Chalkley, T^o-Jj the works oi \raf Intlfnt! faithful P A - ^ ^ COLLECTION O F T H E WORKS OF THAT Antient, faithful Servant of JEStra Christ, T BO MAS CHALKLET, WHO Departed this Life in the Illand of Tortola^ the fourth Day of the Ninth Month, 174 1. To which is prefi^i^i^^^PtRTy A JOURNA Travels, and CHRisi%AN^i^g(^(g:j^^Li Written by Hll^E^ »MHfwW^ tvuill fend thofe that ejlapf of them unto the Nationt, to Tarlhilh, Pull, end Lud, that draw the Bo-w, to Tuoal and Javan, to the IJles afar 'off* that have not heard my Fame, neither have feen my Glory i and they Jhall declare my Glory among the Gentiles. Ifaiah Ixvi. 19. LONDON: Printed and Sold by Luke Hinde, at the Bible in George-Tar J, Lomhard-Stre^t^ ^ys^-^ Vv [ iii 1 THE XESTIMONY O F T Monthly-Meetifli| I N' T HI LAD EL. ,. _., Concerning our Antient, Worthy Friend, THOMJS CHALKLET, deceafed. THE Chriftian Experiences of the Faithful being ufeful to diredl fuch as are defirous of following then?i in the Paths of true Religion and Virtue, and their good Examples ihining with the greateft Clearnefs, when they have, with the Flefli, put ofF all human Infir- mities ; Juftice to their Memory, and a Concern for the Benefit of their Survivors, demand our grateful Remembrance of them, and the contri-. bating our Endeavours to render their Labours ufeful to Pofterity. A 2 Theft [ iv ] • Thefe Confiderations engage us to preface the Writings of this our efteemed Friend and Elder in the Truth, with this Teftiraony concerning him. He was a Member of our Monthly-Meeting above Forty Years, fo that fome of us had Op- portunities of being intimately acquainted with him, and of knowing his Fidelity and Diligence in promoting the Caufe of Truth, and the Edifi- cation of the Church of Chrijl ; this having been the principal Engagement and Concern of his Mind, and which he preferred to any other Con- fideration ; as will evidently appear to thofe, who, with an honeft and unprejudiced Intention, pe- riife his Journal of his Life and Travels. By this it will appear, that he was, in the early Part of his Life, fenfibly affedted with the Vifitation of divine Life and Grace, and, by adr hcring thereunto, w^s preferved from the Vani- ties and Follies, which often divert and alienate tlic Minds of Youth from the due Remembrance and awful Regard of their Creator ; fo that he was enabled to bear a Teftimony of Chriftian Patience and Self-denial in his youthful Days, and, by keeping under that Exercife, as he adr vanccd in Years, attained to further Knowledge and Experience in the Work of Religion, in which he had a Sight of the Neceffity of keeping in a State of Humility, and of bearing the Croft jcf Chrijl, which mortified him to the World; fo that the Lois manv luftain by the anxious Pur- fuit [V] fuit of the lawful Things thereof appearing to him, he was concerned to avoid it, and in Obe- dience to the Precept of Ckriji^ To feek firji the Kingdom of God^ and his Righteoufnefs^ having Faith in his Promife, That all theje Things (^necef- fary for him) (l^ould be added. Thus the Love of God influencing his Mind, and opening his Underftanding, he became con- cerned for the general Good of Mankind, and received a Gift of the Miniftry of the Gofpel of Chrijl^ before he had attained the Age of Twen- ty-one Years ; in the publick Exercife of which, he foon after travelled thro' many Parts of Eng-- land^ and into icotla?id^ and the next Year, be- ing 1697, hexrame to vifit Friends in this and the adjacent Provinces of America ^ where his Miniftry and Converfation were to the Comfort and Edification of the Faithful (as fome of us can with Satisfaction declare, from our Knowledge and Remembrance of him at that Time) and the near Fellowfliip and Union he then had with Friends here (^we believe) contributed to his more fpeedy Determination of fettling among us, which he afterwards thought it his Duty to do, tho* the leaving his Parents and Relations (zs he after- wards exprelTed) was no fmall Crofs to him, be- ing of a dutiful and afiedtionate Difpofition. After fixing his Refidence amongft us, he per- fever'd in his Concern and Labour for the Edifi- cation of the Churches, and gathering People to Faith and Dependance on the inward Teachings A -J of [vi] of Chril}, and for that Purpofe only he travelled many long Journies and Voyages through the fe- veral E?igliJJ^ Colonies on this Continent, and moft of the lllands in the JVell-Indies, and in EuropCy through England^ Wales^ Scotland^ Ireland^ HoU land, Frizelmid, and feveral Parts of Germany, and the adjacent Northern Kingdoms-, and in many of theie Places his Miniftry and religious Labours were blelTed with the defired Succefs, of which there are yet fome WitnelTes living, and others who were convinced of the Principles of Truth by his Means, became ferviceable Mem- bers of the Church, and continued therein to the End of their Lives. But as the vv^ife King Solomon formerly obfcr- ved, that One Event cometh to the Righteous^ and to the Wicked, fo it happened to this good Man, who met with various Lofles and Difappoint- ments in his temporal Eilate ; after which, the Circumftances of his Affairs engaged him to un- dertake fome Bufinefs, in the Management of which he was obliged to crofs the Seas frequently: This, however, did not abate his Zeal and reli- gious Care to make ufe of all Opportunities of vifiting the Meetings of Friends when among them, and of calling, at other Times, to fuch who might be accounted as the Outcafi (?/'Ifrael, end the ID ij per led ^' Judah, or as Sheep not yet of ihe Fold 0/ Chrift ; and his Services of that Kind are worthy to be commemorated, having been often produdive of good EfFeds. His [vH] His Patience was remarkable in Difappoint- mentjS and Affliftions, of which he had a large Share 5 and his Meeknefs, Humility and Circum- ipedlion^ in the general Courfe of his Life and Converfation were confpicuous and exemplary; and as Jie frequently exhorted and admonifhed othefp to the Obfervation and Pradice of the niany excellent Precepts and Rules of Chrijl^ our Lord and Law-giver, and more efpecially thofe expreffed in his Sermon on the Mount (which contains the Sum of our moral and religious Du- ties) fo he manifefled himfelf to be one of that Number, whom Chri[i compared to the wife Builder, who laid a fure Foundation ; fo that his Building flood unfliaken by the various Floods and Winds of Tribulations and Temptations he ipef with, both from within and without. He was a Lover of Unity amongft Brethren, ^nd careful to promote and maintain it, fliewing the Example of a meek, courteous, and loving Deportment, not only to Friends, but to all i^thers, vvith whom he had Converfation or Deal- ings J fo that it may be truly faid. That /t^u:> have lived Jo imiverfally beloved and refpeSted amo?jg fis : And it was manifeft this did not proceeei from a Defire of being popular, ortobefeen of Man: For his Love and Regard to Peace did not divert him from the Difcharge of his Duty in a faithful Teftimony to thofe that profeffed the Truth, that they ought to be careful to maintain good Works; and he was often concerned zeal- oufly to incite and prefs Friends to the Exercife A 4 of of the good Order and Difcipline eflablifhed in the Wifdom of Truth, by admonifhing, warn- ing, and timely treating with fuch as fell fhort of their Duty therein, and by tcftifying againft thofe who, after loving and brotherly Care and Endeavours, could not be brought to the Senfc and Pradtice of their Duty ; and thereby he fome- times ihar'd the Ill-will and Refentment of fuch Perfons, The feveral Eflays he wrote on religious Sub- jects at Sea, are further Proofs that his Mind was principally engaged in the great Bufinefs and Concern of Religion ; and as he continued under the fame Engagement to the End, we ar^s fully perfuaded the Words, with which he conclu- ded his laft publick Teftimony on the Ifland of ^ortola^ may be truly and properly applied to him, "Ihat he had fought a good Fight y and had kept the Faith, andy we doubt not, he now enjoys a Crown ?/ Righteoufnefs. Much more might be truly faid of his Intcgri- i:y, Faithfulnefii and Worth, but we do not think it neceflary ; our chief Intention being to exprefs our refpcdful Remembrance of him, and our Unity with his Labours and Services, and in or- der to affure thofe, to whom he was not perfon- «lly known, of the Truth of what he has him- fclf wrote of his Life and Travels ; for we believe, fts he was a Man fignally influenced with the Spirit of univerfal Love and Good-will to Man- kind, [ix] kind, this was his chief Motive for writing ; an4 we are lincerely defirous that his good Defiga may be anfwered, and that the Glory of every good and pcrfedt Work may be attributed to that divine Power alone, which can qualify others to fupply the Places of thofe faithful Miniflers and Servants of Chrijty who have been of late Years removed from among us, and are of that Num- ber, of whom it is written, Blejfed are the Dead^ which die in the Lord, from henceforth^ yea, faith the Spirit^ that they may refi frojn their Labours, and their Works do follow them. Signed on Behalf, and by Appointment of the Monthly-Meeting of Friends in Phi- ladelphia, the Twenty-eighth Day of the Second Month, 1749, by ISRAEL PEMBERTON. JOURNAL OF THE Life, Labours, Travels, &'c» o F THOMAS CHJLKLET. T J^ V I N G great Caufe to acknowledge the Re- JlL gard and Proteuiion of Divine Providence in the feveral Stages of my Life^ I think it may be of Service to others, to leave behind me the following Ac- count of my Life and Travels. 1WAS born on the Third Day of the Third Month 1675, in Southwarky and defcended of honefl and religious Parents, who were very careful of me, and brought me up in the Fear of the Lord ; and oftentimes counfelled me to Sobriety, and reproved me for Wantonnefs ; and that light Spirit, which is incident to Youth^ they were careful to nip in the Bud ; So that I have Caufe to blefs God, through Chrift, on the Behalf of my tender Parents. And I may not forget the Dealings of God with me in my very tender Years. When between eight and 2 72;^ JOURNAL 5/ 1684; ten Years of Age, my Father and Mother fen: mc »^^V*^near two Miles to School, to Richard Scoryer, in the Suburbs of London, I went moftly by myfelf to the School ; and many and various were the Exercifes I went through, by Beatings and Stonings along the Streets, being diftinguifhed to the People (by the Badge of Plainnefs which my Parents put. upon me) of what ProfefTion I was ; divers telling me, ^Twas 710 more Sin to kill me^ than it was to kill a Dog, Ttthfrhtt\ About this Time the Lord began to work ftrongly %u!hwar\,on my Mind by his Grace, infomuch that I could not forbear reproving thofe Lads who would take the Name of the Lord God in their Mouths in vain, re- rainding them of the third Commandment, Thou Jh alt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain^ for the Lord will not hold him guiltlefs that iaketh his Name in vain ; and otCh rift's Saying, Every idle Word that Men fhall fpeak, they Jh all give an Account thereof in the Day of Judgjnent ; for which I was mocked and de- rided by fome, and others would fometimes refrain from fuch bad Words when I reproved them. One Time I remember I was amongft fome Men, one of whom I had reproved, and he told the reft of it, and turned to me, and faid. That I was no Chrifiian^ and aflvcd me, when I faid the Lord^s Prayer ? I afked him, if he faid it ? He faid. Yes. I then afked him how he could call God Father, and be fo wicked as to fwear and take God's Name in vain ? which I had heard him often do •, and I told him what Chrift 16S5. faid to the 7^''^-^> Tour are of your Father the Devil ^ he- \./^>r^ caiife his Works ye do -, and 'that thofe that did the Devil's Work could not truly call God Father, ac- cording to Chrift's Dodlrine. So being conviifled in their Confciences that what I faid was true, they were all filent, and wondered that I, being fo young, fhould fpeak in fuch a Manner i in which 1 remember I had great Peace and good Satisfa6lion : And from thenceforth thefe Men let me alone. Notwith- "THOMAS CHALKLET. 3 Notwithftanding I hated to hear wicked Words, I 1685. loved Play exceedingly, being perfuaded that there k^/'st^ was no Harm in that, if we ufed no bad Words. One Time I was at Play at a Neighbour's Houfe with the Children, and in the niidft of my Sport I was reach'd to with ftrong Convidlions, infomuch that I could not forbear Weeping. The Childrens Mother obferving that I wept, faid, Why do 'jou weep^ Tommy ? I told her I could not teJl, except it was becaufe I was a naughty Boy. Oh ! faid (he, don't believe biniy for ihafs the Devil tells you fi^ for you are the bejl Bo'j in all our Street. But I knew 1 was told the Truth by Convidion, and that ihe was millaken : For I plainly underftood by clear Conviftion, and by the holy Scriptures (which I had been train'd up in the Reading of) that I was too vain and wanton ; for I loved Mufick^ Dancings and playing at Cards^ and too much delighted therein betimes, and was followed with the Judgments of God therefore in the Secret of my Soul. What I did in thofe Sports and Games, I always took care to do out of the Sight, and without the Knowledge of my tender Parents; for I was afraid of their Reproofs and Corredion, the which I was fure to have, if they had any Intelligence of it, I remember that, unknown to my Parents, I had bought a Pack of Cards, with Intent to make ufe of them when I went to fee my Relations in the Country, where there was Liberty in the Family fo to do, at a Place called Woodfordy about feven Miles from Lon- dofts where I got Leave fometimes to go ; and at the i^f/^^f Time called Chriflmas^ I went to fee them^ and five Miles on my Way went tp a Meeting, at a Town call'd JVanftead\ at which Meeting, a Miniiler oUra„flesi. Chrift declared againfl the Evil of Gaming, and par- ticularly of Cards ; and that the Time which People pretend to keep Holy, for Ch rift's Sake, many of them fpend moftly in Wickednefs, Sports, and Games; even fonic 4 : 77je ]OVRN AL of 168/;. ^^""^^ pretending to be Religious: And, generally y>^/^ fpeaking, more Sin and Evil is committed in this Time, than in the like fpace of Time in all the Year befides ; {o that the Devil is ferved inftead of honouring Chrifl:. From this Meeting at JVan[lead, I went to the Houfe of my Relations, where the Parfon of the next Parifh lodged that Night, who ufed to play at Cards with them fometimes ; and the Time drawing near that we were to go to our Games, ifiy Uncle called to the Doftor, (as he called him) to me, and to my Coufin, to come and take a Game at Cards ; at which Mo- tion I had (trong Convidions upon me not to do it, as being Evil ; and I fecretly cry'd to tlie Lord to keep me faithful to him ♦, and lifting up my Eyes, I faw a Bible lie in the Window, at the Sight of which I was glad. I took it, and fat dowrt, and read to myfelf, greatly rejoicing that I was preferved out of the Snare. Then my Uncle called again, and faid, Co7ne^ Doc- tor, you and 7, and 7n'j Wife and Daughter, will have. a Game at Cards^ for I fee my Coufin is better difpofed. Then he looked upon me, and faid. He was better difpofed alfo. So their Sport for that Time was fpoiled, and mine in that Pradice for ever -, for I never (as I remember) play'd with them more, but as foon as I came Home, offer'd my new and untouch'd Pack of Cards to the Fire. And of this I am certain, the Ufe of them is of evil Confequence, and draws away the Mind from Heaven and heavenly Things ; for which Reafon all Chriftians ought to fhun them as Engines of Satan: Kx\AMufick and Dancings having generally the fame Tendency, ought therefore to be retrain'd from. The Sentiments ot the Waldenfes^ a People in great Efteem among Protefiants^ are worthy the Con* fideration of all true Protejlants and Chriflians ; which were " That as many Paces, or Steps, as the Man •* or Woman takes in the Dance, fo many Paces or *• Steps thev take towards Hell.'* I "THOMAS CUALKLET. 5 I very well remember the Work of God upon my 1685. Soul, when I was about ten Years of Age ; and par- v^Vv^ ticularly at a certain Time when I had been rebelling againft God and my Parents, in Vanity and Lightnefs : And as I had offended both, fo I was corredted by both: For I had not only the Anger of my Parents, but the Lord frown'd upon me, inlbmuch that I trem- bled exceedingly, and was as tho' I heard a vocal Voice fay to me, iVhat will lecome of thee this Nighty if I fhould take thy Life from thee ? At which I was amazed, and in great Fear. Then I covenanted with God, that if he would be pleafed to fpare my Life ("for I thought God would have taken my Life from me that very Moment) I would be more fober, and mind his Fear more than 1 had done before. Neverthelefs I broke Covenant with God my Ma- ker, my Adverfary tempting me fo to do, telling me I was but a Child, and that it was natural for Children to be brifk and to play, and that God would wink ac my Childhood and Youth, and it was time enough for me when a Man, to become religious. But ftill God followed me with his chaftifing Rod, and often put me in Mind of my Covenant that I made with him iti my Diftrefs ; and that he had granted my Requeft which I then made to him ; and unlefs I would take up a Crofs to my own corrupt Will and Inclinations, he ^ fhould take me out of the World., Then, Oh then t I cryed. Lord help ^ or I die! Save me^ or I ferijb for ever I I cannot keep thy Covenant, nor do thy Will, without thy Help and AfTiflance! And indeed if the Lord had not helped, I had been undone for ever. So I continued bow'd down in my Mind, calling on the Lord *, thinking and meditating on Heaven and heavenly Things : But, as I am fenfible, I had an in- ward Enemy that always fought my Hurt and Over- throw^ I have Caufe to blefs God, who by his Grace (as mine Ey« was turned to it) helped me to do his Will, 6 r/je JOURNAL of 1685. Will, as he was pleafed to manifeft it to me, fo that i^^\r\j thereby fome Change was wrought on me, both ]««• wardly and outwardly. And I then began to delight in Reading and Sobriety, which before were irkfome to me: And when I read the holy Scriptures, I defired that God would opert them to my Underilanding, which he did to my Edi- fication many Times. I alfo begged earneftly of the Lord, that he would be pleas'd to be with me, and make me like to thofe his Children and Servants, of whom I read in the holy Scriptures, who faithfully' ferved him all their Days. And when I read of the Crucifixion of our blefied Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it would break my Soul into Tendernefs. I thought it was enough to awaken and humble any Soul that was well-meaning, and had any Senfe of the Power, Love, and Grace of Chrift. Thus I went on for feveral Years, feeling that Peace which pafTeth natural Underflanding, which many Times accompa- nied my poor and needy Soul : And being advanced 1690. to about 14 or 15 Years of Age, L remember that • -•^'"XJ I ufed to fhun the Crofs of fpeaking in the plain Lan- ^/mff, gu^g^ fwhich I always read in the holy Scriptures) s^utfrvJark, to thofe whom I converfed with, except my Father and Mother, who would not allow me to fpeak other* wife : I was convi6led in my Confcience that it was not right to play the Hypocrite after that Manner ; and on a certain Time 1 had Occafion to fpeak with an Officer, a great Man in our Neighbourhood,, and my Heart moved within me for fear I fhould fhun the Crofs of Chrift ; For it was Chrift's Language to all, as we may read in the New Teflament •, and the Scrip» tures, from Genefis to the Revelations^ fpeak Thee and Thou, to a fingle Perfon in a general Way. So I took up the Crofs, and faid *Thee to him ; and he was much affronted, and faid, ^hee ! what dojh thou Thee me for? I foberly afked him, if he did r.oc fay Thee to his Maker in his Prayers? and whe^ ther THOMAS CHALKLET. 7 ther he was too good, or too great, to be fpoke to 1690, in the fame Language in which he addrefs'd the AI- V^*^ mighty ? Unto which lie made no Reply, but feem'd to fall from his PalTion into Admiration, as one fmit- ten in himfelf. And he bore me Refped ever after.; and I greatly rejoiced that I was preferved faithful. Tho' it may look like a little Thing to fome, yet I found it good (as the Scripture faith) not to defpife the Day offmall 'Things, About the twentieth Year of my Age, I was pref- 1694, fed and carried aboard a VefTel belonging to a Man of War. I was put down into the Hold in the Dark, not having any Thing to lie upon but Cafks ; and what made it worfe to me, I was among wicked, de- bauched Men ; and as we were fhut up in Darknefs, fo was their Converfation dark and hellifli. In the Morning (for which I longed more than the Watch- men) the Lieutenant called us up on Deck, and exa- mined us whether we were willing to fcrve the King. He called me to him, and afked me, If I were willing to ferve his Majejly ? I anfwer'd; that I was willing to ferve him in my Bufmefs, and accord^- ing to my Confcience -, but as for War or Fighting, Christ had forbid it, in his excellent Sermon on the Mount; and for that Reafon I could not bear Arms, nor be inftrumental to dellroy or kill Men. Then the Lieutenant looked on me, and on the Peopk, and fliid. Gentlemen^ what Jhall we do with this Fellow? he fwears he will not Fight. The Commander of the VefTel made Anfwer, No^ no I he will neither Swear mr Fight. Upon which they turn'd me on Shfore. I was thankful that I was delivered out of their Hands ; and my tender Parents were glad to fee me again Now as I grew in Years, the World began to takei- too much Root in me ; and my unwearied Enemy would tell me that it was lawful enough (and indeed I fee that he hurts many with lawful Things, with B whom 8 7^^ JOURNAL^/ 1694. whom he knowcth the unlawful Things will not take; and here I had been loft if God had not been gra- cious to me. But he, in whofe Prefence I delighted, withdrew, and deprived me of that Enjoyment which was graceful and comfortable above all Things to my Soul. Then did I pray, with Tears, O that it might' be with me as it was at other Times before I and I was willing to let the World go, rather than Grace and God's Glory. The Pfalmift faith, I^o good Thing "juillbe wilb- hold from them that walk uprightly^ Pfal. Ixxxiv. Verfe 1 1. About this Time there was a great Concern on my Mind, rightly to diftinguifh between the Voice of Chriil, and the Whifperings of Satan, and thus it open'dtome: That Chrift, the Truth, always fpeak- eth Good, and for a good End, and that there is divine t.ife to the Soul in this Speaking -, but the Devil never fpeaks Good, unlefs fometimes for a bad End, and then not Good in Reality » only colour'd with a good or fair Shew. And keeping under this Exercife, the Lord appeared to me again, and many Times refrefh'd my Heart with his Goodncfs. And when I was in my Bufinefs amongft Men, I did witnefs the holy Ghoft, the Comforter, to be near me ; which was more to me tjian ail the World, or the Riches, Glory, and Beau- ty of it j the Love of God being fo fweet to my Soul tS)d Spirit, my Breathings, Prayers, and Supplications, ^yeretotheLord, that my Neighbours, Acquaintance, and Relations, might alfo partake of the like precious Faith and Love which I enjoy'd •, and that the Chil- dren of Men might anfwer that great and good End for Vv'hich the Lord did create them 5 which is, that Glory, Honour and Praifc, might afcend and be given to him. I hadfuch a Senfe and Fear of Dilhonouring God, that I often, with Tears, cry'd. Never let me live to diftionour Thee. Oh! it had been better for me, that "THOMAS CHALKLET. I had never been born, or my Mother's Womb had been my Grave, than that I fliould live to difhonour Thee, or wilfuJly reproach the Name of Chrift, who, with the Father, is only worthy of divine Honour. In this Concern I felt the Gofpel Power of our Lord Jefus Chrift to work upon my Soul, and the Word of God was as a Seed in my Heart, growing and opening in me, fpeaking to me, and making my Underfbanding fruitful in the Things of his Kingdom -, and in that Ability which was given me of God, through his Grace and holy Spirit, I exhorted People to Repen- tance and A mendm.ent of Lit'e ; and I always humbly defir'd the Help and divine Influence of God's eternal Word therein. Oh ! I did fervently pray, that I might minifter the Gofpel in the Power of Jefus ; for I clearly dlfcern'd in the Light of the Son of God, that all Miniflringout of Chrift's Power, v/as neither edify- ing nor efficacious unto Souls: Therefore I didearnefUy befeech God for the Continuance of the Gift of his Spirit, that I might be cnabkd to preach the Gofpel in the Power of Chrift Jefus. The Concern that was upon me on this Account at that Time, is hard to be exprefs'd in Words. The latter End of the Year 1695, my Father fent me into Effex-^ on fome Bufinefs, which, when I had accomplifhed, I vifited fome Meetings of Friends there, and my Mind being much affedted with the Apprehen- fion of an impending Scorm, (the Nation being about this Time threatened with an Invafion from France^ in favour of the late King Ja?ne5^ fo that there was Ex- peftation of much Blood (bed and Confufion in the Land) I wrote a Letter to my Parents, and another to Friends of the Evening- meeting (kept Weekly at my Father's Houfe) exprefling my great Thankfulnefs to the Almighty, in Remembrance of the many pre- cious Vifitations of divine Love and Favour we had been made Partakers of, to the uniting our Hearts to him, and to one another ; and my earned Prayers B 2 and lo "The JOURNAL of 1695. and Supplications, that we might be preferved in true -»^"V^-^ Love, and the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of evcrlafting Peace, and that the World might be made fenfible of this true Peace, which abounds in thofe who love and fear the Lord, and truly believe in the Name of Jefus. Oh I furely they would then depart from Sifi^ and abandon Iniquity, by which they incur the Wrath of the Lord, and provoke the jufl One to Anger-, fo that the Line of Confufion feems to be jlr etched over the City and Nation, and the E'je of the Faithful feeth it to the Grief of their Souls. Tet the Mercy of the Lord, even of the jufl God (who will render ajuft Reward to every one according to his Deeds done in the Body) is fiill handed forth to the Land, Oh that the Inhabitants thereof would confider their Ways, and he wife, and turn to the Lord with unfeigned Repentance^ while the Day of Mercy lafleth^ before it be faid. Now it is hid from thine Eyes, for the Lord^ even the God and Father of Spirits, hath faid. My Spirit fhall not always flrive vvith Man, for that he alfo is Flelh, Gen. vi. 3. l6g6. ^" ^^^'^ Expiration of my Apprenticefhip, having ferved my Father faithfully feven Years, I entered more flrongly into Covenant with my heavenly Father and Mailer, to fervehimallmy Days, thro' his AfTifl- ance -, and was Toon after drawn forth, in the Spirit and Love of Chrili:, to vific the Meetings of Friends Weft ward from London, viz. thro' Surry, Sujfex, llampjlnre, W'dtflAre^ Devonfhire^ and Cornwall, to the Land's End 5 in which Journey I was accompanied by William Hornould, At one of our Meetings at Falmouth in Cornwcdl, two Men (called Gentlemen) came from the Inn to hear the Strangers ; and after Meeting, they faid they could take their Oaths chat I was a Jefuit, and that they had heard me preach in a Romilh Chapel in France -, which was utterly falfe : For I never was in France in my Life. Befides, had I been THOMAS CHALKLEY. it been a Papifi, or popi/hly inclined (which I was notj 1696. I was too young to be a Jefuit. Indeed I thought I was mean for the Work of the Miniftry, but the good Remembrancer brought thofe Truths to my Remembrance, which flrengthened me in the Work and Service of God. The Spirit breath- eth where it lideth -, Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hajl perfeEied Praife^ &c. We having great Peace in our Labours in this Journey, and be- ing edify 'd therewith, returned to London^ after about four Months Abfence from Home. And after I had been two Weeks at Home, my dear Mother departed this Life, in a fweet Frame of Spirit, _ praifing the Lord. She was one who lived the Life London, of the Righteous, and whofe latter End was like theirs, and left a good Report behind her, being well beloved (I think I may fafely fay). by all our Neighbours 5 not only by thofe of our own Society, but others alfo, to to whom fhe was often very helpful. So I went to my Calling, and got a little Money, (a little being enoughj which I was made willing to fpend freely, in the Work and Service of my great Mafter Chrift Jefus. And about this Time I w^as con- cerned to travel into the North of England, and Pare of Scotland^ which I did in that Ability God gave me ; and that Difpenfation which I had freely received, I freely handed forth to the People, devoting my Strength and Time to ferve him (that had done fo much for me) and I had the Satisfadtion to find divers confefling the Truth, as it is in Jefus. In this Journey I was from Home about four Months, being moftly alone as to any Yoke-fellow in that Work, travelling many Hun- dreds of Miles, being as far as Edinburgh, in Scotland^ Edinhnr^^ where our Meeting was in the Street, we being lock'd out of our Meeting-houfe by the then Power, and great Numbers of People were there. This News being carried to the Provoft of the City, he faid. The Quakers would do more Hurt out of Doors ^ than B 3 within^ 12 Tbe ] OUR T>! A L Gf 1697. within, and he ordered Friends their Key. Since which I have underftood that Friends in that City have enjoyed their Meetings in the Meeting- houfe *, and fometimes when the Rabble have difturbed Friends, the Magiflrates have fent Officers to difperfe them. Now after I had vifited the Churches of Chrift in divers Parts of England, and had many fweet Sealons of God's Love, and good Opportunities with my Friends and others in this Nation ; ('the Word of Life being declared in the Simplicity of the Gofpel, in fe- verai Places People were very open-hearted, and re- ceived the Teftimony of it with Gladnefs.) And after I had been at my Father's^ and at my Calling, a little after this North-country Journey, I found myielf en- gaged in the Love of the Gofpel to vifit Friends in America -, and having acquainted my Friends and Relations of my Mind (they being willing to give me up) in order for the Voyage, Friends of the Monthly- meeting gave me a Certificate, and I had another from the Meeting of Minifters in London. My Father, and feveral other Friends with me, took Boat from London^ and accompanied me to Grave/end, on the 2 1 ft of the ipth Month 1697, and I went on board the Ship Jofiah, Thomas hurting Mafter, and fail'd that Day from Grave/end, and got to the Downs the nt^xt Day, where we tarried fome Days for a fair Wind; in which Time feveral others that were con- cern'd in the fame GofpeMabour, came on board, viz, nomas burner ^ William Ellis ^ and Aaron Atkinfon. In aboutfour Days Time the Wind was fair for us, and we fet Sail, and in a little Time we got out of Sight of the Land •, foon after which the Wind was contrary, and we proceeded but a fmall Diftance for feveral Weeks; the Weather was rough and the Sea boifterous, fo that with the Motion thereof, moft of the PafTengers were Sick, in this Time we lott a Lad, that fell into the •Sea fas he was drawing a Bucket of Water) and was drowned ; the Ship running fwiftly, he could not be THOMAS CHALKLET. 13 faved, although it was fpeedlly endeavoured. Several others died before we got over •, but for the mod Part we were healthful. The Lord be prais'd, he was, is, and will be, with thofe that faithfully ferve him to the End. We were three Ships in Company, but by Diftrefs of Weather, foon after we came out, we parted. After we had been at Sea about eight Weeks (on the 25th of the 1 2th Month) we faw twoVefTels aftern of us. One of them came up with us, and the People haled us, and told us they came from Brijlol, and had been out ten Weeks. The other came up with us next Day. The People informed us they had been at Sea icven Weeks, and that they had a dreadful Time of it. She had lofb Part of her Topmaft, and her Spritfail Topmaft was gone. She was a new Ship, and never at Sea before, belonging to London, and bound for Virginia^ as near as we could underftand : Our Ship loft none of her Tackling, thro' the great Mercy of God to us, tho' the Wind and Sea was wonderful high at Times *, the Mate told me, I might go to Sea all my Life, and not fee the like ; he faid he had been at, or ufed the Sea, twenty Years, and never faw itfo rough and high before. We had Meetings twice a Week, Se- veral of which were comfortable and retrefhing Meet- ings, to which moft of the PalTengers, being in all about Sixty in Number, fometimes came •, and feveral of them were affeded with the Senfe of Truth, and the Lord ftrengthened our Faith and Hope in him. Oh for ever blefTed be the living and eternal God, who kept my Soul above the Fear of Death, Hell, and the Grave *, for my Truft was in him, and he did bear up my Spirit above the Waves of the Sea ; and in the Time of Tolling with Tempefts, I was comforted and chearful, praifing the Lord in my Heart, both in the Day Time, and in the Night S::afon. I was much concerned in my Mind, for many of the Paffengers, who with the fecond Mate, and feveral of B 4 the 14 7y&^ J O U R N A L 5/ the Seamen, were very Tick (by fome it was thought near unto Death) I cried to the Lord to heal them, in the Name of his dear Son, and that it might be a Means to convince them of the Efficacy of Love to, and Faith in Chrift Jcfus, the Phyfician of Value ; and the Lord was pleafed to heal them. The Mate of the Ship defireu that I would come and pray by him. I went to him, and prayed in the Power and Name of the Lord Jefus Chriif, and the Lord helped him ; that he faid he was fine and eafy, and thanked me for my Love ; and in a little Time he recovered. Several others of the Seamen and PaiTengers I was inftrumental to help in their Sicknefs. The Lord blefTed my En- deavours in fupplicating him, on their Behalf, and adminiftring what I had to them. One of the Seamen faid, He was hound to pray for me as long as he livedo and that the Lord would blefs me. Another of the PaiTengers faid, T!hat I was thehlejfed DoSfor (for there was not a Surgeon, or Dodor in the Ship.) I was very free to communicate of what I had to any fick Perfon in the Ship, and feveral blefFed the Lord on my Behalf. Indeed I thought I could fcarce do enough for any that were in Diftrefs. I write not thus, that I might feem popular, but with my Mind bowed before the Lord. Many Times in this Voyage there were Confultations in my Mind, whether I had bed write a Memorandum hereof ; but at laft conceiving in my Spirit that it might flrengthen and excite Love to God, and Faith in his beloved Son, in true Believers, 1 wrote as aforefaid j and then I was fatisfied, and gave tlie Glory to God. Before we came to the Land, we faw a Ketch which had faved the Lives of fome that belonged to a Ship that was a little before foundered in the Sea : Who faid alfo, that a Fleet of New-England Ships who had been upon that Coaft, by ftormy Weather, were forced to BarbadoeSy and within a few Days after we faw the Land of Virginia^ and alfo a New-England Ship, v/ho THOMAS CHJLKLET. 15 who failed or came from England three Weeks before 1698. us. We arrived within the Capes of Virginia the 3 ill ^''^'^'^V of the ift Month 1698, and overtook the John and r?r^/«/\terians^ whofe Brother invited her ^oais, ^^^j. ^j^i^ ^g ^^ ^1^^ |-^ Ifland, to the Meeting which was at his Houfe •, and while he was talking with her in the Yard or Garden, I fav/ a Bible, and took it, and read therein. When llie came into the Houfe fhe afked me, IVhat I did with that Book ? I told her. If Jhe was offended I would lay it down. Noy Noy faid fhe. THOMAS CHALKLEr. 21 {Ion' I tJmtk to come off foy for you difown or deny that 1698. Book, I told her. She was miftaken ; and afked, v^/'V^^ Who told her fo ? Vf'loy^ fa id fhc, our Mimfter in his Pulpit. I replied, ^at it was a great Abufe upon us^ for I had been trained up from my Childhood in the Reading and Belief of the Scriptures^ and my Father and Mother were Friends (that is, fakers,) She wil- ling to try me further, faid, Bid your Father and Mo- ther fuffer you to read the Bible when you were a little Boy? Tes^ (aid J, and gave me Ccrreiiion when I was not fo willing to read therein as they would have me, nen^ faid (lie, Our Minijler has helyd you \ andfince you fay fo^ if it pleafe God^ I will go and hear you. She went with us to Meeting ; and after it was over (going Homej one afked her, How Jhe would an- fwer it to their Minijler^ for going to Meeting, She replied, // was a Truth fhe had heard, and fhe would ft and by it through the Grace of Chrifl, and need not be afhamed of it (though we are of ourfelves but poor weak Creatures.) This Woman was fober and religi- ous, and one of good Report. By the foregoing we may fee how Slanders flov/ from feme Pulpits ; the more is the Shame and Pity ! We went on, and preach- ed the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrifl in that Ability he gave us, with which the People were affeded, and would have had us tarried longer, but we could not (although they much importuned us) becaufe we had appointed a Meeting at Oyfier River. After we had had feveral Meetings about Pifcataway and Dover^ we went to Hampton^ where we had Meetings ; and ac ^Tmpion, Salifbury we had a large open Meeting, as \i was fup- pos'd, of about three Hundrtd People (which was at this Time accounted a great Concourfe of People there- abouts ;) alfo at Jamaica and Haverill we had Meet- ings, and from thence went to Sale^n and Lynn again, where we had good Service for Truth, and then to Bofton, and had a Meeting at the Meeting-houfe, and ^^^^^ another at a Friends Houfe in the Evening, at which there 22 7'^^ J O U R N A L ?/ there were many People. From Bofton I went to vific Friends about Cape-Cod^ till I came again to Rhode- Ifland. By the Way I met with Aaron Atkinfon^ who was on a Vifit to Friends in New -England, I had fe- veral good Opportunities, and powerful Meetings, in thofe Parts, and Truth wrought a Tendernefs in divers at Rhode-IJland, The Prefence of him, who faid. Where two or three are met in m'j Name^ there am I in the midft of them^ being ienfibly witnefTed by many ; for he was with us of a Truth. From thence I went Ndna^an- j-Qund the Narraganfet Country, and had Meetings at feveral Places, and was accompanied by John Rodman and William Beackly^ thro' Conne^icut to Long-IJland^ which is accounted two Hundred Miles. We had one Meeting by the Way, in which Chrift was preached to them, as he is the Light of the Worlds at a Place C»HM<5?/. ^j^gj.g ^g ^gj.£ ^q\^ t\\txt never was a Friend's Meeting before. I came to Long-Ifland about two Weeks be- fore the General Meeting, and vifited Friends in feve- ral Places on this Ifland, as at Hampftead^ Jerufalem^ C/?an in her Hand, truly reprefents that great, crying *' and iliameful Sin of Drunkennefs, which thou *> knuw^ to be thy great Weaknefs, which the Wo- *> man with the Can did truly reprefent to thee : The *-^ grim t'ellow which arrefted thee in the Devil's ^' Territories is JD^afb^ who will alfuredly arreil all *' Mortalii; The Governor which thou faweft, re- «* prefenting a great black Dog, is certainly the De- ^ vily who alter his Servants have ferved him to the '' full, will torment theni eternally in Hell." So he got up, ai II were in haile., and faid, God forbid! It is nothing THOMAS CHALKLEy. nothing hut a Dream, But I told him it was a very fignificant One, and a Warning to him from the Almighty, who fomctimes fpeaks to Men in Dreams. In feven Weeks after we left Sight of the Land ^^ ^^^^^^^ America^ we faw the ^cill'j Iflands, and next Day we law the Land of England-, which was a comfortable Sight to us ; in that God Almighty had preferved us hitherto, and that we were fo far got on our Way: We drove about the Channel's Mouth for feveral Days for want of Wind ; after which, for two Days the Wind came up, and we got as far up the Channel as Lime-ha'jy and then an Eafterly Wind blew frcfli for feveral Days, and we turned to Windward, but rather loft than got on our Way, which" was tirefome and tedious to fome of us. Now about this Time (being fome Days after the Dodor's Dream) a grievous Accident happened to us. We meeting with a Dutch Yt^d m Lime- bay a, little above the Starty hailed her, and fhe us. They faid they came from Lijhon, and were bound for Holland. She was loaded with Wine, Brandy, Fruit, and fuch like Commodities ; and we having little but Water to drink (by reafon our PalTage was longer than we ex- peded) therefore we fent our Boat on board, in order to buy us a little Wine to drink with our Water. Our Doctor, and a Merchant that was a Paffenger, and one Sailor, went on board, where they ftaid lo long until fome of them were overcome with Wine, altho' they were defired to beware thereof ; fo that when they came back, a Rope being handed to them, they (being filled with Wine unto Excefs) were not capable of ufmg it dexteroufly, infomuch that they overfet the Boat, and fhe turned Bottom upwards, having the Do6tor under her. The Merchant caught hold of a Rope called the Main Sheet, whereby his Life was faved. The Sailor not getting fo much Drink, as the other two, got nimbly on the Bottom of the Boat, ^nd floated on the Water till fuch Time as our other C g Boa 28 The ]OVKT''WJ Lord. After fome few Months I acquainted my Wife and my Father, with her Father and Mother, that I thought it my Duty to go over and live in America, To which Propofal, my Father confented, tho' with Tendernefs of Heart, confidering that I muft be fo far fepa rated from him. I alfo laid it before the Monthly-meeting of Friends at Horjly-down^ in South- ^^r;^ (of which Meeting I was a Member) who con- fented to it (tho' fomcwhat unwilling to part with us) and gave us their Certificate, to let our Brethren know that we were in Love and Unity with them, and walked according to our Profeflion. And when we were ready, and in order for going, we agreed for the Freight of our Goods and Servants, with John Snowderij and fhlpped them on board the Jofiah^ bound for Maryland. When the Ship was at Gravef- GrMvefend, endy and ready to fail, feveral of our dear Relations and Friends accompanied us to the Ship, on board of which we had a good Meeting, and took our fo- lerpn Leave of one another, as never expecting to fee each other any more in this World. It was a folemn Time indeed ! We prayed for one another, and fo - parted, our Ship failing that Evening, and we got to Margate-Road^ where we anchor'd, and the Wind ^^^^J^^^^ fprung up very frefh, and blew tempeftuoufly, fo Margate that we broke our Cable, and loft our beft Bower- ^^^'• Anchor, and drove violently towards the Goodwin Sands. We let go our Sheet-Anchor, and three more, which were all we had, but they did not ftop her •, upon which the Mafter ordered the Carpenters toftand by the Main-maft, with their Axes upon their Shoul- ders, and when he gave the Word, then they were to cut the Mail. The People in the Ship (there being divers PafTengers) were in a great Confternation, ex- pecting nothing but Death : But for my Part, being exceedingly 5 a ilbe JOVR^NAL of 1699. exceedingly Sea-fick, and having been in many y^^r^ Storms, I was not fo much furprized with this, the Sailors fometimes making a great Noife when there is but little Danger ; but there was more Danger than I was aware ofj as appeared afterwards. One of the Paflengers came weeping, and faid. Our Cafe was very had. The Do6tor alfo came in the fame Man- Tser ; and crv'd, Ob! il^. Chalkley, we are all dead Men ! Then I thought with myfelf, I would go out on Deck, and lee what the Matter was -, and when on Deck, I went to the Pilot, who had the Lead in his Hand, and he founded, and cry'd out, Lord have Mercy upon us ! Jhe is gone^ fie is gone^ Jhe is gone ! by which I perceived that we were very near the Goodwin Sands, on which many Ships have been loft with all their Crews. In this Senfe of Danger I fent for the Pafiengers into the Cabbin, and told them that I thought it would be well for us to fit ftill together, and look unto, and wait upon God, to fee what he would pleafe to do for us ; that, if Death came, we might meet him in as good a Frame of Mind as we could, and that we might not be furprized beyond Meafure : And as we were thus compofed in our Minds, a Concern came upon my dear Wife, and fhe prayed to God, the Father, in the living Power and Senfe of his Son ; and he heard from his holy Habita- tion, and anfwered the Prayer ; for immediately af- ter the Wind abated, and our Anchors held us. This was a great Deliverance, which is not to be for- gotten. When we faw the long'd-for Morning, we were very near the Sands, and the Sea ran prodigi- oufly high, and broke upon them mightily, fo that we vvere forced to leave our Cables and Anchors, and make the beft Of our Way to Deal^ as well as we could. One 6f the Owners being on Shore, and fee- ing us in Diftrefs, fent off a Cable and Anchor to us ; '.v^.'. and we anchored before Deal with our new Cable and Anchor, and fent a Boat for our other Anchors and Cables, THOMAS CHALRLET. ^j Cables, when it was Calm, which brought them to 1700. us. And after we had fupply'd ourfelves with what we v-^r^*^ wanted, we put to Sea again, and had fair Winds till we got as far as the Weftern-IJlands^ where Captain Weftfm Cant being in Company with us, he fpoke with our ^j^^«^^» Captain in the Evening, and the two Captains con- cluded it would be ftormy\hat Night, which happened accordingly. They took in their Sails, and we all but our Mainfail ; notwithftanding which, the Storm was fuch, that we loft our Main-maft, fprung the Head of our Fore-maft, and broke our Crofs-jack- yard, and thus lay rowling upon the Sea for about two Weeks: The Ship Brifiol Merchant coming by in that Time, lent us a fpare Top-mall, of which we made a Main-maft, and a Top-mall of our Top-gallant- maft, and fo refitted out as well as we could, and had a pretty good Paffage afterwards. We were about eight Weeks from the Lands-End to the Capes of r/^!L>[ Virginia ; had Meetings twice a Week on board, and they helped to ftay our Minds on our Maker, tho' our Bodies were tolTed to and again on the mighty Waters. We went on Shore at Patuxent River, and went by ^^^-y^"*^. Land to Herring-Bay^ where I, my Wife and Fami- ly, tarried that Winter; and I, with my three Ser- vants, followed my Calling. In the Spring wetranf- ported ourfelves, our Goods, and Servants, from 1701. Maryland to Penjylvania, where we intended to fettle L/^^sTSJ when we came from our native Country. At Pbila- ^^Z'^'^- delphia I bought a Lot of Ground upon the River Be- ^ ^"* laware, and there I followed my Calling that Summer, and in the Fall I had an inward Call to vifit Friends in Barhadoes^ which I propofed to our Monthly-meet- ing, and they certified on nvy Behalf, that they had Unity with me in my Propolal, Converfation and Mi- niftry: So I took Ship at Philadelphia (about the 2oth of the 7th Month, 1701; on board the ^Z'r^- ham^ " ' Street, Commander, and was about a Mpnth on our Voyage ; Jofyh Langdale was with me. 34 ^le ]OXJRl^ AL of 1701, Marhaiocs. MermudAf, We had feveral good Meetings in the Ship t"5 Satisfadion ; and were well received, and had many Meetings at Barhadoes^ which were often very large and open, and fome of the People loving and tender. We had feveral Meetings at Bridge -^own^ Speights-Town^ the Springs and the Thickets^ and at Pumkin-Hill \ and after being there about fix Weeks, we went in a Sloop to Bermudas y where we found but very few Friends, yet had Meetings in feveral Places, and at the Houfes of fome People who were not of our ProfelTion ; and the longer we tarried, the larger our Meetings were ; and many began to be afFe6l:- ed, and (poke well of us and our Devotion, but fome were difturbed, and fpoke to the Governor to break up our Meeting (which at the Defire of one of the Inhabitants we had appointed at his HoufeJ upon which he fent Orders by o^^ of his Colonels to break up our Meeting, which troubled divers fober People. After this I met with the Governor at the Houfe of one Judge Stafford', and he being a moderate Man, we had the following Difcourfe, viz. Gov, How do you like our Country ? We are but a little Spot in the Sea. T. C I like it well for Its moderate Climate. If the People were moderate alfo, it would be well. Gov. Doth it anfwer your End in coming ? T, C. My End in coming, was to vifit the People in Chriftian Love. Gov. Do you think the People will be brought over? T. C. If they are brought to Truth and Righteouf- nefs, it will be well with them. That is the End of our coming. Gov. If you had acquainted me with your Defign, when firll you came, you had done well. It was your Duty. T. C. If we had known the Governor's Will herein, or that thou wouldft have fpoken with us, we fliould have "THOMAS CHALKLET. 35 have readily have anfwered it : Buc knowing nothing '1701. of it, we could not tell but that it might be taken for O^VNJ, Rudenefs in us, confidering our homely Way and Manner of addreiling fuch Men. Gov, Then your Defign in coming here was to preach. Had you no other End? 'T, C, Yes. As we found a Concern upon us to preach, and a Delire in the People to hear. Gov, Why don't you tarry with them ? That looks 'llrange. Here the People are affedled with you, and you go away and leave them : Upon my Word I blame you for that. ^. C, We don't dire<5l them to Man, but to the Lord Jefus Chrifl, their Teacher, and Bifliop of their Souls. And why fhould our leaving them look ftrange to the Governor? For it was the Pradice of the Apoflles of our Lord Jefus Chriil, and his own Pracfliceand Command to his Followers. And fur- ther the Apoftles (which Word fignifies AmbaiTadors or Melfengers) fay, Follow us, as we are Followers of Chfifi, And they travelled up and down the World preaching the Gofpel ; and that our great Lord himfelf had not whereon to lay his Head. Gov, The Apoftles were infpired Men : Infpired by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gofpel. I fuppofe you don't pretend to be infpired. 7. C, Every true Chriftian ought to pray for tlie Pouring out of the holy Spirit, or holy Ghoil upon him. The Church of England * alfo prays for it, the Receiving of which is Infpiration. Gov, Your Reafons being grounded on Scripture, you are well grounded i for no Man can deny the Scriptures. Then you fay you are infpired ? T*. C, 1 hope I am. I pray for \i with great Ear- neftnefs. Gov, Then ic is but afk, and have, vou think. ^. C. <■' > Carolina^ we had feveral large Meet- ings, and an open Time it was j as alio at Nanfimund and Chuckatue^ and fevera! other Places in Virginia ; and when my Service was over in thofe two Provinces I went back to Maryland^ and vifited Meetings there, and then went Home. As near as I can compute it, I rode about a Thoufand Miles on this Journey. After which I ftaid at Home, following my Bufinefs, in ^^J''*^ order to the Maintenance of my Family, being bleffed with Wife, Children, and Servants, and with other Things ; for which I am truly thankful. While I was at Home I vifited the neighbouring i7*^4» Meetings as I found a Concern on my Mind 5 and ^"^^"V^^ on the 6th Day of the third Month 1704, I laid be- fore our Quarterly-meeting of Minifters and Elders an Exercife that was upon my Mind^^ to vifit our Friends Meetings on Long-IJIand, Rhode- IJlandy and in New-England^ and the Places adjacent ; from which Quarterly-meeting I had a good Certificare (which I thought it my Duty to endeavour to live up unto;) and being accompanied with feveral Friends to Burlington and Crojwicks^ Jofepb Glafler being my y^^fo^* Fellow-labourer in the Work of the Gofpel ; at the two aforefaid Places we had Meetings, and then we travelled to New-Tork and Long- IJland^ where we had ^^^j^ divers Meetings j as at Flujhing^ IVefthury^ Jerufalem^ Jerico^ Bethpage^ Matinicock^ and alfo at Weft -C kef- ter^ on the Main, and from thence we travelled to R^hode-Iftdnd Yearly-meeting, which was large and ^^^/^ ferviceable to many. From hence Jofeph Glafter went towards Bofton^ the inland Way, and I went by the Sea-fide, and we met together, after I had been at Meetings at divers Places, viz^ Dartmouth and ^^^^^^^^» Nantucket Id^nd, at which Ifland therb. ' are large Meetings, "People there being moftly Friends, and a fober growing People in the befl Tbins5 -, though not D "^ <»f 40 The JO VRHAL of 1704. of our Society when they firft received the Truth, 0^''\^ yet they received it with Gladnefs •, and altho' divers of the People called Prefbyterians were very cruel in their Expreflions, and bitter in their Spirits againft us, yet there were fome who went under that Name, ^ho were more open and charitable towards us, and received us gladly with Tendernefs ; and at fome Places we had Meetings at their Houfes to our mutual Satisfaction. We likewife had Meetings at *9/^^te»/^/» i^ni^icR* Scituate^ and Sandwich, About this Time the Indians were very barbarous in the Deftru6tion of the Eng- UJh Inhabitants, fcalping fome, and knocking out the Brains of others (Men, Women, and Children) by which the Country was greatly alarmed, both Night and Day ; but the great Lord of all was pleaf- cd wonderfully to preferve our Friends, efpecially thofe who kept faithful to their peaceable Principle, according to the Do6lrine of thrift in the holy Scriptures, as recorded in his excellent Sermon which he preached on the Mount, in the vth, vith, and viith Chapters of Mattheiv^ which is quite oppofite to Kill- ing, Revenge, and Deftrudion, even of our Enemies : And becaule our Friends could not join with thofe of fighting Principles and Pr'adices, fome of them were put into Prifon \ divers People railing and fpeaking Very bitterly againft their peaceable Neighbours, and wiiliing the ^ahrs might be cut off. Some of the ^iw- England Priefts and Profelfors were fo bitter »gainft Friendsj tliac inftead of being humbled, un- der ch^ mighty Hand of God upon them, in fuffering the Indians tp deftroy them, they exprefs'd their En- mity againft tjie poor ^akers^ on a Day appointed for Humiliation and a Faft \ and particularly in a Ser- iDon preach'd by one of their Priefts, which he divided intathrcQ Heads, viz, Firji^ That the Judgments of God were upon them, in letting loofe the favage Indians to deftroy them. Secondly^ In that he with-held the Fruits of the Earth from them (for there was great Scarcity) I'HOMAS CHALKLET. 41 Scarcity.) mrdly. That the fakers prevailed, and 1704. were fuffered to increafe fo much among them j which v^^v^-/ he faid, was worfe than the Indians deftroying of them, and gave this abfurd Realbn for it, Ihe Indians de- Jlroy our Bodies^ hut the Quakers deftroy the Soul,* This is an abominable Falfhood ; for it is Sin that deftroys the Soul : And fuch as thofe that preach to the People that there is no Freedom from it in this World, con- tradidl Chrift's Dodrine, Be ye ;perfe^, &c. And that of the Apoftle's, He that is born of God cannot fin. And thus their blind Guides miflake Light for Dark- nefs, and Darknefs for Light. Among the many Hundreds that were flain, I heard but of three of our Friends being killed, whofe Deftrudion was very re- markable, as I was informed (the one was a Woman, the other two were Men.) The Men ufed to go to their Labour without any Weapons, and trufted to the Almighty, and depended on his Providence to pro- ted them (it being their Principle not to ufe Weapons of War, to offend others, or defend themfelves) but a Spirit of Diftruft taking Place in their Minds, they took Weapons of War to defend' themfelves ; and the Indians^ who had feen them feveral Times with- out them, and let them alone, faying, ^ey were peace- able Men^ and hurt nobody^ therefore they "JsouUl not hurt them, now feeing them have Guns, and fup- pofins they defigned to kill the Indians, they therefore fhot the Men dead. The Woman had re- mained in her Habitation, and could not be free to go to a fortified Place for Prefervation, neither fhe, her Son, nor Daughter, nor to take thither the little Ones J but the poor Woman after fome Time beg^n to let in a flaviih Fear, and did advife her Children to go with her to a Fort not far from their Dwelling. D 2 Her * This Prieft was foon after killed by the Jndms, as I was t©U by a Minifter. 42 Th JOURNAL c/ 704.- Her Daughter being one than trufted in the Name of the L.ord, the mighty Tower^ to which the Righteous fee and find Safety, could not con fen t to go with her ; and having left a particular Account in a Letter to her Children of her and their Prefervation, I think it worthy to be inferted here in her own Words. '' \7lf H E N the cruel Indians were fuffered to kill " VV 2nd deftroy, it was fhewed me, That I *' mud Hand in a Teftimony for Truth, and truft «' in the Name of the Lord, that was a ftrong Tow- *' er, and we fhould wait upon him. And I often *« deli red my Mother and Hufband to fit down, and " wait upon the Lord, and he would fhow us what *' we fhould do: But I could not prevail with him, «« but he would lay it was too late now, and was in *' great hafte to be gone ; but I could not go with " him, becaufe I was afraid of offending the Lord : *'But ftill he would fay I was deluded by, the Devil, " fo that my Mother would often fay, A Houfe divided *' could not ftandy and fhe could not tell what to do, '« altho* fhe had moft Peace in flaying, yet fhe had ^' Thoughts of moving, and faid to me, Child^ Can <« thee certainly fay it is revealed to thee that we Jhould " fta'^ \ if it he J I would willingly flay^ if I was fure it «' %vas the Mind of God. But I being young, was ''afraid to fpeak fo high, faid. Mother, I can. fay «' that it is fo with me, that when I think of flaying *-^ and trufling in the Name of the Lord, I find great " Peace and Comfort, more than I can utter, with " a Belief we fhall be preferved j but when I think *<^ of going, Oh the Trouble and Heavinefs I ktl^ <^ with a Fear fome of u:, fhould fall by them ! And " my dear Mother fighed, and" faid, She could not '« tell what to do. But I faid to them, If they would '' go, I would be willing to flay alone ; if they found ''Freedom, I was very willing, for I was afraid of '' olfcnding the Lord. But fiill my poor Hufband *^ would THOMAS CHALKLEy. 43 << would fay, I took a wrong Spirit for the right. And 1704, «' he would fay how 1 fhould know. For if I was *« right I would he willing to condefcend to him. And «' then I faid, in Condefcention to him I would move ; " but I hope the Lord will not lay it to my Charge, <« for was it not to condefcend to him, I would not <^ move for the World ; and after I had given away '^ my Strength, in a little Time there came Men <^ from the Garrifon, with their Guns, and told us, '^ They came for us, and told us, The Indians, they '' thought, might he near \ and then away we went ; '' and my Mother went in with my Brother-in- «« law, altho' I perfuaded her not to do it. But fhe *« faid, Wh'^y m'j Child is there : And why may not I *' he with him as well as thee f And fo we went along ** to Hamplon^ to my Hufband*s Brother's. But O " the Fear and Trouble that I felt ! And told my *' Hufband it feem'd as if we were going into xhe *' Mouth of the Indians. And the next Day was the *^ firft Day of the Week ; and our dear Friend, *' Lydia Norton, came with my dear Mother -, and ^' in her Teftimony, fhe faid there was there that **^ was very near to her Life, that was very near '^ Death. O then I was ready to think it would be *^ I, becaufe I believed we had done amifs in mov- *' ing, and great Trouble was I in, and told dear Lydia '* of it ; but fhe comforted me as much as flie could, " and faid. She did not think it would he I. And my '« dear Mother went to my Sifter's again, to the ^« Garrifon, where fhe found herfelf not eafy ; but, *' as fhe often faid to many, that flie felt herfelf in a ^' beclouded Condition, and more fhut from Counfel '^ than ever fhe had been fince fhe knew the Truth ; '' and being uneafy, went to move to a Friend's Houfe *' that lived in the Neighbourhood ♦, and as fhe was " moving, the bloody cruel Indians lay by the Way, " and killed her. O then how did I lament moving ! *' And promifed if the Lord would be pleafed to fpare D 3 * '' mjr 44 the ]OVRN AL of 70 i. " my Life, and Hufband, and Children, and carry us home again, I would never do fo more. But '^ O the Fear, and Trouble, and Darkncfs, that «' fell upon me, and many more at that Time ! And *^ three or four of us kept our Meeting, but although *' we fat and waited as well as we could, yet we fat *' under a poor beclouded Condition, till we return- " ed Home again, then did the Lord pleafe to lift *' up the Lig!it of his Love upon our poor Souls. '' O then I told my Hufband, although he had built a '^ liitle Houfe by the Garrifon, I could not move " again. So he was willing to ftay while the Winter " Seafon lafted, but told me he could not ftay when *^ Summer came, for then the Indians would be '' about ; and fo told me. That if I could not go to '^ the Garrifon, I might go to a Friend's Houfe that *' was near it. And I was willing to pleafe him, if *' the Lord was willing ; and then applied my Heart " to know the Mind of Truth, and it was fhewed '' me, that it I moved again, I (hould loofe the Senfe '* of Truth, and I lliould never hold up my Head " again. O then I told my Hufband he muft never <' afk me to move again, for I durft not do it. Still *' he would fay it was a Notion, till our dear Friend *' nomas Story came and told him. He did not fee " that 1 could have a greater Revelation than I had, ** And fatisfied my Hufband fo well, that he never ^' afked me more to go, but was very well contented *' to ftay all the Wars ; and then Things were made *' more eafy, and we faw Abundance of the wonder- ** ful Workfj and of the mighty Power of the Lord, *' in keeping and preferving of us, when the Indians *' were at our Doors and Windows, and at other *•' Times ; and how the Lord pur Courage in you, *' my dear Children •, don't you forget it, and don't " think that as you were young, and becaufe you *•' knew little, fo you feared nothing •, but often con- '' fider how you ftaid at Home alonCj when we went t6 to THOMAS CHALKLET. 45 ^' to Meetings, and how the Lord preferved you, 1704, *' and kept you, fo that no Hurt came upon you. '' And I leave this Charge upon you, Live in the Fear *« of the Lord, and fee you fet him always before *' your Eyes, left: you fin againft him: For if I had *' not feared the Lord, and felt the Comforts of his '' holy Spirit, I never could have fl:ood fo great a '« Trial, when fo many judged, and faid, I was de- " luded, and that all the Blood of my Hufband and " Children, would be required at my Hands ; but *' the Lord was near to me, and gave me Strength '' and Courage, and Faith to trufl: in him, for I *' knew his Name to be a ftrong Tower, yea, and *' ftronger than any in the World ; for I have often- ** times fled there for Safety. OBIefTing and Honour, *' and everlafl:ing high Praifes, be given to the Lord, " and to his dear Son, our Saviour and Mediator, *« Chrift Jefus, Amen, Tvyr r> •^ ' Mary Doe. A Neighbour of the aforefaid People told me, That as he was at Work in his Field, the Indians faw and called him, and he went to them. They told him. That they had no Quarrel with the ^akersj for they were a quiet, peaceable People, and hurt no- body, and that therefore none fhould hurt them. But they faid that the Prefiyterians in thefe Parts had taken away their Lands, and fome of their Lives, and would now, if they could, deftroy all the In- dians, Thofe Indians began about this Time to fhoot Peo- ple down as they rode along the Road, and to knock them on the Head in their Beds, and very barbaroufly murdered many : But we travelled the Country, and had large Meetings, and the good Prefence of God was with us abundantly, and we had great inward Joy in the holy Ghoft in our outward Jeopardy and Travels, The People generally rode and went to D 4 their 46 r^ Meeting we had under the Trees at Crofwicks*^ fo that he could not go on with his Vanity as before^ after which he had ftrpng Convidions on him, which wrought Converfion in the Lord's Time, after he had gone thro* many aful deep inward Exercifes. v . Atter thefe feveral Journies were over, and I had ^hiiadcif cleared myfelf, I was lome Time at Home, and fol- ^ '** lowed my Bufmefs with Diligence and Induftry, and throve in the Things of the World, the Lord adding a Bleffing to my Labour. Some People would tell me that I got Money for Preaching, and grew Rich by it 5 which, being a common Calumny eaft upon our publick Friends that are Travellers, I Ihall uke a little Notice of it, and leave it to Pofterity. That it is againft our Principle, and contrary to our known PracSlice and Rule, to cake Money for our Preaching the Gofpel of Chrift, and the publiifhing of Salvation through his Name unto the People; for according co Chrift's Command^ We^ Receiving it freely^ are to give it forth freely: And I can fay without Vanity or Boafting, I have fpent many Pounds in that Service, be fides my Time^, which was, and is, as precious to me, as to other People : And rifing early, and laying down late -, many Days riding 40, 50, and 60 Miles a Day, which was very laborious and hard for my Flefti to endure (being corpulent and heavy from the 27th Year of my Age j) and I can truly fay, that I never received any Money or Confideration on Accouat ©f thefe Services, either diredly or indirediy ; and ye;t ifany ofour Miniftersare Necefiltousor Poo r^ we re- lieve them freely, not becaufe they are Preachers, but becaufe they are Needy ; and when we have done thofe Things,, we have done but our Du^y : And well will it * See Page i; 54 -7X^ J O U R N A L oj J 707. it be for thofe that have difcharged themfelves faithfully v/V^s-/ therein ! Such wilj ("befides the Earned of Peace in their own Souls in this Worldj have a bleded Reward in the glorious Kingdom of the Lord and his Cbrift in that World which is to come. It is well known that I have fpent much of my Time (fmce I have been free from my Apprenticefhip) in Travelling and Preaching the Gofpel, being out often many Months, and fomecimes a whole Year, and more ; and at In- tervals I have been apt to think the Time long, till I got to my Bufinefs and Family ; and fo have divers Times made more Hafte than I fhould have done, which has brought Trouble on my Mind, and is a Trouble to me unto this Day; which may be a Caution to thofe who travel in the Work of the Miniftry hereafter, not to make too much Hafle from the Work of Chrift ; and yet there ought to be Difcretion ufed ; for a Minifler may flay too long, as well as return too foon, which may be perceived as we keep the Eye of our Mind to our Divine Guide. After I had ftaid at and about Hom.e for fome eon- tovifit * fiderable Time, a weighty Concern came upon me to ^wefiildi^cs'^^^^^ Friends in the Wefi-Indies^ and fome Parts of and jlk Euvop^ as it might pleafe the Almighty to open my rope, ^jjy . ^^^ ^3 ij. ^3s to be a long Travel, both by Sea and Land, and hazardous, by reafon it was War Time, and many Privateers out at Sea, I fettled my Affairs by Will, and otherwife, that if I fhould not live to come Home again, Things relating to my out- ward Affairs might be done honourably and well : For at this Time, as at many others, I can truly fay, I gave up my Life freely for my holy Mafter's Sake, and in his Caufe, who laid. Go teach all Nations^ &c. On the 29th of the Sixth Month, 1707, I had a Cert ficate irom the Monthly-meeting of Friends at ■Philaddphia^^\^m{y\x)^ their Unity with my Under- taking, and Dcfires tor my Welfare ; and a tender Concern was on my Mind that Lmight live according to Thomas chalklet. 55 to what my Brethren had certified concerning me. I 1707. jikewife laid my Exercife before the General Meeting U^VNJ of Miniftersand Elders held for the Provinces of Pf«- fylvania and New-Jerfey^ on the 2 2d of the Seventh Month, who alfo fignified their Fellowfhip with my intended Travels and Journey, and recommended me to the Grace of God ; and in much Love and Tender- nefs I parted with my dear and loving Wife, and my near and affe(5lionate Friends and Brethren. I had for my Companion and Fellow-labourer in the Work of the Gofpel, my dear Friend Richard Gove^ who alfo had the Approbation and Unity of Friends in this Journey and Undertaking. We went on board a Sloop at Philadelphia bound for Barbadoes^ John Knight^ Mafter, about the 27th of the Eighth Month, in the aforefaid Year. After a few Days Sailing down the River Delaware^ we put to Sea, and in about a Month's Time we came within S'l^to^ BarbadoeSy where we met with a Pri- Atsea. vateer, which chafed, and had like to have taken us ; a l^vW^ but the good Providence of God prelerved us out of «eer. the Hands of thofe Enemies: For ever blefied be his great Name ! In this Chace the Seamen were uneafy, and belched out wicked Oaths, and curfed the ^lakersy wifhing all their VefTels might be taken by the Ene- my, becaufe they did not carry Guns in them : Ac which [Evil] I was grieved, and began thus to cx- poftulate with them : Do you know the Worth of a Man's Life ? (Guns being made on Purpofe to deflroy Mens Lives ;) were this Ship and Cargo mine, fo far as I know mine Heart, I do ingenuoufly declare, I had rather loofe it all, than that one of you fhould loofe his Life (for I certainly knew they were unfit to die.) ' Lives I fay they, we had rather loofe our Lives than go to France. But, faid I, that is not the Matter ; Had you rather go to Hell, than go to France ? They being guilty of great Sins and Wickednefs, and con- vided in their own Confciences, held their Peace, and E faid 56 r^tf JOURNAL bf 1707. faid no more about the poor fakers ; and when we sy^^r^^ got within Gun-Shot of a Fort on Barhadoes^ the Ene- my left chafing us. Next Morning ear'y we fafely arrived at Bridge- B^^rhaioes, Towti in Barbudoes^ where our Friends gladly received us ; amongft whom we laboured in the Work of the Gofpel for about two Months -, and from thence, af- ter having had divers good and edifying Meetings for AniiiKd. the Worlhip of God, we failed for Anti^ua^ and ftay'd fome Days there, having Meetings, and vifiting our Brethren. From Antigua we fail'd for ISIevis^ but the Motttfcrrat, ^yij^^^ being Contrary, we put in at Mofitferrat (an Ille that hath a great Mountain in it, on the Top ot which is a hot Spring of Water, which boils up, and the Mud of it is clear Brimllone *, fome of which we car- ried on board our VelTel •, the which is admirable, and fhews the wonderful Works of God. They fay that the Spring is hot enough to boil an Egg.) From this ^*^"*'^"'» Ifland we failed to Nevis^ and had Meetings with thofe few Friends that were there, with whom we parted at the Sea-fhore in great Love and Tendernefs. After Ai^uiUn, which we failed to an IJJand called Anguilla^ and were civilly treated there by the Generality of the People j as alfo by the Governor, George Leonard^ at whofe Houfe we had Meetings. 1 remember, that after one Meeting the Governor went into his Porch, and took the Bible, and opened it, and faid. By this Book\ if People believe the holy Scriptures^ I am able to convince the fVorld^ and frove that the People called Quakers are the People of God^ and that they follow the Example and Doctrine of Chrift^ and the Pra5lices of the Apojtles and primitive Cbrijlians, nearer than any People in the IVorld', ( i e, generally fpeaking. J At this Ifland feveral People were heartily convinced, and did con^ fefs to the Truth, among whom a Meeting was fettled. Here was never any Friend before, as the Inha- bitants faid. / intreat the Lord Jehovah to preferve the fincere-hearted among them in his holy Fear^ whilli they THOMAS CHALKLET. ^y they remain in this World 'y and not them only^ hut all 1707. that love and fear him, in all Kindreds and Nations^ Ky^\r\J and amongft People of all Frofejfions whatfoever, Thisj in the univerfal Spirit of God's Divine Love^ is the De- fire of my SouL Back from Angiiilla we went to Nevis^ ^-^wV. and from Nevis to Antigua •, and notwjrhftanding our Antigua, Sloop was a dull Sailer, yet we were preferved from the Enemy, to the Admiration of ourfelves, Friends, and others, our Courfe being in the very Road of the Privateers. Juft as we got into the Harbour and were landed, a Privateer came by with a Prize along with ^ her, as we fuppofed, which excited our Thankfilnefs to the Lord for our Prefervation. Here we met with the Packet-Boat bound for Jamaica, and thence for England. We flaid a little at the Ifland cali'd Saint Chrijlophers, In our Way to Jamaica wc hvj st. Chrifi^ a fmall Privateer, that gave us Chace, and it being ^ ^''^* calm, file rowed up towards us. The Mafter pre- pared the VelTel to fight, hoiiting up his Mainfail, and putting out our Colours. In the Interim feme were bold, and feme forrowful. One came to me, Chafedby and afked, PFhat I thought of it ? And what I thought ^ ^"''** of the Quakers Principles now ? I told him I thought I was as willing to go to Heaven, as himfelf was ; ro which he faid nothing, but turned away from me. Another alked me. What I would do now ? I told him, I would pray that they might be made better, and that they might be made fit to die. Then in the midit of their Noife and Hurry, in Secret I begged of the Almighty, in the Name, and for the Sake of his dear Son, that he would be pleafed to caufe a frelh Gale of Wind to fpring up, that we might be deli- vered from the Enerhy without fhedding Blood (well knowing that few of them were fit to die) and even whilft I was thus concerned, the Lord anlwered my Defire and Prayer, for in a few Minutes the Wind fpruhg up, and we foon left them out of Sight, our Veflel failing extraordinary well, and the next Day E 2 w« teer. 5$ The JOURNAL of 1707. we got to Jamaica^ and had divtrs Meetings, viz, at Port-Royal^ Kwgfton, and Spanijh-Town^ &c. At a Meeting at Spanifh-Town, there were divers Jews^ to whom my Heart was very open, and I feJt great Love to them, for the Sake of their Fathers Ahra- ham^ Ifaac, and Jacobs and they were fo afFe6led with the Meeting, that they fent us fome unleavened Cakes, made with fine Flour and fweet Oil, it being a Feflival Time with them. We had a Meeting at Port- Royal^ in a Place where the Earthquake had deftroyed a large Building, in which Meeting I had Occafion to remind them of the righteous Judgments of God, which had been juftly inflidled on them for their Sins and Wickednefs. Some wept, and fome were rude. The People here, as I was informed, were generally very wicked. After having had divers Meetings, the Packet in which we had taken our PafTage, being oblig'd to ftay but ten Days, we went off fooner than we otherwife fhould have done, and folemnly taking Leave of thofe Friends that were there, we went on board our VefTel, in order for England^ by God's PermifTion. We got readily through the Windward Pajfage^ which is between the Iflands of Cuba and Hispaniola •, and divers Times after we left Jamaica^ we were chafed by feveral Ships, but they could not come up with us. One Ship of twenty-eight Guns gave us Chace after a great Storm, and was almoft up with us before wc could well make Sail j they being eager of their Prey, fent their Hands aloft to let their Reefs out of the Topfails, in order to make more Speed, and came running mightily towards us, and gained much upon us ; we tearing to make Sail, by reafon of the Storm, and the Sea running very high, and our Mafls being therefore in Danger, we wer« fome Time in Doubt, whether we fhould efcape or not : But whilft- we were in this Confternation, down came the French Ship's three Topmafts at once, fo we cfcaped, and left her, and went rejoicing on our Way, that THOMAS CHALKLE7. S9 tliat we were thus delivered. This was one of the 1707, great and remarkable Deliverances among the many v^^rv* I met with, by the good Hand and Providence of the Lord, my great and good Mafter, whom 1 hope to ferve all my Days. After having been at Sea about fix Weeks, we began to look out for Land, and in two or three Days wc founded, and found Ground, at about ninety Fathoms; after which we faw two French Privateers, that gave us Chace about four a Clock in the Morning, and pur* fued us vigoroudy •, but failing better than they, we run them out of Sight by eight a Clock the fame Morning, and in about two Hours after we faw the Land of Ireland •, it being mifty Weather, with Rain c^Jt^f and Wind, our Mafter thought it beft to lay by and Ireland la forbear Sailing, that Coaft being Rocky and dange- g^i*^"^^ rous, by which Means the two Ships (that gave us Chace) came up with us, and found us not in failing Order, and were in Gun-lhot of us before we were aware of ir. What to do now we could not tell, until they began to fire at us -, but in this Emergency and Strait our Mafter refolved he would rather run the VelTel on Shore than they lliould have her, Ihe bemg richly laden with Indigo, Silver, and Gold, reckoned to the Value of Fifty Thoufand Pounds. In this Strait, we muft either fall into the Hands of the French, who were our Enemies, or run againft the Rocks ; and we thought it beft to fall into the Hands of the Almighty, and truft to his Providence j fo to- wards the Rocks we went, which looked with a ter- rible Afped. The native Irijb feeing us, they came down in great Numbers, and ran on the Rocks, and called to us, faying, That if we came any nearer zve Jhouldhe dafied to Pieces. Then our Mafter ordered fhe'/S** the Anchor to be let go, which brought her up be- sUore, fore ftie ftruck ; and, with much ado, he put his Boat out into the Sea, and put in all the PalTengers, in order to fet them on Shore, the Waves running E 5 very 6p The ]OVR^ AL of 1707. very high, fo that it looked as if every Wave would yF\r'^ have fwallowed us up ; and it was a great Favour of Providence that we got to Land in Safety. The Pri- vateers not daring to come fo near the Shore as we did, after firing at us, went away, and our Mafrer carried the Ship into the Harbour of Kinjale' in Ireland. Thus through many Perils and Dangers we were preferved, and got Hife on the Irijh Shore, for which, and all other the Mercies and Favours of the moft High, my Soul and Spirit did give Glory and Praife ! In this Voyage we were about feven Weeks ac Sea. W^hen I came from my Home at Philadelphia^ I did intend (the Lord permitting) to vifit Friends in Ireland^ and being accidentally cail on Shore there, I thought it my Place firft to go through that Nation. I had been in Ireland about nine Years before, and then being but young, and now being more grown in Body, my old Acquaintance and Friends did not ap ^ firft know me -, but we were kindly and lovingly re- ceived by our Friends and Brethr^-n in that Nation, where there is a great and numerous People, that ferve and worlhip the Father in Spirit and in Truth, and wlio have divers good and wholefome Orders efta- blifhed amongft them, in the Unity and Fellowfhip of the Gofpel. In this Nation we had many and large Meetings i>fter our Landing, vifiting Friends Meet- ings along to the North, many, not oi our Society, coming to them, among whom wc often had good Service, to our and their Satisfadion, as they often declared, Richard Gove being ftill with me. Friends from their National Meeting certified to our Brethren in America^ of our Service and Labour of Love among them, after we had travelled feveral Hundred Miles, and vifited Friends Meetings generally, and fome other Places where it was not ufual. While I was in Ireland, under a Concern for the Profperity of Truth and Religion, I wrote an Exhortation to the THOMAS CHALKLET. 6t the Toutb^ and others^ which was afterwards printed 1707, there. w^^v^ We took Ship in the North of Ireland^ at a Town called Donaghadeey being accompanied with divers Bre- thren, who brought us on our Way after a godly Sort. We got to Port'Fatricky in Scotland^ after about five ScotUni, Hours Sail, in order to vifit thofe few Friends that were fcattered about in that Part of the Nation. Peo- ple in thofe Parts looked very fhy on us, and did not care to difcourfe with us on Matters Civil or Reli- gious, which I thought unreafonable. The firft Town or City we came to, in which we had a Meeting, was Glafgow (accounted the fecond City in North Bri^ Giafgiw, tain) where, in our Meeting for the Worfhip of the Almighty, we were fhamefully treated, by the People throwing Dirt, Stones, Coals, ^c. amongft us, and by divers other Actions unbecoming Men (tho' Hea- thens ox Infidels) much more People profefllng Chrifti- anity, fo that I was conflrained to tell them, that tho' I had preached the Gcfpel to many Heathens^ and to divers Jews^ as alfo to Indians and Negroes ^ and had travelled in many Countries and Nations in the World,, in feveral Quarters thereof, and many Thour fands of Miles, yet I muft needs fay, that I never met with the like Incivilities, and fuch fcurrillous Treat-, ment, no not in all my Travels. I alfo told them, that I had preached the Gofpel of Chrift among their Brethren in New-England^ and in Bofton^ where they formerly hanged the ^akers^ and cruelly perfecuted them for their Religion, and yet they did not treat us fo brutifhly even there. And further I told them, that I lived in thofe Parts of America^ and what Ac- count I fhould have to carry Home to their aforefaid Brethren, of our Treatment in Glafgow^ the fecond City in Scotland, I defir'd them to confider of it, and be afhamed, if they had any Shame. This a little abafhed them for the prefent, but afterwards they were as bad as ever. There were at this Meeting E 4 divers tz 7^^ J O U R N A L oy divers Collegians, who were very rude. I afked if that was their Way of treating Strangers ? And that I believed their Teachers in the Univerfity did not allow of fuch ill Manners, by which they fcandalized them- felves, their City, and Country. From this City we went to Hamilton and Gerjhore^ where they were more civil. At Gerjhore a Man of Letters, and fober Con- verfation, begged that I would pray to the Almighty, that he would eftabliih him in the Dodrine which he had heard that Day. This being rare in thofe Parts, therefore I thus minute it here. We went on towards the North of Scotland^ to Aberdeen^ and thereabouts, where there is a tender hearted People, among whom we had feveral large Gatherings, and fome that were not of us, exprefs'd their Satistadion. In the North I met with a Gentleman, who coming from a Noble- man's Houfe, joined me, and afked me. If I knem Robert Barclay ? I faid not perfonally, but by his Writings I knew him well. He told me, That he (Barclay J had not left his Fellow in Scotland. We after- wards travelled Southward, where there were but few Friends, and fmall Meetings ; yet we may fay, that the Goodnefs, Love and Prefence of Him, who faid. Where two or three are gathered in my Name^ there am I in the Midft of ihem^ was oftentimes witnefTed to be with us, bleffed be his Holy Name. Oh ! that the Children of Men would praife him in Thought, Wotd, and Deed, for he is worthy. So in great Reverence and holy Fear, we travelled along towards South- Britain^ had feveral Meetings at Edinburgh, and di- vers other Places ; alfo at Berwick upon Tweedy where there were many Soldiers who were very rude. The Devil hath had many Battles with us, ever fince we were a People, in order to hinder us in ourWorfhip, but we generally came off with Vidlory, as we did here alfo, through Faith in his Name, Who hath loved uSj and manifejled himfelf to us. Thofe rude Soldier^ ff^^pwcd their J^Iats into the Congregation? in order fTHOMAS CHJLKLET. 63 . to difturb us, and hinder us in our Service, but were 1708. at laft afham'd and difappointed. At this Place my ^^^^V^ dear Friend and Fellow-traveller, Richard Gove^ and I parted : I was for going by the Eaft Sea-Coaft up for London^ and he inclin'd towards Cumberland, after we had travelled about a Year in the Work of theMiniftry, in great Love and true Friendfhip, in which Work we were true Helpers one of another ; and as we had labour- ed together in the Work of Chrift, fo we parted in his Love. Now from Berwick I travelled along to Nezv- caftle •, had one Meeting by the Way, and feveral good Meetings at Newcaftle^ Sunderland, Shoten, and ^''T^'f^f} Durham^ and feveral other Places in the Biflioprick of "'**'' * ' Durham. The Winter coming on apace, it began to be bad travelling ; and I being already much fpent by it, defigned to go fpeedily up to London -, and taking fome Meetings in my Way, as at Stockton, Whitby^ Scarborough, Burlington, Hull, and Brigg, and fo on through Lincolnjhire, where I went to vifit a ^-^/f'*^ Friend that was Prifoner in the Caflle of Lincoln^ becaufe for Confcience Sake he could not pay an ungodly Priefl the Tythe of his Labour. From Lincoln I proceeded to Huntington, about which Place we had feveral large Meetings, fo on to Baldock^ where I met with my Father and John Gopfil, who came from London to meet me, which was a joyful Meeting, for I had not feen my Father for about nine Years. The Love and Tendernefs between us, and the Gladnefs in feeing each other again, cannot well be exprefTed (but I believe it was fomevv^hat like Jacob and Jojeph''?> meeting in Egypt •,) it was affeding and melting : BlefTed be the Almighty that gave me once more to fee my tender and aged Parent ! So from Baldock we went to Hitching^ and had a Meeting there, as alfo at Hertford, from whence, with feveral Friends, I went to Enfield^ where I met with my dear and only Brother George, and there were with ps feveral of my Relations, and divers others of our Friends \ 64 r^^ J O U R N A L ^/ 1708^ London, Hertford' foire. Uxiridie, About Londtn, Friends: We were heartily glad to fee one another/ From Enfield we went forward for London, and by the Way we* met with feveral Friends (of the Meeting of Horjl'jdown^ to which 1 did belong from my Child- hood) who came to meet me, and accompanied us to London. I flay'd in and about the City mofl of the Winter, vifiting Meetings when I v/aswell and in Health ; for thro' often changing the Climates, I got a fevere Cold, and was ill for feveral Weeks, fo that I was not at any Meeting, which Time was very tedious to me ; not fo much becauTe ot mylllnefs, as that I was de- prived of divers Opportunities and Meetings (which are in that City every Day of the Week except the laft.) When I was a little got over this Illnefs, I went into Hertford/hire, and fome Parts adjacent, and had Meetings at Staines^ Longford, Uxhridgey Waljord, Hempftead, Bendijh^ Albans, Market- Street^ Hitching, Hertford, Hoddefdon^ and then return'd again to London, After I had been at London a while, I vifued feveral other Country Meetings, as JVinchmore-Hill, Gotten- bam^ Wandfworth^ Plaijiow, Deptford^ and Eppingy and then ftaid about London fome Weeks waiting for a Paflage for Holland, which I intended to viiit before I left my own Habitation. And on the 14th of the Firft Month, 1708-9, I, with my Companion John Bell, after having ac- quainted cur Friends and Relations (having their Con- fent) and taking our folemn Leave of them, we went down to Gravefendy and flaid there two or three Days for a fair Wind. We went on board the Ship Anne^ John Ducky Mafter, bound for Rotterdam, in Com- p.my with a Fleet of VelTels waiting for Wind, 6fc. When the Wind was fair we failed for the Coafl of Holland, and v/hen we arrived on that Coalt the Wind was contrary, and blew very hard, fo that fome of the Ships in Company loft their Anchors ; but on the THOMAS CHALKLET. 65 the 27th of the fame Month we arrived fafe at Rotter- 1709. dam in Holland, On the Firft Day Morning we went ^./V^ to Meeting at Rotterdam^ where Friends have a Meet- ^^^.j^g, ing-houfe; and we ftaid at this City feven or eight faie at i^of. Pays, and had fix or feven Meetings, and were com- ''»'^^«» forted with our Brethren and Sifters, and greatly re- frefhed in the Lord Almighty. At this City we fpoke without an Interpreter, bccaufe moft in the Meeting underftood Englijh. From Rotterdam we travelled by the Trackfcoot, (or Boat, being drawn by Horfes, which is a pleafant t^iy Way of travelling) to a large Town called Harlem^ where we had a Meeting, jiariem, and fpoke by an Interpreter ; to which Meeting came divers of thofe People called Menonifts: They were very fober and attentive, and ftay'd all the Time of the Meeting, and fpoke well of it. From Harlem we went to Amfterdam^ the Metropolis of Holland, where ^^jf^yttam. Friends have a Meeting-houfe. Here we had feve- ral Meetings and ftay'd about a Week. On the firft: Day we had a large Meeting, to which came many People of divers Perfuafions and Religions, a.s Jewsy PapiJiSy and others ; and we had a good Opportunity among them, and feveral were tender. A Jew came next Day to fpeak with us, and did acknowledge, '' That Chrift was the Minifter of that Sancfluary and ^' Tabernacle that God had pitched, and not Man ; " and that he was fenftble of the Miniftry of Chrift in '^ bis Soul ; and, faidhe^ my Heart was broken while " that Subjedl was fpoken of in the Meecing." I v/as glad to fee the Man tender and reached ; but too ge- nerally fpeaking, the poor Jews (the Seed of good Jacob) are very dark and unbelieving. I have met with but very few of them in my Travels that have been tender -, but I do love them for Abraham^ Jfaam, and Jacob\ Sake. At this Meeting William Sewel (the Author of the Hiftory of the Rife and Progrefs of the People called fakers) a tender- fpirited upright Man, interpreted for me. From Amfierdam v/e went to North- 66 7^^ J O U R N A L e^ 1709. North. T-wifk. Uerliii^cn. MmiJfH. Oldenburgh and BrC' Jiffmlur^h, North ^ Holland y and John Claus and Peter Regard went with us to interpret for us •, fo by Boat, or Scoot, we travelled to a Town called ^wifky where we had two Meetings, Friends having a Meeting-houfe there ; from Twl/k we went back again to Amfterdam^ and had two large Meetings there on the Firfl Day, and Second Day in the Evening we went on Ship- board, in order to crofs the South Sea to Herlingen^ at which Place we had two Meetings, and we and Friends were giad to fee one another : And indeed, we being as one Family all the World over, are generally glad to fee each other. From this Place we travelled Eaftward through Eaft-Friejland^ and went through feveral great Towns and Cities until we came to Eirthden^ the the chief City in Eaft-Friejland, where we had a comfor- table Meeting by the Bed-fide of one of our Friends that lay fick ; and feveral of her Neighbours came in and ftay'd till the Meeting ended ; fome of them were very tender and loving, and wifhed us v/ell, and were well fatisfied. After Meeting we fet forward for Hamburgh^ it being four Days Journey by Waggon, and paSed along through divers Towns and Cities : We alfo travelled through the City of Oldenburgh^ and a Place of great Commerce called Bremen. A Magiflrate of this City took Notice of us, joined him- felf to us, and went with us to the Inn, and then very lovingly took leave of us, and defired God to blels us. The People at our Inns were generally very loving and kind to us, and fome would admire at my coming fo far only to vifit my Friends, without any Views of Advantage or Profit outwardly. When we got CO Hamburgh we had a Meeting at Jacob Hagen^s^ and thofe that were there, were well fatisfied with the Dodrine of Truth, blelTed be God, who, I. may fay, was with us at that Time and Place! At Ham- biirgb there was at Meeting one who had preached t'fore the King of Denmark -, who, as I underftood X^y our Interpreter, was turned out of his Place, for preaching THOMAS CUALKLET. 67 preaching the fame Truths that we had preached 1709. there that Day; at which Meeting were Papifls, Lu- v^^'V"s- therans^ Calvimjls, Menonijlsy Jews^ &c. All of them were fober, and generally exprefled their Satis- fadlion. I had fo much Comfort in that Meeting, that I thought ft was worth my Labour in coming from my Habitation, the Anfwer of Peace was fuch to my Soul, that I greatly rejoiced in my Labour in the Work of Chrift. From hence I travelled to Frede- ^ ^ rickjladt^ it being two Days Journey (where Friends y^^rff. '^ ' have a Meeting-houfe.) We ftay'd about ten Days, and had nine Meetings in this City. Some of the Meetings were very large, and the longer we ftay'd, the larger they were. This Frederickftadt is a City in the Dominions of the Duke of Holftein^ and was the fartheft Place we travelled to Eaftward -, and from., hence I wrote a fmall Piece, called, J loving Invita- tion unto Toung and Old in Holland and eife where ; which was tranflated into the German and Low-Dutch Languages ; and divers Impreffions of them were alfa printed in England. We travelled in this Journey thro' fome Parts of the Emperor of Germany^ Dominions, as alfo of the Kings of Denmark and Swedejland^ and of the Duke of Oldenhurgh^s and Prince of EaJi-FrieJIand's Territories, befides fome Parts of the Seven Trovinces of the united , States. We parted with our Friends of this City of Frederickftadt^ in much Love and Tendernefs, and ■with our Hearts full of good Will one towards ano- ther, and fo went back to the City of Emhden a nearer ^^^den. Way, by two Days Journey, than to go by Ham- hurgb. We crofs'd the Rivers Eyder^ Elfe^ and IVeifer ; over which laft we were rowed by three Wo- men, ne Women in thofe Parts of the World are ftrong and rohuft^ and ufed to hard Labour, I have feen them do not only the Work of Men^ hut of Horfes \ it- being common with them to do the moft lahorious^ and the Men the Ughteft and eafieft Work, I re?nember that I 6t T^JOURNAL^/ 1709. I orjcefaw near H:ivnhuTgh a fair well drejfed Woman, w/\^-^-^ wbo^ by her Drefs, or Apearance^ was a Woman of feme Note^ and a Man {which I took to he her Hufband) walking by her^ and Jhe was very great with Child, and the Wa^ difficult, being up a very flecp Hill, and he did not fo much as offer his Hand^ or Jffiftance to her -, which ^ however it might look to a Man of that Country^ it feem^d very fi range to me being a Briton. For my Tarty I thought it unmanly, as well as unmannerly : On which I obferve^ that I never in any Fart of the World, faw Women fo tenderly dealt by as our Englifh, or Bri- ti(h Women y which they ought to value and prize highly, and therefore, to be the more loving and obedient to their Hufbands, the indulgent Engl ifli men ; which Indulgence I bla?ne not, but co?nmend, fo far as it is a Motive to fiir them up to Love and Faithfulnefs, In this Journey between Frederickfiadt and Embden, we had four Days hard traveUing, and were twice overturned out of our Waggons, but we got no Harm, which was admirable to us-, for once we fell. Waggon and all, over a great Bank, jufl by the fide of a large Ditch, and did but juft fave ourfelves out of the Ditch. The next Time we overfet upon Stones: We wondered that none of us were hurt, particularly myfelf, I being much heavier than any of the reft ; but thro' the Mercy of God, we got well to Efnb den, the fecond Time, and had a Meeting upon a Firft Day, and immediately after Meeting we took Ship *D-/ifuei. for Delfzeel (which was from E.mbdcn about nine or ten Englijh Miles by Water) and with a fair Gale of Wind, got there in lefs than two Hours Time. We fpoke by Interpreters all along, and were divinely helped to preach the Gofpel to the Satisfaction of others, and our own Comfort ; and the Friend who interpreted for us, was fenfible of the fame divine* Afliftance, to his Admiration, for which we were all truly thankful. But notwithftanding we were fo open- ed, to the Satisfaction of ourfelves, our Friends, and the THOMAS CHALKLET. €g the People, yet we were fometimes emptied to ex- 17^9' ceeding great fpiritual Poverty, and in the Senfe of '^^^'V'^ our Want and Need, we did many Times pour out our Souls and Spirits in humble Prayer and Suppli- cation to the moft High, for his Help and Strength, that it might be made manifeft to us in our Weaknefs-, ^nd we found him a God near at Hand^ and often a pre- fint Help in the needful Time^ and had a fweet Anfwer to our Prayers. O! that my Soul, with all the Faithful, may dwell near to him, in whom alone is the Help and Strength of all his faithful Servants and Minifters ! Amen, From Delfzeel v/e went to Groeningen^ the chief Groenirt£en, City in Groeningland, and fo on to a River called the ^^* Wonder^ and to a Town named Goradick, where we had a Meeting with a few Friends there, and fome of their Neighbours came to the Meeting. It was to us a comfortable Meeting, and they were glad of it, they being but feldom vifjted by Friends. From this Place we travelled by Waggon to Hervine, where wc Hervitte, lodged that Night, and next Day went by Waggon to Leuwarden. It happened that we had generally very Lewmard€». line Weather while in thofe open Waggons, in vvhich we travelled feveral Hundred Miles, fo that Jacob Claus^ our Companion and Interpreter, tho' he had travelled much, faid he never had obferved the like before ; which Obfervation I thought good to make, with Thanks to the Almighty. From the City of Leuwarden ^ we came by Waccr -to Herlingen, where Friends were glad to fee us, and ^^'^^"i^"-^ we them. We had a Meeting in Friends Meetings houfe, and a good comfortable One it was, bklFed be the Lord for it ! From hence we crofTed the South- Sea, and had a contrary Wind, which made our Paf- fage long and tedious. We were two Days and two Nights on this Water before we got to Atnflerdamy in all which, and the next Day, 1 tafted no Food, being three 70 ne JOVR-N AL of 1709. three Days fading. I was willing to keep my Body v.^'V^ under, and found in for my Health ; neither had I any Defire of Food in thofe three Days, in which Time Amrurdam, we had two Meetings. We arrived at Amjlerdam about the fixth Hour, on the Firft Day Morning, and had two Meetings at Amjlerdam that Day, which were quiet, and many People came to one of them : But we could not be clear without going again to Horn, JSIorth'HoUandy fo from Amjlerdam we went to Horny where we had a Meeting in the Collegian's Meeting- houfe, and it was to Satisfaction : The People were very loving, and divers very tender, even more than we had ufually feen. They defired another Meeting, but our Time would not admit of it, we having ap- T-wijk, pointed a Meeting at Twijk the next Day, which we had in the Meeting-PJace, as alio another at a Friend's Afi^furdam. Houfe. The next Day we returned to Amjlerdam^ and had a Meeting, which began about the fifth Hour, which was the Jafl Meeting we had in this City, and I hope it will not eafily be forgotten by fome. After it we folemnly took our Leave of Friends, f[ark» and departed for Harlem^ where we were well refrelh- ed in the Love and Lite of Chrift Jefus, our dear Lord, and good Mafter. From Harkfn we went kottfrdam- ^^^^ feveral Friends to Rotter dam^ where we had two Meetings, and in the Evening we went to vifit a Friend that was not well, with whom we had a Meet- ing, and affeding Time, and the fick Friend was comforted and refreflied, and fiaid, JJje was much bet- ter than before ; and we were edified, and the Lord our God praifed and magnified over all, who is blefTed for ever. In thofe Parts, viz, Holland, Friefland^ Germanjy &c. we travelled 972 Englijh Miles, all in Waggons and VefTels. We came not on a HorlVs Back all the Time. Ic was about nine Weeks that we flayed in thofe Countries, traveUing therein, and getting Meet- ings "THOMAS CHALKLET. ji ings where we could, which were to the Number of 1 709. Forty-five, thus accounted : ^^'WJ At Rotterdam 10 Harlem . 3 Amfierdam \o I'wijk 4 Herlir^en 3 At Horn i Hamburgh i Emhden 2 Frederick/} adt 10 Goradick i All thefe are large Cities, except ^wijk ^n^ Go- radick, From Rotterdam we took Ship for London, and on " the 30th of the Third Month 1709, we failed down the River Meufe to the Briel^ in the Ship Anne^ John Duck Mafter, but he miffing the Convoy, we took our PaflTage in the Packet; and fo from Hehoetjluys we failed over to Harwich^ and thus fafely arrived in mr-xkh, our native Land, bleffing Almighty God for his many Prefervations and Deliverances by Sea and Land. About this Time (after a long Continuance of War) there was a great talking of Peace ; but the old Enemy to Peace, Truth, and Righteoufnefs, broke it off by . his evil Working in Man : Neither can there be any lading Peace, until the Nations come to the Witnef- fing of the peaceable Government and Spirit of our Lord Jefus Chrift, to be fet up and eftablifhed in themfelves. The Lord bring it to pafs, if it be his blelTed Will, with Speed, for his holy Name's Sake ! Amen. As I have had great Peace and Satisfadion in my Travels in Holland and Germany^ fo, for exciting others under the like Exercife, I may truly fay, that there is Encouragement for faithful Minifters to labour in the Work of the Gofpel : For I know not that I ever met with more Tendernefs and Opennefs in Peo- ple, than in thofe Parts of the World. There is a great People which they call Menoniftsy who are very near to Truth, and the Fields are white unco Harvefl F among 72 ' Tie JOURN AL of 1709. among divers of that People, fpirimally fpeaking. Oh ! s/\^>^ that faithful Labourers, not a few, might be fent of God Almighty into the great Vineyard of the World, is what my Soul and Spirit breathes to him for ! After lodging one Night at Harwich^ vit came to ^luhefi'cr, Ipf^ich^ and from thence to Colchefier^ and ftay'd kc. there the Firft Day, and had two Meetings ; and had a Meeting at Birch and Cogge/hally and then back to feady' Colchejler^ where we took Coach for London^ to the Vfeeting. Yearly-meeting of Friends^ which was very large. I gave fome fhort Account of my Travels to the faid Meeting, with which Friends were fatisfied, and made a Minute thereof. I had been about twenty Months from my Habitation, and from my dear and afFedio- nate Wife, and from any manner of Trade and Baii- nefs, either diredlly, or indiredly, being all that Time wholly given up in my Mind to preach the glorious Gofpel of God our Saviour, without any outward Confideration whatever, taking my great Mailer's Counfel, jis 1 had freely received from him^ fo I freelj gave •, and had that folid Peace in my Labours that is of more Value than Gold, yea, than all the World. wStingi* Prom the Yearly- meeting I travelled through fome of Friend* Patts of moft of the Counties in England, and alfo in Iftl^i/I/. ^^^^^ • I" which Service I laboured fervently, and often travelled hard, in Body and Mind, until the next Yearly meeting 17 10, having travelled that Year about Two Thoufind Five Hundred Miles, and had near Three Hundred publick Meetings, in many of v/hich there were much People, and oftentimes great Opennefs. I being at fo many Friends Houfes, and at fo many Meetings, if I was to be particular in the fame it would be too voluminous, for which, and /bme Reafons bcfides, I only give a general Account thereof here. J\JJ2\ In this Year {viz. 17 10) my dear Friend and Fel* ^O^""^ low traveller, Richard Gove^ departed this Life, at Uxbndge^ about fifteen Miles from London^ at our Friend THOMAS CtiALKL^r. 73 Friend Richard Richardfon^s Houfe. He died of a 171Q. Confutnption. We travelled together in great Love t-OOs> jind Unity, and the Lord bleffed his Work in our Hands. We were in Company in the Weji-lndia IQands, Ireland and North- Britain^ till we came to Berwick on ^weed. We met together again at London y and he vifited fome other Parts of Britain in the Time I was in Holland and Germany, He was an inofFenfive, loving Friend, and had a found Teftimony^ which was ferviceable and convincing, and was well-beloved in Philadelphia^ where he lived. He left a good Savour and Report behind him (I think) where-ever he tra- velled in the World. Now at this general Meeting in London^ I had a ^^^^[* good Opportunity to take my Leave of my dear Meeting, Friends and Brethren in my native Land, not expedt- ing to fee it, or them any more^ in this World. Oh ! I nlay truly fay, it was a folemn Parting I It was a folemn Time to me indeed. Afcer the Yearly-meec- jng was over, I took my Paflage in the Mary-hope^ John Annis Mafter, bound for Philadelphia ; and on jLhe29tb of the Fourth Month 17 10, at Grave/end^ after Gravefeni, having taken my folemn Leave of our Relations, and feveral of my dear Friends, we fet Sail, and overtook the Rujia Fleet at Harwich, and fo joined them, and failed with them as far as Shetland, which is to the Northward of the Ides of Orkney, We were with the Fleet about two Weeks, and then left them, and fail'd ^^^** tathe Weftward for America, In this Time we had rough Seas, which made divers of us Sea-fick. Af- ter we left Shetland^ we were feven Weeks and four Days at Sea before we faw the Land of America, and glad we were when we got Sight thereof. In this Time we had divers fweet and folemn Meetings, viz. on Firft Days and Fifth Days, wherein we worfhipped and praifed the Great JEHOVAH, and many Things were opened in the Spirit of Love and Truth, to our Comfort and Edification. We had one Meet- F 2 ing 74 "Tbe JOURNAL of 1 710. ing with the Germans or Palatines^ on the Ship's Deck, and one that underltood both Languages interpreted for me. The People were tender and wrought upon, behaved fober, and were well fatisfied : And I can truly fay, I was well fatisfied alfo. In this Voyage we had our Health to Admiration ; and I fhall obferve one Thing worthy of my Notice. Some of my loving and good Friends in London^ fear- ing a Sicknefs in the Ship, as Ihe was but fmall, con- fidcring there were fo many Souls on board her, being ninety-four in Number, they, for that and other Reafons, advifed me not to go in her ; for they loved me well, and 1 took it kindly of them : But I could not be eafy to take their Advice, becaufe I had been long from my Habitation and Bufinefs, and which was yet more, from my dear and loving Wife ; And notwithftanding the VelTel was fo full and crowded, aad alfo feveral of the People taken into the Ship fick in the River of ^hames-i yet they mended on board the VelTel apace, and were foon all brave and hearty, being pertedly recovered at Sea, and the Ship, thro' the Providence of the Almighty, brought them all well to Fhlladelphia^ in the Seventh Month 1710 : (I think I never was in a more healthy Yt^^l in all my Time, and I thought this peculiar Favour worthy to be recorded by me.) We had a very pleafant PalTage up the River Delaware^ to cur great Satisfad:ion, the Palatinei being wounderfully pleafed with the Country, mightily admiring the Pleafantnefs and the Fertility Qt it. Divers ot our People went on Shore, and brought Fruit on board, which was the largeft and jfineil they had ever feen, as they faid, viz. Apples, Reaches, (^c. I was from my Family and Habitation in this Jour- ney and Travel for the Space of three Years, within a few Weeks ; in which Time, and in my Return, I >had fweet Peace to my Soul, Glory to God for ever- iiiore 1 I had Meetings every Day when on Land, except THOMAS CHALKLEl. 