several good meetings in our way, we visited chapter and verse. I patiently heard him unFriends on the Western Shore of Maryland, til he had gone on a great while; and seeing and found great openness both amongst them he had wrested the Scriptures, I told him he and other people; from whence we went over must now make a full stop, until the company the bay, and visited Friends on the Eastern came up, for my companion had a bible in his Shore, and in the lower counties of Pennsyl- pocket, and we would read the texts which he vania, and so to Salem in West Jersey, the had mentioned, and any other he had yet to Lord's good presence attending us from meet- name. They soon came up to us, and the ing to meeting. We staid the Yearly Meeting bible being called for, it was given into the at Salem, which was very large, and the Lord's hands of a young man, who was desired to power eminently manifested therein, and the read all those texts which the Baptist had doctrine of truth was largely opened to the urged to prove water baptism to be a command people. Having visited Friends on the east of Jesus Christ, and a standing ordinance in the side of Delaware river, we went over to Phila-church. After he had named many texts, they delphia, and visited the meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, which were very large, many sober people flocking to them, unto whom the testimony of truth flowed forth in the word of life, to the opening of the understandings of

many.

were read to him one by one; but finding no text to make good his charge, I told him he had wronged the Scripture in adding thereto, which, said I, is dangerous, for we read in the Revelations, xxii. 18, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." After which I opened unto him the true baptism of Jesus Christ, which is with the Holy Ghost and with fire; as John said, Matt. iii. 2. and we parted very friendly. He came to the meeting next day, and was silent.

From Shrewsbury, we travelled to Woodbridge and New York, and thence to Long Island, where we staid the Yearly Meeting, which was a large and blessed meeting. From

was at their Yearly Meeting in the fourth month, wherein the power and the glory of the Lord did very much appear, and the universal love of God was held forth to the satisfaction of the people.

From Pennsylvania we crossed over Delaware river again, and travelled through the country to Shrewsbury; and in our way thither, a Baptist preacher came up to us, and directing his speech to me, said, he would ask me a question; I bid him, say on; then said he, my question is, "what is the ordination and qualification of a true minister of Jesus Christ?" | To which I answered, that the apostle saith, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good thence we went by water to Rhode Island, and stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it, as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ." I further said mildly to him, thou may see that the ability of a true minister is in the divine gift. Then he said, I have another question to ask, which is this, "can any man who hath this divine gift positively deny the command of our Lord Jesus Christ?" To which I replied, that no man, who was faithful to this holy gift, durst deny the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, said he, you do. Then, said I, how comes thou to charge me thus? What hast thou seen by me, to charge me with denying the commands of Jesus Christ? I know, said he, you are a Quaker; and that all the Quakers deny the From Boston we went to Lynn and Salem, positive command of Jesus Christ. I answered, so to the eastern parts of New England, as thou hast charged boldly, now thou must prove far as Dover; and after having visited Friends in what we deny them. He said, you deny there, returned by way of Boston, to the water baptism, which Jesus Christ commanded Yearly Meeting at Providence, where we had to be an ordinance in his church to the end of good service for truth. We travelled through the world. I told him, he must prove his as the country until we came to Rhode Island sertion, for I did not understand that ever again, having had several meetings in our Jesus Christ gave any command to his minis- way, and found great openness in divers ters, to baptize in elementary water. I desired places. After some stay in Rhode Island, and him again to prove what he had asserted. He having had several precious meetings amongst began to repeat many Scriptures, quoting them, we parted from Friends in great love

We went from thence to Taunton, where no Friends meeting was settled, nor do we know that any had ever been there before. To this meeting several sober people came, who were open to receive the testimony of the truth, and some were convinced, since which a meeting is settled there. Then we went to Dartmouth, where James left me, and went to the island of Nantucket, but we met again at Sandwich, and travelled together through the country to Boston, where we had some service for the Lord, both amongst Friends and other people.

and tenderness, and returned by water to Long Island, where we made some stay in visiting Friends' meetings, and found a great openness amongst them.

eaten and drank, we would have paid her, but she would take nothing from us. She showed us a little on our way, and we parted with her in a friendly manner, and that night got to a Friend's house, and afterwards amongst Friends in Virginia. My companion and Robert Jordan, took boat and went aboard the ship, and brought off our things; the master then showed himself very respectful, and said, if we thought fit to come again, we should be very welcome, and if not we might use our freedom.

