Subtilty
           of
           the
           Enemy
           to
           Rend
           and
           Devide
           ,
           and
           return
           into
           their
           
             First
             Love
             ,
             that
             thought
             no
             Ill.
             
          
        
         
           And
           truly
           ,
           I
           must
           say
           ,
           that
           though
           God
           had
           visibly
           cloathed
           him
           with
           a
           
             Divine
             Preference
          
           and
           Authority
           ,
           and
           indeed
           his
           very
           Presence
           exprest
           a
           
             Religious
             Majesty
          
           ;
           yet
           he
           never
           abused
           it
           ,
           but
           held
           his
           Place
           in
           the
           
             Church
             of
             God
          
           with
           great
           Meakness
           and
           a
           most
           engaging
           Humility
           and
           Moderation
           .
           For
           upon
           all
           Occasions
           ,
           like
           his
           blessed
           Master
           ,
           he
           was
           a
           Servant
           to
           all
           ;
           holding
           and
           exercising
           his
           Eldership
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Invisible
             Power
          
           that
           had
           gathered
           them
           ,
           with
           Reverence
           to
           the
           Head
           and
           Care
           over
           the
           Body
           :
           And
           was
           received
           only
           in
           that
           Spirit
           and
           Power
           of
           Christ
           as
           the
           First
           and
           
             Chief
             Elder
          
           in
           this
           Age
           ;
           who
           ,
           as
           he
           was
           therefore
           worthy
           of
           double
           Honour
           ,
           so
           for
           the
           same
           Reason
           it
           was
           given
           by
           the
           Faithful
           of
           this
           day
           ;
           because
           his
           Authority
           was
           inward
           and
           not
           outward
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           got
           it
           and
           kept
           it
           by
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           and
           Power
           of
           an
           
             Endless
             Life
          
           .
           I
           write
           my
           Knowledge
           and
           not
           Report
           ,
           and
           my
           
             Witness
             is
             True
          
           ,
           having
           been
           with
           him
           for
           Weeks
           and
           Months
           together
           on
           divers
           Occasions
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           nearest
           and
           most
           exercising
           Nature
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           Night
           and
           by
           Day
           ,
           by
           Sea
           and
           by
           Land
           ;
           in
           this
           and
           in
           
             Foreign
             Countrys
          
           :
           And
           I
           can
           say
           ,
           I
           never
           saw
           him
           out
           of
           his
           Place
           ,
           or
           not
           a
           Match
           for
           every
           Service
           or
           Occasion
           .
        
         
           For
           in
           all
           things
           he
           acquitted
           himself
           like
           a
           Man
           ,
           yea
           a
           strong
           Man
           ,
           a
           New
           and
           Heavenly
           minded
           Man.
           A
           Divine
           and
           a
           Naturalist
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           God
           Almighty's
           making
           .
           I
           have
           been
           surprised
           at
           his
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           in
           Natural
           things
           ;
           that
           whilst
           he
           was
           Ignorant
           of
           useless
           and
           Sophistical
           Science
           ,
           he
           had
           in
           him
           the
           Foundation
           of
           useful
           and
           commendable
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           cherisht
           it
           every
           where
           .
           Civil
           beyond
           all
           Forms
           of
           Breeding
           ,
           in
           his
           Behaviour
           .
           Very
           Temperate
           ,
           eating
           Little
           ,
           and
           sleeping
           Less
           ,
           though
           a
           
             Bulky
             Person
          
           .
        
         
           Thus
           he
           Lived
           and
           Sojourned
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           as
           he
           lived
           ,
           so
           he
           died
           ;
           feeling
           the
           same
           
             Eternal
             Power
          
           that
           had
           raised
           and
           preserved
           him
           in
           his
           last
           Moments
           .
           So
           full
           of
           assurance
           was
           he
           ,
           that
           he
           Triumpht
           over
           Death
           ;
           and
           so
           even
           to
           the
           last
           ,
           as
           if
           Death
           were
           hardly
           worth
           Notice
           or
           a
           Mention
           :
           Recommending
           
           to
           some
           with
           him
           ,
           the
           Dispatch
           and
           Dispersion
           of
           an
           Epistle
           ,
           just
           before
           Written
           to
           the
           
             Churches
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           throughout
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           Books
           ;
           but
           above
           all
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           Friends
           ,
           those
           in
           Ireland
           and
           America
           ,
           twice
           over
           .
           Saying
           ,
           mind
           poor
           Friends
           in
           Ireland
           and
           America
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           some
           that
           came
           in
           and
           enquired
           how
           he
           found
           himself
           ,
           he
           answered
           ,
           
             Never
             heed
             ,
             the
             Lord's
             Power
             is
             over
             all
             Weakness
             and
             Death
             ,
             the
             Seed
             reigns
             ,
             Blessed
             be
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           Which
           was
           about
           Four
           or
           Five
           Hours
           before
           his
           Departure
           out
           of
           this
           World.
           He
           was
           at
           the
           great
           Meeting
           near
           Lombard-street
           on
           the
           First
           day
           of
           the
           Week
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           the
           Third
           following
           about
           Ten
           at
           Night
           when
           he
           left
           us
           ;
           being
           at
           the
           House
           of
           
             H.
             Goldney
          
           in
           the
           same
           Court.
           In
           a
           good
           Old
           Age
           he
           went
           ,
           after
           having
           lived
           to
           see
           his
           
             Childrens
             Children
             to
             many
             Generations
             in
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           He
           had
           the
           Comfort
           of
           a
           short
           Illness
           ,
           and
           the
           Blessing
           of
           a
           clear
           Sense
           to
           the
           last
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           truly
           say
           ,
           with
           a
           Man
           of
           God
           of
           Old
           ,
           
             that
             being
             Dead
             ,
             he
             yet
             Speaketh
          
           ;
           and
           though
           absent
           in
           Body
           ,
           he
           is
           Present
           in
           Spirit
           ;
           neither
           Time
           nor
           Place
           being
           able
           to
           interrupt
           the
           
             Communion
             of
             Saints
          
           ,
           or
           dissolve
           the
           Fellowships
           of
           the
           Spirits
           of
           the
           Just
           .
           His
           Works
           praise
           him
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           to
           the
           Praise
           of
           him
           that
           worked
           by
           him
           ;
           for
           which
           his
           Memorial
           is
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           Blessed
           .
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           as
           to
           this
           part
           of
           my
           Preface
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           left
           this
           short
           Epitaph
           to
           his
           Name
           .
           
             Many
             Sons
             have
             done
             virtuously
             in
             this
             Day
             ,
             but
             Dear
          
           George
           
             thou
             Excellest
             them
             All.
          
           
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           you
           that
           profess
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           this
           
             Blessed
             Man
          
           was
           sent
           of
           God
           to
           turn
           us
           into
           ,
           suffer
           I
           beseech
           you
           the
           word
           of
           Exhortation
           ,
           as
           well
           Fathers
           as
           Children
           ,
           and
           Elders
           as
           
             Young
             Men.
          
           The
           Glory
           of
           this
           Day
           and
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Hope
           that
           has
           not
           made
           us
           ashamed
           since
           we
           were
           a
           People
           ,
           you
           know
           is
           that
           
             Blessed
             Principle
          
           of
           Light
           and
           Life
           of
           Christ
           which
           we
           Profess
           ,
           and
           Direct
           all
           People
           to
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           Instrument
           and
           Agent
           of
           Man's
           Conversion
           to
           God
           :
           It
           was
           by
           this
           we
           were
           first
           Touched
           ,
           and
           effectually
           enlightned
           as
           to
           our
           Inward
           State
           ,
           which
           put
           us
           upon
           the
           Consideration
           of
           our
           
             Latter
             End
          
           ,
           causing
           us
           to
           set
           the
           Lord
           before
           our
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           to
           Number
           our
           Days
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           apply
           our
           Hearts
           to
           Wisdom
           .
           In
           that
           Day
           we
           judged
           not
           after
           the
           Sight
           of
           the
           Eye
           ,
           or
           after
           the
           Hearing
           of
           the
           Ear
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Light
           and
           Sense
           this
           