75 except Second and Seventh Days (when in Health, and 1710. nothing extraordinary hindered) and travelled by Sea v/V^ and Land Fourteen Thoufand Three Hundred Miles, according to our Engli/b Account. I was kindly and tenderly received by my Friends, who longed to fee me, as I did them, and our Meeting was comfortable and pleafant. After this long Travel and Voyage I ftay'd at Home, and looked after the little Family which God had given me, and kept duly to Meetings, except fomething extraordinary hindered. Divers People, when I came Home, raifed a falfe Report of me, and faidj I had brought Home a great deal of Money and Goods, that I had got by Preaching ; which was ut- terly falfe and bafe -, for I brought neither Money or Goods, fomachas to the Value of Five Pounds, ex- cept my wearing Apparel ; fo much the Reverfe, that I borrowed Money at London to pay for my Accom- modations Home, the which I faithfully remitted back again to my Friend that lent it me, to whom I was much obliged for the fame : And if I might have gained a Hundred Poundsp^r Annum^ it would not have tempted me to undertake that, or fuch another Journey. Soon after my Return Home again, I vifited a few neighbouring Meetings, which were large and edify- ing, Friends being glad to fee me again return'd Home from that long Journey. And I did (as I had Reafon to do) blefs the holy Name of the Lord, for his many Prefervations and Deliverances by Sea and Land. After fome Stay at Philadelphia, I went down with my Wife and Family into Maryland^ to a Corn-Mill //*;yiwir. and Saw-Mill, which I had there, in order to live fome Time, and fettle my Affairs : And after being there fome Time, my dear Wife was taken ill of a fore Difeafe, which fome thought to be an Ulcer in the Bladder, and I had her up to Philadelphia, fhe being carried as far as Chefter in a Horfe-litter, where fhe continued for fome Months in much Mifery, and F 3 extreani 76 T;^^ JOURNAL e^^ 711. extream Pain, at the Houfe of our very kind friends, David ^nd Grace Lloyd, whofe Kindnefs to us in that lore, trying, and exercifing Time, was great, and is not to be forgotten by me, while I live in this World. From Chejler we removed her again in a Litter, being accompanied by our Friends, to Philadelphia^ where ihe continued very ill all that Winter, often thinking that Death tarried long, and crying mightily to the Lorvi, Oh I Come away^ come away I This was her Cry Day and Night, 'till at laft fhe could fpeak no more. As we lived together in great Love and Unity, being very affedlionate one to another ; fo being now left alone I was very folitary, and fometimes forrowful, and broken into many Tears, in theSenfe of my Lofs and Lonefomnefs. This npy dear Wife, was a virtuous young Woman, and one that truly feared God, and loved his dear Son ; from whom fhe had received ^ good Gift of the Miniftry, and was ferviceable to many therein. I had live Children by her, foUr Sons and one Daughter, all which I buried before her, under three Years old. At the Yearly-meeting before fhe died, f]:e was fo wonderfully carried forth in her Mlni- ftry, by the divine Grace, that divers of her Friends believed fhe was near her End, fhe fignifying fome- thing to that Etfed: in her Teflimony, and that fhe ihould not live to fee another Yeerly-meeting : An(i io it came to pafs ; for fhe died before another Yearly- meeting, being aged about thirty-five Years, and a married Woman about thirteen Years. Her Body was carried to Friends Meeting-houfe in Philadelfhia^ and buried in Friends burying Ground, being accom- p:^nied by many Hundreds of our Friends, in afolemn Manner : And my Heart was greatly broken in Con- fideration of my great Lofs ; and being left aiorie a$ t6^ Wife and Children, I many Times deeply mourned, tho* I vv'ell knew my Lofs was her's and their Gain ! Here I fiiall end the firfb Part of the Journal of fonie Part of my Life and Travels, othitting many Meetings, THOMAS CHALKLET. ff Meetings, and lefTer Journeys, which I performed: 1711^ And the Accounts here given, have been moftly gene- wo^^n-J ral, not defcending into many Particulars ; tho* the adding fome Things might have been inftrudlive and agreeable : The whole being intended as a Motive to ftir up others to ferve, love, and faithfully follow, and believe in Chrift. The End of the Ftrji PART. 4 78 .. • ■ ^ "t Jli'j'i D/klii f A 1S'A-V': JOUR N A L OF THE Life, Labours, Travels, &€, -'■ — 0"'F -"■"■ THOMAS CHJLKLET, PART II. I NOW gave up my Time mpftly to travelling, for about the Space of two Years, in which I y^nfyh^ ■ vifited the Meetings of Friends in the Provinces y-'a. ^_ of Penfylvania^ Eaft and Weft-Jerfey^ Mary^ MiryM ^^n^'"> Virginia^ and North -Carolina^ and back again Virginia, to Philadelphia^ and then to New-Jerfey again : Alfo ^ounl'?^' 10 Long-IJland, Rhode- Ifland, Comnicui'IJlandy Nan- Vhuadci- tucket- jyjandy and Neiv-Englandy and thro' thofe Parts ''i^^.inaHd.on. my Return to Philadelphia, In thefe Provinces, Kholi/ ^c, I travelled fome Thoufands of Miles, and had Jjiand, ^-^^^y ]^^.gg Meetings (fome in Places where there had not been any before) and fome were convinced, and many would acknowledge to the Teftimony of Truth, which "T HO MAS CHJLKLET. 79 which was declared by the Help and Grace of Chrift ; 17 13. and many Times, my Heart was, by the Afliftance w^'V^ of that Grace, wonderfully opened to the People. It I fhould be particular in the Account of thefe Jour- nies, it would enlarge this Part of my Journal more than I am willing. In Virginia I had a Meeting at Jameses River, where a Prieft of the Church of England, with fome of his Hearers, made fome Oppofition (after our Meeting was over) and were for difputing about Re- ligion ; and he openly declared, '* The Spirit was " not his Guide, nor Rule ; and he hoped, never *' fhould be. But, he /aid, the Scriptures were his **• Rule, and that there was no need of any other j «' and that they were as plain as Gunter\ Line, or as *' I, 2, 3." I told him, I'he Scriptures were a good fecondary Rule^ and that it were well if Men would fquare their Lives according to their Dire5fions ; which we^ as a People^ exhorted all to: But that the holy Spirit ^ from which ihe holy Scriptures came, mujl needs he preferable ' to the, Letter^ that came from it 9 and without which holy Spirit^ The Letter kills, as faith the Apoflle. 1 alio afked him. How hCy or any elfe, without the Light^ or Influence of the holy Spirit^ could underfland the Scrip* tures, which were parabolically and allegorically expref- fed^ in many Places ? And further to ufe his own Ex- preflion, How could any under (land GunterV Line^ without Gunter'j Knowledge ? Or without they were taught by Gunter, or fome other? Neither can we be the Sons of God, without the Spirit of God. Which he anfwered not, but went away. In New- England^ one Jofeph Met calf, a Prefbyterian Teacher at Falmouth, wrote a Book, intitled, Legal Forcing a Maintenance for a Minifler of the Gofpel, warrantable from Scripture, &c. Which Book a Friend of Sandwich gave me, a^d defired I would an- fwer it; which, after finding fome Exercife on my Mind, for the Caufe of Truth, I was willing to un- dertake i 8o 7J^ JOURNAL 2/ 17 1 3. dertake ; and accordingly wrote an Anfwer thereto, v.>'Sr"^-> which I called, Forcing a Maintenance^ not warranta^ hie from the holy S^criptures^ for a Minifter of the Gofpel. In which I endeavoured to feC the Texts of Scripture in a true Lighr^ which he had darkened and mirrepre-' lented by his chimerical Dodrines. In this Year 17 13, I went from Philadelphia^ in the Hope Galley John Richmond Mailer, for South-CarO" lind. We were about a Month at Sea ; and when ic South Caro'^ltdikd God that we arrived at Charles-^own^ \n ^^»^' South-Carolina J we had a Meeting there, and divers others afterwards. There are but tew Friends in this province ; yet I had feveral Meetings in the Country : The People were generally loving, and received m^ kindly. What I had to declare to them, I always defired to fpeak to the Witr^fs of God in the Soul, and according to the pure Doctrine of Truth m the hol-y- Scriptures ; and there was Opennefs in the People ia fcveral Places. I was feveral Times to vifit the Go- vernor, who was courteous and civil to me. He faid^ 1 deferved Encouragement 5 and fpoke to feVcral to ht generous, and contribute to my AfTiftance. He meant an outward Maintenance; for he w6uld have me encouraged to Hay among them. But I told him, that tho' it might be a Pradlice with them, to main-* tain their Miniilers, and pay them Money for preach- ing, it was contrary to our Principles to be paid ior preaching ; agreeable to the Command of our great Mailer, Chrill Jefus, who faid to his Minifters, Freely you have r^ceived^ freel'j give : So that we arc limited by his Words, whatever others are : And thofe who take a Liberty, contrary to his Dodrine and Command, I think, mud be AnticbriJ^s^ accord- ing to holy Scripture. The longer I ftaid there, the larger our Meetings were ; and When I found myfelf free and clear of thofe Parts, I took my PafTage for Virginia, Virginia in a Sloop, Henry bucket Mailer* I had a comfortable and quick PafTage LO Jameses River, it being 7H0MAS CHALKLET. 8i being about two Hundred Leagues. The Mailer of the 1 7 1 g. Veffel told me, ^hat he believed he was blejfed for my v^/'V^*-^ Sake, I wifhed him to live fo as that he might be blefle^ for Chrift's Sake. And fome Reformation was begun on him in our Voyage ; which was the Good- nefs of God, thro* Chrift, to him, and not to be at- tributed to me, any farther than an Inftrument in the divine Hand •, for of ourfelves we cannot do any Thing that is Good, it being by Grace, thro' Faith, thac we are faved, which is God's Gift to the SouJ, After I had been fome Time in Virginia^ I got a Paffage up the Bay of Chefapeak^ and had feveral Mefetings in Marylandy Friends being glad to fee me ; MaryUni^ and we were comforted in Chrift our Lord. I made fome little Stay at a Place I had in that Province, called Longhridge^ and then returned to Philadelphia^ miaiet where I lodged at the Houfe of my very kind Friends ^*"'* Richard 2ind Hannah Hilly and was oftentimes at di- vers neighbouring Meetings-, and fometimes had good Service therein. About this Time I had an Inclination to alter my Condition of being a Widower, to a married State; and the moft fuitable Perfon that I (with fome of my good Friends) could think upon, was Martha^ the Widow of Jofepb Brown: And on the 15th of the Second Month 17 14, we were joined together in 1.7 14* Marriage, with the Unity of Friends in general. We >-/VNrf had a large Meeting at our Marriage, the Solemniza- tion thereof being attended with the Grace and Good* hefs of God; and, for Exarn pie- fake, we made but little Provifion for our Guefts : For great Entertain- ments at Marriages and Funerals, began to be a grow- ing Thing among us, which was attended with divers Irtconveniences. My Wife was a foberahd religious yoUng Woman, and of a quiet natural Temper and Difpofition ; which is an excellent Ornament to the fair Sex: And indeed ^tls fo both to Male and Female; for accoi^ding to the holy 82 tbe ]OURTS[ AL of 1714. holy Scriptures, ^ meek and quiel Spirit is zvitb ibe W\r^ Lord of great Price, The firft Child we had I called Abigail (or the Fa- ther's Joy, as the Word fignifies) and while fhe lived, I had Joy and Comfort in her, even more than I could exped, her Age confidered ^ for fhe lived buc about eighteen Months, yet in that Time gave fre- quent Proofs of an uncommon Capacity, and dropt fuch extraordinary Expreflions, that I have faid to her Mother, ^his Child is too ripe for Heaven to live long on Earthy therefore let us not fet our Hearts upon it. And I have thought, that in this Child, the Saying of Chrift was fulfilled, even in the Letter of ir. Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings^ thou hafl perfected Praife^ Mat. xxi. 16. j^'^r^ I was at divers Yearly Meetings in lyi^, viz, at ^^^^^v'Vj Choptank in Maryland ; at Shrewfbury and Salem in. ^hre^r-^* iVif:e?'7i'r/'h' ; ail which Meetings were very large and hJ^ comfortable ; many Things being opened therein, Saitm, tending to the convincing and eftablifhing the People in the Truth and Doctrine of Chriff. I was likewife at divers other Meetings in thofe Provinces \ which >were large and fatisfadfory. At Salem Yearly Meeting I was fentfor to the Pri- fon, where there was a young Woman that was to be try'd for her Life. She defired that I would pray for her, and charged me to warn the young People to be careful not to keep bad Company : Por^ faid fhe, it has been my Ruin^ and brought me to this Shame and Reproach, She had been tenderly brought up and educated ; I knew her when fhe wore a Necklace of Gold Chains, tho' now fhe wore Iron ones: Upon which Subjed I had afterwards a large Opportunity to fpeak to the People in a very moving Manner j which feem'd to very much atfedl the Youth, and others in the Meeting, which confifted of many Hundreds of People. I faw this young Woman afterwards, the Jury acquitting her -y and THOMAS CHALKLET. 83 I told her, that her Life was given her for a Prey ; 1715. and reminded her, how it was with her when (he was s^'V*^ in Prifon in Chains -, and I advifed her to walk more circumfpedlly for the future , which fhefaid, fhe hoped Ihe fhould do. In the Year 17 16, I had fome Concerns which 1716. drew me to the Ifland of Bermudas (to which Ifland I l^'WJ went twice that Summer.^ My Family increafing, I traded a little to Sea for their Support and Mainte- nance : And I can truly fay, I carried on my Affairs and Bufinefs in the Fear of God, having an Eye, or Regard therein, more to his Glory, than to my own Intereft. We had a rough PafTage to this Ifland fin the firft Voyage) and were forced, by Diftrefs of Weather, to caft fome of our Goods into the Sea \ and the Storm being v^ry violent, fome of the Seamen thought we fhould be devoured by the Waves ; and as for me, they had fliut me up in the Cabbin alone, all in Darknefs, and the Water came in fo that they were ^^ ^^^, forced to take it out in Buckets. When the Storm was a little over, the Mafter came to me, and afked. How I did all alone in the Dark? I told him. Pretty 'well i and fa id to him, / was very willing to die if it fo f leafed God: And indeed I did expect no other at that Time. After this great Storm was over, we ar- tived at Bermudas in a few Days •, buc going into the-^^^^* Harbour the Bottom of the Veffel ilruck the Rocks, but we got well in •, for which I was thankful to the Almighty. I ftay'd on the Ifland about a Month, and had feveral Meetings, to fome of which, many came who were not called Friends. They were all fober, and fome well fatisfied •, and the People of the Ifland generally received me lovingly, and were very kind to me. • (Our Ancients^ who bore the Burden and Heat of the Bay^ met with very different 'Treat7?ient, I tenderly defire that we who come tip after them^ viay he , truly humble and thankful to ihe Almighty for all his Mercies !) By ?4 I716, 72v J O li R N A L ^/ FhiladtU fhia. By Reafon of my outward Affairs, I had Oppor- tunities with fome Ferfons of great Note and Bufmefs on this Ifland ; and fometimes opened the Principles of Friends to their Satisfadlion ; fome of them told me, 7'bey never underjlood fo much concerning our Friends before ; and if what I faid was true^ the^ had been jniftnformed. Divers fuch Opportunities I had with ieveral on this Ifland, there being but very few of our Society. Thefe are called the Sujnmer Iflands^ or Bermudas y there being many little Iflands in the midft of the Main Ifland, in Form like a Horfe-lhoe, and are but two Hundred Leagues diflancefrom the Capes oi Delaware, It is rare to fee Hail, Snow, or Ice there. After I had done my Bufinefs, and had been for fome Time on the Ifland, I had a ready and comfortable PaiTage Home, where 1 was joyfully received. Snmudaf, After fome little Stay at Home, I went the Second Time (that Summer) to Bermudas^ and then alfo I had fome Meetings, and did fome Bufinefs on the Ifland. It was my conftant Care, that my worldly Affairs fhould not hinder me in my religious Concern for the good of Souls. It happened at this Time there was a mighty Hurricane of Wind, fo that it blew many Houfes to the Ground, and very many Trees up by the Roots, and rent divers Rocks afunder, which I was an Eye-Witnefs of: Tho' it is to be ob- ferved, that thofe Rocks in the Summer IJlands^ are not fo hard as in fome other Parts of the World, par- ticularly to the Northward ; for here they faw them with Saws, and cut them with Axes like Wood. I was told there were fixty Sail of VeiTels then at thefe IQands, and all drove on Shore but three, and ours was one of the three that rode out the Storm ; for which I was truly thankful. In this great Storm, or Hurricane, feveral Sloops (there being no Ships) were driven upon dry Land, fo that after the Storm ivas over, one might go round them at High Water, and fTHOMAS CHALKLET. 85 and feveral blown off the dry Land into the Water. 171 6. One that was ready to be launch'd, tho' faftened on <^^>r^ the Stocks with two Cables and Anchors put deep in the Ground, yet the Violence of the "Wind blew her into the Water, and daihed her all to Pieces. About this Time the Bermudas People had got a vaft Treafure of Silver and Gold out of the Spanifh Wrecks -, and at a Meeting which I had with a pretty many People on the Firft Dny of the Week before the Hurricane, or Storm of Wind, it came weightily on my Mind to exhort them. Not to he lifted up there- withf nor exalted in Pride : For I declared to them^ that the fame Hand that took it from the Spaniards, could take it from thofe who now had got it out of the Sea \ and if he pleafed^ by the fame Wa'j ; which was a Storm that caft away the Skips going for Spain. And indeed fo it happened the fame Week \ for it was reckoned by Men of Experience and Judgment J that they had loft more by the Stor7n, than they had gained by the TFrecks of the Spaniards. A fober old Man (not of our ProfefTion) told me the next Day after the Hurricane was over, that what I fpoke in the Meeting was foon come to pafs: And he added, I was a true Prophet to them. Many Houfes that were not blown down were uncovered. My Landlord's Houfe being old, feveral thought it would be down ; but by the good Providence of God, it was one of them which itood. I was in my Store, which ftood alfo ; tho' I expeded every Minute when it would have been blown down. It was by the Mercy of God wc were preferved, and not for any Merit of ours. I intreated the Lord in the midflof this great Wind, that he wouW pleafe to fpare the Lives of the People ; for many of them being Sea- faring Men, were very unfit to die ; at which Time I thought I was fenfible of the Anfwer of my Prayer, and he was pleafed to be intreated for them : For, notwithftanding the Violence of the Storm, and the great Deftrudtion it made, yet not one Man, W cman, or 86 7ke JOURNALo/ 1 1716. or Child, nor Creature was loft, that I heard of in all y^W"^^ the Ifland, which was to me very admirable. The Friend of the Houfe came to me after the Storm abated, and faid. The Lord had heard my Prayers for tbern. Although they could not by any outward Know- ledge, know that I had prayed for them, yet they had a Senle given them, that I was concern'd for them before the Almighty ; which indeed was true. Oh ! That we may never forget the 7?jerciful Vifitations of that High and Lofty One, who inhabits Eternity I While I was on the Ifland I was invited to, and kindly entertained at the Houfes of feveral of the Gentry, and at the Governor's, who invited me feveral Times to his Houfe : And once I was with him, and fome of his chief Officers at Dinner, with divers of the lirft Rank, where I was treated very kindly ; and after Dinner the Governor's Pradlice was to drink the King's Health, and he hoped I would drink it along with them. Tes, faid the reft at the Table, Mr. Chalkley (as they called me) will furely drink the King^s Health with us. So they pafTed the Glafs, with the King's Health, till it came to me *, and when it came to me, they all looked ftedfaftly at me, to fee what I would do (and I looked as ftedfaftly to the Al- mighty) and I faid to them, I love King George^ and wifh him as well as any Subjed he hath •, and it is known to Thoufands that we pray for him in our Meetings and Affemblies for the Worfhip of Almighty GOD: But as to drinking Healths, either the King's, or any Man's elfe, it is againft my profefTed Principle, I looking on it to be a vain, idle Cuftom. They replied, That they wiJJjed the King had more fuch Suh- ytls as I was ; for I had profeffed a hearty Refpe5l for him : And the Governor and they were alJ very kind and friendly to me all the Time I was on the Ifland. After I had finiflied my Concerns I embarked in the Sloop Dove^ for Philadelphia ((he being confign'd to mc THOMAS CHALKLET. 87 me in the former and this Voyage.) It being often 1715. calm and fmallWinds, our Provifions grew very fcanty. W'^VN^ We were about twelve Perfons in the Yt^t\^ fmall and great, and but one Piece of Beef left in the Barrel ; and for feveral Days, the Wind being contrary, the People began to murmur, and told difmal Stories about People eating one another for Want of Provi- fions ; and the Wind being Hill againfl us, and, for ought we could fee, like to continue, they murmured more and more, and at laft, againft me in particular (becaufe the VefTei and Cargo was confign'd to me, apd was under my Care) fo that my inward Exercifc was great about it i for neither myfelf, nor any in the VefTei, did imagine that we fhould be half fo long as we were on the Voyage : But fince it was fo, I ferioufly confidered the Matter ; and to flop their Murmuring, I told them they fhould not need to cafl Lots (which was ufual in fuch Cafes) which of us fliould die firff, for I would freely offer up my Life to do them Good. One faid, God hlefs you, I will not eat any of you. Another faid, He would die before he would eat any of me-, and fo faid feveral. I can truly fay, on that Oc- cafion, at that Time, my Life was not dear to me, and that I was ferious and ingenuous in my Propofiti- on : And as I was leaning over the Side of the VefleJ, thoughtfully confidering my Propofal to the Compa- ny, and looking in my Mind to him that made me, a very large Dolphin came up towards the Top or Sur- face of the Water, and looked me in the Face ; and I called the People to put a Hook into the Sea, and take him, for here is one come to redeem me (faid I to them ^) and they put a Hook into the Sea, and the Fifh readily took it, and they caught him. He was longer than myfelf : I think he was about fix Feec long, and the largeft that ever I faw. This plainly fhew'd us that we ought not to diftrufl the Provi- dence of the Almighty. The People were quieted by this A^ of Providence, and murmured no more. We G caught 88 ne ]0U KN AL of 1716. caught enough to eat plentifully of till we got into the ^•-V'v^ Capes of Delaware. 'I bus I faw it was good to depend upon the y^lmighty^ and rely upon his eternal Arm ; which ^ in a particular Manner^ did preferve us fafe to our defired Port, blejfed he his great and glorious Name^ through Chrift [or ever ! phihdeU X now ftay'd at, and about Home for fome Time ; '^'"^ after which I was concerned to vifit Friends in feveral fiUryiand. pjaces, and in the adjacent Provinces, as Maryland^ T^wjirffy. ^^crjj.j^rfey, &c. and was at many Marriages and Fu^ nerals, at which, many Times, we had good Oppor- tunities to open the Way, and alfo the Neceflity to be married to Chrift Jefus, the great Bridegroom of the Soul ; and alfo to exhort the People to confider and prepare for their latter End and final Change ; which many Times was fandlified to divers Souls, and the Lord's Name was glorified, who is worthy thereof. In the Year 1717 I went into Maryland, to look after my Affairs in that Province, and as I travelled I A'ur/;«/. had divers Meetings at Nottinghafn, and at Bujh-River^ h'^i and about which Time at Bupj- River, feveral were con- Rvverr'^^'^ vinced. The Meeting I found in a growing Condition Maryfini. in that which is good, feveral Perfons meeting toge- ther in Silence to worihip God, according to ChriiVs Inftitution, which was, and is, and ever will be, in Spirit and in Truth : And for the Encouragement of ftll fuch, Chrift hath faid, nat fuch the Father feeketh to worihlp him : And again, ?Vhere two or three are met together in my NarnCy there am I in the midft oj them. And if Chrift be in the midft, there is no ablolute Need of Vocal Teaching, except it be the Will of the Lord iQcall any to it. Let the fpiritual Chriftian read and judge, f*/7tfi^/^^ After my Return I had feveral Meetings in the *"' ^' Country near Philadelphia ; and about the latter End of the Eighth Month I was at divers Marriages, one of which was on the Third Day of the Week, about fifteen Miles above Philadelphia^ over Delaware River. The THOMAS CHALKLET. 89 The next was over the River again, about twenty 17 17. Miles below the City : The third was about twenty and the Confinement was worfe to me for theTime than a Prifon ^ for it would be much cafier to me to G 2 be go The JOVRNAL of 1 7 17. be in Prifon on Land, upon a good Account, than in ^/V^^ Prifon at Sea, I always looking on a Ship to be a peri- lous Prifon, though my Lot was to be much therein : And as lor my natural Life, I always gave it up when ever I went to Sea ; and 1 thought that was the lead Part ot the Hardlhip, never putting much Value thereon j and I think I had rather die at any Time, than go to Sea, it being fo contrary to my Nature and Difpofuion, as well as Inclination : But to Sea I went, for the Reafons mentioned, and got from Philadel- phia to Newcaftle the firft Night in the faid Veflel, and to Elfinghtirgh next Day, where we lay for a fair Wind about two Days •, and when the Wind was fair, we fail'd to Bombay-hookj where we met with two other VelTels bound out to Sea, who waited alfo for the Wind. We lay there two Nights, and then on the Firft Day Morning fet Sail, the Weather being bitter cold, and the Ice very thick on the Sides of our Veflel, and on our Ropes. The fame Day that we left Bombay hi s*a. hook^ we got out to Sea, took in our Boat, and went on our Way ; and in four or five Days we got into warmer Weather. In this Voyage I wrote fomething on the Common Prayer^ ufed by I'ome of the Church of England^ whofe Converfations were very loofe and corrupt, which I entitled, 0}je truly tender Scruple of ConfciencCy about that Form of Prayer called the Common Prayer, as ufed by the Church of England and her Members^ &c. In this our Voyage we faw feveral Ships but fpoke with none ; and in twenty-feven Days from our Capes, itAx'hiAniu we arrived at Barbadoes^ and came to an Anchor in Carlijle-Bay, I had been twice in Barbadoes before, but this was the quickeft PalTage by one Day. Here I was loving- ly and tenderly received by my Friends. I took my good Friend, Jofe^b Gambled Houfe, for my Quar- ters, moft of the Time whilft I flay'd on the Ifland ♦, tnd I vifited Friends Meectings feveral Times over, there THOMAS CHALKLEl. 91 there being five of Friends Meeting- houfes in the 1717, Ifland, and our Meetings were fometimes large and open. Our Stay was longer here than we at firft expected, by Reafon of a great Drought, they having no Rain for more than a Quarter of a Year, which was a great Hindrance to Trade on the Ifland. While I was this Time in Barhadoes^ our ancient Friend George Gray died. I was at his Funeral, at which there were many People ; and on this Occafion we had a large Meet- ing at our Meeting-houfe at Speights-^own^ where I had a feafonable Opportunity with the People, open- ing to them the Neceflity of preparing for, and think« ing of their latter End ; and prefled them earneftly thereto. They were generally attentive and fober, and fome were broken into Tendernefs. While we were burying the Friend, there appeared a difmal Cloud hanging over the Ifland, fuch an one as I never faw before : It was to my thinking, of the Cok)ur of the Flame of Brimfl;one, and I expeded there would have been a great Storm, or fome mighty Guft, and much Rain, they having had very little for many Weeks, or fome Months j but it went over, and there was no Rain, nor Wind, as I remember. Soon after fome People came in from Sea, and they faid, that from that Cloud it rained Afhes ; and they brought fome of the fame to the Ifland, fome of which Aflies I have now before me : The Tafte of them feems to me to be a little fulphurous, and have fome glittering Particles in them, in Colour and Smell I think they differed little from common Aflies. Here- in the Almighty and Infinite Being fignally Ihewed his Mercy and Favour to poor Mortals ; for had not his Mercy prevented, he could as eafily have rained down the Fire as the Alhes, who rained down Fire and Brim- ftone on the Cities and Inhabitants of Sodom and Go- morrah^ for their Pride and Idlenefs, much of which abounds among the Inhabitants of BarbadoeSy the Pto- G 3 pie 92 7^^ JOURNAL (?/ 1 71 7. pie being very luxurious. Oh ! may the luxurious Irt- \a^^^srsj habitants of that Ifle, as alfo all others, confider their Ways and Doings, and not provoke the great Lord^ the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, as many of them do by their evil Lives, and voluptuous Converfations ; and that they would kifs the Son, though not with a Judash Kifs, of Profeflion, or fpeaking well or fair of him only, but with divine Love manifefted through Obedience, while his Wrath is but a little kindled againll them, before it break out into a Flame. After 'this Funeral I was fent for to Bridge Town^ to the Burial of a Mafler of a Ship, a young Man, who was very frefli and well a few Days before. There was a great Appearance of People, and I was pretty largely opened in the Meeting, on the Words of the Prophet, where he fays, All Flejh is Grafs, and all the Goodlinefs thereof^ is as the Flower of the Field, The Grafs wither eth, the Flower fadeth^ hecaufe the Spirit of the Lord hloweth upon it : Surely the People is Grafs. The Grafs witherethy the Flower fadeth ; hut the Word of our God fhall ftand for ever, Ifaiah xk 6, 7, 8. And I treated of this Word, its Wonderfulnefs, its Duration, and its Work in Man : As alfo of the fading Conftitution of mortal Man, though young and flrong, as that young Man was a few Days before, whofe Corpfe was then before us. I was 'at divers other Burials on this Ifland, which indeed doth prove a Grave to many New-comers, it being a hot Climate, makes thofe who are not accu- llomed to it, very thirfty, and by Reafon of the ex- tream Heat, it is not eafy to quench their Thirft -, fo that what is called moderate Drinking, throws many •Strangers into a violent Fever, and oftentimes is the Caule of their Death. I note this as a Caution to any who may tranfport themfelves there (that may fee this) that they may fhun that Danger, which might be avoided by drinking cool Drinks, of which they have many Sorts very pleafant, viz. Cane, Sugar-reed, and I White mo MAS QHALKLE T. qi White Sorrel, Pine, Orange, and divers others: And I 1717.' advile fuch, as they love their Health, to refrain from "^y^Tllt drinking nauch hot Drinks or Spirits. I law, feveral Curiofities in Nature in this Idand, v/hich among the great Numbers of the Works of God, do fhew forth his Praife and Glory. One to the Leeward Part of the Ifland, which is called the Spout, fends up a vaft Body of Water into the Air, occafioned by a great Cavity in the Rocks under the Water, which may be feen in calm Weather, when the Sea is low •, but when the Wind blows (a great Body pf Water being pent in a large hollow Place) it forces it up into the Air, fometimes ten, fifteen, and twenty Yards high, according as the Strength of the Wind is more or lefs, and makes a Report like a Can- non, or Thunder a great Way off. I believe I have, feen it ten or twelve Miles out at Sea. I was alfo at a Place called Oliver'^ Cave, which we got to with fome Difficulty, in going down the fleep and craggy Rocks. There is on the outward Part next the Sea, a very large vaulted Place, in the Form of a Half-circle, about one hundred Feet high, as near as I could guefs. In this large V^ault, behind a Rock, is the Mouth ot the Cave, not the Heighth of a Man at the lirft En- trance ; after one is in, a few Yards, one may walk upright comfortably, the Bottom being pretty plain and fmooth for about a hundred Yards, and then we come into a large Cave which is form'd archwife, and about ten or fifteen Yards high, as we thought, being much higher in the Middle than the Sides, but almoft as regular as if it had been done by Art, which we be- held with Admiration, by the Help of Wax-Candles, and other Lights, that we made and carried for that Purpofe. When I had done my Bufinefs in Barhadoes^ having been about thirteen Weeks there, our VefTel being loaded, we failed from thence the loth of the Second Month 1 7 18, for London. G4 We 94 'the JOURNAL of 1718. We had a good Pafifage, being five Weeks and tw5 Days from Barhadoes co Great-Britain^ in which we faw divers Veflels at Sea, but fpoke with none ; and after Sight of the Land, we got in two Days to Beacby- Head^ which is about fifteen Leagues from the Downs or Deal. V/e failed along the Shore by Folkjlone^ where we took in a Pilot, and had a comfortable Paf- fage through the Downs ^ and up the River of Thames to London^ where I met with my dear and aged Father, and loving Brother, Sifter, and Coufins, and many other of my near and dear Relations and Friends. In this Voyage I wrote fome Things which opened in my Mind at Sea, upon that excellent Sermon of Chrift's upon the Mount, as it is recorded in the holy Scriptures of the New Teftament, in the vth, vith, and viith Chapters of the Evangelift Matthew, but have fince heard that the fame is much better done by an abler Hand *, and therefore it may fuiffice here to give the Advice, which in the Courfe of my Travels I have often had Occafion to do, that the PrcfeiTors of Chriftianity fhould frequently read this Serrncr, and be careful to pradice the fame ; that they may not only be Chriftians in Name, but in Deed^ and inTruth. - After vifiting my Relations, and fome Meetings of our Friends in and about London^ and having finifh- ed my Bufinefs, being ready to return homeward, divers Friends accompanied us from London to Grave- fend'^ and the Wind not being fair, we went to Ro- chsftcr^ and had a Meeting there ; and then back to Gravefind^ and there took a folemn Farewel of our Friends, recommending one another to the Gracie of Chrift •, having this Time made but little Stay in Bri- tain-, In the Fifth Month 1718, we failed from the Downs in the aforefaid Snow Hope, divers Friends, viz, John Danfon, Ifaac Hadwin, John Oxley, Lydia Lan- cafter^ Elizabeth Rawlinfon and Rebecca Turner, being •n Company with us ; After about nine Weeks Faffage from THOMAS CHJLKLEr. 95' from Land to Land, having had Meetings on Firft 1718. Days and Fifth Days, on board all the Voyage, we ^j^ came all fafe and well to Philadelphia^ through the^;^^^. Bleffing of God, where I ftay'd with my Family a tew Months, and then took another Voyage for Barhadoes and Britain, I Was under fomc Concern more than ordin^iry, as to the Support and Well-being, or Ac- commodation of my Family, the Gircumftances there- of being a little changed by the Increafe of Children, remembring the Words of the Apoftle, "That ihofe who had not that Care and Concern, wereworfe than Infidels s my Lord Jefus (whofe Servant I profefs myfelf to be) alfo faying, // is better to give than receive ; wherefore an Opportunity offering of the Confignment of a VelTel and Cargo (the Snow Hope, Warner Holt Mafter) to Barhadoes, and from thence to London, and fo to make Returns Home again for Philadelphia^ I embraced it •, tho' with Reluftance, to leave my very loving Wife, Children and Friends, all whom I tenderly loved and refpeded. I alfo had in my Eye an Hope, thro' the BlefTmg of God, to obtain where- with to accommodate my Friends, who were Stran- gers and Pilgrims in this World for Jefus Sake, as I alfo had been myfelf ; and that they might find a Place or Home, and Refrefhment under my Roof ; not to Excefs, but to Comfort and Edification •, which in Sincerity, is all the Grandeur I covet or de- Tire in this World : So after due Confideration, on the fecond Day of the Eleventh Month 17 18, we fet Sail from Philadelphia, many Friends taking their Leaves and Farewel of us for that Voyage. Thus with Hearts full of Love and Good-will, we parted with our Friends, and \yent down the River about five Miles, where we run aground, but got off next Tide, and next Day came to an Anchor at Chefter, On the 4th Day of the Month we fet Sail, and got to New^ caftle about the eleventh Hour ; it being Meeting- Day, we went to Meeting, where our great Lord was $0 !r^^ JOURNAL e/ 17 1 8, was pleafed in fome good Meafure to own us with hi? O^VVJ Jiving Preience, and comfort us with his Love ; blef- fed be his holy Name ! In the Morning we failed to Reedy- IJland, where we ftay'd for the Tide, and in the Night our Cable parted, which we knew not of till the Morning, and then ye had gone from the Place where we anchored, about a League : But tho' the Veflel drove about the River, yet (he did not go on Ground. We dropp'd our other Anchor, and fent the Boat to feek for that which was parted from us, but could not £nd it until the next Tide, and then could not get it up, and were unwilling to go to Sea without it ; which occalioned us to flay feveral Tides before v/e could get it: At laft with much Difficulty we weigh'd it, our Men's Clothes being much frozen j for ir was very cold, and froze extreamly hard. After this we went down to Bomhay-Hook^ where was alfo another Veflel, . going out to Sea. Next Day the Wind wasagainft us, and it fnowed much, and froze hard •, and that Night the River and Bay was filled with Ice as far as we could fee, and it drove very hard againft our VefTel, fo that we wifhed for Day ; for we thought fometimes it would have torn our Bows in Pieces-, but our Anchor and Cable held us, we thought, to a Miracle (for which we were thankful to the great Keeper of all thofe who put their Trufl in him.) When the Ticje turned for us we got up the Anchor, and fo let her drive with the Ice down the Bay : The other VefTel did the fame. It was now dangerous moving, go which Way we would. The VefTel in Company with us at- tempted to go back again, but feeing that we did not, as we fuppos'd, came to Anchor again, and we both went down the Bay together •, and the Wind fpringing up fair, we got clear of the Ice in a few Hours Time ; but by this Hindrance we could not get to Sea that Day, but were obliged to come to Anchor near the Middle of the great Bay of Delaware^ and th^ Night being fair and calm, we rode it out fafely. THOMAS CHALKLEr. 97 fafely, which if it had been windy Weather, would 17 19. have been dangerous. Early in the Morning (of the v^^-V^. 9th Day of the Month) we got to Sea, and loon lek ^^ ^^^^^ Sight of the Land. Next Day the Wind was high, and the Weather proved ftormy for feveral Days, inlo- much that our Main-deck was under Water moft of the Time, fo that we were forced to go before it for feveral Days together. We alfo fhut up our Cabbin Windows, and were tolTed exceedingly, and 1 was very Sea-fick ; and we began in this Storm to fear falling on the Rocks of Bermudas^ which we were near, as we imagined, and the Wind fet right on the Ifland. But when we had pafTed the Latitude of Bermudm^ we met with fair Weather and Winds (all the remaining Part of our PalTage being pleafant and comfortable) by which I was led to confider the VicifTitude which Mortals may exped while on this unliable terraqueous Globe, which is full of Changes; and I flrongly de- fired to be rightly prepared for that World which is eternal, and its Joy and Filicity permanent -, at which blefled Port, I hope in God's Time, thro' his Grace, fafely to arrive. Thus thro* Storms, Tempefts, Ice, and Snow, wc left thofe frozen Climes, and crofTtd the Tropick of Cancer (betvv^een which, and that of Capricorn^ there is neither Froft nor Snow at Sea, at any Time of the Year) and the Wind always within a fmall Matter one Way, viz, Eaflerly (except in Hurricanes and violent Storms, which fometimes they have in thofe Parts of the World.) We arrived at Bridge-Town^ in Barhadoes^ in one-and- twenty Days, Saibajoef which was the quickefl PalTage that ever I had, this being the fourth Time of my coming hither, where I was always kindly received by my Friends. About this Time War v/as declared againfl Spain by the King of Great-Britain^ by Proclamation, in Bridge-town J which put fuch a Damp on Trade, that there was little Bufinefs, and the Markets low and dull, which made my Stay longtr than I would have chofe ; 9? r^^ J O U R N A L ^y 1779. chofe; but my Friends, among whom I had many v-''''V^^ Opportunities, feem'd rather pleas'd than otherwife ; telling me, nat the'j did not care if I was toftay there akvaySy if it were my Place : And when I left Barba- Joes, Friends gave me better Credentials than I thought I deferved A Friend of mine giving me Intelligence that the Market was better at Antigua than at Barhadoes, I difpatch'd my Affairs, and took Part of our Cargoe there, and was kindly received by our Friends. We were about three Days in our Paf- fiige, and had fine Weather therein. At Antigua I \4ni:^us. j^^j clivers Meetings, my Buunefs at no Time hin- dered me in my more weighty Service •, for I always, through divine Help, made that give Way to my religious Duty, in v;hich I ever found Peace and in- ward Satisfadlion. In about five Weeks I finifhed my Bufinefs in this Ifland, having no fmali Satisfaction in coming to it •, and our Veflel being now loaden, we took our folemn Leave, and with the good Wifhes of many, departed for England. Our Friends there fignified to their Brethren, that they were glad of my Company, and that I was fer- viceable to them, tho' I came upon Bufinefs. My Hand, when need required, was to my Bufinefs, but my Heart was, and I hope is, and ever fhall be, freely given up to ferve the Lord, in that Work whereunto I believe he has called me. We have Liberty from God, and his dear Son, lawfully, and for Accommodation's Sake, to Work or feek for Food or Raiment -, tho' that ought to be a Work of Indifferency, compar'd to the great Work of Salva- tion. Our Saviour faith. Labour not for the Meat which perifheth^ but for that which endureth for ever^ or to eternal Life: By which we do not underftand, thac ChriRians muft neglect their necefilary Occafions and their outward Trades and Callings-, but that their chief Labour, and greaceft Concern ought to be ior their future Well-being in his glorious Kingdom ; elfe THOMAS CHALKLET. 99 clfe why did our Lord fay to his Difciples, Children^ i7'9- have you any Meat? They anfwered, No ; and he bid v^O/*^ them caji their Nets into the Sea, and they drew to Land a Net full of great Fifhesi and Fifning being their Trade, no doubt but they fold them, for it was not likely they could eat 'em all themfelves. Alfo the Apoftle of Chrift fays, He that doth not take care of his Family^ is worfe than an Infidel: And the Apoftle Paul (the great Apoftle of the Gentiles) wrought with his Hands, even while he v/as in his Travels, and in the Work of the Gofpel -, and others tafted of the Benefit of his Labour naturally, as well as fpiritually. It is alfo written, That he that will not work^ fhall not eat. By this, and much more, which might be noted, it appears that we not only have liberty to la» bour in Moderation, but we are given to underftand, that it is our Duty fo to do. The Farmer, the Tradef- man, and the Merchant, do not underftand by our Lord's Dodrine, that they muft negledt their Calling, or grow idle in their Bufinefs, but muft certainly work, and be indull:rious in their Callings. We all ought to underftand, thac our Hearts and Minds ought to be out of the World, or above the Nature and Spirit of it. 'Tis good and profitable for both, Soul and Body, rightly lodiftinguifti between earthly and heavenly Things, and to be careful how they mix the one with the other •, tor it is an eternal Truth,^ that God and Mammon cannot dwell together, or joinr together in the Heart, If our Love is more to God than the Creature, or to Heaven than Earth, thea will he dwell in us and with us: But if our Love is- more to the Creature than to Chrift, or to Earth than Heaven, then will he not dwell with us, but will leave us to ourfeives •, for the Lord Omnipotent will not admit of any Rival. On the nth of the Fourth Month 1719, we left Antigua^ ftood clofe to the Wind till we again crofted the Tropck^ and ^oz into thofe Latitudes where the Winds loo 77je ]0 URN AL of 1719. Win3s dre variable. Sailing in the great Deeps w^ faw the Wonders of the Lord, particularly in divers Kinds ofFifh, they living upon one another in the Sea, the great Fifhes on the fmall Ones •, and Mankind too much refembles them in that Refpedl. About the Latitude of 33 North, our Mafter, Warner Holty fee- ing a Scool of Porpoifes about the Ship, tho' he was not very well, and had not been for moft of the Voyage, he took his Harpin-Iron, and ftruck one of them, and we took him into the VelTel, out of which we got ele- ven Quart Bottles of Oyl •, and we moft of us eat heartily of this Filh, which agreed with our People very well. They fry'd his Liver for our Mefs, of which I eat a large Meal, which was well-tafted, and eat more like frefh Beef than Fifh. I make this Me- morandum of it, that if any fhould take them when their Provifions are fcarce, they may eat freely with- out Danger, according to our Experience. When wc had been at Sea about three Weeks, being near the Latitude of 40 North, and about the Longitude of 42, tho' it was in the midft of Summer, we faw an Ifland of Ice, at which we all marvelled, and judged that there had been a fevere cold Winter in thofe La- titudes on the Land of America. When we faw this Ifland of Ice we judged ourfelves not far from the Banks of Nevjfoundland, Hitherto we had eafy Gales of Wind, and many Calms, which made our PafTage feem long to us. We faw two Sail of Ships about thofe Latitudes, but fpoke with neither, being willing to (hun them as it was War-time. We had in this Voyage Weekly Meetings for wor- (hipping the Almighty, in which the great Lord both of Sea and Land, was pleafed greatly to manifeft his Name and Truth amongft us, tor which my Soul of- ten fecretly and openly blefTed and praifed his divine and glorious Name and Truth •, for he bore up my drooping Spirit, fo that I could truly fay with the Royal Pfalmift (not becaufche fpoke ic only, but alfo being THOM'JS CHALKLE T. lox being an experimental Witnefs thereof) The Floods have 17 19. lifted up^ O Lord^ the. Floods have lifted up their Voice /t/'VN^ ne Floods lift up their IVaves, the Lord on High is mightier than the Noice of man'^ Waters^ yea, than the mighty Waves of theSea^ Pfalni xciii. 3, 4. This the King wrote of his own Experience in a fpirituai Senfe ; but I may fay without boafting, I have witneiTed the Rage and Noife of mighty Waves and Waters, both natural and fpirituai j the one, as tho' it would fwal- low up my Reputation among Men, and the other, as tho' it would fwallow up my Perfon, in this rny watery Peregrination: But hlejfed he the Name of him that is holy and eternal^ who indeed is flronger than the Noife of many Waters^ or than the mighty Waves of the Sea^ either inzvardly or outwardly^ I will through his Strength^ magnify his Name^ hecaufe he is worthy : And may I do it for ever! About the iith Day of the Fifth Month, we faw great Flocks of Birds, which we judged came fron> the Azores^ or Weftern ' I [lands, near which we rec- koned ourfelves to be. The 21ft Day we faw, and came up with a French Ship, which had been iifhing on the Banks of Newfoundland, and was bound for Havre de Grace, in France, the Mailer of which came on board us, and our Captain went on board them. We exchanged fome Rums and Sugars (oi our Sea- Stores) for their French Wine and Cyder, and fome of our Provifions for fome of their Fifh. The Captain was a Proteflant, and very courteous to us : The Re- gent oi France at this Time being kind to the Prote^ ftants^ fo that they increas'd much in that Kingdom. The Frenchman feemiing defirous to know what Reli- gion I was of, I told him, by an Interpreter, that I was one called a ^taker^ or 1re??ibler, and that our Principle v/as to do Good to all Men, and not to hurt any Man, according to Chrift's Dodrine, Not to ren- der Evil for Evil^ but to overcome Evil with Good. When they went away and took Leave of us, they defired J02 7^^ J O U R N A L 0/ 1719. defired me to pray for them, the which I remembred V^Sr^^ with Tendernefs of Spirit, and having but little Wind, we kept Company for feveral Days; but the Wind fpringing fair, we wifhed them well, and went on our Way, our Veffel outfailing moft we met with ; and a few Days after we met with a New- England Ship ^ who came out fix Days before us from Antigua, We were then in the Latitude of about 50 North, and 29 4- Degrees of Longitude from the Lands-End of Great-Britain. The 30th Day of the Fifth Month, we founded, and found Ground at e8 Fathom, and on the I ft of the Sixth Month, we faw the Lands- End of Englandy all our Company being in Health, and well ; for which my Heart was truly thankful, to that great and infinite Being, whofe Providence is over us poor Mortals in all Parts of the World, and who reigns over Sea and Land, and is worthy of Adoration, Worfhip, Service, and living Praife for ever ! chfaliMei ^" ^ ^^^ ^^y^ ^^ ^^^^ ^"^^ ^^^ Englijh Channel, and going up the Channel there came one of the King's Yatchs, and they preffed moft of our Men ; the beft Hands we had they took from us, and carried them on board a Man of War, after which we came to An- chor at Folkftone^ where I left the Veffel, and got a *^^' Horfe to Dover, and from Dover took Coach to London. In the Coach were divers Perfons who began to talk about the fakers, and fpoke againft their plain Way of Living and Cloathing, and faid. That they did not underftand their unfaJJmnhle JVay of Converfation ; nei-^ ther was it the IVay to gain Profelytes, Upon which I ^fked them. Whether they underftood Paul, the great- Apojtleofthe Gentiles? who faidy Be ye not conforma- ble to the World (i. e. the Fa/hions of it) for this great Reafon^ The World, and the Fafhions thereof, paf- feth away •, which is a great Truth^ and it is plainly feen how fickle and changeable the World is in its vain Fafhions and Cufiovis^ which^ to follow^ iu all its foolifh Cuts THOMAS CHALKLET. lo J> Cuts and Turns ^ or Changes^ muft^ of Confequence^ make 17 lo. a Man or Woman very joppijij a?id apjk, I told chem, • declared had good ImprefTion upon the Minds of many 5 fome after Meeting, who were not of our So- ciety, acknowledged to the Truth, and that they were glad they were there. In this Meeting I was concerned for the Welfare of Mankind, and the Ex- altation of the holy Name of the Almighty, to declare the univcrfal Love of God to Man, from feveral Texts of holy Scripture, as that PafTage concerning Jacob and Efau^ and Peter and Cornelius, and fomething concerning the Obje6bion made againft us, the People called ^akersy that we do not acknowledge the holy Scriptures to be the Word of God \ for tho' we believe that the Scriptures came by divine Infpiration, yet we are clearly convinc'd by their Teftimony, and by the Spirit of Truth in our Hearts, that Chrift is the eternal Word of God, by whom all Things were made and created, and do ftill exifl. H 4 From no 172;?' t;^^ J O U R N A L ?/ From Shre-wfbiir'j^ with divers other Friends, I rode to Crofwicks, where on the Fifth Day, we had a very comfortable Meeting, in which the ancient Love and Goodnefs of our heavenly Father was with u:=;, to the tendering our Hearts into Tears ot Joy ; fome of us being likewife affeded, in Remembrance of the Goodnefs of th6 Almighty to us, in the Meeting we had in this Place under the Trees about twenty-five Years fmce. The great Subjedl of Faith and Works was fpoken to •, as that the Romans feem'd to lay too much Strefs on Works, and the Luther anSy Calvimjls^ and others, too little : But our Principle \td us to join both together ; the Almighty having joined them together, none ought to Icparate them. This Subjedt of Faith and Works having been much in Debate amongft profefTtd Chriftians, it is on my Mind here to mention a few Things deduced from the belt Autho- rity : The Fir ft is. Without Faith y it is impojjihle to fleafe God, Heb. xi. 6. Second, Faith is the Gift of God, Third, Faith works by Love, Fourth, Faith is the Evidence of Things not feen, and the Subftance of Things hoped for. Fifth, Faith without Works is dead. Sixth, The Juft live by Faith, Seventh, 7lu believe (or have Faith) in God, believe alfo in me, John xiv. i. And the Author to the Hebrews fpeaks excellently concerning the Power of Faith, and the mighty Won- this living, faving, true in the Heart, through, and in Chrift Jefus the Son of the living God, who is, and always will be, the Author and Finifber of it in every true Believer. After I came from Shrewfbury^ I vifited divers neighbouring Meetings, and fome in Chefter County, where I had Meetings for nine Days fucceffively, fome of ders wrought by it. Note, and divine Faith, muft be THOMAS CHJLKLEr. iii ot which were very large (particularly z.t Providence 1725. and Go/ben) in which I was opened to exhort them tC'-^'V^ keep to that plain, honeft Way of Life and Converfa- tion, which our Fathers and Elders were found in, and to remind them of the Sufferings they endur'd for their Teftimony to the blefTed Truth, in the firft breaking forth thereof in the lad Age ; and I was concerned to fhow them that the Almighty, who had blelTed us with plenty of temporal BlelTings, would continue the fame to us, if we were careful to live in his Fear ; but that otherwife, we might expedt his Judgments for Difobedience. And after my Return T continued about Home for fome Time, it being Winter Seafon, and bad Travel- ling, and 1 not fo capable of travelling as formerly : But I had great Peace and Tranquility of Mind, in that I had freely given up my youthful Days to ferve my Creator, and the fame Love and Zeal was yet frefli and warm in my Heart, for the Glory of his great Name-, and I ftill have a full Refolution, through his Strength and Grace, to ferve him, the great Lord of all, all my Days, according to the Light and Strength given to me. Our Yearly -meeting at Philadelphia this Year was large, in which our Friend Benjamin Kid^ from Eng- land^ being with us, had good Service. I cannot for- get a Concern which was upon me at this Meeting, that the univerfal Love of God, through Chrift, might prevail amongd Mankind, and to prefs Friends to manifeft to all People the Influence thereof, by their exemplary Lives and Converfations. In the Second Month 1724, I went into New-Jer- fey as far as Sb'ewfhurj, where, on a Firft-Day, we had a large Meeting, to general Satisfaction j and^„,!y, the next Day we had another, wherein the Love and Goodwill of God, through Chrift, was opened freely to the People, and our Duty to forgive one another was largely treated ofs and it was plainly fliewn, thatv/ith- out iia 77;^ JOURNAL ^ 1724. out forgiving others, we could not be forgiven of "CXW) God, as Chrift faith, If ye forgive Men their ^refpaffes^ your heavenly Father will alfo forgive you : But if ye forgive 7iot Men their Trefpaffes, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your Trefpajfes^ Matth. iv. 14, 15, &c. and much more to the fame Effed on that Subjed ; as alfo Chrift's Anfwer to Peter^ who afked. How oft a Man fhould forgive his Brother if he trefpaffed againfl him ? Peter fays^ till feven Times ? Our Lord Jefus anfwers, 1 fay not unto thee^ until feven "HimeSy but until feventy Times feven^ Matth. xviii. 22. And again Chrift fays. If thy Brother trefpafs againft thee feven Times in a Day^ and feven Times in a Day turn again unto the, fiyi^g^ ^ repent^ thou fhalt forgive him^ Luke xvii. 4. Which hard-hearted People think a great Hardfhip, but Chrifl's Crofs mult be taken up, and born daily, if we will be his Difciples and Followers in Deed, and in Truth, as well as in Pro- fefTion. After we had reconciled fome Differences at Shrew f- M^HcfquaH, Ijury^ we went to a Place calfed Menefquan^ and had a good, open Meeting, and moft of the People of that Place were there. It was a good Time, and 1 hope the Opportunity will not foon be forgotten by divers that were there. From this Place we travelled to Crfif-wicku Crofwicks, and had a good Meeting. After Meeting, a Friend told me that fome would fay, I fpoke by In- fortnation^ hecaufe I had opened fome Matters which were €xa5ily to the State and Condition of fome there: But I knew nothing of their State and Condition, otherwife than as it was then immediately opened in my Mind ; neither had I been told any Thing concerning them diredly or indiredly : And from thence we travelled Burn^gten: to Burlington^ where the Monthly-meeting of our Friends had defired, that I would be afTiftant to help to end a Difference which had happened through Mif- take, and continued for kven Years (fince the firft Occafion was given) and thro' divine Afliflance, our Hearts THOMAS CHALKLET. 113 Hearts being filled with the Love of Chrift, we fo 17^4- prevailed upon the differing Perfons, that they gave '^'^v^ each other Satisfa6lion, with Hopes that tKey fhould live in Love for the future ; and Friends of the Place greatly rejoiced at the End of that Difference. As I went along this Town, fome Friends told me of a religious People fome few Miles diftant, whom they defired I would have a Meeting with. I defired them to fee if it would be granted, and let me know ; which was done, and we had a Meeting, and were kindly re- ceived, and the divine Nature of the Gofpel of Chrift was freely opened to them, and in great Love we parted from one another. I travelled in this Jour* ney about two Hundred Miles-, and when I came Home, my dear Wife and Family gladly received pie with Hearts full of Love : And this Teftimony I think proper, for feveral folid Reafons, to leave be- hind me of my virtuous and loving Wife, That fince we were married, fhe never hindered me in that Service my great Mafter called me unto, in all the Time of our living together : We always parted, for the Sake of the Gofpel of Chriff, in pure Love, and in the fame Love vve always met again. Soon after this Time I met with feveral great LolTcs by Sea and Land, and myfelf and my little Daughter were dangeroufly lick, fo that our Recovery feem*d doubtful •, yet through the Mercy of God, we both recovered, for which I praife his Name. After fome Stay at Home, I was again moved in the Love of Chrift, to vifit the General- meetings of Diuk'Creek and Salem. At Buck-Creek ^t had a large and fatisfadlory Meeting. From Duck-Creek I ap- i);^^jfe pointed a Meeting at George's Creeks which was a good S^^^*;*, Meeting. The next Morning we went over to Elfin- Creek, hurgb^ and ib on to Co ha^ifie, where I met with two oi^^^^^^^' my Fellow-labourers in the Work of Chrift, Thomas Lightjoot and Benjamin Kid, We had a Meeting to- gether at Cobanfie, in which th^ People were exhorted to 114 rfo JOURNAL^/ 1724. CO Sobriety and juft Dealing. The contrr.ry of both s^^^r^-^ is too obvious at fnch Times as Fairs ■, :hc^-: being di- vers of the Fair People there as well as others, the Nature of Chrift's Work in the Heart, v;as fomevvhac fpoke to, but not fo open a Meeting as feme: others, the People thcrea\^^^y being too flack and dull as to ^.v^w^ys Religion. Next Day we had a Meeting at AilGways- Cresk^ where we all three had fome pretty clofe Work •, and troin thence we went to the General-meeting ot czicm, Salem, which was larger than common, on account of the fa id Friend {Benjamin Kid^s) being there ; who, in the Love of Chrift came from England^ to vifit the Churches in this Part of the World. There were fo many Friends and others here at this Time, that fome Houfes were fo filled, that there was not Room for all that came to lodge there. After this Meeting I re- * turned Home, and in a few Days went into Chefter- Count'^^ and travelled above 100 Miles ; and when I yrtiiikjsn, came Home I underftood, that fome for Want of a trueSenfe of the Work of Chrifl, had been cenfuring me for my Travelling and hard Tabour in the Work of the Miniftry of the Gofpel of Chrifl: ; though, by the fame Rule of judging, the Apoftles of Chrifl, and our ancient Friends, who travelled much, cannot efcape their Cenfure -, for in all my Travels, I have had an efpecial Regard to the Unity of the Brethren, and never knowingly went abroad without it : But let this Caution be recorded for the Inftru5lion of all fuch for- ward Judges ; let them he careful of judging Chrifl^ s Ser- vants^ left their fVords become their Burden : Judge not, that ye be not judged (faith our great Lord) for with what Judgment ye judge, ye fhall be judged. Soon after my Return from Chefter-County, I was .^yiH^ton- at a Marriage at Abington^ which was one of the mofb Iblemn I have been at •, and on the 15th of the Third .-r.nan. Month, at the Youth's Meeting at German-town^ to '"'""' my great Sitisfadlion ; and on the 23d of the fame Month, I went to the General-meeting of Miniflers and ruOMAS CHALKLET. 1^5 and Elders at Burlington-, at which Meeting, feveral 1724. Things relating to theGofpel-miniftry were declared ; v^^V-*^ as ics being a free, a clear, and a powerful Miniftry, ^«»'''''^'^^- reaching to the Confcience, and convincing of the Danger of continuing in Sin : And divine Charity was much recommended, without which. All Miniftry is hut as Jounding Brafs, &c. From this Meeting I went with Walter Herbert^ into Bucks-County, and at Ne- Jharniny we had an open, tender Meeting. From thence. I went to Buckingham^ and v/as at a Marriage of a Son Enekin^. and Daughter in-law of "Thomas Canhfs. The Meet- ^'^• ing was large, and Friends well fatisfied ; and it was oblervable, tho' I was very hoarfe, thio' a Cold I had taken, and could hardly fpeak in common Converfa- tion, yet it was much taken away in my Miniftry, fo that I was carried thro' the Service to our Admira- tion, for which I was truly thankful. After this Meeting I returned Home with true Satisfadion, fuch as is much more valuable than Silver and Gold, two mighty Idols in the World. After a little Stay at Home I went on a Firft Day Fr^nkfon, to North JVales or Gwinneed, where was a pretty large A'*'''''- Meeting, many young People being there, to whom I was concerned to fhew, that Chrift is the Way by which we muft come into the true Church, thro* Re- generation, and that all who invent other Ways are Thieves and Robbers. I rode twenty- five Miles that Day, and the next Day came to Frankfort, and was at the Burial of an antient Friend, Joan Orpzvood, at which our Friend John Salkeld was, with whom I was the next Day at Philadelphia, at our Third Day Meet- ing, which was a good Meeting. On the 4th Day of the Fourth Month, intending foon to take a Journey to Lo?ig- I/land, I thought it a proper Time to alter my Will, as I had kept one by me for divers Years before, confidering the Uncer- tainty of Life. On the 5th of the Fourth Month I went to Merion to vifit an antient Friend, John Roberts, MniaH. who ii6 1724. 71^^ JOURNAL e^ who was Tick near unco Death, where I again met with John Salkeld, The Friend exprefled his Satisfadlion in this Vifit, and we had a Reward of Peace in the Exercife of that Chriftian Duty of Vifiting the Sick, which is recommended by the Apoflle to the primitive Churches of Chrift. After we had been fome Time with our faid Tick Friend, we went to the Meeting which had been appointed for us feveral Days before, and was large and fatisfadlory ; for which favourable Vifitation we blelTed the great Name of the Almighty, and parted tenderly in Chriftian Love and Good-wiil. The Friend we went to vific died the next Day. He was a Helper of the Poor, and a Maker of Peace in the Neighbourhood: Of fuch, Chrift faid, Blejfed are the Peace-makers^ for they Jhall he called the Children of Gcd. On the loth of the Fourth Month 1724^ I had a Concern to write the following Epiftle to Friends in the Ifland of Barhadoes, An Epiftic to Friend! in B^rba- Frankfort^ the lOtb of the 4.th Month y 1724. Bear Friends^ IN the tender Love of God, our heavenly Father, and of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, do I, your Bro- ther, at this Time greet you, and wi(h you Health and Salvation. Underftanding by a concerned Friend, that of late feveral of our Friends are taken away from you by Death, a Concern came on my Mind to put you in Remembrance of your latter End, and of the Caufe of Chrift •, and alfo, of the Profperity of his blefled Light and Truth in your (in that Refpedt, poor, tho' in lome others, rich and luxurious) Iftand : The Pofterity of many that have been taken away there, as w^ell as in divers other Places, having gone aftray ; and that it may not be fo with thofe who are left behind, let a weighty Con- cern come upon you. O dear Friends! let your * Practices THOMAS CHALKLE Y, 117 * Pra^ices and Expreflions, manifeft to the rifingGe- 1724, ^ neration, that the Welfare of their Souls, more than ' of their Bodies, is at Heart with you j and do not « indulge them in that which you in yourfelves were * convinced to be of an evil Tendency, when your ' Hearts were firft reached by the Power of Truth. * How many Youths have been loft, thro' the Loofe- * nefs of the Example of their Elders, and thro' an * undue Indulgence of them in Vanity, Folly, Pride, * and Idlenefs! Woful Experience doth but too much ' declare that they are many : O they are many in- < deed, who have b^n loft by fo doing! Wherefore « dear Friends, clear yourfelves of your Children ; * and, if they will obftinately go aftray, faithfully * bear your Teftimony againft them, in Life, Doc- ' trine, or ExprelTions and Converfation, which will * witnefs for you when you are dead and gone, and ' your Heads laid in the filent Grave. Thus will ' your Youth, thro' the BlelTing of God, and your * Endeavours, come up in your Places, or at leaft * you will be clear, and their Blood will be upon their ' own Heads. A pure ftrid Watch is required of * you in Converfation, in all thofe Relations: Firft^ ' That God may be glorify'd. Secondly^ That your * Children may be exampled. Thirdly^ That your * Neighbours may be edify'd, or built up in pure Re- * ligion : And Fourthl-j^ That you may die in Peace ' with him that created you, and died for you ; re- * membring the bleffed Doctrine of Chrift Jefus^ Le^ * your Light fo Jhine before Men^ that others feeing your ^ good tVorks^ may glorify your Father which is in Hea- ^ ven. And again, Tou are as a City fet on a Hill^ * which cannot he hid. And as you thus train up your * Children in the Way which they fhould go, when * they are young, you may have Reafon to hope they * will not depart from it when they are old; for ma- * ny have been convinced of the Truth, as it is in * Jefus Chrift, thro' the good Converfation of his Followers. ii8 T& JOURNAL ?/ 1724. * Followers. And how can we expeft to die well, ifwc ^'^r^-^ ' do not not live well ? Or can we expe<5l the Anfwer of ' Well doney if we are not in the Pradlice of doing well? ' And I do defire and earneftly exhort Friends to ' read the holy Scriptures, and wait to feel the Power * from which they fprung, thro' the holy Writers, ' and aifo to teach them to their Children. And, ' dear Friends, let me prevail with you in the Love ' of God and his dear Son, to keep clofe to your * Meetings for the Worfhip of Almighty God, and * for the well-ordering of your Society ; and do it in * the meek Spirit, for that is of great Price with the ' Lord; and when in your Meetings, get into a reli- * gious Exercife, and lively Concern for God*s Glory, < and your Souls Peace and Profperity. I pray the ^ holy Lord of Sabbaoh, to open your Hearts to * him in the Reading of this Epiitle, as mine is open to « you, my beloved Friends, that you and I may be * edified (tho' outwardly feparated) as we were when * together ; and if we Ihould never meet more in this ' World, that we may meet in the Kingdom of God, * where we may never pare more. Avien» Hallelujaby * faith my Soul. ' I defire this may be copied and read at the Clofe * of one of each of your particular Meetings, and, if ' it could be readily, in every Family of Friends ; to « all whom is my very dear Love in Jefus Chrift, ^ whofe Servant I am, and hope to be to the End, ' and I am an entire Lover of Souls, and a Well- ' wifher of Sion'^ Profperity.' r. CHALKLET, On the nth of the Fourth Month I lefc Home on a Journey to Long-ljland^ in order to vifit Friends Meetings, and aifo to negotiate lome Bufinefs I had Buriiazton. there •, the firfl Meeting I had was at Burlington^ where I had occafion to advife them to keep in Remembrance of "THOMAS CHALKLET. 119 of that ancient Love which firft united our Society 1724, together, and in which, in Times of cruel Perfecu- ^^'V^ tion, fome freely offered to fuff'er the Imprifonment of their Bodies to obtain the Liberty of their Friends in Confinement. From thence we travelled to Anihoy^ Amho^. and fo over to Staten^IJland. The Day being very hot, and the Evening cold, I got a fevere Cold, which I did not get clear of for about two Weeks, notwithftanding which, I went to Meetings, though ill in Body. The firft Meeting I had on Long-IJlandy was at Flujhing, on a Firft-day : A comfortable ^'"^^v*^- Meeting it was ! in which was clofely prefTed, the Taking up the Crofs of Chrift, by all who defire to be his Difciples, and that without it we could not be true Chriftians. From Flujhmg we went to Mujketto- q^^'J^^' Cove^ and had a Meeting there on Third-day, which was large, and to general Satisfa(5lion, and fome were there that were newly convinced. I feeing the Opennefs of the Meeting, advifed Friends to build a Meeting-houfe there, v/hich they approved of. On Fourth-day we had a Meeting at fVe/lbury, and on^^^^^^^y^ Fifth-day at Cowneck, From Cowneck 1 went to the^*'^'*^^*- South-fide of the Ifland, and had a Meeting at Cap- tain Hicks^s, The Neighbours, who were not of our R^ck-May. Society, came generally to this Meeting, and they were preflingly exhorted to come to Chrifl, and tht Way opened unto them. It was a good Time, and I thought a Time of Love to us all ; though before the Meeting I was exceedingly fhut up in myfelf, fo that the Meeting was very beneficial to me, among the reft, to fee how the Lord could work by his Power, and unlock the Soul, as in a Moment, as he did for my poor Soul at Times. O may I, with Chrift's Followers and Minifters, ever depend upon him, is ray Petition 1 From Rockway (for fo is the Place cal- led) we went to PFeftbury^ and had a very large Meet- ing on a Firft-day ; and, as I was informed, fome were convinced there that Day. From hence I went 1 I to I20 T;^^ JOURNAL ?/- 1724. to a Place called Fofter*s, Meadows, where we had a V'^/'"^ large Meeting in one Duejburfs Barn. After this I y[J^^v«s. ^^^^ ^^^^ f o the Mdan Land, and had a Meeting at a Wcjhchefttr, PJace Called Weftcheder, From thence we went to Flujhing^ and had a large Meeting on a Fifth-day of the Week, in which the right training up of Children, and careful Education of Youth, was zealoufly recommend- Hufh'in^. eci. From Fliijhing I went to Huntington^ where fome ir«ft»i^w»*. were lately convinced of the Principle of Truth as it is in Chrift Jefus, fome of whom were excommuni- cated by the Prejbperians^ with whom they had for- nierly join'd. We had a pretty large Meeting in a Friend's Barn, where one Prieft Prime oppofed me, as ^e alio had my Friend Benjamin Kid fome Time be- fore, of which, by Letter, I gave an Account to my dear Friends Thomas Li^htfoot and Benjamin Kid, de- firing them (in their Return from New- England) to have an Evening-meeting there. The Grounds of this Prieft's Cavilling, or Difpute, was that I had declared. That it is the Light of Chrift, or his Spirit, which convinceth the World of Sin, and not a natural Light, or the Light of a natural Confcience ; from whence he took Occafion to charge me with denying a natural Confcience •, the Fainiood of wliich I charg'd upon him before the Auditory, and defired him, if he had any Thing on his Mind, to write it to me, to which I pro- mised ro return him an Anfwer. From Hii7U'wgton I went to the General-meeting of N/inusm. Fiiends held at New-town, which was fo large that the Meeting- houfe could not contain the People, and the Weather being exrreme hot, the People without Doors were fome ot them uneafy, and went to and fro j but chofe that were in the Houfe, and fo near as they could hear, were very attentive, and as far as I could learn, i^^^York^ generally fatisfied. Our next Meeting was at New- Torky which was the quieteft Meeting I ever had there ; and thofe few Friends at New-Tork, and fome that were there from Lcng-IJland, parted with us in the Love 7H0MAS CHALKLET. 121 Love of Chrifl, and in the Fellowfhip of his blefled 1724. Golpel ', and lb I travelled homewards, having good ^^^Sr^ Satisfadlion m vifiting my Friends ; and when I came Home, I found my dear Wife and Children in Health, Frankfort, ior wliich I blefs God. After this Journey I kept to Meetings at and about Home as ufuaJ, and was at the Fifth-day-meeting in Philadelphia, when Samuel Prefton was married to Mar- P^^J^ < therefore it is the Spirit's Baptifm, that all profefTing ' Chriftianity ought to come unto to witnefs Salva- * tion. ^gain, Chrift fays. Except a Man be horn of I 3 * IVater^ 124 Tfo JOURNAL 0/ 724. < Water ^ and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the ^VN^ ' Kingdom of God^ or of Heaven, Matt, iii. 5. This ' divers will have to be a Mixture of the Element * Water, and of the Spirit ; but Chrift fays, // is the * Spirit that quickeneth^ the Flejh profiteth nothing : The ' TFords that I f peak unto yoUy they are Spirit^ and they ' are Life^ John vi. 6^. And that which is born of ' the Flefh is Flejh^ and that which is horn of the Spirit^ ' is Spirit^ John iii. 6. According to which Doc- ' trine, I have Faith to believe, that outward, flefh- ' ly, or elementary Water- Baptifm, profits little ' or nothing tu the Soul. Again, Why fhould the * Water in that Place be underilood of the Element, * any more than the Fire in the other, viz. To be bap- ' tized with the Holy Ghoft and with Fire ? Since Chrift * faid. My Words they are Spirit and Life, Rcmem- * ber the Well of Water that fprings up to eternal ' J-iife in the Believers : Remember the Water that ' Chrift gave, whofoever drank of it was never to ' thirft more. This is all fpiritual, which the car- * nal Mind cannot comprehend or enjoy, but is wit- ' neffed by the fpiritual Man. And further, if we * confidcr what Confufion there is in the World about * this Water-Baptifm, it may well put a tender-feek- ^ ing Soul upon further Search into the Nature of * holy, faving Baptifm. The Papifls have one Way -, * the Lutherans and Calvinijls another ; the Baptifls^ * they have another -, and all differ fo widely, that, * generally fpCaking, they will not worfhip together ; * neither are they ever like to be reconciled, except * rhey come to the holy Spirit and divine Power of *• Jeilis, the good Saviour and precious Guide of *• Souls. That Saying of his hath often been a Com- "■ fort to me in deep ExerciftS and DiftrefTes of Mind, * when he faid to his Difciples, // is expedient Jor you * that I go azvay -, for if I go not away^ the Comforter ' will not come \ but if I go away^ I will pray to the * Father^ and he will fend the Comforter^ the Spirit of * Truth ^ in viy Name^ and when he is come^ he Jhall * lead THOMjiS CHALKLET. 125 lead ^ou^ and guide you into all Truth ; he /hall take of 1 724.^ mine^ and give it unto you^ and Jhall bring all Things s-OTl^ to 'jour Remembrance, that I have fpoken unto you. And that he was to convince the World of Sin ; and that he fhall abide with you for ever. May the precious Gift of the Spirit be given to thee, and to all true Seekers of God, his Chrifl and Kingdom, is my real Defire, and humble Prayer ro the moft High. [See the four Evangelifts for the Promife^ they not wording it alike.'] * Having anfwered the mofl of thy Letter, I would add a few Lines more, viz. I have known fome who could not be fatisfied with Words about this Point of Baptifm with Water, until Chrift had by his Spirit given them Satisfaction in themfelves ; and as thou comes more and more into clofe Com- munion with his Grace and Spirit in thy own Soul, I hope thou alfo wilt have better Satisfaction than that of Words only. I have known fome of the People called Baptijls^ who have been convinced of the Truth, according to our Way and Principle, to whom all the Writing, and Difputing, and Reading, and Preaching, about this Point, could never give ample Satisfadion, until they had it in- wardly and immediately from Chrift, manifefted to them by his holy Spirit in their Hearts, as aforefaid. Tho' I would not be underftood to be againft fatis- fying one another as much as lif!th in our Power, and as we find Opennefs in the Love of God and Chrift. And further, I never underftood that any of our Society were abfofutely againft fuch prac- tifmg of it, who could fee no further, or did really think in their Confciences it was their Duty fo to do : But we believe, that we fee beyond the Figure or Shadow, and are come to the Subftance, for the Reafons mentioned, and' many more which might be given. Several Treatifes have been written upon thii Subjea, one of which is very full (before we 1 4 ' were 126 1%e ]0\JRN AL of 1724. * were a People) by William Dell, a wife and learned U/V>J * Man, and one who had a large Senfe of the Power ' of God : And among us Barclay^ s Apology, and a * Treatife by John Gratton, who was a Baptijl ' Preacher, and one by Jofeph Pike : And alfo here is * a little Book of nomas U-pJher\ (a Baptift Preacher ' before he came to join with us) which I fend thee, ' with whom I was well acquainted, as alfo with * thofe Men who fubfcribed it. If thou applies thy- * felf ro Richard Smith, o^ Burlington, he is as likely * as any I know to help thee to thofe Books, all * which are larger on the Subjedl, and have given Sa- ' tisfaftion to Thoufands about it •, tho' fome, as J have ' faid, could never be fatisfied with Words. In read- * ing the latter Part of thy Letter, I was tenderly af- « feded, and my Prayers to the Almighty were, that * he wouid pleafe to dire(5l thee by his Power and ' Spirit, and the Grace of his dear Son, who hath ' faid. He that cometh unto me, I will in no wife caft * off. Now, tender Friend, Chrift is the true Light, * that lighteth every Man that cometh into the ' World, by which Light thou mufc walk to the ' Kingdom and City of God. He is the Door into ^ the true Sheepfold : He is the Truth, in whom * thou m«ft believe : He is the divine Life and Light *^ of the Soul : He is the true Chriflian's All in all : *- And as the Kingdom is within (as faid Chrift) fo the * King is alfo within^ and without alfo. He is God ^ Omnipotent, Omnifcient, Omniprefent, the immor- * tal Jehovah, and is God over all, blelfed for ever. *^ And as a Servant of his, I recommend thee, with my - own Sou], unto him for Prefervation and divine * Dn eftion ; for it is the great Work of Chrift's true * Minitlers and Servants, to dired: the feeking, travel- ^ ling Souls to him ; to whom, with the Father, and ' the eternal Spirit, be Glory, now, and evermore. ^ A?nen, From thy afTured Friend in Chrifl:. THOMAS CHJLKLEr. 127 The Perfon to whom I wrote this Letter, fome Time 1724. after informed me, it gave him great Satisfa<5tion. t^Wi After I had ftay'd at Home fome Time, and pretty well recovered of the Hurt I had by my Fall, I vi- fited fome Meetings about Home, as Philadelphia, miadei Ahington^ and German town. In feveral of thofe Meet- f^^^> ^^ ings I was concerned to exhort Friends, as our Meet- ings and Worfhip was, in this Province of FenfyU 'vania^ a kind of national Worfhip, to beware that they did not indulge themfelves in the Sins of the Na- tions, but to be careful to keep to the holy, feif-denying Life of Jefus. On the 5th of the Sixth Month, between the Hours of nine and ten in the Night, there was an Earthquake, which divers People were very fenfible of ; and about this Time divers People were taken off with a violent Fever ; and I was concerned in feveral Meetings to put the People in mind of their Mortality, and Short- nefs of Time here ; and alfo of the Uncertainty of it, and the NccefTity of fpeedy Preparation for their final Change and future Well-being. In the aforefaid Month I was at our Youths Meeting in Philadelphia^ where I was concerned to advife Parents to do juftly to their Children, in the divers Relations of a Child's State ; to be juft in Corre6lion, and to be fure to give them Learning, and train them up in Reading of the holy Scriptures, they being aUe^ through Faith in Chrift^ to make us wife to Salvation. I alfo was earneft in Exhortation to the Youth, to obey and honour their Parents, and to have a Care not to be difobedient to their Fathers and Mothers. I had a Concern alfo to remind that large Congregation, that the Almighty had flretched out his Arm of Power, with his Rod, and had given the People of this Land three Strokes therewith, as a gentle Adm.onition towards Heart- preparation, to meet him, and to prepare for their latter End, or final DilTolution : Which was Firjl^ A Sicknefs^ or peflilentiai Fever, which carried off n^any 28 "The JOURNAL of 1724^ many of the People. Secondly^ An Earthquake, of V^'VN;? which divers in Town and Country were very fenfible. Thirdly^ A terrible Whirlwind, fuch as we never be- fore heard of in this Land, that I reniember. They were admonifhed to take particular and fpecial Notice of thofe gentle Strokes of the divine Hand, for if he pleafed he could as foon take away many by Sicknefs, as a few, and if he pleafed he could have made us a Delolation, as well as the Country about Mount /Etna, or Port-Royal in Jamaica^ not very far from us ; and he could alfo blow us away with a Whirlwind of his Wrath, and could as eafily have blown down all our City, as thofe few Houfes in the Country. . Next Day after this Meeting I went with John Rod- man to the Quarterly General-meeting of Worfhip in Chefier thcCounty ot Chefter^ which was large and fatisfadlory. County. ^^^ ^^^r^ ^^ ^1^^ gj^^j^ Month I was at the Burial of the Wife of Richard JValn^ a virtuous and good Wo- TairHiih man. Some of her laft Words were, " Some Mens " Sins go before-hand to Judgment, and fome follow *' after them ; and that her Sins were gone before, *' which was a great Comfort to her, now fhe was «* going to leave the World." It was a large Meet- ing, and a feafonable Opportunity that we had at the Frankfort, Funeral. The People were called upon to work, while it was called To day, Becaufe^ as our Saviour faid, the Night Cometh^ wherein no Man can work. In this and the foregoing Year I met with various Trials and Exercifes : As Firft^ Great inward Poverty nnd Want. Secondly^ Great LofTes in outward Affairs. And Thirdly^ The evil Spirits of divers ffirred up againfi: me, to report Falfnoods concerning me, with many other fore Exercifes both inward and outward. As to the Firfty I had often been try*d that Way, and found by Experience, that I mud wait upon God my Saviour, tor frefh and renewed Vjfuations from above-, m which Exercife, I had always in the Lord's Time, Comfort from him, as by the fame Exercife THOMAS CHALKLET. 129 Exercife I had now the fame Comfort alfo ; but I 1724- thought it very long, and the Enemy did greatly en- deavour to break in upon my Patience now more than ufual : But my Heart Hill depended in Faith and Hope upon the Lord my Redeemer and Saviour, and in his Time he was pleafed to help me, bleffed be his holy Arm and Power for ever ! Many blefled Saints and Servants of Jefus were brought to my Mind, who were in the like Condition, fo that I had a fecret Joy in their Company (who met with the like in their Travels to the holy City.) Secondly^ as to my outward LofTes, I thought with myfelf, peradventure it might be beft for me : And I remembred that many, through the Increafe of outward Riches, were exceedingly hurt as to their inward State ; and tho' I (or any good Man) might be concerned for our Chil- dren, to get and leave fomething for them ; yet I plainly faw, that generally fpeaking, much Riches doth much Hurt to Youth. This was a melancholly Obfervation that I had made in my Life and Travels, and I fee at this Day that it is an univerfal Diftemper (a very few excepted) wherefore I cry'd mightily to God, that he would give to me and mine the Gift of his Grace and holy Spirit, whatever our Circum- fiances might be in the World. In this alfo I faw that Patience was an excellent Virtue, and that the Meek had the befl Inheritance of the Earth, if they had ever fo little of it ; and that true Happinefs did not confift in earthly Things, which my Experience had largely taught me. And Thirdly^ As to the bafe and evil Treatment I met with (which was more than I had ever met with in all my Life before) great Endea- vours were ufed to leiTen my Reputation, as a Man and a Chrifbian ; all which proved falfe and fruitlefs, and in due Time my Innocence was made manifefl ; and I confidered that they could not ufe me worfe than they had done my Lord and Mafter, and that the De- vil was angry with any who endeavoured to dethrone him. 130 77^^ JOURNAL 5/ 1724. him, and pull down his Kingdom, at the Foundation of which, thro* the Help of my Mafter, I had many a Stroke or Blow, with fuch Weapons as he was pleafed to furnifh me withal. The lad of the Sixth Month, and the ifl of the Se- venth Month, was the Quarterly and Youths Meeting at Burlington^ at both which I was. At the Quarterly Meetiipg I was concerned to open to that Meeting, how all alo,ig rhe Ckurch of God was governed by his Spi- rit, in the Time af the Law, and Mofes was an Inftru- ment therein j and that when it was too hard, and t6o inuch "Work for Mofes^ he was advifed to get the Help and AfTiftance of the Elders, and that the fame Power and Spirit of God that was with and upon Mofes^ was upon the Elders who afllfted him in the Affairs of the Church, and Congregation of the Lord's People ; fo that it was governed by God's Spirit, and is to be governed by the fame ftill, and not by the Will of Man, nor according to the Will of Man in his corrupt Nature. And when Ifrael went from God's Power and Spirit, the Lord left them, but at laft fejit to them his only begotten Son, our dear Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrifb •, and he was, and ever is, to be Governor of his Church, thro^ his holy Spirit, whicb^ he told his Difciples, he would fray the Father, and he Jhould fend unto them the Comforter^ the holy Ghofi, or Spirit, the Spirit of Truths and he fhculd abide with them for ever^ and jhould lead and\guidc them into all Truth', which fv/eet and precious Promifes that he made to them, the true Believers do witnefs to be ful- filled at this Day. Glory to his Name for ever, he is the ii'ondcrful Counfellor, viighly Sa'Aour^ and Prince of Peace I of whofe Peace and Governjneni there JJjall never he an Endy and upon whofe Shoulder the Government is to be for tver^ for whoife Power, and holy Spirit, Friends were exhorted to pray and wait, and to be fenfibe of it in the Difcipline and Government of the Church now in this Gofpel Day, in which i? a brighter ManifeftatioQ THOMAS CHALKLET. 131 Manifeftation of God's Love, thro* his Son, than in 1724. the Time of the Law. The Youths Meeting was al- v>"V^ fo large, and divers Teftimonies were born, by Way of Exhortation and Gounfel to the Youth. They were with much Tendernels advifed to take Counfel of their Elders, and were fhewn how it fared with feme young Men, who flighted the Advice and Counfel of the El- ders -, and that one, when on a Dying-bed, cried out in the Bitternefs and Agonies of his Spirit, Oh I that I had taken the Counfel and Advice of piy Friends^ for then I had not been here^ nor in this Condition. The Youth were advifed to beware of keeping bad Com- pany, and fpending their precious Time in Taverns, which hath undone many fair and promifing Youths : And it was fhewn, how a. young Man might cleanfe his WaySy by taking heed thereunto^ according to the Word of God^ which liveth and abideth for ever^ and which the holy Scriptures proceeded from -, and they were ear- neftly exhorted to read and practice what was written therein; And a very tender Time we had in Prayer to God, thro* his dear Son, to preferve us all in his Fear, both Youth and Aged ; and fo our Meeting broke up, and we parted in the fweet Love of God, and his Chrift, our holy Saviour. My Troubles in the World, and in the Things of /•^^,,j;,^^,.j>. it, being many, and my outward 1 .ofTes being great \' as alfo was my inward Poverty of Mind and Spirit, I took my Pen, and wrote one Day as followeth : Oh ! if it be right in the Sight of God, how do I long to be un- cloathed of this frail and mortal Body^ that my Soul and Spirit might mount up into the cstherial Plains, and re- pofe itfelf in the vafl expanding Artns of its Maker, and mofi fweet Saviour for ever I Being at and near Home fome Time after I c^m&- FkHadei. from Burlington^ I viiited the Meetings of German-town ^^^''* ^^* and Philadelphiay which were large, and fome good Senfe of Truth was in the Hearts ot divers. I was concerned at that Meeting at Pbiladchbia to lee the People 132 1724. Yearly. Meeting. !i^ Letter from my Father: before your Return (if ic pleafe God rnOMAS CHALKLET. 139 < God to give you to us again) may meet with the 1724. * Wolves Spirit, or the Spirit of the Beait, in feme ty^-'V) * or others among whom you may travel ; then will * the Counfel of Chrift, added to his CommifTion, be * good for you to keep clofe to ; Be ye wife as Serpents^ * ifut innocent or harmlefs as Doves, « And, dear Maidens, I look upon It as your Crofs < is great, you being two innocent, chafte young * Women, to give up your Names to crofs the Sea, * which I know is a great Crofs to a chafte Woman, * or Man either, the Seamen, too generally, being ' rude, difiblute People ; fo your Crown will be ^ great alfo. I have known that by keeping near to * Chrift, and his Truth and Power, there hath been ' a wonderful Reformation divers Times in feveral * of thofe rude Seamen ; and fome have been fo far * convinced, as to be exceedingly kind, and to fpeak * well of Friends and their Converfation, when it has * been coupled with the Fear and Wifdom of God. < When I have gone to Sea, I always found a religi- * ous and Chriftian Concern upon me, for the poor « Sailors, the good EfFeds of which, have been much * more than I may fpeak of; bur give this little Hint < for your Encouragement and Information. * Well, dear Souls, if you go, I believe the Lord * will go with you ; and fure I am, that my Spirit * will go along with you, which will not hurt you, if * it do you no good. And altho* my Exercifes and « Tribulations of late have been very great, both fpit * ritual and natural, yet my very Heart within m^ * aflFeds the Caufe of Chrift, according to the beft of * my Underftanding ; and I heartily \yilh well to all * my Fellow-Labourers, who are faithful, painful Ser- « vants of Chrift, and difinterefted, except as to the * Intereft which they defirein Chrift and his Kingdom, * for the Sake of which, they love not their Lives unto « Death. K 3 «I HO T;^^ JOURNAL ^/ 1724. « I mufl now take Leave, after putting you in mind v^'V^ ' of remembring me, your poor Friend and Brother, ' when before the Throne you are fuppJicating the Fa- < ther of Mercies in fecret, even as my Heart is ten- * derly bowed ^nd broken into Tears on your Behalf * at this Time. The Lord be with you, andfandify * theprefenr Exercife and Concern that is upon you, * and you to himfelf, with all the faithful Lovers and * Followers of the Lamb, thr^ his Word^ whofe Word * is ^rutb. I am your Friend and Brother, in the * Fellowfhip of the Gofpel of Chrift Jefus our great * Lord and good Mailer > and blefTed are all thofe, * who by their fearing to offend him, manifeft him to * be their Mafter, and by their honouring him, mani- * felt him to be their Lord.* r. c. <^'fl'^ In the Twelfth Month I went to the X^arterly-meet- Co*««y' jj^g Qf Friends, held at Providence^ for Cbejler County^ for Difcipline and Worfhip ; which Meeting was large, and a Concern came upon FViends at that Meeting to fupprefs Excefs in Eating and Drinking, and great Entertainments at Marriages and Funerals, and fpending Time idly in tippling Houfes •, as allb in feveral other Things for the well-ordering our So- ciety, in which appeared great Love and Unanimity. The People were reminded of God's Love to them in this Land, and many Favours were recounted to them, v/hich he had favoured the Inhabitants of the Land Vith, which were very fi ngular, and that he expedled they fhould bring forth Fruits that might be anfwer- abie to the Labours of Love, which the Lord had be- llowed upon them. About this Time I had it in my Mind to write to one who was confcientiouQy concerned to preach the Gofpel of Chrifl, but was under great Exercife on ihat Occafion. Frankfort^ tHOMAS CHALKLET. 141 1724. Frankfort^ 24th of the nth Month jyi^: iyVN^ My Friend^ c O I N C E I lafl faw thee and converfed with thee, « [3 ^^o^^ ^^^ ^^^^" ^^^^ ^" ^^y M^n^> a^d thy Ex- ' ercife has come before me ; and not having an Op- * portunity to converfe with thee perfonally, I take * this Way of communicating my Mind, hoping in * Chfift thou wilt reap fome Satisfadlion and Advan- ^ tage thereby. I think I know thou art concerned * for Chrift's Caufe, as alfo was that eminent Minifler * ApolloSy Tet was injlruoied more -perfeEily by good < Aquila and Prifcilla. The Subje6b on which I have ^ it in my Mind to write to thee, is the Miniftry of < the Gofpel of Chrift Jefus, which I believe to be ' very different from that which it is generally taken * for, in mod Parts of the World, by many profefllng < Chriftianity. Firfty The greateft Part of Chriften- < dom, fo called, calls and eledls their Minilters ' themfelves, and will not call them unlefs they have ' School-learning, altho' Chrift called and chofe un- * learned Men, as to that Sort of Learning, and the ^ Apoftles were called. Not according to the Tf'lll of ' Man^ but by the Revelation oj Chrift Jefus, And * Chrift thanked his Father that He had revealed the ' Myfteries of his Kingdom to Babes and Sucklings. And * the wife Jews (the Scribes and Pharifees) admired at * the Apoftles, who fo wonderfully preached Chrift, « and were fo wonderfully carried forth in their Mi- ' niftry, and yet few of them were Men of Learning ; < fo that the Call, Eledlion, and Wages of Chrift's ^ Minifters, is fpiritual, and not carnal, and therefore * their Miniftry is with divine Life and Power, by ' which they are qualify'd for this Service without * either Study or Premeditation : Tho' it is not deni- * ed, that Chrift may fhsw a Minifter before-hand, * what he Ihall, or is to fpeak, at fuch a Time or K 4 ' Pl'ice, Hft The ]OVRN AL of Place, as he may fee meet ; but that ftudying or writing Sermons, and afterwards preaching, or ra- ther reading them to the People, was, or is, the Practice of the true Minifters of Jefus, our great Lord and Mafter, is deny'd -, of which, I do be- lieve, thou haft a real Senfe. * 1 Ihall impart to thee fomething of my own Ex- perience fgr thy Edification in this great Work, viz. As in the Work of Converfion, or Regeneration, there is a Growth and Increafe from the State of a Child to that of a Man in Chrift, fo in the Work of the Miniftry, or preaching the Gofpel, there is alfo a Growth from a Babe to an able Minifter, in all which the Power and Grace of the holy Spirit muft be our Guide, our Help, and Support, keeping clofe to which, we fhall encreafe in divine Wifdom and found Judgment, and our Hearts and Under- ftandings will be more and more opened and enlarged. The Apoftle Paul faid, fVhen I was a Child^ I fpake as a Child, underftood as a Child, and thought as a Child ; and yet he was an excellent Child of God, and Minifter of Chrift, and as he grew in his Gift, and Chrift's Grace, he became a wonderful, fervice- able Inftrument in the Hand of God. Now a Child's State in the Miniftry is too much overlooked by many, fome thinking to be Men, as (oon as they are brought forth into the Miniftry j and, according to my Obfervation, divers have been at a Lofs, and fome quite loft, for Want of a patient Continuing in Weil-doing, and not waiting to feel a Growth and Increafe from above, have gone on in their own Strength and Will, perhaps againft the Advice and Inftruction of a found and honeft Jquila and Prifcillay and have been hurt •, and fome, who had received a Gift, have had that fame Gift taken from them, even by the Lord, who gave it them. ^ As I take it, a true Minifter of Chrift, is to take « no Thought what to fay, but it will be given him in ' the THOMAS CHALKLET. 143 « the fame Hour that which he fliould fpeak to the 1724. < People (that is, in a general Way) and if it is not wor^ * given from above, I believe he or fhe ought to be * filent ; for they receive freely, if they do receive any * Thing from Chrift, and fo they ought freely to ad- ^ minifler ; and where little is given, Jictle is required, * all which is plain from Chrift's own Words in the * New Teftament ; and Chrift's Crofs is to be taken * up by his Minifters in their Preaching, as well as in * their Converfation. ' It is a Pradice which the holy Scriptures have * not acquainted us with, that the Minifters of Chrift * fhould take a Verfe, or a Line, out of the holy ^ Scriptures, and write, or ftudy before-hand, a Dif- * courfe on it, and preach it, or rather read ir, to the « People. The holy Men of old (as we read both * in the Old and New Teftament) fpoke as they were ^ moved by the holy Ghoft, and by it they were « gifted for the qonvincing, converting, and reform- * ing the World, and for comforting and edifying of * the Saints, quite contrary to the latter Pradlicc of ^ modern-reading Divines, who difpute, write, and * preach againft the immediate and divine Revelation * of the Spirit of Chrift, and therefore cannot be of * his Minifters, but muft be the Minifters of Anti- * chrift^ and Minifters of the Letter, and not of the * Spirit of Chrift, or of his Gofpel. And where the ^ Apoftle fays. When I was a Childj Ifpake as a Ch'ild^ * I take him to point at the being brought forth f newly into the Work of the Miniftry, as well as « the Work of Converfion, and that he ufeth thofe * ExprefTions by Way of Comparifon, and therefore * I compare it thus : A Child when it firft begins or * ventures to fpeak, he fpeaks but a few Words, and ' thofe ftammering fometimes, and its Judgment is ' weak, and muft be put upon fpeaking by his Fa- ^ ther over and over, if he be a backward Child, f otherwifc if he be forward, and fpeaks too much, 'he 144 r^^ JOURNAL e^ 1724. ' he is curb'd by a wife Father : And thus, according t^VV^ ' to my Obfervation, it hath pleaied our heavenly- Father to inftrudt his Children in the Minillry, and as a Child in Chrift, I would fpeak a little of my Experierce unto the Child, or Children of God. When I firft felt a Ncceflity on me to preach the Gofpel, I had but a few Sentences to" deliver, in great Fear and Tendernefs, with fome Trembling, with which my Brethren were generally fatisfied and edified ; and after fome Time I felt a Concern to preach the Gofpel in other Countries, and to other Nations (than that in which I was born) which to mc was a very great Crofs i but feeling the Woe of the Lord to follow me in not giving up to it, I in fome Time took that Crofs up, for Chrift's Sake and the GofpePs: And in taking it up, 1 experienced the Truth of the Apoftle's Dodrine, nat the Gofpel of Chrijl is the Power of God unto Salvation^ to every one that believeth^ Rom. i. 16. Thus through a con- tinual Labour and fpiritual Travel, I witnefled a Growth in Experience, and an Enlargement in Expreflions and heavenly Doctrine ; and my Heart was mightily enlarged to run the Ways of God's Commandments, and divers were convinced, and fome, I hope, thoroughly converted, and many comforted, and God, thro' the Miniftry of his dear Son, glorified, who is thereof only worthy for ever, ' In all v/hich I have nothing to boaft of nor glory in, faving in the Crofs of Chrift ; for what is Paul^ or Apoilos^ or Cephas^ but Inflruments ? (I would not be underftood to compare with thofe Apoftles, but to endeavour to follow them as they followed ChriftO Chrift is All in all : He is the great Teach- er of Teachers, and the higheft Schoolmafter of all : And he fays, He that wilt be my Difcipky mitjl firfl deny himfelf^ and take up his CrofSy and follo'-dv me, ^ We do not find any where in the New-Teftament, that Chrift's Minifters or Mefiengcrs were only to ' fpeak THOMAS CHALKLET. 145 ^ fpeak or preach to one Meeting of People, or that 1724. ^ they were called or hired by Men ; for then it would '^•^'^^^^ * have been neceflary Man Ihould pay them ; but * Chrift fays. Freely you have received ^ freely give ; ' and go fortb^ &c. Match, xxviii. 19, 20. ' And, my Friend, I find to this Day, that it is fafe * for me when I am miniftring to the People ; when * the Spring of divine Life and Power, ffrom which * found Truths and edifying Matter fprings and flows * into the Heart or Underitanding) abates or flops, ^ to ftop with it, and fit down, and not to arife, or * fpeak publickly to the People, without fome fpiri- * tual Impulfe or Moving, and Openings. * I would have this taken no otherwife, but as one ^Friend and Brother opening their States and Con- ^ dition to another for Edification, and the ftrength- ' ning each other in Chrifl. And as I fear left I ^ fhould exceed the Bounds of a Letter, therefore ^ fhall conclude thy real Friend in Jefus Chrifl, The 25th 'Of the Twelfth Month I was at the Buri- al of the Wife of Randal Sfikeman. It being our Fifth-day- meeting, divers fober People were there not of our Perfuafion, and I was drawn forth to i'peak to the People of the Death of Chrifl and his Merits, and to fhew them that there is no Merit in the Works of Man, as he is Man, or in a formal Righteoufnefs or Holinefs. In our Yearly-meeting at Burlington it was agreed, that the F'amilies of Friends fhould be vifited, and foon after our Monthly-meeting appointed me, with other Friends, to vifit the Families of Friends of our Meeting ; in which Vifitation, many were comforted and edify'd, both Youth and Aged ; and we could truld fay, that the Power and Grace of God, and the 'fweet Love of Chrift accompanied us from Houfe to Houfe, 146 r^^ J O U R N A L ^/ 1754, Houfe, to our mutual Comfort •, and we were fo ex- ^.^^^V^^-^ traordinarily opened and guided to fpeak to the States of the People in their Families (that were unknown and Strangers to us^ that fometimes fome of them were ready to think that we fpoke by Information, when in Truth we were clear of any fuch Thing, and only fpoke from what was immediately given to us, with- out any Information from Man or Woman ; which to us was fometimes very wonderful, and caus'd us to praife the great Name of the Lord. In the Firft Month, the General-meeting at Thjla- delphia was a folid. good Meeting, and ended in a Senfe of Grace and Truth, which comes by Jefus Chrift. Next Day, ,being our Week-day meeting, our dear Friends, Elizabeth Levis^ and Jane Fenn^ took Leave of us, tliey intending for the Ifland of Barbadoes 5 and it was fuch a Parting Meeting that will not foon be forgotten by fome of us then prefent. Mnrtin^toH: After this Meeting I went to Burlington, to vific one that was lick, and under fome Trouble of Mind forgoing aftray, and greatly defired to come into the right way -, with whom I had a good, feafonable Meeting, to her Comfort, and my own Satisfadlion. Upon this Vifit I would remark, that it is a great Pity, that Youth, when in Health and Strength, fhould put off the Work of their Salvation, and forget the mod High, till either Sicknefs or Death overtake them. And then. Oh 1 The bitter piercing Cries and Groans, and terrible Agonies the Soul is in, which, by timely Repentance, and Amendment of Life, might be avoided. I was afterwards at Meetings at Philadelphia, Miri- lyic, <>^-i German-towHy &c. and had fome Service and Sa- tisfaftion therein.— And on the 2d of the Second Month, the Friend whom I vifited as above, was bu- ried, and the Relations of the Deceafed fent tor me to the Burial. The Perfon being well-beloved, there was a large Appearanc* of People of divers Perfuafions, and THOMAS CHALKLET. 