From Long Island we went to New York, where we had a large and blessed meeting; the people who were not Friends, confessed to the truth. We returned by Woodbridge, and through Jersey to Pennsylvania; and after having some meetings amongst Friends, went to the Yearly Meeting at Burlington, which was very large, and held several days, in which meeting the Lord's blessed power was We travelled to and fro in Virginia, and richly manifested. Then we went to Philadel- through the country until we came to the phia, and from thence, by way of Newcastle, Western Shore of Maryland, having many to the Yearly Meeting at Choptank, on the blessed meetings, Friends being very glad to Eastern Shore of Maryland, in the eighth see us, and thankful to the Lord for our late month, which was very large, many people preservation. We also went over the bay, besides Friends flocking to it from several parts of the country, and the doctrine of truth was largely opened to them. After this meeting, we went into the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and had several meetings amongst Friends, in which we were greatly comforted; so returned again to Philadelphia, and spent some time in and about that city, having good service for the Lord, and had a farewell meeting with Friends at Chester; and then hastened to Oxford on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in order to take shipping for England.

and had a meeting with Friends at the place where the captain would not suffer us to stay before. After this meeting, we were free in our spirits to return, being thankful to God for his manifold preservations; and in a little time after took shipping in another vessel, and landed at Cork in Ireland, where we staid a meeting on the sixth-day of the week; and then went to Clougheen: next day got to James Hutchinson's, where we lodged that night, and rode next morning to Mount-melick, where the Province Meeting for Leinster was then held. We went into the meeting, Friends being gathered before we came, and the power of truth broke in upon the meeting, whereby Friends hearts were greatly tendered, under a sense of the Lord's mercy in preserving us, not knowing anything of our being landed, until we came thither.

Here I parted with my dear friend and companion, James Dickinson; and as we had travelled together in great love and unity, we parted in the same. He went to Dublin, in order to take shipping for Cumberland, and I returned home to my dear wife and family, being truly thankful that the Lord had brought us together again.

Soon after we came to Oxford, we agreed with the master of a vessel for our passage, the ship being bound for Liverpool, but told him we had a desire to stay the first-day meeting. He said, if he did not fire a gun, we might stay; and a little before the meeting began, he fired a gun, which gave us warning to hasten aboard, although it was contrary to our freedom, not being clear in our minds to leave the meeting, so we went on board. They set sail, but made little way that day; and we soon perceived that as the master of the ship had endeavoured to cross us, the Lord crossed him, for there arose a great storm that night, which continued several days, in which time the ship sprung a leak, I staid a little time at home, and then our which daunted them; yet taking some cou-Half-year's Meeting coming on at Dublin, I rage again, they kept to sea, but the leak in- went thither, and from thence to London, in creased so fast, that they altered their course, the company of Friends appointed to attend and stood in again, and with some difficulty the service of the Yearly Meeting there. got to an anchor in Lynhaven bay, which had several good meetings in our way, and brought a fresh engagement upon us of thank- the Lord's power was eminently manifested in fulness to the Lord for so signal a preservation. Here the master concluded to unlade, that he might stop the leak, and told us we might go on shore and see our friends.

We hired a boat, sailed up the river, and went ashore at the house of a widow woman, a Presbyterian, who received us kindly, and said she had heard of us, and that the New Testament made much for us. After we had】

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the Yearly Meeting. When it was over, I left the city, and returned northward by way of Coventry, and so for Ireland, and found my dear wife and children well, to my great satisfaction; and after some stay about home, visited Friends' meetings up and down in the nation, as I found drawings in the love of truth.

In the year 1721, I found a concern upon

my spirit, to go for England in the service of thence to Ipswich and Woodbridge, and truth; and after our Half-year's meeting in through Suffolk into Norfolk, having many Dublin, took shipping in company with John meetings, Isaac Pickerel of London accompa Barcroft, and several other Friends intending nying me. We had two very large meetings to the Yearly Meeting at London. After being at Norwich, greatly to edification, the word of two days at sea, the ship struck often on the eternal life being freely preached, whereby sand in the night time, so that we seemed in many hearts were tendered; so travelled great danger of being lost; but through the through the country, until we came to Lynn, favour of divine providence were preserved, having divers good meetings in our way and in the morning, the tide being out, the thither. I was very glad to meet with several, ship lay aground, and we got out our horses, who were convinced when I formerly travelled and went ashore in Wales, from whence we through that county. At Lynn I parted with rode seventeen miles to Chester, and thence to Isaac Pickerel, and went northward, through White-church, where one of our company Lincolnshire, Michael Williams going along parted with us. The rest of us travelled to with me to several meetings. I passed thence Wolverhampton, and were at the meeting on into Yorkshire, visiting Friends meetings; and the first-day of the week, and the next day we made some stay at York, and had service for all met at Dudley, at a burial. I, with one the Lord. Then I crossed the country, and other of our company, went to Storbridge, went to the Yearly Meeting in Wales, which and we all met again at the Quarterly Meet- was held at Glanneedlass, having several ing at Bromsgrove in Worcestershire; and meetings as I passed along. In this Yearly travelled together to Oster, and so to Evesham Meeting, the Lord's power and love was richly and Sheepstown, at each of which two last manifested, and I was greatly comforted places we had a meeting, and then went to amongst Friends; after which I went to HolyLondon, and were at the Yearly Meeting, head, and took shipping for Ireland, and in which was large and peaceable. After it was the third month, 1722, returned home, being over, I staid a little time in that city, and had truly thankful to the Lord, who had supported some service for the Lord; and so departed in and enabled me by his divine power to answer company with John Barcroft, and travelled his holy requirings. through Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire, and thence to Bath, and so to Bristol, in which city we staid some time, and had several very precious meetings. I went from Bristol into some parts of Gloucestershire, and when clear, returned to Bristol, and had some further service for the Lord; and my dear friend, John Barcroft, being indisposed and turned home, and growing infirm, went little feeble of body, I left him amongst his kind abroad to distant meetings; but in the ninth friends at Bristol, having a constraint upon month following, Friends of Leinster kept the me to fulfil the service that was before me. I Province Meeting at Edenderry, to which I travelled westward, as far as the Land's End went, and the Lord's power was richly mani in Cornwall, having many very blessed meet-fested, and the affairs of truth managed in ings through the country. I visited Cornwall great love and sweetness; John Fothergill, thoroughly, and was greatly comforted with from England, being there, had good service Friends there, and found great openness for the Lord. amongst the people in divers places. I returned by Plymouth, Exeter, Bridgport, Pool, and thence by the sea coast until I came to Dover, having many refreshing meetings as I travelled through that country, Samuel Hopwood being with me; we went from Dover to Canterbury, and by Rochester to London.

