an endless life. I write my knowledge, and name, "Many sons have done virtuously in not report, and my witness is true; having this day; but dear George, thou excellest been with him for weeks and months together them all." on divers occasions, and those of the nearest and most exercising nature; and that by night and by day, by sea and by land; in this and foreign countries; and I can say, I never saw him out of his place, or not a match for every service or occasion.

For in all things he acquitted himself like a man, yea, a strong man, a new and heavenly minded man, a divine and a naturalist, and all of God Almighty's making. I have been surprised at his questions and answers in natural things; that whilst he was ignorant of useless and sophistical science, he had in him the grounds of useful and commendable knowledge, and cherished it everywhere: civil beyond all forms of breeding, in his behaviour; very temperate, eating little and sleeping less, though a bulky person.

Thus he lived and sojourned among us and as he lived so he died; feeling the same eternal power that had raised and preserved him, in his last moments. So full of assurance was he, that he triumphed over death: and so even in his spirit to the last, as if death were hardly worth notice, or a mention: recommending to some of us who were with him, the despatch and dispersion of an epistle just before given forth by him to the churches of Christ throughout the world, and his own books: but above all, Friends; and of all Friends, those in Ireland and America, twice over, saying, mind poor Friends in Ireland and America.

SECTION VI.

Containing five several exhortations. First, general, reminding this people of their primitive integrity and simplicity. Secondly, in particular, to the ministry. Thirdly, to the young convinced. Fourthly, to the children of Friends. Fifthly, to those that are yet strangers to this people and way; to whom this book, (and that to which it was a preface in its former edition) may come. All the several exhortations accommodated to their several states and conditions; that all may answer the end of God's glory and their own salvation.

AND now, friends, you that profess to walk in the way that this blessed man was sent of God to turn us into, suffer, I beseech you, the word of exhortation, as well fathers as children, and elders as young men. The glory of this day, and foundation of the hope that has not made us ashamed since we were a people, you know is that blessed light and life of Christ which we profess, and direct all people to, as the great and divine instrument and agent of man's conversion to God. It was by this that we were first touched and effectually enlightened, as to our inward state; which put us upon the consideration of our latter end; causing us to set the Lord before And to some who came in and inquired our eyes, and to number our days, that we how he found himself, he answered, never might apply our hearts to wisdom. In that heed, the Lord's power is over all weakness day we judged not after the sight of the eye, and death; the Seed reigns, blessed be the nor after the hearing of the ear; but according Lord which was about four or five hours to the light and sense this blessed Spirit gave before his departure out of this world. He us, so we judged and acted in reference to was at the great meeting near Lombard street, things and persons, ourselves and others; yea, on the first-day of the week, and it was the towards God our maker. For being quickthird-day following, about ten o'clock at night, ened by it in our inward man, we could easily when he left us; being at the house of Henry discern the difference of things, and feel what Goldney, in the same court. In a good old was right, and what was wrong, and what age he went, after having lived to see his was fit, and what not, both in reference to rechildren's children in the Truth to many ligious and civil concerns. That being the generations. He had the comfort of a short ground of the fellowship of all saints, it was illness, and the blessing of a clear sense to in that our fellowship stood. In this we dethe last and we may truly say, with a man sired to have a sense of one another, acted toof God of old, that being dead, he yet speak-wards one another, and all men, in love, eth; and though now absent in body, he is faithfulness and fear. present in spirit: neither time nor place being able to interrupt the communion of saints, or dissolve the fellowship of the spirits of the just. His works praise him, because they are to the praise of Him who wrought by him; for which his memorial is and shall be blessed. I have done, as to this part of my preface, when I have left this short epitaph to his

In feeling the stirrings and motions of this Spirit in our hearts, we drew near to the Lord, and waited to be prepared by it, that we might feel its drawings and movings before we approached the Lord in prayer, or opened our mouths in ministry. And in our beginning and ending with this, stood our comfort, service and edification. And as we ran faster

or fell short, in our services, we made burthens for ourselves to bear; finding in ourselves a rebuke instead of an acceptance; and in lieu of well-done, Who has required this at your hands?

