They find, that though the truth gives the lib-ers, or such who use lawful things unlawerty to eat and drink in moderation, and with fully, or to their hurt; the overseers of the a due regard to that hand from whence it flock, whom Christ hath made so, and who comes, yet it gives no more liberty than in the have first taken heed to themselves, and being beginning, to eat and drink, to please and gifted for discipline by the same Spirit that gratify a voluptuous mind. Their tongues are those in the ministry are for preaching, seeing no more their own, than in the beginning; hurt and damage likely to attend any of the Truth then required our words to be few and flock, are constrained in spirit, in the love of savoury, and it doth the very same now. God, and cannot but advise, exhort and adTruth gives no more liberty in wearing fine monish, or reprove such, according to the naor gay apparel to please a vain or curious ture of their case, and bring things particumind; it led into plainness then, and it doth larly to the person,-Thou art the man or the very same now; it then led out of com- woman who wears this, does this or the other pany-keeping with the world and frequenting thing, that the Spirit of Truth led out of in ale-houses and taverns unnecessarily, it doth the beginning, and the same spirit testifies the very same now, with many more things I against now, through the true ministers of could enumerate. These things have been Christ. This dealing with particulars, I have my experience both in youth and old age; oftentimes seen to be of great advantage and and if any shall plead or argue for other help to such as have been honest-hearted, things, and that Truth doth now give a greater though in some respects they may have missed latitude and liberty than in the beginning, I it. But the libertines can scarcely bear or can declare and testify for the Lord, and from endure this sort of plain dealing,—they never my own experience, that I have never found love it while in that spirit,-they must and any such liberty in the Truth. will be left to their liberty and freedom, so it be not evil, as they call it;-they tell us, they see no hurt or damage to Truth or themselves in wearing this, or the other fine or fashionable thing, they see no hurt in keeping company with the world's people, though they have no immediate business at ale-houses or taverns, so they be not overcome with drink ; no hurt in exercising their talents, wits, or parts, provided they do not speak anything that is wicked. Nay, some have said, they have served Truth in such company, in being able to vindicate the principles of Truth, and putting to silence opposers, with more such like things. They will further tell us, they have a measure of the same spirit, by which they have freedom to do these things and a great many more, which those who truly walk in the light see are contrary to it, and hurtful to themselves, and that their pretended freedom and liberty is but bondage. As I have at first written of the inward work of the Holy Spirit, and next what it leads to outwardly, as to conversation, &c., it is further upon my mind to add a little more relating to outward means, which the Lord in his wisdom has also seen meet to afford his people, as conducive to their good and to the great end of their salvation; in which I shall be as brief as I can, and therefore will begin with preaching. As saith the apostle, by the foolishness of preaching, it pleased the Lord to save those that believe. Here, preaching by the Holy Ghost, is a means to salvation. Well then the true preachers ministering from the Holy Spirit, are, as we know oftentimes, led to declare and warn the Lord's people against pride, covetousness, and eagerly pursuing the world to the hurt of their souls, against the finery and vanity of apparel, against drunkenness and evil company, against loose walking and con- Dear friend, I am ready to stop myself versation. These things, with abundance from writing after this manner. I confess I more such like, the Holy Spirit by the true have run on in this strain far beyond my exministers of Christ strikes at and testifies pectation, as well as that I verily believe I against, as contrary to the Lord and the dic- have no need at all to write these things for tates of his Holy Spirit within, as well as thy conviction, having not observed the least greatly hurtful to such as give way to them. tendency in thee, in my small acquaintance And as the Holy Spirit strikes at these things with thee, to any undue liberty. For what in public ministry, so also doth the same reason I write thus, I hardly know, but as Spirit in all true members of the church of these things came pretty swiftly into my mind, Christ in discipline. Thus it appears very I let them go; if they are of no service, yet plain to me, that true discipline is but true I am not conscious of any hurt they can do ; preaching put in practice, and as under the if they but help to stir up thy pure mind by law, a Jew was not to suffer sin upon his way of remembrance, my end will be anbrother without reproof, so, much more un-swered. And let it be as it will, place them, der the Gospel. When