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All Slave-Keepers That Keep the Innocent in Bondage, Apostates (XHTML)
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One of the earliest North American antislavery works, published by Benjamin Lay in 1737 in Philadelphia. Digitized by the Antislavery Literature Project.
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<h3>ALL</h3>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>SLAVE-KEEPERS</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><b>That keep the
Innocent in Bondage,</b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><b><i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>A P O S T A T E S</span></i></b></p>
<p> <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Pretending to lay claim
to the Pure</span> & Holy Christian Religion; of what Congregation so ever;
but especially in their Ministers, by whose example the filthy Leprosy and
Apostacy is spread far and near; it is a notorious Sin, which many of the true
Friends of Christ, and his pure Truth, called <i>Quakers</i>, has been for many
Years, and still are concerned to write and bear Testimony against; as a
Practice so gross & hurtful to Religion, and destructive to government,
beyond what Words can set forth, or can be declared of by Men or Angels, and
yet lived in by Ministers and Magistrates in <i>America</i>.</p>
<p><i> The Leaders of the People cause them to Err.</i></p>
<p> <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Written for a General
Service, by</span> him that truly and sincerely desires the present and eternal
Welfare and Happiness of all Mankind, all the World over, of all Colours, and
Nations, as his on Soul;</p>
<p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:16.0pt'> </span><span
style='font-size:14.0pt' lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">B E N J A M I N L A Y</span><span
style='font-size:14.0pt' lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">.</span><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>PHILADELPHIA</i><i>:</i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>Printed for the
Author. 1737</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>This is an annotated text of <i>All Slave-Keepers That
keep the Innocent in Bondage, Apostates</i>, published by its author in Philadelphia in 1737. Original spelling, punctuation and page citations have been
retained; minor typographic errors have been corrected.</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>This electronic edition has been prepared for the
Antislavery Literature Project, Arizona State University, a public education
project working in cooperation with the EServer, Iowa State University. Digitization has been supported by a grant from the Institute for Humanities
Research, Arizona State University.</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>Editorial annotation by Joe Lockard. Digitization by
Noel Borde,</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>Mahesh Bhutkar, Nilesh Ralbhat, Manoj Salvi, and April
Brannon. All rights reserved by the Antislavery Literature Project.
Permission for non-commercial educational use is granted.</span></b></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[blank page]</p>
<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p> Benjamin Lay (1677-1759) was a Quaker merchant
who, together with Ralph Sandiford and Anthony Benezet, was one of the earliest
public opponents of slavery in colonial America. He was born in England, lived ten years in Barbadoes, and moved to the Philadelphia area. Lay attracted great
attention during the 1730s in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for his vociferous
opposition to slavery and slave-owners within the Quaker community. His
physical appearance reinforced this public notice, as he stood only four feet
seven inches, had a severely hunched back, and a very large white beard. He
was physically ejected from meetinghouses where he vehemently denounced slavery
and was disavowed by the Quaker community, although he considered himself a
Quaker throughout his life. </p>
<p>Lay had a theatrical talent that
accompanied his antislavery rhetoric. On one occasion he threw off his Quaker
garb in meetinghouse to reveal a military uniform, denounced slaveholders as
men of war, and stabbed his belt with a sword to pierce a bladder containing
red fluid. On another occasion he stood barefoot in the snow in front of a
meetinghouse to protest slavery. Once he kidnapped the son of Quaker
slaveholders to demonstrate how Africans felt when their children were
kidnapped; he returned the child when searchers came to his house. </p>
<p><i>All Slave-keepers that keep
the Innocent in Bondage, Apostates</i> (1737) was Lay’s only published work.
His friend Benjamin Franklin printed the work. <i>All Slave-keepers</i> is not
only one of the earliest antislavery texts of colonial America, but one of the most vehement ever written. Lay viewed slavery as quintessential
moral corruption and condemned it as such. Most of the text argues that
slavery constitutes a social evil that offends divine justice, although the
latter sections contain vast and visionary jeremiads against all forms of
worldly evil. Lay’s antislavery writings were frequently viewed as quixotic
but had a more pervasive influence on the development of American religious
antislavery thought than they have been attributed. </p>
<p>— Joe Lockard</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 3]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>THE</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>P R E F A C E</span></p>
<p>Impartial Reader,</p>
<p> <i><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>T</span>HESE Things
following are so far from offending or grieving my very dear true and tender
Friends, called Quakers, who love the Truth more then all, that it is by their
request and desire that they are made publick; for I can say in the Truth
before the Lord, that I love them in & for the Truths sake, and covet their
sweet Unity, and pure Fellowship in the Gospel, more than my natural Life, and
all things in the World, without it or them, my record is in Heaven.</i></p>
<p><i> I say for the Truth, and Friends sake, these things
are exposed, and I my</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 4]</p>
<p><i>self likewise , although not without some fear and
trembling, for fear I should hurt Truth’s cause, which is God’s cause, I being
and seeing myself so very unfit almost everyway, as a Man, yet I can truly say
as a Christian, I believ’d it my Duty, but made not haste, for the lord my good
God, the Truth knows, that I have prayed unto him earnestly, many Days and
Nights, with great concern of mind, that he would be pleased to raise up and
concern some worthy Friend or other, of more repute and Esteem amongst Men; for
I know my self to be so very mean and contemptible in the sight of Men, almost
in every respect, so that I might and do much question the Event, but shall
leave that to the Lord, to whom faithfulness and obedience is required; and no
true peace without it. For I have found long ago, the saying of Truth verified, </i>He that loves anything more than me, is not worthy of me:<i> I have often
thought of </i>Moses’s <i>Prayer, and </i>Gideon’s request,<i> when the Lord
was about</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 5]</p>
<p><i>to send them to deliver his People from Captivity, and
many other worthy Men, a , and Women too, which are mentioned in Holy writ, and
many Thousands more no doubt, which we have no Account of there, for it is believ’d,
we have but a very small part of what have been written, and yet full enough,
if we will but be faithful; my dear, tender and well beloved Friends, I beg, I
pray, and beseech us, let us be more faithful I intreat, in bowels of Love, let
us be faithful, let us be faithful to God in all things; and then I know
blessed be his pure Name, which is the Truth, that when the Scourge shall come,
he will secure us in Life or in Death; and that will be enough for us, so be
it, saith my soul, and is in humble request.</i></p>
<p><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>B</span>ENJAMIN <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>L</span>AY.</p>
<p>Abington, Philadelphia <i>County</i><i>,</i></p>
<p><i>in</i> Pennsylvania, <i>the 17<sup>th</sup>,</i></p>
<p><i>9<sup>th</sup>. Me. 1736.</i></p>
<p><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">[page 6]</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">ALL</span></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">S L
A V E - K E E P E R S, &c.</span></p>
<p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt' lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR"> <i> </i></span></b><i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>Some Observations written</span> 1718, by </i>William
Burling<i>, now living, for aught I know, on </i>Long Island<i>, concerning
Slave–keeping, taken from his Writings. [</i>The same year I was convinced of
the same Hellish Practice, I then living in <i>Barbadoes. Benjamin Lay.]</i></p>
<p><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span></i></b><b><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>An Address
to the Elders</span><b> </b>of the Church, upon the occasion of some Friends
compelling certain Persons, and their posterity, to serve them continually and
arbitrarily, without Regard to Equity or Right, not heeding whether they give
them any thing near so much as their Labour deserveth.</p>
<p>[page 7]</p>
<p> <i><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>M</span>y Dear
Beloved Friends, and Elder Brethren, whom as it behoves me, I would intreat as
Fathers, a weighty concern from the Lord, is and hath been at times for many
Years on my spirit, in consideration of this unchristian Liberty, being
indulged in the Church, for it is in itself none of the least of the Worlds
Coruptions,</i> [no, say I, but the greatest, that ever the Devil brought into
the Church in<i> America;</i>] <i>and indeed the Lord by his Spirit, manifested
the Evil to me before I was 12 Years of Age, and since from time to time, I
have had drawings in mind to reprove and testify against it, nor have I been
altogether silent, altho’ much discourag’d by reason of its being practiced by
so many friends, yea Elders too, and tho’ I have formerly thought it strange, that
the Church did not exclude it, by her discipline, and fix the Judgment of Truth
upon it, yet now I am sensible such a thing is not easily done or accomplished,
there being so strong opposition in many, that it cannot be brought to the
Test, and Judgment brought forth into Victory in the cause at present, without
danger of much strife and disorder in the Church, which is</i></p>
<p>[page 8]</p>
<p><i>generally hurtful where-ever it prevaileth; therefore to
be carefully avoided; however I hope we are all unanimous in our judgment, that
whatever Friend hath anything from the movings of the Spirit of Truth to
communicate to his Brethren, either by word or writing concerning this or any
other matter, ought to be allowed and received in his Testimony, and borne with
by his Brethren, so long as he keeps to the counsel and direction of the Holy
Spirit, and therefore delivers nothing but what is according to Truth, altho’
it happens to be never so contrary to the interest or inclinations of the Readers
or Hearers.</i></p>
<p><i> Now I would such Friends as Practice or Plead for
the abovesaid Sin, Evil or Liberty, to consider solidly what Hardship they
impose on such as are concern’d to bear Testimony against it; for a while so
many Friends continues in said Practice, no one can reprove it, and give it
that deserved Character, which is agreeable to its nature, without implicitly
condemning many of his Brethren,</i> [Ministers and all say I, for they are the
worst Enemies in this case the Church has to War with, or that Hell itself, or
Devil can procure in this case. (This is very pinching, B. L canst thou prove
thy Allegations?) if</p>
<p>[page 9]</p>
<p>not, what will become of thee? Never fear, Friend; Fear
surprises, thou knows who; but the Truth is stronger than all the Powers of
Hell. Blessed forever is the God of Truth, the Truth of God, the Truth which is
God: So be it, faith my Soul.</p>
<p><i> Brethren and Elder Brethren, as Transgressors in
this Thing, which is very hard to do, yet if the Lord require such a Thing or
Testimony of any Friend be is necessitated so to judge his Brethren, or quench
the Spirit in its Motions, in his own Heart; for the case admits of no medium.
Again I intreat those who slights and disregards the Testimony of any whom the
Lord concerns to appear against this fleshly Liberty, to consider whom thy
oppose, and withstand; and the inspired Apostle speaking concerning the Lord’s
Instruments, whom he was pleased to make use of, faith </i>I Thess. iv. 8. <i> He
therefore that despiseth, despiseth not Men, but God, who hath also given unto
us his Holy Spirit. O! That I could prevail so far with all my dear Brethren,
that none would any more plead for or endeavour to defend the aforesaid unjust
Practice; neither endeavour to shield it from the judgment of Truth. We may do
well to remember, the Devil is</i></p>
<p>[page 10]</p>
<p><i>the Author of all Sin, and Sin is the Transgression of
the Law.</i></p>
<p> No greater nor no better Law, say I, than to love God
above all, and all our Fellow-Creatures as ourselves; these two contain Law,
Prophets and Gospel, do to all as we would be done by. No greater Sin Hell can
invent, than to prophane and blaspheme the pure and Holy Truth, which is God
all in all, and remove God’s Creatures made after his own Image, from all the
Comforts of Life, and their Country and procure for them, and bring them into
all the miseries that Dragons, Serpents, Devils and Hypocrites, can procure and
think of; these things are carried on by Christians, so called, and Ministers
too, in the very greatest appearance of Demurity and Sanctity in the whole
World, that ever I read or heard of; God which is the Truth, faith we shall not
eat this cursed Fruit; our Ministers say we may eat, and lawfully too; which
shall we believe?</p>
<p> We pretend not to love fighting with carnal Weapons,
nor to carry Swords by our sides, but carry a worse thing in the Heart, as will
I believe appear by and by; what, I pray and beseech you, dear</p>
<p>[page 11]</p>
<p>Friends, by the tender Mercies of our God, to consider, can
be greater Hypocrisy, and plainer contradiction, than for us as a People, to
refuse to bear Arms, or to pay them that do, and yet purchase the Plunder, the
Captives, for Slaves at a very great Price, thereby justifying their selling of
them, and the War, by which they were or are obtained; nor doth this satisfy,
but their Children also are kept in Slavery, <i>ad infinitum</i>; is not this
plainly and substantially trampling the most Blessed and Glorious Testimony that
ever was or ever will be in the World, under our Feet, and committing of
Iniquity with, both Hands earnestly? Is this the way to convince the poor
Slaves, or our Children, or Neighbours, or the World? Is it not the way rather
to encourage and strengthen them in their Infidelity, and Atheism, and their
Hellish Practice of Fighting, Murthering, killing and Robbing one another, to
the end of the World.</p>
<p> My dear Friends, I beg, I would intreat, in all
Humility, with all earnestness of mind, on the bended Knees of my Body and
Soul; willingly and with all readiness, sincerely, if that would</p>
<p>[page 12]</p>
<p>do, that you would turn to the Lord, the Blessed Truth, in
your Hearts, for Direction, for Counsel and Advice; that you may quit your
selves like Men, honourably, of this so Hellish a Practice. Especially, you
that have the Word of Reconciliation to preach to the Children of Men; and if
you have any true tenderness of the Love of God in you, as I right well know,
blessed be the Name of the Lord, all true Ministers have, you my dear Friends,
consider waightily of these important concerns, and quit yourselves of
yourselves and Slaves; for a good example in you might do a great deal of good,
as a bad one will do, and has done a very great deal of mischief to the Truth;
for the eyes of the People are upon you, some for good, and some for Evil.</p>
<p> And my Friends, you that have Slaves, and do minister
to others in our Meetings, consider I intreat and beseech you concerning this
thing in particular. What Burthens and Afflictions, Bondage, and sore Captivity
you bring upon your dear and tender Friends, and keep them in, which cannot
touch with this vile and Hellish Practice, but are constrained to bear
Testimony against it, is one the greatest</p>
<p>[page 13]</p>
<p>Sins in the World, all things considered; And against you
too in some sort, as being in the practice yourselves, of that which is
directly opposite to your own Pretensions, and a very great stumbling Block in
the way of honest, godly Inquirers, which want Peace to their Souls.</p>
<p> What a great Strait these tender hearted mourning
Souls must needs be in, think ye, betwixt Love and Duty; they love you dearly
for the Truth sake, and yet think it their Duty absolutely in the Fear and Love
of God, to testifie against the Sin, and you for continuing in it.</p>
<p> Dear Friends, what peace can you have, in thus
afflicting your Fellow Members; even the same Testimony they have with you in
Meetings, where is the Blessed Unity and Fellowship, you have been preaching so
many Years, as being sensible of one anothers exercises, Bearers of one
another’s Burthens, having a deep sense and a feeling of others infirmities, or
afflictions, or troubles.</p>
<p> What is become of this blessed experience, my Friends?
Is it all left as to you, if so I must give my judgment, that you? have not
your constant dwelling in him, that was touched with a feel-</p>
<p>[page 14]</p>
<p>ing of our infirmities, tempted in all cases like unto us,
yet without Sin, and so are his Saints, for they are all of one, and they live
with him Night and Day, in his blessed Kingdom, which is within; and they love
him dearly, they cannot avoid it, for he first loved them or us, and we cannot keep
back our love from him any more than we can hinder, or stop the Rivers and
Streams from running into the <i>Ocean</i>: For we having received all from
him, of course all return or run to him again; it is the nature of his essence
or divine being.</p>
<p><i>What from Heaven is, to Heaven
tends,</i></p>
<p><i>That which descended, the same
again ascends.</i></p>
<p><i>What from the Earth is, to
Earth returns again,</i></p>
<p><i>That which from Heaven is, the
Earth cannot contain.</i></p>
<p><i> The white Stone that has
the new Name in it, is given to him that overcomes.</i></p>
<p><i>None can
Read but he, or she that receives it.</i></p>
<p><i>He that
overcometh, shall sit with me on my Throne, as I in my Father’s Throne. </i></p>
<p><i> He that over-cometh, shall
eat of the hidden Manna.</i></p>
<p><i> He that overcometh, shall
have right to the Tree of Life, which stands in the</i></p>
<p>[page 15]</p>
<p><i>midst of the Paradise of God, in the Heart.</i></p>
<p><i> W. B. </i>In his Preface, mentions something of the
Lord’s dealing with him, when he was about about 10 or 12 Years of Age, which I
suppose is about 50 Years ago, then there was much Discourse about many <i>English</i> and <i>Dutch</i> People, being taken into <i>Turky</i>, or by the <i>Turks</i> into Slavery, and sold in the Market, for Term of Life, as Beasts in the Field.
As our brave Christians so call’d do, and have done for many Years in <i>Philadelphia</i>,
and elsewhere in <i>America</i>, by the poor Negroes, which is ten times worse
in us; all things consider’d; but what crying, wringing of Hands, what Mourning
and Lamentations there was then by their Relations, Wives for their Husbands,
Parents for their Children, Relations for their Friends, one Neighbour for
another! what exclaiming against the <i>Turk</i> for his Tyranny and
oppression, and cruel Dealing and Treatment, towards their Friends, and may be
cursing and calling for Damnation to him and his God too.</p>
<p> Well my Friends, consider of it, and make an
Application suitable to the circumstance of your own Slaves; for I do not
believe in my Soul, the <i>Turks</i> are</p>
<p>[page 16]</p>
<p>so cruel to their Slaves, as many Christians, so called, are
to theirs, by what I have seen and heard of, in <i>Barbadoes</i>, and
elsewhere; and I give you a reason for it. I was near 18 Months, on board a
large Vessel of 400 Tons in a Voyage to <i>Scanderoon</i> in <i>Turkey</i>, with four Men that had been 17 Years Slaves in <i>Turky</i>, and I never did
understand by them, that they were so badly used as the poor Negroes are by
some called Christians.</p>
<p> Ezra vi. 21, 22.</p>
<p> <i>And the Children of </i>Israel,<i> which were come
again out of Captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from
the filthiness of the Heathen of the Land, to seek the Lord God of </i>Israel,<i> did eat.</i></p>
<p><i> And they kept the feast seven Days with joy: For the
Lord made them joyful, </i>that had separated from the filthiness of the
Heathen.</p>
<p> It is like there was some, which came out of <i>Babylon</i>, and out of Captivity in some sort, which nevertheless would not separate
themselves from the filthiness of the Heathen. For long custom had made it so
familiar, easy and sweet unto them, that they would not leave it,</p>
<p>[page 17]</p>
<p>so not for the Joy of the Lord. And some of these were
Priests and Levites, for ought we know; for they loved their Heathen Whores, I
believe, and other filthiness, which the Heathens allow of, almost as well as
our spiritual Priests and Levites, under the gospel of Christ, do their slaves,
it is very plain, parallel case, when neither the one or the other will part
with them, no not for the Joy of the Lord. Then to be sure not for the comfort
and Joy of their Brethren, and Sisters, who have been in sore Bondage, and
Thraldom or Captivity on that Sinful Hellish Account, Slave–keeping, for 50
Years and more; and that by their Brethren and Sisters, which keeps them, and
will keep them, in spite of them, let them beg or pray, or say, or do what they
can or will.</p>
<p> And all this while Preach, as their tender friends do;
who cannot touch with that sinful practice to gain the whole World; profess the
same Pure Truth, Gospel, Unction, Annoyting, Urim, and Thumim, Measure of the
Spirit, pretend they have received the same Manifestation and Dispensation to
preach, as their innocent Friends, Brethren, or Sisters have.</p>
<p>[page 18]</p>
<p> And really to give them their due, they come very near
them in Words, for what I and some others can see; for we have observed them
strictly as is our duty upon the Truths Account, which suffers so much by them,
and their sinful practice, as well as their oppressed, and greatly afflicted
Brethren and Sisters.</p>
<p> I say these Nocents, come very near the Innocents in
Words, except here and there, they do stretch and strain, rest, part, pervert,
misconstrue, and misapply Scripture to serve their covetous Ends, or to
justifie the Practice, or to extenuate the Crime. It these things be done by
them intentionally, we may say, without Breach of Charity. They shall receive
the greater Damnation; as Christ himself said in a case almost as bad.
(Matt.xxii. 13,14.)</p>
<p> Many worthy Men have borne Testimony against this soul
Sin, Slave-keeping, by Word and Writing; some of which I have noted elsewhere;
but especially <i>Ralph Sindiford,</i> amongst many others, has writ
excellently well, against that filthy Sin; far beyond what I can or do pretend
to, being a Man of so very </p>
<p>[page 19]</p>
<p>mean a capacity, and little Learning; but as I firmly
believing it to be my duty, in the sight of God; I endeavour to do what I can
and leave the Event to the Lord.</p>
<p> And as for any Slave-keepers who are not impartial in the
case; to say that <i>R.S</i>. writ in a Spirit of Bitterness or that he did not
end his Life well. As to the first I have read his Book carefully, with
Attention; and I do not remember a Word in it contrary to Truth, or any such
sharp invectives, as may easily be found in Holy Scripture, both Old and New
Testament; altho’ I have, it’s true, because, I believe in my very Soul the
cause does require it, for the nature of those Beasts, is in those Men, which
do trade in Slaves; and much worse.</p>
<p> As to the second objection, that he<i> R.S</i>. did not
end well; let such be intreated to remember the Man of God, that was sent by
the Lord, from <i>Judah</i>, to declare against the Altar; or that of <i>Bethel</i>,
and the Miracles wrought by him, the King’s Hand withering, and restored by his
prayers; the Altar splitting, and since that his Prophesy fulfilled; of Men’s
Bones, being offered or Burnt thereon.</p>
<p>[page 20]</p>
<p> And yet this Man of God, never came to the Supulchers
of his Fathers, by reason an old lying Prophet leading him out of the way. So
was slain by a Lyon <i>Judah’s</i> Prophet, had but one Hypocritical lying old
Prophet, that we read of, to lead him out of the way. But <i>R.S. </i>had, and
we now have, abundance of Old and Young pretended Prophet’s Prophets to lead
us, poor Creatures, out of the way.</p>
<p> And so they will many, unwary souls; except the Lord
our God be pleased to open our Eyes, to see the Hellish Cheat, and Devilish
Delusion; by which many of our poor Friends have been seduced, and lead aside
in the Hellish Darkness or Smoak, of the Bottomless Pit; for whom my very Soul
is grieved. <i>God </i><i>Almighty is my Witness</i>.</p>
<p> <i>The 8<sup>th</sup> Mo.</i> 1736. <i>Benjamin Lay</i>.</p>
<p> R.S. above–mentioned, was in great Perplexity of mind;
and having oppression, which makes a wise man Mad, by which he was brought very
low, with many Bodily Infirmities, long before he died; his Book largely set
out, read without partiality or prejudice, which is always blind, or very short
sighted and you may excellent weighy matters</p>
<p>[page 21]</p>
<p>find in it; he was a very tender hearted Man before he came
amongst Friends, as well as after, as I have heard from many honest Friends,
that had much dealing and intimate Conversation with him, for many Years, which
are now living. But before he died, by reason of his sore Affliction of mind,
concerning Slave-keeping, as in his Book largely appear, and Infirmity of Body,
he fell into a sort of Delirium: However I do believe if he had lived he would
have overcame it; for I went to see him several times, a little before he died;
I am not ashamed, nor afraid, to write it, altho’ I be censured for it, as I
have been with some others, for going to see him, altho’ in Affliction, the
only time for Visiting, as I humbly conceive, if we go in a right mind.</p>
<p> But O! Say the Slave-keepers, and must confess in their
Hearts that Book, <i>The Mystery of Iniquity</i>, as it is call’d and titled;
it tells Tales to the World, sets forth to the World’s People, what a Parcel of
Hypocrites, and Deceivers we are, under the greatest appearance and Pretentions
to Religion and Sanctity that ever was in the World; we’ll censure him, and his
Book too, into the </p>
<p>[page 22]</p>
<p>Bottomless Pit, if we can, tho’ we can’t disprove a Word in
it, for its undeniable Truth, and so unanswerable; for we never understood,
that any one ever attempted it, or so much as spake of it; but what of that,
Brethren, if it be sinful we are in the Iniquity, in the practice of
Slave-keeping; and our Children by our means, incouragement, and appointment,
not only so, but our Fathers before us, worthy Men, in their generating Work;
and some of them Ministers and Elders, with all Men of renown. They found the
sweetness of it, and so do we, and we will continue in it; let who will or dare
say nay; we’ll condemn <i>R. </i>in his Grave, and his Book and all that favour
it, or promote its being spread abroad, or being read, that exposes us, and
we’ll expose that or especially him that writ it, by Calumnies and Slanders, and
Surmises, and by insinuating all that ever we can hear or think of against
him, now he is in his Grave; especially we did it before, but now more safely,
for he can’t contradict or oppose us now; so that if we can but render him
odious in his Character, his Book will be invalidated in course with us that
hate it, altho’ we cannot disprove</p>
<p>[page 23]</p>
<p>a little of it, especially with our Brethren in strict
Unity, in this Iniquity, and soulest of Sins, the Negroe Trade.</p>
<p> If this practice can be proved to be the greatest of
Sins (as may easily be done) considering its Root and Branch, and all the sad
Fruit it brings forth; yet we read Christ died for Sinners, and he can forgive
the greatest, as well as the least.</p>
<p> It is true some may say, Christ in his great Love, hath
forgiven Sins, committed in time of great Darkness and Ignorance; but if we
should commit the grossest of evils now, in the clear light of this Gospel Day,
continue in them, and plead for it too, we should withstand spiritual <i>Moses</i>,
and our Damnation would be just.</p>
<p> Some indeed may insinuate <i>Numbers</i> xvi. this
Chapter against us, but what if <i>Korah</i> the Son of <i>Lobar</i>, did with
his Company 250 withstand <i>Moses</i>, they were Princess of the Assembly,
famous in the Congregation, Men of renown, as we are many of us: What if <i>Moses</i> did fall on his Face, and weep before the Lord, with <i>Aaron</i> and others?
And if the Lord threatened to to destroy the whole Company; What</p>
<p>[page 24]</p>
<p>of that? he did not: What if the Earth did open, and swallow
up <i>Korah</i>, and a Fire from the Lord consumed others; yet we may take
notice, the Congregation were not pleased; the rebellious party, for they
murmured against <i>Moses</i> and <i>Aaron</i>, saying, <i>Ye</i>, <i>have
killed the Lord’s People, or People of the Lord</i>.</p>
<p> It is also true, there was 14700 slain by Plague, of
the Murmurers and Rebels, beside them that died about the matter of <i>Korah</i>.
But it is not, nor hath been so with us yet, and we have been in this practice,
that some few poor Fellows, make such a stir about, above 50 Years; poor People
which cannot purchase them, so pretend Conscience in the case, but let them
that oppose our practice in Negroes, bring those things upon us as
above-mentioned; if they can, then People may believe they are in the Right,
and we are in the Wrong.</p>
<p> But let us consider by the way, Brethren, if we go on
arguing after this manner, some may be ready to object, that Blasphemous Saying
of our Elder Brethren, concerning Christ: <i>If he be the king of Israel, let
him now come down</i></p>
<p>Matt.xli. xxvii, xlii, xliii</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 25]</p>
<p><i>from the Cross, and we will believe in him.</i> It is
true the Objection is just, and it may be a Parallel Case: But what shall we
do, for People begin to see as clearly as when the Sun is in its Meridian
Throne, young People as well as old, That this Practice of ours is as directly
opposite to our holy Principles as Light is to Darkness, Christ to <i>Belial</i>,
or God to the Devil.</p>
<p> If the Case be thus, dear Brethren, as to be sure it
is, how shall we stand our Ground? our Ground, I say. It is true we may keep
our Meeting. Houses for a time, and we may join Forces with them that are in
the Negro Practice; in strict Unity among our selves, and with any other dear
Friends of our own Mind, Relations, Customers, Chapmen, Workmen, or others that
we can have any Influence over, Quakers or no Quakers, if they will but come to
Meetings and do as we do, if not, say as we say, and plead for said sad
Hell-Practice; or atleast, Gentleman-like, connive, palliate and dissemble to
extenuate the Crime; and we will with all our Might, Interest and Strength, put
forth, keep out, and hinder or prevent coming into our Synagogues, any that
will oppose, or condemn</p>
<p>[page 26]</p>
<p>our Practice, or us for continuing in it. And further, as we
have the power of Discipline, our Ministers are forc’d, and must of Necessity
come to us for Certificates or Letters to recommend them, which we are very
ready to give if they are fit for our Turn and Practice, and very good ones
too. If they be but very poorly qualified in Words, and worse in conduct and
Life, yet they’ll serve a small Turn. When he or she have got their Passport,
one or other of us, a trusty Brother without Doors, will give them the Hint
before they go forth, that if they should chance to meet, or go on purpose
where they are to be found or heard of, any of the heavenly Party that is
against our hellish Practice (or hellish Party that is against our heavenly
Practice, for it is heavenly to us, it is Comfort and Joy to us, and we delight
in it greatly and will keep in it) and may be, <i>My dear Friend, we will give
thee a little Memorandum in thy Pocket of Places and Persons, which will be a
great help to thee, poor dear Creature, thy dear mind being so much exercised
about other Good Things, that thou mayst chance to forget some other Matters
though they be weighty: And wherever thou meets with any such as are</i></p>
<p>[page 27]</p>
<p><i>abovemention’d, when thee comes near their Dwellings,
which thee may chance to hear of by strict Inquiry, inform Friends against them
whatever thee can; tho’ the Name of an Informer be odious, yet in some cases it
is thought necessary, as in this: But be sure when thou comes in thy Testimony
thresh’em going, spare’em not; and if any speak to thee after Meeting about it,
say, </i>If the Coat fits thee, put it on; I had no Particular in View. This is
and has been the Practice of many worthy Friends, so they hide themselves, and
strengthen our Party bravely ; so be it, say they. </p>
<p> Matth. vii. 17. <i>Every good Tree bringeth good Fruit,
but a corrupt Tree bringeth evil Fruit. </i> Is there any eviler Fruit in the
World than Slave-keeping? any thing more devilish ? it is of the very Nature of
Hell itself, and is the Belly of Hell.</p>
<p> Verse 18. <i> A good Tree cannot bring forth such
cursed evil Fruit </i>as Slave-trading, if this Practice be the worst, the
greatest Sin in the World (with what goes and grows with it) as it is, to be
sure. But if any should say that good Trees, good Men, may be in this Practice
and encourage it, and if they may</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 28]</p>
<p>bring forth such Fruit, what Fruit must evil Trees bring
forth. This will not hold by a Parity of Reason; comparing Things with Things
by an Equality, it will not hold good in any case, much less in a religion
sense; there it is very odious, to be sure, and is very soul in Ministers
especially. Let them keep on their Sheeps Cloathing, and preach and pray as
long as they may, until their Tongues are weary, and their Hearers Ears too;
they’ll preach more to Hell, I firmly believe, than they will to Heaven, while
they continue in said Practice.</p>
<p> For Custom in Sin, hides, covers, as it were takes
away the Guilt of Sin. Long Custom, the Conveniency of Slaves working for us,
waiting and tending continually on us, besides the Washing, cleaning, scouring,
cooking very nicely fine and curious, sewing, knitting, darning, almost ever at
hand and Command; and in other Places milking, churning, Cheese-making, and all
the Drudgery in Dairy and Kitchen, within doors and without. And the proud
dainty, lazy Daughters sit with their hands before ‘em, like some of the worst
idle Sort of Gentlewomen, and if they want a Trifle,</p>
<p>[page 29]</p>
<p>rather than rise from their Seats, call the poor Slave from
her Drudgery to come and wait upon them. These Things have been the utter Ruin
of more than a few; and yet encouraged by their own Parents, for whom my Spirit
is grieved, some of which were and are Preachers in great Repute as well as
others.</p>
<p> Now, dear Friends, behold a Mystery! These Ministers
that be Slave–keepers and are in such very great Repute, such eminent
Preachers, given to Hospitality, charitable to the Poor, loving to their
Neighbours, just in their Dealings, temperate in their Lives, visiting of the
Sick Sympathising with the Afflicted in the Body or Mind, very religious
seemingly, and extraordinary devout and demure, and in short strictly exact in
all their Decorums, except Slave-keeping, these, these be the Men, and the
Women too, for the Devil’s purpose, are the choicest Treasure the Devil can or
has to bring out of his Lazaretto, to establish Slave-keeping. By these Satan
works Wonders many ways. These are the very men, or people of both Sexes, that
come the nearest the Scribes & Pharisees of any People in the whole World,
if not sincere: For the Scribes were exact and</p>
<p>[page 30]</p>
<p>demure seemingly in their appearance before men, according
to Christ’s Account of them, and yet the worst Enemies the dear Lamb had, or
that the Devil could Procure for or against him. And I do surely believe that
one such as these, now in this our Day, in this very Country, does more Service
for the Devil, and Hurt in the Church, in Slave-keeping, than twenty Publicans
and Harlots: For by their extraordinary Conduct, in Hypocrisy, smooth and
plausible appearance, they draw into the Snare almost insensibly, and so
beguile unstable Souls before they are aware which is sorrowful to consider as
well as write, their Example being much more powerful than others.</p>
<p> And Friends, what I touched at a little before,
concerning the delicate Damsels, or fine idle Dames, it may be pretty much like
it with the young Men, and may be the old ones, that have their Negroes to
Plow, sow, thresh, winnow, split Rails, cut Wood, clear Land, make Ditches and
Fences, fodder Cattle, run and fetch up the Horses, or fine curious pacing
Mares, for young Madam and Sir to ride about on, impudently and proudly
gossiping from House to House,</p>
<p>[page 31]</p>
<p>stuffing their lazy ungodly Bellies. Then old Sir Master
calls, <i> Negro, fetch my best Gelding quickly, for me to ride to Meeting, to
preach the Gospel of glad Tydings to all men, and Liberty to the Captives, and
opening the Prison-Doors to them that are bound; but I’ll keep thee in Bondage
nevertheless, help thy self if thee can. I charge thee to work very hard when I
am gone, and before be very ready to wait on me & my Children when we come
home, if they come with me, or else wait till they do come, and then take their
Horses, and look well after them; and then make haste in, all of ye, and be
ready to wait upon us, and keep good Fires abovestairs or below, and mind your
Business well, or I’ll take a Course with you; don’t think that I’ll give 70 or
80 1. apiece for you, for nothing but to ly lazying about like Gentleman</i>, <i>doing
nothing</i>, <i>you shall work now you are young, for when you are very old,
you will not do much, I suppose, and then you must be maintained, you and your
Wives and Children and Children’s Children; and if you don’t behave your selves
well, you’ll be but badly provided for, I believe, when you are past your
Labour, whatsoever you are now.</i></p>
<p> Dear Friends, these Things are True in Fact, and have
been the Ruin of many,</p>
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<p>[page 32]</p>
<p>Body and Soul, and will be of more I greatly fear; beside
and above all, the Soul Stain it brings upon the pure, blessed, unchangeable TRUTH.</p>
<p> And my Dear, my very dear Friends, I must say, I must
say, and it is the Experience and certain Knowledge of my own Soul, that except
People will be willing to come to a Separation, a Separation, a Separation,
from this Thing, to wit, Negro Practice, they never can nor will see the Evil
of it, as it really is in itself.</p>
<p> I say my own Experience when I lived in <i>Barbadoes</i> about 18 Years ago, where we had much Business in Trading, and the poor Blacks
would come to our Shop and Store, hunger– starv’d, almost ready to perish with
Hunger and Sickness, great Numbers of them would come to trade with us, for
they seem to love and admire us, we being very much alike in Stature and other
ways; and my dear Wife would often be giving them something for the Mouth,
which was very engaging you that read this may be sure, in their deplorable
Conditions. Oh! my Soul mourns in contemplating their miserable, forlorn,
wretched State</p>
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<p>[page 33]</p>
<p>and Condition that mine Eyes beheld them in then, and it is
the same now, and I will remain except the great almighty Being, either
immediately or instrumentally shall be pleased to put a Stop to it; for they
are yearly by Shiploads poured in upon, and received by the People, many
Thousands in one Year, Year after Year, as is thought, up and down <i>America</i>,
besides what vast Numbers are increased by Generation daily. O Lord God
Almighty, where will this Practice lead us that are called thy People, Dearest
God, and make so great a Profession of being lead and guided by the eternal
Spirit, which is the glorious Truth unchangeable and precious, and without End.
