SOME ACCOUNT

OF

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH PIKE,

OF CORK, IN IRELAND, WHO DIED IN THE YEAR 1729,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF:

ALSO,

A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND GOSPEL LABOURS OF

JOSEPH OXLEY,

OF NORWICH, WHO

DIED

IN THE YEAR 1775;

TOGETHER WITH LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THEIR FRIENDS.

WITH PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS BY JOHN BARCLAY.

By humility and the fear of the Lord, are riches, honour, and life. Prov. xxii. 4.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS,

CHIEFLY ADDRESSED

TO THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

his life, a lively and instructive exemplification of that kind of care and labour, by example and by exhortation, which the early Friends. most undeniably and conspicuously bestowed, upon the vineyard of their own hearts and THE two narratives now offered to the no- towards each other in the Lord. The whole tice of the Society of Friends and others, are drift of his exercise is, that both he himself, not made choice of for publication on the and all those professing with him to have “represent occasion, as containing anything of ceived Christ Jesus," should "walk in him," very extraordinary or novel character; they should "adorn the doctrine of God our Samay not be calculated to impart that sort of attractive and peculiar interest, which the diary of a Jaffray or the life of a Dewsbury must do, to minds capable of a true relish for spiritual things; but they nevertheless furnish much that is wholesome and unsophisticated. If the discipline of the heart to the Author of our lives, if the discipline of the church to her Holy Head," who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity," be of value, then the experience of his servants, of those who were concerned to "walk with God," and to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," cannot be devoid of some important bearing upon the state of every reader.

viour in all things," should "show out of a good conversation their works with meekness of wisdom," should "be holy in all manner of conversation," should have their "fruit unto holiness," in short, should altogether illustrate the " pure and undefiled religion."

Now, in this point of view, the counsel that is handed by this worthy elder to his succes sors, to those who would rightly belong to and build up the church of Christ, who would truly "comfort all her waste places," is of peculiar and pressing import. Here are sound, wellseasoned materials; plain, positive, practical advices, not showy and superficial, but sober and solid admonitions, grounded upon and In the first of these journals, that of Joseph growing out of Scriptural truth, the result of Pike, will be found, besides the incidents of conviction and of experience, highly needful

to be borne in mind, laid to heart, day by day acted upon as we pass through life, and which involve much of genuine self-denial, and straitkeeping of the soul. Nothing is to be found of a wild, doubtful, crude, or strange enthusiasm, no morbid refinement, no fine-spun empty theories, no mere "talk of the lips, which the wise man tells us, "tendeth only to penury," no beautiful symmetry and paint of language without life, nor dry doctrinals separated from and set at variance with that transforming power, in which alone true doctrine can be truly held, or availingly held forth. It is as if the writer all along conveyed to us the very substance of the adage, "Tell me not how any talk, but how they walk;" agreeably to that language of the dear Redeemer, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:" "He that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life:" "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me:" "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven." For, assuredly, as said his beloved disciple, "He that keepeth [Christ's] commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him."

honest and good heart," has a most strengthening efficacy there, to the building up of such believers in their most holy faith. It was a heinous sin in Israel of old, that they slighted or loathed the manna which the Lord had provided for them; and one, on the other hand, reverently prays, "Feed me with food convenient for me." Surely, as his reasonable creatures, his redeemed people, even these who wait upon Him, he will "give them their meat in due season;" for he feedeth his flock and causeth them to lie down in green pastures, and cannot be wanting to "bless the provision of Zion." But, now as ever, the rich and the full are sent empty away from the banquet of our King; indeed, these come prepared only to loathe the honeycomb and, whatever may be their dreams of satisfaction and comfort in the use of means, who are contriving and choosing for themselves, who would cater and carve according to their own apprehensions in religious matters, such, when really awakened to see themselves as they are and where they are, will ever find leanness and emptiness the portion of the immortal part, they inherit the wind, they shall be even "filled with their own devices." How sickly, how superficial, how unstable is their state! tossed about by every wind of doctrine, readily "beguiled with enticing words," with great swelling words, the words which man's wisdom teacheth, and which the itching ear stretches forth after; but the truth, the pearl of great price, is almost thrown away upon them, as upon the swine, they receive it only to abuse, to misapprehend, to pervert it.