the ministry has not I desire thee, to the abundance of love I feel proved effectual to reclaim disorderly walk-flowing in my soul towards thee at this time, with desires that the Lord may make thee as a bright and shining star in thy day, to give light to his people. The way thereto thou knowest, which I have hinted, as in the beginning, is by being truly inward unto the Lord. Oh! I cannot but hint it again,-here is thy strong tower and defence to retire unto, whether it be from the enemy within, or the strongest opposers without. Keeping here thou wilt get the victory, and stand in the dominion of Truth over all opposition both from within and without. That this may be thy lot here, and an eternal portion of glory hereafter, is the desire of my soul. JOSEPH PIKE. TO JOHN HAMAN, AT GEORGE CHALKLEY'S, NEAR LONDON. Dear friend, I have at several times had it upon my mind to write thee since the decease of thy father, in order to communicate such advice and counsel as might come upon my mind for thy good; and having this opportunity by my son Francis, was willing to embrace it. And in writing, I can assure thee that I have truly no other end therein but thy good, neither do I know of any other I can have, for I neither want nor desire anything thou shalt have, but thee to the Lord. My concern is for thy preservation and growth in the Lord's holy and eternal Truth, and that as thou growest in years, thou mayest grow in grace and in the fear of the Lord, and then consequently thou wilt grow in his favour, as also in favour with his people. I would have thee consider, how excellent and comely a thing it is to see a lad or young man dedicate his youthful days to the Lord, and be adorned with his fear, which will lead into great humility, and into a sober, godly behaviour and conversation. This is very acceptable and well-pleasing to the Lord; and such a young man or lad will assuredly meet with his blessing. Now, dear child, in order to thy fearing the Lord, and consequently attaining his favour; I do in the first place advise and earnestly recommend thee to the gift and measure of his holy Spirit, which he has given thee and placed in thy heart. This is that which checks and reproves thee, when at any time thou dost anything thou oughtst not to do, or art airy, light, or wanton, or dost give way in thyself to any evil thoughts or contrivances, which may arise in thy mind.-I say, this holy Spirit of the Lord, when thou art still and quiet in mind, will bring judgment and trouble upon thee for so doing, or so giving way. Therefore I do in the first place recommend thee to this gift, and thy obedience to it, as that which will lead thee to love, fear, and obey the Lord. In the next place, as thou art obedient to this holy gift in thyself, thou wilt love the Lord's people, and greatly delight to be in their company and have their conversation, as well as be ready to take their advice and counsel for thy good; and on the contrary, thou wilt not love nor delight in the company and conversation of such as will endeavour to draw thee into pride, vanity, or wantonness, or looseness in conversation, but wilt shun and avoid them, though they may be even such as are comers to meetings;—there are too many such among Friends, which is matter of lamentation. Another thing I particu larly recommend to thee, and which I desire thou wilt always remember; and that is whenever thou meetest with any who may be ready to fawn upon thee and smooth thee up, and who may tell thee that thou hast an estate, and ought therefore, according to it, to take thy liberty, having no father or mother to controul thee, and so mayst do this or the other thing agreeable to one under thy circumstances; in a word, such as would either incite or invite, or prompt thee, to anything either in word or deed that has any tendency to pride, height, finery, vanity, liberty, wantonness, Mark such a person, whether young or old, whether man or woman, and look upon him as thy utter ene my, and not thy friend, though he may at the same time pretend love and respect to thee; shun and avoid their company, having no conversation with such. On the other hand, hearken to and take the advice and counsel of such as fear the Lord, and deal plainly with thee, advising thee to humility, lowliness of mind, and self-denial, agreeable to the command of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who said, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Such only are his true followers who so learn of him, while he beholds the proud, the vain, the high-minded, the rebellious afar off; and such are to have their portion and reward in the lake that burns for ever and for evermore. Again, our Lord said, "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" so that if a man had millions of gold and silver, and lived not in the fear of the Lord, which only entitles either younger or older to die in his favour, his riches in a dying hour will be so far from being his comfort and satisfaction, that even the thoughts of them will but add to his vexation and torment, because by the ill use of them, and being high and proud, and valuing himself upon them, they