THE

LIFE OF WILLIAM DEWSBURY,

AN EARLY AND EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS;

INTERSPERSED WITH MANY PARTICULARS RELATING TO THE PECULIAR VIEWS OF THAT SOCIETY, AND THE SUFFERINGS OF ITS MEMBERS FOR THE TESTIMONY OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE.

BY THE LATE EDWARD SMITH.

WITH A PREFATORY ADDRESS BY JOHN BARCLAY.

It is proper to state, that the LIFE OF WILLIAM DEWSBURY forms one of the volumes of a valuable series of Friends' Works, published by JOHN BARCLAY, of England—from which, omitting some parts not connected with his life, the following is reprinted.

THE EDITOR'S PREFATORY ADDRESS.

"Died Abner as a fool dieth?" said David, when he lamented the death of a valiant man. THE author of this volume having gone "the And it has, in my best moments, when greatly way of all the earth," and yielded up his spirit divested of personal or selfish considerations to the God of the spirits of all flesh, it becomes of my own loss, even been cause of joy and my duty, as the individual into whose hands gratitude to the Lord, who gives and takes the manuscript was by him in a very peculiar away in his admirable discretion and good manner consigned, not only to lay before my pleasure, that he saw meet to remove my dear readers some of the circumstances under which friend, while "his bow abode in strength," the work now makes its appearance; but also while he had his armour so evidently girt to give some brief account of my beloved and about him; when the spiritual weapons of the lamented friend, whose unlooked-for transla-Christian's warfare were even in his hands,tion from this state of being to a better, I trust will prove on the minds of many as a seal to

his labour of love.

in the strength of his time, in the clearness of his spirit; having been thus manifestly carried through to the precise completion of an undertaking that appeared to be laid upon him as his appointed duty, and about which he had thought it due to the cause of the Gospel of truth to lay out the energies and the prayers of his soul.

However liable we all are in the present probationary condition, to be mistaken in our estimates of men and things, and even by the soothing snares of friendship in its purest forms, to be led away from that unerring balance of the sanctuary, the judgment of truth ;. And how was it, he was thus devotedly enyet surely there is some call upon me on the gaged in an almost unremitting manner for present occasion, to bear my testimony to the some months together, abridging himself of riches of that grace, by which my friend was every lawful indulgence, and putting all other what he was: and therefore I trust, that in at- claims than this, of whatever kind they might tempting to perform this debt of love, I shall be, into the smallest compass that duty would be preserved from speaking unduly of the allow of; without knowing, but as though he creature, as well as from neglecting to ascribe knew, the very hours of his time were to be the glory of every good word and work to that just barely sufficient for this his last day's Divine Source, whose workmanship at the best work? Truly," the Lord's ways are higher we are, created in Christ Jesus unto good than our ways, and his thoughts than our works. Eph. ii. 10. thoughts;" he knows the end from the begin

ning, and ordereth all things in harmony and Christian testimonies to their full extent. My wisdom; nor will he permit his upright, faith-plan was almost anticipated by my friend, and ful, simple-hearted children, who look up to cordially united with; and in the further dihim for counsel and strength in all their step-gestion of my arrangements, he was always pings, materially to contravene his purposes, anxious to afford me all the assistance and or widely to deviate from fulfilling, even in the encouragement in his power. In the course midst of all their manifold weaknesses, his of our frequent interchange of sentiment on holy will. He keepeth them in the hollow of this subject, he conveyed to me the great his hand, he hideth them under the shadow of value he placed upon the character of Wilhis wing, he healeth all their backslidings, he liam Dewsbury, and the strong desire he had overrules everything that concerns them for to see a memoir of this worthy, upheld in a their good, turning all to his own glory. manner consistent with his standing and the These musings of a mind, that has abun-line of his testimony. I besought him to take dant cause to observe and extol the mercies of Him, who is "wonderful in counsel and excellent in working," will not I trust be deemed irrelevant or unseasonable.