147 and we had an Opportunity at this Funeral to exhort 1725. the People to live fo as that they might die welJ ; and n-'^V"^^ chat the Way to die in the Favour of God, was to live in his Fear ; and Charity to thofe who diiTent from one another, was preflingly recommended from the Apoflle^s Words, that If we had Faith to remove MountainSy and to give all our Goods to the Foor^ and our Bodies to he burned, yet if we wanted Charity^ we were but like founding Brafs, and a tinkling Cymbal^ I Cor. xiii. i, 2, 3, And alfo our Belief of the Dodlrine of the Refurredlion of the Dead was affsrted, in Con- tradiction to that grofs Calumny call on our Society of denying it. The ktter End of the Second Month, I was at a Marri.ige at Horfham (at which was prefent William Sor/bam, Keith, our Governor) and I was concerned to fpeak of the End of that great Ordinance, and of the Hap- pinefs of thofe married Perfons who fulfil the Cove- nants they make in Marriage, and what Strength and Comfort the Man is to the Woman, and the Woman to the Man, when they keep their Covenants, and that they are the contrary when they break them : And I alfo opened the Methods prefcribed by our Difcipline, to be obferved in Marriages, and our Care to prevent any clandeltine Marriagcfs amongft us. After this Meeting I return'd Home without going to the Marriage Dinner, as I generally avoided iuch Entertainments as much as I could, having no Life in, or liking to them, being fenfible that great Companies and Preparations at Weddings, were growing Inconveniencies among us, the which I was o^iifcientioufly concerned to difcourage. And a few Days after my Return Home, at our Meeting at Frankfdrty I was concerned particularly to exhort Friends to keep to Plainnefs in Language, Drefs^ fcfr* according to the Examples given us in the holy Scriptures, particularly that of Daniel and his Com- panions i and CO ca'ution againlt vain and ind(?cent Fa fh ions. 14^ 1725. t^alcm. Cehanfy^ Lteek. Nott'u\g "Kiwenji^r 27^^ J; O U R N A L af Faililons, whicli, with Concern, I have obferv'd to pre- vail too much amongfome who makeProfefllonwith us. In this Second Month I went to the Yearly-meeting of Friends at Salevj, and by the Way had two Meet- ings at IVoodberry^Creek. At Sdem we had a large Meeting, and our gracious Lord was with us, to the bowing many Hearts before him, and many Teftimo- nies were given of the Goodnefs, Love, Mercy, and Grace of God, and his dear Son, our Lord Jefus Chrift. From Salem we travelled to Alloways-Creek and Cohan- fy, and from thence to Elfinghurgh^ and ferried over the River Ddazvare^ with our Horfes, to George^s- Creeky and had Meetings at all thofe Places. At George^ s-Creeky one, not a Friend, came to me after Meeting, and faid, He thanked me for my Advice and Counfel •, and feem'^d heartily affedled with the Do<5lrine of Chrift^ From George^ s-Creeek we travelled to Not- tinghamy and had a large Meeting on a Firft-day, and another (very large) on the Second-day, where were many People of divers Perfuafions. The Houfe could not contain us, fo that we met in an Orchard. A Iblid Meeting k was ' wherein the mighty Power of the Creator was declar'd of, as alfo the Divinity of Chrift, and his Manhood, and the People were exhorted to be careful of forming any perfonal Ideas of the Al- mighty ; for the holy Scriptures do plainly manifeft, that God is a wonderful, infinite, eternal Spirit, and therefore is to be worfliipped in Spirit and in Truth,, and outward Reprefentations of the Lord Jehovah^ borders too much on Idolatry. Pretty much was de- livered on that Plead •, and I was told after Meeting, that divers 'Papifts were there, tho' I knev/ nothing of it. From Nottingham I went to Ne-wcajUe^ and had a Meeting there, and then vifited a fick Friend, with which he exprefled much Satisfaction •, and then went on to Center^ Kenneth and Marlhoronghy and fo tQ the Monthly-meeting at New-Garden^ where we had a large, open Meeting, wherein were flicwn, that thofc THOMAS CHALKLE Y. 149 thofe who meddled with our Difcipline, in the Will 1725; Nature, Spirit, and Wifdom of Man only, could do s^Sr*^ but little Service, and that our Difcipline, as alfo our Worfhip and Miniftry, ought to be performed in the Wifdom and Power of God, thro' the Grace and Spirit of Chrift.— — From New-Garden we went to Birmingham^ had a large Meeting, and I was much drawn forth to the Youth, of whom many were there. From Birmingham we went to the Quarterly-meeting for Difcipline and Worlhip at Concord^ in Chejier- Cone^r^^ County^ which was larger than I had ever feen there before. In the Quarterly- meeting of Difcipline, Friends were exhorted to keep to the Crofs of Chrift, and to fpeak to Matters in the Fear of God, and to avoid and ihun as much as in them lay, Self-Will, Flumour, Pride, and Paffion ; fhewing that the rough, crooked, unhewn, unpolifh*d Nature of Man, could never work the Righteoufnefs of God, and is contrary to the meek, Self-denying Life of Jefus. John Sai- keldy and Jacob Howell^ then fignificd that they were going to vifit Friends in Long-IJland^ind Rhodeljland ; the Senfe of the Call, Labour, and Work of the Mi- niftry of the Gofpel, and of the Love of Chrift (in the Freenefs of it) to Mankind, took fome good Hold on divers in that Meeting, and the great Name of God, and his dear Son, thro' the holy Spirit, was- glorified. From this Meeting I came Home (having been out on this Journey near three Weeks, at twenty Meet- ings, and travelled more than 200 Miles) and found my Wife and Children in Health, and we rejoiced to fee each other ; but my Rejoicing was in Fear, even almoft to Trembling, left I Ihould be too much lifted up when Things were agreeable to me. After my Return Home I went to feveral neigh- bouring Meetings, and on a Fifth-day was at Phila- delphia at the Marriage of Richard Smith and Eliza^ hetb PowelL The Meeting was large, and the Marriage folcmniy 150 7he ]OVRNAL of 1725. folemnly celebrated, and the People were earneftly WV>-^ intreated to Jove Chrift above all, and to manifeft that Love by keeping his Commandments, and that not in Shew or Words only, but in the Heart and AfFcdions. About the latter End of the Third Month, I went to the Quarterly-meeting of Minifters and Eiders for Burlington, the County of Burlington -, and from thence to Stony- Stony Brook ; where on a Firft-day, we had a large Meet- ^'^^** ing Cin Jofepb Worth's Barn) which was crowded with People, and was a folid, good Meeting. From Stony- f. r ' j^ Brook I went to Crofwicks, and was at their Youths '^""'^'^ '' Meeting, which was the largeft I had ever feen in that Place ; I told them they might fay as the Sons ot the Prophets did, Tbat the Place was too Jlreight for ihenh and advifed them to enlarge it. I was glad to fee fuch a large Appearance of fober People, and fa great an Increafe of Youth (in this Wildernefs of America) and exhorted them to live in the Fear of God, that hisBlefTings might ftill be continued to them; and an Exercife was on my Mind for the Welfare of the young People, to fhcw them the Danger of Sin and Vanity, and of keeping ill Company, and fol- lowing bad Counfel 5 and that the young King Reho- hoam {Solomon^s Son) loft the greateft Part of his Fa- ther's Kingdom, by following the Company and Counfel of vain, young Men *, and that many young Men in this Age had loft and fpent the Eftates their Feathers had left them by the like Condud, andj brought themfelves to Ruin, and their FamiHes to Poverty and Want. Divers lively Teftimonies were delivered in this Meeting, and it ended with Adoration and Praife of Almighty God; and tho* the Meeting held more than four Hours, the People did not feem willing to go away when it was over ; for indeed it was a folid, good Meeting. The Bufinefs of the Quarterly- meeting was carried on in Peace and Love (that being the Mark the Difciples of Jefus were to be know THOMAS CHALKLET. 151 known by) and Friends were exhorted with a great 1725. deal of Tendernefs to keep that Mark. In this Journey I travelled about ninety Miles, and was at four Meetings, being from Home four Days, and was much fatisfied in my Journey ; but met with fome Exercife when I came Home, hearing of fome LofTes and Damage to my Eftate ; fo that I found after I had (according to my befl Endeavours) done the Will of God, 1 had need of Patience^ that I might re- ceive the Promife, I was fenfibie of the MefTenger of Satan, the Thorn in the Flefh, which the Apoflle fpeaks of. About this Time a loving Friend of mine informed me, that one whom I very well knew in Barbadoes, a Minifter of our Society, had gone into an open Sepa- ration, fo as to keep Meetings feparate from his Bre- thren, and contrary to their Advice: I was concerned in Love to write a few Lines to him, to remind him of the unhappy State and End of fuch, who notwilh- ftanding the brotherly Love and kind Treatment of Friends, had feparated from us, and lofmg the^ Senfe of Truth, which had made them ferviceable in the Church, were adled by a rending, dividing Spirit, by which the Enemy of our Happinefs had fo far obtained his End, as to make fome Difturbance for a Time ; but few, if any, of thefe Separatifts, have had further Power than to promote and maintain their feparate Meetings during their ov/n Lives ; fuch Meetings having, in every Inftance I have known (ex- cept one, and that lafted not long) dropt on the Death of the Founders. And tho' we think it our Duty to teftify againft, and difown all fuch ; yet this Difown- ing is only until the Perfons offending, from a real Senfe of, and Sorrow for their Faults, acknowledge and condemn the fame ; then the Arms of Chrift, and of his Church are open to receive and embrace them : I therefore earneftly befought him to coniidcr the Danger of offending any wht) love and believe in L Chr/ift 152 !K^ J O U R N A L c/ 1725. Chrift (tho' never fo little in their own or other Mens ^»^V*^ Eftcem) for we cannot have true Peace in departing from rhe pure Love of God, his Truth, and People ; to which I added the following Sentences out of the New-Teftament. 1. By this [hall all Men know that ye are m'j Difciplesy if ye have Love one te another^ John xiii. ^^, Don't lofe this Mark. 2. JVe know that we have faffed from 'Death unto Life^ hecaufe we love the Brethren, He that loveth not his Brother^ abideth in Deaths i John iii. 14. 3. He that loveth not^ knoweth not God ; for God is Love^*^ "iv. 8. 4. He that dwelleth in Lovet dwelleth in God, and Cod in i^iw,— — 16. About the latter End of the Fourth Month I was at Aiinptn. ^ Meeting a< Ahington^ occafioned by a Burial j and in the Beginning of the Fifth Month, I was at a Mar- riage in Philadelphia, ; and was foon after on the Firfl Day at two Meetings at German-town^ where I went to vifit a Friend who had not for fome Months been at Meeting, being in a difconfolate Condition ; I invited her to Meeting, where the Love and Goodnefs of Chrift xo the poor in Spirit was largely manifefted, and the Friend after Meeting faid, fhe was better, and afterwards recovered, and kept to Meetings. I was frequently at the Week-day Meetings at Philadelphia % for I thought that Week not well fpent, in which I could not get to Week-day Meetings, if I was in Health. In this Month I was at the Burial o{ George Calvert, who was a one of fober Life, and juft Converfation, and being well- beloved by his Neighbours, he left a good Report behind him. Soon after which I wa* ii//jio»» at Merion Meeting, which was large and folid : The People were tenderly exhorted. That neither outward Favours, nor fpiritual BlefTings, might make them grow forgetful of God \ but that in the Senfe of the Increafc THOMAS CHALKLET. 153 Increafe and Enjoyment thereof, they might be the 1725. more humble ; and forafmuch as the Chriftian Church v-'Or^ in former Ages was corrupted by temporal Riches and Power, it was intimated, that as we had Favour fhewn us from the Government, and Increafe of out- ward Things, we fliould be very careful not to abufe thofe Eriviledges, by growing proud and wanton, or envious, and quarrelfome ; but To do jufily^ love Mer- cy, and walk humbly with God. In this Month I was at Middletown in Bucks County, at the Burial of my dear and intimate Friend John Rutlidge (who died very fuddenly) at which Burial they were above 1000 People : He was well-beloved among his Neighbours, and was a ferviceable Man where h^ lived : I admired to fee fuch a Number of ^^P^^^mi- People upon fo ihort Notice, he dying one Day in the ^^* Afternoon, and being buried the Day following : Di- vers Teftimonies were born concerning the wonderful Works and Ways of God. It was a folid bowing Time, wherein many Hearts were broken, and melted into Tendernefs. After Meeting a young Man came to me trembling, and begg'd that I would pray for him, for he had fpent too much of his Time inVanity, and had ftrong Convidions on him for it, and had been greatly atfeded and wrought upon that Day : I exhorted him to deny himfclf, and to take up his Crofs, and to follow Chrift., wha hath faid, He would in no wije caft off thofe who ca^ne to him [in true Faith.] He went from me very tender and loving, being bro- ken in his Spirit. From thence I went to Gwynnedd (or North Wales) ^'^l]'^ where on the firft Day of the Week we had a very large Meeting •, in the Morning of the Day, a Voice awoke me, which cry'd aloud, faying. Rewards AND Punishments for well and evil Doings ARE SEALED AS AN ETERNAL DeCREE IN HeAVEN, which confirmed me that Mankind were happy or un- happy in that World which is to come, according to L 2 their 154 r/je ]OVRN ^L of 1725. their Deeds in this Life ; if their Deeds be good (as Chrift faid) their Sentence will be, Come ye Blejfed \ if their Deeds be evil. Depart from me all ye that work Iniquity y and go ye Cur fed, &c. Andy if thou dd*fl well, fhalt thou not be accepted ? And if thou do^ft not well. Sin lieth at the Door. And again, / have no Plcafure in the Death of the Wicked^ hut that the Wicked turn from his Way and live, Thefe, with many more Texts of the fame Nature, contained in the holy Scrip- tures, are contrary to the Do6trine of perfonal Elec- tion and Reprobation, as fome hold it. We had a Meeting alfo in the Afternoon of the fame Day, which was fatisflidory to many ; our Hearts being filled with the Love of God, for which we thankfully praifed him. The next Day we had a Meeting oT Miniilers, in which they were exhorted to wait for the Gift of the holy Ghofl:, without which there can be no true Minifter nor Miniftry. I was concerned to put them in Mind to keep clofe to Chriff, their holy, lure Guide, and Bifhop, to be cautious of going before, left they fliould mifs their Way, and of ihying too far behind, for fear we fhould lofe our Guide ♦, and to be careful to keep a Confcience void of Offence towards God, and alfo towards Man -, that we might fay to the People truly, Follow us, as we follow Cbrijl ; that our Converfation might confirm and not contradict our Doctrine, For our Saviour fays, Bv their Fruits ye JLall know them ; Men do not gather Crapes of Thorns, &c. and of fuch as fay and do not, he charged his Followers not to be like them, Matth. xxiii. 3. The next Day we had another very large Meeting there, in which many Things were opened and declared, tending to eflablifh and build us up in our Faith in Chrift. After this Meeting, parting with my. Friend John Cadw all ader, who had accom- panied nie, I came homeward, lodging that Night at Morris Morris's (whofe Wife was very weakly) with whom we had a tender Time. The "THOMAS CHALKLET. 155 The 29th of the Fifth Month I was at the General- i;?^. meeting at German-town^ which was a large and good ^^^^^^f^ Meeting ; going Home I went to fee Richard Buzby^f^Zn^' who was not well ; he faid the Company of his Friends revived him. Next Day I went to vifit Jane jBreinl- vall^ who was feized with the Dead Palfy on one Side, and the Lord was pleafed to comfort us to- gether, as (he expreffed to our mutual Satisfadtion. On the ^^oth of the faid Month was our Quarterly- meeting of Minifters at Philadelphia^ where humble J^f^*''''^^- Walking with God was recommended and pray'd for, '^ and it was defined that Minifters might be exemplary therein, having Chrift for their Pattern, On the ift of the Sixth Month, I was at our Meet- ing at ir^W/^/t?^/, which was a dull Meeting to me and. divers others, a lively Exercife of Spirit being too much wanting among many, and clofe walking with God in Converfation : If we would really enjoy the Love and Prefence of Chrift in our religious Meetings, we ought to keep near to him in our daily Converfa- tion, which that we might do, was humbly defired in Supplication and Prayer to God. The young Man w^ho came to me under great Con- cern of Mind after the Funeral of John Rutlidge^ wrote to me that he was followed with the Judgments of God for his manifold Tranfgreffions, defining that I would pray for him. In Anfwer to his Letter, I wrote him to the following Effect : ^ Frankfort^ "jth of the 6th Months ^7^5^ « ''T^ H I N E from Burlington of the z6th of the 51 b * i Month I received, by which I perceive the ' Hand of the Almighty hath been upon thee for thy * Vanity and Folly ; and I defire that thou may be * very careful to keep clofe to that Hand, and do not ' go from under it, but mind the Light of Chrift * that hath difcovered God to be great and good, L 3 * and 156 755^ JOURNAL c/ 725. « and his dear Son to be thy Saviour, and Sin and ''V^^ ' Satan to be evil, which Evil (if thou follows it) « will certainly bring thee to Deftrudlion ^d eternal ' Woe ; but'if thou follows Chrift, and walks accord- ' ing to that Light by which he hath manifefted Sin < to be exceeding fmful, in his Time, as thou waits in * Patience, he will bring thee through his righteous * Judgments unto Vi6tory. ^ Wait, O wait In Patience upon God, if it be all « thy Days ! I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, he- * caufe I have finned againfl binty faid the Prophet Mi- ' cah. Again, All the Days oj my appointed Time will ' / wail till my Change comes, fays Job, ^ Thou art young in Years, and young in Experi- ^ ence in the Work of Grace, wherefore advife with ^ folid, good Men, if thou meets with inward or out- ' ward Straits and Difficulties, for the Enemy will not « eafily let go his Hold which he hath had of thee ; * therefore walk circumfpedly, and fhun evil Com- * pany. As to praying in a Form of Words (with- « out the Spirit helps, in order to open them accord- * ing to thy State and Condition) that will not awail : * A Sigh or a Groan, through the Help of the Spirit, * is much more acceptable to God, than any Forms * without it. ' That in the Lord's Time thou may'fl enjoy the « Reward of Peace, is the Defire of thy Friend T. C. The young Man took this Counfel well, and kept to Meetings, and behaved foberly for a Time, but vifierwards ran out, kept bad Company, took to Prinking to Excefs, ran himfelf in Debt, and at length into a Goal, which hath been the unhappy Cafe of many unflable Youths, who, PFhen they knew God, they giorifcd him not as Gody neither were thankful, but became rnOMAS CHALKLET. 15; hecame vain in their Imaginations ^ and their foolijh Hearts 1725. became darkened. t/^^N.^ In this Month I was at Byhury and Abington Meet- Byiuyy. ings, in which we were favour'd with the immediate Power and Prefence of Chrift, to our great Comfort and Edification, the Vifitation of divine Love to the Youth having a good Effefl on fome of them, and the latter Meeting ended with Praife to the Al- mighty, after Supplications for all Men, from our King on the Throne, to the meaneil of his Subjeds, In my Travels I met with a Perfon who query'd of me. How he fhould know which Society had moft of the holy Spirit, fince moft of the ProfelTors of Chrift do believe in the holy Ghoft (or Spirit.) To whom I made the following Anfwer, viz. Let the Rule of Chrift determine this Queftion ; he fays, By their Fruits ye /hall know them ; Do Men gather Grapes of Thorns^ or Figs of Thijlles ? Mat. vii. 1 6. The Fruits then of the Spirit of Chrift are Love, Faith, Hope, Patience, Humility, Temperance, God- Jinefs, brotherly Kindnefs and Charity, with ail Man- ner of Virtues. Therefore the Society of Chriftians, who brings forth moft of the Fruits of the holy Spi- rit, confequently have moft of Chrift's Grace and Spirit. But fome objedl and fay. We will not believe that any Society have the holy Ghoft now, or the im- mediate Revelation or Infpiration of the Spirit, unlefs they work Miracles. To which it is anfwered, That right Reformation from Sin, and true Faith in Chrift, cannot be wrought without a Miracle, neither can we bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit without the mira- culous Power of Chrift.' Men by Nature bring forth the Works of Nature, and that which is con- trary to Nature is miraculous. Sin is natural, but divine Holinefs, or the Righteoufnefs of Chrift, wrought in Man, is fpiritual, fupernaturaJ, and mira- culous. And as to natural Men (that arc in a State of Nature) feeing outward Miracles, if they will nor, L 4 nor 158 7he JOURNAL ^/ 1725. nor do not believe what is written in the holy Scrip- sX'V^^tures of the Old and New Teflament, neither will they believe, ah ho' one were to rife from the Dead. Notwirhftanding Chrift wrought outward Miracles, and did the Works which none other could do ; tho' he cured all Manner of Difeafes, and fed tnany Thou- fands with a few Loaves, and a few fmall Fifhes (and w^hat remained, when all had eaten, was more than there was at firft) tho' he raif^d the Dead, and him- felf arofe from the Dead, yet few, but very few, be- lieved in him, fo as truly to follow him. .His Birth, his Life, his Dodrines, his Death, his Refurrecflion, are all miraculous -, and fince all this was done in the Perfon of Chrift, and at the firft Publication of his Religion to Men, there is now no abfolutc NecefHty ot outward Miracles, tho' his Power is the fame now as ever 5 but he faid to his Difciples, He that lelieveth on me, the fVork that I do^ Jhall he do alfo^ and greater fVorks than thefe Jkall he do, John xiv. 12;.. Upon v;hich JV, Bell fays, nis muft he underjl 00 dm Relation . io Sin ; for Chrift had no Sin in himfelf to overcome^ hut "we all have finned^ and to overcome Sin is the greateft of Miracles. This will try the notional or nomi- nal Chriftian, who fays, We can never overcome Sin in this World. Where then is our Faith in the Son of God, who for this Purpofe was manifcfted, that he might dtftroy the Works of the Devil, John in. 8. Heh. ii. 74. Therefore let not Chriftians be flow of Heart to be- lieve in the glorious Gofpel of Ghrift ; and if we truly believe therein, and live in the Pradlice of his Doc- trine, we fhall fee Miracles enough to fatisfy us for ever. The 16th of the Sixth Month I was at the Weekly- frtnkfort. meeting at Frankfort, which, tho' a fmall Meeting, was fweet^ reviving, and comfortable, to fome ot us-, fo that we had a fufficient Reward for leaving our Bu- fmefs fit beiofi; the Time of our Hay Harveft.)-!-^ — -« ■ - Week- THOMAS CHJLKLEr 159 Week-day-meetings are much negledled by many, 1725. more is the Pity. -The Apoftle's Advice is necef- fary for many in our Age, even of profeffed Chrif- tians, viz. Let us confider one another to provoke unto Love and Good Works, ?J0t forfaking the affemhling your- /elves together, as the Marnier of fome is, -Heb, x, 24, 25. The 23d of the Sixth Month, my Cart-wheel, being Iron-bound, ran over me, and my Horfe kick'd me on my Head ; the Wheel put my Shoulder out, and the Horfe wounded my Head, fo that the Scull was bare, and my Leg was forely bruifed ; the fame Day Dr. Owen^ and Dr. Graham^ with the Help of two of our Neighbours, fet my Shoulder, and drefled my Wounds ; and the Lord was fo merciful to me, that the next Day I was enabled to write this Memorandum of this wonderful Deliverance and fpeedy Cure, for which, added to the many I have received from his gracious Hand, I have Occa- fion to be truly thankful : 1 was obliged to keep at Home fome Time, and thought it long, becaufe I could not go to Meetings as ufual ; but many Friends came to fee me, which was a Comfort to me. One Day upwards of thirty Perfons came from feveral Parts of the Country to fee how I did, and were glad I was like to recover. The Day before I was fo hurt (being the firft of the Week) I was at Meeting at Philadelphia^ and was concern'd to fpeak of the Uncer- tainty of Life, and the many Accidents we are inci- dent to in thofe frail Bodies, and exhorted Friends to Jive fo, that they might have a Confcience ferene, and clear of Offence towards God and Man, and then they might exped the Comforts of the holy Ghcft, which in fuch Seafons of Dif^cuky would be a great Help and Benefit to them, of which I had the iweet Expe- rience the next Day, under great Extremity of Pain ; and tho' the Pain of my Body was fuch that I could not for feveral Nights take my natural Refl, yet I had i6o 7^^ JOURNAL 2^ 1725. had Comfort thro* the fweet Influence of the holy Spirit, o'^V*^ which Chrift promifed his Followers, John xiv. 26. On the 1 8th of the Seventh Month began ourYearly- ^hia^ meeting at Philadelphiay which was large, and our Friends, John Wanton and William Anthony^ fromRbode- IJland^ and Abigail Bowles^ from Ireland^ had good Ser- vice therein. From this Meeting an Addrefs was {tiM to King George tor his royal Favour to us as a Society of People, in giving his Afient to a Lav;^ made in this Pro- vince for prefcribing the Forms of Declaration, Af- firmation, ^c. inftead of cheF'orms heretofore us'd. The Beginning of the Eighth Month, being a litr tie recovered from my Hurt, I had a Defire once more to fee my Friends on the Eaflern Shore of Maryland^ at their General-meeting at Choptank, The iirft Day I fet out, I travelled about thirty Miles, and at Night was very weary, being but weak in Body, and I was almoil ready to faint in my Mind about proceeding any further ; but next Day George Rohinfon (at whofe Houfe I lodged) offering to accom- )any me, we travelled about forty Miles to Sajfajras .iver, and both of us, though much tired, were com- forted in each others Company and Converfation; On the next Day we travelled near twenty Miles to Maryland, f^g General-meeting in Ccecil County in Maryland^ where we met with two Friends from Rhode-IJlandy and two from Penjylvania, who were there on the like Occafion. The Meeting was large and quiet, many People being there not of our Society, and were very fober : The Meeting held feveral Days, v/herein the Gofpel-Difpenfation was fet forth, and the Love of God in Chrift was exalted. From Ccrcil we went to Ckefter River, and had a Meeting there, at which the People were exhorted to come to Chriil, the eternal Rock, and true Founda- tion, and to build their Religion on him, againft whom the Gates of Hell can never prevail ; and they were lb much affected, that they did not feem Ri THOMAS CHALKLET, i6i feem forward to leave the Houfe after the Meeting 1725. was over. From Chefter River we went to ^red-Haven^ \i^WKf to the General-meeting of Friends for Maryla?id^ which was very large ; fome Friends from Penfyhania and Virginia being alfo there, and many People of other Societies : Many Teftimonies were born to the Operation of Chrift by his Spirit in the Soul, and Friends were earneflly defired to be diligent in reading the holy Scriptures, and to keep up the Pradice of our wholcfome Difcipline ; by the Negled: of which, ^ Door would be opened to loofe living, and undue Liberties. From Tred-Haven we travelled into the Great For eft ^ between the Bays of Chefapeak and Bela- The Great ware^ and had a fatisfa6lory Meeting ; as yet there ^'^^'^^' was no publick Meeting-houfe in this Place, where- fore 1 told the People of the Houfe, I was obliged to them for the Ufe of it ; but they tenderly anfwer- ed, they were more obliged to me for my kind vifit- ing of them ; and truly we had a folid, good Meet- ing there : The People being generally Poor, they had but little Notice taken of them by the Money- loving Teachers, who preach for Hire, From the Foreft I went to Little Creek^ in the Territories of ^^"/^' Penfyhania^ where was a General-meeting for the Couniks of Newcaftle^ Kent, and Sujfex. The Meet- ing was large, and Friends parted in great Love and Tendernefs. And I went forward to Duck- Creek, Duek where we had a Meeting -, divers Perfons of Note ^^^'^' *^^" being there, and all were quiet, and heard with At- tention. From Duck-Creek I went to George^s-Creeky and had a Meeting ; where a Man of a fober Converfa- tion, faid, ^hat he never heard Things fo fpoken to be- fore j hut that he could witnefs to the Truth oj all that was faid. It was a good Meeting before the Conclu- fion ; but I was very low and poor in ray Spirit in the Beginning of it. From this Place v/e fet forward to Newcaftle, where we had a Meeting ; it was the Time nevocafiu, of the Sitting of the General AHembly, and fcveral Members i62 ne ]0 VRl^ AL of 1725. Members of the Houfe were at Meeting. The Go- L/^V>J vernor (who has from our firfl Acquaintance been very refptdful to me) hear'ng that I was in Town, fent to define me to tarry all Night in Newcajlle ; but being engag'd to a Meeting over the Rivers Cbriftine and Brandyjuine^ and it being near Night> I could not (lay, but went away that Evening, and fent my Love to him, defiring to be excufed. That Night I lodged at John Richardforfs^ and next Day went to George Robinfon's^ at Newark^ where we had a Meeting on the Firllday, and on Second-day ano- Fr<;W^afr. j.j^gj. ^j. Pj^qojI^^^^^ . ,j.,(^ ^ent; fropQ thence to Derby to vific our worthy aged Friend Thomas Lightfoot^ who lay very weak in Body, none expelling his Re- covery i I called as I went from Home, and then he was very ill, and told me. He thought that Illnefs would conclude his Tmie in this World, but fa id, thai all was well, and like wife, that he had a great Concern upon his Mind for the Growth and Profperity of Truth in the Earth, and defired with Tendernefs of Spirit, that I would give his dear Love to all Friends ; and he now faid, / never thought to fee thee more, hut am glad to fee thee. I ftaid there all Night, and in the Morning we had a comfortable Heart-melting Time together, in which was revived the Remembrance of the many favourable Seafons of God's Love we had enjoy'd in our Travels in the Work of the Miniflry ot the Gofpei of Chrifl, and we tenderly prayed, if we never met more in this World, we might meet in that which is to come, where we might never part more, but might for ever live 10 fing with all the Saints and holy Angels, Hallelujah to God and the Lamb. From Derby I went to Philadelphia Third- day-meeting, and from thence to my Houfe, where my dear Wife and Children with open Hearts and Arms received me, and I them with Joy ; at which Time I had a gracious Reward of Peace for my La- bour oi Love, which far exceeded Silver or Gold. la THOMAS CHALKLET. 163 In this Journey I travelled above three hundred 1725. Miles, had nineteen Meetings, and was from Honae \y^\r^ above three Weeks, in which Time I recovered of my Lamenefs to Admiration ; fo that I had with Sa- tisfadlion to remember the Apoftle's Saying, that All things work together for Good to them that love Gody Rom. viii. 28. After my Return Home, I was at the General-meet- ing at Frankfort s and in the Beginning of the Ninth Month, I was at Meetings at Abington^ German-town^ and divers Times at Philadelphia^ particularly at the _,,., . , Youths- meeting, wherein feveral leltimonies were />^/rt. born, and the Youth exhorted to Piety and Humility. On the Fifth Day of this Month in the Morning, being under a Confideration of the many fore Exerci- fcs and Trials I had met with from my Childhood, I was much affedled •, but the following Portions of Scripture being brought to my Remembrance, afford- ed me fome Relief, viz. fVhovi the Lord loveth he cha- fienetb ''-And if ye he without Chaftifment, '^e are Bqftardsj and not Sons And in this World y Jhall have Trouble y hut in me Peace ^ So that I patiently bore my A^^i^ion, and prais'd God under it. In this Month I was at the Funeral of our worthy Thomas antient F'riend Thomas Ugh foot. He v/as buried at ^^J^^/f^"''^ Derby *, the Meeting was the largeft thiir. I had ever Dai^y. ' feen at that Place. Our dear Friend was greatly be- loved for his Piety and Virtue, his fweet Difpofition, and lively Miniftry : The Lord was with him in his Life and Death, and with us at his Burial. After this Burial I was at one at Abington ; the Meet- ing was large, and, on that Occafion, feveral Things fuitable to the States of the People were treated on. I was alfo about this Time at German town, and at a General-meeting at Plymouth^ to my great Satisfac- to-vun. tion, being accompanied by my antient ¥ntnd Row- land Ellis 'y and at the Third-day Meeting in Phila- delphia^ at the Time of our Fall-Fair , there were fervent i64 7le ]0\JKN AL of 1725. fervent Defires, and Prayers, in feveral of us. That s/'V^ the Youth might be preferved from the Evils too prevalent at fuch Times of Liberty and Prophanenefs. About the 20th of the Month I went for Long- IJland^ being drawn in true Love to make a general Vifit to Friends there; and likewife having fome Bu- finefs to tranfad: there. On the fifth Day of the Week, Thomas Mafters and I fet out from Frankfort^ and in the Evening we got to a Friend's Houfe near the Falls of Delaware •, where we were kindly entertained, and our Horfcs taken good Care of: To take due Care of Travellers Horfes, is a commendable Thing ; and more grateful to fome Travellers, than to take Care of themfelves. From the Falls of Delaware^ we travelled next Day to Pifcattawa^y and lodged at an Wood. Inn ; and on the next Day we went to Woodbridge to bridge- Jq^j Kinfefs^ and on Firft-day we had a fatisfaftory Meeting there with Friends and others -, and the next Day John Kinfey went with us to Long-ljlandy and Tiujhh£, ^\^2i^ Night got to John Rodman's^ and next Day we refted, being weary with travelling fo far in the Cold. Our dear Friends in that Ifland very lovingly, and kindly, received my Vifit to them •, fo that I had Occafion to remember that Saying of the holy Scrip- ture, Js Iron JJjarpeneth Iron^ jo doth the Countenance of a Man his Friend I The fifth Day of the Week we had a large Meet- ing at Flujhing^ and another in the Evening at Obadi- ah Lawrence's^ which was an open, tender Time. Co^-Neck, From Flufiing we went to Cow-Neck, to Jofepb La^ wejikury, ^]^^^^^ ^l^o wcut with mc to Wefthuv'^ Meeting, which (confidering the Cold) was much larger than I expected. From Wefthuryy 'Nathaniel Sinmions^ Samuel Underhill, and Phebe fVillet, went with us to Beth- '^ ^^^^' page-, vrhere we had a comfortable Evening- meeting at the Houfe of Thomas Powell, who went with us next Seta" kit Morning to a Town called Setawket^ it was as cold a Dav's Travel as ever I went thro' in all my Life -, the ^ Wind THOMAS CHALKLE T. i6j Wind was in our Faces, and Northerly; I do not 1725. remember (though I had been a Traveller above v/V"*-' thirty Years) that ever I endured fo much Hardnefs by Cold in one Day ; my Chin and Jaws were much affeded with the Froft for feveral Days •, but we had a good Meeting that made up for all. After which we went ten Miles to Jmos Wiileth Houfe, where we had a ferviceable Meeting: He invited his Neighbours, who came and received us with Hearts full of Good- will ; and thofe not of our Society, were well fatisfied with the Meeting , fo that we went on our Way re- joicing, that we were favoured with the good Prefence of God in our Journey. Avios IVillet and his Wife went with us to Huntington^ where we had a quiet, JJ^oitiniton- peaceable Meeting, and the Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift was with and among us, as many can witnefs that were there. From hence we went to Samuel Un- derhiWs^ and vifited his weak Brother ; in which Vific the Lord mightily refrefbed us together, and we blef- fed his holy Name, for he is good to all them 'who put their Truft in him. Next Day we had a large Meet- j^ .^, ing at MatinicocL After this Meeting we went to cock. '^ nomas Pearfall\ and had an Evening- meeting at his Houfe. The next Day, beingafnowy, ftormy Day, and one of the lliorteft in the Year, we went, being iS in Company, to Cow-Neck, where we had a good ^'^'^ **'**' Meeting, and much larger than could be expeded. After Meeting we went to Jofeph Latham's, and had a tender, open Evening-meeting there, in which we were edifiea, and refrefhed, in Chrift Jefu-^ From Cow-Neck I went to Flufhing^ had a Urge Meeting //«y^«V' there on the Firft-day of the Week, and on Second- day we went over the Sound (which divides Long- IJland from the main Continent) to Horfe-Neck^ ^^(\ Horfe^Nick had a Meeting, where I underftood there never had been one before ; the People were fober and attentive, and fome exprefled their Satisfadlion. That Evening^ a- we had a Meeting at an Inn near Byra?n River, where m,^ divers i66 The ]OVRN AL of Merrintck. I'j^S' divers People came, and were attentive ; the Tnn- t/VNJ keeper, his Father, Brother, Wife, and feveral others, took our Vifit very kindly *, tho' there was one reftlefs Man, who feem'd to be out of Order with Drink before he came into the Houfe, and when wc were fitting in Silence, waiting for the Gift of Chrift, and worihipping in Spirit, as Chrift inftituted, he fitting by me, jogged me, and faid, It was Ti??ie to he^ gifty for there is as many come as would come to Night \ tho' he was miftaken in that; but he not having Pati- ence to watch and pray, went away ; after which we had a good Meeting Thefe two Meetings were in the Government of ConneBicut^ where they formerly made a Law impofing a Fine of ^\^ Pounds on thofe who fhould entertain any of our Society, which Law, I was informed, was repealed in Great- Britain. From thence we travelled into New-Tork Government, and had a Meeting at Rye^ and another at Marrineck ; from whence we travelled to IVed-Cbefter^ and had a Meeting there on a Sixth-day of the Week, intending to go over the Ferry next Day to Long-IJlandi buc the Wind being high and boifterous, that we could not get over, we tarried three Nights at the Houfe of John Stephen/on, where we were lovingly and gene- roufly entertained : And on Firft-day we were again at IFeft-Chefter Meeting, which ended comfortably, tho' I was in a low State, both of Body and Mind, in the Beginning of it. On vSecond-day we all goc well over the Ferry to Loig- IJland, parting with our Friends at the Ferry in much Love and Good-will. Jofej^h Latham having been my Fellow-Traveller on the Main, I went to his Floule, and from thence to JVefthury^ to a large Meeting, and next to Bethpa^e^ and had a Meeting there, and in the Evening, accom- panied by Samuel Bownc and Jofepb Latham^ 1 went to Jerttfalem^ and had a large and fatisfadory Meet- ing: Many of the People of the Town, who were jiemffleai, there, came the next Day to our Meeting at Hempfteady which Chefier- fVefitury. THOMAS CHALKLET. 167 which was large ; the great Lord of all was good to 1725. us that Day, which, I hope, many that were there, t^^v">^ will not forget ; and fome Convincement was wrought on fome that were of Account in the World at thefe laft-mentioned Meetings, particularly one who lived at Jerufalem^ with Tcndernefs of Spirit defired my Remembrance^ whom I pray God to preferve (with all thofe v/ho love and fear him, and believe in his Son) to the End. From Hempftead I went to Matinicock, where, on Ma^^^i- 2L Firft-day of the Week, we had a large Meeting, and a folid, good Opportunity it was ; and from thence to 'Thomas Townfend's on the Plains, at whofe Houfe we had an Evening-meeting ; next Morning a pretty many Friends from the Plains, went with us to the South Side of the Ifland, to a Place called Rockway, where we had a Meeting at Hicks's^ the Rock'way. Neighbours coming to it pretty generally ; there v^^as great Opennefs to receive the Dodrine of Truth in thofe not of our Society, and they were very kind to us in thofe Parts : This was the fecond Meeting I- had been at in this Place, Benjamin Holmes having the firft there, fince which they had not been vifued by any Friend of the Miniftry except myielf. From Rockwav we went to Fofterh Meadow, v,^here was a roftcr's , ^-^ , • r T-k 1 1 ^1 -rT rii J Ti ^ Meadow, large Gathering of People, and cnnft filled our Hearts with divine Love. From thence I went to Peter Titus^Sy and had a Meeting at his Houfe, to which came the Neighbours, and were well-affecled ♦, and next Day we had a Meeting in the Meeting-houfe at Wefthury^ m/thKry. which was very large, and to our Satisfadion. From I-^eJlhury^ in the Evening, we went to vifit a young Woman who had been in a defpairing Condition for feveral Years. The Family came together, and we put up our Prayers to the Almighty, in int Name of his dear Son ; it was a good Time to us all i and the young Woman, and fome others, exprefs'd their Sa- tisfaction. M This i68 T/j^ JOURNAL ?f 1725. This Evening we went to fee another young Wo- xys/"^ man who was in a deep Confumption, but in a very comfortable State of Mind ; having a great Defireto fee me before fhe died, fhe fent for me to come to her, and her Defire was anfwered, her Spirit being revived with a frefh Vifitation of the Love of Jefus Chrifl, the holy Phyfician of Value, and our Supplications were, that the Lord would be pleafed to be with her, and fupport her to the End, and grant her an eafy PafTage from this Life to his glorious Kingdom, when it fhould pleafe him to remove her 5 which Prayer we have Caufe to hope was anfwered. Though the Days were fhort, we rode about fifteen Miles, and made thofe two Vifirs, after that great Meeting at ff^ejihury, and the Seafon was exceeding cold ', but our great and good Mafter fupported us, and was with us in our Exercifes and Service for his Name and Trutii's Sake. I lodged this Night at Jofeph T^iufh'mg. Rodman's^ and was next Day at Flujhing Week-day- meeting, which was very large and fatisfadory, and had a Meeting the fame Evening at Samuel Bcwne^s, AVw.iVrAt. ^^^ {-}^e Yitxt Day went to New-Tork, and had a quiet, good Meeting in the Evening at Sa?miel Harrifon'Sy and on the Morrow had an Evening-meeting at a «;;.>. p|.^ call'd the Kills, at the Houfe of Richard Hallet^ and the next Day, being Firft-day, had a large Meet- ing ?iXNewtoiin^ to the Edification of Friends and other fober People. It being now generally known that T was on the liland, the People flock'd to Meetings, tho' theWea- cher was extream cold, for the Lord manifefled him- felf in the Riches of his Love unto us in our Meetings- Ivv UiC Worfliip of his holy Name. The next Meet- fCo.'k^^ilt, iTig was at James Jackfon'^^ at Rocky-hill^ where was judge Hkh^ I he High Shenfi^ and a Juftice of Peace, wiih feveral other Perfons of Note, with whom and our Friends, we had a good Time to fet forth theWork of Grace and 'Reformation {'^% I think) to general Satisfaiftion, \'e..x ifivi- THOMAS CHALKLET. 169 Satisfadlon, for which we blefTed the holy Name of 1725. God ; and humble Prayer was put up to him for all wor^^ Men, and particularly for our King George^ as alfofor all in Authority under him, and that they might be a Terror to Evil-doers, and the Praife of them that do well. The next Meeting we had was at Jamaica^ Jamaica. which was alfo large, and feveral in Authority were there, and were very loving and refpedltul after Meet- ing. The next Firft-day we had a large Meeting at the Meeting-houfe at Cow-Neck^ which was fomewhat^^'-^''-^''^^** crowded. I was right glad (though my Exercifes were very great) that there was fuch Opennefs and Room in Peoples Hearts to receive the Dodrine which I had to declare unto them, in the Name and Power of Chriffc •, afterwards we had an Evening-meeting with the Wi- dow I'ituSy to which divers Dutch People came^ and were very attentive and fober. On the thir6 of the Week we had a Meeting nea; the Place called HellJ^'^^^'''* Gate (a narrow PaiTage in the great Sound or Bay, between Long-JJland and the LMain Land) feveral Juftices and their Wives were at this Meeting, one of which had difowned his Son, and turned him out of Doors for coming among us •, but beholding his Son's fpber Converfation, grew more moderate, and after Meeting he and his Wife invited us to dine with them, but we were engaged ro vifit the Widow Stevens that Evening, at whole Houfe we had a Meeting. Goino- thither, it being very cold and ftormy, my Hands where touched with the Froft, and perceiving it when I came to the Fire, I called for a Bafon of cold Watery which foon cured them : I note this that others may reap Benefit thereby. Next Day we went to the Week, day- meeting at New-town^ and on the Fifth-day ^^^ Neix)-town . FluJhingMQCUng, which was large, and to Edification, ^'"^^'"^^ and in the Evening had a Meeting at our ancient Friend Hugh Copperthwait^s, which was acceptable to him (as himfelf expreffed when it was ended) and to us alfo. Next Day we had a very large Evening-meerine M 2 ^ ac ijo 77j^ J O U R N A L ?/" 1725. at nomas Pearfall^s^ and likewife a large, good Meet- "'^"y"^^ ing the Day after (being Firft-day) at Matinicock, fiiat:nic(Kk. ^y]^^^^\j^ ^l^g Kingdom of Chrift was exalted, and the deformed State of Sin and Iniquity reprefented, and the Example and Do(ftrine of Chrift clofely recom- mended, in order to the overcoming Sin, this being not only poffible, but the Duty of Chriftians thro' the Pov/er of Chrift, and true Faith in his holy Name ; and the Danger ot believing, that it is impoflible to overcome Sin, was opened to them, and that fuch a Belief is contrary to, and againft Chrift and his Doc- trine, and darkens and blinds the Hearts ot Men ; but the Love of Chrift enlightens the Soul, and ftrengthens it to believe, that all Things are poflible with God, for this great Work cannot be done in the Will, Wit, and Power of Man, but thro' the Power and Grace of Chrift, which he promifed to true Be- lievers in him. I was faint after this Meeting, but refting a little I foon grew better, fp that we had an Evening-meeting at James Cock's^ where one came and told us, ive muft not eat any Flejh, and produced Thomas ^ryon's Works for his Proof •, but I took the Bible, and fhewed him a Proof to the contrary, and told him, we were refolved to believe our Book before his, and fhewed him from the Apoftle, that the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink, nor divers Wafhings, but Righteoufnefs, Peace, and Joy in the holy Ghoft, Romans xiv. j 7. Though at the fame Time, according to the Doclrine of Chrift and his Apoftles, I was for Temperance in Meats and Drinks, as well as Mode- ration in Apparel. The next Day we had a very large o^jftn^Uay, Meeting at Oyjler-Bay, many being there, who were not of our Society, who fteadily gave Attention to- what was declared : Here being many young People, they were perfuaded to give up their blooming Years to do the Will of God, and to remember him their Crea- tor, in their youthful Days : F'riends faid, there had not been fuch a Meeting there a great while, for which TnOMAS CHALKLEl. 171 which Opportunity I was humbly thankful to the Lord. 1725. After Meeting we went to Samuel Underbill' s^ and had U'"V^N^ an Evening-meeting with his Brother, who, through Sicknefs and Lamenefs, could not get out for a long Time. Next Day, Samuel Bowne being with me, we went to vifit a young Woman that was weak in Body, but lay in a comfortable Frame of Mind ; fhe was thankful for our Vifit, and faid the Vifits of her Friends were comfortable to her. Next Day, being the F'^ourth-day of the Week, we had a Meeting at the Widow Taylor's^ who defired it on Account of her Father, who was in the 88th Year of his Age, and fo infirm, that he could not get to Meetings •, he was very clear in his Underftanding and Memory, and was much refrefhed with this Meeting, as were divers of us alfo. Next Day we had a Meeting at FluJJjing^ Fi»(hhs. which was large and open, and the Grace and Power of Chrift was with us in the Miniftrarion of the Gof- pel. After this Meeting, we had an Evening- meeting with our antient Friend Jofepb ^horne^ who by Rea- fon of his Age and Infirmity, could not go abroad as far as to the Meeting : The Houfe was crowded with his Neighbours and Friends, and we had a folid, good Time together. While at Flujhing I went to vifit a young Woman who was a mod difmal Spe(flacle to behold, an Object of great Pity : Her Face, Hand and Foot being much eaten away by the King's Evil ; our Prayers were, that now in her great Mikry, the , Almighty would be pleafed to fupport her Soul by his Grace and Spirit, and fandlify her AfHidtions to her, that it might work for her a more exceeding Weight of Glory in that World which \^ to come. The next Firft-day we had a large Meeting at Flujh- ing^ where many weighty Truths were opened to the Satisfadion and Edification of the Auditory, and in the Evening we had a Meeting with the Wife of Mat- thsw Farrington^ who was too weakly to go abroad ; the Neighbours came in, and we had a feafonable M 3 Opportuniry 172 rhe JOURNAL of Opportunity. The next Third-day was the Youths- meeting at Fliijhing^ in which we were concerned to ex- hort them to Obedience to God and their Parents, and to follow their Parents as they follow Chrift ; for where any leave Chrift, there we are to leave their Example, though they were our Fathers or Mothers *, and the right Honouring of our Parents was fet forth, and they exhorted not to defpife the Day of fmall Things ; and the happy State of the Obedient, and the unhappy State of the Difobedient, and many weighty Truths were delivered to them in that Meeting by feveral experienced Friends. From Flujhing I went to the Week-di-y-meeting at New-town^ and in the Evening we had a Meeting at the Widow IVafs ; the Neigh- bours coming in, we had a good Time with them : The Parable of the ten Virgins was treated of, and the great Difadvantage of wanting the divine Oil of Grace in our VefTels, was fhewn to them. The next Day, being the 5th of the W^ek, we had a very large, fatisfii(5lory Meeting at the Widow Alfup's at the Kills^ and from thence with feveral Friends went to Nezv-Tork, where we had three Meetings to our Edification, the Weather ftill remaining extreamly cold, but we felt the Love of Chrifl to warm our Hearts, and tho' I think 1 never felt it colder, I never had my Heakh better. Several Friends accompanied tis to the Boatac New-Iork, the Water being open on that Side, we took our Leave of each other, and put out for the other Shore ♦, but before we got there we were blocked up in the Ice, and it was a confiderable Time be'ore we could work our Way through, but at lafh got well on Long-Jfland^ where I waited fome Hours for Company, who through fome Difficulty got on Shore i after which we went to the Narrows through a Srorm of Wind and Snow, but the Wind being high we could not get over that Night, nor the next Day, the Ice having come down and filled the Bay : When tiic Tide had 6:0x0. away the Ice, we put out and got well THOMAS CHALRLET. 173 well over, and lodged at the Ferry-Houfe on Staten- 1725* JJland, Next Morning we went to the Ferry at the v^'-vv^ Blazing-Star^ over-againft JVoodhridge^ but it was all fattened with Ice, and we not daring to venture over it, went to the Ferry at Amboy^ and got comfortably over, AmUy. flay'd there that Night, and next Day went to Tren- ^'''"^'^^- ion^ and lodged at Capt. Gould's^ who treated me very kindly, I being much tired with Travelling. Next Morning I went over Delaware River on the Ice (as we had alfo the Day before at Rariton) and that Day, being the 5th of the Twelfth Month, I got fafe Home Franhfar\ to my loving Spoufe and tender Children, where I found all well, and a hearty Reception, havmg tra- velled 600 Miles, and attended above 60 Meetings. After having been at Home, and at our own Meet- ing ac Frankfort^ I went to the Qiiarterly-meeting at Philadelphia^ where Friends were glad to fee me. On the next Fifth-day I was at the Marriage of Thomas Mafters and Hannah Dickinfony where were many fober People, not of our Society. Having been lately among Friends at Long-IJland, and been comforted in the many Opportunities we had together, it came into my Mind to vifit them with an Epiftle at their Quarterly- Meeting at Flujhing^ whicli was as followeth. Frankfort^ 12th Month 1725.' My dear and well beloved Friends^ « IJELIEVING it might be acceptable to you An Epim© < XJ to hear that I was got well to my Habitation in \^ ^|f^^* ^ fuch a difficult Time of the Year as I fet out from jfland. * you in , and alfo feeling the fweet Influence of the ' divine Love of the heavenly Father, and his dear * Son our Lord Jefus Chrift, to arife and fpring in my ' Heart and flowing towards you : ' It came into my Mind to write a few Lines to the * Qtiartcrly-meeting of Friends at Flu/hlng^ by way of M 4 ' n^m^. 174 r/je JOVK'N AL of 1725. ' Epidle, well knowing alfo that many of us are as Epiftles writ in one anothers Hearts by the hea- venly Finger of the mod High ; and thofe Charac- ters of divine Love fo written will not eafily be erafed; I could willingly have been at your Quarterly- meeting, but that 1 had been fo long trom my Family, that I was much wanted therein, and my coming Home was feafonable and acceptable, both to them and. my Friends j and I humbly thank the Lord, 1 found all v/ell. Now that which is on my Mind to your Quarterly-meeting, is after this Man- ner, concerning the Government of the Church of Chrift, of which Church He is the holy Head and Lawgiver : Wherefore we are to feek and wait for Counfel and Wifdom from him, in all our Monthly and Quarterly- meetings, for the well-ordering of our little Sociery, which is growing and increafing in the Earth, and alib in your Ifland (notwithftand- ing the invidious Attempts of fome Men of corrupt Minds) and it will grow and increafe more and more, as we keep our Places, our heavenly Places in Chrift Jefus. ' Dear Friends^ the good Order of Truth and Go- vernment of Cnrift in his Church, is a great Help to us and our Children, when carried on in Chrift's Spirit [pray oblerve or mind that] for if our Order, and Church-Government, be carried on in the Spirit of Man (as he is meer Man) though he is never fo crafty or cunning, it will do more Hurt than Good m the Church ot Chrid. Chrift's Spirit muft go- vern Chrift's Church •, and when, and where that is over all, then, and there, Chrift's Church and Kingdom is exalted, of whole Kingdom and Peace there will be no End ; and happy will all thofe be, whofe End is in it. Mofes, that Man of God, go- ^ verned in the Jewijh Church in the Spirit of God, and ■ when he found the Work too heavy for him, the '■• Lord put his Spirit on Seventy more, who were* Help- rHOMAS CHALKLET. 175 * Help-meets in the Government \ fo that it was 1725, * God's Spirit that governed •, and while that ruled ' them^ all was well ; but when they went from that, * they fell into Error and Difobedience ; and at length ' the MeJJiah came, and he governed his own little ' Flock himfelf ; and when he afcended upon high, * be promifed his Spirit fhould be with, and in his * Church for ever, and be their holy Guide into all ' Truth, in which he would alfo comfort them : And * Chrifl fulfilled this his Promife ; for when his Dif- * ciples waited at Jerufalem to be endued with Power ^ from on high, according to the Advice of their * Lord, they were filled with the Gift and Grace of the * holy Spirit : And when the Brethren and Elders met ^ together about the Affairs and Government of the ' Church, they gave forth Rules and Orders from that * General- meeting to the particular Ones; and the ' holy Ghofl prefided amongfl them, which they * fignified to the other Meetings, faying, // feemed * good to the holy Ghoft:^ and to us^ to put you in Mind * rf fuch and fuch things. And while this holy GhofV, * or Spirit, governed in the primitive Chriflian * Church, all was well ; God and Chrift was glorified, * and his Church and People edified ; but by going ' from that, the Apoflacy came in. ' Wherefore, dear Friends^ keep clofe to the Spirit, ' Power, Light, and divine Life, of Chrift Jefus, in * your Monthly and Quarterly-meetings for the Go- * vernmentof the Church, as well as in your Meetings * for the Worfhip of the Almighty ; for if we go « from that, he will go from us. ' Aiid, dear Friends^ the Teftimony of Jefus, iq * the Spirit of Prophecy, opens in me after this Man- * ner. That if our Society keep and live up to the * Spirit and Truth of Chrift, which hath been mani- ' fefted to our Fore-fathers, and to us alfo in this Age, < the great Lord of all will profper his Work in our * Hands, 176 7h ] OUR IS! AL of 1725. ' Hands, and blefs both us and our Children, as we l/^VN^' and they keep therein. ' And as we have kept clofe to this our heavenly < Guide, how hath the Lord Iweetly manifefted his * Love and Power to us in our Meetings for the well- ^ ordering of our Society? "Which many Times hath « filled our Hearts with pure Praifes, and holy * Thankfgiving, to the high and lofty One, who in- « habits Eternity, and dwells in the higheft Heavens, < and is Light tor ever : To whom, with the Lamb * of God, who takes av/ay the Sins of the World, I re- * commend you, my dear and well- beloved Friends, * Brethren, and Sifters in Chrift, with my own Soul. T, C. * P. S. Since my Return, I have been thankful to ' God for the many favourable Vifitations and good < Opportunities he was pleafed to grant me with you, « and divers fober People on your Ifland, in which < there is an open Door among many to receive the ^ Teftimony of Truth. I commend your Nobility ia * building good Houfes, and making Room for your « fober Neighbours to fit with you in your Meetings ; ' this is of good Report concerning you, both far and < near, and if I apprehend right, there is more * Work of that Kind for you to do. I thought often, « when among you, and now alfo. That there would * be a large Gathering, if there were a Houfe built at * the Upper-end of the great Plains, not far from * FoJler''s Meadow ; but every one may not think or ' lee alike *, tho' I know fome folid Friends among ^ you, thought the fame with me, about the Profpedl * of a large Gathering there-away, if a Houfe were ' built *, to which Friends, and well-inclined People, ' might come from Hempfteady Rocky-kill^ Rockway, ' ' Fofier'^ Meadow, &c. ir. c. After THOMAS CHALKLEr. 177 After my Service on Long-IJlandy I had great 1725. Sweetnefs upon my Spirit for fome Time, which Ky^^T^J fometimes caufed my Heart toTing for Joy ; and yet I rejoiced in a trembling Frame of Spirit, and had the true Senfe of what is written in the holy Scriptures, where it is faid. Serve the Lord wilh Fear (I take ir. Filial Fear) and rejoice with Trembling, for fear of lofing that precious Senfe of the Love of God^ which is in Chrifi. On the 20th of the Twelfth Month (the Firft-day of the Week) I was at Ahington Meeting, in which AUngton. the Love of Chrift was manifefted to us, in the Open- ing of his Saying, If I be lifted up^ I will draw all Men unto me^ John xii. 32. The next Day I was at German-town^ at the Burial of a Son of Beyinis Cunrad, f,l^"^"" at which alfo was our Friend Abigail Bowles, On the Sixth-day followino;, I went to the General-meeting of ^ ^ Mmifters and Elders at Burlington^ where I again met with our faid Friend and divers others : The Firft- day-meeting was large •, and on Second-day was the Quarterly-meeting for the County ; and on Third- day was their Youths-meeting, which was large, and many weighty Truths were delivered in that Meeting. ^ . ^ ,y On tourth-day we were at a Meeting at Sprtngjield --, the Houfe was pretty much thronged, and Friends were exhorted, thankfully to commemorate the Mer- cies and Favours of the Almighty to them, and de- fired to enlarge their Meeting-houfes as their Number increafed -, for in thofe Parts there was fuch an Open* nefs in the Hearts of the People, and Increafe of their Number, that Friends had already agreed on building two Meeting-houfes between Crofwicks and Burlington \ their Zeal and Unanimity therein, was worthy of Commendation. Fifth-day being the "Week -day -meeting At Burlington^ Friends of the Town defired I would flay at it ; I thought we had juft before had divers good Opportunities, and my own Inclinations fecmed to lead to my Family ; but Friends 178 The JOURNAL of 1725. Friends being defirous of my (laying, I did (o^ and sy^y^^ v/e had a good, folid Meeting. After Meeting a lb lid good Friend fa id, He thought we had the bejl JVine at la/i -, and' Indeed the Love of God, through Chrift, is fo fweet to his People, that the Jafl often jeems the beft, when it is only a renewed Vifitation of the fame Love to his Children. So I went home re- joicing that I was in fome good Meafure accounted worthy to ferve fo good, and fo gracious a Mafter. On the 6th Day of the Firft Month (beiof^ theFirft of the Week) I was at the Morning and Afternoon Meetings in Philadelphia^ wherein thofe who call them- fclves Free-thinkers^ were exhorted to be careful of drinking too freely, lefl they might juftly be called Free-drinkers*, for many Times fuch, when they drink too freely of ftrong Liquor, think and fpeak too freely their own corrupt Notions, to the Difhonour of God, and to the Scandal of Religion in general. Soon after I was at the Firft-day Meetings at Pbila- J^fpyf' delpbia •, and in this Month I went into the Jerfeys^ and was at three large Meetings in Company with Abigail Bowles^ in which our faid Friend had good Service, to the Comfort of Friends, convincing of Gainfayers, and confirming the Weak, and the People were glad of our Vifit. The 15th Day of this Month I was at Burlington at the Burial of my good Friend and old Acquaintance Abraham Bickley, at whofe Funeral were great Num- bers of People, he being well- beloved of his Neigh- bours; Chrill's raifing Lazarus out of the Grave, and bis Tendernefs and \Vceping there was fpoken of, in order to flir People uo ro a tender, religious Ex.=rcife ot Mind, wiiich is too much wanting among many of riic ProteiTors of his holy Name, who have too little Senie ot that which fhould bring true Tendernefs over their Minds, being more in Earth than Heavt-n ; fo that thev are drv and barren, as to the Things of God. THOMAS CHALKLET. 179 God. The Meeting ended (to Satisfadion) with Sup- 1725. plications to the Almighty. \^"V>JI A few Days after, I was at our General Spring- meeting in Philadelphia^ which was large ; where our Friends Robert Jordan and Abigail Bowles had good Service. This Week T was at four very large Meetings ac Philadelphia^ Frankfort^ and Abington, much to my Satisfadion, tho' I had no vocal Service therein ; yet my Heart was broken into Tendernefs and Tears, un- der the Miniftry of feveral weighty, folid Teftimonies, that were born by good and living Minifters, quali- fied to preach the Gofpel in the Demonftation of the Spirit, and with Power. The 26th of the Firft Month 1726, I went to Ger- man-town Meeting, which was large, and I was opened ^^^* therein to fpeak of the Vifion of the Prophet Ezekiel^ of the holy Waters which proceeded from under the Threfhold of the Sandluary, which the Angel mea- furing, they grew deeper and deeper, until they be- came a River to fwim in, Ezek, xlvii. 5. Which myfti- cally fheweth the Work of Grace, Converlion, and Re- generation ; and that thefe holy Waters the Soul mull drink of, and be wafhed, and biptized in, are fpirituai and fupernatural, and therefore not tobemeafured by the Spirit and Will of Man, in his natural State, ac- cording to the Prophet i/^i^/j, Chap, xxxiii. 2 \. Man, before he can fwim therein, mu(t be ftript of all his Self-righteoufnefs, and artificial Religion, though as fplendid and beautiful as a gallant Ship, or Galley with Oars, which in this Refpedl is agreeable to the State of Men fwimming in elementary Water, where the mod fkilful have lometimes loft their Lives, for want of being naked or uncloathed-, and thofe who had not yet attain'd much Experience, wjre advis'd not go out of their Depth, but to wait in Patience and Humility, to enjoy the medicinal Virtue of the Trees growing by the Side of this River, whofe Fruit i8o 7^^ J O U R N A L 0/ 1726. is for Meat, and Leaves for Medicine, Ezek. xlvii. 12. ^^^^W The PeopJe of this Meeting were generally Germans^ feveral of whom ftay'd in the Houfe after the Meeting was over, and were broken into Tendernefs, in a Senfe of the Prefence and Love of God unto us, for which I was alfo humbly thankful and bowed in Spirit. I was at the Third-day Weekly-meeting in Philadel- phia, which was but fmall, confidering the large Num- ber of thofe profelTing to be of our Society in this City i thofe prefent were clofely and tenderly exhorted to be zealous for good Works, and againft bad Works ; not refpeding the Perfon of any Man ; the Abominations committed by fome under our Profef- lion, in this City and Province, calling for Humiliati- on 5 and as the Promife of God's Favour was to thofe who mourn'd with Sighs and Cries for the Abomina- tions among his People formerly, Ezek. ix. 4, 6. fo now, as many as are under the fame Concern, may hope for Prefervation and Salvation, if he fhould m like Manner vifit us, as at this Time he doth fome of our Neighbours ; there being a great Sicknefs and Mortality in fome of the adjacent Places. In the Second Month I vifited the Meetings of Haiterford. Friends at Haverford^ Newtown^ Radnor^ and Merion^ ^^wfo-aiw, ^i^j^i^ Meetings confift chiefly of antient Britons, who are a religious, induftrious, and increafing Peo- ple ; among whom my Service was (as they expreffed) to our mutual Satisfadion. After my Return Home, BucJu I went to vifit Friends at the Falls of Delaware^ and '^"''^* was at a large Meeting in their new Meeting-houfe. Aiter a fatisfadlory Meeting at Frankfort, on the Fifth- day of the fame Week, 1 went with Ennon Williams to his Son's Marriage ; and the next Day he, and fe- veral other Friends, accompanied me to Woodberry^ ^Crcfkr^ ^^^ eternal Spirit, is worthy for ever. On the Receipt of the lafl Letter from my dear Fa- ther, which I fome Time fince mentioned, I was appre- henfive it might be his laff, which it proved to be ; for the next Letter from my dear Brother gave me Intel- ligence of his Death, which I received the 25th of the Fourth Month this Year. The News of my dear Father's Deceafe-cook fuch hold of my Mind (tho' I daily expedled it) that for fome Time I was hardly fo- ciable. — Oh how have I been fometimes comforted in his loving and tender Epiftles ! At the Receipt of which I have cryed to the Lord, that if it pleafed him, I might have a double Portion of the Spirit which he gave to my F'ather : But Oh ! Now I muft never hear more from him in this World ; yet in this I have fome inward Comfort, that I hope we Ihall meet where we fhall never part more* — Here follows i Part of my affedlionate Brother's Account of my Father's Death and Burial. Edmonton^ z^thofthe jft Mpntb, I'jiS, Dear Brother, * riri H I S comes with the forrowful Account of ' JL ^"^ ^^^^ Father's Deceafe, who departed this * Life the 7th Inif. after having been indifpofed about * a Fortnight. — I have herewith fent a particular Ac- « count of lome remarkable PalTages, and his laft Ex- * preffions in his Sicknefs 5 that Part relating to his « Convlncement, THOMAS CHALKLET. 185 Convincement, he defired fliould be committed to 1 726. Writing, which I have done, and fent it to thee. , ^ * I was with him feveral Times in his lafl Illnefs, and . moft of the two laft Days of his Life, as thou mayft perceive by the Contents. — Our worthy Father was honourably buried on the nth Inft. being carried from his own Houfe to the Meeting- houfe at Horjley downy accompanied with his Relations, where was a large Meeting of many People, as many as the Meet- ing-houfe could well contain, and many Teftimonies were there born to the innocent, exemplary Life, Integrity and honeft Zeal of our dear Father, fo concurrent and unanimous, that I have hardly known any fuch Occafion more remarkable : He was ac- companied from thence to the Grave very folemnly,, and there in like Manner interred, where a further Teftimony was given to his honed Life and Conver:- fation, and lively Zeal for the holy Truth, whereof he made ProfefTion. ' Dear Brother, though it be a forrowfui Occafion of Writing, yet herein we may be comforted^ in Confideration that our Father went to his Grave in Peace in a good old Age : He had his Underftanding and Memory to the lalt in a wonderful Manner. I believe (as I have fometimes Cud) that he embraced Death as ioyfully as ever he did any happy Accident; of his Life : I remember one Pailage of his cheartul Relignation : Finding him fine and cheary when I came to fea him, a Week before his Deceafe, and he Ihewing me how well he could walk about the Room, and would have went out of it, though he was very bad the Day before, fo chat I faid. Father, I hope thou wilt get over this Illnefs i but he anfwered me pretty quick and loud, , No^ hiU I dont though : 'Tis not long fince he was at my Houfe, and was chearful and well, but fpokeas if he thought it would be the laft Time.— My Wife faid. Father, thou mayit live feme Years •, but he replied, h it not htt^r for ms ta N z die^ i86 fre^ JOURNAL e/' 1726. < die, and go to Chrift ? So, dear Brother, with dear C«^V^^ ^ Love to thee, my Sifter, and thy dear Children, and « our Relations, I conclude with earneft Defires for thy ' Health and Welfare/ 5'/6;y affeElionate Brother ^ GEO. CHALKLET. My Bf other'* s Account of my Father'* s Convincement, and of his la[l Sicknefs and dying Words. ^^ ■^*' * My Father was born of religious Parents at ir^;wp- sYiy Fa. * ton^ near Hitching^ in Hertford fhire^ the ift of the l^nceiS* * N^^^^ Month 1 642 •, his Father's Name was Thomas ^ncemet,^ q^^^^I^^,^ by Trade a Dealer in Meal, by Profeflion ' of the Church of England, and zealous in his Way, * as was alfo his Wife. * They had four Sons and three Daughters, Thomas^ * jfobn^ George^ and Robert -, Elizahethy Sarah^ and Mar'j. * My Father (being the third Son) was convinced very * young at a Meeting by Enfield Chace- fide ^ near Winch' » more- Hill ^ through the powerful Miniftry of William * /:?r^;?J,who was an eminent Minifter in theLord's Hand « in that Day, and had been a great Sufferer for his ' Teftimony in New-England, He was preaching, as « I heard my Father fevera! Times fay, upon theWords ^ of the Preacher, Ecclef xi. 9. Rejoice^ O young Man^ « in thy Toutb, and let thy Heart chear thee in the Days of ^ thy Touth, and walk in the Ways of thy Hearty and in ^ the Sight of thine Eyes \ but know thou, that for all ' thefe Things God will bring thee into Judgment. IJpon * which Subjed he fpoke fo home to my Father's State '■ and Condition, that he was convinced, and two ' others of his Companions were reached and affed:- * ed with the Teftimony of Chrift's Truth and Gof- * pel i my Father and two young Men had been ^ walking in the Fields, having religious Converfation * together THOMAS CHALKLET. 187 « together, and were providentially dirc6led to the 1726* * Meeting, by obfcrving fome Friends going to it, v-^S/^ ' whom they followed thither: One of his Companions * was Samuel Hodges, who lived and died a faithful * Friend, at whofe Houfe in fucceeding Times a Meet* * ing was fettled, and is there continued, and a Meet* ' ing-houfe built at this Day at Mims in Hertfordjhire. * My Father was the firfb of the Family who re- « ceived the Teftimony of Truth as it is in Jefus, after ' which his Father and Mother were convinced, and all * his Brothers and Sifters, who lived and died honeft ' Friends, except one who died young, continuing in ' the Church of ^«_^/^;7^Perfwafion. Soon after the * Convincement ot my Father and his two Companions * aforefaid, they met with a Trial of their Faith and ^ Patience ; for being taken at a religious Meeting of « Friends, they were all three committed ro the New- * Prifon in White Chappel^ where having continued Pri- * foners for fome Time, the Magiftrates obferving ' their Chriftian Courage, Boldnefs and Innocency, and ' being touch'd with Tendernefs towards them, confi- * dering their Youth, they difcharged them. * My Father, about the 25th Year of his Age, mar- * ried my Mother (a virtuous young Woman) who was "^ the Widow of Nathaniel Har dingy a Friend, who died * under the Sentence of Banifhment for his ProfefI\on < of Chrift j the above Account I had from my Fa- * ther's own Mouth j what follows fell within my own ' Obfervation. ' My dear Father met with great Exercifes and * Difappointments in his early Days ; he, dealing in « his Father's Bufmefs, fold Meal to fome who broke * in his Debt, which brought him low in the World, * in which low Eftate he was an eminent Example of « Patience, Refignation and Induftry, labouring with « his Hands for the Support of his Family, and con- « fcientioudy anfwered all his Engagements ; fo that it ' may be juftly laid of him, he was careful that he N 3 * might i88 7X^ JOURNAL t?/ 726. ' might oi:::e nothing to any Man but Love ^ and farther, he was very conilant in keeping to Meetings, being a good Example therein, though in very hot Times ■ of Perilcution ; for when Friends were forely and = feverely perfecuted on Account of keeping their re- * iigious Meetings, and the Prifons filled with them ' through the Nation, and their Goods taken away, * and much Spoil and Havock made about the Years ^ 1680 to 1684, my Father conftantly attended Meet- ' ings, and never miiTed, as I remember, when well ; * and though he was fometimes concerned to fpeak by * Way of Exhortation to Friends in their publick ' Meetings, when they were. kept out of their Meet- * ing-houfes (by the then Powers) to {land faithful to ' the Truth, and teflifying of the folid Comfort and * Satisfadlion thofe had who truly waited on the Lord, ^ which the Faithful enjoy'd, notwithfcanding tncirceep ^ and many Sufferings for Ciirifl's Sake, and his Gofpel, * itpleafed the Lord to preferve him by his divine Pro^ * vidence, that he did not fuifer Imprifonmenr, though * the wicked Informers were very bufy in that Time of ^ fevere Perfecution. I may farther add, that when my, "• Feather was about 60 Years of Age, he had a Concern ^ to vific Friends Meetings in the North of England, * and fome other Parts of the Nation ; and in the 75th * Year of his Age, he travelled to Chefter^ and from * thence (in Company with James Bates ^ a publick ' Friend, of Virginia) went over for Ireland \ in all * which Services he had good Satisfaction, and was * well received of Friends ; divers other Journeys and ' Travels he performed not here noted ; but this Jour- ' ney into another Nation at ']i^ Years of Age, Ihews * his Age had not quenched his Love and Zeal for his ' Lord s Work and Service. ' In our Father's Old Age he was attended with ' very great Exercifes : About the 77th Year of his ' Age, as he was affilting his Men in the Dufk of the " Evening, he miiicd his F'ooting, and fell down and * broke THOMAS CHALKLET. 189 broke his Leg 5 and foon after his Leg was welF, 1726. he met with another Accident by a Fall, which dif- i^^^y*^ abled him, and made hun lame to his Death, never recovering the Hurt he had by that Fall, which was after this Manner ; he was fitting in a Chair by his Door on a Plank, which not being fet faft, it fell, and he, to fave himfelf from the Stroke of the Plank, fell with his Hip on the Stones, and got hurt ex* ceedingly, notwithftanding he was remarkable for his Activity -, he would walk (tho' fo aged, and alfo lame) as far as the fVork-houfe^ Devonjhire-houfe^ and Bull and Mouth Meetings [two or three Miles from Home.] The laft bad Accident that befel him was about three Weeks before his Death, when, being walking in the Timber-yard, a fingle Plank, which .ftood againfl a Pile, fell down, and ftriking him on the Side, threw him down ; he complained not much of the Blow till about a Week after, when he was taken with a violent Pain in his Side, on the very Place where he received the Stroke, and, when his Cough took him (with which he was often troubled) the Pain was very great ; howbeit, thro' Means of a Sear-cloth he received fome Eafe, and the Pain of his Side abated, and the Cough went off; but a violent Flux followed, and it brought him very low, and extream weak ; fo that it was thought he could not continue long; upon which, Notice was fent to me, and I went to fee him, and found him very low ; but he revived, and changed often in this laft lilnefs \ I having been to fee him five or fix Days be- fore, having an Account he was ill, I then found him chearful, and thought he might recover. He con- tinued all the Time of his Illnefs in a patient and re- figned Frame of Mind ; on a Firft-day, in the Af- ternoon, he took his Bed, being the 6th of the Ffrft Month, and in the Evening, after the Afternoon-meet- ing (which was the Day before his Death) feveral Friends came to vifit him, who, finding him very N 4 ^ weak. igo 77j^ J O U R N A L r^ « Induftry» Humility, and the true Religion of our ^ our bleffed Saviour, endeavouring to plant it in us ' betimes, and to deftroy the evil Root of Sin in us, * while young. * 4th. I was his Servant, as well as his Son, and I * can truly fay, his Service was delightful, and his * Company pleafing and profitable to me ; and he was * alfo beloved much by his other Servants. * 5th. He was univerfally beloved by his Neigh- « bours, and I do not remember any Difference be- ' tween him and them, in the many Years I lived with ^ him *, but all was Peace and Love. * 6th. He was very loving to his Relations, and < true to his Friends, and a hearty Wcll-wifher and « Lover ot his King and Country.' T. C. Our General-meeting at Frankfort^ the 30th of the Fourth Month was large, our Frknd' fFilli am Piggoi^ from London^ being there (in the Courfe of his Vifit to Friends in America) and had clofe Work and good Ser- vice in this Meeting. In the Fifth Month 1726, I vifited the Meetings of Friends at Philadelphia^ German-town^ and Byhuryy P^^adei- in fome of which Meetings, as alfo at our own atc^^^^H- Frankfort, I had very comfortable Satisfadion : My '«''«'», &c, Teftimony was pretty Iharp fometimes to Tranfgref- fors, and therefore fome of them hate me, as the Jews did my great Mafter : Becaufe I was concerned to teftify, that their Deeds were evil, and to excite my Friends to manifeft a Chriftian Zeal, by openly deny- ing ungodly Men, while they continue in their ungodly Works ; but when they become truly penitent, and reform their Lives, the Arms of Chrift, and his Church, will be open to receive diem. Being 194 r^^ J O U R N A L of Being under fome melancholy Thoughts, becaufe feme Ptrlbns, for whom I vviflied well, and to whom I had been of Service, were fo envious and malicious as to tell falfe Stories of me, tending to defame me ; as I Was riding to our Meeting, it opened with Satisfa6lion to my Mind,. Jhe more my Enemies hate me^ the more I'll love, if that can he -, and I had hearty Defires to come up in the Pra6lice of this Refolation : And I then thought I fhould come up with them all, for if a Man loves and prays for his Enemies, if they are gain- ed, he is inftrumentai to their Good, and fo hath Caufe of Rejoicing *, and if they are not gained, he heaps Coals of Fire on their Heads •, fo that every true Chriftian, by keeping under the Crofs of Chrift, and in the Pradlice of his Dodrine, gets the better of his Enemies. In the Beginning of the Sixth Month, I was at the Burial oi Robert Fletcher^ a worthy Man, and one uni- verfally beloved by all Sorts of People (as far as ever I heard.) There was a large Meeting at his Funeral, wherein feveral Teftimonies, fuitable to the Occafion, were born : Some of his lafl Words were mentioned, which were, That he had lived according to the Meafure of Grace given him. And the Dodlrine of the Relur- re61:ion was maintained according to the Scripture, and the People were exhorted to prepare for their final Change. The Death of this Friend was a Lofs to the Counr.ry, to our Society, and to his Neighbours, as well as to his Family and Friends. After Meeting I travelled towards Uwchland, had a Meeting there on Firfb-day, and on Second-day ano- ther Meeting at Lewis fFalker's^ and on Third-day was at the General- meeting at Haverford : Friends were exhorted to dwell in the Love of God, one to- v/ards another ^ for if they, loft their Love, they would lofs their Religion, their Peace, and their Gpd ; tor God is Lovfy and thofe that dwell in God^ dwell in Love. My THOMAS CHALKLET. igs My Neighbour Daniel P^orthri?jgion, accompanied 1726. me in this rough Travel, fome Part of the Way being v-^TM hilly, and very ftony and bufhy, and the Weather wet. We had four Meetings, and rode about four- fcore Miles ; and though I had travelled much in this Province, I had never been at fome of thofe Places before : But a few Nights before I fet our, I had a plain Profped of them in a Dream, or Night Vifion, as I faw them afterwards, which I thought fomewhat re- markable. The People inhabiting this Province, are now be- come numerous, and make many Settlements in the Woods, more than I have obferved in my Travels in any of the Brili/h Plantations -, and there hath long been a Defire in my Mind that they might profper in the Work of true and thorough Reformation *, and a godly Fear and Concern being upon me, I havefome- times put them in Mind of the State of this Land, when their Fathers firft came and fettled in it ; and to caution them of growing carelefs, and forgetting the Lord, lefl he fhould forfake them, and turn tbeir now fruitful Fields into a barren Wildernefs^ as this was fo lately ; which it is eafy with him to do, if he pleafes, for the Sins of the People. After my Return Home, I vifited many Meetings, Ahh^ton, as Abington^ (Youths-meeting) Philadelphia, and Che- ^'^f "* fter. At Chejier I was concerned to dired the People Chefter^ CO that Power in themfelves, which is the Life of Re- ligion, and to be careful not to reft in the beft Forms without it ; for if we had only the Form of Godlinefs, and had not the Life and Power of it, it might be as reafonable for People to turn away from us, as it was for our Fore-fathers to turn away from other Socie- ties. In the Seventh Month I was at our Yearly-meet- ing held at Burlington^ for the Provinces o^New-Jerfey and Penfylvania^ which was a very large Meeting, there 196 Tie ]OURN AL of there being Friends from New- England, Rhode-IJland^ and Europe, Firft-day Morning I went to Evejham to the BuHal of our ferviceable Friend J'ervis Stockdale ; he being in good Eileem, there was much People : The Meet- ing was in a good tender Frame, and continued feveral Hours fo, in which divers Teftimonies were delivered, in order to ftir up People to Truth and Righteoufnefs, and godly living, that they might die well. I lodged the Night before at Peter Fearon^s^ and in the Morn- ing I was awaked out of my Sleep, as it were by a Voice, exprefTing thefe Words ; He that liveth AND BELIEVETH IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. This I took to be the Voice of Chrifl, I do not know that it was vocal, but it was as plain as one. From thefc Ex- prefTions I had to obferve to the People, the happy State and Priviledge of thofe who live and believe in Chrift, and that fuch muft not live in Sin. During the Time of our Yearly-meeting, fome rude People came up the River in a fmall Sloop, provided by them for that Purpofe, and fpent their Time in drinking, carowfing, and firing of Guns, to the Grielf and Concern of Friends, who were religioufly difcharg- ing their Duty, in ferving and worfhipping the Al- mighty •, and it is obfervable, that one of thefe difor- derly Ferfons had his Hand fhot off at that Time, and that the chief Promoters and A6lors in this riotous Company, were foon after cut off by Death, in the. Prime of their Days. After the General- meeting was over, which ended well, Friends in the Love of God departed in Peace for their feveral Habitations, praifing and glorifying God. In the Beginning of the Eighth Month, having fome Bufinels at Cape-Mu'j^ I ferried over to Gloucef- ter^ and went the firfl: Night to James Lord\ lodged there, got up before Day, it being Firfl-da/ Morn- ing, and rode near thirty Miles to Sakm^ where we had 'jnOMAS CHALKLE Y. 197 had a good Meeting, and fo went to Allowaf% Creek, Cohanfyy and through a barren Wildernefs to Cape- May, where we had one Meeting, and returned by ^*'^''^"-^* Way of Egg^ Harbour home ; in which Journey I tr^- veiled upwards of two hundred Miles. At Cape-May 1 was concerned to write a few Lines concerning Swearing, as follows, viz. * Chriftians ought not to fwear in any Cafe, for^gain^^ * thefe Reafons — ift. Becaufe Chrift, their Lord, for- ^^^'^ '^' ' bad it ; unto whom the Angels in Heaven mud be * fubjei5l, and doubtlefs, fo muft mortal Man, to ' whom he gave the Precept. We muft and ought to ' befubjed to Chrift, who is Lord of Lords , and King * of Kings J and the Judge of the ^ick and the Bead : ^ To him all Mortals muft be accountable for their ^ Difobedience. He fays, in his Sermon on the Mount, ' thus, //^)', Swear not at all : Wherefore, how can iWar. v. 34. ' Chriftians (or fuch who are his Friends) fwear, fince ^ he fays alfo, Te are my Friends^ if ye do whatfoever I7ohHx,v.i^. * command you. So confequently thofe who difobey his * Commands, muft be his Enemies. To this Com- ' mand it is objected, that Chrift only fpoke againft ' common or prophane Swearing : But this muft needs be ^ a great Miftake, becaufe Chrift fays, // izjas faid in Mat.y,z^\ * old^imey Thou fh alt perform unto the Lord thine Oaths ^ * (alluding to the Law of Mofes) v/hich Oaths were * lolemn and religious ; therefore Chrift did not only * prohibit vain and prophane Swearing, but all Swear- * ing : If we underftand the Word, All^ and what ^ all fignifies, then all and any Swearing whatfoever, * is not lawful for a Chriftian, according to Chrift's * Law and Command, which is pofitive to his Fol- ^ lowers. * 2dly. James (the holy Apoftle of Chrift, ou'r Law- * giver, and our King) fays, Above all Things^ /«;y ^^^wavja- ' Brethren^ fwear not^ neither by Heaven^ neither by ihs * Earthy neither by any other Oath, Chrift fays, Swear ^ not at all \ and James his Difciple and Apoftle, fays, ' Swear i9« T7^^ J O U R N A L ?/" 1726. * Swear not hy any Oath } wherefore, if fwearing on t/*VN*^ * the Bible be any Oath, or is fwearing at all, it is < contrary to the exprefs Dodrine of Chrift, and his * Apoftle JameSy as is plain from the above cited « Texts. 3dly. The primitive Chriftians did not fwear at all, ^ in the firft Ages of Chriftianity. S^ery^ Whether * our modern fwearing Chriftians are better than the ' primitive Ones, who for Chrift, and Confcience fake* ^ could not fwear at all, even before a Magiftrate, ^ though legally called ? * 4thly. Many Chriftians have fuffered Death, be- « caufe they for Confcience fake could not fwear, and < fo break the Command of Chrift their Lord ; and do * not our modern Chriftians trample upon their Tefti- « mony and Sufferings ? Some of whom fuffered Death * for not fwearing before the Heathen Magiftrates^ and * fome were martyr'd by the Papifts ; judge then whe- < ther the Perfecuted or Perfecutors were in the right. ♦ 5thly. Many of our worthy Friends and Fore- « fathers (fince the former) have fuffered to Death in < Goals for not fwearing, when required by perfecuting * Proteftants^ becaufe for Chrift's fake and Sayings, as * above, 'they could not fwear at all : And this hath * been a Teftimony which our Society hath conftantly * born ever fince we have been a People, for the Rea- ' fons above, and more alfo, if there were Occafion, ' which might be given.' The 23d of the Eighth Month, I was at the Morning cphUadeh Meeting at Philadelphia^ on a Firft-day of the Week, '*'''* which was large, and I was concerned therein to exhort Friends to labour to purge and cleanfe our Society of fuch under our Profeflion who live in open Prophane- nefs, and are riotous in their Converfations. I was at the Bank-meeting in the Afternoon, where we had a comfortable Time : And the next Sixth-day of the Week I v/as at our Monthly-meeting, where it was unanimoufly agreed, in Confideration of fome late in- decent THOMAS CH-ALKLET. 199 decent Condud of fome Perfons pretending to be of 1726.I our Profeflion, that a Teftimony from that Meeting ly^VNJ fhould go forth againft fuch disorderly Doings, and unchriltian Pradices ; and that all fuch Perfons, who were irregular in their Converfations, be difown'd to be of our Community, until they by Repentance ma- nifeft their Reformation ; which was accordingly foon after publifhed, and read in our Firft-day Morning- meeting, and in our Youths-meeting. And about this Time our Governor ifTued a feafonable Procla- mation againft Drinking to Excefs, Gaming, Swear- ing prophanely^ Revelling, Night-walking, and Dif- turbing the Peace, and other Immoralities ; which afforded fome Satisfadion to fober and well-inclined Friends, and others : Yet there remain'd a great Ex- ercife and Concern upon my Mind, that fome young People, whofe Parents had been careful in training them up, were grown fo wicked, that by their ex- travagant Condud, they not only difturb'd our religi- ous Meetings, but likewife became obnoxious to the peaceable Government we live under. In the Ninth Month I was at divers Meetings, at ^^„.^^ MetioMy German-town y Fair-bill^ Abington^ and Pbila- Cermati- delphia \ in which were feveral Marriages folemnized ^^*^"'^^' in a religious Manner. And in the Tenth Month, I went into the County of Salem, about my Affairs : It happened to be at the Time of the Quarterly-meeting for Salejn and Gloucefter Counties •, but 1 did not know of it, until I came to Salem^ where Friends were glad ^^^^^^ to fee me, as alfo I was to fee them ; there were fome of us whofe Hearts were knit and united together as Jonathan's and David^s^ the divine Love of God be- ing much fhed abroad in our Hearts at that Meeting : When it was over, and I had finifhed my Bufinefs, I could not be clear in my Mind, without having fome Meetings in the faid Counties of Salem and Gloucefter ; and tho' it was ^ fickly Time, and People died pretty much in thofe Pares where we were going, James Lord \ O and 200 The JOURNAL of 1726. and I, in the Love of Chrift, vifited the Meetings at yw-^ Allowafs Creek, Cohanfj, Pile's Grove, fVoodberry^ 'l^"^'* Newton^ and Haddonfield^ having Meetings every Day in the Week, except the laft, and fomctimes riding near twenty Miles after Meeting, the Days being at the fhorteft, and the Weather very cold -, but the Lord was v/ith us, which made (ufficient Amends for ^11 the bodily Hardfhips we met with. I got Home well, but weary *, and was well and joy- fully received by my loving Spoufe, Children, and Servants ; and I was truly thankful to the Moft High for his Prefence and Goodnefs continued to me ; lo that, though I perceived my bodily Strength to decline apace, my Sight, Hearing, and Voice, failing much, 1 have Occafion to belii^ve, at Times I was helped even beyond Nature in the Work of Chrift, my dear Lord and Mafter. The 27th of the Tenth Month, I heard the News of the Death of my dear Friend John Lee (by one fent to defire my Company at his Burial.) It afFeded me with Sorrow, he being an old Acquaintance, and inward Friend of mine, with whom I had travelled many Miles : He was a living, ferviceable Minifter of the Gofpel of Chrift, and inftrumental to convince divers of that Principle of divine Light and Truth, which we profefs. i could not be at his Burial, be- caufe of my Indifpofition, and the Unfeafonablenefs of ihe Weather ; yet J think it my Duty, to fay this con- cerning him ', Tbal our Love and FriendfiAp was conftant end intire unto the End, having been acqz^ainled about thirty five TearSy as near as I can remember. In the Eleventh Month, as I was meditating in my Clofet, on the Duty and Beauty of that great Virtue of Temperance^ it appeared very bright to the View gf my Mind, and the great Benefit of it to thofe who foved and lived in it : lit. As to Religion, it tends to keep the Mind in an even Temper, which is a Help fo Devotion, and the Pradicc of religious Duties. 2dly, tHOMAS CHALKLET. 201 2dly. It is a great Prefervatlve to Health and a good i7?<^. Conftitution. 3dly. It is a Blefling to Pofterity, in O^NTNJ. many Confiderarions. Wliereas Intemperance de(lroys die Health, ftains the Reputation, hurts Pofterity, (in Refped to a healthy Conftitution of Body, and Eftate) ruins many Families, brings to Poverty and Difgrace, and what is yet worfe of all, is a great Lett to Religion and the:^rue Fear of God, and is a great Scandi.1 to any wli^^make Profeftlon of the Chriftiaa Religion. In this Month 1 accompanied TVilliam Piggot (who lately arrived from London, on a religious Vific to the Meetings of Friends in America.) From Philadelphia we went to my Houfe at Frankfort, and from thence CO North'IVales^ and had two large iarisfudtory Meet- irigs on the Firft-day •, next Day we were at the Month- ^'>^^^- ly-meeting at Ahinglon^ the Third-day at Frankfort, prankfo^-, nnd Fourtn-day at German-town^ Mfih-day I went to ^^^^"-'y-'- P/)//^^^//)/?/^ Week- day- meeting, and the laid r riend ro^jy^'."'" to Abingtdn General- meeting, and a few Days after we met again at the Quarterly -meeting of Minifters and Elders at Philadelphia, The 8th of the Twelfth Month was our Youths- meeting at Frankfort *, many dying about this Time, I was concerned in the Meeting to put Friends in mind of their Mortality •, and that I had told Friends lately, at their Meetings at Abington and Philadelphia^ That as I was riding from my Houfe to Philadelphia,, about a Mile from the City, I faw (in the Vifion ot Life) the Hand of the Lord ftretched over the City and Province, with a Rod in it, in order to corred the Inhabitants for their Sins and Iniquities \ which Sight affcded my Mind greatly, and altho* I did not hear any vocal Voice, nor fee any vifible Hand, yet it was as plainly revealed to me as tho' I had: And that notwithftanding I underftood fome flighted that Tefti- mony., yet I obferved to them, that lince that Time, * niore People were taken away than common, as they O 2 now 202 ry&f J O U R N A L 0/ 1726. now might fee •, and indeed that inward Sight and v^^'V^ Senfe I had of the Difpleafure of God for the Sins of the Times, made great Impreffion on my Mind ; and that no Flefh might glory, the Lord took, from the Evil to come, feveral fober, well-inclined young People, as well as divers whofe Lives and Converfa- tions were evil and vicious *, fo that all had need to be warned to be watchful, and turn to the Lord, left he come at unawares, and call us fuddenly out of the World unprepared. In the Twelfth and Firft Months many died, of all Ages and Profcflions j and now Ibme, who would hardly give Credit to what I had delivered in feveral Meetings, began to fee the Ful- filling of ir, and great Talk there was about it : And many folid and large Meetings we had with the Peo- pie at divers Funerals about this Time, exhorting the People not to flight the prefent Vifitation of the Al- mighty, and to prepare for Eternity, to meet the Judge of the Quick and the Dead, who flands at the Door. And amgng many that were taken away by Death, were Ibme few of my particular Friends •, and firfl, dear Hannah HiU^ who was a bright Example of Piety and Charity, ihe was like a nurfing Mother to me in my Afflictions, as was her Hulband more like a Brother than one not related, whofe generous Entertainment I may never forget at Times. Thomas Griffith^ and Elizabeth his Wife, died alfo about this Time : nomas was a. ferviceable Man, and well eftcemed in our Society ; and his Wife a noted Wo- man for being helpful to, and vifiting the Sick : She chofe the Houfe of Mourning, rather than the Houfe of Mirth. Thefe were worthy Antients, who made peaceable and good Ends, and to whom may be pro- perly applied that remarkable Text of Scripture ; 5 7-7' Mark the Upright^ and heboid the J u ft, for the End of Y:^^ that Man u Peace, to Barha. In the S'^cond Month 1727, I proceeded on a coiim.V?^ Voyage 40 BarhaiQa^ pn Account of Bufinefs, for the TrariJe^ SuppOft "THOMAS CHALKLET. 203 Support of my Family, and in order to difcharge my ^T^l' juft Debts, which were occafioned by great Lolles by Sea and Land. Many of my Friends were kind to me, and fent a Cargo of Goods, in the Sloop Johi^ Anthony Peel Mafter, configned to me for Sales and Returns. When theVefiel was loaded, fhe proceeded down the River, and I went by Land to Saleniy and was at Meeting there on Firft-day, and on Third-day went aboard the Sloop at Elfenhorough : On the 8th of the Second Month we took in our Boat and Anchors, and proceeded to Sea. From Elfenhorough and the Capes I wrote to my Wife, giving her an Account how it was with me, and encouraged her to bear my Abfence with Patience : It was indeed very hard for us to part. I may not omit taking Notice of an Exercife which I felt one Night as I lay on my Bed in Philadelphia (on the 2ift of the Firfl Month, my Sleep being taken from me) which I recollefted and wrote down on board the aforefaid VefTel, and was in this Man- ner, viz. ' That the Lord was angry with the People of < Philadelphia and Penfylvania^ becaufe of the great * Sins and Wickednefs which were committed by the ' Inhabitants, in Publick Houfes, and elfewhere : « and that the Lord was angry with the Magiftrates ' alfo, becaufe they ufe not their Power as they mighty * do, in order to fupprefs Wickednefs ; and do not, * io much as they ought, put the Laws already made < in Execution againft Prophanenefs and Immorality : * And the Lord is angry with the Reprefentatives of * the People of the Land, becaufe they take not fo * much Care to fupprefs Vice and Wickednefs, and * wicked Houfes, in which our Youth are grofsly cor- * rupted, as they ought to do : And alfo the Lord is * angry with many of the better Sort of the People, ' becaufe they feek after and love the Things of this ' World, more than the Things of his Kingdom ; O 3 And 04 ne JOVRNAL of 27. < And it was fliewed me, that the Anger of tTie Moft v^^ ^ High would ft ill be againft us, until there was a * greater Reformation in thefe Things.' [his worthy of Commendation^ that our Governor^ Thomas Lloyd, fometimes in the Evening ^ before he went to Rejl^ us^d to go in Perfon to Publick Houfes^ and order the People^ he found there^ to their own Houfes^ till^ at lengthy he wai infirumental to promote better Order^ and did, in a great Meafure^ fupprefs Vice and Immorality in the City.'] For fome Days after we were at Sea, the V\/'eathef was pleafant, and we had our Health, for which my Heart was truly thankful. I exhorted the Sailors againfi: Swearing i and tho' they had been much us'd to it, they left it off, fo that it was rare to hear any of them fwear ; for which Reformation, fo far, I wa& glad. I lent and gave them feveral good Books, which they read, and fhewed much Refped to me: But foon after the Wind was contrary (for fome Days) and fome in the VefTel were quarrelfome. I afk'd them what they thought of the Saying of Chrilt, viz. If a Man fmite thee on the Cheeky turn to him the other aifo ? At which they were filent and better conditioned to one another afterwards, and we had fom^ Reformation both from Fighting and Swearing. This Voyage I was not fo Sca-fick as I formerly had been (though 1 had, before I left Home, fome uneafy Thoughts about my ufually being Sca-fick) which I took as a peculiar Favour from Heaven. About the Latitude of 20 Degrees North, we met with Calms and contrary Winds, which was very hard for fome in the VefTel to bear, they putting themfelves much out of Temper about it ; as for my own Part, I had been us'd to Difippointments, and therefore did not fo much mind it. I fpent pretty much of my Time in read- ing and writing, and God being gracious, it was, in the main, a comfortable Time to me *, and 1 en- joyed my Health as well as ever I did at Sea in my L-ife, for v;hich I often breathed forth inward Thanks THOMAS CHALKLET. ^05 Thanks to the Almighty. On the 5th of the Third 1727. Month we arrived a^ Barbadoes, and I was lovingly ^^J^J^ received by our Friends, but came to a very low *' "^ "^'^ Market for my Goods. I vifited Friends Meetings on the Ifland, and had feveral open Meetings at Bridge -Toijuny and Speight's Brii^^^ ^fown, and likewife at Pimpkin-HHl, and the Spring. sf^"ut\ On the Day of Pentecoft (lb called) we had a Meet- r«w.i,&c, ing at Bridge-Town, in which was fhewn, the Work and Operation of God's Spirit on the Old World, and under the Law ♦, and the everlafting Duration and Operation of the fame holy Spirit under the Gofpel Difpenfacion, which, Chrift faid, //jould abide for ever. At the Quarterly-meeting at Speight's Town, was Judge Allen, and the Captain ot the Man of War (tationed there, with feveral others, not of our Society. I was much drawn forth in this Meeting to fpeak of the Power of the Father, Son, and the Spirit, opj^ning to the People how we had been mifreprefented, in refpedt to our Belief in the Trinity, or the holy Three which bear Record in Heavest^ the Father, Word^ and Spirit y which Three are One -, tor that it was clear and plain, that we are more orthodox in the Belief in the Deity, than thofe who do not believe in the Operation of the holy Ghoft •, asalfo that none could be true Chriftians without it. It was queried. How could they be clear in their Belief in the holy Trinity, or the Thre^ that bear Record in Heaven, vvho believe the holy Spirit is ceafed in his Operations, Gifts, or immediate Reve- lations, and, if ceafed, when, and where, to whom, and how? The People v/ere very fober and attentive, and flaid all the Time, and after the Meeting was done fome Time, divers expreiled their Satisfaction with what was faid. My good Friend Peter Sharp, of Maryland, was with me at this Meeting, on whofe Account fome of the People came, tie had good Service in the Meeting, and I was glad of his Company in this Ifland, where we jovfuily met and parted in O 4 the 2o6 7^^ J O U R N A L 0/ 1727. the Loveof Chrift. At this Meeting we Jiad each ofua .^"V^a Cenificate from Friends, fignifylng their Unity with our Converfations and Services. The laft Meeting I had at Barbadoes, was at Speight* s-Town^ on a Firft- day, it was a folid, good Meeiing, in which I took my Leave of Friends there, and exhorted them to believe in and hear Chriil, he being a Teacher that could not be removed from them, as Men often were ; and, though they were but fevv, they were defired to meet in Chrift's Name j and I had to fliew them the • Difference between us and other Chriftian Profeflbrs, . who hold no publick Worfhip, if there be no outward Teacher : Whereas, if but Tv;o or Three meet in the Name of Chrifl, he has promifed to be in the midfl: of them \ and he is the befb Teacher we can have, t Sea. On the 14th of the Fourth Month we fet Sail from this Ifland, and, for the moft Part, had fair Weather and fair Winds, andfaw feveral Ships, but fpoke with none. I was one Evening leaning over the Side of theVef- fel, as being very lonefome (having httle Converfation with any in the VelTel, for divers Reafons) I turned from all outward Things to the Lord, and was glad to feel his Prefence and Goodnefs, which was a Com- fort to me in my lonefome State ; and as my Travels and Concerns had called and caufed me to be much on the Seas, it alfo pleafed my good and gracious God, to fupport me thereon many Times, in divers Trials, Temptations, and Exercifes ; for all which, I bow in awful Reverence before him, and return Thankfgiving and Praife to his great Name. The ifl of the Fifch Month, about Noon, we came 10 the Capes of Delaware J and failed up the Bay ; but, in a little Time, we touch'd the Ground with our VefTel feveral Times •, there being little Wind, we got no Harm ; but two Hours after, or thereabouts, a Guft, or Storm of Wind, took us, which, it it had Kict with us on the Shoals v/here we llruck, in all Likeliiiocd "THOMAS CHALKLET. 