the pure consciences of his people: which holy faith, Christ, the holy One, is the author and finisher of. By this holy faith all the just live, in it holy ones have unity; and by it they quench all the fiery darts of satan; and have access to the pure God, in which they please "And now, dear Friends and brethren Lord God of heaven and earth, who by his eternal arm and power hath settled all his people upon the living, holy rock and foundation, that stands sure; whom he hath drawn by his spirit to his Son, and gathered into the name of Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, full of grace and truth: who hath all power in hea-him. Christ, who is set on the right hand of ven and earth given to him. His name is the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, in above every name under the whole heaven, his New Testament and new covenant, is the and all his living members know, there is no minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle, salvation given by any other name under the which the Lord hath pitched, and not man. whole heaven, but by the name of Jesus; and Therefore all the lambs and sheep of Christ he, their salvation, and their living head, is must feel this holy minister in their temple felt in the midst of them in his light, life, spi- and sanctuary, who ministers spiritual, holy, rit, grace, and truth, and his word of patience, and heavenly things to them in their sanctuawisdom, and power: He is his people's pro- ry and tabernacle. For all the tabernacles phet, that God hath raised up, in his New Tes- and sanctuaries, that are built or pitched by tament and covenant, to open to them; and man, men make ministers for; and such their living shepherd, that hath purchased, re-ministers are of men and by men, with their deemed, and bought them with his precious worldly sanctuaries and tabernacles of men's blood. Christ, the living One, feeds his living | pitching, by men's hands. sheep in his living pastures of life, and his living sheep know their living shepherd's everywhere, that are of the flock of Christ : voice, with his living bread and water, and Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Therefollow him; and will not follow any of the fore let us all keep this heavenly feast of our world's hirelings, nor thieves, nor robbers, passover in his New Testament and covenant, nor climbers, that are without Christ, the door. not with old leaven, neither of malice nor Likewise Christ's living children know Christ, wickedness; but let all that be purged out, the bishop of their souls, to oversee them with with the sour old leavened bread, that all may his heavenly and spiritual eye, that they may become a new lump: and so keep this heavenbe preserved in his fold of life, and go no more ly feast of Christ, our heavenly passover, with forth. Also they know Christ, their holy priest, the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. that by the grace of God tasted death for them, Amen. G. F." and for every man, and is a propitiation for After making a visit to several places near their sins; and not for theirs only, but for the London, attending and appointing some meetsins of the whole world: and by the one of-ings, he returned to the city; and the parliafering up of himself he hath perfected for ever ment then sitting, had a bill before them conthem that are sanctified. Such an high priest cerning oaths, and one respecting clandestine becomes Christ's sheep in his new covenant marriages. He, with other Friends, attended and testament, who is holy, harmless, and the house, and had interviews with the memseparate from sinners, and is made higher bers, to guard against the insertion of any than the heavens; who is not made a priest clause in the bill, which would militate after the order of Aaron with his tithes, offer - | against them. ings, &c., but he makes an end of all those things, having abolished them, and is made a high priest after the power of an endless life, who ever liveth to make intercession for his people; and is able to save to the uttermost, “ All Friends in the ministry everywhere, all that come to God through him. He is the to whom God hath given a gift of the minisone holy Mediator betwixt God and man, who try, and who use to travel up and down in the sanctifies his people, his church, that he is ministry, do not hide your talent, nor put head of, and presents them to God without your light under a bushel; nor cumber yourspot, or wrinkle, or blemish, or any such thing; selves, nor entangle yourselves with the affairs and makes them a holy, royal priesthood, to of this world.' For the natural soldiers are offer up spiritual, holy sacrifices, acceptable not to cumber themselves with the world; to God by Jesus Christ, who is King of all much less the soldiers of Christ, who are not kings, and Lord of all lords in the earth. He is of this world; but are to mind the riches and a holy, heavenly king who hath all power in glory of the world that is everlasting. Thereheaven and earth given to him; and rules in fore stir up the gift of God in you, improve it, all the hearts of his sheep and lambs by his and do not sit down, Demas like, and embrace holy, divine, precious faith, that is held in all | this present world, that will have an end; lest