It is lamentable to think, how much is lost by professing Christians, and how much is gained by the enemy of souls, when they suffer themselves to be "carried about by divers and strange doctrines," or at least unduly detained amidst fields of speculation, and "striving about words to no profit, but to the sub- The Christian path is a plain path,-blessed verting of the hearers," of the readers, and of be his name who is the Captain of salvation, the speakers also. Indeed, even "good doc- the Leader and Commander of his spiritual trine," "sound doctrine," essential doctrine, Israel; he hath opened and cast up the way that which is "according to godliness," as it for them; through his obedience unto suffercan only be given forth under the express di-ing, unto death, he hath consecrated it by his rection of our ever-living Oracle, High Priest, own example, and hath graciously offered to and Holy Head, the Minister of the sanctuary, guide us by his spirit into all truth. It was so must it be received in entire subjection, with his own declaration, "If any man will do his full resignation to his good will and pleasure, will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it who condescends to work mightily and effectu- be of God, or whether I speak of myself;" ally in those that believe,-yet oftentimes obscurely, and to man's judgment weakly, yea foolishly. In spiritual, as in temporal things, "a little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked;" for, in this respect, it is most true, that "the blessing of the Lord" is that which "maketh rich." So, a little shedding forth of light and of truth from Him, whose doctrine drops as the rain, and distils as the dew, "who openeth, and derstandings of his disciples, further than he none can shut," and who delights to satisfy the longing soul, and to fill the hungry soul with goodness, when received into ground rightly prepared to appropriate it, "into an

that is, he shall have adequate evidence of my doctrine; and again, he declared, "My sheep hear my voice," "and I am known of mine." These were, however, to become as little children, to receive the kingdom of God as a little child, as new-born babes; for unto such, these things were to be revealed, but not to any others. Our Wonderful Counsellor did not even clear up his divine truth to the un

saw needful for their present growth, further than they were able to receive and to bear it, Mark iv. 33, and John xvi. 12. And though his apostle Paul wrote some things "hard to

be understood," yet himself testifies, that he had fed his hearers "with milk, and not with meat," because they were not able as yet to bear it. Our Lord accepted, and he still accepts, the meek and contrite spirit, the soul that is simply made willing to come unto him, to learn of him, and to obey him:—his anointing teacheth them "of all things."

tient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth?" Those who can discriminate, will surely say, he did not.

In like manner, in our day, both among the first who went under the denomination of Quakers," as in more recent times, occa Undoubtedly, there are times, corrupt and sions have arisen again and again for religious unstable times, when the precious privileges controversy, wherein silence, however desiraand hopes of the Gospel are more than usually ble, would have been blameable. Very much called in question, when every one that has the same line of warfare, of explanation, of debought the truth, according to his measure and fence, and of rejoinder, has been repeatedly and station, according also to the circumstan- called forth. Sometimes, indeed, the necessity ces in which he may be placed, is more espe- has been urgent, as in ancient periods of the cially called upon to stand fast in the faith, to church, when many have been "the unruly, hold fast that they have received, and even, vain talkers and deceivers," "who subvert as occasion calls, "earnestly to contend for" whole houses, teaching things which they this faith which was " once," and is yet" de- ought not," that the mouths of such should be livered to the saints." The early Christians stopped; and then, in the government of the were quickly introduced to the duty of giving church, the advice to Titus seems requisite, to a reason for the hope that was in them; it was "rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound their lot to be "disputing daily," and reason in the faith." Many have been the honoura ing much, not only with open gainsayers, but ble champions raised up, qualified, and also with feigned friends, with false brethren and preserved in this description of arduous serfalse teachers, with such as were "of their vice, who had to wrestle" against principali. own selves," who had either "crept in una- ties, against powers, against the rulers of the wares" to a profession of Christianity, or had darkness of this world, against spiritual wickgone out from that they once had possession edness in high places.' ." These were doubtless of; these having "turned from the holy com- adequately accoutred by "the Captain of the mandment delivered unto them," sought privily Lord's host" with the whole armour of God; to bring in various forms of damnable heresy," the armour of righteousness on the right speaking perverse things to draw away disci- hand and on the left," whereby they were enples after them, according to the strong delu-abled to withstand in the evil day, to quench sions under which satan had bound them. But in good degree the fiery darts of the wicked, did the primitive believers, and such of them to clear the truth, to convince many gainsay. especially who were in some sort "stewards ers, and to be themselves clear of the blood of of the mysteries of God," tamely and blindly all men, having not spared nor shrunk from yield to such deceivers? Though they followed plain dealing and faithful warning. They peace with all men, and pursued it, did they strove lawfully, they kept the faith and their at all compromise, or by any means surren- habitations in the truth, also their ranks in der, any portion of that which was committed righteousness, being evidently blessed and to them to keep unalloyed and inviolate? Does owned in their deeds, according to their mea not the apostle Paul declare to us his own line sure. With these, the main purpose and of conduct and that of his fellow-labours, with proper object of controversy was never lost the ground of it, in these forcible words? sight of, amidst all needful, intricate and close "To whom we gave place by subjection, no, argumentation. They gave not heed to those not for an hour; that the truth of the Gospel things" which minister questions rather than might continue with you." And did he not, godly edifying," they turned not aside "unto on that occasion, even hazard his own char- vain jangling," when they charged and urged acter in the eyes of others, by seeming to in- upon some, that they should "teach no other cur the imputation of rash and contumacious doctrine" whatever, than that which had been procedure, when he withstood Peter to the face, received by the church from the beginning. and that before those who with him seemed to They laboured to disabuse the beclouded judg be pillars in the church, rather than counte- ment, to disentangle the soul; to bring to that nance or crouch to palpable dissembling and which puts an end to the very ground of all want of uprightness? In such a case, did Paul difference, gives right discernment in spiritual act in a manner at all inconsistent with his things, will not amalgamate with error or evil, own counsel to Timothy, where he writes, but "leads into" and preserves in "all truth," "The servant of the Lord must not strive; even in its purity, in its peaceableness, in its but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, pa- loneness; as well in the comely form, as in

