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.

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

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 ob-ful order of church discipline, which has been jects. attended with so many and great advantages

THE object contemplated by the present down to the present time. 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 our profession: for in His wisdom and by 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.

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 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.

love.

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 talent in a napkin, or the light of their testimony under a bushel; yet the various denominations of Christians, even at the present

form, and their appearance, in most repects, 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 which nothing which is of this world can branded with the term enthusiasm, or a worse | enter."

name, because by such obedience they were An impression of this nature having taken led into acts which the world accounted mad-deep hold, having indeed become a principle ness, then they were enthusiasts truly. And of action in the minds of the early Friends, further, if such terms are to be attached to the we need not be surprised, that they made war operation of that efficacious faith, by which in righteousness with what was corrupt everyits possessor is enabled to bear the contradic- where; and they saw no inconsistency in tion of sinners against himself, without faint- judgment beginning at what was reputed to ing or weariness, then were the early Friends be "the house of God." At one blow, thereenthusiasts and fanatics. Fanaticism and fore, under the conduct of their holy Comintolerance, however, are found to be often mander, who promised to lead his followers closely allied; and accordingly, the real fa- by his Spirit into all truth, and doubtless both natics of those days were, in very many in- as regards their worship and their discipline, stances, to be clearly detected among their they levelled all distinctions of laity and opponents and their persecutors. 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 aposnew 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.

28

from their Rules of Discipline, recently published by the Yearly Meeting.

66

nor yet that the Life, in its immediate spring- generacy that had crept in and prevailed ing up, is at the present day very demonstra- throughout professing Christendom; goes on tively seen in the Society in question. But to speak of the order of that building, and the the seed has been sown, the way has been government of that house, which they believed cast up and made plain; and if the impress-themselves called upon to erect and establish ions, which were deeply stamped on the minds among those who were gathered into the same of its early and most devoted members, had fellowship.*-Editor.] the seal of Truth for their origin, notwith- The origin, character, and objects of the standing appearances at present may not be discipline or order of church government, esthe most promising, their testimony will not tablished in the Society of Friends, and which be lost. has been justly admired for its simplicity, as In attempting to level a distinction so un- well for its consistency with, as for its adaptascriptural as that of laity and clergy, Friends tion to the nature and necessities of a Christian struck at the root of all lordliness in church church, may be best introduced to the general government; at the system of compulsory ex-reader by the following statement, extracted actions for religious purposes; and at such a ministry as, having man's appointment for its foundation, assumed to itself exclusive privi- By the term discipline, we understand all leges under a stipendiary system. Such prin- those arrangements and regulations, which ciples as are involved in these questions, have are instituted for the civil and religious bene at length taken strong hold on the attention of fit of a Christian church: the meetings of a large portion of the community of the pre- discipline are, of course, for the purpose of sent day; and it behoves those who would be carrying those objects into effect. Their de accounted spiritual, and who from conscien-sign was said by George Fox, to be—the protious motives are desirous of adding their motion of charity and piety. weight in favour of such positions, to search diligently into the origin of those views, towards which the eyes of all parties are more or less directed; and which sooner or later must prevail, in the ordering of Divine Wisdom and Providence; promising to be productive of changes in the condition and circumstances of the church of our Redeemer, to which few can look forward with indifference. It therefore appears to be the more incumbent upon those, who on religious grounds are interested in such anticipations, with honesty and patience to examine the nature of their own foundation, and the superstructure which has been raised upon it; that they may ascertain for themselves, whether it is one with that, against which "the gates of hell" can never prevail;-whether it will stand the fiery trial which is to try every man's work ;-in short, whether their faith is such as overcomes the world, and leads its possessor forth, often in a way most adverse to the will and wisdom of the creature ;-a living faith, such as removes mountains, gives them the victory, and to which they can, as did the early Friends in an eminent degree, set their seal by suffering.

"It cannot be said, that any system of discipline formed a part of the original compact of the Society. There was not indeed, to hu man appearance, anything systematic in its formation. It was an association of persons who were earnestly seeking, yea, panting after the saving knowledge of Divine Truth. They were men of prayer, and diligent searchers of the holy Scriptures: unable to find true rest in the various opinions and systems, which in that day divided the Christian world, they believed that they found the Truth, in a more full reception of Christ, not only as the living and ever present Head of the church in its aggregate capacity, but also as the Light and Life-the spiritual Ruler, Teacher, and Friend of every individual member.