             Blessed
             Principle
          
           gave
           us
           ;
           we
           judged
           and
           acted
           in
           reference
           to
           Things
           and
           Persons
           ,
           our selves
           and
           others
           ,
           yea
           ,
           towards
           God
           our
           Maker
           .
           For
           being
           quickned
           by
           it
           in
           our
           
             Inward
             Man
          
           ,
           we
           could
           easily
           discern
           the
           difference
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           feel
           what
           was
           Right
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           Wrong
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           Fit
           and
           what
           not
           ,
           both
           in
           reference
           to
           Religion
           and
           Civil
           Concerns
           .
           That
           being
           the
           ground
           of
           the
           Fellowship
           of
           all
           Saints
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           that
           our
           Fellowship
           stood
           .
           In
           this
           we
           desired
           
           to
           have
           a
           Sense
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           acted
           towards
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           all
           Men
           ,
           in
           
             Love
             ,
             Faithfulness
          
           and
           Fear
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           feeling
           of
           the
           Motions
           of
           this
           Principle
           we
           drew
           near
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           waited
           to
           be
           prepared
           by
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           feel
           those
           Drawings
           and
           Movings
           ,
           before
           we
           approached
           the
           
             Lord
             in
             Prayer
          
           ,
           or
           open'd
           our
           Mouths
           in
           Ministry
           .
           And
           in
           our
           Beginning
           and
           Ending
           with
           th●●
           ,
           stood
           our
           
             Comfort
             ,
             Service
          
           and
           Edification
           .
           And
           as
           we
           run
           faster
           ,
           or
           fell
           short
           we
           made
           Burthens
           for
           our selves
           to
           bear
           ;
           our
           Services
           finding
           in
           our selves
           a
           Rebuke
           instead
           of
           an
           Acceptance
           ,
           and
           in
           lieu
           of
           
             Well
             done
             ,
             who
             has
             required
             this
             at
             your
             Hands
             ?
          
           In
           that
           day
           we
           were
           an
           
             Exercised
             People
          
           ,
           our
           very
           Countenances
           and
           Deportment
           declared
           it
           .
        
         
           Care
           for
           others
           was
           then
           much
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           our selves
           ,
           especially
           the
           
             Young
             Convinced
          
           .
           Often
           had
           we
           the
           Burthen
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           the
           Lord
           to
           our
           
             Neighbours
             ,
             Relations
          
           and
           Acquaintance
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           Strangers
           also
           ,
           We
           were
           in
           Travail
           for
           one
           anothers
           Preservation
           :
           Not
           seeking
           ,
           but
           shunning
           Occasions
           of
           any
           Coldness
           or
           Misunderstanding
           ,
           treating
           one
           another
           as
           those
           that
           believed
           and
           felt
           God
           present
           .
           Which
           kept
           our
           Conversation
           
             Innocent
             ,
             Serious
          
           and
           Weighty
           ,
           guarding
           our selves
           against
           the
           Cares
           and
           Friendships
           of
           the
           World.
           We
           held
           the
           Truth
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           our
           own
           Spirits
           ,
           or
           after
           our
           own
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           .
        
         
           They
           were
           bowed
           and
           brought
           into
           Subjection
           ,
           in
           so
           much
           that
           it
           was
           visible
           to
           them
           that
           knew
           us
           ,
           we
           did
           not
           think
           our selves
           at
           our
           own
           Dispose
           ,
           to
           go
           where
           we
           List
           ,
           or
           say
           or
           do
           what
           we
           List
           ,
           or
           when
           we
           List
           .
           Our
           Liberty
           stood
           in
           the
           Liberty
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           and
           no
           Pleasure
           ,
           no
           Profit
           ,
           no
           Fear
           no
           Favour
           could
           draw
           us
           from
           this
           retired
           ,
           strict
           and
           watchful
           Frame
           .
           We
           were
           so
           far
           from
           seeking
           occasions
           of
           Company
           ,
           that
           we
           avoided
           them
           what
           we
           could
           ;
           persuing
           our
           own
           Business
           with
           Moderation
           ,
           instead
           of
           medling
           with
           other
           Peoples
           Unnecessarily
           .
        
         
           Our
           Words
           were
           Few
           and
           Savoury
           ,
           our
           
             Looks
             Composed
          
           and
           Weighty
           ,
           and
           our
           whole
           Deportment
           very
           Observable
           .
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           this
           Retired
           and
           strict
           sort
           of
           Life
           from
           the
           Liberty
           of
           the
           
             Conversation
             of
             the
             World
          
           ,
           exposed
           us
           to
           the
           Censures
           of
           many
           ,
           as
           
             Humourists
             ,
             Conceited
          
           and
           
             Self-righteous
             Persons
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           it
           was
           our
           Preservation
           from
           many
           Snares
           ,
           to
           which
           others
           were
           continually
           exposed
           by
           the
           Prevalency
           of
           the
           lust
           of
           the
           Eye
           ,
           the
           lust
           of
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           the
           Pride
           of
           Life
           ,
           that
           wanted
           no
           Occasions
           or
           Temptations
           to
           excite
           them
           abroad
           in
           the
           Converse
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
         
           I
           cannot
           forget
           the
           Humility
           and
           
             Chast
             Zeal
          
           of
           that
           Day
           .
           Oh!
           how
           Constant
           at
           Meetings
           ,
           how
           Retired
           in
           them
           ,
           how
           firm
           to
           
             Truth
             's
             Life
          
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           
             Truth
             's
             Principles
          
           ;
           and
           how
           Entire
           and
           United
           in
           our
           Communion
           ,
           as
           indeed
           became
           those
           that
           profess
           
             One
             Head
          
           ,
           even
           Christ
           Jesus
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           This
           being
           the
           Testimony
           and
           Example
           the
           Man
           of
           God
           ,
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           was
           sent
           to
           Declare
           and
           Leave
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           having
           Embraced
           the
           same
           as
           the
           
             Merciful
             Visitation
          
           of
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           the
           
             Word
             of
             Exhortation
          
           at
           this
           time
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           continue
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Way
           of
           this
           Testimony
           with
           all
           Zeal
           and
           Integrity
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           the
           more
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           the
           Day
           draweth
           near
           .
        
         
           And
           First
           ,
           as
           to
           you
           ,
           my
           Beloved
           and
           much
           
             Honoured
             Brethren
          
           in
           Christ
           ,
           that
           are
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           the
           Ministry
           :
           Oh
           ,
           feel
           Life
           in
           the
           Ministry
           !
           Let
           Life
           be
           your
           Commission
           ,
           your
           Well-spring
           and
           Treasury
           ,
           in
           all
           such
           Occasions
           ,
           else
           you
           well
           know
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           begetting
           to
           God
           ,
           since
           nothing
           can
           quicken
           or
           make
           People
           alive
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           the
           life
           of
           God
           :
           And
           it
           must
           be
           a
           Ministry
           in
           and
           from
           Life
           ,
           that
           enlivens
           any
           People
           to
           God.
           We
           have
           seen
           the
           Fruit
           of
           all
           other
           Ministrys
           by
           the
           few
           that
           are
           turned
           from
           the
           Evil
           of
           their
           Ways
           .
           It
           is
           not
           our
           Parts
           ,
           or
           Memory
           ,
           the
           repetition
           of
           former
           Openings
           in
           our
           own
           will
           and
           time
           ,
           that
           will
           do
           God's
           Work.
           A
           dry
           
             Doctrinal
             Ministry
          
           ,
           however
           sound
           in
           Words
           ,
           can
           reach
           but
           the
           Ear
           ,
           and
           is
           but
           a
           Dream
           at
           the
           Best
           :
           There
           is
           another
           Soundness
           ,
           that
           is
           soundest
           of
           all
           ,
           viz.
           Christ
           the
           power
           of
           God.
           This
           is
           the
           Key
           of
           David
           ,
           that
           Opens
           and
           none
           Shuts
           ,
           and
           Shuts
           ,
           and
           none
           can
           Open
           ;
           as
           the
           Oil
           to
           the
           Lamp
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           to
           the
           Body
           ,
           so
           is
           that
           to
           the
           best
           of
           Words
           .
           Which
           made
           Christ
           to
           say
           ,
           
             My
             Words
             they
             are
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             Life
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           are
           from
           Life
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           make
           you
           alive
           ,
           that
           receive
           them
           .
           If
           the
           Disciples
           that
           had
           lived
           with
           Jesus
           ,
           were
           to
           stay
           at
           Jerusalem
           till
           they
           received
           it
           ;
           so
           must
           we
           wait
           to
           receive
           ,
           before
           we
           Minister
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           turn
           People
           from
           Darkness
           to
           Light
           ,
           and
           from
           Satan's
           power
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           I
           fervently
           bow
           my
           Knees
           to
           the
           God
           and
           Father
           of
           our
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           always
           be
           like
           minded
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           ever
           wait
           Reverently
           for
           the
           coming
           and
           opening
           of
           the
           
             Word
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           and
           tend
           upon
           it
           in
           your
           Ministry
           and
           Service
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           serve
           God
           in
           his
           Spirit
           .
           And
           be
           it
           little
           ,
           or
           be
           it
           much
           ,
           it
           is
           well
           ;
           for
           much
           is
           not
           too
           much
           ,
           and
           the
           least
           is
           enough
           ,
           if
           from
           the
           motion
           of
           
             God's
             Spirit
          
           ;
           and
           without
           it
           ,
           verily
           ,
           never
           so
           little
           is
           too
           much
           ,
           because
           to
           no
           profit
           .
        
