THE END.

A BRIEF NARRATIVE

OF THE

LIFE OF GILBERT LATEY,

COMPRISING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF FRIENDS' MEETINGS IN LONDON.

PREFACE.

mayed or hindered thereby from approaching any in authority. With great humility, in the love of God, he attended them when the Lord's servants were under sufferings, in order to get the oppressed eased, and the imprisoned set at liberty. By perusing his life, thou wilt find how indefatigable he was, yet walking inoffensively both to Jew and Gentile, and the church of God. I conclude with desires both for myself, and all those who are quickened in the Lord, that we may persevere in the way wherein this servant walked, and not be like those mentioned in Judges, who arose after the death of Joshua and the elders, and "knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."

To render lines harmonious to every ear, is hardly possible; yet since no part of history is more instructive and pleasing than the lives of good men; though the present treatise may not entertain the reader with a great variety, it is hoped it will afford some things acceptable, which deserve imitation, and may be a means to persuade him to religion and virtue. Such memorials are fit to be delivered to posterity as carry with them evident tokens of the Divine goodness and protection; yet not to procure glory to man, to set up his wisdom, or natural or acquired parts, but to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Time here is short, in comparison with eternity; it glides away Wherefore, reader, my desire is, that we apace and possibly it may not be long ere who remain may follow the Lord faithfully; thy forehead, reader, begin to wrinkle, and and that he may raise in us the same zeal, thy hair change gray, thy eyes become dim, diligence and valour, as he did in this our anand knees tremble, and thou perhaps to all cient Friend, and the rest of the elders that enjoyments here, be as though thou hadst received the truth in the morning of the day never been. As the following passages of the of the Lord, is the sincere breathing of thy life of my beloved uncle came chiefly from friend, himself, as to what relates to the first break

RICHARD HAWKINS.

ing GILBERT Latey.

ing forth of the blessed truth in this city; and much of the latter part of his time was within the compass of my own knowledge, (we hav- The Testimony of GEORGE WHITEHEAD, concerning lived together above forty-two years,) I shall set them forth in that plainness which in THIS Our ancient Friend and brother learned those early times attended the Lord's servants. obedience through the cross of Christ, and by This our dear friend was preserved through His grace approved himself faithful in his place all the powers and governments which were and station, being made a living and useful in his time, keeping in the self-denial, bearing member in His church, and well approved in the cross of our only Mediator and blessed his testimony and service in his day. He was Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ; by which constant in his love to his brethren; and hated he became crucified to the world and its glory; not valuing the lofty yet empty titles of men, high and great in the world, so as to be dis

hypocrisy and dissimulation, divisions and causing of schisms. He was for many years my true companion in laborious solicitations

upon

of faith and a sense of his Spirit, to enable him in his service and testimony for his bless

London, the 30th of 3d mo. 1707.

The Testimony of RICHARD HAWKINS, concerning his dear and well-beloved uncle, GILBERT LATEY.

in the reigns of the late three kings, viz., Charles II., James II., and William III.; bebefore whom we divers times appeared in be-ed truth, he kept the faith in sincerity and true half of our suffering Friends. Our dear friend love, wherein he ended his days in peace; and was much given up in that service, and we for the ease and liberty we do now enjoy, and were often comforted together in the Lord's the merciful Providence we are under, we have presence with us, prevailing to tender their great cause to ascribe praise, honour, glory, hearts towards Friends; though we obtained and dominion to our God, and to the Lamb on relief from King Charles II. not always, but the throne, for ever and ever. in some particular cases, through diligent soG. W. licitation early and late. We suffered great persecution in his reign; and he left our Friends under sufferings, about one thousand five hundred being in prisons, and many hundreds of families under severe prosecutions the old laws made against popish recusants, for twenty pounds a month and twothirds of their estates for not going to the parTHE testimony I have to bear concerning ish churches (so called), and great spoil made my deceased dear uncle is, that he was a man upon many therefor. The informers swarm-fearing God and hating iniquity; fervent and ing about our religious meetings also caused zealous against deceit and hypocrisy, and engreat spoil upon Friends' goods; whose cases were made known to King James. In several applications, and much labour and solicitation, we obtained the release of many prisoners, the prevention of the writs for the seizure of Friends' estates, and stopping the informers. In this service our Friend Gilbert Latey was frequent in solicitation with me in true faith and love; and the Lord was with us, and his hand was upon us, and he heard our prayers. Gilbert Latey was a sensible man, of a good judgment; and when the Lord opened to me any petition, or proposal to make to any of these three kings, respectively, I first imparted the same to him, and he would be presently sensible thereof, and given up to assist in solicitation to king or parliament, or any of the nobility.