207 Likelihood we muft have perifhed ; which I took to 1727. be a remarkable Deliverance. Next Tide we got to ISfewcajile^ and, ir being Firft-day, I had a Meeting with Friends there, with which we were greatly re- frelhed in the Lord, and in one another. After Meet- ing I went on board the Sloop, and, having a fair Wind, we failed tor Philadelphia^ where we arrived about the Eleventh Hour, lodged that Night at Paul Prefton^Sy and next Day went home to my Family at Frankfort, where my Wife, Children, and Servants, received me with much Rejoicing. When I was in Barhadoes, P. M. who accompanied me from Bridge-^own to Windward to Counfellor lVeek!s, told me, ^hat when I was in the JJland before, he and I bad fo?ne D'lfcourfe concerning the life of the Swords he then {not being of our Society) wore a Sword, but now had left it off^ and his Bujl-- fiefs alfo^ which was worth fome Hundreds a Tear, I had reminded him of Chrift's Words, that nofe who. take the Sword^ Jhould perifh with the Sword, Mat. xxvi. 52. and, Refifl not Evil \ and if a Man fmite thee on one Cheek, turn the other alfo : Love Enemies, do Good to them that hate you, pray for them who defpite- fully ufe you, and perfecute you. After I had us'd thefe Arguments, he afk'd me, If one catne to kill me, would I not kill rather than be killed ? I told him, No ; fo far as I know my own Heart, I had rather be killed than kill. He fa id, That was firange, and defired to know what Reafon I could give for it, I told him, nat I being innocent, if I were killed in my Body, my Soul might be happy ; but if I killed him, he dying in bis IFtckednefs^ would, ccnfequenily, be unhappy •, and if I were killed, he might live to repent *, but if I killed him, he would have no Time to repent *, fo that, if he killed me, I Jhould have much the beiter, both in refpe^l to viyfelf and to him. This Difcourfe had made lo much ImprefTion, and fo atFeded him, that he faid, he could not but often renumber it. And when we parted at 2o8 r& JOURNAL e/ 1 727. at Bri(lge-Town^ we embraced each other, in open Arms l^S/^X^bf Chnftian Love, far from that which would hurt or deftroy. After I had been at Home fome Time, I vificed the Meetings at Pbiiadeij)hia^ Burl'mgton^ zndGennaff-loivny in which Places I had Service of divers Kinds, and was lovingly received by Friends and others. In the Fifth Month, Jojhua Fielding and John Os!ey had a large and fatisfadory^ Meeting at Frankfort, Jojhua came from London on a religious Vifit to Ame- rica^ and having been on divers Iflands, he landed on the Main at South-Carolina^ and from thence travelled through the Wildernefs 400 Miles, or more, where no Publick Friend had ever travelled before : The Jour- ney was perilous, but the Lord was with him ; who may, in his own Time, make Way for his Servants in thofe defart Places. John Oxley came on the fame Account from Barbadoes, and had good Service among Friends in his publick Miniftry. In this Month we thinking it convenient to fend our little Children to School, and not having a School- mafter of our Society near us, concluded to put our Son and Daughter under the Care of Nathaniel Walton^ to whom I thought it my Duty to write a few Lines about the Salutation and Language I would have them train'd up in, which were on this wife, viz. Frankfort y ^otb of the ^th Months 1727. Loving Friend Nathaniel Walton, ^ T HOPE thou wilt excufe this Freedom which I * JL ^^^^ ^^^^ thee, in writing this on Account of my ^ Children, in thefe Particulars, viz. Refpecling the * Complement of the Haty and Courtefying^ the Prac- * tice thereof being againft my profelfed Principle ; * ift. Becaufe I find nothing like it in the Bible ; bur, ' as I think, the contrary. Thou knows the Paifage * of the Three Children of God^ who (tood covered be- * fore THOMAS CHALKLET. zog * fore a mighty Monarch; znd Mordecai^ who could 1727, « not bow to great Human : And, 2dly, I believe * thofe Pra6lices derived from vain, proud Man. * And as to Language^ I defire my Children may not * be permitted to ule the plural Language to a fingle * Perfon •, but I pray thee to learn them to fay nee^ * and ^hou^ and uhy^ and to fpeak it properly (diveri * ufing it improperly) and the rather I defire it, be- * cauTe 'tis all along ufed in the divine infpired ho- ' ly Writings. I f'uppofe thou art not a Stranger of its * Rife being from the Grandeur and Apoftacy of the ' Rom'ijh Church •, and, alfo, that Ton to a fingle ' Perfon, is not confonant to the Book of God, nor ^ the true Rules of Grammar. — I know it is generally * objected, ^at the End of Speech is to he under- * Jlood, — But it is underftood better in and according * to the Language of God^ Chrifty and the holy Ghoft^ < in the Bible, and the Language of Kings, and all ' People, as we read it in the holy Scriptures, why * then fliould we be afiiamed of it, or fliun it, and * bring in and uphold a Cuftom contrary to it ? The ' fame Care I would have thee take, about the Names * of the D^jj and Months^ which are derived from th« * Names of the Gods ot the Heathen^ and are not * found in tlie Bible. I fuppofe I have the Mind of all * thofe of our Society in the above, it being confonant * to our Principle and ProfefTion, and I write in a * Motion of divine Love to all. ' As to the School-learning of my Children, I leave * to thy Management, not queftioning thy Ability * therein •, and if they want Corredtion, fpare not the * Rod. ' I hope thou wilt obferve this Direction in Teach- ' ing my Children, in which thou wilt oblige thy af- * fared Friend,' r. C. The 216 7^^^ J O U R N A L of Kington. The latter End of the Fifth, and th^ Beginning ©f the Sixth Months, the Weather was exceeding hot, fo that divers People died fuddenly of the Heat (as it was fuppofed.) The Beginning of the Sixth Month I was at the Youths-meeting at Ahington^ which was large, and open to many ; and I not having been there fince I came from Sea, divers exprefTed their Gladnefs to fee me ; and we were that Day favoured with fome Showers, both celeftial and elementary, to our Comfort- In the fame Month I was alfo at the Youths meet- ing in Philadelphia : It had been a fickly Time, but many had recovered. That Paflage opened on my Mind, to fpeak of in the Meeting, concerning the- Lepers^ which Chrift cleanfed and heaied, being ten in Number, and that but one came to return Thanks to God, for being healed, and reftored to Health, Luke xvii. 12. Friends were exhorted to prize their Health, and to fhew their Thankfulnefs to God, the Giver of it, by fearing and ferving him, and taking Heed to Chrift, the Word in their Hearts. The Meeting was in a good, folid Frame, and we praifed the Lord to- gether, and gave him Thanks for his merciful Vifita- tion. About this Time I heard of the Death of our King (GEORGE the Firjl) a Prince whom I loved and honoured ; which News was very forrowful to me on divers Accounts : His Love and Kindnefs to our So- ciety, was well worthy our grateful Remembrance. On a Third-day, being our Week-day-meeting at h'ankfort^ Elizabeth Whartnahy and Mary Smilh were there : It was a comfortable Opportunity. They were two Nights at my Houfe. Elizabeth was preparing to h^ivc th]shznd (or Bar badoesy znd Europe, intending a reli2;ious Vifit to Friends. The 20th of the Sixth Month, going into my Clo- fec, I there met with a Paper of my Son-in-Law Jfaac Brca-n's^ THOMAS CHALKLET. zi% Brown\ and finding the Contents were religious, as I 1727. had done of feveral of his late Writings, I tound it on yy^ my Mind to write to him after this Manner: Dear Son Ua^Qy « T> Y feveral Writings of thine (of late) I perceive ^ ^^^^^^. t D that a good Thing is at Work in thy Mind, the to ifaac « which I pray the All-wife and Infinite Being to pro> '*'^- * mote in thy Heart, to thy eternal Salvation, and * his Glory. I now begin to be in feme Hopes that * my Prayers and Tears for thee, in the Lord's Time, »' * may beanfwered: And I do believe, if thou keeps * low in thy Mind, that God will more and more vific * thee. The Advice of David to his Son Soloinon^ * when he alfo gave him the Kingdom, comes before * my Mind to give thee. — My Son^ know thou the God ' of thy Father^ andferve him with a perfe^i Hearty and ^ with a willing Mind -, for the Lord Jearcheth all * Hearts^ and underfiandeth all the Imaginations of the * Thoughts \ if tfjjou feek him^ he will b& found of thee y * hut if thou for fake him, he will cafi thee off ^or ever^ ^ I Chron. xxviii* 9. Dear Ifaac^ this was Counfel * from one of the greateft and belt of Kings, to a wife ^ youn^ Prince, who petitioned the Almighty for di- * vine Wifdom, before Riches, or Honour, or long ' Life ; which Petition fo pleafed God, that he an- * fwered his Requeft, and, over and above, blefled < him in an extraordinary Manner. * I perceive thou art inclined to read pretty much ) * I pray thee, that thy chief Study in Books may be ^ the holy Scriptures. Let all other Books (cho' of ^ Ufe, and good, in their Places) be fubfervient to * them ; for their Authority, of all other Writings * (to the true Believers in Chrift) are moil divine ; * they having a fupernatural Spring and divine Evi- * dence in them to the virtuous and pious Readers. * Thou, my Son, wilt much comfort the Fkart of thy * tender MQther, and of me thy loving and careful ' Father, 212 T;^^ J O U R N A L ^/ 1727, * Father, if thou follows and perfeveres in the Ways v^V'^w^ * of Virtue and Truth ; which, that thou mayeft, * is the Prayer of thy affedlionate Father-in-Law. r. C. Bkrlin^tOH, Stony- Brook, BuckJ County. The latter End of the Sixth Month, I went to the General-meeting of Miniftcrs and Elders for the Eafi Part diNew-Jerfey^ and to the Quarterly and Youths- meeting at Burlington^ and to a General-meeting at Stony-Brook^ and to the Quarterly-meeting of the Coun- ty of Bucks John Oxley^ of Barhadoes^ and Jojhua Fielding^ of London^ were at divers of thofe Meetings, wherein we had open, feafonable Opportunities ; and I had a large, affeding Account from Jofiua^ of his long and difficult Travels in the Si^rvice of Truth to the Weji-lndia Ifles, and thence to South Carolina^ from whence he came thro' the Wildcrnefs by Land, thro' North-Carolina^ Virginia^ &c. to this Province. The 16th of the Seventh Month began our Yearly- iSeetfflg at meeting at Philadelphia^ which was attended with the Fhiiadei gracious Prcfence of God, to the Comfort and great Satisfadlion of many Souls. In this Meeting divers young Men and young Women appeared, who were lately come forth in the Miniftry, and, as I believe^ had received a Meafure of the Gift of Chrill's Gofpel ; which was Caufe of Rejoicing to the Faithful am^ong us^ and excited our Thankfgiving and Praifes to the Al- mighty Lord of Heaven and Earth. At this Meeting we had the Company of four Mi- niflers from Great- Britain^ and one from Barbadoes^ and many from divers other Parts, it being a very large Gathering of fome Thoufands of People (as was believed) in which many were fbrengthened in their Faith in Chriil, and comforted thro* the Power of the holy Ghojlj that blelTed Comforter^ which Chrift promi- fed to his Church, ^hojhould bs ivitb them for iver^ and guide them into all Tru^h, Tetrly. ^hia» THOMAS CHALKLE T. 113 Next Firft-day after the Yearly-meeting, I, with feveral of my Neighbours, went over Delaware to a Meeting up Penfawhn Creek •, in which the wonder- ful Love of God was declared, in fending his Son upon Earth, who, as he was Man, died for Man, and is now by his Spirit prefent with all thofe that truly be- lieve in him ; he being the Meflenger of the Cove- nant of God to Mankind.' " ■ And on Second-day, being the 25th oi the Seventh Month, I had the for- rowful Tydings of the Death of my beloved Friend James Lord ; who, on his Death-bed defired that I might be fent for to his Burial. In the Confidefation of that Chriftian Love that was between us, I think I may truly note. That we were always glad to meet each other -, therefore the Thoughts of this fo fudden Change, and final Parting, brought, for the prefent, a Sadnefs and Heavinefs over my Mind ; confidering his Station in that Neighbourhood, and Service in that Congregation to which he did belong i for therein he was well' beloved, and very ferviceable. And Oh! The Lofs that his dear Wife and tender Children will have of him, really atfeds me with Sor- row in penning thefe Notes •, but the Sorrow, in thefe Things, is all on our Side ; for he, without doubt, is at Reft with his great Maffer in Heaven. We had a larger Meeting at his Funeral, than ever was known to be there before (as an antient Friend told me) which was folemn and ferviceable to many. Some Time after, having been at divers Meetings about home, John Oxley and I, in Company, vilited Friends on Long-IJland, At Flujkwg we were at the Long- Burial of Jonathan Bickenfo?; : Majiy People, of divers ^^'^'^' Perfwafions, v/ere at the Meeting on that Occafion, and were very fober and attentive.—— I was at the Yearly-meeting for the South-iide of the iflandy at a Place called Seccataugj which Meeting was large, ma- ny PViends and othei s coming to ic over the Plains. I was afterwards at the Yearlv-meetins; at Skr^^'ufhurv^ shreTxiT- ai4 7h }OVRN AL of 1727. in Eaji-yerfey^ which held three Days, and was very \y^\r^ large, and the laft Day the People were very dill— Jojhua Fielding was at this Meeting, and was therein concerned to preach the Gofpel of Chrift with good Authority, and Matter fuitable to a true Gofpel-mini- fter •, John Oxley was ill of a Fever, To that he could not be there*, but there were Brerhren from divers Parts, and the Power and Prefence of the Mod High was with and among us ; blefled be his Name. Roiaway, I was alfo at Robaway River, where was a folid, good Meeting. From thence I returned Home, hav- ing been abroad about a Month, and at above twenty- Meetings, and travelled about 350 Miles, In the Eighth Month, at Frankfort^ we had three .^fMnhfort. Burials out of one Houfe, at one 1 ime ; the Mother, Daughter, and Grand-daughter (of which I had never known the like Inftances before) on thisOccafion we had the Company of many Neighbours, and a very folemn Meeting at our Meeting-houfe at Frankfort. About this Time I was at divers Meetings at Phila- delphia^ Abington^ and Burlington: We had an Even- ing-meeting 2ii Burlington mih Richard Smithy junior; who had been fo iil that he could not get out to Meet- ings for fome Months: It was fuch a fatisfadory Meet- ing, that he, and I, and others that were there, will not eafily forget, our Hearts being broken together. The World (till continued to frown upon me ; but, tho' my Cafe was fuch in this World, yet, at Times, I had great Confolation in Chrift \ and, in the Midit of my Troubles, when I looked back, I could truly fay, That I had not been extravagant^ but frugal \ not covetous^ but charitable \ not idle^ but induflrious \ not wiUing to be fuch an Infidel as not to take Care for my Family •, ic was fome folid Comfort to my Mind ; and I blefij the Almighty, that 1 always preferred his Work and Service to my own, and therein had great Peace. This I can alfo lay, it it were the laft I ihould (ay, That I never wilfully, or knowingly, wrong'd any fhiladel f>hia. THOMAS CHALKLET. 215 any Man, Woman, or Child, fince I came to Years. 1727. ot Difcretion ; and yet I have nothing to boaft of ; ^^y'-^r^ ic is the Lord's Grace and Mercy which faveih us. Having Occafion to make another Voyage to Bar^ hadoes, I wrote to the Teacher of my Children as toi- loweth : Frankfort^ loth of the loth Month 1727. Loving Friend^ IB E I N G going to Barhadoes^ leave the Charge ot my little Children to thy Care, not doubting my Management ot them, by their growing in their Learning, pleafe to inftrucl: them to Sobriety, and the Fear of God, and Faith in Chrift •, and, if I never fhould fee them or thee any more (our Lives being uncertain in this World) pray let them know, that It was their Father's Will and Defire, That they fhould mind their Learning, and, above all Things,^ mind the Fear ot the moll High. When my little^ Daughter hath read her Tellament thro', I would have her go to Writing *, and George the fame, on the fame Terms. Pleafe to learn them the Uie of Chapter and Verfe, that if any alk them where they are learning, they may tell. And, kind Friend^ in- afmuch as I perceive thou haft followed my former Diredlions, I look on myfelf obliged to thee v therefore am fo much the more free to impart my Mind to thee, now on my Departure •, which, with real Love, is from thy loving Friend, ' r. C ^ P. S. Although my Care is great for my Childrens ' learning their Books, yet it is much more fo as to * their learning true Piety and Virtue.' On the 25th ot the Tenth Month we fet fail from miaddphia, in the Sloop Bove^ Ofwald P^^/ Mailer 5 having taken a (olemn Farewel of my dear Wife, Chil* dren, and Frknds, in order tor the Support of my P Family, 2i6 ne ]OURTSi AL of 1727. Family, and anfwering my juft Debts, which I had v-/*V~^-' contra(fled. On the 27th Day of the Month, in the At Sea. Evening, we took in our Boat, and put to Sea •, had fome rough Weather in our Paffage, but lived com- fortably ; we being all loving and obliging one to another. On the 15th of the Eleventh Month we fafely Bsrtadoa, arrived at Speight's Town in Barhadoes ♦, and the i8rh, between the Hours of live and fix in the Morning, we cuaife!"^ felt the greateft Earthquake that I had ever felt •, hav- ing been fenfible of Three, one at London^ one at Ja- inaica^ and one at Frankfort in Penfyhania, I was thankful in my Heart to the Lord for my fafe Arri- val, and that we were all preferved fafe in our ftormy PafTage, and deep loaded VelTel ♦, one VcfTcl being loft that came our a little Time before us, and ano- ther, which came from our Port to this Ifland a few Days fooner than we, loft three Men by the Violence of the Storm, and received much Damage otherwife •, one of them being a Neighbour of mine, with whom I was well acquainted, it atiedcd my Mind very much. I vifited Friends Meetings in Barhadoes^ and fome di- vers Times over •, and had Occafion in fome Meetings CO nxention the Earthquake, which I told them I did be- lieve was a Vifitation from the Almighty, in order to put People in mind of Mortality, and to reform them from the Evil of their Ways, and call them to Repentance. While I was in Barhadoes^ Francis Gamble died, whom I went to vifit feveral Times in his Sicknefs : At his Funeral was a large Gathering of his Neighbours, and others ; and divers not of our Society, exprefled their Satisfadion with the Meeting. The People in and about Speight'^s Town in Barhadoes^ were very loving and kind to me, more than I ever had obferved be- fore ; even fome vile, prophane Men, whom I could not forbear to reprove for their Swearing, and taking the lacred Name in vain, yet they fhcw'd Refpcdf, notwithftanding I reproved them fliarply. Who can rake the facred Name ol God into their Mouths in vain, and THOMAS CH ALKLET. 217 and be guiltlefs ? Or who can hear it, and forbear 1727, reproving ic, without being remifs in their Duty ? This \y\^ great Evil is coo frequently pradtifed in this rich (poor) Ifland of Barbadoes (rich in Earthly, but poor in Heavenly Treafure) which caufed me many Times to mourn in fecret before the Almighty, praying him for the Reformation of the People, for Chrifl's Sake, and for the Glory of his own eternal Name. The 27ch of the Firft Month 172S, having done i72g< my Bufinefs in Barbadoes, and feen Friends generally, ^-OT^ an Opportunity offered for my Return Home, in the Brigantine Sarah and Mary^ Samuel Gallop Mafter, AtSea. bound for Burlington^ in Company with William Dury and IVilliam Callender^ both o^ Barbadoes, Our Mafter was exceeding kind to us m the Voyage. The Wind hanging Northerly, we could not go to Windward of Martinko^ but drove to Leeward, and faiJed by the Ides of Lucia^ Martinico^ Do?ninico^ Guardaloupe^ Anti^ua^ Montferrat^ Rodondo^ NeviSj Chrtftopher'*s, Statia^ Saba, Martin's^ Anguilla^ Bartholomew's^ Sombre* ro^ and four other fmall Iflands which are called The Saints. It was very pleafant failing by thefe Iflands, only fome of them were fo exceeding high, that in fome Places we were becalm'd, and the Clouds appear'd below the Tops of divers of the Mountains, At Chriftophers fwhich is counted the higheft of them) there being a fmall River of good frefh Water, we fenc our Boat on Ihore for fome, having none very good on board : We lay off and on about two Hours, but did not come to. I was thankful for this Water, it being my conflant Drink ; it was alfo very iervice- able to the People on board. After we lett the Ifle of Sombrero^ we faw a Sail, which we thought flood after us, and hearing at Chrijlophers that feveral Spanijh Privateers were on that Coafb, our Mafter, and fome others on board, were a little furprized ; but we fooa left her out of Sight, and we afterwards went plea- fantly on our Way till we came to the Latitude of Ber^ P 2 Tmdas-, 2i8 Tbe ]0\JRN AL of 1728. mudas^ where the Winds blew frefh, and much againft %y^\r^ us ; and this Winter having been very hard, we telt the Iharp Blafts of the latter End of it. We had a Paflage of about thirty Days, and came very pleafant- ly up the Bay and River •, and it pieafed God that I got home once more to my beloved Wife and Chil- dren, and was joyfully received by all my Family, whom I found in a good Degree of Health *, for which ffankfort. j ^j^ ^^^ j ^^^ Occafion to do) biffs and praife the great Name of the moft High, who is worthy for ever. After I came Home, I was at many Meetings in ^dj7r]!y, Penfyhania and Jerfej, viz. at Philadelphia, Burling- ton, Bnjiol^ Biberry^ Frankfort^ German-town^ New- Hanover, Crofwicks, &c. in all which Meetings I had fome Service to Friends Satisfaction, and was comfort- ed with the Goodnefs of God in ti.e Midlt of my Af- Mwiinitett. f^idtions. — My Bufinefs lying much at Burlington^ I fpent pretty much of my Time there for feveral Weeks *, where my Friends manifefted a tender and hearty Refped towards me, and lympathized with me in my Troubles and Travels ; and there I prepared for another Voyage ; for I was fully refolved, thro* divine AlTiftance, to pay all my ^ufl Debts (which I contradted, and lay on me, through many LofTes) or elfe to die in the Purfuit of it •, in which Refolve I had inward Peace and Satisfadion ; though fuch La- bour, Travel, and Separation from my F'amily, was a great Crofs to Nature. On the 14th of the Fifth Month we went on board the '^n^-xnun^ Sarah and Mary, Samuel Gallop Mafler, for Barbadoes ; and on the i6th wc failed down the &t Sea. Bay, and put to Sea, and I wrote a loving, tender Letter, to my Wife and Family, and another to my Friends at Burlington. We had fair Winds for about two Weeks, after which they were contrary for feve- ral Days, during which two of our Pvlen had a Fever, and our Vcirel proved leaky (though tight in Imooth Vv^arer) which was fome Concern to us, and obliged us THOMJS CHALKLET. 219 us to pump every half Hour ; but the Leak being much the lame, while at Sea, we were the more eafy about it : I took care of thofe two Peopie that were fick, who foon recovered. The 3d and 4th Days of the Sixth Month, ir was very windy, with Light- ning, Thunder, and R.iin i in which rough Weather one'of our befc Sailors put his Shoulder out of Joint, and th?y brought him to me to fee if I could do him any Service ; I was not forward to meddle ; but the Mm and the People believing, if I w^ould undertake for him, I might help him •, I told them, that tho' I did not underlland Bone-fetting, I would inftrud them the bed I could •, then 1 ordered him to fet down up- on the Deck, and ro be ftript to the Waift, and got a round Piece of Wood as thick as his Arm, and wrapt a Piece of Cloth about it, that it might not bruife his Flefh, and put it under his Arm, and ordered two Men, one at each End of it, to lift up ftrongly, and a third Man to tlretch his Arm out, and keep it down withal ; v/hich being done, the Bone went into its Place •, for which I was thankful in my Heart to the Almighty. — About the loth of the Sixth Month we frifcly arrived at Speight''^ ^own in Barhadoes^ being the ^rhidter, Firft-day of the Week. From whence I had an Oppor- tunity, by AleDcander Seaton^ Mafter of a VefTel bound to Penfylvania^ to fmd an Account of our fafe Arrival, I had many Meetings in the Itland, and made feveraJ Vifits to divers Tick Perfons, one of which was parti- cularly to the Satisfaction of the Perfon vifited and his Relations : He died, and was buried at Heathcoifs Bay^ where we had a large Meeting at our Meeting- houfe, where was many People, and it was a good, feafonable Opportunity •, in which I had Occafion to remind them of their Mortality, and prefs them to a holy Life, the Way to a happy Immortality. I had divers Meetings at Bridge-town^ Speight^ s-Town^ and the Springs wnere the Teftimpny of Chrift's Gofpel was well received. And after a Stay of three Weeks, P ^ I left 220 ne JOURNAL of 1728. I left Barhadoes on the ifl of the Seventh Month, and -^^'^ took my PafTage in the Amity^ Charles Hargrave Mafter, who was very friendly to me in my Paflage, as were all on board. We arrived at our Port without caftins: Anchor in all our Voyage, and laid the Veflel to the 2'W Age, which, if they live, will certainly overtake them, when their Youth or Summer is gone. But many Youths objecft againft this Advice, crying our, as I have often heard, ^he Aged give this Advice when they are old^ but did as we do when they were young as we are \ although this may be true in fome, yet it will not hold good in the general, and if it do in fome, is not that Maxim good ? Let others Barms learn us to beware^ before it be too late^ that we fall not into the fame Snare, which hath entangled or caught Thoufands, to their great Shame and Re- proach. Again, thofe who have been fo overtaken in their Youth, and are efcaped out of the Snare, are more fit to caution or advife how to efcape it, or to fhew thofe Paths which led them into that Labyrinth of Woe and Mifery. The Author of all Evil ufeth his utmofl Skill and power to promote the Practices of excelTive Drinking, i£c. among Mankind, it being a mighty Support to his Kingdom ; torwhen the Nobility of the Underftand- ing is clouded chertby, then Ohi how many wicked Oaths, Oh ! what corrupt Language, what unhand- fome, unbecoming Words and Adlions, are brought forth ! How is good Manners corrupted I How is the fober, chafte Soul ofi'ended, and above all other Con- fiderations, how is God difhonoured, and the E.nd of our Creation fruftrated, and Man condemned ! When People are in thofe ExcefTes, how do they take the facred Name in vain, and fo bring themfelves in guilty before God, and Man ; tor he has pofitively fa id, He will not hold them giiiltlejs^ who take his Name in vain -, fo that let him plead never fo many Excufes, he is pronounced guilty by the Judge of Heaven and Earth : Therefore let me perfwade the Youth to re- member what the Lord by his Servants faid concerning drinking to Excefs, fVoe to the Drunkards \ and that no Drunkard 230 7l)e ]OVRN A L of 1729. Drunkard Ji all inherit the Kingdom. Again, IFoe to U^^V'V^ them that are mighty to drink fVine^ and Men of Strength to mingle ftrong Drink, &c. It it be objeded, as it often is, when fuch poor Souls are reproved, and their Sins fee in order before them ; fFe truji in the Mercj of God and the Merits ofChrifl : I fay this is a good Truft and Hope, if upon a good Foundation ; but the Wick- ed muft forfake their Ways, and the Unrighteous rheir evil Thoughts ; but what Forfaking is chat, when ftrong Convi6tion is upon the Soul, to make Covenants, Vows and Promifes, and break tht-m from Time to Time ? And tho* Chrift hath fatisfied the Juftice of the Almighty for Sinners, it is for thofe who forfake their Sins, not thole v/ho plead for the Pradice of them, and endeavour, by many vain Excufes, to jufli- fy themfelves in them. Since then the Salvation of the Soul is precious, and hath coft the precious Blood of the Lamb of God, and is much more precious than Health or Wealth, why Ihould any be fo cruel and hard-hearted to themfelves,, as, for a little Vanity, Froth and Mirth, Toys and Trifles, vain Sports, and evil Paftime, to plunge and fink themfelves into the eternal Gulph of Woe and Mi- fery j pray, O pray confider it, dear Youths ! After my Return from BarbadoeSy in the Fourth Buriitipon* Month, I vifited Friends Meetings at Burlington^ at the Falls of Delaware^ Abington^ German-town^^ and cphiiadci* ^^5 divers Times at Philadelphia and Frankfort Meet- fbif, ings *, which Meetings were much to my Satisfar\) in the Latitude of 36 Dcg. 17. Min. North; but the Wind was a-head, and our frefh Stock ofProvifions almoft expended, and Winter coming on a- pace, the Nights dark and long, made it feem tedious to our People } the which I was helped to bear with Patience. The 14th Day, about eight o'Clock at Night, John Plajket^ one of the bed of our Sailors, thro* the violent Pitching of the Ship, fell into the Sea from off theBowfprit; one of the Sailors, feeing him fall, nim- bly threw a Rope to him, which he caught hold of, and the People helped him into the Ship ; though in all Probability, he had perifhed in the Sea, if he had mifs'd taking hold of the Rope. I was thankful to the Almighty for this young Man's Life, and took it as a great Favour from Heaven. The next Day it was dreadful flormy, the Wind blew violently at South-weft, with Lightning, Thunder, and much Rain ; the Seas ran fo high, and the Ship had fuch a great Motion, that the Goods, or Cafks, fhifced in the Hold, and we lay by till next Day; our Sails al- fo were much torn, and, in many Places, blown out of the Bolt-ropes, fo that we were half a Day mending them, and then proceeded on our Voyage home, where we arrived the latter End of the Month. After I came home from this Voyage, in the fmall Stay I was on Shore, I was divers Times at Meetings fhiiadti- at Philadelphia and Frankfort^ and was alfo at Ger^ ^f^aikfott ^(^^'lown^ at the Burial of our antient Friend Dennis Ctrman^ ' CuHtady who was One of the firft Settlers of this Town '^''•' (as I underftood the firft Meeting of Friends, for Worlhip, in it, was kept at his Houfe) He was a Man of an inoffenfive Lite, much given to Hofpita- lity, and left a good Report behind him : The Meet- ing was large, and many of the firft Settlers of the Country were there. I was alfo at the Burial oi' Ca- iherine, the Daughter of Thomas Lightfoot^ the Wife of James Miller^ a worthy Woman, who died foon after THOMAS CUALKLET. 235 after their Arrival from Ireland^ and was buried from 1729.* our Great-meeting-houfe in Philadelphia^ in ca decent ^""V-^^ and exemplary Manner. The latter End of the Tenth Month, Samuel Har- frankforr. rifon of New-Tork, and Ohadiah Lawrence 6^ Long- JJland^ favoured me with their Company all Night at our Houfe, where we called the Family together, and had a feafonable Time to take Leave, they of me, and I of them, and my Family alfo ; and the next Day divers very dear Friends came with me to the Boat, to the River Side, to take Leave, and we parted with Hearts full of Love and Good-will to each other. So I went on board at Wiccacoe and had a cold PafTage down the River and Bay, and left the Caps the lit of the nth Month (being the third Voyage as Mafter) and the 17th we pafled the "Tropick of Cancer, ^^ ^^^ Hitherto we had a comfortable PafTage, and though we had a crowded Ship, yet we had Peace and Quiet- nefs to a greater Degree than I expedted ; for Men that ufe the Seas, are, too generally, inconftant as the ^A/'ind and Waters they wade through. We had fe- veral Meetings on board the VefTel in this Voyage, and were at Sea about four Weeks, before we arrived at Barbadoes^ and when we arrived, the Markets were ^arkMw, dull, which occafioned our Stay ib long as about twelve Weeks. During which Time, I had divers re- ligious and good Opportunities with thofe of our own, and other Societies, I believe to general Satisfadion ; having the good Wifhes of People of all Ranks, from the Governor to the poor Negroes ; all of whom I profefs Love to for Chrift's Sake. This Voyage, in our Return home, we had a full pjf.//^^^/. Ship, and upwards of thirty Paffengers, and was on fh:a. our PafTage home about a Month, and had good com* fortable Weather therein. Soon after I came home from Barhadoes, in the ly^o* Third Month 1730, I went to a Meeting at Burling- ^wOr^^ icn^ at which was married Thomas Evans •, Margaret Burihzton. Q^ 3 Prefton ?36 7^^ JOURNAL^/ 1730. Prefton was alio there 5 Ic was a good Meeting. I v-zS^-N^ croflcd the River Dlaware twice, vifited a fick Perfon, and rode thirty Miles that Day. I alfo went to the Faiit, Palls Meeting, and, after faid Meeting, appointed Ncjbamtty, another at Nejhaminy the fame Day ; after which, I went with Jofeph Kirkbride to William Paxton\ and lodged: Next Morning Jofepb Kirkbride rode with me home, and thence to Philadelphia. I was divers Fbj/adei. Times at Philadelphia^ Frankfort^ and German-town^ '"^ and at the General-meeting at Frankfort^ where our Friend John Cadwallader was nijrried •, Ifaac Norrisy Samuel Prefton, and Margaret his Wife, and John Ox-" ley^ were at this Meeting, with many other Friends, a good Share of whofe Company I got home with me, of which I was glad, ever loving and coveting the Company of good Men and Women, Fourth ^ ^^^ "°^ preparing for the fourth Voyage, as Voyage. Mafter of the New Briftol Hope^ for Barbadoes \ but ic grew harder and harder for me to leave my Family, which, for many Confiderations, was very Exercifmg \ yet I was obliged to continue going to Sea, upon an honourable Account ; i. e. That no Perfon might fuf- fer by me, if I could help it; and having got our VefTel loaded, we failed from Philadelphia the 9th of the Fifth Month. Next Day came to an Anchor at r^/i'r. Chefter^ and vifited my old Friend David Lloydy who, with his good Spoufe Grace^ treated me with tender, Chriflian Love ; the Judge and I, being old Acquain- tance, and both of us in Years, and he not well, we took Leave, as if we were not to fee one another any more ^ which happened accordingly, for he died before I returned.) We weighed Anchor at Chefter, and got down to '^^m, Elfenhorou^y and went to Salem Meeting (it being Firft-day of the Wefek, and 12th of the Month) with fome of our PafTengers and Sailors. The Meeting was pretty large, and I was earneftiy concerned for their THOMAS CHALKLET, 237 their Welfare (as I had often been when I was abfent) 1730. and was glad I was with them that Day. C/VV^ After this Meeting we proceeded on our Voyage, andJeftthe Capes the 15th ot the aforefaid Month; had fmall and contrary Winds, and fometimes Calms, uritil the 2d of the Sixth Month, and Firft-day of the Week, when the Wind was at South and a hard Gale, the Sea high, and the Ship having a great Mo- tion, therefore we had not a Meeting as ufual : Many of the PafTengers were very Sea-fick ; as for my Part, I thought, if the Almighty was but with me, that would make up for all Difficulties ; for in him was, and is my Life and chiefeft Joy: And, as an An- fwer of Peace in my tolTed Condition, I fometimes had comfortable Times 5 being inwardly refrefhed wich the Love and Prefence of God ; not only in the Day, but alfo in the Night, in my Sleep; out of which I was awakened one Morning (in the Morning Watch) with thefe comfortable Words, He took me to his Banq^ueting lloufe^ and his Banner over me was Love, Thefe Ex- prelTions were fo frelh in my Mind, for fome Days, that I could not forbear but blefs the holy Name of the living Lord fecretly in my Soul. The 1 6th of the Sixth Month we arrived at Barba- does. The 17th there arofe, about Midnight, a hard Gale of Wind, which the Barbadians call a Bur- ricane^ or ^'ornadoy and blew more than ten Veffels afhore, great and fmall, which were wholly loft ; and our Ship was very near the Rocks, People looking every Minute when Ihe would come on Shore ; but, through divine Favour, we efcaped, wich only the Boat ftove againft the Rocks: I would have got on board, but that was impra&icable -, but I got on the higheri: Place I could, from which I could fee them ia the Ship, and they me on ihore ; for we could nor, for the Violence of the Wind, hear one another ; yet they were fo near the Fort, where I flood, that I could difcern them one from another, and they me 0^4 from 238 TJ^ J O U R N A L (?/ from the Multitude of People (many being in the Fort wi:h me) I feeing the chief Mate look towards me, I waved my Hat to him, and he, in anfwer, his to me 5 then I made a Signal to him to go to Sea, which they immediately did, letting flip their Cables, and went to Sea without either Boat, Anchor, or Cables, and came in the next Day, and got their Cables, and Anchors again, to the great Joy of many of the Inhabitants, whofe hearty Prayers were for our Safety, as many of them told me. This, among many others, I put in my Calender of Deliverances, and Prefervations from imminent Dangers, by the Hand of divine Providence. We {laid this Time in Barhadoes about five Weeks, leaving the Ifland the 27th of the Seventh Month ; and there I met with Robert Jordan^ my Friend and Bro- ther in the Work and Fellowfhip of the Gofpel of Chrift, who took his Paflage with us for Philadelphia^ whofe Company was pleafant and comfortable. One Evening he was repeating fome Verfes of the excellent Addifon\ which I willingly tranfcribed, as well in Me- mory of that great Author, as alfo that they anfwered my State and Condition in my watry Travels, and in the Extreams of Heat and Cold, and fome poifonous Airs I have often breathed in. They are as follow : I. How are thy Servants blell, O Lord ! How fure is their Defence 1 Eternal Wifdom is their Guide^ Their Help Omnipotence. II. In foreign Realms, and Lands remote^ Supported by thy Care ; Through burning Climes I pafs*d unhurt. And br^ath'd in tainted Air. III. Thy Mercy fweet'ned every Soi/, v - "^ Made every Region pleafc, The THOMAS CHALKLET. 239 The hoary ^//i;^^ Hills it warm'd, ^730. And fmooth'd the ^'jtrhene Seas, s^VVl IV, Think, O my Soul! devoutly think^ How, with affrighted Eyes, Thou faw'il the wide, extended Deep, In all its Horrors, rife, V. Confufion dwelt in ev*ry Face, And Fear in every Heart, When Waves on Waves, and Gulphs on Gulphs, O'ercame the Pilot's Art, VI. Yet, then, from all my Griefs, O Lord! Thy Mercy ^ti me free, Whilft in the Confidence of Prayer, My Soul took hold on thee, VII. For though in dreadful Whirls we hung,^ High on the broken Wave, bg-j- 1 knew thou wert not flow to hear. Nor impotent to fave. VIIL The Storm was laid, the Wind retir'd. Obedient to thy Will ; The Sea, that roar'd at thy Command, At thy Command was flill. IX: In Midft of Dangers, Fears and Death, Thy Goodnefs I'll adore ; And praife thee for thy Mercies pafl. And humbly hope for more. X. My Life, if thou preferv'ft my Life, Thy Sacrifice Ihall be ; And Death, if Death mufl be my Doom Shall join my Soul to thee. The i40 'I'he JOURNAL of 1736. The 4th of the Eighth Month, we met with a hard vSr*-' Gale of Wind, which broke the Tiller of our Rudder, and fplit our Bowfprit and Main-fail, and overfet many of our Chefts; Robert Jordan narrowly mifTed his Cheft falling on him from one Side of the Ship to the other, which we looked on as a merciful Providence, and fpoke of it to one another, remembring Addifin's Verfes, which the Night before were repeated. In this PafTage we faw three VefTels only; It was a/ bluftering Time, but the (horteft from Land to Land that ever I had, being but 14 Days and 14 Hours from the Sight of Barbadoes to the Sight of the Main-land : '^Imd.^^ We arrived at Philadelphia the i6th of the Eighth $hia. ' Month. V; In the Ninth Month I proceeded on a fifth Voyage ^ A fifth (as Mafter) to Barbadoes.^ and went down the River Jiafte? " Delaware on the Seventh-day, and on Firft-day, was at Cheficr Chefter Meeting, at which Time there was a Burial of a Child, and a large Meeting : Our Friends at Chefter were glad to fee me, and I them, and after Meeting we fet fail, and went down the River to Elfenborough^ where came to and landed Robert Worthington^ whofe Son Ezra was on board, and went to Barbadoes for bi&^ Health, being in a deep Confumption. -t"?:/'" This Voyage we were on our PalTage about o^^ Days before we arrived ?it Barbadoes j when after doing my Bufinefs, and vifiting our Friends Meetings in about WMri^i^fi. i^^g Weeks, we put to Sea the loth of the Twelfth Monthj and failed along to Leeward of divers IQands, 'dn^iua, till we came to Anguilla^ where we landed in Expec^ tation to get Salt, but at this Time was not any to be had there. We came to an Anchor here in the Night, hoping to get to an Harbour before it was dark ; buc It foon being very dark, and coming into fhoal Water, wc faw a large Rock, and came to by the Side of it, in about five or fix Fathom Water, taking it to be a Ship, and when is was Day we faw our Miitake, and tbac THOMAS CHALKLEr. 2^x that inftead of a VefTel, we were too nigh a Rock, 1730. and the Wind coming abour, tail'd our Ship towards ^->^^^''XJ It fo near, that we were fenfible of touching twice ; I or- Stlpe^^^' der'd the Men to heave a little farther a-head, and fo ^^^p- we lay clear till Morning. When Morning came, of ^^"^* which we were glad, feveral Boats, with a Cable, came to us, and the People advifed us to put a Spring on our Cable, and cut it, that fhe might caft the right Way -, which accordingly we did, and it had the de- fired EfFed ; fo that we fjon got into a very fine Har- bour, it being about a Mile otf. Many Thanks were given by many of the People for this Deliverance to the Almighty. George Leonard^ the Governor of this Ifland, heard in the Morning, that a Yt^d was on the Rocks, and the People were running with Saws and Axes, in order to break her up, if fhe fnould not be got off : The Governor feeing them, fent a Lieutenant with Orders, that let her belong to what Nation fo- ever,- they fhould help to get her off, if it could be, and if ihe was likely to be made a Wreck, he charged them attheir Perilnotromeddlewith her,noranyThino- belonging to her, until they had firfl come to Terms with the Mailer, which is worthy to be recorded. We ftay'd feveral Days before we could get our Anchor ; for after we were in the Harbour, it blew very hard for four or five Days ; fo that with our four Oars we could not rov/ our Boat a-head, but watchincr for a Calm one Night, our People went and got it^ and then we went into the principal Road and Harbour in the Ifland called Croaker's- Bay ; the Name of that we came from was Rendezvous-Bay^ where lived a very kind Friend of ours, named John Rumney^ who, with his Wife and Family, treated us with great Love, and courteoufly received us into their Houfe, and he went with me to the Governor's, who was my old Acquain- tance and Friend, who, with much Love and Tender- nefs (when he knew me) took me in his Arms, and c ipbraced me, and lovingly faluted me with a Kifs of Charity, 242 755^ JOURNAL £/" 1 73 1. Charity, and thanked God for our Deliverance, and ^n/S/^*^ that he had lived to fee me once more (I having been there fome Years before) he was feventy odd Years of Age, as I remember, and had eighty odd who called him Father : They living much on Roots and PuKe, are very healthy in this IQand. I was here nine Days, and had feven Meetings with the People ; the longer I (laid the larger the Meetings were ; fo that I had fomc Difficulty to leave them. Through the Grace and Gift of God I was helped to preach the Gofpel of Chrift freely, and they received it both freely and thankfully, divers, if not all ; for theirs and my Heart was very open one to another, the holy Lord's Name be praifed forever. The 3d of the Firfl Month Ezra TVorthrington died, and the 4th in the Afternoon he was buried on the Plantation of John Rumney, near his Houfe ; the Go- vernor and his Son-in-Law were at the Burial, where I told them, that he was an inoffenfive, innocent, fober young Man, and that Death was to be the End of us here, putting them in mind to remember their latter End. After I had done fpeaking, the Governor faid, ^bat Death was a Debt due to Nature^ and that wt muft all pay it, and hlejfed is the Man that in 'Time truly prepares for it. I'his was a good ExprcfTion for a Man in his Pofl, and worthy of my Notice, as I thought. -5 I was at one Meeting, where was the Governor and his Daughter, with divers of the beft and fobereft Peo- ple of this Ifland ; it was a fatisfa6lory Meeting, which ended in Prayer •, and when I arofe from my Knees I found the Governor on one Side, and his Daughter on the other Side of me, both on their Knees ; a Pofture in which People are too feldom found in this degenerate Age of the World. saiisfrom On the lOthof the Firfl Month, we departed frpm •An^ntiim, ^^^ Ifland of AnguHlay wich a plealan: Gale ; and had fair Weather and Winds for feveral Days j I fpent fomc THOMAS CHALKLET. J43 fome Time of this Voyage iti Reading, and met with 1731, a Paflage of, or concerning Friendlhip ;- the Comforts>V^ and Beauty of it therein was notably fet forth, yet inoft who treat upon that noble Subjcd, place (too ge- nerally) the Felicity thereof in Humanity : Whereas ■^true and lafting Friendlhip is of a divine Nature, and ^r^an never be firmly fettled without divine Grace : ^Chrift Jefus is the prime Friend of Mankind, and from ^^ whom all true and lalling Friendlhip fprings and flows, >as from a living Fountain, himfelf being the head ^Spring thereof ; out of which holy Fountain hark -*fprung asfolloweth, Henceforth I call you Not Servants^ ^ end ye are m'j Friends^ if ye do whatfoever I command '^ou. XAnd again, By ibis Jhall all Men know that ye are my 'Difciples^ if 'je love one another. O holy ExprefTions ! much to be admired, and worthy every true and good Man's and Woman's Imitation and Pradlicc. Obferve, that when they had doqe whatfoever Chrift had commanded them, then^ they were to be his friends, and they were not only to be his Friends, but one anothers Friends, as he was theirs, and if Occa- fion were, as he died, fo they would die for one ano- ther : By this Mark and trucft Seal of the trueft Friendlhip, all the World fhould know they belonged to Chrift, that they were united to him, and in him united to one another : Nothing but Difobedience and Sin can ever feparate this Friendlhip. ■^ Againft this Friendlhip, which is in Chrift, and grounded and founded upon him, the Gates of Hell €an never prevail ; all Friendfhip, upon any Gonfi- deration, meerly human, is brittle and uncertain, and fubjed to Change, or Mutability, as Experience hath taught in all Ages. - • If any Perfon hath a Defire to have a particular Friend, let that Perfon be lure to make Choice of Chrifl, and fuch as choofe him, have a Friend in whom all lalting Peace, Comfort and Delight, Joy and Piea- fure is, and in him alone is to be enjoyed for ever. -.' ■The- IM. 244 r/&^ JOURNAL of 1731/ The 20th of the Firfl Month, being the firft of the \^y\r-J Week, we had a comfortable Meeting for divine Worlhip, in which the Goodnefs of God was extend- ed to us as we were rowling on the mighty Waters of the great Deep, after which we had pleafanc Weathef^^ and a fair Wind for feveral Days. '^ On the 26th the Wind fprung up at Eafl North-Eaft^ a hard Gale, which lafled feveral Days 5 and having but little Sea-room for about thirty Hours, k blew fo hard, that we could drefs no Vicluals ; I then thought on the Words of Joh^ when he fpoke to his impatient Wife, faying, ^hall we receive Good a$ the Hand of God^ and /ball we not receive Evil alfo? (or that which 13 accounted or looks like Evil in the Eye of Man) In this Time of Exercife the Love and heavenly Life of God, in his beloved Son, filled my Heart, and caufed an Overflowing of Praifes to his holy, glorious, and bleffed Name. Oh ! it was exceeding precious to iny Soul at that Time .' The I ft ot the Second Month we faw Land, being driven to the Southward near 250 Miles in this laft hard Weather •, but we foon after arrived at our defiredPort, After which I vifited the Meetings of Friends at Philadelphia^ Burlington^ the Falls^ Akngton^ Ger?nan^ townj Brijloly and Frankfort^ and found the People had been under a general Viiitation of the Small-pox, infomuch that many Hundreds, efpecially of Chil- dren, were taken off the Sxage of this Life in the Gity of Philadelphia, and I was concerned to exhort Friends in that City to bring their Children to Meetings, and educate them, when young, in the Way they fliould go, that they might not depart from it when old -, and that he who had taken many away, could, if hepleafed, take many more ■■, for tnough he might have laid down his Rod at prefent (the Diftemper in the City being much abated) he could foon take it up again. It is my Beliefthac the Lord Almighty will itill continue to vific the City and People (if there is not a Reforma- tion) THOMAS CflALKLE Y. ^45 tJon) with further, if not forcr, Vifitations, becaufe 1731. he hath known them to do them good, and make them V^VV. a Bleillng to many Illands and People •, giving them the Fati;iefs of the Earth, and that which is far more, the Dew of Heaven ; fo that he may juftly fay to us, as to Ifrael of old, Ton have I known of all the Families ofthn Earth j therejore Iwillvifit upnyoufor all your Iniquiiies: In the Beginning of the Fourth Mjonth, Robert Jordan was married to Marj^ the Widow of Rich* ard Hill {all three worthy Friends.) The Meeting on this Occafion was large, and the Marriage foiemni- zed in the Fear of God. Divers Friends were con,* cerned to fpeak to the People, and it was greatly de? fired that thofeprefent (who were then fpoke to) might be married to Cbrift, the great Lover of Souls, whQ laid down his Life (the moft precious Life that ever was on Earth) and llied his precious Blood for our Salvation. \ A few Days after which I again took Shipping for y/^^^ ' ihe In'and of Barbadoes (being the fixth Voyage) in the M&HqI iSIevJ. Briftol Hope^ and left the Capes of Delaware the Eighth Day of the Month. The 22d of the faid Month, ^* ^®*' I being weary, laid me down to refl, and fell afleep, and was awakened out of my Sleep with the Words, Oh Heart in, Heaven I ^Tis an excellent Tlmtg to have an l^i^rt in fieaven I Which Words were comfortable to me, ind left a Svveetnefs on my Mind all the Day after, fpr v;hich I was thankful, and greatly defired that ^)y t^-art and Mind might be fet and fixed more an^ ipqre on Heaven and heavenly Things, and that my X rer.ii^re might be in Heaven, that my Heart might bci d^tfc aifo, a,ccording to the Dodrine of my Saviour.^ I!^ac» vi. 6, 20, 21. Lay up for your/elves Treafure in Hei^ven^ for where your Treafiire is^ there will your H^iirt be alfo. ■ -^ L The 27th Day (being the Firll Day of the Week) Y«?. h^d a comfortable Meeting, the Weather being- moderate ; and on the 7th of the Fifth Month, we ar- BarUd^er. rived at Bridge-town in Barbadoes^ where we unloaded Part 1^6 ne J OUKNAL of 1 73 1. Part of our Cargo, and from thence we went to Si^\^ Speight'* S'Town ; where, after a Stay of about five Weeks, we accompliflied our Affairs. I alfo vifited all our Friends Meetings, and fome feveral Times, in which we were edified and comforted, and divers of us had Occafion to blefs the holy Name of God for his Mercy to us : Before we left the Ifland, there happened tfurrlcane. ^ great Storm or Hurricane, which did much Damage to the Ships, and to the Ifland, blowing down many Houfes, and fpoiling much Provifion?, deflroying al- mofl all the Plantain Trees on the Ifland, which is a very wholfome and pleafant Fruit, and much ufed by many inflead of Bread. I was clearing out our VefTel when this Storm hap- pened, and being twelve Miles off, could not hear of or concerning her, but thought it altogether unlikely that fhe fhould ride out fo great a Storm, in fo bad a Harbour or Road, it being open to the Sea, and fuch a Storm as had not been known for many Years, and fome faid, never but one (to their Knowledge) though much more Damage hath at fome other Times been done to the Shipping, by reafon that the hardefl of the Wind was not that Way, which was mofl dange- rous to them in Carlijle-Bay^ where they moflly lay ; for they all got out to Sea, except two or three that were loft by the Violence of the Weather. It was indeed a very difmal Time, the VefTels which rode it out were much damnified, and one being loaded, ready to fail, funk right down, and was lofl in the Bay. When I had cleared our Ship, I fet forward in order to fee what was become of her ; but the Floods were fo out, and the Ways v?fere fo bad, I could not without fome Danger get to her that Night; but next Morning I fet out from Jofepb Ga?nble's, and, to my Admiration, from the Top of a Hill (on which a Houfe in the Storm was blown flat to the Ground) I faw our Ship at an Anchor, having rode out the Storm, with one Sloop THOMAS CHALKLET. i^j- \ "^Sloop by her, for which Caufe my Soul was humbly 1731. 3thankfui. "'■ ' ^^ "' N-^-V^, ^"'On the i7th*orche faid Month, with fomemore^than ordinary Fatigue, we got up our Anchor, and 'took in our Boat, a'nd got our Pafiengers and Provifions on ^•board, the Sea breaking high on the Shore, fothat fe- verai of our People and our Boat were in Jeopardy of beingloft; but at length being all on board, we fet Sail, sails from rind having failed flowly about fix or leven Miles, we Burtadoes. met with a Sloop who had lofl her Maft in the Storm, and next Morning we met with two large London Ships, who had put out to Sea, not venturing to ride it out. We had fine pleafant Weather for feveral Days af- ter we left the Illand, and on the 22d of the Sixth Month ( being the firft Day of the Week ) we had a Meetino; for the Worlliip of God, which was comfortable and fatisfadlory to us. The 4th and fth of the Seventh Month, we nad very frefh Gales from the North-Eafl: to the North, and was near a Water Spout (about a Stone's throv/ off) which furpriz^d fome on board, on which I came out of my Cabbing and law the Water run up out of the Sea into the Cloud, as phiin as ever I faw the Water run into the River, till ir filled the Cloud with Blacknefs, and then it would break in great Quantities into the Sea, which is dan- gerous, when falling on VefTels. The 5th of the .Month, being the firil Day of the Week, we had a ''^'good religious Meeting for divine Worfnip, w^herefn our People were earneltly exhorted to a holy Lite, and to be earneflly concerned for the true Faith, which is in Chrift-, that Faith which works by Love, and is the Evidence of Things not viiibly feen, being manifeil by Works of Piety and Virtue. In this Voyage we were twenty two Days from the IQand of Barbadoes to the p^^.^^^^^j^ Sight of C^/pd- Henry m Virginia^ and had a pleafant M^^. Paifage in the main to Pbiladelpbia^ where, in the Seventh Month, was held our Yearly-meeting,- at which "* I had a Defire to be, my watery Employment- having R hinder'a 24? "He JOURNAL of 1 731. hinderM my being at a yearly Meeting for fcveral \^/\^^^ Years: At this Meeting I met with my old Acquain- tance, and dear Friends, John Richard/on of Tork- Jbire, and Paul John/on of Dublin^ both on a Gofpel Vifit to the Brethren and Friends in America: The Meeting was large, and attended with divine Grace and Goodnefs, and ended wkh Thankfgiving and Praife to God and the Lamb. While our Ship was loading I was at feveral Meet- ings in the Country, as at Abington, Gennan-towriy Fair-hill, and Frankfort, in Philadelphia County ; and at the Falls of Delaware^ Buckingham, 'Nejhaminy, and Brijloly in Bucks County. I was alfo at Burlington^ at the Marriage of JP^tllia?n Callender, junior, o( Bar- hadoes, with Katherine Smith, Daughter of Daniel and Mary Smith of Burlington, A feventh ^^^ ^^^ * ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Ninth Month I proceeded on Voyage to the feventh Voyage 10 Barbadoes, in the Ship NewEri- fs'wkfter' y^(?/ Hope, as Malter, having on board feveral Pafien- gers, one of whom {Elizabeth Martindale) was on the Pa Ifage convinced of the Principles of Truth, and af-? terwards fuffered, in divers Refpedls, for her making ProfelTion with us. We had a long PalTage down the River, the W' ind being high and boifterous. On the 2 2d of the Ninth Month, we left the Capes of Delaware^ and faw the *^'wL^* Ifland oi Barbadoes the 21ft of the Tenth Month, be- '^ ^ '^* fore it was Day, and in the Afternoon came to an An- chor in the Bay of SpeigWs-lown. In this Voyage I met with an Accident that was painful and troublefome. to me, which happened in a hard Gale of Wind, I be- ing to the Windward, and the Ship having a large Mo- tion, and mifling my Hold, was canted from my Place to the other Side of the VefTel, againft the Edge ofaCheft, and fo bruifed my Leg that I could noE do my Bufinefs as I ufualJy did, which was a great Hindrance and Difappointment to me : But in about •i Month'jy Time, with the AfTiftancc of fome of ray Friends THOMAS CHALKLET. 249 triends there, I got indifferently through it, and alfo 1*731.' rode to Bridge-Town, and had feveral Meetings there. OOTNJ 1 was alfo at feveral good and comfortable Meetings at Speghl'S'Toivn^ where we had one the Day we fail'd, being the 21ft of the Eleventh Month; and on the Sea-fhore parted with our Friends in great Love, and fetSail, the Wind being about North-Eafl:, fo that s.iiu from we could not weather the Ifland of Martinico ; we ^^rb^docs^ therefore fail'd along by the Iflands ot Domlnlco^ and Guardalottpe^ and had Calms under the lilands, and fometimes the eddy Winds from off the Mountains, or high Lands, would take the Sails, and carry the Ship clear round, which made it fometimes tedious. The 23d and 24th we paired by the Iflands of Montferrat^ Antiguay Rodondo, Chirflopber's, Nevisy Bartholomew, Statia, Saba, Barbuba, Martin's, and Jnguilla, the Winds and the Weather being fair and pleafant. The 25th in the Evening, it began to be hazy ; and, ia the Night we fplit our Main-top-fail, which coft us a great deal of Labour, and Lofs of Time^ before we could get it mended and fet again. We had pretty fair Weather about 20 Days, until we came on our Coaft, and into Soundings; when a hard Gale of Wind fpringing up Eafterly, which fetting on the Shorej was dangerous, and we had a long Night coming on 5 bur, through the Favour of the Aimighry,; we got off from the Land* In the MIdft of the Danger of this Storm, my Soul fang Praifes to the Lord. The 1 2th of the Twelfth Month we met with ano- ther Eafterly Storm, being in about thirty Fathom Water, it blew, and rain'd very hard, and was alfo exceeding cold^ and our coming from a hot Climate made it more hard to bear. In this Storm we faw di- vers Lights, which the Sailors call Corpufants, one of them was exceeding bright, and fat, as near as I caa compute it, about Half an Hour on our Main-top- maft Head, plain to the View of all the Ship's Com- R 2 pany- 250 Tk JOUTL^N AL of 73 f.- pany, divers of whom faid they never faw tb.e like,^ and I think I never heard of, or faw the like before. This Storm continued all Night till Day, when it abated, and it being the firfl of the Week, we had a comfortable Meeting, in which the People on board were advifed to get divine and heavenly Learning, and not to be Fools in Religion, or in the Things of God, nor to hate his true Knowledge , for if they had all the natural Knowledge, and brighteft natural Parts in the World, they would be but Fools without the true Fear of God^ which the wife King Solomon fays. Is the Beginning of Wifdom, The 27th ot'the Month wefaw Cape Henlopen^ having been 27 Days from the Ifland of Barb ado es : This v/as a clofe, foggy Day, we could fee but very little before us, and had like to have been a-ground on the Shoals, which they call the Hen and Chickens; but went between them and the Cape^ in three Fathom W^ater ; the Wind blowing hard at South, we went up the Bay by the Lead ^ tor we could not fee the Land *, and the Gale be- ing fofrefli, we got to Bomhay-Hook^ from our Capes^ inabout fixHours, vy'hich is accounted twenty Leagues, where we came to an Anchor, and there met with abundance of Ice. Merciful was the Deliverance and Prefervation we met v/ith, from the Hand of the Al- mighty, this Voyage ; may we ever gratefully re- member it! About a League above Bomhay-Hcoky v/hen the Fog broke up, we found ourfclves clofe on the JerfeyS\\ovQ ; and the Wind fprung up at North- weft, and obliged us to come to an Anchor ^ where the Ice came down upon us, which furprized fome of us much. The fudden coming out of fo hot a Cli- mate, into one fo feverely cold, had a bad Efiedl oa moll: of our Ship's Company ; and for my own Part, I had a fore Fit of the Phthyfick^ and was, at Times, almofh breathlefs, and tiiought I mufldie, for I couki hardly breathe, or fpeak ; but yet I refolved, as long as I was capable of Thoughts, I would think of God, and THOMAS CHALKLET. 251 and my beloved Jefus; in which Thoughts and Medi- 173 r. rations I found fome Comfort and Coniblation. I fat C/'VX^ up for divers Nights, not being able to lie down for want of Breath ; and I could not drink any ftrong Drink, as Rum, Wine, Ale, or Punch, fuch as the Sailors drank; but, inftead thereof, I drank Sage Tea, which was very helpful tome. The next Day, the Ice came down more and more upon US5 and we feared to put back, becaufe, if we had gone a-ground in the Bay, the Ice might have demo- lifhed us ; fo we took the mofl convenient Time we could, and got up our Anchor, with fome Difficulty, and flood for Reedy-Ifland, one of the befl Harbours u^on Bdazvare ', but, the Wind and Tide failing us, we could not get in ; arid -the Ebb brought down the Ice mightily on us, fo that it took av/ay the Head of our VeiTel, and cut her Sides very much. The next Tide we got into the Harbour, and ky clofe to Reedy- JJlandy m^iking the Ship fafl on Shore. While we lay here, feveral^Veffels came to us, and faften'd on Shore as we did. The Ice drove one VefTel on us, and broke our Spritlail Yard. Here I v/ent on Shore, where the People were very kind to us, particularly the Sheriff of the County, John Gooding, and his Wife and Family. I went alfo to the Houfe of John M'Cool, who, with his Wife, . were very tender in their Care and Love towards me; bathing my fwell'd and benumb'd Limbs until the Frofl was pretty well out of them. The Good-will, and tender Love and Care, I here met with, affeds my Mind in the noting of it: I pray the mofl High, whom I love and ferve, to be their Rewarder. , I had two Meetings at our Meeting-houfe at George'*S'Creeky where was People of divers Perfwa- fions, who gave good Attention. For thefe Meetings, I was truly thankful -, for though, through theextreani Cold, I could hardly fpeak when on board, I now fpoke freely, much to my Admiration, and I believe to R 2 the 252 r^^ JOURNAL t?/ ^ 1 73 1, the Peoples Satisfaction, more than is proper for me to O'^V'SJ mention, wherefore I praife God. When the Wea- ther was a little more open, and the Ice gone, we TkiUdci ^^^1^^ ^P ^^^ River to Philadelphia^ where I was joy^ itia. ^ fully received by my Friends ; and while the VefTer was repairing and fitting for another Voyage, I was not idle, but vifited Friends Meetings 2it Philadelphia^ Burlington BurUngtOHy AUngtoH^ German-town^ Eiberry^ Fair -hilly Aiin/doft,' and Frankforty being fometimes at four or five Meet- ^^- ings a Week. I was alfo at Haddonfield and EveJJoam Meetings in JVeft-Jcrfey ; both good and comfortable Meetings, and will not eafily be forgotten : for there- in God was gracioufly pleafed to vificus with his Word, bleflcd be his Name. The 4th of the Third Month, we again fet fail for VoylleaJ Speigbt'S'Tozvn in BarbadoeSy and the 6th of the Waller, Month, about fix in the Morning, left the Capes of ■'^' Delaware. From the Time we left the Sight of the Capes of Delaware^ to the Sight of BarbadoeSy was Twenty -five Days (which was the quickeft Voyage that ever I had in this Ship) in which Time we had three Meetings for the publick Worfhip of Almighty God, and to me they were beneficial ; and for God's Goodnefs, I could do no lefs than return Praife to him, who alone is worthy for ever. Sartadosf^ After I had done my Bufinefs at Barbadees^ and vifited Friends Meetings, on the 5th of the Fifth Month I failed for South Carolina^ touched at the Ifland of €hrijiophfrs Cbrijtopher' Sy and landed Ibme Pafiengers there. From rhence we went to Sea, and the fame Night we had a Storm, but fuffered little, the Wind being for us, that w^e went before it, and after it was over, we had a pleafant Pafiage of about fourteen Days to the Coafl of Carolina', and when we faw the Land, the Wind came againft us, which made fome of our Pafiiengers very uneafy j but in meditating on the infinite Being, I was favoured with inward Comfort and ftrong Con- folation. "THOMAS CHALKLET. 253 folation, fo that I was humbly thankful, and praifed 1732: God. ^^v^^ We were prevented by contrary Winds, and a ilrong Current, from getting into Charlejlozvn^ and while we were beating about the Coaft, we met with a VefTel which came from thence, who gave us In- telligence that many People died fuddenly, and that they buried ten or twelve in a Day. Hearing fuch News, and the Wind being (till againft us, our Paflen- gers, who intended for Carolina^ concluded to go for Philadelphia ; fo we tacked about, and flood for Dela-- 'ware-Bay^ and then we had a frelh Gale a- head again for feveral Days, and fpending fo much Time on the Coafl:, our Water was far expended, and we agreed to come to an Allowance of Water, a Quart a Man for Twenty-four Hours, for feveral Days before we got in. We were about five Weeks in our PafTage from Barhadoes to Delaware River. Soon after our Arrival at Philadelphia we got our fhUai^- Ship on the Ways, in order to refit and fheath her, in f^^'^* which Time I travelled into feveral Counties, and had many religious Meetings in divers Places, in which I had good Satisfadlion ; and my old Acquaintance and Friends faid, they rejoiced to fee me again after my Sea Voyages. I was thankful in my Heart for the Good- will of my good Mafler, and of my Friends, in thofe Journeys, which was, and, I hope, ever will be better to me than choice Silver, and fine Gold. The Winter fetting in about a Month fooner than ufual, many VefTels were detained from going to Sea, being frozen up ; alfo many VefTels could not come from Sea up the River, fo that a great Damp was put on Trade, and the Frofl coming fo fuddenly, many People were taken with Colds, and many died in both the Provinces of New-Jerfey and Penfjlvania, My dear Friend and kind Landlord Paul Prejlon^ died about this Time, who, on his dying Bed, faid. He had no Defire to Hve^ but to do Good^ and that it had been his R 4 Care 254 The JOVR-N AL of 1 7 ij2. Care to keep a Confcience void of Offence towards God^ and to all Men^ "uchich Jiow ii-as bis Comfort: The hard Weather continuing, I found an ExerciCe and Concern on my Mind to vific Friends Meetings in the County of Bucks^ in Fenfylvania^ and the County of Burliug- ton in JFeft-JerJey \ in both v/hich I was at above twenty Meetings in about twenty Days. In this Journey I v/as favoured with the Grace and Goodnefs of the divine Hand to a greater Degree than I was worthy of, though I was exceeding poor in my Spirit, and, in my own Judgment, very weak for Service and Labour, both in Body and Mind ; our Meetings, confidering the fevere Seafon, were large, and, I hope, they were to general Edification. On the 25th of the Tenth Month, being the repu- ted Birth Day of our Lord Jefus Chrift, at a little Town, near the Falls ^ called Bordentown^ we had a Meeting (where never any had been before of our Friends) in one of the Floufes newly built by Jofepb Borden^ the Proprietor of the Place: He entertained us lovingly at his Houfe, when hewasfo generous as to oP/er Ground for a Grave- Yard, and to build a Meeting-houfe on, and a handfome Sum of Money towards building it, though he did not make ProfefTion to be of our Society. Some that were at this Meet- ing, who did not profefs with us, came over the Creek on the Ice to Ifaac Horner''^ in the Evening, where we had a fatisfacStory Meeting, in which God, through Chrift, was glorified, Daniel Stanton{my Wife's Sifter's Son) accompanied me in this Journey, whofe Com- pany and Miniflry was acceptable, both to me and Friends, and we had Meetings at the Falls^ Brijlol^ Middletown, PFrighl*s-Town^ Bordentown^ Crofwicks^ Mansfieldy Upper and Lower Springfield^ Mount Holly^ Rancocas^ Evef/oam^ and Chefter^ and divers Evening- meetings at Icveral Friends Houfes. It now being a fickly Time I was often fcnt for to vifit the Sick, in v/hich THOMAS CHALKLET. z^S which Vifits we were comforted, and God's holy Name 1732. was praifed. K/^yf^ On the i8ch of the El-^venth Month I was fentfor to Briftol to vifit Ennion JVilliams^ who was dangerouily BriCtoi. ill, and to Burlington, to the Barial of Elizabeth the ^«^^^'"r^ at a Meeting of Friends before ; on Second-day we had a Meeting at Sufquehannab Ferry, to which divers People came over the Ice, and it was a good Opportu- nity to many of them. Third-day we had a large Meet- ing at Weft -Nottingham^ and in the Evening at William Brown's^ and next we had a large Meeting at New- Gar den^ and at Michael Lightfooi's Houfe we met with two Friends from Irelandy Mungo Bewley and Samuel Stephens^ who were now proceeding on the Courfe of their religious Vifit to Friends in Maryland^ Virginia, and iY^r/^-C^r^/f;/^.— From thence I wenC to vifit my old Friend and Acquaintance Ellis LewiSy who had a Defire to fee me ; We had an Evening- meeting in his Chamber, to our mutual Comfort and Refrefhment ; and next Day had a very large Meet* ing in the Meeting-houfe at Kennet ; after which we went to Concord to the Quarterly-meeting for the County of Chefler, and were at three Meetings there, and likewife had three Evening- meetings at Friends Houfes ; at which Meetings we had the Company of my Kinfwoman y^lice Alderfon, and her Companion Margaret Coupland, who were lately come from the Nortl:) of Englandy to vifit Friends in this and the ad^ jacent Provinces. We went on Third-day to the General-meeting at Providence^ which was very large ; Jojhua Fielding and Ehenezer Large were there ; and we had an Evening- meeting at Rebecca Minjhallh\ and next went to Chichcfter^ were we had a larger Meeting than I ex- peded, confidering the Seafon •, we lodged at John Salkeld'%-y and on Fifth-day we had a good, open Meeting at Chefter, and, in the Evening, another at Grace Lloyd's ', next Day had a Meeting 2.t Springfield, which I believe will be remembered by fome that were there, when we don't fee one another j afterwards we tr;^veHed to Philadelphia; In THOMAS CHALKLET. 257 In ithis Year 1732, arrived Thomas Penn^ one of 1732; the Proprietors of Penfylvanta^ and Son of the truly v^V**^ honourable William Penn^ Governor and Proprietor of this Province, a wife Man, a good Chriftian, and a mild Governor, a great Promoter of Piety and Virtue, and of good Men. May this his Son walk in his Steps ! In the Firft Month was our general Spring- meetings at which were feveral Publick Friends from EnglaTidy vi^. John Richard/on^ Alice Alderfon^ and Magaret Coupland. The Meeting was large and edifying, the faid Friends having Service therein to genera] Satis- iadion. The 2d of the Second Month I proceeded on a j^^jj. Voyage to Barbadoes (it being the firft in the Snow y^iy-s^ Barhadoes-Packety a VefTel built on Purpofe for me) We got to the Capes the 20th of the Second Month in the Evening, where we were obliged to come to an An- chpr i and the 21ft we put out to Sea, but the Wind being againft us, and looking like windy Weather, I concluded to come too under our Cape^ and wait for a lair Wind : As foon as our Snow came to, we got our Boat out, and went to Lewis-Town % and next Lewhi Day, being Firft-day, we had a Meeting in the'*'*^^* Court-houfe. In this Town, is an Epifcopal^ and a prejbyterian Meeting-houfe ; but neither of their Teachers were that Day in Town, and divers of the People were glad of a Meeting, and I had a good Op- portunity with them. After Meeting I went on board, and weighed Anchor, and had a fair Wind for above ^* ^•^^ a Week after : In which Time we overtook the Ship Amity^^^- Bowling Mailer, near the Latitude of Bermudas ; where we had fmart Gales of Wind, which obliged us to carry our Topfails double-reeff'd : And, after having been at Sea 27 Days and one Night, in which Time we had feveral Meetings, we faw the Jfland of B^rha^oes j though, for the moft Parr, we ^ArUioet: had 258 r^^ J O U R N A L ef 1733. had contrary Winds ; but all was well, and God \./Sr^-^ bleiTcd, who is for ever worthy. The 20th of the Fourth Month, having done my 'jS^rbadoes. .B\iCmt(s^ and alfo vifitcd Friends Meetings, w^ failed for Fbiladelphia\ and on the 25th of the Fourth Month, being Firft-day, we had a feafonable.and fer- viceable Meeting, wherein the y^lmighty was worlhip- ped and prc^ifed, and the People exhorted to Sobriety ^ind Temperance. We were about 20 Days from ThiiadeU Barhadoes to Philadelphia, ';' --iv- /ArX After having flaid at Home about Hx Weeks', and vifited the Meetings of Friends in divers Places, tomine and their Satisfadion, on the 28th of the Sixth Month, I proceeded on another Voyage for the Ifland of Barhadoes. We left Sight of our Capes on the 3 ift of the faid Month. The Winds were for the moft Part, contrary, and, before we got into the Trade Wind, we met with two hard Gales ; the laft of which was' a Kind ota Hurricane, in which v/e could carry no Sail at all, but let the VefTel lie to the Mercy of the Seas, or rather to the Mercy of him that made the Seas, and all that is therein, and -in the Earth alfo. In this , Storm we loft a fpare Top-maft, and divers other U- . ' tenfils belonging to the VefTel ; but all our People were well and fafe. This Voyage we had feveral comfort- able religious Meetings on board, in which we were exhorted to prepare for another and better World, this being fo very uncertain and momentary, and full of various Exercifes, Temptations, and AfRi6tions. I had on board three Whitehaven Sailors, William ^owerfon^ William Irijnble, and William Athinfon^ and I do not remember that I heard either of them fwear an Oath during the whole Voyage, which 1 thought wor- thy to Hand on Record, becaufe it is fo rare in fea- faring Men. About the Beginning of the Eighth Month ( being in the Latitude of Barhadoes ) the Thoughts of my leaving my Family and Habitation, and many of my loving Relations, and near and dear Friends ^ THOMAS CHALKLET. 259 Friends (as at divers other times alfo) made me pen- ly^Z-'^ five and forrowful ; but it being on a Principle of Juf- k^^^^t^ tice, and fometimes meeting witli the Prefence and Goodnefs of God, I was enabled to do my Affairs and Bufinefs, and forbore to appear forrowful as much as pofiibly I could, or to be ot a fad Countenance in the Sight of Men; but to him, who knew all Things, and fees in fecrer, I poured out my Soul in all my Af- fiidlions, for he only is able to help me. I met with fome who untruly cenfured me, as covetous of the Things of this Worlds or to he rich-, and i\\3.t for the fake of thefe outward 'Things^ 1 might venture my Life until I tnight lofe it : Really, as to my Lile, it hath long been my Defire to be ready to refign it, and is fo itill: And, as to thofe outward Things, fo far as I know, my Heart is clear -, Food and Rai- ment, and to beclearand even with the World, hav- ing rather to give than receive, is all the Grandeur I defire, and if that be not granted, I hope to be con- tented without it, and to be thankful. I look upon Crowns and Scepters, and all the fine Things of this World, that are of the Nature of it, but as Trifles, and diminutive Things, in comparifon ot a Houfe and Kingdom eternal in the Heavens. In this Voyage, as ufual, I read in the holy Scriptures, and met v/iuh At Ssa? ftrong Confolation therein, efpecially in the New-Te- llament ; I alfo read much in the Works of that emi- nent Judge and good Chriilian, Matthew Hale, The 7th of the Eighth Month, we arrived at Bar- Arrives at badges, fbid three Wrecks and one Day, and had divers ^^rbadcis. religious Meetings. I haften'd to accomplifh my Af- fairs before WMnccr, it coming on, and the Time of the Year dangerousfor failing on our Coairs. On the 30th of the Eighth Month we left the Ifland of Bar- badoes, bound tor Philadelphia ; and on ihi: nth of the ^t Sea, Ninth Month it pleafed God to favour us^virh a gra- cious Opportunity to wcrfiiio him ; wherein was de- clared to che Ship's Company, The Nature and Ad- van t.m'e 266 ne ]0VR1 who died for them 3 who is the glo- nou§ THOMAS CHALktET. lif rious. LigKtof all the.Nations of them that.are,(aved, i734-j and walk therein, according to facred Writ.; , >^^J C/V^^ As noted above, he got feveral Pieces by Hearrout of the Bible, and other religious Writings, firft v/ri- ting them with his Pen. Two'(hort ones I hiay recite, of which Nature were divers others, v/hich paradven-^ i^ure may be edifying to foine, who may caft theif Eye thereon. 'ijpii"' : !. One Place which much affeded my Mind tnat he wrote down, and got by Heart, was the 15th Verfe of the 57th Chapter of that evengelical Prophet Ifaiah: For thus faith the high and lofty one^ that inbabitetb "Eteynity^ whofe Name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy PUcej zvilh him al/o that is of a contrite and hum- hie Spirit^ to revive the Spirit of the HumbUy and So .^f- vive the Heart of the contrite Ones. ^ j. .. ^ , "'^'"^ ^' ^' Another little Piece was five Verfes, which aniohg otl^qrs he wrote, and got by Heart, viz, ,_^,- ^ ... . ^,jt ^-r. As one Day goes another comes ^ iwob i\ Wv • And fometimes fhews us difmal Dooms , , .,. ,.. . As Time rowls on, new 'things we fei^^^^^^'.^f .^ Which f el dom to us do agree : - o^hnB T-^- ^ho* now and then^s a pleafant Hayf,^ iHsuon ^Tis long a coming, foon away ; -■^\\ ■ Wherefore the everlajiing ^ruth ^niV»l"^/ ^^ Is good for Aged and for Tc^'tby , ^ °^-^ Ix^ |.",. ; For them tofet their Hearts upon^^'f^ ^^^ ^^ For that will laft till Time is done. .[^^^^ i,^/- I have now but one only Daughter, ReheccafMz ,me out of twelve Children, (except my Wife's Son and Daughter.) After this long and tedious Voyage, which ended in the fecond Month, I ftay'd but a few Weeks at home, and loaded with Wheat and Flour for Dublin^ in Ireland', h;\d Alice Alderfon^ my Kinfwoman, and Margaret Coupland, PafTengers. We had a very com- fortable, plealant PafTage, fair Winds" and W^eather, S 4 And 270 The ]OURN AL of 1734. aad good religions ^/jeetings. I think it was the mod pleafanc Time that ever I crofled the Seas; about Nafiluckelweh^ feveral Sloops a Whaling, and fpokc with one, by which Opportunity we enquired of the Welfare of our Friends on that IQand, and fent our J_iOves to them. Not many Miles from the Sloops we faw a Shoal of Whales ; I counted eight in a Row lying Side by Side in the Water. We were four Weeks and fix Days from our Capes to C-^pf. Clear In Ireland; coming near the Land we met with Fifhing Boats, and got plenty of choice frefh Hfh; in the Evening we got into Jdnfale^ took in a Kinfak. pilot for DubUn, and failed next Day from KinfaUy and was out one Night at Sea, got next Diy to Duh- Dub:in. lin-Bdjy where we went afhore, and were kindly enter- tained by our Friends ; we v/ere at divers large Meet- ings in that great City, which fome of us, while v/e Jive, at Times I believe fhall remember. My Stay in Ireland was about {tvtn Weeks, in which Time I vifited feveral Meetings in the Country, and at Eden- derry^ the Moate of Greenough^ Car low ^ Balhtore^ &c. We fet fail from Dublin vAih a fair Wind, in Com- pany with the Ship Neptune^ and our PViends fenc many Prayers and good Willies after us. We were a- bout forty Perfons, Sailors, PaiTengers and Servants on board, and had a good PalTage, all Things confidered. We had divers religious Meetings on board, and were en our PafTage, from the Sight of Ireland, to the Sight of' our Land, five Weeks and fix Days ; it was the quickefl Voyage lever made to Europe and back again to Philadelphia, When 1 came home, finding all well, I was thank- ful to God, in the Name of Chriil, for all his Mer- cies, and the many Prefervations wherewithal he had favoured me. After being a little at home, and at fever.U Meet- ings, and not being clear of the World, in order to it, I under look another Voyage to Barbadoes^ and from thence THOMAS CHALKLET. 271 thence intending for London, in order to fettle my Af- 1734. tairs there, which I intended feme Years before, but \y\^'^ Lofies and Difappointments hindei'd me: Wherefore, the 7th of the Tenth Month, I proceeded on a ^^^^^ fifth Voyage in the Barbadoes- Packet, and left PhiladeU again to ph'ia^ and was at a Meeting the next Day at Chefter ^'"'^^^^'•^* (being Firit-day) and in the Evening we had a large Meeting at Grace Lloyd's, where I met with my dear Friend Jofeph Gill, who had good Service in the faid Meeting ; v/e rejoiced in Chrifl to fee each other ; We left Chefter the 9th, and got that Tide down the River to Newcaftle^ and, after vifiting thofe few Friends there, we fet fail the 12th in the Morning; the Wind being high, and the Weather very iharp, freezing hard, our Sails were fo froze, that we had hard Work to get the VelTel under fail. The i3ch Day weighed Anchor, and failed down the Bay, and the 14th we were clear of the C^/'^j. The Firft-day following, we had a good, feafonable Mv-eiins, for the WorPnip and Service of God, and, in the faid Meeting, as I was treating of- Difobedience to ^Parents, and Dif- obedience to Almighty God, our great Parent and heavenly Father, a Youth, who was a Paflenger in the VelTel, went out haflily and abrupily, as I was fhew- At sca. ing the Ungratefulnefs of the firft, much more of the lalt; When I afked the Reafon of his going our, he laid, // was becaufe he could not forbear crying \ and thinking I fpoke lb becaufe of him, he faid. He €€iild net hear- me any more. Afterwards I underitood that he was a Youth who was very ungrateful and dif- obe iient to his Parents *, the which 1 knew not of, for his Mother told me, and himfelf aUo, that he went to Sea on Account ofhisFIeAkh, I thought his going out fo haftily was occafioned by feme Indifpofition of Body ; but it was, as he gave us to underffand, thra' refenting ill what was fpoken, and by his taking of it to himfelf. I have in like M.mner, fomctimes obftrved, chat divers People have fhcvvn a Reiucfsfiefs and Un- cafinefs tjz ' The J O U R N A l""!/'"^ ' ' ' ' ,' , . -. ^ 1734. eafinefs in publick Aflemblies of Worfhip aad'Pcvq- -/'V^ tion, and Ibmetimes going out, l^c. fo that they have thereby expofed themfelves to the Notice of the Peo- ple, asPerfons guilty of the Matter publickly repre- hended, or fpoken againft; juft as though they were the only Peribns in the Afiembly, who were guilty of the Evil then taken Notice of: Such publick Reftlefs- nefs, is a great Folly and Weaknefs, befides fo openly and publickly expofing themfelves. \-^^ After we left our Caps^ we had divers hard Gal^'Sjpf Wind, which lafted feveral Days. The 28th, being a Firft-day, we had a Meeting for divine Worfhip, io which God was praifed, and his holy Name exaltedL for his unfpeakable Grace, in fending his only begot- ten Son, a divine Light to enlighten the Inhabitants ot the World : After which we had (tormy Weather and contrary Winds for fome Weeks, fo that our PaiTage was tedious \ and of 15 Times going to Bar- ladoes^ I found this the mod difficult ; and the Prof- pedl was very difcouraging of making a lofing Voy- age, by the greaf Expence I expeded for repairing and refitting the Veffel, ^c, fo that I began to de- fpair of accomplifhing my DSr^ late, the Governor, who was the Lord HowCy was come from his Houfe on his Way to Bridge-town^ with his Coach and Six, and his Attendants ♦, but he (feeing me) courceoufly ftopp'd his Coach, and did my Bufinefs as he fat therein ; and though I made an Ef- fay towards an Excufe, he would not admit of ir, faying, There was no Need of any Excufe. He was in- deed an extraordinary courteous Man: He diedfoon after, much lamented, as he was much beloved. «9'* My Stay at Barhadoes this Time was the longed IMarMicu ever itay'd, believing it to be t^e lad Time I Ihould go there, and that I Ihould fee them no more. My lo faying troubled fome of them ; but growing in Years (being then turned of Threefcore) I thought it would be too hard for me to undertake fuch another Voyage •, therefore I was at all the Meetings of our Friends on the Ifland. '^ Here I met with Mofes Aldridgey a Friend from New-Englandt who came on a religious Vific to Friends of this Ifland, with whom we had divers good Meet- ings, his Service in preaching thvt Gofpel being edify- ing and acceptable \ v/e were together at the Marriage of Andrew Drury and Mary Lewis, after which Meet- ing and Marriage, I was ill of a Fever feveral Days, which Diftemper was very much among the People, of which near twenty Mailers of VelTcls, and fome Hun- dreds of People died •, and though I had been at Bar- hadoes many Times, I never had fo much Illnefs there be- fore; Mofes Aldridge^ and feveral Friends of us, hadalarge Meeting 2Xjohn Gihfon's^ where were many People, not of our Perfwafion, who generally were fober ; but as I was recommending Charity to the People, according to the Do6trine of the Apoflle Paid^ as the mod excel- lent Gift, I advifed them to fhow it forth to all People of all ProfefHons, and alfo to their Negroes, telling themi that fome of the Gentry of this Ifland had ob- ^~''^' fcrved 274 7'hf JOURN AL of ,^35. ferved to me, that the more kind they were to their rO^>^ Slaves, they had their Bufinefs the better done for it *» though I obferved alfo, that I had been at fome Places, where I had watched to hear fome Exprefiions that might look like Charity ; but in divers Houfes, and fome of Note, I could not hear any Chri(lian-like-Ex- Earhadocs. prefllons to their Slaves or Negroes, and that with Sorrow I had feen a great deal of Tyranny and Cruelty, the which I diflwaded them from : This Dodrine fo exafperated fome that were there, that they made a Difturbance in the Meeting ; one of which Perfons meeting me on the King's High-way, fhot off his Fowling-piece at me, being loaded with fmall Shot, ten of which made Marks on me, and feveral drew Blood ; by which unfriendly Adlion, the Man got a great deal of Difgrace, it being highly refented by all who were acquainted with me ; the Prefidcnt of the liland look'd on it as a very bafe Action, as did alfb divers of the Juflices and the Gentry, alfo the Vcftry, and feveral Clergymen and Lawyers •, one of the Lawyers told me, / /hould not be jujt to the Coun- tryy myfelf^ nor the Man^ if I did not profecute him ; another, profeflin^" the Law, laid, He ought to he abandoned by all Mankind^ if he /hot at me ivith De- ftgn *, many were for profecuting him, for the Peo- ple generally took Notice of it with Abhorrence •, but he fending for me, and iigifying, he would not do fo again, I forgave him *, and I pray it may not be laid to his Charge in the great Day, and that he may be forgiven, he being ignorant of the Love I had and have for him and all Men, even them whom I know to be mine Enemies. It would bt* too great a Scan- dal and Reproach, to cxpofe his Name and Station in the World. Some thought I did well in forgivin^g him, and fome thought I did ill in it ; but I fpoke mfi Mind to him alone freely, in which I had Satistadioa and Peace. Intending THOMAS CHALKLET. 275 Intending my Veflel for London^.l made my Chief- 1735, mate, Ralph Loftus^ Mafter of her, not knowing whe- \,.y\'^^ ther I might proceed the Voyage, ic being a very ^^y^^^, ficklyTime; afterwards my Mate had the Diftemper alfo, but I blefs God we both recovered a good State of Health. It was this Voyage that my Friends in Barhadoes publifhed a little Piece I wrote at Sea, virhich I called. Free noughts com7nunicated to Free Thinkers ; done ia order to promote Thinking on the Name and Works of God ; which had, as tar as I underftand, a good Acceptance among the People; the principal Clergy* man on the Ifland, thanked me for it, and faid There was need enough of it: But I could be glad another, or a better Hand, had done fomething of that Nature, and more large* If this may be of any Service, I fhali be thankful. I had alfo a Meeting at John Leii'is^s, in Jofeph^s PariOi, at which were divers not of our ProfclTion, and fome who were never at any of our religious Meetings before ; who faid. They were glad they were there that Day ; it being a fatisfadlory, open Meet- ing. After I had vifired my Friends, and fettled my Af- fairs as well as I could, and loaded our Vciitl with Su- gars, for London^ being w^illing, once more, to fee my native Land, and to fettle my Affairs there, and fee my Relations and Friends •, on the 6ch of the Third Month, we fet fail from Barhadoes for London^ and had pleafam Weather. The i6th, being the Firfl-day of At Ssi, the Week, we had a religious Meeting for the Vv'orfhip of God, in which I was concerned to fpeak oa the Go- vernment of the Tongue (having on board feverai Hands, which did not fail v/ith us before that Voyage, that were much ufed to Swearing.) After that Me^^t- ing, we had not fo many bad Words and Oaths as be- fore. I was thankful in my Soul to the Loid, and bkiFtd 276 ^ke JOVK-N AL of blefted his holy Name, for his Goodnefs to us that Day r.. and, in the Night, my Sleep was very fweet and com^^^ fortable, being fenfible of the Love of God in the Vi-^^ fions of the Night ; fo that I witnefs'd the Fulfilling ^r; the Prophecy oiJoeU Chap. ii. 28. ^^\j The 23d, being the Firft-day of the Week, we had; a Meeting, in which the Grace of God, that comes by , Jefus Chrift, was magnified, and a BlelTing begg'd for all who love and ferve God, throughout the World^ : by Sea and Land *, alfo a tender Petition was put up^. to Almighty God, that, as he was gracioufly plcafe^j to look down on thofe eight Perfons in Noah^s Ark,; fo he would pleafe to look uponusinourVeiTeU and that, as, by his divine Providence, they fafely Ianded,_ on the Earth, fo we, if it were his Will, might fafelyr. land at our defired Pore i yet not that our Wills, but his Will might be done: Which Supplication was put up with great Submiflion. Both Day and Night I of- ten fought the Lord, and was much alone in this Voy-^ age. I read the Old and New Teftament almof^ through, and much of it divers Times over -, m^^. Time being moftly taken up in Reading, Writing,, and Medicating, in which at times, my Heart would be broken into Tendernefs ; and I was humbly thank- ful to God, that my Heart w^as not hard ; he having promifed to vifit the contrire Ones ; the which he fometimes fulfilled, to my unfpeakable Satisfadlion 2 Glory to his holy Name for ever. My Heart v/as alf<^. thankful that God was pleafed to vifit me in my watVy; Travels and Troubles, and in my Separation from my > Family and Friends, which are much nearer, and more - valuable to me, than all Riches, and a great Crofs to., my natural Inclination to part with. The 8th of the Fourth Month, being the Firfl-day of the Week, we had a Meeting, in which Acquain- tance with God was exhorted to, fhewing the Benefji.-. of it, and of loving nim above all Things, and de? f lighting ill his Law, and meditating therein Day and Night. \;^ a i% VI ^ <^ ■ / / \ Night. The 19th, in the Morning, a firong norther- 1735. ly Wind came up, and blew fo hard, that we could not ^^or*^ carry Sail, but lay to the Wind, under our Mizen, which was fplit or torn with the Violence of the Wind, and the Sea rofe high, fo that it came into the Win- dows of our great Cabbin : It was very rugged for the Time, and, though it was Mid-fummer, it was fo cbfd, that we were obliged to cloath ourfelves, as in Winter. The 22d, being Firft-day, we had a com- fortable Meeting after the Storm, wherein the great Benefit of true Religion was a little open'd to our fmall Company, and the Lord, moft High, was praifed tor our Deliverance and Prefervation. The 26th, we founded, and found about 70 Fathom Depth of Water. The 29th, we were a-breaft of the JJIe ofWight. From the Time we left the Ifland ox p^^up^ JBarbadoes, to the Time we found Ground, was feven ^*^«»<'^- Weeks. Thus, through many Perils and Dangers, we came io Great-Britain \ for all which Mercies and Providences, let my Soul blefs and praife the holy Name and mighty Power of the molt High. It was now a Time of very great PrefTing for Seamen, and fe- veral Men of Wars Boats came on board to prefs our Sailors •, but they had prepared a Place in the Veffei to hide themfelves, and the Men of Wars People could not find them : One L«ieutenanc, with his Men, came oii board, and feeing us weakly handed (the befl of our Hands being hid) lie aiked me, if I had any more Hands on board? I made him very little Anfwer-, he then faid. He was fure I could not bring the Ship from Barbadoes without Hands: I told him.. Sailors w^re hard to be got in Barhadoes^ either for Love or Money, to go tor London^ for fear of being prefs'd, and I was oblig'd to take any I could get : He fiid, Ic was in vain to talk much, but if I would fay, I had no more Hands on board, he would be fatisfied ; he having a Belief that I would fpeak the Truth, though hciiever Jam^me before ; and ,he faid, if I vvpuldfay, tins ^i^ mtrai\^ ^^niiKi'Xy^ixi om ^^^^.j . ' ■ '^/^l 278 77je ]OVRl lies, ill my Sicknefs, will not, I believe, ever be for- gotten, while I am in this World, at times, by me ; and, I hope, that Hp, whom I ferve with my Might and Strength, will be their Reward. When in the Country about London, my Refidence was moftly at Edmonton, at my dear Brother George Cbalkkf^^ who, with my Sifter and Coufins, were a Comfort to me, both in Health and Sicknefs ; for I was often in Lon- don forely afflided v;ith the Fhth\fick and Aftbma^ which fometimes made me very uneafy ; and, though my Affairs required me to be often at the City, yet I was obliged to return into the Country for Air, and, both in Health and Si^kntrfb, was kindly and very af- fedionately received and tended by my dear Brother, Sifter, and all my loving Coufins •, the Mem.ory thereof is cordial to me in penning thefe Lines : It may be truly faid, We were very joyful in meeting one ano- ther, and our Sorrow in parting not eafy to be expref^ fed. In Loudon I fold my VefTel the BarJ?adoes Packet, and fettled all my Afflairs to general Satisfadion, io far as I know, on which Account I had Jaboiitecl for ieveral Years, and was joyluLthac Providence had favoure d THOMAS CHALKLET. 279 favoured mefo far as to fee icaccomplilhed; fo that I 1735* now wholly intended to leave trading by Sea, the t^^TN^ which I never inclined to, only on a Principle of Juftice ; for 1 was fully refolved in my Mind, that rtiy Creditors lliould be paid their juft Debts, though I might lofe my Life in the Purfuit of it, about which I had no anxious Guilt, becaufe I never was extravagant nor indolent, but met with divers Cafualties by Fire and Water ; by the latter I loft many Hundreds of . Pounds for feveral Years together j and I would per- fuade all in their Undertakirig for a Livelihood in this World, to be fure to have an Eye to divine Provi^ denee, who will hot fuffer us (if we do well) nor fo much as a Sparrow to fall to the Ground, without he think it beft for us, he knowifig what is for our Good better than we know ourfelves. Thus when 1 had paid my Debts, and in a good Degree fettled my Affairs, I vifited feveral of my Relations, as at Kingfworth, Stains^ Guildford^ &c. had a Meeting at Market-Street^ and one at Guildford^ another at Stains^ and one at Long- ford ; in all which I had fome Service, and my Re- lations were joyful to fee me once more, having never cxpedled to fee me again ; and when I had vifited Meetings in and about London^ I went towards the North, in order to vifit fome Places where I had nevef been, and fome that I had been at. The Number of Meetings, and the Names of the Places where I had Meetings (while I was this Time in England) are as fol- lows: While I was in and about London^ I was at eighteen Meetings in that great City, at two of which I was with May Drummond^ a virtuous young Woman, vfho hath a good Gift in the Miniftry, and had a gra- cious Opportunity of declaring her Convincement to our noble Queen Carolina (our great King George* ^ royal Confort.) The kind Treatment, and good Re- ception, Ihe had with the ^een^ fpread fo in City and Country, that many Thoufands flocked to hear her, andrnorc of the Gentry and Nobility, than ever was T known ' tZo I7je JOURNAL of 1735. known before, to our Meetings. I had fome private V^V^^ Converfation with her, which put me in mind of the Apoftle's Exhortation, where he advifeth the primitive Chriftians, that their Words be few and favoury, and that they fhould be feafoned with Grace, for this great Reafon, that they might adminifler Grace to the Hearers j and truly I thought there was the Influence of Grace in her Condu6t and Converfation, whom I pray God to preferve in Chrift to the End. I had a Meeting at the Houfe of my Brother with tdmontoH, his Scholars at Edmonton^ and alfo with his Family and divers of our Relations, which fome of us may have Occafion to Remember. We had feven Meetings at Tottenham. Tottenham^ at fundry times, and four at Hartford ; I %TSh* travelled to Hitching, from thence to Baldock, and then JSjidock,' to Stadlfold^ and JJhzvell. The 7ch of the Eighth in'ffart. ^onth (being the third Day of the Week) to Royjlon^ /•rpyire; 4th to IveSj 5 th to Huntington^ 6th to Ravifey, Firfl HuJr\ ^^' being the 12th of the Month, wehadaMeet- ^««;/«^x(?«. .^^ ^^ ^ fmall Town named Findings and the fame ToJou'^h ^^^* in the Evening, had a large Meeting at ^^//;»- i^'onhmp- borough.^ in Nortba?nptonJhire, The 14th, being ^d Day ^M hro k ^^ ^^^ Week, v/e had a Meeting at Northa7npton^ 4th Ckebaml ' ^^Y ^^ Braybrook, 5th Day at Okeham^ in the County i!!^^' Town of Rutland^ 6th Day at Lom-Clackf&n , and firft Nguing. Day, being the 1 9th of the Month, I was at a large and ^I^r'rtTfieid ^P^" Meeting at Nottinghainy where were many Peo- Mansficid,' pie, HOt of our Society, who were very fober ; 3d Day fidd!^' ^^^ ^ Meeting at Famisfield, 4th Day at Mansfield, ^,t9^k$Qrt, 5th at Chejlerfield^ in Derbyfloire \ from whence we went over the Moors and Mountains, Benjamin Bangs, the younger, accompanying me, who came on purpofe from Stockport to be my Companion and Guide thither: His Company was both pleafant and profitable to me In that Hill Country, thro* which we travelled to Stock- J>ort^ wliere we had three Meetings, and where I met with my dear, worthy old Friend, Benjamin Bangs 5 when we met» we embraced each other in Arms of Chriftiaa 7H0MAS CHALKLET. 281 Chriftian Love, having not feen one another for many 1735. Years, with whom I ftay'd four Days. This worthy <^V^ Friend,^ though upwards of Fourfcore Years of Age, went with me to Manchefter^ where we had two Meet- ings, and then I went back with him to his Houfe. He was a Man of extraordinary Cbarader, and well be- loved, he being a PiJlar in the Church of Chrift. When at Manchefter^ I went to vifit a Friend newly j^^^cbjieu cut for the Stone, who had a Stone taken out of him> the Meafure of which I f^, and had the Stone in my Hand ; it was nine Inches about, and three Inches over. Before I went out of thofe Parts, he was well enough to ride home, which was near an hundrrd Miles \ he was chearful as well as thankful. From Stockport I went to Macclesfield^ to Jofeph j^aceUs-, Hohfon's^ where I met with Jojhua Toft, and his Bro- ft^id, ther, two choice Minifters of Jefus thrift, of whofe Company I was glad, though at that Time I v/as very low and poor in my Spirit. We had two Meetings here ; on the 2d of the Ninth Month, being firft Day, I was at a large Meeting at Morley^ and, in the Even- ing at the Meeting at John Leigh's^ at both which ^^,^/,^^ Meetings there were many People, not of our Society, who were very ftill, and fome were broken into Ten- dernefs. From Morle^ I went to Penketh^ where we had FenketK a large, folid Meeting, and had an Evening-meeting at Warrington^ where I met with many Brethren and ^^"^rrins^oH Sifters, who fincerely love our Lord Jefus Chrift, with whom I was refrefh'd, particularly at Gilbert Thompfon's^ and Lawrence Calen's. From Warrington I went to LangtreCy Prefton and Clifton, where I had Langtree. Meetings, and fo went on to Lancafler, I went to I'^Z^^"^' Wray^ in order to vifit my old Shipmate Elizabeth Lancafuu Rawlinfon (whofe Son Hutton P^awlinfon went with m«) When I came to Wray, they defired me to have a , Meeting with them ; and though there was little Notice, jet we had a large Meeting, divers Neighbours com- ing in, and Chrift was preached to them freely-, this T 2 was 282 Tke ]OURN ^L of 1735. was the loth, in the Evening, and fecond Day of the s^/\^>^ Week. Third-day I went to Kendal^ and, in the Even- ing, with very little Notice, we met with fcveral Hun- dreds of People, Friends and others ; it was a Surprize to me, I expeding but a few, becaufe of the Short- nefsof Time; but I acknowledge it was a pleafant Surprize, to fee the Willingnefs and Readinels of the People to hear the Gofpel preached. Friends here are a great People, and well beloved and efteemed by their Neighbours, and live in much Love and Unity. The fourth Day many Friends came to fee me from divers Parts, I giving them fome Notice that I defigned no farther Northward, and hail'ning to get ready to go to America, betimes in the Spring ; having been from home near two Years -, wherefore divers of my Friends, fome of whom who had been at Sea with me, met me here. We rejoiced to fee one another, and, after a large and good Meeting, we took a folemn Farewell, divers of us never expedting to fee each other any more. In this Journey and Travel I endeavour to be (as much as 1 well could) atfuch Meetings as I had never been at before, and becaufe I was fhort fn this Vifit to my Friends, fome were not fo well pleafed ; but my Call was moft to the American Shore, where I thought my Service moftly lay, and in order to return I fet my Face toward London^ and expedled to meet with my Friend and Brother in Chrift, Ifaac Pickerell, in Che- Jbire^ who defigned to accompany me towards the %nikcth^' South ; wherefore I went from Kendal to Lancajler, and was at Penketb on a firft Day, being the 16th of the Sutxan. Ninth Month, which Meeting was large and folid ; after this Meeting we went to Sutton^ where I men with Ifaac Ticker ell ; alfo with our antient Friend James Dickinfon, and Chrifiopher JVilfon, a choice young Man, " his Fellow-labourer. We had Meetings at Sutton^ K^wtowu Newtown y Chejler and Shrewjhury : James Dickinfon^ ^irtwihun; ^^^ about four-fcore Years of Age, and yet held out in Travels to Admiration, and was lively in preaching the Gofpel 9 7H0MAS CUALKLET. 283 Gofpcl; He is a worthy Eider, of whofe Company I 1735. -was joyful •, at Shrewjbury we parted, and Ifaac and I ^^QQ^ went zoColebrook^ where, on a Firft-day, we had a folid, sturbiidic good Meeting; from thence we went to Slurbridge^ and^^'^/ after having a Meeting there, we had another at Broom/- grove^ and fo went on to fForceJler^ where we had divers f^^rcrfitr. Jarge and folemn Meetings ; we lodged at John Corbin% who was very kind to us, as aifo were his hopeful Children, and in great Love and Unity we both met and parted. From fVorcefter^ we went to Eve/ham^ ^-vefham; where we had two Meetings, and from chence to Od- oidh^ton, dingioriy and had a large Evening-meeting-, the People (who were moftly of other Societies) were very fober, and gave good Attention ; this was the Fourth-day of the Week ; Fifth- day we had a Meeting at Cbalbury, ChMthur,.^ and a tender Time with a Friend very weak 2XWalling' ivaiiing, < fordy who exprefled his Satisfaction and Thankfulnefs^''''* for the Vifif, his Children were very tenderly affected alfo. The good Lord, the great Phyfician of Value, was with us, and his balfamick Grace was at that Time fhed abroad in our Hearts. From IVallingford^ we went to Readings where my good Companion and Fel- ^^adin^i low Traveller Ifaac PickereU dwelt \ we were lovingly received by our Friends ; I ftay'd here and refled fe^ veral Days, and had feveral fatisfadory Meetings with Friends, they being a large People, living much in Love and Good- will \ here Samuel I'bornton^ of Ed- tnonton^ nyy Kinfman, and Ifaac Brown^ my Wife's Son, came to fee me from London » From Readings Ifaac PickereU accompanied me to Maidenhead^ and j,cai, ' to Jordan's^ at both which Places we had Meetings. JoriaiCi. The Houfe and Burying -ground at Jordan\ arc kept in the neateft order I ever faw, in which Ground lies f he Bones of divers worthy Friends, Ifaac Penington^ IViUiam Penn^ Thomas EUwood^ George Bowles^ and their Wives, as I remember ; this Meeting is often if not moftly kept in Silence, yet feveral have been con- vinced th<^fe through the Grace of God, and the Power T 3 ct 234 T/;^ JOURNAL c/ 1735; of the Holy Ghofl:, which Chrift faid he would fend to the true Believers, and that fhould abide with the Church for ever -, here my beloved Friend Ifaac and I parted in much Love, having good Defires for each other's Welfare. From Jordan's I went with my Kinf- man to my Brother's at Edmontoji^ where I ftay'd and refted a few Days from Travelling, Then a Concern came upon me to vifit Friends Meetings in the County of Effex^ and I went from my Brother's to Hartford^ and had feveral Meetings there ; and one I had alfoat Ware^ which was very large *, after which I went to Hartford again, I having divers Rela- tions there ; from thence I went to Btfhopft afford^ where I had a Meeting, and fo on to Stehbingy where I had a large Meeting ; and had a Meeting at Brawtree^ Cog-; gejhall^ and a large Meeting on a Firft-day at Haljlead, Cone. and there was Abundance of People at Coney at an Evening-meeting we had there, where I met with our worthy ¥ntu(\yoJbua I'oft^ and his Fellow-travel- ler Jofiph Hohfony we rejoicing to fee each other. Coekfifid, From Cone^ I went to Cockfieldy which was a very fmall Coicbefitr, jyieej-ing -, from thence I went to Colchefter^ where I ftaid '^'iS'^'^H-^ ''^feveral Days, and went to feveral Meetings, as at 2^,/ ;: • Rockjiead 2iV\d Manningtreey and then back again to Colchefiery where, (on the Firfl-dayJ I had a large Meet- ing in the Afternoon, and after Meeting, divers of the Friends came to fee me, and were for appointing Meetings for me to be at, in the enfuing Week, and defired to know my Mind therein -, after a little Paufe I told them, I found a full Stop in my Mind from going to any more Meetings at prefent, and that I would wait fome Days with them in the City, till I faw further; while we were fitting together, a Letter came to me from London^ that a Friend, Stephen Pay- louy had fet up my Name on the Exchange in Londor^^ as Matter of the Barbadoes-Packel, which was the Vef- fel bought of me by John Agar^ who fold her to faid Stephen Pajton^ who intended her for Philadelphia, and next THOMAS CHALKLET. 285 next Morning a MefTenger was fent for me from LeW^;/. 