I staid about home, sometimes visiting Friends' meetings that were near; and in the year 1724, went to the Half-year's Meeting at Dublin, in the third month, where I was greatly comforted in the feeling of that divine life and power, which is the crown and glory of our meetings. After this meeting I re

Now I rejoice in that I have served the Lord in my day; and as I have laboured to promote the truth in my generation, I feel great peace from the Lord, flowing in my soul; and am thankful that I have been made willing to serve him. My dear wife, being a woman that truly fears God, hath freely given I staid in and about the city of London me up to answer the requirings of truth, and several weeks, the Lord's presence and power I hope she will have a share in that reward attending me in his work; then travelled into and peace, whereof the Lord hath given me Hertfordshire, and had divers good meetings the earnest. I have deeply travelled both in greatly to my satisfaction. I returned to Lon- body and spirit for the promotion of truth don, where I had again some comfortable in the carth, in a general way, so I have meetings; and being clear of that city, parted with Friends in great love and sweetness, and travelled through Essex to Colchester, and

also often besought the Lord, that he would be pleased to reach effectually to my own children in particular, that they may be

faithful witnesses for him in their genera- and the water of life, and quenched my thirst,

tion.

which hath been great, the will of the Lord be done; and fervently prayed to the Lord for his people, especially the youth, that he Our dear friend, Thomas Wilson, being would be pleased to incline their hearts to foltaken ill of body, about the 18th day of the low him in the way of truth: and soon after eleventh month, in the year 1724, continued said to this effect, if the youth of this meeting weakly for several months, in which time he and nation incline their hearts to the Lord uttered many weighty expressions; and at se- above all, he will make them a shining peoveral times was concerned in fervent prayer ple; but if they do not, he will cast them off. to the Lord, for the young and rising genera- And again said, the Lord's goodness fills my tion, that they might be faithful witnesses for the heart, which gives me the evidence and assurtruth in their day. He was freely resigned to the ance of my everlasting peace in his kingdom, will of God, yet desired of the Lord if he had with my ancient Friends that are gone before no further service for him, to remove him out me, with whom I had sweet comfort in the of his pain, which, at times, was very great. work of the Gospel. Those who touch the When he was a little easy, he often spoke Lord's work, and are not of clean hands, will of the things of God, and was very much not prosper. Notwithstanding our said friend concerned that Friends should live agreeably had been eminently attended with the power to the doctrine of Christ, and that the good of truth, and had great service many ways, order established amongst us by our faithful he would speak very humbly of himself, aselders, might be kept up and maintained, and cribing all the honour to the Lord. And at a that all differences and disorders should be certain time he said to this effect: although kept out of the church; and said, if Friends the Lord hath made use of me at times to be kept the ancient path, and observed the Lord's serviceable in his hand, what I trust in, is the rules, they would be a blessed people, express- mercy of God in Jesus Christ. To Friends ing his satisfaction, that in all nations where he travelled, he had been careful not to join with any that were for false liberty, or laying waste the testimony of truth, which the Lord had called his people to bear.

sitting by him, he said, the Lord visited me in my young years, and I felt his power, which hath been with me all along, and I am assured he will never leave me, which is my comfort. He also often expressed his desire, that Friends might dwell in humility, and keep low, for that to his sorrow, he had seen many who grew high, come to ruin, both themselves and pos terity, and their places left desolate.