In that day we were an exercised people, our very countenances and deportment declared it. Care for others was then much upon us, as well as for ourselves; especially of the young convinced. Often had we the burthen of the word of the Lord to our neighbours, relations and acquaintance; and sometimes strangers also. We were in travail likewise for one another's preservation; not seeking, but shunning occasions of any coldness or misunderstanding; treating one another as those who believed and felt God present; which kept our conversation innocent, serious and weighty; guarding ourselves against the cares and friendships of the world.

We held the truth in the spirit of it, and not in our own spirits, or after our own wills and affections: they were bowed and brought into subjection, insomuch that it was visible to those who knew us, that we did not think ourselves at our own disposal, to go where we listed, nor to say or do what we listed nor when we listed. Our liberty stood in the liberty of the Spirit of truth; and no pleasure, no profit, no favour could draw us from this retired, strict and watchful frame. We were so far from seeking occasions of company, that we avoided them what we could; pursuing our own business with moderation, instead of meddling with other people's unnecessarily.

Our words were few and savoury, our looks composed and weighty, and our whole deportment very observable. True it is, that this retired and strict sort of life from the liberty of the conversation of the world, exposed us to the censures of many as humourists, conceited and self-righteous persons, &c. But it was our preservation from many snares, to which others were continually exposed, by the prevalency of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, that wanted no occasions or temptations to excite them, abroad in the converse of the world.

way of this testimony, with all zeal and integrity, and so much the more, by how much the day draweth near.

And first, as to you my beloved and much honoured brethren in Christ, who are in the exercise of the ministry; O, feel life in your ministry! let life be your commission, your well-spring and treasury on all such occasions; else you well know, there can be no begetting to God, since nothinig can quicken or make people alive to God, but the life of God: and it must be a ministry in and from life, that enlivens any people to God. We have seen the fruit of all other ministries, by the few that are turned from the evil of their ways. It is not our parts, or memory, or the the repetition of former openings, in our own will and time, that will do God's work. A dry doctrinal ministry, however sound in words, can reach but the ear, and is but a dream at the best: there is another soundness, that is soundest of all, viz. Christ the power of God. He is the key of David, that opens and none shuts, and shuts, and none can open; as the oil to the lamp, and the soul to the body, so is that to the best of words: which made Christ to say, My words, they are Spirit and they are life; that is, they are from life, and therefore they make you alive that receive them. If the disciples, who had lived with Jesus, were to stay at Jerusalem, until they received it, much more must we wait to receive before we minister, if we will turn people from darkness to light, and from satan's power to God.

I fervently bow my knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may always be like minded, that you may ever wait reverently, for the coming and opening of the Word of life, and attend upon it in your ministry and service, that you may serve God in his spirit. And be it little or be it much, it is well; for much is not too much, and the least is enough, if from the motion of God's Spirit; and without it, verily, ever so little is too much, because to no profit.

For it is the Spirit of the Lord immediately, or through the ministry of his servants, that I cannot forget the humility and chaste zeal teacheth his people to profit; and to be sure, of that day. O, how constant at meetings, so far as we take him along with us in our how retired in them, how firm to truth's life, services, so far we are profitable and no furas well as truth's principles! and how entire ther. For if it be the Lord that must work and united in our communion, as indeed be-all things in us for our salvation, much more came those who profess one head, even Christ Jesus the Lord.

This being the testimony and example the man of God, before-mentioned, was sent to declare and leave amongst us, and we having embraced the same as the merciful visitation of God to us, the word of exhortation at this time is, That we continue to be found in the

is it the Lord that must work in us for the conversion of others. If therefore it was once a cross to us to speak, though the Lord required it at our hands, let it never be so to be silent, when he does not.