But I trust, dearest One, thou wilt be pleased to stop and end this Practice,
that is more like Hell than heaven, to be sure.</p>
<p> I having made a little Digression, may resume the
Matter relating to my dear Wife, and the <i>Negroes</i>. She was a
tender-hearted Woman, and, as I said, would be very often giving them something
or other; stinking Biscuits which sometimes we had in abundance, bitten by the
Cockroaches; or a rotten Cheese,</p>
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<p>[page 34]</p>
<p>stinking Meat, decayed Fish, which we had plenty of in that
hot Country; so my dear sweet <i>Sarah</i>, she would hand it to them, here and
there to those that she thought wanted it most, tho’ all wanted enough, God
Almighty knows, except here and there a favourite Slave, one of an hundred or
thousand, may be, kept for their Glory and Pride to wait on them, amongst their
proud, lazy, dainty, tyrannical, gluttonous, drunken, debauched Visitors, the
Scum of the infernal Pit, a little worse than the same that comes off their
Sugar when it is boiling, which is composed of Grease, Dirt, Dung, and other
Filthiness, as, it may be Limbs, Bowels and Excrements of the poor Slaves, and
Beasts, and other Matters, but this I say serves exceeding well to make Rum of,
and Molosses, for that is the Use it is put to, with other Ingredients pretty
much like it; and these People in the Islands may laugh at us for being
ridiculously infatuated, to send away our excellent good Provisions, and other
good Things, to purchase such filthy Stuff, which tends to the Corruption of
Mankind, and may be send us some of the worst of their Slaves, when they cannot
rule them themselves, along with</p>
<p>[page 35]</p>
<p>their Rum, to compleat the Tragedy, that is to say, to
destroy the People in <i>Pennsylvania</i>, and ruin the Country. Dear Friends,
or any of my Fellow Creatures, I must confess I am apt to disgress, but when
such dangerous Filthiness comes in my way, I think it my Duty to make it appear
if possible to others; for it is so to me, exceeding sinful above Measure, I
will assure you, more than what I can speak or write abundantly; if it should
be so to you, I hope you will endeavour to avoid it, and pray for Heavens
Assistance, without which all is nothing. As to what was touched on before,
when my dear <i>Sarah</i> had given to them what she thought fit within-doors,
we have taken some more of the same sort and thrown it into the Street,
stinking as to be sure it was, yet the poor Creatures would come running, and
tearing, and rending one another, to get a part in the scramble of that which I
am sure some Dogs would not touch, much less eat of, their poor Bellies were so
empty, and so ravenous were they, that I never saw a parcel of Hounds more
eager about a dead Carcase, than they always were. This Scramble was commonly
on First Day, before we went</p>
<p>[page 36]</p>
<p>to meeting, which was their Market day, as well as their
Hallowing-Day, when they are exempted from their Labour, they come down to
Town, many Hundreds of them, they that could get or steal any Thing, a little
Sugar, or Cotton, Ginger, Aloes, Rum, Cocoa-Nuts, Pine-Apples, Oranges,
Lemmons, Citrons, old Iron, Wood for Firing, steal any Thing out of Houses,
Yards or anywhere, or any Thing that was not too hot or too heavy, and bring it
to Market on a Sunday, as they call it, to get a penny, or something for the
Mouth, and they that could not get anything to bring to Market, they would come
to Town if possibly they could hold out and keep from falling down and fainting
by the Way, being perished with Hunger and hard Labour the Week before; I say
these very miserable Objects that could get no Truck in the Country to bring to
Market, yet they would if possible come to Town, and see what they could beg or
steal there. (Who can blame them if it was ten times worse, they being under
such unmerciful Tyrants.) These Wretches being in Town in this miserable
Condition, with not a Crum of good or bad to put into their </p>
<p>[page 37]</p>
<p>Mouths, ready to drop as they walked or crawled along the
Streets, they many of them hearing of us, for we were very much known amongst
them, they would come to our Door, if they came before we were gone to Meeting,
and there they would stand as thick as Bees, but much more like <i>Pharaoh’s</i>
lean Kine, and I may say their Appearance was dismal enough to move a very hard
Heart; so we used to give them a little of something at Times, as we found some
Freedom, considering our Circumstances; But if we gave to some, and did not to
all, as to be sure we could not, oh how the poor Creatures would look. I say
many Hundreds would come and flock about us; and them that receiv’d, O how
thankful, with bended Knees; but them that did not, what Words can set forth
the dejected sinking Looks that appeared in their Countenances. Shall I ever
forget them?</p>
<p> Many of these Poor Creatures, in Town and Country, were
sent to Market by their Masters or Mistresses, at other Times, and they would
come to us to lay out their Money, if we had such Goods as they wanted, and
when they came in, seem’d to rejoice to see us </p>
<p>[page 38]</p>
<p>together, we were so very much alike; and would lift up
their Hands with Admiration, and say, <i>That little backararar man, </i>for so
they call White People,<i> go all over world see for that backarar woman for
himself</i>. But we, alas! are parted!</p>
<p> Here Friends you may see and understand the powerful
Influence long Custom, Conveniency, Intimacy and Profit has to insinuate itself
into our Affections; for I have often heard my dear Wife say in her Life-time,
and express the Danger she was in when living in <i>Barbadoes,</i> of being
leavened into the very Nature of the Inhabitants, Pride and Oppression: So that
dear Creature, she seeing the Evil and the Danger, she was willing and desirous
to leave the Island, and indeed so was I.</p>
<p> But, my Friends, here I must come to that that is not
very agreeable to Flesh and Blood, which is Confession of Sins: For although I
never was Owner of a Slave myself, and all Friends in Barbadoes could never
persuade me to purchase one, I humbly bless the Lord my good God for that, and
this is now my Comfort and dear Joy and sweet Experience<i>:</i> Yet I must
confess, and I have not full Peace without it, yet I may say,</p>
<p>[page 39]</p>
<p>I have been sorely grieved to see and hear the inexpressible
Cruelty, Torture and Misery, these poor Wretches were and are put to, Night and
Day, yet although, as I have said, I saw and heard of such very great Barbarity
used toward the Slaves, Night and Day, yet for want of dwelling near enough to
the blessed Truth, I was leavened too much into the Nature of the People there
which are Masters and Mistresses of Slaves, though I never had nor would have
any of my own, but by conversing, trading, and living daily amongst them, where
there is vast Numbers, abundance coming daily to buy Goods and to beg, some to
steal, we had abundance stolen from us at Times, the worth of ten, fifteen, or
near twenty Shillings at a time, come into shop whole Droves together, lay the
Scheme I suppose, come by Appointment; when many are come in they seem in great
haste, one would say, <i>Serve me,</i> another, <i>Serve me, Serve me</i>;
come sometimes, by twilight and within Night, there was their Time; so when we
were in a hurry, one would run away with one Thing, another with another, and
so on. Very much we lost to be sure. Sometimes I could catch them, and then I</p>
<p>[page 40]</p>
<p>would give them Stripes sometimes, but I have been sorry for
it many times, and it does grieve me to this Day, considering the extreme
Cruelty and Misery they always live under. Oh my Heart has been pained within
me many times, to see and hear; and now, now, now, it is so.</p>
<p> Shall we fetch and steal them out of their own Country,
where God Almighty has made them and placed them, and in taking of them murther
many, very many, and serve them that we take alive ten times worse; steal
Husband from Wife, Wife from Husband; steal the Children from their Parents,
bring them here or elsewhere amongst our extraordinary Christians, worse
Thieves than the others by far; they work ‘em, whip and starve ’em almost to
death, and if the poor Wretch steal a little to satisfy Hunger, he is tormented
without Mercy. Be these Christians, and Ministers too, that encourage and plead
for these Things? It must be all Lie, and that is of the Devil, <i>for when he
speaketh a Lie, it is of himself</i>. Joh. viii.44. I do believe in my Soul, if
Christ was here in that very Body, he would say as much to some Quakers as he
said to the Scribes</p>
<p>[page 41]</p>
<p>and Pharisees in the eighth of <i>John</i>; if he the Devil
be a Murtherer and a Liar, what are our Slave-Merchants ? Is there a greater
Lie in the World? I <i>Joh</i>.ii.4. <i>He that faith, I know him, and keeps
not his sayings, is a Liar. </i> ver. 22. Do not all Liars <i>deny the Father
and Son?</i> iv. 20. <i>He is a Liar that saith he loves God, and hates his
Brother. </i>v.10. <i>He that believeth not God, hath made him a Liar.</i> What
does our dear Slaves with their Slaves think of these Things<i>:</i> As <i>Solomon</i> saith, <i>a poor Man is better than a Liar.</i> Luke vi.43, 44. <i> a good tree
bears good Fruit</i>, and can a good Tree bear Negro-Trading for Gain?</p>
<p> Matth. vii. 17, 18. <i>A good Tree cannot bear evil
Fruit.</i></p>
<p> Luke viii.14, 15. Not many Slavek----rs <i>bring forth
Fruit to Perfection.</i></p>
<p> Rom.vii.5. I am much afraid Sl--e-k----ng will <i>bring
forth Fruits to the Death.</i></p>
<p>Rom. vi. 20. Are not Sl—e-k—pers <i>the Servants of Sin?</i></p>
<p> 21. Are our S.K. <i>ashamed of their Sin?</i></p>
<p><i> </i> 22. Are our S.K. <i>free from Sin?</i></p>
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<p>[page 42]</p>
<p>Tit. i. 9. Are S.K. able to <i>convince the Gainsayers?</i></p>
<p> 10. Are not S.K of the <i>Circumcision, unruly
vain Talkers?</i></p>
<p> 11. Do not S.K <i>subvert whole Houses, for
filthy Lucre?</i></p>
<p> 12. Are not S.K. <i>Liars, evil Beasts, slow
Bellies?</i></p>
<p> 13. Don’t they Deserve to be <i>rebuked sharply, </i>as being very<i> unfound in the Faith?</i></p>
<p> 14. Don’t these <i>give away to Jewish Fables,
and turn from Truth?</i> What think ye, my </p>
<p> Brethren?</p>
<p> 15. <i>Unto the Pure all things are pure</i>; if
literally, then Robbing and Killing, as well as </p>
<p> Slave-keeping.</p>
<p> 16. Do not these <i>deny God in works and yet
pretend to know him?</i></p>
<p>Tit. ii. 7. Have these men <i>found Doctrine Gravity and
Sincerity?</i></p>
<p> 8. Have not these men <i>of the contrary Part
need to be ashamed, when we have so </i></p>
<p> <i>many evil things to say of them,</i> under very justly too?</p>
<p>Do these <i>adorn </i>the <i>Doctrine of god our Saviour</i> with Slave-keeping? I think in</p>
<p>[page 43]</p>
<p>my very Soul, it is more agreeable to the Devil.</p>
<p> Prov. xxiv.23,24, 25, 26. He that <i>faith to such
wicked ones, thou art righteous; </i></p>
<p><i>him shall the People curse, Nations shall abhor him. But
to them that rebuke them shall be Delight, and a good Blessing shall come upon
them</i>. </p>
<p> But, my friends, you that practise Tyranny and
Oppression for Slave-keeping is such, he that assumes in arbitrary Manner,
unjustly, Dominion over his Fellow-Creature’s Liberty and Property, contrary to
Law, Reason or Equity, He is a wicked sinful Tyrant, guilty of Oppression and
great Iniquity<i>:</i> But he that trades in Slaves and the Souls of Men, does
so; <i>therefore</i> ----- Beside, Friends, the very Name of the Tyrant is
odious, to God, to good men, yea to bad Men too; and the Nature and Practice is
much worse.</p>
<p> And Friends, you that follow this forlorn filthy
Practice, do you not consider that you are opening the Door to others, or
setting them an Example to do the like by you, whenever it shall please the
Almighty to suffer them to have power over us, as a Scourge to us for our Sins,
what Reason then shall we</p>
<p>[page 44]</p>
<p>have to complain? If any of you ever read the History of the
English Slaves in <i>Algier</i>, how would you like that yourselves? There was
some Discourse of its being printed in <i>Philadelphia:</i> I wish it might,
for the sake of some. Lam. iv. 3 <i>The Sea-Monsters draw out their Breast to
their Young</i>, but you draw out the Sword to young and old, middle-aged and
all (save what you cannot come at) or cause it to be done so: <i>and yet them
that die by the Sword are better</i> than them you bring away and starve; for
these pine away for want of the Fruits of the Field, and by other Severities.</p>
<p> My dear Wife has often spoke of a passage in or near
Spikes’s in Barbadoes, going hastily into a very plain-coat outside Friend’s
house, there hung up Negro stark naked, trembling and shivering, with such a
Flood of Blood under him, that so surprised the little Woman she could scarce
contain; but at last a little recovering, she says to some in Family, <i>What’s
here to do</i>. They began exclaiming against the poor miserable Creature, for
absconding a day or two, may be by reason of his cruel Usage, as by this Barbarity
we may imagine.</p>
<p>[page 45]</p>
<p> Another Piece of Barbarity, of one <i>Richard Parrot</i> a Cooper, which I knew; he used to whip his Negroes on Second-day Mornings very
severely, to keep them in awe. It is usual for these miserable Slaves to get
together on First days, to bewail and lament their forlorn Condition that they
are in one to another. One Says, <i>My Master very bad Man; another, My
Mistress very bad Woman.</i> This <i>Parrot’s</i> Negro, a lusty Fellow, a
Cooper, and used to get his Master 7 s. 6 d. a day, being valued at 100<i>l</i>.
or more; he says, <i>My Master</i> Parrot <i>very bad man indeed, whippe,
whippe poor Negro evee Munne Morning for notin tall!</i> <i>me no bear no
longer</i>. So he hangs himself on First-day at Night, because he would not be <i>whippe
Munne Morning</i>. This was while we lived in <i>Barbadoes</i>. I knew <i>Parrot</i> very well, having been at his House; and abundance more of such like Things
while we abode there.</p>
<p> 1736, the 29th of the 8th Month, this Morning between 2
& 3 this was written.</p>
<p> It arose in my Mind in Love of Truth, that as the
blessed immaculate Lamb was said <i>John </i>i.<i> </i>14<i>. </i>to be<i> the
only begotten of the Father, full of Grace, and full</i></p>
<p>[page 46]</p>
<p><i>of Truth; </i> so Slave–keeping and trading is the only
Begotten of the Devil, full of all Ungraciousness and all Untruth. The True
Child and Heir of Hell, the only begotten of the Devil, indeed, but not in
Truth nor any part of it.</p>
<p> As it is written, <i>Psal. </i>ii.7<i>. Thou art my
Son, this Day have I begotten thee; </i>so may the Devil say by Slave-keeping.</p>
<p> <i>As God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believed in him might have everlasting Life; </i>so the Devil gives his only
begotten Child, <i>the Merchandize of Slaves and Souls of Men, </i>Rev.
xviii.13. that whosoever believes and trades in it might have everlasting
Damnation.</p>
<p> Again, it is written, I Cor. iv. 15. <i>though you have
ten thousand Instructors in Christ, yet you have not many Fathers, </i>I may
say so,<i> for in Christ have I Begotten you thro’ the Gospel</i>; so may many
of our Ministers say to the Negro-Traders and Keepers, You have we begotten
thro’ the Devil, by our Example and Pleading for it, and by our Condemning and
Disowning many worthy Friends, of innocent Lives, for testifying against it,
and against us for living and continuing in it; but we will do it for all that.
What do we care for their Testimony?</p>
<p>[page 47]</p>
<p>Shall we, our Wives, or Sons, or Daughters, when our
Fellow–Merchants (of <i>Mystery Babylon the Great</i>) come to visit us, run to
wait on them, their Horses, their Chariots and Equipage, Cooking, Sculling and
waiting? No we despite it, and them that do it. We will have our Slaves and
Souls of Men to do it for us, as our Mother has and had in all Ages of the
World; and it was their Glory, and it is ours, and we will have it; and we, our
Wives, Sons, Daughters, Kindred, and our Fellow-Merchants, that are great and
honorable, Men of Renown, shall fit and live like Kings and Queens that know no
Sorrow.</p>
<p> I must confess, that as <i>Paul</i> had <i>begotten one
in his Bonds</i>, for Christ’s Sake to Christ; so those abovemention’d have
begotten many, yea very many, in their Bonds, for the Devil and <i>Mammon’s</i> sake to the Devil and his Kingdom.</p>
<p> We may safely say, without breach of Charity, by these
Prophets or Ministers before –mentioned, as <i>Micajab</i> said by <i>Ahab’s</i> four hundred false prophets, I <i>Kings</i> xxii.23. that there is a <i>Lying
Spirit</i> in the mouths of all them that keep or trade in Slaves, and say it
is lawful</p>
<p>[page 48]</p>
<p>in this blessed Gospel Day; let them pretend to what they
will or may; whether Hearers or Prophets, or Preachers, although there be or
should be four hundred or four thousand of them, no matter for their great
Number, the truth is over them all, although them that are and were out of the
Truth have faln, and may fall, by their Means, by their lying Persuasions; I
say their great and lying Pretensions, have and may and will cause many more I
fear, to fall, as well as the other false Prophets did <i>Ahab</i> and many
others, as we may read of in Scripture and elsewhere plentifully, as in Case of <i>Jezabel’s</i> eight hundred and fifty false prophets, which <i>Elijah</i> slew, I <i>Kings</i> xviii. 19.</p>
<p> <i>Jerem.</i> xiv. 14, 15, 16, 17. It is enough to make
one tremble to think what will become of those Prophets that prophesy Lies in
the Name of the Lord, and teach the people to keep Slaves in this pure Gospel
Day; it has and does cause the Eyes of many dear Servants & Handmaids
amongst us to run down with Tears, because of this sinful Practice.</p>
<p> I can truly say, I have had large and long Experience
since I came into</p>
<p>[page 49]</p>
<p><i>America</i>, that many of our Ministers and Elders are
not only in the Bond of Iniquity, but also in the Gall of Bitterness, and are
as ready to smite as the Son of Immer, altho’ chief Governour in the House of
the Lord. Jer. xx.1, 2. or as <i>Zedekiah</i> to smite <i>Micajah</i> on the
Cheek, I <i>Kings</i> xxii. 24. Do but reprove for these Things
(Slave-Practice) and he or they will, if possible, bring you into Bonds and
Fetters, or put you into the Stocks, with or in the high Gate of <i>Benjamin</i>,
or some other way, although he dwells near and in the House of the Lord.</p>
<p> <i>Jerem. xxii. 13, 14, 15, 16. Wo unto him that
buildeth his House by Iniquity, and useth his Neighbour’s Service without
Wages, and giveth him not for his Work. Shalt thou reign because thou encloseth
thyself in Cedar?</i></p>
<p><i> </i> <i>Jerem</i>. xxiii. 9. Is it not enough almost
to <i>break ones Heart</i>, to see this Practice of Slaves lived in and pleaded
for by our Preachers and Elders?</p>
<p><i> ver.14. </i>Dear<i> </i>Friends, do not these
greatly <i>strengthen the Hands of Evil-do-ers? </i></p>
<p><i> Ver.</i> 15. Is not <i>Profaneness gone forth into
all the Land</i>, by their means?</p>
<p>[page 50]</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 16. My dear and tender Friends, Should we
or shall we always hearken unto the Voice or Words of such Prophets that teach
Lies in the Name of the Lord?</p>
<p> <i>Deut</i>. xxix. 18. Is not this Practice <i>turning
the Heart from the Lord to serve the Idols of the Nations?</i></p>
<p> Then what a Root of Gall and Wormwood appears in these
Negro-keepers when they are reproved, Ministers especially, to my certain
knowledge, and long experience.</p>
<p> In his excellent song Moses lively sets forth the
tender mercies of God to the faithful; and his Vengeance against the unfaithful
Slave-Keepers, <i>all unfaithful that profess Truth.</i></p>
<p> <i>Deut. </i>32. 1. <i>Give Ear</i>, <i>O Heavens</i>,
the heavenly-minded, <i>and I will Speak</i>.</p>
<p> <i>Ver.</i> 2. My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, and
Dew, but then it is upon the tender Plant, not the old sturdy Oak; it will do
no good there, I fear.</p>
<p> <i>Ver</i>. 6. Do ye (Slave-Keepers) thus requite the
Lord, for all his Favours, <i>O foolish People and unwise.</i></p>
<p> <i>Ver.</i> 20. What shall we do, Dear Friends, if the
Lord should intirely <i>hide</i> his <i>Face from</i> us, because of this thing
Slave-Keeping, and some others almost as bad.</p>
<p>[page 51]</p>
<p> <i>Ver </i>. 30. <i>How shall one chase a Thousand,</i> while this Trade is practised by us as a People.</p>
<p> <i>Ver.</i> 31. But blessed be the pure Name of our
God, the Negroe-Keeping Rock <i>is not our Rock, even our Enemies themselves</i> being Judges; they are Enemies, though called Friends.</p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>32. <i>For their vine</i> <i>is the vine</i> of Sodom, and their Fruit bitter as Gall and Wormwood, as is very well known.</p>
<p> <i>Ver</i>. 33. <i>Their Wine</i>, their pleasures, and
Profit, gotten by Slave-Keeping, will be as the <i>Poison of Dragons,</i> and <i>the
cruel Venom of Asps</i>, in the end, or I am mistaken.</p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>41. Will not the Lord <i>whet</i> his <i>glittering
Sword</i>, and take <i>vengeance</i> on such <i>Enemies,</i> that pretend to
preach Truth, and Practice a Lie, the greatest in the world.</p>
<p> <i>Job</i> xx.12. <i>Though</i> this <i>wickedness</i> Slave-Keeping, <i>be sweet in </i>the Mouth, they can salve it with smooth
Words, yet Torment is under the <i>Tongue</i>. <i> </i></p>
<p><i> Ver. </i>13. <i>Though he spare </i>his Sin, and
forsake it not; but keep it still within his Mouth; will not confess how it is
within him.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>.14. <i>Yet his Meat in his Bowels is</i></p>
<p>[page 52]</p>
<p><i>turned</i>, his pleasant Gain, gotten by his Slaves, and
swallowed down, it will bite as bad as <i>the Gall of Asps</i> and Vipers
Tongue within him, if not repented of and forsaken before Death; for when Death
approaches, Sin will sting.</p>
<p> Ver.17. Such without Repentance and forsaking, <i>shall
not see the Rivers, the Floods, the Brooks of Honey and Butter</i>, that flow
in a pure Conscience, and Holy Souls.</p>
<p> <i>Amos</i> vi. 12. Have not <i>some turned Judgment</i>,
in Discipline <i>into Gall</i>, and <i>Hemlock</i>, which is bitter Poison.</p>
<p><i> Job</i> xxi. 6, to 14. <i>They that think they have
the Blessing of God</i>, with Slave-Keeping, <i>because they prosper in this
World. Psa.</i> xvii. 10, and lxxiii. 3. Let such be intreated to read these
Scriptures, to the end; for says <i>David, I was envious at the wicked, or
foolish, when I saw the property of the wicked</i>, and so goes on, very
excellently indeed.</p>
<p> <i>Habb</i>. i. 3, 4, 16. <i>Why doesn’t thou show me
iniquity</i>, Men are in it, therefore wrong judgement proceedeth.</p>
<p> <i>Isa</i>. xxviii. 15, 17, 18, 19, 29, 21. You that
keep Slaves, <i>your covenant with Death, and Hell shall be broken when the
over-flowing Scourge shall pass through</i></p>
<p>[page 53]</p>
<p><i>then ye shall be trodden down by it;</i> the Lord hasten
the time, faith my Soul; <i>for they lay snares for him that reproves in the
Gate.</i></p>
<p style='text-align:justify'><i> Matt</i>. v. 19. If they <i>shall
be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, that shall break the least
Commandment, and teach Men so to do;</i> Surely they are the greatest in the
Kingdom of Hell, that break the greatest, and all of them, them, and teach Men
so to do: But Slave Trading Preachers does do so, therefore.</p>
<p style='text-align:justify'> <i> Matt.</i> 21. 28, to 31. <i>He
that said he would not,</i> and yet did the Will of his Father was commended.
But I believe these that say well sometimes in Meetings, and do ill in Slave
Trading; will come far behind Publicans and Harlots.</p>
<p style='text-align:justify'> <i>Luke </i>14. 33, 34, 35.
He <i>that for saketh not all, said blessed Jesus, cannot be my Disciple,</i> Slave-Keepers covet all Body and Soul, Wives and Children of their Neighbours:
such unsavoury Salt, good <i>for neither Land or Dunghill. He that hath Ears to
hear,</i> <i>let him hear.</i></p>
<p style='text-align:justify'> 9<sup>th</sup> Month, 1736,
as I sat in <i>Concord </i>Meeting House, it was their Quarterly Meeting; I may
say it was sweet and comfortable time to me; it came into </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 54]</p>
<p>and arose in my mind, in Love of Truth, that is our
Slave-Keepers had been, or now would be faithful to God, the Truth, and would
bring up their Negroes to some Learning, Reading and Writing, and endevour to
the utmost of their power in the sweet Love of Truth to instruct and teach ’em
the Principles of truth and righteousness, and learn them some Honesty Trade or
Imployment, and then set them free; and all the time Friends are teaching of
them let them know that they intend to let them go free in a very reasonable
time; and that our Religious Principle will not allow of such Severity, as to
keep them in everlasting Bondage and Slavery.</p>
<p>This might according to my way of
thinking, beget such Love and tenderness in them, towards their Masters or
Mistresses, and to the blessed Truth for their sakes; that it might be a means
to convince some of them.</p>
<p> And should they come to receive the pure Truth, in the
love of it; as, blessed be the Lord, many of us have, and in that sweet Love,
which is constraining, come under a concern and necessity, to go and visit
their Brethren, of their own colour, and Country, and Language,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 55]</p>
<p>and preach the Gospel of eternal Salvation unto them, from
Sin and Captivity, both of Body and Soul, this would be a glorious work indeed,
and well worth our Friends pains, charge and time, that they might spend about
it; and the best compensation to God and Man, as I think, that they can
possibly make, for being so long in a practice that has so much Wickedness
attending of it continually.</p>
<p> <i>Isa. </i>61.1. As to this Chap. it is very excellent
Prophesied of concerning the true anointing, which is the Spirit, and is God
and was in <i>Isaiah,</i> and filled him with Love, to <i>preach good tidings
to the meek,</i> and is of the same Nature, in all People, in all colours, and
Countries.</p>
<p> The many Hundreds of Thousands, that are now in
Slavery, were they at Liberty, as we are, had the same Education, Learning,
Conversation, Books, sweet Communion in our Religious Assemblies; I believe many
of them would exceed many of their Tyrant Masters in Piety, Virtue and
Godliness; and their bright Genius, which I know they have, would be inlivened;
for I have converst with many of them, for Liberty is Life, and Slavery is
Death, nay the very</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 56]</p>
<p>thoughts of it to the right thinking Animal, as Man or
Woman.</p>
<p> <i>Isa.</i> 61. 1. Is this <i>preaching glad tideings
to the meek,</i> as many of them are, and <i>hind up the broken hearted; to
proclaim Liberty to the Captives, and opening of the Prison, to them that are
bound</i>; and yet keep them in double Bondage, Body and Soul, them and theirs
forever more. If there be greater contradiction under the Sun; many dear and
tender Friends are mistaken, as well as myself.</p>
<p> <i>Ver.</i> 2. But how does Slave Merchants, <i>proclaim
the acceptable Year of the Lord?</i> To their Slaves <i>the day of Vengeance</i> they may, and a long Day it is; but I believe the Lord will repay it, tho’ he
suffers it long: But I pray and beseech you; you hard-hearted Ministers, of all
persuasions in Church and State, that are Christians; how do you comfort all
that mourn, and are in Misery, as great for aught I can learn as any are that
be under the very worst of <i>Turks, Jews </i>or<i> Infidels</i>, in the known
World.</p>
<p> But my dear and tender Friends, how does this cruelty
and partiality agree with our Principles as a People, which have been preaching
up Perfections in holiness of Life, for near a Hundred Years,</p>
<p>[page 57]</p>
<p>and the universal Love of God to all People, of all colours
and Countries, without respect of persons: Have we forgot this blessed
Testimony for which our dear Friends suffered in <i>Old</i> and <i>New England?</i></p>
<p> <i>The 2d of the 9<sup>th</sup> Mo. </i>1736.</p>
<p> IF Two-Weeks Meeting had had any thing material against
me, or Monthly meeting; they should have appeal’d to Quarterly Meeting before
we came away: But some Friends have been the Instruments of the Death of my
Dear Wife I believe. Hath it not been the Practice of the Nocents in all Ages,
to lay Traps and Ginns, to intangle and insnare the Innocent? Did you not do
so, two or three of you, of the Monthly-Meetings, at the Quarterly-Meetings,
Yearly Meetings at <i>Philadelphia</i> and <i>Burlington</i>; when I insisted
of having the Letter from <i>Colchester</i> read, did not you strenuously
insist, that I should consent that then the matter should be concluded in that
Meeting so to go no further; and you had got a strong Party there the same
time, to conclude the Business, according to your own minds; is not this laying
a Snare? In the same Meeting accusing me falsly,</p>
<p>[page 58]</p>
<p>for seeking a Party to deter, any from speaking their Minds;
and opposed and hindred me from reading a Letter or two from <i>Colchester</i>;
which you knew you did not like to hear, because they would have confirmed our
Certificate more fully.</p>
<p> How did <i>William Penn</i> and <i>William Mead</i>, at
their Tryal, in the <i>Old-Baily</i>, <i>London</i>, like such arbitrary
Proceedings, as well as many, yea very many more of our Dear and Worthy Friends
and Elders, in the beginning, before and by wicked unjust Judges, in <i>Old-England</i> and <i>New-England</i> too, in particular, as the Book of Sufferings largely
sets forth, writ by <i>George Bishop</i>. But these things are forgotten by
many, that are doing the same thing themselves, according to their power and
ability: Let any Friend read <i>G.</i> <i>Whitehead’s</i> Account of Friends
Sufferings, which is written in his Works. How many profuse, profligate
Creatures, have come in Servants to this Country, which have been stated not
only as Members, but Ministers in full Unity, in less time then I have been
here; it is not intolerable then, that three or four Men that has the Mark of
the Beast, and the Number of his Name, Slave-</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 59]</p>
<p>Keepers, upon them in their Foreheads should have the whole
Rule of Discipline, and Govern contrary to all Justice and Equity. Time for
such old rusty Candlesticks to be moved out of their Places, who have disowned
many less Nocents then themselves; if it is not so now, <i>who will make me a
Liar, and my Speech nothing worth. Job</i>. 24. 2, 3, 4, 25.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>A B I N G T O N.</i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>The </span></i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>11<i><sup>th</sup> of the 9<sup>th</sup> Mo.<b> </b></i>1736.</span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> W</span>HEN the strong
Man armed keeps the House, his Goods are in Peace: Is not this the Devil? Is
not Hell in the Soul his House? Is not all his Goods Sin? Is not Slave–Keeping
and Trading the greatest Sin in the World, when it is seen in the light of
Truth in all its parts? Is not Truth the Light stronger then all? And when this
appears in the Heart, and shews the Creature, this Capital Sin, and other Sins
to be exceeding Sinful; does not the whole Creation, in the poor condemned or
damned Creature groan, to be delivered? Then Hell-Torments, the Smoak and
Darkness, of the Bottomless Pit arises and appears in the Soul; the Creature by
some Glimmering of the Light sees itself in Darkness, feels itself in Hell
tormented, then it cries to </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 60] </p>
<p>Light to appear more and more for its help, and to bind the
strong Man armed, the Devil and cast him out and spoil his Goods, which is Sin,
and is the Devil's Furniture in Hell in the Soul, the Devil's House, where he
has had his Residence so long; so when the Devil sees he and his Goods is
discovered, which had been so long hid, and Ware appears in the Smoak of the
Bottomless Pit; and that he is like to lose one, or some of his chief Subjects
and strongest Forces; and his Kingdom, Heads, Horns and Crowns are in danger,
and all like to be lost; this puts all Hell in the Soul in an uproar. I know
what I write, blessed be the Light, the Way, and the Truth; so here comes to be
War in Heaven, <i>Michael</i> and his Angels fight, and the Devil or Dragon,
which is one, and his Angels fight; for the Devil, Dragon, makes War with the
Saints, and overcomes them that are not faithful, let them have been prosessing
and preaching Truth never so long, and never so eminent or highly esteemed of;
yet it may be said, D<i>epart from me, I know you not, ye are Workers of
Iniquity. Hosea </i>4. 1, 2 3, 7, 9. <i>Ezek</i> 9. 4, 9. viii. 10, 11, 12.</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 61] </p>
<p> I never read in History of the <i>Waldenses,</i> our
first Reformers from Popery, that they kept any Slaves; I have understood they
were very temperate, not eating Flesh, Milk or Eggs. </p>
<p> Something like <i>John's </i>Locusts and Wild Honey; and <i>Daniel </i>and his three Friends Pulse and Water, <i>Israel's</i> 40 Years
Eating Manna, and I think <i>James</i> our Lord's Brother according to <i>Josephus</i>,
ate no Flesh, and many Thousands more, I believe, good Men and Women.</p>
<p><i> William Penn</i>, in his No-Cross-No-Crown, that
excellent Book, mentions the <i>Waldenses</i>, with great esteem; as they are
worthy.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>Acts</i>. 17. 26,
27, 28, 29.</p>
<p> I suppose the pure holy eternal Being, which made of
one Blood all Nations of Men to dwell upon the face of the Earth, did not make
others to be Slaves to us, any more then we to be so to them; if God has
appointed the Bounds of their Habitations, What Man fearing God, dare to remove
or receive them when they are removed?</p>
<p> How did many Dear Friends like to be banished from
their Native Countries, from Wives, Children and Friends, although but for a
few Years, both from </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 62]</p>
<p><i>Old</i> and <i>New England</i> especially? are all these
Things forgotten by us, and a thousand times more; are the Progeny in this Age,
doing the same Things themselves, which their Progenitors so greatly complained
of, and justly too; but this Progeny have been and are acting a Thousand times
worse, and more cruelly; for our dear and worthy Friends and Progenitors were
Banished from<i> England</i> but for a few Years, and where they might and did
Preach and help forward the Gospel of Christ; but the poor Slaves and their
Progeny, have been Stolen, Banished, Tortured and Tormented, for ever more; to
the great unutterable hinderance of the Blessed Gospel of Peace and Salvation,
for which our dear Progenitors, suffered so deeply by their Persecutors.</p>
<p> And this now is carried on, encouraged and done by
them, that profess to be lead by the same pure Holy Spirit, as their
Progenitors were.</p>
<p> But my dear and tender Friends, you that are clear of
this vile practice, I pray and beseech you, especially that you keep so, and
have no Fellowship with such unfruitful Works of Darkness,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 63]</p>
<p>but rather, I say, rather reprove them, as being worthy,
wherever you come, for the Lord, the Truths sake.</p>
<p> <i>The 22<sup>nd</sup> of the 9<sup>th</sup> Mo.</i></p>
<p> WHEN I have mildly reasoned with some Friends
concerning their Hostility, in carrying a Person or Friend, If I may call him
so, out of Meetings so often, and keeping of him out by Constable and other
ways; as at <i>Philadelphia, Burlington</i> and <i>Concord</i>, <i>& c</i>.
without so much as pretending they have used any Gospel Order with him, in any
Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, as a disorderly Person.</p>
<p> O But say some, he is a very troublesome Person, and
has been so for many Years; and is too censorious about Trading in Slaves, or
against Traders in, and Keepers of Slavers; And positively affirms, that no Man
or Woman, Lad or Lass ought to be suffered, to pretend to Preach Truth in our
Meetings, while they live in that Practice; which is all a lie.</p>
<p> And further, he boldly affirms, that no Person
whatsoever has any Right, or ought, according to Truths Discipline,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 64]</p>
<p>to be suffered to have the Rule and Government, or any part
of it, in the Church of God, which is the Kingdom of God, while he himself is
in League with the Devil, and is managing the Affairs of his Kingdom, which
Slave Trading is, as has been proved.</p>
<p> But some that have not, and will not keep Negroes
Slaves of their own, may see, we must not be too censorious, for we are often
at their Houses, and Eat and Drink bravely, and have their negroes to wait on
us, our Horses, Wives and Children.</p>
<p> Besides all these things, we buy, sell, trade, get gain
by and with them, we must be careful how we offend our benefactors, and dear
Friends, But here is yet a stronger Bond than the other, Pleasure and Profit,
we love to Sleep with their Offspring, so they be but rich; for many of us have
joined Affinity with these <i>Ahabs</i> (O that hard Word) and <i>Jezabel’s </i>for
Gains, by marrying with their rich Children, and if we become Prophets, and can
Prophesy such things as they like, we shall be highly favoured, and fed at <i>Jezabel’s</i> Table, though we should be twice 4500 of us.</p>
<p> What if he be as the Lying Spirit in</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 65]</p>
<p>the Mouth of all <i>Ahab’s</i> Prophets, and cause him to go
up and fall at <i>Ramah</i>, being Damned; what if <i>Jezebel</i> be eaten with
Dogs, what care we for that.</p>
<p> What if <i>Jezebel</i> be eaten with Dogs, if we can
get into their Estates and Posessions; what care we? When they are dead and
gone, they will not remember our Lying Prophesies. I<i> Kings 18.40.</i> Indeed
we should be loth to be served as <i>Elijah</i> did the Prophets, <i>at the</i> <i>Brook Kishon</i>.</p>
<p> 2 <i>Kings</i> 10. 1, 5, 6, 7. We had rather destroy
all the truly Begotten and Born Heirs of God, and joint or equal Heirs with
Christ, the Truth, which testifie against us, and our Slave-Keeping Practice.</p>
<p> <i>Ver</i>. 18 to 26. We to be sure would sooner
destroy all the Royal Off-Spring of Heaven, as our Elder Brethren, them wicked
Elders in <i>Ahab’s</i> time, <i>Slew </i>70 <i>Innocent Children</i>, for fear
of their own dear Lives; but <i>Jehu</i> answered, <i>and served them accordingly</i>:
It’s true <i>Ver</i>. 25. and if it should be so with us, <i>its better to die
by the Sword than by Famine</i>, as the Scriptures Speak; or especially to be
treated as many of our Brethren in this great Iniquity do their Slaves, up</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 66]</p>
<p>and down in the World, and their Off-spring, always repeated
and repeating for evermore, with all the Torture and Torments that Devil and
Dragon, Death and Hell can invent or devise, with all their Accomplices.</p>
<p> But although some of us, that are Negroe Masters and
Traders, do allow that the beginning of this Practice was of the Devil, and
that he and we his Instruments are now carrying of it on very powerfully, and
as it had a beginning there in Hell, so it must have an End.</p>
<p> <i>Matt</i>.8. 28, 29. But the time is not yet come,
therefore surely we may be allowed to ask the same Question of Truth now as two
of our Elder Brethren did formerly, which were possessed with Devils as well as
we, <i>what have we to do with thee;</i> Truth?</p>
<p> <i>Mark</i>, 5, 7, 10, 12. <i>Art thou come hither to
torment us before our time? and all the Devils besought him, the Truth, </i>saying<i>,
send us into the Swine; and Truth gave them leave</i>, and so he does now; for
Truth had rather the Devil should dwell in the Swine than in the Saints, for
fear he should make the Saints Swine again, as some were before they were
cleansed.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 67]</p>
<p> Upon a time when I was reasoning with an eminent
Preacher <i>R. J</i>. at his House in <i>Philadelphia</i>, concerning that
great <i>Goliah</i>, Negroe or Slave–Keeping, which hath defied the little Army
of the living God so many Years, and still continues so to do.</p>
<p> He the said <i>R.J</i>. was pleased then and there to
tell me, that I loved the Negroes better than I did my Friends; and accused me
at <i>Stephen Jenkin’s</i> House, before many Witnesses, of being Death of my
Dear Wife, and a Persecutor of the Church; but before that I charged him with
being instrumental of separating my Dear Wife from me by Death, in Writing for
a separate Certificate for my Wife, to a Meeting to which we never did belong,
as if he and two or three more had a mind to separate us; which is now brought
to pass.</p>
<p> I shall leave them to the great Judge of Heaven and
Earth, if he will be pleased to forgive them, I hope I shall in time. But these
things must be borne with I suppose, and more; when I have said to some
Friends, Negroe-Keepers and their Adherents, that it seemed a little strange or
novel, that a Friend should be hurried out of Meetings so constantly and
roughly, before he be disowned,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 68]</p>
<p>or some way dealt with for some Disorders to other, contrary
to the known and acknowledged discipline of Friends as a People.</p>
<p> If thy Brother is overtaken in a Fault, go to him and
tell him his fault, between him and thee; if he hears thee thou hast gained thy
Brother; if he will not hear thee, then take two or three with thee; if he will
not hear them, then take him to the Church; and if he will not hear the Church,
then, not till then, cast him forth. My Dear Friends, have any of these things
been done to <i>B.L.</i> and yet still continue to cast him out, cast him out,
cast him out, he is a troublesome Fellow, and has been so for many Years. Did
our Dear and well beloved Friends in <i>Boston </i>60 or 70 Years ago, think
this is a just way of Proceeding, to be taken into Custody, put into <i>Bridewell</i>,
Whipt severely, and Banished the Town, time after time, without any legal
Proceedings, only for being obstinate Quakers, as they were pleased to call
them; dare to come again when they had Whipt them out of the Town so often.