1735,; Thus having luch a favourable Opportunty of return- n-^"W ing home, I embraced it, and went on Second-day to JViiham^ where I again met with Jojhua Toft and Jofepb Hohfon at a Meeting •, from thence we went to ^itham Plaiflow^ where we had a Meeting, and then went to Bromley^ near Bow, and was at Jofepb Olive\ had a ^^^'A'^'^ Meeting with his People and Servants, which were BromUy. many; I thought it was a good Meeting, a divine Hand of Love was reached out to the young People, and they were advifed to give up their Hearts to their Creator in their Youthful Days ; feveral Scores of Peo- ple belong CO his Family, after this Meeting I went to London^ and prepared for the Voyage. When our i^^jq^^ VeiTel was loaded, which was chiefly by Ifrael Pember- ton the Younger, who went with us, as did our Owner Stephen Papon and Ifaac Brown^ and four of my Kinsfolks, whofe Names are Freeman^ with divers other Paflengers; In the latter End of the Twelfth Month, my Brother and his eldeft Daughter Rebecca^ with her Hufband Samuel Thornton^ accompanied me to Graves- end, where our Parting with them was, as at Edinon- ^^"^'^'^ * ton^ very folemn and forrowful, we never expect- ing to fee one another more. From Gravefend we faird the 3d of the Firll Month to the Downs, and n^^nu from thence down the Britifh Channel to the Sea, and was at Sea above nine Weeks, which we thought long, having many contrary Winds ; but, after we came on Shore, we underflood, that there were divers Veflels that were much longer. At Sea we had divers Meetings, which were fome of them to my Satisfac- . j^^^ lion. I came very unwell on board ; but, when at Sea, I mended-, for which Favour I am truly thankful, mitadet- We landed all well and in Health at Philadelphia, m^^'"' ^ the Third Month, 1736, where we were received with ,\ll^^ Joy by our Relations, Friends, and Acquaintance ; ic ^'^^ , was much more fo, becaufe they had heard I was like to die 5 having, at London^ had a fere Fit of T 4 the 286 ne ]OlJKl->^V^^ their final Change •, thai being certain, though the ^^^^^^^'' Time is uncertain -, which, generally, none know buc the Almighty ; therefore we ought always to be prepa- ring for our Diflblution, and always watching and praying, left we enter into temptation ; as faid our dear Lord, If the good Man of the Houfe had known in what Hour the Wief would come^ he "would have watch^ tfi, Luke xii. 39. And, we not knowing whether Death will come in our Youth, our middle, or old Age, therefore, were earneftly defired to prepare our Hearts to meet Death, fo that we might dwell with God and Chrift in his Kingdom for ever. It was alfo obferved, that though this Friend had lived to a great Age, yet that few lived fo long, no, not one in a Thoufand, and many die very young \ therefore they were earneftly intreated, in the Love of God, through Chrift, to prepare for their latter End, and not to ftc their Hearts and AfFedions on Things below ; for, by how much they fet their Hearts and AfFedions on natural or outward Things and Objeds, by fo much the harder it would be to part with them, when Death fhould come. This Meeting ended with Prayer for Reformation and Prefervation to the End of Life \ and Praifes, yea, high Praifes, were given to him, who had given to all prefent our Life, our Breath, and our Being. It being exceeding fevere Weather, with much Rain, Wind, and Snow, there were great Floods, fo that we could not get over Frankfort Creek to Meet- ing j wherefore the Friends on the Weft-fide met to- gether at my Houfe, and we had a fatisfadory, good Meeting, in which we were exhorted to build our Religion on the fure Foundation, that Storms, Rain, nor Winds, might not be able to fhake us from this Foundation, which is Chr'ifl^ the Rock of Jges, Th« ^gt Brtfioh 'Jitcecaf, Evejham, Spring* feld. Burlington, 1737- Salm, ne JOURT^ AL of This Winter we were vifited at Frankfort with the Small-pox^ of which many died at Philadelphia^ and feveral in our Neighbourhood. The latter Pare of this Winter, flaying much at home, I fpcnt my Time much in Reading and Wri« ting, often being fenfible of the Love and Goodnefs of God, my exceeding great Reward ; he, by the Spiric of his Son, comforting me, and fometimes melting my Heart into Tendcrnefs, in Confideration of his many Mercies, which caufed me to praife his holy Name^ who is thereof worthy, beyond Exprefli on, forever. In the Firft Month, I went with my Friend John Oxley, of BarbadoeSy to BriftoU where we had a large Meeting ; thence went over the River Delaware to Burlington Quarterly-meeting ; we were obliged to gee to the Jerfey Shore on the Ice, laying Boards thereon for about lOO Yards together, and being long on the Ice, and poorly, as to Healch, I took fuch a Cold that 1 could not get to Meeting next Day ; but was at the Youths-meeting Third day following — Fourth- day I went to Ancocas Meeting, thence to a large Meeting at Mount-Holl^y where was a Marriage -, af- terwards to Evefiam and Upper Springfield^ or Hano-* ver, and then returned to Burlington, and next Day was at the Monthly-meeting there, which, to me, was a good, open Meeting, wherein Church-difcipline was fomewhat treated of, and Friends advifed to wait for that Spirit which leads into all Truth, to guide them in their Difcipline. In the Second Month 1737, I went to Cohanfy, m order to negotiate fome Affairs there, and, while there^ had three Meeting at Greenwich^ and one at Allowaf^* Creek ; and on the 9th of the faid Month, being Firft-. day, was at Salem Meeting, which was large and openi and, in the Evening, we had a heavenly Meeting att Bartholomew fFyal^s. After my Return from Salem, on the ift of the Third Month, I took a Journey to the Eaftward^ hdvins THOMAS CHALKLE T. 293 having a Defire to fee Friends in thofe Parts, whom I 1737. had divers times vifited, in the Service of the Gofpel, ^-^^/*M in my young Years; and though now upwards of Three-fcore Years of Age, was willing to vific them once more before I died^ who, in fome PJaces, where I had formerly travelled, were now grown very nume- rous. I fet out with Jofeph Gilbert^ and feveral other Friends, and we travelled together to Long-IJland^ ^^^i- where we parted, and I went to Ni^wtown, where \^^^ ^ met with John Fothergill and Safnuel Browne ; at which Place we had a Meeting, which was appointed on John*^ Account, and his Service therein was to the Satisfacflion and Edification of Friends. From thence John went to tVeft-Chefter^ on the Main^ and I went to hluJhing^Tkfhing. where we had a large open Meeting; it was a folid, good Time, and the facred Name of him who lives for ever, was praifed. From FliiJJoing I went with my old Friend and School-fellow, Jofeph hatharn^ to his Houfe ; our Converfation was pleafant and comfortable to each other, wherein we remember'd our walking to and from School, in the Suburbs of that great and populous City, London ; when we were beaten, floned, and abufed, only for being the Children of thofe called fakers: The Priefts, who had Money for Preaching, had preached and printed fo many Lies againll our Friends, that the common People were almoft ready to make a Sacrifice of us ; they telling us (when we pleaded our Innocency, by telling them, we went quietly along the Streets to School) that // was no more Sin to kill iis^ than to kill a Dog\ But now, through the Grace* and Favour of the Almighty, we enjoy the Exercife of our Religion, according to our Confciences, free from Goals and Prifons, in which our Primitive Friends fuf- fered much ; for which we ought to be truly thankful to the God and Father of our jLord Jefus Chrift. From Jojeph Lathamh we went to Wefthury znd m^ifhatj, Matinicock (after a Meeting at Covuneck) and after- ^^^^^^-^^K ward ^94 TZ^ J O U R N A L e/^ 1737. ward to New-^'erk^ where I had alfo rehgious Sef* jjj-^yfv^ vice, and a Meeting ; and from New-Tork I took my '^ ^^ • Paflage in Robert Browne^ s Sloop for Newport, on Rhode-IJIandy was two Days and Nights on the Wa- ter, and on my Arrival at Rbode-IJland, the Brethren lovingly received me, and we were joyful to lee each other. After having had divers good Meetings on Rhode- IJlandy I went to Bartmoutby where we had a large, ?/»j^'m ferviceable Meeting, at a Place called Pon'jganfet ; ma- ny Hundreds being added to the Church fince I firfl vifited thofe Parts. From this Place I went to Holder Slocum'Sy and he lent us his Shallop to go over to Nantucket, but the Wind not favouring, we had a latisfadory Meeting at a large Farm of his on an Ifland bearing his own Name, and after Meeting fet (ail for Nantucket, had feveral large Meetings there, and I rejoiced to fee the Growth and Incrcafeot Friends on this IQand; where God hath greatly multiplied his People, and made them honourable ; Glory to his Name for ever. The Priefls who have Money for preaching ; the . Lawyers, who have it for pleading, and the Phyfici- ans, v/ho have Money for giving Receipts for Health; are poor Trades here on this Ifland. At Nantucket I had been about 39 Years before, at which Time there were only two Men and one Wo- man who joined with our Friends in ProfelTion, and now it was computed there were above 1000 who went to our Meetings, they being a fober, religious People \ and there is a great Tncreafe of Friends in di- vers other Places in New-England : And whereas for- merly we were greatly perfecuted for our Rehgion, now we are treated with more Civility and Refpc^ in thofe Parts. From Nantucket^ Nathaniel Starluck and Elijah , Khaie. Collins Went with me, with feveral other F*ricnds, to ifi^ifloH. gain, and thence by Water in Company with divers Friends to Greenwich^ where I was at two large Meet- ^ . ^, ings: At this Place they fliev/ed me the Frees, under which about forty Years fmce I had a Meeting ; but now they have a pleafant Meeting-houfe. \ -The next Firfl-day, I was at a large, folid, edifying ' Nfefetiftg in a iiew Meeting houfe at i'iverton. From thence i wencto vifit Jofeph lVanton\ Wife, who had ^^'^*"''^^' ■been long Tick ;' and in her Cliamber (with feveral of her Fricixisand Relations) I had divers religious Seafons, with U which 296 r^d' J O U R N A L ^/ 1737. which fhe exprefled much Satisfadion : She died of ^"^^'V"^' che Sicknefs, and I was at her Burial, which was largc^ {he being well known and well beloved ; the next Day was at an appointed Meeting at Portfmottth^ which PortfmoHik, was large, and toSatisfaclion, for which we blefied the holy Name of God. I had divers good Opportunities at Rhode-Ifland m private Families, and was at feveral Meetings over the Beach at John Eafton\^ who was about ninety Years of Age *, he had formerly travelled with me, when I was a young Man ; we took Leave of each other, never expeding to meet more in this World. Now (after divers Meetings on Rhode-lfland) I took ifi^d, "'^y Paflage for Leng-JJlandy m my Return homeward; and after a boiflcrous Padage, and being four Nights on the Water, I got well again to my loving Friend Jofeph Latham''?^ vv^here I had left my Horfe, and on Co'w.NfcK Fifth-day had a Meeting at Cowneck^ where I met with Elijah Collins^ Rofe Tibbils^ and Patience Barker^ we re- joicing to fee each other, after their long Journey by Land, and mine by Water, they being likewife going for Penfyhania. Thefe Friends went to Flujhing Vtfihry. Firfl-day Meeting, and I went to U^efthury, where was a large Meeting, in which there was a drunken School-m after who difturbed the Meeting, though at laft it ended quietly, and T hope well alfo. The next Fourth-day was at the Monthly-meeting at Wefthury^ where many Friends met from divers Qiiarters, and it was a fcilid good Time, We had a Meeting at nomas Rodman^s^ who was unwell and had not been at a Meet- ing for fome Months; he took our Vifit kindly, ex- prefling his Love to us ; we had alfo a Meeting at Je- re7niah PVilliamh to good Satisfadion. Fifth-day we hthi. Y^^^ ^ large Gathering at Matinicock^ and in the Even- 't.'/t» . *^ ^ ing a tender broken Meeting at Samuel Underbill's^ 'fwfott. and Sixth-day a good Meeting at Newton, wherein pri- mitive Chriftianicy was opened, and experimentally declared to ;he People, and in the Evening we had a good THOMAS CHALKLET. 297 good Opportunity to declare the Truth ofChrift at the 1737. Houfe oi^ Richard Hallet^ among leveral of hk fober L^^'VNJ Neighbours; next Morning, being the Seventh of the Week, we went to Wtft-Chefter^ to a Yearly-meeting, which was much crowded, and the People very unfettled, ^^h^^^, fo that it was not fo fatisfadtory as could have been de- fired ; after Meeting we went over again to Long-ljland^ and then to Nci^'-Totk^ where we had a large quiet aVw ivfe. Meeting in the Evening. At New-Tork, Third-day in the Morning, divers dear and loving Friends accom- panied us to l\\(i Water-fide, where we Iblemnly took Leave of one another in the Love of Chrid, and in the Fellowfliip of his Goipel^ fome of us r.or exp^ding to fee each other any more, and from thence palling over Long and Staien-Iflnnds^ to Elizabeth Tozvn, wc travel- led to Raway, and had a Meeting at Friend — Shclivell's^ Ra-^j^y, on a Fourth-day in the Evening, where many Neigh- bours came in, and after Meeting a certain Fcrfon v/as difTatisfi^d about Womei^spublick Speaking in religious Meetings {Rofe Titbits having publickly cxnorrcd them in this Meeting to be religious, and to fear God, and having pray'd to God for us all, and praifed his hoiy NameJ which faid Perfon delired we would endcr.ivour to fatisfy him about it, inafmuchas the Apoltle Fciid for- bad it, as he apprehended. To which it was anhvered, that the Apoftle P(^j//, only forbad, or did not permic forward or overbufy Women, tofpeak ora& Queflions in the Church -, butadvifed them to alk their Hufoands at home, and that doubtlefs he never intended to debar fuch godly Women, who had a real Neceffity laid oa them, and were concerned, by the Almighty, tofpealc unto, or pray for the People, cife he would not have fhewed them, how they ought to behave thcmfelves in their Speaking unto, or praying for the People or Church •, for if he had any l^Ogn to hinder fuch, whom the Almighty (hould concern, then he rnuft have con- tradicted himfelf (where he fhews how they mud be- have themfelvesin their Duty of Speaking or Proving) •U i and 298 The ]OVRN AL of ' 1737. ^^^ he would likewife thereby have oppoled the Apoftle "'Sr ^ Peter ^ who faid, Nozu is fulfilled the Phophecy of the Prophet Joel, that in the latter Days Sons and Daugb- ters Jhould prophecy. So that it is clear and plain, they who would limit or filence tnofe, who have a Gift from God to preach or pray in publick, from the Words of the Apoiile Paul^ they oppofe him to himfelf, and to the Apoille Peter^ and alfo to the Prophet Joel, 'ooi From Rnway^ we went to JVoodhridge^ where we '^'* had a Meeting, and there I parted with my Fellow- I'jijay' travellers^ havin-g a Concern (though much in the Crofs to my own Will) to go back in the Woods, to a Meeting about eight or nine Miles off; which Meeting was much to mine and their Satisfadlion, as divers of ony them expreiTed. From this Place I v^ent to Stony- '°^^* Brookj had a pretty large Meeting, confidering it was rainy, in the Time of the Meeting.>,'s gathering. At this Place my Son in Law Ifaac Brown^ with feveral Friends, came to meet me, v^hom I wis glad to fee, and went after Meeting with them to 'Trenton^ and next Day to Briftol^ it being their Third-day Meeting, which was large, and after Meeting went home to Frankfort^ and there was lovingly received by my Wife and Fa- mily. In this Journey I was from home three Months and nine Days, had fifty ?iVQ, Meetings, and travelled by Land and Water above a thoufand Miles •, and I may truly fay, that therein I was favoured with the divine Prefence and Grace of God by Chrift in a good Degree, and alfo with the Fellowfhip of many fincere Believers in him, which in my Return caufed my Soul to blefs his holy Name, who lives for ever. In thd 6th Month, after having had divers Meet-" ^"■^> ings at and about home, I went to Derby, C bejler ^nd AVxtr/:,'7.v. X<[e'u;caftle, having Meetings at each Place, which was to the tendering of fome mournful Souls, and to the comforting and ilrengthcaing them. From Newcaflle ]Rn>iriiffk- ^ berried over DAuw.ire Kwc: to PennfnccK where I had THOMAS CHALKLET. 299 had a Meeting, at which were feveral that had never 1737. been at any of our Meetings before, who went away ^-O/"^-' well fatisfied. From thence I went to Salem Monthly- saiem. meeting, which was very large, and thence to Cobanfy cohanfy, to the Third-day Meeting, and (laid till next Firft-day Meeting, which (though fmall, by reafon of rainy, ftormy Weather) was a very precious Meeting. After J negotiated fome Affairs at Cohanfy^ I returned to Sale7n, where I met wath my Fellow-traveller ^^/^^. Elijah Collins, of Boftcn^ with whom I went on to Philadelphia, and from thence home, having much Satisfadion in this Journey, in which I had nine Meet- fv^/V^i.?/. ings, and travelled about 150 Miles. I cannot be MJ^^^^^.^^ clear in my Mind without faying, that I did nor, nor do not ftudy what I preach to the People, nor did I, or do I receive any Pay or natural Confideration for Preaching, it being, as I really believe, contrary to the Dodrine of Chrift, and his Apoftlcs and Difciples. This Fall I vifited feveral of the Meetings of Friends in Bucks County, and the Meetings in and about home, as at Frankfort^ Philadelphia, Abiitgton, Byberry and i'^«i>'^*'^«^> German-town. In the Ninth Month 1 was appointed, with feveral other Friends, by our Monthly-meeting, to vifit the Families of Friends in Philadelphia-, my Lot was to vifu the upper Part of the City, in Com- pany with Phebe Morris^ Hannah Parrock^ and Daniel Stanton-, in which Service we were of one Heart and Mind, and we performed the (aid Service in pure Self- denial, and in the Crofs of our holy Lord Jefus Chrift •, and wonderful it was, how the Prefence and Good- nefs of God went with us from Houfe to Houfe, and opened the States and Conditions ot the Families to us, to the tendering of many Flearts, both of Parents, and of their Children. We vifited about forty Families of our Friends, and the Winter fetting in, and 1 being buc weakly, having had a Iharp Spell of the Fever, we, by Cohfent, were willing to defer the Conclufion of this Work, until longer Days, and warmer Weather. U 3 hx CO "The J O U R N A L c/ In this Month I was fent to, in order to be at the > Bnrial of tlie Wife ot Richard Smithy junior •, She was •:i virtuous Woman, and well beloved, at whofe Fu- neral were many of her Neighbours and Friends : It was a very folemn Time, in whicn Meeting, it was defired that thofe who had loft their Parents would live fo, •that they might not be a Difhonour to them ; for it was obferved of fome Children, after their Parents were dQ.?A^ they grew v/orfe than v/hen they were alive, taking undue Liberties, which their Fathers and Mo- thers could not have allowed of, which was a fore Grief, and Trouble to their Friends, and fuch as wifiied them well •, therefore chey were exhorted not to do that now, when their Parents were dead, which chey would not have done, if they were living, which would be heavy on them, and tend to bring a Blaft on them in this World *, and they v/ere d-^^fired to confider, how they would anfwer it in the World to come. It was alfo obferved, that fometimes the Death of Pa? rents had a good EfFed on divers fober young Peop' ^ they being thereby led more ferioufly to think on thci own Mortality, and to confider the great Lofs of their careful and religious Fathers and Mothers, and the good Example and Counfel they gave them. This Meeting concluded with afolid weighty Frame of Mind in many. From Burlington I went ro Mount-Holly^ had a large Meeting at the Meeting- houfe, and another in the Evening at Mount-Holly Town, at the Houfe of nomas SJmtn ; both which were open Meetings, and divers People, not of our ProfefTion, v/ere there, who were well fatisfied therewith. From Mount-Holly I went to Evejham and Cbejler^ as alfo to Haddonfield^ at all which Places I had large Meetings, and then I went back again to Burlington, and was at their Fifth-day ' Meeting. From Burlington I went with Richard Smithy Caleb Raper^ and Jonathan Wright^ to vifit a Friend who was fick, after which the faid P'riends accompa- nied me to the Ferry ; after I was over the Ferry I rode home, where I found my Family well, for which 1 was THOMAS CHALKLEr. 301 I was thankful. In the fore Part of the Tenth Month 1737. our worthy Friend, John Fotbergill^ failed in the Bri- gantine Jofephy Ralph Loflus Mall-er, for Barhadoes, he having made a third Vifit to America from Europe on a rehgious Account. Mis Vific was acceptable and fcrviceable, and we parted in^reat Love and Tender- nefs ; the Night before, about the eleventh Flour was an Earthquake, which vv'as the greateft known in this Province, the v/hole City of Philadelphia being fliaken, and moil Part of the adjacent Provinces, though little orno Damage done thereby, which fliews the abundant Mercy of a merciful God ; as alfo, if it were the Pleafure of his Will, how foon he can lay Cities and Countries wafte and defolate, and bury Thoufands in a Moment •, but notwithflanding the mighiy Power of the eternal Jehovah, Oh how hard are the Peoples Hearts, and how they hate to be re- formed, and how unconcerned are the Inhabitants of the Land about their eternal Peace and Well-being! This is really lamentable : Oh ! how do Earthly-mind- ednefs, Pride, Covetoufnefs, and Drunkennefs, abound, with many other Evils, which were fcarcely known amongft the firft Settlers of this peaceful, and now plentiiial Land o^ Fenfylvania. The 26th of the Tv/elith Month (being the firdDay of the Week) Wcvs buried at Merion, Edward jones^ ag:d aboui Ninety-two Years, he was one of the firft Settlers of Penfjhania^ and was a Man much given to Hofpitalicy, a Lover of good and virtuous People, and was iikewife beloved by them. There were many Hundreds of People at his Funeral. I had a Concern to be at this Meeting before I left my Place at Frank- fort^ and before I heard of this Friend's Deceafe. The Beginning of the Firft Month (being the fifth of the Week) I was fent to, in o^der to be at the Bu- rial of Hannah^ the W^ife o^John Mickle, at Newtown in JVeft-Jerfey : My Kinfmun, Daniel Stanton, was with me at this Burial : It was a foiid. Heart-melting U 4 Time, Merion. 302 The JOURNAL cf 737 Time, my Heart was broken into Tendernefs with 'VStnJ many others. This deceafed Friend was much be- loved by her Friends and Neighbours, and there was much Mourning among her Relations at her Grave, a- mongwhom fhe will be greatly miffed. The People were defired earneftly to prepare for their latter End, and final Change, and that, as we had all Reafon to hope it was well v/ith our deceafed Friend, we might likewife have a well grounded Hope that it would be v/L'Il Vv'ith ourfelves, when we came to put off our Mortality, and put on Immortality. The Meeting ended with fervent Supplication for our future Well- doing and Well-being both here and hereafter, and Praife to the moft High, who is alone v/orchy lor ever more, ThiiudcU As foon as I returned to Philadelphia^ on the Sixth- ^''"'' day of the V/eek I heard of the Death of Jojeph Kirk- hride^ at Ifrael Petnherto}h^ who told me, I was defired to beat his Burial. He, his Son, and William Loga-n^ accompanied me as far as Samuel Buntin^% that After- noon, with which Journey I was exceedingly tired, fo that I could hardly (tand or go when I alighted off^my Horfe, but being refrefhed with a good Night's Reft, I went in the Morning to the Houfe of my deceafed Friend, There was a Multitude of People at the Burial, among whom we had a good Opportunity to invite them to lay hold of Truth and Righteoufnefs, and prepare for another World. They were reminded, that neither natural Wifdom, nor Riches, Youth nor Strength, Crowns nor Scepters, would, nor could fe- cure them from the Stroke of Death. Robert Jordan was at this Meeting, and had good Service therein ; it concluded in Supplication for the Widow and Fa- thcrlefs, and for Mankind univerfally. F'irfl-day being MiddiftoH. the fourth of the Firft Month, I was at Middleton Meet- ing, in Company with 'Tboinas Brozvn^ v/herein the Divi- nity of Chriff, and his being made Fjefh, born of a Yjrgin, crucified, dead and buried, and his being raifed fron^ rnOMAS CHALKLET. 303 from the Dead by the divine Power, was largely opened 1 73 7. to the People, and that the fame Power muft be wit- O^'S^ neffed to reform our Lives, and give us the true faving Faith and Knowledge of God the Father, and Chrift the Son, and of the holy Ghoft. This Month, at our General Sping- meeting, I ac- quainted Friends, that I had a Defire once more to fee my Friends in Virginia^ Maryland^ and North-Carolina^ ifHealth and Strength did permit, and divine Providence favoured, I not having yet fully recover'd my former Heakh-and Strength, to which the Meeting confented. The latter End of the Firft Month I was at the Bu- j^^g rial o^ Rohert Evan^ of North-Wales -, he was upwards »^>-sj of Fourfcore Years of Age, and one of the firft Settlers^''';'*- there. A Man who lived and died in the Love of God and his Neighbours, of whom, I believe it might be truly faid, as our Saviour faid of Nathaneal \ Behold an Ifraelite indeed^ in whom there is no Guile. He was a Minifter of Chrift, full of divine and reh'gious Mat- ter. In this Month I v/as at Fairhill, at a Meeting appointed for Ruth Courtney, and Sufannah Hudfon^ who were on a religious Vifit from Ireland^ to Friends in this and the adjacent Provinces ; it was a good Meeting, the Friends fpeaking to the State thereof. The Beginning of the Second Month, I went over Delaware^ and fo to Cohanfy^ intending home hdovc Cohamx I fet out for my Journey to the Southward; but my Affairs not anfwering to come home, and afterwards to reach the Yearly-meeting of Friends at Weft River ^ the which I propofed to our GeneniUmeeting ; I now v/rote to my Wife and Family, that I intended to pro- ceed to Weft-River Meeting, it faving m^e much Time and Riding, and after having been at feveral Meet- ings ^itCohanfy, and at the Year ly- meeting at 6'^/^w, ^^^^^^ ^^ and at a Meeting at Pf/d'j-Gr^i^c'-, being accompanied by a Friend of Saleiii, I proceeded and v/ent over Dela- ware River, and firft had a Meeting at George's Creek, aj]d from thence to the Head oi SaJafras.Rwzr, where '^^-^'^''*'" we 304 ne JOURN AL of 1738. we had a Meeting, but by reafon of the wet Weather ^-0<^N^ it was but rmall ; thence we travelled to Cecil Meeting, and fo on to Chefter^ where we had a Meeting on Firft- day, then to ^leen Ann\ County, and back from A>w-fowA». thence to Newtown^ on Chefter River, at which Town we had a large fatisfadory Meeting, in which k was Ihewn, that no good Chriilian might or could break the moral Part o{ the Law^ for ic (faith the Apoftle) is a Schoolmafter to bring to Chrijl, and that thofe who come to the Gofpel of Chrift, can in no wife break the lead Com-nandment of God. As for Example, the Lawfliith, thou /halt not forf wear thyfelf^ but if a Man . (according to Chrift's Gofpel) /wears not at all, then that Mm cannot forfwear himfelf. Again, the Law faith. Thou Jhalt Love thy Neighbour and hate thine Enemy \ but Chrift fays, Love 'jour Enemies \ the which if we do, there is no doubt but we (hall Love our Neighbours. Again, the Laws Hiys, Thou Jhalt not Commit Adultery \ but if according to the Dodtrinc and Gofpel of Chrift, a Man doth not look on a Wo- man with a luflful Eye, there is no Danger of com- mitting Adultery with her, ^c, Thofe Things were largely fpoke to and opened in the Meeting, and the People (there being many not of our Society) were very attentive and fober, and the good Hand of the Almighty was amongft us in this Meeting, From Chejler River, we crolTed ChefapeakBxyj to the Yearly- ffV/?-iJ/w»'.rneeting at JVeft- River ^ with Chefter Friends in JVilliam 'Jhomas^s Boat, and fent our Horfes over by Kent-Jfland to Weft-River, where we met with our Friends Michael Light} oot, Elizabeth Wyat, and Grace Mafon^ with di- vers others {Elizabeth and Grace, being on their Re- turn from a religious Vifit to North-Carolina and Vir- ginia:) We all being far from home, and well acquaint- ed, were glad to fee one another, being thankful to the Almighty, who had been pleafed ro preferve us fo far on our Way. After the Meeting was ended at Weft-River^ taking Leave in the Love oi Chrift of di- vers. THOMAS CHALKLET. 305 vers Friends, with Hearts full of Love, and Eyes full of 1738* Tears, as never expelling to fee one another again. I with my Companion and Armiger Trotter {^ho came up with the Friends from Virginia, to Weft-River) fet out for Virginia, and having pafTed over Patuxent^^^^^ff* River, had a Meeting among the Family of the Plum- pZmac^ mers, one of whom, with another Friend, accom- panied us to the River Potomdck ; we rode as near as we could compute it fixty Miles that Day, I being heavy and aged, and the Weather hot, was very much tired, and laid down in my Clothes all Night, and the next "Morning ferried over the River Potomack, com- puted about three Miles over, and parted with our Guides. When over this River, we travelled about fif- teen Miles to William Buffos, had a Meeting there, and from thence to a Meeting of Friends at John C beagle's, and fo on to Black-Creek, had a Meeting there, and ^laek- then went to the Monthly-meeting of Friends on the Creek- Weft-fide of James-Rwer, and To to IVilliam Ladh, after which v/e went to the Monthly-meeting of Friends at Nanfemond River, and from thence to Carolina, and j^Zth^°^ ' on a Firii-day had a large Meeting at a new Meeting- ^«''*^^'«^- houfe built to accommodate the Yearly meeting -, it was a good folid Meeting, and there the Friends ap- pointed for us thc^ Meetings following. Third-day of the Week, being the 13th of the Fourth Month, at^^- /epb Ba'^row's, Fouth-day at Jacob Butler's, Fitth- day at Samuel Ne-puhfs, Sixth-day and Firft-day at the Upper-meeting-houfe at Liltle-Pdver, and Third- day at the Lower-meeting-houfe on faid River, and Fouth-day at Pofpotanck^ and Fifth-day at Amos True - hlood\ up Pofpotanck- River, and then we went to the k/:^,^!^"^^'^' Qiiarterly-mecting tor Friends in T^ or tb- Carolina, \y\\\Q\\ was very large ; tne People v/ere exhorted to overcome Sin as Chrilt overcame, that they might fit with him in his Kingdom, as he overcame, and is fit down in the Kingdom of God his Father; chat Subjecl v/as largely fpoken to that Day, and w- had a good Op- portunity 3o6 ryi^ J O U R N A L of 1738. portunlty with the People, and the great Name of ^.y^r^ God was exalted over all. After this Quarterly-meet- ing, we had a Meeting at James TVUfon'Sj in the Bar^ rens^ which was a large, good and open Meeting; in the Conclufion thereof, I told them. That I came among them in great Love (tho' in a Crofs to my own Will, with refpecb to my Age, and the Heat of Weather) being willing to fee them, in that Pro- vince, once more before I left the World •, and, as I came in Love, fo I parted v/ith them •, defiring them, CO dwell in Love and Peace, and then the God of Love would be with them. From Carolina we travelled into Virginia (Zacbariah NanfimwJ, J^ickfon accompanying us) and had a Meeting at the Widow Newby^s^ and from thence had a Meeting at Na72fimund, and fo to the Branchy where we had a very large Meeting ; many People were there not of our Society, and v/ere very attentive and fober ; and next Day, being the Second-day of the Week, we had a fatisfadory Meeting at Bennet's-Creek^ and thence to Chuckatuck^ and fo onto Rafper-Neck^ and then to Pagan-Creek^ thence into Surr^j County to Samuel Se- breWs^ and thence to Robert Honicut^s, had a Meet- ing there, then to Curl's up James-River, to nomas and John Pleafant's, had a Meeting there on a Firfb- day, and then to the Swamp and Cedar-Creek, and fo on to John Cheagle's. We came to John Cheagle's the 20th of the Fifth Month, baling the fifth of the Week, and being unwilling to be idle on Sixth and Seventh Days (intending to have a Meeting at his Houfe on Fir ft- day) I a iked John if he could tell Vv^here we could have a Meeting on Sixth and Seventh-day ? And he fiid Tes, be could. And he appointed one about three Miles off his Houfe, and another fix Miles off-, at which PLices we had good Service ; and then had a very large Meeting at his Houfe on Firft- day, which was, I hope, to pretty general Satisfac- tion, to the religious Part of the Peopk, From thence we Sennit's* rrefk. Cbticksi' tuck, &e. Far an- Creek, Uc Virginia* THOMAS CHALKLET. 307 we travelled to IVillmn Buffos (John^ and another 1738. Friend, going with us) and had a Meeting at their ^y^"^ Meeting-houfe, and afterwards William went v/iih us over Potoviack River, as far as Pifcataway in Mary- land'y this River is computed to be near four M^xlts ri^^^^/ over, and, when about the Middle, there was a large ^'fcattd. Swell in the River, fo that our Horfes could not (land, '^^^' and the Motion of the Boat made them fall down, and the Boat having much Water in it, being very leaky, fhe was near overfetting ; they in the Boac were in fome Concern and Confternation, faying, when we came to the Shore, that they did not remember they were ever before in the like Danger; and I ap- prehend we were in Danger, and if the Boat had overfet, in all Likelihood, we might all have been drowned •, and I then thought I was in the Service oi Chrid, my great Mifter; and I alfo knew, I mult die, and I thought I might as well die in his Service as miy own \ fo I gave up my Life for ChrilVs Sake, and he gave it to me again. Oh! may I, with all thofe who fmcerely love him, ferve him truly all our Days, is my Defire! From Pifcataway vjc travell'd to Patuxent^ to the Pinuxinu Family of the plmnmersy who were ten Sons of one ^'^^'''*'* Father and Mother, who were convinced about the Time I firft had Meetings in thofe Parts, and, fo far as I know, they are all fober Men. After this Meeting we went to Gerard Hopkins's^ and from thence to Pa- Patapfc9, tapfco, had a large Meeting, the Houfe being full be- fore the Friends came, fo that they were hard fet to get in ; to me it v^as a good, feafonablc Opportunity, as was our next in the Foreft of Gunpowder River ; ^ZrT^"^' where Friends have built a new Meeting-houfe, which, at this Time, could not contain the People: From Gunpowder River we went to BufJj River, had a good, %%^^'^^* open Meeting, and one at Deer Creek, and fo over o^ck. Supiuebanuab to Eiibu Hall'i. At 3o8 77je ]OVRN AL of i^gS. At Weft -Nottingham^ I parted with my Companion^ v„r-N/->^-/ he having about a Day's Travel home. I had two ^''^^hlT Meetings on Firft-day at the great Meeting-houfe at Weft-'Notthigham^ which were very large, and Friends glad to fee me once more : And after having Meetings Chrifiine ^^ Chriftuie Bridge^ JVilmington^ Cer.ter^ and Kennel^ Wiiniiu/ went to the Qiiarterly- meeting of Minifters at Con- ^^.l^.T^r cord^ and was there Firft and Second-day, and Third- day at Derby^ all v/hicn were very large Meeting", and Friends were fatisfied and comforted, and I was en- couraged in the Work and Service of the Gofpel ot Chrift. -B'^^lf From Derhy I went home, having been abroad about four Months, and rode, by Computation, above ele- ven hundred Miles, and at about ieventy Meetings. While I was on this Journey, I had an Account of the Death of my dear and only Brother, George Chalk- leyy a religious, prudent Man -, he died the 24th of the Ninth Month 1737, near the feventieth Year of his Age, and left behind him a mournful Widow and four Daughters, all virtuous Women. W^hen in Virginia^ I wrote to thofe of our Society St Opeckon, Shajinadore^ &c. many of whom went out of our Province, to fettle in the Government of Vir- ginia^ to the following Eflecl, viz. Virginia, 2il John Che aglc'^^ 21 (I 5th Month, 1738. To Friends of the Monthly-meeting at Opeckon. Dear Friends^ who inhabit Shannadore and Opeckon. ' UT"^^^ Concern for your Welfare and ' A J Profp^rrity.^ both now and hereafter, and alfo * the r'rofperity of your Chikiren, I had a Defire to ' fee you; but being in Years, and heavy, and much ' fpcnt and fatigued with my- long Journeys in Virgi- * jiia^viLl Carolina, makes itieem too hard for me to ' perform a Vint in Perfon to you , wherefore I take * this THOMAS CHALKLE Y. 309 ^ this Way of Writing to difcharge my Mind of what 1738: ^ lies weightily thereon : And, V^StnI * Firft^ I defire that you be very careful (being far ^ and back Inhabitants) to keep a friendly Correfpon- * dence with the native Indians^ giving them no Oc- * cafion of Offence; they being a cruel and mercilefs ' Enemy, where they think they are vvrong'd or de- * frauded of their Right, as woful Experience hath * taught, in Carolina^ Virginia^ and Maryland^ and * efpecially, in New-England^ &c. And, * * Secondly^ As Nature hath given them, and their * Fore-fathers, the PoirelTion of this Continent o^ Ame-^ ' rica (or this Wildernefs) they have a natural Right « thereto in Jufi ice r.nd Equity •, and no People, accord- ' ing to the Law of Nature and Juftice, and our own * Principle, which is according to the glorious Gofpel < of our dear and holy Lord Jefus Chrifr, ought to ' take awav, or fettle, on other Mens Lands or Rights, ' without Confent, or purchafing the fame, by Agree- * ment of the Parties concern'd; which, I fuppofe, ia * your Cafe is not yet done. ' Thirdly^ Therefore my Counfel and Chriftian Ad- < vice to you is (my dear Friends) That the moffc « reputable among you, do, with Speed, endeavour * to agree with and purchafe your Lands of the native * Indians or Inhabitants : Take Example of our wor- ' thy and honourable late Proprietor, V/illlam Penn ; * who, by his wife and religious Care, in that Rela- * tion, hath fettled a lafling Peace and Commerce With * the Natives, and, through his prudent Manage- * ment therein, hath been Initrumental to plant in * Peace, one of the moft fiouriiliing Provinces in the « World. ' Fotiribly, And who would run the Rifque of tht * Lives of their Wives and Children, for the /paring a * little Coft and Pains? I am concerned to lay thofb ^ Things before you, under an uncommon Exercife (Si * Mind, that your new and tlourifliing, little Sectle- *• menr. 310 7h ]OVRN AL of 1738.' 'rnent, might not be laid wafle, and (if the Provi- U^/NJ ' dence of the Ahnighty doth not intervene) fome of * the Blood of yourfelves. Wives or Children, be fhed *and fpik on the Ground. * Fifthly, Confider you are in the Province of Fir* « ginia, holding what Rights you have under that Go- ' vernment ; and the Virginians have made an Agree- ' ment with the Natives, to go as far as the Moun- * tains, but no farther ; and you are over and beyond * the Mountains, therefore out of that Agreement ; * by which you lie open to the Infults and Incurfions , * of the Southern Indians, who have deftroyed many ' of the Inhabitants of C^r6>/z>;^ and Virginia, and even ' now have deflroyed more on the like Occafion, * [The Englifli going beyond the Bounds of their Agree* * ment. Eleven of them were killed by the Indians while * we were travelling in Virginia.] * Sixthly, If you believe youtfelves to be within the « Bounds of William Pennh Patent from King Charles ' the Second, which will be hard for you to prove, you ' being far to the fouthward of his Line ; yet, if done, * that is of no Confideration with the Indians, without * a Purchafe of them; except you will go about to * convince them by Fire and Sword, contrary to our ' Principles -, and if that were done, they would ever * be implacable Enemies, and the Land would never * be enjoyed in Peace. ' Seventhly^ Pleafe to note, that in Penfylvania no * new Settlements are made, without an Agreement * with the Natives i as witnefs. Lane afl er CoMnXY, ' lately fettled ; though that is far within the Grant of * William Penn's Patent from King Cij/7r/t'5 the Second; ' wherefore you lie open to Infurrc<5lions of the North- * ern as well as Southern Indians, ' And, Laflly, Thus having fliewn my Good-will to * you, and to your new little Settlement, that you * might fit every one under your own fliady Tree, ' where none might make you afraid, and that you * mighc "THOMAS CHALKLET. 31X « might profper naturally and fpiritualJy) you and 1738. * your Children ; and having a JittJe eafed my Mind C/'VNi ' of that Weight and Concern (in fome Meafure) « that lay upon me, I, at prefent, defift, and fub- « fcribe, in the Love of our holy Lord JefusChHflr, Tour real Friend^ 1. C. After my Return from this Journey, I flay'd much ' at home that Winter, Travelling now being hard for me, fo that I could not perform long Journeys as formerly, being more broken in the long and hard Travelling in this Journey, than in divers Years before. In the Year 1739, I took feveral fhort or lefler 1739; Journeys, and had many Meetings in divers Places, as •.-^^V""'^ m Salem 2.nd Turlington Counties, in JFeJl -J er/ey, and ^^^"^^^''^'^ Philadelphia, Chefter and Bucks Counties, in Penfylva- nia •, having many large and comfortable Meetings, and fome fatisfadlory Service in divers of them. This Year the War broke out between Great-Bri- tain and Spain ; the Spaniards giving great Occafion of Offence to the Britijh Nation ; notwithftanding which. King George the Second fought to accommodate Matters peaceably \ but the Crown of Spain not com- plying with the Terms agreed on for an Accommoda- tion, therefore War was /'^W^zzV/z^J j which occafioned much Difturbance and Diilraction in our little peace. able Province and Government j War being deftrudtive to Life, Health and Trade, the Peace and Profpericy of the People, and abfolutely againft the Doclrine and ^"^ . Pradlice of the Prince of Life and Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift \ a. great Concern came on my Mind to promote his Doctrine -, in order to which I was largely concerned to treat thereof in or at the Ge- neral Spring-meeting at Philadelphia ; v/ith which Ser- vice diyers wife and pious People were well fatisfied, though fome were offended. X When 312 5^^ JOURNAL c/ 1740. When the Meeting was over, I having a Defire s^'V^^ 3^^ Concern once more to vifit Friends in the three lower Counties, Newcaftle^ Kent and Suffex^ among whom I had not travelled for near twenty Years, and being now a little better in Health than I had been, I fet out from my Home, and went to Chefter^ and from wihnh^;- thence to Wilmington^ and had a Meeting there *, and zCvwc^^r-v. t^"*^" ^^ Newcaftle^ where we had another ; William Ggorze's Jlammond. being with me, he and I went from Newcaf- ^vck' i^^ ^o Georgi^-CreeK had a Meeting there ; and then Creek, "vvenc to Buck-Creek ; after having two Meetings at treiki Buck-Creek, I went to Little-Creek Meeting, and fo pro- Mothet' ceeded to the Mother-Kills^ where I had a large, open i^jiis, xime in preaching the Gofpel to the People, which di- vers of chem received with Gladnefs ; and there were many, not of our Society, who were very fober and at- tentive, a Door being open among them ; yet, notwith- {landing there may be much Opennefs both in Speakers and Hearers, I have obferved with Sorrow, that there . are but few who retain the Truth fo as to be really con- verted •, many are convinced, but few converted and come CO be regenerated or born again, as our Saviour taught. liit:^' From Mother-kills I v/ent back to Little-Creek to Qcck. J'imothy Hanfon^s, he accompanying me, and from I'lmothfs I v/ent to Buck-Creek^ and from thence to AppcqxOnp.. jippoquinarny to the Burial of a Friend's Son, who died ^-' of the Small-pox ; on which Occafion we had a folid Meeting, the mournful Relations being thankful for our Company, From Appoqiiinamy I went to John 'fivKifftir, j[^'QQol*Sy and from thence to Newcoftle ; where we bad a large open Meeting, to the Satisfaction of di- vers ; though I was very weakly and poorly, as to my Health, fo that it was hard for me to floop to take any Thing from the Ground, and with Difficulty I walk- ed from the Friend's Houfe to the Meeting -, but be- ing helped by Grace, and carried through the Service Cf.the Meeting beyond my Expedation, was, with divers THOMAS CHALKLET. 313 divers others, truly thankful to God the Father, and 1740. Chrift, my Lord and Saviour. ^^-^v^ From Newcaftle I went to Wilmingion^ had a Meet- wumin^- ing there, and from thence to Newark to the Marriage ^^^^/t, of Alexander Seaton ; the Meeting was uncommonly large, and to general Satisfadion. From Newark I went back to Wilmington^ and from thence to the Center Monthly -meeting, and fo on to Center. Kennetj where was a very large Meeting : Here divers, Kcnnet, who had profefTed among us, refrained coming to the Publick Meetings for divine Worlhip ; with whom, next Day, we had a Meeting, wherein the evil Confe* quence of forfaking the aflembling ourfelves together wasfpoke to, and that it would be a great Hurt to the young and rifing Generation, and themfelves aifo ; be- ing a bad Example to them, and contrary to the Ad- vice and Counfel of the holy Apoflle, Not to forfake the ajfemlling of ourfelves together^ as the Manner of fome is. From Kennet I went io Concord to the Burial oiConseri, Benjamin Mendinhall, where we had a large and folid Meeting, feveral lively Teilimonies being born there- in : This Friend was a worthy Elder, and a fer- - viceable Man in our Society, and one of the firft or early Settlers in Penfylvania -, A Man given to Hof- pitality, and a good Example to his Family, and hath lett divers hopeful Children furviving him. The Night before this Meeting I lodged at the Widow Gilpin'' s, whofe Hufband, Jofeph Gilpin^ was lately deceafed ; there was true Chriflian Love and Friendfhip between us for above fifty Years. When firft I faw Jofeph in Penfylvania^ he lived in a Cave in the Earth, where we enjoyed each others Com- pany in the Love and Fear of God. This Friend had fifteen Children, whom he lived to fee brought up to the States of Men and Women, and all but two married well, and to his Mind. X 2 From 314 72^^ JOURNAL cy 1740. From Concord I went to Wihnington^ and from ^-y^y-^ thence after Meeting to Newcaftle^ where I, with ^Nn^7aft(![' ^^^^l^ /:/<9^^, went over the River Delaware into ¥enn's- P 671)1^ s-Neck^ and had a Meeting at James Wiljon*^ ; ^aum. ^^om Penn'S'Neck we went to Salem^ and thence to Greenwich. Cohanf^^ whcre I had feveral Meetings at Greenwich^ and at the Head of Allow ay" s^Creek^ alfo at David Davis's, where the People kindly lent us the Benches of their Meeting-houfe, and many of them came them- felves, and were very attentive , after which I went to Pilefgrove and had a Meeting there, and from thence Woodieny to Wocdberr-j-Creekj and fo to Gloucefier, where I fer- ^thttadeh J"'^^ ^v^r Delaware to Philadelphia^ and from thence phia. came home, having travelled about 500 Miles in this Fiaukfoit, jQ^j-^gy .^ ^fj-gj. ^j^ich I ftay'd at and about home ^ for fome Time. Btirii^^toK. I was at the Yearly -meeting at Burlington in the Seventh Month -, going to this Meeting, my Horfc itarted, and threw me, which hurt my Shoulder and Hip badly, ot which Hurt I did not recover for above half a Year. This Meeting was very large, and though I was outwardly in Mifery and Pain, yet in the Senfe of the Tove and Goodnefs of God, and Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrill, I was, with many others, much com- forted in Spirit. f'*'.'"**'!,- ■ ^'^'^^ Burlington I travelled to Shrew/hury, having "'■^' ■^' leveral Meetings by the Way ; as, at Bordentown, Crofs- wicks, Trenton, &c. This Journey I rode in much Pain ; but the Satisfaction 1 had in Meetings through the Spirit and Power of the moft High, made Amends for all the Labour and Pain I underwent. I blefs the fiMHkfm. facred Name of God, and may I do it for ever ! I made what Plaltel could home, being in Pain with my FalJ, and tarried at home moil of the Winter, which was one of the longeft and hardeft known in thefe Parts by fome of the oldeft Livers here-, divers People being froicea to Death in feveral Places, and many Sheep 1H0MAS CHALKLET. 315 and Cattle perifliing, and much of the Winter Grain 1740. killed with the Froft, fo that there was fome Appre- O^.'X^ henlion of a Want of Bread ; all which I took to be Warnings of the juil and righteous Judgments of God for the Ingratitude, Pride, and other Sins and Iniqui- ties of the People, the which I was divers Times, and at divers Places, concerned to put them in Mind of. How well would it be if the People would lay the Judgments of the moll High to Heart ; and when hisjudgments are abroad in the Earth, that the Inha- bitants would learn Righteoufnefs I After 'this Winter I was at a General-meeting at I74'« German-town^ and at Meetings at North-Wales^ Hor- ^^T^^"^^ Jham, and Byberry, and from thence, with Jofepb Gil- Meetings berty went to Burlington^ and was at a Marriage there, ?f Friends and then returned home. piace^sr^ In the Second Month I was under an inward and religious Engagement in my Mind to vifit the Meetings of Friends in Gloucefter and Salem Counties, in JVeft- Jerfey ; and the 19th of the faid Month I went over De- laware River, and was at Haddonjield on a Firft Day, and Third-day at Chefter^ Fourth-day had a Meet- ing at the Houfe of Jofiah Fojler^ and Fifth-day at Evejham \ from which Meeting I went to John E- Jlaugb's^ Ebenezer Large and Samuel Jordan being with me. In the Morning we went to Woodherry -Creek Meeting, and next Day down to Salem^ in order for the Yearly-meeting, which began on the 26th of the Second Month, and was an extraordinary folid Meeting, the divine Prefence and Glory being richly manifefted amongft us. From Salem I went, in Company with John Evans saim^ and Elizabeth Stevens^ to Alloway^s-preek and Cohanfy^ where we had Meetings, I believe, to the Satisfadlion of many ; here I parted with the faid Friends, and not being well, I ftaid at Greenwich^ and they went to David Davis' Sy in order for Pile/grove Meeting. X 3 The 3i6 Tie j:OURNAL of 1741. The 3d of the Third Month, being the Firfl of th« "^^/"^r^^^ Week, I was at Cobanfy Meeting, which was folid and * ^^^^' weighty ; in which the mighty Works of God, and his wonderful Power, was fet forth to the People in di- vers Refpeds. Firft^ As to the Work of the Creation of the Hea- vens and the Earth, and of Man to govern in the Earth, referving to himfelf the Government of Man ; to whom he gave a Law, tor the Breach of which he was turned out of Paradife, and brought Death into the World. Secondly^ Notwithflanding Man's Fall, God had Love, Mercy and CompafTion towards him, and pro- mifed the Seed of the Woman (hould bruife the Head of the Serpent, who led them aftr^y, which Seed was Chrift, whom all are commanded to hear, believe and follow, in the Pradlice of his holy Do6lrine, which is contained in his Words fpoken to his immediate Difciples and Apoflles, and likewife made known and revealed in our Hearts. Thirdly, That now in our Day his righteous Judg- ments are abroad in the Earth, as the Sword, and a Threatning of Fam'ne, or want of Bread •, all which was fpoken in the tender Love and Fear of God, and Faith of Chrift, and all were intreattd to lay thefe Things to Heart, and Turn to the Lord, and he icill have MercVj and to our God, and be will abundantly pardon. In this Meeting God was glorified, and his Name mngnified, through the AlTiftance of the Spirit of his dear Son our Lord. From Cohan fy I went to Salem^ and thence to Da^ ind Davis'Sy where we had a Meeting, at which w re ieveral People of divers Profeflions, who were fatisfied and edified therein ; and thence we went to Pile/- grove Meeting, afterwards into Penn^s-Neck, and had a good open Meeting at the Widow Hughs^s^ and fo to JVoodberry-Creek Meeting, which, I hope, was ferviceable j after which I went home with my Friend James( THOMAS CHALKLET. 317 James Lord's, Widow, who, with her Sifter Anne Coo- 1741. fer^ and Jofeph Clews, went with me to Gloucefter v>'-v-^-> Goal, where we vifited one under Sentence of Death q^ Y'"^'*^ for Stealing ; I afked him, if he truly repented of that ' * Sin of Stealing, of which he had been fo often guilty ? He told me, he hoped he had, and was willing to die. He was recommended to the Grace of God, and to keep in an humble Frame of Mind, and beg Mercy of the Almighty, for the Sake of Chrift, for all his Sins.' While a Friend was praying by him, he was broken into Tendernefs. Here the aforefaid Friends parted from me ; I crof- fing the River Delaware to Philadelphia^ and fo home to Frankfort, I was at ten Meetings in this Journey (befides the Yearly-meeting at Salem) and travelled about 150 Miles; but Travelling was painful to my Body •, for I now more and more felt the Effedls of many old Falls and Bruifes, which much difabled and hurt me in Riding. In the Fourth Month I was at divers Meetings about or near home, as at Fair-hill^ German-town^ and at a Meeting at nomas Roberts^ ; alfo was at Thil^- miaiti^ delphia Meeting. In the Beginning of the Fifth t>hia. Month, 1 vifited Friends Meetings at Derh'j, Meri- ^^J!fj; on, and Haverford ; at the laft Place the Meeting Haverford, was large, and very open *, wherein the mighty Power of God was exalted over all, and it was plainly ma- njfefted, that if there was any Virtue, or any good Gift or Genius in the Creature, it derived its Excellen- cy from the Creator j and that Man, in his beft Capa- city, in either natural or fpiritual Attainments, hath no Caufe to boaft or glory in any Thing or Things, which he, as an Inftrument in the divine Hand, might help to do or perform; wherefore we ought to hum- ble ourfelves under the mighty Hand of God, attribu- ting no Glory to Self, or the Creature ; but all Glory and Praife to the Creator, who is in and over all bleiTed for ever. The 3^ 8 71&^ JOURNAL tj t'/4.t. The 20th of the Fifth Month, I fet forward on a Journey, in order to vific Friends at and near Bur- lington, and was next Day at a Meeting at Briftol^ which was large, confidering the Heat of the Wea- ther, and the Shortnefs of the Notice •, next Day, being the Fourcb-day of the Week, and the 2 2d of the Month, I was at Mount-Holly^ at the Burial of our antient Friend, Reftored Lippincoat : He was, as I un- derflood, near an hundred Years of Age, and had upwards of 200 Children, Grand Children, and Great Grand Children, many of whom were at his Funeral ; the Meeting was large, and thought to be a ftrviceable Meeting by divers. After this Meeting, I went with a few choice Friends to vifit Sufannah Fearon^ who had been long ill •, in which Vifit we were favoured with the divine Prefence and Goodnefs of the mod High •, for which we returned him Thanks and Fraife. After which we went to Burlington^ and next Day had a Meeting, which was an acceptable Oppor^ tunity to many. Next Firft-day, being the 27th of the Month, we had a good, folid Meeting at Trenton ; from thence I went, with divers Friends to Briftol, and fo home to Frankfort ; and was thankful to the Almighty for the Grace which he was pleafed to beftow upon me, a poor Worm ; and that, confidering the extream Heat, I had my Health better than ufual. After coming home, I vifited divers Meetings at Philadelphia^ Had- donfeld, Frankfort^ &c. In the Sixth Month there was a great Mortality in Philadelphia^ and many were taken away ; on a Fifth- day, I was concerned to put the People in Mind of it, and of their own Mortality, and exhorted them to prepare for it, they not knowing whofe Turn it might be next, nor the Hour when Death might come to their own Habitations ; and was concerned, in the fame Nature, at feveral large Burials j in the Meeting at Philadelphia^ they were told. It was better to fall into THOMAS CHALKLET. 319 into the Hands of the Lord, than into the Hands of 1741. Men *, and that fmce we had been fettled in this Pro- L/'*t"N^ vince of Penfylvania, we were preferved from the Hands of Men -, there having never been an Enemy in it, in a warlike Way ; our Dependance being on Pro- vidence, and our Principle againft War, and againft fpilling of human Blood by Wars and Fighting, ac- cording to the Dodtrine of Chrift, the peaceable Savi- our; wherefore I believe the Hand of God was mani- fefted in preferving us in Peace : Yet I would not be underftood to be againft the Magiftrates exercifing the Power committed to them, according to juft Law 5 but national Wars, woful Experience teacheth, are de- flruclive to the peaceable Religion of Jefus, to Trade, Wealth, Health and Happinefs. Our dear Lord preached Peace to the People, and againft Wars ; tell- ing his Followers, That they muft love and pray for their Enemies^ and rather take a Stroke or a Blow^ than give one ; and that the'^ Jhould not refift Evil ; which peace- able Dodtrine of Chrift, the Jews could not away with; no, no, by no Means ; O, fay they. If v:e let this Man alone^ the Romans will come and take away our Place and Nation : Juft as the People now fay ia this Province, among and to thofe peaceable Men, who, for the Sake of Chrift and his Dodlrine, cannot ufe the Sword -, Ihe Romans will come and take our Country^ if we don^t build Forts and CaflleSy and have military Preparations: And I wifh it were not true, that fome, who profefs this peaceable Principle, too much endeavour to fmoother, ftifle and keep under, this peaceable Dodrine, through a flavifli Fear, and too much diftruftingof the divine Providence, which may caufe the divine Hand to deliver us to the Romans in- deed ; at which 1 fhould not wonder, fince we diftruft that divine Hand that hath hitherto preferved us, without our preparing for War, above thefe fifty Years. To which I know that it is objeded ; But flow there are Abundance of People who are not of that Prin- 320 "The JOURNAL of 1741. ciple. I anfwer, Then why did they come among U^V^Jus, if they could not truft themfelves with our Princi- ples, which they knew, or might have known, if they would? The King gave the Province, and the Go- vernment of it, to our worthy Proprietor William Penn, who was a Man of this peaceable Principle ; for which the Heathens loved him, and honour his Name and Meniory to this Day, and thofe of his Socie- ty and Principles; whereof I am a living Witnefs. The Senfe of the Sweetnefs and focial Life that the firfl Sett- lers of the Province of Penfyhania and the City of Phi" laMphia lived in, makes me exprefs myfelf in this Man- ner. Oh 1 that the Inhabitants of the City and Coun- try, did but live and dwell in that firfl Love, and hold it fafl ; and then I believe that the Almighty would not fufFer any to take our Crown ; which Crown is Righteoufnefs, Peace and Love, through true Faith ; which true Faith works by Love^ in Chriit Jefus. On the lafl Day of the Fifth Month, I acquainted my Friends of the Monthly-meeting of Philadelphia^ with a Concern I had been lome Time under, to vifit the People in the Virgin IJlands^ and more particularly in Anguilla and I'ortola ; in order to preach the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrifl freely, to thofe who might have a Defire to hear, as the Lord fhould be pleas'd to open my Way : And my Friends having Unity with me therein, at their next Meeting, gave me a Certificate of their Concurrence : Soon after which, having fettled my Affairs, and taken Leave of my dear Wife and Daughter, and the reft of my Family and Friends, on the 19th Day of the Seventh Month, I embarked at Philadelphia^ in the S\oo^Johny Peter Blunder Mafler, bound for the Ifland of "Jortola, We fail'd down the River, and came to an Anchor near Chriftine Creek that Night, in wjiioh there was a violent Storm, which drove feveral VefTels on the Marfhes ; fo that when the Tide ebb'd, one might walk round them. Next Day we faird to Reedy- Jfland' THOMAS CH A LKLET. 321 IJland^ vtYitrt we waited for a fair Wind: We fail'd 1741, down the Bay (in Company with two Sloops, one ^/V^ honndi^or Bermudas y the other for the Ifland of C^rf- Jlopher's) and left the Capes on the 23d Day of the At Sea, Month, and in 18 Days, from that Time, fell in with the Ifland of Thomas^ and in one Day more turnM up to Toriola. In this Voyage we faw nine Sail of VefTels ; but fpoke with none of them : Had a rough Paffage, the Wind being high and contrary above a Week, and much Rain ; yet, thro' the Mercy and Grace of God, I was prefer ved above all Fear, except the holy Fear of the living Lord, in which I blefs'd his holy Name. On the 1 2 th Day of the Eighth Month, John Picker- rmth. ingy the Owner of the Sloop fwho was likewife Go- vernor of the Ifland) with his Spoufe, met me at the Water-fide, and lovingly embraced me, and led me up to their Houfe, and, the fame Evening, had a Meeting at his Houfe ; and on the 15 th of the Month,, being the Fifth-day of the Week, we had a large, fa- tisfadlory Meeting, at which were many People, di- vers of them not of our ProfefTion, and I think, the good Hand of the Lord was with us. I was concern- ed in this Meeting to Ihew, That the laft Difpenfation of God to Mankind in and through his dear Son, was a fpiritual Difpenfation ; a Difpenfation of pure, di- vine Love, which is to lafl and be with the true Be- lievers in Chrift forever, according to his own Dodlrine in the New-Teflament. On the Firft-day of the Week, and the 1 8th of the Month, we had another Meeting larger than the for- mer (and the Governor told me, he had never feen fo large a Gathering on the Ifland, on any Occafion) my Spirit was^much fet at Liberty in this Meeting, and great Opennefs and Brokennefs was among the People, fo that the Gofpel was freely and largely declared to them. The Cafe of Cornelius, and of the Apoftle P^/^r going to his Houfe, was treated of , with divers other 32a r^^ J O U R N A L of 1741. other Matters, tending to Edification. I was fo af- i^'V'^J fe(5led with the Power, Spirit and Grace of our Lord •uoia, jefus Chrift, that, when the Meeting was over, I withdrew, and, in private, poured out my Soul before the Lord, and begg'd that he would be pleas'd to manifeft his Power and glorious Gofpel more and more. At this Meeting there was a Woman who had fuffer'd much for her going to Meetings ; her Huf- band being a proud, haughty Man, had beat her to the drawing of Blood j he alfo drew his Sword, and prefented his Pillol, with Threat'nings to kill her ; but fhe thank'd God, that fhe was refign'd to lofe her life for Chrift's Sake : This Woman exprefs'd fome Words in Supplication in this Meeting, in a bro- ken Manner. There was alfo another (a beautiful young Woman^ whofe Father had turn'd her out of Doors for coming to Friends Meetings. I went, with the Governor and his Wife, to vifit a few Families up in the Mountains, and had a Meet- ing, in which was great Brokennefs and Tendernefs in the Time of Prayer. On Second-day we vifited feveral Families in the Di- vifion called the Road^ to which we went by Water in a Coble (Tome- what like our Canoes) there were four of thefe in Company, live Perfons in two of them, and feven in the other two. In this Vifiting of Families, the People came and filled the Rooms, and we had feafonable Meetings, in which the People were fo lov- ing, and well-affeded, that we could leldom go in a friendly Way to vifit our Friends, but they would pre- fently fill their little Rooms, and we fcarcely could de- part, without having a Time of Worfhip. Next Day we went to vifit a young Man's Habita- tion (who had not yet finilhed his Houfe) and the Neighbours coming in, as ufual, we had a good Meeting. I cannot but note, That the Hand of the Lord God was with us, and I tele bis Vifitation as frefh and lively as THOMAS CHALKLET. 323 as ever ; for which I was truly thankful, and thought, 1741, if I never faw my Habitation again, I was fatisfied in v-^^r^ this Gofpel Call, and religious Viiit •, though, being ^''^'•'^* in Years, it was fometimes a little troublefome to the Flefh ; being in the 66th Year of my Age, and ftifF in my Limbs from Hurts with many Falls and Bruifes ; but, as to my Health, 1 had it better now, than for feveral Years paft ; for which I am humbly thankful to him, in whom we live and have our Being j Glo- ry to his Name, through his dear Son. Third-day and Fourth-day, vifited feveral Families, and had divers good Opportunities ; in one of thofe Meetings, a young Man, named Jeremiah Martin^ fpoke a few Words in Prayer ; in which Seafon, we were, I think, all broken into Tendernefs ; fo that in Truth we might fay. That the Power and Spirit of Chrift was. with and among us, and his great Name was praifed. Fifth-day, being the Week-day- meeting, it was larger than was ever known of a Week-day at that Place ; there being divers Friends v^ho came froiii an liland called Jos, Fandike's, and many Neighbours and fober People, who were very attentive. Sixth-day, was at feveral Peoples Houfes, and had religious Meetings ; which we could not well avoid, the People were fo loving and defirous to hear what might be fpoken to theni *, they being many of them likethirfty Ground, wanting Rain, and our good and gracious Lord gave us celeftial Showers, which were refrefhing to us, and thankfully received. . Seventh-day, I went, v/ith feveral Friends, to the Houfeofone, who, with his Wife, had been at our Meeting on Fifth-day ; he kindly invited me to his Houfe I his Name was Blake -, he and his Wife were loving •, though he had formerly wrote againft Friends, he was now better informed. From his Houfe I went to Townfend Bifiiop\ and there being many Friends there from another Ifland, we had a moft comfortable, tender 324 r^^ J O U R N A L ^/ 1 741. tender Evening-mreting, in which we olTer'd up an v-Or*^ Evening Sacrifice of high Praifes and Thankfgiving to Ttrfia. ji^g Yioiy Name of the living eternal God, and his dear Son our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrifl:, through the Influence of the holy Spirit, one GOD over all, blefTed for ever. And, On the Firft-day of the Week, being the 25th of the Month, we had a larger Meeting than ordinary 5 and, in Expe6lation of larger Meetings than ufual, the Governor, John Pickerings had made feveral new Forms to accommodate the People at his own Houfe, which he fent fix Miles on Mens Heads, the Roads not being pafTable for Carriage by Carts, i^c. This I think worth noting, that their Zeal may be had in Remembrance, and that others may be Itirr'd up to a more religious Concern, who will fcarce go fix Steps to a religious Meeting, or will not go at all. In this Meeting I was concern'd to fpeak of and fet forth the Dodrine of Chrift, which he preached on the Mounts contained in the 5th, 6th and 7th Chapters of Mat- thew ; and to prefs the People to come to the Pradlice of what is there commanded by the great Author of the Chriftian Religion ; and to fhew that the defpifed fakers had learn'd out of that excellent Sermon much of thc;ir Religion, which difpleafes many People, and divers of the great Men of the World ; and to urge them to regard the Grace of God, which bringeth Sal- vation and hath appeared to all Men. In this Meet- ing Dorcas (the Wife of John Pickering) fpoke to the People in publick Tellimony, to which they gave good Attention. After Meeting we returned by Water from the Road Harbour, to Pat-Hogg-Bay (where John Picker- ing lives) being upwards of twenty of us in Company, in three Cobles. Thefe two Weeks I fpent in the Ifland of Tortola, to my great Satisfaction, ;■* * rHOMAS CHALKLET. 325 ne Journal of this way thy Friend ending here^ the foU 1741. lowing Swpplement is colle5led from fome Notes fent by "v>^V%i a Friend of that Jfland, giving an Account of his fur- '^^^^*^^ * iher Services^ Sicknefs and Death, The Supplement. ON the 2d Day of the Third Week of his being among us, he vi fined fome Friends in the Neigh- bourhood, and likewife the Man who had treated hi? Wife fo cruelly for coming to Friends Meetings. On Third-day, he was employed chiefly in Writing" to his Family and Friends in Philadelphia. On Fourth-day, fome Friends from the Road camq to fee him, which prevented his going out to vifit the Neighbours, as ufual. On Fifth-day Morning, being the 29th of the Eighth Month, he found himfelf much indifpofed ; yet he^ went to our Week-day-meeting, about a Quarter of a Mile. When the Meeting broke up, he had a hot Fever on him : Dodlor furnhull (the chief Phyfician in our Ifland) thought it proper to take fome Blood from him, and he being very willing, it was done that Afternoon, and the Fever abated fometime thac Night ; and the next Day he walked about, and made no Complaint until about Eight o'Clock in the Even- ing *, about which Time the Fever returned, and con- tinued very fevere till Firft-day Morning; when the Dodoradvis'd him to take a Vomit, which he declin'd that Day, being defirous of attending the Meeting; which was held at my Houfe, and was a large, fweet and tender Meeting -, in which hefpoke to us firft con- cerning Temptations, and how Chrifl was tempted^ and how to withftand them ; and afterw^ards on the Pa- rable of the great Supper, and other Subjedls ; ending his Teftimony with the Words of the Aooftie Paul, I 326 SUPPLEMENT- 1741. have fought a good Fight ^ I havefinijhed my Courfe, I have t^^^/^JV) kept the Faiths henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown ^^''''* of Right eoufnefs : Which Words, and mod Part of this laft Sermon, was delivered in great Brokennefs •, from whence I judged that he was fenfible that he had not long to live, though, I believe, he was not afraid to die. OnSecond-dayMorning^the Fever abated a little, and he complied with the Dodor's Prefcription of taking a Vomit, which feem'd to have its proper Effed ; but that Night the Fever returned, and continued on him until he dy'd -, which was between two and three o' Clock on Fourth day Morning, the fourth Day of the Ninth Month, being fpeechlefs about feven Hours before. A general Invitation was given to Friends and others to his Funeral ; where three Teftimonies were born, all in great Brokennefs, under a juft Senfe of our great Lofs. After which he was decently interr'd on the Evening of the fame Day, in a Piece of Ground which is fince given to Friends for a Burial Place, and on which a Meeting-houfe is built, by John Picker ingy the Governor of the Ifland at that Time. It is faid in the Scriptures, That the Righteous are ta^ ken awa'jy and no Man layeth it to Heart ; but, I hope, it may be truly faid, this was not the Cafe at this Time ; for Friends, in general, much lamented their great L-ofs, in being fo foon deprived of fo inftrudive a Friend and Elder, whofe Care over us was very great ; and who, by his loving and exemplary Life, and Tender- nels to People of all Ranks and Profeffions, engag'd the Love and Refped of moft of the People in the Ifland. We are fully aflured, that his Labour among us was not in Vain, and that many have felt the good EfFeds of it •, fo that we believe fome of the la ft Words he exprefs'd in Publick, may juftly be apply'dtohim, and that he now enjoys a Crown of Righteoufnefs, F I N J S. THE WORKS OF T H AT Ancient^ faithful Servant of Jesus Christ^ TBOMAS CHALKLET, Who departed this Life in the Island of TORTOL A, the fourth Day of the Ninth Month, 3741. CONTAINING His Epijiles and other Writings. Blejfed is the Man that walketh not in the Counfel of the Ungodly, norftandetb in the Way of Sinners, nor fittetb in the Seat of the Scornful : But his Delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate both Day and Night. Pfalm i. i, 1,] LONDON: Printed and Sold by Luke H i n d e, at the Bible in George-Tar d^ Lombard-Street^ i75^- G O D s GREAT LOVE UNTO M A K K I K- D,^' THROUGH ' JESUS CHRIST, Our Lord, And there came a Voice out of the Cloudy /^vi,??^, Thh (i, e. Chrift) is ?ny beloved Son^ hear y him, Luke If ye love me^ keep my Coinmandments^ John xlv. 15, For God Jo loved the V/orld^ that he gave his only hegot-^ ten Son y that whofo ever believed in himy-might fmt-fe* ri/hy but have everlafting Life^ John iii. 16. PREFACE to the Reader. /N Sincerity^ and unfeigned Love^ both to God and Many were thefe Lines penn'^d: I deftre thee to pe- rufe them in the fame Lcve^ and then, peradveniure, thou mayfi find Joms Sweetnefs in them* Expert not A a learned PREFACE. learned PhrafeSy or florid Exprejfwns ; for ?nany Times, heavenly Matter is hid in mean Sentences^ or wrapped up in plain Exprejfions. It Jometimes pleafes God to reveal the Myfteries of his Kingdom (through the Grace of his Son^ our Lord Jefus Chrift) to Babes and Sucklings ; and he oftentiines ordains Praifes out oj their Mouths 5 oneofwhicby Reader , I defire thou 7nay be, MT Intent in Writing thefe Sheets^ iSy that they, through the Help of God's Grace, and the good Spirit of Chrift, may ftir up true Love in thee ; firft, to God and Chrift, and then, to Man : Then thou wilt be fit to he efpoufed to him, who is altogether lovely (that is, Chrift) which is the Defire of him, that is thy Friend^ more in Heart, than Word. T. C GOUs is) G O D's Great Low to Mankind, )Sc. HAVING been concerned for the Good ,6^^^. and Welfare of the Children of Men, in tXVX; my youthful Days, and tailed of the infi- nite Love of God, in, and through his ,dear Son, the holy Lamb Jefus, who laid down his Life for the Sins of the World ; and, in my tender Years, reaped great Benefir, through Faith in, and Obedience unto, him : For, truly, I have found, by fufHcient Experience, that one without the other {to wit) Faith without Works, will not anfwer the End of the great Love of Chrift Jefus, our Lord, in that he OiTer'd himfelf a Sacrifice for all Mankind ; not for People to live in Sin, but to take away the Sin of the World : In a Word, Faith without IVorks is dead, James ii. 20. For my Part, I found it fo, and fo mud all true Believers in the Son of God. Chrift he firft loved us, and paid that Debt for us, that, of ourfelvcs, we were not able to do. Oh his infinite Love! it hath oftentimes melted my Soul into Tenderneis. M-chinks it is xlbundance of Pity, that ever the Sons of Men fliould requite Evil for Good, or Difobedience for fuch gracious Obedience : I would to God, that all Believers in Chrift, would live in that Fear of God, and that Love to Chrift, that keepeth the Heart clean •, becaufe nothing unclean can enter the Kingdom of H'.^aven. I don't mean a flavifh Fear ^ but Fear, that is wrought by Love : For them A 3 thAC 6 G O D*5 Great Love to Mankind. 1697. that love the Lord, the Great, Everlafting God, will t/^yv? fear to offend Him. This is the Matter that chiefly beareth Strefs on my Mind, at this Time, The NecefTity of Love to God, and Chrifb, and one another: E'je haih not feen, nor Ear heard^ neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man to conceive, the Things that God hath prepared for them that love Himy i Cor. li. 9. For my Part, I can't pretend to tell thee, O Man ! to the Full ; but only a little to hint at it: It is, Joy unfpeakable^ and full of Glory: But then we mud love h'm, fo as to keep hisComm.'indments. This is the Work that I am very earned in prefTing People to; whether Youth, or Aged: It is not too foon for the Young, neither too late for the Aged, to begin this Work of Obedi- ence, through Faith, and Love to God and Chrift, if his Spirit is reproving or driving in them. But it is more honourable and acceptable, for a Man to give up the Strength of his Days to ferve the Lord, and to remem- ber his Creator in the Diys of his Youth, before Sin is too much rooted and grown in Man ; for then it will be much more Labour, to get the Root of Un- righteoufnefs plucked up. So that in that Ability, which God hath given me, I would endeavour to ftir up all to ferve him,' and to be in good Earned, and not to put the Day of God, even the mighty Jehovah, a-far off; but to love the Lord unfeignedly, and with true Obedience ; fince it is that Sacrifice, that is only acceptable to God ; that is to fay. To love him in Deed, and in Truth, more than in Word, and with Tongue : For againd fuch a People, the Lord, by his Servant, complain'd in old Time ; T/^f^, faith the Lord, draw nigh to me with their Mouths, and with their Lips do honour me: Bur, Oh! their great Mifery was, their Hearts were far from him ; they did not love him with their whole Hearts ; that was their great Fault : This Thing is al- fo a great Evil in the Sight of the Great God, in this through JESUS CHRIST. 7 our Age , and it is too frequent in England^ the Land 1697. of my Nativity, as alfo in other Iflands, and Places, s-z'V*^ beyond the Sea. What Lamentation ihall be taken up, for fuch as do fo mock the Lord, the Great God of Love? Surely he will render Vengeance, as in Flames of Fire, upon all the Wicked, and Ungodly, and thofe that forget him. 'Tis not by Saying, but by Doing, that we are juflified, through Faith in Chrift: Not he that faith. Lord, Lord, only ; but he that doth his Will alfo, fhall enter the Kingdom. Now the Will of God, and Chrift his Son, is. That we Ihould love him above all ; and in loving him, we fhall love one another ; for Chrift faw the great Need there was of loving God above all, and alfo of loving one another ; therefore he anfwered thus to him that afkcd him, Which was the greatgft Com- mandment— Thdu jhalt love the Lord thy God^ with all thy Hearty and with all thy Souly and with all thy Mind^ Mat. xxii. '^'j, This (fays Chrift J is the firfi and great Commandment ; and the Second is like unto it^ Thou Jhalt love thy Neighbour as thjfelf: On thefe two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets^ Verfes 38, 99, and 40. Now if thefe two great Commandments were obey- ed, it would anfwer God's great Love to us, in fend- ing his Son to blefs us. O ! the Glory of God, how it would fhine !• it would make the young Men, as Vali- ants of Ifraeh and the old Men as Captains of Thou- fands •, then Chrift would reign glorioufty indeed, in tht Hearts of the Children of Men ; here the Lamb and his Followers (that walk in the Light, and that Commandment, that burns as a Lamp) would get the Vidlory over the Devil, and his Followers : But, on the contrary, this is the great Error of Mankind, they talk of God, and Chrift, in Words •, but deny him in Works : Nay, feme will not ftick to fay. It is im- polTible to keep the Commands of Chrift. It is A 4 too $ GO D'i Great Love to Mankind^ 1697. too commonly fpoken, and alfo believed. That there ■"V^*** is no Perfection on this Side the Grave, contrary to the Saying of Cbrift. Be ye perfe^, even as your Fa^ iher^ which is in Heaven^ is perfett^ Mat. v. 48. Yet, fay they, it is impofTible ; which is as much as to fay, Chrift is a hard Mafter^ in commanding what cannot be done, conJequently, out of their own Mouths they ^vill b'^ condemned •, for Chrift is not a hard Mafter. I teftify againft all fuch unholy and impertedt Belie- vers, in folid Fear before the Lord ; but according to fuch People's Faith, and Belief, he mufb needs be hard. O that People would but fo love God, and his dear Son, as to ft rive to do his Commands; for it is impofible they fhould obey, if they do neither be- lieve nor endeavour: But let fuch know. That ;«^- ny fhallftrive^ and (hall not enter \ much lefs, enter ^ if they do not ft rive: But we mud, of NccefTuy, ftrive, in Obedience to his Willj and by his AfTiftance (not ia our own natural Will;, to enter in attheftrait Gale: Man would enter in with all his pleafant Thin?rs, and in all his Bravery, ^nd Gallantry; but God's Will is. That he fhould be brought low, that he might exalt him. O I this Self, it is a great Enemy to Mankind. My Intention is, to awaken People out of the Sleep of Sin, which is Death; and to flir them up to Righ- teoufnefs, and Love to the Lord, and their Neigh- bour, even with their whole Heart; 1 his is what my Heart breathes to, and fupplicates the Lord of Hea- ven for : Then would the End of my Labour, in his Love, be anfwered ; for great is the Love of God, in fending his Son, and, alfo, in fending his Servants, and ftirring them up, to roufe Pc^ople out of the Sleep of Security, that they might fee the Danger they are in, and how near they .lie to the Brink of the Pit of Burning. O ! that People would but ferioufly ccnfider that which is fliewed and told them in the Love of the Lord. O I that it might be laid to Heart. How- ever, v/hether chcy w?Ji hear, or forbear, God will be clear, through JESUS CHRIST. 9 clear, and his Servants alfo will be clear. But if we 1697, not only hear, but alfo obey, that Peace, which paf- feth the Underftanding of Men (that our Lord giveth to his Followers) will be our Portion, and the Lot of our Inheritance for ever : But this is on Condition of our Obedience, and keeping the Commands of God: If ye love me^ keep my Commandments (John xiv. i^.) faith the Lord. So, if People live in Saying, and not in Doing, in Profefling, and Confeffing, yet ftill Jiving in Pride and Pligh-mind'^dnefs, and in Sin, it is appa- rent, they do not love Chrlft Jefus (according to his own Words) neither doth he juftify r.hem ; 'cis only the Doers that he will juftify. The Apoftle John fays. If a Man fays^ he loves God, and yet hateth his Brother^ he is a Liar^ i John iv. 20. and, by plain Scripture Teftimony, fuch are not of God : Moreover, if he fiys, he loves Chriit, yet doth not his Sayings, he is alio a Liar, and the Truth in not in him, or, Chrift is not in him ; who faid, / am the 'Truth -, and thus Man becomes reprobated ; for Fdul^ writing to the Bre- thren, faich. Examine yourfelves^ whether you he in the Faith, -prove your own felves *, know ye not your own felves, how that Jefus Chrift is in you, except ye be Re- probates^ 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Which Indwelling of Chrift, is a great Myftery to many *, although Chrift within (which the Apoftles preached} was the Hope of the Saints Glory, CoL\. 27. And, Oh I howearneftwas Chrift in Prayer to his Father, That his Followers may be one in him, and that they might be united to- gether in one, John xvii. Such was the Love of Chrift to his Church ; now, what remains on the Church's Part, (ince Chrift has done his Part, furelyit is, that we love him again •, for, faith John, He that loveth noty knoweth not God-, for God is Love^ i John iv. 8. They that dwell in Enmity, are not the Children of God; but the Children of Satan ; who alw.iys hated the Appearance of Chrift, the Light of the World ; and yet ftirreth up thole that are led by his dark Spirit, to ib GOD's Great Love to Mankind; 1697. to war againft him, and his Seed in his Children; ^-''^V'^ who faid, / am the Light of the IForld, But indeed it is as Chrift hath faid. Men love Dark- 7iefi rather than Light ; and how ftrange is it, feeing the one is fo glorious, and the other fo miferable ? But the Reafon is, as Chrift hath fhewed, becaufe their Deeds are evil, John iii. 19; That is indeed the very Caufe; for if their Deeds were good, they would love the Light which is Chrift Jefus, the Lord of Life and Glory ♦, and bring their Deeds to him, that he might judge them j who will give righteous Judg- ment to every Man according to his Works, John v. 29. The Righteous will have their Portion in the Re- furrecftion of I^ife, Joy and Peace, in the Holy Ghoft; but the Wicked in the Refurredion of Damnation. Oh ! that I might be inftrumental in the Hand of the Lord, to open the Eyes of fome that are fpiritually blind, that they might fee the Splendor, the Beauty, and the great Glory, of the dear Son of God, that moft excellent Light which God hath prepared, according to good old Simeon^s Teftimony of him, 'Thou haft (fays he) prepared him a Light to enlighten /ij* teth the Ear from hearing the Caufe of the Widow and Fatherlefs, or of the Needy, and drowns the Cry of the OpprelTed ; to which we ought not only to lend an Ear, but alfo to adminifter Relief, according to * their NecefTity, and our Ability. But Mankind is too apt to defpife the bafe or low Things of the World, and to join with that which is pleafanc to the Eye, and agreeable to the Lull of the Heart ; (like Dives the rich Glutton of Old, who loved Self better than poor Lazarus) but do not confider that which is lading, and would do them Good for ever. How fhall i ex- prefs the excellent Glory and eternal Sweetnefs of this Love to the Lord and our Neighbour? Oh ! how is my Soul grieved, and how doth my Spirit mourn be- fore the Lord, when I fee any walk contrray. to the Commands of Chrift, or that are in Enmity to the Truth, and in Hatred one to another, even from my tender Years, _ ever lince God Almighty opened my Underilanding, and made known to me him that is true : And my Cry hath been many Times to him, to keep and preferve me in his true Love and Fear to the End of my Days *, in Love both to him and the Brethren : But more efpecially to thofe that do his Will (altho' there is univerfal Love in my Heart to all.) Chrift faid, For who/over Jhall do the Will ^f my Father which is in Heaven^ the fame is my Brother ^ end Sifter^ and Mother^ M3.it. xii. 50. Therefore my Love is more fingiy unto thofe. The Apoftle alfo thus writes concerning Love to the Brethren ; We^ (fays he) know that we have pajfed from Death unto Life, (How did they know it ?) be caufe we love the Brethren : He that loveth not his Brother^ ahideth in Deaths 1 John iii. 14. Are they then in Death chat are in Enmity with the Brethren ? AfTuredly they are. For this Enmity is Sin ; And the Wages of Sin is Deatby Rom, vi, 2,3» and thofe that are therein, are dead while i6 GO D'i Great Love to Mankind, 1697. while they live. I wifh, and heartily pray to the God, and Father of Spirits, that from the Snares of Death his People may tor ever be prelerved. Now I would /hew People fomeof the many Snares of Death and Satan. Firft^ Some People are too apt to judge one ano- ther, and to fpeak Evil of Things they know not, except by Report and Suppofition, which too often jets in Enmity, and is not according to the Mind of Chriil, but is a Snare of the Enemy of Man's Salvati- on. Surely if People were fenfiblethereofj they would not fo hardly cenfure one another : For indeed, we ought to be well fatisfied before we give Judgment, and then it ought to be in Love, and not in Enmity. Ic is better to fuffer, than to cenfure, or 10 be judged, than to judge — Judge noty that ye he not judged^ Matt, vii. 1. — faid the Judge of Heaven and Earth. But People are too much poileiT^d with Uncharitablenefs and Revenge one towards another, and are not fo ready to forgive one another thei'* TrefpafTes, as the Al- mighty is to forgive them : Tho' to forgive one another their TrefpafleSi be every Chriftian's Duty, and without which, we cannot juftly expedlGod to for- give us our Trefpafifes, as Chriil taught, Matt, \'u ^14^ 15- Secondly^ Perfecuticn for Righteoufnefs Sake, alfo is another great Branch of that corrupt Tree, which never did, and never will bring forth good Fruit, but 'muft be cut down by the Ax of God's Power, which ' is laid to the Root of every corrupt Tree, in order to cut it down ; and the Lord will burn it with un- quenchable Fire. It is the true Church's Lot to be per- fecuted, but fne never perfecutes any ; for he that is her High Priell for ever, commanded quite the con- trary, viz. Love to Enemies, and to do Good to them trut hated them, and to pray for them that defpitefully ufed and perfecuted lUcm, Matt. v. 44. They were alfo to rejoice, and to be exceeding glad when ihrougij JESUS CHRIst if ivhen all manner of Evil was fpoken falfly againftthem 1697. for Chrift's Sake ; becaufe great fliould be their Re- WOTSJ ward in Heaven ; and Chrifl obferves, that fo they per- fecuted the Prophets, Matt. v. 11, 12. Thirdly., Many ate rebelling againft God, and do- ing Defpi'ie to the Spirit of Grace in their own Hearts, and treipalTing one againft another, not living in Lo*e, but ih Enmity againft God zhd one. another. The Judgment of M?-a is terrible to the Rebellious, how rriuch niore if Men rebel againft God, our Saviour, will his judgment be juft and dreadful, as he hath not only Power to kill the Body, but can afterward^ caft the Soul into Hell ? Oh! that the Soiis and Daughters of Men- would but fear to offend him, the King of eternal Glory. Jfrael, of old, his owi\ peculiar People, did fear and tremble before him ; even all their Hoft, his Prefence Vv^as fo dreadful, Exo'd. xix. 18. And a noble King made a Decree, that Men fhould fear and tremble bdfdre the living God, t}amelY\, 26. Oh! that all would w^ork oilt their Salvation with Fear and Trembling, according to Scripture Tc^fti- rhony, Phil. ii. 12. I defire all People might thus love the Lord, then fhould we tear exceedingly toi offend him : Alfo if one Man did truly love anor ther very well, werb the Cafe thy own, thoii w-ouldft very unwillingly offend him, whom thou loveft dearly. So if we love Chrift in Deed, and in Truth, theri we fhould fear to offend him, ahd muft of Nece'fiicy' Jove one another alfo : So lliall we fufii the great Commands, that the whole Law and the Prophet^ hang on. Fourthly^ I have alfo many times been grieved, when I have heard Curfing and Swearing, and the Lord's Nariie taken in vairi, which rriany too much abound in (by Sea and Land) and zoa little confider^ that God will not hold therh guiklefs. Exod., xx. 7. I am fure this is far from obeying hitn. Gh 1- th^ B ' deep 1 8 GO D's Great Love to Maj^kind, 1697. deep Senfc of this great Sifl, it hath been, and is of \y^sr^ great Moment, and is a great Concern on my Mind : Vengeance from Heaven is, and will be the Portion of all fuch, that thus violate the Mind and Will of God. Ji]|dgment, Judgment is the Lot and Inheritance of all the Wicked, who remain and live in Wickednefs. Altho' the Lord is flow to Anger, and of Great Lov- ing-Kindnefs, and his Mercy cndureth for ever, to them that truly repent of Evil, and do that which is Good : Yet he has alfo prepared Weeping, Wailing, and Gnafliing of Teeth, for them that continually live in Sin. There is a Poffibility of Sinning, until there is no Mercy nor Grace for Man : Witnefs ihe Words of God ; My Spirilfiall not always firive mtb Man^ for that he alfo is Flejh^ Gen. vi. 3. But thofe that ar^ willing to put the Day of God afar ofF, are ready to fay, Chrift is our Advocate with the Father ; He maketh Interceflion for our Sins ; (very well) but it is - conditionally : It is if thou wilt repent, and fin no more. (Mark that well) Repentance without Sinning no more, will not do. John viii. n ConfelTion is very Good, but forfaking is abundance better : Con- felTion without forfaking will ftand in little Stead in the Day of Account. JPlfthly, Alfo being drunk with Wine, or with ftrong Drink •, Drunkennefs is a great Sin : Firfl againfl God, and fecondly, the Abufe of God's Mer- cies, and good Creatures. And by this Frame of Drunkennefs, Men are ofcen fitted for any Bufinefs that their Mailer the Devil may call them to: So that this great Sin ought to be flridly watched againfl* Surely if Men had any good Defires in their Hearts, or any Love to God, they would refrain from fuch great Wickednefs. I admire how People can expedt Mercy from God, or the Interceffion of Chrift, when they are piercing his Sides, and putting of him to open Shame: For thofe that are finning againfl him, are piercing?, of him. How can fuch expedl he will z^t^,^ ^ interceed through JESUS CHRIST. 19 interceed for them, when they have dealt fo fliamefully 1 697. vthh him, and grieved him, ' and from Time to '^/VV^ Tftfie difobey'd his Voice ? Now fuppofe a Maa ftood condemn'd before a Judge, and that at the Judge's right Hand there fat one who had Power in his Hand, and this poor condemn'd Perfon, hopes he will interceed for him ; and yet this poor Wretch has done to him as before mentioned. What Grounds can he liave, to hope for Interceflion, Clemency or Leni- ty, while he believes he can do no otherwife than fm againft him all his Days? For my part, I think his Faith, Hope and Belief, is but vain j without any Reafon or Gmcfhd) But he that loveth Chrift Jefus, the Lord^f-^ife ^nd Glory, fo as to keep his Com- mandments, the Lord will love him, and incerceecj for him, and make h'imfelf known unto him ; accord- ing to his Words, which he fpake, He that hath rrvj Commandment^ cind keeps them^ he it is that loveth me , -^nd he that loveth me^ Jhallhe loved of my Father ; and i'ivill love' him-, and manifeft myfelf unto him, John Xiv. 2f. Sixthly^ Covetoufiiefs, which is Idolatry, is alfo another great Snare of the Enemy, and many are caught therein. It is in vain for the Covetous ro fay, he. hath a Share in the Love of God •, for he hath neither Love to the Lord, nor to his Neighbour. A poor naked Man might afk him long enough for Re- lief, or for his Coat, before he would give him his Hand to help, or Coat either •, or any manner of Re- lief: Altho' Chrift exprefly commanded it. Give to him that ajkethy and from him that would borrow^ turn not thou away. Matt. v. 42. How can any be fo hard-hearted, to fee his Brother's or his Neighbour's Poverty, and not adminifter of his Ability to the Needful's NccefTity ? But fays the covetous or mi- ferable Man, I have Children, or a Family to take care of : But too often Covetoufncfs brings a Curfe, and not a BlefTing, upon Family and Chjjdren alfo. r^xisim B 2 Perhaps zo GO D*5 Great Love to MANKiNrJ^ 1697. Pchaps one that is coveteous may fay, that Charity s/V"^ begins at Home. Bur let him remember, that if it doth begin there, the Confequence mod commonly is very bad, when it ends there. Every Chriftian hath need to haVe Charity fin his Breaft) in a two- fold Senfe, or elfe there is no proper Pretence to Chriftianity •, ia fiiort, Covecoufnefs is out of the Love either to God or Man : All thofe (with Abundance more, that I fhill forbear to mention) are eminent Snares of the Devil ; and Satan layeth them according to the Propenfuy of Man and Woman, and fuits them with their Nature. Oh ! I'll warrant thee he will colour them finely, and put a pleafant Glofs upon them, to betray thy Soul, and keep it in Bondage for ever. Seventhly^ It is he that tells the Murderer, that it h better to live a merry Life and fhort, than to take Pains and Care all his Life-time j and the Thief like- wife with the Robber. Eighthly^ It is he alfo that tells the Whoremongers and Drunkards, that fo many People are in thefe Pradices, becaufe it is natural for People to be fo overcome : But he don't tell them that by Nature all are Children of Wrath, and that without this luft- ful Nature be overcome, there's no Salvation, Eph. ii. 3- Ninthly^ It is he that tells the Swearers, they are fo ufed to it, that it is impoflible for them to leave it off. He never bids them repent and forfake, that they might find Mercy with God and Chrift that died for them ; but died not that they fhould live in Sin. Tenthlyy It is he that tells the Coveteous, 'tis good to be faving, and not to fpend all his Subltance in Glut- tony and Pride ; no, he'll bid him hate Pride, and that he fliould not give much Alms, though rich in this World 5 for the Devil will tell him, that it is proud People does it only in Ambition,- and to be ieen of Men •, but he will not tell him, it is a Sin to be through JESUS CHRIST. zx be covetous : He alfo tells the Proud, that they are counted happy, and that Pride is counted good for the promoting the Commonwealth, and that it is as good to be out of the World, as out of the Fafhion •, he tells them, that Pride is Neatnefs, and how many pretty Excufes he has, to keep People in Pride, is ad- mirable ; he don't t§ll 'em, that Chrift the Lord was meek and lowly, and that they fhoyld take him for an Example. He, the Lord, did not come in Splen- dour, and Glory, outwardly j but plain in Speech, and alfo in Apparel, wearing a Coat without a Seam, being cloathed and adorned with the Robes of Righte- oufnefs and Love. This is my Beloved ! may he be thine alfo, gentk Reader. Oh! how lovely is he? He is the chiefeft of Tens of Thoufands. I in- treat you, Oh ye Children of Men, both Sons and Daughters! don't you offend Chrift, by difobe3/ing of him, the Bridegroom of the Righteous ; but, I be- feech you, in his fweet and tender Love, if you have offended him, by finning againft him. Oh! for the Lord's Sake, and your own Souls Sake, do fo no more ; but unfeignedly repent ; and then, in his due Time (when he hath tried you, and found you faith- ful) he will embrace you with the fweec Embraces of his Love, which is better than Wine, and far excels the Love of Women. Now if the poor Creature did but love the Lord its Maker, above all, and its Fellow-creature as itfelf, the Enemy of Mankind would be overcome, and we made more than Conquerors, through him that hath loved us, even Chrift Jefus our Lord -, and Man and ' Woman would fee all thefe (abovefaid) evil Things to be abominable, and perhaps many more which I have not mentioned, infomuch that Self would be abhorr'd as in Duft and Afhes, and the Lord would be loved, and glorified, above all, for which End he created Mankind; But, certain it is, that this End can't be anfwered, nor the Lord fo loved, without Sin be for- B 3 faken. 3^ C O D'i Great Love to Mankind, G?r. 1697. faken, and hated -, tor the Devil is the Author of Sirif v^V^ and Chrift of Righteoufnefs. 7, fays Chrift, am the Way^ the ^ruth^ and the Life^ John xiv. 6. And again, John viii. 12. I am the Light oj theJVorld. Oh! faith my Soul, in Abun- dance of Love and Good-will, unto the Sons and Daughters of Men, that they would but walk in the Way of Truth, and the true Light of the World 5 then they would fee clearly the Snares of Satan ; whicl^ that every One, even Male and Female (efpecially thofe that profefs Chriftianity) might do, and efcapf the fame, is the very Deiire of my Soul : Eveh fo prayeth him, that through the Spirit of Jefus Chrift, and Ability of his Grace, labours for the Salvation of Mankind. \^5J t.c. •■lyrl-v^ii^t^ immmmmtmmi^m^t/fm FRUITS (n) FRUITS O F DIVINE MEDITATION At SEA, in the Year 1699. filejed is the Man that walketh not in the Counfel of the Ungodiy^ norjlandeth in the Way of Sinners^ nor fit* teth in the Seat of the Scornful ; hut his Delight is in the Law of the Lcrd^ and in bis Law doth he medi* We Day and Night, Plalm i. Lay up for^eurfelves ^reafure in Heaven^ Mat. vi. 2o, I. ]|' T is good for Man, whofe Breath is in his 1699. g Noftrils, to chink upon his Maker, as much as "w^S^^ Jjt ^n him Jieth both Night and Day ; 2. Who is the Fountain of all Mens Happi- nefs, and the Ocean of their Bhfs ; not only in this World, but in that which is to come ; even to all Eternity. 3. How fweet is that Meditat'^on, that is on the Sovereign Lord of {leaven, and on the Prince of ever-? lading Qlory ? B 4 4. No 24 Fruits of Divine Meditation at Sea] 1659. 4. No earthly Thing is to be compared with it; all the Glory, all the Pomp, and Vanity, of this fading, tranfitory World, is not comparable with it : Divine and inward Contemplation upon God, is no lefs than Heaven npqn Earth to the Soul. 5. jThis mine Eye bath feen ; for which I humbly bow before the great Lord of all ; whofe Goodnefs to Man cannot fully be fet forth, neither by the moil excellent Orator, nor with a ready Writer's Pen. 6. God delighteth in thofe that are intent in looking ynto Him ; and it is Man's Duty to look to him, over ^1] vifible Things. 7. How profitable, and greatly advantageous, it is to the Soul, to be inward with God. Oh! it is alto- gether; admirable, 8. The unfpeakable Treafures of Life, and of Wif- dom, are to be found in inward Meditation, and holy Contemplation, on God, 9. When a Man, in this Sort, is delighting him- felf with his Maker, and advifing with Him, he c^n want no good Thing. In Days of old God was, now is, and ever will be, found by Man, in this in- ward Concern of the Soul. 10. A Man in this State, will always curb high Thoughts of Self, as being in the Prefence of the Al- mighty ; for then he is truly fenfibk of .his Prefence : Who is it that will vaunt, or carry himfelf loftily, when God is prefent, and he confiders it. 11. Indeed the Prefence of the Almighty k every where, but many have lofl the Senfe thereof, for want of inward Thoughts on God, and fludious Contem- plation on the King of Heaven, whofe Sovereignty is fweet over the W'orks of his Hands. 12. He is full of Grace, and full of Truth, full of Mercy, and full of Juflice : His Law is Light, and His Commands are as burning Lamps ; in a Word, he is full of heavenly Majefly, and Divine Power, fo that :;o Characters cm fct forth thef ulnefs of God. iq. Oh? Fruits of Divine Meditation at Sea. 25 13. Oh! that Man were rightly fcnfible of thefe 1699. Things, it would caiife him, with an humble Heart, ^^^"^/-M to implore the Majeily of Heaven for his Favour, and petition him for the Aid and Afliftance of his Grace, to do his holy and heavenly Will. 14. Man would then fee his own Weaknefs and Po- verty, and how unable he is to do, or work, any- good Thing of himfelf, without the Help of ^he Holy- Spirit. 15. Which Gift, God through Chrift, giveth to that Soul which is inward in its Thoughts upon God ; Vhofe Wifdbm and Power is pad finding out, unlefs in this Frame of Mind the Lord reveals it. 16. But worldly Thoughts, and vain Cogitations, hinder the Mind from being with God, the Fountain of all Good, 17. Evil Works or Words, alfo ftupify the Mind, and deaden the moft noble Part of Man,' fo that (lavifli Tear, inftead of that Fear which is mixM with trup Love and Honour, is begotten in the Heart. "'*■ 18. All Things of any evil Tendency eritertain'd in the Soul, are an Obftrud:ion to its Duty to God. 19. Who would but lay up Treafure in Heaven, that the Heart might alfo be there? And what Trea- fure like that in Heaven, or what Place fo fit to lay it in as this is? 20. If a Man did but, with confiderate Thoughts, weigh in his Mind the Shortnefs and Uncertainty of Time in this Life,and the boundlefs Ocean of Eternity; with a Life of Blifs and Glory, or elfe of Woe and Mifery, that will never end. 2 1 . Without his Heart be harder than a flinty Rock, it would lead him ir.to Tendernefs, ferious Thoughts on the Name of God, and into Humiliation. 22. Chrift Jefus, the Anointed of God, was found greatly in Humiliation -, even he who faid. Learn of hiey and follow iney whoammeeky and low in' Heart. God 26'^ Fruits of Divine Meditation at Sea. 1699. God calls for Humility of all Men. He beholds \M^ \yyr>^ Proud, and Scornful afar off, 3p 23. Every proud and exalted Thought God will bring to Judgment, and likewife fuch Words ami A(5tions. d 24. And, indeed, the Thing aifted, or done, muft firft be conceived, or thought, before it be brought forth ; for oul of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth fpeaketh^ and the Man afleth. 25. Therefore to have the Thoughts of the Heart on God, and to contemplate on Heaven, and heavenlfj Things, is truly excellent. 26. And although this incumbent Duty of Man isfo averfe to him, in hisnaturn! State ; yet it is moftcafy, fweer, and plcafant, to the Soul, when the Mind is bcntafcer, and fet on, heavenly Things. j 2r. And that which is flill more admirable is, thajC God is the alone Comfort, Joy, Helper, Leader, and Conducler, of fuch a Soul. 28. But, Oh ! the Thoughts of Man are too rr uch taken up with earthly and perifhing Things, bJ^tg concent with the Shadow, or Shell, of Divine Go , = tempiation, Righteoufnefs, and tru^: Religion ; io that too few are earneftly feeking the Subllance thereof. 29. That the noble Creature Man, which God hath made but a little lower than the Angels, and given him Power over thofe Creatures that are more ignoble than himfelf, fhould fo degenerate from his Maker, as to fix his Thoughts on terreflrial Things, is admirable to Heaven- born Souls, whofe God is the Lord. 30. Which Way can the Soul look, or turn itfelf* but that it mufb needs fee the Glory of the God of Heaven, unlefs the God of this World hath blinded the Eye of the Mind. 31. Look upwards, and we^ may behold the Brightnefs of his Glory in the Firman^enr, and the Work«> Fruits of Divine Meditation dt Sea\ ay Workmanfhip of his Hands in the Sun, Moon, and 1699. Stars: v^^'VM 32. Or, if we look on the Earth, or in the Sea, we may fee his great Wonders ; and if, in Sincerity, we behold the heavenly Works of his Hands, with an Eye of Faith, Oh ! how can it do any lefs but draw deep Coniiderations of the Omnipotence of God. 33. Thus, beholding the Works of God, and look- ing on his Works of old, and the noble Adts which he hath done in former Times, will raife holy Defires to be with him, and to be in his Prefence, when Time to JUS, in this World, fhall be no more. 34. It will alfo beget a loving Fear of the Lord in ihe Soul, left that it fhould offend him: 35. Such a Soul will be inwardly concern'd before the Lord, and will feek him with unwearied Travel Qi Spirit. I 36. After this Manner will that Soul cry to God^ in the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication, that is travel- ling towards the City, whofe Builder, and Maker, is God ; 37. Lord, I am poor, do thou make me rich; I am needy, O ! ftrengthen me, even me, O my hea- venly Father ! for I am the leaft of many : O, my Saviour, have M^^rcy upon me I 38. Thou feeft my Weaknefs, and knoweft my Want, and how unable I am, of myfelf, to do thy Wijj ; give me Grace, or elfe I die ; fave me by the Powrr, and by the Spirit of thy Son, or elfe 1 perifh for ever. 39. Lord, I believe ; my Faith is in thee, and in the Power of thine Anointed^ help mine Unbelief, for Jefus's Sake, I humbly pray thee, O thou great Creator of the Children of Men ! 40. O! Great, Eternal God, thou knoweft my fecret Defires, and the private Devotion of my Pearc. 41. Mr 28 Fruits of Divine Meditation at Sea\ i6()g, 41. My Sighing and Tears are after thee, O thou ■.VV%> Beloved of my Sou] ! 42. All the Profit and Pleafure that is in this World is Nothing, and lefs than Nothing, in Comparifon of thee, and the Enjoynnent of thy Prcfence, O thou Lord of Life and Glory. 43. Thou Great Creator of all Things from whoni all Things have their Being, fend forth the Spirit of thy Son into my Heart, whereby, with Acceptance, I may cry, Jbba Father, 44. O ! Holy Father, let me feel thy Power, that I may be able to make War in thy Righteoufnefs, * agiinft the Enemy of my poor Soul. 45. Great, Eternal God, give me Wifdom to walk uprightly before thee, and before the Children of M:n : O that my Soul may feek after it for ever I 46. With which, O Lord, fill my earthen VelTef, for Jefus's Sake, that I may be gentle, and eafy to be entreated to do thy Will, fo that I may never rebel againftthee. 47. Lord, do not tarry long from me ; for if thou hides thy Face, I am troubled ; or when the Curtain is drawn between me and my Maker, then my Spirit within me languifheth. 48. Therefore, O Lord, arife, and the Thoughts that are at Enmity with thee, (hall be fcattered from my Soul. 49. Then fhall my Soul be a fit Receptacle for thee, and a Temple thou doff delight to dwell in, O Living God! 50. And, Holy Father, as thou haft begotten thofe Thoughts and Defires in my Soul, fo do for many more of the Sons and Daughters of Men. 51. Such a Soul, whofe Thoughts and Meditations are on this wife. Almighty God never did, and never will rejedf, or call off. 52. Heaven and Earth may pafs away, but the Mercy and Goodnefs of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth fruits of Divine Meditation at Sea. ^q Earth will not pafs away from thofe that are thus in- 1690, wardly exercifed before him. v^'V'v^ :•' 53. The holy Men of God, and the Faithful in Ages pad, bore Teftimony to thefe Truths. 54. And there is that of God, in the Souls of the faithful, that can fay Amen to the fame. r-^-r^^, I will never leave tbee, nor forfake thee, hith the Almighty, to, and concerning, thofe who love him truly. 56, Fear not. Worm J zcoby for I will he with thee^ faith the Lord, if thou goefi through the Fire, it fhall not kitidle upon thee ; and if thou goefi through the Water ^ it fhall not overwhelm thee. A N H ( 30 ) io JU3 1 ':ort AN EXHO RTATION T O r 0 u T H, And Others, to follow: BEING Part of a LETTER from 7: C to a Friend in Dublin. ^yoy. T ^^ the Young Man and Maiden, diligently ^^^^-^rO I r^ad the holy Scriptures ; and whenever fl J they come to a PafTage that affeds them, let them not only turn down that Leaf, but .1 vv let them be fure that it hath Place in their Hearts: '-^*^'- And when they read of a good Man, or Woman, then let them earneftly pray, and fervently cry to the Lord, the great God, and holy Father of our dea- Lord J'^fus Chrift, and God of all the Righte- ous in all Ages, that he would pleafe to make them lUvC to thofe his dear Children and. Servants. Oh f that z\\ young People might not forget this great lxo«. Command oi God, Honour Iby Parents^ that thy •*o, 12, Days m,iy be lo72g vpon the Land ivhich the Lord thy Goa givsth thee. How many llubborn Youths hath the An Exhortation /(? Youth. 31 the Lord cut oflP in their Prime, and in the Flower of 1707. their Days: And, on the other hand, how hath the w^Vs/ Great Almighty blelTed, profpered, preferved and honoured, thofe that have been obedient to their Pa? rents, and honoured thefr Parents and Elders ? And let the young Men and Maidens note this, That none truly honours their Parents and Elders, but thofe who are Pious and Virtuous; fuch were Jofeph, Samuel^ David^ and Solomon ; as alfo King Jofiah^ who began to reign at eight Years old. God Almighty gives many a good Senfe of his Grace at that Age, and thereabouts; heordaineth Praife many times out ot the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings. Let the Youth endeavour to follow thofe good and great Men ; and for their Inftrudion, I fhall give a Touch of the above five Worthies. Firft^ In particular, beginning with Jofetb. HisFa-C^«. 37<» ther fent him to his Brerhren ; he went willingly, (tho* his Brethren hated him ; ) and when it was in ffef^ 44, his Power to hurt them, he rendered them Good for ^' their Evil ; a good Example for both Young and ^^' ^ Old. And when tempted to Sin by his Miftrcfs in c*. 39. Egypt^ he faid, How can I do this great F/ickednefs^ and^- fin again f^ God? Who highly favoured him for his Piety, Virtue and Chaftity. Secondly^ Samuel^ for whom his Mother prayed ear- j^^«,,,. neftly to the Lord ; and when he had given him to ^°* her, fhe gave him to God again: A good Pattern a^/>. 