the life of godliness. If they wounded, as proper season, and after its own kind, and they assuredly did and must, mark what they adapted for certain purposes, but always touched,—it was the corrupt, the crooked, the" good to the use of edifying," if not so evifallen nature, that which is for judgment, yea, for death, and must be slain, if, indeed, the creature be delivered from its bondage.

dently to one state, then, it may be, to an other. But, on the opposite hand, "Behold, how great a matter," even "a world of iniIt is no marvel, if, in general, comparatively quity," is kindled by a little unholy fire of an little success should attend such painful labour, unruly tongue or pen, especially when engaged especially towards the parties more immedi- about religious subjects. David in his psalm ately concerned; the prejudices of these are complains of the "mighty man" who boasted quickly enlisted, their religious credit is at himself in mischief, who loved evil more than stake, their system is attacked, their "craft is good, and lying rather than truth speaking: in danger:" yet this is no disparagement to "Thou lovest all-devouring words, O`thou de the vocation of one rightly engaged in earn- ceitful tongue!" "thy tongue deviseth misestly contending for the faith, and should be chiefs like a sharp razor working deceitfully;" to him no source of undue discouragement.* and the issue of such doings the holy psalmist The church is materially indebted to such la- goes on to show, and the end of such "debourers; they claim the especial sympathy ceitful workers," who can transform themand succour of those that in some sense "stay selves "as the ministers of righteousness." by the stuff," or have not to sail in troubled The words of these may be "smoother than waters. It is an easy matter to judge and to butter," and "softer than oil," yet are they find fault with them: undoubtedly, their work" as drawn swords," and "war is in the and "line of things" may be somewhat un-heart:" but their tongues will the Lord ascongenial to those preciously meek and quiet suredly divide and destroy now, as ever he spirits, who have little occasion to argue mat- has done in the generations of old. ters; but if they love so dearly the " peaceable habitations," the "quiet resting-places" of Zion, let them duly estimate the self-denial and the zeal of those who are made willing to forego their own personal ease, and who dare not shrink from standing as in the breach, and are made as a mark to be shot at by every archer." There are diversities of gifts;" and, we read, that one hath a gift after this manner, and another after that; not any are to be slighted or despised, but to be occupied in the fear of the Lord, and all the truly gifted are to be owned and honoured in their apportioned places.

"A wholesome tongue is," indeed, "a tree of life," bringing forth its precious fruit in its

* That William Penn should have recommended his friend, Joseph Pike, to read controversy sometimes, does not surprise the editor; for he is free to confess, that, with reference to his own early religious progress, when of all periods perhaps he was in the most tender and desirable state of mind, the perusal occasionally of the controversial publications of Friends had a most strengthening, deepening, and edifying effect upon him, of which he feels the value to this day. And persuaded he is, that if more of his fellow-professors would candidly, deliberately, and in a humble teachable frame consult such substantial defences and illustrations of our faith, which often have the consent of fathers, councils, martyrs, confessors, and reformers of all ages and persuasions, they might some of them

become sounder advocates in the cause of truth,

and all would be in less danger of leaning to their own judgment, or being caught by the flimsy interpretations of later time put upon holy Scrip

ture.

"Who is a wise man," said the apostle James, "and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." For, continues he, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

It must be acknowledged, there are too many, who are "ever learning," and seem "never able to come to the" saving "knowledge of the truth," or to an establishment therein; these are of the " wavering" and "double-minded," of the "double-tongued" too, who have little occasion to "think" that they shall "receive anything of the Lord;" they are "forgetful hearers," loving to listen to the songs of the prophets, to the beautiful exhibitions and declarations of divine truth; they can most freely canvass or criticise, can readily define doctrinals to a hair's breadth, but then they go their way, forgetting what manner of persons they have seen themselves to be, or what manner of persons they have seen they ought to be "in all holy conversation and godliness;" they are not "doers of the work," nor continue in that "law of liberty," "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which alone can set free from the law of sin and death."