When I have put some Friends in mind of this, concerning our Dear Tender
Friends great Suffering in <i>New-England</i>, in a </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 69]</p>
<p>Book called <i>New-England Judged</i>, some Friends have
been pleased to tell me that <i>George Keith</i> used to say so, or talk after
that manner. What he said I cannot tell, but by report, which is not always
true; but this of Friends Suffering in <i>Boston</i> is true, for I have been
upon the Spot or Lot of Ground, where the Dear Lambs were put to Death, for the
Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, the Truth.</p>
<p> As to <i>G.K.</i> he was an extraordinary Man, while he
kept to the Testimony of Truth in his own Heart; I do firmly believe, according
to the Account of Him by Friends; and a great Sufferer for Truth, by
Imprisonment, and other ways, and an excellent Writer, and Ministers in Defence
of Truth’s Principles for about 30 Years, as I remember; as many of his Books
manifest, to Judgment of men that have read them, of right mind and good
understanding in Things relating to God’s Kingdom; as his <i>Revelation not
ceased, </i>his<i> Way to the City of God</i>, very excellent indeed, and many
more; while he dwelt in the Truth and Walked in Truth, he did well; but when he
went from that, he was like the <i>unsavory Salt, good for neither Land nor
Dunghill</i>,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 70]</p>
<p>and so it is now with some, or I am mistaken. And so it hath
been with the very best of Men and Instruments that ever were in the World,
though they had never so much inlightened or illuminated from on High; they
grow dark again, as they go from the Light, from God, from Truth, which are one
in Nature and Essence, although three Names, for Men as Men do know that have
good Natural Eyes, that the further they go from the Light outwardly, the more
they go into Darkness until at length they cannot see anything clearly, or at
last not at all; and this comes upon Men because they love Darkness, which is
Sin, and they live in Darkness, and walk in Darkness, and at last Darkness in
Sin seems to be Light unto them. This is a dreadful State indeed: O that it may
appear so before it be too late, to some poor Souls, is my true Desire for
their eternal Welfare. Which I desire, as for my own Soul. <i>B.L</i></p>
<p> Now it is written by a Child, a Son and Heir of Light,
for the Encouragement of other Children and Heirs of Light: If you walk in the
Light as he, God is Light, and Light is God; you shall have fellowship one with
another in God the</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 71]</p>
<p>Light, and the Blood, the Life, the Light the Truth, shall
cleanse from all Sin, all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit. O blessed State
indeed.</p>
<p> Now a certain Saint in Light, or an enlightened Saint,
the same put the Primitive Saints in Mind to stir up their Memory, and keep
them in a watchful frame of Mind; you that were once in Darkness, are now
Light, in the Light, or in the Lord, the same bids them walk as or like
Children of the Light, and of the Day, which is Light, and is to walk and work
in as well as to live and dwell in; and this is in <i>New-Jerusalem</i>, the
Church of the first or true Born with God, the Light in Heaven, whose Gates are
always open to Saints in Light, no Night, no Darkness there, no need of Sun,
Moon, Stars, Candles or Lamps, for the Lord God, the Lamb, the Truth, the
Light, is or are the Light thereof, for evermore. <i>Rev</i>. 21.2,3.</p>
<p> And all that follow the Lamb, the Light, wheresoever he
goes, are and shall be the Citizens thereof forever. Now you precious Babes,
Children, Sheep or Lambs in Light, or by what ever Name you may be called, <i>Ver</i>.
7. yet you have but one Name, and that is</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 72]</p>
<p><i>New</i>, in the Light, and none can read and know, but
them that are in our Heavenly Father, <i>New-Jerusalem</i>, the Light, the
Father and Mother of us all. And you precious Favourites in or of the Light,
although but very few, a little Flock, and very obscure and hid, <i>Rev.</i> 9.11. from the dark Mind, from Darkness, the Devil, and Satan, <i>Abaddon</i>, <i>Apollyon</i>,
Dragon, Serpent, Viper or Hell, or by whatever other Name, is all the same;
Truth faith, Fear not little Flock, it is your Fathers good pleasure to give
you the Kingdom, the Light, which never ends. <i>Ver</i>. 3. The Tabernacle of
Light is with these, and in these whether Male or Female, all one, in the Light
of the Life, in Truth forever.</p>
<p> You Dear and inward Friends, have Right to feed in the
green-Pastures of Light, of Life; where none can make you afraid: No, No, there
is Safety and great Security in the Munition of Rocks, the Light, <i>New–Jerusalem</i>,
which is Heaven is in God, the Light, and the Light in it, Father, Word, and
Spirit, the Light, the Tree of Life in <i>Paradice</i>, in the Light, in God,
in Heaven.</p>
<p> <i>Rev</i>. 22. And is Heaven, and Heavenly Food for
Saints to feed of freely;</p>
<p>[page 73]</p>
<p>this is the Tree of Life, which bears twelve Manner of
Fruit, and yields her Fruit every Month, always ready, always ripe, fresh,
green, pure and lovely to behold, sweet and delicious to the Saints taste, to
them that are clean, that have been cleansed by the Light, by the Life of the
Lamb, which follows him through many Tribulations, wherever he goes and leads
them until he brings them into the Green Pastures of Life beside the still
Waters of Life, of Comfort indeed, the pure River of Water, of Life, which is
with God, and is God, in his Throne, in sanctified Hearts.</p>
<p> These, these blessed ones have Right to the Tree of
Life, to the pure River of Life, to Eat and Drink as much as their Vessels can
hold at times, and sometimes running over and flowing out, to them that are in
the outward Court, that is trodden by the <i>Gentiles</i> in this our Age; if
happily they might be intreated and prevailed with if possible, by tasting some
Drops as it were without, to turn into their own Souls, and wait there to be
cleansed, that the Fruition, the pure River, clear as Chrystal, might run there
freely and sweetly, without Interruption.</p>
<p> If the little Touches, the earnest of this</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 74]</p>
<p>Heavenly River be so sweet and precious, as to be sure it
is, beyond all worldly Things; What must the ever-flowing Fountain be, which
springs continually in Holy Souls in Eternal Life?</p>
<p> O let the Inhabitants of the Tree, the River, the Rock,
Sing aloud for Joy; from henceforth for evermore: So be it, Glory, Glory,
endless to the All in All, faith my Soul at times. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> <i>The 27<sup>th</sup> of the 9<sup>th</sup> Mo.</i> 1736.</p>
<p> T<span style='font-size:10.0pt'>HIS</span> is Written
in Pure Love, concerning the Pure in Heart, of all Colours and Countries in the
whole World; these are the Dwellers in the Rock of Age.</p>
<p> <i>A B I N G T O N,</i></p>
<p> <i>The 7<sup>th</sup> Month</i>, 1736.</p>
<p> MY Dear and Well-Beloved Friends; my Joy and the Crown
of all my sweet Delights in this World, I can truly say, is the True Unity with
my true Brethren, which are the true Church in God the Father, and he in the
ever reigning in his own Blessed Kingdom, Body, House, Tabernacle, <i>New-Jerusalem</i>,
or a Tent, synonimous Terms; while <i>Israel</i> abode here, no Divination</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 75]</p>
<p>could prevail, or inchantments against ‘em; but when <i>Israel</i>,
our Dear Friends, went out of their Tents to look at, and long after the
Pleasures, Pride, Profit and Friendship of this World, then they came to be
snared with this cursed Sin, Negroe-Trading, as well as some other gross Sins,
of which this is Chief, considering the Hellish Train of Filthiness, which has,
does, and ever will attend it, and is inseparable from it, for it is granted by
all sober wife Men that truly fear God, and dearly love the Truth in Sincerity,
and are well acquainted with this soul Trade from the beginning, and all its
progressions to this Day; I say such as have had a true Account, do know that
those that are employed in this Trade, are some of the worst of Men, and withal
some of the worst of Thieves, Pyrates and Murtherers, from whence our lesser
Pyrates have proceeded. And many of these lesser Pyrates have been punished
with Death, and some other ways; but the much greater Villians by far, not only
go free but are encouraged, and have been near 50 Years, if not more, by us as
a People, by buying of their cursed Hellish-gotten Ware, at a very great Price.
And all this Time pretending to the</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 76]</p>
<p>most holy pure Religion in the whole World, to do unto all,
as we would they should do unto us, and as <i>James</i> writes, <i>to Visit the
Fatherless, and Widow, in their Afflictions, and keep ourselves unspotted from
the World</i>; but I know no worse Engine Devil has to make Widows and
Fatherless Children, and to bring into Affliction and Bondage and sore
Captivity indeed, than this Hellish Practice in <i>Pennsylvania</i>,
Negroe-Keeping.</p>
<p> But these Hellish Miscreants, these Men-Stealers,
pretend they fetch away these poor Creatures, that they may not kill one the
other, when they are the Murtherers which sets’em to the Work (a cursed work it
is) for as I have had an Account, near 35 Years ago, where 10 or 12 Sail of
Vessels come on the Coast of <i>Guinea</i>, and they cannot catch Negroes
enough to Freight their Vessels by the Sea side, and in Rivers where they send
their Boats in Search and Pursuit of them, where they are acquainted; for they
being us’d to the Business known where to go; and to find out some old Negroes
that they have been used to trade with, which will bring off in Canoes, their
Wives or Children, or their Neighbours</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 77]</p>
<p>Wives, and Children if they can catch’em in Woods, or any
where else, so bring’em and sell them to our brave Christians, which come there
with Ships for that purpose--- O brave! give 30s. for a Negro and sell him for
501. Or 40, 50 or 60, 70, 80, 90, 1001. Or more: Who would not be a Trader in
Slave and Souls of Men, altho’ he goes to Hell for it, and in the mean time
intail an Iniquity on his own, and his Neighbour’s Posterity to their
Destruction and the Ruin of the whole Country beside.</p>
<p> Above 30 Years ago, when I was a common Sailor, I had
this account, and likewise, by some Sailors on Board Capt. <i>Reeves,</i> coming this Voyage to <i>Philadelphia</i>, who had been at <i>Guinea</i>, and I
suppose had been Pyrates, they did acknowledge they had been taken by them.</p>
<p> These vile Fellows on Board Capt. <i>Reeves</i>, in
their Drink used to tell what cursed Work their former Captain and Sailors made
with the poor Negroes in their Passage, for their lusts; the Captain 6 or 10 of
‘em in the Cabbin, and the Sailors as many as they pleased; with much more too
foul for me to mention, or for chaste Ears to hear.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 78]</p>
<p> But I pray, I beg, and beseech you my Friends, in the
pure Love and Fear of God; consider what part have true Believers with such
Infidels, or Christ with such <i>Belials,</i> or our Holy pure God with such
unholy impure Devils, until we can join these together; now we can never
reconcile Slave-Keeping without Principles; we may as well say as <i>Solomon </i>of
an Harlot<i>, their Steps go down to Death and their Feet take hold on Hell.</i></p>
<p> Now my dear Friends, let us consider the matter a
little further, concerning these Men-Stealers, and weigh it in the Ballance of
the Sanctuary, which is Equity and Justice. Consider I say, the different
circumstances of times and things; it may be these wicked Creatures have been
unhappily brought up to the Black Art, most of their Life time; my Soul pities
them on that Account; had they had that good Education, Conversation, Books and
Mutual Love, in Holy Illumination, sweet Communion together in our solemn
Meetings and Gatherings together, and the Heavenly Showers which many times,
yea very often and frequent to my sure and certain Knowledge, and to the great
mutual sweet and heavenly</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 79]</p>
<p>Comfort of my poor Soul, with many more of my dear Friends;
I say the many Heavenly Showers that have dropped as the Dew, and distilled as
the small Rain, in our tender Souls immediately, many times, yea innumerable,
and instrumentally, by the Blessed Messengers of Peace and Salvation, which
were sent by the high and lofty one, that inhabiteth eternity and dwelleth in
Light, who had a tender regard Blessed by his Holy Name, to those Poor Men and
Women too, that were Poor indeed, and truly contrited, and sat trembling before
his Divine and Glorious Majesty, ready to receive him that was and is the Word
that made all Things; and when they had received Him, they or we, We were made
to rejoice with Joy unspeakable, being filled with him that was, and is, and
ever will be the Glory and True rejoicing of his People, and dear Children, all
the World over; that can appeal to him that knows all Things, that they Love
him more than all things here below, yea than their natural Lives.</p>
<p> Shall we I say as People who have been Blessed with so
great Priviledges, and high Favours, forsake the Holy Commandment of Loving God
the Truth </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 80]</p>
<p>above all, and turn to worship for covetous ends, the worst
Idol that ever the Devil set up in the World.</p>
<p> Sure those wicked Men above-mentioned will rise up in
Judgment against us; for had they been so highly favoured in all respects, as
Friends as People have been, who knows but they might have been as great Saints
as any in the Church of Christ at this Day; for had Friends stood faithful in
their Testimony against this Practice from the beginning they might have
convinced many, and stopt ’em in their career; but now they may say, and that
truly too, we have been a means to encourage and strengthen them in their wicked
ways; for when they brought in a Cargo of Blacks, who more ready to purchase
them, and at a great Price than the Saints, or them that seem so, and would be
thought such. Well my dear and tender Friends, although I touch thus close to
ease my afflicted mind, which has been tossed as with a Tempest at times, above
17 Years, on this sad Account Slave–Keeping, yet I write not this of all by no
means, I know and believe there is many Friends, that dare not touch with it,
for any Profit whatsoever. I do hope there is some Thousands</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 81]</p>
<p>will not bow the Knee to this <i>Baal</i>, nor kiss his Lips
for an Ease or Gain. It has been said, that all do not see it so great a Sin as
I and some others make it; and for that reason with others I think it my duty
to write and speak the more about it when I come, that Friends and others may
be better informed. Some have insinuated, as if the Primitive Saints kept
Captive Slaves; this is hellish Censure indeed, to accuse the Greatest of
Saints with the greatest of Sins; whose Damnation is just, and their reward
shall be according to their Works; for they were without Spot, then free from
the greatest spot; holy, as he is holy; perfect, as he is perfect; He that
Sanctifieth, and they that are Sanctified, are one. Blessing and Honour,
Salvation and Glory to our God, for evermore, <i>Amen</i>, faith my Soul.</p>
<p> Cursing and Dishonour, and Damnation is to the Devil
and Satan, and his Instruments, that Preach such Doctrines; for they that are
born of God Sin not, neither can they, for his Seed remaineth in them; they
cannot Sin, because they are Born of God.</p>
<p> And now my dear Friends and others,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 82]</p>
<p>you that came in Servants to this Country, and Slaves,
although for a short time by your own Consent too, for you to plead for
Negroe-Keeping, is almost intolerable.</p>
<p>I say, you that came here poor,
vile, miserable wretches, destitute and folorn, and here you were kept to hard
Labour, which was good for you, and brought you to a sense of your filthy,
abominable, undone, and woful cursed condition which you, many of ye had been
in, then O then many of you came to consider of your ways, and were wise in
turning to the Lord, into your own Hearts by the moving and rising of his own blessed
Light, Life, Grace and pure Love there in your own Souls, which was as a Light
shining in a Dark Place, your Hearts dark indeed, by reason of Sin, and that
filthy Life which you had lived; you came to be burthened with it, and seek
relief in turning to the Lord in your Hearts, where he was and is to be found,
blessed be his pure Name which is his Essence or Divine Nature, manifest within
Men; so when you came to this good experience, you came to love the Society and
follow the good example of our worthy Elders, very commendable</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 83]</p>
<p>in you to do, which first settled in this Country; you came
to live sober lives, and by your industry, the Almighty favouring, some
attained to very large possessions here, being a large Country and few People,
but now more numerous, so no occasion for Negro-Slaves; for had this Land been
covered with ’em as it is now in some Places, and too much here already, how
would you have come to this greatness; you might have perished for want of Business
to purchase necessaries. Let it never be forgotten by you, I beseech and pray
ye for the Lord’s sake, and for your own and your Childrens sake, that are
coming up in vast Numbers, as well as them that are, or may become Servants
hereafter, with many, yea very many of your own Children, which is very likely
by the wicked soul courses many of our Youth take, they may be brought to the
same Misery and extremity as you were, by their foolish Lusts and vanities; my
Soul mourns in contemplating of it, and is in sore distress and misery, with
many of my dear and inwardly beloved Friends, Male and Female, on this sad
Account, as well as other gross Sins, many dear tender Souls in our Society,
reproachfully called</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 84]</p>
<p><i>Quakers</i> have writ and bore Testimony against this Sin
at times, near 50 Years, but were reproached for that likewise; but some are
gone to their Graves in Peace; many yet living; as in <i>Pennsylvania</i>, <i>Jersey</i>, <i>Long Island</i>, <i>Nantucket</i>, <i>Old England</i>, which I have been
with at their Houses and their Writings are extant at this time to my certain
knowledge, although many poor seeking Souls, that are bewildered by this wicked
Hellish Sin in our Ministers, Slave-Keeping, will not believe or cannot believe
it, but rather believe we approve of it as a People with one consent
unanimously. When some Friends have been reasoning with some Sober People of
other professions in my hearing, concerning the Pride and Covetousness of their
hireling Preachers, and concerning Truth’s Principles, they have had nothing to
say for the one, or against the other; but whether shall we go, say they, we do
not approve or like keeping Slaves, it is not doing as we would be done by
ourselves; and your People are as greedy as any Body in keeping Negroes for
their Gain, (it is too true) but not all said I, no say they again, who shall
we believe, we are sure and do know, that your Preachers and</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 85]</p>
<p>Elders, Chief Leaders have ’em; answer was made, not all,
for some have testified against it, as a very heinous Sin, for many Years, Year
after Year; and are gone to their silent Graves in Peace, and many yet living
amongst us, as above is mentioned. Why then, say they, do you not separate.
Here it is thus written, W<i>herefore come out from amongst them, and be ye
separate, faith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you. </i> 2 <i>Cor.</i>6. 13, 14 <i>to</i> 17, read the next verse with
attention, in the fear of the Lord.</p>
<p> I know no worse or greater stumbling Blocks the Devil
has to lay in the way of honest Inquirers, than our Ministers and Elders
keeping Slaves; and by straining and perverting Holy Scriptures, Preach more to
Hell, than ever they will bring to Heaven, by their feigned Humility and
Hypocrisy.</p>
<p> Satan put to his last Shift, or the Devil working
wonders, by a seeming Gospel Ministry of great repute; for by their keeping of
Slaves, they carry on his Work, and uphold his Kingdom. We read, <i>Rev.</i> 12.3. to the end, <i>That the Dragon drew the third part of the</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 86]</p>
<p><i>Stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the Earth with his
Tail, the vilest part of the Beast. </i> Let him that reads understand the
Stars were Men that had been enlightened, and it has been the Judgment of worthy
Men, in many Ages of the World, that a false and fallen Ministry have been the
greatest Instruments of Evil, that ever the Devil brought into the Church of
Christ, as may be seen in <i>Eusebius’s Church History, Francis Howgil’s Works,
G. Fox’s Journal</i>, and in many more beside, which I have by me; does largely
set forth that false and fallen Ministers are the worst Devils, and Dragons,
and Serpents, the Woman or Church has to War with, by reason of the Power they
have with the beastly Nature, in their ignorant Hearers, and foolish bigoted
Crowd; such as have itching Ears, and shallow Crowns, carnal Minds, and looser
Lives; such being Born after the Flesh, are very ready to join with the
Serpent, to persecute him that is Born after the Spirit; it was so, it is so,
and it will be so. The Dragon, and the Beast joining Forces, have great Power
to make Rents in the outward Church, and Divisions, and sow discord amongst
weak Brethren, but the</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 87]</p>
<p>truly Wise in Heart, I know will beware.</p>
<p> But as to those Dragon, Slave–Keeping Preachers, that
are now making War with the Woman, these fallen Stars they say they have been
inlightened, and received part of the Ministry; we will allow it, for God
Almighty has been very good and kind to them, and is still long suffering; So <i>Judas</i> their elder Brother was inlightened too, as much and more than they, for ought
I know, but he repented, and returned his cursed Gain, and made Confession of
his soul Sin, which I fear is more than they will do in haste, so much worse
than <i>Judas</i> they are, for they Crucify the Truth daily, and put it to
open shame.</p>
<p> I have understood lately, that some have made their
Wills when they were Sick, to set their Negroes free at such an Age, 30 or 40,
after their Death; that will not salve the Sore, it is too deep and rotten, God
will not be mocked so, nor Wise Men neither; they rather think of the old
Proverb, it may be.</p>
<p><i>When the Devil was sick, the devil a Monk would be, But
when the Devil was well, the Devil a Monk was he.</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 88]</p>
<p><i> Acts</i>.2. It is written, when the time of
Pentecost was <i>fully come, there was People of many Nations gathered
together, to hear the Apostles, and all heard in their own Tongue the wonderful
Works of God.</i> And if they were now here in <i>Pennsylvania</i>, they might
hear and see the wonderful Works of the Devil; Men and Women Preaching up the
purest Religion in the World, and live in the greatest of Sins at same time,
the mother of Enormities, says <i>B. Lay.</i></p>
<p> I do firmly believe in the secret of my Soul, before
the Lord, that Slave-Keeping and Trading, with what has and now does daily
attend and appertain unto it, is as great cause of the Sins of<i> Sodom</i>, as
anything is or ever was in the whole World.</p>
<p><i>The 30<sup>th</sup> of the 10<sup>th</sup> Mo. 1736</i>.</p>
<p> I <span style='font-size:10.0pt'>DID</span> not know
but I had done Scribling about Slave-Keeping, but this D calling to see our
Friend <i>J.R.</i> at his House in <i>Philadelphia,</i> who was newly arrived
from <i>Bristol,</i> in <i>Old-England; </i>and he speaking of the Negroe, or
Guinea Trade, said, while he was in <i>Bristol</i> four or five Weeks, there
was fitted out for </p>
<p>[page 89]</p>
<p>that Trade nine Sail; and he told me according to Account he
had there, that there goes from <i>Bristol</i> about 50 Sail in a Year for
Negroes: And I suppose some plain Coat-Men are concerned in it there as well as
at <i>Leverpoole, Barbadoes,</i> and elsewhere; now if each of these 50 Vessels
carries 300, some carry many more, it comes to 15000 Souls Yearly, Stolen by <i>Bristol</i> Men; and if there should be four times as many Stolen by Vessels from <i>London,
Leverpoole, North Britain, Ireland, Barbadoes, Jamaica</i> and some other
Places, as I suppose there may, it comes to 75,000 Yearly, Stolen and kept in
Iron Furnaces; so that in 50 Years and more some Friends have been concerned in
this Practice, beside what has been increased by Generation, comes to
3825000. Is not this ten times worse than the Sins of <i>Sodom</i> and <i>Egypt,
Turk, Jew or Infidel?</i></p>
<p> So I inquired of the Friend what they did with this or
such vast Numbers of Slaves; He said, they carried them to <i>Jamaica</i> generally, and sold them to the <i>Spaniard</i> for the Mines, or any Body
else, I suppose, that will give most for them, although they keep them and
their Posterity, in their cursed Hellish Iron–Furnace for evermore.</p>
<p>[page 90]</p>
<p> O Brave Christians for the Devil, and Protestants too!
is this the way to convince <i>Papists, Turks, Jews</i> and <i>Infidels</i> of
their notorious Wickedness and inhumanity, when we encourage them in it all we
can, by supplying them with Slaves, for our cursed Gain.</p>
<p> Several eminent Friends amongst us of great Note, have
boasted in my hearing of having Servants or Slaves born in their House,
alluding to <i>Abraham,</i> for keeping Slaves; but I cannot find in all the
Scriptures that <i>Abraham</i> ever had any Slaves; Servants he might have born
in his House, and bought with Money for a time; but I do not believe that
righteous, perfect good Man would keep his fellow Creatures in Bondage, them
and their Off-spring, for evermore. I have a better Opinion of that tender
hearted, good virtuous Man, that was stiled the Father of the faithful, by the
Lip of Truth, and that rightly too, for so he was; but the unfaithful
hypocritical <i>Pharisees,</i> would, for a cloak to their Wickedness, have him
to their Father; but Truth told them, if they were <i>Abraham’s </i>Children,
they would do the Works of <i>Abraham;</i> but now ye are of your Father the
Devil, and his Works ye</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 91]</p>
<p>will do. May not Truth say the same thing now, of our
Preachers and Elders, Keepers and Traders in Slaves for nothing but their
ungodly Gain. But what will our wicked Slave- Keepers get by flying beyond
Gospel and Law, to <i>Abraham,</i> to patronize their cursed infernal practice;
but what Truth said to the <i>Jews,</i> it will say to them. <i>Ye are of your
Father the Devil.</i></p>
<p> Now Friends, you that are Slaves-Keepers, I pray and
beseech ye. Examine your own Hearts, and see and feel too, if you have not the
same answer from Truth now within; while you Preach and exhort others to
Equity, and to do Justice and love Mercy, and to walk humbly before the Lord
and his People, and you yourself live and act quite contrary, behave proudly,
do unjustly and unmercifully, and live in and encourage the grossest Iniquity
in the whole World. For I say, you are got beyond Gospel, law, <i>Abraham, </i>Prophets,
Patriarchs, to <i>Cain </i>the Murtherer, and beyond him too, to the Devil
himself, beyond <i>Cain</i>, for he Murthered but one, that we know of, but
you have many Thousands, or caused ‘em to be so, and for ought I know many</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 92]</p>
<p>Hundreds of Thousands, within 50 Years. What do you think of
these Things, you brave Gospel Ministers? That keep poor Slaves to Work for you
to maintain you and yours in Pride, Pride and much Idleness or Laziness, and
Fulness of Bread, the sins of <i>Sodom</i>: How do these Things become your
plain Dress, Demure, Appearance, feigned Humility, all but Hypocrisy, which
according to Truth’s Testimony, must have the hottest place in Hell; to keep
those miserable Creatures at hard Labour continually, unto their old Age, in
Bondage and sore Capitivity, working out their Blood and sweat, and Bowels,
youthful strength and vigour, then you drop into your Graves, go to your Places
ordained or appointed for you; so leave these poor unhappy Creatures in their
worn-out old Age, to your proud, Dainty, Lazy, Scornful, Tyrannical and often
beggarly Children for them to Domineer and Tyrannize over, cursing them and you
in your Graves, for working out their youthful Blood and strength for you, and
then leave ’em to be a plague to us; and then of the abuses, miseries and
Cruelties these miserable old worn out Slaves go through, no Tongue can</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 93] </p>
<p>express, starved with Hunger, perish with Cold, lot as they
go, for want of every thing that is necessary for an Humane Creature; so that
Dogs and Cats are much better taken care for, and yet some have had the
Confidence, or rather impudence, to say their Slaves or Negroes live as well as
themselves. I could almost with such hardened, unthinking Sinful devilish Lyars
were put into their Places, at least for a time, in a very hard Service, that
they might feel a little in themselves, of what they make so light of in other
People; and it would be but just upon ‘em, and indeed why should they be
against it, if the Negroes live as well and better than they; but such
notorious Lies will never go down well, with any Sober right tender-hearted
People truly fearing God, and that love the Truth above all; for such I believe
firmly, when they come to see, and rightly consider the vileness of this
practice in all its parts, and the cursed Fruit it brings forth, they will
never enter into it; and if they are in, will endeavour to get out as soon as
they can; for I do believe if all the Wickedness Tyrany, oppressions and
abominable Barbarities were written concerning this </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 94] </p>
<p>Hellish Trade, it would fill a large Volume in Folio.</p>
<p> Many has said, they do not see it so great an Evil or
Sin, that is, Negroe Keeping; who so Blind as them that will not see; but them
that are willing to see, I think it my duty to inform them what I can by Word
and Writing, and then leave it to the Lord.</p>
<p> There has been that has reflected on me, as if I wanted
a Party, and to see what Numbers I could get on my side; the living Lord God
Almighty is Witness for me, that I desire no Party, no Number but what is on
the Lords side, and his Party, which hold the Blessed Truth in righteousness
and holiness of Life, indeed and in Truth. I must confess I rather chuse that
Number, though but 5, then 500 that hold the Truth in unrighteousness and in
unholiness; and though I could get the Friendship of the World and worldly
Spirits, even them amongst ourselves and all their wealth beside; which is
gotten by the iniquity of Slave–Keeping or otherwise; my witness is in Heaven;
but I must expect a great many more Slanders than these; nevertheless, I may
say as it is </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 95] </p>
<p>written, of Slave Keeping Ministers, unto the Wicked God saith, <i>Psalm</i>. 50. 16, 18. to the end. <i>What hast thou to do to declare my
Statutes, or that thou should it take my Covenant in thy Mouth; when thou
sawest a Thief, then thou consents with him, and hast been partaker with
Adulterers.</i> Is not this very applicable to Men-Stealers and Receivers.</p>
<p> But my dear Friends, as to my own part, if the Lord
have stirred you up against me, let him accept of an offering; but if it be
only Men, I don't fear in the least; but my dearest God, whom I serve with pure
Love, fervently, will deliver me, and in his own Blessed time establish me in
my Inheritance with Saints in Light. O that the Lord my God would be pleased to
raise up some Worthies, that be Valiant for the Truth, upon Earth, and bring
them forth into open view, in Sight of all Men, for his Name sake, which is the
Truth. <i>Hebrews</i>. 11. 33, 34.</p>
<p> O that we may never sell our Birthright, for a morsel
of Meat or any Advantage of this beggarly World; for Truth said of Old, and
faith the same now, <i>He that will not forsake all is not worthy of me, all
for my sake, deny himself take up the Cross and follow me</i>.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 96] </p>
<p> Doth Truth lead its Ministers to keep their fellow
Creatures in Bondage and sore Captivity and their Off-spring for evermore; if
it does not, but the practice be proved by the Blessed Truth itself to be
contrary and directly opposite to its diving Nature, as to be sure it is. Why I
pray and beseech you my dear Friends, are some that seem to be Truth's
Ministers, so Angry, in a Rage, and such a Fury, as many have been, are to my
knowledge, when they have been reproved for, or opposed in this their wicked
Sin, and very great Iniquity; for so it is proved by Truth itself, <i>Do to all
others, as you would they should do not you</i>: Truth saith, <i>Whosoever is
Angry with is Brother, without just cause, is in danger of Judgment</i>: but
who dare judge a Minister, he will be in such a Fury if he is not true or
reprove him, although he pretend to be a Servant in the Church to us all. I
know what I write by large experience, for many Years, in several Nations,
where my lot hath been cast; so that I am not as one that beats the Air in this
cause, as concerning false Ministers; but as to Truth's Minister, that always
dwells in Truth and follows Truth wheresoever he goes, Truth bears wit--</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 97] </p>
<p>ness in me, that I love them and the pure dear Sweet
Testimony Truth hath given us, better than all things in this vain World; now
as concerning Offerers, Truth faith, <i>If thou bring thy gift to the Altar,
and there remember, thy Brother hath aught against thee, leave thy gift at or
before the Altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then,
not before, come and offer thy Gift. </i>O that these Things were well
considered by all Preachers and hearers; and that no Preacher might be suffered
to appear in our Meetings, but such as were clear of this Sinful Practice,
Slave-Keeping, as well as all others; then we should have but few Preachers for
a time, I think, but much better Preaching: Dear Friends, I myself do consider
how it stands, and what I may have to incounter with; but shall leave all to my
dear sweet and forever blessed <i>Ebenezer</i>, which hath hither to helped,
blessed be his Pious Name,</p>
<p>
Says <i>B. L.</i></p>
<p> Is it not the Church's Prerogative, to judge of the
Ministry and Ministers, and to call them to strict Account, concerning their
Doctrine, Principles, Practices, and manner of living?</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 98]</p>
<p><i> Genesis </i>25. 6 Abraham's <i>Concubines </i>2. <i>Sam</i>.
5. 13. David <i>took him more Concubines and Wives</i>.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 15, 16. <i>Left ten Concubines, to keep his
House</i>.</p>
<p> I <i>Chron</i>. 3. 9. <i>Sons of </i>David, <i>beside
the Sons of his Concubines</i>.</p>
<p><i> Solomon's Song</i>. 6. 8, 9. <i>Queens and
Concubines</i>.</p>
<p><i> Esther</i>. 2. 14. <i>Which kept the Concubines.</i></p>
<p><i> Dan</i>. 5. 2, 3, 23. <i>Then they brought the
Vessels taken out of the House of God; which was at </i>Jerusalem, <i>and the
Kind, his Wives and Concubines drank in them.</i></p>
<p> So that many Wives, Concubines or half Whores, and
Trading in Slaves was, and is the Heathen Practice, although permitted to the <i>Jews </i>for a time for the Hardness of their Hearts, as Christ well said concerning
the Divorce.</p>
<p> So the Pope, Papists, and may be some others called
Christians, have lick'd up such like Filthiness, as Keeping Slaves, giving
Licences for common Stews, Brothell Houses, which are common Whore Houses. </p>
<p> These things by him that is called his Holiness, and
now Protestants have lick'd up some of their Filthiness. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 99] </p>
<p><i> They Marry to Divorce, and Divorce to Marry again,
as Seneca well observes. </i></p>
<p> Shall we as a People, professing such Purity, touch
with such Filthiness. </p>
<p> 1. <i>Chron</i>. 7. 4. 14. 3. <i>Many Wives, Multitude
of Wives. David took many Wives</i>. </p>
<p> 2. <i>Chron</i>. 11. 21. <i>Took </i>18 <i>Wives</i>,
60 <i>Concubines. Ver</i>. 23. <i>Desired many Wives. </i></p>
<p> <i>Jeremiah</i>. 35. 8. <i>Drink no Wine</i>.</p>
<p> <i>Judges</i>. 8. 30, 31. Gideon<i> had many Wives</i>.</p>
<p><i> Deuter</i>. 17. 17. <i>Neither shall he multiply
Wives</i>. </p>
<p><i> But the Children of </i>Israel <i>and </i>Judah <i>would
not obey the Command, as well as others; neither their Kings or Common People.</i></p>
<p> Formerly I suppose by Scripture, they that were
accounted good Men, went to Harlots sometimes, as well as kept Slaves, by what
follows. </p>
<p><i> Genesis</i>. 38. 15, 16, 25. Judah <i>thought her to
be an Harlot, and he turned in unto her; very severe against her, for what he
had done himself. </i>Something like poor <i>David, would have her Burnt.</i></p>
<p><i> Lev</i>. 21. 12, 13, 14. <i>A Priest shall</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 100]</p>
<p><i>not take a Divorced Woman, or an Harlot</i>, others may.</p>
<p><i> Josh</i>. 11. 1. 17, 22. <i>They came into an
Harlot's House, </i>Rahab's<i>, and lodg'd there.</i></p>
<p><i> Judges</i>. 11. 1. Jeptha <i>was a mighty Man of
Valour, the Son of an Harlot</i>.</p>
<p><i> Judges</i>. 16. 1. <i>Then went </i>Sampson <i>to
Gaza, and saw an Harlot, and went in to her. </i></p>
<p><i> Joel</i>. 3.3. <i>They have given a Boy for an
Harlot.</i></p>
<p> What condition were these People in. </p>
<p> 1 <i>Corin</i>. 6. <i>Shall I take the Members of
Christ, and make them the Members of an Harlot</i>; or keep Slaves, God forbid,
Saith my Soul,</p>
<p><i> Psalm</i>. 141. 3, 4, 5. <i>Set a watch O Lord,
before my Mouth, keep the Door of my Lips; incline my Heart not to any evil
thing, to practice wicked Works, </i>with them that work iniquity by Slave-
Keeping, or otherwise? And let me not eat of their Dainties. </p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 15. <i>Let the righteous Smite me, it shall
be a kindness, and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent Oyl, which
shall not break my Head, for yet my Prayer shall be in their Calamity</i>. I
hope, and Sincerely desire it may ever be so with, <i>B.
L. </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 101]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>Revelation</i>.