have thereby helped to make him worse, than perhaps he would have been, had he not had them. But, dear child, I hope better things of thee, than that thou wilt either be proud, or value thyself upon what thou mayst have. If thou shouldst, the Lord will be displeased and angry with thee, and it is in his power to cut the thread of thy life, before ever thou comest to enjoy them. These few things in much love, and as a faithful friend, I have on the one hand advised thee what I think best, and on the other warned thee of what may be for thy hurt, whether I ever live to see thee or not. guided by the dictates thereof. So that things are in a lamentable condition, and it seems to me the true church is returning into the wilderness again, where she sits solitary and mournful. Yet the Lord sees her in her disconsolate state; and my faith is firm, that the time will come, in which he will bring her back, and she shall be seen to lean upon the breast of her beloved; for in him is all her hope and trust. Many who once were members of her, have forsaken the Lord, and trusted to and leaned upon the arm of flesh; so that it may be said, with the prophet in former days, one has builded a wall, and another has daubed it with untempered mortar. [The following letters, found among the And I believe the day is coming, in which the author's correspondence, have so close a bearing upon the state of our Society during the wall, which men have in their own wisdom latter days of Joseph Pike, and convey such and strength been building for a shelter to deep instruction and warning to us of the pre-shall be discovered; and both the builders them, shall fall, and the foundation thereof sent times, that the editor cannot well withhold them. Deborah Bell was an experienced minister of the Gospel of Christ, tra- day. For the Lord will overturn all that is velled and laboured much in its behalf; and not upon the right foundation, in the day when whilst prosecuting one of her visits to Friends he will arise in his power to cleanse his in Ireland, being of a weakly frame, was laid by at Cork, where, she states in her published Journal, she had much comfort in the company of Joseph Pike, whom she considered as a pillar in the church. When sufficiently recruited, she returned pretty directly home to London; and from that time her correspondence with this Friend commenced.-EDITOR.] DEBORAH BELL TO JOSEPH PIKE. 18th of Twelfth month, 1717. I think I do daily see more and more need to cry out with thee, O! this inwardness, this inwardness, is what has been too much wanting in a general way, and is still wanting. For it seems to me, that many are in the high road to ruin for want of this true inward waiting to know the Spirit of Truth to leaven and subdue their own spirits, and also to open in them such things as might be serviceable and beneficial in the churches of Christ, both with respect to doctrine and discipline. And I may tell thee, as one who is not a stranger to the state of the ministry amongst us in this great, and I had almost said, ungrateful city, that a living ministry is almost lost amongst us; for here is so much working and studying of the flesh, and that so well liked and embraced by many, that the work of the Spirit and motions thereof are very much stopped, even in such as dwell daily under the baptizings thereof. It is but a few in comparison, who have an ear open to hear what the Spirit doth say to the churches; but when the Spirit doth speak through any, O how do they kick, and even make a mock at it, and at such as are led and and the daubers shall be confounded in that churches and purify his temple. That we may be of the number, who may be able to vails for. It has often been before me of late, stand when he appears, is what my soul trathat such a day of trial is hastening on, as will try all to the very bottom, and the strong. est will not find anything to boast of; yet I also believe, the weakest babes in Christ who keep their habitation, shall be strengthened to go through whatsoever may be suffered to come upon them for the trial of their faith, that so it may be more precious than that of gold. I do not see any need the faithful have to be discouraged; for though there be a suffering with Christ for a time, yet there will be a reigning with him also. And though the followers of the Lamb may seem but a few, and his enemies a great multitude, yet the Lamb and his followers will obtain the victory at last, and triumph over all. Whilst I am thus going on, I am ready to check myself, why I should write after this manner to one who knows more than I do, and whose experience far excels mine, from whom I had more need to receive both counsel and encouragement; for I am often, in the sight of things and the sense of my own weakness, made to cry out, who shall continue to the end in well-doing, so many are the wiles of satan to weaken, and if possible, destroy the faith of God's poor children. Surely we have need of one another's prayers; and as the Lord opens, strengthens, and enlarges my heart towards himself, I am not unmindful of my near and dear friends. I desire to be remembered also by thee, and to be frequently