and caution, as they are commonly very posi- day following; many ministering Friends at tive and self-willed; being seldom, in this tended it, some of whom were largely opened declined state of the church, without a party, by the power and wisdom of Truth, to pubwho had rather have almost any kind of min-lish the Gospel tidings with clearness and istry than silence. This makes it much more good demonstration. The people, though nudifficult for those, who have a right sense of merous, being generally very still and attentheir spirits, to bring the judgment of Truth tive, appeared to receive the testimony of over such; as those above-mentioned are apt | Truth with pleasure, and things were in the to screen them, and cover their heads, unless main well conducted. Here my friend John they manifest themselves, which has fre- Bradford joined me as a companion. We had quently happened, by their being guilty of a large meeting at Worcester on fourth-day, some immoral conduct. in which Truth had comfortable dominion, I went after meeting to visit two Friends, especially near the conclusion, to the great who had been imprisoned a considerable time satisfaction and joy of many hearts. Blessed for refusing to pay tithes. As soon as I had be the Lord our God, for his continued faentered the place of their confinement, I sen- vours to his people! On fifth-day we had a sibly felt that the Son of peace was there. My small poor meeting at Broomyard in Here. mind was brought into great nearness, unity, fordshire; things being very low in that and Christian sympathy with them in their place, as respects Truth and Friends. On suffering state, which they appeared to bear sixth-day we had a meeting at Leominster; with cheerfulness and resignation to the divine the fore part was very cloudy and painful, yet will. The sense of the great importance of by the gracious springing up of light and life, the testimony they were concerned to main-I got through my service therein to good satistain, by suffering for it, and what our wor- faction. The next day, being the seventh of thy predecessors went through, in nasty stink- the week, I went to my dear mother's in ing prisons and dungeons, where many of Radnorshire. On first-day, the neighbours them ended their days in support thereof, who may be very justly numbered amongst the faithful martyrs of Jesus Christ, overcame my mind with tenderness to that degree, that I could not presently discourse with them about their sufferings. We had a blessed op-affected. portunity together, and took our leave of each with Friends and many others, at Talcoyd, other, in the sweet enjoyment of the pure love near my mother's house. They seemed of God. Oh, how much more joyous and greatly affected with the virtue of Truth; refreshing it is to visit such faithful sufferers, but I fear they stumble at the cross. On than to visit carnal professors of the same second-day we had a meeting at a place Truth, who violate that precious testimony, called the Coom, about six miles from my by voluntarily putting into the priests' mouths, mother's, pretty open and comfortable. On lest they should prepare war against them, fourth-day, the 11th, I took leave of my wormaking religion bow down to their supposed thy affectionate mother, relations and Friends temporal interest, thereby not only declaring thereabout, having my brother Benjamin for themselves mere pretenders thereto, but also our guide over the bleak mountains into Car. increasing the sufferings of those under the diganshire. The wind blew hard and it rained, same profession who dare not temporize! but through mercy we received very little harm.

I returned to Colebrookdale, where I had a hard trying meeting held in silence; and went to Birmingham, where I had been several times before, and generally had painful laborious meetings; but now it pleased divine Goodness to favour with openness and good authority, to declare the Truth largely, I believe to the stirring up of the careless, at least to a present sense of their duties; as well as to the comfort and edification of the honesthearted, and to my own peace and relief.

From this place I went to Broomsgrove, in order to attend the Yearly Meeting, which began on first-day, the 1st of the seventh month, being held in a barn, fitted up by Friends for that purpose: it ended the thirdVOL. V.-No. 10.

being apprized of my being come, flocked to the Pales meeting in abundance. The Lord was pleased to favour me with a large open time, to declare his everlasting Truth amongst them, with which they appeared to be much I had another such opportunity

Next day we had a small poor meeting at one Evans's. Religion was at a very low ebb in that place, and my chief business, as far as I could see, was to detect a vile impostor, who had, by a feigned and hypocritical show, got the advantage of the weakness and credulity of Friends there. I never had seen him before, that I know of, but my spirit was exceedingly burdened with his deceitful groanings and feigned agitation in the meeting, and was satisfied his spirit was very foul and corrupt, as it was like a nuisance to me all the time. I warned Friends to be aware of him, and to keep him at a distance; but they seemed willing to hope that there was