Ever since I have been capable of appreciating the purity and excellence of "the Truth as it is in Jesus," the character and productions of those departed ancients, who first lifted up a standard to the nations in these latter days, altogether so congenial, as I believe, with the spirit and injunctions of our Holy Redeemer, have been a subject of deep interest to me. The author of the present volume had been for years one with me in entertaining this interest: we had often communed together on that remarkable era, when the Society of Friends first became known as a distinct church; and we had many times reciprocated the firm conviction, that as the professors of the Christian name come back to the simplicity and spirituality of the Gospel, such writings and such characters are likely to be more duly valued than has hitherto been the case. If this was infatuation, it was a natural, an honest, a consistent infatuation. We have need every one of us, to be fully persuaded in our own minds respecting that which makes for peace and edification in our belief and practice; for, "he that doubteth is condemned if he eat," and "whatsoever is not of faith is sin.' Certainly, had I any real misgiving as to those things which may be known of God, and to which through education or otherwise I found myself conforming, it would seem due to my own soul and to that religious Society among whom I walked, to take means of obtaining a solid and genuine satisfaction.

the matter home with him, and dwell upon it,
and see if this engagement did not devolve
upon himself. During part of the summer and
autumn of the year, we were separated from
each other; when, on my return from a jour-
ney, he produced the manuscript of this vol-
ume. Still, there was much to be done to it,
before it could be prepared for the press; and
after bestowing further diligence in perfecting
it, in the freedom of unreserved friendship, he
committed the whole to me, charging me not
to spare such suggestions as I believed would
tend to the object of his heart. Some altera-
tions I had proposed before it thus came into
my hands, and my meaning was uniformly
accepted; and I have good reason to believe
from our long intimacy, that such corrections
as have been made since his removal, would
have been adopted equally with those that
were submitted to his eye.
This course I
deemed to be only justice to his memory and
to myself, in carrying forward the publica-
tion, under the peculiar circumstances of the
case. Some channels of inquiry for addi-
tional information even then remained un-
searched; these I have, since the author's
decease, looked into, and the result of my
endeavours is marked out in the ensuing
pages to the notice of the reader, by brack-
ets enclosing such fresh matter.

With regard to the old work, from which the epistles and some other papers are now reprinted, the title thus stood:-"The faithful testimony of that ancient servant of the Lord, and minister of the everlasting Gospel, William Dewsbury, in his books, epistles, and writings, collected and printed for future service. London, 1689." Like many of the In the spring of the past year, I communi- works of that day, it is so indifferently got cated to my beloved friend, the author, a plan up, that the correct import of some passages that had matured on my mind, of reviving is not very plain, and even admits of misinthe writings of the early Friends in a form terpretation; and as to those autograph letters accessible to their successors of every class; of William Dewsbury's that have come under believing too, that many of these productions my notice, while the writing is for the most would be acceptable to the spiritual followers part difficult, the construction of the sentences of the Lord Jesus Christ in general, whether is very far more so. On this account, it themselves prepared or not to follow out our was requisite to make such transpositions and

slight emendations as might clear from obscurity the truths intended to be set forth, and render them capable of appreciation.

tasted the loving-kindness and good presence of the Lord Jesus Christ revealed in us, for a moment listen to these suggestions? How It would seem scarcely needful for me to shall we turn aside from following on to observe to members of our own religious know Him in these his heavenly visitations? communion, that the collected works of Wil- By these, he called and awakened us at the liam Dewsbury were published with the ex- first, touching and drawing our hearts after press concurrence of the Society, and that himself; in this manner he brought us "out they have been from time to time referred to, of darkness into his marvellous light," which both by them and by their adversaries, from we have indeed found to be the very "light of that day to the present, as conveying doc- life," cheering and sustaining our drooping trine and exhortation well approved by the minds under every discouraging circumbody at large. With respect to such com- stance. Hitherto he hath helped us; we ments on these principles as appear in- have found grace to help, sufficient grace, terspersed under the author's own hand according to all our times of need; he hath throughout the present volume, I trust they strengthened with the might of his Spirit our will very uniformly be found harmonizing inner man, and just in proportion as we in no ambiguous manner with the tenor of have patiently waited on him for the lifting the rest; that he has put no false gloss by up of his countenance upon us. Shall we then fair words upon these ancient, unalterable as individuals or as a people forego our priprinciples, but has with all honesty and good vileges, shall we ever shift our ground, suffer judgment upheld and illustrated them.-Here our feet to be beguiled to backsliding, by in I would fain express some of the warmth of anywise accommodating ourselves to the low desire, which has often pervaded my heart views and false faith which so evidently while engaged in revising these sheets, that abound? Should we not rather be afresh the professing members of a church, so distinguished as ours has been by the protection and nurture of her Head and Husband, may be encourgaged by observing how memorably He hath stood by her, and by all her simply obedient children whose souls have been true to Him:-He hath indeed borne them as on eagles' wings, He hath cherished them in his bosom. This small volume is but a single evidence, among very many that might be consulted by the inquiring mind, all proving that Divine support and strength which uniformly attended the uncompromising faithful- It was thus, the youthful Dewsbury, while ness of those, who have gone before us in a poor shepherd's boy, sought to be acquaintthis Christian path and warfare. And is not ed with and to serve his Heavenly Shepherd, the same power ever near, to counsel and to his Almighty Father and Friend,-to know help his dependent little ones in every age, to His voice from the voice of every stranger. guide even into all truth, yea, to preserve It was thus also, his biographer, the author them from the most specious devices of our of the present volume, was concerned accordsoul's enemy? It is true, this cruel enemy ing to his line of things faithfully to occupy and his instruments, would persuade us of with the measure of grace bestowed upon this day, that such immediate guidance is du- him; earnestly desiring that hereby Christ, bious and uncertain, and that the way of the the giver of all grace, might be magnified in cross is too difficult and offensive to be trod- his body, whether by life or by death. den. But how shall any of us, who have

