AND POSTHUMOUS WORKS OF RICHARD CLARIDGE; BEING Memoirs and Manuscripts RELATING TO HIS EXPERIENCES AND PROGRESS IN RELIGION, HIS CHANGES COLLECTED BY JOSEPH BESSE, AND FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1726. THIRD EDITION. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.-1 Thess. v. 21. A man may be allowed to change his opinion at any time, upon good reason; and If truth do anywhere manifest itself, seek not to smother it with glozing delusion, LONDON: DARTON AND HARVEY, GRACECHURCH-STREET. 1836. C5918 122466 355 ADVERTISEMENT. 1836 RICHARD CLARIDGE's Life as now republished, is nearly a verbatim transcript of the first edition. A second came out in 1757; both of them having this addition to the title: "With Essays in Defence of several principles and practices of the people called Quakers.' But it was found that these Essays, if subjoined to the present volume, would have swelled it to about twice its size, and probably impeded its circulation. The hope, however, is entertained, that at least a Selection from these, as well as from the other valuable productions of so clear, forcible, and experimental a writer on doctrinal truth, may very acceptably be revived in the same cheap, compact form, and laid before the public and the Society of Friends in particular, at the present juncture. Stoke Newington, 8th Month, 1836. JOHN BARCLAY. CONTENTS. 1649.-Richard Claridge's birth, parentage, education, academi- 'first wives-His manner of life while a priest-The work of grace upon him-His going to hear Richard Baxter, and other noted preachers-His reformation of life-His examination of the doctrines and ceremonies of "the Church of England" by the Holy Scriptures-His last preaching at Peopleton, and the heads of his two last Sermons there-The resignation of his rectory-His scruple as to giving the title of Reverend 1691.-His joining in society with the Baptists-A remark- b |