and it being my lot to be his companion at Hall, separated from the rest of Friends, who that time, we met at Strickland in Westmore- were prisoners, and put into a dark place, land; and visited some meetings in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and so to London. He had good service in most places, and much comfort and satisfaction I had in his company, he, whom I esteemed above many others, being a loving and a nursing father to me. called the citadel, among the felons, something like a dungeon, where they could not see to work in a dark day, without candle-light; and for no other cause, but for preaching and praying in the time of Friends' meeting to wait upon the Lord, in the place where they were confined. His persecutors hoped by After we had staid the time of the Yearly their being absent, the meetings of Friends Meeting, and he was clear of the meetings of would be silent, and give less occasion of disthe city, we went to a meeting at Windsor, turbance to priests and others, who took occaand so to High Wycombe, Reading, Newbury, sion against his preaching. The first meeting Marlborough, Calne, Chippenham, and most we had amongst the Friends in prison, Andrew of the meetings in those parts. It was a time Graham and I, appearing in public, the jailer of deep exercise to many faithful brethren was much disturbed, and took us away from who kept their habitations in the truth; for in the rest of Friends; and being afraid of the most meetings of this part of the nation, there priests and others, was at a stand what to do; was a rending, dividing spirit crept into the for there was no room for any more beds church, and many were made to say, "Alas, among the felons. The bed whereon our dear we know not which way to turn, or what will friend lay, was next to the sink, where the be the end," &c. I am a witness, with many filth was discharged, which made it the more, some of whom are yet alive, of the deep more noisome; but the Lord's power carried exercise of spirit he went under, from meeting them over all, and in a few days I obtained to meeting, for the Seed's sake, that the inno- liberty of the jailer, to go with the turnkey, cent might be preserved from hurt, and the and found the Friends, through the Lord's spirit of separation which would divide in goodness, easy and well. The turnkey reJacob and scatter in Israel, might be fully turning, I staid to bear them company till manifested. Though his exercises were such evening. When the turnkey came again, he night and day that his meat and sleep were told John Banks he and his companion might almost taken from him, yet the Lord so go to the rest of Friends, if they pleased, for strengthened him in his inward man, that he it would avail nothing to keep them there, as was borne up in his spirit, to confirm and there were now other preachers. John Banks build up the righteous in that most holy faith replied, the jailer brought them thither withwhich works by love, and to proclaim wo and out any just cause, and he should fetch them judgment upon the spirit that had led into sepa- back again, and cause what they had to be ration. And though in several places, they carried along with them; which he did before who were most in the separation, followed him he slept. Being now together in one place, from meeting to meeting, and bent their bows we kept our meetings, first-day, and week against him, waiting for an advantage, yet the days; and the place of our confinement being Lord was pleased, for the honour of his own near the upper end of Castle street, and not name, to preserve him by his power, that he far from the great cathedral, so called, it often came away to the churches' comfort and edifi- happened that at the time when people came cation, and to his own peace. from their worship, on the first-days, John was preaching, and his voice would reach to the door of the great house; and people frequently would either go softly, or stand a little; for at that time no meeting of Friends was kept in the city. And at this the priests were much disturbed, and threatened the jailer so much, that he left this place at the year's end, and hired another house. After this, we came to Bristol, and found faithful Friends under great exercise of spirit, by reason of a contentious spirit that some there were gone into. We visited meetings thereabouts, and when our friend was clear, and his service over, we came pretty direct for Cumberland. As the labours and travels of this our dear friend were great for the truth's sake, which he was called to bear witness to, so he was also valiant in suffering for it, as appeared in his imprisonment in Carlisle. It was my lot, with others of our meeting, to be committed to prison at that time, for our peaceable meeting together to wait upon the Lord, and to worship him in spirit and in truth. We found our dear friends, John Banks and Thomas Our friend John Banks, being a good example in all things, laboured diligently with his hands, being a glover and fellmonger by trade; and with much sitting during that cold winter, in which the great frost continued so long, he thereby grew infirm. We were sixteen in one room, and had the privilege of but one little fire; and mostly four or five ancient people had the benefit of it; but at last we all It is an excellent virtue in ministers, a seal and confirmation of their ministry, to be found in the practice of that which they preach to others; such can in boldness say with the apostle, "Be ye followers of us, as we follow Christ." obtained our liberty; mostly by King James's living ministry that will still be acceptable to proclamation, and came forth free and clear the church, and serviceable to its members. men, for which the Lord shall have the praise. I could say more; but knowing there are many faithful brethren and sisters, who had a perfect knowledge of him and of his integrity, from the time of his convincement to the day of his death, and of his many labours and exercises both at home and abroad, I am the more easy to conclude, being an eye and ear witness of what I have here written. CHRISTOPHER STORY. A Testimony from the QUARTERLY MEETING in the County of SOMERSET, concerning JOHN BANKS, of Street, in the same County, deceased; who departed this life the 6th day of the Eighth month, 1710. He was very