He again retired to the country for a short period, where he wrote two epistles-one addressed “ to Friends in the ministry," as follows: ye become idolaters. Be valiant for God's truth upon the earth, and spread it abroad in the day-light of Christ, you who have sought the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and have received it and preached it; which stands in righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost:' As able ministers of the Spirit sow to the Spirit, that of the Spirit ye may reap life everlasting. Go on in the Spirit, ploughing with it in the purifying hope; and threshing, with the power and spirit of God, the wheat out of the chaff of corruption, in the same hope. For he that looks back from the spiritual plough into the world, is not fit for the spiritual and everlasting kingdom of God; and is not like to press into it, as the faithful do. Therefore you that are awakened to righteousness, and to the knowledge of the truth, keep yourselves awakened in it: then the enemy cannot sow his tares in your field; for truth and righteousness are over him, and before he was. My desires are, that all may fulfil their ministry, that the Lord Jesus Christ hath committed to them; and then by the blood (or life) and testimony of Jesus you will overcome the enemy that opposes it, within and without. All you that preach the truth, do it as it is in Jesus, in love; and all that are believers in Jesus, and receivers of him, he gives them power to become the sons of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; whom he calleth brethren; and he gives them the water of life, which shall be a well in them, springing up to eternal life; that they may water the spiritual plants of the living God. So that all may be spiritual planters, and spiritual waterers; and may see with the spiritual eye the everlasting, eternal God over all to give the increase, who is the infinite fountain. My desires are, that you may be kept out of all the beggarly elements of the world, which is below the spiritual region, to Christ the head; and may hold him, who bruiseth the head of enmity, and was before it was; that ye may all be united together in love, in your head, Christ, and be ordered by his heavenly, gentle, peaceable wisdom to the glory of God. For all that be in Christ, are in love, peace, and unity. In him they are strong, and in a full persuasion; and in him, who is the first and last, they are in a heavenly resolution and confidence for God's everlasting honour and glory. Amen. “From him, who is translated into the kingdom of his dear Son, with all his saints, a heavenly salutation. And salute one another with a holy kiss of charity, that never faileth. "Ford-Green, the 25th of the 9th month, 1690." "G. F. The other was more particularly for Friends in the ministry who were gone to America; as follows: 6 "Dear Friends and brethren, ministers, exhorters, and admonishers, that are gone into America and the islands thereaway. Stir up the gift of God in you, and the pure mind, and improve your talents; that ye may be the light of the world, a city set upon an hill, that cannot be hid. Let your light shine among the Indians, the Blacks, and the Whites; that ye may answer the truth in them, and bring them to the standard and ensign, that God hath set up, Christ Jesus. For from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, God's name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every temple, or sanctified heart, incense shall be offered up to God's name.' And have salt in yourselves, that ye may be the salt of the earth, that ye may salt it; that it may be preserved from corruption and putrefaction: so that all sacrifices offered up to the Lord may be seasoned, and be a good savour to God. All grow in the faith and grace of Christ, that ye may not be like dwarfs; for a dwarf shall not come near to offer upon God's altar; though he may eat of God's bread, that he may grow by it. And Friends, be not negligent, but keep up your Negroes' meetings and your family meetings; and have meetings with the Indian kings, and their councils and subjects everywhere, and with others. Bring them all to the baptizing and circumcising Spirit, by which they may know God, and serve and worship him. And all take heed of sitting down in the earth, and having your minds in the earthly things, coveting and striving for the earth: for to be carnally minded brings death, and covetousness is idolatry. There is too much strife and contention about that idol, which makes too many go out of the sense and fear of God; so that some have lost morality, humanity, and true Christian charity. O therefore, be awakened to righteousness, and keep awakened; for the enemy soweth his tares, while men and women sleep in carelessness and security. Therefore so many slothful ones go in their filthy rags, and have not the fine linen, the righteousness of Christ ; but are straggling, and ploughing with their ox and their ass, in their woollen and linen garments, mixt stuff, feeding upon torn food, and that dieth of itself, and drinking of the dregs of their old bottle, and eating the sour, leavened bread, which makes their hearts burn one against another. But all are to keep the feast of Christ, our passover, with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. This unleavened bread of Life from heaven makes all hearts and souls glad and joyful, lightsome and cheerful, to serve and love God, and to earth. love and serve one another in the peaceable advocated might thereby be diffused in the truth, and to keep in the unity of God's Spirit, which is the bond of the Lord of lords', and The triumphant state of his mind amid the the King of kings' peace. In this love and decay of expiring nature, was manifest by his peace God Almighty keep and preserve all his expressions to those who visited him saying, people, and make them valiant for his truth" All is well-the Seed of God reigns over all, upon the earth, to spread it abroad in doctrine, good life and conversation. Amen. and over death itself.