the understandings of his people, to see that the day is upon us, that they that marry are to be as though they married not, and they that possess, as though they possessed not; therefore the Lord is at work in the hearts of his people, to wean them from having their chief delight in that which is fading and visible, and to set it on that which is invisible, where the just shine as the firmament, and the faithful ever be as the angels of God, married to the Lamb, for ever and ever. And all that are rightly come to the dawning of this day in their own particulars, [are arrived] where a taste of this glory is embraced, which will make all the upright in heart say, "One day with the Lord, is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as but one day." It is the sense of these things which are as unspeakable joys set before the eyes of the faithful, that make many deny themselves, from the enjoyment of those things which may be near and dear unto them, and as the apple of their eye. Therefore the mark being before, O that we may ever keep here, where we are more and more sensible of the glorious presence of the Lord, to shine upon our tabernacles; then shall we witness the morning stars to sing together, and the sons of God, to shout for joy; and here the smiles of his countenance are known, where many are saying in their hearts, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;" and it

is hither the Lord hath brought and is bringing his lambs to rest, where he is feeding his flocks in the pleasant valleys, beside the still waters, where the voice of the turtle is heard, and the rose of Sharon blossoms, and casts a sweet smell. The Lord preserve thee, my dear wife, with all my dear children here, then will you be an honour to the Lord, and a joy and comfort one unto another; so shall your peace spring as a river, and your righteousness be as the waves of the sea: and it is my daily travail, that Sion may arise and shine in her ancient beauty, and Jerusalem may be the praise of the whole earth, and that the knowledge of the Lord may cover the earth as the waters cover the seas, that God over all may be exalted, who is praise worthy, now and for ever. I am in great haste, but desire to have my very dear love remembered to my father and mother, and all my dear children as if named, and love to all friends that may inquire after me, not forgetting my love to thyself, I rest thy ever loving husband,

My dear Wife,

CHRISTOPHER STORY.

The 13th of the 11th month, 1699.

Thine I received, dated the 5th of this instant, and was glad of that salutation of true and unfeigned love, that, I had a sense of, flowed forth from thee, and son Thomas, and daughter

Mary, and I do not doubt but Rachel, Christopher, and Abigail's is the same to me, though they cannot express it. Your love to me affect. ed my heart with true tenderness, and I can do no less than return the Lord the praise, for his present nearness in my absence. Let this be your greatest comfort, that you are of the number of his lambs, whom he is carrying in his arms : and though ye be but children, yet as iniquity is turned from, spiritual comforts will drop in your way, that whatever your exercises be, the sweetness of the love of God is such, that it will bear up over all; that neither heights nor depths, things present nor things to come, principalities nor powers, life nor death, shall ever be able to separate from that love which is enjoyed in Christ Jesus. And here I am glad to feel thee, my dear wife, and my children, where God's banner which is love, is over you. The dew of heaven rest upon you all the night long, that when you awake the Lord may be still with you; and no doubt but this will engage you more and more, to keep your morning watch unto the Lord; and this is the way to take rooting downward, so will you be made to bring forth fruit upward. Then there will not only be a receiving of the truth by tradition, and so go to meetings because others go, which is well so far, but there will be a receiving the truth in the love of it; and that liberty and freedom which the Spi

rit of Truth leads into, ye will more and more witness. Here, as you witness that holy birth brought forth in you, by the overshadowings of the Holy Ghost, and so Christ to live and reign in you, of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end; here, is the resurrection of the just known, where they that do well enter into life, when they that do evil remain in death. Press after those things that make for peace, so will you come to know, that it is not the professors barely, but it is they that are come to a living possession of the truth, that have cause to admire the loving kindness of God, over and above what they have seen or heard from others. The true brokenness of heart and contrition of spirit of all the faithful, is such, that none can bind them up, or add to their joy, but the Lord. The Lord espouse thee, my dear wife, and you my children to himself; on this wise hath been for many years, and still is my earnest desire, that the marriage day of the Lamb ye may know, where you are standing upon Mount Sion, the earth being under your feet, loose to all things, only joined to the Lord; here the heart is filled with true know. ledge, as the waters cover the sea. So to Him that is the Author, and will be the Finisher, do I recommend you for counsel and wisdom, that he may have the praise, who is the first, and will be the last, in the carrying on this great

work of regeneration, to whom be the honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

I and companion are both well, and intend next third day to leave this city. It may be little more than three weeks ye may expect us; I could write much, but time will not admit. My dutiful respects to my father and mother; my love to my friends and neighbours, my de ar love to thee, my wife, and children; and so farewell.

CHRISTOPHER STORY.

END OF THE JOURNAL.