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very rough open road; and the day very stormy, so that we were exceedingly wet. Great care was taken of us, when we got to our friend Paul Bevan's house, so that, through mercy, we received but very little harm.

some good in him, as he appeared so much day to Swansey, about thirty miles, being a concerned in meetings. I saw whereabout they were who pleaded thus, as they seemed taken with, and rather to approve of, what was so very offensive and even odious to me, viz., his pretended exercise in that meeting. But if people will lay hold suddenly on such, On first-day, being the 22nd, we attended they must partake with them in their sins; their meetings; that in the forenoon was held for this man afterward discovered himself to in silent labour. In the afternoon I had a be very bad, by being guilty of gross wick-close searching testimony to bear, tending to edness. I think the meeting was held in stir up and arouse Friends to more zeal and silence. fervour of mind; and was favoured to get through to satisfaction.

authority and clearness, and the upright in heart were sweetly comforted in the enjoy ment of the Lord's presence, returning him the praise, who is worthy for ever!,

We went to a place called Penbank in Carmarthenshire, where a meeting was held next On third-day we had a poor small meeting day to pretty good satisfaction, being favoured amongst a few Friends at Freeveraque. I had with matter and utterance for their help, nothing to administer, but an example of sithough things appeared low; in the evening lence. We went after meeting to Pontypool, I had a very poor afflicting meeting at Pen- and next day had a precious open meeting; place; where great slackness and weakness the testimony of Truth went forth with good appeared in the few professors. We were quite silent as to public ministry. We went from thence to Carmarthen, and attended their meetings on first-day; and had good open service therein, especially in the afternoon, many of the neighbours coming in: the testimony of Truth went forth freely and largely amongst them, with which they appeared to be much reached and affected; and might, I hope, tend to remove a prejudice they had imbibed, from the misconduct of one or more, of high pretensions lately in that place, but then removed.

We had a meeting on second-day in the evening, at Laugharn, where very few, if any properly of our Society, resided; many of the neighbours came in, and we had a good opportunity amongst them, in the free extendings of Gospel love; the doctrine whereof seemed to have a considerable reach upon them. On third-day we had a meeting amongst a few professors at Jamestown. It being their harvest time, they seemed more concerned about their corn than religion; several rushing out in a disorderly manner, to take care of that, as there was some appearance of rain.

On sixth-day, the 27th, we crossed the Severn at the New-Passage, and went that night to the widow Young's at Earthcott; had a hard trying meeting there next day; after which we went to Bristol, and on first-day, the 29th, attended three meetings there; the first two were held in painful distressing silence, and the last also, except a few words near the breaking up of it. This was the first of my visiting that city, and a time not easily to be forgotten by me. It was indeed a season of sore mourning and lamentation, in a sense of their great declension. There was very little to be seen or felt of that plainness, pure simplicity, humility and contempt of the world, so conspicuous in their worthy predecessors, who trampled upon the glory of this world, counting it as dross and dung, in comparison of the smiles of the Lord's countenance and being clothed with the beautiful garment of his salvation. Oh, how was the choicest vine planted, made to spread and mightily to prosper, through great suffering It was with much difficulty we procured a and persecution, in that city, in early times; guide to Haverfordwest. At length we pre-sufficiently, one would think, to have deeply vailed on a young woman to go, who seemed established the permanency thereof, and to to have the most lively sense of religion of have recommended its superior dignity and any amongst them. Having a large ferry to cross over Milford Haven, we were so hindered, as not to reach the place, until about an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, to our great uneasiness. This meeting was, for the most part, held in silence; yet near the conclusion, I had some things given me to deliver, with considerable weight and Gospel authority. I went next to Redstone, where the meeting was small, yet open and comfortable; then to Carmarthen, and next

excellency to many generations! May not that of the apostle to the Galatians, be justly applied to them? "O foolish Galatians! who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the Truth; before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified amongst you? Are ye so foolish, having begun in the spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"

I parted with my companion at Bristol, and turned my face homewards, taking meetings in my way to London, at Frenchay, Corsham,

with the laws of the land, when they believed them inconsistent with the nature of Christianity, and therefore a transgression of God's law. But the ground of the misapprehension, which such reasoners fall into, appears to be a presumption that the source of property is in the law, and that the laws of the land can alienate the right of one, without rendering him any equivalent, and give it to another, who had no right therein before. But right and wrong are immutable, and cannot be altered by human laws, which only grant people aid to preserve and recover that which of right appears to belong to them; so that human laws cannot bind the conscience, any further than they are consistent with the laws of God.