-Though I am weak in body, yet the power of God is over all, and the Seed reigns over all disorderly spirits." A few hours before his death he was asked how he found himself; and with that fortitude and indifference to corporeal suffering for which he had been remarkable through life, he replied, "Never heed-the Lord's power "All the members of Christ have need one of another. For the foot hath need of the hand, and the hand hath need of the foot: the ear hath need of the eye, and the eye of the ear. So that all the members are serviceable in the body which Christ is the head of; and the head sees their service. Therefore is over all weakness and death.-The Seed let none despise the least member. "Have a care to keep down that greedy earthly mind, that raveneth and coveteth after the riches and things of this world; lest ye fall into the low region, like the Gentiles or heathen, and so lose the kingdom of God that is everlasting but seek that first, and God knows what ye have need of; who takes care for all both in heaven and in the earth. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gifts, both temporal and spiritual! G. F. “Tottenham, the 11th of the 10th month, 1690." The last production of this kind bears date the day before he was taken sick, and is addressed to Friends in Ireland, to console and encourage them, under the sufferings they were then enduring. reigns; blessed be the Lord." Enjoying the use of his mental faculties to the last, and that victory over death which is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, he contemplated his approaching change with a holy quietude and composure, and even closed his eyes and mouth himself, at the time that life was expiring. In this heavenly and prepared frame, his spirit quitted its earthly tenement, on thirdday, the 13th of the eleventh month, 1690, between the hours of nine and ten at night; he being them in the 67th year of his age. His dying-bed was surrounded by many of his beloved friends, who, though they could but rejoice in his eternal gain, yet were deeply affected with their own and the church's loss. Three days after his decease, his body was conveyed to the meeting house in GraceThe following day he went to Grace-church church street, where a large and solemn meetstreet meeting, in which he was engaged in ing was held, for about two hours; during testimony and prayer, in a powerful and af- which time, ten Friends, among whom were fecting manner. As soon as the meeting was George Whitehead, William Penn and Steover, he withdrew to the house of Henry phen Crisp, appeared in testimony, and ThoGouldney, a Friend who lived near, and re-mas Green closed the meeting with prayer. marked that he felt the cold strike to his heart The company, which William Penn estimates as he came out of the meeting; yet added, "I at two thousand, and Robert Barrow states am glad I was here-now I am clear-fully clear." He laid down to rest himself, but finding the sensation of coldness increase, he soon after went to bed, with symptoms of increasing weakness. His mind, which for a long course of years had been engaged under the influence of the universal love of God, in endeavouring to promote the everlasting welfare of mankind, and to draw souls to Christ, rose superior to the infirmities and pains of the frail tenement it occupied, and still evinced a lively and unabated interest in the promotion of this glorious cause. the number much higher, then proceeded to Friends' burial-ground, in Bunhill fields, where the corpse was decently interred, and five Friends bore testimony to the sufficiency of of that Divine Power which had raised up and qualified this extraordinary man for the work of his day, and enabled him to adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour in a consistent life and conversation. Having now closed the life of George Fox, it may not be uninteresting to make some general remarks on the business he was engaged in, and also the estimation in which he was held by his cotemporaries who were most intimately acquainted with his character. He sent for several of his particular friends, and at this awful crisis communicated to them his mind respecting matters connected with From the fact of his being almost constantly the welfare of the church, and his desire for engaged in the work of the ministry, it is obthe spread of Friends' books; that those prin-vious that he could not undertake any business ciples which he had so long personally which required his personal