incited by all that we read and hear, observe and undoubtedly feel, of the operation of the grace of Jesus Christ,-should we not be animated to a grateful surrender of soul unto Him, who hath wrought, and is still willing to work in and for us great deliverances, plenteous redemption ! Should we not be hereby engaged to cleave the more closely unto Him, whose hand is not at all shortened, whose faithfulness hath not failed, and whose forbearances have been lengthened out, his mercies multiplied upon us!

LIFE OF WILLIAM DEWSBURY.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Design of the Work-The settlement of the Society of Friends, an especial instance of Divine power manifested to the Church-Its consequences seen in a reforming spirit—Discipline of the Society; its origin, character, and objects.

day, are too little aware what abundant evidences of the Divine power and presence were vouchsafed on the first gathering of this people into a distinct and visible community; and and instructed in the adoption of that beautihow admirably they were thereby led forth ful order of church discipline, which has been attended with so many and great advantages down to the present time.

THE object contemplated by the present volume, is to display the wonderful dealings Without question, George Fox and his of the Lord in the latter days, to a portion of "yokefellows" witnessed in a wonderful manhis militant church; and in doing this, to ner the overshadowing goodness, power, and place before my readers, whether belonging mercy of the great Head and High Priest of to the religious Society of Friends, or to other denominations, a practical illustration of those principles, which, by an especial extension of Divine regard, were opened to the minds of a few obscure individuals, and through their labours to many others, as those of vital and primitive Christianity.

our profession: for in His wisdom and by His grace, notwithstanding every obstruction which was permitted to afflict them, they "triumphed gloriously," until at length their enemies were laid asleep. Nor has it been in this respect alone, that the experience of this people has run parallel with that of the priThe darkness which had overspread the mitive church; but, with them also, the cessahemisphere of the visible church, previous to tion of persecution has been attended by a the period of the Reformation, was such, as state of rest and security, and even of luketo cause no surprise, that a belief in immedi- warmness and ease, which, when compared ate revelation, as held by the people called with the zeal of their first days, may in too Quakers, should have ceased to exist, since general a way appear more like death than the days of the apostles and first Christians. life. There has been, however, through such That any definite series of facts had arisen, of their faithful successors as have been raised between that period and the middle of the up from one generation to another, gradually sixteenth century, on which the body of pro- spreading over the community at large, a fessed believers were likely to adopt an oppo- measure of the same leaven, wherewith the site conclusion, does not appear to have been early Friends were so abundantly imbued; the case. For although every influx of spi- even that which proclaimed "peace on earth ritual light, which at intervals had with more and good will towards men," under the allor less force broken in upon the minds of in- powerful influence of heavenly harmony and dividuals, was from the only true Source of love. Light itself, and tended to prepare them for Much has been said at various times, and something further; the extraordinary train of much may continue to be said, as to the supcircumstances which attended the rise and set-posed enthusiasm and even fanaticism of the tlement of the Society of Friends, were such first Friends. If to be "zealously affected in as rendered that event an era in church history.