Chippenham, Caln and Reading; in all which plead that the payment of tithes was justifiI had considerable openness, largely and with able, because required by the laws of the good authority, to publish the doctrine of land; not considering the gross absurdity of Truth, to my own peace, and I hope to the making human laws to be preferred before comfort and help of many; though in some the laws of Christ, however contrary thereto, places my spirit was much pained with a and enjoined as an absolute rule for Chrissense of the prevailing indifference and luke- tians; unless they suppose it impossible that warmness, in this day of ease and outward any human laws can be made contrary to plenty. Christ's laws, which is equally absurd. Such On seventh-day, the 5th of the eighth an opinion tends to invalidate the great suf month, I got to London, and staid their meet-ferings and martyrdom of all those, who gave ings on first-day. After which I returned up every thing they had in this world, and home, and found my dear wife and family even their lives, rather than actively comply well, to our mutual comfort; being thankful to the kind hand of Providence, whose goodness attends those who trust in him, both in heights and depths; taking care of their bodies, souls and those outward benefits he hath bountifully favoured them with; affording real comfort therein, with his blessing, which maketh truly rich, and adds no sorrow with it. I was out on this journey about eight weeks, and travelled about seven hundred and forty miles, having been at about forty meetings. I have preserved very little or no account of short journies and services in this and the adjacent counties; in which, however, I was divers times engaged to labour, both at Quarterly and other meetings, for reviving ancient zeal and diligence. But alas! the inordinate love of worldly enjoyments, good in themselves, covers the minds of many professors, like thick clay, who are exceedingly hard to be made sensible of the chiefest good, so that I have often feared some of them will not hear, until the Lord is provoked to speak with a louder voice in judgment, from which they will not be able to turn aside or in any way to shun. Many in our Society, as in others, having departed from the life, rest satisfied in a profession of religion: some also have departed from the power and form too, in a great degree; appearing neither one thing nor another. Could they see themselves as judicious persons see them, shame and confusion of face would cover them.

When a sincere Christian is persuaded they enjoin any thing contrary to the perfect law of liberty in his own mind, he may not actively resist, but passively suffer the penalty thereof, whereby he faithfully bears his testimony against the iniquity of such a law, and so far contributes to have it removed. Tithes under the Gospel, being an antichristian, popish error, and the laws enjoining their payment being grounded upon a supposition, that they are due to God and holy church, how can any clearly enlightened person pay them in any shape, as he thereby assents to that great error and contributes to support it, to the great scandal and abuse of the Christian religion, and that noble, free, disinterested ministry, instituted by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; whose direction in that case is,

The next considerable journey I have any account of, was entered upon the 27th of the eighth month, 1753, in order to visit Friends" Freely ye have received, freely give?" in some parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Westmoreland, &c. I met some Friends at Walden, who with myself were appointed by the Quarterly Meeting to visit that Monthly Meeting for its help. I was largely opened in the meeting of worship, to set forth the beauty, order and excellent harmony of the several members in the church of Christ; and Truth had considerable dominion therein, to our great comfort. This prepared our minds for close and painful labour with wrong spirits in the meeting of business, who had the boldness to

Much more might be said to manifest the absurdity of such a plea for the payment of tithes; but I would hope there are not many amongst us so blinded by the god of this world, as to adopt such an argument. Truth prevailed in the meeting, and the testimony. thereof was exalted over all such spirits. Praises to our God for his gracious assistance, mercifully afforded to all those who put their trust in him alone!

I proceeded on my journey and had meetings at Godmanchester, Oakham and Leices

without the life and power thereof. I hope it was a profitable time to many.