attention, and of course none which would yield him much profit. But he had a mind contented with a little, and so far from seeking to be rich, he even refused it when circumstances placed it in his power. It appears that he was part owner of two vessels which sailed out of Scarborough, and had also a small share in other business. The reader of these sketches will remember, that in the early part of his life he mentioned his having enough to keep himself from being chargeable, and also to administer to the wants of others. Mention is made in several of his letters of small sums of money lodged in the hands of different Friends, and from the best estimate that can be made, his whole property appears to have been worth about three thousand five hundred dollars, exclusive of one thousand acres of land in Pennsylvania, which he says William Penn gave him; but it does not appear ever to have come into his possession so as to be of any benefit to him. His property was probably all patrimonial, for though Margaret Fell was a woman of large estate, he seems scrupulously to have avoided enriching himself by it. Previous to his marriage to her, he sent for her daughters, and in the presence of their mother inquired if their father's will had been fulfilled and whether their mother's estate was so settled, that they would not be the losers by her marriage to him. To which they replied it was, and desired him to speak no more of it. "I told them, says he, I was plain and would have all things done plainly, for I sought not any outward advantage to myself." Though much separated from his nearest connexions, yet in the various relations of a son, husband and father-in-law, he appears to have conducted himself so as gain the tender affection of all, and his wife's children in a written testimonial to his memory, say that they found him a tender father who never failed to give them wholesome counsel; and that the esteem they entertained for him in early life, was increased by a longer and more intimate acquaintance. His mental faculties were clear and vigorous; and though deprived of the benefit of much cducation, yet he cultivated various branches of useful knowledge. He was the friend, instead of the enemy of useful learning, and not only promoted the establishment of several schools which he frequently visited, but spent considerable time and pains in acquiring a knowledge of one or more of the ancient languages. A piece of ground which he owned near Philadelphia, he gave for a botanical garden for "the lads and lasses of the city to walk in, and learn the habits and uses of the plants." In person he was tall and rather corpulent, his countenance manly, intelligent, and grace ful; and his manners, says William Penn, were "civil beyond all forms of breeding." If some of his expressions sound more plain and harsh than is agreeable to the refinement of modern times, we should recollect the temper and manners of the age in which he lived were very different from the present, and that such forms of speech were then common. There is, however, a remarkable change in this respect toward the latter part of his life, his writings breathing a mildness which is peculiarly grateful. His contemporary biographer says "he was of an innocent lifeno busy-body; no self-seeker, neither touchy nor critical. What he said was very inoffensive if not very edifying. So meek, contented, modest, easy, steady; it was a pleasure to be in his company. A most merciful man, as ready to forgive as unapt to take offence." His ministry was deep, searching, powerful; and though not ornamented with the elegancies of literature, yet he possessed the tongue of the learned in another and higher sense, and could speak "a word in due season to the conditions and capacities of most, especially to them that were weary and wanted soul's rest, being deep in the divine mysterics of the kingdom of God." Not only was he frequently engaged in opening the doctrines of the Christian faith in a clear and convincing manner, but having a sense and discernment given him of God respecting the states of his auditory, he spake to them under the leading of the Holy Spirit very pertinently, to their admiration and convincement, an instance of which was related by an ancient woman Friend as follows: viz. "And now, Friends, I will tell you how I was first convinced. I was a young lass at that time, and lived in Dorsetshire, when George Fox came to that county; and he having appointed a meeting, to which people generally flocked, I went among the rest; and in my going along the road, this query arose in my mind: What is that I feel which condemneth me when I do evil, and justifieth me when I do well? What is it? In this state I went to the meeting. It was a large gathering, and George Fox rose up with these words: Who art thou that queriest in thy mind, what is it which I feel, which condemneth me when I do evil, and justifieth me when I do well? I will tell thee what it is. Lo! He that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought; that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth; the Lord, the God of Hosts is his name. It is He by his Spirit that condemneth thee for evil, and justifieth thee when thou dost well. Keep under its dictates, and it will be