It is one of the most dreadful sayings in the book of God, That he that adds to the words of the prophecy of this book, God will

place with the people among whom you travel, I beseech you that you would not think it sufficient to declare the word of life in their assemblies, however edifying and comfortable such opportunities may be to you and them: but, as was the practice of the man of God before mentioned, in great measure, when among us, inquire the state of the several churches you visit; who among them are afflicted or sick, who are tempted, and if any are unfaithful or obstinate; and endeavour to issue those things in the wisdom and power of God, which will be a glorious crown upon your ministry. As that prepares your way in the hearts of the people, to receive you as men of God, so it gives you credit with them to do them good by your advice in other respects; the afflicted will be comforted by you, the tempted strengthened, the sick refreshed, the unfaithful convicted and restored, and such as are obstinate, softened and fitted for reconciliation; which is clinching the nail, and applying and fastening the general testimony, by this particular care of the several branches of it, in reference to them more immediately concerned in it.

For though good and wise men, and elders too, may reside in such places, who are of worth and importance in the general, and in other places; yet it does not always follow, that they may have the room they deserve in the hearts of the people they live among; or some particular occasion may make it unfit for him or them to use that authority. But you that travel as God's messengers, if they receive you in the greater, shall they refuse you in the less? and if they own the general testimony, can they withstand the particular application of it, in their own cases? Thus ye will show yourselves workmen indeed, and carry your business before you, to the praise of his name, who hath called you from darkness to light, that you might turn others from satan's power unto God and his kingdom, which is within. And O that there were more of such faithful labourers in the vine yard of the Lord! Never more need since the day of God.

Wherefore I cannot but cry and call aloud to you, who have been long professors of the Truth, and know the Truth in the convincing power of it, and have had a sober conversation among men, yet content yourselves only to know truth for yourselves, to go to meetings and exercise an ordinary charity in the church and an honest behaviour in the world, and limit yourselves within these bounds, feeling little or no concern upon your spirits for the glory of the Lord in the prosperity of his Truth in the earth, more than to be glad that others succeed in such service. Arise ye in

the name and power of the Lord Jesus; behold how white the fields are unto harvest, in this and other nations, and how few able and faithful labourers there are to work therein! Your country-folks, neighbours and kindred want to know the Lord and his Truth, and to walk in it. Does nothing lie at your door upon their account? search and see, and lose no time, I beseech you, for the Lord is at hand.

I do not judge you, there is one that judgeth all men, and his judgment is true. You have mightily increased in your outward substance; may you equally increase in your inward riches, and do good with both, while you have a day to do good. Your enemies would once have taken what you had from you for his name's sake, in whom you have believed; wherefore he has given you much of the world, in the face of your enemies! But O let it be your servant, and not your master! Your diversion rather than your business! Let the Lord be chiefly in your eye, and ponder your ways, and see if God has nothing more for you to do; and if you find yourselves short in your account with him, then wait for his preparation, and be ready to receive the word of command, and be not weary of welldoing, when you have put your hand to the plough; and assuredly you shall reap, if you faint not, the fruit of your heavenly labour in God's everlasting kingdom.

And you young convinced ones, be you entreated and exhorted to a diligent and chaste waiting upon God, and the way of his blessed manifestation and appearance to you. Look not out, but within: let not another's liberty be your snare; neither act by imitation, but from the sense and feeling of God's power in yourselves; crush not the tender buddings of it in your souls, nor overrun, in your desires and warmness of affections, the holy and gentle motions of it. Remember it is a still voice that speaks to us in this day, and that it is not to be heard in the noises and hurries of the mind, but is distinctly understood in a retired frame. Jesus loved and chose soli. tudes; often going to mountains, gardens and sea-sides, to avoid crowds and hurries, to show his disciples it was good to be solitary, and sit loose to the world. Two enemies lie near your state, imagination and liberty; but the plain, practical, living, holy Truth, that has convinced you, will preserve you, if you mind it in yourselves, and bring all thoughts, inclinations and affections to the test of it, to see if they are wrought in God, or of the enemy, or of your ownselves; so will a true taste, discerning and judgment be preserved to you, of what you should do and leave undone. And in your diligence and faithfulness in this

way you will come to inherit substance; and some of your fathers, in the day they first Christ, the eternal wisdom, will fill your trea-entered into this holy path. And if you, sury. And when you are converted as well after hearing and seeing the wonders which as convinced, then confirm your brethren; and be ready to every good word and work, that the Lord shall call you to; that you may be to his praise, who has chosen you to be partakers, with the saints in light, of a kingdom that cannot be shaken, an inheritance incorruptible in eternal habitations.