I went from thence to Brighouse meeting, wherein matter and utterance were given,

ter; and had close searching labour, in order that careless, lukewarm professors might be stirred up and awakened to a sense of their states. The testimony of Truth also flowed forth at times, as a refreshing stream of en-tending to arouse the indolent and to encoucouragement to the mourners in Sion and sincere travellers thitherward. From thence I went to Nottingham, and had a meeting; the Lord graciously favouring with wisdom and utterance, to divide the word aright to the several states of those present. Truth greatly prevailed, overshadowing the meeting to the rejoicing of many hearts.

rage those who were truly concerned for Truth's prosperity. The meeting at Rawden was very large and open, and the testimony of Truth had dominion. I had a pretty open meeting next day at Bradford; after which I went to visit a friend who was very low and weak in body, few expecting her recovery. I felt the pure virtue of the holy anointing to be with Next day I had a small meeting at Furness her, and had it given me to signify, that I did in Derbyshire, wherein I had close labour believe the Lord would raise her up for furwith indolent professors, who, neglecting their ther service, which accordingly came to pass. own proper business, were too much depend- I went from thence to Leeds, and attended ing upon the labours of others, to their great their meetings on first-day. In the forenoon loss; besides which, such unwarrantable de- the testimony of Truth was greatly exalted, pendence greatly tends to load and depress in setting forth the power and efficacy of liv the life in those concerned, making their ex-ing faith: it was a glorious time, Truth being ercises much greater. The next meeting I over all. In the afternoon, it was thought had was at Matlock, which was large; the several hundreds attended, mostly of the peogreater part being people of other persuasions. ple called Methodists. I was quite shut up as It was, through the blessed efficacy of the to ministry, I thought, in order to set an exWord of life, an open good time, and the doctrines of Truth were largely declared; showing that the world by wisdom knows not God, as well as how and to whom he is pleased to make himself known. The meeting was much affected with the virtue of Truth, which was eminently extended that day, and I hope would not be easily forgotten by many. I went from thence to Sheffield, and attended their meetings on first-day, which were large. In the morning my spirit was deeply baptized into a painful sense of the empty formal state of some, and also of the undue liberties of many others. I was made willing and resigned to go down into suffering on their account; that if it pleased the Lord, I might be the better qualified to administer effectually to their several states, as experience hath taught me repeatedly, that I could not speak feelingly to mankind for their help and recovery, in any other way. At the afternoon meeting I was concerned to lay their several states open before them. It was a blessed and seasonable opportunity, tending much to their awakening to a sense of duty, and I think it may with thankfulness be said, Truth was over all.

ample of the important duty of silence to Friends and others. The meeting concluded with an awful solemnity, which I hope was profitable to many. I went to Skipton, where the meeting was large, and the power of God's eternal Truth went forth in a searching, awakening testimony, as well as in a refreshing stream of consolation to those who stood in need of encouragement in their travels towards the city of God. The meeting next day at Airton was a heavy painful time of silence in the fore part; but the Lord was pleased to appear and afford ability to search some barren professors, by opening their states to them, with which they seemed somewhat affected; but alas! how hard it is to reach effectually unto those who are settled as upon their lees, living in a state of mind that can rest satisfied in an empty profession.

Next day I had a pretty large meeting at Settle there I found the life of religion much depressed with an earthly formal spirit; but through divine goodness, Truth arose and prevailed over it for the present, and was exalted, as being the one thing needful. I went from thence to Lothersdale, where I had a very large meeting; the Lord enabling me, The next meeting I had was at Highflats, who am otherwise a poor helpless creature, which was large, there being a numerous body to bear a thorough testimony, suited to the of plain Friends, as to the outward appear- various states of those present; and his gloance, belonging thereto. It was a labori-rious name was exalted above every name. ous meeting, but through divine favour, there From thence I went to the house of my bewas strength afforded to lay before them in a loved friends Jonathan and Margaret Raine, close pressing manner, the great danger of at Trawden; whom, for their tender regard resting contented in a decent form of religion to me when I wanted succour both for body