thy preserver A to the end.'" To this narration the ancient meekness, purity, chastity, modesty, humility, Friend added, "It was the truth, the very charity, and self-denial in all; both by word truth, and I have never departed from it." and example. Graceful he was in counte"But above all, says William Penn, he ex-nance; manly in personage; grave in gesture; celled in prayer. The inwardness and weight courteous in conversation; weighty in comof his spirit; the reverence and solemnity of munication; instructive in discourse; free his address and behaviour; the fewness and from affectation in speech or carriage. fulness of his words, have often struck even severe reprover of hard and obstinate sinners; strangers with admiration; as they used to a mild and gentle admonisher of such as were reach others with consolation. The most tender and sensible of their failings. Not apt awful, living, reverent frame I ever felt or to resent personal wrongs; easy to forgive inbeheld, I must say, was his, in prayer. And juries; but zealously earnest where the honour truly it was a testimony that he knew and of God, the prosperity of truth, or the peace lived nearer to the Lord than other men; for of the church was concerned. Very tender, they that know Him most, will see most rea- compassionate, and pitiful he was to all that son to approach Him with reverence and fear." were under any sort of affliction; full of broAs has been the case with many other emi- therly love; full of fatherly care: for indeed nent and faithful servants of Christ, he had to the care of the churches of Christ was daily endure opposition and envy from some jealous upon him, the prosperity and peace whereof spirits in his own Society, who grudged him he studiously sought. Beloved he was of God; that authority and dignity with which the beloved of God's people; and (which was not Truth clothed him, and sought to lessen his the least part of his honour) the common butt services and prejudice the minds of others of all apostates' envy, whose good, notwithagainst him. Here again William Penn re-standing, he earnestly sought. He lived and marks respecting him: "He bore all their died the servant of the Lord." weakness and prejudice, and returned not reflection for reflection; but forgave them their weak and bitter speeches. And truly I must say, that though God had visibly clothed him with a divine preference and authority, and indeed his very presence expressed a religious The religious Society of Friends in the bemajesty; yet he never abused it, but held his ginning, consisted of persons who were earplace in the Church of God with great meek-nestly seeking that inward acquaintance with ness, and a most engaging humility and moderation. For upon all occasions, like his blessed Master, he was a servant to all, holding and exercising his eldership, in the invisible power which had gathered them, with reverence to the Head, and care over the body. I write my knowledge, and not report, and my witness is true; having been with him for weeks and months together 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 in foreign countries; and I can say, I never saw him out of his place, or not a match for every service and occasion." Thomas Ellwood, another contemporary and intimate friend of George Fox, sums up his character in the following manner:— "He was valiant for the truth; bold in asserting it; patient in suffering for it; unwearied in labouring in it; steady in his testimony to it; immoveable as a rock. Deep he was in divine knowledge; clear in opening heavenly mysteries; plain and powerful in preaching; fervent in prayer. He was richly endued with heavenly wisdom; quick in discerning; sound in judgment; able and ready in giving, discreet in keeping counsel; a lover of righteousness; an encourager of virtue, justice, temperance, VOL. I.-No. 3. Having completed these brief sketches of the life and character of George Fox, it may not be improper to make a few observations on the men who were his early companions in religious fellowship. God and with his Son Jesus Christ, which is life eternal. Many of them were highly esteemed in the several religious professions of the day, for their uncommon piety and great experience, being punctual in the performance of all their religious duties and regular in partaking of the ordinances. But notwithstanding their faithfulness to the degree of knowledge they had received, their minds were not at rest. They did not experience that victory over sin and that true settlement which their souls longed for, and hence they were led to believe that a purer and more spiritual way than they had yet found, was to be obtained. They felt that they needed to know more of the power of Christ in their hearts, making them new creatures; renewing them up into that divine image which was lost in Adam's fall, and sanctifying them, body, soul, and spirit, through the Holy Ghost. Great were their conflicts and earnest their prayers that they might be brought to this blessed experience; but looking without instead of having their attention turned inward, they missed the object of their search. They frequented the preaching of the most eminent ministers, spent much time in reading the Holy Scriptures, in fasting, meditation, and prayer, 14 |