And now, as for you that are the children of God's people, a great concern is upon my spirit for your good and often are my knees bowed to the God of your fathers, for you, that you may come to be partakers of the same Divine life and power, that have been the glory of this day; that a generation you may be to God, an holy nation and a peculiar people, zealous of good works, when all our heads are laid in the dust. O, you young men and women! let it not suffice you, that you are the children of the people of the Lord; you must also be born again, if you will inherit the kingdom of God. Your fathers are but such after the flesh, and could but beget you into the likeness of the first Adam; but you must be begotten in the likeness of the second Adam, by a spiritual generation, or you will not, you cannot, be of his children or offspring. And therefore look carefully about you, O ye children of the children of God! Consider your standing and see what you are in relation to this Divine kindred, family and birth. Have you obeyed the light, and received and walked in the Spirit, which is the incorruptible seed and word of the kingdom of God, of which you must be born again. God is no respecter of persons. The father cannot save or answer for the child, nor the child for the father, but in the sin thou sinnest thou shalt die; and in the righteousness thou dost, through Christ Jesus, thou shalt live; for it is the willing and obedient that shall eat the good of the land. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; such as all nations and people sow, such they shall reap at the hand of the just God. And then your many and great privileges above the children of other people, will add weight in the scale against you, if you choose not the way of the Lord. For you have had line upon line, and precept upon precept, and not only good doctrine, but good example; and which is more, you have been turned to, and acquainted with, the Spirit of Truth in yourselves, of which others too generally have been ignorant and you know you may be as good as you please, without the fear of frowns and blows, or being turned out of doors and forsaken of father and mother for God's sake and his holy religion, as has been the case of

God has wrought in the deliverance and preservation of them, through a sea of troubles, and the manifold temporal, as well as spiritual blessings that he has filled them with, in the sight of their enemies, should neglect and turn your backs upon so great and near a salvation, you would not only be most ungrateful children to God and them, but must expect that God will call the children of those that knew him not, to take the crown out of your hands, and that your lot will be a dreadful judgment at the hand of the Lord: but O that it may never be so with any of you. The Lord forbid, saith my soul.

Wherefore, O ye young men and women, look to the Rock of your fathers: there is no other God but him, no other light but his, no other grace but his, nor spirit but his, to convince you, quicken and comfort you; to lead, guide and preserve you to God's everlasting kingdom. So will you be possessors as well as professors of the Truth, embracing it, not only by education, but judgment and conviction; from a sense begotten in your souls, through the operation of the eternal spirit and power of God; by which you may come to be the seed of Abraham, through faith and the circumcision not made with hands; and so heirs of the promise made to the fathers of an incorruptible crown. That, as I said before, a generation you may be to God, holding up the profession of the blessed Truth in the life and power of it. For formality in religion is nauseous to God and good men ; and the more so, where any form or appearance has been new and peculiar and begun and practised upon principle, with an uncommon zeal and strictness. Therefore I say, for you to fall flat and formal, and continue the profession, without that salt and savour by which it is come to obtain a good report among men, is not to answer God's love, nor your parents' care, or the mind of Truth in yourselves, nor in those that are without; who, though they will not obey the Truth, have sight and sense enough to see if those who do make a profession of it. For where the Divine virtue of it is not felt in the soul, and waited for and lived in, imperfections will quickly break out and show themselves, and detect the unfaithfulness of such persons, and that their insides are not seasoned with the nature of that holy principle which they profess.

Wherefore, dear children, let me entreat you to shut your eyes at the temptations and allurements of this low and perishing world, and not suffer your affections to be captivated