dued with a Gospel testimony; which accord ing to his ability he bore faithfully in his day; and the Lord was with him. He always had a very honourable regard for those who were his elders in the Lord, and a sincere love towards such as the Lord had raised up more lately in the ministry, as they kept to that power which first brake forth in their elders in the morning of this day of the Lord. He rejoiced in such, and would often say, they were as marrow to his bones, and his love to them was as firm and as true, as that of David and Jonathan, in which he was still ready to lend a hand of help to those that were young or weak, having also a true regard for the hindermost of the flock, and would often strengthen and advise them. Those in whom innocency and truth had place, he encouraged In King William's reign, who manifested to persist in the way of the Lord, having a great kindness and compassion towards us, godly care upon him for the tender and simother Friends were stirred up in and about ple-hearted; and thus he loved the flock of the this city to assist in soliciting for our religious Lord's pasture, and was well beloved among liberty, and also from the imposition of oaths, them. His parts were quick, and his appre wherein Gilbert Latey was truly industrious hension lively; his memory good, and his and assisting; and also ready to help us in judgment sound and strong; his example attending the government in Friends' behalf, shining in self-denial; yet he was of a gener so long as he could, until by his age and weak-ous and free spirit; an early plant in the ness he was disabled. It would be too volumi- Lord's vineyard, which grew and prospered nous to repeat all our labours and exercises of this kind, wherein we travelled together under many burthens in great humility; wherein the Lord helped us, and many received ease and benefit thereby, who knew little of the same, or of our exercises for them, especially when we had occasion to approach the presence of King Charles and King James; wherein the Lord made way for us, and gave us faith and special assistance; blessed be his worthy name for ever!

As the Lord endued him with a good degree

to the praise and glory of God's grace, who made him acceptable in and through his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, the true light, and by the effectual operation of his power, whereby he was made serviceable to many, and a good savour to them that walk in the way of the Lord, and also to many that were rich, high, and great in the world. And I am well assured the Lord hath crowned the labours of this faithful witness, whose days in good old age ended in peace; and he hath his crown that fadeth not away, an inheritance everlast

ing among the righteous in glory, in the king-liness, humility, and the fear of the Lord. dom of our blessed Lord. He was continued He was a good example to them, being often in the enjoyment of his sense and reason to concerned in the fear of the Lord to excite the last moment of his life, and died in the them to love God, his truth and people; by Lord, and rests from his labours, whose works which they would feel the power of the Most follow him, and his memorial is blessed among High to preserve them out of evil, as he the righteous in the Lord's heritage, he having could truly say it had done for him, and prebeen a worthy soldier and follower of the served him to a good old age. Toward his Lamb, and kept his habitation in Christ Jesus. latter time he delighted to be retired out of I pray God, that both I, and all that remain, business; and being pretty much out of the may in life and conversation, as he hath done, city, and not having that frequent opportunity bear a faithful testimony for the blessed truth, of delivering his mind to his children, and his and in the same be preserved, to walk in the concern for their welfare in the truth continufootsteps of the Christian flock to the end of ing, while he had strength he would write to our days, having the loins of our minds girded them. Having thus persevered, he would up, and our eye single to the Lord, and to the often say both to me and others, that he had recompense he hath in store for the righteous, done the work of his day faithfully, and was which will remain and stand us in stead, when sat down in the will of God, and felt His peace we shall be called out of this fading perishing to abound in him. He often mentioned that world. he waited the Lord's call and time of being RICHARD HAWKINS. removed, and that there was no cloud in his way, for the Lord was good to him. The night before he departed, he gave good counsel

A Testimony concerning my dear and well be- to them that were in the room, to fear the Lord, loved husband, GILBERT LATEY.

and not do evil for evil, but to do good for evil, I can truly say he was a man given up to for that there was no overcoming of evil but serve God and his people, never sparing him-in and by that which was good, for in so doing, self to do what good he could for all, but es- coals of fire would be heaped on their heads; pecially for the imprisoned, who were under exhorting very much to love and tenderness, suffering for their testimony to the Lord, and for the Lord would bless such as were found a good conscience. Those who were thus ex- therein. He was much opened in exhortaercised were always near to him, and having tion and counsel at this time, and uttered his both an open hand and heart to them, it was words with great vigour, as if he ailed little his delight to do good to all; but in a more and were in a meeting. Next day he kept his especial manner to the household of faith. chamber, being weak of body, but preserved He was a man desirous of love and unity in the enjoyment of his reason to the last among the Lord's people, being for healing moment; and a very few hours before his of breaches, and informing the judgments departure, spoke to some that were about him, and misunderstandings of some, and strength-"That there was no condemnation to them ening and advising others that were weak and fainting in their minds; by which means he was often instrumental for peace, and putting an end to differences. He loved peace, and yet flinched not, but was given up in perilous times of suffering; a constant testimony-bearer to the way of the Lord and to his power, which was felt to attend his people in their meetings; even when they were kept without doors a considerable time in the wet and cold, where he often stood with the Lord's servants, "being made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions, &c." In all which I never did persuade or dared desire him either to go to this meeting, or not to go to that, but always left him to his freedom to GILBERT LATEY was born of honest pago where the Lord did order him, in which I rents, in the county of Cornwall, in the parish had and still have great peace, and I am well called St. Issey, in the month called February, satisfied he hath a good reward. He was to in the year 1626. He was the youngest child me a faithful loving husband, and a dear and of his father, who was a yeoman, and dealt in tender father to his children, often admonish- cattle, and kept malting, and a house of ening, advising, and instructing them to low-tertainment both for travellers and others. VOL. I.--No. 5.

that were in Christ Jesus; for, said he, He is the lifter up of my head, He is my strength and great salvation;" with more to the like effect. I might add much, but must come to a conclusion; and therefore shall satisfy myself to say, that I believe no woman hath parted with a better husband, nor children with a more tender father, or sincerer man: it is the Lord's will to remove him, and in that I endeavour and desire to be content. MARY LATEY.