One evening, several Friends sitting with him, he was very sweetly and prophetically opened in words to this effect; that a great harvest-day was coming over the nations, and that the Lord was fitting, and would fit many, Near his conclusion, he often desired the and send them into the harvest; but said, he Lord would give him an easy passage, which hoped in a little time to be gathered to the was granted, being also preserved sensible to generations of the just, that were gone before; the last; so passed away without sigh or groan, and was comforted to feel that Friends were as if he had been going to sleep, on the 20th inward with the Lord in their spirits, express, day of the third month, 1725. He was buried ing how near truth made Friends one to an- the 22nd of the same, accompanied by a great other in the beginning, and that he was glad number of Friends and others, where Friends of the nearness and unity amongst Friends had a good opportunity to bear testimony to now, desiring it might continue and increase. that divine power, whereby he was raised up At a time he was asked, if he would have to be a faithful witness for the truth, in his anything to wet his mouth; to which he re- generation. And though his removal be a great plied to this effect; the Lord hath taken away loss to his family in particular, and the church all my pain, and given me the bread of life, in general, it is no doubt his everlasting gain

EPISTLES

WRITTEN BY THOMAS WILSON, AND HIS FELLOW-LABOURER IN THE SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL, JAMES DICKINSON, WHILST IN AMERICA.

An Epistle to Friends in Virginia and Carolina, | other in the most holy faith, by which you from King's creek, in Maryland, the 12th of will be made heirs of that crown which is inthe Second month, 1692.

Dear Friends,

corruptible, and full of glory. For the attainment of this, let every one press forward, in the life of righteousness, watching one over ALL dwell in the love of God, by which another for good, and stirring up one another your hearts were at first reached, and tender to love and good works, wherein God will desires raised, to make your peace with him, supply you with the increase of his holy Spiwhich was lost by reason of sin. It was rit, by which you will be fitted for the service the love of the Father to bring you to his God hath called you into, which is to be zealSon, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom you all ous for the truth upon earth, and against every have life and salvation, as you abide in him, thing that would cause the truth to be evil and keep in his love, that draws your affec- spoken of, that none may be as those spoken tions heavenward, where they will be fixed on of formerly, who walked as enemies to the heavenly things, and where your souls will cross of Christ, and were a grief to the faithwitness the sweetness of life, strengthening ful in ages past. Such are a grief to the and building you up in that most holy faith, honest-hearted in this day, who are concerned which God hath called you into, and made for God and his truth, and for the spread of you partakers of. Every one be careful to the Gospel, travelling for the prosperity of walk worthy of the vocation, whereunto ye Zion, and peace of Jerusalem, and know her are called, in all fear and meekness, watching to be a quiet habitation, and themselves inin the light, where you will discern the wiles habitants thereof. The Lord is making these of the enemy in all his cunning baits and as watchmen upon her walls, whose resolution transformations. As every one of you keeps is to keep them up, notwithstanding the scoffs inward to the Lord, you will have salt in your- and reproaches of such, who, like Sanballat selves, to savour withal, as Christ our Lord and Tobias, are without the city. Those who said, "Every one shall be salted with fire, and are within, are really concerned for God, and every sacrifice seasoned with salt; have salt in to stand against every appearance of evil, both yourselves, and dwell at peace one with an- in themselves and others; and the Lord is enother." As every one keeps to the spirit of duing them with power and wisdom proceedjudgment and burning, and knows the fire of ing from his holy Spirit, that they heed not God's jealousy kindled against every appear- the reproaches of Ammon, nor the reviling of ance of evil, you will be kept inquiring and Moab; for though "he may go into the sanctaking counsel of the Lord, where you will tuary to pray, he shall not prevail, but Israel, be safe, and can do nothing against the truth, that wrestleth with the Lord, shall prevail.” but for the truth, and the Lord will take de- Therefore let your care be, to wait for the aslight to appear in your meetings, by his living sistance of God's spirit, and that none plead power, and give you a sense and feeling be- for the truth, and be out of the Spirit of Truth, yond words, as he hath done unto a remnant for that will never tend to God's glory, nor of you. Blessed be his holy name forever, your edification; but on the contrary, to darkthat there are those who can taste words as en, veil, and oppress the Seed of God, one in the mouth tastes meat; therefore is it that another. But as all keep low in their respecwords cannot deceive such, but all have not tive gifts, waiting to know the assistance of attained this length; some are unskilful, and have need of milk, which our God will give. If you keep those longing desires that are already raised in you, ye shall know the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby, from one degree of grace unto another, until you become perfect men in Christ Jesus, in whom you may edify and build up one an

God's spirit, being nothing without it, you will feel the Lord to work all your works in you and for you, and give power to answer what he requires of you, and then his love will be increased unto you, and you will abide in favour with him; as you are preserved here, you will daily witness an increase of the life of truth, which will occasion praises to be sound