3, for all Mothers. When he was but a little Lad, the^i ^»^^- Almighty called him, and he thought he had been i^Eli, up Ke gets, and faid, Thou calledft ms? No^ „5 faid the Old Man, I did not eallthee^ lie dozvn again, fiiHe did not grumble, as many of our/Youths do : I ^iThe Lord called again; he willingly runs to Eli i ^^he.did not Love his Bed fo much as Obedience, and ^^^^feid, ThQU didji call fne, Eli oblerving that God ^1 jiad fpoke to the Child, faid to him, when he calleth jH^gaifj^ lay 3 Sp(ak, Lord, for i by Servant hcareib.. Let ijld 3^ An Exhortation foYourii', 1707. old Ones mind this, and encourage their Youth to iyy\) anfwer the Call of God betimes : So God calls again, and he anfwers : Speak^ Lordy for thy Servant heareth. The Lord by his Grace calls to little Ones, many- times in the midft of their Play, arid fometimes irt their Beds ; Oh ! that our Youth may do and fay as little Samuel ; that they may grow as he did, and be in Favour with God and Man- Wirdly^ Davidy his Father's youngefl; Son, kept his Sheep, and in that innocent Employ the Lord was with him, to Admiration ; his Father fent him to his Brethren . But Eliab, his eldeft Brother, frowned upon him, and reviled him ; he only made this foft Reply, Is there not a Caufe ? He overcame the great Philiftine, in the Name of the God of Ifrael ; and Gpd highly exalted him for his Uprightnefs, Sinceri-: ty and Piety, which was very great : For notwich- ftanding Saul would have kill'd him ; yet v/hen David had him in his Power, he fpared him, infomuch that Saul wept, and faid. If a Man find his Enemy^ 'will he let him go ? And there was loving Greetings between them : So he overcame the Evil of Saurs Heart, by the Good that was ixi his ; according to thofe holy Ex- preflions of the Apoftie Pauly Rom. xii. 21. Beno^ overcome of Evil^ hut overcome Evil with Good. Words worthy to be writ in Letters of Goldjand more worthy to be obferved and pradifed. Fourthly y Solomon, who allied of God Wifdom, be- ing in his own Eyes but as a little Child, faid unto 1 Kit^£i 3. the Lord, Give unto thy Servant an underfl ending ^' ^' Heart ; Which Requeft God granted him, and gave him alfo Riches and Honour. Oh ! fee the Benefit of pleafingGod, young Men and young Women. Fifthly, Jofiahy a young Prince, and King : How zealous was he for God's Service and Worlhip : 1 KhiPi What a wonderful Reformation he made in the Land, 82. I, 2, and how was he lamented at his Death, as generally ■>, 5CC. g.4 An Exhof'fation ioY outu, 33 all good zealous Men and Wonien are, either Old or 1707. Young. ^-^;^-^ Having touched a liLtle of the young Men, let me ^^^ ''^^'' juft a little remember the young Women alfo : As for Example^i^i/zi? and Ahigailitwo difcreet y oungWomen ; the firit very loving, kind, and true to Naomi, her Mother-in-law; a good Pattern for all Daughters-in-law : Entreat me not^ faid {hQ^ to leave thee \ for where thou goeft^ I will go ; and where lodgeft^ I will lodge \ and where thou diefty there will I be buried j ^h'j People jhall he my People^ and thy God my God. The Lord abundant- fj'^^^Jf ly rewarded her for this godly Refolution. Boaz had a Senfe of her Virtue and Piety, and faid. All the City of of my People doth know^ that thou art a virtuous Woman. ^^^P- ^* Which doubtlefs was a ftrong Motive for him to love her •, and that Love commonly lafls till Death : Whereas where Money is a Motive^ it ofcens happens that many Evils attend, Alfo v/ife Abigail^ her ingenious Speech to David, i -^-j;??, and Contrivance to hinder him from fhedding Blood ; 24, "2* v/hich he was coming to do (thinking he had Caufc*. ^<^* but prevented by her Wifdom : Which, to be iure, was a great Motive to him to love her, after NabaPs Death, and to take her to Wife. She was no proud Woman : For, faid fhe, let thy Handmaid ferye to wafh the Feet of the Servants of my Lord, Mu<:ri might be faid, but I defign Brevity. As there aremany good Examples in Holy Scripture, "whereby young People might be ftirred up ro Virtue ; fo alfo there are Examples of the Judgements of God on difobedient, impious, vain and ungodly Men and ^^^ Women, even Young and Old. Oh! let our Youth jj^^.i©. I I. &c confider (I befeech them) wicked, difobedient Ahfa- lo7n^ and poor Dinah ; alfo the Prince and the Mo-Nnmh'^^ abitifd Damfd, v/hom zealous Phineas flew -, for God ^^ ^- was angry, and is angry with the Wicked every Day. The before mentioned good Men and Women were in the Time of the Lav/ j and let me add to then^, C . the 3+ Afi Exhortation to Youth, 1707. the Holy Parttern and good Example of our great Lord and blefTed Mailer, who loved Right eoufnefs^ and hated IVickednefs^ therefore he was highly exalted^ and anointed with the Oil of Gladnefs above his Fellows : He had the Heathen given him for his Inheritance^ and the utmojl Parts of the Earth for his PoffeJJion : And^ what is more, all Power in Heaven and Earth, Oh, Dear young Men and Maidens ! He is our great Pattern, whom we are (and ought) to take for our Example % walking in all Humility and Reve- rence : He (faith Chrill) that will he m-j Bifciple (that is, his Scholar) rmtft take up his Crofs^ deny hifji- fdf^ and follow me. Oh blefled Pattern ! Oh glorious Example! let us follow him whilft we have Breath in this World ; it was always well for them that follow- ed him. What think ye. Oh young Men and Mai- dens I had it not been well for that Rich young Man, 1!^* that he had left all, and followed dear Jefus : Be ye your own Judges ^ look on your Pattern (f. e, Chrifl Jefus) when he was but twelve years old ; fee what he was doing ; forget not that Saying which his Mo- 2: ther laid up in her Heart, Wifi ye not that I tnufi he '' about my Father's Bufinejs ? Oh, dear Youths ! it is good Bufinefs, 1 can lay through fome good Expe- rience ; let me tell you for your Edification, I have ferved myMafter, Holy Jefiis^ and followed him fe- veral Years according to the bef^ of my Underfland- ing, and I have always found him a good Mailer ; his Service is fweet, and his Work is delightful. I have a great deal more to fay for my Lord and Ma- jo!" fter, but my Dcfign is Brevity : His Take is eafj^ and his Burthen is light. He hath faid it, and I have expe- '• J. ricnced it. Wherefore I am the more free to invite you to follow him, and be his Scholars. An Emi- nent Servant and Scholar of his faid. Be ye Follozvers of me, even as I alfo am of Chrifl, The Apoille Paul exhorts 'Timothy^ a young Scholar, and his Son, in the Faith, to be a good Example to others ; as alfo his Son 'An Exhortation foYovm^ 3 ^ Son Tilus. We are alfo told of four young Women, 1707. who were PropbetefTeSj and divers others j a more *wOr^ particular Account of whofe examplary Lives ^^y* j^"- and Adlions are recorded in holy Scripture for our j. Learning ; untd whichj with the Grace of God in the Heart, I recommend all young Men and Women, and conclude thefefmall Tokens of my very dear Love in Chrifl, our Holy Lord and Mafter, deliring the above may be as fo many Patterns for them to fol- low. 9- r C 2 ( 36; Loving In V I TAT 1 o M T O T 0 U N G and 0 L B, In Holland, and Elfewhere, To Seek and Love Almighty God, and to Prepare in Time for their Eternal Wel- fare. ^eek ye the Lord while he may he founds and call ye upon him while he is near^ I fa. \v, 6. To the R E A D E R, HAv'wg from 7ny Childhood hc'^n a Lover of ths Dutch, and that Love being increafed by traveU hn^ f;2 Holland and Germany, it came weightily on ?ny Mind to invite and perfwade this People (with others, into i::hoh Hani^s this ?nay C9me^ and efpecially the Touth) % the R EA D E R. 37 To love, ferve and fear, the LORD, the ALMIGH- TY, the Great JEHOVAH, and that they firO: feek the Kingdom of God, and his Righteoufnefs, a$ Chrift exhorts or commands^ Matt. vi. 33. Thofe ponde- rous and extraordinary Expreflions, with the large Pro- mife thereto annexed^ are well worth the due Notice^ and zveigky Conft deration, of all^ both Tenth and Aged ; hut feem to he very apt to the State and Condition of ihofe that are jufl entering into the Bufinefs, and Jffairs of thi World, Oh I that the Touth had hut Faith in the hlef- fed Lord JESUS, and owned his pure Bo^rine, now in their tender 2^ear^ -, and in ihePrime of their Days, that they would rerBember their Creator in the Days of their Youth, before the Evil Days come : Oh I that ^^cL 12* in their hloffofning and blooming Spring-time, they might be like to lovely Branches, and growing 'Trees of Righteouf- nefs, bearing much Fruit, much good Fruit of Piety and Virtue : In which, failh our holy Lord J ejus Chrift, is your Heavenly Father glorified. This is the real and hearty Defire of my Soul, for the Touth of this and all Generations, Male and Female, yea, both I'aiing and Oldy in all Nations throughout the World : 'The univerfal Love of G O D flows and overflozvs in my Soul, like a living Stream, at this Time, as alfo at many others, to all my Fellow-mortals : Oh the great Love of God in Chrift Jefus, our great,, holy^ and good Father^ Lord^ and Mafter, is wonderful to Mortals ! i^ofe Divine Love is abu7idantly, and alfo iiniverfally^ floed abroad to all ^ Nations, through his Eternal Spirit and Grace in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men^ in order to draw, lead, and guide Men and Women from Earth to Heaven^ Thus being dcfircus (according to my Meafure) to promote Truth and Righteoufnefs in the Earth -, aljo be- ing fenfible of the Love, Mercy ^ and Gocdnefs of Godwin my very young and tender Tears -, lam willing^ for the Se^e of well-inclined young Men and Women ^ to fend forth *" C 3 i^^^o 38 Vo the R E A D E R, into the World this Loving Invitation : And am defirous for the Love 1 hear to the People of the Dutch Nationy ihat^ this might he tranflated into the Dutch Language ; hoping it may he heneficial to fome well-inclined Souls^ in order to flirthem up to feek^ ferve^ and love Almighty God, Amen, So wifheth, and heartily prayeth, a Friend to, and Lover of all Mankind. T. C (39) Loving Invitation T O T 0 U N G and 0 L D, I N Holland, and Elfewhere^ Iffc. IT is a Thing truly excellent for Mortals to love, 1709^ ferve, and fear him that made them, and gave v>J without laying of ic before Men and Women. Now, that we may fo do, confider, Truth com- mands us, Reafon perfuades us, and Example is very powerful and inviting. Oh ! that the Children of Men, would be wife to Salvation, and embrace the Love of God in his dear and well-beloved Son, our Lord jfihi 14. jefus Chrift, who himfdf faid, / am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Oh! furely here is a Three-fold Cord, ( i. e. Truih, Reafon and Example) which is not eafily broken : God Almighty grant (for Chrift's Sake^ that by it fome poor Soul might be drawn to him, even now in their tender Years: To Day, to Day, if any will hear the f^oice of the Lord^ Oh I Let them not harden their Hearts *, for that is provoking to him that made us. How know we whether he, who mad.e the. Heavens, will be pleafed to give us another Ht)ur? How know we, but that after this Day we may never open our Eyes, till we open them in Eternicy I Oh Eternity, Eternity, that boundlefs Ocean ! who can fathom thofe Words, for Ever and Ever? What will this World, and all its Glories and Vanities fignify, or avail to poor Souls, when rowling from Side to Side on a Dying-bed. It will therefore be well for both Old and Young to note this : Firft, The Old, becaufe it is not likely they fhould have many Days, according to the Courfe of Nature, and a common Proverb, i. e. The I'bung (may live, and they) may die^ but the Old muft die. Secondly, The Young, becaufe they know not but they may d\it To-morrow. In the great and notable Day of the moft High, Oh! then, then, heavenly Things will be found ferious andfolid Truths, and not Toys and TriPies, nor in- K difi-ereot Things ; when He fhall come as in Flames of Fire, to render Vengeance (which is only his) upon all the Workers of hiqult'^, and JhcJ^ come to judge the Secrets A Loving Invitation to Tou?ig and Old. 41 Secrets of Merits Hearts hy that great Man^ and juft 1709; Jucl^e, the Lord Jefiis Chrift. ^ ^^V^ Wherefore, Jec me prevail with fome poor Souls, now in time, to lay the Truth to Heart, and to be found in the Work ot God in their Day. That fo for their Pains here, they may receive their Penny hereafter; and that enlivening, that quickening Anfwer of IVell-do'ing^ may be their Portion, and the Lot (the Matt. 95 glorious Lot) of their Inheritance : Come ye Uejfed\ ^I', ^^* WeU done., good and fatthftd Servant : . Enter thou into the Joy of thj Lord, Oh powerful Voice, and Heart- ( ravifhing Sentence! Enough to make one alive, though dead; and exceeding joyful, though forrow- fuleven to Death. Oh ! this divine Favour and Grace, wherewith the moft High will favour thofe that love him, and faithfully ferve him, in this his great and notable Day, will far exceed the Favour of Kings and Princes : For thofe that get the latter, can only be happy (or fo accounted) in this World, which is but momentary •, and thofe viho are living and fenfible Witneffes of the former, are certainly happy, even in this World (although Men may not fee it) and like- wife evLTlaftingly happy in that World which is to come. To be fenfible of God's Grace in the Heart, and to follow the holy Teachings of it, is preferable to all Things here below, it will make one more Wife and more Comely, than all outward Learning, Beauty, or Parts whatever. God Almighty grant, I befeech him, that all our young Men, our rich Men, our wife Men, may only glory in him, according to the Language of the Spirit in the holy Scriptures, Let not the '^oung or flrong Man glory in his Toutb or Strength^ nor the rich Man in his Riches., nor the wife Man in his IVifdom : But he that glories., let hi?n glory in the Lord^ or in this, ^hat he knows the Lord. Let the Wits of the Age confider this well -, let the Boafter and Difputer rightly note this, and he'll have Caufe to bow before Heaven's Majefliy : What becomes of the young Ahtt. xix "16^ 17 42 A Loving Invitation to Toujig and Old. 1709. young Man and young Woman's Strength, and love- ly Beauty, when their Pleads are laid in their cold Grave ? What will become of, or of what Service will the Riches of the rich Man be to him, when he fhall receive his Summons to his long Home? May he not then fay, Oh ! that I had been as induftri- ous to get Heaven, and Peace with my Maker, as I have been to get this World. Let all Worldly-mind- ed Men and Women remember the wonderful Expo- flulation of Cbrift Jefus with the rich young Man. &c. " This is not to hinder any in their outward Concerns : For the Heart of a Man may be in Heaven, tho' his Hands may be in his Employment. And as to the wife Man : Pray what will become of his great Wit, his acquired Parts, his nice and far- fetched Arguments and Criticifms, when pale-fac'd Death Ihall look hjm in the Face, and ftrike him with his fharp Arrows ? Then he'll find that it had been much better for him, that he had lived well, altho' he had nottalkedCo much, or fo well : To talk well is good; but to live well is much better. To talk finely^ and live badly, is of little Worth. Oh ! that the great Mafler-workman of all, may drive home this Nail, in the Heart of him whofe Eye fhall look thereon, by his mighty Hammer, the Hammer of his Word, his Heart-breaking, Heart-melting, and Heart-piercing Word ; according to the Dodrine of the holy Spirit 7'*'- 23« in the holy Scriptures, Is not my Word as a Fire ? ^' Is not my Word as a Hammer ? Is not ; ly Word as /? Sword F (i. e,) to burn, to break, to cut down all 9tut 30. Manner of Sin : Not to deftroy Man, but Sin in Man. 4. ' * Hear farther the Language of the holy Spirit ', Say not ;!i/c? *^ ^^^^^ Hearty who Jhall afcend up into Heaven^ to fetch it down from above? Or who fhall go down into the Deepy or beyond the Seas^ to fetch it from thence ? But what faith it ? The Word is nigh thee^ in thy Heart, and in thy Mouthy that thou mayfl do it. This was, and is, and ever will be, the Doftrine of the Gofpel: A Loving Invitation to Toung and Old. 43 ' Gofpel : From which People may perceive, that Chrifl 1709. Jefus is near to them ; near to Save, near to Deliver, iy\^^ near to Redeem. The great Jehovah, the bleflcd Jefus, the holy divine Spirit, is not only a God afar off, but alfo a God near at hand, and a prefent and fure Help in the needful Time. Oh ! bleffed be his p^-4^« Name, for ever and ever. Now I appeal to the Confciences of all Men, whe- ther they have not, or do not fenfibly witnefs, fome- thing (of a contrary Nature to Sin and Unrighteouf- nefs) to reprove them, and convince them of the Evil of their Ways, and Doings, perhaps fometimes in the midft of their Vanity, in the Song, in the Dance, or in the Game ; or fometimes after a De- bauch, or for their Pride, either in Mind or in Ap- parel, for Over-reaching, or Covetoufnefs : All which (with all Manner of Evils) are of the Devil. And the King of Heaven is lifting up his holy and righte- ous Spirit as a Standard againft it, and againft him, who is the Author of it. Qh ! let this his convincing Grace take place in thy Heart, O mortal Man ! For know of a Truth, it is the very Grace of God to thy Soul ; for infallible Proof of which (befides the Expe- rience of the Faithfulj take thefe two Texts of holy Scripture, (the Dodrine of which will (land for ever, notwithftanding all the Oppofition of Men) i. e. / '•juill J^^'"" H- fra'^ to the Father^(d.ys CWiik.and he will give you another joj.^ 16, Comforter ^even the Sprit ofTruth^that he may abide with ^\ you for ever \ and when he is come ^ he Jhall convince the i\' World of Sin, Again, l^he Grace of God which brings Sal- vation, hath appeared unto all Men, teaching us y thai, de- nying Vngodlinefs and worldly Lufts we\fhould live fob erly^ righteoufly and godly, in this prefent World. Why fliould the Almighty fhew to Men the Evil of their Ways? Why don't he let them run on in their Vanities, without Controul ? (Oh ye Children of Men! ) It is his meer Grace,andhis meer Mercy to the precious,dear- bought, and never-dying Squls of poor mortal Mankind : for he 44 -^ Loving Invitation to Toung and Old. ^709. he would have none to perifh \ if any perifh, their Deftrudlion is of themfeJves, but their Help is of the Lord. Oh ! that People would be entreated and per- faaded, through loving Invitation, to follow the Lord fully, and do his Work faithfully. Now \tt me return a little ro^ and let my Pen drop fomewhat concerning that Three-fold C/?rJabove-menti- oned. I again humbly bpg of the Lord, the great -God, and Father of Spirits, and of our dear Lord Jefus, that this may be inflruniental, in his Hand, to draw fomepoorfeeking, travelling Soul, from Earth towards Heaven; the which, if it doth, let the Praifts alone be given to God, through his well beloved Son. Firft then : As to T7'utb •, I would hope few in this Generation, who profefs Chriftianity, need to fay, IVhat is Truth ? God iMmighty, Chriil Jefus, the Holy Spirit, is that infinite, Divine Truth, which wjji endure for ever: And he hath (aid, T^hoii Jhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Hearty with all thf Mind and Strength, ' And indeed, he is an Objeft that is thereof richly worthy ; and this is his Law which is to en- dure for ever ; and he which doth and teacheth it, is to M^n. 5. iQ be called Great in the Kingdo7n of God ; and that it might not be forgotten, he wrote it in ftony Tables: Which Law, JacoVs Seed broke and tranfgreiTed. Wherefore, thus faith the Lord, who fpoke it by the Prophet, / will 'put my Law in their inward Parts, and write it in their Hearts: Oh! there 'tis written in large Characters, very plain and legible, and eafy to be read of Mankind. And whereas Mofes, the Man of God, vv^asan Inflrument to promote the holy Law outwardly, written on Tables of Stone, among the Children of Ifrael -, fo Chrift Jefus, in this Gofpel- day, is promoting and proclaiming the Power of this Law, inwardly engraven in Mens Hearts by God's Fin- ger, throughout the whole World : This great Law of Love (in which all the Law and the Prophets is con- tained) Chriil not only lived in it, and declared it to Mortals ^. 33' Mnt, Dfut. 'A Loving Invitation to Young. dnd Old. 45^ Mortals, but healfodied in it, and for it, and for us 1709, alfo, and fealed his holy, glorious Ti?/2i;;2r^, fuch Miniftcr : He runs too fall there, without he is popilhly inclined, to perfecute every Body into his Perfwafion, which has been too much the Pradice of fome of the N, E. Magiftrates and Minifters. I may not here forget, though I forgive, the Salutation of a certain Perfon, when I firft entered the Streets of their Metropolis of N. E, <' Oh (fays he) what a «« Pity it was that they did not hang all the ^aken jl^^^-jwhen they hanged the other four." Remarkable ^ was the Anfwer that one of his Neighbours made him, *V I wonder you are not afhamed to fay fo -, for you 4f^ know that the Judgments of God have been on our *' Country ever fince." I mention this as a Caution 10 the N. E, Minifters, thart they would teach their Peo- ple more Manners to their Neighbours, and to Stran- gers ; and to let them know, that fometimes the above- named People cannot be quiet in their folemn Meetings, for the Worfhip of Almighty God, in their chief Town of Bofton ; ^ which, as I underftand, is very much owing to Lies and Reproaches which the People have from their Priefts and Pulpits. All which is a Shame to moderate Chriftians •, fome of which, of all Per- fwafions, I hope there are in the Country and Terri- tories of New England. For firft, fays he, " None were exempted of old «« from paying of Tithes for the Maintenance of the ^*< Miniftry. i^-By his Leave, he is miftaken, for thole that did not join with them in Circumciflon were exempted. *^ 2dly, Bvery Hearer ought to pay proportionable *^ towards the Maintenance of the Preacher, GaL vi.6. ** And every Inhabitant ought to be a Hearer [what ^■^ againft their Confcience r] for it is Sin to forfake the . f * AfTcmblingthemfe Ives together, H^l;. x. 25. And 1. f^y one Sin can never excufe another.'' 64 Forcing a Maintenance not Warra7itable\ iyi3» Anf, If I fhould aflc him, he being z Prejhy tenant ^^y^"^ whether it be a Sin to forfake the Aflembhesof the Paptfts^ or Church of England^ Baptilfsj or Quaker s^ and come to theirs, 1 prefume he would fay ho : Then to what a Nonplus he has brought himfelf and Brethren, efpecially in Old England, for iorfaking the Church and letting up Meetings of their own : Truly he has made them all Sinners in fo doing ; I do not know how his Brethren in N. E, will refent it ; but I dare fay his Brethren in O. E. will give him no Thanks for his unlucky Turn •, how he will excuFc himfelf in this Sin of Ignorance I know not. Would not this have been a topping Writer for the Papijis when they burned the Proteftants for not coming to Church ? 3dly. In Page 2d, he fays, ' The Apoflle direds « in Ads of Charity, that everyone contribute in Pro- * portion as God had profper'd him. i Cor, xvi. 2. ^ And that there fhould be Equality, every one bearing ' their equal Proportion of fuch a Burthen, 2 Cor. viii. * 13, 14. 'He goes on, ' Much more ought there to * be a Proportion or Equality obferv^d in the Mainte-* ' nance of the Miniftry, which is a Matter of commu- * nicative Juflice j fo it was under the Law, and fo ic * fhould be under the Gofpel.' Anf, Notwithftandino; thefe Priefls will brin^ thofe Texts of Holy Scripture, that tend to promote Charity to the Poor, and many Inflances out of ancient Au- thors for flirring up Charity to the Poor ; yet they will nor, when it comes to their Cafe, allow it to be as Charity, but a Debt ; as faith our Author in his firfl Page : And J. Mather^ in a little Book fet forth to promote the Maintenance of their Minifters, in which I obferve he tells them, ' If they will fland to the old ' Law of thej^wj, they mufl have but a Tenth of the * Tenth •,* which I fuppofe will not fatisfy thofe Men that have Hire for Preaching, and Money for Divi- ning : And therefore I think it their bcft Way to let the Forcing a Maintenance liot Warrantable^ 65 the y-^.ic;; old Law alone, and take to the new Law 171^. and Covenant of our Great Lord Jefus. 0^/"\> And further, if they will bring Inftances of Charity to the Poor, out of Scripture, and other Authors, Jet them be jiill, and always when they would make the Application of it to the Minitlry, to put honeftly the Word Foor before Miniftry ; 'viz. poor Pried, poor Minifter ; otherwife let them lee fall their Argument for Charity for the Poor (which no good Chriilian v/ill go about to difpute againft) and fee what their Argu- ments for J u ft ice in the Cafe will do for then-*. They fay it is a juft Debt, a Matter of communicative Ju- ftice •, but when People do not fee Caufe to commune with them, but quite the contrary, and buy none of their Ware or Merchandize, pray what Jutliceis there in this ? V>/hy truly none, but a great deal of Injuftice. 4thly, He fays, ' If any Man fail of doing his juft * Proportion, he'thereby expofes either the Minifter to * lofe fo much of his juft Due,' ('but he falls fhort of proving it a juft Due) ' or the other Inhabitants to ' pay more than their juft Proportion, and fo he is * guilty of manifeft Wrong and Injuftice.' N05 where the People are not confenting (and if they were confenting, the New-Teftament is filent to any fuch Way of miaintaining Gofpel Minifters) 10 this Pro- portion, but fee an Evil in it •, and there is no Force under the glorious Gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift, as I have abundantly and clearly (to thofe who are not blinded) proved above, even from the very Texts of Scripture which he brings and wrefts to prove the con- trary, of which let the Impartial judge. Thus he and they building their Srru6lure of Maintenance upon a bad Foundation, viz. Legal Force, it will fall to the Ground, if the Magift rates do "hot help j for whofe Help he calls very loud, and v/ell he may, confiderin^ lie and others of his Mind are ready ro faint and fall without it. But by v/hat hath be-n faid, I would cha- ritably hope, all moderate Chriilian M.igillrates v,'ili E ^ tuke 6S' Ponfi^ ^Maintenance not Warrantable. ' 17. take Care that the Preachers eat only the Grapes of "/-^ their own Vine, and the Milk of their own Flock, and keep fo far juft as to let other Folks Grapes and Milk alone. But if the Priefts and Magiftrates will join together in Perfecution, then will we poor Suffe- rers appeal from them to our great High Pried, and jufl: Judge of Heaven and Earth, and through his Grace patiently fuffer what he fhall pleafe to permit to come upon us. n 5thly, In his 3d Page, he fays, « The publick Mini- ' dry of the Gofpel in any Town is a publick Privilege, * and every Inhabitant is confider'd therein, and par- * takes in the Privilege : For the Preaching of the * Gofpel is the great Engine of Salvation, and Means * of Faith, Rom, i. 16. x. 17.* If he means that there is no other Preaching the Gofpel but from his Scd, we openly declare to the World, that we differ from him in our Judgment,and we believe upon good Grounds too. And what Gof- pel, or Glad Tidings, (which the Word imports) can that be to People to preach to them, I'hat a certam Number of them are eternall'j ordained for Damnation \ and for ought thefe knowing Men know, they may themfelves be fome of them ; for they cannot tell who thefe damned Ones are. I think it would be abundant- ly better if thofe prying Minifters would let the fecret Will of him that made them alone ; for that belongs to God, and not to Man, The revealed Truths belong to us^ and our Children. And to tell People they can never be free from the Ad: of Sin while in this World, is really miferable News, and dreadful Tidings indeed ; lince Sin is the Caufe of God*s Wrath and Damnation, and fince we cannot in Confciencejoin with fuch Anti-Gof- pel Minifters, they ought not in Conlcience to take our Money or Goods from us. Again he fays, ' Every one is invited to talie-of * the Water of Life freely,' Rev. xxvi* 17. :'.*.'i^ni'. But, Forcing a Malntename 7iot Warraiitabk 67 But, by their Leave, theirs is the Water of Death, 17 13 if we muft always fin even in our beft Duties, then he knows, that the Wages of Sin is Death -, and may noc any good Chriftians be truly thankful when they are delivered from fuch a finful Miniftry ? And what a Knock he gives himfelf in faying. We take of it freely^ and his Pages are writ on purpofe to make People be- lieve they ought to pay for it, and that they may force it from them too. So we may plainly fee, that their Waters, which proceed from them, in fuch bitter Screams, are the Waters of Death ; becaule we cannot have them freely, according to the Dodlrine of the Ho- ly Ghofl in the Holy Scripture, which he himfelf hath brought. Again, whereas he fays, ' Where there is no Vifion, * or Preaching the Gofpel, the People perifh,' Prov, xxix. 18. \ This is contrary to what they fay, when they teach that Vifion and Revelation is ceafed. fr He goes on, ' Being without God, without ChriH:, f \ without the Covenant, they are in a hbpelefs, periOi- * ing Condition.' If he would infer from thefe Words, that where there is no publick vocal Teaching the People. perifh, the Almighty has been kinder than this Minifter ; for he has gracioufly promifed, that he would teach his People himfelf : The Children of the Lord are taught of the Lordy &c. And thine Eyesfhall behold thy Teachers^ who cannot he removed into a Corner^Ua, xxx. 20. which cannot be meant of outward Preachers, for they are often removed into Corners -, but God, Chrifb, and 'the Holy Spirit, cannot. And Chrift promifed to 4end the Spirit of Truth, which fhould lead and guide Jnto all Truth (not into Sin.) Now to fay that fuch who have not outward vocal Preaching perifh, is ab- kfurd ; and he muft wantCharity, and then all his Ha- rangues in his Pulpit are but like founding Braf^. E 2 But 68 Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable. 1713. But now, fays he, ' Where theKingdom of God is ' preached, every Man is at Liberty, and hath an Op- * portnnity to be prefTing into it' {and I add^ without fafingfor it) Luke xv\. 16. ^ But where theKingdom ' of Satan is preached (which is Sin I'erm of Life) * the People have Liberty to fly from it.' Further he fays, ' If any refufe the Counfel of God againft ' themfelves, it is their own Fault.' Anf. If any do fo, ic is their own Fault indeed ; but to refufe the evil Counfel of a finful Minifter, is a Virtue, and no Fault at all. Again, * They have a Price put in their own Hand, ^ although being Fools, they have no Heart to im- * prove it.' We are v/illing to be counted Fools by fuch Wife- Jings ; but let him know, that Wifdom himfelf faid. He that will he wife^ fnujifirjl become a Fool. ' -' He proceeds, and fays, ' It v/asa Privilege to them * that were invited to the Marriage of the King's Son, * though they. made light of the Invitation, and would * not come,' Matt. xxii. Jnf Thofe that rightly come to the Marriage of the King's Son, theLambof Godthattakes away the Sins of the World, mull put off the Garment fpotted with the Flefh, left it be faid to them. Friend, bow camefi thou in hither^ not having on the Wedding Garment ? Let every true Chriftian fear, left he bring on himfelf that awful Sentence, Depart from me all ye that work Ini- quity^ I know you not ; notv/ithftanding they had eat and drank in his Prefence, and in his Name they had caft out Devils, and done many wondrous Works, and he had taught in their Streets j yet neverthclefs, becaufe they were found in the Adls of Sin, they muft depart from him. Now, fliys he, ' Every Inhabitant partaking in the ^ publick Privilege of a Gofpel Miniftry, Realon and * Juftice requires, that every one fhpuld bear a Part of * the Forcing a Mamtenence not Warrantable. 69 * the external Charge, in order to the Maintenance of 1713 * it.' yy\r^ Anf. But every Perfon not partaking of what he calls fo, and beh'eving that,as thefe erroneousPriefts preach it, to be a Bondage, and not a Privilege -, to force fuch to pay toOjis altogether unreafonable, and great Injuftice ; let ail fenfible Chriftians judge. 4thly, He fays, ' It is warrantable from Scripture, ' that fuch Inhabitants as refufe to pay any Thing to- * wards the Support of the Aliniftry, fhtaild have their ' juft Proportion taken from them by legal Dlftrefs.* Anf, We want him, or any of his Brethren, to (hew us that Warrant from Holy Scripture ; for he hath not done it yet : And were (hall we find that it is war- rantable from Scripture, and the Do(5lrine and Pradice of Chrifl: and his Apoftlcs ? For what he has produced from Holy Scripture, has fairly proved to the contrary; and as for his Legality^ that great Word, 'tis only whit others of his Spirit have pleaded in former Ages, Did not Nebuchadnezzar perfecute the Servants of God by a Law ?■.. Could not they fay they fufftred legally ? Did not the Jewshy concerning our Lord, IVe have a Law, and hy thai Law he ought to die ? Did not the People of Majfachufetts make a Law, and by it hang the poor innocent fakers ? Did not all thofe fay, that thofe fuffered legally ? And do not fome of theiY. E, Minifters juftify it in their Pulpits to this Day, though others there are(l believe) really forry for it ? 0/j, but (fay our modern Teachers, who have Mo- ney for it) we hope you will jwt compare us Chriftians to Jews and Heathens. Why not, if found in their Pradices ? For v;hen once People go to perfecuce others for their confcientious Dil- fent, it is moft certain they go from the Spirit of Chrifb, as may fairly be proved from Chrift's own Expreirions, and doubtlefs all Perfecucors are Antichrifts, notwitii- landing their fine Gikhng of it over with the Words Legal Diftrefs, and Profecution. E 3 la 70 Forcing a Mainfe?tance not Warrantable^ 1 715. -Irvhis fourth Page he begins thus, ^ For it is a juft * and legal Debt, as has already been proved * (to thofe that agree to it, and contract it, he ihould have added.) Anj, But unjuft and illegal 'to thofe that cannot for Confcience Sake confent to it, and therefore 'tis a Mi- flake in him to fay, * It has already been proved •,' for he hath not, nor can he prove it ('to force any by a coercive Power) to be confonant to the Holy Scrip- tures. In Page the 4th he fays, < God has given his Mi- * nifters a juft Right to fome Proportion of every * Man's Ettate, in the Place where they minifter/ What, Jeisos-, Heathens^ and all ? What, every Man whatfoever ? Where proves he that? For my Part, if I were a Minifter for Money, Ilhould think that what I got from other People aeainft their Wills, would never profper, but would be a Curfe to, and upon me, and tend to the Confumption of the reft of my Eftate, rather than augmenting of it : And I have heard fome moderate Minifters, who have Money for their Preaching, fay the fame. He goes on further, ^nd fays, ' And that Part of ^ each Man's Eftate, which God gives Minifters a * Right to by his juft and equal Law.' Anj, By his juft and equal Gofpel he forces none ; -* but leaves every ope to be fully perfwaded in their own Minds, And he muft needs fay, 'That the Gofpel Tower ex- ceeds the Power of any Law whatfoever. And the Gofpel is free,not forced, as he in vain would endeavour to prove from Holy Scripture.That muft be an unjuft Law that forces People to buy whether they will or no, and therefore none of God's Law or Way •, for all his Laws and Ways are equal. And he alfo fays in Page the 4th, ' They have as * much Power to challenge it as any other Debt or ♦ Wages.' Not Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantahle. 7 i « Not without People agree with them, and hire them. 1 7 i > (And though they do agree with them, I do not grant <-' 'vr-- f.that they have any Colour from the New-Teftament to make any fuch Law, even among themfelves ; it being ^^ inconfiftent with the Nature of the glorious Gofpel or ^Chrift.) Upon which a PaiTage comes into my Mind ^'„between an Indian and a N, E, Minifter, well known 750 Tome of their Teachers in New-England^ who (for ^' Preaching) took from a DifTenter from the Prejhyterian Way one of his Cows ; the Indian afked him why he did fo ? The Prieft anfwered, If I hired you to make a „^, Fence for me^ would you not expe^ ^our Usages ? Tes ("lays t\\Q Indian) but he no hire you\ and when me do Man^s IVork^ then Man pay me *, but when '^ou do God's .' fVork^ then God fay you. The poor Indian was in the right, for truly God*^ Pay is better than all the Silver and Gold in the World. O but^ fay they, how mufi we Live ? If they had Faith in God andChrill, they need not fear a Living in this World. But^ fay they, 'The People arefo hard-hearted^ that if there were not Law for it, the Minijlers might Jlarve, Th-'n their Doctrine muft ftarve the Peoples Souls, or elfe furely they would not let their Bodies ftarve : ^^That muft needs be a lifelefs, dull, dead Miniftry, that will not open Peoples Hearts, fo as to keep the Preachers from Starving -, but I think there is no Fear ot their Starving, for they generally live like Lords among the People. But let them remember withal, that they are not to lord it over the Heritage of God. ' It is, fays he, agreeable to the Do6lrine of Chrift ' and his Apoftles, that fuch as refufe to pay their jufr ' Debts, fhould be diftrained for the fame, by virtue ' of the civil Sword among Chriftians.' Rom, xWl Jnf He fhould firft prove the Debt to be juft, E 4 and 72 Forcing a Maitenance not Warrantable. yi^, and then this Text Vv-ould have been to his Purpofer.-^ 'For thole that contrad Debts, ought to pay them. -~' In P'dge the 5th, he talks of the Law and Light of Nature, and Realbn, and fays, ' It is the Law of^^- ' God written in the Heart,' Rom, ii. 15. He addsj.:>y * All the Laws of God do fweetly harmonize botb < one with another, and the Dodlrine of Chrift and his * Apollles •, there is no Manner of Jarr between any of ^ thefe.' j^nf. But there is a wonderful Jarr between the cor^ rupt Nature or Law of Man, and the divine Nature or Law of God •, he fhouid have diftinguifhed be- tween the corrupt Nature, Reafon and Law, and the Divine i for except he rightly divides between the Pre- cious and the Vile, he cannot be as the Mouth of God to the People. Now the corrupt and covetous Nature in thofe that feek their Gain from their Quarter, and preach for Hire, and divine for Money, fays, ' That ' thofe that cannot pay them' (tho' for Confcience fakej ' they mud be forced to it, whether they will * or no.' But the divine Nature of Chrift and his Apoftles fiys, Freely you have received, freely give. Matt, x. S, If their Gofpel is not free, they have not received it from Chriff; Alfo, if they have not received it freely, they may call it their own Gofpel, but it is not Ch rift's. And tho' Chrid's Minifters had Power to eat and drink, and to forbear working, yet, fays the divine Nature in the ApolUe, I have ufed none of thofe Things ; neither do I write, that it Jhotdd be fo done unto me, \ Cor. ix. 15. And that it is not Covetoufnefs, that divers fakers fo called, cannot pay the covetous Prieds, is man i fed •, for they take much more, and ibmetimes double and treble, as I could eafily bring many Inftances and living WitnefTes to prove what I afil'rt, from Virginia^ Maryland^ and abundantly ia Jsew England (wittiout going over to Great Britain) XVi which many Thoufands of Pounds have thofe legal MinidcTS Forcing a Maintenayiceno^ Warrantable, 7j ■ Minifters taken by Force, within thefe fifty Years, I7i3» Uom fuch as for Confcience Sake, could not put it in- l/^VNi to their own Mouths ; and then War has been pro- cJaimed again ft thpfe poor Sheep. WeL', let the Righ- teous judge, not the Self-Righteous (I do not mean them) but thofe which are cioathed upon, with the Righteoufnefs of the Lord Jefus Chrift, as he wrought it outwardly for them, and alfo as he works it by his Holy Spirit, in their Hearts. Next to his 3dly, Touching Government and Ma- giftrates, which the People called fakers ever owned and honoured in their Way, though they could not cringe, fcrape and bow, after the common Mode of the finful Times, nor give Titles to them in Flattery : But we reckon that thofe Magiftrates that are a Ter- ror to Hypocrites and Evil-doers, ought to have a hearty inward Refpe6l and Honour fhov/n them generoufly in A6lion and courteous ExprefTion, and not in a Parcel of Idle Complimemts. Such Magi- ftrates as the above, were never a Terror unto us, but we have blefled God on their Behalf in our So- lemn AlTemblies publickly, and alfo often in the Se- cret of our Souls privately •, and many times prayed for our Perfecutors alfo. I wifh this Prieft be not too much inclining to fuch. May his Eyes be open'd ! He goes on, and endeavours to animate and ftir up the Magiftrates to Perfecution, by infinuating, that thofe who for Confcience Sake cannot give any Thing to the Prieft, are evil, unjuft and wicked Per- fons \ who, notwithftanding, take them in a general Way, and their Converlations are as juft as the brighteft: of their Church Members, as divers of themfelves are forced to acknowledge. If for this Xeftimony to our Innocency, any fliould imagine we boaft, it is he, and fuch as he, that arc the Occafion of this confident Boafting, and we have our great ApoftlCj even Fauly for our Example. Now ^ 74 Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable. .jiyiS- Now I hope the Magiilrates will take Care not fo t-fc^V^J pcrfccute the Juft, but to turn the Edge of their Swords againft the Evil-doers *, and then doubtlefs they will not bear their Swords in vain, and Jet the Edge of it be as iharp and keen as it will, we fear it not : For againft true Men there is no Law (which is upon a juft Bafis or Foundation) that will harm them. I tenderly and lovingly, as a Minifter of Jefus Chrift, and true Lover of good Government, exhort and warn all Magiftrates to be careful to keep within their own Province : For Confcience is none ot theirs ; it is the peculiar Province of Jefus Chrift ; the great Terri- tory of the King of Kings, and Judge of the Quick and Dead ; and he will render unto every Man a Recompence. Now if Confcience were only a Cloak for Covetouf- nefs, it ought to be ftript off, but it is plain that can- not be our Cafe : For we lofe much more by our De- nial (and fometimes a great deal more, than as much more) by our not paying freely, as is above-faid. But we may (I hope) prefume that the Magiftrates know their Duty, without being taught it from the Pulpit 5 I would have no free-fpirited Magiftrate to let Priefts ride them : For if they do, it is to be doubted they will ride them to Death : For perfecuting Men of their Cloth, feem to have but little Mercy. I once heard a Prieft fay to a Couple of Juftices (a Church of England Preacher for Money, but as himfelf faid to fome of his Neighbours, zPreJhytenan in his Heart) Do your Office^ which was upon my poor Self, who had been preaching againft Sin and Evil, according to the beft of my Underftanding (why what's the mat- ter ^) He has been preachings fays the Prieft, in the Place not Licenc^d^ and has broke the Law, JVell^ fays ano- ther Juftice befide the aforefaid two, ^en you have hroke the Law fir ft ^ for you preached there before him ; and tho' it was our Meeting by Appointment, yet we quietly Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable. ^ ^r^ •^Wiedy heard him read his Sermon, and I dare fay, he 17 13. 2^iever had quieter Hearers in all his Days than we were. lyVSI ^'^^ And indeed Reading is the general Pradice of fome ^■"modern Teachers, far from the Practice of Chrift, the ' Apoftles, and primitive Chriftians, when Chriftianity fhone in its primitive Beauty and Glory, and when _Chriftians depended more upon the Gift of the Holy c^'Ghoft (or Spirit) and lefs upon natural Parts and ^"■human Inventions, which is worthy of the folid Con- ^^^^ fideration of all true Chriftians. ^\ I have alfo obferved that thole Magiflrates which "^"^have joined with perfecuting Priefts, in perfecuting Men of fober Lives and Converfations for their religious DifTent and Perfwafion, that they have not profpered ; and many fober People, not of our Society, have taken notice of the fame. This is offered to the ferious Con- fideration of Men of high Degree (in Reverence and '^*^'great Humility.) f*^'-^ And tho' 7. M, flatters the Magiflrateg, telling 3w^them, they bear the vifible Image and Charader of wc Gods, in order to flatter them into a perfecuting Spirit, « 31 -yet I hope, and belive, that he will not find many s^'Magiftrates nor Minifters of his Mind : For if all the X^^'Magiflrates and Miniflers in N, E, were as much for ^^ Periecution as he fcems to be by his writing,what might 3^f-all thofe exped:, who differ from the Prejhyterian Way ^^-'- in K E, if they had Power ? But blefTed be God, ^^^ I certainly know that there are divers moderate Peo- ("■J pie, who are againfl Perfecution, even amongft the od'jPreJhyterians in New- England, P^ In 'his Page 7th, he fays, ' In Cafe of People's De- •-3£_ .« fe6l in this Matter (of paying for Preaching) legal v^^'^ i Compulfion is the only Remedy (What no other -on c Remedy ?) and muft be ufed, otherwife Religion, ' which is a People's Life, will feon fall to the ^ * Ground.* 9w -^;?/ Where will his Do(5lrine land ? What, cannot X^3- Chrift uphold his Church without the Magiltrates ? The 7 6 Forcing a Malntmance not Warrantable. The Religion of Chrifl, the Apoftles, and primitive Chriflians, flood, and ftands yet, without being fup- ported by the civil Magiftrates. What, has he got feme new Religion, which cannot (land without the outward Power ? But it feems fome of the A^. E, Minifters reckon that they mud tall, if the Magiftrates do not uphold them, ^^bey fi. e. the Magiftrates) are^ fays J. M. the Keepers ''of both Tables. An[. But I thought that God had been the Keeper of his People^ and Chrift the Shepherd of his Sheep, and the Holy Ghoft the Comforter of them ; I thought this Infinite Being had been the great Prefer- ver of Men in Religion. In his 8th Page, he brings divers Texts of Scrip- ture to prove the Power of the Magiftrates^ which we never denied, efpecially when he exercifes his Powerand Authority to the Terror of Evil-doers and the Praife of them that do well. And at thelatterEnd of the laid Page he fajs^ ' From the whole I conclude, ' withSubmiflion to better Judgments, that it is War- * rantable from Scripture, and agreeable to the Doc- * trine and Pradlice of Chrift and his Apoftles, for * the Laws aforefaid to be put in Execution.' Ayif. But alas ! this is all befide his Affertion •, his Bufinefs was to prove a legal forced Maintenance for Gofpel Minifters, or elfe he ccth nothing. What! hath he been travelling through all his Pages, and brought forth nothing but this windy Doctrine at laft ? He fpeaks of Submiftion to better Judgments, and I would have him, if he dare to do it, lubmit to the Judgment of Chrift and his Apoftles, who I think have fairly decided theQueftion in favour of the poor abufed ^lakersy that it is not according, but contrary to the Language of the Holy Ghoft, in the Holy Scripture, that Gofpel Minifters Maintenance fhould be forced by a coercive Power. From what has been laid, let all ingenuous Chriftian Readers judge. In Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable 77 In Page the 9th, ' Never the! efs, /^}'j ^-v>Hk for a Minifter of the Gofpel, to flay and'preach to only one particular Congregation ? Pray let thenm produce if they can. But now fuppofe a Place fhould prefent to J, M* where the People were richer, and more of them ? Would he not leave his poor Flock, to go to the rich ? Pray let him have a Care, as he fays, that his own Heart do not deceive him : We but too plainly perceive, by the Practice of thofe money Miniflers, that the loudeft Call, is the mofl Money. I Query, upon this great Word Call, whether the Sheep ufe to call the Shepherd, or the Shepherd the Sheep ? Do riot they llrangely invert the Order of Nature here in their pretended Call from the People ? Chrift the true Shepherd faid. My Sheep hear my Voice. So that He and his Servanrs, or Minifters, call the Sheep, and not the Sheep them ; and thofe holy Shepherds called their Sheep freely, though thefe muft have Money for their Calling, and the Sheep call them too : Neither will that fatisfy fome of thofe Shepherds, but they will needs have Money from fome poor Sheep that never called them •, and if they cannot give it them freely, they will have it by Force. A young Shepherd faid to one at Salem in N, E. That tho* Paul had Power, and did not ufe it, yet he would ufe his Power. But that bleffed Apoille never pretended to any forcible Power, except the Force and Power of Love. He, the faid J. M. complains of his fmall Income for Preaching, and of his Poverty ; tho* it is probable he has more than all the twelve Apoftles, and feventy X)ifciples, when they were fent forth by their great Lord and Mafter ^ and to be fure he has more Mo- ney for Preaching, than they all had. But he has con- fe&d his Call is not Divine, therefore not from Chrift; tor, he fays, ^ If he had a divine Call he would fore- go 8o Forcing a Mabitenance not Warra7iiabh. 1 713. 'go every Thing in the World. And fo he is but a ^^^VV^ legal literal Preacher^ and Minifter: AMinifter th^c forces himfelf to offer, and would alfo force chofe who receive not his Offering, to pay him, tho' againft their Confcience, And as for his Famrly's Starving, I never heard nor read of any Chriftian Minifter's Family's Starving, efpecially in a Chriftian Country; nor I believe he nor any Body elfe. Certainly there is need to cry out to thofe Men, O ye of little Faith \ Who cloaihs the Li Hies, andfeedi the Sparrows, fljall he not take Care of 'jou ? O ye of little Faith! I fear they forget the Dodlrine of him, whom they fometimes call the Lord. As to what he writes in his fecond Page of his Pofl- fcript, if he duly minds what I have writ in Anfwer to his, I think he cannot imagine that the flaming ' Vengeance there poured out by him upon us, can any way touch us, but let him and them which are con- cerned in this Work (for I underftand he had the help of a cunning Man in this Work) have a Care, that it fall not on themfelves : And truly the poor ^^- kers m2iy be truly thankful that the flaming Sword is not in their Hands •, for if it were, Experience, yea, woful Experience, hath taught us, that we might ex- pedl but little Mercy from fome of them. And pray why cannot they be more patient, fmce they hold that God hath ordained whatever comes to pafs ? For they fee it come to pafs that we cannot join with them, can- not they let the Ordinance of God alone ? I remem- ber an ExprefTion of Cotton Mather^ in one of hisfcur- rilous Pieces, that the beft Way to deal with the ^a- kers^ was to let them alone. Then, according to C. M, this Man, and he that helped him, has taken the worft Way to deal with us ; And truly they lole Ground generally when they meddle with us. As for his fooliHi Pity and bitter Lamentation over us, we defire that they v/ould lament over them- felves and their Children, as our Saviour did over the Jews Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable. S i ^jew^ when chey perfecutrd ; and truly thofe who juftify 1713, their Fore-fathers in Hanging the S^uakers^ and theif ^ '^'^ Other Ways,of fo bitterly perfecuting them as they did, had not only need to lament, but to repent too. And. even now, they prove themfelves to be the Perfeciit- ers (and not we) by Forcing their Maintenance from us. The Trefh'^tenans in O. E. alias Great-Britainy they are one with us in this Dodrine, that Forcing a Maintenance for Minifters from them that do not hear them, is altogether wrong and unjuft : And how comes is to pafs, that the fame People are otherwife rninded in New- Engl and ? Let them refolve this Que- flion. I fhall confider thofe Tcjcts of Scripture whfch he has thrown at us (and gently return them unto him againj At the End of his Poflfcript he fays, * The Judg- * ments of God are a great Deep.' (Yes too deep for his legal literal Buckets to fetch them up) Roin, xi. 7. The Ele^ion hath obtained it, and the refi were blinded. I hope he will give the Almighty Leave to eled whom he pleafeth. Were the Eledion in the Power of this Priefl, let the Reader judge whether we might expedl any of it. He cites 2 Cor. iv: 3, If cur Gofpel he hidy it is bid to thofe that are loft, Anf Now why did this Priefl: hide the fourth and next Verfe, was it not for fear the Light of the fa- kers Dodlrine fhould fhine unto People ? Which is thus (the fourth Verfe opening and explaining the third) /;; whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not \ lefl the Light of the glorious Gofpel of Chrift^ who is the Image of God^ fhould fhine unto them. Or as in the 6th Verfe, For God who coTnmanded Light to fhine out of Darknefs, hath fhined in cur Hearts^ to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glor^j of God^ in the Face of Jefii% F Chrifi^ Sz Forcing a Mamfenance not Warrantable^ 1 713. Chrifl, He thought good to hide this Gofpel, but I think good to make it manlfeft ; which puts me in mind of a Proverb, IVho isfo blind as thofe as will mil fee? '^^ He goes on, 2'TheJf, ii. 10, ir, 12. I'hey receivei^. 7iot the Love of the Truths that they might hefaved \ and for this Caufe^ God /hall fend them Jlrong Belufion^ thai , theyfhould believe a Lie \ that they all might he damned^ who believed not theTruth^ hut bad Pleafure in Unrighte- cufnefs. And Jude 8, 10, 11, 12, 13. ' Thefe filthy.. * Dreamers defpife Dominion, and fpeak evil of Digni- ' ties, but thefe fpeak evil ot thofe Things which they--^ * know not ; Woe unto them. Clouds they are without . * Water, raging Waves foaming out their own Shame j^^ ^ Wandering Stars, to whom is referved the Blacknel^^ ' of Darknefs for ever.' '^ To all which I anfwer, ij?, We have received the Truth in the Love of it, the Holy Spirit bearing Wit^ ncfswith our Spirits, that we are the Children of God'r Which holy Witnefs^ is ftronger for us, than the • Witnefs of Ten thouland Priefls can be againft us. ^ 2dly, So the Caufe being taking away, the EfFed^oP Delulion ceafi^th. ; -^t^'^^-. ''>^r/; ^ And 3^/)), Pray let them be careful of deludiiig^ themfeives and the People, by keeping them in Igno- ' ranee and Darknefs: Telling them, they cannor, be cleanfed from Sin, while here in this World. For all thofe that believe this, do believe a Tie with a Witnefs^J and are ftrangeiy and ftrongly deluded. This is ^ miferable Gofpel, contrary to the Dodlrine of the ho-^ iy Apbftles, who arepoficivejy oppofice to that evil Tenet. If (fays the ApoftleJ lue loalk in the Lighty' as he is intheJJght^ then the Blood of J f us ChrijU his Son^ cleanfeth us from all Sin. And Chriif cam.e to dtftroy the" Works of _ the Devil, and to fave his People from their Sin. And pray beware of taking Pleafure in pleading for Unrighteoufnefs. ^^] Forcing a malnfmWc^^^^ 83 ^^.A^htyy 'As to. thtfc fihhy Dreamers^ pray be careful 17 13, what you dream in your Pulpits to the People; for v fome of you will not allow of the immediate Opera- tion of the Holy Ghoft •, wherefore beware of filthy Dreams, and old Wives Fables. ^thly^ We defpife not thofe who are dignified in Truth',and rule well in theChurch(not with Rigour and Perfecution) and we account them worthy of double Honour •, but Perfecuters are not fomuch as worthy of fingle Honour, and we fhould be but Hypocrites to give it them. 6thly^ And what celejlial Rain, or holy divine JVater^ is there in thofe cloudy dark Preachers, v/ho preach Damnation to the greateft Part of the World? Let them look to it, and repent in Time. ythly. Raging JVaves^ foaming out their Shame, Anf. If Perfecution is not the Fruits of Rage and Shame, I do not know what is. Pray courteous Reader judge. S'rhly, Wandering Stars^ to whom is referved the Blacknefs of Darknefs for ever. Nov/ becaufe many call this Text in our Teeth, I Ihall write a little to it, thus s This mull be intended to thofe who wander frorn the Holy Spirit, Gift, and Grace of God, in themfelves, by and from which eve- ry true Minifter of Chrilt ought to exercife his Gift, and not to fpeak when, where, and what he pleafts : Oh happy World ! if all profeffing to be Chriftian Miniflers did not wander from this Gitt into the Inventi- ons and Traditions of Men. And further, this cannot be taken in an outward Senfe, becaufe Chrift htmf^lf and his Apoftles travelled much, and faid. Take tis for Examples., follow iis^ as "doe have followed Chrifi. And all that know any thing of Letters, knov/ that tlie Word Apoflle fignifies a Mefienger, which necelTarily implies a Traveller ; and divers of thefe bleiTed Ones had no certain Dwelling-place. Cur dear Lord him* felf had not whereon to lay his Head, as himfeU fays ; p 2 and 84 Forcing a Maintenance not Warrantable^. 13. and thofe who confcientioufly travel to turn People : V^ from Darknefs to Light, and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God, and are inflrumental to turn many to Righteoufnefs, notwithftanding all Men can do to blacken them, yet the holy Text fays, Dan, viii. 2, 3. *They Jhall Jhine as the Brightnefs of the Firma- menty and as the Stnrsj for ever and ever. Amen. % C Somi (S5) Some Observations on CHRIS T's S E R M O N on the Mount. If ye lovem-ey keep my Comf?iand77ients, John xiv. 15. Te are my Friends if ye do whatfoever Icom??iand yoti^ John xv. 14. The PREFACE to the Reader. CHRIS! being the gr^at Author of the Chriflian Religion, I have thought to make fome Ohfervations on bis Sermon which he preached on the Mount, which j,^^^. ^ might he acceptable to fome of his Followers \ efpecially jiich vi. vii. V^ho iefire to fulfill his holy WilU and not to reft fatisfied in a Form and Sheiv only of his Religion » And alfo confidering that it is the greateft Colle5fion of his TFords left us in the New Teftament by the Evangelifts in any one Place ^ I was in Hofes that fome Ohfervations thereon might tend to promote the Reading of it in the Holy Scriptures, But the greatejh End I had in this Undertaking waSy That the Frofejfors of the Name of Holy JESUS t?iigJ:t live and walk in his Truth^ and in the DoBrine which he has there laid down for his Followers to pra^Ace \ and that F 3 in 86 PREFACE. in fo do'tn^y tb^y might have Peace to their So uh lets and Reft in th^ Kingdom of Glory for ever. Jt is by fome accounted and looked upon in Touth to be a commendable and worthy fraSfice to write down Sermons^ and to copy and read them over : And^ I believe., it will be generally acknowledged^ that there vjas never any Sermon preached in the Worlds that can be compared with this of Chrlfl^ which he preached in the Mount, and is recorded hy the Evangelifl Matthew, in his 5th, 6th, and 7th Chapters ; which if our young and rifing Generation would often read^ and fom times write it down (if 'Time would admit) but be fure to take Care topraciife it \ this would be truly noble in them ; and which if they find they 'want inward Strength to perforin^ then that they zvould feek it in Secret at the Hand of the Ahilghty Jehovah, in whom is everlafting Strength *, and it is recorded in Holy Scripture^ That he gives liberally, and ubraideth not. He will not upbraid thee becaufe thou art but a Child, or tender in Tears : Qh^ therefore, feek him be- times ! for it is written^ They who feek him early, they (hall find him. I'he Chrijlian Religion being run int& many Bivifions and Sub-divifions, this Holy Sermon^ if Chrijiians would walk according to it^ might and would kelp to heal their Differences^ and to foften them in their Sentiments one of another. And it is to be believed and boped^ that all Par- ties will confefsy thai the Do5Irlne in this Sermon is good^ and ought to be promoted ajnongfi all who frofefs the worthy I^ame cj the Lord Jefus \ and whoever walks contrary to this Rule muft needs be in the Wrong. 7he general End of Preachers fj, or fhould be^ to have their J)c5irtne taken Notice of^ and put in Praclice \ and this being Counfel from the Wonderful, Counfellor, the ^'- ^ ^' Might God (and Saviour) tlie Everlafting Father, and Prince of Peace, zveJJjould take more than ordinary Notice of it. Confdering alfo^ that he not only fp^ke his Bo^lrlne^ hut lized in it *, and not only Uvea in, but died in it^ and :^ ft fe '^ A e t. 2f -fbrit, andus alfo. Wherefore we are deeply engh^ed to hear him with an ohedient Heart and Ear. This (fays ^f. 3- 'the Voice from the mojl Excellent Glory) is my beloved'^' Son, hear ye him. And Mofes the Man of God, fays^ ^^^^. ^g That he that will not hear him, fhall be deftroyed from ,9. ' amongft the People : viz. from an Inheritance with the ^^f 3* "faints, in the Kingdom of God and his Chrijl. '^'^^ I have carfully tranfcrihed the Sermon verbatim, and 'made fame Obfervations on it afterward^ I think on every '^'Ferfe a little^ as I found Opennefsto it on my Mind\ and -^is recommended to the ferious Perufal and Conftderaiion ^■')bf all thofe who tenderly and unfeignedly love our Lord l^^Jefus Chrtji in Sincerity. W. av -tfc lO Jfl; F 4 Some (85) T't Some O B s E R vA 7 I o N af on CHRIS SERMON on the Mount, Matthew v. i, 2. A ND feeing the Multitudes ^ he went up intQ a ^^ Ajk, Mountain: And when hewasfet^ his Difciples ^^O''^^ X JL r^??z^ unto him, and he opened his Mouth, and taught them^ fryi^gt ^c. Our Lord feeing the Multitudes, for the advancing his Father's Glory, his own Kingdom, and the Good of Soulss went up into the Mountain, and fat m the Power of the Father , and when (o fee down, his Difciples came unto him : Which fhews the NecefTiry of coming to Chrlft, to hear his Word, and that Chriftians ought to aflemble themfelves before him,^'"^* that he may fpeak to them either immediately ; or if he pleafes to enlarge the Heart of any of his Minifters to declare his Word ; and as his Difciples then per-^^ fonally came unto him, fo now we ought to come to ifi^U ?8. him in Spirit j and then, when but two or three are fo come to him, he is as really prefenc fpiritually, as he wasperfonally in the Moi^int, And as this Meeting in the Mount ^2LS powerful and glorious, fo wili all thofe be, in Meafure, where Jefus is really prefent in Spirits* And he opened his Mouth, and taught them. Thus when^i true Believers meet before Chrifl, he teaches themj^T and opens the Myfteries pf the Kingdom of God, and fpeaks CO, Some OBSERFATIONS on 89 fjpeaks truly to the State of the People, even now 171^. fpiritually, as he did then vocally ; and his Word t^^TVJ is with Power and great Glory. OhJ may all his Ser-f:.'" vants and Miniilers, v/ho are fenfible of his divine Call, rninifter according to their leveral G^jfts and Capacities, in his Power, and by his holy and divine Authority : This muft reform the World, and change the Hearts of poor Mortals, and forward the Work of Reforma- tion, which (with godly Sorrow it may be truly faid) goes but too flowly on in this World. Chrift be- ing thus fet in the Power of the Father, opened his Mouth, and let fall a Shower of BlefTings on thofe whofe Hearts were prepared to receive them ; for his great Love and tender Compaflion is generally mani- fefled to poor Souls, when they with Love and Zeal to hipi, and for the Honour of his great Name, meet and affemble before him. He begins and fays, Verfe 3. BleJJed are the poor in Spirit^ for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a fafe and blefled State to be truly and fpiritual- ly poor, and to be rightly fenfible of ic before the Mofl High ; for then we are nothing, nor have any Thing, but from the Lord, and without him Man fees himfelf undone, his Soul mofl flarve, he muft go naked, if the Almighty do not feed him, and clothe him •, and when he or fhe fees themfelves poor and wretched, miferable, blind and naked, without Chrift, notwithftanding all the fine Things they may enjoy in this World, which is of a fading Nature ; Oh ! then how the Soul cries, how it begs for Mercy and Grace ; a dry Form of Words will not fatisfy it then ; but it begs with Tears, Lord, help me, or I perilh 1 Save me, or I am undone for ever! Here the Soul humbly approaches the Throne of Grace by Prayer ; ' and if an Anfwer is not quickly received (for fuch a Soul is apt to think the Time long^ it waits patiently with that Servant of God, who faid. Though he flay me, yet will I trufl in him: For Ijob i-^ kAQw there is no Help for me but from thee^ Oh ! *^* niy 1 H^o Sme OB SE R VA 1 PO fT S on t\j\Z. my God, and my Saviour ! faith the truly poor Soul, CO/*^^ the Food which muft keep Li-fe in mc, is thy Word ; and the Raiment which I want, is thy Righteoufnefs, as thou wrought it for me, and works it on me alfo. The Lord looks %ith a com^pafTionate Eye on fuch Souls, and doth not ufe to turn them away empty ; but as they abide in the Patience waiting for his Ap- pearance in Hope, he aflures them of the Kingdom ; and a great Turn and Change is witnefled ; for the BJefTing of Ch rift makes them rich, which adds ho iVov.iQ. Sorrow with it ; for r!e greateft Sorrow was, and' is, ^•^* for want of it ; now their Treafure and Heart is in Heaven, and heavenly Things are their chiefeft De- light ; now they arc clothed with ChrilVs Righteouf- nefs, he hath put it upon them, and they fhew it in the Sight of Men, a thorough Change being wrought R^m. 3. |3Qth within and without alfo ; ^e Holy Spirit hearing Witnefs with their Spirits^ that they are the Children (?/ God *, and Chrifl fays, Theirs is the Kingdom of Hea* ven. -' "\/':i^'.^^ Verfe 4. BUJfed mre they that mourn \ For they Jh all he comforted. The Mourning here fpoken of, is that of a godly Sorty which may fometimes appear outwardly : i/?. For the Soul may mourn for its own Sins and Iniqui- ties:, ^i/)'. For want of a Saviour J arid, '^dly^ For %m, 3. the Iniquities of others. For^ firft, all have finned^ ^* - andxomejhort of the Glory 0} God ; and fmce we have ail Tinned, we have all Need to mourn before the Lord; and bow ourfelves before the Mofl Pligh •, and - when lie fees that -we are humbled before him, he then wiFI comfort m : Chrift will fend the Comforter, the Spirit of Troth in his Name, who wiH come unto us ; and when he is come, we may plainly know and under- lland it Is he, by what he doth, aecording to Chrifl's own Rule, which is infallible and certain •, fays he, •7»i%\€, ^hen be is come^ he will repro've /or couvirict} the *>Z* ^^fi^^d of Sin^ of Righteoufnefsy andjudgnient : Of Sirty iecauje T», s* Christ' 5 Sermon en th Mount. ^i lecaufeibey helievs not on me ; of Right eounefs^ hscaufe I 1715. go to mf Father , and ye fee me no more ; andofjudg- O^'NJ tnent^ becaufe the Prince of this World is judged. Thus ' ifkccording to Chriil, that which fhews us our Sin, and '^convinces us of it, is the Spirit of ^ruth, the Comfor- ter: i that, after we have mourned for our Sins, which .ie convinces us of, then he comforts us with inward tomforcand Confolation. idly^ This Comforter alfo ' convinceth U3 of our formal Righteoufnefs, when it is ^ pnly formal, without the Power of Chrift ; and then ;ihe Soul mourns after the Life and Power of Godlinefs, which indeed is great Gain, with true Contentment •, gr^Ji^ and hath the Promife of the Things of this Life, and ^. j^.that alfo which is to come. And fo here we are com- ^j'forted by the Spirit in the Promife, in which we have ^^l^'aith to believe in Chrill, and that he will verily do _as he hath prom ifed. ^dly. It alfo convinceth us of ^^' Judgment, when we judge with wrong Judgment ; and j; when we mourn for our Miftake, he makes us fenfible "of this righteous Judgment, which judges the Prince of ^ this World, who is judged by Chriif ; and then inftead ot Mourning, we are ready to fing with the Saints of ^::old. Salvation^ andGlory^ and Honour^ and Poimr^ un- \4o the Lord our God, for true and righteous are his Judg- f -'^- ^^* I'^^.tnents, for he hath judged the great IVhore which did cor- ^^ rujpt the Earth ixjtth her Form-cation^ and bath revenged ^, the Blood of his Servants at her Hand. - ' *^ Secondly^ The Soul being truly in Love withChrifr, ^^; and he being abfeni. from the Soul in fome Senf€ ; or it a,.' he ftems to flay a great While from it,, arlthough to try and prove the Soul •, this makes us mourn greatly like the Spoufe in the Canticles y wno fet3 forth the Beauty Cant, ^ and excellent Pa: ts,^ and Comelinels, of her Beloved, 6. ^^^iind all her Sorrow is, he had withdrawn himfelf : ^ And well may a Soul be forrowful, when Chrift fpiri- ^.tually withdraws himfelf: The Children of the Bride- ^^j^^ Ij^ chamber mourn in the Bridegroom's Ahfence, hut tejoice in. i^<, ** ^^' hu ?reJmft^-Wi^ Chrift 3, who is the very Perfeclion ^>v. ■" ' of 9J Some O BSE RVAt 10 NS on 171S. of Beauty and Holinefs. But the Soul abiding in his \y^sr>J Love, and Teeking of him, and waiting for him, in his own due Time he will certainly come to that Soul ; for he is the l.>uth who faid, Blejffed are they that nwurn^for they Jhall he comforted. ^dly^ Again pious Souls cannot but mourn for the Wch. 6 6, Sins and Abominations of the Times, which is a great Rev, lu £xercife to them, and affeds them with Sorrow and Mourning; but they are comforted with bleffed Pro- mifes, which the Holy Ghoft at Times and Seafons, immediately applies to their Souls, as recorded in the Holy Scripture ; and let it be remembred, that all our good Times and Seafons are in the Hand of the Lord. Ic is recorded in the Holy Scripture, that God would have his People fpoken comfortably to ; Ifa. xl. I. And that he would give them Beauty for Afhes^ the Oyl of Joy for Mournings afid the Garment of Pratfe for the Spirit of Heav'inefs \ that they might he called i'rees of Rig^Jteoufnefs^ the planting of the Lord^ that he tnight be glorified, Ila, Ixi. 3. Verfe 5. BleJTed are the Meek : For they fhall inherit the Earth, Be 7iot high-minded, faith one of his Servants; and another faith, God refijleth the Proud, but giveth Grace to the Humble \ again. The Meek will he teach his Way, and the Meek will he guide in Judgment ; as the Holy Scripture witnelTeth. So that well faid our Holy Saviour, that the Meek fhou-ld be blelfed ; Grace is given to them, and God is their Teacher, and their Guide in Judgment ; a moft bleffed Gift, Teacher and Guide ; A great BleiTing indeed, to receive Grace from Almighty God, to be taught his Ways by him, and to have the Holy One to b: our Guide in Judg- ment. And he who has all Power in Heaven, and in Eartii, committed into his Hand, fays as above, That :he Meek Jhai} inherit the Earth: 7' hey have the righteft and truefl Enjoyment of all the Things of this Life ; whereas the Proud and Scornful are a Burthen to Christ'^ Sermon on the moSnf.^ ff to themfelves and others, and hardly any Thing plea- 171^*^ fes them, or any Thing good enough for them , when v...Or^. on the other Hand, the meek and contented Mind hath (according to a good general Maxim) a continual Feaft. Verfe 6. Blejfed are they which do hunger and thirfl after Righteonfnefs : For they Jhall he filled. Let it be remembered, that as our mortal Bodies cannot enjoy Health Jong, without a natural Appetite to Meat and Drink, fo our Souls cannot live unto Ho- Jinefs, without a Spiritual Hunger, and an inward Thirft after the Righteoufuefs which Chrift puts upon his Saints -, not by Imputation only, but adluaiiy alfo : Such Souls he will fill as holy Marj witnefTed, and bare her Teftimony to the Truth thereof, viz. He hath filled the Hungry 'with good Things ,^ andx%%f u the Rich he hath fent empy away. When we are 5S emptied of Sin and Self, then there is Room for the Almighty to pour into us of his Spirit (it we would fill any Things it mufl be empty )fo muft we be empty, ' if we hunger and thirft after Righteoufnefs; truly, then fhall we pray to our heavenly Father for divine Food, and it will be our Meat and Drink to do his Will ; and we fhall delight to feed upon his W^ord, .as Chrift fays, Man Jh all not live by Bread alone, but by ^^^^^ ^, €very JVord which proceedeth out of the Mouth of God, -i. This is holy Food for the Soul, which nourifhes and keeps it alive to God, and without which it is dead, notwithftanding it may have the Form and Fafhion of a living Body. And as this Hunger and Thirft, or Defire, muft be Spiritual, fo muft the Food be alio. It being the Spirit that quickens^ and gives Life to the John 6. SouU wherefore let a Spiritual Hunger and Thirft be ^^' in the Soul after God, and his Righteoufnefs. A righteous Soul being greatly athirll after the Lord, cries out -, J 5 the Hart panteih after the IVater-hrook^ P^^,^ ^^^ fo doth my Soul after the living God. And thjs 1' holy Thirft was greatly fatisfied^ fo that his Heart was ^ many 94 Some 0 B S ER FjiT 10 N S on 1718. many times fweecly opened to praife the Lord. 'T&' I^VN' true, we have an Adverfary, that would bef filling lis' with many Things, flefhly, worldly, and Satanical j but we are to fhucupour Hearts againft him, and tc>| keep out all thofe Things, and to ftand open toChrift:, and empty before him ; and if we find this our Ad- verfary too hard for us, we are to fly, and cry to the Lord for Succour and Help, who is a God, not only afar off, but alfo near at hand, and a prefent Help in the needful Time, as many of his Servants and Chil--^. dren have experienced and witnefTed him. Wherefore, to be truly hungry and thirfty after Chrift and his Righteoufnefs, intitles us to his gracious Promife^ wha^ fays, they JJo all he filled, Verfe 7. Blejfed are the Merciful: For they Jhall ohtain Mercy, .,^ It is highly necefTary for Mortals to fhew Mercy,* in all their Words and Adions one to another ; and alfo to the Creatures, which God hath made for the Ufe of Man ; 'tis ufually faid, that a merciful Man is merciful to his Beaff, which generally is true ; and if Men are merciful to their Beafts, how much more ought they to be merciful one to another. Where Mercy is to be extended, it ought not to be donc^ fparingly, fince thereby faccording to Chrift's bleiTed Do6lrine) we are to obtain Mercy. That Servant that fhe wed no Mercy to his Fellow, had no Mercy fhewed unto him from his Lord. It is alfo recorded. In the Name of the Lord, he hath Jkezon unto thee^ O Man^ what is Good, that thou fjouldji do jujlly^ love Mercy ^ and walk humbly zvilh thy God:, by which it appears, that we are not jufl in the Sight, of God, if we are cruel and unmerciful one to ano- ther: And we ought not only to be merciful, but to . love it ; which, it we are truly humble, we fhallcer^. tainly do ; iN4ercy will leflen, and not magnify, Weak- .. nefs. Failings, or fmall trivial Things one in ano- ther.* And ibmetimes, as the Cafe may require, fome larger CuRis^^'^ Sermon on the Maunf. _ 91^ larger Things ; and yet there is Room for feafon able 1718; r Reproof and Cor region ; But Mercy muft be Riix^c} >,/'-\jQ^ii|«|j with Juflice, d(t the Corredion may end in Tyr-ann-y.v We ought to be gentle to all Men,' v/hich is a true Token of true Gentility : So to be truly merciful,, is to be blefTed, and to obtain Mercy. ^ \:c'n!» 1 - Verfe 8. Blefjedare the Pure in Heart: for thh (hall fee God. ^ By which we may underlland, that we are to take Care of our Hearts, and to keep a ftrid Watch over them ; and not admit unclean or unchafle Thoughts, or finiul Defires, to have an Entrance therein. And if at unawares they fliould at any time enter, we mud not entertain nor love them, but turn them out ; for we, in this, fhould be like our heavenly Father, j^^^^^ , of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity with any Allow- 13/ '*' ance or. Approbation : Otherwife it will hinder us from feeing God, and from the fweet Enjoyment o^ his moft precious Prefence, and beholding the only Begotten of the Father, and the Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth, which we cannot fee if our Hearts are impure: An In fiance of which, we have in the Scribes aod Pharifies, . tho' they were outwardly Rio-h- redus and clean, yet within were very im.pure, fo that ^f^'?* they could not ke God, tho* he was in Chrift re- ' * ->, concling the World to himfelf: Notwithftanding their ^f. nicedifcerning Eyes, yet they could not fee him, for '^^ the Impurity of their Hearts ; which was fo great, that they murdered the Jufl One, their Hearts being full '"^ of Deceit and Hypocrify. Make Clean the Infide^ that Mau,2^. *'■ the Outjlde may be clean alfo^ fays Chrift : From a^- whence it apprars, that a true Chnftian mud be clean, both v/ichin and without alfo» The true Beginning of the Work of Purity and Sandity, mufl be firfl with- in •, and being Innocent and Pirre in Heart, we fhali then fee the Giory of the Father, the lovelv Beauty of the Son, and the Power of the Holy Ghoil, or Spirit. Vcrfc g6 Some OB SERFATIONS ofi 1 7 1 8. Verfe 9. Blejfed are the Peace-makers for they JhalllS ^/VNJ called the Children of God. This Peace-making is excellent Work, and a blefTed Calling j what Pity it is, that there is not more fuch Workmen in the World, who would fet themfelvcs heartily to it, which if they did, in a right Spirit, God would certainly profper the Work in their Hands, and plentifully reward them with his own Peace, which pafleth the common Underftanding of the natural Man. If our ingenious Men, our Men and Women of Skill, and good natural Parts, would take a little Pains, nay, when the Cafe requires it, a great Deal, the Almighty would richly reward them. This Work is not too mean even for Princes, and Nobles ; no, not even the greateft Monarchs on. Earth, without it be too mean for them to be called the Children of God. And if the Children of God are Peace-makers, what, and whofe Children are they, who break the P , Peace of Nations, Communities, and Families? 32^''* Wherefore, we fhouid /^^.^ P^^r^ with all Men, ani enfueit^ or fue for it:, by our continual feeking of it, being a precious Jewel, w^hen found ; and tho' this Office may feem a little unthankful in the Beginning, or at firil, yet in the End it brings forth the peaceable Fruits of Righteoufnei>, as many fo labouring have witnefied. And Chrill, to encourage the Work, fays, iTbey Jhall be called the Children of God ; which are Words of the King of Kings •, and if the Princes of this World would promote this Work among them- felves, it would favc th'^in a vaft Expence of Treafure, and of Blood ; and as thefe Peace-makers are to be' called the Children of God, they who are truly con- cerned herein, are not only fa called, but are fo in Dged, and in Truth. ; . , y c rfe I o. Blejfed are they who are perfecutedfor Righ^ teoufnefs Sake^ jor theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, Pcrfccution may be confidered in relation to Calum- ny and Reproach, and in Imprifonments, Confine- ments. Christ'^ Sermon on the Mount. 97 n^ents, or the like, or taking away Life or Goods on 171^ a religious Account, for confcientious Scruples, ^r.*-<^'^^ What fad Work hath there beers on this Account in the World, not among Turks and J^w'j only, but among ProfefTors of Chrift and Chriftianity, which is indeed a great Reproach to that holy Name. Per- fecutionfor Righteoufnefs-Sake, is not fit \ or Turks or Jews^ much lefs for the ProfefTors of our meek Lord •, his Difpenfation and Gofpel being abfolutely the Reverfe to it, which is a fliamL-ful Sin to all Men, in all Nations : But however, the Perf^^cuted have this Comfort in the Midft of all their Su tie rings, they are blefTedof Chrifl their Lord •, who himfelr fuffered for them, and are promiled by him the Kingdom of Heaven. By which Dodlrine, it may befafely con- cluded, that the Mem.bers of his true Church never perfecuced any, though they have been often perfe- cured by many, as the large and voluminous Books and Tradlis (of perfecuting for Religion) now extant, do plainly makes appear ; by which the Eyts of many are open to fee the Uglinefs of it •, and a Spirit of Moderation begins to grow and fpring a little in the Earth, in divers Parts thereof. It were to be defired, that all Chrifrians Modera- p;;////>4. tion might more and more encreafe, and might appear v unto all Men *, becaufe God is at hand, wiio wui ja- ftify the Innocent ('whom he knows better than any Man, becaufe he fees their Hearts) and he will con- demn none but the Guilty. How fhall the Jews be converted, or the Turks convinced to, and of the Verity of the Chriftian Religion, while its ProfefTors are tearing and rending one another to Pieces : Had it not been for the Im.moderation and Perfecution among ProfefTors of Chrift in Chriftendom^ io called, it is probable Chriflianlty would have made a far greater Progrefs in all the tour Quarters of the World long before this Time, than it hath now done. Perfecution hath been propofcd by the Immoderate^ to lay Heats G and '98 Some OBSERVATIONS on (,, I7i8- and Divifions, and cure Breaches ; but the antient C^^^^"NJ Hiftory of Perfecution, and the roodern Practice of it, fully convince us, that it hath always tended- t6 make the Hot hocter, the Divifions greater, and the Breach wider, and fo the Contention to grow endlefs •, which nothing will end, but a calm and quiet Tem- per of Mind, the Mind being cooled by the gentle Influences of the Holy Spirit of Chrift, the immacu- late Lamb ; who came not to deftroy, nor devour, but to feek and to fave that which was lofl, and gone aftray, that he might bring them home to his Fold of Reft, in his Father's Kingdom. t^ Verfe 1 1 . Blejfed are ye when Men Jljall revile jdk andperfecuteyou^ andjhallja'^j all Manner of Evil again fi you faljly for 7ny Sake. -^ Verfe 12. Rejoice and be exceeding glad : For greafts your Reward in Heaven \ for fo perfecuted they the Prophets^ which were before you. There is a Perfecution as before hinted, by Calum- ny, and Reproach, orReviling, by Evil Speaking, and Falfitics, which, for the molt Part, it is better pati- ently and quietly to fuffer, for Chriil's Sake •, and if we were abufed, to appeal to him, for many times Words beget Words, till at laft it comes to Pre- judice, and breaks the Unity and Peace of Brethren 'and Families ; fo that in a general Way, one had bet- ter fufier the Calumnies and Reproaches of evil Men, with a tender Concern for God's Glory, refting in the BlefTingof Chrift -, and that thou wiltmoft fa rely feci, if thou can appeal to him on this wife, hord^ thou knows I fuffer this Wrong for thy Sake. In fuch SuiTerings there is an inward Joy, a Spiritual Rejoicing; and the Heart of the Perfecuted is abundantly more glad. Through the BlefTmg and Goodnefs of Chrift, ..than the Perfecutor's, whofe Confcience accufeih him in Se- cret. And as to perfonal Perfecution, it is no more than the Prophets, and our Lord, did fufTer before 'is*, And with that Confideration Chrift comforts his -^^^- . ' fuffering -CHRiSTxi Sermon on the Mount. 99 differing Seed : And thofe who fuffer with him^ and his 171^. Seed, thefe have the Promife of reigning with him •, and -.ypr^^ iiimiejf hath promifed them a Reward, no lefs than the ^^ ^' Kingdom of Heaven. ...fVerre 13. Td" are the Salt of the Earth : But if tht Salt have loll its Savour^ wherewith fij all it he faked ? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to he cafi out^ and to ^e troden under Foot of Men, Here Chrift (heweth that his Followers mud fea- fon the Earth, by living a favoury Life, and by walk- ing according to his Doctrine, whofe Do6lrine is won- derfully fet forth in this excellent Sermon ; and if we live up to thofe holy Rules, we fhali then be ferviceable iaour Generation, and our Lives will teach the People its well as our Words, and fometimes better too, by how much Example is better than Precept j and in- deed Chriilian^ ought to be careful in both •, in Life to Jive holily, and in Words to be fparing, obferving to Let 'jour Words^ he few, and favoury^ ,^^^^ -^'^^fi^^^ fph'l29. 'with Grace^ that they 7nay adtninifter Grace to the coi.\^ Bearers: Thus ihould we feafon the World, and ^. lalt it with the Salt of the Covenant ; but ,jt we loie this Savour of Grace, and take a Liberty which Cnrifc and his Truth do not allow of, of fpeaking at random Tiiings which are not convenient, nor edifying, but altogether unfavoury ; then, according to our MadeV, which is in Heaven, we are good for nothing, but to be cafl out (i, e. out of the Church) and then we lliall be trampled upon by Men, as in Truth we de- ferve : Not that our Bodies are to be kill'd, or de- ftroy'd j for the Door of the Church is always open to receive true Penitents. But for this End and good iC"^**. iv Purpofe we are chaflened of the Lord, that the Soul may be faved in the Day of the Lord; And thofe who know godly Sorrow for their Sins, and turning from the Evil of their Ways, by Amendment of Life, thofe Chrifl forgives, and advifech his Church todo .the fame, faying, If he recent forgive him-, which ^^^^^^^ ^nj ' G 2 Repentance i. loo So?ne OBSEVATIONS m 1718. Repentance, is befl manifefted by a new Life, and holy,, U^^VN^ and blamelefs Converfarion ; for Words, withouc ' Works, are good for nothing, but to be troden under Foot of Men. Verfe 14. Te are the Light of the World: J City thai is fet on a Hill cannot he hid. True and faithful Chriftians are indeed as Stars iii,^ God*s Firmament, which are of excellent Ufe to Pec-"' pie in the Night Seafon, and more efpecially when they are not clouded, and in a particular Manner to thofe who travel on the Seas, for when they have nor fetn the^Sun for a Seafon, then they arc good Guides to the Sea-faring M;in -, and likewifein the Wildernefs, on the Land ; and this World is like a Wildernefs, and. like the troubled Sea, to fome poor Souls ; and therj good Men, and good Women, are ferviceable, to re- J>aH. 12. prove and in(lru{ffc in Righteoufnefs : Such (fays Daniel ^' th^Frophcz) /hall /bine as the Brightncfs of the Firmd- ment, and as the Stars ^ for ever and ever. And thefe are like a City fet upon a I lilt ^ which cannot be hid, Verfe 15. Neither do Men light a Candle and put 'it under a Bufhel ^ hut on a Candlejlick^ and it givcth J^hhf to all that are in the Houfe. '^'^---r Mortal Men, when divinely enlight'ned by the Grace and Spirit of Chrifl, ought to exert themfelves to their Mafter's Glory, and excite others, and (lir them up to their Duty j and to endeavour, as much as in them lies, to promote the Kingdom and Interell of their dear .'^'Lord ; for Men are God's Candles, as the Scripture Trtfv. 20. faith, "The Spirit of Man, is the Candle of the Lord ; ,^! 20. and this Candle is often lighted by Chrift , who/;^^- Job. II. cijj gr^jg^y j^^^j ij^^i comet h into the World, John i. 9. ^' and is the true Light of the Great Father of Lights. The great and good End of Chrifl*s lighting Man*s Spirit, and illuminating him with Divine Light, is, that he may fliineout to others, in a good Converfati- on, and a holy Life, wliich is both ferviceable to others, and himfelf alfo -, and anfwersthe Endof him who CHist V Sermon on the Mounh .^ loi whoenlighc'ned him by the Fire of his Word, or with a 1718. Coal from his holy Altar ; being thus lighted, and ^^^T^j walkino- in it {ns the Nations of them that are faved^ Rev.^i, /hall walk in the Light of the La?nh.) Here all the 23. 24. Houfe, or Society, is truly lighted by fuch Lights ; and thofe who have received greater Gifts, or Degrees of Divine Light, from Chrift, than fome others, and may have a larger Share of natural or acquired Parts, ought not to hide it fas our Lord phrafes it) under a Bujhel, hut pit it (m its proper Place, or) on a Candle- flick ', and as the Candle is of little Ufe when 'us put out, therefore we ought to be very careful to keep to Watchfuln-.^fs and Prayer, that it be kept lighted la Time of Darknefs -, for 'the Candle of the JVicked is^ often pit out, Verfe 16. Let 'jOur Light fo pfine before Men, that ihey may fee your good JVorks^ and glorify your Father . which is in Heaven, Since tliere is a bright and flilning Nature and Qua- lity in the holy Lives of Chrift's Servants, and in the Converl^uion of his faithful Followers, therefore it fliould and ought to be manifeft, and to appear before Men; our Lamp Ihould be burning, and our Light fliining -, and we fhould take Care to get and keep holy Oil in our VeiTels, that therewith our Lamps may Mat, 25. be fupplied, otherwife Folly inftead of Wifdom will • appear in our Converfations, which will be a FLndrance fwhen our great Bridegroom cometh) to our Entrance into Life, or God's Kingdom, and greatly hindreth our Mafter's Glory,which by all Means we are to endeavour the Furtherance of-, and Men generally take more ^^Koticeof our evil Works, and, where an evil Eye is open, will fooner fee them, than our good Ones ; fo that we had need to be very careful, and keep a holy Watch in our Converfations, that our Light may fo fhine, as that our Father which is in Heaven may be glorified, in our bringing forth much good Fruit. . «iMi VJ-. ' Q 2 Verfe qAw ^ 102 Some OBSERVATIONS on 1718. Veffe- 1 7» Think not that I a7n cptne to dejlroy the j Ky\'''^ or Prophets : I am not come to deftr'oy^ hut to fulfil. ''^ Verfe 18. For verily I fay unto you, till Heaven and Earth pafs, one Jet, or one Tittle (hall in no wife fafs from the Law, till all he fulfilled. The Excellency of the Difpenfation of the gloriotis Gofpel of Jefus Chrifl is really wonderful ! having no Manner of Tendency toward deflroying the Law of God given by Mofes ; for Chrifl's Dodrine comes up through it, fulfils ir, and goes beyond it, in Perfcdion, and in the Beauty of Holinefs, and in the Life and Power of pure Religion. G*/.3. The Law^ faith the Apoftle, is a Schoolmafter^ to H» 2$. Irlng us to Chrift \ and no Man can come truly to Chrifl, nor be in him, or be a new Creature, without coming through the Law, and keeping the Command- ments : But thefe Commandments are to be diflin- guifhed from the fuperflitious Traditions, and ceremo- nious Cufloms, of the Jews. The Scrihes and Phari^ fees (who though they fat in M(!?y^j's Seat) did not do as Mofes did ; but crucified him whom, Mofes prophe- fied of faying, "Ihe Lord your Godfhall raife up a Pro* Deut. 18. ^^^^ A^^ among your Brethren^ like unto me^ unto him 15. [hall ye hearken, Chrifl and his Difciples teach the Law, though not the Traditions of the Jews ; who were very careful of their fmall Tithes, of their own Interefl, though but of, or in fmall Things, neleding the weighty Matters of the Law, which is in no wife to be pafTed by, but to be fufilled while Heaven and Earth endure. :™';\ Now the Law and Commandments which our Lord fpoke of, are generally underflood to be thofe Ten Commandments recorded in the 20th Chapter o^ Exo- dus, with other abfolute Commands written by Mofes (diiiinguifhed from the Jews Traditions) and fuch as were general to Mankind : For Chrift is the general Saviour, both of the Jew, and alfo of the Gentile^ tvho believe in and obey him : And that thofe Command- ments .m ^^.Christ'^ Sermon on the Mount 103 . ments may the more be minded, and taken Notice of, 171^ 'and imprinted in Peoples Thoughrs, they are here, in Part, tranfcribed out of the 20th Chapter of ^a-^^^/^j. J. Ihoujhalt have no other Gods before fne. II. nou /halt not make mito thee any graven Imager cr any Likenefs of any Thing that is Heaven above^ or \ in the Earth beneath^ or that is in the Water under the ■ Marth : Thou fhalt not bow doicn thyfelf to them^ nor ^^rve them: III. Thou fh' alt 7wt take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain : For the Lord will not hold him guilt lefs that taketh his Name in vain, IV. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother : That thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God givetb Jkee. ^^4 VI. Thou fhalt not kill, ^^ VI I. Thou fJ: alt not commit Adultery. Vill. Thou (loalt mtfieaL IX. Thou (halt not bear jalfc Witnefs againfl thy \Neighbour. [l^^c X. Thou [halt not covet thy Neighbour's Houfe., nor his .^yW^ife, nor his Man-fervant, nor his Maid-fervanty -por his Oxy tiqr his Afs\ nor any Thing that is thy c r^tafeighbours. ^;;_ All which our Holy Lord Jefus Chrifl fulfilled la ..'^(lis own Perfon, and taught it to the People, as this his moft holy Sermon will witnefs abundantly: And all who profefs his great Name, muft, and ought to teach the fame. Verfe 19. Whofoever therefore fhall break one of thefe J^afl Com7nandments^ and teach Menfo^ he fhall be called the lea ft in the Kingdom of Heaven ; but whofoever fhall 4o and teach tbetn, the fame Jhj^ll be called great in the , ^Kingdom of Heaven. r'fu Here we are ftridly enjoined, as we value our Re- putation in Heaven, both to do, and to teach, the {^l^ommandments, and Law of Mofes j though not the ^^^, G 4 Ordinances lol^^ Some OBSERVATIONS on 171^. Ordinances, Commandments, or Traditions, of the O'^VNJ S crib es.:''^ 'Now the Scribes and Pharifees taught diverl^x good Things, in Words, as we underftand by Chrift 5^^. Bitt (fays he) he ye yiot like unto them \ for theyfay^ and' do not'. Example being often of more Force and Pow-^\ er than Precept : They might have faid as Tome of our modern «9mto do, to the People, '' You muft^ "^ not do as we do ; but do as we fay." But, according^I to Chrift, this will not (erve their Turn •, for he fhuts's the Gates of Heaven againft all them (and all fuch)p though his own Hearers, as in the next Verfe. -J Verfe 20. For I fay unto you^ Except your Right eot/J^l nefs Jhall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharifees, j/?^^//; in no Cafe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. i Thole Scribes and Pharifees had a Righteoufnefs^^ but it was one of their own making, an outfide One only -, whereas within they were full of Deceit and , Hypocrify ; they cry'd up Righteoufnefs in Words, and yet cry'd out againft him who taught it in the greateft Purity, and fought his Deftru6lion ; they. Were notable Examples to all Perfecu tors for Religion,- Our Lord, and his Servants, did not, nor do not, fpeak againfl outfide Holinefs, fo as the Infide be the fame •, for a living Man hath both Inlide and Out ; fo has living Righteoufnefs an inward and outward Purl*: ty, which is manifeft by its Fruits, and thofe Fruits Gj,i 5. are Fruits of the Spirit, which is, Love^ Meeknefsi- *o 23. l*emperance. Patience, Experience^ Hope, and Cha^ rity, or Brotherly Love ; of which thofe People Ihewed very little to Chrift •, he was very fenfible of their Envy and Malice, which was very contrary Fruits to Holinefs *, and therefore he tells them that hear him. That their Righteoufnefs mifi exceed that of the vScrlbes ^;?J Pharifees, or they in no Cafe /hall enter pht Kingdom of Heaven, ■ '' -'^- Verfe 21. 2e have heard that it was faid by them of fffdTime, Thou Jhalt not kill -, andwhofie'ver fhali kilk fhall heinBangercftheJudgmmt: , ; ;;na"' y^- Verfe ChrIs'tV Sermon on the Mount, 105 -, -Verfe 22. But Ifa^ unto you^ that whofoever is angry 1718, ^ tdih his Brother without a Caufe^ Jhall he in Danger o/'s-'^S'^. , the Judgment j and whofoever Jhall fay to his Brother^ Raca, Jhall he in Danger of the Council \ but whofoever Jhall fa'jy Thou Fool, Jhall he in Danger of Hell-Fire, ^Here we may learn that the Law provided nothing againft Anger, only in this Cafe, againft ihedding of Blood ; and many times if Anger is too much kindled, it fets the Soul on Fire of Hell, if it be not timely quenched. People, as it grows hotter, call one ano- ther our of their Names, and take the Name of the Lord in vain, break the third Commandment, fwear- ing by him, and Curfingof Men: We may plainly fee by Chrift's Do^lrine, that the firfl Degree of An- ger ('without CaufeJ is dangerous ; but the fecond is very dangerous. Soft Words from a fedate Mind will wonderfully help in this Cafe : It is not eafily con- Cjeivcd v/hat a mighty Advantage Satan hath upon on© that is angry without a Caufe ; iVnd we are often apt to think we have Caufe when we have none at all ; and then we make Work for Repentance, without which we are in Danger of Hell-Fire. Wherefore every true Chriflian ought to Watch againft the Evil -E/^ ^^ of Anger ; and yet there may be Anger (where there ^^* is real Caufe) without Sin. V Verfe 23. Therefore if thou bring thy Gift to the Altar ^ and there rememhred that th'^ Brother^ hath ought againji thee, Verfe 24. Leave there thy Gift before the Altar ^ and go thy JVay, firfh be reconciled to thy Brother^ and then come and offer thy Gift, ^A The Chriftian Religion admits of no Malice nor Guile; the Worfhipof it is inSpirit and Truth, and Love, without Hypocrify, without Deceit, or Hatred : If we come to the Altar, this will hinder our Ac- ceptance. Though we may indeed have a Gift, we are to feek Reconciliation, and not fay. Let him ♦ come to me, I will not go to him v- but Cbrift tdls us, we io6 Some 0 B S E RVA^T 1 0 N S mi ,^ffiS, we mufl: go to him ; and if thou goto the Offended, N^^-Or^ in a meek and Chriftian Spirit, and feek Reconcilation, if thy Brother will not be reconciled, if the Fault be in him, thou haft done thy Duty^ and thy Gift will be received, and Chrift will manifeft himfelf to thee by his Grace and Spirit. But yet art thou to feek for Peace, he having ordained it, and laid it as a Duty in- cumbent on thee. Verfe 25. y^gree with thy Adverfary quickly^ whilft thou art in the Way with him : Left at any 'I'ime the Ad- verfary deliver thee to thejudge^ and the Judge deliver thee to the Officer^ and thou be caft into Frijon, Verle 26. Verily 1 jay unto thee^ thou Jhalt by no Means come out thence^ till thou haft paid the utmoft Farthing, It is plain from hence, that Jefus is for a quick and fpeedy End to Differences ; fays he. Agree with him quickly j for it is of dangerous Confequence to let Dif- agreements lay long, it eats like a Canker, and icde- ftroys the very Nature of Religion. Perfonal Diffe- rences is a great Hurt to Families, to Churches, and to Nations, and Countries, efpecially when efpoufed by Parties ; then what rending, rearing, and devour- ing Work it makes : Wherefore take Chrift's Coun- fel, and agree quickly ; and '\i the Difference be on the Account of Debt, as is often likely, if the Debt bejufl, 'tis better to offer up one's Self, and all that he has in the World, than to fland out with one's Ad- ^ vcrfary, t^U it come to the utmofl Extremity ; and for jCcr.6. Chriftians to go to Law one with another, is contrary to the Apoftle's Advice s >nd oftentimes the Gainer of the Caufe, lofes by going to Law •, fo that 'tis good to agree quickly ; it being profitable fo to do, both . fpiritually and naturally. Verfe 27. Te have heard that it was /aid by them of old Time, Thou (halt not commit Adultery : Vcrfc ChristV Sermon on the Mount. iqy Veri'e 2S, But I fay tmto you, whofoever loohth CH 1718. a Woman to luft after her, hath committed Adultery v/>/-''V^ from under its hoJy Stroke; The holy Baptid, Johriy^.^ underftanding our Lord's Dodlrine, and being fen fible of the powertuJ Working of Chrift's Word and Spirit, fays. Now is the Ax laid to the Root of the Threes ^ there- ^/•f, 3. i^* J^yg c^er'j I'ree which hringeth not forth good Fruity is hewn down^ and cafi into the Fire ; which Fire is nothing lefs than Hell, which, without Repentance, and A- mendment of Life, will be our Portion. Verfe3i. It hath been faid^ whofoeverjhall put away bis fVife^ let hi?n give her a Writing of Divorcement. Verfe 32. Bui I fay unto you^ that whofoever fhall put away his Wiie^ favingfor the Caufe of Fornication ^ cau- feth her to commit Adultery \ and whofoever fhall marry ^ her that is divorced j committeth Adultery. The great Hufband of Souls here plainly flieweth,. that Hulbands fhould be tender to their Wives •, and his Apoftle fays. Be not hitter againfl them. Men and ^a.3*ip. j.|^g[p ^jyes Qught (;o live together in Love, and be good Examples to their Children, and Servants ; and not part from one another,, except for the Caufe of Fornication ; and that fhould be proved i for fome. Men arc only jealous of their Wivcii, and fome with- out a Caufe, and where there is a Caufe (as a Man may rhink) it ought to be clearly proved before they part irom one another ; a Man ought to be tender of his Wife, as of his own Body ; For they two are one Flefb.^^ Men and their Wives are often too apt to magnify one another's Faults, and put the worfl Conltrudions upon each other's Words and A6lions, wfjen they. differ, which widens Breaches, inflead of healing them : Whereas Love, and true Chariiy, and putting the heft, and not the worfl Conftruction on. Things, would chafe away Wrath, Strife, and Flatred ; and[ though Mofes gave the Jews that PermilTion of Dir vorcement, for the Harclaefs of their Hearts i yet Chriflians ought to live fo, that there fhould be no Need qi ic^amongft them. And if Chriflians do part upon ' the Christ'^ Sermo7i,^.o}i.ihe Mount 109 the Account of Fornication (for they are not permitted 17.18. to part on any other Account byXhrift, as above) s-/-vnJ^ they are to marry no more, while each other live ; "'-^ for if they do, they are pronounced by Chrid, to be ^«^^ i^' Adulterers, and AdulrerelTes. Verfe 33. Again y have beardy that it hath been fald hy them of eld Time ^ thou /halt not forfwear thyjelf^ hut fhalt perform unto the hard thine Oaths. Verfe 34. But I fay unto you ^ fwear not at all^ net-- ther by Heaven^ for it is God's throne : > Verfe 35. Nor by the Earthy for it is his Foofflooli Neither by Jcrulitlem, for it is the City of the Great King. Verfe 36. Neither Jhalt thou fwear by thy Heady hecaufi thou canfi not make one Hair white or black. Verfe 37. But let your Communication be yea^ yea \ nayy nay , for whMfoever is more than-thefe^ eomeih of EviL It was allowed to the Jezvs to vow 10 the Lord, and fwear by his Name, provided they performM their Vows, and Oaths. But here our Lord prohibits and difallows, or abolifhes, all Swearing, with an Ifayun^ to you^ fwear not at all, Tho' our fwearing Chriftians will have it, that he here prohibits only vain Swear- ing or common Swearing, wiiich cannot be, becaufe the Oaths he here fpeaks of were folemn, and lojamn^ the Lord. And the Apoftle James tells us, We 7nujt ^^ . tiot fwear by any Oath. Neither did the primitive Ghriftians fwear at all •, and Chriflians ought to befb jufl: in their Converfations, as that their folemn Words or Pro mifes would give them Gredic, without any Need of Oaths. If Occafion or Need be, thou bait Liberty to add Yea to thy Yea, and Nay to thy NayV- or folemn Words equivalent io it ; and if more be Evil, it muft alfo be Evil to require more, and that is Evil if it be more (as all Vows and Oaths are) w^ have Chrifl for our Author, a good FoundatiOfv to build upon. . .. :• ^ ' > noqu;Tl;q 01: :i bnii ,fn3flJ fl^nom Yerfe 1 lo Some OBSERVATIONS on 1718. Verfe 38. 5^ have heard that it hath been faid^ OH \ySf^^ Eye for an Eje^ and a ^ooth for a Tooth, Verfe '^c). But I fay unto you ^ that yerefift not Evilz But whofoever fhall fmite thee on thy Right Cheeky turnM him the other aljo. . .^ip Verfe 40. And if any Man 'will fue thee at the LaWy and take away thy Coat, let him have thy Cloak alfo. There was Room and Liberty, by the Law of Mofes for a Man to revenge himfelf, if he had an In- jury done to him; but Chrift teaches patient Suffer* ing ; we are not to give any Offence, but we are to take them quietly for his Sake, in which Jefus was an excellent Example to us, whofe Sufferings was not for ^^'^' ^^* himfelt, but for us ; he turned his Cheek to theSmi- ter, and his Face tothofe that plucked off the Hair: But to a Man of Courage and Choler, this indeed is no fmall Crofs ♦, but he iiiuft deny himfelf, and take up Chrift's Crofs daily, and follow him, if he will be his Difciple. And as for the Law, it is better ne- ver to meddle with it, in a general Way ; and if thy Coat by Law is taken away, thou had better give him thy Cloak, than (land out another Trial with him: And it is much if thou art not a Gainer by fo doing. But the Gain is not urged as the belt Motive : But Obedience to Chrifl-, our great Lord, and good Mailer j who faid, If ye love me, keep my Command- men Is, Verfe 41. And whofoever fhall compl thee io go a Miky go with him twain. It can hardly be fuppofed that any would take the Pains to force or violently compel a Man to go a Mile with him, unlefs on fome extraordinary Occafion : But many times through Over-perfwafion, or much Invitation, One may be in that Senfe compelled to do that which one is not inclined to, and in fuch Cafe, we are to be liberal in anfwering the Love and Good- will of our Friend, fo compelling of us: For Love begets Love, and cannot eafily be withftood, as in the Parable •.Christ'^ Sermon on the Mount. m Parable of the Wedding, or Marriage-Supper ; they 1718. were to be compelled to come to it •, we are not to CXW) underftand by outward Conftraint, or Cruelty, but by ^'f'*^^' the Force and Power of Love *, Divine Love has a great Power, and is of a compelling Nature accord- ing to this Diftindion, and Confideration ; and then we fliould be unkind, and ungrateful, if we did not an- fwer with fuitable Returns. Verfe 42. Give to hi?n that ajketh thee, and fromhim that would borrow of thee^ turn thou not away. ■m We are here to fuppofe the Afker to be in real Wane and NecefTity, and the Borrower alfo to* Hand in need, and the Aficed to be in a Capacity, and of Ability to fupply and afift the Afker, and Borrower ; and then in fuch Cafe v/e are by no Means to refufe to give to him that afketh, nor to turn away from him that: would borrov/ of us ; and if we are not in a Capacity to fupply, then to ufe mild and friendly Exprefil- ons ; for Chriftians fhouid be courteous and kind to all, and particularly to tiie Dirtreifed. And if we think that the Afkers or Borrowers are not worthy or deferving for their own Sakes, we fhouid, if need be, give and lend for ChriR's Sake, and in Obedience to :him, though it crofs our own Inclinations, bo. Verfe 43. Te have heard that it hath been/aid^ thou jhalt love thy 'Neighbour^ and hate thine Enemy, Verfe 44. But 1 [ay untoyou^ love your Enemies^ blejs them that curfe you^ do good to them that hate •you^ and fray for them which dsfpitefully ufe you ^ andperfecute you. '?r Verfe 45. That ye ?nay be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven^ for he maketh his Sun to rife upanthe Evily andori the Good^ and fendeth Rain onthejujiy and on the Unjufl. Ob Tht Hebrews had Liberty to hate their Enemies, blJt we have not underftood that ever any People, ^by any Difpenfation, had any Liberty to hate their Neigh-- -bours or Friends: So that thole that are in that State, ace far beyond the Line of Trutl). But lays pur holy 5ld£i£>'., Law-giver, 112 Some OBSERVATIONS on 1 71 8. l^TiVj'^wcr^ I fay unto youy love your Enemies. If we O^VNJ love our Enemies, we can in no vvifedeftroy them, al» though it were in our Power. Again, Blefs them that curfe '^ou. But alas ! how apt are Men (and even thofc who would think it hard to be told they are dilbbedi- ent to ChriflJ to render Railing for Railing, and Cur- fing for Curfing, inftead of BlefTing [Do Good to them that hate you) If we are fenfible qf any Body that hates us, and have real Demonftranon of it (for fometimes we imagine it, when it is not fo) yet are we to do them all the good Turns we can (j^nd pray for them which defpitef*tlly ufe you^ and perfecute you) Thus we are not to render Evil for Evil, but to overcome the Evil with that which is good. Sweet was our Lord's £«X:/r23 Example to US in this, when he faid. Father forgive them^ for they know not what they do. If fpiteful Per- fecutors did really know what they do, when they per- fecute the J u ft, their Damnation muft needs be very great*, but if we do Good for Evil, as Chrift hath taught, then are we the Children of our heavenly Father, who maketh his Sun to rife on the Evil, and on the Good^ and fendeth Rain on the Jujl^ and on the'Un- Verfe 46. For if ye love them which love you^ what Reward have ye ? Do not even the Publicans the fame ? Verfe 47. And if ye fahite your Brethren only, what do you more than others F Do not even the Publicansy^/* Our Virtue is much more fhining in loving thofe who do not Jove us, than in loving thofe that do ; and it is natural for us to love them that love us, and we Ihould be ungrateful if we did not : But the Reward is greater, if we love them that do not love us, which muft be manifefted in Deeds, as well as Words : For fiiying and doing, fometimes are two Things, which l^ii! ""'^^^ ^^^ Apoftle fay. Our Love 7nufl not be with Word^ and with tongue only^ but in Deed, and in Truth, Alfo Publicans (Men by the Jews ranked with Sinners, when '-^CutLi^T'sSer^oft on the Mount. 