Chap. XII</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>Some Thoughts
concerning it</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>Writ in ABINGTON, the
7th Mo. 1736</p>
<p><i> Verse 1</i>. <i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>A</span>ND
there appeared a great wonder in Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven is within faith </i>Truth
the true Church, <i>a Woman Cloathed with the Sun,</i> Pure, Light and Brightness, <i>and the Moon under her Feet</i>, all changeable things put down, trodden
under, in the Soul, <i>and upon her Head a Crown of 12 Stars</i>, very bright
and beautiful to be hold.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 2. <i>And she being with Child, cried
travailing in Birth</i>, until Truth was formed in her, you little Children for
whom --till Christ be in you, the hope and Glory, <i>and pained to be delivered</i>,
brought forth into Victory over all Sin.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 3. <i>And there appeared another wonder</i> <i>in Heaven</i>, in the Heart of Man, <i>and behold a great red Dragon</i>, a
Furious Beast, and Bloody Monster, <i>having seven Heads, and 10 Horns, and 7
Crowns upon his Heads</i>, it may be he had gotten seven Victories over the
Saints, but was over come at last.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 4. <i>And his Tail,</i> the beastly Nature, <i>drew the third part of the Stars</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 102] </p>
<p><i>of Heaven,</i> bright Men, <i>and did cast them to the
Earth</i>, inlightened Men that had received part of the Ministry, as <i>Judas </i>did,
yet betrayed the Truth, for Gain, as our Slave-Keepers do now. I know what I
write, and the Dragon, the Beast, <i>stood before the Woman, which was ready to
be delivered </i>of the Heavenly Birth,<i> for to devour her Child as soon as
it was Born</i>, to be sure, forfear it should grow strong and break his Head,
and take away his Crowns, and Name of Blasphemy, which he is so proud of.</p>
<p> These Men, these fallen Stars have been, and are
accounted the greatest of Anti-Christs, and worst of Devils; the true Church
has had, and has still to incounter with wicked Spirits in high Places; as I
can if it be desired, produce many worthy Authors to justifie what I write. </p>
<p> In almost all Ages of the World, former and latter
times, as many of our worthy Elders <i>G. Fox </i>and many others sets them
forth and that very justly, to be much worse and more dangerous than the common
Hirelings of the times.</p>
<p><i> Ver</i>. 5. <i>And she brought forth a Man Child</i>,
begotten and Born of the Truth,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 103]</p>
<p>which is God, that good Spirit, in the Soul of man, <i>who
was to rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron;</i> in his own time, <i>and her
Child was caught to God</i>, and to his Throne, preserved in safety, and
gloriously exalted in the Soul, and the Soul in him; he that Sanctifieth and
they that are Sanctified are one.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 6</i>. <i>And the Woman </i>the true Church, <i>fled
into the Wilderness,</i> a very Solitary Place to weep and mourn out her Days,
fearing at times her Spouse had forsaken her altogether, and then O the
distress she was in for her beloved; but this was but to prove her constancy,
where she had a Place prepared of God, though she knew it not for a time, <i>that
they should feed her there </i>1260 <i>Days</i>, if in adversity yet for her
advancement in the End: Glory to the pure Spouse, forever, and to the Bride,
the Lamb's Wife for she is Beautiful.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 7. And there was War in Heaven, </i>what in
that peaceable Place, which we read is so glorious and full of sweet delight, <i>Michael
and his Angels fought</i>; what must the Saints fight then for Heaven? Yea
verily, or else they never enter, and valiantly too, <i>against the Dragon, and
the Dragon fought, and his </i>(Black) </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 104] </p>
<p><i>Angels</i>, for his Gain, to inslave the Bodies and Souls
of Men, the very worst part of the old Whores Merchandize, nasty filthy Whore
of Whores, <i>Babilon's</i> Bastards.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 8. And prevailed not, neither was there Place
found any more in Heaven</i>, in the Hearts of the faithful; after they have
gained the Victory, for the Lamb, and his true followers shall be Victorious,
in due time be made more than Conquerors. </p>
<p><i> Ver. 9. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old
Serpent </i>that has bitten so many, <i>called the Devil, and Satan which
deceiveth the whole World</i>, no doubt because the worldly, covetous Spirit is
always blind, very easy to be deceived; <i>he was cast out into the Earth, and
his Angels were cast out with him</i>, out of Heavenly into earthly Minds,
where he made Devilish Work no doubt and not much to be thought strange of; but
that the Saints of the most high God should lick up what some such earthly
minds, in several Professions have spued up, as being too Hellish, and too hard
for them to digest, or for their Stomachs to bear, to my thinking is almost
beyond compare, Slave-Keeping.<br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
[page 105] </p>
<p><i> Ver. 10 And I beard a loud voice, Saying in Heaven,
Now is come Salvation and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, & the Power
of his Chris </i>: All this is experienced within, when Men and Women are born
again, then Truth reigns and rules in its own Kingdom, <i>for the accuser of
our Brethren is cast down;</i> it was so, and I with some of my oppressed
Friends do hope it will be so again; the Devil, <i>which accused them before
our God, Day and Night</i>, does the Same to this Day, for if you reprove or
admonish one of our Preachers which keep a Slave or Slaves, he will be in such
a rage and fury, beyond that moderation I think that becomes a meek follower of
the blessed Lamb of God, which suffered, the just for the unjust, to take away
all Sin, then surely Slave–Keeping the worst of Sins; I say reprove one of
these for that wicked Practice, and see if he will not accuse you Day and
Night, from Meeting to Meeting, in Meeting and out of Meeting, right or wrong,
as he thinks fit, and set his Brethren in Iniquity, Slave–Keeping, Preachers,
and others against you, all he possibly can, and so proceed to get you disowned
if possible: As several worthy Friends have been, for </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 106] </p>
<p>Testifying against this sinful, soul Hellish practice, the
Mother of Enormities. We may safely say as <i>Solomon </i>of an Whore or
Harlot, that stands by the way side to catch who she can, <i>their Guests are
in the depths of Hell.</i></p>
<p><i> Ver. 11. And they overcame him the accuser, by the
Blood of the Lamb, blessed</i> dear Lamb, O that all would follow him wherever
he goes, Ministers especially, and all others; then we should never Trade in
Slaves, and Souls of Men, for cursed Gain; <i>and by the Word of their
Testimony</i>; they kept their Testimony clear and pure it's like, or else they
had not overcame.</p>
<p><i> And they loved not their Lives unto the Death</i>;
then they were not afraid to reprove Wicked Men, it's very evident, or worse
Preachers, which are a sort of Devils, that Preach more to Hell than they do to
Heaven, and so they will do forever, as long as they are suffered to reign in
the worst, and Mother of all Sins, Slave-Keeping.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens and all ye
that dwell in them</i>; they have great cause so to do, that know their warfare
to be accomplished, & Sion in the Soul to be a quiet Habitation, free from</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 107]</p>
<p>the accuser of the Brethren, these do no evil, comit no Sin;
But <i>Wo to the Inhabiters of the Earth, and of the Sea, which are People, for
the Devil is come down unto you, having great Wrath, because he knoweth he hath
but a short time</i>. Great Wrath indeed, and so have his Ministers too,
although they seem, and would be thought to be meek followers of the Lamb, yet
do but reprove them for their gross Sin, and tell them they are the strongest
Instruments in the Church that the Devil has to uphold and carry on, and
continue that Hellish Trading in Slaves and Souls of Men; and let ‘em now that
they are the very greatest stumbling Blocks, the Devil has to lay in the way of
Honest Inquirers, and you shall soon see what metal they are made of; yet they
have cast down many wounded, yea many strong Men it is thought have fallen by
their means, as <i>Solomon </i>said of an Whore.</p>
<p><i> Ver.13. And when the Dragon saw that he was cast
unto the Earth, he persecuted the Woman that brought forth the Man Child</i>.
When the Dragon, Beast Serpent, Whore, and false Prophet, all one, saw he was
discovered by some Members of the true Church, the Wo-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 108]</p>
<p>man that brings forth the Man Child the true Heir of God and
joint Heir with Truth or Christ, all one; then he shows himself in his proper
colours in his natural element, Hellish, as it is; to persecuting of the Woman
he goes, the true Church, that brings forth the Man Child, Christ, God, and
Man. Them that read, let them understand in Spirit.</p>
<p> Neither enter themselves, or suffer others; as Christ
said of former Hypocrites, we may safely of these latter ones.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> Ver. 14. And to the Woman were given, two Wings of a
great Eagle, that she might fly into the Wilderness, into her Place; where she
is to be nourished, for a time, and times and dividing of times, from the face
of the Serpent. </p>
<p> Great Wings may signifie swiftness and strength but
where shall we fly, but to the Lord, our Rock, for nourishment and strength;
the Lord in his wisdom may have been pleased to hide some from the face of the
Serpent for some time for Reasons best known to himself, but now I believe the
time is near at hand, that some may or must come forth of the Wilderness, yet
leaning on their beloved, to meet the Serpent, although with </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 109]</p>
<p>their lives in their Hands, not loving their lives unto
Death.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 15. And the Serpent cast Water out of his Mouth
as a Flood after the Woman</i>; out of the foul Mouths of his Instruments,
Lying, Slandering and false accusations, persecuting with the Tongue until they
have Power to proceed further; <i>that be might cause her, the Church to be
carried away of the Flood</i>, of their Lies in Hypocrisy, which they are very
generous of.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 16. And the Earth helped the Woman, and the
Earth opened her Mouth</i>, these messengers of Satan, false Ministers became
so notorious wicked, in Lying, Slandering and false accusing, and other vile
Practices, that the very earthly minded opened his Mouth, to plead for the
Woman, the true Church; <i>and swallowed up the Flood, which the Dragon cast
out of his Mouth</i>, made it appear that those things were false which the
Serpent in his Instruments had accused her of.</p>
<p><i> Ver. 17. And the Dragon was wroth with the Woman,
and went to make War with the remnant of her Seed;</i> very true, War is his
natural element, killing and taking the Plunder is his Hellish delight,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 110]</p>
<p>since he was cast unto the Earth again. Pretty much like
our Slave-Traders, Killers, Stealers, Thieves and Receivers, Cousin-germans
all, the Devil’s own Children. Let ’em pretend to what they please, Preachers
or Hearers, Professors or profane, all that help forward that Work of Hell,
they was wroth with the Woman, and remnant of her Seed, <i>which</i> <i>keep
the Commandment of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ</i>, which
always testifies against such Hellish Practices, in every appearance, for they
that worshiped the Beast or his Image, or received his Mark or Name in his
Forehead or in his Hand, the same shall Drink of the Wine of the wrath of God,
which is poured out without mixture, into the Cup of his Indignation; Cups are
wicked Men; What does our Slave-Keeping Preachers think of these Scriptures? Do
they believe, or are they Infidels, and Atheists in disguise? They that have
this blessed experience, they Sing the Song of <i>Moses</i> and the Lamb. <i>Rev.</i> 14.9, 10, 11, 16. 2. 19, 20 15. 1, 2, 3, 4.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 111]</p>
<p>If this, <i>Revelation </i>13. should be proved applicable
to our present SLAVE-KEEPERS, what will they do, my Soul is concerned for ’em
on the Truth’s Account.</p>
<p><i> Verse 1. </i>AND I <i>stood upon the Sand of</i> <i>the
Sea</i>, by the side of the Water, which are People, <i>and saw a Beast</i>,
the beastly Nature, <i>rise out of the Sea</i>, or People, <i>having many
Horns, </i>and Crowns, Heads, very Glorious, with <i>the Name of Blasphemy, </i>the
beastly Nature, Blasphemies against the Divine Nature, upon his Heads, a top of
all, he is not ashamed it’s like but glories in it.</p>
<p><i> Ver.</i> 2. <i>And the Beast that I saw was like a
Leopard, </i>full of Spots, causes me to think of the first of <i>Isaiah; feet
like a Bear, </i>to tear and rent, <i>Mouth like a Lyon,</i> roar against all
that oppose ’em; and the furious Dragon gave the nasty Beast <i>his Power and
his Seat, </i>his Chair to sit in as Chief Judge, and <i>great Authority, </i>to
rule over almost all the Congregation in <i>America.</i></p>
<p><i> Ver.3. And I saw as it were one of his Heads
wounded to Death, </i>some part of the beastly Nature subdued, <i>and the dead-</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 112]</p>
<p><i>wound was healed, </i>he got over his Convictions by
Custom and Covetousness, and being a little wiser than some others, in the
Wisdom that is from below, he could Preach so excellently as if he could almost
make Slave-Keeping agreeable, with the Purity and Holiness of the Gospel of
Christ Jesus, our Lord, and all the World in the fallen Nature wondered after
the Beast.</p>
<p><i> Ver.4. And they worshiped the Dragon, </i>and the
Beast, he being very terrible to some, <i>if not for Love, for Fear, </i>as I
have heard some <i>Indians do the Devil, saying who is like unto the Beast; who
is able to make War with him, </i>that is so strong and reigns long.</p>
<p><i> Ver.5. And there was given him a Mouth, speaking
great Things, and Blasphemies, </i>to be sure or else it would not do, <i>and
Power was given to continue </i>42 <i>Months; </i>but these has been longer,
counting a Year for a Month: O faith my Soul if it were the Will of God
Almighty that it might soon come to an End.</p>
<h1> Ver.6. And he opened his Mouth in Blasphemy against God, <span
style='font-style:normal'>to be sure, because God’s ways and doings are Equity,
pure, just and true; his ways Iniquity, filthy, unjust, a Lye; </span>and he
Blasphemed </h1>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 113]</p>
<p><i>his Name </i>and his Tabernacle, and them that dwelt in
Heaven; the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and in Men, and they that dwell with
God in a pure Heart, they dwell in Heaven, and have fellowship with the Father,
and with the Son, and with Saints, and Angels, and they know him that is <i>true
and are in him that is true. Hebrews. 12.22, 23, 24.</i></p>
<p><i> Ver.7. The Dragon, Beast, Whore, & false
Prophet </i>don’t like this Doctrine, <i>and it was given him to make War with
the Saints, and to overcome them, </i>for a time, or else how came so many
worthy Friends to be disowned publickly, and more, many more privately and
subtilly insinuated against, for no other Reason that I can find, but for
declaring against the vilest practice that ever the Beast brought into the
Church of Christ, in these Countries, Slave-Keeping; <i>and power was given him
over all </i>Nations<i>, </i>no doubt.</p>
<p><i> Ver.8. And all that dwell in the </i>earthly Nature
unredeem’d, <i>shall Worship him</i>, <i>whole Names</i> <i>are not written in
the Book of Life, of the Lamb, slain from the Foundation of the World.</i></p>
<p><i> Ver.9. If any Man have an Ear, let him hear.</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 114]</p>
<p> Ver.10. <i>He that leadeth into Captivity, shall go
into Captivity: </i>What does my dear Friends think of this, whose Salvation I
desire, as my own Soul; <i>he that killeth with the Sword must be killed with
the Sword; </i>do not we kill, when we receive the Plunder and send the
Villains for more, who are too forward of themselves; Dear Friends, bear with
me, are we not worse than they? We appear very Religious and Demure, Preaching
against Iniquity and Vice; they appear to be what they are, the worst of
Villains, the worst of Robbers and Murtherers.</p>
<p><i> Ver.11. And I beheld another Beast coming up out of
the Earth, and he had two Horns like a Lamb, </i>very demure seemingly. But
soon angry, <i>and he spoke as a Dragon, </i>if he was contradicted, like the
Craftsmen at <i>Ephesus. </i></p>
<p><i> Ver.12. And he exerciseth all the the Power of the
first Beast before him, and causeth the Earth, and them that dwell therein, </i>earthly
minded Souls <i>to worship the first Beast, whole deadly wound was healed, </i>got
over the Reproofs of Instruction, which is the way to Life, so came again <i>to
worship the Beast’s </i>Image. O sorrowful indeed it is, for many tender Souls
to think of.</p>
<h1> </h1>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 115]</p>
<p><i> Ver.13. And doth great wonders, so that he maketh
Fire seem to come down from Heaven on the Earth, in sight of </i>earthly minded <i>Men, </i>as if the Fire, Light and Life of the living Word, which was and is
God, was with them in their Ministry, in our Meetings.</p>
<p><i> Ver.14. And deceiveth them that dwell on, </i>or in <i>the Earth; </i>Beast do Miracles, it may seem so to the Beastly minded, the
second demure Beast with his two Horns like a Lamb, would have <i>an Image made
to the </i>first<i> Beast, which had a wound by a Sword, </i>the Word of God,
but got over it and did live, the Life of the Beast again. <i>Let them that
read understand. </i></p>
<p><i> Ver.15. And he had Power to give Life to the Image
of the Beast, </i>it may seem so to the fallen Nature, <i>that the Image of the
Beast, should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the Image
of the Beast, should be slain or killed; </i>turn him out, Persecutor of the
Church, a sower of discord among Brethren, <i>will he not worship the Image of
the Beast.</i> I fear greatly, we have too many such Images in our Meetings, or
Devilish Covetousness in the Stealers and else I am mistaken; O that I were. <i>Eph.
4. 14.</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p> [page 116]</p>
<p><i> Ver.16. And causeth all, both small and great, Rich
and Poor, Bond and Free, </i>spares none, <i>to receive a Mark in their right
Hand, or in their Foreheads, </i>that he may know his own, and not join with
the Lamb, his Enemy; the Holy Lamb won’t receive them into his Fold, that has
the Beast Mark; pray my dear Friends, what is more, or so much the Beast Mark,
as Slave-Keeping.</p>
<p><i> Ver.17. And that no Man might buy or sell, </i>save <i>be that had the Mark, or the Name of the Beast, or the Number of his Name: </i>Is
it not so now in our Church Discipline? How many has been opposed in Meetings
of Business, which could not receive the Beast Mark, in buying & selling
Slaves and Souls of Men, the very worst part of the Idolatry; the grand old
Whore’s or Merchandize.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"> Ver.18. Here is Wisdom. Let him that hath
understanding, count the Number of the Beast; for it is the Number of a Man,
and his Number is Six Hundred three score and fix; <span style='font-style:
normal'>about the Age of some old Men, so many Months, all pointing to the
Beastly Nature in Man, as I humbly conceive, or the Wisdom that is from below,
which the Man of God calls earthly devilish; some Men now, as well as </span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 117]</p>
<p>of old, know nothing but what they know naturally as bruit
Beasts.</p>
<p> Well my dear Friends, I hope, and know better Things of
many of you, & Things which accompany Salvation tho’ I thus write, and
sincerely with it might be so with all. <i>Rev. </i>14. 9, 10. They that
worship the Beast, or his Image, or receive his Mark, must be so tormented.</p>
<p><i>Abington, </i>the <i>5<sup>th</sup> </i>of the <i>7<sup>th</sup> Mo. 1736.</i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2">IT was well said of one, <i>Where the Truth of God
suffers, there Unity is Schism, Church </i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'><i>Government is
Tyranny, and the Church is Rout.</i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2"><i> Psal</i>. <i>133. </i>A glorious and precious
thing indeed, is true Unity; but I know no stronger </p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'>Bulwark the Devil has
against it, in the Church of Christ, than Slave-Keeping, and all the train of
abominable Filthiness, which does and will attend it, and is inseparable from
it (especially in Ministers) who by their foul Example have lead (I suppose)
many Hundreds, if not Thousands into the Snare, and will many, yea very many
more, if there is not some more effectual and speedy care taken to prevent,
withstand and suppress so potent and Enemy as it is, both in</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'>Church and State; what </p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'>[page 118]</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'>I pray and beseech
you, my dear Friends, whose Love and Unity in the Gospel Fellowship, which is
sweet and precious, pure and peaceable, easy to be intreated; this I say is
what I desire more than all the World, or a Thousand Lives, let People say what
they please of me or my Proceedings, for the Truth’s sake, and all my fellow
Creatures present and eternal Welfare, my witness is in Heaven, and in many of
my Truth’s dear Friends whose Unity is precious to me and sometimes overcoming,
in the pure precious Life of the Lamb; what, I say, will become of the
innumerable Off-spring that is coming up, if all should have Slaves to do their
Work within Doors and without, as many has, they might or may perish for want
of Business, to get a Piece of Bread or a Coat to put on, in the next
Generation, and so on without end. O hard Lot! I have been often asked what
shall we do? If it is so hard now, what will you do when they are more
increased, for they grow on us, as in other Places.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'> <i>Isa</i>. 3.
8, 9, 16. <i>Ezek</i>. 22.12, 13 to the end. 25. 26, 27, 28, 29.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left" style='text-align:left'><i> Hebr</i>. 13.
1, 2, 3. Some entertain Strangers, Slaves, not very much like Angels, but after
an Hellish manner;</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 119]</p>
<p>how does our Demure Slave-Keepers <i>remember them, that are
in Bonds as bound with ‘em, </i>except as Slaves are bound to them, so they to
the Devil, and stronger, for as Death loosens one, it fastens the other in
eternal Torments if not repented and forsaken.</p>
<p><i> 2 Peter. </i>I.5,<i> to</i>10. But he that lacketh
these things is blind, and cannot see a far off; what will become of Posterity,
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old Sins, and yet continues
Preaching with great Demurity; O where is these Peoples Love, for they have
cast down many wounded, and drawn many into the Snare by their bad Example,
& twisting and straining Scripture, and all to cover their Sin.</p>
<p> Well my dear Friends, I can truly say with great
Sincerity, I write these things, not to offend, but to inform, caution, and
advise them that are concerned, to pray to the Lord for Wisdom and Strength of
faith, to quit their Hands of them before it is too late; a Day of Vengeance
will come.</p>
<p> We are apt to blame Pyrates for Stealing some of our
Goods and Merchandize, and it may be they have many of them been brought up and
instructed in that,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 120]</p>
<p>that is a hundred times worse, that cursed <i>Guinea </i>Trade.</p>
<p> O! O! That my Soul could find some relief, for the
distress that is hath been in, for 17 Years and more at times, on this sad
Account; but if Friends will not hear, O believe me, mine Eyes shall weep sore
in Secret. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> Because the Lord’s Camp is in Captivity; for they that
keep Captives, are in Captivity and Bondage, and brings many of their Friends,
Male and Female into Bondage, because of their Sin, and continuing in it.</p>
<p> Your Fathers have built a Wall of Iniquity, and you are
daubing it with untempered Mortar, in Keeping Slaves & pleading for it; O
vile and shameless practice, which we ought to be separated from, especially
Ministers and Elders, whose example is ten times worse than others; <i>such
worthy Friends as them! Sure I may as well as he? </i>Says the unthinking
covetous Atheist, and may be some sober minded amongst all professions. So here
the Leprosy spreads, and it spreads more and more; but dear Friends what shall
we do in the end thereof, for my dear Friends, I think it is easy to prove that
there is as great dispropor-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 121]</p>
<p>tion between Slave-Keeping, take it root and branch, and all
the sad Fruit it brings forth, as there is between Light and Darkness, Christ
& Belial.</p>
<p> 2 <i>Cor. 6. Chap. </i>Read in the fear and love of
God, our Saviour.</p>
<p><i>Ezek. </i>13. 10, to the end.
One Built a wall the others daub it, wresting, and as a Nose of Wax, perverting
Scripture, to justice, excuse or connive at Keeping Slaves; here’s Work for
Minister!</p>
<p><i> Rev. </i>13. I, to II. <i>The Beast that came up out
of the Earth with two Horns like a Lamb, </i>very demure, speaks like a Dragon,
if it’s opposed; so does our Slave-Keeping Ministers, to my certain knowledge;
they cry out sadly against <i>R. Sandiford’s Mystery of Iniquity, </i>which he
writ in the fear of God, and his Fellow Creatures, which has kept many out of
the Damned Snare; he that doubteth is damned, what is not of Faith is Sin.</p>
<p> <i>Gen. </i>49. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.</p>
<p> <i>Gen. </i>13. 7, 8, 9. <i> And </i>Abrahim <i>said
unto </i>Lot, <i>Let there be no strife between me and thee, [I pray thee, for
we be Brethren, depart I pray thee from me; if thou wilt take the left Hand,
then will I go to the</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 122]</p>
<p>right; or if thou go to the right, then will I go to, or
take the left.</p>
<p> <i>Lev.</i> <i>22.</i> 1, 2, 3. <i>Numb. 6. 1, </i>to
3 16. 20, to 26. 1 <i>Kings . </i>8.53. <i>Ezek. </i>6. 10, 11, 12, 13. <i>Exodus. </i>33. 15, 16.</p>
<p> How can we expect the Holy presence of our God to go
with us, if we keep our Fellow Creatures in everlasting Bondage, them and their
Wives and Children.</p>
<p><i> Ezra. </i>9.1, to the end. Much to the to the
purpose. <i>Nebem. </i>13. 3. 2 <i>Car. </i>6. 15, to the end. <i>Gal. </i>2.
11, 12, 13.<i> </i> Many eminent Persons have been carried away with
Slave-Keeping--Preachers bad example and foul Doctrine, and many more will I
fear be so; O the Ministry, the Ministry is corrupted.</p>
<p> J<i>ob. </i>3. 1, to the end. If <i>Job </i>complained
so heavily, well may our poor Slaves, and their Posterity. Some Friends has
argued, <i>when a People were grown very wicked, the Almighty was pleased to give
them up, or suffer ‘em to be brought into Captivity, Bondage or Slavery, as he
did own People and others: </i>Well & what if it is so now, shall we join
with the <i>Heathen </i>in Covetousness, to be as the Rod of his wrath; but I
pray what be-<br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
<i> </i>[page 123]</p>
<p>comes of all Rods when they are done with? burned, or some
way destroyed; it may be well for us to consider it may be our own lot, sooner
than we are aware.</p>
<p><i> Isa. </i>62. 1, to the end. This Chapter likewise is
very excellent if read with an inlighted mind, and that is the first thing to
be prayed for, in order to a right understanding of what we read.</p>
<p><i> James. </i> 4. 1, to 6. Then we shall know that War
and Fighting, Killing and Stealing and receiving Slaves, and Souls of Men,
cometh of our Lusts, which warreth in our Members, against the pure Holy Spirit
of God in our Hearts.</p>
<p><i> Phil. </i>3. 18. O my beloved Friends, can a
Minister of the Gospel, of Jesus Christ, which is the Power of God, keep Slaves
and not be an Enemy to the Holy Cross of Christ; my Friends, I can freely call
you, that are born again, and truly fear God, and love his pure Truth more than
all, of what Nation or Profession soever you are, you I do believe abhor this
vile practice, much more to be found in it.</p>
<p> Dear Friends, I have been for many</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 124]</p>
<p>Years, almost 20 before I ever saw <i>Pennsylvania, </i>closely
exercised<i>, </i>and sorely oppressed</p>
<p>with a false and forward Ministry, where Slave-Keeping is
not permitted by Law, and has been I firmly believe a great means of bringing
in and spreading the Apostacy, and so continues to do, by some that pretend to
preach freely, as well or ill as by the barefaced Hirelings of our time, who
cannot deny but that they make a trade of Preaching for their Bellies, but
gross Apostacy by the way.</p>
<p> I have had it in my mind for a considerable time, to
write something concerning a false Anti-Christian Ministry, and true Christian
Ministry, fitted and sent forth by the Spirit of Truth itself, in this our day,
with the Epistles of many worthy Men, of several persuasions, on that Subject;
but fearing it will swell this Volume too large; it is thought best to be
reserved for another Impression, with something concerning the Kingdom, of
Heaven, or Heavenly Kingdom, what it is, and where it is to be found, with the
most ready, sure and certain way to attain it, plainly described; for the sake
of the sincere in heart, who are traveling toward <i>Sion</i>, with their Faces</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 125]</p>
<p>thiterward, of all persuasions, whose present and eternal
welfare, I wish and desire for, as for my own Soul, of all Colours and
Countries. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> As no Man or Men can set forth in Words spoken or
written, the great good, service, comfort, joy, strength & consolation, a
true Ministry sent from God has been, and is of, for the building up of the
true Church in God, in their most Holy Faith:</p>
<p> So no Men or Angels, nor all the Men in the World can
declare to the full, the great evil, that a false Ministry, sent from the
Devil, has been, and is of, for the Building up of the false Church in their
sinful, and unholy Faith and Practice.</p>
<p> I had it also much in my mind to write something
concerning the Lives of the Primitive Christians, mentioned by <i>William Penn,</i> in his <i>No Cross No Crown, </i> and <i>Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History,
Thomas a Kempis’s Christian Pattern, Michael de Molinus’s Spiritual Guide,</i> a Book called <i>The Apostolick Fathers, </i>and some of the best of the
Philosophers and others, which I have by me, which might be of Service, to them
that live single Lives es-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 126]</p>
<p>pecially; but it must be left till another time.</p>
<p> O the strict Rules of Temperance that was amongst those <i>Quakers </i>in <i>Old-England! </i>what Persecution then was <i>by </i>Plundering,
Robbing, and ruining of Families? What Whipping and Imprisoning, many Hundreds
at a time, some suffocated to Death, some imprisoned during Life, some
Banished, and other ways Tortured.</p>
<p> Then about the same in <i>N. England,</i> how many of
our first dear and true Friends, called <i>Quakers,</i> suffered there by
plundering and ruining of Families, Whipping and Banishing almost continually,
with cutting of Ears, and Hanging there was in that Day, for the sake of the
Testimony of or for the pure Holy unchangeable Truth, and of good Conscience,
against all Iniquity, Cruelty, Bloodshed and Inhumanity, which was acted there,
by them that had fled from <i>Old-England</i> to save their Backs and their
Purses, according to the Account in a Book writ by <i>George Bishop,</i> called <i>New-England Judged.</i></p>
<p> Much more might be writ concerning these and such like
things, which might fill many large Volumes in Folio. But this</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 127]</p>
<p>is not like Slave-Keeping; for those were dispatched or set
at Liberty, and some crime or cause pretended; but these for no fault, so much
as pretended, but only Devilish Covetousness in the Stealers and Receivers, and
then by a lingering Martyrdom from one twenty Years to another, some above
Ground and some under Ground in Caves & Dens or Mines, are Murthered by
Working hard, and Starving, Whipping, Racking, Hanging, Burning, Scalding,
Roasting, and other Hellish Torments, very sorrowful to consider. O when will
there be an end of these Things, seeing it now going on with main strength by
almost all Parties, as well as by some of those that pretend to the most strict
self-denying Doctrine in the World, that is so full of Mercy, Compassion,
Forgiveness to the very worst of Enemies, Tenderness, Meekness, Mildness,
Sweetness of love, and Pity to all Creatures of all kinds; <i>the merciful Man
is merciful to his Beast, </i>and yet some of these Pretenders to this Purity
can join with these Men-Killers and Stealers for Gain, which is hard to write,
but it is True.</p>
<p> But yet I do know there is a faithful Remnant amongst
the People called</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 128]</p>
<p><i>Quakers,</i> in <i>America</i>, that are zealous against
this and all other Iniquity, to whom my Soul is nearly united in Spirit,
blessed be the Lord my God, for so great a favour for evermore. And I believe
some of other Professions also, whom I dearly love; and I have some Hope the
Number of all Sorts, that truly fear God and Love his Truth at Heart, will
increase, which I should rejoice to hear and see, although Things seem to look
dark at present. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p><i>Abington, the 3d of the 3d Mo. 1736, between 3 and 4 this
Morning.</i></p>
<p> IT was again revived in my Mind, the Practice of
Slave-keeping, and thus to query.</p>
<p> Whether it is not as wicked and sinful a Practice to
keep and trade in Slaves, as to commit the following Evils and filthy
Abominations, which are now in Custom I suppose by Jew and Gentile, to whom
our brave Slavekeepers allude, <i>Abraham</i> and the Law. That is to say,
Keeping many Wives and Harlots or Concubines, going to and making use of
Harlots when they please, and Mankind too; and many other Things mentioned in
the Old Testament, and other Histories, and by <i>Peter Charron</i> in his Book
of Wisdom, page 324.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 129]</p>
<p> <i>The 15<sup>th</sup> of the 1<sup>st</sup> month,
1736, 7.</i></p>
<p> <i> JOHN MILTON </i>wrote a Treatise concerning <i>the
likeliest Means to remove Hirelings out of the Church, </i>which I gave to King <i>George</i> the I. and to the present King and Queen, that they might see
what a Company of destructive Vermin they had about them. And I think there is
as much need now to keep such as are of the same Spirit<i> </i>out of the
Church, or it is in great Danger in the Opinion of some seeing worthy Friends,
who can see beyond Profession, Formality or worldly Interest.</p>
<p> That Spirit has something in view; the good of the
Belly, a rich Wife or Husband, carrying on a good Trade, or to be exalted, and
to get or keep up a strong Party for some </p>
<p>Design, base enough; and under this Cloak of Deceit, accuse
others of seeking a Party. Now when this Spirit goes forth with Authority from
the outward Church, then our Meetings are or may be sure to be grievously
pestered, with noise if not nonsense. It seems as if some of our Ministers (I
was going to say many) have forgot the great Benefit of Silent Meetings, if
ever they rightly knew it, that they are so restless in them, and must</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 130]</p>
<p>be hammering & hammering. The Noise of the Workman’s
Tool was not to be heard in Building the outward Temple, and much less the
inward, which is the Work of God himself. Oh that the Lord would be pleased to
put a Hook into the Nose of this Leviathan!</p>
<p> But if the Words be never so found and orthodox,
without Life they are but as Chaff; and what is the Chaff to the Wheat? why
truly, Friends, you know the Chaff is for the Beasts; but the blessed Wheat,
with which our heavenly Father feeds his Babes; is for the Children of the Kingdom,
New Jerusalem, the Church of the living God, his House.</p>
<p> But what said blessed <i>Jesus</i> to them that went or
go without him; <i>He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth
not with me, scattereth abroad.</i> Let his or her Words be ever so excellent,
as if he had said.</p>
<p>Many worthy Friends have been
burthened with this scattering Spirit for many Years, especially its profaning
if not blaspheming the sacred Name in Prayer.</p>
<p> When our Meetings on First-Days or others, are a little
settled in Silence, and the children in the Kingdom in their heavenly Places,
and their Father begins to feed</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 131]</p>
<p>them, up stands may be a crackt Trumpet, with an uncertain
Sound; or peradventure an old broken Cistern, with a little thick muddy
stinking Water at bottom, kept in for the Meeting, and there thrown out among
the Children, when in Truth it is hardly fit for Swine, nay, I think I may
venture to say, the very Swine do not like it, it is so bad. Now if such filthy
Stuff be countenanced encouraged and commended by our Elders and Ministers,
some of them, what Condition is the Church in, which should be without Spot or
Wrinkle? I leave it to the Wife in Heart to judge, to such Ministers and Elders
as rule well and are worthy of double Honour. So says <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> <i>Abington, between </i>II <i>and </i>12, <i>after a
good Meeting at Oxford, where was </i>6 <i>Males and </i>4 contra.</p>
<p> <i>Dear Friends,</i></p>
<p>I remember about 40 years ago I kept my elder Brother’s
Sheep, and the pretty Lambs and their Dams would be quietly sweetly and
prettily feeding together, a very beautiful and comely Sight to see. But if a
Stranger, my friends, the Stranger, came near with his Dog, (the Dog sucks the
Blood which is the</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 132]</p>
<p>Life of the Sheep) and if this dog fell a barking yawling or
howling, among the Sheep and the pretty pretty dear Lambs, immediately they
leave their Feeding, and run for their dear Lives; so they, would be scatter’d,
and scatter’d, altho’ there was or might be a great Flock of them together.
Sometimes, I must confess, I have been a little careless and sleepy like some
other Shepherds, and then the Sheep would go wandring about over Hedge and
Ditch, and get into my Neighbour’s Corn, and do Mischief; and then it was very
hard for me to get them out of the Corn and into order again. Sometimes it
would cost me many Tears before I could get them in to order again. Sometimes
if the Sheep and Lambs were not gathered before Night, in the Night in the Dark
the Dog would come and bite many of them, and suck their Blood, and some he
would kill; so then that would be a Grief to the Owner, and a Reproach to the
Shepherd.</p>
<p> So, my very dear Friends, you that are the right true
Shepherds, that love the Sheep more than all things in this World, you can very
easily make an Application, for it is your Life and Delight to take Care of
your Father’s Sheep, and his</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 133]</p>
<p>Lambs, especially, and are grieved when the Dog, the Dog,
the Bloodsucker, does but bark, and hinder them from Feeding. I know what I
write, blessed be the Name of the good and great Shepherd, for evermore, who
laid down his Life for his Sheep and Lambs.</p>
<p> My dear faithful Friends, you are much esteemed by me,
and your Unity in the Father in his Kingdom, which is his Church, is much more
defined by me than all things in this World, I can truly say. It has been much
in my Mind for a considerable time, to lay before you my Concern for having
some of our ancient worthy Friends Epistles of Warning, Reproof, Caution, and
Advice to Ministers, collected and reprinted; apprehending it may be of some
Service to have a Collection of such as I have mentioned, or such as you shall
think will be of most Service; I earnestly desire and entreat to have your
Advice and Counsel; for I know right well that in the multitude of Counsel
there is Safety, especially with them dear Friends that know the Truth and are
faithful; these are the best Counsellors in the whole World. I am your Bother
and Friend in the blessed Truth. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 134]</p>
<p><i> Abington, the </i>18<i><sup>th</sup> of the 2d
month, about 6 or 7 at night.</i></p>
<p><i> Dear Friends,</i></p>
<p>AS I was at work in the Garden,
it came into my Mind, that many of our Preachers would or did make Preaching so
common, that many of our young People, and old ones too, did not much matter
it; nay I believe many, yea very many, loath it; it is fulsome and burthensome
to them, instead of edifying and strengthening; by reason of many, I fear very
many, going and running in their own Will and Times; which brings a very great
Exercise, and many heavy Burthens upon some tender dear young Ministers, and
others, which are rightly concerned, which cannot receive their chaffy
Doctrine, but are almost choaked with it, as well they may, for it is very
killing to sit under their dead dry noisy dark dreaming in-and-out Harangues,
with <i>Death in the Pot, </i>2 <i>Kings </i>4. 39, 40<i>. </i>which brings
Death and <i>Darkness </i>over our Meetings, such as <i>may be felt,</i> something like that in <i>Egypt, Ex. </i>10. 21. where the Tongue of<i> the
Dogs, Phil. </i>3. 2. was heard, the <i>Voice of the Stranger, John </i>10.5.
which <i>darkens Counsel with or by Words without Knowledge, Job </i>38. 2.
being <br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
[page 135]</p>
<p>alienated from the Life of God, indeed, through the
Ignorance that is in them, because of the Blindness of their Heart, <i>Eph. </i>4.18.
False Ministers are working in their Hour and Power of Darkness, <i>Luke. </i>22.
53. M<i>atth. </i>6. 23. if the Light that is in them be turn’d to Darkness, it
is very great. 2. <i> </i> <i>Pet. </i>2. 1, 2, 3, 4. such are Wells without
Water, Clouds without Rain. wandring dark Stars. 1 <i>Job. </i>1.6. ---2. 9, 10
11. he that hateth his Brother is in Darkness, and walketh in Darkness,
Darkness has blinded his Eyes. <i>Mat. </i>23. 14. some for a Pretence make
long Prayers, they shall receive the greater Damnation. Oh that the Almighty
would be pleased to cut this <i>Rahab </i>and wound this Dragon, and dry up the
Tongue of this Egyptian Sea, and put an Hook in the Nose of this Leviathan,
that plays and sports himself in the mighty Waters. The People are as Waters,
very unstable, and so are ready to receive unstable and unsound Doctrine,
although it may prove to their destruction in time, e’er they are aware, and
utter Ruin of the Church, and People or Congregation. Oh that it might be
prevented before it is too late, saith my poor Soul.</p>
<p> <i>B.L.</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 136]</p>
<p><i>Abington, the 30<sup>th</sup> of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Month, 1737.</i></p>
<p>THIS Day as I was sitting at my Door, musing about or
concerning the Miseries or Poverty of Mankind, it came into my Mind, that it
was Ignorance and Idleness, Luxury and Pride, (not Temperance, Frugality and
Industry; for <i>with Parsimony</i>, as one said, <i>a little is sufficient,
without it nothing</i>) which leads to Covetousness, and Covetousness leads to
them; the one is the Cause, and the other the Effect. Riches, then Pride.