and mind, I have heretofore had occasion to Fothergill being engaged therein, in a very mention; as likewise the Ecroyd family. powerful and affecting manner. I staid at We greatly rejoiced in the opportunity of one Kendal to attend their first-day meetings; at another's company once more; Truth having both which, especially the latter, I was very nearly united us in our former acquaintance. largely opened to declare the Truth with I staid there something more than a week, power, which affected and tendered many attending several meetings there and at Mars- hearts, there being a great number of Friends, den-height; at some of which the Lord was mostly of a younger sort, in that meeting; it eminently with us, opening the wells of sal- having been stripped, like many other places vation, that we might drink together and sing of late, of divers substantial elders. praises to him the Fountain of all good. I labour was very earnest, that the rising youth had great openness in my service amongst might come rightly under the yoke of Christ, them; and we took our leave of one another that they might be really prepared and fitted in a sweet sense of God's love uniting our to succeed those who are removed hence, hearts one to another. having finished their day's work.

My

On second-day, the 1st of the tenth month, Accompanied by several Friends, I had a I set out for Lancaster, in order to be at their meeting at Grayrigg, to good satisfaction. Quarterly Meeting, being accompanied by my The testimony of Truth went forth with clearfriend Jonathan Raine. I was at the Monthly ness and demonstration, tending to awaken Meeting there on third-day, where I had con- the careless, as well as to strengthen and siderable service. Fourth-day in the morn- encourage the honest hearted. I returned ing, was held their meeting of ministers and to Kendal, and went next day to a general elders; which was to comfort and edification. meeting at Windermoor. The Lord's blessed I found myself concerned to set forth the na- power was livingly felt in that meeting, whereture of true Gospel ministry; as also to point by I was enabled, from the expressions of our out some dangers which, without a steady Lord to Nicodemus, to show the necessity of care and watchfulness, might attend those regeneration or the new birth; a doctrine exercised therein. I hope it was a profitable highly necessary to be pressingly recomopportunity to some present. The same day mended to the youth in our Society and carewas held the Quarterly Meeting, wherein the fully weighed by them, lest any should vainly Lord was graciously pleased, according to hope for an entrance into the kingdom of God, his wonted goodness, to appear for the help by succeeding their ancestors in the profesof his sincerely concerned labourers. Blessed sion and confession of the Truth. A lamentbe his worthy name, he is found of those that able error! which many I fear have fallen truly seek him, and doth not fail those who into, imagining they are God's people, withlean upon him, and not to their own under- out his nature being brought forth in them; standing, nor to former experience of his or, as saith the apostle, being made partakers assisting power and wisdom. Truth was of the divine nature, and escaping the corrup greatly in dominion and Friends much edified, the unity of the one spirit being livingly enjoyed.

tions that are in the world through lust. Great opportunity have such by education, the writings of our predecessors, and also by the Gospel ministry with which the Lord hath been pleased to bless our Society, to collect and treasure up a great deal of knowledge in the speculative understanding part, even to profess and confess the Truth in the same words or language made use of, by those who really learned it in the school of Christ. This is no more than an image or picture of the thing itself, without life or savour; and where it is trusted to is an abomination to God and his people.

I went next day, accompanied by Samuel Fothergill, William Backhouse and William Dilworth, to the Quarterly Meeting at Kendal. The select meeting for ministers and elders was held that afternoon; and I had some good open service therein, on the nature of Gospel ministry and the mysterious workings of Satan in his transformations. It was a time of edification and comfort. Next day was held the Quarterly Meeting; the fore part for worship, and afterward for the discipline of the church, wherein I had some service. Things I have touched the more closely on this were low we had a large meeting in the head, being apprehensive the danger is very evening, both of Friends and others; it was, great to which the rising youth are exposed, through the pure efficacy of divine virtue, aby dwelling securely and at ease, as it were, blessed opportunity. I was largely opened in testimony concerning Christ, the divine light, who enlightens every man that cometh into the world. It ended in solemn prayer and praises to Almighty God; our friend Samuel

in houses they have not built, and enjoying vineyards they never planted; for great are their advantages above others, if rightly im proved; otherwise they must increase the weight of their condemnation. I have often