113 wlien they faid, heeateth with Puhlicans and Sinners j 1718. r they do fo, f. e. love thofe that love them. v^VNA^ -And as to friendly and hearty Salutations, that may ht necefll^ry or needful, we fhould not only manifeft them to our Brethren, but as Occafion requires to all, it being a fhining Virtue in Chriflians to be kind to Strangers, and to fhew forth a generous and loving Temper and Deportment to fuch as noay not be of us ; though not by a flattering, modifh, or complimental Way, yet hearty and refpedtul, according to the Plainnefsof Chrift, and the Simplicity of his Gofpel* without Refped: of Perfons, Refped being generally, or too generally, fhown to high, more than to them of low Degree. As we are not to refufe our friendly Sa- lutations to the Great, or the Rich, fo we are not to negle6t the Poor, for the Publicans do fo. Verfe48. Be ye therefore perfect ^ even as -^ our Father which is in Heaven is perfe^, Chrill: would have us to be perfe6t in the Practice of his Doftrine, and to live up to it in perfed Obedience, according to the beft of our Judgments, and Under- flandings, and not to do his Work by Plalves, but honeftly, and perfe6lly, according to the Meafure of Grace received, feme having received twice, fome thrice fo much as fome others, as the Parable of the Talents plainly fheweth : So that what Difcoveries or Manifeftations of Grace, Light or Truth, we have reciv^d, we ought to walk up to them perfedlly ; Even as your Father which is in Heaven is -perfeEi. As the Almighty is perftd in his Love, Juflice, Mercy, Grace, and ^Truth, unto poor Mortals, in Chrift Jefus, his only Begotten, and in all his Works j fo ought we to be perfedt in our known Duty : As it is written, Te ft) all he holy ^ for /, the Lord '^ our God, ainholy. So Levit. 19: muft we be according to our Degree of Grace received. ^* '-'^' Tis fuppofed, no Body will unagine that any Mor- tal can come up in Degree with the Almighty, but ac- cording to our Meafure, Gift, and Degree oi Grace re~ H ceived. 114 ^omc OBSERFJTlONS on 17 iS. ceiled, we are to be holy and perfedl, as God, our ^-^'V^ heavenly Father, and Chrifl, our dear Lord, is fo ia Fulnefs. Chap. 6. Verfe i, ^ake heed that ye d9 not your Alms before Men^ to he feen of ihenty otherwije ye have no Re- ward of your Father which is in Heaven. Verfe 2. 'Therefore zvhen thou dofi thine Alms ^ do not found a Trumpet before thee^ as the Hypocrites do^ in the Synagogues^ and in the Streets^ that they may have Glorj of Men : Verily I fay unto you^ they have their Re- ward. Verfe 3. But when thou dofl Alms^ let not thy Left- hand know what thy Right-hand doth : Verfe 4. ^hat thine Alms may be in Secret^ and thy Father which feeth in Secret, himfelf fljall reward thee openly. The Chriftian Religion, in its Purity, according to the Dodlrine of the Founder of it, is a compaflionate Religion, and full of Pity, as well as Piety ; it is a ho- ly Compofition of Charity, and Goodnefs. The jmtiu Apoftle thus defcribes it : T\\^purc Religion^ and that ^^' which is undefiledhejore God and the Father^ is this, T& vifit the Fatherlefs., and Widows, in their AfflioJion -, and to kept himfelf unfpct ted from the PForld. This is pure Religion, and this is the Chriftian Religion ; happy are thefe who walk up to it, and live according to the Precepts of him who dictated them ; then the Widows, and the Fatherlefs, would not be neglecled ; th<;.Poor would be very generoufly taken care of, and our Gar- ments kept clean, and all done as fecretly as may be ; for when we proclaim our Alms-deeds, and Charity, we lofe our Reward from our heavenly Father; alfo when Alms is given, it ought to be done in the Spirit of Love, andMeeknefs, and fo recived ; tlTc the Re- rrov. 19. ceiver lofes a fecond Benefit, and the Giver his heavenly 17. Reward. To give to the Poor, is to lend to him that made us, and we (hall have good and greater Meafure returned us again. If we hope to have the Gates of Chrift's Christ'! Sermon on the Mou7it. 115 Chrift's Kingdom opened to us at lad, our Hearts mud 1718. alfo be opened to the Poor and Need, when in l^^^/X) Diftrefs ; remembering the Words of Chrifb^where he fays to fome who were waiting for, and wanting an Entrance into the Kingdom, faying, Lcrd^ Lord^ open unto us ; he tells them, I was hungry'^ and ye gave me no Meat \ I was naked^ and ye cioathed me 720 1 ; / was fick^ and in Fr'ifon^ and ye vifiled me Mat. 25. not. They anfwered, hord^ when [aw we thee hungry^ '^^^ naked^fick, or in Prifon^ and did not feed thee^ cloath tbee^ and viftt thee ? He anfvvers. In as much as ye did it not to one ofthefe which believe in my Name,j^'f rtVJ it not to me. He limpathizeth with his pooreil and meaneft Members, whatever others do, and takes that done to them as done to himfelf, whether it be Good or Bad. We (hould be good to All, but eipecially to Chrift's Members, or theHouihoid of the faithful Keepers of his Commandments •, and Alms-deeds have the Approbation of Goodnefs from the univerfal Tefli- mony of all Men, in a general Way. Our Alms be- ing thus diftributed according to our Ability, and the oliNecefllties ot theObjedl, without Oftentarion, in Se- cret, our munificent Father, who fees in Secret, will openly reward us. How many rich Men are there in the World, who have made great and coftly Entertainments for their rich Friends, Neighbours, and Relations (and if their Subftance be fo great, that it is not tele by them) they had the more Need to remember the Poor : When they never fo much as fpare the Tithe of it to them, ^xthough the Poor have ten times the Need of it, and -'though Chrift fays, V/hen thou makefl a Feaft^ invite ^^^^ ^^^ not thy rich Friends^ for they will invite thee again ^ but call the Poor^ the Lame, and the Blinds &c. Verfe 5. And when thou pray eft ^ thou (halt not he as the Hypocrites are, for thty love to pray ftanding in the Synagogues, and in the Corners of the Streets ^ that H 2 they ii6 Some OBSEVAnONS on 1718. the^^ mayhefeen of Men ; verily I fay untoyou^ they have (•♦-V'Ni^ their Reward. Verfe 6. But thou^ when ihou prayfl^ enter into thy Clofety and zvhen thou hafi pout thy Door^ fray to thy Father which is in Secret^ and thy Father wbich feeth in Secret^ Jhall reward thee openly, Verfe 7. But when ye pray, ufe not vain Repititiffns^ as the Heathen do : For they think they [hall he heard for their much Speaking. Verfe 8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of^ before you'l ajkhim. ■'-' Prayer is abfolutely needful for the Being and Well-^ being of an inward reformed Chriilian : an oiufide for-' mai Chriftian may ufe the Form, though unreformed ;' but it availeth but little without Reformation. And private Prayer, according to Chrilt's Rule, is effedual and rewardable, agreeable to his Doclrine. He alfo fpeaks againft Hypocrify^and loving to befeen of Men, with a Command not to be like unto them. But thon^ when thou praycfi^ enter into thy Clofei. When v^?e feel, and are lenfible of a Divine Call, this muft of courfe be the right and bed time ("for Chriil has not fet- us adillinfl Hour) then we are to enter into the CI0-* fetof an humble Heart or Mind, or feme fecret Place in private. This is Chrifl's Order for particular Per- fons in a general Way ; but is not intended to pre- vent fuch who are rightly concern'd to pray i^v the publick AfTemblies, or Gathering of the Church-, for we have Chrift for our Example, who prayed openly and publickly with his Difciples. But when ye pray^ ufe not vain RepititionSj as the Heathens do •, for they think to be heard for their much Speaking. Formal Repetitions of Prayer, repeated Day by Day, when they are not according f but con- trary) to the States of thofc to whom they are read or repeated, muft needs be vain, and Pegple may vain- Chist'j" Ser772on on the Moimt. 117 jy make ufe of the Lord's own Form in that Cafe (though it is the beft in the World) and to think to be heard tor their much Speali^ing, is to run into an Er- ror of the Heathen. Be not ye (fays Chrift) therefore like unto them \ for )Our Father knoweth what "Things ye loaveneedof^ before ye ajk him. Prayer is aGifttrorn God, and from Chrift, and as we wait on God in Chrift's Name and Power, he will give us that Gift, when he fees we ftandin need of it, or it will be for our Edification : For he has promifed to pour out the Spirit of Prayer, and of Supplication, upon his People. And our great Apoftle faid, ij he 'prayed^ hQ zvouldpray , c'ar. t^. with the Spirit. In another place he fays, U^e know ^5^ not what we [fjould pray for y as we ought -, hut the Spirit ^^^ itfelf maketh Interceffionfor us with Groanings that cannot he uttered. Likewife the fame Apottle fays, llje Spirit alfo helpeth our Infinnities, Thofe had not found out the Wciy of reading Prayers unto the People in common, neither of making of them j though it will be acknowledged that they had as much of the Mind of Chrift, as any of our modern Prayer-makers or Sayers •, and fmce there is no Form like that of Chrift's, it is here fet down, that People might cake diligent Care to L^arn it, and to teach it to their Chil- dren. But it they learn it rightly, they miift alfo learn to live in it: That is, live according to it •, otherwife they will mock, inftead of ferving him, that made both it and them for his own Honour, and the Glory of his Name. Verfe 9. After this Manner therefore pray ye : Our Father which art in Heaven^ hallowed be thy Name. Verfe 10. Thy 'kingdom come'. Thy Will he done in Earthy as it is Heaven. Verfe 1 1. Give us this Bay our Daily Bread. Verfe 12. And forgive us our Dehts^ as we forgive our Debtors, H 2 Verfe uS Some O B S E RFyl T I O N S on 1718. Verfe 13. And lead us not into temptation ^ hut deli" .y^Y"^ "v^r us from Evil \ for thine is the Kingdotn^and the Power^ and the Glcry, for ever. Amen. Verfe 14. For if ye forgive Men their Trefp^^J/es, your heavenly Father will alfo forgive you, Verfe 15. But if ye forgive mt Men their ^refpaffes^ neither will your Father forgive your ^refpajfes. A iliorc Form, and but few Words, but of excel- lent Compofition. And truly happy are thofe, who live fo in their Converfation, that they may, when they ufe them, doit without Falfhood, or Deceit ; enjoy- ing the Anfwer of Peace in the Pradice of them, and the Senfe of Grace influencing the Soul. ifl. Our Father which art in Heaven, The great Creator is indeed our univerfal Father, hath made us all, and all Nations, of one Blood ; but there is ano- ther, a nearer Relation than this, to be a Child of God by Regeneration ; for otherwife, if we live in an un- John 8 regenerate State,in our natural Sins and Lufts,all which 44.' ' are of Satan, then Chrift fays, Te are of your Father the Mat 11, ^^'^^' ' and the Ltifls of your Father ye will do\ a flrong 4c: to. ' Reafon ! But in another Place, Whcfoever Jhall do the Will of my Father which is in Heaven ^ the fame is my Brother^ and Sijler, and Mother. It is into this Rela- tion that the Sou! ought to come, that can truly and religioufly fay. Our Father^ &c. 2^/>', Hallowed be thy Name, Do we fani^ify the holy Name of the God of the whole Earth ? Do we religioufly obferve to fear and ferve Him ? Do v/e prophane his awful Name, by taking it in vain, and living in Sin and Vanity? Which inflead of hallowing and fan6lifying his Name, is todiflionour and reproach it on. our Parr, though he will hallow and honour his own Name in Juflice and Judgment, on prophane and ungodly Livers, at the laff Day, when he fliall Gal. tf. come to judge the Qiu'ck and the Dead by Jefus Chrif *, V God will not be mocked \ fuch as every one fows, fuch G H R I s T *j Sermon on the Mount 119 uch fhall they reap, whether Sin unto Death, or Righ- 1 718. teoufnefs unto Life. ^.y^r^ adh\ Tby Kingdom come. His Kingdom is a King- dom of Righteoufnels. Happy Souls ! who feeic the Righteoufnefs of it betimes, and continue in it to the End. If this Kingdom comes, Satan's (which is a Kingdom of Sin and Unrighteoufncfs) muft needs fall. Oh ! that the rifmg Generations might be ftrong to overcome the Wicked one, and to be Inftruments to pull down his King<3om, and promote the Kingdom of *God, and his Chrift ; and if we do not believe that Satan's Power and Kingdom may and ought to be deftroyed in us, How can we pray without Hyprocrify for the Coming of God's holy Kingdom ? Believing v/e rnuft live and die in Sjn, is a great Support to Satan's Kingdom, and a great Hindrance of the Com- ing of the Kingdom of the dear Son of God. ^^ ' ^thly^ Thy IVill be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. y^ofb certainly the Will of God is pundlally and per- ftdtlydone in Heaven ; hardly any who makes ufe of this blefled Form but believes it ; but this is the Mi- fery of many Souls, to believe it not pofTible for them to do God's Will here on Earth, as it is done in Hea- ven. So that fuch pray in Unbelief, or without a true Faith ; and the Apoitle fays, What is not of Faith is Rom. i^ Sin. Is it not alfo a kind of charging Chrift with "3- commanding that which cannot be done? It is wor- thy our fedate Confideration. He harh fown Grace, ^^,^,5. and ought in Juftice to reap it from all Morenls. The 3- great Sower, Chrift, fows in ail Sorts of Men or Titus 3. Grounds : The Grace of God appears to all Men, '*• and teaches them to deny Ungodlmefs and worldly Lufts, and that they fliould live foberly, and righte- oufly, and godly, in this prefent World. But Anti- chrift teaches, that it cannot be done here on Earth as in Heaven. Sthl)\ Give us this Day our daily Bread. We not being capable without his BlefTing of procuring our H 4 Eodies 120 Seme OBSERVATIONS on 1718. Bodies or Souls Bread, either natural or fupernatural | s^'V^'^and becauie our Souls cannot live without the laft, no more than our Bodies without the firft, therefore we ought to pray to our heavenly and mod holy Father for both, without Doubting ; and this fliould be done ' daily, either in Words, holy Sighing, or fpiritual Groans 5 the Almighty knowing the Language of the Soul in the one, as well as the other. 6thly, Forgive us our Debt 5^ as we forgive our Debtors^ Or Cas one of the Evangelifts hath itj our TrefpaJfeSy as we forgive them that trefpafs againjl u^ ; which is to the fame End and Purpofe *, for if a Debtor is in- debted to us, and happens, through fome Accident or other, to be infoivent, and have not wherewith to pay, we are to forgive him, elfe how can we exped God to forgive us. For we are all his Debtors, and have nothing (that we can call our own in a religious Senfe) to pay that great Debt, which we owe to him, our Mighty Creditor ; who might lawfully caft us into an Eternal Goal. But Oh ! his infinite Mercy and Love is very gre^at to us, poor Mortals ; and he would have us to imitate him, and forgive one another, as we expedl he fhould forgive us. And fince Offences and TrefpafTcs will come, we mufb forgive, and the more freely, when the Per- fon offending fues by humble Petition to the Offended for it ; then if we forgive not, neither will our hea- venly Father forgive us our Trefpaffes. ythly^ And lead us not into "Temptation^ but deliver us from ail Evil ; for thine is the Kingdom, and the Power ^ and the Glory ^ for (ver. Amen. That is, to lead us into Truth and Righteoufnefs, which is the fame with leading us out of Sin, and out of Temptation : For we pray to be led out of it, by praying not to be led intQ it ; feeing we are nottopnder- ftand that the Almighty will tempt any Man to Evil. jtms \, If (fays the Apoftle) ^;23? Af^;i is tempted^ let him not ■2- fay he istemp)ted of God^ for Gocf tmpt,;th no Man, bttt Christ'5 Sermon on the Mount. I2i be is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Luft, 1 7 1 8. Though he doth fometimes permit and fufFer us to be tempted, and when we fall into divers Temptations,and efcape them, we have Caufe to be joyful, and thankful that we are delivered out of them, and to give the Glory to God, who is the great Preferver of Men. Whofe is the Kingdom^ and the Power ^ and the Ghry^ for ever. Amen. Verfe 1 6. Moreover^ when yefaft^ he not as the Hypo- crites^ of a fad Countenance^ for they disfigure their Faces^ that they may appear unto Men to fafl ; verily I fay un- to you ^ they have their Reward. Verfe 1 7. But thoUy when thou fafieft^ anoint thine Head^ and wafh thy Face^ Verfe 18. That thou appear not unto Men to fad^ hut unto thy Father ^ which is in Secret ^ and thy Father which feeth in Secret^ fhall reward thee openly, Chrift would have all our Works of Piety, Virtue, and Charity, all our religious Duties, done in the Divine Love and filial Fear of God, and not for vain Glory, or Olientation : And truly, without we expe6t our Reward from Men, there is no Need of an out- ward hypocritical Shew, in fuch extraordinary Duties, as is chat of Failing, when truly called to it, and truly- performed ; which the Jews were much in Pradlice of *, and being but formal Hypocrites (many of them) in it, our Lord reprehends them, and wants his own Hearers to fhun the like Deceit ; and tells them, if they faft fecretly^ their heavenly Father will reward them openly ', yet we mufl not be open Sinners, nor private Ones neither ^ for open or publick Sin is Dam- ning, if not repented of and forfaken, as well as pri- vate Deceit. Verfe, 19. Lay not up for yourfelves Treafure upon Earthy where Moth and Rufl doth corrupt^ and where .fhieves break through and fteaL [ \m. I' Verfe 1^2 Some O B SERVA no NS 071 171S. Verfe 20. But lay up for 'jourfelves Treafure in Eta- ^-''■V"^ 'V?n^ where neither Moth nor Rufi do , corrupt and *ixjhsre "Thieves do net break through nor fteal. Verfe 2f . For where your Treafure is^ there will ^our Heart he alfo. Earthly Treafures are very apt to take up the Mind, and to draw it from Heaven, and becaufe Chrift would have his Children to be in Heaven with him^ in ten- der Love he advifeth them not to lay up for them- felves Riches or Treafure on Earth. If it be faid we lay it up for our Children, it may be faid alfo, it is the fame Snare to them, as to the Parents, and fometimes a greater •, and when it is gotten, it is liable to many Cafuakies, and creates a great deal of Care and Trouble ; v/herefore Chrift tenderly advifeth to feek af- ter, and lay up another Treafure, of another Nature, in another, and a fifer, and better Place, which will not be liable to the like Cafuakies of the former Treafure and Place, and urgeth us to it, with this great Reafon ; For where your Treafure is, there will your Heart he alfo. Oh! may every true Chriftian's Treafure and Heart be there for ever. Ntx\z 22: The Light of the Body is the Eye •, if therefore thine Eye hcfinghy thy whole Body Jhall he full of Eight. Verfe 23. But if thine Eye he evil, thy whole Body Jhall he full of Darknefs : If therefore the Light which 15 in thee he Darknefs^ how great is thatDarknej'^s, It is not Good to look on Men nor Things, with an evil Eye i but fmgly to look on One's Self and others, in the Fear ot God, having a fingle and fingu- lar Eye to his Calory ; and then being enlightned by his Divine Light, wc fhall difcern between Good and Evil ; whereas it there be any double Dealings, or looking or thinking ; or if ungodly Self be in the Bottom, and not the Glory of God •, then our Light IS turned into Darknefs, and that Darknefs will be ve- yamcsi. ry great ; as it is faid in the holy Scriptures, a Double ^' minded Man is U7jjlable in all his JVays: So that our Saviour's Christ'^ Sermon on the Mount. 123 •Saviour's Dodlrine is good ; to have a fmgle Eye, and 17 1 8, to avoid all double Dealing. <^^\^ Verfe 24. No Man canferve two Mafters : For either he will hate the one^ or love the other ; or elfe he will hold io the one^ and defpife the other : Te cannot ferve God and Mammon, Oi We cannot give our Hearts to God, and to this World, and the Things of it alfo, fo as to fet our AfFedions on both^ as laith the Apoftle, If any Man ^-^^^ love the TVorldy the Love of the Father is not in him. i^. And again. The Love of Money ^ is the Root of all Evil-, ^^J^^-^* i, e. the inordinate Love of it, and feeking after it, and ferving of, and for it, more than for our Maker and Saviour. Then let us defpife the World, and the Things of it, in Comparifon of our God, and our Saviour. We do not underfliand by thofe Words of Chrid, that he intended to debar us from feeking a comfortable Accommodation for ourfelves and Families, in this World ; but that we fhould not fet our Hearts and Affedlions upon it ; for we cannot equally afFe(5b both Heaven and Earth. Verfe 25. Therefore T fay unto you^ take no Thought for your Life^ what ye Jhall eat^ or what ye Jhall drink \ nor yet for your Body^ what ye fhall fut on: Is not the Life more than Meat^ and the Body than Raiment ? Verfe 26. Behold the Fowls of the Air : For they fow not^ neither do they reap^ nor gather into Barns \ yetyoiir heavenly Father fee del h them. Are ye not much letter than they ? Chrift would have us without anxious Tlioughts aboutour Livings in this World, /. /f. about our Eating, bfiDrinking, and Cloathing, and tells us, that the Life is more than Meat^ and the Body than Raiment \ by which he fhews us, that he which gave the Life, will, by his Providence, fupport it *, and as he hath formed the Body, he will form that which muft feed ic ; and that we might the more depend upon God's Providence, ■^^'he brings us to learn, or teaches us by the Fowls of the 124 ^ome OBSERVATIONS on 1718. the Air, who neither fow nor reap, nor gather into Barns, and yet their great Creator feedeth chem : and afks. If we are not much better than they ? So that we being more noble Creatures, need not doubt of the Care and Providence of God, and his Blefiing on the Labour of our Hands ; though our Hearts are not concerned unnecelTarily about it, but we have freeJy given them to God, and to his Chrift, our Saviour. Verfe 27. Which of you by taking Thought can add one Cubit to his Stature ? The Farmers or Planters cannot by their Thought- fulnefs caufe their Corn, Fruits, nor Cattle to mul- tiply or grow ; nor the Tradefman his Cuftom, Goods, or Bufinefs (without a proper Application, which our Saviour is not againft) only he would have us without an incumbered and over-caring Mind. The Merchant likewife, by all his Thoughtfulnefs, cannot bring home his Ship from far, nor carry her fafe to her delired Port. AH I'hings on this wife are in the Hand of Almighty God, and it is our Duty to truft in him, and to depend upon his Divine Providence, for Meat, Drink and Cloathing, tor Happinefs here, and hereafter, for ever. Verfe 29. And why take ye Thought for Raiment ? Confider the Lillies of the Field how they grow j they toil not^ neither do they fpin, Verfe 29. And yet I fay untoyou^ that even Solomon, in all his Glory^ was not arrayed like one ofthefe, Verfe 30. Wherefore if God fo clothe the Grafs of the Fields which To-day is^ and To-morrow is cafi into the Oven^ fhall he not much more clothe yoUy Oh I ye of little Faith? Verfe 31. Therefore take no thought, f^Wg-^ what fhall we eat^ or what JJjall we drink^ or wherewithal JJjall we be clothed ? Verfe 32. (For after all thefe Things the Gsnuks feek) for your heavenly Feather knowcth that ye have need of all tbefs Things, Many C H R I s T 'i Sermon on the Mount, 125 Many People now, as well as then, are very fond 1718. of their Cloathing, and love to be gay and fafhionable iy^^TKl ^ therein, and fome are not a little proud of their Clothes, and are not a little thoughtful how they may deck themfelves to be admired : When our plain Lord, •who wore a Veflure without a Seam, fends us to the >*'* ^^ Lilly to confider her Beauty and Glory, and innocent ^^' Thoughtleflhefs, declaring, that Solo?Jwn^ in all his Grandeur and Splendor, was not arrayed like one ok thefe : For this is a natural Sweetnefs and Gaiety that the Lilly is clad with ; but Solomonh ( as is alfo moll Men ;:nd WomensJ is generally but artificial : Weil, it God fo clothe the Grafs of the Earth, will he not clothe us : If we believe not, we mull have but very little true Faith, So that it would be much better for lis to confulthow we fhall do to pleafe God, and honour him, and his holy Son, and Divine Name, than to con- fult what we fliall eat or drink, or how, or wherewith we fhall be clothed, which Things the Gentiles fought after, more than after God. But we knowing thac our heavenly Father feeth that we have need of all thefe Things, fhould chiefiy leave it to him, and firft feek his Kingdom and Righteoufnefs. Verfe 33. But feek ye firft the Kingdom of God, and his Righteoufnefs^ and all thefe things fiall be added un- to you. Verfe 34, Take therefore no Thought for the Morrow: For the Morrow fhall take Thought for the Things of it^ felf : Sufficient unto the Day is the Evil thereof. Here is a glorious Gofpel Promife ; upon feeking the Kingdom of God, and his Righteoufnefs, all thefe Things fliall be added to us, viz. Meat, Drink, and Raiment, the necelTary Things that we want, to fupport us in thefe lower Regions, or while we are here in this World ; but then, withal, let us remem- ber it muft be our firft Work, it muft be the chief Defire of our Souls j it muR' be firft in feveral Senfes ♦, firft, as to our young and tender Years j firft in the Morning 126 'Some OBSERFJTlONS on 171 8. Morning of cv^ery Day ; firft, in refpedl of, and before \y\'^^ all other Things ; firft, as it hath pleafed God to give us a Being in this World, and being in the Prime and Flower of our Years, we Hiould then devote our Souls to God, and his Work and Service, and enter into Covenant with him, with full Purpofe of Heart, and Defign of Soul, to keep the fame truly and invio- lably ; for it would be better not to make Covenant, than to make it, and break it ; neither fhould we flight or put off the Work of God till we are old, and in our declining Years ; as though we give him the Refufe, and broken End of our Days, and conclude, it will better become me when I am old to ferve Him : Oh, no ! Learn the Fear of God truly, and pradlife it when thou art young, and thou wile not eafily depart from it when thou art old : As thou wilt find it hard to get into a holy Life and Converfation, when thou haft been fpending thy Youth in Folly and Vanity : Remember thy Creaior therefore in the Bays of thy Touth, before the Evil Day come. The /Autumn of M^n's Years is here in divers Refpe£ts called the Evil Day : Oh ! 'tis exceeding fweet and precious to fee and be fenfible of an innocem: Life, and modeft, fober Converfation, in Youth ; when they are in their blooming, flow'ry Years, to be fcented v/ith Grace, and Truth, muft needs be affecling. When Youth are laden with Fruits of Grace, and of the Holy Spirit, how pleafant is the Tafle of it; it generally relifhes well with all Men, and naturally brings Praife to God, as well as Peace to the Soul. May the Youth of this prefent Ge- neration, as alfo Generations to come, be fuch holy Plants, that God*s Right-Hind may be fecn in plant- ing them ; When after being friutful, and doing the Work and Service of their Day, and anfwering the no- ble End of God in making and planting them herein this Vv'orld, they may be tranfplantcd into the Eternal Kiiigdom of Heaven i which, doubtlefs, they will, who Christ'^ Sermon on the Mount, itj who firll feek his Kingdorp, and the Righteoufnefs 1718. of it. \ysr^ idly^ If we confider that our Life and Being is dai- ly granted to us, and we fupported by the Goodnefs and Providence of Ahnighty God every Day, it is but juft that he fhould have the iirft or prime of our Thoughts in the Morning of the Day •, and he (being the Firft and the Laft) ought to be hifV, as well as the firft, in our Thoughts, alfo in the Evening. The Royal Pfalmift faith. If I prefer not Jerufalem before my chief efl Joy ^ then let my Right -hand forget its Cunning, ^-^^^"^^^ and my Hongiie cleave to the Roof Qf my Mouth ; much more ought v/e to prefer our Creator co all Things, and to have our Thoughts on him, firft and forcmaft in all Things, and every Day. 3^/)', For what are the Things of this World in Comparifon of thofe that are to come, all thefe are fading and tranfitory ; but the Things of that which is to come, are durable, and permanent ; and therefore ought to be firft and chief in our Minds. That which is chief in our Hearts, may be faid to have the firft Place there ; One Thing (fays a Servant of God) have I defired, pfai, 272 and that will I feek after ^ that I might dwell in the Houfe '^^ of God all the Days of my Life, This was the firft or prime Thing, which he and we was, and are to feek for, and after. As for the Morrow, we need not be too thoughtful or anxious concerning or about it, for we know not whether we fliall live to enjoy it, fo that as Chrift fays. Sufficient unto the Day is the Evil thereof Chap. vii. Verfe i. Judge net ^ that ye be not judged \ Verfe 2. For with what Judg?nent ye judgey ye fhall he judged j and with what Meafure ye metSy it fhall he meafured to you again, A great and wife ExprefTion, or Sentence from a Righteous and Juft Judge ; the Judge of Heaven, and of Earth, to whom ail P, an*;! thit 128 Some OBSERVATIONS cn 1 7 1 8. that we are not rafli and cenforious therein ; confidering ^-''"V*^ that with what Judgment we judge our Neighbours, or Fellow-mortals, with fuch fhall we alfo be judged ourfelves, and that Meafure which we meafure out to others, fhall be filled to us again, when it comes to our Turn to be judged or cenfured by others, for any Thing which we have done or faid, we are ready then to cry out for Charity ; are we fo careful to be charitable in our judging and cenfuring others ? It is better to fufpend perfonal Judgment, without we could fee the Hearts of Men ; and if we think we do, then to imitate God and Chrift, who mixes Mercy and Love with Judgment ; Rafhnefs and Extreams in Judgment, being commonly hurtful. Verfe 3. And why heholdeft thou the Mote that is in th'j Brother* 5 Eye^ but confidereih not the Beam that is in thine ozvn Eye ? Verfe 4. Or how wilt thou Jay to thy Brother^ let me pull out the Mote that is in thine Eye^ and behold a Beam is in thine own Eye, V^erfe 5. Thou Hypocrite^ fir ft caft out the Beam out of thine own Eye, and then JJ:alt thou fee clearly to caft out the Mote out of thy Brother'* s Eye, Moil true it is, that the TrangrefTions of others are moft afflicSting to thofe who lear God, and this is not intended to hinder the Good from reproving the Evil ; but fhevv's, that we mufb be clear of Evil in ourfelves when we reprove others, elfe the Guilt of Hypocrify will be, and is by Chrifl caftupon us, and laid at our Door. We are more to look at our own Failing?, than at the Failings of others-, and to take fpecialCare that we arc clear of that which we reprove others for ; and is it not Deceit, to fet up for Reformers of others, when there are great Defeds in ourfelves ? It is too ge- neral a Fault in poor Mortals to be quicker fighted to fee the Faults of others, than their own. 'Tis worthy reciting our Saviour's Words to the Jews^ who brought the Woman taken in Adultery to him, and told C H R 1 s T *i Sermon ' on the Mounts ^^ ^ told him, By their Law fhe ought to di^ ; he anfwers, 17 1 8» He that is without Sin, let him caft^ the firft Stone ^ at her. 'j^^ So they being guilty, and tonvided of Sin in their own Confciences, left her to ChriA, and went their Way ;. And. when we have done what we can to con- vince others of Sin, we n^ufl leave them to Chrift ac laft 5 whether we are in Sin, or without it 5 but w^e lliall be the better able to help to reform others, if we areclear from Guilt in ourHeartSk Verfe 6. Give, not that which is holy to' Dogs ^ neither £ aft ye your Pearls before Swine ^. left they .trample them tinder their Feet^ and turn again and rent yon, Wnen we fee the biting and perfecuting Nature^ and dirty felfifli Spirit of Men, it is to little Purpofe^ generally, to caft before them the precious Pearl of Truth, or to fhew unto them the deep Myfleries of jhe Kingdom of God, or the Light of Life, they be- ing in a brutifh Spirit; but when People are fober, and (hew forth Humanity and Moderation, then are holy Things valuable to them, and the Things of Chrifl's Kingdom, and his Dodlrine, precious in their Eyes, or. Eftefcm: Wherefore ic greatly behoveth Chrifl's Minifters to minifter that to the People which is fuijtable for them, and rightly to divide between the Precious and the Vile, and to give to every one their Portion, according to their Deeds •, Mercy to whom Mercy, and Judgment to whom Judgment belongs \ without Partiality^ and without Hypocrify or Deceit; and not to flatter and daub thofe who are in the doggilh and fwinifh Nature. Verfe 7. AJk^ and it (hall he given you ; feek^ and ye fiall find *, knocks and it Jhall he opend unto you, Verfe 8. For every one that ajkeih^ reeeiveth ; and he that feeketh^ f.ndeth 'i andto him that knocketh^ it ft:) all he opened. Verfe 9. Or what Man is there of you ^ whom if his Spn ajk Breads will he give him a Stone ^ I VerJc J^a Some OBSERVATIONS on 17 18. Verfe 10. Or if he ajk a Fijh, will he give him A \^rsr^ Serpent ? Verfe 11. If ye then^ being evil, know how to give good Gifts to 'jOur Children^ how much more fh all 'jour Fa- ther 'which is in Heaven give good Things to them that aJk him ? Our kind and tender Redeemer would flir up and pro- voke Souls to Prayer and Supplication ; he has been liberal in his holy Advice ; and to ftir us up to it, here are moving ExprefTions, if thy Heart be open to receive them : Can we have cafier Terms if we were to make them ourfelves with the Lord, thantoalk, and have ; feek, and find ; knock, and the Gates arc opened ; provided we afk in Faith tenderly, and feek in Humility, and knock with Divine Wifdom and Submiffion ? Our Lord's own Pradice fhews that we Ihould be tender, fubmiflive, and fervent in Prayer ; and then the fervent Prayer of the Righteous availeth much with the Lord. Chrilt urgeth us to it, and brings ourfelves for Example •, What Man is there among you, who if his Son aJk Bread, or a Fifh^ will he give hi?n a Stone, or a Serpent ? Surely no : No Fa- ther would deal thus with his Child ; but when his Child is hungry, and wants and afks Bread, he gives it to him: So when the Almighty fees our Hunger, and we tenderly feek Divine Affiftance and Refrefhment from him, he, in his own Time fatisfies fuch Souls with Bread from above, and the Thirfly with Living Water out of the Wells of Salvation : Oh ! bleffed be his Holy Name for evermore. Evil Men know how to give good Things to their Children, therefore wc may well conclude, that our heavenly Father knows how to give with much more Difcretion and Under- Handing the good Things of his Kingdom, to true, afking, feeking, knocking, or praying Souls. Verfe 12. Therefore all Things whatfoever ye would that Menfljould do tmto you, dj cvenfo to them j for this is the Law and the Prophets, Well ChristV Sermon' on the MounU 131 Well may this be called the Golden Rule ; for if 1718, we fquare our Lives and Actions by ir, it will certainly V^S^V mete us out the true Way to Happinefs and Glory. We are generally apt to fay, when any One doth 111 to another, «' Would he be willing to be fo ferved himfelf ?" And if we followed this Rule in all our Concerns, it would be well 5 whether in Relation to publick or private Bufmefs j whether in Trade or Re- ligion, or in ourdomeftic Affairs : The Law and the Prophets point at it, and our Saviour plainly lays it down for a Rule for us to walk by. t / Verfe 13. Enter )V in at tbeftrait Gate ; for wide is the Gate, and broad is the Wa)\ that leadeth to Defiru^ion^ and many there be which go in thereat, Verfe 14. Becaufe fir ait is the Gate^ and narrow is the Way^ that leadeth unto Life^ and few there be that find it. It is afflidling to confider how natural it is for Peo- ple to walk in this broad Way^ and they who walk in it are many ; for here is Room for Peopleto walk if they are Proud, Whorerpongers, Adulterers, Thieve, Swearers, Liars, Drunkards, Covetous, or in any other evil Courfe of Life, this bro.id Way hath Room enough in it for them to walk in \ but let them know it leadeth to Deflru^lion, and the End is Ecernal Mife- ry, and their many Companions will adminifter no Confolation to them, when they lift up their Eyes in Hell. And whereas the Way that leads to Life, is called ftraic ; it is only (trait to Fiefh and Blood, or the Will of ungenerate Men : Oh ! 'tis a pleafant Way, exceeding pleafant, when Brethren walk toge- PM 155. ther in Love and Unity. The Enemy of Mankind '* would perfwade Souls that 'tis narrower than it really is, when they have fome faint Inclinations to make Trial of it. It may truly be faid, that, Blejfed are pfai, n^; the Uudefiled in this ftrait and narrow JVay^ ^^^ jvov walk in the Law of the Lord : For, His F/ays are ^^^' ^* Ways of Pleafantnefs, and all his Paths are Peace. And I 2 although 132 Some OBSERVATIONS en 1718. although the Way to the Kingdom was ftrait and K/^^"^ narrow, yet there are Hills and Valleys therein as well as Plains, until we get through the Gate to Glory : There fhall we know no more Sorrow, nor Pain; but Ihall praife and glorify God and the Lamb for ever. Verfe 15. Beware of falfe Prophets^ which come to 'jou- in Sheep Clothing ; hut inwardly they are ravening Wolves, Verfe 1 6. Yejhall know thc7n hy their Fruits : Bo Men gather Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of mjlles ? Verfe 17. Even fo every good Tree hringeth forth good Fruit \ hut a corrupt Tree hringeth forth evil Fruit, Verfe 18. A good Tree cannot hring forth evil Fruity neither can a corrupt Tree hring forth good Fruit. Verfe 1 9. Every Tree that hringeth not forth good Fruit, is hewn down, and caft into the Fire. Verfe 20. Wherefore hy their Fruits ye fhall know them. The great Shepherd and Bifhop of Souls, fhews the Care which he takes of his Sheep, and forewarns them to be careful of falfe Prophets, and Deceivers ; who though they may clothe themfelves with Words like the true Ones, yet inwardly they would deftroy all that do not join with, or receive them ; and they are for biting the poor harmlefs Sheep ot Chrifl:, and if they could, or it were in their Power, would de- vour them, their Minds being in the ravening Nature. But our Holy, and All-wife Bifhop, that we might be preferved from them, tells us how we may infalli- bly know them: Saying, Te fo all knew themhy their Fndts^ giving us to underftand, the Reafonablenefs of his Dodtrineand Affertion of knowing them hy their Fruits. Do Men gather Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of Thijlles^ fays Chrifl ? Surely No. That is altogether unnatural, as well as unreafonable and impoffible. In the Grape there is a fweet and pleafant Nourifhment, thofe Fruits being cordial and wholefome ; but it is bad C H I s T V Sermon on the Mount. 133 bad meddling with Thiflles and Thorns, they being 1718. generally very unprofitable to Mankind, and hurt the WVn^. good Stt^i^ wherever they grow among it. Well, where mud we go for the Grapes, and the Figs ? To be fure we mud go to the Vine, and the Fig-Tree : Chrift is the Body of this Vine, and his People are the Branches, who bring forth fuch Fruit Caccording to the Divine Life and Sap which they receive^ as he taught, and teaches, to his Followers. So that if Mens Words be like the Words of Angels, if thev have never fo great Parts and Endowments ; yet if their Fruit be evil, if they live in Sin, and do Iniqui- ty, and bring forth the Fruits of Malice and Rage, or devouring Perfecution, they then are none of Chriil's Sheep, though they may have their Clothing : For every good Tree hringeth forth good Fruit \ and a ^ cor- nip Tree hringeth j or th evil Fruit. So if the Fruit be evil, the Tree is certainly corrupt. Our Lord eife- where faith. Make the Tree good^ and the Fruit mil be /^^f, 12. good alfo; and to be made truly good (fince we are33» all corrupt by Nature, and in the Fall) we mud be ^ cut off from that Nature and grafted into Chrift, who faid, lam the Vine^ and y are the Branches : And ^^^^ ^^ then our Lives and Fruits will be changed. And then, 5. A good Tree cannot bring jorth evil Fruity nor can a cor- rupt Tree bring forth good Fruit : And every Tree that hringeth forth not .good Fri^itj is hewn dozvn, and caft into the Fire. It would be very unnatural, and a meer Prodigy, for one Tree to hev/ down another, and caft it into the Fire, as they are natural Trees : But that^^r. z\ Ax (which 7^/6;^ fpeaks of) will belaid to the Roots ^°^ of the corrupt Trees, and will hew them down, and they will be caft into the Fire, as Chrift fpeaks. This is not a deftroying the Bo.dies of Men that Chrift (peaks of, but an inward Work in the Soul, fhewing the powerful Nature of the Difpenfation of the Gofpel of Chrift, which is not material Cutting, or Burning with material Fire, or Sword; But Chrift^s Word is ^ Fire I 3 and 134 Some OBSERVATIONS on 1718. and Sword to cut down and burn up the evil Nature in Man. The Apoftie confirms this Dodlrine of his M after thus, He that doth Right eoujnefs is righteous ^ hut he that f.nneth is of the Devil, The Apoftie is plain and full, as is Chrift, who repeats his Do6lrine over again, with, Wherefore by their Fruits 'jefhall know them, Verfe 21. Not every one that faith unto me Lord ! Lord ! Jhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ; hut he that doth the Will of 7n^ Father which is in Heaven, It is not our Profeflion that will give us Admit- tance into Heaven, nor a Name of Religion, nor religi- ous Performances, if we love Sin and Unrighteoufnefs, nor our praying, preaching, hearing, reading, or dif- courfing of, or arguing for Chrift, if we do the Works of Satan ; for there are many who may yet go farther than this, and yec not have Admittance into the King- dom of God and our bleffed Lord Jefus, as is plainly manifeft in the next Verfe. Verfe 22. Many will fay unto 7?ie in that Da'^^ Lord^ Lord^ have we not prophefied in thy Name^ and in thy Name have cafl out Devils^ and in thy Name^ have done many %'onuerful Works ? Verfe 23. And then I will prof efs to them I know ye not ; depart from me^ ye that work Iniquity, So that profeffing Chrift's own Name, and prophe- fying therein, without working the Works of God, will not dp, Nay, though they may caft out Devils, which indeed is a great Work, and here is not only one Devil in the Singular Number, but Devils in the PluraL They fay they have caft out Devils, and truly there are many Devils in poor Mortals fometimes, as was faid by them to Chrift ; Our Name is Legion, for we are many. There are the Devils of Pride, Co- yetoufnefs, Drunkennefs, Whoredom, Theft, Envy, Murder, Lying, Swearing, Hypocrily, Cheating, Backbiting, (j^c, and abundance more, which cannot eafily be named ; and though it miy be faid, an^ that Christ*! Sermon on the Mount 13^ that truly, that all thefe proceed from the Devil, who 17180 is an evil Spirit ; yet it may alfo be faid, that there {yy^ are many evil Spirits j and if all thefe evil Spirits are caft out of Man, and others of an evil Nature enter him again, his laft State is worfe than his Beginning, as Chrift fpeaks about the ftrong Man armed, who kept the Houfe till a ftronger than he came, who, yif*i/^i2; when he came, fpoiled hisGoods,anddifpoffefled him ; 45- but coming again found the Houfe (or HearrJ fwepc and garniflied, fwept from many Immoralities, and garnifhed with Self-righteoufnefs and carnal Security ; and the Man off his Watch, and not at home with Chrift, who is ftronger than Satan, he then re-enters, and feven worfe Spirits with him. So that we had need to be on our Watch, and keep near to Chrift, Jeft after all our Experience, and wondrous Works, our laft State be worfe than our Beginning, and we fhut out ot the Kingdom in the End. For thefe fay, that they had done many wonderful Works in Chrift's Name : So that we may work miraculous Things, and be fenfible of wonderful Power and Strength from Chrift ; and yet without perfevering in the Way of Holinefs and Self-denial, may fall fhort of Heaven. Wherefore it is bad, and of dangerous Confequence to live in Sin and Iniquity •, or to lean towards it, fo as to plead for it, or believe we cannot live without it while in this World. For if we live and die in it, we mayjuftly (according to the above Dodrine of ChriftJ exped that he will fay unto us in the great Day *, Depart from me^ '^e thai work Ini- , ^» Again, God will 72Qt hold him guiltlefs^ that taketh his Name in vain. Exod. XX. 7. nat Servant that knew his Lord's Will^ and did it not^ Jhall he beaten with many Stripes^ Luke^xii. 47. Thefe and many more Por- tions of Holy Scripture, are condemning and killing to thofe who live in Sin and Evil, which the Letter is abfolutely againft, and without true Repentance, accompanied with Amendment oi Life, though the Holy Bible be read every Day, it will but add to our Condemnation. But if People truly repent of the Evil of their Ways, and awake to Righteoufnefs, and fin not, as the Holy Scriptures themfelves hold, and Chrift about the Common PrayerJ 141 Chrift taught, then unto fuch Souls they are a rich 171 8. Treafure, and as a Cabinet full ot precious Jewels, *« able to make the Man of God wife to Salvation, through Faith" in Chrift fby the Influence of the Ho- ly Ghoft or Spirit^ It is not the Reading ^divinely in- ' fpired Writings, orj the Bible, which is fcrupled ; but the formal Reading of formal compofed Prayers and Songs, at fet Times, inftituted by fuch whofe Principle is, that there is now no Divine Revelation, and that we can*c live without finning, while we are in this Life, according totheTenour.of the Common Pray- er ; holding, that we fin as long as we live, as if God's Pov^'er were not ftronger to preferve out of Sin, than the Devil is to keep us in Sin, contrary to the Work and Dodbrine of the Holy Apoflles, who were fent of God to turn People from Satan's Power, to the Power of God ; whofe Glorious, Eternal Power, is above the Power of Sin, Death and the Devil. In the Common Prayer feme unfound Words, and alfo fome Scripture Expreffions, perverted to a v/rong Ufe, I would a little open, or write a few Words con- cerning- i/. As to that ExprefTion in the Common Prayer, <« that we are miferable Sinners." idly^ " And that we are full of Bruifes and putrify- ing Sores." ^dly^ " And from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Fooc, there is no Soundnefs in us." 4/Z?/)', *' And that we have left undone the Things which we ought to do, and do thofe Things which we ought not to do ; and this to be repeated for Life." Firjl^ then. If People muft be miferable Sinners all their Days, to what End did Chrift come into the World and preach the Gofpel, and fu'ler Death, the painful Death of the Crofs ? Did he not come to put an End to Sin, and todeftroy the Works of the Devil, whofe Works are Sin ? Did he not preach againft Sin, both within, and without? Wicnefs the 5th, 6rh, and 1 42.' ^ome truly tender Scruples of Confcience 1718. ^"^ 7^^ Chapters of the Evangelift Matthew, Yea, ii^ryrKj his Birth, Life, Preaching, Suffering, Death and Re- furredlion, and Afcenfion into Glory, were all againft Sin, the Devil, Death and Darknefs, and all the Worki and Deeds thereof. Chrift died for our Sins, and we fhould die to them, and Jive to him : He came to fave us from the Act of Sin, as well as the Imputation of it ; and takes away the Guilt of Sin, on Condition of true- Repentance and Amendment of Life, as the Dodrine of Chrift and his Apoftles do largely and plainly demon- ftrate, as any who are come to the Years of Difcretion, and who can but read the Holy Scriptures, may plainly difcover. The Apoftle faith, Whatfiever Things are holy^ what^ foever Things are -pure^ jufty and of good Report^ feek after thofe Things. And again. No unclean Thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven ; but certainly ail Sin is unclean. Read over the Holy Scriptures, from the Beginning to the End, their Nature and Tendency is againft all Sin ; and as it is true, that we all have been Sinners, furely therefore all true Chriftians, and true Believers in Chrift, have Caufe reverently to bow, and to be truly and humbly thankful, that Chrift, our great Lord, by his offering himfelf for us, hath taken away that Imputation ; fo that now through true Faith and Belief in Chrift, accompanied with true Repentance, and Amendment of Life, the Imputation of our former Sins is taken away ; for v/hich Caufe we praife God, and adore his Eternal Majefty for ever. idly. As to the Word miferable, a Chrift ian may in- deed be poor •, but fince Chrift is come to make us happy and comfortable through the Hope of eternal Salvation, in his Name and Power (as we are not to think ourfelves better than we are) fo we cannot fay nor think we are miferable, unlefs we are without God and Chrift ; and then we are miferable indeed 5 but no Mortal can be miferable, who hath Chrift ; for he that bath about the Common Prayer. J43 hath the Son^ hath Life (Eternal Life) abiding in him x 1718. To be truly in Chrift, is to be truly happy ; this Doc- Ui^VNJ trine is as clear as the Sun at Noon-day, or as a Morn- ing without Clouds : A Soul, when it comes to fee itfelf undone without a Saviour, and fee Sin to be ex- ceeding Sinful, and is ready to cry to the Almighty, Lord, help, orlperifh! Save me, or lam undone for ever ! Then the Soul feeth itfelf miferable ; but it is for wantof Chrift ; And when Chrift is come into, or unto the Soul, then its Mifery vanifhed, or flieth away ; but from Day to Day, and Week to Week, yea, all the Days of one's Life ; to be miferable Sinners, is a miferable Cafe indeed, deftroying the very Nature of Chriftianity : Wherefore, fome tender, confcientious Souls, cannot join with fuch miferable Sinners and Sayers, who neither fay nor do that which they ought 3 Jf }'^ love vie^ keep ?ny Co?nmandfnents, faith Chrift) I lay, how can any fuch fmcere Soul join with fuch v/rong Doers and Savers -, it muft needs be an unfale Praulice to do what One knows (hould not be done -, the Nature of fuch Doings being very provoking,, either to God or Man: What Man in the World would like it, in ei- ther Son or Servant ? Oh ! what v/ould become of poor, degenerate Man-^ if the Lord Almighty were not very indulgent, if he were not a God gracious and mercitui, flow to Anger, and of great- Loving-kindn^" to poor Mortals! Stbly^ And as to their Tinging David's Pfalms ia Metre -, how often do they fing that which is not true as to themfelves, and alfo that which is not according, but contrary to their States and Conditions ? As when they fmg, ^' That they water their Couch with their Tears •, and that they pra6lice what they know, when they confefs they do that which they ought not to do, and leave undone that v/hich they ought to do.'* The Apodie faid, he would fi^g zvitb the Spirit^ and with the Underfiandtng alfo. And again, JVe know not what zve Jhould pray for as we ought ^ hut the Spirit itfelf maketb Inter cefjion for us^with Groanings which can- not be uttered, Rom. viii. 26. In the primitive Times of Chriftianity, they pray'd and fung as they were helped by the Holy Ghofr, or Spirit, and not by Book, or ilinced or fet Forms j but Oh ! the primitive Sound- nefs of Chiftianity is too much loft and defaced -, and therefore Ibme who defire to come again to the prrmi- tive Soundefs and Purity of the Chriltian Religion, fcruple to join wich fach unfound F(,>rmalities, and th-^t K confcientiouQy, 146 Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience 1718. confcientioufly, tor theReafons above, and more which might be given. When fuch Scruples are mentioned, the Members of the Church of England uM^Uy reiplyy that the Scrip- tures vindicate them in their Form, which, how well they do fo, let it be freely and fairly examined ; not for Contention, but for Edification in the pure Love of Jefus. jfty '^ The Scripture faith, that there was a People that was full of Bruifes and putrifying Sores» ^r." Jnf, But that was in the Time of the Law, when the People had trangrefled the Law, and were under the Law^ ; for had they done their Duty, and kept the Law, they could not truly have laid fo, Ifa. i. 6, They were then indeed gone aftray like loft Sheep, and that brought them into that fore, putrified State, and bruifed Condition, and '' their Law did not make the Comers thereunto perfedl ; yet (as faith the Apo- Itle) the bringing in of a better Hope did,'* which was the Hope of the Gofpel ; fo that the Apoftle preaches Perfedion under the Gofpel Difpenfation, though fome of our worldly-wife Men will not allow of it ; and I hope we are not under the Law, but under Grace ; *^ and the glorious Law of the Spirit of Life, in Chrift Jefus, hath and doth fet the true Believers free from the Law of Sin and Death j" fo that a true Chriftian cannot fay truly (with the falfe and rebelli- ous Jews, of whom the Prophet there fpeaksj «' That he is full of putrifying Sores, and that there is no Soundnefs in him, and fay it all the Days of his Life." 2dlyy Again the Scripture fays, Pfa, li, 5. / wiis Jhapen in Iniquity^ and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. Anf. The Pfalmift was at that Time u*nder deep Con- vidions for the great Sins he had been guilty of, in the Matter of Uriah ; but by his ExprefTjons in the 9th, loth, and I ich Vcrfcsof the fame Pfalm, it is plain he believ'd a better State attainable -, and furely thefe i^xpreflions cannot be applicable to all Men, at all Times j nhoutthe Common PRAVERr I47 Times ; for we read of them who were fandlified from 171?, the Womb •, neither can it be reafonablyor charitably fuppoled, that all Women fefpecially chafte and virtu- ous Chriftians) do all conceive their Children in Sin, and bring them forth in Iniquity ; and if it were fo (which God forbid) it don't follow, that we mufl live in it all our Days \ no furely, if we believe Chrifl, and the Holy Scriptures, whofe Dcflrine is holy, and Commands Holinefs, in both Teilaments. And if People would walk in the Holy Light of Chrift, who enlightens every Man that cometh into the World, as recorded in Holy Scriptures, they would then be cleanred from their Sin, from both the Ad "^n^ the Imputation, as faith the Apoftle, If we walk in the Lights as he is in the Lights then have we Fellowjhip ons with another^ and the Blood of Jefus Chrif, his Son, deanfeth m from all Sin, i John i. 7. Q,dly^ '' There is none that doth Good, no not One," Ro?n, iii. 12. Anf It is beyond all Doubt the Apoflle fpoke of the People in their unconverted State •, for if they had been come to the Work of Converfion and Regenera- tion, they mult, and it is impoflible but they fhould, do fome Good •, and though there was a Time that none did Good, it was under the Law, and not under Grace ; and fpoken of the Unbelievers, and not Be- lievers ; efpeciiUy fince Chrift has brought a Covenant of Grace, in order to teach and help us to live^ righte- ous, virtuous, holy, religious, and fober Lives and Converlations, ^7///i ii. 1 1. ^thly. They objed the Words of our Saviour to the young Man in the Gofpel, where he calls Chriil Good Majlerj afking him, *' What good Thing he fhould do that he might inherit Eternal Life?*' Chrift an- fwered, IVhy calleft thou me good? "There is none good hutOne^ that is God, Mat. xix. 17. Anf And true it is, in our Lord's Senfe, for com- paring Men to Chrift (who is God) there is none good •, the young Man thought he had been fpeaking K 2 to 14 S Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience 1718. to a Man like himfelf, and knew not that he was C/V>J fpeaking to the Good and Gracious Son of the mofl: High God •, but if we compare IMen with Men, it mult be granted that there is, was, and will be fome good Men, Women, and Children, in that Senfeand Confideration \ and our Lord Iheweth how we may know thefe good Men, Women, and Children, 5y their Fruits j^ [hall know them, faith Chrift ; Men do not gather Grapes of norns, nor Figs of "Thiftles, A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruity neither can an evil Tree bring forth good Fruit \ wherefore by their Fruits '^e Jh all know them. How plain is the Docflrine of Chrift, if People would but lend an obedient Ear, and give him a faithful and fincere Heart, and ferve him in a pure Mind, without Deceit, or Guile, taking • up his holy Crofs (to the corrupt Will of ManJ in true Self-denial: The Scripture fays. If we corf efs our ^yo.» ^{^^^^ he is faithful and juft to forgive us our Sins, and to ^ cleanfe us from all Unrighteoufnefs : Where then is the Sin, \vhen God has cleanfed us from all Unrighteouf- nefs ? Indeed it is very meet, and our Duty, to confefs our Sins •, they truly fay. That, Sthly, The Scriptures in iundry Places excite us to confefs our Sins. An]] For poor Mortals have all finned, and by the:F finiui Nature, we are all Children of Wrath, and this is a flrong and mighty Motive for us in Truth to con- fefs ouf Sins, becaufe God is fo juft and merciful to forgive and pafs by our Iniquities j and indeed if the Weight of our Sins were upon us, and the true Senfe of the Heinoufnefs of Sin and Evil, it would certainly bow us in deep Reverence and Humility before the Throne of Grace, and melt our Spirits in true Ten- dernefs before the Mofc High and Immortal Jlhovah; and then it is that he forgives us, and cleanfethus trom al) Iniquity, and would (according to the Apo- llle's Dcclrine) pirify us id himfelf a peculiar People^ zealous of (and tor) good IVorks^ and againft bad Works, Sout tbe Common Prayer. 149 Works, and Words, and Thoughts alfo : And when 1718, God hath fo cleanfed the Soul, then of Courfe thefc common, and often repeated, dry Confeffions, full of Sin and Putrifadion, muft fall, and wefliould fear to offend any more. Let it be tenderly, and in Chridian Love, allied. How often do our Common Prayer Peo- ple go into their Clofets, or privately retire into Tome lecret Place, and their pour out their Cries and Tears to the Almighty, and humbly confefs their Faults to him alone ? I afk, would not luch an Exercife be more acceptable to God, than a popular Repetition dkily and formally made ? This I leave to the Con- fideration of all fober Chriftians, andto the Judgment of the truly Pious. And how like Mockery it looks, as foon as they come from their Prayers and ConfefB- ons, they (^many of themj will vainly laugh, and be full of idle Words and Difcourfe, and fome of them cnrfe andfwear, and take the Awful and Sacred Name which they have been addrelTmg (or pretending to ad- drefs) in vain, and profane that Holy Name of God and Chrifb, which they have been ufmg in their Devo- tion, which I have been an Eye and an Ear Wirnefs of many a Time, to the Sorrow and Grief of my Soul, and which hath, in Part, occafioned thefe Lines *, as alfo hoping it may be a Mo rive to ftir up fome to more holy Living, and that the Name of God and Chrift might be glorified, and the precious,dear-boughc Soul fa^^ed. Lee us alfo remember, that the Holy Scriptures do abundantly require and command us to forfake our Sins ; the Holy Text fays. He that con- fejfeth andforfaketb his Sins Jh all have Mercy. 6thly, And whereas the Apoflle Johfi, in his firft General Epiftle, Chap. i. Verfe8. writes. If we fay we have ?to Sin^ we deceive ourfelves *, from whence ic is objedled, we ought always to confefs our Sins. Anf. Yes we fliould do fo when ever v/e commit: any, or knowingly do Evil ; but when the Almighty hath cleanfed us from all Unrig.hteoufnefs, then our K 3 Sins 150 Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience Sins are done av/ay by the Grace of his Son, our Lord Jefus Chrift, and we are warh<:"d by Regeneration ; then it cannot be true to fay, we nre miferable and pu- trified Sinners, when at the fame Time alfo Chrift hath purified and fanclified his Church and People. It is true which St. John faith, Chap. i. Verfe 10. (that opening and explaining the 8th Verfe) If vje fay we have not finned^ we make him (u e God) a Liar •, for that all have finned \ fo that it is plain that he fpeaks of the State of Man before he comes to the Work of Converfion, or to be renewed by Grace •, for when we come truly toknowChrlR, and to fee and believe in him, then we witnefs a Change from our corrupt and evil Nature, and finful Courfe of Life, which is as clear as the Shining of the Sun without Clouds at Noon- day from the fame Apoftle's Words, which I Ihall tran- fcribe for Information and Edification of any who may fee this. Thefirft General ELpiftle of John ('the belpved Dif- ^ciple of our Lord Jefus^ 3d Chap. 6th Verfe to the 10th. — Whofoever ahideth in him (i, e, Q\\x'\^)finneth not\ Wbofoever finneth^ bath not feen him^ neither known him. Little Children^ lei no Man deceive 'jou : He that dctb Rigbteoiifnefsy is righteous^ even as he is righteous': He that commhleth Sin, is of the Devil -, for the Devil finnetb from the Beginning. For this Purpofe the Son of God was niani- fefted, that he might deftroy the Works of the Devil. Who- focver is horn of God^ doth not commit Sin •, fo'r his Seed remaineth in him^ and he cannot fin ^ hecaufe he is horn of God, In this the Children of God are manifefl^ and the Children of the Devil \ whofoever doth not Righfeoifnefs^ is not of G^^fand as above J he that committeth Sin^ is of the Devil. This is naked Truth, without any Covering, and the very Sum and Subftance of true Religion. Oh ! that all true Chriftians would lay it to Heart, and pon- der it in their Minds, and then refolve whether they will be Sinners to the End of their Days^, or whether they about the Common PrayerJ 151 they will repent, and turn from the Evil of their 1718. Ways ; the latter of which, that poor Mortals may s/V^ come to witnefs for themfelves, is the Defire and Prayer- of my Soul. If it be further objedted, <^ That our Saviour taught his Difciples a Form :" He did fo ; and a glorious Form it is ; and they did as they pray'd, and were taught of Chrift, and fo they did it truly, and in true Faith, , believing they fhould witnefs what they faid and prayed to be fulfilled. Our Father which art in Heaven^ Hallowed he thy Naine^ J'hy Kingdom comCj Thy Will he done in Earthy as it is Heaven, Give us this Day our daily Bread. And forgive us our Hrefpajjes^ as we forgive them that trefpafs againfitis. And lead us not into Temptation^ hut deliver us from Evil : For thine is the Kingdo7n, and the Power ^ and the Glory^ for ever. Amen, Chrlfl: faid to fome of old, Te are of your Father thfi DeviU hecaufe his Works ye do: And all Sin is his Work, and by our Works (as above) we are mani* fed, whether we are the Children of God, or of the Devil. K ( I50 L E T T E R T O A FRIEND in IREL^NT) ; Containing a Relation of fonne forrowful Instances of the fad Eflf^as of INTEMPERANCE, as a Warning to Young People. Prov. xii. 2. A good Man ohtaineth Favour of the Lord : But a Man of wicked Devices will he con- demn. ' ♦ Verfe 7. The Wicked are overthrown, and are not : Bui the Houfe of the Righteous fhall ft and. Is A. V. 22. IVoe to them zvho are mighty to drink Wine^ and Men of Strength to mingle ftrong Drink, The F R E F A c E to the Tenth Edition of this Letter to a Frieiid Temperate Reader, TH E longer we live in the World^ the more we fee the Danger and many Mifchiefs^ Miferies and In- conveniences^ Intemperance occafions to Mankind^ not Orilj in Eatings Cloathing^ Buyi?ig and Sellings dec. but particularly in that great Sin of Drinking to Excefs, Aud though a Riftiue is run of incurring the Difplcafure of PREFACE 153 ff/ fame tlUnatut^d Over-lovers of Strong-liquors^ the 1718,' which hath teen experienc*d by the Author^ through \y^\r^^ fome of the former Impre£ions ; yet they having found fuch general Acceptance in many Parts of the JVorld;, and being ferviceahle to People of all Perfwafwns^ /, for the further Service of poor Mortals , adventure to put forth this "Tenth Edition^ with this additional Preface^ in Or- der (if poffible) to perfwade all rational Souls to forfake fo de(lrutlive and vide an Evil : Which grofs Sin bath ihefe had Effeols attending it (with many more that might he fet down) which affeois both the Aged and the Touth ^ for whofe Sakes (viz, the Touth) it was at fir fi chiefly intended^ in order to ftir them up to the Love of pure Religion^ and pious and virtuous Living. I ft then^ JntheAgedy it hath thofe bad EffeBs^ viz. ^hey are bad Examples to their T'outh^ who when repro- ved^ may reply^ My P'acher before me loved ftrong Liquors, as well as I : He loved a Glafs ot Winef He loved a Bowl of Punch ; he loved good Cyder, and good Ale, and would be merry with it, and why mayn't I, as well as he ? He was a wife good Man, when he was fob^r ; and pray where is the Harm of loving good Liquor and being merry ? / anfwer ; 'The Harm is in the immoderate and er.ira^ vagant life of it. It is only the Excefs which this Letter detects ^ and is intended to difcour age. I have known fome who have quarrelled with publick Preachings becaufe they have been guilty of the Faults fpoke againft : And the Author expetis to be buffeted for this Publication^ by fome of thefe mighty Sons to drink Wine^ and to mingle ftrong Drink (i, e. Punch, Setterena, Tiff, Flip, &c.) I had like to forget Sampfon (as I have fever al others) which fo overcomes thofe Men of Alight, ,as to get from thein their precious Time {which cannot be bought with Money) and their Money ^ be fides Health and Credit^ Un- der /landing and Reafon^ and all. And pray where is the Difference then between the Man end the Bcafl, though the Man be full of Days ? WhaP 154- PREFACE. 1 718- What can we fay to the Touth of Juch Parents {thai u^^VNj zvill avail) while their Parents fhew them fuch evil Ex- ample s ? And as it is in thati Jo it is in all other Evils ^. Parents Examples are very hurtful in evil 'Things^ tho* very helpful in that which is good. If a Man fees a Touih to he out of Order^ and reproves him for being in Drinks Evil-f peaking^ Pride^ Covetoufnefs^ &c. and he guilty of the fame^ his Child may anfvjer^ Why, ^Fa- ther, I had not done fo, if I had not feen thee for you) do it ? And it being an incumbent Duty in a Father^ Mother y Majler^ or Miftrefs^ to reprove their Touth for Evil; if we are not clear in ourfelves of what we re* prove in our Children or Servants^ and our Children or Servants mifarry through our bad Example^ what a me^ lancholy Reflection will that be to us^ if rightly confiderd I which indeed would be this^ I have been inftrumental to my poor Child's Ruin and Dellru6lion ! A melancholy Refleuiion to any fiber Chriftian ! Alfo, except there is a large Income^ inftead of taking Care to -put the Touth in a reputable Way to live in the World^ it brings them to Poverty : And if there is a large Eft ate ^ it puts them in the Way to f pen d it. And^ Oh I how many are fpending their precious ^ime in Ta- verns^ and Ordinaries^ and at the fame Time their Wives and Children fuffering and weeping at ho7ne P And fome fiber, modeft Women (for the Men are ?7ioftly addioled to Drinking to Excefs) would Juffer unfpeakable Hardflnps before they would expofe their Hufbands ; and indeed they that do it in fuch a 7?iodefl Way^ being forced to it by fuch ill Praolices, are much more to be pitied than blamed. 2dly, Concerning the Touth^ it mightily hurts them {as it doth the Aged alfo) as to their Religion^ Reputati^ on^ Health and Eftatc, dzc. Ill, As to their Religion, it not only clouds their Un- der ft anding^ and darkens the Nobility thereof ^ but it un- fits them for all and every religious Duty. 2dly, Some who valuta good Name, had rather lofe their Lives, than lofi their Reputation through immoderate Drinking, P Rj E F A C E. j^s Drinking. For if the Touth he fingle and addlEled to lyiS. mmoderate Drinking^ no wife and virtuous Perfon will <-/S<^ tie themfelves to them for Life^ by Marriage ; which State ^J Life^ to a wife and virtuous Fair^ is far ex- ceeding in Happinefs all other Co7?ipany or Converjation whatfoever. It is better to be one of thefe than to enjoy a Kingdom : Jndon the other Hand, His better to be a Slave in Turkey, than to be 7narried to an intemperate Ferfon. 3dly, Intemperance deflroys the Health of the Body^ which we generally efieem before Wealth, And if a Man were a King, Frince^ or Duke, if he did not enjoy his Health, what good would all his Honour, ' Power, and Wealth, do him ? Oh ! what Abundance of Toung People have deflroyed themfelves by this Sin ? As it is written. The Wicked do not Jive out Half their Days : And where this Sin is growing general in a Country, that Country is growing to its Ruin and Deftrutlion. It wafles the People, decays Trade, and is very dejhu5five to Re- ligion, and an Inlet to At'aeifm. Good People are afraid . to live in fuch a Country^ had Peoplo flock to ity and often make their Exit in it. 4thJy, And many a fair Eflaie hath been embezzled and fpent through Intemperance, which honefl Parents with great Labour.^ Care, and Induflry, have got toge- ther^ and left to their Sons and Daughters, who have extravagantly fpent it. upon their Lufls ; and thereby have brought Infamy on themfelves., their Fathers^ and their Foftefity, whenever it has pleafd God that they have left any behind them ; befides {which is worft of all) difloonouring God, and bringing a Scandal on the Chriftian Religion. Some of our wife Kings and ^leens in Great-Britain, being forrowfully affetled with the Heincvfnefs of this great Sin, have made firi6i Laws again fl Intemperance : And where the Legiflative Authority makes little or no Provifion againfl it, or when they do make any^ do not take Care to put it in Practice^ fuch a State or Colony miift 156 PREFACE, jyiS, muft needs he in a declining Condition, And for partlcu-- s>A/^^^ lar Families and Perfons, we may fee too much of this Evil in our Neighbourhoods^ almojl in all Farts of the Worldj which caufeth folid^ fober^ pious^ virtuous^ and truly religious Chrtftians to mourn^ and humbly to bow before the pioft High God, ^^i^^^^g ^f loim^ for Chrijl^s Sake 9 that he, by his mighty Power ^ would be pleafed to reform the ungenerate Worlds This is the Prayer and fervent Defire of an intire Lover of Mankind, both Body and Soul, and who defires their Welfare in this, and the World to come. r. c. { ^S7 ) A Letter to a Friend. BarUdbesy yth ift. Mo, 1718-19. My Dear Friend, IT is long fince I had a Line from thee ; but not long fince I thought of thee and thine, with Friends of your Nation, where I know the Lord hath a Seed^ who loves him, and doth de- light and defire to ferve him, and are accounted to him for a chofen Generation ; and that this Generati- on may fpread and profper in the Earth, is my ear- neft Travel in Spirit both Night and Day, at Times and Seafons. There is alfo an Exercife upon my Mind for the Off-fpring of this Seed, the Children of thofe Men and Women, who have confefTed the Name of Chrift before Men, in a holy. Self denying Life^ and fo- ber Converfation ; and I do certainly know, that ma,-- T\y pious Souls join with me in this Exercife, bowing Che Knee to the Lord of Sabbaths for the Peace, Pro- fperity, and eternal Welfare of the prefent arifmg Gene^ ration. Oh 1 how exercifing it is to good Men and Women, to fee their Youth take thofe Ways which lead to Deftrudion, and go in Company with the Wicked, whofe Ways lead to the utter Ruining of both Body and Soul, andwhofc Steps take hold on Hell. It is a great Evil which many are prone to (i. e.) Keeping of vain and idle Company^ which has brought many a young Man, ^nd young Woman, to utter Ruin and Deftrudion, both Body and Soul. How many fak- :j;S 'A Letter to a Friend in Ireland. 1718. fair Eftates have been wafted ! How many fine Youths deftroyed by keeping evil Company, and by Excefs in Drinking, is really lamentable to confider ! It keeps the Poor in. Poverty ; it makes the Rich many times poor, and brings both Rich and Poor into Difgrace •, it breaks and deftroys the Health and natural good Conftitution of the Body, and inftead thereof fills it with Mifery and Pain •, and which i& yet more, it deftroys the Soul which is the moft noble Part of the Man ; fo that it is a fore three- fold Evil, but the ' lalL the worft, by how much the Soul is the more lafting and better Part : Several terrible Inftances of this Nature I have met with in my Travels among the Children of Men •, three or four of which I may inform thee of ; and it may be afFedling unto thee, as it hath often been to my Mind, when I have thought thereon. Ihe firft Inflame of a young Man^ given to ill Company^ and hard Drinking. TH E firft is of a certain Beautiful young Man, a Phyfician by Profeffion, who was much addided to ill Company, and to drink hard, and was fometimes vifited with ftrong Convidions •, in one of which Vi- fitations he fent for me, and told me his Condition, and ma.defole??in Covenants^ if God would hut that once fpare hi?ny he would not do the like Evil again. At that Time it did pleafe the Almighty to fpare him; but he foon forgot how it had been with him ; and fell into the fame ♦Si;/ again ; altho he had a moft no- table Admonition in a Dream^ but a little before. His Dream was this, which is very remarkable*, we being tlica at Se.i, in Sight of Great-Britain^ he faw in his Dream a great and fpacious Town, the Buildings high, and Streets broad ; at which he landed, and going up tl.e Street, he efpicd a large Sign on which was written in great Golden Letters, S H A M E^ to which [A heiter to a Friends in Ireland, 159 which he went, and at the Door ftood a Woman, with 171 8. a Cann of Drink in her Hand \ who afked him to drink ? t^VN^ To which he reply 'd, With all his Heart, for he faid^ he had drank nothing hut Water a great While : So he took the Cann, and drank a hearty Draught, which, as he (aid, made him mcrr^j^ and he went reeling up the Street, when, behold on a fudden, a grim Fel- low met him, and arreftedhim in the Name of the Governor of \\\t Place, before whom he brought him. This Governour, he jfaid, was like a great Black Dog^ the largeft that ever he faw, who grinned at him, and pajfed SeJitence on him, and fent him to Prifon, there to lie for ever. He told me this Dream, with fuch an Emphafis^ as made me to tremble, which was thus interpreted to him : I told him, that he was an ingenious young Man, and might eafily difcern the Interpretation of this Dream, which to me feem'd to be ominous to him: *The great 'Town and high Build- ings^ is thy great and high ProfeJJion \ the Sign^ on ^hich SHAME was writ^ with the Woman with the Cann at the Door, fheweth the great Shame of the Sin cf Drunkennefs, and that it is thy Weaknefs ; and that grim Fellow^ that arrefted thee^ is Death, ivho will ar- reft all Mortals ; and the great black Dog, the Go- 'vernor of the PlacCy is the Devil ; who^ when his Ser- vants have ferved him to the laft, will tor 7nent them for ever, — Godforhid^ it is hut a Dream^ was his Anfvver to me. I faid, it was a very fignificant one to him. About three Days after, the fame Perfon went on board a Ship, whofe Loading was Wine and Brandy ; the Matter gave a Cann of Wine to him, and faid the fame Words, as the Woman faid to him in his " Dream, and he anfwered with the fame Exprefiions, and it had the fame Effedt upon him *, for he took fuch a heafty Draught as made him too merry, info- much that he overlet the Boat, and was drowned, much in Drink : And 1 feeing him fink down, and his i6o ^A Letter to a Friend in Ireland. 1718. his Dr Jefus Chrift, and may let you know, that though I have been long abfent from you in Body, yet have I been often prefent in Spirit wich you, and you have been often in my Mind» with Prayers to the Lord for your Growth in the holy Truth which he hath been pleafed to make known to you, and many times I have defired of the Almighty, that he would be pleafed to preferve a Seed in your Parts that fhould ferve him, and be accounted to him for a Generation. I have alio defired that the Lord would vifit your young Ones, and bring them to the Kowledge of his Truth : And I pray God, that the tender Vification that was on divers of them, when I was prefent with you, may by them never be forgotten, but that they may be Plants of Righteoufncls, of God's own Right-fiand planting. And, Dear Friends, forfake not the AfTem^bling of yourfelves together, in the Name of Chrifl, rt mem- bring how you have been vifited with the Heart- melt- ing Power, and the fweet Prefence of the Moft High, in your filent waiting on, and worfhipping him in his L 4 holy [68 A Letter to A qjj i l a P a c a.' holy Spirit and Truth, as well as when you have been vocally vifued by the Miniflers of Jcfus. Such Worliiippers (as our Lord faid to the Woman of Samaria) the heavenly Father iV^keth to worfhip him j and thofe whom God finds under fuch Exer- cife, fuch find him to be unto them all in all ; He is unto them Wifdom, Righteoufnefs, Jullification, Sancfl fication, and Redemption. Oh ! Dear Souls, look to him (who is invifible to the outward Eye) who is God over all, and is bleffcd for ever, and may you, if this come,^ to you, feel the Divine Life, and Spirit of Chrift, in the Reading of this little Epiflle of Brotherly Love. Live in Love, for God is Love, and all thofe who dwell in Divine Love, they dwell in God ; where- fore love one another, that thereby you may be known to be Chrift's Difciples : For, fays he, by this fhall all Men know that ye are my UifcipleSy if ye have Love one to another^ or if ye love one another y as one of the Evan- gelifts hath it. And keep low in Mind, and humble in Spirit ; for the Humble God will teach of his Ways, and the Meek he will guide in Judgment, and thofe whom he teaches, are taught the Myfteries of his Kingdom, which Myfleries he teaches to Spiritual Babes and Sucklings (Glory to his holy Name I) He often hides thofe holy Myfteries from the Wife and Prudent, and reveals them to fuch Men, Women, and Children, as are little in their own Eyes, and defpifed by the Wife in natural Wifdom, or the Wifdom of this vain World. Oh ! mind your heavenly Guide, Dear Friends, let me entreat you ; for he leads out of all Sin, and out of all Vanity and Evil, of what Kind foever -, and as our Saviour faith, into all Truth, When Chrift comes by his Grace and Spirit into the Heart, then He opens the Soul, andenlighteus the Underflanding, even in cur cQmmon Converfation 5 and much more (at A Letter /a A qjj i l a P a c a.^ 169 (at Times) in our folemn Meetings, when we meet 1718. together to worfhip and ferve him ; fo that 'tis good ^/*VN^ to wait upon the Lord, and to feek him with the whole Heart. Dear Friends, though my Heart is full of Love and Good-will to you at this Time, as at many others alfo, I muft now conclude and commit you into the holy Arms of him, who is ail divine Love, begging the God of Love and Peace to keep you, and preferve you to his heavenly Kingdom ; to whom be all Glory,, and Praife, Might, Majelly, and divine Do« minion, through his dear Son, and the Holy Spirit, tor evermore. r. C. Christ's < 17° ) 1719. • ~ C H R I s T 's Kingdom Exalted BEING A Short Essay, in Order to promote Truth and Righteoufneis in the Earthy and to difcou^ 1 rage Unholinefs, Ungodlinels, and Unbelief. PREFACE. Chriftian Reader, IN order to promote and e^calt the Kingdom of the dear Son of God, (according to the Gift and Meafure of Grace received) 1 was concerned to write the following ^raB at Sea ; and confidering the evil Tendency of the Belief and Principle which hath overfpread a great Fart of the Profeffors of Chrijiianity, that we cannot he free from Sin in tbis Life ; and that it is contrary to the Do5frine of the holy Scriptures of both the New, and Old Teflament ; I could not he eafy in my Mind zvithout oppofing fuch a dangerous Tenet : For if we believe we muji al- ways fn, this being a finful Faith ^ " according to our *' Faith, fo it will be unto us •,'* and if we die in our Sins, Chrifi hath told us, ^^ where he is gone, we cannot come,^^ And holy Record informs us, '' that no unclean Thing can enter God's Kingdom. I have alfo, for the further SatisfaUion of the true Chriftian Believer, colle^ed the following Texts of Holy Scripture^ which maintain the Bo^rine of Holinefs and PerfeElion \ and dire5lly oppofe that evil Principle^ and that Do5irinei that we can never be free from Sin^ in this Life, Walk PREFACE. 171 Walk before me, and be thou PerfecV, Gen. xvii. i. 1719. Ye fhall be Holy, for I the Lord your God am s^/'VV Holy, Lev, xix. 2. — xx. 7. — xi. 44, 45. And ye fhall be holy Men unto me, Exod, xxii, Noah was a juft Man, and perfe6t in his Generation, Gen, vi. 9. Without Holinefs, no Man fhall fee the Lord, Heb. xii. 10, 14. We (liould be Holy, and without Blame before him, 'in Love, Eph. i. 4. To prefent you Holy, Unblameable, and Unre- proveable in his Sight, CoL i. 22. If any Man defile the Temple of God, him ihall God deftroy, for the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple ye are, i Cor, iii. 17. So be ye Holy in all Manner of Converfation, bc- caufe it is written. Be ye Holy j for I am Holy ; i Pet. i. 15. 16. What numner of Perfons ought ye to be in all holy Converfation and Godlinefs, 2 Pet. iii. 11. Thou fhait be perfect with the Lord thy God, Deut, xviii. 13. The Lord faid, Job was perfect and upright. Job i. I, 8. Be ye therefore perfect, the PFords of Chrift^ Matt. V. 48. I rn them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfed in one, John xvii. 23. Howbeit we fpeak WifdOm among them that are perfed, i Cor, ii. 6. Finally, Brethren, be perfed, be of one Mind, 2 Cor. xiii. ir. That we may prefent every Man perfed in Chrift Jefus : That ye may ftand perfed and compleat in all the Will of God, Col, \, 28.— iv. 12. Now the God of Peace, i^c, make you perfed in every good Work, Heb, xiii. 20^ 21. That' i;^ PREFACE. That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing, James i. 4. Having therefore thefe Promifes, dearly beloved, let us cleanfe ourfelves from all Fikhinefs of Flefh and Spirit, perfeding Holinefs in the Fear of God, 2 Cer. vii. :. Unto a perfect Man, unto the Meafure of the Sta- ture of the Fulnefs of Chrifl, Eph, iv. 12, 13. This we wifli, even your Perfedion, 2 Cor, xiii, 9. Let us go on to Perfedion, Ueh, vi. 1. Be not overcome of Evil, but overcome Evil with Good, Rom. xii. 21. Ye have overcome the wicked One ; this is 'twice repeated in one Chapter^ \John ii. 13, 14, Ye are of God, and have overcome, i John iv. 4. Whatfoever is born of God overcometh the World, i^c, 1 John V. 4, 5. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the Tree of Lif^ : Rev. ii. 7. He that overcometh, fhall not be hurt of the fecond Death, Verfe it. To him that overcometh, will T give to eat of the hidden Manna, Verfe 17 To him that overcometh, will I give Power over the Nations, Verfe 26. He that overcometh, the fameihall be clothed in white Raiment, Rev. iii. 5. Him that overcometh, will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God, and he fhall go no more out, Verfe 12. To him that overcometh, will I grant to fit with me in my Throne, Verfe 21. He that overcometh, fhall inherit all Things, Rev. xxi. y. Conftder then, courteous Reader, 1 pray thee : tVhat was all this Language of the Spirit^ all thefe Words of God, andall thefe Commands, Exhortations, and glorious Pro- mifes, for ? What is the End and Tendency of them ? PREFACE. 173 If the Almighty commands Things that cannot he done^ ^7^9- what will that make of him ? If his Servants labour and exhort us to Things not to be done^ where will thofe Abfurdities land ? Surely it 7nuft center in the Mouth of the unprofitable Servant^ and fuch as charge God foolijhly. And a re all thofe fine and glorious Fromifes made to -put us onto fight againfl Sin and Satan, with- out a Poffibility of overcoming ? God forbid \ and ma\' he^ Chriflian Reader, forbid alfo^ that thou fhould believe fuch a grofe and palpable Miftake and Error. Oh! that the Ahnighty Lord m,ay fend forth more and more his Holy Light and Truth, and that thereby he might lead and guide the Inhabitants of the Earth -, fo that they might not give up the Caufe of Chrift, but man- fully refift^ even to Deaths that at lafl they might havi^ a Crown of Life. T. C. C H R I 5 T y^ ( m) 1719. Christ's Kingdom Exalted, 8^c, IN the Chriftian World 'tis too generally believed, that People on this Side the Grave cannot be free from Sin; which Principle, or Belief, is a great Lett and Hindrance to the glorious Work of Re- formation, and mightily obftrudls People in their Way to Eternal Glory, and tends to uphold the Kingdom of Satan, which every good Chriftian (with Saint Paul) Ihould be for pulling down ; and, in order to this, fhould make Ufe of the Weapons that he did, that is, the Armour of Light ; which Wea- pons were, and are. The Preparation of the Gof- pel of Peace^ the Girdle of Truth^ Helmet of Salvation^ Breafi-plate of Righteoufnefs^ Shield of Faith^ and Sword of the Spirit^ which is the Word of God, This is indeed a holy War, to war againft Sin and Satan ; and alfo heavenly Armour, the Armour of Light ; and this holy Apoftle was a valiant Soldier, who was alfo vidlorious in this War: Oh I who would but lift themfelves undtrr Chrift's Banner, and fight this Fight of Faith with Courage, and true Chriftian Valour! Then would they witnefs the Truth of that Saying of the Apoltle, " That the Weapons of this V/arfare are noc carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down the flrong Holds ot Sin and^ Sutan.'* Oh! down with thofe ^Irong Holds, down with them, let every Lover of Jefus Chriit fay, and pray. That the C H R 1 St's Kingdom Exalted. 175 the Kingdom of God, and his Chriflr, may be exalted 1719 over all, for ever. Sin is the chief Support of Satan's >>''V"^, Kingdom, which Chrift came to deltroy and put an End to, and to bring in Righteoufnefs, adual Righte- oufnefs, as well as imputative ; he came to fave his People from their Sins, not only by Imputation, but by holy Adion alfo *, as hisholy Dodlrine in his ex- cellent Sermon on the Mount, and his many other Di- vine Expreffions, do plainly and abundantly manifefl:. Now confidering the great Evil of this dangerous Prin- ciple, 1 have been deeply affedted on Account of poor Mankind, to whofe utter Ruin and eternal De- ftrudion it moft certainly tends. If we were to reafon as Men and rational Beings, with what Spirit and Courage fhould we undertake any Bufinefs, Journey, or Concern, if before-hand we were grounded in a Belief that we could not perform our Undertaking? Or what Nation or People in the World would have any Courage to engage their Common Enemies, if at the fame time they did believe they fhould never overcome them, would not cnis abundantly difpirit and difcourage them in their Engagement, let any rational Soul judge ? Oh! this Belief of Sinning to the End of our Days, Is a mighty Engine of Satan, in order to furport his Kingdom, and a wonderful Prop to uphold it. Pray wiiat fignifies all the Preaching and Writing in the World againff Sin, though never fo ele- gantly or fcholaffically wrote or delivered by the greatefl: of Orators or Minifcers, if, at the fame Time, this Dodrine be upheld and maintained in Pulpits, Prints, and otherwife, i^c. and received and believed by the People ? Let Truth and right Reafon in this Matter bear Rule and be Judge, and the Caufe will be determined againfl the Kingdom of Sin and Satan : But the " Kingdom of Chnfl is an Everlading King- " dom, and of his Dominion there iliall nevc^r bean " End." This is a Word of Encouragement to the Followers 176 CHRISTY'S Kingdom Exalted. lyig Followers of Chrift to be faithful to the Commands of Chrift. Though the Devil is a great King, and a rhighcy Prince ; tho' he is King over all the Children of Pride and Difobedience, and Prince of the Power of the Air -, yet «' the Lamb and his Followers will have the Vidory" over Sin and him, although fometimes it may fare with them as with their Lord, who obtained it through Sufferings ; and let it be remembered by them, that they Jhall in the End reign with hm ; alfo. Fear not, little Flock, fays C[\x\% for it is your Father'*s good Fleajure to give you a Kingdom \ by which Words, when received in Faith, the Soul is infpired with Courage, and holy Boldnefs, to refift the Tempter; though we may have the Difadvantage of being but few, and Satan and his Followers many, who fupport his Kingdom, with this fmful Principle and Dodtrine above-mentioned. One great and wily Way which he ufeth to uphold his Kingdom, is to wreft and abufe the Holy Scriptures, and ftrain them to his evil Purpoies, as he ferved our Lord, the Captain of our Salvation, as will be Ihewn hereafter. And indeed when he makes Ufe of any of the Words of God, it is for an Evil End, and that End muff needs be wicked, which is to keep People in Sin, or to create a Belief that we cannot iive without it in this World •, the which, if he can obtain, and caufc People to believe, he knows he hath a great Advantage over them ; For how fliould Clay, or Dull and Alhes, overcome Sin, who confefs they are, and believe they always fliall be. Sinners ? Wherefore let us examine and fee what Ule he makes of thofe Scriptures, which he brings to fup- port People in Sin, and by v^hich he makes them be- lieve they can never live without ic^ fome of which are as folioweth, viz. Firft, Beginning with that S.iying of our Lord Jtfus Chrift, Mat xix. 17. to the young Man that aflced him, What geod thing he Jljould do to inherit CH RIST's Kingdom Exalted. 177 inherit Eternal Life, calling him good Mafter \ our 1719. Saviour replies, Wl)y calleft thou me good, there is none that is good, but one^ that is God, The young Man thought he was fpeaking to a mortal Man ; and it feems to have been the Will of Chrid by this Remark, both to caution his Difciples againft the Ufe of vain Compliments, and to let them know that this young Man had not true Faith in him, as he was the Son of God : And it is moft certainly true, that in Fullnefs and Periedion, there is no M?^n good, compared with God ; but comparing Men with Men, there are good Men, Women and Children, who fear God, and do truly love Chrift, and there have been a few fuch in all Ages, and will be fome fuch, to the End of the World. To conftrue Chriil's Words other- wife, would beto abufe the Holy Scriptures, which Satan makes a common Pradlice ot doing. idly^ Another is that ExprefTion of Solomon^ in the 8th Chapter of i Kings^Yerk /\.6.'There is no Man that finneth not. The Learned fay, this fhould be interpreted, and who may not fin But though it may truly be faid of Men in one Part of their Lives or other, or in the State of Man in the Fall or Degeneration (m which State of UnconverfionJ there is no Msn that finneth not : Yet in the Regeneration or new Birth, the Apoftle John^ in the 3d Chapter of his firfl: Epiille, and 9th Verfe, faith, that IVhofoever is horn ofGod^ doth not commit S in ^ for his Seed remaineth in him : Jnd he cannot fin ^ h-'caufe he is born of God. It is this Seed which would beget this new and living Birth, which makes us Chil- dren of God, and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, which Satan would deftroy j for he knows he fliall have an Enemy of every fuch Soul, and therefore it is the Devil's Intercft and Endeavour to deftroy every fuch Birth and fuch Belief, that Chriftians can poiTibly attain to live without Sin in the World. 3^/y, Prov» 20th Chapter, 9th Verfe, W^ho can fay, / have made my Heart clean^ I am fure fro-n my Sifi^ the M Word* 178 CHRIST'S Kingdom Exaked. 1 7 19. Words of Solofnon^ the Son of David^ who prayed V*"^'^'^ to the Almighty in his Pfalms ; Create in 7ne a clenn Hearty and renew a rights or pure Spirit within me,% which Prayer was no doubt anfwered : But this is the Work of God, and to him all Things are poffible,. even that which looks impofTibleto Men; for be can make a Man more fure than Gold, So it being the Work of God, no Man can fay, that he hath done it, >that he hath purified himfelf, or made himfelf clean. Can the Almighty make a Man pure? It might with much Truth he anfwered, he can -, and it is fuppofed no good Chriftian can, or will deny it : And then what will become of that abfurd Antichri- ftian and Antifcriptural Tenet, we cannot be clean or or pure from Sin, in this World ? It may be faid, if there are any who live without Sin, they are but very few ^a forrowful Truth indeed \) but is it not every One's Intereft ro drive to be one of thofe Few, as it is alfo his indifpenfible Duty : Our Lord alfo faith, that the Wa'^ to his Kingdom isjlrait and narrow^ and that there are hut few that find it, Muft we therefore give up the Caufe, and not feek the Kingdom, and becaufe of the Difficulty of Chrift's Crofs here in this World, mud we go in the broad Way where there is much Room and Company. May every true Chriftian fay, the Lord forbid (\ humbly pray) and not only fay, but do that which is right in the Sight of God. 4//?/}!, The next is an Exprefilon of Solomop^Sy Ecclefiaftes, Chapter 7th, Verfe 20. There is not a juft Man upon the Earth that doth Good, and finneth not. This Hiould be interpreted as the for- mer, and who may not fin : He fpeaketh of a Man in the State of his Vanity and Sin, before a Reforma- tion •, for Divine Wifdom, and the Fear of the Lord (which he taught) keeps the Heart clean, and pre- fervesfrom the Snares of Sin, Death, and the Devil : So that this State of Sin that he here fpeaks of, muil be before Man attains to the Wifdom of God, and be- fore CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted, lyg fore he comes truly to live in his Fear. Therefore 1719, he mufl certainly do Good, who lives in the Fear w^^'sj fof God, '' which (as the fame Solomon faysj is the Be- ?*' ginning of Wifdom ; and to depart from Iniquity, is •^ a good Undcrftanding/' So tiiat he fhews Man his State' of Vanity, and alio his State of Sin, as above, and teacheth People how to avoid it, by fearing the Lord, and walking in the Counfel of Wifdom (i, e.) Chrift's Counfel, who is the Wifdom of God to Salvati- on. That all Mt^n art- Sinners, before the Work o[ Con- verfion, is true, and that the Devil defigns to keep them there to their Lives End, is as true ; and no likelier Way can he doit, than by keeping them in a Belief that they muft live in Sin, and cannot live v/ith- out it whilft they live in this World ; and when they come to die, then Fear furprifes the Hypocrite, and kTerror takes hold of the Ungodly: And many times, when too late, they fee the Snares which the Devil and Sin hath brought them into. Oh ! what pity it is, that this Veil of Darknefs is not done away, in time of Youth, Strength, and Health, when the Bones are full of Marrow, and the Veins are full of Biood : But the Defign of Satan is to lead People on in this pernicious Principle til! Death, and then before they are aware, they may drop into Eternal Woe anid Mifery, where the Wicked and Ungodly mud be turned, with all them that forget God : For into Hea- ven, where Chrift is, " if we die in our Sins, we (as y^./^^a/^,. Chrift faid) cannot come." 5lbly, The Apoftle John, in his firft Epiille, Chapter i. Verfes 8^ 9, and 10. writes thus, 1/ we fay we have had (as it may be turned) m Sin, we deceive ourfelves^ and the Inith is ml In us. If we confefs our Sins, be i^ faithful and jiift to for- give us our Sins^ and to cleanfe us from oil Unrighte- oufnefs. If we Jay we have not finned, we ?.nake him a Liar, and his Word is not in us j which anfwers to the 8th Verfe, If we fay we have no Sin, we deceive mirfelves. The oth Verfe fully lets us into the M-^aning M 2 of i8o CHRIS Ts Kingdom Exalted. 17 19. of the 8rh Verfe {i. e.) if we confefi our Sins ^ hr, w^V"N-' all ought to confefs, and alto to forfake their Sins', " all having finned, and being by Nature Children of *' Wrath;" otherwife we have no AfTurance of Mer- cy from the Holy Scriptures: Thenhe(?. ^.) the Al- mighty, " is faithful and juft to forgive us our Sins, and *' to cleanfe us from all Unrighteoufnefs." And pray what Sin is there, when we are cleanfed from all Un- righteoufnefs ? And then in the 10th Verfe he fays, Jf we fay we have not finned^ we make him a Liar, There is no doubt but that we have finned, which is what the Appoflle plainly points at in the 8th Verfe. And if any Man fins fwhen he repents and forfakes) we have an Advocate with the Father^ even Jefus Chrifty the Righteous : And God is faithful andjujl to forgive us our Sins. But then we mufl repent and for- fake, if we exped to find Mercy ; though we have Sin, or have had Sin, we mud not always have it, for if we have it always, Woe will be to us, according to the Words of God and Chrift. Thus we fee how Satan is put to his Shifts to fupport his finful Kingdom, and how he abufes the Holy Scriptures, when he makes Ufeof them, as will be further made manifeft in whac follows, as the fame Apoflle doth plainly demonftrate in his third Chapter of the above Epiftle, Verfes 7, 8, 9, and 10. faying. Let no Man^ (nor the Devil nei- ther, fay I) deceive you : He that doth Righteoufnefs^ is righteous : He that commitleth Sin, is of the Devil. This is plain and naked Truth, let who will like, or diflike it.Further, in the 9th and loth Verfes he again re- peats to the fame Purpofe, faying. In this the Children of Cod arefnanifefl^ and the Children of the Devil: Whofoevtr doth not Righteoufnefsy is not of God, {Ergo^ then he mufl be of the Devil, while he is in Unrighteoufnefs.) There are divers other Places in the Holy Scriptures, which he abufeth in like Manner, and which he and his Children wreft to uphold him and his Kingdom ot Sin and Unrightcoufnefs and themlclves therein: ' So CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted. 18 1 $b by and through the Grace of God, we may f"c 3719. His Wiles and Delufions, and the Roctennels of his .-.^'VSJ Caufe, as alfo the unflife and dangerous Foundation qt his Building, through endeavouring unduly to iup- port the fame, by that which was always defig ted to deftroy him and his Kingdom {L e.) th^- Holy Scriptures. May all Men judge in this M.itcer^ whether that Spirit which would bring, pick, and cuU out a few Verfes, and fometimes a few Words out of a Verfe, in order t© make them fpeak contrary to the whole Scope and Tenor, or Tendency o( the Ho- ly Scriptures, and to Plant a Belief that we fhall never overcome Sin and Unrighteoulhefs in this World, tho' they {i, e,) the Holy Scriptures all along exhort, and teach us to avoid Sin and Unrighteoufnels, and live a holy righteous Life in thisprefent World ; I fay, may all Mortals judge whether fuch a Spirit can be of God, or whether it be not of, and from the Father of Lies : Wherefore, if it be plainly proved, that there have been thofe who have overcome Sin and Satan, and that Chrift repeatedly, and his holy Apoftlcs (tie in them, and they in him) exhorted to fight againft Sin and the Devil, who is the Author of all Sin -, and Chrifl faithfully promifing molt fweet and gracious Rewards to thofe who fhall overcome, in order to encourage the fpiritual Warrior to a faithful Perfeverance, and refifling of Sin and Satan : Then it is hoped that Satan will be wounded, his Kingdom fhaken, and this evil deftrudive Principle, in fome Meafure, kidwafte in fome poor Soul or Souls, into whoie Hands thefe may come. ift. Then, Beginning with the great Apoftle of the Gentiles^ fa notable Soldier in the Lamb's fpiritual War^ Ibave^ i-^ysh^y fought a good Fight ^ I have finijhed my 2 Tim. ^ ]Courfe, I have kept the Faith, Henceforth there is laid up'^''^ for me a Crown of Righteoufnefs^ 'Lvhirh the Lord^ the righ- teous Judge ^ wilt give to me at that Day : And not to me onh^ hut unto all thofe that love bts appearing, £\i\d M 3 i^: 1 82 CHRlSl'^s Kingdom Exalted. iy}Q. if this be not Encouragement, what is? He alfo faith, Seye Followtrs of me^ even as I alfo am of Chrifi, Here is Example, Exhortation, and Encouragement, with Experience. '(/' 2^/jv, Another of the Apoflles, John, in his firft Epi- {lle. Chap. 2d, Verfe 13th, is pofitive, that thofe young Men he writes to, had already overcome the wicked One. / write untojou^ fays he, yoUng Men^ he- caufe '^cu have overcome the wicked One, And in the 14th Verfcj he repeats it again, as though he would dout3ly and deeply imprint it in their Minds. I have written unto you, '^oung Men^ hecaufe ye are Jirong^ and the V/ord of Cod ahidcth in "^011^ and "je have overcome the wicked One. Here were young Men, who were truly valiant and noble, to wage War with the wicked One. If it was poffibJe for them, why is it not pofTible for us alfo } Oh I that our young Men of this Generation, would take thofe young Men for their Examples, to make War with this wicked One, and truly endeavour to pull down his Kingdom. It is worth our Notice, that thofe young Men had the Word ot God abiding in them ; by this Sword of the Spirit they overcame, by it they were cleanfed, by taking heed to walk accord- ing toils Diredions, as it is written, Wherewith jhall a young Man cleanfe his Ways ? By taking heed thereto^ according to thy Word. 1 he great Reafon why young Men are overcome, inftead of Overcoming, is their Heedlefsnels to, and of the Word ; for notwithftanding their Bones may be full of Marrow, and their Veins full of Blood, and Nature ftrong, having many Temp- tations to Sin and Evil *, yet," by taking heed to the Word, they might be reformed : And through the immediate Power and Strength thereof, may overcome the wicked One. So here were young Men who ac- tually overcame Sin and Satan, that this holy Servant of Jefus wrote to, by way of Encouragement. Is the Arm of the Lord fliortened ? Surely No. It \t true^ Mortals are Ihort in their Duty, but not the Almighty m 9 CHRIS T's Kingdom Exalted. 183 in his Holy Arm of Power, nor his dear Son, in his 1719. unparalleird Love, and moft pure Doclrine \ whofe '^^^>^/7SX Dodlrine fliall be let down, as the Spirit indited it to ^^ ^^ the {twtn Churches in Afta, Firft, to the .Church of Ephefus. Secondly, to the Church of Smyrna. Thirdly, to the Church of Pergamus, Fourthly, to the Church of Toyatira. Fifthly, to the Church of Sardis. Sixthly, to the Church of Philadelphia.^ Seventhly, to the Church of Laodicea. Firft, To the Church oi Ephefu?, Rev. ii. 7. He that hath an Ear to hear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith un- to the Churches^ to him that over comet b will I give to eat cf the Tree of Life^ which is in the Midft oj the Paradifc of God. Here is an excellent Promife and blefiTed En- couragement to fuch as believe, and are faithful, and are defirous to fight in the Lamb's War againft Sin and Satan: The fame Apodle gives a Dcfcripicion of this gTree of Life, in the abovefaid Book •, '' That it bears twelve Manner of Fruits, and bears its Fruits every Month, and its Leaves are for the healing of the Na- tions ;" which myftically points at Chriil, who is fliith- ful in his precious Promifes and Dodrine, and has that Virtue in him, that through Faith, will heal the Na- .j\tions of their Wounds which Sin has given them. ..Thofe who continually eat of the Tree of Life, fhall ^live for ever ; but a flaming Sword will turn every ""Way, to keep the unbelieving Sinners from it : None in a State of Sin and Difobedience can come to enjoy the Paradife of God. The above is an excellent Pro- mife to all thofe who overcome Sin, and the Dj vil, who is the Author of ir. - Secondly^ To the Church of Smyrnay Rev. ii. ir. ^rHe that hath an Ear to hear^ let him hear what the Spi- r/rit faith to the Churches. He that overcometh Jhall not he hurt of the fecond Death : Which is that eternal Death which is in Hell, or that Lake of Fire which burns for ever, where the Worm never dieth, and the Fire never goeth out. This holy Warfare is certainly a Fighting M 4 for i;^^ CHRIS't's Kingdom ' Exalted. T7ig. for Life, againft eternal Death and Hell -, which is t-^'^Wi? of much greater Confequence than natural Life and. . Death. Oh I Fight for your Lives againft Sin and^ Satin, againft Pride and Vanity, and all Manner of Wickednefs ; put on the whole Armour of Light j. look unco God, through Chrift the vi£lorious Lamb^^i that you may be (lived from the eternal Lake of Fire, and not be hurt of the fecond Death. Oh ! may we know a dying daily to Sin, to the World, the Flefh, and the Devil, that we may live unto God, through Faith in his dear Son Jefus Chrift. nirdly. To the Church of Pergamus. Rev, ii. lfp.