         
           For
           it
           is
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           immediately
           ,
           or
           through
           the
           Ministry
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           that
           teacheth
           his
           People
           to
           profit
           ;
           and
           
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           take
           him
           along
           with
           us
           in
           our
           Services
           ,
           so
           far
           we
           are
           profitable
           and
           no
           farther
           .
           For
           if
           it
           be
           the
           Lord
           that
           must
           work
           all
           things
           in
           us
           and
           for
           our selves
           ;
           much
           more
           is
           it
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           must
           work
           in
           us
           for
           the
           Conversion
           of
           others
           .
           If
           therefore
           it
           was
           once
           a
           Cross
           to
           us
           to
           Speak
           ,
           though
           the
           Lord
           required
           it
           at
           our
           Hands
           ;
           let
           it
           never
           be
           so
           to
           be
           silent
           ,
           when
           he
           does
           not
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           dreadful
           Sayings
           in
           the
           
             Book
             of
             God
          
           ,
           That
           he
           that
           adds
           to
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Prophency
           of
           this
           Book
           ,
           God
           will
           add
           the
           Plagues
           written
           in
           this
           Book
           .
           To
           keep
           back
           the
           Counsel
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           as
           Terrible
           ;
           for
           he
           that
           takes
           away
           from
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Prophecy
           of
           this
           Book
           ,
           God
           shall
           take
           away
           his
           part
           out
           of
           the
           
             Book
             of
             Life
          
           .
           And
           truly
           ,
           it
           has
           great
           Caution
           in
           it
           to
           those
           ,
           that
           use
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           be
           well
           assured
           ,
           the
           
             Lord
             Speaks
          
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           found
           of
           the
           Number
           of
           those
           ,
           that
           add
           to
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Testimony
           of
           Prophecy
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           giveth
           them
           to
           bear
           ;
           nor
           yet
           to
           mince
           or
           diminish
           the
           same
           ,
           both
           being
           so
           very
           offensive
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           Brethren
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           careful
           neither
           to
           out-go
           our
           Guide
           ,
           nor
           yet
           loiter
           behind
           him
           ;
           since
           he
           that
           makes
           Haste
           ,
           may
           miss
           his
           Way
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           stays
           behind
           ,
           loose
           his
           Guide
           :
           For
           even
           those
           ,
           that
           have
           Received
           the
           
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           had
           need
           wait
           for
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           see
           how
           to
           divide
           the
           Word
           aright
           ;
           which
           plainly
           implieth
           that
           it
           is
           possible
           for
           one
           ,
           that
           hath
           received
           the
           
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           to
           miss
           in
           the
           Division
           and
           Application
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           must
           come
           from
           an
           Impatiency
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           a
           Self-working
           ,
           which
           makes
           an
           unsound
           and
           dangerous
           Mixture
           ;
           and
           will
           hardly
           beget
           a
           right
           minded
           living
           People
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           I
           am
           earnest
           in
           this
           ,
           above
           all
           other
           Considerations
           ,
           as
           to
           publick
           Brethren
           ,
           well
           knowing
           how
           much
           it
           concerns
           the
           present
           and
           future
           State
           ,
           and
           preservation
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           that
           has
           been
           gathered
           and
           built
           up
           by
           a
           Living
           and
           
             Powerful
             Ministry
          
           ,
           that
           the
           Ministry
           be
           held
           ,
           preserved
           and
           continued
           in
           the
           
             Manifestations
             ,
             Motions
          
           and
           Supplies
           of
           the
           same
           Life
           and
           Power
           from
           time
           to
           time
           .
        
         
           And
           where
           ever
           it
           is
           observed
           ,
           that
           any
           one
           does
           Minister
           more
           from
           Gifts
           and
           Parts
           ,
           than
           Life
           and
           Power
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           an
           Inlightned
           and
           
             Doctrinal
             Understanding
          
           ;
           let
           them
           in
           time
           be
           advised
           and
           admonished
           for
           their
           Preservation
           ,
           because
           insensibly
           such
           will
           come
           to
           depend
           upon
           a
           Self-sufficiency
           ;
           to
           forsake
           Christ
           the
           living
           Fountain
           ,
           and
           to
           hew
           out
           unto
           themselves
           Cisterns
           that
           will
           hold
           no
           living
           Waters
           ;
           and
           by
           degrees
           draw
           others
           from
           waiting
           upon
           the
           
             Gift
             of
             God
          
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           feel
           it
           in
           others
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           their
           Strength
           and
           Refreshment
           
           to
           wait
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           turn
           from
           God
           to
           Man
           again
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           make
           Shipwrack
           of
           the
           Faith
           once
           delivered
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           good
           Conscience
           towards
           God
           ;
           which
           are
           only
           kept
           by
           that
           
             Divine
             Gift
          
           of
           life
           ,
           that
           begat
           the
           one
           and
           awaken'd
           and
           sanctified
           the
           other
           in
           the
           Beginning
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           enough
           that
           we
           have
           known
           the
           
             Divine
             Gift
          
           ,
           and
           in
           it
           have
           reached
           to
           the
           Spirits
           in
           Prison
           ,
           and
           been
           the
           Instruments
           of
           the
           Convincing
           of
           others
           of
           the
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           if
           we
           keep
           not
           as
           low
           and
           poor
           in
           our selves
           ,
           and
           as
           depending
           upon
           the
           Lord
           as
           ever
           ;
           since
           no
           Memory
           ,
           no
           Repetitions
           of
           former
           
             Openings
             ,
             Revelations
          
           or
           Enjoyments
           will
           bring
           a
           Soul
           to
           God
           ,
           or
           afford
           Bread
           to
           the
           Hungry
           ,
           or
           Water
           to
           the
           Thirsty
           ,
           unless
           Life
           go
           ,
           with
           what
           we
           say
           ,
           and
           that
           must
           be
           waited
           for
           .
        
         
           O
           that
           we
           may
           have
           no
           other
           
             Fountain
             ,
             Treasury
          
           or
           Dependence
           !
           that
           none
           may
           presume
           at
           any
           rate
           to
           Act
           of
           themselves
           for
           God!
           Because
           they
           have
           long
           acted
           from
           God
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           not
           supply
           want
           of
           waiting
           with
           our
           own
           Wisdom
           ,
           or
           think
           that
           we
           may
           take
           less
           Care
           ,
           and
           more
           liberty
           in
           speaking
           ,
           than
           formerly
           ;
           and
           that
           where
           we
           do
           not
           feel
           the
           Lord
           by
           his
           Power
           to
           open
           us
           and
           enlarge
           us
           ,
           whatever
           be
           the
           Expectation
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           or
           has
           been
           our
           
             Customary
             Supply
          
           and
           Character
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           exceed
           or
           fill
           up
           the
           time
           with
           our
           own
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           ,
           we
           shall
           ever
           Remember
           ,
           who
           it
           was
           that
           said
           ,
           
             Of
             your selves
             you
             can
             do
             nothing
             ,
          
           our
           sufficiency
           is
           in
           Him
           :
           And
           if
           we
           are
           not
           to
           speak
           our
           own
           Words
           ,
           or
           take
           Thought
           what
           we
           should
           say
           to
           Men
           in
           our
           Defence
           ,
           when
           exposed
           for
           our
           Testimony
           ,
           surely
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           speak
           none
           of
           our
           own
           Words
           ,
           or
           take
           Thought
           what
           we
           shall
           say
           in
           our
           Testimony
           and
           Ministry
           in
           the
           
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           the
           People
           ;
           for
           then
           of
           all
           Times
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           other
           Occasions
           should
           it
           be
           fulfilled
           in
           us
           ;
           
             for
             it
             is
             not
             you
             that
             speak
             ,
             but
             the
             Spirit
             of
             my
             Father
             that
             speaketh
             in
             you
             .
          