Luxury and Pride, then Oppression and Covetousness to maintain it. </p>
<p> <i>The 1<sup>st</sup> of the 9<sup>th</sup> Month,
1737. </i></p>
<p>E<span style='font-size:10.0pt'>A</span>rly this Morning it
was given me to see, that all Slave-keepers and Traders with them for Gain,
were Apostates which pretended to be Christians; especially in Ministers it is
a double Crime, because of their bad Example to to their Flock; for all such
have the Mark of the Beast, Whore and False Prophet on them, <i>Mystery Babylon
mother of Harlots, </i>let them preach as long as they will or may. </p>
<p> Oh Israel! thy Leaders cause thee to err, by
their Lyes and their Lightness! Oh how mine Eyes have seen some of the </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 137]</p>
<p>first Rank, sit and stand and laugh, Preachers and others,
when I have been speaking of the Bondage and miserable Captivity of their poor
Slaves, in as light and airy a manner as any Boy in the Town need to do:
Persons Male and Female, eminent in the Church, Friends of Renown in their
generation and Congregation; long Custom and Covetousness having made the Sin,
altho’ so very gross, so easy and familiar to them. Some of which I do verily
believe have known the pure Presence of the divine Lord of Life and Glory, his
holy Light and blessed Truth in their Souls; yet afterwards become vain in
their Imaginations, to think Slave-keeping was lawful; so their foolish Hearts
became darkened and hardened again worse than ever. Oh that is a sorrowful
Condition, to have the greatest Mark of the Apostacy in the World, upon them,
and not to know or believe it! </p>
<p> When I say <i>All Slave-keepers Apostates, </i>I mean
them that keep innocent Men, Women and Children<i> </i>in everlasting Bondage.
As to petty Criminals, that will not or cannot make Restitution, I think, as
well as many other tender Friends and</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 138]</p>
<p>People fearing God and loving his Creation, their
Fellow-Creatures, although very wicked, that they had better be kept in
Bondage, <i>Exod. </i>22. 3. that by hard Labour they might be brought to
Repentance and Amendment of Life, in order to a happy Death, than to put them
to Death in their Sins; for in the Grave there is no Repentance; but hard
Labour and mean Living is an Antidote to Luxury and Idleness, and Captivity the
Reverse of Nature might prevent a great deal of Wickedness in the World, and
bring many unthinking Creatures to remember and prepare for their latter End
before it be too late, which I should rejoice to see. There is an excellent
passage quoted by <i>R. S. page </i>104. from <i>Thomas Moore </i>High<i> </i>Chancellor
of <i>England, </i>much to the purpose. Likewise that holy Man of God <i>G.
Fox, </i>that faithful Servant, and indefatigable Labourer in the most high
Lord’s Vineyard, who turn’d more Souls from Darkness to Light and from the
Power of Satan to the Power of God, than any one that <i>England</i> or the
Dominions thereof, has produced since the Apostles Days, I do firmly believe,
as his excellent Journal does make appear to them that can read it with the </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 139]</p>
<p>same divine Mind in which it was written, besides the
multitude of faithful Testimonies to the Divine Power that wrought all his
Works in him, and for him. While this dear Lamb <i>G. F. </i>was in <i>Darby
prison</i>, in Persecution, he was under great Suffering of Spirit, and under
the very Sense of Death, as he writes, and he writ to the Judges about putting
People to Death for stealing Cattle or Money, and small Matters, and thus it
was. </p>
<p> <i>I am moved to write unto you, to take heed of
putting Men to death for stealing Cattle or Money, &c. for the Thieves in
old time were to make Restitution, and if they had not wherewith, they were to
be sold for their Theft. Mind the Laws of God in the Scriptures and Spirit
that gave them forth, and let them be your Rule in executing Judgment, and shew
Mercy that you may receive Mercy from God the Judge of all. And take need of
Gifts and Rewards, and of Pride, for God doth forbid them, and they do blind
the Eyes of the Wise. I do not write to give Liberty to Sin, God hath forbidden
it; but that you should judge according to his Laws, and shew mercy, for be
delighteth in true Judgment and in mercy. I beseech you mind these
Things; </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 140]</p>
<p><i>and prize our time now you have it, and serve him, for he
is a consuming Fire.</i> So far G.F. and much more concerning these things,
when in Prison in persecuting Times.<i> Journal, </i>Part I. page 98. </p>
<p><i> Abington, the 2<sup>nd</sup> of the 9<sup>th</sup> month, between 2 and 3 in the morning. </i></p>
<p> THE Thing appeared very clearly as at other Times, that <i>Slave-keeping, </i>with all its Concomitants, was the worst Idol, and one of
the greatest Marks of the Apostacy, in the whole World, and the very worst Part
of the great Whore’s Merchandise, Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Whores. </p>
<p> At this Time also it is brought to my Remembrance, with
great Thankfulness to my dearest God and Father, Redeemer and Preserver, the
great Liberty that I with many Thousands more enjoy in this good Land which to
many wise & right considerate People, is much more valuable than natural
Life; especially our religious Liberty; with the Plenty of all good Things
needful for the Body, which many hundreds of Thousands have been and are
deprived of, by the above named vilest, grossest and blackest of all
Abominations. And for this black scene </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 141]</p>
<p>to be acted by them that pretend to the most pure, holy,
meek, sweet and loving Principle (to all People) in the World, is to some, yea
many tender hearted people beyond compare with any thing in the World; I say,
for these People that pretend not to preach or to pray without the sweet holy
Motion or Moving of the pure holy Spirit in their Hearts, the Unction from the
Holy One, the sweet anointing Oil, the Feeling of which doth unite the
Brethren, and was and is compared to the Oil that was poured upon Head of <i>Aaron, </i>God’s High-Priest; and ran down his Beard, so to the nethermost Skirts of
his Garment, before he was to offer an Offering on the holy Altar in the Temple
of the Lord; which outward Oil and Anointing, Priesthood, Altar, Offerings, and
Temple, were but Types and Shadows of much better Things to come, of a much
greater and more glorious heavenly and spiritual Temple, or House; for the
Glory of this latter House doth far exceed the Glory of the former, as far as
Day exceeds the Night, or Heaven exceeds the Earth, as many have come to the
Experience of, blessed be the Name of the Lord Almighty, who rules and reigns
in his Temple, in sanctified Hearts, prepared</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 142]</p>
<p>by himself, to do his Will and dwell in; Praises, Praises be
given to his pure Name, for his holy glorious and pure presence in his holy
Temple! For such Bodies and Souls are the Temple of the Holy Ghost, the holy
living God; but he or she that defiles this Temple by <i>Slave-keeping</i>, him
may God destroy, if not repented of and forsaken. Can those Favourites of
Heaven, so anointed and array’d, beyond that of <i>Aaron </i>more than Words
can express; can these sanctified and washed ones, that have been array’d with
the fine Linnen clean and white, clean and white indeed, which is the
Righteousness of Saints; can these, with the Sow that was washed, turn again to
wallow in the Mire of that Heathen Practice, S<i>lave-Keeping, </i>and worse,
all things well considered; or like the Dog, a ravenous Beast, to lick up his
Vomit, the filthiest and most unnatural Part or Sort of Excrement; and so is
the Slave-keeping Practice, I am very certain. </p>
<p> I verily believe there are some now in the Practice of
Slave-keeping, that in the Time of their first Love and tender sweet Espousal
to Christ, would have been ready to have answered if they had been asked, as
the Man did the Prophet, <i>Is</i> <i>thy Servant a Dog, that he should do such</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 143]</p>
<p><i>things? </i>and yet he did them; and so have these done,
for want of Watchfulness, being led into it by the soul Example of their
Preachers and Leaders, which have caused them to err. O Lord my good God and
sweet Saviour, be pleased to preserve me from this gross Sin, and all Evil. <i>So
be it. </i> <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p><i> Abington, the 8<sup>th</sup> of the 10<sup>th</sup> Month. </i></p>
<p> T<span style='font-size:10.5pt'>H</span>is Morning very
early it sprung again afresh and very lively in my Mind, concerning Marriages
made in the sweet Love, Fear, Wisdom and Counsel of the almighty living Lord
God and eternal Father in Heaven, if we want Riches and Honour, Pleasure and
Joy: What is comparable to those Marriages made only in the Lord, in the
Church, in Heaven, in the Temple; but few such Marriages I fear are to be found
now a Days, that are made by the Father in Heaven, which is the Truth. But abundance
of Marriages are made by Father in Hell, the Devil, which is out the Truth:
Made by the Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, and Pride of Life, and for
Covetousness to maintain them, which is all of him that is an Enemy to all
Mankind, the Devil</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 144]</p>
<p>or Satan, if we did but know it there is no worse Devil or
unclean Spirit than Self, that dwells and Rules in poor Mankind, to their
Destruction Soul and body. Self or Covetousness, says the Apostle, is the root
of all Evil; tell me my Friends and Mortals, can there be a worse Devil, or
more unclean Spirit or Root from which all Evil grows, or a worse Fountain than
that from which all our Misery flows? </p>
<p> Can there, my dear and well beloved Friends, be a
better God or Holy Spirit than that, or he that leads into all Truth, which is
Heaven itself, and so into all Peace and Joy; or a worse Devil or unholy Spirit
than that which leads into all untruth, and so into all Sorrow, Destruction and
Misery, which is Hell enough in my opinion, where the Worm never dies, and the
Fire goes not out, and Torment enough for the wickedest of Men, and greater
than I wish for the worst Enemies, but rather would pray for them, that they
would so live as to escape that Place or State of Torment. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> I have had several other things of moment for a long
time moving in mind, concerning the sweet comfortable and happy Life, Mankind
might live, in Joy </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 145]</p>
<p>and if he would follow his inward true and spiritual Guide,
which would never lead him wrong if he would strictly follow its Counsel. I say
I had many things in my Mind to write, but am a little straitned at present,
and must wait to see whether this that is done may be of any Service, or in any
measure well received by my Brethren, which are begotten and born again of the
immortal Seed and Word of God, which lives and abides forever, and is God
himself: Those thus born are his Sons and Daughters, God is their own Father,
and they his own dear Children, and his Heirs, and joined or equal Heirs with
Christ, in his and their Fathers Kingdom, which is and ever will remain an
eternal Kingdom of <span style='font-size:10.0pt'>GLORY</span> or <span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>G L O R I O U S GOVERNMENT </span>where he the Holy
One doth rule and govern, which is his Church, in his People, in his House or
his Temple, in new Jerusalem, in his Sanctuary, in his Kingdom, in himself all
one and the same eternal <span style='font-size:10.0pt'>SANCTUM SANCTORUM.</span> Christ was not ashamed to call such spiritual Souls his Brethren, which worship
God in Spirit, and in his Church which is his Kingdom, saying, <i>I will
declare thy Name unto my Brethren</i>: and after</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 146] </p>
<p>his blessed Resurrection sent forth a Woman Preacher the
very first, to declare of it, and I believe to preach freely as she had freely
receiv’d of him; <i>Go tell my Bretbren I am risen, and that I ascend to my
Father and your Father, to my God & your God. </i>O glorious Message! one
of the best that ever was, and yet sent by a Woman! The glad Tidings of great
Joy, that their Lord was alive that they thought was dead. They did not reject
the Testimony because it came by a Woman; no more than the <i>Samaritans, </i>the
Woman that <i>Jesus </i>sent from <i>Jacob’s </i>Well, as I can find; but they
went or ran to see for themselves. </p>
<p> Although I have writ thus much for Womens Preaching,
yet I would have none go before they are sent of the Lord, no more than Men;
for it is alike hateful to me, and many worthy Friends, to my certain
Knowledge. I could willingly pray to the Lord with all my Soul and Spirit, that
he would be pleased to stop the Mouths of all those Lyars, who say <i>Thus
faith the Lord, </i>when he never spake by them. Male and Female are all one in
Christ the Truth, the true Church or Congregation which is in God, and God in
his Church which is his <i> </i> </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 147]</p>
<p>Kingdom, where he rules and reigns, and is blessed for
evermore. <i> So be it. </i> B.L.</p>
<p><i> Abington, the 22<sup>nd</sup> of the 12<sup>th</sup> mo. 1737, 8.</i></p>
<p> THis Morning early, after five Days and Nights Fasting,
I was considering the many Calumnies which the World or People of the World,
has cast upon the Saints and Servants of the Living God, my very dear true and
faithful Friends in Christ, called <i>Quakers</i>, as if they kept Slaves, or
encouraged and connived at it for their Interest, Favour or Affection, or some
base sinister Ends. But it is a meer Slander, for they abhor the Practice, and
dare not touch with it, as verily believing it to be one of the grossest Sins
and Iniquities (with all Concomitants) in the whole World. </p>
<p> <i>Objection. </i>But some may and have objected in my
Hearing, that some, yea many call<i> Quakers</i>, and their Preachers, Elders
and chief Leaders & Rulers, <i>Men of Renown in the Congregation, Num. </i>16.
1, 2, 3. and of great Repute in the World, <i>John </i>15. 18, 19. yea verily
the World loves its own. <i> </i> </p>
<p><i> Answer. </i>But I answer, they were not all Israel
who were called Israel, <i>Rom</i>. 9.6, 7, 8. but some were Apostates, Va-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 148]</p>
<p>gabonds and Impostors, and they were some of the worst
Enemies, the very worst the Hebrews had, and procured their Ruin, Overthrow and
utter Destruction, as is largely set forth in the History of the Wars of the
Jews by <i>Josephus</i>, beside what is mentioned in holy Scripture plentifully
by the holy Prophets. </p>
<p> And so it was amongst the Primitive Christians, about
the Time of the Ten Persecutions, when they gat a little Ease from the Heathen
tyrants, the apostate Christians went to the same devilish Work, of murthering
and butchering the true Christians, about their Creeds, keeping of Easter, and
other Idols, and about the Clause of one Substance and two Substance, as if the
eternal Being could be divided; But especially after <i>Constantine </i>the
Roman Emperor was converted to the Christian Faith, in his Zeal he gave such
large Donations and Revenues to the Church, that it is recorded, the same Day
there was a voice heard from Heaven, crying aloud, <i>This Day is Poison poured
into the Church! </i>Which the Event soon after verified. By an ancient
Observation, <i>Religion brought forth Wealth, and the Daughter devoured the
Mother; </i>it is the very same now. So</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 149]</p>
<p>when the Bishops, Preachers and Rulers grew rich and high,
they centred in Pride, Idleness, and Fullness of Bread; then they went together
by the Ears with might and main, striving who should be greatest; then to
inventing and setting forth the old, nasty, fulsome, stinking Whore’s Trumpery
or Merchandise to Sale, Rev. 18. 13. 17. 5. and they that would not buy it, or
could not receive it, might expect to be sent out of the World by all the
Tortures that Wrath and Hell could invent, as they could prevail with Kings,
Rulers and Governors to assist them, by unrighteous Laws and Edicts. And when
the Magistrates were such Fools as to dance after their Call, they embrued
whole Nations and Kingdoms in Blood. These Things are largely set fort in <i>Eusebius’s </i>Ecclesiastical History, an excellent sweet Book it is, and I could heartily
wish all right thinking solid sober Men had one of them, especially all
Magistrates and Rulers of all Persuasions. I think I should rejoice to see it
reprinted in <i>Pennsylvania, </i>altho’ I were out some Pounds toward the
Charge of it, for the good of Mankind, notwithstanding I have one by me. If the
Folio Volume cannot be printed, there<i> </i> </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 150]</p>
<p>is an Abridgement extant by <i>William Caton, </i>which has
past several Editions, being of a small Price and soon read. I could wish
likewise, that every such Person had one of those sweet edifying Books
entituled, <i>The Spirit of Martyrs revived, </i>by <i>Ellis Hooks; </i>a cheap
Book and soon read, abridged from the three large Volumes, with Variety of
Collections from Scripture and other Books, from the Beginning of the World
till within a few Years, concerning Persecution from Scripture and other Books,
from the Beginning of the World till within few Years, concerning Persecution
and Persecutors, with curious Remarks. </p>
<p><i> Objection</i> carried a little further concerning
some that go under the Name of Quakers, keeping Slaves. </p>
<p> I answer with <i>Romans</i> ii. 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 28,
29. He is not a <i>few that is one outwardly, neither is that Circumcision
which is outward in the Flesh. But he is a few which is one inwardly, and
Circumcision is that of the Heart, in the Spirit and not in the Letter, whose
Praise is not of Men but of God. </i> Courteous and gentle Reader, please to
read the whole Chapter in the Fear and Love of God, and in the Light of Truth,<i> </i>and thou will find and feel excellent Matter in it. As in the following
Chapter likewise. </p>
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<p>[page 151]</p>
<p><i>Rev</i>. ix.10, 20, 21, 22.<i> I know the blasphemies of
them that say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the Synagogue of Satan. </i>Rev.
iii. 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17. <i>I which say they are Jews, and are not, but
do lie. </i></p>
<p><i> Philadelphia, the 25<sup>th</sup> of 12<sup>th</sup> mo. 1737, 8. </i></p>
<p> This being the ninth Day of my Fasting, having taken
nothing but a Draught of Spring Water several times a Day, and am as well in
Health as ever since I came to <i>Pennsylvania, </i>which is six Years this
Spring, it lies on my mind to say something concerning Extortion, in paying or
receiving Interest for Money, which I have been under Exercise about a
considerable Time; and I could be heartily glad that our Friends as a Society
would wholly set it aside, altho’ I have something else to live on but the
Labour of my Hands, and weakly in Body, and pretty well in Years, being near
sixty. </p>
<p><i> Abington, 30<sup>th</sup> of the 2<sup>nd</sup> month, 1738. </i></p>
<p> This Morning, as I was preparing to go to Meeting, it
was opened in me That all the nominal <i>Quakers,</i> who live </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 152]</p>
<p>in Sin, which is Hell, the Devil’s Kingdom and Government,
are of the same Spirit and as bad as other People in and of the World, and some
of them much worse. Such as have been enlightened, and are sunk into the Earth
again, are more dark and stupid than others; for Publicans and Harlots stand
more ready and willing to receive the Message of the Kingdom of Heaven, which
is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost) than they; according to
Christs Doctrine, and the Observation of the Children of God (who dwell in his
Kingdom of Righteousness, which is free from all Sin) and keeps their
Habitation in the Light. </p>
<p> For as dear <i>George Fox </i>writes<i>, Journal, Part </i> I.
page 55, 56. he saw concerning the Priests, that although they acted by a dark
Power, and stood in the Deceit, which they and the People were kept under, yet
they were not the greatest Deceivers spoken of in Scripture, for they were not
come so far as <i> Cain, Corah, Dathan, Balaam, </i>and<i> </i>others, to hear
the Voice of God, and knew it, yet these turned from the Spirit; such as these
were and would be the greatest Deceivers, far beyond the Priests. Likewise </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 153]</p>
<p>among Christians, such as could preach in Christ’s Name,
work Miracles, cast out Devils, & c. and go as far as <i>Cain, Corah and
Balaam </i>in Gospel Times; such as these were and would be the greatest
Deceivers. </p>
<p><i> Page </i>117, 118. he advises Friends, That none
appaear in Words beyond what they be in the Life that gave forth the Words,
here none shall be as the untimely Figs: Let no Image or Likeness be made, but
in the Light wait, which will bring Condemnation on that Part that would make
the Images, and speaks with the Egyptian Tongue.</p>
<p><i> Page </i>24, 225, 361. All Friends that speak
abroad, see that it be in the Life of God, for that begets to God; the Fruits
of that shall never wither; and this sows to the Spirit which is in Prison, and
of the Spirit reaps Life (to you this is the Word of the Lord God) and the
other sows in the Flesh, and of the Flesh reaps Corruption. There is that which
maketh merry over the Witness of God; and there is that which maketh merry in
the Lord. Such the Lord doth beautifie, whose Trust is in his Strength: But
such as be from the Light, whose Eyes be after their <b>ab</b>ominations and</p>
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style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 154]</p>
<p>Idols, their Eyes are to be blinded, and their beautiful
Idols and their Abominations to be destroyed, that nothing may rule and reign
but Power and Life itself. </p>
<p><i> W. Penn’s </i>Preface to G. Fox’s Journal, <i>p. </i>lvi,
1xi. his Counsel to Ministers. O feel Life in the Ministry, let Life be your
Commission, your Well-Spring & Treasury in all such occasions; it not our
Parts or Memory, or Repetitions of former Openings in our will and time that
will do God’s Work. A dry Doctrinal Ministry, however found in Words, can reach
but the Ear, and is but a Dream at the best. </p>
<p> Page 782 to 789. 885, 6, 7. of <i>W. Penn’s Works in
Folio. Vol. </i>I.. It’s the Ignorance and Idleness of the People, that gives
the Clergy and opportunity to effect their Designs, for so mean-spirited are
the People as to take all upon trust for their Souls, that would not trust or
take a Brass Shilling from an Arch-Bishop; tis prodigious to think what
Veneration the Priesthood has raised to themselves, by their usurpt Commission,
and their Clink-Clank of extraordinary Ordination; did the People examine their
Bottom, the Grounds of their Religion and Faith, it would not be in the Power
of </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 155]</p>
<p>their Leaders to cause them to err. What, doubt my
Minister! Arraign his Doctrine! Put him to proof by no means: but the
consequence of not doing of it, has been the Introduction and Formality,
(amongst the <i>Quakers, </i>as well as others) which gave just occasion for
Schism; for the Word has no hurt in itself, and implies only a Separation,
which may as well be right as wrong. </p>
<p><i> W. P. </i>mentions two Men, <i>Jacobus Acontius, </i>and <i>John Hales </i>of <i>Eaton, </i>that were of the same Mind, & does
heartily beseech his Readers to be more than ordinary intent in reading what he
cites of them, they write very much of People’s Carelessness, <i> </i>in
trusting too to much Pastors. </p>
<p> Wherefore <i>J.A. </i>says we must obey the Advice of a
Poet,</p>
<p><i><span
lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">Principiis obsta, sero Medicina paratur, </span></i></p>
<p><i><span
lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">Cum mala per longas invaluere moras. </span></i></p>
<p>Resist betimes, that Medicine
stays too long.</p>
<p>Which comes when Age has made the
grief too strong. </p>
<p> Now there is need (he says) of a double caution, <i>viz</i>.
that there be no change in the Doctrine when it is pure; and if any change be
made, that there be Notice taken of it. </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 156]</p>
<p> Now forasmuch as the profit will be very small, if some
private Man shall discover or observe that an Error is introduced, unless he
discover that said Error and lay it open; now there cannot be a more sitting
way than that in I C<i>or. </i>14. he says, and abundance more very excellent.
I could heartily wish <i> The Address to the Protestants </i>were reprinted,
for the sake of my Friends called Quakers as well as others; I believe it might
be of great Service, for I think the matter therein contained belongs to us, as
much as to any People in the World. </p>
<p><i> E. Burroughs’s Works, Fol. </i>204 to 210. 368, 9.
548, 9. To all the Children of Light every where , be careful who ye receive as
Ministers, believe not every Spirit, for Lying Spirits may arise amongst
yourselves; who are not in the Truth, but in feignedness and Hypocrisy with
false Visions and lying Imaginations, handling the Word of God deceitfully;
believe not that Spirit which ministereth to others what it hath not learned of
the Father. </p>
<p> He advises <i>p. </i>368. Be not hasty to utter Words
before the Lord, but wait for<b> </b>Power from on high. <i>P. 548, 550. </i>meet
together in the Name and fear of </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 157]</p>
<p>the Lord, and mind the Lord’s presence amongst you, mind not
Words, but mind the presence or the Lord, and feel his Power in your Hearts,
and the Words that come from the Power will refresh the Seed of God. But if any
Speak Words out of the Power, the Seed of God, will be burthened, and will
judge such Words. </p>
<p> <i>F. Howgil’s Works, Fol. </i>28, to 36. 137, to 140,
211, 369, 422, 733. To all the Seed of <i>Abrabam, who are Jews </i> indeed,
and <i>Israelites, </i>in whom is no Guile; [ no Guile, observe,] whom your
Brethren have cast out, and have been as a Dove without a Mate. <i>P. </i>137.
God is a Spirit, his Kingdom is Spiritual, his Habitation is Suitable to his
own Nature, Glorious in Holiness, Words are too short. <i>Colo. </i>1, 12, 13.
What, no other Kingdom but what you enjoy in this Life? <i>P. </i>139. Thus I know
dark Spirits reason. The Saint looked for no other Glory, but that which stood
in eternal Life, and in the Immortal Life; they were in him that is True, in
the Father, and in the Son, all one, and he in them:<span style='font-size:
10.0pt'> O HOLY UNION.</span></p>
<p><i> P. </i>736 The Faithful say in their Hearts, he is
come, and they look not after any other </p>
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<p>[page 158]</p>
<p><i> Stephen Crisp’s Works. </i>423. 6. to 441. Take heed
my dear Friends, in sitting down or holding the Truth in a bare formality: O my
dear Friends this is a dangerous State, yea more dangerous than my Tongue or
Pen can declare. </p>
<p><i> W. Bennit’s Works. P.</i>100.</p>
<p><i> P. </i>3.<i> of Cburch Government by John Milton, </i>his
Observation that Religion brought forth Wealth, and the Daughter devoured the
Mother. </p>
<p><i> W. Edmunson’s Journal. </i>15. 279. 306. to 311. And
sometimes the Lord’s Power and Sprit would move in me to speak a few Words in
Meetings, which I did in Fear, being under a great concern less a wrong Spirit
should get entrance and deceive me, in the likeness of an Angel of Light, for I
was sensible of my own Weakness. </p>
<p><i> P. </i>279. A Letter of Examination to all, who have
assumed the place of Shepherds of People of all Sorts in Christendom, to see it
your Accounts be ready, and what order our Flocks be in, Quakers and others. </p>
<p><i> W. Edmunson’s Journal. </i>306. 7. to 311.
Concerning Offerings that are offered to God, in Prayer and Supplication; the
offerings that are acceptable</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 159]</p>
<p>to God, must be offered in righteousness and with clean
Heart and Lips, for the Lord is pure and holy, and will be sanctified of all
that come near him, and is a consuming Fire, who consumed <i>Nadab </i>and <i>Abihu, </i>that offered strange Fire, though they were of the high Priests Line. </p>
<p><i> Charles Marshal’s Works. p. </i>100. 222. For the
outward Conformity may in a great measure be kept to, which is cover under
which the Enemy may work undiscovered by unwatchful. </p>
<p><i> Thomas Elwood’s Life. </i>15. 367. to 386. He
writes excellently concerning the Wiles of the Enemy transforming himself into
the likeness of an Angel of Light and deceiving of him, when he was young and
tender, put him upon Religious Performances; suppose appearing in Meetings, in
his own Will, Time and Strength, (as too many now adays does in our Meetings,
or else many worthy Friends are mistaken.) </p>
<p><i> Richard Habberthorn’s Works. p. </i>45, 6, 7,
Receive nothing but that which speaks from the eternal moving of the living
God; have Salt in yourselves to savour withal Words, you may discern which is
without Life and Power, and <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 160]</p>
<p>stand single in that which is Pure of God, all such deny to
be your Teachers, which have the Words of Truth, but live not in the Life and
Power of what they say. </p>
<p><i> Roger Haydock’s Works. p. </i>1. 162. Be watchful in
your Meetings, Friends, the seed which God hath sown is good, but if you sleep
the Enemy will sow Tares, which will grow up with it choak it, so the Ground
that affords them Nourishment will be cursed; this is the Word of Truth unto
you. </p>
<p><i> John Burnet’s Works. p. </i>141, 2. He that
continues to the end shall be saved, and he that is faithful unto Death shall
have the Crown of Life and therefore let a concern be always upon your minds in
this weighty matter, that you may see how it is with you. </p>
<p><i> John Crook’s Works. p. </i>17. 258. An excellent Piece
concerning Truth’s Progress. </p>
<p> <i>Thomas Beven’s Works</i>. <i>p</i>. 74. to 90. For
all Prayer by or in which the Divine Spirit is not felt to lead and influence
the Soul, whether it be in Publick or Private, is of no availance in the fight
of God. </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 161]</p>
<p> I find upon the Margin of the old Bible, printed about
the Year 1599, this Note, viz. <i>When the Mind thinketh nothing, when the Soul
coveteth nothing, and when the Body acteth nothing contrary to the Will of God,
this (saith the Note) is perfect Sanctification. </i>1 Thess. 5. 23. Coll. 2.
10. 1 Joh. 2. 5. 4. 12. </p>
<p><i> Forbidden Fruit or Tree of Knowledge, writ by August
Eleutherius. p. 68. </i>We read Wisdom is Foolishness with God, which From of
Speech we steal from <i>Paul, </i>and babble of it, when indeed we neither know
our own, nor <i>Paul’s </i>meaning touching it; no Man renounces his own
Wisdom; this forsooth Man thinks is spoken of <i>Turks and Infidels, </i>hence
it comes a pass that Man is deceived in himself. </p>
<p> Page 93, 4. I. What is the Beast of which <i>Daniel </i>writeth,
which speaketh against the Highest, and slayth the Saints of God? </p>
<p> II. What is the Serpent which deceived <i>Adam </i>and<i> Eve?</i></p>
<p> III.<i> </i>What is the Tree of whom <i>Daniel</i> and <i>Paul </i>speaketh. I <i>Thessal. </i>2. </p>
<p> Iv. What is that impudent King of Anti-Christ of whom<i> Daniel</i> and <i>Paul</i> speaketh.</p>
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<p>[page 162] </p>
<p> V. What is that many headed Monster, mentioned in the <i>Apocalyps, </i>whom the whole World doth worship. </p>
<p> VI. What is Sin? What is Death? What is the Devil? </p>
<p> I answer, it is every Man’s own carnal Wit and Reason,
Righteousness and the like, for which cause <i>Paul </i> calleth it Death,
Enmity and Foolishness unto God, and <i>James </i>calleth it Earthly, Human and
Devilish, because these three are one, for the Devil, Man, Adam and the Serpent
are sworn Brethren, yea Brethren, yea both one.” Much more has this worthy Man
writ very excellently, as <i>p. </i>166, to the End of Book. </p>
<p> It is given me at this time thus to write concerning
Faith.</p>
<p> All the Books, Bibles, and Men in the World, cannot
give one Man Faith in the Holy Ghost, or God, which is one; but the least Touch
of the Holy Ghost can give any Man Faith in God in the Scriptures which
testifie of him, that has well read them. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p><i> The Spiritual Guide, which disentangles the Soul,
and brings it by the inward to the getting of perfect Contempla-</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page163]</p>
<p><i>tion and the rich</i> <i>Treasure of Internal Peace, </i>Written
by Dr. <i>Michael de Mohmus, </i>Priest; I could heartily with every distressed
Soul in <i>America, </i>or elsewhere had one of them.</p>
<p> <i>P. </i>172. Concerning Ministers, he writes, those
that Preach with Zeal and Sincerity, preach for God; those that preach for
themselves, feeding their Hearers with the hurtful Subtilties, giving ‘em
Stones instead of Bread, Leaves instead of Fruit, and unsavory Earth mix’d with
Poisoned Honey instead of Food; these are they hunt after Honour, raising up an
Idol of Reputation and Applause, instead of seeking God’s Glory and spiritual
Edification of Men.</p>
<p><i> P. </i>175. The Study that is not ordered for God’s
Glory only, is but a short way to Hell, not through the Study but the Wind of
Pride that begets it.</p>
<p> <i>P. </i>189. His mournful exclamation, O! Divine
Majesty, in whole presence the Pillars of Heaven do quake and tremble; O thou
goodness more than Infinite, in whose Love the Seraphims burn, give me leave O
Lord to lament our Blindness and Ingratitude; we all live in Mistakes, seeking
the foolish World, and forsaking Thee who art our God,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page164] </p>
<p>we all forsake thee, thou Fountain of living Waters, for the
stinking Dirt of this World.</p>
<p> <i>The Christian Pattern,</i> by <i>Thomas a Kempis,</i> concerning the Doctrine of Truth.</p>
<p> <i> P. </i>6<i>.</i> Happy is he whom Truth itself doth
Teach, not by Figures and Words that pass away, but as it is in itself. Our
senses do often deceive us. What have we to do with Genus and Species, the dry
Notions of Logicians; he to whom the eternal Word speaketh, is delivered from a
World of unnecessary Conceptions; from that one and this is the beginning which
also speaketh unto us, no Man without that (Word) understandeth or judgeth
rightly; he to whom all things are one, he who reduceth all to one, & seeth
all things in one, may enjoy a quiet mind, and remain peaceable in God: O God
who art the Truth, make me one with thee in everlasting Charity. It is tedious
to me, to read and hear many things, in thee is all that I would have and can
desire; let all Doctors hold their Peace, let all Creatures be silent in thy
sight, speak thou alone unto.</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 165]</p>
<p> <i>P. </i>115. The Truth speaketh inwardly without
noise of Words.</p>
<p><i> P.</i> 140. That the World being despised, it is a
sweet thing to serve God.</p>
<p> O if these two Books, <i>Spiritual Guide</i> and <i>Christian</i>,
were Reprinted here! but the People are asleep in their Sins, Teachers and
Hearers, in the Devil’s Bosom in Hell, and don’t know it, for their Preachers
cannot or dare not tell them, for they are Blind, Dumb, Blind, Sleepy Dumb
Dogs, they cannot Bark rightly, but they can Bite; so there is something for
all such to chaw upon, of all Congregations, as much as they please, and if
this be not enough, they may have more in time.</p>
<p> Let such read <i>Psal. </i>xxii. <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">1. 16,
17, 18. xix. 12, 16. <i>Isa</i>. i. 10, 11, 12. <i>Philip</i>. iii. 2, 3. </span><i>Beware
of Dogs.</i> <i>Rev.</i> 22.15. Men unconverted in the Nature of Dogs, and
confess they cannot cease from Sin Term of Life, yet all Sin is the Devil’s
Kingdom where he reigns, and such as these are the Teachers of the People. Oh!
What will become of us.</p>
<p> <i>Eusebius’s</i> <i>Ecclesiastical</i> <i>History</i>,
fol. P, 1, 2, to 8. 27 to 32, 273, 326. <i>Constantine’s</i> <i>Orat</i>. P.