[ He that hath an Ear to hear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith to the Churches, To him that over cornel h will I give to eat of the hidden Manna ; and I will give him a white StonCy and in the Stone a new Name written^ which no Man knoweth^ faving he that receive th it. Here are four excellent Promifes to him that overcometh, the Lord opens his Treafury of Life, and of Wifdom, in order to invite Souls to the mighty Battle of the Lamb, who is not like the Princes of this World, who fome- - dmes promife great Things to their Soldiers or Fol- lowers, and do not perform i but God's Promilts are all Yea and Amen for ever. The firft Promife is, to eat of the hidden Manna : The Children of Ifrael eat Manna (outwardlyj as it is written, in the Wildernefs, and are dead ; but thofc whoeatof this hidden Manna, this Angels-food, and who are hid with God in Chrifl, thefe fhall never die (;. e. fpiritually^^ for this hidden Manna is the Flefli and Blood of the Son of God, who fa id, Except ye eat my Flejh and drink my Blood, ye have no Life in you, John vi. 31, 49, ^q^ 51, [^c. Second Promife is, to have a white Stone \ this Scone^H is Chrift, who is the chief Corner Stone of God's Building or Church, the New Jerufalem^ which the ■ %vife Letter learned Mafter-builders let at nought ; buC ' be is the Head of the Saints Building or Corner, and a CHR IS "T's Kingdom Exalted. lij^ a Holy Precious Stone, the Eled or Chofen of God, 1719. the Gift of God, to all thofe who truly believe, and wOr^ overcome Sin, as he did ; and as it is written, If he give us kis Son, Jhall he not with his Son give us all Things ? There is Abundance of Talk and Writing about the Philofopher's Stone ; but this White Slone^ (which is the Gift ot God to thofe who overcome Sin, and Satan^ i^ the true Philofopher's Stone. (A Philofopher is a Lover of Wifdom, and Chrifl is the Wifdom of God :) This Stone will certainly do Miracles for them that have it, through the Virtue of its Power, it will procure Joy in Tribulation, Patience in Afflidions, Health in Sicknefs, Riches in Poverty, Strength in Weaknefs, Liberty in Bonds, and to fum up all (which indeed is a great Sum) Life in Death. Third Promife, and in the Stone a new Name: How many gay Sparks and Beaus would do Abun- dance to gain Honour or a Name among Men ? No- thing is dear to them in this World, neither their Eftates, nor the nearefl Relation they have in the World, fo that they may gain a Name here below ; no, not even their own Lives •, but, Oh I did Mortals know the Virtue of this Name, and were they in Love with it, then the World, and all its fading Beauty and Vanity, would be nothing to them in Cdmparifon of this Name, which is better than the Names of Sons of Worldly Glory, and Maids or Daughters of Honour •, for thofe outward Names are fading, viz^ To-day a King, a Prince, a Duke, an Ear], a Lord, a Knight, and (has been, and may be again) To-morrow on the Scaffold : But this Name which the King of Kings giveth thofe who overcome Sin and Satan, i^ a Name which will outlaft Time, and it will endure to Eternity. Fourth Promife is, " That it fhould be fecret (only to the World) but furely known to him that hath it.'* Great Men, when their A6ts and Titles of Honour are blazoned abroad in the World, they have many' Enemies itl CHRIST'S Kingdom Exaked. 1 7 19. Enemies many Ways, who envy them ; and yetfome t/V>J are fo vain as to love Grandeur and Popularity, not- withftanding •, but he that bath a Name thit Chrift gives, fo long as he is fenfible of in himfelf, he is therewith fatisfied. Now as this is the Portion (and more, which is hereafter mentioned) of thofe who overcome the wick- ed One, then, on the contrary, what will become of ihofe who live and delight in Sin, and are daily over- come with it? For the; Holy Scriptures are pofitive. That the Wicked y mth all thofe that forget God^ (Jodl he turned into Hell, This is the determinate Will ofGod: And that we may take the more Notice of it, to obCerve and do his Willi he hath caufed it to be written down in the Language of the Holy Spirir, in the Holy Scriptures of Truth, which are of no private Inter- pretation ;« but naked, and open to mean Capacities. The Holy Scriptures are not to be interpreted to the private Intereil of any particular Perfon or Sett of Perfons only ; but are a general Benefit unto all the faithful Believers and Followers of Chrifl, through the whole World. Fourthly y To the Church at Thyatiray Rev. ii. 26. to the End ; Jnd he that overcometh, and keepelh my Works unto the End, to him I will give Power over the Nations, and I will give him the Morning ft ar. He that hath an Ear to hear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches. The Spirit flill continues promifing his gracious Privileges upon Condition of overcoming: Wherefore, if it had been impoffible to have overcome Sin and Satan, then all thefe Promiies would have been in vain, and the Holy Scriptures deceivingjWhich would be to make Chrifl and the Apoftles Deceivers i but Chriitj his Apoflks, and the Holy Scriptures, are true, and every one that contradi6ls God, is a Liar. Let it be obferved, that there mufl be a keeping the Word to the End alfo ; for divers have run well for a Time, and pvercome many Sins, through the Help CHRISTs Kingdom Exaltel ' i§7 Help and Goodnefs of God, and yet afterwarr^^ Few in her who had not defiled their Garments, who* fhould walk with him in White, for ffaith he) they are worthy." So that they were a Few undefiled Ones, who had overcome *, although others were blameable, whom the Spirit reproved fharply ; but alfo, as above, promiled that thofe who overcame fhould be clothed in white Raiment ; which Raiment is that clean Linen called the Right eoufnefs of the SainiSy or elfewhere, the Wedding Garment^ and the Garment imfpot ted of the JVorld^ ^iiYiOut havi.g which, me may expedt to be aflced, how we dare to prefume to approach the Holy Prefence of a Juft and Righte- ous God, who is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity with Allowance or Approbation, as it is writ ten, FnVW, how cameft thou hither not having on the Wedding Gar- ment ? And by the Promife to the Church, that thofe who overcame, ^' their Namts fhall not be blotted out of the Book ot Life.'* It plainly appears, that thqfe who fight the Lamb's Battle, and overcome Sin and Satan, their Names are upon Record in Heaven, and written in the Lamb's Book of Life : It alfo appears that we may have done well or valiantly in fome Things, yet if we fuifer ourfelves to be overcome of Sin, there is danger, though our Names are in, we may have them blotted out of, the Book of Life. Third Promife is very excellent and glorious, vlz^ But I will confefs him before my Father^ and before his Angels. Oh! wonderful Honour ! to have Chrift confefs that we are his, and belong to him, and have been Men of Courage in this holy War, and overcame the Enemy, and been victorious in this Fight of Faith ; to confefs us there before God and his Angels, muft needs be unfpeakable Honour done us before the Ar- mies in Heaven. He exprefled again-his repeated Ad- vice to thofe who have Ears, faying. He that hath an Ear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith to the Churches : Which is much wa.iting among Men, and alfo a believing CHRIS T's Kingdom lExalud. i% believing Heart : I query, Is not God, Chrift, andthe 1719. HolyGhoft, ftronger than the World, the Fiefh, and L^V^s^ the Devil ? But is not this Belief of it not being poffi' ble to overcome Sin, and faying, that we can't do it while we are here in this World ; as much as to believe and fay, that Satan and Nature is ftronger than God and Grace. Sixlhly^ To the Church at Ihiladelphh^ the Spirit faith, Rev. iii. 12, 13. Him that overcometb will I make a Pillar in the "Temple of my God, and heJJoall go no more out: Jnd I will write upon him, the Name of my God, and the Name of the City of my God, &c. He that bath an Ear to hear., let hi?n bear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches. Here is Promife upon Promife, all to perfuade, excite, and invite People to fight the Fighc of Faith, believing they Ihall obtain the Vidlory, and todeftroy the Principle of Unbelief: The Overcomer, through Grace, is to be made a Pillar in the Temple of God ; that is, one of his Church, who helps to fupport the Credit of it, through a true Chriftian Reputation in his Converfation. Such an One is a Pil- lar in the Church-militant here on Earth, and will, if he is faithful to the End, be alfo of the Church-tri- umphant in Heaven •, " and he will not go out any r* more, but will abide in, and with Chrift for ever.'* Here are Gofpel Promifes and Privileges, happy are they who through Faith attain thereto: How much have Chriftians need to be concerned before God, for the excellent Gift of Faith, fince '* without Faith it is *« impolTible to pleafe God." And as our Saviour faith, If ye had Faith hut as a Grainof Miiflard-fed,ye might fay to this Mountain, he removed, and caft into the Sea, and it Jhould he fo. Now though Sin indeed i$ grown a very great Mountain, in this Age and Gene- ration, yet through true Faith it is removed, accord- ing to the Doftrine of Chrift CblelTcd be his Holy Name.) Upon thofe Overcomers, the Lord hath alio promifed as above, to *' write upon them the Name «' of 1 90 C HRl S'T's Kingdom Exalted. 1719. " of God, and the Name of the City of God, which" is new Jerufalem^ which comeih down Irom Heaven, which is the Mother oi all Saints." Here is a Train of glorious Exprellions, and mighty Promiles enough to infpire the tender Soul with ilrong Defires after God and Chrift, and his Kingdom. My Heart is deeply afFeded at this Time, in the Senfe of the Love of our heavenly Father •, and my Spirit is greatly concerned for the Welfare of the Children of Men, ray Fellow Mortals. Oh I that they might believe, and that believing they might have Life, through the Name of Chrift. It is obfervable, that to overcome, is the Condition of obtaining all thefe great and glorious Promiles ; and Overcoming is repeated feven Times, once to every Church. x'\nd to fay after all thole glorious and fair Promifes, that Sin and Satan cannot be overcome, is not the Confcquence of fuch Saying or Belief, to make Chrift aDeceiver? Which is abfurd and Antichriftian Dodlrine. Seventhly^ To the Church of Ldodueay Rev. iii. 2f, 22. To him that overcometh will I grant to fit with me in m'j Throne y even as I alfo overcame^ and amfei do-jcn with mj Father in his Throne, He that hath an Ear to hear J let him hear what the Spirit falib to the Churches. What greater Promife could Chrift make to his Church than this, to take her into his Throne, and into his Father's Kingdom, into his Bofom of Love ? This is wonderful kind indeed. But then. Oh 1 Chriftian, the Condition is to overcome, as Chrift overcame. Now fince it may be beneficial to Chriftians to under- ftand, and to confider duly, this great Fighter Battle, and how this great Conqueror overcame -, and becaufe we are to follow him, and to take him for our Ex.imple, let us have a Defcription of ii, it being the greatcft Encounter or Battle, that ever was in the World, be- tween the Prince of Life, and the King of the bottom- Jefs Pit. The Hiftory of which, is worth the Read- ing of the gre.iteft' Prince or Monarch on Earth, fince they CJI^ISSJ^ Kingdom Exahed. 191 they muft leave this Jow World, and lay down all their 1719. Crowns when Death calls them to fight this Battle, and v^y^. to follow this Monarch, who hath all Divine Power in. Heaven and Eartli, and to take his Diredlion, is every Man's Duty and Intereft, both Noble and Ignoble. The holy Evangelifts, Matthew and Luke^ give us an Account of this great Fight, in the 4th Chapter of Ivlat- thewy and 4th Chapter of L^)^^, and agree in the mod v/eighty Matters, though they did not exadly word ic alike, yet theSubflance is the fa.me, and theTemptati- on, Conllidor Battle, all one. ly?, Satan bidsChrift (as Mallbezv and Luke has it) '' command the Stones, *' or Stone, to be made Bread, idly^ To caft himfelf *' down from the Pinacle of the Temple, gdly^ To worr '* fhip the Devil, or fall down to him.'* Matt, Chap. 4th, I ft Verfe, to the nth. Then was Jefus led up of the Spirit into the Wilde?' nefs^ to be tempted of the Devil: And when he had fafled forty Bays and forty Ni^hts^ be was afterward an hungred. And when the Tempter cafne io him^ hefaid. If thou he the Son of God, coniinandthat thefe Stones be made Bread, But he (i. e. ChriftJ an- fweredand faid^ it is written^ ManJJoall (or dothj not live by Bread alone,, but by every V/ord that proceedetb out of the Mouth of God, Then the Devil taketh him up into the holy City, and fetteth him on a Pinacle of the Temple^ and faith unto him. If thou be the Son of God^ cajl th)felf down : For it is written^ He fljall give his ;^ngels Charge concerning thee (k is obfervable that the l3evil was here at his old Trade of perverting o[ the Holy Scriptures : The Scriptures faying, thzz he /hall give his Angels Charge concerning thee^ to keep thee in all thy Ways, &c, as in the Pfalms : Which Words Satan left out, for they gave much Light to fee his Tempta- J^on. Thofe Words which expofed him he hides, Tor" he hates Light and Truth) and in their Hands they ffjall bear thee up^ left at any time-, thou dafJj thy Foot again ft a Stone. Jefus faid unto hhh. It is written again,, Thoujhalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again^ the Devil taketh him up into an exceeding high Mouraain, and 192 C HR I ST's Kingdom Exalted. 1 719. aJid Jhewethhim all the Kingdoms of the Worlds and the (•VX> Glor'j of them. And faith unto him^ All thefe Things will J give theey if thou wilt fall down and worfhip me,. Then faid Jefus unto him. Get thee hence ^ Satan : For it is written^ Thou fhalt worfloip the Lord thy God^ and him only fhalt thou ferve. Then the Devil leaveth him^ and behold^ Angels came and min'ifl red unto him. Behold how the Saviour of the World overcame the Devil, and his Temptations. As he did, fo ought all Chri^ llians to refift the Tempter, as it is written, Refifi the Devil ^ and he'll fly. Here v/e may fee he is a conquered Enemy ; and we are told, '^ By Chrift's Spirit,we mufl ** overcome, as he'alfo overcame." After our Lord had faded forty Days, and forty Nights, he was hun- gry, at which Time the Devil urged him, if he was the Son of God, then to make the Stone or Scones Bread, knowing him to be hungry : Thus after the fame Man- tier he tempts us poor Mortals, by laying his Snares, and baiting his Hook, according to the Nature and Propenfity of the Perfon he is engaged withal : If a Man, Woman, or Child, be addidled to PafTion, Pride, Swearing, Lying, Drunkennefs, taking the lacred Name in vain, idle or vain Difcourfes to flea! away our precious Time : Let the Sin be what it will, thac which we are mod naturally addided to, there will he lay his Temptations, for he preys upon our Weak- nefs, and plies the weakell Part in us moH" •, for which Reafon, we have need to keep a ftricl Watch : As Chrift advifed to *' watch and pray continually, lelt we fhould *' enter into Temptation i" for it is no Sin to be tempted, but the Sin is to entertain, and enter into the Temptati- on ', if we overcome, as Chriit did, it is an Honour to be tempted, and a fecret Joy fprings in the Soul, in a Senfe of its Vidory, in fore Conflicls between the Enemy and the Soul •, the Lord manifefung his Divine Grace for our AfTiftance and Help. Here we can take the Advice of the Apof^le, when he fays, Count it all Joy when ye fall into divers Te?nptalions -, and alfo overcome them as Chid did, by Refifti\nce, If CH RIST's Kingdom Exalted. 19^ If it be objeded, though Chrift overcame, yet I'm a 1 7 ' 9- poor fmful Creature,and have no Power ; but he had and w^^VC^^ hath all Power, both in Heaven and Earth, committed into his Hands, fo that he might well overcome him. It is well if thou feeft thou haft no Pov^ifr, and if thou alfo fetft that Chrift hath wonderful Power ; then fince we have no Power ot ourf(-]ves,we muft, by Prayer and humble Supplication, apply to him for it, in time of Need *, believing, that he who hath made fo many en- couraging Proniifes as are before recited, hath alfo Grace, and will give both Grace and Glory to thofe who diligently feek him: Elfe why did he make fo many excellent Promifes to the fpiritual Warriors ? This is worthy of the Notice of all, that Satan is a conquered and limited Enemy and Adverfary. 'Tis a fweeC Portion of Gofpel Tidings, and good News, that the Devil cannot force any One whether he will or not in- to Sin -, for if he cou'd, no Flcfh could be hv^d» As for Inftance, if a Mm, Woman, or Cnild, were tempt*- ed by Satan to tell a Li^, he cannot force thee to it againll thy Will ; fo that there muft be a cowardly giving Way, and falling from the Lamb's Standard, or Enfign, and going over to Satan, if Man is overcome of Sin and Wickednefs : For if we ftand ftifly againft him, although we be weak in ourfelves, our great Mafter, who fteth us in Secret, if we cry to him for Help, will come to our Affiftance, he whom Satan could never conquer ; therefore it is fafe to all profefllng the Name of Jcfus Chrift, to keep near unto him, through Faith in his Name and Power, which ever was, is, and will be, a ftrong Tower to thofe who . fly thereto for Safety. Chrift did not do as the Devil tempted him, or perfwaded him to do -, buthewith- ftands the Temptation, with this Reply, 7/ is vjritteriy Man lives not by Bread alone^ hut by every Word that froceedeth out of lbs Mouth of God'. For there is Life in every Word of God. Thus our Lord overcame him J. for Satan can't refift, fo ai to make void, or N lay 194 CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted. lyjg, lay wade the Vv^ords of God in the Holy Scriptures of Truth, when they are brought inro our Minds by his Spirit to uphold and promote the Kingdom of God and Chrift, and to deftroy the Kingdom of Sin and Satan 5 though he {i. e. the Devil) makes Ufe of thofe Sacred Writings, often wrefting them, and bringing them for evil Ufes, and wrong Purpofes, as mod certainly he doth, when he alledgeth from them, that People can't live otherwife than in Sin. ** Then ('as Matthew has k) he had our Lord to the Pinacle of the Temple, and bid him caft himfelf down *, for, fays Satan, it is written, he fhall give his Angt'ls Charge concerning thee, left at any T ime thou dafh thy Foot againft a Srone." Though he was once overcome, yet he has the Boldnefs to tempt yet again : As Chrift overcame him by his Power, making Ufe of the Holy Scriptures, he now tries what he can do with the Scriptures, he tempts Chrift with them, that he might tempt his Father j and fo he tempts poor Mor- tals by the Scriptures, to keep them in Sin, by making a wrong Ufe of them, and mifapplying them ; and if he can hold them in Sin, he knows 'tis the ready Way to caufe the Almighty to be angry with them ; and if they holdout in it to the End, to turn them at laft into Hell, where the Wicked muft be turned. And he begins his Temptations with an, If thou he the Son of God, though he knew very well that he was the Son of God •, yet like fome of his evil Seed, or Seed of Evil- doers, tempted him to fiiew a Sign ; but our Lord did not gratify either him or them, but rebuked them both, as they well deferved ; and fo by Denial and Refi- ftance he overcame, and we alfo muft the fame Way. After this our Lord makes a true and right Ufe of the Scriptures, faying, // is written again, thou Jhalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And truly, thofe who read the Holy Scriptures, and know how much they fpeak againft Sin, and for Righteoufnels, and who yet not- ivithftanding live in Sm and Ungodlinefs^ and plead for CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted. 195 for it even from thefe Sacred Writings, which were 17 [9. wrote on purpofe to deftroy Sin, Ihould ferioufly con- fider, whether they are not guilty of tempting of God, which Chrift fays, it is written thou fhalt not do. Oh I that People would turn away from Sin and Satan., and break off from their Sins by Repentance, and their Iniquities by Amendment of Life, which is the Way to have the Days of their Tranquility lengchened out in this World, and to be happy in that v/hich is without End to come ; for, as it is writtien, The Wicked do not live out. half their T) ays \ which, according to my Ob- fervation, is a true general Rule. How many have been taken off in their Prime and Strength, and in the Flower of their Years, who might, according to the Courfe of Nature, have lived many Years, had they been fober and temperate, and -lived in the Fear of God ? If it be afked. Do not pious young People die alfo } Yes, but not fo frequently as intemperate Ones 5 I have had Occafion to obferve it in divers Parts of the World ; and befides, if pious young People leave this World, their Exchange is glorious •, wh'^reas the Wicked and Ungodly make a fad bitter Exchange » and fince Life is lo uncertain, and Death fo lure and certain to all, even to Male and Female, what Care and Fear ought there to be on all, of oirending {o mer- ciful a God, and fo fweet a Saviour, who overcame, to fhew us the Way to overcome alfo ; and died for Sin, that we might die to the World, and the finful Part of it, and to live to him, exhorting of us to over- come as he alfo did, and then promifeth to take us for his Companions v/ith himfelf, and his Father, in his heavenly Kingdom. Satan repeats his Temptation again a third Time; for he is an unwearied Enemy, and will tempt poor Mortals over and over, many Times ; but he is to be refifted as often as he tempts, if we will follow the Counfei and Example of Chrift ; and this was his lad Temptation for that Con Aid:, as one of the Evangelifts N 2 obferves. 196 CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted. 1 7 19. obferves, '' he takes him up into an exceeding high Mountain, and fheweth him all the Kingdoms of the World, and the Glory of ic."A Temptation which takes with Abundance of Souls; the Glory,Riches,andGreat- nefsof this World, ruins nmny, they having it, and being fwell'd with Pride therein ; forne are dcflroying themfelves to get it, and cannot attain to it •, and many- would endeavour to create a Belief of themfelves, that they are greater, richer, and more noble, than they really are j which is a Temptation of the Evil One ; for we ought to think meanly ofourfelves; and if we will follow Chrift's Example, make ourfelves of no Repu- tation ; and when Satan would tempt us to be proud, or high of Mind, we thenfhould refift, as Chrift did, who faid to the Devil in this Temptation, Get thee behind me Sat an, for it is written, 'Thou Jh alt worjhip the Lord thy God J and only him {halt thou ferve. If this holy Rule was followed, as Chrift inftituted it, then we fhould over- come Sin andSatan ; Chrifl:*s Inftitution is, That the Hour cometh^ and now is, [that ihofe that worjhip the Father, mufl; ivorjhip him in Spirit and in Iruth, It is too much Worfliip or Homage to fall down to or worfhip Satan ; but the Duty of every Chriftian is to worfliip the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, for he it is whom we fhould only (i. e!) chiefly, and mainly, ferve and worfliip, and that not only in a formal Way, but with Hearts truly devoted to do his Will; we are to worfhip the F'ather in Spirit and in Truth, into which the Devil can never come ; though he may get into the Form of ir, he can't overcome us, where the Power of Chritt is lived in ; for by the Pov/er of God, which dwells in Chrid, who overcame, by the fame Power, Chrif^ians do and fliould overcome : So the Devil was forced to fly whtn Chnfl: refitted him, and fo he will when Chriftians refi(t in Chrift : And when Chrifl: h:id overcome, then the Angels came and miniflred Uiito him ; likevv'ife the Gunrdhin Angel of Gud*s holy Pre- ience will udtniniikr fweec Co.iilori and Pkafure to every C H R IST's Kingdom Exalted. 197 every true Soul, who (lands truly for the Caufe of God 17 19, and Chrifl againft Sin and Satan, fincerely endeavour- ing to pull down Satan's Kingdom, or Sin, which upholds it, and faithfully defires to exalt the Kingdom of God and his dear Son. Now he or Ihe that believes, and overcomes (for without Belief, 'tis ImpofTible to overcome) thofe are truly intitled to all the abovefaid precious Promifes, and Privileges, otherwife the Wrath of God will be revealed from Heaven againft all Ungodlinefs and Unrighteoufnefs of Men, and againft all thofe who hold the Truth in Self-righte- oufnefs, or Unrighteoufnefs. Again, tribulation and Angtii/h upon every Soul of Man that doth Evily of the Jtv/ firjl, and alfo of the G^nxWt \ hut Glory ^ Honour^ and Peace to every Man that worketh Good, to the Jew frft^ and alfo to the Gentile ; for there is no Refpe^i of Perfons with God, Rom. ii. 9, 10, 11. Here the Ways cf God are equal, but the Ways of Man and Sitan are unequal ; Sin, Iniquity, and TranfgrefTion, are of the Devil, and of Man in the Fall; but Righ- teouH^efs, Holinefs, and Truth, are of God, to which Man is reftored, through Regeneration and Reforma- tion. Glory over all be given to God and the Lamb, for ever. Amen. N3 SOME 198 Confiderailom on the Call ^ Work, and Wage 5^ 1720. SOME C O N S I D E R AT I O N S O N T H E CALL, WORK, and WA G E S, O F T H E MINISTERS of CHRIST. 'I O ME THING hath been on my Mind to write, concerning the Work of theMiniftry of the Gofpel of Chrid, with a Defign of Inftru6li- on to Miniflers in particular, and the Benefic of others in general. It is an unfpeakable Benefit to Mankind, to be fa- voured with a Powerful, Living Miniflry, which edi- fies the Church of God, and builds up the true Belie- ^vers in the moll Holy Faith (according to the Word of God; in Chrift Jefus, who is the Great Minifter of the trueTabenacle and Sandluary, which God hath pitched, and not Man j and this Great Minifler fenC Mnt, lo. forth his Miniflers and Servants, faying, I fend you forth as Sheep among Wolves \ he y therefore wife as Serpents, and harmlefs as Doves, He did not' fend them forth as Lords over his Heritage, nor as perfecut- ing Priells, or mercenary Hirelings, but faid to them, Fredy you have received^ freely give : Here is no Com- pulfion nor Force enjoin'd by Chriit •, but it is plain, Irom his own Dodlrine and Example, that his Miniilry is a free Miniflry, bleffed be his Holy Name and Tryth it of the Minijlers of CHRIST. 199 Truth for ever : Nor do we read or underftand of 1720. any Alteration thereof by Chrift: Indeed the Minifters ^-^""VM of Antichrift have made an Alteration (contrary to this Dodlrine of his) in their Miniftry ; but the Holy Apodles, who after Chrift were the firft Planters of Chriftianity in the Earth, when it Ihone in its primi- tive Beauty and Glory, they followed the Counfel of their Lord and Mafter, and miniftred freely: Then was the Power ot Chrill's Miniftry and Gofpel through his Minifters and Servants great, and the Glory and Beauty thereof raviftiing to pious Souls. Oh ! may every true Minifter, and every fenfible Soul, bow be- fore theMoft High, and blefsthe Holy Name of him that lives and reigns for ever, for this unfpeakable Girt of Chrift's Holy Miniftry, which always was, now is, and ever will be, convincing and converting i^n to Souls, who are not flow at Heart to believe in God, and in his dear Son the Lord Jefus Chrift, who is our great High Prieft, and the Biftiop of Souls ; he faw the Need that his Church had of this his Miniftry, and therefore he eftabliftied it in his Church, and aniong his Followers, to the End of Time. Now, in order to this great and wondertul Work, he told his Difciples /when he was going into his Glory and Kingdom of his Father) Thai he would pray to ^^^y^^^^^^^. Father, and he would fend thefn another Comforter^ the^l ^Ti.* Sprit of Truth, and that he Jhould abide with them fori*-"-^^* ever. And he alio told them, That when he is come^ he fJjall firjl reprove or convince the IVorldof Sin., hecaufe they believe not in me ; for if they believed truly in Chrift, they would love his fpiritual Appearance •, but O how many are there in the World, who flight this high Favour, and Grace of God and Chrift, calling this wonderful Gift and Grace, the Light of Nature; whereas Chrift fays, it is the HolyGhoft; and the Apoftle Pj.7/ fays, ^^^t is God's Grace, that teaches us to deny Ungodlincfs, and hath appeared unto all Men.'* Oh that the Children of Men'might love that which N ± appears 200 Cunfiderations on the Call, Work^ and Wages^ 1720. appears to them, and convinceth them of their Sins 5-"^ • C'^'VX^ and furc^ly it is a great Sin not to believe In the Spirit • and I. ght of Chrift : Such unbelieving Souls are \rv * Darknefs^And not yet turned frorr> Darknefs unto Lighr;*^^ and from the Power of Satan, to the Power of God^-^ whicii was t!ie very Work Chriil's Mlnifters wereftnt of God to "'o. 2^//)', And be convinceth or reprovrth the World of Right eoufrefs, becaufe I go to the Father, and ye fee me no more. Wl^.en their Righteoufnefs is only wrought in the Wifdom of IVIdn, and not by the Power of God, whether it be in Preaching or Woriliip, when o ily the Form, and not the Power, is witnefied, this then convinceth them that thev have been building th-^'ir Religion upon a wrong Bottom, and a fandy Foundation ; and fiieweth the formal Minifter, that he is only a M miller of the Letter, and not of the Spirit ; and th-" formal Worfliipper, that he is not yet come to worfhip in Spirit and Truth ; and the ProfefTor of Cnrift in Words, that 'he denieth him in Works and inward Faith ^ becaufe Faith without Works is Dead, as Works without this fpi ritual Faith is Dead alfo. '^ Becaufe I go to the Father," is the wonderful Caufe given by Chrifl, for it is ChrilVs Righteoufnefs that mult fave the Soul, and Chrifl being gone to the Father, the Soul mufl go there to him, for all his Gifts and Flavours, Mercies and BlefTings, and mufl witnefs him in Spirit to be Vv^ith them, and in them, as he is in the Father. Whtn Chrifl was perfonally on Earth, he taught us by Words vocally exprefs'd ; but " henceforth know we him fo no more." Now he teacheth us by his Spirit, Light, and Life, which convinceth us of Form without Power, and Letter without Spirit, and Religion without Life, and Righte- oufnefs without Grace, and Light and imputative Righteoufnefs, without a(5lual Righteoulnefs, andaftu- al or forma] Righteoufnefs m our own Wills (only) All this 5/ the Minijlers of CHRIS f. 201 tWs, and much more, it convinceth us, not to be ef- 1720. fe6tual to Salvation, and fheweth us that the fpiritual l/'VNI Power, and Prefenceof Chrift, is abfolutely neceffary for the Work of the Miniftry, and the Converfion of Souls. 3^/31, He convinceth the World of Judgment^ hecaufe the Prince of this World is judged. He, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, when he is come, fheweth us our wrong Judgment, and convinceth us of the Evil of be- ing too cenforious, rafh., and uncharitable, in Judging, and plainly giveth us to underftand, that fuch Judg- ment is from the Prince of this World, who is King over all the Children of Pride, and that this Prince or evil Spirit, is judged by the righteous and jufl Judge of Heaven and Earth, Chrift Jefus. He alfo convinceth us of the everlafting Truth, as it is in Jefus, and is our fure Comforter, while we keep therein, in Dodlrine, Worfhip, and Converfation. ^thly^ He Jhall bring all things (or thofe Things) /<; your Remembrance^ which Ihavefpoken unto you. Where- ^^^^* '** fore this Gift is abfolutely neceflary tor a Minifter of Chrift *, and every true Believer in him, wants this Re- membrancer, which muft needs be a great Comfort to us, to have nis excellent Speeches and Divine Dodtrine brought by his own Spirit to our Remembrance, if we do love nim in Snccrity. ^thly^ HeJJjall receive of mine, and fhew it unto ycu^ john i«, fays Chrift. Take of his Light, his Life, his Grace, H- his Wildom, his Mercy, P^ace, and Truth, and fhew it unto you. Oh infinite Love from a tender Saviour ! Well may we admire his Goodnef*, and intirely love him above all Things in this Woild. 6thly^ Chrift fpeaks in divers Places concerning this wonderful and extraordinary Gft of the Holy Ghoft or Spirit, and in the 14th Chapter, and 16th and irth Verfes of John-, He thus drops his Divine Words, 7 will pray the Father^ and he /Jjall give you another Comforter^ that he may abide with you for ever 5 even the 202 Confiderations on the Cally Work, and Wage s^ the Spirit of Truths whom the World cannot receive^ he- caufe it feel h him not^ neither knoweth him : But ye know bijn, for he dwelletb withyou^ andfloall he in you. Oh \ ye Miniftersof the Lord Jefus Chrift, in this his Gift is your Strength, your Comfort, and your exceeding great Reward, both here and hereafter, for ever ; far exceeding Silver or Gold, or the Diadems of Princes: The whole World, wanting this, lieth in Wickednefs, and muft lie there unavoidably, if they have not the Senfe of this unfpeakable Gift : There cannot be Sal- vation^nor any faving Miniftry without it ; it being ab- folutely needful, to the Being and Well-being of a Mi- niilerof Chrift: And indeed the holy Text is plain, and pofitive, that he that hath not the Spirit of Chrift^ is none of his *, none of his Minifter, none of his Be- liever : Oh ! No, they cannot be his in any good Re- ipedt whatfoever, without his Spirit. But if it fhould be objedled. How Ihall we do to know the M/nifber or the Man who hath this Divine Gift, or Spirit. of Chrift, fince it may be pretended to both by the Miniftersand People ; and y'et they may not have it in Reality ? This indeed is a great Point, and highly neceffary to be fearched into, which is to be known by our Lord's Rule, which he has prefcribed for that End. Bo Men (faith he) gather Grapes off thorns ^ or I^igs offThiftles? (Surely No. The Grape is gathered from the Vine, and the Fig from the Fig- tree) Wherefore by their Fruits ye fhall know them. Nov.^ thofe (according to this true Rule) who have the Spirit, or Holy Ghoft, they bring forth the Fruits of it : Which Fruits are hove., Charity .^ Meek- nefs^ temperance., Patience^ Experience, liope.^ Faithy and Wifdom from above^ which is pure and peaceable^ gentle and eafy to he intreated^ to all, and every Thing that is Good. And thofe who have the Holy Spirit, bring forth the Fruits of it as naturally, as the Vine doth the Grape, and the Fig- tree the Fig. Alfo, Whatjoever Things are holy^jujl., hone ft., pure.^ and of good Report., or cend:j to Piety, or Virtue s in a Word, every Thing that of the Minijiers of CHRIST. 203 that is Good, is the Fruit of the Spirit of God and 1720. Chrift : And they are brought forth with divine Life and Power in that Minifter and People, who throucrh true Fairh in the blefled Jefus, have received the Gifc of the Holy Ghoft, or Spirit of Chrifl-. The Minifler of the Gofpel being thus fitly furnifli- cd to every good Word and Work, he is ready to anfwer the Call of his great Lord and Holy Mafter^ which is in Heaven ; he wants not the Call ot Man, nor Authority from Man, nor Wages of Man. But thofe who bring forth Fruits contrary to the above, can neither be true Miniflers, nor Chriftians, according to the Dodrine of our Holy Lord. Being thus qualified by the Mod High, thofe Minifters are freely- given up to ferve the Lord, and go wherefoever he is -pleafed to fend them, though he fend them as Lambs lamong Wolves : And it is worth noting, that Ch rift's MeiTtngers and Minifters are called and fentof'him; they do not run ot themfelves, nor in their own Will ; which it they did, their End would be like the for- ward falle Prophets of old, who did ' not profit the People at all. Our great Lord feeing what Need the World had of true Teaching, and of true Teachers, fends his Minifters forth into it, faying, Ma^t. xxviii. 18,19, 20. ^11 Power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth : Go y therefore and teach all Nations^ Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghoji : teaching them to oh ferve all Things whatfoever I have com- manded you : And lo^ lam with you alway^ even unto the End of the World. Many ot his excellent Sayings and Commands may be found in that wonderful Sermon which he preached on the Mount, Matt. 5th, 6th, and 7th Chapters. Here Chrift fhews his .^^Minifters his Pov/cr, and fends them forth in his 0SSlft^ame, for there is none other given under Heaven for Salvation ; and Chrift comforts his Minifters with a glorious Promife, of being 204 Conjiderations on the Call^ Work, and JVageSy 1720. being with them to the End of the World. Oh the wonderful Sweetnefs of this gracious Promife ! and fuch are all his Promifes, tor tiiey are Yea, and Amen, for ever. Wherefore ChriilN Minifters may well go forth without Doubting, having eheir Autho- rity from the King of Kings. Again he faith, Go'^e into all the Worlds and preach the Go/pel unto every Creature. He that helievethy and is baptized^ jhall he Javed y hut he that believeth not. Jhall be damned. M'rk xvi. 15, 16. So Chrift fays. Go j but the World, the Flefh, and the Devil fays, Slay ; For the Spirit of Sin and Satan is for obffrudiing the Work of Chnit, and hindring the free Gofpel Minifl* y, and the Motions of the Word and Teflimony or Jefus ; and is for quenching it in thofe in whom it may appear : It is a new Mode or Falhion, contrary to the primitive Or- der of Chrift, above mf ntiond, for Miiiflers to (lay, and be tied to an outward Benefit, or a particular Meeting or Congregarion •, which Way of Preaching, or Reading (Reading being much in Pradice now a Days) is quite contrary to the Call, and Pradice of Chrifl, and his Minifters, and of the Martyrs, and ConfefTors of Jefus : As alfo of many of the mofl: noted Reformers m Religion. Oh but it is objected. If Minifters fhould alvvaysgo about among the Nations, what would become of their Families, or how muft they live, and be maintained ? To which may be an- fwered, as the Minifters of our Lord were, when he at the firft fent them forth ; who, when they returned to their Mafter, heaflved them, if they lacked any Thing? They anfwered, No. But inftead of lacking any Thing, the Devils were fubjedt to them. Pray let the ferious Chriftian confider, here is now a wonderful Change. Is it in Chrift, or in the Hireling Money-loving Priell ? It is certainly in the Men, and not in Chrift Jefus, for he is the fame to Day, Yefterday, and for ever. Where the Power of Chrift rules, there the Devil and his Power muft of NecelTuy be fubjedl:. But of the Miniliers of CHRIST. 205 But fome objefl, That People are not fo free now a 1720, Days •, where there not a Law to maintain Minifters,the^«^'''V^ Minifters might perifh or (larvein this Generation ; if fo, then their Miniftry muft ftarve the Peopled Souls. But this Thought of ftarving, is for want of the Gift of God and Power of Chrill ; which Power in the Miniftry would wonderfully open Peoples Hearts to- wards God, and thofe who are his true Servants and Minifters *, who faid, freely 'je have received^ freely give. Oh ! faithlefs G<^neration, what fliall we miftruit him who provides for all his Creatures, even to the Ravens and Sparrows, and will he not much more provide for his Servants and Minifters? How fhould we receive Power from on High, if we want Faith, and cannoi: depend on the providential Hand of God ? Chrift fends hi-^ Minifters into the World, in order to propagate his Gofpel of Salvation, and to let the World know that he is come to put an End to Sin, and bring Life and Peace to the Soul, according to the Angels i'eftimony of him, that his Namefljouhi be caU led Jefus (which is a SdiV\our)forheJhallJave his People from their Sins^ Matt. i. 21. The Apoftles of Chrift alio, according to their holy CommifTion, de- clared, that " God had fent his Son to biefs us, in *^ turning of us from the Evil of our Ways.'* But ^^^ 3^ that Dodrine muft certainly be oppofite to this of the^*^* Angels, Chrift, and his Difcfpks, which teacheth, that we muft live in Sin while on this Side the Grave, and that there is no being free from it while we are in this World -, though Chrift himfelf came for that very End and Purpofe, to put an End to it, and to fave us from it, and to bring unto, and into, the WorlJ, everlafting Righteoufnefs •, as alio is that Doc- trine which maintains, that there is no Periedion that we can attain to in this Life ; though Chrift fays. Be ye perfe5i (tor or) as your Father which is in Heaven ii f erf eh j as he is perftdl: in Fulnels, fo are we to be pcrfed, according to the Meafure of Grace received. This 20 6 Confiderations on the Cally JVorky and Wa^eSy 1720. This Faith and Belief is much wanting in this unbeliev- ing Generation, which is the Reafon that People re- main in their Sins, and the Peoples Leaders caule them to err, and their Miniflers minifxer in their Sin, and minifter Sin to the People. Oh ! that the Great Lord of All, miy grant the Faith which purifies the Heart unto the Children of Men, and efpecially to his Minders, that they might be inftrumental to the convincing and converting Souls to Chriftjand his *« Gofpel^which is the Power of God to Salvation, to all them that believe.'* And as without believing and being baptized, we can neither be faved, nor truly preach theGofpel •, how do we believe in Chrift if we remain in our Sins? For Chrift faith, If ye believe not that I am he^ ye jhall die in your Sins : So it is plain, that the true Faith and Be- lief in Chrift taketh away our Sins, and that if we re- main in our Sins, it is evident that we have not the true Faith of Chrift. It is not enough to have a noti- onal or hiftorical Faith or Belief that Chrift is the Son of God, but wemuftalfo believe that this ishe^ that as the Angel declared lojofeph^^ Jhould fave his People from their Sins : This v/as before he was born of the holy Virgin ; and thofe People mightily miftake the Dodrine of Chrift in the Holy Scriptures, who think or believe they ftiali be faved in their Sins ; and thofe Minifters muft needs be antichriftian, who preach and write, that there can be no living here in this World without Sin, which is alfo contrary to their own Doc- trine at other Times, and to their folemn Covenant in the Water B^ptifm for Sprinkling) in which they promife for their Children, " to forlake the Devil and *^all is W^orks," and without Doubt all his Works is Sin, no Chriflian can pretend to greater or higher Perfection, thrin to forfake the Devil, and all his Works^ the Po??2p and Vanity of this wicked World^ and all the finftil Lufts of the FleJJj^ and to keep God's holy Will end Comrnandments^ and to walk in the jame all the Days of our Lives \ fo that according to this folemn Covenant f)f the Mimften of CHRl&T. 207 Covenant, here is no Day for Sin ; yet thofe Covenant- 1720. t;rs at others Times will fay, preach, difpute, and v/rite, that the beft Saints cannot live without Sin, and that People fin in their beft Duties ; if any think to mock the Almighty after that Manner, they will be much miftaken in the Day of the righteous Judgment of God : For Chrijl came to put an End to Sin^ and tofinijh Tranf- grejffton^ and to deftroy the Works of the Devil^ which all Sin moft certainly is. And it is plain, that John, the beloved Difciple of Chrift, believed this, from his own Words, / write unto you^ young Men^ hecaufe ye have overcome the wicked One, 1 have written untoyou^ young Men^ hecaufe ye are jirong^ and the Word of God ahld-* eth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked One, i ft Epidle of John, ii. 13, 14. To which I fhall add, what he fluth through the Spirit to the kwtn Churches in Jfta. To the Church of Ephefus, Rev. ii. 7. He that hath an Ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches^ To bi?n that overcometh, will I. give to eat of the Tree of Life^ which is in the midfl of the Paradifs of Go'd. To the Church of Smyrna^ Rev. ii. 11. He that hath an Ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches, He that overcomeih^ floall not he hurt of the fecond Death, To the Church of Pergajnus, Rev. ii. ^y. He that hath an Ear, lei him hear what the Spirit faith unto the Churches, To him that overcofneih will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give hi?n a white Stone, and in it a Name written, which no Almknoweth, favs him that receiveth it. To the Cnurchof Thyatira, Rev. ii. 26, 27, 28, 29. He that overcometh and keepeth my Works unto the End, to him will I give Power over the Nations, and hi JImll rule than with a Rod of Iron, as the Vejfels of a Potter fhall they he hroken to Shivers, even as 1 received ofm'^ Father, and I will will Five him the Morning Star, 2o8 Confideraftom on the Call ^ Work^ andWages^^ 1720. He that hath an Ear to hear ^ let hhn hear what thf Spirit faith unto the Churches, To the Church of Sardis^ Rev. iii. 5, 6, He that overcometh^ the fame Jhall he clothed in white Raiment^ and I will not Mot out his Navie out of the Book of Life ; hut I will confefs his Name before my Father^ and before his Angels. He that hath an Ear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith to the Churches. To the Church of Philadelphia, Rev. iii. 12, ig. He that over com eth^ will I make a Pillar in the 'Temple of my God^ and he [hall go no more out ; and I will write z{pon him the Name of my God^ and the Name of the City of my God^ which is New Jerufalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from tnj God, and I wilt zvrite upon him wy nnv Name, He that hath an Ear, let hi?n hear what the Spirit faith to the Churches, To the Church of Laodicea^ Rev. iii. 21, 22. To him that over Cometh, z<^rll I grant to fit with me in my Throne^ even as I overcame^ and am fet down with m) Father in his Throne, He that hath an Ear^ let him hear what the Spirit faith to the Churches. Surely thai Soul who cannot by all this fee th^t there is an Overcoming, muit certainly be blind as to a fpiri- tual Sight ot the Dodtrine of Chrift ; and what is it but to make Chrift and the Hoiy Spirit a Deceiver, to promifc all thufe great Things 10 his Churches, if they cannot perform the Conditions he prefcribes ; and if it wrre true (as it is not) that it is impofTible toover- come Sin and Satan, then would Chrift be a hard Ma- fter, which is abfurdand wicked to fuggeft. But this Overcoming m.uft not be in our own Wills, nor in our own Time, nor with our own Weapons, but accord- ing to the Apoftle Paulas Teftimony of the Saints Weapons, and their Warfare, and alfo ot his own Fight and Vidory, viz. 2 Cor. x. 4. The IVeapons of our Warfare are not carnaU but mighty through God, to the pulling down of flrong Holds {'Satan's Holds of Sin are ftrong Ones, it ntvcr to be overcome.) Buc of the Mini/iers of CHRIST. 209 But with thefe Weapons we may overcome : And 1720. he bids the Chriftian put them on, and calls them the ^•^''V^ whole Armour of Light (oppofice and contrary to Sa- tan's dark P:.wer) and he names them after this Man- ner : Stand therefore^ having your Loins girt about with Truth, and having on the Breaft-plate of Right eoufiefs^ and your Feet fhod with the Preparation of the Gofpel of Peace ; above all, taking the Shield of Faith^ where- with 'jefhall he able to quench all the fery Darts of the Wicked^ and take the Helmet of Salvation^ and t'foe Sword of the Spirit^ which is the H^ord of God, Eph. vl 13. 17. / have fought a good Fight, I have finijhed^ my Courfe^ I have kept the Faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteoufnefs 5 which God, the righ- teous Judge, Jhallgive to me at that Day, and not to me only, but to all them who love his Appearing^ 2 Tim. iv. T, ^. , Thus the Saints and primitive Chnftians were vic- torious in this Chriftian and Spiritual Warfare, and they encouraged others to follow them, as they did Chrift. The very Belief of this Dodrine, that we can never overcome Sin and Satan, is contrary to the Faith of Chrift, and is a mighty Engine of the wicked One to deftroy Souls -, for what Encouragement can any have to the Work of Reformation, or to believe in or prefs after the New Birth, if they do not believe in the New-birch, or that they may or can be re- formed, or created again a-new in Chrift Jefus, unto good Works, and that they muft not walk after the Fiefh, to fuiai the Lufts thereof. Oh that Mini- fters and People would confider that awful Sentence of Holy Scriptue, viz. If ye live after the Fle/h ye fnall die \ but if ye^ through the Spirit, mortify the Deeds of the Body, ye Jhall live, Rom. viii. 13. (The Want of a lively Hope and Faith in Chrift, the Great Lord of Heaven and Earth, is great, very great indeed) Oh that true Faith in him might abound andincreafe in the Earth more and more ! then would he infpire the Soul O with 2IO Condfiderations m the Call^ Work, and Wages. : 720. with invvard Strength and Grace to refifl the Devi], ^'"V^ and overcome him, and adlually to do the Works of God, and to forfake the Devil, and all his Works, and then, and not until then, is Chrift's Righteoufnefs im- puted unto us ; fo that true Chriftians are truly righte- ous, not only by Imputation, but by Adion alio. Ob that thofe who make Profeflion of Holy Jefus would deny themfelves, and take up their daily Crofs, and follow him in the Regeneration 1 otherwife, how can they be his Difciples or Miniflers ? And then would' true Chriftianity ilourifh in the Earth, i then wouid- Chrifl be exalted overall, who, with the Father and Holy Spirit, is God bleffed for ever. Now to return a little to drift's Baptifm, viz. He that heliev€tby and his haptizedy Jhall be faved. Here our great Baptizer, and Chief Minifter, is pofitive, that they fhall be faved who are baptized with his Baptilm : from which, with flrong Reafon, we may conclude, that the Baptilm which is abloiuteiy neceiTa- ry to Salvation is not Water- baptifm, which was John^s^ but fpiritual Baptifm, which is Chrift'sj and for this Reafon alfo, that moft Chriftians that have any^ Spiritual Underftanding, do plainly fee, that notwith- flanding People being baptized, or fprinkled with elementary Water, many live wicked, ungodly Lives, and die in that State ; but quite the contrary Effe •, he faveth them who love his Dear Son, agd beh'eve in him ; hegiveth to them eternal Life, and Chrift loveth them, and manifefteth himfelf unto them. And his beloved Disciple John declared, Jf any Man/in^ we have an Advocate with the Father^ Jefus Chrijl^ the Righteous \ and he is the Propitiation for'^ cur Sins^ and not for ours only^ but alfofor the Sins of the whole Worlds I John ii. I, 2. And the Author of the Epiftle to the Hebrews faith, But wefeejefus^ who was made a little lower than the Angels^ for the fuffering of Death ^ crowned with Glory and Honour^ that he by the Grace of God Jhould tafie Death for every Man^ Heb. ii. 9. And all who believe in, and obey him, will partake of the Benefit of his Death and SuEering ; but the Wicked 220 Concerning Terfonal Etefiion and Reprobatwu Wicked is [nared In the Work of his own Hands ^ Pfal. ix» 1 6. Thus it was in my Mind, and hath been, for fome Years, to fhew to the Prejhyterian^ Independent^ or Bapift People, or any other, who hold the Dodtrine ©t particular Perfonal Eledlion or Reprobation, the Weaknefs of fome of fwhat they call) their Proofs, for this (as I take it) corrupt and dangerous Dodlrine of theirs, and the Milapplication of thofe Texts of Scripture, which they advance to maintain their abfurd Notion, of Souls being fore-ordained to Damnation eternally, whether they do Good or Evil, and that it is fo determined, before we are born into the World. Oh ! that thofe People might come to true Repent- ance, and lay hold of the univerf^il Love of God to eternal Life, through the living Fairh of Jefus Chrift our Lord, in the tender Bowels of whofe Love to all are thofe Lines written, andingrc^ac Love and Good- will they are invited to fearch the Sciiptures, and to fee whether the whole Scope of them do not (hew the contrary to what they hold in Relation to p rk^na' Re- probation to Deftrudion, fore-ordained bc^forc v/e are born, or have done either Good or Evil •, thr - not being one Text to be found to provt- thit Doarine: But there are abundance which fet^ forth the 1/3 'C, Mercy, and Goodnefs of God, to Mankind j only two of which I fliall add hereunto, viz. And God j aw that the Wickednefs of Man was great in the Earthy and that every Imagination of the noughts of his Heart was only Evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made Man on the Earthy and it grieved him at his H arty Gen. vi. 5. 6. And Jonah arofe^ and went unto Nine- veh, according to the Word of the Lord^ and entered^ andfaidy Tet forty DaySy and Nineveh Jhall he overthrown. So the People of Nineveh believed God^ and proclai?ned a Fafl^ and put on Sackcloth^ from the great eft of them^ even to the leaft of them. And God f aw their Works ^ that they relumed from their evil Way^ and God repented of the Evil Concerning Per fonal Ele5iion and Reprobation, 221 Evil that he had Jaid he would do unto them^ and he did it not^ Jonah iii. 3,4, 5, 10. I heartily define thefe two Texts tnay be truly confider'd, and weighed, therein the Mercy, Loving-kindnefs, and long For- bearance of God, being fo clearly and fully manifefl- ed, that I think may befufficienc to convince every unprejudiced Mind of the Error of believing in that Principle of the abfolute Predeflination of the Altnigh* ty of any Part of Mankind to Deftruftion. r. C, ( 222 ) LETT E R T O COTTON MATHER, m New-England. HAVING received a courteous Letter from Cot- ton Mather, one of the greatefl Preachers among the People of New-England *, he being in Community "with the National Church there^ and having -peached a Sermon concerning the Power and Excellency of Chrifi within^ recommending People thereunto^ and commending our Society therein •, lut differing from us in fome Par- ticulars^ which Particulars I waf concerned to anjwer as follow eth, viz. Franckfort, the loth of the 2,^ Mo. 1726. Courteous Friend, C. M. THINE, dated Nove??iher 30th, 1725. I re- ceived a few Days ago, I having been vi fir- ing the People along the Sea-lhore in the Jerfeys (m the Love of Chriii:, hoping to bring fome to him) among whom, .in a general Way, the Gofpe] v/hich I had to preach in his Name, found Acceptance, for which I was truly thankful ; and tho* I had no earthly Confideration for fo doing, yet I had that inward Satisfadlion, that I thought I would not exchange or part with it for the Bifnop of Rome or Canterhurfs Revenue : And at my Return 1 received thy friendly Letter, which I wa§ glad of, and that mine i A Letter to Cotton Mathbr. -223 nnine to thee found that Acceptance, fo as to anfwer 1726. my Requeft. And whereas thou fay'ft thy Aim and Hope hath been to perfwade us who call ourfelves Friends (we profefling ourfelves Friends to all People^ that our fu- perior Screfs fliould be upon the grand Point of Chrift within \ we having found, by Experience, living and bleffed Experience, the great Benefit and Comfort of his moft fvveet and glorious Prefence, by the Manifefta- lion of his Power, Spirit and Grace, in and to our Souls, we cannot do otherwife than lay the greateit Strefs thereon, our Benefit therein, and thereby, be- ing noteafily exprelTed, fo as to be underflood by the carnal Mind, or to thofe who are in a State of Dege- neration ; Chrifl within was, is, and ever will be, the Hope of the fandified Soul's Glory, though a Myfte- ry hid from Ages of unregenerate People, or from thofe who are in the Reprobation ; Know ye not your ownfelves^ that Chrijl is in you, except ye be Reprohates^ faith the Apoftle PW, 2 Cor.y!\\\. 5. Col, i. 2. From the above I would not be underitbod as though I believed that Chrifl: is no where but in hi«s People \ neither did I ever underftand any of our Friends fo, though we have been often mifreprefented on that Head. And as to the Ceremony of the Hat, and the Plural Language to fingle Perfons, I thus anfwer, that many of us left that Way ot Salutation and Speaking, thro' ftrong Convi6lion, accompanied with thefe Reafons ; i/, It being a Relpedl v/e pay Almighty God, He being our Head, is honoured by uncovering our Head (as faid the Apoflle Paul, 1 Cor. xi. 4.) We think for that Reafon it is not right to uncover our Heads to Men; but that to give one another our Hands, in an inward and hearty Refpedb, is better. idly. We read in the Holy Scriptures, that Morde- cai could not bov/ to Haman for Confcience Sake, EJiher iii. 4. and L think it may fafely be concluded, that 224 -^ Letter /^Cotton Mather. 1726. that he did not take off his Hat, or uncover his Head U^v%^ though he was in Danger to have fuffered tor it. And, 3^7)', The three Children of God walked in the Prefence of the great King of Babylon fand thofe prc- fenc with him) with their Hats on : and they flood the King's Fury, and the Fire, though feven Times hot- ter thanufual, with their Hats on, as there related in Dan, iii. 21. I befeech thee, my good Friend, to confider the Tenor of the Holy Scriptures maturely, and then I hope thou will not think the Hat, and the Language of 'Thee znd Tbou to a. fingie Perfon, to be needlefs Ceremonies and Incumbrances, according to our Prin- ciple and Pradlice; 1 do not v/rite thus to thee for Con- tention, nor in a contentious Spirit or Mind, but in the innocent Love of our dear Lord Jefus, and for Edification, or if Need be, for Information. *f Alfo, as to Tbee and Thou to a fingle Perfon, I anfwer. That the Holy Scripture Tor the Words of God therein recorded) is by all Proteftant Profefforsof Chrift, acknowledged a Rule to us all, next to the Holy Spirit, from whence they came, or the Holy Ghofl, that our Saviour promifed " fhould lead into all Truth, and abide with the true Believers for ever ;'* and that God and ChrilVs Spirit, doth not contradi(fl the Holy Scriptures, which came and proceeded from thence : This general Propofition we all agree to, if we rightly underftand one another. Then, according to this Rule, our plain Language is right, otherwife I Ihall be obliged to thee to fhew us wherein we err from that good Rule. Now, the Mod High thought good to teach and ufe that Lan- guage in the Begicining to our firfl Parents •, fo that it is our Mother Tongue, and it is the Language of the Bible, or Holy Scrptures, from Gcnefis to the Reve- lations, I fuppofc I need not tell thee that Ton to a fingle Perfon had its Rife from Pride and Flattery ; and thyfelf 1 j, i A Letter to Cotton IV^ather. 225 tiiyfelf knoweth, that T^'?^ to a fingle Perfon, is neither 1726. good Engli/hy nor good Grammar. Ky'^^T^ And ]f lam rightly informed,yoar Forefathers^as well as ours, made life of this plain Scripture Language of Thee and Thou to a fingle Perron,in their firft Separation from the commom Sinners of their Times. Though I thus apologize for the plain Scripture Language, yet in Relpe6l of Faith or Grace, and Prin- ciples to be believed, which are abfolutely neceflary to Salvation, I call thefe but fmall Things-, but we are not to delpife the Day of fmall Things, if we are faith- ful in the little, or lefs, we have the Promife of more or greater Things, Lukex\x. 17. I pray thee excufe this long Letter or Epiflle •, for it feems to me but meet, that we fhould render a Rea- fon for our Difufe of thofe Things ufed by fome (of mofl: Societies) profeffing the Chriflian Faith. And in Refpedl of Water Baptifm, and the Bread and Wine : ift. As to Water- baptifm, I have this to anfwer, the which I hope thou wilt charitably con- ftruc. The firft Account that we. have of it, is from John the Bapttjt, who firft pradifed it, according to the Ac- count the Evangelifts give concerning ir, and he faid, lindeed baptize with Water ^ hut he (Chn(i)Jl'all baptize you with the Holy Ghoft, and with Fire •, plainly dillin- , guifhing between the two Baprifms, and the two Na- *^ cures of them j adding I Jhall dccreafe^ hut he fi all in* creafe : He fpoke not of their Ferfons •, but of their Difpenfations. William Dell^ a bright and learned Man in his Day (and, as I take it, when he fiourillied mod in Divine Religion j wrote an excellent Piece on the Subjed ot Baptifm, whickbe pleafed to perufe j it is very evan- gelical, and well worth reading i I Oiall take Care to procure thee one of bis Books ; I am the more con- <:erned about this Subjedl, becaufe thou arc pofitive about our coming to it, if we improve in\^irdom: P Bu: 226 A Letter to Cotton Mather. ^1726. But I would hope to be in fome Meafure Inilrumental \/^\^^ to convince thee that there is noablblute Need (in order to Salvation j to go into or unto the Water or Element; but that it is abfolutely necelTary for us to go unto and into Chrift, that being the Way to be new Creatures, as it written, He that is inCbriJi^ is a new Creature ^ 2 Cor. V. 1 7. Our dear Lord on this Subje(5l fays, John truly bap- tized tvith JVater^ hut ^ Jhall he baptized with the Holy Ghofi : Here our Saviour, as well -^^John^ di- ftinguifheth between the two Difpenfations : John\ was indeed a glorious Difpenfation in its Time ; but Cf*'ift's far exceedeth it in Glory, and is to endure for ever. The Apoflle Feter remembred this Doctrine of Chrift, when the Holy Spirii's Baptifm was come, 'Then-i fays he, / remembred the Word of the Lord^ John baptized with Water, hut ye jhall be baptized with the Holy Ghojl^ Adsxi. 16. The Apoflle P^/^/, the great Apoflle 6f the Gentiles^ fays. He was not fent to bap- iizey hut to preach the Go/pel \ which, when truly preached, hath a fpiritual baptizing Power attending it; and if v^e come rightly to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and Fire of the Divine Word, v/e fliall witnefs a Renovation, and the Work of Reformation and Regeneration will go forward more and more, both without and within, in the Body and in Spirit, fcr which every true Chriltian and Minifler of Chrifl longs and prays with fervent Defires •, the Apoille fays fand pray be p leafed to judge for what ReafonJ ihat th^ Kingdom of Heaven is not Meat or Drinks hut Righte- oufiiefs^ Peace^ and Joy, in the Holy Ghofl. Oh! may theMoft Highinfpire thy Soul when thou reads thefe Lines is my tender Defirc. I know I am writing to one who in many Things is far before me i fo that I write in a Fear, mixed with Chrifcian Love ; and if it meet with the fame Love in thee, that v/ill cover a Multitude of Faults. A Letter to Cotton Mather. 227 And as to the Supper or Ceremony of Bread and 172^^ Wine f which is called a Sacrament, which Word we (/VN^ find not in the Bible) we do not underftand that our Lord laid it as an Injundlion on his Followers to ob- ferve or practice to Perpetuity ; or that the Obfervati- on thereof is abfoluuly necefTary to Salvation, and that his, Church fhould be in the Pradlice of the Ele- ments of either Water to dip in, or fprinkle v/ith, or Bread and Wine to eat or drink, as a lading Ordi- nance, to be obferved by his Believers in an outward Way for ever, Chrift faid, ^hh doje^ as oft as je drink It, in Remem^ hrance of me ; which to me feems to leave it indifferent- ly: Alfo from the Debates and Contentions of Chri- liians about it, and the Blopd that hath been fpilt and. fhed in this Controverfy, and the many Doubts arifing concerning it, I think it is evident, that Chrifl was not pofitive that his Follov/ers fhould be found to Perpe- tuity therein •, and where he fays, Take^ eat^ this is 7n^ Body which is broken for you^ or for many j and diink^ this is my Blood which is floedfor many ; I be- lieve !t is not to be doubted but that he pointed at his FleOi and Blood, rather than tlie Bread and Wine (as in a Figure) and that alfo he had an Eye to his fpiritti- al Flefh and Blood or Body, as where he fays. Except ye eat my Flefh and drink my Bloody ye haDe no Life in you\ the which every true Chriflian fnould daily feed upon, and without which we have no Divine Life in us i and as himfelf alfo faid, My FlefJj is Meat indeed^ and my Blood is Drink indeed. And it is worthy of note, that much of his Holy Words, and heavenly Do(5lrine, was fpiritually to be underflood ; My IVordsy fays he, are Spirit and Life ; a glorious Speech tofuch as truly wirnefs and underffand ic, which is much better felt by a true believing Chri- flian than expreflcd : Oh may we fo open our Hearts to our beloved Jefus, that he may come in unto us, and that wc may fup with him, and he with us, and that it^.- P 2 h3 228 A Letter to Cotton Mather. 1226. he may not only fup with us, but take up his Abode " with us, and we with him, for ever ; And not only jn us twain, but in all thofe who truly love, believe in, and follow him throughout the World ; To wifheth, and prayeth, in Sincerity, thy real Friend, P. S. I hope thou wilt excufe this long Letter, thy Vital Chrijiianity being inftrumental towards this our correfponding together by Way of Epiftle, which if it prove any Way to thy Satisfaction, I fhall rejoice. In reading feveral of thy latter Tracts, I have had Love in my Heart towards thee, which was yet more renew- ed in perufing thy Vital Cbrijiianity^ and thy friendly Letter to me. YOUTH 3t; { 229 ) YOUTH PER SWA D E D TO Obedience^ Gratitude^ and Honour, to GOD, and their Parents. ALSO Some Touches upon the Life of Man from the Cradle to the Grave. Honour thy Fnther and thy Mother^ that thy Days may be prolonged in the Land 'which the Lord thy God giveth thee, Deut. v. 16. (jfc, Man that is hern of a Woman, is of few Days^ and full of Trouble, Job xiv. i. To the R E A D E R. Reader, THIS little Piece is the Fruits of a few leifure Hours which the Author had at Sea, he being under a folid Concern for the ^refent rifing Generation, that thsy may flour ifh and grow in Piety and Virtue ; and that the Bays of their Tranquility may increafe, and be lengthened out in this World. And alfo, chiefly, that when they go off the Stage of Life, they may have the Enjoyment of the Peace of Godj and of P 3 ' bis 230 PREFACE. his dear Son^ oar Lord Jefus Chrift, through the Holy Ghoft^ with a full JJfurance of an eternal Inheritance and Habitation in the glorious Kingdom of Heaven. The Author hopes that religious and well- inclined Pa- rents will join with him in this fo necejfary and noble a Work of feeking the ToutFs Welfare ; and defires^ as they my approve this Labour of Love^ that they would he inflrumental to difperfe or bejlow this among, or tOy their Children and Neighbours^ the Charge being incon^ Jiderable, And if any are benefited hereby^ it will abundantly fa- iisfy for the Labour taken herein. And may the Lord of all blefs thee and thine, in all good Things, who is v/orthy to be loved, (erved and obeyed, by all Mortals^ to whom Praife only is due for evero YOUTH ( 231 ) i73o; .^y O U T Yl perfwaded toOhedience^ Gratitude^ and Hoiiour^ to G ODy and their Parents, ON E of the firft Things pious and ^ood Cbriftians generally endeavour to inftil .into their Chrildren, in' their Youth, is, the true Knowledge of God \ and that he made them, and for what End. The Almighty made us all on Purpofe for his Glo- ry, and that we fhould ferve and worlhip him, as faid the Four and Twenty Elders who ftand before the Throne of God, and worfhip him continually, fiying, Holy^ Holy^ Holy Lord God Almighty^ which was 9 and iSy and is to come. Thou art worthy^ 0 Lord^ to receive Glory, and Honour, and Power : For thou haft created all Things, and for thy Pleafure they are^ and were crea- ted. Rev. iv. 8, — II. Man being a noble (if not noblcft) Piece of this vifible Creation, was doubtlefs made and created for a Purpole of his Glory. But Sin is of the Devil, and did, and (if not re- pented of) always will difhonour God, and bring Ru- in upon Body and Soul. There/ore, O Youth ! be prevaii'd upon before \t be too late, rightly to rem8?nher thy Creator in thy Youthful Days, before the evil Day come. And certain- ly it will be an evil Day to thy Soul, when God by his Spirit leaves driving with thee, and leaves thee to thy- felt : For he hach faid. His Spirit fijall not alwa-^s ft rive with Man^ jor that he alfo is Flefh, Gen. vi. ^. P 4 While 232 YOUTH perfwaded to Obedience 17^0, While therefore God by his Spirit is driving with t^VNi? thee, and calling thee by his Grace to Repentance, and to turn from the Evil of thy Ways, faying, "Jurn ye, turn ye^ why will ye die ? Turn at my Reproofs and I will pour out of my Spirit upon you, and make 7nyfilf known unto you. Again, Iftandat the Door and knocks ('here's a holy Stroke at the Heart) if any Man will hear my Voice (fee the uiiverfal and unlimited Love of God in Chrift to poor Mortals) and open the Door, I will come in to him^ Rev. iii. 20. If Man will open the Door of his Heart to his Maker and Saviour, he will come unto, or into his Soul. O Soul ! no Gueft in the World like this heavenly Guefl \ no Companion, no Friend in the World like this great," this choice Friend, Almighty God. Oh ! feek him while he is yet to he founds and call upon him while he is pear. Let the wicked for fake his Way^ and the unrighte- cus Man his Thoughts (that are evil) and return to the Lord^ and he will have Mercy upon him Cand, as fay the Righteous, who feek the Glory of God, and the Good of Souls J and to our Gody for he will abundantly pardon^ Ifa. Iv. 7. Therefore, 7/^r;;, turn^ O turn ! why will ye die, ye curious Workmanfhip of God's holy Hands, ye fine and beautiful young Men and Women ? '_^- The Youth- Ihould alfo gratefully and obediently re*i member their careful Fathers, and indulgent and ten-" der Mothers: Unto fuch Youths God has promifed a Reward, the which Promlfe I have feen fulfilled in many ThouTands j and God is more and more fulfilling of it every Day -, and will fulfil it to the End of Time. And how reafonable is it that we fliould remember with Tenderncfs, our Father who begat us, and not to oifobey him in his lawful and juft Commands, nor wit- tingly or willingly vex or grieve him ? Fray how fhall we be ever able to pay or retaliate him for all i\h Care, and the Coll and Charge he hath beeii at in bringing of us up, till we come to be young Men to GOD and their Parents.' 233 Men apd Women? Can we ever do enough for him 1730. that hath done fo much for us ? Oh ! how unhandfome it is, as well as irreligious and unchriftian, for a young Man or Woman, when their Parents are old, and perhaps full of Aches and Pa,ins, or otherwife in Years and in bad Health, to treat them with Scorn and Contempt,or be furly and churlifh, and flout at and difobey their wholefome Counfel and Advice. On fuch young People I have feen the heavy Hand of God in my Day, and made Obfervations thereof, many and many a Time. Oh! the many difobedient Youth that I have feen, that have been Examples and Warnings toothers, of the jufb Judgment of God Al- mighty, upon difobedient and prophane young Peo- ple ; and indeed too many old Ones too. But the Youth are too apt to think and fay. Our Bones are full of Marrow, and our Veins of Blood, and our Blood is warm j we cannot be fo dull and heavy as old Men. Well, who hath fill'd, and by whofe Providence are your Bones and Veins full of Marrow and Blood ? Is it not God ? Is it not in hhn you live^ move^ and havs 'joiir being ? What hath the Devil and Sin to do with all this? Should not God have the Marrow of your Days? And fhould nor Youth ferve him with their pureft or fined Biood ? And fhould they not be warm, and not lukewarm or cold, in and towards the Things of God and Heaven ? Thus to be vigoius and manly in the Work of God, is truly and rightly to honour our Parents, as God commands. It is not to honour them with the Mouth and Lips only, but with the Heart, and with lerving God •, for that is the Honour fpoken of in the Holy Scripture. None can rightly honour their Parents, who difho- nourGod. If a young Man or Woman is religious, ;jnd of a difcreet Condu(5t, aad of a fober and jufb Converfation : 234 YOUTH per/waded to Obedtejice 1730. Gonverfation : That indeed is a real Honour to, and honouring of our Parents. For, fay People, when they behold jufl and religious Youths, when their Father is living, Obi how happy is that Man in his Children I And indeed ic is an honourable Happinefs \ When, on the other Hand (Pity ! Oh ! Pity ! Pity !) how many fine Youths, to look at (at a Diftance, to outward Appearance) have, through their Difo- bedience, and vile Pradice, brought down the grey Hairs o\ their careful and tenders Parents, with Sor- row to the Grave. And, as if their own Ruin and their Parents was not enough, bring, through their Intemperance and Folly, Ruin and Deftrud'on on their Poiterity alfo ; and what their Parents have with great Labour gainM to bring them up, and educL r- them till they come to Maturity, they in a little Time fpend extravagantly and intemperatcly, as w-.H as fooiiilily and inconfid*- rateiy ; and fo bring Ruin and Deftruclion fwiitly on themfelves and Poflerity. And another Sabje6t but fcldom fpoken of, or han- dled, is the extraordinary^ Regard we fliouid have to oblige our Mothers, and the tender Care we ihould take to nourifh and comfort them in Age ; and not vex or grieve them, if polTible we could help it, for many Reafons, befides our religious Duty as above, in Relation of Honour to Parents. And let me remind the Youths of this Age, of either Sex, that in the Time of the Law (the Law of God under the Mojai- cat Dilpenfation) the difobedient Youths were to be brought out of the Camp or City, and all the People were to ftone them to Death. "Tistrue^ our Gofpel-difpenfition, or the Difpenfa- tion of our fweet Jefus, is not fo rigorous ; but much more mild and gentle, as to the Body ; yet, as to the Soul, without Repentance, the Difobedient to natural Parents in general (befides to our Father in Heaven in particular) entail upon them an eternal Curfe in the World to 0 0 D and their Parents, 235 World to come, and many Crofles and Difficulties in 1730. this World. And herein the Gofpcl exceeds the Law, \/VNJ it gives Time for Repentance, mixes Mercy with Judgment, and fan^lifies our Troubles, CroflTes and Afflidions, to us, through Repentance and Amend- ment of Life 5 whereas the Law in old Time was ex- cuted without Mercy or Pity, and with fierce Wrath, Vigour and Anger. But to return to the tender Mother. Oh ! the ten- der Soul of the tender Mother, how it yearns over the difobedient Son or Daughter ! And who that hath not ^ Heart of Flint or Adamant, but would comply or yield to thewholcfome Advice and Coupfel of fo ten- der a Parent who brought us into the World ? Af- fedlion to fuch a near Parent, one would think fhould conflrain us to it. However, if Religion or Affeflionis not fo predo- minant, let Reafon do it. 'F'lrft^ 'Tis a rational Con- fideration that thy Mother fuffered many Pains, and muchSicknefs, which thou wert the Occafion of, even before thou wert brought forth into the World, befidcs th'^r dolorous, bitter Pangs and Pains of Childbirth, which have cotl the Life of many a tender Mother. And confider the firfl Month after thou were born, O -he Care and tender Concern, the Watching, La- bour and Charge, cannot eafily be exprefs'd ! What running to the Phyfician upon every Symptom or Su- fpicion of being ill, or out of Order ? And mufl all this- be forgotten ? O Height of Ingratitude! which loo many poor young People are guilty of. Though bleiTed be the Almighty L.ord, there are fome who are truly and humbly thankful to God and their Parents for their Being, and their Weli-being, be- lieving they can never fully requite him or their Parents. Now, after our firil Month, what a deal of Fa- tigue and Trouble v/e give our Mothers, who ftill, \{ Chey give us Suck fas many Mothers do •, even Queens and 236 YOUTH perfnjoaded to Obedience ' 1730. and PrincefTes, and many noble Women, notdifdaln- VVN*^ ing to give their Children Suck from their own Breads, which certainly is the moft natural Way of bringing up and nourifhing them ; though, on fome Confiderati- ons, aNurle may be difpens'd with) how do we partake of their own Blood, to the watting of their Spirits, and oftentimes their Fiefh alfo? Surely nothing but Love and Duty could engage a Mother to the great Care and Fatigue which fhe is oblig'd to in Nurfmg and Suckling her Children, efpe- cialiy if before-hand in the World ? Who can exprefs the Toil and Cire to keep the poor unthinking little^' Ones quiet, and the many weary Steps and Contrivan- ces to keep them from Crying ? Although, by the Way, when they grow up, their Mothers may cry":* Night and Day too, and they take but too little No-*^^^ tice of itCf.^.) the rebellious, ingrateful, and difobedientf Youth. i O Youth ! mufl all this be forgotten I Muft all this have no Confideration with you, and bear no due Weight upon your Minds ! Oh ! furely no : God for- bid 1 Thefirft Year being gone (which is oftentimes but the the Beginning of Sorrow to the Parents^ then they can- • not eafily be trulted alone, or out of Sight, except in fome good Hand j and it 'tis never fo little milling, then cries the Mother, Ob! where' s the Child? What have xou done with my Child ? Who has got it? And never refts till (he's latisty'd about it ; and when 'tis brought to her, O how fhe embraces and kiiles it, as if Ihe would wrap its Soul up in her own ! and then the Heart, the Bofom, and the Brcaft, are all open to it. What endearing Expreflions are pour'd out to it from its tender Mother! as. My Dear ^ -my Love ^ 7ny Jewel, bcz, and Ibmetimes from fome Sort of Perfons fuch tond Expreflions as are not juflifiable. But, O melancholy Confideration !, all this Love and Tendernefs is too often rewarded Vv'ith Hard- hear t^dnefs io G 0 D and their Parents 237 heartednefs and Cruelty ; the Mother may cry, and 170,0. die too, if fhe wilJ, for her Bear Love^ and Precious v^VNl JeweU when grown up to Man or Woman's Eftate I From fuch Ingratitude may the Lord deliver us ! This Confideration is remarkable, as we are alfo the Workmanfhip of God, and human Creatures, That of all the Creatures God hath made, there^s fcarely any fo helplefs lb long as Man *, fo that Man is fo much the more obliged to his Parents, and parti- cularly his Mother, who feeds us when we can't feed ourfelves, and carries us long before we can go alone, and defends us from Harm, or we muft perilli. After all this, to be unkind and difobedient to our Parents, is great Ingratitude ; and I fcarce ever fliw it go unpu- nifh'd, even in this World : And pray let the Youth confider how it is like to fare with them in the next ; tor I addrefs myfelf to thofe who believe the facred Writings of the Holy Scriptures ; for toothers, fome Things herein may feem fabulous, as Judg7nent io come doth to the Ath'iefl^ tho' divers of them feel it begin to come before they go out of the World, as hath been the Cafe of many which might be mentioned. From the Breaff, and the Arms, to the feventh Year of our Age, who can relate the W^orld of Trou- ble our Parents have with us to keep us out of Harm's Way, to keep us from bad Company, to keep us in Health as much as layes in their Power-, to clothe us and keep us whole and clean, and take Care that we learn no ill Words or Manners -, for about this Time, Jittlc Youths are very apt to learn Good or Evil -, and the careful, virtuous Parents, would do well to endea- vour to cultivate their tender Minds-, and to plant Things good and profitable in them betimes. It often turns to good Account (though not alwaysj and when it doth not, the Parents, having done their Duty, art*. clear of their Blood, and of what Mifchief may bcfal them through their Ungodlinefs, and Folly, and Intem- perance, afterwards. From 238 YOUTH perfwaded to Obedience 17^0. From the Seventh to the Fourteenth Year, then the Care of wife and thoughtful Parents is to give them fuit- able Learning, and to feek for the beil Mafter that can be got tor them, which indeed is a great Point of Prudence •, for corrupt and intemperate Teachers are often hurtful to Youth, and Men of bad Principles may be Inflruments of infliliing the like Principles into the Children. A good Underfcanding, good Man- ners, and good Principles, a religious, wife and difcern- ing Parent, would efteem before Letters and Figures 5 although to be well ipftrucled in thefe alfo, is confidera- ble, but the other preferable. And here let Teachers and the Youths be careful of Idlenefs, for that is the Mother of many Mifchiefs ^ and bad Words, bad Ac- tions, and bad Company, ought to be avoided, which taint and corrupt the Minds of the little tender Youths. 'Tis melancholy to think of it, that fome Youths, who never heard bad Words in their Father*s Houfe, iuch as taking the Sacred Name in vain, Curfmg, Swearing, Talking rudely, i^c, fliould come from School full with it, fo that the good Intention of the Parents in giving their Youth Schooling, is then cir- cumvented in a great Degree ; to regulate which, the Parents and Tutors fliould join together in a whole- fome Difcipline. Some indulgent Parents mightily hurt their Youth by tying up the Hands ot their Teach- ers from difcrcet Corredion. No difcreet Teacher will ufe Broom or Mop-ftick, or Door and Window- bars, to corred: their Youths •, that would be unmanly, as well as unwife *, but the Rod never did hurt, in a Ikiiful Hand. And both at Home and at School, 'tis profitable for the Youth to be diligent in Reading the Holy Scriptures, which are preferable to all other Books, though other good Books are profitable alfo, and beneficial to improve the Underftanding ; where- as filthy and irreligious corrupt Romancers and pro- phane Play-Books, often poifon, and are the Bane or Kuin to GO D and their Parents. 239 Ruin of Youth ; and when once they come to be in 1730, Love with thofe black dark Works, facred Truths are of little Value with them,vvhich is an evident Token or Sign of the evil Tendency of evil Books : Though there may be fome Sort of Philofophy in fonie of them, yet, if *tis vain, and Lies, and Deceit, we had Need to be careful our Youth are not fpoil'd therewith ^ and indeed thofe of riper Years are often hurt tliere.- by, elfe why did the learned Apoftle Paid write to the primitive Chriflians, to beware left an^ of themJhGiddh.c fpoiVd through ('wrong) Thilofophy^ and vain Deceit y Col. ii.- 8. If all this Care and Pains, befides Charge, fhould be forgotten, it betokens great Stupidity. 7.1. From Fourteen to Twenty- one, more Care comes ^bn a-frefli upon the Heart and Mind of the faithful and loving Father, and affedlionate and tender Mother, that their Offspring may do well, both as to this World, and alfo to that which is to come. It is in- deed commendable, and alio a Duty in the Parents, to take Care in putting their Children in a Way, as much as lies in their Power, to live in the World *, but, above all Things, to endeavour to promote their eter- nal Happinefs and Interefl in the Life to come. This is fo much the mere honourable, by how much the one is external, and the other eternal. O Eternity ! Eternity ! that we did but think more upon it, tho' we thought lefs of the Externals j although fome think too little upon the fubftantial Part of them too, and forget tobejuft in the Things of MeiwidLXid^Tuum^ or between Man and Man, But to return to the Youth •, and as to Trade, the Law of Nations forbids them to trade, or trade with them, till they arrive at the Years o[ Twenty-One, as fuppofmg their Underflanding not fully ripe for Bufi* nets till that Age ; and therciore many, and fome of the wjfefl Heads on the Earth, and Men of vafl: Eilates, have thought it rational and proper for Youth xo be put Apprentice for fcven Years ; This is look'd L upon 240 YOUTH perfwaded to Obedience 1730. upon as expedient, although they have many Thoufancfs to give them when they come to Age : And indeed many Youths have been ruined and undone for Want of fuch Service ; and fome of the brighteft and fineft of our young Men have fpent more before they arriv- ed to that Age, than their Parents had to begin the "World withal ; nay, fome, many times more, for want of Employ in fome commendable Calling ; for having fo much idle Time on their Hands, they have taken to idle Company, and become idle Companions themfelves alfo •, and fo the Youth have corrupted one another, to their great Hurt and Damage, as to their outward Subftance *, and which is yet worfe, as to their Soul's Welfare ; and fuch evil Communication corrupts good Manners % and if they were employed in Bufincfs, they in this Refped would be out of Harm's Way, out of the Way of thofe Rooks that would make a Prey of them. In order to the Well-doing and Being of the Youth in the Time of his feven Years Servitude, we ought to be very careful to chufe fuch Mafters as are of good Report : Firft, as to their Religion, Ingenuity, In- duftry, Jultice and Temperance, and one who harh acquir'd to a Way of living well : Such a Mafter is worthy, and ought to be obey'd. It often happens, that before this Time is over, the Youth are uneafy, and are wont to go home to their Parents, with Com- plaints ; but v/ithouC a real Occafion or Neceflity. It is far better, and much more honourable for young Men to ftay out their appointed Time : And then when they come to have their lawful Liberty, it will be more fweet to them ; and People will be the more free and engaged to deal and trade with them, and the Pa- rents will have the greater Encouragement to fet them up in their Cvilling. A common Maxim, which is generally fulfilled, is worthy of Note here (z. e.)'fhofe that are good for their Majlers^ are good for themfelves^ and it moftly happens fo. And to G 0 D and their Parents* 241 And as to Mafters, fi nee they are generally Gainers 1730. by the Service and Work of their Servants, they ought to Life them well, as to their Accommodations, and not to exad their Labour to Oppreffion, remembering we have all a Mafter, which is in Heaven y and that every one of us f let our Condition be what it will ia this World) mull be accountable for the Deeds done here on Earth, to him in his Kingdom. Itmuftnothere be forgotten, that Servants ought not to krve their Mailers with Eye-fervice -, but juitly do their Duty as though they were actually prefent, or really in VievVi. And as their Indentures bind againll Cards and Dice, and all unlawful Games, and Gaming being very deilruc^ive to Youth, as well as to their Mailers Interefl, it ijs in an efpecial Manner to be avoided ; for Gaming leads into many other Evils, and, at the bed, tends to draw the Heart and Mind from heavenly to earthly Things. Alfo the Servant is not to lee his Mailer any Ways defrauded, it being all one in the Foundation, whether the Servant doth it him- felf, or fees (mth Approbation) another do it ; and that which would make the Time the pleafanter, and feem not fo long and tedious, is to be chearful and good natur'd, and to be fure to^ frequent the publick Worfliip of Almighty God ; and Mailers would do well to let their Servants go fometimes to niore pri- vate Duty j and if the Servant be conicientious, the Mafler will be no Lofer by fiich Indulgence. Alfo Servants ought to be kind to their Mafters Qiildren, which is reputable ; and Mailers ought not to let their Children infult their Servants-, and it the Servants mc^ rit Corredion, let it be done prudently, and not in a Fury, or in the Heat of Paifion *, for iuch Corredlion, in the Heatof Pallion, oftner hardens the Heart, than amends the Manners of the Youth fo correfted. Both the Mailer and the Servant ought ftriclly to obferve, and not to break their Covenants vv'hich they have mutually agreed to in their Indentures, fign'd and Q felled 242 YOUTH perjwaded to Obedience 1730. fealed b'jforeWitnefTes, or elfe they lofe their Title to Jullice, and as it is not prudent nor juft, neither is it lawful fo to do. It is a great Happinefs in a Family when the Mailer and Miflrefs, Man-Servants^and Maid- Servant.>., live together in Love and Good-will, and cn- dea^'our to pronnote each others Intereft : Then when there is Occafion to part, the good Wifhes of each other go along withthefe vvho go, and (lay with thofe who It ; And the Care of Parents in this Affair, is worthy the Youth's folid Thought and Confideration. Thus after the fine and fprightly young Man hath faithfully fervcd his Apprenticefhip, and is arrived to the Age of one and twenty Years, when it is lawful for him and others to deal and trade one with another, then it may be fuitable for him to marry according to the Ordinance of God, and his early Inlf iturion in Paradife, who then faid (and his Word is the fame to this Day) It is not good for Man to he alone^ whatever others may fay to the contrary. Oh! what Pity and Shame it is, that fo many fotherwifej greatWits,and fine fiourifliing young Men, Ihould plead and pradife againfl lawful Marriage, to, their lafling Reproach and Infamy ; and if they ihould have any Pofterity, it is a Scandal on them alfo, tho' they are innocent *, for through their Pa- rents Faults, they are pointed at as illegitimate : And the inevitable Confequences of fuch filthy Mixtures^ are monilrous Confufion. But let us hope and endeavour better for our pre- fent rifing Generation, and our hopeful and flourifhing Youths : And fince the State of Marriao;e is an ex- ceeding happy State of Life, if perform'd in the Fear and Love of- God, and with Confent of Parents and Parties concerned -, and otherwife the Reverfe : There- tore confidering the Bafhfulnefs of fome Youths ('and fometimes to a great Fault) it might be well for the Parents in Time to propoie Marriage to their Children, who lometimes have been loft for Want of per- forming it in the F'e.it aild the Love of God •, and indeed it to G 0 D and their Parents. 243 it being one of the greatefl: Concerns in Life, and being 1730. for Lite, a young Man and a young Woman ought t/S^X^ therefore to ad therein with the greateft Care and Cau- tion, as ought the Parents alfo. And let the Parents be helpful to their Yourh, according to their Abil ty, and according to the Induftry of the Youth, and fbill be helping them, which is an Encouragement to in- genious and virtuous young People. By being too ftrait handed, there may be a wifhing for the Death of the Parents, faying, fhey cannot carry it with them to theirGraves % yet the Parent is not to impoverifh himfelf for his Children *, for that hath fometimes ruin*d both Parents and Children alfo. The Parents m.ay propofe, but the Youth ought 10 chufe, becaufe they muft live and die by it *, the chief Motive of Marriage ought to be pure and true Love, which the Parents cannot give to the Children for each other ; they may give them Money, and give them Advice, but they cannot give them Love *, and Parents^ by over-awing and over-perfwading them, have brought Ruin on many a beautiful Son and Daughter. In this Cafe of Marriage, the Choice (if we defign to be happy for Term of Life) ought to be a virtuous Perfon : That ought to be our chiefelr Aim. Our Happinefs doth not confift in either Riches orBeauty ; for Riches make themjelves fVin^s^ and fly away, Prov. xxiii. 5, And Beauty is a fading Flower : Virrue is much more preferable and enduring ; to have all thefe to- ^ gether in one Perfon, is fuch a Rarity as is hard to be tound. And in this great Cafe of Marriage, it is an ex- cellent Thing to be equally match'd, or in the Apoflle's Words, equally yGk'd : Not one of one Perfwafion in Religion, and the other of another ; not one very old, and the other very young : firfl^ For where Two of difFerent Perfwafions. marry, and have Children, which Way muft the Children fbeer their Courfe ? After the Father,or the Mother ? And it the Parents are both true to their contrary Principles, v/ho mufb prevail in Q 2 relation 244 YOUTH perfwaded to Obedience 1730. relation to their Childrens Way and Worfhip ? Many Inconveniencies, and much Confufion, muft naturally be the Confequences of fuch Marriages. Thofewho majry on Acceunc of Riches, are very often difappointed ; for they very foon are on the Wing ; they'll flyaway, fometimes in the Flames, and fometimes they will (leal away in the dark by Theft ; and fometimes they will fwim away by Water, or fly away with Canvas Wings, and never return ; and fome- times by the Intemperance and Extravagancies of the Man or Woman, are moft profufsly wafted. And here let it be noted, that to live comfortably in the World, there mufl be both in the Man, and alfo in Woman, Induflry and Frugality ; for otherwife, if One hath a hundred Thoufand a Year, it might all, and more than all, be fpent in Excefs ; and if the Man be ex- travagant, the Woman and her Family mufl fufFer ; and likewife if the Woman is extravagant, and lives to Excefs, that Man cannot thrive in the World ; fo that both mufl manage their Affairs with Frugality and In- duflry ; and then no Doubt, but through the BlefTing of God, they may be very happy in one another, and in their outward Affairs, and in Chriil Jefus the Lord : But then the BlefTing of God mufl be fought chiefly, and above all. Alfo the very Old marrying with the very Young, is moftly attended with Inconveniency, as daily Expe- rience teaches *, for too generally fuch Matches are on the one Side for Riches ; for where do we find a young Man that marries a poor old Woman, or a young Wo- man that marries a poor old Man ? And how often have we heard young Ones fay, ^hey would never tnarry old Ones any more .<' And one may well fuppofe, they had not married thofe old Ones they did, if it had not been tor their Riches •, and many Times Providence has difappointed them in the Enjoyment of what they fo much fought for. We io GOD and their Parents. 245 We now fuppofe our blooming young Man and 1730. Woman well married and fettled in the World, accord- s-.^v^ ing to their own, and Parents, and Relations Liking and Choice ; and, now according to the Apprehenfion of themfelves and others, they are in a happy Scale, and are really fo in one another : Oh the Love and Endearments of fuch a Pair, who can fully exprefs it ? It hath fomething of the Refemblance of the State of our firft Parents in Paradife •, and happy, yea, thrice happy would they be, that make it their Care and Study to live fo, and do live fo until they die ; and then when one of thefe happy entire Lovers dies, it fometimes happens that the other cannot furvive long, but Ihortly doth die too. But as our Parents in Paradife, fo we in this Para- difical State, have the fame fubtle, ferpentine Spirit to war withal ; for Satan envies us this Happinefs, and ufes all his Craft and Subtlety to break the Love and ftridl Union between Man and Wife, and to turn it to Hatrgd and Bittemefs ; fo that inftead of dying for one another, they wifh one another dead ; and fome« times the innocent Sufferer dies indeed, with Sorrow and Grief; and the Survivor meets with one who pays off all former Scores. In order to circumvent our grand Enemy, and keep to our firft Love as much as lies in our Power, we muft ftridly avoid Anger, Jealoufy, Intemperance, wilful Separation, and the one too much infifting in his or her Will, againft the others, C5?r. But in Gafes dubious, or difficult, the Author of all Things hath given the decifi ve Power to the Male, becaufe the FetJiale was firjl in the Tranfgreffion ; but it were better if thefe Two had but one Will, as they are one Flefh, and that there were no other Power between them two, but the fweet and cordial Power of Love ; in that Mortals (efpecially when it is in that which is divine) ever were, and ftill are, and always will be, happy, Q.3 I. Anger 246 YOUTH ferfwaded to Ol?edience 1730. I. Anger ought as much as pofTible to be avoided, lySrSJ between a Man and his Wife. In a Heat or Rage, that may be done or faid in an Inftanr, which one or both may have Occafion to repent of all their Days ; and when once done, it cannot be undone. Again, and as often as a Man is angry with his Wife, or a Woman with her Hufband (without a fufficient Caufe) fo often do they make Work for Repentance,and with- out which the Fault cannot be done clean away. Lee the angry Pcrfon remember the good Advice in facred Record, Lei not the Sim. go down on thine An- ger^ Eph. iv. 26. And if it was not to go down on the Anger of the common People, much more it ought not between a Man and his Wife. And let fpe- cial Care be taken, that both be not angry together j for that would be the Way to fire the whole Houfe prefently, fo that the Houfe would be too hot to hold them. idly\ Jealoufy. Oh cruel Jealoufy ! Jealoufy is cruel as the Grave, and burns as a Fire in the Soul, and will certainly confume ir, if it be kept alive. It ought indeed to be carefully watched againft, and each Per- fon to avoid all Actions that might give, or have any Umbrage that Way. A free, open Difpofuion, would mightily help to quench the burning Flames of Jealou- fy. And Love, fincere Love, will mightily circumvent our fiery Enemy, the Prince of evil Flames^ who ff rives to ftir up that f and not only that, but other) and -all falfe Fires whatfoever. If we would live in Peace and Love, let us put on Charity •, and that will lead us to put the bed Conflru6lion, and not the worfl, on the Words and Adions one of another. This is a fafe and good general Rule for a Man and his Wife to obferve \ and not only for a Man and his Wife, but for all others, on all Occafions of Difference. For what fad Work would it make in the World, and who could efcape from Cenfurc, if the worft Conflrudions •Wt^re put on all their free Words and Diicourles } Yet fome to GOD and their Parents 247 fome may be cenfur'd defervedly notv/ithftanding. Oh ! 1730. bur. this Divine Lbve is fuch a wonderful Thing, it will quench the Darts of the Devil, and he cannoc wound us while this prevails. Worthy to be remembered is that great Saying of the Son of God,. By this fioall all Men know that ye are my DifcipleSt if ye love one another^ John xiii. 35. And this between a Man and his Wife, is doubtlefs highly neceflary •, and without it they muft he unhap- 3^/3;, Intemperance is a fore Evil in a rr^arried State it is bad in any,and worfe in that) for it not only defbroys the Peace of the Family, but that by which (under Providence) the Family fubfifls, and is fupportrd ; {i, e, the Increafe or regular Income of it) and \i alfo deftroys the Health, debauches the Mind, quenches cordial Love, hurts Pofterity, in caufmg weakly Chil- dren, deftroys Credit and Reputation, and hath brought many a Family to Poverty, Ruin, and Dif- grace. Oh the Mifery 1 Intemperance brings on Peo- ple and Families, in Drinking efpecially, and alfo in Eating and Apparel, it is hard to be exprefs'd in Words. Oh ! what cruel Hardfhips it brings on Per- fons and their Families, and that efpecially ot drinking to Excefs, which the Male Kind are mofc guilty of. How barbarous it is for a Man to be caroufing in a Tavern till Morning, and his Wife v/eeping by herfelf at home, waiting for him ? And when he comes in, fometimes in great Diforder, and often in fuch Fits, he is very mifchievous, and commits much Folly and Outrage, of which he would be afhamed when fober. Surely, if Man or Woman were not wholly deprived of Confideration, they would or fhould confider maturely, and think folidly of the evil Confequences of this great Evil, and Sin of Intempe- rance. j\.thly^ Wilful Separation, between a Man and his Wife, IS of dangerous Confequence. Th^t was very 0^4 fatal 248 YOUTH per [waded to Obedience ' 730. fatal to our firft Parents, and feems to infcd the Po- "V^"^ fterity to this very Day. Fair Ev^ leaving her dear Adam^ coft her dear, She had not been fo open to the Intrigues of vile Satan, if fhe had had her Adam with her ; and though the Female is generally the weaker Veffel, yet her Strength is greatly augmented with the Prefence and Company of her Hufband y and fo is the Hufband in the fame Confideration. Daily Experience teaches, that it is of ill Confequence for Women to go much abroad without their Huf^ bands, or young Women, without fome Body to pro- ted and defend them, from the Infults of rude Per- fons, except on Family^ or fome other laudale Con- cerns. Womens Bufinefs being much in their own Families, and Mens alfo ; to leave their Wives long, without Necefiiry, on Account of Bufinefs, is often hurtful to both. And Men and their Wives to fleep fcparately if in Health (or by Confenr, without good Reafons) is very unnatural, and often tends to lefien the I.ove and Affedion they ought to have tor each other. It is good for married People to advife vjith each other, about the Affairs of their Families, they being fo nearly related j and to be fubjedt to one another in Things indifferent; and not ftrenuoufly to infift on their own Wills, one againfl another ; ior that often breeds Contempt, and Dilcontent, and mightily tends to leffen fne Love and Affedion which they ought to liave for one another. It would be well for married People to difclofe their Differences as little as may be, to any but themfelves ; and not to be contented or fatisfied, till they are made up again ; always remembring their Marriage-Covenapt, which is to be loving and faith- ful till Death. Some married People have been heard to fay, That the lo72gur they lived together^ the more they Icv'd one another. As the Defign of the Almighty in the Beginning was, in his Ordinance of Marriage, that the Man and the foGOD and iheir Parents ^ 249 the Woman fliould be Help-meets to each other in 1730. divers Relations : So it behoveth us to anfwer this v.-^">rHi great End and noble Defign, in his Fear. In our domeftick Affairs, we fliould draw together, and help one another ; the Woman in her Houfhold Affairs at home, and the Man in his neceffuy Aifiirs abroad, feeking to God for a Bleffirg upon their La- bours : And if Accidents happen, or Loffes or Crolfes, by Fire or Water, by Sea or Land, the loving Huf- band and the tender Wife, will help to comfort the mofl: grieved with foft and kind Exp^cfiions •, fuch as My Dear^ fince it is our Lot to meet fuch DifappGint- ments^ and great Lojfes^ fince we could not hell) it ; and we are not become poor through Jdlenefs, or Extrava^ gancyy let^s endeavour to hear it as patiently as we can ; and let us comfort and cheer up one another : We do not know but all this may be for the be ft ^ ayid if the Almighty fees meet-, he can givs us more than ever we yet had. If noty let us endeavour to be content^ and try to make it up in loving one another. And as to Religion, a Man and Woman fearing God, may be very helpful to one another, they hav- ing many Opportunities, to fpeak their Experiences to each other \ and Times, wherein they m^y read the Holy Scriptures, and explain their Senlc, of particular Paffages and Places to one another and the Family, without Interruption or Fear of Offence, or offending contending Perfons ; and by flirting up one another to true Religion, and the Fear and Worfhip of the mofl High God. Thus living and continuing in the Love and holy Fear of God, and true Faith of Chriil, they have good Ground to hope at lafl to die in his Favour. Oh who would but hope to live and die like fuch a Pair! 7. C. ( 250 ) FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED TO FREE-TH INKERS: In Order to promote Thinking on the Name and Works of G O D. WITH A Relation of a remarkable Providence, which fell out at Port-Royal, in Jamaica^ fuitable to the Subjed, written at Sea. [ The Preface and Poftfcript by another Hand] 'the Fool hath [aid in Ms Hearty there is no God^ Pfalm xiv. I. PREFACE. TH E Author, in the Courfe of his Converfaiion, having met with fome Perfons-, who avowing the Principles he oppofes in the following 'Tra5t, have been for- ward to ajfume the Character of Free-thinkers, 7night have thereby been determined tofuch a Title and Direction of his Work, And as it is to be fear*d^ the 'Number is too great of thofe who love a falfe Liberty both in A5f- ing and Speakings it is not to be wondered at, fhou'd they endeavour to jujlify themfelves therein by fo fpeci- ous a Pretence as that of Freedom. A Privilege fo unde- niable PREFACE. 251 fiiahle to every Man^ that^ without it^ none could pqffibly be praised or condetmi'd for any Determination or Atlion whatfoever ; but it viuft be imputed to that Power alone^ 'which impofes a Nccejfity towards either Good or Evil ; fo that infuch Cafe^ all Biftin5fion of Virtue and Vice muji ceafe in our Apprehenfions of Morality^ and human Society lie in the greatefl and moft deplorable Confufion for fVant of it. Bar be it therefore from any judicious or honejb Perfon to endeavor to exclude or difuade any from a jud Freedom in Speculation or Pra5fice, But let thofe who pre- tend to this, entirely fatisfy themfelves, that they have fully and fine erely made ufe of it, and that in their En- quiries they have faithfully colleEied^ and impartially con- Jidered, that Evidence the Nature of the Suhje^ might have requir^d^ or has afforded them, nofe who deny an eternal Exiftence^ Power and Providence^ which hath created and preferved thelVorld^feem neither to haveobferved Nature^ nor confulted that Reafon, which yet fome of them may much pretend to follow, to fuch- the following Con- fiderations are recommended by the Author ; which deferve to be read with Attention and Serioufnefs^ for the Good- will ondfincere Views with which they fee jn to have been written. The Author to the Reader, TH E Author having been much prefs'^d in Spirit to write the following Confi derations upon the prefent Subject , and Occafwn, begs they may be read with Attention, and examined without Prejudice, He hopes the learned and ingenions Reader will exciife any Faults in Stile or Method^ having RefpeEi to the Sincerity of Intention, which he profeffes to have had in his Undertaking ; and humbly prays that a Divine Bleffwg may attend it^ to the Satisfa^ion and eternal Advantage of all zvhom it viay concern. Free ^735' ( 252 ; Free Thoughts communicated^ 6cd HAVING had fome Difcourfe with a young Man of bright natural Parts, concerning another World, ^and of leaping out of this into that in the Dark, which mud needs be very dangerous ; and fearing that many take that great Leap out of this World into the next in that Manner, I have, been induced to v/rite thefe Lines. Upon which I cannot forbear immediately afking. What Man in his Senfes will venture fnatu rally fpeak- ingj to leap in the Dark, he knows not where? Or into a Pit, he knows not the Bottom of? To think of it is terrifying, and muft needs fhock any confiderate Free-thinker. Now, though a Man, having a bright Genius, and a large Share of natural Parts, may acquire much literal and natural Knowledge ; yet, for Want of a fpiritual Underftanding, which is derived from the Di- vine Spirit, he may greatly err concerning true Faith and Religion, and have no Apprehenfion of the eter- nal Kingdom, and Judgment of God, or of another World i whichit might be well for the Ungodly were not, or were never to be at all : Which, were it to be fuppofed, yet to live virtuoufly (as the Bifhop of Sarum obferv'd to that great Libertine the Earl of Ro- chejler) would be an Advantage to Men, even in this World. But if there fliould be an eternal, righteous King- dom (of which we may be internally and fpiritually fenfible) and a State of Life therein to come ; then, O then, what will become of the wicked, and all who forget God! and what Perturbation of Soul muft attend fuch, when, under the Convidions thereof, they Ihall Free thoughts communicated to Free-thinkers. 253 fliall be ready to launch into Eternity. I befeech thee 1735. 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