        
         
           And
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Ministry
           of
           the
           Spirit
           must
           and
           does
           keep
           its
           Analogy
           and
           Agreement
           with
           the
           Birth
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ;
           that
           as
           no
           Man
           can
           
             Inherit
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             unless
             he
             be
             born
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           ;
           so
           no
           Ministery
           can
           beget
           a
           Soul
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           is
           from
           the
           Spirit
           .
           For
           this
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ,
           the
           Disciples
           waited
           before
           they
           went
           forth
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           our
           
             Elder
             Brethren
          
           ,
           and
           Messengers
           of
           God
           in
           our
           Day
           ,
           waited
           ,
           visited
           and
           reached
           to
           us
           .
           And
           having
           begun
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           let
           none
           ever
           hope
           or
           seek
           to
           be
           made
           perfect
           in
           the
           Flesh
           :
           For
           what
           is
           the
           Flesh
           to
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           or
           the
           Chaff
           to
           the
           Wheat
           ?
           And
           if
           we
           keep
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           we
           shall
           keep
           in
           the
           Unity
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           ground
           of
           true
           Fellowship
           .
           For
           by
           Drinking
           into
           that
           one
           Spirit
           ,
           we
           are
           made
           one
           People
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           it
           we
           are
           continued
           
           in
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           Bond
           of
           Peace
           .
           No
           Envying
           ,
           no
           Bitterness
           ,
           no
           Strife
           can
           have
           place
           with
           us
           .
           We
           shall
           watch
           always
           for
           Good
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           Evil
           over
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           rejoice
           exceedingly
           ,
           and
           not
           begrudge
           at
           one
           anothers
           increase
           in
           the
           Riches
           of
           the
           Grace
           ,
           with
           which
           God
           replenisheth
           his
           
             Faithful
             Servants
          
           .
        
         
           And
           ,
           Brethren
           ,
           as
           to
           you
           is
           committed
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           
             Oracles
             of
             God
          
           ,
           which
           give
           you
           frequent
           Opportunities
           ,
           and
           great
           Place
           with
           the
           People
           among
           whom
           you
           Travail
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           that
           you
           would
           not
           think
           it
           sufficient
           to
           declare
           the
           
             Word
             of
             Life
          
           in
           their
           Assemblies
           ,
           however
           Edifying
           and
           Comfortable
           such
           opportunities
           may
           be
           to
           you
           and
           them
           :
           But
           as
           was
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           
             Man
             of
             God
          
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           in
           great
           Measure
           ,
           when
           among
           us
           ,
           inquire
           the
           State
           of
           the
           several
           Churches
           you
           Visit
           ;
           who
           among
           them
           are
           Afflicted
           or
           Sick
           ,
           who
           are
           Tempted
           ;
           if
           any
           are
           Unfaithful
           or
           Obstinate
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           Issue
           those
           things
           in
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           a
           glorious
           Crown
           upon
           your
           Ministry
           .
           As
           that
           prepares
           your
           way
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           the
           People
           to
           receive
           you
           as
           Men
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           it
           gives
           you
           Credit
           with
           them
           to
           do
           them
           good
           by
           your
           Advice
           in
           other
           Respects
           .
           The
           Afflicted
           will
           be
           Comforted
           by
           you
           ,
           the
           Tempted
           Strengthened
           ,
           the
           Sick
           Refreshed
           ,
           the
           Unfaithful
           Convicted
           and
           Restored
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           are
           
             Obstinate
             Softned
          
           and
           fitted
           for
           Reconciliation
           ,
           which
           is
           Clenching
           the
           Nail
           ,
           and
           applying
           and
           Fastning
           the
           general
           Testimony
           by
           that
           particular
           Care
           of
           the
           several
           Branches
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           them
           more
           immediately
           concerned
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           though
           Good
           and
           
             Wise
             Men
          
           and
           Elders
           too
           ,
           may
           reside
           in
           such
           places
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           Worth
           and
           Importance
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           and
           in
           other
           Places
           ;
           yet
           it
           does
           not
           always
           follow
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           have
           the
           Room
           they
           deserve
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           People
           they
           live
           among
           ;
           or
           some
           particular
           occasion
           may
           make
           it
           unfit
           for
           him
           or
           them
           to
           use
           that
           Authority
           .
           But
           you
           that
           Travail
           as
           God's
           Messengers
           ,
           if
           they
           receive
           you
           in
           the
           Greater
           ,
           shall
           they
           refuse
           you
           in
           the
           Less
           ?
           And
           if
           they
           own
           the
           general
           Testimony
           ,
           can
           they
           withstand
           the
           particular
           Application
           of
           it
           in
           their
           own
           Cases
           ?
           Thus
           ,
           ye
           will
           shew
           your selves
           Workmen
           indeed
           ,
           and
           carry
           your
           Business
           before
           you
           ,
           to
           the
           praise
           of
           his
           Name
           that
           hath
           called
           you
           from
           Darkness
           to
           Light
           ,
           that
           you
           might
           turn
           others
           from
           
           Satan's
           Power
           unto
           God
           and
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           is
           within
           .
           And
           Oh
           that
           there
           were
           more
           of
           such
           Faithful
           Labourers
           in
           the
           Vineyard
           of
           the
           Lord
           !
           Never
           more
           need
           since
           the
           day
           of
           God!
           
        
         
           Wherefore
           I
           cannot
           but
           Cry
           and
           Call
           aloud
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           long
           Professors
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           know
           the
           Truth
           in
           the
           convincing
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           a
           sober
           Conversation
           among
           Men
           ,
           yet
           content
           your selves
           only
           to
           know
           Truth
           for
           
           your selves
           ;
           to
           go
           to
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           Exercise
           an
           ordinary
           Charity
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           an
           honest
           Behaviour
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           limit
           your selves
           within
           those
           Bounds
           ,
           feeling
           little
           or
           no
           concern
           upon
           your
           Spirits
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           prospirity
           of
           his
           Truth
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           more
           than
           to
           be
           glad
           that
           others
           succeed
           in
           such
           Service
           ;
           Arise
           ye
           in
           the
           Name
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           
             Lord
             Jesus
          
           !
           Behold
           ,
           how
           white
           the
           Fields
           are
           unto
           Harvest
           in
           this
           and
           other
           Nations
           ,
           and
           how
           few
           Able
           and
           
             Faithful
             Labourers
          
           there
           are
           to
           work
           therein
           !
           Your
           