Very congenial with the tenour of these observations, are the remarks of a dignified advocate in the Gospel-cause, Samuel Fothergill, respecting the times in which he lived :— "There is a spirit that is gone forth into the camp, and is splendidly delusive; it delights.

in good words, and feeds upon them; it cries persons are had in admiration, and their natuout, Help! help! but principally to the ser- ral and acquired powers are set up; some are vants, not to the Master: this spirit leads into puffed up for one, and some against another, notions it snuffs up the wind, and lives in till their language unequivocally becomes, “I commotions itself raises: all that are led by am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, it are superficial, and know nothing, and must and I of Christ."-Verily, Christ is not dilie down in sorrow."-Letters of Friends, by vided, nor his doctrine, nor his church; but J. Kendall, 1802, vol. i. p. 22. Another he is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for Friend, a discriminating and wise elder, writes ever!" O the inseparable harmony and comthus to the same point: "The religion of some pleteness of all the parts of "the doctrine of seems to consist in a remembrance of former Christ!" There is no one can unequally hold, experience, a rational understanding of our wresting out of its place, any portion of esprinciples, and the discipline of the church, a sential truth, any attribute or office of our dipersonal communication with divers of the vine Saviour, or can think more highly than foremost rank, and some faculty for speaking he ought to think of any member of his body, and writing on religious subjects; when, in without incurring the awful liability of doing the mean time, for want of looking and living injury to Him, the holy Head thereof, and enat home, for want of watching unto prayer, dangering their own standing and connexion and waiting for renewed ability to offer the with him. "How can ye believe, which redaily sacrifice on the fresh raised altar, insen-ceive honour one of another?" said our blessed sibility and incapacity gather strength, and Lord himself. And again "This people drawleanness enters into our souls."-Richard Shackleton.

eth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips," with their nice To speak more generally,-There has been distinctions, with their orthodox systems, with a great mass of high-sounding theology afloat, their very full verbal acknowledgments and a great flood of instrumental means altogether, literal compliances," but their hearts are far and much too, that all true Christians have from me." Verily, "he that hath the Son, occasion to rejoice in and be thankful for, hath life," he who rightly "believeth that Jesus without doubt, yet much more, that has had is the Christ, is born of God: and every one a weakening, a scattering, and wide-wasting that loveth Him that begat, loveth him also influence upon the churches of professing that is begotten of Him;" and he who rightly Christendom. Whatever be the counteracting" shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, or modifying agencies at work, especially the God dwelleth in him, and he in God." lively condition and pious dedication of heart. But to return to the subject more immediprevalent in some directions, the very systems ately the occasion of these Preliminary Obserof most denominations must ever tend this vations, and from which the editor has freely way, while in relation to religious services digressed, while speaking of the character of congregations meet as they do, and are pro- the succeeding journals, and of the simplicity vided for as they are. But the unscriptural and plainness of the religion of our blessed thirst for eloquent orations, and what is called Redeemer.-If he does not greatly mistake, evangelical preaching, has even reached those both these worthy authors, Joseph Pike and who have not so learned Christ," that is,- Joseph Oxley, the former as an honoured as the apostle to the Ephesians, long after the elder, the latter as an acceptable minister ascension of our Lord, explains it," if so be among Friends, however differing in several that ye have heard him, and have been taught respects from each other, were alike remark. by him as the truth is in Jesus;" so that the able for being "clothed with humility," even faith even of these is and has been in immi-"the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," nent danger of being found standing "in the wisdom of men," rather than "in the power of God." For, if these receive the word, rather as "of man and by man," than as it is in truth"the word of God," the very same which " effectually worketh in" those "that believe," then the simple intrinsic message of divine love is apt to be overlooked by them and rejected, or made of none effect; more especially when it is conveyed through the foolish things, the weak things, the base things, the things that are not, or in words which man's wisdom does not dictate. Thus it comes to pass, that men's systems and men's

which is of greater price than more glaring accomplishments: they were men of unusually diffident, unassuming, and in a certain sense unprofessing stamp; they had no life in mere words; though willing, when called upon, to witness a good confession, they were not forward, but rather shrunk from, or at least placed no great stress upon, large recitals and specific avowals of their faith, preferring that the tenour of their lives and labours should bespeak whom they honoured, and whom they delighted in serving.

It was certainly a valuable acknowledg ment, and one which Friends have always