visited by thy fatherly epistles, as freedom and opportunity admit; and keep nothing back that may be in thy mind towards me, for I have an open heart to receive good counsel. DEBORAH BELL TO JOSEPH PIKE. 12th of Fourth month, 1718. The church is in my judgment in a poor condition, and many of her living members are almost overborne and crushed by those who are in such a state as renders them incapable of membership in that body which has a holy Head, and is made all holy by the virtue and power which flows from Him and circulates through every member. But such is the declension of this age, that I fear too many who are accounting themselves members of this holy body, know very little what holiness is, at least as to the practice of it. It is as if some now-a-days did not believe that text, "Without holiness none shall see the Lord," except they think holiness consists in talking of good things now and then. Indeed, talking is the highest attainment some are come to, and by their fair speeches and feigned words they deceive the simple, but cannot deceive such as have a true discerning, and are minding more how they walk than how they talk. For it is come to that pass now, that people must not trust one another by bare talking, though it be with sceming sanctity; but we have need to wait for wisdom from Him who is an all-sceing, allknowing God, lest, like Samuel, we think the Lord's anointed is before us, when indeed it is not so, but rather such as are despising those whom he has chosen, and are exalting self above the cross of Christ. Such we have amongst us, who would sway in the church, and they do a deal of harm. My spirit is exercised before the Lord in a fervent cry to him, that he will fill his faithful people more and more with the spirit of discerning, that so all such deceivers may be seen, and a hand stretched forth against them; that the mischief which otherwise they would do may be prevented; and this will help mightily to reform the people. For I am fully of the mind, that the greatest hurt and obstruction of God's glorious work lies amongst some called ministers, and such as are next in degree to them. DEBORAH BELL TO JOSEPH PIKE. London, 9th of Ninth month, 1718. Some of thy good fatherly counsel and experience would be very acceptable and I believe profitable to me, who am one that often wades as in very deep places, and am in great sorrow and affliction for Zion's sake. According to my sense and judgment, she is in a very mournful state, and is rather going into than returning out of the wilderness. And that which most deeply affects my heart, is, that too many who pretend to be watchmen upon her walls are exceedingly ignorant of her condition, and instead of giving a faithful warning of approaching danger, and seeking to make up the breach and stand in the gap, are with might and main seeking to make the breach wider. By this means a door is opened to let in a flood of wickedness, which if the Lord God of Zion do not, by a mighty hand, put a stop to, I am afraid will prove a flood of utter ruin to abundance [of persons.] For surely we have cause to say, the day is come, in which abominations are found amongst such as are accounting themselves the messengers of our God, and are pretending to act from the motion of his Holy Spirit; [who are] stamping things higher than is requisite, even if it came from such as are, what these only pretend to be. When I hear such things, and also hear and see how loose, frothy, and vain such are when in company, it greatly wounds my very soul, and I am ready to say, Truth will never prosper in a general way as for merly [it did,] whilst such as make so high a profession of it, live and walk from under the power of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. This cross is very little borne now-a-days, except by a small remnant, and these are by the others accounted a narrow-spirited people, who say they make the way more narrow than there is need for. But sometimes I am ready to fear, such have either never entered in at the strait gate, or else after some time have returned back into the broad way again. Such may well be numbered among some of old, whom the apostle calls foolish, because they did not obey the Truth after it was revealed, but having begun in the Spirit, sought to be made perfect by the flesh. This seems to be the state of many in our day; and what will be the consequence of these things is known unto Him that knows all. For my part I do fully expect, that except timely repentance be known, of which I see little hopes at present, the Lord will bring a sore and grievous judgment upon the professors of his Truth and name, which will fully manifest the hypocrite and double-tongued. And though the apprehension of this terrible day may ready to strike a terror into the minds of the upright, and make them say, Who shall be able to stand in that day, and abide the trials thereof? Yet methinks, as in the administration of condemnation and judgment spiritually, there is a beauty and glory beheld by all such souls as are willing to abide the days of their purification; so likewise, in the administration be of judgment outwardly, in