             Country
             Folks
             ,
             Neighbours
          
           and
           Kindred
           want
           to
           know
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           Walk
           in
           it
           .
           Does
           nothing
           lie
           at
           your
           Door
           upon
           their
           Account
           ?
           Search
           and
           see
           ,
           and
           loose
           no
           time
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           for
           the
           Lord
           is
           at
           Hand
           .
           I
           do
           not
           Judge
           you
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           that
           Judgeth
           all
           Men
           ,
           and
           his
           Judgment
           is
           true
           :
           You
           have
           mightily
           increased
           in
           your
           outward
           Substance
           ;
           may
           you
           equally
           increase
           in
           your
           inward
           Riches
           ,
           and
           do
           good
           with
           both
           ,
           while
           you
           have
           a
           day
           to
           do
           Good.
           Your
           Enemies
           would
           once
           have
           taken
           what
           you
           had
           from
           you
           ,
           for
           his
           Names
           Sake
           ,
           in
           whom
           you
           have
           believed
           ;
           wherefore
           he
           has
           given
           you
           much
           of
           the
           World
           in
           the
           Face
           of
           your
           Enemies
           .
           But
           Oh
           let
           it
           be
           your
           Servant
           and
           not
           your
           Master
           ,
           your
           Diversion
           rather
           than
           your
           Business
           !
           Let
           the
           Lord
           be
           chiefly
           in
           your
           Eye
           ,
           and
           ponder
           your
           Ways
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           God
           has
           nothing
           more
           for
           you
           to
           do
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           find
           your selves
           short
           in
           your
           Account
           with
           him
           ,
           then
           wait
           for
           his
           Preparation
           ,
           and
           be
           ready
           to
           receive
           the
           word
           of
           Command
           ,
           and
           be
           not
           weary
           of
           
             well
             doing
          
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           put
           your
           Hand
           to
           the
           Plow
           ;
           and
           assuredly
           you
           shall
           Reap
           (
           if
           you
           faint
           not
           )
           the
           Fruit
           of
           your
           Heavenly
           Labour
           in
           God's
           Everlasting
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           And
           you
           ,
           Young
           Convinced
           Ones
           ,
           be
           you
           Entreated
           and
           Exhorted
           to
           a
           Diligent
           and
           Chast
           waiting
           upon
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           
             Blessed
             Manifestation
          
           and
           appearance
           of
           himself
           to
           you
           .
           Look
           not
           out
           ,
           but
           within
           :
           Let
           not
           anothers
           Liberty
           be
           your
           Snare
           .
           Neither
           Act
           by
           Imitation
           ,
           but
           Sense
           and
           Feeling
           of
           God's
           Power
           in
           your selves
           :
           Crush
           not
           the
           tender
           Buddings
           of
           it
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           nor
           over
           run
           in
           your
           desires
           ,
           and
           your
           warmness
           of
           Affections
           the
           Holy
           and
           Gentle
           Motions
           of
           It.
           Remember
           it
           is
           a
           still
           Voice
           that
           Speaks
           to
           us
           in
           this
           Day
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           heard
           in
           the
           Noises
           and
           Hurries
           of
           the
           Mind
           ;
           but
           is
           distinctly
           understood
           in
           a
           retired
           Frame
           .
           Jesus
           loved
           and
           chose
           out
           Solitudes
           ;
           often
           going
           to
           Mountains
           ,
           to
           Gardens
           and
           Sea-sides
           to
           avoid
           Crowds
           and
           Hurries
           ,
           to
           shew
           his
           Disciples
           it
           was
           good
           to
           be
           Solitary
           ,
           and
           sit
           loose
           to
           the
           World.
           Two
           Enemies
           lie
           near
           your
           
             States
             ,
             Imagination
          
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           but
           the
           plain
           ,
           practical
           ,
           Living
           ,
           Holy
           Truth
           ,
           that
           has
           convinced
           you
           will
           preserve
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           mind
           it
           in
           your selves
           ,
           and
           bring
           all
           Thoughts
           ,
           Imaginations
           and
           Affections
           to
           the
           Test
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           see
           if
           they
           are
           wrought
           in
           God
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           or
           your
           own
           selves
           :
           So
           will
           a
           true
           
             Tast
             ,
             Discerning
          
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           
           be
           preserved
           to
           you
           ,
           of
           what
           you
           should
           do
           and
           leave
           undone
           :
           And
           in
           your
           diligence
           and
           Faithfulness
           in
           this
           way
           you
           will
           come
           to
           inherit
           Substance
           ;
           and
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Wisdom
           ,
           will
           fill
           your
           Treasury
           .
           And
           when
           you
           are
           Converted
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Convinced
           ,
           then
           confirm
           your
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           be
           ready
           to
           every
           good
           Word
           and
           Work
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           shall
           call
           you
           to
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           be
           to
           his
           Praise
           ,
           who
           has
           chosen
           you
           to
           be
           partakers
           with
           the
           Saints
           in
           Light
           of
           a
           Kingdom
           that
           cannot
           be
           shaken
           ,
           an
           Inheritance
           incorruptible
           ,
           in
           
             Eternal
             Habitations
          
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           as
           for
           you
           that
           are
           the
           Children
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           a
           Great
           Concern
           is
           upon
           my
           Spirit
           for
           your
           good
           ;
           and
           often
           are
           my
           Knees
           Bowed
           to
           the
           God
           of
           your
           Fathers
           for
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           come
           to
           be
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           
             Divine
             Life
          
           and
           Power
           ,
           that
           has
           been
           the
           Glory
           of
           this
           Day
           ;
           that
           a
           Generation
           you
           may
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           an
           
             Holy
             Nation
          
           and
           a
           
             Peculiar
             People
             ,
             Zealous
          
           of
           
             Good
             Works
          
           ,
           when
           all
           our
           Heads
           are
           laid
           in
           the
           Dust
           .
           Oh
           you
           
             Young
             Men
          
           and
           Women
           ,
           let
           it
           not
           suffice
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Lord
           !
           you
           must
           also
           be
           born
           again
           ,
           if
           you
           will
           inherit
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God.
           Your
           Fathers
           are
           but
           such
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           could
           but
           beget
           you
           into
           the
           likeness
           of
           the
           first
           Adam
           ;
           but
           you
           must
           be
           begotten
           into
           the
           likeness
           of
           the
           second
           Adam
           by
           a
           
             Spiritual
             Generation
          
           .
           And
           therefore
           look
           carefully
           about
           you
           ,
           Oh
           ye
           Children
           of
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           ,
           Consider
           your
           Standing
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           you
           are
           in
           Relation
           to
           this
           
             Divine
             Kindred
             ,
             Family
          
           and
           Birth
           !
           Have
           you
           obeyed
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           received
           and
           walked
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           incorruptible
           Seed
           of
           the
           Word
           and
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           which
           you
           must
           be
           born
           again
           :
           God
           is
           no
           respecter
           of
           Persons
           .
           The
           Father
           cannot
           save
           or
           answer
           for
           the
           Child
           ,
           the
           Child
           for
           the
           Father
           ,
           
             but
             in
             the
             Sin
             thou
             Sinnest
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             die
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             Righteousness
             thou
             doest
             ,
             through
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             live
          
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           the
           Willing
           and
           Obedient
           that
           shall
           eat
           the
           Good
           of
           the
           Land.
           Be
           not
           deceived
           ,
           God
           is
           not
           mocked
           ,
           such
           as
           all
           Nations
           and
           People
           Sow
           ,
           such
           they
           shall
           reap
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           just
           God.
           And
           then
           your
           many
           and
           great
           Priviledges
           ,
           above
           the
           Children
           of
           other
           People
           ,
           will
           add
           weight
           in
           the
           scale
           against
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           choose
           not
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord.
           For
           you
           have
           had
           Line
           upon
           Line
           ,
           and
           Precept
           upon
           Precept
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           
             good
             Doctrine
          
           ,
           but
           
             good
             Example
          
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           more
           ,
           you
           have
           been
           turned
           to
           and
           acquainted
           with
           a
           Principle
           in
           your selves
           ,
           which
           others
           have
           been
           ignorant
           of
           ;
           and
           you
           know
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           as
           Good
           as
           you
           please
           ,
           without
           the
           Fear
           of
           Frowns
           and
           Blows
           ,
           or
           being
           turned
           out
           of
           doors
           and
           forsaken
           of
           Father
           and
           Mother
           for
           God's
           Sake
           ,
           and
           his
           Holy
           Religion
           ,
           as
           has
           been
           the
           Case
           of
           some
           of
           your
           Fathers
           in
           the
           day
           they
           first
           entred
           into
           this
           
             Holy
             Path
          
           :
           And
           if
           you
           ,
           after
           hearing
           and
           seeing
           the
           Wonders
           that
           God
           has
           wrought
           in
           the
           deliverance
           and
           perservation
           of
           them
           ,
           through
           a
           Sea
           of
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           the
           manifold
           Temporal
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           spiritual
           Blessings
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           filled
           them
           with
           in
           the
           
           sight
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           you
           should
           neglect
           and
           turn
           your
           backs
           upon
           so
           great
           and
           so
           near
           a
           Salvation
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           only
           be
           most
           ungreatful
           Children
           to
           God
           and
           them
           ,
           but
           must
           expect
           that
           God
           will
           call
           the
           Children
           of
           those
           that
           knew
           him
           not
           ,
           to
           take
           the
           Crown
           out
           of
           your
           Hands
           ,
           and
           that
           your
           lot
           will
           be
           a
           dreadful
           Judgment
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord.
           But
           Oh
           that
           it
           may
           never
           be
           so
           with
           any
           of
           you
           !
           The
           Lord
           forbid
           ,
           saith
           my
           Soul.
           