"These views did not lead them to the abandonment of those doctrines, which they had heretofore held in regard to the manhood of Christ, his propitiatory sacrifice, mediation,

* The Editor is by no means clear, that this Inhave let it go forth, had he been spared to comtroductory Chapter stands as the Author would plete it. It is quite an unfinished fragment of an [The author of these pages, having thus Essay. The interest of the reader will be inbriefly adverted to the settlement of the So- creased on learning, that this was the very last ciety of Friends; as an eminent instance of effort of his pen; and that even on his sick bed, the display of Almighty goodness, wisdom, but a few days before his removal hence, was he and power; and having glanced at one re- engaged in penning some of these clear views markable feature and effect attending their relative to the state of the militant church, until calling, namely, that they were raised up to mental and bodily powers, and hurried him away, the increase of fever rapidly overwhelmed the bear testimony to the very Truth as it is in not unprepared, as it is fully believed, to join the Jesus, and against all the innovation and de-church triumphant in heaven.

and intercession. They did lead them, how- from the analogy of which the apostle Paul ever, to a less dependence upon man, and to draws so striking a description of the true much inward retirement and waiting upon church; Ye are the body of Christ, and God, that they might know his will, and be- members in particular.' come quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord; yet were they very frequent in their meetings together for mutual edification and instruction, for the purpose of united worship in Spirit and in Truth, and for the exercise of their several gifts, as ability might be afforded by Him, who has promised to be with the two or three disciples who are gathered together in his name.

"From these meetings, in which the love of God was often largely shed abroad in the hearts of those who attended them, even when held in silence, [which was by no means unfrequently the case even in the early times,] most of those ministers went forth, who in the earliest periods of the Society, proclaimed to others the Truth as they had found it, and called them from dependence on man, to that individual knowledge of Christ and of his teachings, which the holy Scriptures so clearly and abundantly declare to be the privilege of the Gospel times. As these views struck at the very root of that great corruption in the Christian church, by which one man's performances on behalf of others had been made essential to public worship, and on which hung all the load of ecclesiastical domination and the trade in holy things; so it necessarily separated those who had, as they believed, found the liberty of the Gospel, from those who still adhered with pious regard, or a mere ignorant and selfish attachment, to that system which was upheld by the existing churches of the land.

"Of this right exercise of spiritual gifts, and thereby of an efficient discipline, many examples are afforded in the history of the earliest period of the Society; we shall select one, which we believe may be considered as fairly illustrating the practice of early times. Stephen Crisp in his Memoirs, speaking of his own state soon after his convincement, which was in 1655, and within a few years of the establishment of a meeting at Colchester, the place of his residence, thus expresses himself: The more I came to feel and perceive the love of God and his goodness to flow forth upon me, the more was I humbled and bowed in my mind to serve him, and to serve the least of his people among whom I walked, And as the word of wisdom began to spring in me, and the knowledge of God grew, so I became as a counsellor of them that were tempted in like manner as I had been; yet was kept so low, that I waited to receive counsel daily from God, and from those that were over me in the Lord, and were in Christ before me, against whom I never rebelled nor was stubborn; but the more I was kept in subjection myself, the more subject were evil spirits made to me, and the more I was enabled to help the weak and feeble ones. And the church of God in those days increased, and my care daily increased, and the weight of things relating both to the outward and inward condition of poor Friends came upon me; and being called of God and his people to take the care of the poor, and to relieve their necessities as I did "Being thus separated from others, and see occasion, I did it faithfully for divers years, many being every day added to the church, with diligence and much tenderness, exhorting there arose of course peculiar duties of the and reproving any that were slothful, and enassociated persons towards each other. Chris-couraging them that were diligent, putting a tianity has ever been a powerful, active, and beneficent principle. Those who truly receive it, no more live unto themselves;' and this feature and fruit of genuine Christianity was strikingly exhibited in the conduct of the early Friends. No sooner were a few persons connected together in the new bond of religious fellowship, than they were engaged to admonish, encourage, and in spiritual as well as temporal matters, to watch over and help one another in love.

difference according to the wisdom given me of God, and still minding my own state and condition, and seeking the honour that cometh from God only.* Memoirs, p. 51.

“Thus, then, we believe it may be safely asserted, that there never was a period in the Society, when those who agreed in religious principles were wholly independent of each other, or in which that order and subjection which may be said to constitute discipline, did not exist. But as the number of members increased, those mutual helps and guards,

"The members who lived near to each other, and who met together for religious worship, immediately formed, from the very * S. C. was an able minister of the Gospel law of their union, a Christian family or little among Friends in the early times. There is a volume of his collected writings, to which is prechurch. Each member was at liberty to ex-fixed a journal of his life; from that scarce volume ercise the gift bestowed upon him, in that has been compiled, by Samuel Tuke, one which beautiful harmony and subjection which be- is worthy of a place in every Christian man's longs to the several parts of a living body, library.