order to separate the pure from the impure and the chaff from the wheat, there will be a beauty and glory beheld. And though the gold must pass through the fire as well as the dross, yet the effect will be different, for it will destroy the one, and make the other more pure and beautiful; and though the winds blow hard upon the wheat, yet it will not be driven away, but only the chaff, which is not fit to be gathered into the garner of God's power. And in those days, precious unto the Lord will such be, as in sincerity and true-heartedness have loved, served, and feared him above all. The daily | the breach the wider which ought to be made cry of my poor soul unto my God is, that I may be one of that number, whatsoever exercises it may be my lot to go through for the Seed's sake in this suffering day. And as it is my cry to the Lord for myself, so even for many more, and I do find it my duty to pray for my near and dear friends everywhere, and I also earnestly desire to have the benefit of their prayers for me, and in particular thine, my dear friend, as knowing thee to be one who often goes deep in spirit before the Lord on account of his people. I also desire a full and free account in writing of thy present apprehensions touching the state of the church in general, that I may know whether we be like-minded. I think we ever were when together, and as we still abide near that Fountain of love and life, by which we were made to love one another, which love is stronger than death, we shall still abide in the oneness, and see by the eye of faith the same things, and so be a help, strength, and confirmation one to another. DEBORAII BELL TO JOSEPH PIKE. 24th of Second month, 1719. My good and worthy friend, Thy kind and acceptable letter of the eighth month, I received, and was very glad to hear from thee; for I thought it long before I had thine, and many fears did attend my mind concerning thee, lest thou hadst been worse than usual, which thoughts are very afflicting to me; for I am desirous if it be the Lord's will that thy days may be prolonged in this world, for divers reasons which are often under my consideration when I hear of thy indisposition. The Lord in his tender mercy look down upon his church in general and the families of this people in particular, and administer suitably to the present condition and circumstances of his people everywhere, is my cry to him, and preserve for ever under the shadow of his heavenly wing and in the pavilion of his pow er, such as are bent for his glory and the good of his people above all. For many are the poisoned arrows which the enemy is shooting at such, because they stand as in the front, and are boldly fighting with the sword of the Spirit against the wicked one in all his appearances. These true-hearted soldiers often meet with very close engagements, by reason of so many who pretend to be of the disciples and followers of Christ, deserting their master and starting aside out of their places; and this makes not only the battle the harder upon such as dare not quit their posts, but it also makes up. How these expect to escape that woe, which is pronounced upon such as will not stand in the gap and make up the breach for the house of Israel, I know not. But it is to be hoped, the Lord in his own time will arise for his own name and suffering Seed's sake, which even groans and cries from a sense and sight of the abomination, which will, if not speedily purged out, bring desolation. And indeed desolation is already come upon many, who once knew a good condition, and the greatest misery of such is, they are not sensible of their poor, empty, desolate state, but, too much like some of old, are thinking themselves rich and full, wanting nothing. And such as these are very apt to set themselves on high, and are speaking peace to their poor souls, saying, We shall see no sorrow; when alas! the Holy Spirit is telling them plainly, both immediately in themselves and through the faithful, that they are deceived by the great deceiver of souls, for their state is quite contrary, namely, poor, naked, blind and miserable, and wanting all things. But O, how hardly doth this plain dealing go down with this wise, conceited, self-righteous people; for with sorrow I write it, there are very few in these days who have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, and indeed the voice and language of the Spirit is very little to be heard in the church now-a-days. For though at times the Lord is laying a constraint upon his true ministers, such as mourn between the porch and the altar, and they are made to open their mouths in his dread, being filled with his eternal word, and they at times warn both professors and profane of the day of vengeance which is even at hand; yet when such have warned people, they, much like the old prophets, are even as it were separate from all, and dwell in solitary places, till sent again with a fresh message. But in the main, the spring of the ministry is very much stopped, and true ministers shut up, especially towards the professors of Truth; yet we have abundance of preaching amongst us, but [chiefly] from the letter which killeth. |