86, 92. The Proem of <i>Eusebius</i>. Successions of the Holy </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 166] </p>
<p>Apostles, together with the Time from our Saviour unto us,
hitherto continued, I determined to publish, will I take from the Dispensation
and Divinity of our Saviour Christ, higher and deeper to be considered, than
that which concerns his Humanity, diviner than it seemeth to many termed
Christians; <i>p. </i>2<i>.</i> His Generation who can declare, the Word was
with God, and God was the Word. The Prophets also which conceived of God with
the cleansed Eyes of the Mind, have known him. The Son of God, the Word,
appeared to the Fathers before any Books were written, <i>pa</i>. 3, 6, 7,
&c. so after.</p>
<p><i> The Works of Hermes Trismegistus,</i> p. 1, 2, 3,
33, 72, to 82, 171. I, O my Son, write this first Book both for Humanity sake
and for Piety towards God: For there can be no Religion more true or just, than
to know the Things that are, and to acknowledge Thanks for all Things to him
that made them. What then should a Man do, O Father, to lead his Life well,
seeing there is nothing here true? Be pious and religious, O my Son, for he
that doth so, is the best and highest Philosopher; and without Philosophy it is
impossible ever to attain to the height </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 167]</p>
<p>and exactness of Piety or Religion. And let this, O Son, be
the End of Religion and Piety whereunto thou art once arrived, thou shalt both
live well and die blessedly, and this only, O Son, is the Way to the Truth
which our Progenitors traveled in; and thus it came to pass or happened unto
me, which I received from my Mind, that is, <i>Pimander</i>, the Lord of the
World, whereby I became inspired by God with the Truth, for which Cause with my
Soul and whole Strength I give Praise and Blessing unto God the Father. Holy is
God the Father of all Things! Holy is God, whose Will is perform’d and
accomplished by his own Powers! Holy is God, that determineth to be known, and
is known of his own, or those that are his! Holy art thou! that by thy Word
hast established all Things. Good, O <i>Asclepius</i>, is in nothing but in God
alone, or rather, God himself is the Good always. -- The Seeds of God are few,
but great and fair and good; Virtue and Temperance, and Piety, and the Piety is
the Knowledge of God, whom whosoever knoweth, being full of good Things, hath
divine Understanding, and not the many. And therefore they that have that
Knowledge, nei-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 168]</p>
<p>ther please the Multitude, nor the Multitude them; but they
seem to be mad, and move with Laughter, hated and despised, and many times also
murthered.”</p>
<p> This Book of <i>Mercurius</i> is thought to have been
written some Hundreds of Years before <i>Moses</i>. <i>J. F. </i>who writes the
Preface, says thus, <i>In this Book, tho’ so very old, is contained more true
knowledge of God and Nature, than in all the Books in the World beside, I
except only sacred Writ. And they that shall judiciously read it and rightly
understand it, may well be excused from reading of many Books, the Authors of
which pretend so much to the Knowledge of the Creator and Creation. If ever God
appeared in any Man, be appeared in him, as appears by this Book; that a Man
that had not the Benefit of his Ancestors Knowledge, being, as I said before,
the first Inventor of the Art of communicating Knowledge to Prosterity by
Writing, should be so high a Divine, and so deep a Philosopher, seems to be a
Thing more of God than of Man, and therefore it was the Opinion of some, that
he came from Heaven, not born upon Earth. There is contained in this Book, that
true Philosophy, without which it is impossible ever to attain the height and
exactness of Piety and Religion. The </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 169]</p>
<p><i>Glory and Splendor of Philosophy is an endeavouring to
understand the chief Good, as the Fountain of all Good.</i></p>
<p> I have writ the more from <i>Hermes</i>,<i> </i>because
of its Excellence and Scarcity, altho’ it’s a very small Book.</p>
<p> As to pure divine Philosophy, the Scriptures themselves
are a more excellent System of it, witness <i>Solomon </i>in the Old, and <i>Paul</i> in the New Testament; although we know not whether we have the hundredth, or
hundred thousandth part of what was written from the Beginning, yet Christ, the
Word, the <i>TRUTH,</i> was always the Instructor of good Men, to teach and
write Truth, freely, as they had freely received of him. So likewise <i>Lucifer</i>,
the Devil and Satan, always instructs bad Men to teach and write Lies, for
Gain, Glory or Applause, like unto the <i>Manichees</i> and <i>Theologasters</i> of our time, these shameless Devils, that poison the World for Gain, amongst
all People.</p>
<p> A Book called, <i>Christ Jesus owned as he is God and
Man,</i> written by <i>John Whiting, </i>concerning the Divinity, Eternity, and
Omnipotency of Christ the Word, the Truth, the true God, that made all Things,
without Beginning of</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 170]</p>
<p>Days or End of Life. <i>See page 37 to 57. </i> With many
notable Testimonies collected from the Works of many Men of Learning and
Moderation, in the <i>Church of England</i> Way, &c. in answer to wicked
caviling Priest, one <i>Edward Cockson.</i></p>
<p> <i>Robert Barclay’s Apology,</i> p. 279. concerning the
Call, Qualification, Work, and Wages of a true Gospel Minister; very notable. I
think the Book may be had at <i>B.</i> <i>Franklin’s </i>in<i> Philadelphia, </i>which
I believe might give Satisfaction to all or most impartial Readers.</p>
<p> <i>William Sewel’s History of the Quakers, </i>in
folio, p. 120, 176, 717. concerning the Call, Qualifications, &c. of the
true Ministers.</p>
<p> <i>George Fox’s Doctrinal, </i>fol. p. 23, 27, 933, to
937, 1018, 1089, concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, what it is, and where it is,
and how to be attained, by living, true, and infallible Experience, Where the
holy God reigns in Righteousness, there is his Kingdom: So where the unholy
Devil reigns in Sin, there is his Kingdom. <i>The Kingdom of God is within you, </i>said Christ to the <i>Pharisees, Luke 17. 21. </i>Christ within, in his own
Kingdom, where Truth and Righteousness is; but where Sin is within, there</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 171]</p>
<p>Satan is, Satan within, in his Kingdom. So all that live in
Sin, the Devil lives, rules and reigns in them. </p>
<p> <i>G. F’s Great Mystery, </i>p. 242, 250. concerning
the Kingdom of Heaven within. </p>
<p> <i>M. Fox’s </i>Writings, p. 220, 137, 509. To all the
professed Teachers in the whole World, who go under the Name of Christians, and
make a Profession of Christ, having a Form of Godliness, but deny or neglect
the Power. </p>
<p><i> S. Fisher’s Works, Fol. p. </i>23, 62, 775, 851, 856<i>. </i></p>
<p><i> P. </i>62.<i> </i>A Lamentation over lost Souls,
with a Word of Warning to all Kings, Princes, Parliaments, and Powers, and
People, to beware of all such Priests as uphold the Devil’s Kingdom, by
pleading contrary to the Scriptures of Truth, a Continuance of Iniquity for
Term of this Life, and a necessity of Men’s Transgressing of God’s Law, while
they live in the World, or have any abode in the Body. </p>
<p> <i>P. </i>73. Likewise the Rustick’s Alarm to the
Rabbies, or the Country correcting the University and Clergy, and not without
good cause, contesting for the Truth against the nursing Mothers & their
Children. </p>
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<p>[page 172]</p>
<p><i> Balm from Gilead, by William Smith, Fol. P. </i>108,
77, to 89, 109, 117, 139. A few Words of tender Counsel unto all Born of the
Spirit who walk in the way of Life. </p>
<p> <i>P. </i>110. A few Words concerning true Discerning
and Judgment. They that have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his, but all
that receive it, and have Unity with it, that walk not in the Flesh, but in the
Spirit, in which they see the Shapes and Forms of every Likeness and Image, and
Ground from where they do arise, and no false Birth can have an hiding Place,
but from the least to the greatest they are discovered; and the fair coverings
that any have cloathed themselves withal is seen through, and all the formed
likeness, they are all seen to be of the Flesh (in what they do profess to be
of God) and their Root and Principle is of that Part and Nature that is
earthly, from which no good thing can arise, and it brings forth a birth of its
own Nature, and though this may seem to be rash Judgment and you may call it
so, yet it will stand a Witness against all that are satisfying the Flesh, for
there is not any so hardly received as that Testimony </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 173]</p>
<p>which strikes at the Life another, and which deals plainly
and simply with all, and desires the good of all, that meets with the least
Entertainment in the Hearts of the People; but that which flatters and cries
Peace when the Bonds of Iniquity stands, that is pleasant to them that walk in
the Flesh, but that which rips ‘em up and discovers their shame they kick
against, will not receive it for Truth, for there is no Work of the Flesh that
would come under the Spirit’s Judgment; so every form and likeness would save
its own Life by putting off the Judgment, as if none could discern it; and no
false Birth would have its Nakedness appear, left it should come to same
thereby. </p>
<p> Much more has dear <i>William </i>writ touching this
matter, very excellent, and many other things relating to the Kingdom of God,
very sweetly. </p>
<p> Collected by <i>Ellis Hooks. The Spirit of the Martyrs,
Revived, in a Brief Compendious Collection of the most remarkable Passages and
living Testimonies of the true Church, Seed of God, and faithful Martyrs, in
all Ages From the Creation. </i>A little Book of great value, I could wish all
well-minded People had of them. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 174]</p>
<p><i> The Art Happiness, Meditations, the Heavenly
University, great Oracle & Mystical Marriage, by F. Rous, </i>Esq; <i>p</i>.
489. To the Right Noble the Sons of the most High, his Blessed Brethren by the
best that is the second Birth. Truly Honorable whose Father is God and whose
Inheritance is a Kingdom. The divers Sparks of Holy Fire, which issued from the
Spirit that Baptized with Fire, I have gathered together; by their United heat
to kindle a Flame where is none, or to increase it where it is already kindled;
this blessing must come from God, and therefore of God have I desired it: The
Glory of God by our Benefit, is that which I seek, desiring also to be holpen
by you both in Prayer and Exhortation, a great Lover of you and your
Peace. <i>F.R</i> </p>
<p> <i>P. </i>643, 4 , 5. 685, 735.<i> </i>In<i> </i>his<i> Heavenly</i> <i>Accademy</i>, <i>very excellent </i>Advice to Ministers indeed:
in his <i>Mystical Marriage, sweet Consulting Advice to Heaven’s New-born
Children, to the Bride the Lamb’s Wife. The Soul Seeketh a Husband and finds
him. </i></p>
<p><i> F. Rous’s Works. </i>p. 643. He that will be Taught
of God must come, or retire in, diligently to his Teacher; they shall be all
Taught of God and meet him </p>
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<p>[page 175]</p>
<p>when and where he useth to Teach, know therefore thy own
Insufficiency, yea, the insufficiency of the best Teacher in the World; for who
is sufficient for these things to teach thee inwardly except God; but that thou
mayest not be mistaken concerning the true Heavenly Teaching or the use of it,
take with thee some cautions; first do not mistake a teaching of thine own for
an Heavenly Teaching, neither set thine own Imagination in the Celestial Chair;
this hath mis-lead many into many and great Errors: Whiles being taught by the
strength of their own Imaginations, they have thought themselves to be taught
of God; and indeed many times, as Errors do thus come from the Strength of
Humane Apprehension so their Prosecution doth favour of this strength, and
shews from whence they come, for too often Opinions are headily nursed into
Schisms and Divisions as they were headily brought forth; the same Flesh, that
was the Mother being also the Nurse. </p>
<p> <i>p. </i>644. His Advice is very excellent agreeable
to the Apostles, for none to go beyond their bounds and measure of
Faith. <i>Rom. </i>12.13. </p>
<p><i> Job </i>42. 3. <i>Job </i>40. 5. 2<i>Cor </i>14. 30<i>.
Phil.</i> 3. 15, 16.</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p> [page 176] </p>
<p> <i>George Fox the Younger’s Works. P. </i>242. Dear
Friends, when you are met together to wait upon the Lord, O feel his living
Gift in yourselves in your Meetings, and at other times, whereby satisfaction
and refreshment shall be received unto the Seed Immortal. </p>
<p> So dear Hearts, let the living Measure of the eternal
Father of Life, and Power, and Wisdom be your continual stay and Habitation,
that so if any shall come among you that are out of the true favour &
feeling of the Life in themselves, and shall act or speak any thing among you,
that is out of the Life, that ye may not then be drawn out of the favour and
feeling thereby, but wait ye single in the innocent patient-long suffering of
Christ, and if ye feel the Seed burthened, wait in true Patience and fervent
love to Truth, then the Lord’s Counsel you will know, & the Evil you will
know that caused the Burthen, and be judged; and the Truth will be adorned, and
its Enemies shall be ashamed. </p>
<p> <i>P. </i>453. And if any Member would act any thing
that might hurt the Body or any part of it, either through being out of the
Sense, what is of Service to the Body or otherwise, then another </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 177]</p>
<p>Member or Members be made sensible of the same, it or they
are bound in Love<i> </i>to the Body to seek to hinder the same. <i>G.F.</i></p>
<p><i> B.L. </i>Now I say my dear, inwardly and intirely
beloved Friends, my Joy and my Crown, and my exceeding great Reward for all my
Labours, and small Sufferings, is and I trust ever shall be your Unity, in the
holy spotless eternal <i>TRUTH, </i>which I prefer before all my chiefest Joys
in this World, my sweet Heavenly Father is Witness for me. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p> My dearly Beloved, search and see, weigh it in the
Balance of the Sanctuary, in the Light of Truth, without which you know we
cannot see clearly, nor judge impartially.</p>
<p> See, I say, if there be any thing more black, more
gross and dangerous or likely to destroy the Body and Branches and lay it
intirely waste; although I know I know the root shall and will abide forever,
and shall spring up elsewhere; if all the lame, dry, withered, fiskly and dead
Branches should be cut off by some Judgment from above, and the whole Body
detected and Buried in Oblivion. Which I shall pray with my</p>
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<p>[page 178]</p>
<p>whole Soul and Spirit to my Dear Dead (when I can) that it
may be prevented for the sake of some that are living Branches, sweet, green
and fruit-bearing amongst us. Inquire strictly dear Friends if there be any
thing more likely to bring sudden Destruction upon us, than that Satanical
Practice of SLAVE-KEEPING.</p>
<p> <i><span lang="pl" xml:lang="pl">Ezek. xiv. </span></i><span lang="pl" xml:lang="pl">3,
to 7. xx.7, to 39. </span><i>Rev. </i>iii. 15, to 19. ix. 2,3,21. xiii. 12, to
the end. xiv. 9, 10. xv. 2. xvi. 2, 6, II. xviii. 4.</p>
<p> And a false and forward Ministry, & that dark dry
earthly Spirit that gives Life to it, and strength, and Worship the Images
& Idols, that it makes & almost the Image Makers; but they shall all
have their part in the Lake, except they repent in time, which I heartily
desire they may.</p>
<p> P.254. <i>G.F. </i>Ah Friends, the Unity, the Unity
(in the Spirit) the Love, the Love (from a pure Heart) is exceeding precious,
the yearning of Bowels towards each other (in the Lord) the Faith, the
Patience, the Watching, & Breathing, and Groaning, & Sighing, &
Praying, and Crying in the Spirit and Power of <i>Emanuel, </i>in able to
astonish the Heathen and </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 179]</p>
<p>confound Armies and Powers that withstand the Kingdom of
Christ the Lord, and to cause Vengeance to come upon such as will repent and
turn to the Lord, in the Day of their Visitation, even in the Day of God’s long
Patience and Forbearance, but set and bend themselves against the Lord, and his
Anointed.</p>
<p> Now Friends, here is our strength, and these are the
Weapons that we must war withal, against all Ungodliness that is come and
coming up; but verily Friends if any of your Affections be centered in
Husbands, Wives, Children, or any earthen Vessel or any visible thing
whatsoever, so as that you cannot be willing to part withal, if it be required
at your Hands, then may your Sufferings be great and dangerous unto you. <i>G.
F.</i></p>
<p> Much more the dear Lamb writ to this Purpose, but I am
afraid of inlarging, lest I swell this Volume too much.</p>
<p><i> William Dewshery’s Works.</i> 16, 18, 21, 23, 216,
218, 229.</p>
<p> Dear Friends, Servants and Children of the most High
God, whom he hath called and chosen out of the World; be faithful! all of you
in his Counsel, wait his Power to guide you in all your Thoughts, Words and
Works, in his pure</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 180]</p>
<p>fear in obedience, to will, I charge you in his Presence be
valiant for your Freedom in dwelling in the Power of the living God, that may
arm you against the fiery darts of the Devil.</p>
<p><i> P.</i>16. Him to refit in his appearance in all his
Wiles, who goes about like a roaring Lyon, to draw you every way, seeking to
get your minds from the Pure to draw your minds into the visible things, your
affections there to captivate, your Wills to satisfie, in created and perishing
Objects, or the knowledge of the Truth in your or the Fleshy Wisdom, to seed
with the Swine upon the Husks, the Form and image of what you have injoyed or
what you see in the Vision, what you do not enjoy in the Possession, and speak
in a drunken Spirit, Words without knowledge, and with them fits a painted
Beast, the Will at Liberty out of the Cross, and thou whose condition this is,
are the foolish Virgin turned from pure Wisdom of God, the Light of Christ,
that convinced thee of Sin, and now appearest in the outward formality, in the
sight of Men, with a Lamp like the wise Virgin’s but dwelling in the Power of
God, wants the Oyl of joy and gladness, in the Power of his Love,</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 181]</p>
<p>which the wife Virgins have in their Lamps, which
excerciseth their Consciences and keeps all their Affections in order, to the
Spirit of <i>TRUTH</i>, which Bridles their Tongues not to utter Words before
the Lord, but in true silence, wait upon him until his Spirit moves, his mind
to declare unto your Consciences, you foolish Virgins, I speak, you are
Strangers to Life the wise Virgins enjoy, though amongst them you come, your
Life is beautifying the outside of the lamp with Words being quickly spoken,
but the fear of God is not before your Eyes, but your wills are out of the
Cross, a false joy ariseth in you, speaking what you do not possess, prising
and glorying in other Mens Lines, and contending for <i>TRUTH</i> with that mind
which is out of the <i>Truth</i>, and becomes Trees Blossoming with Leaves, but
bears no Fruit, and here your Folly is made manifest, while you speak to
others, yourselves are under reproof, in you are strangers to Life of God: I
charge and command you Silence, Silence, Flesh, and speak not before the Lord,
you foolish ones, that dare to make mention of his Name, while the worker of
Iniquity reigns in you, whom the Lord</p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 182]</p>
<p>will destroy except you repent. <i>T.</i> 19. Dear Children
of the Lord God, be Valiant, Bold and faithful in your Measures, that in the
Light, Life and Power of God, you may stand in the day of great Tryal, which
they will upon all you that make mention of his Name, for Power will be given
to the Beast His Horn to exalt, even to the Host or Heaven, for the clearing of
the Sanctuary of the Lord, then will all foolish Virgins and painted Beast,
that are Enemies to the Cross of Christ who hath defiled the Sanctuary of the
living of God, in coming before him, amongst his Saints and Children, and from
amongst them shall come trembling before the Power of the Beast, when he utters
his Voice, and commands all to Worship his Image, but then shall all you
Children of the most high God whom he hath called and are faithful to him in
his eternal Life rejoice, who will you keep in that day in rest and Peace, in
the Ancient of Days, who will sit to judge in righteousness, all that
withstands the rising of his Glory and of his Dominion there shall be no end,
therefore who make mention of the Name of the living God, examine your Hearts,
and Search them, and try your ways with</p>
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<p>[page 183]</p>
<p>the Light, so will you be preserved pure, clean and
unblameable before him, and will be fortified by his Eternal Power against all
the Deceit, Subtilty, Windings and Twistings of the Serpent within you, and
without you: I charge you all in the presence of the Lord God, to abide with
God, in what he hath communicated to you, and run not from the Witness of the
Eternal Spirit, that hath Sealed you up in Measure, in the power of his Love
thou dost run out to speak further than thou Witnesseth; art a filthy Drunkard
that lavisheth out thyself without the fear of the Lord, and so spends and
wastes upon thy Lusts, and the plagues and Vengeance of the Lord is thy
Portion, thou filthy Drunkard. For no Drunkard or Lustful Person shall inherit
the Kingdom of God.</p>
<p> All dear lambs, and Children of the Lord, abide in the
Witness of the Eternal Spirit, which will pass Judgment and bruise the Head of
the Serpent in you, so will you be Armed against all the Glorious Appearances
of the Serpent without you, to keep him out of the Scriptures, and the least of
you in the Truth of God, will over-turn all Priests and the men of the World,
with their<br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
[page184]</p>
<p>or that dwell in their Serpentine Wisdom and makes a Trade
of the Letter, speaking and disputing of the Saints Condition, as the Devil did
about the Body of <i> Moses, </i>but cannot Witness the Scriptures, Sealed up
to their Souls by the Eternal Spirit. </p>
<p> Dear Friends, meet often together in the Name and Fear
of the living God, and take heed of Words; let’s see that the Witness speak,
which will cut down your own wills, and it will minister to the Witness in
others, to the flaying of their wills; and take heed of watching over one
another with an evil Eye, to spy out one anothers Weakness, and declare it to
others, and discover their Nakedness thou that art here art cursed <i>Ham, </i>and
the Wrath of will be revealed upon thee, but watch over one another with a pure
single Eye, and if thou see the pure in Bondage in any one by the deceit
whisper thou, not behind their Back to others, but let the Witness in thee
which sees the Deceit, and suffers with the Pure that is pressed down in it,
let it declare and Witness forth the mind of the living God, against the
Deceit, and it will cut it down, and the Pure Holy Seed will be set at Liberty,
and thy </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 185]</p>
<p>Conscience will be kept clean unto the Lord, in discharging
thy Duty, and so will thy captivated Brother or Sister be restored again forth
out of the Hand of the Destroyer, and then thou wilt have Union together, in
that which is pure forever in the Lord, and the eternal God of Power, keep you
all his dear Children in his pure Wisdom, to walk faithfully with him and one
with another, and the Blessing of the Lord God Almighty be with you forever. <i>Amen.
W.D. </i></p>
<p><i> </i>So all Children, keep your Eye with God, and
with Clearness eye him in every Motion, in his everlasting Power, then will
cause his Light to shine in the brightness of his ever lasting Glory, which
will stop all forward and dry Spirits, which is hasty to utter Words before the
Lord. If any Simple Heart should utter Words through weakness out of the
Savoury Life, in what you may, bear it in the Meeting, and after speak to them
to restore them in a Spirit of Meekness; try all Spirits and taste the Breath
from whence the Words proceed, and not to lay your Hands hastily on any,
whatever they may pretend, but in that which tries and weighs your own Spirits
in coolness and singleness of Heart, try</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 186]</p>
<p>and taste what Spirits they are on that come amongst you, or
in at this Day wherein many come forth to the owning of the <i>TRUTH </i>in
their Judgments, and regulates the outward Man in some outward Gestures, like
to the Children of the <i>TRUTH. </i>But though they pretend zeal and
obedience to God in what they do, they being gone from the Light, they neither
regard the Glory of God, nor the Good of his People, for all that they now do
is wrought in a self-serving Spirit, where they enter in a Mysterious Working
of the Deceit of their Hearts, to set up and cover themselves with a voluntary
Humility and feigned Love, gathering all the eloquent and inticing Words of
Man’s Wisdom as they can, with which they make, they make a flourish in a
discoursative Spirit, speaking high Words of that they never did know, to get
entrance upon the Affections of the tender-hearted ones, that are afraid to
judge any but themselves, with others that look more at high Words, than to
feel from whence they come, or to know the end for which they are spoken, and
they seek to overcome, with their subtil inticing Words, to carry on their own
Interest, intrude into the Ministry </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 187]</p>
<p>and runs when God never sent them, therefore they do not
profit the People. </p>
<p> So are the Children born of the Royal Seed burthened
now; all dear Children of the Lord, Watch and Pray that you may be guided by
the Power of his Spirit in all your Ways, and be careful that none be hasty to
utter Words before the Lord, neither suffer any Sighs or Groans, or anything to
be heard to pass through you, but you have the Seal of the Spirit of the Lord,
he requires it of you, this I am commanded to lay as a charge upon you.</p>
<p> <i>The Tryal of Spirit, both in Preachers and Hearers,
by William Dell, </i>Ministers of the Gospel, and Master of <i>Gonvil</i> and <i>Cains</i> College in <i>Cambridge</i>. <i>The Epistle Dedicatory.</i> To all the very
little Flock of Christ, the truly faithful in these Nations, now despised and
almost worn out according to the Prophesy for the Word of God, and the
Testimony which they hold. Grace be Multiplied unto you, and Peace from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Head and Hope.</p>
<p> I could not but distinguish you thus from all the rest
of the People of these Nations, of what Condition or Quality soever, seeing God
himself hath first</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 188]</p>
<p>done it, having chosen you to himself in Christ, and set you
apart for himself, as a peculiar People zealous of good Works, and I have
chosen to speak this unto you, because ye are all taught of God, and have heard
and learned from him, the <i>TRUTH, </i>as it is in Jesus, beside you are the
Men whom God will use in his greatest and most glorious Works which he hath yet
to do in the World; to <i>wit,</i> in Destruction of the Kingdom of Antichrist,
and the setting up and inlarging the Kingdom of Christ, which Things are not to
be done by the Might and Power of worldly Magistrates, which may be you have
not received, and if you had it would not be helpful here, by the Spirit of
the Lord, which you all have received in some Measure; yea further, none but
you will be contended to live by Faith and to follow Christ in untrodden Paths,
and to undertake impossible Works to Flesh and Blood, and none but you will be
willing to have the residue of Christ’s Life and Works, and of his Sufferings
and Death, filled up in your Mortal Bodies: Wherefore remember you that Word of
the Lord, spoken by his Angel; <i>Rev.xiv. 9, 10. If any Man Worship the Beast
and his Image and receive <br />
<br />
</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 189]</p>
<p><i>his Mark in his Forehead, or in his Hand, the same shall
drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God, which is poured out without Mixture,
into the Cup of his Indignation; </i> wherefore you faithful ones had need to
be well advised, seeing anti-Christ hath no-body else to oppose him in all the
World that dare or know how to do it, but you; and if he can prevail with you,
all the World beside will follow him headlong, as <i>Gadaren’s </i>Swine ran
into the sea, and were choaked; the Mistery grows more Mysterious, yet this is
our Comfort, God still causes his Light to shine proportionably to his People,
to discover every new change and form of the Mystery of Iniquity, and though
it’s mysterious enough to cozen all the World of unbelievers, though never so
Wise and Learned, yet it is never able to deceive the faithful, who have
sufficient Light from god to discover and sufficient Grace to overcome it. <i>W.D.</i></p>
<p><i> The
Tryal of Spirits. </i></p>
<p><i> </i>I<i> John </i>iv<i>. </i>I. <i>Beloved, believe
not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they are of God; because many
false Prophets are gone forth into the World. </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 190]</p>
<p> Really they went forth betimes, no wonder there is so
many now amongst all People. </p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>2. <i>Hereby know ye the Spirit of God,
every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh, is of God. </i></p>
<p><i> </i> Come into its own Heart, the Word Christ
within, the glorious Hope, or Hope of Glory, <i>Col. </i>i. 27.</p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>3. <i>And</i> <i>every Spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh, is not of God; and this
is that Spirit of Anti-Christ, whereof you have heard, that it should come,
and even now already it is in the World. </i></p>
<p><i> </i>Then sure there is abundance now in 1700, Satan
has not been Idle, I’ll say that for him. </p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>4. Y<i>e are of God, little Children, and
have overcome them, because greater is he, that is in you, than he that is in
the World. </i></p>
<p><i> Ver. </i>5.<i> They are of the World, therefore speak
they of the World, and the World hears them. </i>The World loves it’s own. </p>
<p> <i>Ver. </i>6. W<i>e are of God, he that know-eth God
heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us; hereby know we the Spirit
of </i>TRUTH, <i>and the Spirit of Error. </i></p>
<i><br
clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">[page 191] </span></p>
<p><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR"> </span><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'
lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">A B I N G T O N</span></i><i><span
lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR">,</span></i></p>
<p><i><span lang="PT-BR" xml:lang="PT-BR"> </span>The </i>18<sup>th</sup> <i>of
the 3<sup>d </sup>Mo.</i> 1738.</p>
<p> A Close Concern came in my mind early, very early this
Morning, for the sake of Mankind, and the good Welfare and Preservation of
Posterity, which a right and perfect way of Instructing and Educating Youth,
would tend much, to the Furtherance of; and I know not any better way than that
which would be the most likely and certain way to bring ‘em to the knowledge
of Divine Wisdom, the Word of the Spirit in their own Hearts, which Pride and
Idleness very much obstructs, for as an excellent Author well observed,<i> Divine Wisdom begets Humility, but that which is acquired by the Learned begets
Pride.</i> </p>
<p> I say, the Humble God teacheth, but rejecteth the
Proud.</p>
<p> So then Divine Wisdom exceeds all Litterature and
Humane Wisdom, so far as Light excells Darkness, Heaven exceeds the Earth, and
the Almighty Lord God in Heaven, exceeds Satan in Hell; for Divine Learning and
Heavenly Wisdom, brings us to the Knowledge of our Maker, and to have sweet
Communion with him, as the Saints had, who could say their Fellowship was with
the Father </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 192]</p>
<p>and with the Son. This, this Wisdom, my Fellow Creatures of
all Names, to this Learning, I do dearly, heartily and tenderly invite you, to
this Brotherhood, this Fellowship, this Unity, Union and Communion.</p>
<p> This, this is worth the denying ourselves and forsaking
all things in this World for, if there were no fear of Torment, or Hope of Joy
and Bliss, when these Bodies have changed their form.</p>
<p> I say, to have this most sweet, near, inward, intimate
and perfect Fellowship, Acquaintance and Conversation Day and Night, at all
times with God, and with his dear Children born again, this is Heaven itself,
the Kingdom of God is known to be within, not known without above the Skies; in
his dear Children, new Moulded, new Made, new Fashioned, and yet old Fashioned,
according to <i>Heb.</i> xii. 22, 23. <i>Col.</i> ii 10. iv. 12. I <i>John </i>2.5. <i>John </i>vi. 56. xvii.3. They were in it, and it was in them, and so it is
now with some.</p>
<p> New formed in the Heavenly Image, having the Divine
Essence, no Sin, no Deformity, as all Sin is; but Glorious and Beautiful, in
the likeness, Nature & Substance of their Father, and are per-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 193]</p>
<p>fect and compleat in the whole Will of God, and are compleat
in their Beloved not out of him, for without him Mankind with all his Humane,
Earthly and Worldly Wisdom, however excellent, were it Ten Thousand times more,
all such still remains in <i>Babylon, </i>which is in Confusion, and in the
Smoke of the Bottomless Pit, which darken their understandings, and those are
in Torment and that is Hell. <i>Coloss. </i>ii.7, 8. Now, those that like to
dwell there, and will not come out, I can but pity them. </p>
<p> The Sins of <i>Sodom </i>and many other Countries, (who
knows but it may on this, if we do not repent in time) brought the firey Wrath
and Indignation of the Lord upon them, whereby they were destroyed, after his
merciful long Forbearance. </p>
<p> Q. <i>The Sins of Sodom, What are them, or they? </i></p>
<p><i> A. </i>Pride<i>, </i>Fulness of Bread, and abundance
of Idealness,<i> </i>and I may say earthly Mindedness or Covetousness, that
mighty, mighty, almost Almighty Monster, the chiefest of the Seven Devils and
Supream Ruler, Head and Governor in Hell, <i>Babylon </i>and Bottomless Pit.
The other Six Devils have Slain their Thousands </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 194] </p>
<p>and Tens of Thousands; but this cursed, ugly, hateful,
damned piece of Deformity and Mother Midwife, and Nurse of Enormities, has
destroyed more Millions of Thousands, as it is thought and hath been thought by
discerning and observing Men. <i>Rev. </i>xiii. 1, 2. For what gross
Wickedness, I say, was there ever committed in all, or any part of the World,
that we have had by Account of, in any History or News-Papers, but this Beast
with his Seven Heads, Ten Horns, and Ten Crowns, and his Name of Blasphemy,
have not had a share and hand in it, so then all Covetous Men are Beasts,
Blasphemers, Lyers, Thieves and Murtherers as well as Idolaters. </p>
<p><i> Psalm </i>49. 12, 13, 20. I <i>Cor. </i>15, 32. <i>Titus
1. 11, 12. 2 Pet</i>. 2. 12. </p>
<p> I heartily wish we might be brought to see this Sin, as
great and as dangerous as it really is, both in Church and State, in Ministers
and Hearers, that we might with one accord by Fasting and Prayer, in Spirit and
in Truth, Night and Day, in Publick and Private, seek to and beseech the
Almighty Lord of Heaven and Earth, that he would be pleased to assist us with
Strength and Courage to make War with, and engage against so</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 195]</p>
<p>Capital an Enemy that is so dishonorable to God, and all
true Religion, destructive to Government and Mankind in general; for I do
believe here is in this Land of <i>America</i>, as selfish, sordid, greedy,
Covetous, Earthly minded People of almost all Names, as any in the World. Oh!
that some Couragious Valiant little <i>Davids </i>might be raised up and
furnished with their Slings, and Smooth Stones taken out of the Brook of the
Lord, the River of Life, that runs through or in the <i>Paradise </i>of God,
which is Heaven, and sent forth against this great <i>Goliah, </i>that defies
the very Armies of the living God, and bring him down, cut off his Head, and
give his Carcass<i>,</i> with all the uncircumcised Armies, in all Nations and
Countries, to the Beasts of the Field; the Field is the World, Satan is the
Beast of the Field, his Fowls are airy, and to the Fowls of the Air, where
Satan the Prince of Darkness Rules, there let ‘em go together where they belong,
Birds of a Feather let ’em go together; if they love to live in Hell, in Sin
let ‘em take it, and the Reward of it, Torment. Kites amongst Chickens, and
Wolves with Lambs, come but to devour, it is their Nature. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 196]</p>
<p> The People in these Countries of <i>America, </i>have
been Blessed with a great deal of Plenty and quiet living for many Years; it is
to be feared many, yea the greatest Number by far are grown lukewarm, as to
Religion especially, and are become careless, forgetful and negligent to make
suitable returns to the Almighty for his innumerable favours which he hath been
pleased to shower down upon us continually in such abundance, both Spiritually
and Temporally for Body and Soul. I believe there was a time when many tender
Souls (I hope there is some yet left) lived in a Divine Sense of these great
Blessings, and sincerely endeavoured to make suitable returns or
acknowledgments to the Lord, the Giver, for the same; by walking and living an
Holy, Pious, Temperate, Righteous, Just and a Strict self-denying Life, and and
so manifested their Sincerity and Love to the ever Blessed <i>TRUTH, </i>in the
fight of God and Man. </p>
<p> By avoiding every thing that might seem to be Sin,
these were without Sin, not omitting any thing, they in the Light of <i>TRUTH </i>see
to be their Duty. But Oh! Oh! Oh! If such as these Chieftains turn their Backs
in the Day of </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 197]</p>
<p>Battle (against Sin and Satan.) What will become of the rest
of the Army, if these turn with , or like, the Dog to lick up his Filthiness
which he had cast out, and with the Swine that washed to wallowing again in the
Mire of Sin and Iniquity of every and any Sort. What will become of us; for
old Men, may be some middle Age too, are centered in the Earth, Greedily
Grasping and Gaping after the World. </p>
<p> Mamon, Mamon, Mamon, as though Satan ruled in them;
for he is God of this World, and Satan is self, self, self unmortified; no
worse Devil can be found either in under or above the Ground. </p>
<p> The young once they are got into the airy Region, where
the Prince of Darkness rules in the Disobedient Hearts. </p>
<p> Riding, Drinking and Galloping about from House to
House, Smoking, Snuffing, Chawing Tobacco, and other unclean fulsom, foul,
indecent and Sinful Practice; spending their precious time in their Master
(Satan’s) Service, and some wasting the Substance and Estates, which they never
wrought for, live and die miserable, and leave their poor Children Forlorn and
helpless for others to maintain, when they are gone thinking to their </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 198]</p>
<p>Graves, and have left a bad Savour behind them, by their
great Intemperance, Idleness, Carelessness and Slothfulness or altogether, and
when they have so consumed their Substance, ride up and down to borrow of
others, but take little care to pay it again. </p>
<p> Oh! that the poor tender young Creatures, and old too,
that are still remaining, might consider in time and turn to the Lord by
unfeigned Repentance and Amendment of Life that so those Evils and Misery,
which otherwise will come upon them, might be avoided, is the hearty desire of
my mind, and that is the end or intent of my Writing. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p><i> </i>As I have said, it has been in my mind a pretty
many Years, something concerning the true Reformation, Preservation and
Welfare, or well being of Mankind, especially the well educating &
instructing of Youth after the best manner or method for the Conservation, and
Happiness of Posterity. There is a Method very excellent, called, <i>A
Reformation of Learning by William Dell, </i>Author of that excellent Book,
called <i>The Tryal of Spirits, in Preachers and Hearers; </i>to which I refer
my Reader, hoping it may be of Service, and then my End will be answered
intirely. <i> </i> </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 199]</p>
<p>The Selling of <i>JOSEPH, </i>a Memorial. </p>
<p> By the Hon’ble. Judge <i>Sewal, in New</i>-<i>England</i>.</p>
<p> <i>FORASMUCH as LIBERTY is in real value next unto </i>Life; <i>None ought to part with it themselves, or deprive others of it, but upon
most mature Consideration. </i></p>
<p><i> </i>The Numerousness of Slaves at this Day in the
Province, and the Uneasiness of them under their Slavery, hath put many upon
thinking whether the Foundation of it be firmly and well laid; so as to sustain
the Vast Weight that is built upon it. It is most certain that all Men, as they
are the Sons of <i>Adam, </i>are Coheirs; and have equal Right unto Liberty,
and all other outward Comforts of Life. <i>GOD hath given the Earth </i>[with
all its Commodities] <i>unto the Sons of Adam, Psal. 115. 16. And hath made of
One Blood, all Nations of Men, for to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and
hath determined the Times before appointed, and the bounds of their Habitation:
That they should seek the Lord. Forasmuch then as we are the Offspring of GOD, </i>&
c. <i>Acts. </i>17. 26, 27, 29. Now although the Title given by the last <i>ADAM, </i>doth<i> </i>infinitely better Mens Estates, respecting </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 200] </p>
<p>GOD and themselves; and grants them a most beneficial and
inviolable Lease under the Broad Seal of Heaven, who were before only Tenants
at Will; Yet through the Indulgence of God to our First Parents after the Fall,
the outward Estate of all and every of their Children, remains the same, as to
one another. So that Originally, and Naturally, there is no such thing as
Slavery. <i>Joseph </i>was rightfully no more a Slave to his Brethren, than
they were to him; and they had no more Authority to <i>Sell</i> him; than they
had to S<i>lay </i>him. And if <i>they</i> had nothing to do to Sell him; the <i>Ishmaelites</i> bargaining with them, and paying down Twenty pieces of Silver, could not make a
Title. Neither could <i>Potiphar</i> have any better Interest in him than the <i>Ishmaelites</i> had. <i>Gen. 37. </i>20, 27, 28. For he that shall in this case plead <i>Alteration</i> <i>of Property, </i>seems to have forfeited a great part of his own claim to
Humanity. There is no proportion between Twenty Pieces of Silver, and LIBERTY.
The Commodity itself is the Claimer. If <i>Arabian </i>Gold imported in any
quantities, most are afraid to meddle with it, though they might have it at
easy be ate; left if it should have been wrongfully. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 201]</p>
<p>taken for the Owners, it should kindle a fire to the
Consumption of their whole Estate. ‘Tis pity there should be more Caution used
in buying a Horse, or a little lifeless dust; than there is in purchasing Men
and Women: Whenas they are the Offspring of GOD, and their Liberty is,</p>
<p> ----------<i>Auro pretiosion Omni. </i></p>
<p> And seeing GOD hath said, <i>He that stealeth a Man and
Selleth him, or if he be found in his Hand, he shall surely be put to Death. </i> Exod.
21. 16. This Law being of Everlasting Equity, wherein Man-Stealing is ranked
amongst the most atrocious of Capital Crimes: What louder Cry can there be made
of that Celebrated Warning, </p>
<p> <i>Caveat
Emptor!</i></p>
<p> And all things considered, it would conduce more to the
Welfare of the Province, to have White Servants for a Term of Years, than to
have Slaves for Life. Few can endure to hear of a Negro’s being made free; and
indeed they can seldom use their Freedom well; yet their continual aspiring
after their forbidden Liberty, renders them Unwilling Servants. And there is
such a disparity in their Conditions, Colour and Hair, </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 202]</p>
<p>that they can never embody with us, & grow up in orderly
Families, to the Peopling of the Land: but still remaining our Body Politick as
a kind of extravasat Blood. As many Negro Men as there are among us, so many
empty Places there are in our Train Bands, and the places taken up of Men that
might make Husbands for our Daughters. And the Sons and Daughters of <i>New-England </i> would become more like <i>Jacob </i>and <i>Rachel, </i>if this Slavery
were thrust quite out Doors. Moreover it is too well known what Temptations
Masters are under, to connive at the Fornication of their Slaves; lest they
should be obliged to find them Wives, or pay their Fines. It seems to be
practically pleaded that they might be Lawless; ‘tis thought much of, that the
Law should have Satisfaction for their Thefts, and other Immoralities; by which
means, <i>Holiness to the Lord, </i>is more rarely engraven upon this sort of
Servitude. It is likewise most lamentable to think, how in taking Negroes out
of <i>Africa, </i>and Selling of them here, That which GOD has joined together,
Men do boldly rend asunder; Men from their Country, Husbands from their Wives,
Parents from their Children. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 203]</p>
<p>How horrible is the Uncleanness, Mortality, if not Murder,
that the Ships are guilty of that bring great Crouds of these miserable Men and
Women. Methinks, when we are bemoaning the barbarous Usage of our Friends and
Kinsfolk in <i>Africa, </i>it might not be unseasonable to enquire whether we
are not culpable in forcing the <i>Africans </i>to become Slaves amongst
ourselves. And it may be a question whether all the Benefit received by <i>Negro </i>Slaves, will balance the Acompt of Cash laid out upon them; and for the
Redemption of our own enslaved Friends out of <i>Africa. </i>Besides all the
Persons and Estates that have perished there.</p>
<p> Obj. I. <i>These Blackamores are of the Posterity of
Cham, and therefore are under the Curse of Slavery. </i>Gen. 9. 25, 26, 27.</p>
<p> <i>Ans. </i>Of all Offices, one would not beg this; <i>viz. </i> Uncall’d for, to be an Executioner of the Vindictive Wrath of God; the
extent and duration of which is to us uncertain. If this ever was a
Commission; How do we know but that it is long since out of Date? Many have
found it to their Cost, that a Prophetical Denunciation of Judgment against a </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 204]</p>
<p>Person or People, would not warrant them to inflict that
evil. If it would, <i>Hazael </i>might justify himself in all he did against
his Master, and the <i>Israelites, </i>from 2 <i>Kings </i>8. 10, 12. </p>
<p> But it is possible that by cursory reading, this Text
may have been mistaken. For <i>Canaan </i> is the Person Cursed three times
over, without the mentioning of <i>Cham. </i>Good Expositors suppose the Curse
entailed on him, and that this Prophesie was accomplished in the Extirpation of
the Canaanites<i>. Vide Pareum. </i>Whereas the Blackmores are not descended
of <i>Canaan, </i>but of <i>Cusb. </i> Psal. 68. 31. <i>Princes shall come out
of Egypt </i>[Mizraim] <i>Ethiopia </i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>[Cush] <i>shall
soon slretch out her Hands unto God. </i>Under which Names, all <i>Africa </i>may
be comprehended; and their Promised Conversion ought to be prayed for. <i>Jer. </i>13.