A BRIEF NARRATIVE, &c.

22

soul's beloved, and resolving, through the Lord's assistance, to take up his cross and despise the shame, accounting all things but as dross that he might win Christ.

His mother was of the best family then in the parish; her maiden name was Hocking, a gentlewoman whose brother married AttorneyGeneral Noy's sister. Gilbert having three brothers who were abroad and did very well, There being few now left who came so was desirous to go to some trade; and being early into the vineyard of the Lord, he was a very likely lad, a person, by trade a tailor, willing, as near as he could remember, to give had a desire to have him for his apprentice; some account to the present and succeeding and his father and master having agreed on age, how the truth prevailed, and also the the terms, he was bound accordingly, and faith-names of the ministering Friends, who in those fully served his apprenticeship, notwithstand-early days first visited this city, and parts ading he had a very wicked and severe master. jacent, and were made instruments in the Being desirous to improve himself in his Lord's hand for turning many from darkness business, he went to Plymouth, a sea-port to light. Though they are now all gone to town in the west of England, where he was their rest, their faithfulness to the Lord, and employed by one of the chief of that trade, great labours, are still fresh in memory, and who was a great professor, and afterwards the jeopardies and sufferings they passed mayor of the place. He would gladly have through, in their obedience to the Lord, canhad him continue longer with him, and pro- not be forgotten by such as were eye-witnesses. mised him, for his encouragement, the best The Lord's power, being still the same, hath wages that were given to any man in the plentifully raised up more witnesses, bearing a town; but in those days he had a fear towards, faithful testimony to the same truth and power and a desire after the Lord, and saw the empti- of God that the ancients came forth in; and ness of his master's profession. He not being the Lord's work prospers. of a good life and conversation, Gilbert was uneasy and resolved to go to London; and accordingly, about the month called November, in the year 1648, went there. He was of a sober life and conversation, and having breathings in his heart after the Lord, followed those who were of the best repute, and esteemed to be the most zealous pastors and preachers in that time, often hearing four sermons in a day, and being frequent in private prayer. The Lord beholding the integrity of his heart, prospered him in such a manner, that he grew into great reputation in the world; having much business in his trade, and being employed and respected by persons of the first rank in the kingdom. But, through all these outward enjoyments, his desires were still to find peace with the Lord; and in this seeking condition he went to hear those who seemed the most refined, and from one of them to the other, seeking the living among the dead, yet among them all he could not find his soul's beloved; they proving to him only as the watchmen of the night. While thus breathing, and seeking after the truth, it was made known to him about the year 1654, that some men who were come out of the north, were to have a meeting at the house of Sarah Matthews, a widow, who lived in Whitecross-street. He repaired thither, and having heard the truth declared by that eminent minister of our Lord Jesus Christ, Edward Burrough, was so reached by the power of the Lord, that he was convinced; and being directed to the light of Christ in himself, and not consulting with flesh and blood, he gave up to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, greatly rejoicing that he had found his

The first who brought the glad tidings to this city were, Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, Thomas Aldam, George Fox, Richard Hubberthorn, John Audland, Ambrose Rigge, James Nayler, and others; by whom many were turned to the Lord; and by his everlasting power their hearts were opened to receive his messengers into their houses, and to offer up the same, to have meetings therein for the service of the Lord. Among these was Simon Dring, who then lived in Watling-street, but some time after removed into Moorfields, where he continued to have a meeting in his house on the first-days of the week in the afternoon. About this time also, as before related, Sarah Matthews, a widow, in Whitecross-street, had a meeting at her house, which was continued on the first-days in the morning for some time. Another meeting was at Humphrey Bates's house, at the sign of the Snail, in Towerstreet; another at Samuel Vasse's, at the Helmet in Basinghall-street; another at Glaziers' Hall in Thames-street, where Gerard Roberts was convinced, and gave way to have a meeting at his house, which was in the street called Thomas-Apostle's; where ministering Friends generally met till the year 1666. Another meeting was at William Woodcock's house, who lived in the Strand, between the great gate of Somerset-house and the watergate belonging thereto. There were divers other meetings in the suburbs, and in Southwark; at William Shewen's in Bermondseystreet; Daniel Flemming's in Blackman-street; Henry Clark's on the Bank-side; and at Worcester-house in the Strand. The work of the Lord prospering, many were convinced and