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           Oh
           ye
           
             Young
             Men
          
           and
           Women
           ,
           look
           to
           the
           Rock
           of
           your
           Fathers
           !
           chuse
           the
           God
           of
           your
           Fathers
           :
           There
           is
           no
           other
           God
           but
           him
           ;
           no
           other
           Light
           but
           his
           ;
           no
           other
           Grace
           but
           his
           ,
           nor
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           his
           to
           Convince
           you
           ,
           Quicken
           and
           Comfort
           you
           ;
           to
           Lead
           ,
           Guide
           and
           Preserve
           you
           to
           God's
           
             Everlasting
             Kingdom
          
           :
           So
           will
           you
           be
           Possessors
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Professors
           of
           the
           Truth
           ;
           embracing
           it
           not
           only
           by
           Education
           but
           Judgment
           and
           Conviction
           ,
           from
           a
           Sense
           begotten
           in
           your
           Souls
           ,
           through
           the
           operation
           of
           the
           
             Eternal
             Spirit
          
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           by
           which
           you
           may
           come
           to
           be
           the
           Seed
           of
           Abraham
           through
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           circumcision
           not
           made
           with
           Hands
           ,
           and
           so
           heirs
           of
           the
           promise
           made
           to
           the
           Fathers
           of
           an
           Incorruptible
           Crown
           :
           That
           (
           as
           I
           said
           before
           )
           a
           Generation
           you
           may
           be
           to
           God
           ,
           holding
           up
           the
           Profession
           of
           the
           blessed
           Truth
           in
           the
           Life
           and
           Power
           of
           it
           .
           For
           Formality
           in
           Religion
           is
           Nauseous
           to
           God
           and
           good
           Men
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           so
           ,
           where
           any
           Form
           or
           Appearance
           has
           been
           new
           and
           peculiar
           ,
           and
           begun
           and
           practised
           upon
           a
           Principle
           ,
           with
           an
           Uncommon
           Zeal
           and
           Strictness
           .
           Therefore
           I
           say
           ,
           for
           you
           to
           fall
           flat
           and
           formal
           ,
           and
           continue
           the
           profession
           without
           that
           Salt
           and
           Savour
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           is
           come
           to
           obtain
           a
           good
           Report
           among
           Men
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           answer
           God's
           Love
           ,
           nor
           your
           Parents
           Care
           ,
           nor
           the
           mind
           of
           Truth
           in
           your selves
           ,
           nor
           in
           those
           that
           are
           without
           ;
           who
           tho'
           they
           will
           not
           obey
           the
           Truth
           ,
           have
           Sight
           and
           Sense
           enough
           to
           see
           if
           they
           do
           that
           make
           a
           Profession
           of
           it
           .
           For
           where
           the
           
             Divine
             Virtue
          
           of
           it
           is
           not
           felt
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           waited
           for
           ,
           and
           lived
           in
           ,
           imperfections
           will
           quickly
           break
           out
           ,
           and
           shew
           themselves
           ,
           and
           detect
           the
           Unfaithfulness
           of
           such
           Persons
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           insides
           are
           not
           seasoned
           with
           the
           Nature
           of
           that
           holy
           Principle
           which
           they
           profess
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           Dear
           Children
           ,
           let
           met
           intreat
           you
           to
           shut
           your
           Eyes
           at
           the
           Temptations
           and
           Allurements
           of
           this
           low
           and
           perishing
           World
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer
           your
           affections
           to
           be
           captivated
           by
           those
           Lusts
           and
           Vanities
           that
           your
           Fathers
           ,
           for
           Truths
           Sake
           ,
           long
           since
           turned
           their
           Backs
           upon
           :
           But
           as
           you
           believe
           it
           to
           be
           the
           Truth
           ,
           receive
           it
           into
           your
           Hearts
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           become
           the
           
             Children
             of
             God
          
           :
           So
           that
           it
           may
           never
           be
           said
           of
           you
           ,
           as
           the
           Evangelist
           Writes
           of
           the
           Jews
           of
           his
           time
           ,
           That
           Christ
           ,
           the
           true
           Light
           ,
           came
           to
           his
           own
           ,
           but
           his
           own
           received
           him
           not
           ;
           but
           to
           as
           many
           as
           received
           him
           ,
           to
           them
           he
           gave
           Power
           to
           become
           the
           
             Children
             of
             God
             ;
             which
             were
             born
             ,
             not
             of
             Blood
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             
             Will
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             Will
             of
             Man
             ,
             but
             of
             God.
          
           A
           most
           close
           and
           comprehensive
           Passage
           to
           this
           occasion
           :
           You
           exactly
           and
           peculiarly
           answer
           to
           those
           professing
           Jews
           ,
           in
           that
           you
           bear
           the
           Name
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           by
           being
           the
           Children
           and
           wearing
           of
           the
           Form
           of
           God's
           People
           :
           So
           that
           he
           by
           his
           Light
           in
           you
           ,
           may
           be
           said
           to
           come
           to
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           obey
           it
           not
           ,
           but
           turn
           your
           Back
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           walk
           after
           the
           Vanities
           of
           your
           Minds
           ,
           you
           will
           be
           of
           those
           that
           receive
           him
           not
           ,
           which
           ,
           I
           pray
           God
           ,
           may
           never
           be
           your
           Case
           and
           Judgment
           ;
           but
           that
           you
           may
           be
           throughly
           sensible
           of
           the
           many
           and
           great
           Obligations
           you
           lie
           under
           to
           the
           Lord
           for
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           your
           Parents
           for
           their
           Care
           :
           And
           with
           all
           your
           Heart
           and
           all
           your
           Soul
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           Strength
           turn
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           his
           Gift
           and
           Spirit
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           hear
           his
           Voice
           and
           obey
           it
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           Seal
           to
           the
           Testimony
           of
           your
           Fathers
           ,
           by
           the
           Truth
           and
           Evidence
           of
           your
           own
           Experience
           ;
           that
           your
           
             Childrens
             Children
          
           may
           bless
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           for
           you
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           delivered
           a
           faithful
           Example
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Record
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           unto
           them
           .
           So
           will
           the
           
             Gray
             Hairs
          
           of
           your
           Dear
           Parents
           yet
           alive
           ,
           go
           down
           to
           the
           Grave
           with
           Joy
           ,
           to
           see
           you
           the
           posterity
           of
           Truth
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           theirs
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           only
           their
           Natures
           but
           Spirit
           shall
           live
           in
           you
           when
           they
           are
           gone
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           Preface
           with
           a
           few
           Words
           to
           those
           that
           are
           not
           of
           our
           Communion
           ,
           into
           whose
           hands
           this
           may
           come
           ,
           especially
           those
           of
           our
           own
           Nation
           .
        