a good cause," in a day of thick darkness, be enthusiasm, both they and the first Christians To some of those circumstances, constitut- were indeed enthusiasts. But the calling of ing in their aggregate sense what may be the early Friends was of a very peculiar najustly called a religious phenomenon, it is the ture, and one which was not assumed by design of the present work to draw the atten- themselves through any choice or contrivance tion of the serious reader. For, notwithstand- of their own: they were, it may be truly said, ing "this thing was not done in a corner," employed as instruments to lead the way into and Friends have not been a people whose a new or further department of church reprinciples have led them to hide their Lord's form, and their appearance, in most repects, talent in a napkin, or the light of their testimony under a bushel; yet the various denominations of Christians, even at the present

was therefore new and peculiar. If, under such circumstances, to yield obedience to that measure of light, in and by which individual

duty was made known to them, is to be branded with the term enthusiasm, or a worse name, because by such obedience they were led into acts which the world accounted madness, then they were enthusiasts truly. And further, if such terms are to be attached to the operation of that efficacious faith, by which its possessor is enabled to bear the contradiction of sinners against himself, without fainting or weariness, then were the early Friends enthusiasts and fanatics. Fanaticism and intolerance, however, are found to be often closely allied; and accordingly, the real fanatics of those days were, in very many instances, to be clearly detected among their opponents and their persecutors.

which nothing which is of this world can enter."

An impression of this nature having taken deep hold, having indeed become a principle of action in the minds of the early Friends, we need not be surprised, that they made war in righteousness with what was corrupt everywhere; and they saw no inconsistency in judgment beginning at what was reputed to be "the house of God." At one blow, therefore, under the conduct of their holy Commander, who promised to lead his followers by his Spirit into all truth, and doubtless both as regards their worship and their discipline, they levelled all distinctions of laity and clergy, so called; as having sprung up in and spread over the visible church, just in proportion as a worldly spirit took the place of that heavenly influence, under which it was first gathered.

On the contrary, in the general course of their proceedings, Friends acted under a degree of the influence of that holy "spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," which so largely possessed the primitive be- That they had been brought to the effectual lievers; and like these, the zeal of Friends in experience of this blessed influence, "accordthe main, will, on investigation, be found to ing to the measure of the gift of Christ," have been a well directed and a prudent, Friends gave infallible proof; and under it, though a glowing and active zeal. This as- as a gathered church, they met, sitting down sertion, notwithstanding, leaves ample room together in the name of Christ, to wait, (each in both cases for the admission of exceptions member in particular endeavouring to know to that standard of propriety of conduct which its own place in the body,) for the springing is now current; but by no means, however, up of that divine life, which could alone qualfor such as ought in fairness to attach dis-ify any of them for the exercise of their sevecredit to the principles themselves, or to their ral gifts. And there are many remarkable development among the body of the agents in the cause; and they may be safely attributed to the fragile nature of the vessels, in which that purifying power and faith was so wonderfully manifested.

tolical.

instances on record, of the tendering and refreshing operation of heavenly love and power, by which they were often abundantly attended, and their hearts at such seasons knit and united together. There, Christ was all in all; One of the first objects against which this and the hands or the head could not say to reforming spirit levelled its weapons, was the the feet, "We have no need of you;" but system of modern church establishments, and every member had his own responsible stathose numerous and manifest corruptions tion and office in the body, whether of silent which existed amongst them, and to which exercise or vocal communication, either protheir several adherents, from various mo- phecy, exhortation, prayer, or praise, for the tives, were so pertinaciously attached,—such instruction, edification, and comfort of the of them, I mean, as did not embrace these whole. This was truly primitive and apos. new views. It was well said by one of the most enlightened and experienced among the If such a work had been undertaken in the first members of this Society, in reference to wisdom or contrivance of man, or by mere the brotherhood,-" We are not persons that imitation in a fanatic spirit, it would have have shot up out of the old root into another been unmeaning, fruitless, and dead. But, as appearance, as one sect hath done out of an- it was undertaken, it remains to be a pattern other, till many are come up one after an- to future ages, in relation to the manner in other, the ground still remaining the same which it has pleased the Chief Shepherd and out of which they all grew; but that [very] Bishop of souls to visit his flock, and appear ground hath been shaken and is shaking, de-" in the midst of them," leading them forth stroyed and destroying, removed and remov-out of the death and formality of an empty ing in us. And the root of Jesse hath been yet wordy profession, into the life and liberty made manifest in us, and we have been trans- of his own free Spirit. Not that all other planted by the everlasting power of life, and professors were wholly without life, even at a real change brought forth in us, out of [and that period, as the writings of Friends most separated from] that spirit wherein the world fully admit; but formality and an outside prolives and worships, into another spirit, into fession were leading features of those times : VOL. II.-No. 6.

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