23. <i>Can the Ethiopian change his Skin? </i>This shews that Black Men are the
Posterity of <i>Cush: </i>Who time out of mind have been distinguished by their
Colour. And for want of the true, <i>Ovid </i>assigns a fabulous cause of it. </span></p>
<p><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Sanguine turn credunt
in corpora sumnia vocato </span></i></p>
<p><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Etkioupum populos
nigrum trexisse colorem.</span></i></p>
<p><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span></i><span
style='font-size:11.0pt'>Metamorph. lib. 2. </span> </p>
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<p>[page 205] </p>
<p> Obj. 2. <i>The Nigers are brought out of a Pagan
Country, into places where the Gospel is Preached. </i></p>
<p><i> Ans. </i>Evil must not be done, that good may come
of it. The extraordinary and comprehensive Benefit accruing to the Church of
God, and to <i>Joseph </i>personally, did not rectify his Brethrens Sale of
him. </p>
<p> Obj. 3. <i>The </i>Africans <i>have Wars one with
another: Our Ships bring lawful Captives taken in those Wars. </i></p>
<p><i> Answ. </i>For aught is known, their Wars are much
such as were between <i>Jacob’s </i>Sons and their Brother <i> Jacob’s. </i>If
they be between Town and Town; Provincial or National: Every War is upon one
side Unjust. An Unlawful War can’t make lawful Captives. And by Receiving, we
are in danger to promote, and partake in their Barbarous Cruelties. I am sure,
if come Gentlemen should go down to the <i>Brewsters </i>to take the Air, and
Fish: And a stronger Party from <i>Hall </i>should surprise them, and sell
them for Slaves to a Ship outward bound: they would think themselves unjustly
dealt with; both by Sellers and Buyers. And yet ‘tis to be feared, we have no
other kind of Title to our <i>Nigers. Therefore </i></p>
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<p>[page 206]</p>
<p><i>all things whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets. </i>Matt. 7. 12.</p>
<p><i> </i>Obj. 4. Abrham <i>had Servants bought with his
Money, and born in his House</i></p>
<p><i> Answ. </i> Until the Circumstances of <i>Abraham’s </i>purchase
be recorded, no Argument can be drawn from it. In the mean time, Charity
obliges us to conclude, that He knew it was lawful and good. </p>
<p> It is Observable that the <i>Israelite, </i>were
strictly forbidden the buying, or selling one another for Slaves. <i> Levit </i>25.
39, 46. <i>For </i>34. 8---22. And GOD gaged His Blessing in lieu of any loss
they might conceit they suffered thereby. <i>Dent. </i>15. 18. And since the
partition Wall is broken down, inordinate Self-love should likewise be
demolished. GOD expects that Christians should be of a more Ingenious and
benign frame of Spirit. Christians should carry it to all the World, as the <i>Israelites </i>were to carry it one towards another. And for Men obstinately to persist
in holding their Neighbours and Brethren under the Rigor of perpetual Bondage,
seems to be no proper way of gaining Assurance that God has given them
Spiritual Free-</p>
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<p>[page 207] </p>
<p>dom. Our Blessed Saviour has altered the Measures of the
ancient Love-Song, and set it to a most Excellent New-Tune, which all ought to
be ambitious of Learning. <i>Matt. </i>5. 43, 44. <i>John </i>13. 34. These <i>Ethiopians, </i>as black as they are; seeing they are the Sons and Daughters of the First <i>Adam, </i>the Brethren and Sisters of the Last ADAM, and the Offspring of GOD; They
ought to be treated with a Respect agreeable. </p>
<p> <i>Servitus perfecta voluntaria, inter Chrisnanum
& Christianum, ex parle servi patientis saepe est licita, quia est
necessaria; sed ex parte domini agentis, & procurando exercende, sux potest
esse licita; quia non convenit regule illi genecrali: Quaonque volueritis ut
faciam vobis homines, ita & vos facite eis. </i>Matt. 7.12.<i> </i></p>
<p><i> Perfecta servitus, pana non potest jure locum
habere, nii ex delicto gravi quod ultimum supplicum aliquot modo meretur: quia
Libertas ex naturali astimatione proxime accedit ad uitam ipsam, & eidem a
multis praeferri solet.</i></p>
<p>
Ames. Caf. Conse. Lib. 5. </p>
<p>
Cap. 23. Thes. 2,3. </p>
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<p>[page 208] </p>
<p> Something concerning Back-Biting; that spreading soul
Disease, that does so much mischief in the World. </p>
<p>DEAR Friends, meet often together, in the Name and Fear of
the living God, and take heed of Words, see that the Witness speaks, which
will cut down our own Wills, and it will Minister to the Witness in others, to
the slaying of their Wills; and take heed of Watching one over another with an
evil Eye, to spy out one anothers weakness, and declare it to others, and
discover their Nakedness: Thou that art here are cursed <i>Ham, </i>and the
Wrath of God will be revealed upon thee, but watch one over another with a pure
single Eye, and if thou see the pure in Bondage, in any one by the Deceit,
whisper thou, not behind their Back to others but let the witness in thee which
sees the Deceit, and suffers with the Pure that is pressed down by it, let it
declare and witness forth the mind of the living God against the Deceit, and it
will cut it down, and the Pure Holy Seed will be set at Liberty, and thy
Conscience will be kept clean unto the Lord in discharging thy Duty, and so
will thy Captivated </p>
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<p>[page 209] </p>
<p>Brother or Sister be restored again forth out of the Hand of
the Destroyer, and then thou wilt have Unity together, in that which is pure
forever in the Lord, and the eternal God of Power keep you all his Dear
Children, in his pure Wisdom, to walk faithfully with him and one with another,
and the Blessing of the Lord God Almighty be with you all, forever, <i>Amen. W.D. </i></p>
<p>AN EPISTLE of <i>William Leddra </i>to Friends, Written by
him the Day before he was put to Death. <i> </i></p>
<p><i> To the Society of the little Flock of Christ,
Grace and Peace be Multiplied. </i></p>
<p><i> Most dear and inwardly Beloved, </i></p>
<p> THE sweet Influence of the Morning Star, like a Flood
distilling into my Innocent Habitation, hath so filled me with the Joy of the
Lord, in the Beauty of Holiness, that my Spirit is as if it did not inhabit a
Tabernacle of Clay but is wholly swallowed up in the Bosom of Eternity, from
whence it had its being. </p>
<p> Alas, Alas, what can the Wrath and Sprit of Man, that
Lusteth to Envy, </p>
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<p>[page 210] </p>
<p>aggravated by the Heat and Strength of the King of the
Locusts which came out of the Pit, do unto one that is hid in the Secret Places
of the Almighty, or unto them that are gathered under the healing Wings of the
Prince of Peace, under whose Armour of Light they shall, be able to stand in
the Day of Tryal, having on the Breast-Plate of Righteousness and the Sword of
the Spirit, which is their Weapon of War against Spiritual Wickedness,
Principalities and Powers, and the Rulers of the Darkness of this World both
within and without. Oh! my beloved, I have waited as a Dove, at the Windows of
the Ark, and have stood still in that Watch, which the Master (without whom I
could do nothing) did Reward at his Coming with fullness of Love, wherein my
Heart did rejoyce, that I might in the Love and Life of God, speak a few Words
to you, sealed with the Spirit of promise, that the taste thereof might be a
favour of Life to your Life, and a Testimony in you of my Innocent Death, and
if I had been altogether Silent, and the Lord had not opened my Mouth unto you,
yet he would have opened your Hearts, and there have Sealed my Innocency with
the Streams </p>
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<p>[page 211] </p>
<p>of life, by which we were all Baptized into that body which
is in God, with whom and in whose Presence there is Life, in which as you
abide, you stand upon the Pillar and Ground of <i>TRUTH, </i> for the Life
being the <i>TRUTH </i>and the Way, go not one step without it, lest you
Compass a Mountain in the Wilderness, for unto every thing there is a Season,
as the flowing of the Ocean doth fill every Creek and Branch thereof, and then
retires again towards its own being and fullness, and leaves a favour behind
it, so doth the Life and Virtue of God, flow into every one of your Hearts,
whom he hath made partakers of his Divine Nature, and when it withdraws but a
little it leaves a sweet favour behind it, that many can say they are made
clean through the Word that he hath spoken to them, in which Innocent Condition
you see what you are in the Presence of God, and what you are without him;
therefore my dear Hearts, let the enjoyment of the Life alone, be your hope,
your Joy, and Consolation, and let the Man of God flee those things, that would
lead the mind out of the Cross, for then the favour of the Life will be Buried,
and alto’ some may speak of </p>
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<p>[page 212] </p>
<p>things that they received in the Life, as Experiences, yet
the Life being veiled, and the favour that it left behind washed away by the
fresh Floods of Temptation, the Condition that they enjoyed in the Life,
boasted of by the Airy things, will be like that Manna that was gathered
Yesterday without any good scent or favour, for it was only well with the Man
when he was in the Life of Innocency, but being driven from the Presence of the
Lord into the Earth, what can he boast of? although you know these things, and
(many of you) much more than I can say, yet for the Love and Zeal I bear to the <i>TRUTH</i> and Honour of God, and tender desire of my Soul, to those that
are young, that may read me in that from which I write, to strengthen them
against the subtil Wiles of the Serpent that beguil’d <i>Eve; </i>I say, stand
into the Watch within, in the fear of the Lord, which is the very entrance of
Wisdom, and the State where you are ready to receive the Secrets of the Lord:
Hunger and thirst patiently, be not weary, neither doubt, stand still and cease
from thy own Working, and in due time thou shalt enter into the Rest, and thy
Eyes shall behold thy Salvation, whose Testimonies are sure </p>
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<p>[page 213] </p>
<p>and righteous altogether; let them be as a Seal upon thy Arm
and as Jewels about thy Neck, that others may see what the Lord hath done for
your Souls; confess him before Men, yea before his greatest Enemies, fear not
what they can do unto you, greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
World, for he will cloath you with Humility, and the Power of his Meekness; you
shall reign over all the rage of your Enemies in the favour of God, wherein as
you stand in Faith, ye are the Salt of the Earth, for many seeing your good
Works may glorify God in the Day of their Visitation; take heed of receiving
that which you saw not in the Light, lest you give Ear to the Enemy; bring all
things to the Light that they may be proved whether they be wrought in God, the
Love of the World, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eye are without
the Light, in the World, therefore possess your Vessels in Sanctification and
Honour, and let your Eye look at the Mark, he that hath called you in Holy;
and if there be an Eye that offends, pluck it out and cast it from you; let not
a Temptation take hold, for if you do it will keep from the favour of God, and
that will be a sad State, for without</p>
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<p>[page 214] </p>
<p>Grace possessed there is no assurance of Salvation; by Grace
you are saved, and your Witnessing of it is sufficient for you, to which I
commend you all, my dear Friends, and in it remain; </p>
<p> <i>Your
Brother,</i></p>
<p><i> WILLIAM
LEDDRA.</i></p>
<p><i> Boston Goal, the 18<sup>TH</sup> of the </i>But the Day before he suffered Death</p>
<p><i> Fifth Month, 1660-1661.</i></p>
<p> There are several other Letters and Epistles of this
dear Lamb’s Writing and some other of our Friends, that were put to Death at <i>Boston </i>about same time, very weighty, with Sweet and Heavenly Advice, Caution, and
Consolation and Comfort; all well worthy to be Reprinted; (but Oh me! Ink and
Paper is too short) Written by <i>Marmaduke Stevenson, William Robins </i>and<i> Mary Dyer, </i>which were put to Death at <i>Boston</i>, beside others that
were Condemned, of which a large Account is given of our Friends called Quakers
Sufferings<i>, </i>by <i>George Bishop, </i>in his Book called <i>New-England
Judged, by the Spirit of the Lord. </i></p>
<p> I say, all Writing and Printing is too short, although
by the directing of the Holy Ghost, without its own Work in </p>
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<p>[page 215] </p>
<p>the Heart of Mankind, that is and ever will be the Summum
Bonum.</p>
<p> I should be heartily sorry (I can say) if any of our Friends
called <i>Quakers </i>should go about to attempt or undertake or assume to act
the same things as the <i>Bostoneers </i>did to their Progenitors, it would be
a bad Savour for or to our Testimony to the unchangeable <i>TRUTH </i>which we
profess, and our dear tender and much Honorable and worthy Elders suffered so
much for in <i>Old-England, </i>as well as <i>New-England, </i>and other
Countries. Oh this would be sorrowful for me and many other of my dear Friends
to see or hear of, for Persecution is of the same Nature amongst all People
wherever it comes, it points to its Center Root and Foundation, from whence it
springs, and that is from the Pit, without Bottom, no good Bottom or
Foundation, but full of smoke, and some false and soul Fire, which does
abundance of hurt sometimes, amongst Brethren and Neighbours too, and in
Kingdoms and Nations far and near; read <i>Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History,
Josephus Wars of the Jews, History of the Waldenses, the Spirit of the Martyrs
Revived, </i>and of latter date, <i>the History of the Wars in </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 216] </p>
<p>England <i>and</i> Ireland, <i>and in </i>Boston;<i> </i>they
were going on valiantly in their Master Satan’s Service, for time I never heard
or read the like of it in Story, all things consider’d, and how far they would
have proceeded if they had not been stop, no Man knows.</p>
<p> Q. <i>And this Persecution began with Tongues, how so,
may some say? </i> <i> </i> <i> </i></p>
<p><i> A. </i>Why, there was a People raised up in <i>Old
England, </i>whose Meat and Drink it was to do the Will of God, were Christ’s
Friends and his own Brethren and Sisters, Begotten and Born of the same
Father. I say born of the same Father, the TRUTH, which is the true God and
eternal Life, these Saints hearing there was People Settled in <i>America, </i>that
fled from Persecution in <i>Old England, </i>which were full of Notion, and empty
of the Life of True Religion (as many of all Professions are) thought it their
Duty to instruct the Ignorant, and them that were out of the way of God, and
yet may be some thought in the way they were was right, as Man’s ways are right
in his own Eyes, often times when he is wrong, as it appeared by those People
in <i> Boston. </i></p>
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<p>[page 217]</p>
<p>These dear Creatures loving the <i>Truth </i>more than all
Men, leaves their Wives, Women their Husbands and Children, & their dear
beloved inwardly Friends, & their other outward Comforts, in a faithful
obedience undertakes a long hazardous, dangerous and chargeable Voyage to <i>Boston, </i>in the Love of<i> </i>TRUTH<i>, </i>to visit these high, yet very low,
those full very full, yet empty Professors, as high as Heaven in conceit, and
as low as the Earth in Substance, as full as the Sea in Pretention, as empty as
Hell in goodness, as afterward was manifest, by their Murthering of several of
the Saints and Servants of the living God, the Eternal TRUTH, and is the pure
Holy Word, by which these Saints were Sanctified and cleansed throughout from
all Sin, as well as the Saints before of old or since; they were and are made
clean through this Word that speak to and in them, not in Notion but
Experience, and it is the same now, where true Love, and pure Faith unfeigned (
not a sinful Faith ) abounds above all, Glory, Honour and Praise to this living
Word, nothing to Man, no, no, not in the least Degree. </p>
<p> To these high Professors, I say, these Heavenly
Messengers were sent by their</p>
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<p>[page 218] </p>
<p>Heavenly Father, to bear their Testimony, in and for the
pure TRUTH, against all Error, Superstition, Hypocrisy, Idolatry and Formality;
which I say they were full of, I wish they were not so now, as well as in this
and other Parts of <i>America</i>; these clean Vessels bear a faithful
Testimony, and for this Holy Faith that was once, is now and ever will be
revealed in the Saints, from Faith to Faith, growing from small Stature to full
Strength, filled full, yea full with the pure TRUTH, then empty of all Error to
be sure, for I do know, Eternal Thanks to TRUTH, that there is a way laid out,
cast up, fenced in and eternally well secured and most, yea most Gloriously and
beautifully adorned, and the sweetly refreshing Streams of the River of Life
for Drink, and the Tree of Life for Food, which bears twelve manner, or all
manner of good Fruit, and yields her or its Fruit every Month at all times and
Seasons, to them that are prepared, and their Vessels clean enough to receive
it, and the very Leaves of this lovely Tree, are for the healing of the People
and purging of them from all Sin; that they may have a proper right </p>
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<p>[page 219]</p>
<p>to partake of the Fruit daily, without Money or Price, all
free as was the <i>Hebrews</i> Manna, but far more exceeding as Heaven is
higher than the Earth, that was for a time, this for eternity. Oh! Holy
Pleasure indeed, to eat of such Food, and drink of such Drink, and travel in
such a way, and with such Heavenly Companions and Travellers, this Blessed way,
although it may seem strait an narrow to the true Travellers in the entrance,
yet in the Progress, and middle very wide easy and delightful, but in and
toward the end Glorious in Holiness indeed; here the way-faring Man may and can
Walk and not Err, though a Fool, yea though a Fool the way as well as the
Guide, which is one, is so safe secure, powerful, Holy and perfect. </p>
<p> But what will the Serpent, and all his Ministers &
Messengers in <i>Babylon </i>say to this Doctrine, who sometimes exalts Christ
in Words as high as Heaven, saying, <i>That he is an Almighty and most merciful
Saviour, able and willing to save us to the utmost from all Sin in this Life, </i>and
then presently tumble him down again lower than Hell, and exalt Satan and his
Doctrine, in his Throne, and de-</p>
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<p>[page 220] </p>
<p>clare with one accord for a Necessity of Sin, and continuing
in Sin, Term of Life, and no avoiding of it by any Power received from God, his
Spirit or from the <i>Messiab, </i>or any Grace from him proceeding, by us
received, or any other means whatsoever, although it be Reading or Praying, or
Singing of Songs or Psalms at home, or coming to our Ware House of or on
Sundays, where we set forth our Ware to Sale, by the Hour, to them that bid
most, whether they hear our excellent Sermons, or fine Songs, or curious fine
excellent Prayers in the Pulpit, or at our best Customers own Houses when we go
to Visit them for our Bellies, or their being Baptized, Sprinkled, Dipped or
Plunged in pure clean Water, by or with our impure, unclean, filthy Hands, or
receive the Holy Sacrament as we call it, altho’ we have no Scripture for it in
the least, or though they go Mourning all their Life’s-time Day and Night, in
true Contrition and in never so sincere a penitential frame of mind at home or
abroad, in Fields or Woods, and desart and lonesome Places (as many has done)
with Fasting, Praying and Weeping before the Lord, that he would be pleased to
pass by and forgive them </p>
<br clear="all"
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<p>[page 221] </p>
<p>their Transgressions and Sins, and give them, I say, and
give them strength to resist and withstand their grand Enemy, and then they
would serve in sincerity and in TRUTH all the Days of their lives after, and
the Lord have been found by such, and answered them to the Joy of their Souls,
according to his Blessed Promise of old to such, <i>That their Sins he would
Blot out as a thick Cloud, and their Sins he would remember no more; </i>notwithstanding
these things, or a thousand times more, and all that can be said, thought of,
Satan, there is no freedom from Sin in this Life there in none that doeth good,
and finneth not; so such make use of Scripture to uphold their Master-kingdom,
as all Sin is, so here is the very same Temptation where with the Serpent
tempted <i>Eve, </i>you shall be as Gods, if you do break God’s command, you
shall not die, but be as Gods; these say you must sin, there’s no Possibility
of being free from it on this side the Grave, and no Repentance there, and yet
promise that People Heaven, here is Confusion enough, to be seen by him that
has Eyes; and thus is Satan transformed into the likeness of an Angel of Light,
by his Ministers, Servants and Children, and </p>
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<p>[page 222] </p>
<p>exalted in his Throne above all that is called God, and
showing himself that he is God, chief Ruler there, in the Heart, as to be sure
he is so long as Men live in Sin, for that is his Prerogative and ever will be,
for these Men will readily allow and confess, that the purest, most Holy, or
unholy, Religious Performances and Service in Worship, and Ordinances are
sinful, as I have heard it myself from the Pulpit declared (when I was a very constant
hearer of them) <i>O Lord forgive us the Sins of our Holy Things, say they; </i>What
greater contradiction can be? For that which is Holy is free from Sin, as that
which is sinful or full of Sin (as their Performances are) is free from
Holiness. Sure these Men have no Faith or else it is a false and sinful Faith,
such as <i>Cain</i>’s<i>, </i>Satan’s, and all the false Prophets was, which is
a murthering, killing, but not a saving Faith, which is much, yea much worse
than no Faith at all, and is more offensive to God and good Men, because more
mischievous in the World, especially amongst those called Christians. Oh ! Oh
! that ever such as these should be accounted of as Chief and only </p>
<p>persons ordained, called, prepared, fitted and qualified,
and sent forth to be the Teachers of the People, and to be</p>
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<p>[page 223] </p>
<p>had in great Honour and exceeding high esteem for their
Words sake, which yet is altogether Sinful, or full of Sin, and all Son is of
their Father the Devil, and his Work they do for their Bellies sake, which is
their God, and for corrupt self, which is Satan or Serpent, in <i>Hebrew </i>Abaddon,
but in the <i>Greek</i> Tongue Apollyon, in <i>English </i>Devil and Best with
seven Heads, ten Horns, and ten Crowns, a little false heathenish Learning to
amuse the Populace, but stands very tottering like Crowns on the small
spickiting tops of the Horns of Beast, in great danger and likely to fall being
misplaced a little; true Holy Spirit Learning hath and will before some are
aware shake many Thousands of them very easily; the Holy Spirit right well
knew what he did, and said, when he alluded to a Beast with many Heads, Horns
and Crowns, when he intended to present and set forth Anti-Christ, clearly to
our view. For Friends, all you that are Ministers of Anti-Christ, whether in
Pulpits or Galleries, you that are of the Royal Off-spring, of the King of the
Locusts, and are creeping out of the Bottomless Pit a little, to see what
Mischief you can do to Mankind, & Service </p>
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<p>[page 224] </p>
<p>for your King <i>Lucifer, </i>who was (and is now to you) as
the Son of the Morning, and to see what good you can get for your God, your
Bellies. </p>
<p> Friends, for so I may and will call you still, but then
it is in the same sense and meaning, that TRUTH spake to <i>Judas </i>when he
was about to Kill or Murther him, or betray him into their Hands that should do
it; and Friends you are in the same Spirit that our Elder Brethren, <i>Cain,
Judas and the Bostoneers, </i>and others were that came before them, as is
mentioned already, for you are slaying and betraying the pure TRUTH, either
willfully or ignorantly or both, for ends base enough, however tho’ it is so in
this cause, I find Freedom to appeal to you and your earthly Learning and
carnal Wisdom for I know no other with you, yet in this case you may be capable
to Answer. </p>
<p> Q. <i>Did you ever see or hear of any thing in the
whole World more preposterous than this Beast, which is metaphorically pointed
to by the Holy Ghost, which is infinite in Power and Wisdom. </i></p>
<p><i> </i>For my part I never did in all my Travels, and
little reading, Conversation nor any thing like it, except it be you </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 225]</p>
<p>yourselves which comes the most near it of any or all
visibles, for aught I know, if not exceed; for Friends, for you to pretend to
attain the knowledge of Divine Wisdom by Humane Learning, or Heavenly things by
Earthly Acquirements, or to be Citizens in <i>New-Jerusalem, </i>when you are
Fellow Commoners in <i>Babylon; </i>or to attain to the True Light, or the
Light of TRUTH when you are in and delight in the Deeds of Darkness, buried
therein; or to pretend of self-denial, and to teach it to others, when you live
in gratifying of the Flesh, and cursed self, in all things, the Lust of the
Eye, and Pride of Life, and whatever in this vain World is; you pretend to be
of the Church of God, when you are Members in full Unity and Communion in the
Church of Satan, and have a Prebend there, which is Sin, which he allows in
full Freedom to all his Members as much as their Hearts Lust can desire,
without any contradiction or restraint, denial or controul in the least; you
pretend to be Subjects of Christ, and yet are sworn Servants and Friends of
Anti-Christ; you in Words call God Father, and pretend to be his Children and
Servants, Heirs of his Kingdom, </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 226] </p>
<p>but you have no Lot or Inheritance there, for he, the
Holy-one knows, and so does his dear Children, that you are of your Father the
Devil, and his Work you do, so are of his sinful Kingdom, which is full of Sin,
and Torment its Reward, so his own dear choice Children, so I acknowledge you
have a right title to call him Satan, meaning Father, and he is so and you
acknowledge your descent, by confessing you cannot cease from Sin (having Eyes
full of Adultery) for indeed none of his Children can, nor ever will cease from
it, while in his Government they willingly keep, they love it too well, and
their Father also. Oh! sorrowful, to love the Father of all mischief and the
Author of all the Misery and Torment that is brought upon poor dear Mankind
both here and hereafter, for whom my Soul mourns. </p>
<p> Now Friends, and all that may read these Lines,
consider with ourselves, you especially that has any true regard to or desire
after the Knowledge of the Honour of God, sincere desires of attaining to the
knowledge of love to his pure TRUTH, or the present and eternal Welfare of your
own Souls; I say consider wisely </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 227]</p>
<p>and in time; can Satan bring into the World a greater and a
more Eternal Cheat than above-mentioned, and any thing more likely to establish
Atheism in the World, than fallen Angels, Messengers or Ministers all one, who
once knew the mind of God, and were highly favoured with the sweet enjoyment of
his Holy pure TRUTH, and had a Commission from him to Preach the Sempiternal
Gospel of Peace and Purity, and received a part of the Ministry (like Judas)
who after all betrayed his Master for thirty Pieces; but our Modern Traytors
scorn such a poor Pittance, they will have 30000 or 30 Millions of they can,
but I could wish, with many others, that they were all set aside or put out of
the way like him, or reclaimed and thoroughly purged if it be possible, which
is much to be feared, their enmity is so great to the Truth and its true
Ministers as it ever was, because they the true Ministers are under a Necessity
to bear a Testimony against them, or else they cannot be true to the trust
reposited in them, or committed to them; these fallen Angels the worst of
Enemies in any Religious Society, may well be compared to some Usurpers, that
had been chief Rulers </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 228] </p>
<p>under a King or Kings, and had Commissions from them, but
for some notorious Crimes have had their Commissions taken from them, and
turned out of their high, profitable and Honourable Office, when they being
thus cashiered, to work their revenge, and carry on their design, keeping a
form and Copy of their old Commission, prefixing to it a Countersuit or Forged
Name, Hand and Seal; with this sham Commission, and the great Interest and
Power they had before with the Kings Subjects, as <i>Absalom </i>have gathered
a Party, and headed them, and usurped the Government in Discipline, &<i>c. </i>debauched
the Kings Wives or Wife, the Spouse, defiled the Temple, True Church, corrupted
and destroyed his Posterity, all they could catch by their Deceit Hypocrisy and
feigned Humility, under pretence of doing more Justice than the King himself
did or had done; and so have set up themselves and their Party for a time, and
dethroned the True King, although it tended to the destruction of vast Numbers
of the People, that were unhappily led away by them, as in the case of <i>Absalom,
Abimeloch, </i>and <i>Haman, </i>and abundance more, that is mentioned in </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 229]</p>
<p>Sacred Writ, as well as other History. </p>
<p> Why should any be so very earnestly bent about getting
Money? Doth any History mention any one that was ever made good by Riches? </p>
<p> These things are Now, Now, Now, going on in the World
in Spiritual Sense, as certain as ever they were acted by the force-mentioned,
and by Persons too that makes great appearance of Sanctity in Religious
Performances, but it’s Self, whatever their demure appearance may be, and that
is Satan, and for Mammon that worst and most mischievous Devil in all the
World.</p>
<p> These rich grown, ever poor, over wealthy, ever needy,
ever grasping, never satisfied, brim-full yet always empty, ever Labouring, yet
always Idle, ever diligent, yet always negligent, ever waking, yet eternally
asleep, ever living, panting and breathing after more, more, more, a little
more, I say ever living yet eternally Dead, and there let’em lie and stink
still, if they will not be awakened. But I had much rather they should.</p>
<p> These great and high Masters of misrule, don’t care to
be controuled in their way altho’ they are ever so much out of the way, which
is a very great Weak-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 230]</p>
<p>ness as well as Wickedness, that Men and Women will have
their own way tho’ to their own and others Destruction, but the case is such,
they having been so long in Power and Repute, had in Honour, Men of renown in
the Congregation, chief Rulers in the House of the Lord, won’t be contradicted,
but if any should or dare do so, let his concern be ever so great or burthen
weighty, he may expect to be put in the Stocks, in the high Court of <i>Benjamin, </i>with little <i>Benjamin </i>their Brother. Oh! How often have I heard
& seen these things done metaphorically, I am loth to say where, but if any
one ask me I can tell ’em, there is that that rules in the Church, to be seen
and heard of Men, and to show their or its Elocution, display their Eloquence,
as in their Preaching so in this, some for Mammon, some for some other ends
base and vile enough. </p>
<p> And a few there is still left amongst us (I firmly
believe) blessed be the Lord, that have not any thing so much in view as in all
sincerity, to promote and exalt the Honour and Interest of TRUTH the Peace and
Tranquility of the True Church, and the present and eternal Happiness, Welfare
and well-being of </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 231]</p>
<p>Mankind, in all Nations, Colours and Countries in the World,
that they might be brought to the knowledge of the TRUTH, and be saved form
Sin, yea, from all Sin, for that is possible and so from Wrath to come; but
some are, yea, very many are pushed on, Headlong and Headstrong, with a furious
raging fiery and mad Zeal, yet blind, as in the ease of <i>Saul, </i>before he
was <i>Paul, </i>before he had the new Name, with his Letters from the Chief or
High Priest to persecute the Saints at <i>Damascus, </i>or else where (not
from <i>Colchester </i> two Weeks Meeting, to <i>R. J. </i>to <i>Philadelphia </i>Monthly
Meeting,) to separate <i>S. </i>and <i>B.</i> I pray in my Heart at this time, they
all that are living that had any hand in it, may have their Reward according to
their Intention. I think to leave ‘em there with him, himself, that is able to
do all things, and so is able to produce good Effects, from very bad causes,
and say, Oh (<i>Deus Meus Omnia</i>) preserve my Soul.</p>
<p> Oh! That all the Libertines, loose Livers, the
Magdalens, the Publicans and Harlots, the Smoaking Drunkards, all unclean
Persons, Thieves and Covetous, Covetous Earthly <i> </i> </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 232]</p>
<p>minded Idolater, the Superstitious, Formal and Nominal
Christians, Preachers and Hearers, the young and old, old, the old Hypocrites
too, if possible, I say if possible might be converted, translated, drawn out
of that deep, dirty Ditch Hypocrisy. </p>
<p> And all the blind Zealots, and Superstitious Bigots, of
all Names, their Nature and Spirit is the same, when invested with a little
imaginary Power. how they will rage and persecute furiously them that oppose
‘em, reprove ‘em, and will not submit to their Rules, Orders and Laws, though never
so unjust, and thus it happened to many of our dear Friends called Quakers, in
old as well as <i>New-England, </i>and elsewhere, when they went into their
Synagogues, Mass-Houses, or Idol Temples to reprove ‘em, for their Hypocrisy
and Wickedness, in pretending to Worship him that laid down his Life for his
Enemies, and at same time preparing Laws to take away the Lives of his
Servants, that came in his Name, to do his Will, as he the Holy one required it
at their Hands. I would tenderly advise, and earnestly intreat all my dear
Friends to be very careful not to taste nor touch that Dust </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p><i> </i>[page 233]</p>
<p>and Dirt, Persecution, which is the Serpents Meat, and <i>Cain’s </i>Mark, and it is Satan’s Food, and his Childrens Meat and Drink, and Life,
to do the will of their Hellish Father, and Father in Hell, that sends them and
sets ‘em about that, & all other unrighteousness and Iniquity, and it is as
essential to then in that State and Nature, as it was and is to Christ’s
Brethren and Sisters, and all his true Friends and faithful Followers, to do
the will of their Heavenly Father, & Father which is in Heaven, in his Holy
Church, his Body, comprised of Sanctified Members, purified Hearts ad Souls,
washed and cleansed from all Sin; and such as those did of old, and now doth perfectly
know a new Birth, a being Born again of him, and in him that is True and is the
very TRUTH itself the very pure Verity of Verities, the Eternal Essence in him
only, not in any Book or Books, a Thousand Ship-loads of the very best of Books
will do us no good, nor the best of Professions, Ordinances, and Humane
Preachers (much less the worst) will do us no good, except Man (Male and
Female) be Born again he cannot see the Kingdom or Government of TRUTH, or of
God; which </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 234] </p>
<p>is one; this was and is and ever will be declared of by the
Eternal TRUTH, to all that had, have and shall have Eyes, Ears and Hearts truly
prepared to receive it. </p>
<p> And that all, for the Call is gone forth to all, might
come to know this new Birth, this being Born again of the incorruptible Seed,
and the Word of TRUTH Eternal, and be washed from all the filthiness of Flesh,
as well as Spirit, from all unrighteousness, and all self righteousness too,
that very dangerous Enemy to Man’s Happiness, and that all might be redeemed
and Translated out of the Kingdom of Sin and Satan, which is Death and
Darkness, Hell and Torment, into the Kingdom of the dear Son and Power of
TRUTH, which is pure righteousness, Peace and Joy, in the Holy Ghost, in the
pure Hearts and clean Bodies of his Children and Servants he dwells, they are
his Body, his Temple and Kingdom, he Rules, Reigns and Governs, and takes
delight in pure Hearts, and the pure in Heart see him and know him, and dwell
in him, the TRUTH in him, and he in them, and his Banner over them, and
Standard in them, is Faith and pure Love, and these sits and abides under his
Divine Shade </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 235] </p>
<p>with great delight, and his Heavenly Fruit is sweet to their
taste, and they are ravished with his Beauty, and overcome with his Love at
times, and their Cups do overflow, and the Song of the Heavenly Host is known,
and here the Bright and Morning Star is seen and doth remain where the Babe
Immortal is Born the Proclamation is heard great Joy to all People, Peace on
Earth & good will toward all Men, and here the sweet lovely Babe Immortal
is formed in the Heavenly Womb, and doth leap for Joy at the sound of the
Heavenly Salutation, and when the fullness of time is come the Babe
above-mentioned will be Born in the Soul, and his Heavenly Government will be
on his Shoulders within, the Divine Essence within, in the Soul that is made
perfect through Sufferings, as Christ was; he that can receive it let him. Oh!