         
           Friends
           ,
           As
           you
           are
           the
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           of
           Adam
           ,
           and
           my
           Brethren
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           often
           and
           earnest
           have
           been
           my
           Desires
           and
           Prayers
           to
           God
           on
           your
           behalf
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           come
           to
           know
           him
           that
           has
           Made
           you
           to
           be
           your
           Redeemer
           and
           Restorer
           to
           the
           Image
           that
           ,
           through
           Sin
           ,
           you
           have
           lost
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           and
           Spirit
           of
           his
           Son
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           whom
           he
           hath
           given
           for
           the
           Light
           and
           Life
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           Oh
           that
           you
           ,
           who
           are
           called
           Christians
           ,
           would
           receive
           him
           into
           your
           Heart
           !
           for
           there
           it
           is
           you
           want
           him
           ,
           and
           at
           that
           Door
           he
           stands
           knocking
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           let
           him
           in
           ,
           but
           you
           do
           not
           open
           to
           him
           ;
           You
           are
           full
           of
           other
           Guests
           ,
           so
           that
           a
           Manger
           is
           his
           Lot
           among
           you
           Now
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           Old
           :
           Yet
           you
           are
           full
           of
           Profession
           ,
           as
           were
           the
           Jews
           when
           he
           came
           among
           them
           ,
           who
           knew
           him
           not
           ,
           but
           rejected
           and
           evilly
           intreated
           him
           .
           So
           that
           if
           you
           come
           not
           to
           the
           Possession
           and
           Experience
           of
           what
           you
           profess
           ,
           all
           your
           Formality
           in
           Religion
           will
           stand
           you
           in
           no
           stead
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           God's
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           I
           beseech
           you
           ponder
           with
           your selves
           your
           
             Eternal
             Condition
          
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           Title
           ,
           what
           Ground
           and
           Foundation
           you
           have
           for
           your
           Christianity
           :
           If
           more
           than
           a
           Profession
           ,
           and
           an
           Historical
           Belief
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Have
           you
           known
           the
           Baptism
           of
           Fire
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Fan
           of
           Christ
           that
           winnows
           away
           the
           Chaff
           ;
           The
           
             Carnal
             Lusts
          
           and
           Affections
           ?
           That
           Divine
           Leven
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           that
           being
           received
           ,
           Levens
           the
           whole
           Lump
           of
           
           Man
           ,
           sanctifying
           him
           throughout
           in
           
             Body
             ,
             Soul
          
           and
           Spirit
           ?
           If
           this
           be
           not
           the
           Ground
           of
           your
           Confidence
           ,
           you
           are
           in
           a
           Miserable
           Estate
           .
        
         
           You
           will
           say
           perhaps
           ,
           that
           though
           you
           are
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           the
           daily
           Commission
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           Santified
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           been
           Speaking
           ,
           yet
           you
           have
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           who
           has
           borne
           the
           Curse
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           him
           you
           are
           Compleat
           by
           Faith
           ;
           his
           Righteousness
           being
           imputed
           to
           you
           .
        
         
           But
           my
           Friends
           ,
           let
           me
           intreat
           you
           not
           to
           deceive
           your selves
           ,
           in
           so
           Important
           a
           Point
           ,
           as
           is
           that
           of
           your
           
             Immortal
             Souls
          
           .
           If
           you
           have
           true
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           your
           Faith
           will
           make
           you
           Clean
           ,
           it
           will
           Sanctifie
           you
           ;
           for
           the
           Saints
           Faith
           was
           their
           Victory
           :
           By
           this
           they
           over
           came
           
             Sin
             within
          
           ,
           and
           
             Sinful
             Men
             without
          
           .
           And
           if
           thou
           art
           in
           Christ
           thou
           walkest
           not
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           but
           after
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           whose
           Fruits
           are
           Manifest
           .
           Yea
           ,
           thou
           art
           a
           
             New
             Creature
             ,
             New
             Made
             ,
             New
             Fashioned
          
           after
           God's
           Will
           and
           Mold
           :
           Old
           things
           are
           done
           away
           ,
           and
           behold
           ,
           all
           things
           are
           become
           
             New
             :
             New
             Love
             ,
             Desires
             ,
             Will
             ,
             Affections
          
           and
           Practices
           .
           It
           is
           not
           any
           longer
           Thou
           that
           livest
           ,
           Thou
           
             Disobedient
             ,
             Carnal
             ,
             Worldly
          
           One
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           Christ
           that
           liveth
           in
           thee
           ,
           and
           to
           live
           is
           Christ
           and
           to
           die
           is
           thy
           
             Eternal
             Gain
          
           ;
           because
           thou
           art
           assured
           ,
           
             That
             thy
             Corruptible
             shall
             put
             on
             Incorruption
             ,
             and
             thy
             Mortal
             ,
             Immortality
          
           ;
           and
           that
           thou
           hast
           a
           Glorious
           House
           Eternal
           in
           the
           Heavens
           that
           will
           never
           wax
           Old
           or
           pass
           away
           .
           All
           this
           follows
           being
           in
           Christ
           ,
           as
           Heat
           follows
           Fire
           and
           Light
           the
           Sun.
           
        
         
           Therefore
           have
           a
           Care
           how
           you
           presume
           to
           Rely
           upon
           such
           a
           Notion
           ,
           as
           that
           you
           are
           in
           Christ
           ,
           whilst
           in
           your
           old
           fallen
           Nature
           .
           For
           what
           Communion
           hath
           Light
           with
           Darkness
           ,
           or
           Christ
           with
           Belial
           ?
           Hear
           what
           the
           beloved
           Disciple
           tells
           you
           :
           
             If
             we
             say
             we
             have
             fellowship
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             walk
             in
             Darkness
             ,
             we
             lie
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           go
           on
           in
           a
           sinful
           way
           ,
           are
           Captivated
           by
           our
           
             Carnal
             Affections
          
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           Converted
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           walk
           in
           Darkness
           ,
           and
           cannot
           possibly
           have
           any
           fellowship
           with
           God.
           Christ
           Cloths
           them
           with
           his
           Righteousness
           that
           receive
           his
           Grace
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           deny
           themselves
           ,
           and
           take
           up
           his
           Cross
           daily
           ,
           and
           follow
           him
           .
           Christ's
           Righteousness
           makes
           Men
           inwardly
           Holy
           ,
           of
           Holy
           Minds
           ,
           Wills
           and
           Practices
           .
           It
           is
           nevertheless
           Christs
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           it
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           ours
           ,
           not
           by
           Nature
           ,
           but
           by
           Faith
           and
           Adoption
           :
           It
           is
           the
           Gift
           of
           God
           :
           But
           still
           tho'
           not
           ours
           ,
           as
           of
           or
           from
           our selves
           ,
           for
           in
           that
           Sense
           it
           is
           Christ's
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           of
           and
           from
           him
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           ours
           ;
           and
           must
           be
           ours
           in
           
             Possession
             ,
             Efficacy
          
           and
           Enjoyment
           to
           do
           us
           any
           Good
           ,
           or
           Christ's
           Righteousness
           will
           profit
           us
           nothing
           .
           It
           was
           after
           this
           manner
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           made
           to
           the
           primitive
           Christians
           ,
           
             Righteousness
             ,
             Sanctification
             ,
             Justification
          
           and
           Redemption
           ;
           and
           if
           ever
           you
           will
           have
           the
           
             Comfort
             ,
             Kernel
          
           and
           Marrow
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           ,
           thus
           you
           must
           come
           to
           learn
           and
           obtain
           it
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           ,
           my
           Friends
           ,
           by
           what
           you
           have
           Read
           ,
           and
           will
           Read
           in
           what
           Follows
           ,
           you
           may
           perceive
           ,
           that
           God
           has
           visited
           a
           
             Poor
             People
          
           among
           you
           with
           this
           saving
           Knowledge
           and
           Testimony
           ;
           whom
           he
           has
           upheld
           and
           encreased
           to
           this
           Day
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           fierce
           opposition
           they
           have
           met
           withal
           .
           Despise
           not
           the
           meanness
           of
           this
           Appearance
           :
           It
           was
           ,
           and
           yet
           is
           (
           we
           know
           )
           a
           day
           of
           small
           things
           ,
           and
           of
           small
           Account
           with
           too
           many
           ;
           and
           many
           hard
           and
           ill
           Names
           are
           given
           to
           it
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           came
           from
           him
           because
           it
           leads
           to
           him
           .
           This
           we
           know
           ,
           but
           we
           cannot
           make
           another
           know
           it
           ,
           as
           we
           know
           it
           ,
           unless
           he
           will
           take
           the
           same
           way
           to
           know
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           took
           .
           The
           World
           talks
           of
           God
           ;
           but
           what
           do
           they
           do
           ?
           They
           pray
           for
           Power
           ,
           but
           reject
           the
           Principle
           in
           which
           it
           is
           .
           If
           you
           would
           know
           God
           and
           Worship
           and
           serve
           God
           ,
           as
           you
           should
           do
           ,
           you
           must
           come
           to
           the
           means
           he
           has
           ordained
           and
           given
           for
           that
           purpose
           .
           Some
           seek
           it
           in
           Books
           ,
           some
           in
           
             Learned
             Men
          
           ,
           but
           what
           they
           look
           for
           ,
           is
           in
           themselves
           ,
           but
           they
           overlook
           it
           .
           The
           Voice
           is
           too
           still
           ,
           the
           Seed
           too
           small
           ,
           and
           the
           Light
           shineth
           in
           Darkness
           .
           They
           are
           abroad
           ,
           and
           so
           cannot
           divide
           the
           Spoil
           ;
           but
           the
           Woman
           ,
           that
           lost
           her
           Silver
           found
           it
           at
           Home
           ,
           after
           she
           had
           light
           her
           Candle
           and
           swept
           her
           House
           .
           Do
           you
           so
           too
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           what
           Pilate
           wanted
           to
           know
           ,
           
             viz.
             Truth
          
           .
        
         
           The
           light
           of
           Christ
           within
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           (
           and
           so
           a
           Light
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           tells
           you
           the
           Truth
           of
           your
           Condition
           )
           leads
           all
           ,
           that
           take
           heed
           unto
           it
           ,
           out
           of
           Darkness
           into
           God's
           marvellous
           Light
           ;
           for
           Light
           grows
           upon
           the
           Obedient
           .
           It
           is
           sown
           for
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           and
           their
           way
           is
           a
           shining
           Light
           ,
           that
           shines
           forth
           more
           and
           more
           to
           the
           perfect
           day
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           O
           Friends
           ,
           Turn
           in
           ,
           Turn
           in
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           !
           Where
           is
           the
           Poison
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           Antidote
           :
           There
           you
           want
           Christ
           ,
           and
           there
           you
           must
           find
           him
           ;
           and
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           there
           you
           may
           find
           him
           .
           
             Seek
             and
             you
             shall
             find
          
           ,
           I
           testifie
           for
           God
           :
           But
           then
           you
           must
           seek
           aright
           ,
           with
           your
           whole
           Heart
           ,
           as
           Men
           that
           seek
           for
           their
           Lives
           ,
           yea
           ,
           for
           their
           
             Eternal
             Lives
          
           :
           Diligently
           ,
           Humbly
           ,
           Patiently
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           can
           taste
           no
           Pleasure
           ,
           Comfort
           or
           Satisfaction
           in
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           unless
           you
           find
           him
           whom
           your
           Souls
           want
           ,
           and
           desire
           to
           know
           and
           love
           above
           all
           .
           O
           it
           is
           a
           Travail
           ,
           a
           Spiritual
           Travail
           !
           Let
           the
           Carnal
           ,
           Profane
           World
           think
           and
           say
           as
           it
           will.
           And
           through
           this
           Path
           you
           must
           walk
           to
           the
           City
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           has
           Eternal
           Foundations
           ,
           if
           ever
           you
           will
           come
           there
           .
        
         
           Well!
           And
           what
           does
           this
           blessed
           Light
           do
           for
           you
           ?
           Why
           ,
           1.
           it
           sets
           all
           your
           sins
           in
           order
           before
           you
           :
           It
           detects
           the
           Spirit
           of
           this
           World
           in
           all
           its
           Bates
           and
           Allurements
           ,
           and
           shews
           how
           Man
           came
           to
           fall
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           fallen
           Estate
           he
           is
           in
           .
           2.
           
           It
           begets
           a
           Sense
           and
           Sorrow
           ,
           in
           such
           as
           believe
           in
           it
           ,
           for
           this
           fearful
           Laps
           .
           You
           will
           then
           see
           him
           Distinctly
           ,
           whom
           you
           have
           Pierced
           him
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Blows
           and
           Wounds
           you
           have
           given
           him
           by
           your
           Disobedience
           ;
           
           and
           how
           you
           have
           made
           him
           to
           serve
           with
           your
           Sins
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           Weep
           and
           Mourn
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           your
           Sorrow
           will
           be
           a
           
             Godly
             Sorrow
          
           .
           3.
           
           After
           this
           it
           will
           bring
           you
           to
           the
           Holy
           Watch
           ,
           to
           take
           Care
           that
           you
           do
           so
           no
           more
           ,
           that
           the
           Enemy
           surprise
           you
           not
           again
           :
           Then
           Thoughts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Words
           and
           Works
           ,
           will
           come
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           way
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Redeemed
           of
           the
           Lord
           do
           Walk
           .
           Here
           you
           will
           come
           to
           love
           God
           above
           all
           ,
           and
           your
           Neighbours
           as
           your selves
           .
           Nothing
           Hurts
           ,
           Nothing
           Harms
           ,
           Nothing
           makes
           Afraid
           on
           this
           
             Holy
             Mountain
          
           :
           Now
           you
           come
           to
           be
           Christ's
           indeed
           ,
           for
           you
           are
           his
           in
           Nature
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           your
           own
           .
           And
           when
           you
           are
           thus
           Christ's
           ,
           then
           Christ
           is
           yours
           ,
           and
           not
           before
           :
           And
           here
           Communion
           with
           the
           Father
           and
           with
           the
           Son
           you
           will
           know
           ,
           and
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           Blood
           of
           Cleansing
           ,
           even
           the
           Blood
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           that
           
             Immaculate
             Lamb
          
           ,
           which
           speaketh
           better
           things
           than
           the
           Blood
           of
           Abel
           ,
           and
           which
           cleanseth
           from
           all
           Sin
           the
           Consciences
           of
           those
           that
           ,
           through
           the
           living
           Faith
           ,
           come
           to
           be
           sprinkled
           with
           it
           from
           dead
           Works
           to
           serve
           the
           living
           God.
           
        
         
           To
           Conclude
           ,
           Behold
           the
           Testimony
           and
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           People
           called
           Quakers
           !
           Behold
           their
           Practice
           and
           Discipline
           !
           And
           behold
           the
           blessed
           Man
           and
           Men
           that
           were
           sent
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Excellent
           Work
           and
           Service
           !
           All
           which
           will
           be
           more
           particularly
           expressed
           in
           the
           Ensuing
           Annals
           of
           the
           Man
           of
           God
           ;
           which
           I
           do
           heartily
           recommend
           to
           my
           Readers
           most
           serious
           Perusal
           ,
           and
           beseech
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           that
           his
           Blessing
           may
           go
           along
           with
           it
           ,
           to
           the
           Convincing
           of
           many
           ,
           as
           yet
           Strangers
           to
           this
           
             Holy
             Dispensation
          
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           the
           Edification
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           General
           :
           Who
           ,
           for
           his
           manifold
           and
           repeated
           Mercies
           and
           Blessings
           to
           his
           People
           in
           this
           day
           of
           his
           great
           Love
           ,
           is
           worthy
           ever
           to
           have
           the
           
             Glory
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Thanksgiving
          
           and
           Renown
           ;
           and
           be
           it
           rendred
           and
           ascribed
           ,
           with
           Fear
           and
           Reverence
           ,
           through
           him
           in
           whom
           he
           is
           well
           pleased
           ,
           his
           bloved
           Son
           and
           Lamb
           ,
           our
           Light
           and
           Life
           ,
           that
           sits
           with
           him
           upon
           the
           Throne
           ,
           World
           without
           End.
           
        
         
           Amen
           ,
           Says
           
             One
             that
             God
             has
             long
             since
             Mercifully
             favoured
             with
             his
             
               Fatherly
               Visitation
            
             ,
             and
             who
             was
             not
             Disobedient
             to
             the
             Heavenly
             Vision
             and
             Call
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             Way
             of
             Truth
             is
             more
             Lovely
             and
             Precious
             than
             ever
             ,
             and
             that
             knowing
             the
             Beauty
             and
             Benefit
             of
             it
             above
             all
             Worldly
             Treasure
             ,
             has
             chosen
             it
             for
             his
             
               Chiefest
               Joy
            
             ,
             and
             therefore
             recommends
             it
             to
             thy
             Love
             and
             Choice
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             with
             great
             Sincerity
             and
             Affection
             thy
             Souls
             Friend
             .
             William
             Penn.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           London
           ,
           
             Printed
             and
             Sold
             by
          
           T.
           Sowle
           ,
           
             at
             the
          
           Crooked
           Billet
           in
           Holly-well-lane
           ,
           Shoreditch
           ,
           
             and
             near
             the
          
           Meeting-House
           in
           White-hart-court
           in
           Grace-church-street
           ,
           1694.