That this might be the Blessed experience of all Mankind, that the Earth might
become a <i>Paradise </i>again, to all People, as it is to some; is the sincere
and hearty desire of my Soul and Spirit, much more than for all the Wealth in
the World abundantly; the Kingdom of Heaven aith TRUTH, is within you, not
known without by any Man, I can truly say. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 236]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>ABINGTON</i>, the
3d of the</p>
<p>
5<sup>th</sup> Mo. 1738.</p>
<p>This Morning early it came in my mind to write something concerning
the New Birth, Resurrection and Baptism, all one. </p>
<p> VERILY, Verily, said Truth, except a Man be Born gain
he cannot see or enter into the Kingdom or Government (there be some
Governments where there is no King) of Heaven or Heavenly Government, all one,
the same thing, and this is the Holy Government of TRUTH in the Souls of the
Sons and Daughters of Men, the <i>Government of Heaven is within, said Christ,
the Truth is within, so said a Servant of Truth; </i>whatever is to be known of
TRUTH is manifest within, I say not without but within, <i>greater is be, Truth
that is with in us than be that is in the World, </i>Satan, the Lyer and God of
it, and Father too, who saith in his Children, in his Servants, in his
Ministers, in his Angels, in his Messengers, all one<i>, That there is no
Freedom from his Government, or Sin, </i>all one in this Life, but he Satan was
a Lyar from the beginning, and so remains, who said to <i>Eve, you shall not
Die, but he as </i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 237]</p>
<p><i>Gods</i>; such Gods as himself and his Children, which
are always sinning, and will boldly confess and declare, <i>That they cannot
cease from Sin, nor any Body else, </i>say they, no not by any Power of the
Holy Spirit, and this is Satan’s Master-Piece, to possess poor Mankind, with
such a Faith; for it is the Faith of Satan which he possess all that are under
his Government with, that he might keep them at ease in their Sins and be his
Servants forever, and so always live in Bondage through the fear of Death, Hell
and the Grave, by reason of Sin and Iniquity that reigns in them; so that I may
safely say, although with Sorrow of Heart, without the least, I say, without
the least Breach of Charity, that all such as are firm in this Faith are
possessed of the Devil, and the Devil hath them in his Possession and
Government, and he is Chief Ruler and Governor in and over them, Preachers and
Hearers of all Societies that pretend to be Christians, but the Children of
God, that are Born of TRUTH, their Heavenly Father they are in him, in his
Heavenly Government, and he the TRUTH in Chief Ruler and Governor in them, and
they have received a living strong and power-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 238] </p>
<p>ful Faith of him that overcomes the World, and Satan the God
of this World, which is Self, unmortified Self; so in the World there is Gods
many, and many Rulers, that are Slaves to the Lust of the Flesh, with the Lust
of the Eye, Eyes full of Adultery, they cannot cease from Sin, and Pride of
Life, and Covetousness, that old, old, very old Devil and great Idol, and it
must be closely minded and worshipped to maintain the other gross Enormities or
Devils, almost as bad as Covetousness, that Father or Chief of Devils; but
though it is so, yet they that are and shall be counted worthy to know the
New-Birth, a being Born again of the incorruptible Seed and Word of God, and
God the Word, that made all things, such do know a ceasing from Sin, a Death to
Sin, and Resurrection in eternal Life, in the TRUTH in Heaven, and Heaven is in
them, and have been Baptized and Washed from all Sin, in thought, Word and
Deed, such are entred into his rest and remain in it, which no Sinner can,
while he remain so and not changed, such who are so Sanctified or Baptized,
one, are Cloathed with the fine Linnen, clean and white, the righteousness of
Saints, such are admitted</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 239]</p>
<p>to fit the Lord’s Table, in <i>New-</i><i>Jerusalem, </i>and
sup<b> </b>with<b> </b>him, him himself, and he with them in his own Government
or Kingdom, and this is the Supper of the Lord, & the Fellowship &
Communion of Saints, who said, <i>Come, come and have Fellowship with us; for
Verily, Verily or truly, our Fellowship is with the Father and the Son. </i>Is
not this <i>Paradise </i>itself, to Eat and Drink in the presence of God and
Angels. <i>Heb. 12. </i>and this is perfectly agreeable to what TRUTH promised
and said, <i>I stand at the Door, and knock or call, if any one will hear and
regard, or obey my Voice, and open to me in all Obedience, I will come in and
sup with him, and he with me, and the Father and we will make our abode with
him. </i>Oh holy abode! no Sin here, No, No, No, UNREADABLE no, truly these
dear Children Worship their Father, and serve him Night and Day in his Temple
with all Alacrity; so these Heaven-Born favorites do know the Gospel and the
New-Birth to be Spiritual, the Baptism, the Resurrection, and the Lord’s-Supper
to be Spiritual, and not carnal or natural. So they that know the New-Birth,
they know all the other, for they are all one, in Essence Divine, he that hath
one in </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 240]</p>
<p>possession cannot miss of all the other if he would; this is
for then that know the TRUTH, for to others they are but as Mysterious
Parables, for the Natural, Earth’y, Covetous, Carnal minded Man or Woman knows
not these things, neither can they, because they are made known and manifested
by the Holy Spirit the TRUTH only, and a Hundred Thousand Ship-Loads of the
best of Books, and all the Earthly Worldly Wisdom, and Natural Learning in the
whole World, either in Preachers or Hearers, cannot make manifest the knowledge
of these things; for he that loves the World, and the things of the World, the
Love of the Father is not in him, so as to reveal the Mysteries of the
Government or Kingdom of Heaven unto him, and in him. </p>
<p> So that
I may truly say, this Heavenly New-Birth is the chiefest good to bring us to</p>
<p>the sure and certain knowledge of Heavenly things, and no
other way, this, this, this is</p>
<p>the Key that
opens the Mysteries of <i>Truth’s </i>Government, this is the Rock of Ages,
&</p>
<p>Foundation on
which <i>Truth </i>doth and ever will build his Congregation; and Hell, Satan,</p>
<p>Sin and Death
shall never be able to prevail against it. </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 241]</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
'><i>A B I N G T O N</i>, the 14<sup>th</sup> of </p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
'>the 4th Mo. This Morning before </p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
'>Day Light; as it now comes in my</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center;
'> mind.</p>
<p>
Concerning the Living and True Vine, which never was dead nor could die, nor
ever</p>
<p>will nor can
die, but remains the same it was from and to all Eternity, Eternal TRUTH</p>
<p>and every
True and living Branch dwells in this Vine, and this Pure Vine Dwells in, in,
in</p>
<p>them, and
they in, in him, not out of him, No, No, we are in him that is True, and we</p>
<p>know him that
is True, and is the very Truth itself, the Holy eternal Essence which is</p>
<p>God, the only
True God, and True and only Saviour, and there is no other True God and</p>
<p>Saviour
either in Heaven above, or in the Earth beneath, or any-where else; in this
eternal</p>
<p>TRUTH the
true God is manifest to and in, in his Saints, in Sanctified Hearts, which is</p>
<p>his Temple,
House or Body, and these dear beloved Children of his, Worship him in this</p>
<p>his own
Temple, and he the Holy one accepts of their Worship and their Offerings,</p>
<p>whether
Preaching, Prayer, Praises or Thanksgivings, which are offered up to him and in</p>
<p>him, in and
by his own Spirit</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 242]</p>
<p>Life, Power
and Strength (which is himself) without any mixture of Self, striking Sparks</p>
<p> of Fire of
Man or Woman’s own kindling, such dear sweet living Branches as these that </p>
<p>are in, in
the Holy pure living Vine, and the living Vine in them can and do, and ever </p>
<p>shall at
times offer up high Praises, Hallelujahs and Thanksgivings to him that was, and
is </p>
<p>and is to
come, the Truth with pure Hearts, listing up Holy Hands without Wrath or </p>
<p>Doubting for
they or he that Doubts is Damned, as it is Written: <i>These Heaven-born</i></p>
<p><i>Souls and
Bodies, have the Government and Kingdom of Heaven, the Truth, the true </i></p>
<p><i>Christ
Essentially within them; the Kingdom, Government, </i>which is one <i>of Heaven
is </i></p>
<p><i>within, </i>as
it is written; such as those knows it to be so, and do not look out at the Lo </p>
<p>heres, and Lo
theres, nor stand gazing up into the Air, looking after and for a carnal, </p>
<p>humane,
earthly, Natural, Finite, Fleshly and Mortal Body, as the Essence of St. <i>Mary’s</i> </p>
<p>Body and her
Childrens was; but the Body of Christ, the Truth, a Spiritual Heavenly </p>
<p>Immortal
Body, which is his Church or Congregation, more properly speaking, as that </p>
<p>worthy Martyr <i>William Tindall’s </i>Translation of the Bible, calls it Congre-</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 243]</p>
<p>gation and
this is Christ’s or Truth’s Body, and he himself the Holy Head of and in his</p>
<p>own Body, his
Congregation the Truth, and Christ the True Head is on and in his own </p>
<p>Body, not a
great way off, by no means, such wild Notions are preposterous, to imagine </p>
<p>that Truth
the true Head, and there is no other, should be Thousands of Millions of Miles </p>
<p>distance from
its own Body, in some place of Locality, nobody knows where. </p>
<p> But this
is a notorious delusion of Satan and all his Ministers the World over, to lead </p>
<p>Peoples minds out, and to look for that a great way off,
that is so high and in them, for fear poor Mankind, that are his, Satan’s,
Slaves, tho’ Keepers of Slaves, should </p>
<p>turn their
minds inward and find a Redeemer there that is willing if faithfully obeyed,
and </p>
<p>able easily
to bind the strong Man armed, Satan, and, cast him out and spoil all his Goods </p>
<p>which is Sin,
and then he Satan knows he loses his Kingdom, in such a Soul and Body. </p>
<p> Oh! that
it might be so with every individual Body and Soul in the whole Universe,</p>
<p>that the Earth might become like <i>Eden, </i>and <i>Eden </i>as
the Garden of the Lord, where he the </p>
<p>Holy one the </p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 244] </p>
<p>Truth would
then take delight to walk amongst his pleasant Plants, and dwell in and </p>
<p>amongst such
well-beloved Children, Sons and Daughters, Servants and Hand-Maids,</p>
<p>and such
Children Born of the Royal Seed of Heaven, the Offspring of their Eternal </p>
<p>Father the
Truth, being filled with his Power and his great Glory, and ravished with his </p>
<p>inessable
Beauty, then, then, then it is as it was of old, the Morning Stars can and does </p>
<p>sing together
and the Sons of God shouted aloud for Joy, because the Heavenly Father, </p>
<p>Lord and
King, the Truth is amongst them, in them, and is Glorious in Holiness, fearful</p>
<p>in Praises,
and working wonders for them, and in them, and here in him, in him, not out </p>
<p>of him, but
in him only and alone, and in none else; the Earth enjoys its Sabbath again, as</p>
<p>it did before
there was any Sin in the World, in as full and as sweet a Glorious and </p>
<p>Heavenly
manner I firmly believe as of old, because it is the mind of TRUTH it should be </p>
<p>so, I do
know. <i>B.L. </i></p>
<p><i>There is no Saviour that saves from Sin, But him that
saves, and dwells within.</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 245] </p>
<p> Something came into my Mind this Day, concerning the
Foundation of the Righteous, which are Saints, and the Foundation of the
unrighteous, <i>to wit, Sinners of all Professions.</i></p>
<p>2 <i>Tim</i>. ii. 19. <i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>N</span>evertheless
the Foundation of God, standeth sure, having this Seal</i>, Oh blessed Seal
indeed, Oh holy Evidence, <i>the Lord knoweth them that are his,</i> and his
know him, and Worship him, in Spirit and in the Truth, without any Sin, <i>and
let every one, that nameth the Name of Christ depart from Iniquity.</i> </p>
<p> He that hath not his Spirit is none of his, but is an
Idolater, and his Worship is such; Preacher or Hearer of whatever Name.</p>
<p> He that doth righteousness, is righteous, as he (<i>to
wit</i>) God is righteous.</p>
<p> Little Children, let no Man deceive you; he that
committeth Sin is of the Devil.</p>
<p> All unrighteoutness and Iniquity is Sin, and all Sin is
the Devil's Foundation, so all that are Building in Sin, and living in Sin, are
Building on the Devil's Foundation, and here the Devil's</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 246]</p>
<p>Foundation, standeth sure likewise in Sin his Servants and
Ministers are established in his Kingdom in Sin, built on his Foundation, and
have a Commission from him too, to Preach the Doctrine of his Government or
Kingdom, Sin, Term of Lite, no Freedom from it, say they, while we are in these
Bodies; altho' the Holy Ghost said to the Believers, <i>your Bodies are his
Temple</i>.</p>
<p> Now consider my dear Fellow Creatures, of all Names,
while you are committing of sin, and living in sin, you are established in
Satan's Government or Kingdom, and built and building on his Foundation, which
is sandy or worse, you may read and pray, sing Songs or Psalms at home, or go
to Meetings, carry your Bibles under your Arms, make an Idol of them, and hear
Preaching or Praying, either by Form or Extempore, or receive the Bread and
Wine, call it Communion, but it is with Satan, you may go and be Sprinkled,
Dipt and Plunged a Hundred or a Thousand times calling it Baptism, yet it is
all of Satan. while in sin, you may go to Q ----r’s. Meeting and sit in
silence, fall, asleep, fall fast asleep, then wake, first fall a sighing,
spitting or blowing the Nose,</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 247] </p>
<p> stand up pretending to Preach, kneel down pretending to
pray, or sit or stand to hear Preaching and Praying, its all of Satan, while in
sin, the new Moons and Sabbaths, Sabbaths, Sabbaths, and most solemn Gatherings
of Assemblies, were a cursed Abomination to the Lord of old, although of his
own appointment, while their Hearts were after Satan and their Idols; their
offering Swines Blood, cutting off a Dog's Neck, or slaying of a Man was not
more offensive to God, because both done in the Spirit of Satan, & so it is
now with the Nominal Christians; for the Plowing of the Wicked is sin, tho'
nothing more warrantable scarsly in this World; an offering well accepted in <i>Abel</i>,
rejected and cursed in <i>Cain</i>, because his Heart was not right in the
sight of God; are not some of us as bad as they were. Read <i>Isa</i>. I. And
you false Ministers read <i>Jer</i>. 23. <i>B. L. </i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>A B I N G T O
N,</p>
<p>The 11<i>th</i> of the 2<i>d</i> Mo. 1737</p>
<p>To J. C. <i>of</i> Horsham.</p>
<p>Dear Friend, </p>
<p><i><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>N</span>otwithstanding the
great Bustle there was concerning my sitting quietly in, and being carried out
of Meeting Yesterday</i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 248] </p>
<p><i>so roughly without speaking a Word, signified little to
me, or nothing in comparison to the Burthen and Exercise I was then under, on
Account of a false and forward Ministry, which does so much Work for Satan in
our Meetings, by bringing great weights and burthens on the true Seed of God's
own right Hand, planting in his tender Babes which go not forth, or dare not
into Words when they please, to spend them upon their Lusts, as the satanical
Ministers do in our Meetings in this Country and in </i>England<i> and
elsewhere. </i></p>
<p><i>Nay, dear Friend, we need not
go far, for I believe in this very Monthly–Meeting of </i>Abington, <i>there is
such as are restless and uneasy with sitting in Silence in Meetings, so will be
Hammering and Hammering in Words without Life, and so bring Death and Darkness
over our Meetings, to the wounding and almost slaying of some dear tender young
Creatures belonging to our and other Meetings, and for ought I know may be
drove into Despair, if there be not some powerful means used that may be
effectual to stop these Leviathans that plays and sports in the great Waters:
The People are as Waters, Oh! That it might be so saith my Soul. </i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>B. L.</span></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 249] </p>
<p>Dear Friend, this has been the exercise of my sorrowful Soul
above 20 Years, and I still hope Truth, Time and Patience with Perseverance in
well doing will manifest my sincerity, whatever some of my Friends may be
pleased to think or say of me; and dear Friend, I can in all sincerity say, my
tongue, my Heart and my Hand went together Yesterday, when I told thee I had
good Unity with the Testimony, which was against a false and forward Ministry,
which took more care to feed the Multitude with Words, than to feed the
Children of God with Life, or to that Effect; signifying that some Preachers
were afraid what the People would say, would think or say if they sat in
silence; then they were in grieving the true waiters, in speaking when they
should not. And they were more careful to feed the Dead than the living, which
I say is the Work of Self, Satan or the Devil, all one, altho' Man, vain Man
and Woman do not see it so, for as Blessed Jesus said, they that gather not
with us, scatters abroad, and that thou knowest dear Friend is the Work of the
Devil. Please to read W. Penn’s <i>Advice to the Ministry</i>, in his Preface
to G. Fox’s <i>Journal</i>, p. lvi. And the J<i>ournal</i>, p. 216, 224. the
First Part.</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 250]</p>
<p>William Dewbery's Works, p.18, 21,
216, 218.</p>
<p>William Edmonson's Journal. p.
300, 306. <i>Concerning Offerings and Prayer, and many more I mentioned in that
Paper</i> I left with Friends at Spring Meeting in Philadelphia; which I think
if they were Reprinted and Bound up together they might be of some Service to
some young Preachers, and to old ones too, which never see them, if it should,
my end would be answered. </p>
<p>I wish, my dear Friend, our false
and forward Ministers would consider these Scriptures underneath.</p>
<p><i>Deuter.</i> 13.1, <i>to the
End.</i> 18. 20. Is it not to serve or bow to other Gods to join with
Idolatrous Prayer.</p>
<p>1 <i>Kings</i> 18, 19, 22. 6. <i>There
was a time when there was 850 false Prophets to one true; what has been may be
again.</i></p>
<p><i>Jer.</i> 2, 13, 31. xiv.14,
15, 16. xxiii. 9, to 16, 29, 30, 31, 32. xxvii. 15. <i>Ezek</i>. xiii. 2, <i>to
the End</i>. xxxiv. 2,3. xxii. 28. Isa. Ix. 14, to 17. xxviii.7, 8, 9. <i>Lam.</i> Ii. 14. iv.13. <i>Mic. </i>iii. 5, 6, 7. Zechar. xiii. 2, 3, 4,. 2 <i>Pet.</i> II. 1, 2, 3.</p>
<p><i>Eccles</i>. 5.1. Be more ready
to hear, than to give the Sacrifice of Fools; for</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 251] </p>
<p>they consider not that they do Evil.</p>
<p><i>What is the chaff to the
wheat? The chaff is for Beasts, the Wheat is for Children, to keep them alive
in the Kingdom or Church of God</i>, New–Jerusalem. </p>
<p>New–England Judged, p. 299. Dear
William Leddra's <i>Advice to Ministers</i>, <i>the</i> Day <i>before be was
put to Death, in</i> Boston, New–England, <i>for the Testimony of Truth.</i> </p>
<p><i>Dear Friend, believe not all
Reports, but what thou knowest amiss in me, reprove me for it, and admonish me
as a Father does a Son, who me be dearly loves, and I hope it shall be well
received, by</i> B. L.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>A B I N G T O N</p>
<p><i> The</i> 26<i>th of the </i>12<i>th Month,</i> 1737, 8 </p>
<p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>T</span>HIS
being the 10<sup>th</sup> Day of my Fasting, it came into my Mind, the carnal
People's vain Notion of Christ the TRUTH, being in Heaven with a carnal Body,
or Body of Flesh; now I think it is absolute Blasphemy, to say, the eternal
infinite Being is in Heaven with a finite Body, as a Body or Vail of Flesh is,
and so limit the blessed eternal Maker and Saviour of Mankind, and set the
Saints above him; For they will allow the Saints to be in Heaven with a
spiritual</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 252] </p>
<p>Body: Where is the Consistency of this dark, very dark
Doctrine.</p>
<p>But Satan's Children are
disputing about the Vail, the sanctified Body of Christ, (that was made perfect
through Sufferings; and he learned Obedience by the Things which he suffered)
as their Father did about the Body of <i>Moses</i>, but could not find it, no
more can they the other, altho' it be before their Eyes. There's no Occasion
for Vails of Flesh in Heaven, or a Shadow, as the Substance or Essence of
Mary's Flesh was, which Christ took on him for a Time: But there was nothing
ascended but that which descended, no other. Now go thou Caviller, go learn
what that was, and is, and ever will be the same that it was, before all
Worlds, eternal Truth, Christ, Father, one divine Essence, not two Essences, no
no, not Flesh and Spirit, not earthly and heavenly, but heavenly only. <i>B.L.</i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>There is no
Saviour that saves from Sin, </i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>But he that saves
and dwells within.</i></p>
<p><i>Pythagoras</i>, that great and
worthy Philosopher, asserted, <i>That it is the greatest of Injustices, to
separate Children and Parents from each other. </i></p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 253]</p>
<p>Is there any Practice, any Thing
like Slavekeeping? For that and all other gross Sins, take it from first to
last, in all its Twisting, Twinings and murtherous Complications.</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>A B I N G T O N,</p>
<p><i>
The 29th of the 3d Mo. 1738</i></p>
<p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>T</span>HE
right Establishment, Building, Settlement, Fountain and Foundation of the true
Congregation or Church, is God, is the TRUTH; and in him not in Books, I say in
him, not out of him, no, no, no, not a great way of, but in Christ, not out of
him, but in him; the TRUTH is his holy House, built Church or Congregation,
(one) his living Body in him, and he in his living Body, and in every living
Member thereof, and every living Member knows it to be so, in Verity and in the
Truth; and the Truth, the Verity of Verities in them forevermore. In his Children,
born again in him the Truth, and he the Truth brought forth in them to his own
Praise and Glory, forever perfected in his Saints.</p>
<p>And this is the Foundation, which
is already laid, was, and ever will be firm as a Rock, which did, does, and
ever will stand sure, and no other Foundation</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 254] </p>
<p>can any Man lay; no, no, not Christ himself can lay no other
than this, which is Truth, in the inward Parts of his Saints, his own Children
which he hath made clean and holy, and hath perfected forever, such as he hath
so sanctified: But this Foundation is not in the unsanctified, unholy, and
Sinners, that live and delight in Sin, plead for Sin Term of Life, will freely
acknowledge they cannot cease from Sin in Thought, Word and Deed; such indeed
are established also, but it is in Unrighteousness (a bad Foundation) and in
Sin, which is Satan's Church, Government and Kingdom, where he rules in his own
Body, and every Member thereof are all Sinners; and he himself is Head of his
own Body, which is his sinful Church, or Church full of Sin and Iniquity. <i><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>B.L.</span></i></p>
<p>Dear Babes and tender Lambs of my heavenly Father's Fold; it
is in my Heart this Morning, to visit you with a few lines, in the sweet Love
of my heavenly Father, truly sympathizing with you in your Afflictions,
Exercises, and sore Travel; which (my very dear and tender Friends, Brethren
and Sis-<br clear="all" style='page-break-before:always' />
[page 255]</p>
<p>ters born of the immortal Seed and Word of God) you go
through on Account of the great Degeneracy, declension and Apostacy that is got
in, and spread itself over almost all the Congregations of Friends, every
where, for ought I can understand, in this long time of Peace and Plenty, a
loose, libertine, careless Spirit has got into the Congregation; some are
centred in their great Possessions, so are buried in the Earth that Way, as
with thick Clay. Some of these are Ministers and Elders, but sleepy dead
Weights, and very great Burthens in Meetings, especially a false and forward
Ministry, which intrude into Things which they know not, but what they know
naturally, as brute Beasts, and are vainly pufft up in a fleshly carnal Mind;
with such our Meetings are often annoyed and disturbed, whose Voices being that
of the Stranger, which I very well know, dear Lambs, you can not follow or join
with, for they are fitly compared to the unclean Beasts, which mudled and
dirtied the pure Water with their Feet: Such as these in our Meetings when
gathered together, and the true Sheep and Lambs of Christ's Fold are drawing
near the Fountain of eternal</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 256]</p>
<p>Life, with sweet Breathings and Prayers; that the pure Well
might spring up in 'em, to the refreshing of their weary Souls and traveling
Spirits, which are often heavy laden, and with Grief go mourning on their Way,
because of the Abomination of the Times.</p>
<p>And if the blessed Fountain seem
to open and spring, although but a little, in steps the Prodigal with his
unclean Feet and so fouls the Water, and maybe the Current is stopt, but he
catches a Portion perchance in an unclean Vessel, to spend on harlots in riotous
Living. Up he starts to preach, when its not required of him or her; and here
the Offering is not nor cannot be accepted by the true Seed. The <i>Cain</i> is
wroth and his Countenance falls, then <i>Abel</i> must be slain; the true seed
oppressed and kept in Bondage, and the false Birth reigns and bears Rule with
great Authority seemingly, to the carnal Mind: But the pure humble, meek and
lowly precious Seed of the Government, Kingdom, and true Heir of God, and
joined Heirs with Christ sits very still and quiet, waiting for the blessed
little River, the makes glad the whole City, Habitation, Congregation or Church
of God; to rise</p>
<br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
<p>[page 257] </p>
<p>higher and higher, not to the Ankles, Knees and Loyns only;
but as a River that cannot be forded or passed thro': And here you dear Babes,
Children of the Kingdom, drink many times, until your Vessels can hold no more,
and yet are afraid to stand up when required, for fear of doing harm, or
standing in the Way of others, which you prefer; but dear Babes and Children of
the most High, beware I beseech you of this Error, and mind your holy Guide in
all your Approachings before him; let our Eye be single to him that our whole
Bodies may be filled with Light, that we may see Glory, and feel the Life of
the dear Lamb of God, to lead us and guide us in all our Duties and Services,
he may be pleased to require of us; and we need not fear being deceived by the
Enemy's Transformations neither within or without, for his Grace is sufficient
for us in time of need, as our Eyes are single towards him, and him alone for
Advice, Counsel and Strength, at all Times. Glory endless is with Him.</p>
<p align="right" style='text-align:right'><i>B. L. </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 258] </p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'>A B I N G T O N,</p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>The</i> 1st <i>of
the </i>4th Month 1738 </p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>To</i> J. C. <i>of</i> <span style='font-size:14.0pt'>H</span>ORSHAM </p>
<p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>D</span>EAR <i>and
Well-beloved Friend, it came in my mind early this Morning, once more to write
a few Lines, to thee, concerning the close exercise of Mind, that is now on me,
and have been many Years, long before I ever saw </i>Pennsylvania;<i> concerning that pernicious destructive Spirit, that destroyer of much good in
our Meetings, I say, that pernicious Spirit, that appears in a false, as well
as a forward Ministry in our Meetings, to their great disturbance and
annoyance, especially of the faithful, both Ministers and others. Oh! This
mighty Monster (false Ministry) with his many Heads, Horns and Crowns, this
Monstrous, Beastly Spirit in Men and Women, rising up out of the Sea, or
People, this Beast that had a Wound by a Sword, but does live, but it is the
Life of a Beast, altho' it was wounded by the Sword of the Spirit, by some Convictions
for gross Sins, but the deadly Wound being falsely healed, the Beast doth live
and is alive, and reigns in full strength in them, and have got the Dragons
Power and Seat, and great Authority, and the whole World wonders after the
Beast, the Worldly mind, and dark earthly Spirit amongst us; then again there
is seen</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 259]</p>
<p><i>a little Beast with two Horns like a Lamb, rising up out
of the Earth, and it exercises all the Power of the first Beast, that went or
came before it, being of the same Essence, Nature and Substance, formed in the
same Womb, Born of the same Mother, Mystery of </i>Babylon<i>, the Mother of
Harlots, or of Bastards, illegitimate, base–born Children, full of all, all,
all Iniquity, the very depth of the Mystery of Iniquity, </i>Dear Friend<i>, is
this little Beast with his two Horns like a Lamb, very Demure in the outward
appearance, seemingly Zealous for right Discipline and good order in the
Church, very loving to Friends of Repute, Ministers especially, good and bad,
and get to their Houses and Tables, the richest sort of Friends, and those of
the greatest Note to be sure, and most Account in the World, that they may
spread their Name, and their Fame wherever they come or go, that they may be
more securely, covertly, cunningly and hiddenly carry on their Design in the
Church, in making of Parties to strengthen their own Interest in the Church and
their Families, by Trading and great Dealing, either in Land or Goods,
Executorship, or whatever way or means Wealth may be obtained, to set up themselves,
and furnish their Posterity with rich Wives and Husbands, that they may be
great in the Earth: And this to be contrived, car-</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 260]</p>
<p><i>ried on, acted and done with the face and appearance of
Religion and Sanctity, and under pretence of Preaching the Gospel too, this is
the very Secret of Secrets, of the Mystery of Iniquity and the depth of Satan,
which many Thousand amongst us I believe doth not see and here Satan doth work
safely, and will work until he is discovered by the single Eye, the cleansed
Eye of the mind, that is opened and cleansed by the very Light and Power of
Truth itself, and kept open too, and clean in and by the Eternal Light and Life
of Truth, or else the Dirt or Dust of the Earth may and will get in again, and
stop the Eye up again, and make it more dark and blind than ever, never, never
more to be opened, and this is a sad dismal State indeed for any to fall into,
deplorable, never, never, never to be recovered. </i></p>
<p><i>They that are not right be
down in sorrow, tho' they hide it from others for a time; they feel it
themselves, having once began to Preach for same base End, they are ashamed to,
and afraid to leave off, altho' they are convicted and condemned in their own
consciences, clearly and heavily, to be sure, and so it follows, </i>he that
doubts is Damned<i>, so it is Written.</i></p>
<p><i>In the Building that Glorious
Temple or House at </i>Old–Jerusalem<i>, there was neither </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 261]</p>
<p><i> Hammer nor Ax, nor any Tool of Iron heard or to be
heard, all things were made ready be sore they were brought there, and yet that
was built by Men, but the Glory of the latter House in </i>New Jerusalem <i>doth
and shall exceed, and be and is greater than the Glory of the former House, as
much as Light, Darkness, and Heaven, the Earth, the former was a Type, the latter
the Anti-Type, the former was Built by Men to abide for a time, and of Earthly
Materials, the latter was, is and ever shall be Built by </i>TRUTH <i>itself,
of Heavenly Substance, and shall abide forever; Glory be to the pure </i>TRUTH <i>alone,
that was and is, and is to come.</i></p>
<p><i>Now, </i>My Friend<i>, if
there was such, and so much care, quietness, stillness, silence and awfulness
in Building that outward natural House, Built by Men but for a time. </i></p>
<p><i>How much more abundantly had
we need to be in an awful, reverend, holy, pure, still and quiet frame of mind,
when we meet together in order for the Building up of this inward and Spiritual
House, </i>New-Jerusalem<i>, whose Builder and Maker is God himself the Eternal </i>TRUTH<i>, and none else but he, and he himself alone, which was and is, is,
is, to come, the </i>Alpha <i>and </i>Omega<i>, the Author as well as finisher
of our most Holy Faith.</i></p>
<p><i>I am sorry there is so much
Reason to say</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 262] </p>
<p><i>and Proof to be made, that there is amongst us many
Foolish ( if not right down sinful and wicked) Builders, that pretend to be
Teachers too, that considers little of these weighty concerns and knows less;
these are them that are Crucifying the dear Lamb in his Spiritual appearance,
when they are still crying Hosannah with their sinful Lips in our publick Meetings,
to the wounding and piercing through the sides all true and faithful Ministers,
and right Worshippers amongst us.</i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>The 4th of the 4th
Month.</i></p>
<p><i>Dear </i>John<i>, this Morning I was in my Garden pulling
up some Weeds, it came in my mind what was objected against me lately, by one
that ministers amongst us </i>N.A. <i>and hath done near 20 Years; that I was
for setting up some Ministers, and pulling down others, Now, </i>Dear Friend<i>,
I must confess I do not approve of a false Minister, much less to set him up,
neither would I pull down the True by no means, nor touch the truly anointed to
do them any harm, for they are very near to my Life I can truly say without any
reserve, and I hope ever will be while I have a Being, But if one should ask
any Friend, even a false Minister himself, if we might at any Time receive,
should or ought to encourage a false Minister, or approve, join and unite with
him in Prayer or in his Testimony, he would answer in the negative, no, no, if
not for </i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 263]</p>
<p><i>Conscience yet for fear of shame or blame, but then, says
he, </i>who shall be Judge<i>, why truly I may say if we have no Judgment in
our goings and doings, we are in a very poor dark Condition, as well as other
People, as false Ministers and Prodigals would have us, that we might receive such
Husks as they have to feed Swine withal, but the True Children in our the True
Kingdom cannot feed on such Chaff, if they offer to receive it by conniving at
or seemingly approving of or joining with such Swine-Herds, in Prayer or
Testimony they will be in danger of being choaked, for they themselves have not
true Peace, their Master Satan cannot give it them; now if any one offer to
prove or make manifest their pretentions to Preaching is all Deceit and Cheat,
and their seeming seed Corn, nothing but Chaff and Husk, their Peace flys away
at once, like Chaff before a strong Wind; this I have often seen in </i>England<i>,
here and else–where. This Chaff, </i>Dear Friend<i>, will not do for Children,
the Beast, the Beasts, Beasts can feed on it, for it is agreeable to their
Natures as Bread is to Children, like loves its like.</i></p>
<p><i>This little or lesser Beast,
with his two Horns like a Lamb, but spake like a Dragon, like the Dragon that
gave his Power to the first Beast and his Seat, and great Authority to rule and
govern in the Church with an high</i></p>
<i><br clear="all"
style='page-break-before:always' />
</i>
<p>[page 264] </p>
<p><i>Hand in lordly manner, and they that would or could not
submit to his Commands. Although never so unjust and unreasonable, he spake as
a Dragon, especially if any found it their Duty to contradict and oppose his
usurped Authority, and his unjust Commands, and Arbitrary Proceedings, such
must expect no Mercy from him, and yet have all the Profession and outward
appearance of a meek follower of the dear Lamb, who suffered the contradictions
of sinners, for our sakes, that we might follow his Example; so the Beast, I
say the Beast had two Horns like a Lamb, got into the outward Form as much as
possible, the more craftily to deceive, and thus the Beast is a Beast still,
being a little outwardly reformed in Speech and Habit; he then gets to
Preaching, and that is his Master–Piece, and here Satan is exalted, and shows
himself that he is God, chief Ruler, and here Satan's Chieftains thinks they
reign in Glory or gloriously, and may be others think so too, that see 'em and
hear 'em hold forth, such I mean that knows not any thing, but what they know
naturally, as Brute Beasts; so e 'en let those Swine-Herds, with their Herds of
Swine go down into the Sea, and be choaked together, if they please; that the
true Sheep and Lambs might never more be troubled with them, would be joyful
News to a many afflicted</i></p>
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<p>[page 265]</p>
<p><i>dear Souls, who go mourning on their Way because of the
Oppressor.</i></p>
<p><i>There is likewise some others,
amongst us, I am well satisfied, that have been favoured with a Part, and a
Portion, and a good Portion too, of the ministry, with the Saints and faithful
ones, and have reigned with them in the Firmament of God's Power, and I would
to God, that they did reign so still; but alas, alas, some of these are fallen,
not from Words, but from Life, and that is all in all. The Dragon's Tail hath
prevailed, drawn 'em down to the Earth, they smell and savour of it, that were
once fresh and lively, feeding in the green Pastures, loved to sit in Silence
in Meetings; as silent as a Flock of Sheep and Lambs in a Field, sweetly
feeding, without Noise of Words; but alas, some of these are grown restless and
uneasy in sitting in silence; but must and will be hammering and tampering,
especially, if they feel but a little tickling of some former or old
Experience, or a Drop of Wine in their old Bottle, undigested and unrefined,
thick and muddy, the Bottle not being very clean: However having a strong
Opinion of their own Performances, and a rich Conceit of the great good they
do, and have done; to Work they go, with</i></p>
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<p>[page 266]</p>
<p><i>Noise of Words, and oftentimes no Sense. Then comes forth
the Tongue of Egyptian Sea, and the Language of Ashdod is heard, and the
linsey-woolsey Garment is seen, and the plowing is managed with the Ox and the
Ass joined together; poor plowing with Beasts so ill matched, so unequal in
their Nature and Stature, one drawing one way, and another another way; and
then the Field is sown with two Sorts of Seed, may-be a little good and a great
deal of bad. Dear Friend, I wish these Plowers and Sowers would stand still a
little, and look over the Field they have plowed, and sown, and behold the
Produce of their Labours. </i></p>
<p><i>Those that go forth with
Sparks of their own kindling, shall lye down in Sorrow. I think, Oh that these
would wait for the still, still voice, that would direct them a right, when and
what to speak to the People, and when to be silent; and not go forth in the
hurry and bluster of their own Spirits, in their own Time, but wait the Lord's
Time: Nor in the Fire, nor the Wind, nor the Earthquake, where the pure TRUTH
is not known, nor his Voice heard.</i></p>
<p><i>I say again, I wish those that
have been so long plowing with their ill matcht pair</i></p>
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<p>[page 267] </p>
<p><i>of Creatures, and sowing the Field with divers Kinds of
Seeds, would, or could be prevailed upon, to stand still a little and be
quieted, and look back and round about the Field, and see what sort of Plowing
they have made, and what Sort of Seed they have sown, and what Sort of Grain is
grown up; whether there is not 30, 60 or an Hundred Fold more bad than good,
and if so, sure there have been a great deal of bad Seed sown in the Field, or
it would not have been so (I firmly believe.) I do not believe it is all owing
to the Badness of the Ground, but for want of honest Labour performed, by
Faithful and True Labourers, and then to have good, weighty, sound, clean, pure
substantial Seed sown, without Mixture, in it, by such Seed Men and Women, and
such I love as my own Soul, much more that which dwells and grows in them or in
us, the pure eternal Truth. Now my Friend, let all the impudent, false,
forward, restless, uneasy, bold, self-conceited, turbulent, noisey, clamorous,
covetous, selfwilled Preachers, Plowers and Sowers in our Meetings, look over
the Field where they have laboured, and compare it with any of their
Neighbour's Fields, and see whether it be in any better Conditions than theirs,
if not much worse, all </i></p>
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<p>[page 268]</p>
<p><i>things well considered. The Advantages we have had and
the great Favours that have been beflowed upon us, more than any People in the
whole World, that I know of, since the Apostles Days.</i></p>
<p><i>Friend J. C. is it not
written, if thou takest a Bird's Nest thou shalt not destroy the Dam, and the
young, the young; but shall let the Dam go; but some of these forward Spirits
destroy all, lavish out all, leave their Nest empty of all good, not
considering there should be Store of good Seed left for Increase; and are like
the foolish Idolaters, that lavish Silver out of the Bag to enrich and beautify
their Idols. And are left poor and needy themselves. And so it is with these
Idolaters, these prophane Esau's; a Mess of Pottage or Porridge, a rich Wife or
Husband, worldly Honour and Profit, the Good of the Belly or Applause amongst
Men, or some other base sinister Ends. Oh these Nimrods! These mighty Hunters
before the Lord, before him, not Followers of him, not Followers of the dear
Lamb, thro’ Suffering and Death, in the Cross, in an holy, severe, strict, pure
Life of Self-Denial and the daily Cross, this daily Cross, how contrar it is to
proud idle sinful Flesh and Blood, what a Burthen it is to it, the very</i></p>
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<p>[page 269]</p>
<p><i>Thoughts of it, and yet how easy, light, sweet, safe and
pleasant it is, when once well attained, as the dear Lamb Jesus declared, </i>My
Burthen is Light and Yoak easy,<i> but Satan's damned Burthen full of Sin, or
sinful Burthen is heavy enough. I would not wish any Body a heavier Burthen,
but rather, that all might be redeemed or freed from it.</i></p>
<p align="center" style='text-align:center'><i>The 2d of the 4th
Month</i></p>
<p><i>Dearly beloved </i>J. C.<i> this morning early I opened the Bible, and met with that Chapt. </i>Jerem<i>.</i> xxiii. 9<i>. and read it to the End, with some Concern, to think what will
become of us as a People; and of those bold confident Persons, Male and Female,
that dare to speak in the Name of the Lord, when he doth not, nor never did
speak by them, and run and go, when he the holy One never sent them, but it is
to be feared there is many, yea, many amongst us that encourages ‘em, and they
are Friends of Note too, if I may call ‘em Friends. I think dear Friend, I may
say as one said, </i>Oh that my Head were as Water, and my Eyes fountains for
Tears! that I might,<i> Oh, that I might weep enough for the slain and the
blind! that the Enemy hath blinded; indeed, for my Writing or Speaking will
avail little, no, no, no. </i>B.L.</p>
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