zealous to the last to spread the Gospel; and in all his exercises and afflictions he had the honour of God and good of his people in his eye. He devoutly laboured in his gift, and being an able minister of Christ, was instrumental both to gather and confirm many souls in the truth. We have many witnesses, who, with us, have partaken of the comfort of his labour. He was a good example, and his conversation was pleasant and profitable; sharp against the obstinate opposer, but meek and gentle towards them, who, in a sense of their shortness, were ready and willing to acknowledge the same. Secondly, If thou art not gifted in the ministry, but a living witness of the virtue of truth, and partaker with us of the like precious faith, we entreat thee mind thy place in the church, that thou mayest be found in obedience to the Gospel: thus mayest thou come under a spiritual qualification for the oversight of others; which must be by taking heed to thyself, according to Acts xx. 28: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and" then "to the flock," &c., but first take heed to thyself. Why so much to myself? I know the truth, and am sensible of my duty, some may say. But give us leave to add, that many are sensible of the good they ought to do, but neglect it; therefore, look well to thyself, that thy obedience keeps pace with thy knowledge, that so thou mayest not only be a hearer, but that with clearness and boldness thou mayest a doer also. This will give thee authority, advise them that are unfaithful, and neglect what they ought to do; for he that hears and doth not, his building is not aright, and cannot stand in the time of trial. Whatsoever thou mayest be, it matters not; for he that adviseth others, being faulty himself, must expect to look well to thyself, neglect not the gift that is meet but with a cold reception. Therefore, in thee, neither measure thy duty by another's neglect. It is too much a practice in this age, to be influenced more by the worst than by the best of examples. But, follow thou the footsteps of the flock of Christ's companions, who are gone before; so wilt thou come up in the Such was his concern for the Gospel, that he did not spare himself to promote the truth: he was zealous against a luke-warm spirit, warning Friends, both by doctrine and example, to beware thereof; often reminding the young people of that fervent love which was amongst the brethren in the beginning. He was not insensible that a libertine spirit too much prevailed in many places, neither was he wanting to bear a testimony against it. Friendly reader, whoever thou art, or what-place of some of the many worthy ancients ever thy state in the church may be, although whom, this, our friend, may be accounted who are gone to rest; amongst the number of the design of this is to demonstrate our love worthy to be reckoned; as one who both bore to the deceased, yet we also intend hereby thy the burthen and heat of the day. Let it be edification. And in order thereunto, we would briefly say; first, if thou art a minister, attend thy concern to follow his example in faithfulon thy ministry, and wait to know God's time, Lord's honour; so wilt thou be fitted to enter ness; not for imitation's sake, but for the that when thou speakest it may be in his time; into that blessed inheritance which God has and keep to thy opening, that what thou speak-in store for the faithful. That this may be est may be from the Spirit, and with under- thy portion, so wish, and so pray thy fervent standing. Thus wilt thou learn, both when to speak, what to speak, and when to be silent; a principal thing for Gospel ministers to have the true knowledge of. And also thou wilt be preserved from a lifeless unedifying ministry, which is a hurt, but never helps true believers. It is a living ministry which begets a living people; and by a living ministry, at first, we were reached and turned to the truth. It is a and Christian friends. Signed by order, and on the behalf of the Meet- WILLIAM HORWOOD, A Testimony concerning our dear and worthy more such labourers; "For the harvest indeed is great, but the true and faithful labourers are but few." friend JOHN BANKS; Signed on behalf of our meeting, at Glastonbury and Street, the 13th of the Third month, 1711, by JAMES CLOTHIER, Sen. JOSEPH MOORE, This was viewed and approved of by the Monthly Meeting. cerning her dear and tender husband, JOHN BANKS, deceased. WHOи the Lord was pleased to place in this part of the country, as he himself hath signified; and he was very serviceable amongst us in the work of the ministry, and also in settling a godly discipline in many places; encouraging the young men, as well as the old and middle-aged, to come to our meetings for that service, that they might be serviceable in their places. He was very tender and loving to the well inclined, and a reprover of evil doers, gainsayers, and backsliders, placing judgment upon the head of the transgressor. HANNAH BANKS' account and Testimony conHe was very desirous that things might be kept savoury, and in good order amongst us, often giving good advice and counsel to Friends out of meetings, as well as in meetings, for it I was married to him the 28th of the eighth was his great delight to see them grow in the month, 1696, being a widow, and was contruth. He gave way to strangers when we vinced of God's truth in the time of my widowwere visited, although he was an able minister hood; we were married at Glastonbury, and of the word of life, which dwelt plentifully in went to live at Mear, until the year 1708, him, and his bow abode in strength, and he and then came to Street, where we continwould often hit the mark. He was a great ued until he died. He was afflicted with much encourager of Friends to bear a faithful weakness in his latter time; but a little before testimony against tithes, and steeple-house his death was raised to go to some meetrates, &c., and where he saw anything to the ings. On the 5th of the sixth month he went contrary, he would show his dislike. He was from home to Somerton, and the next day to a faithful labourer in the work of the Lord, their Monthly Meeting of worship, which was visiting Friends' meetings abroad, as long as very large, and he had a good meeting, to the he had strength of body; but was attended satisfaction of Friends. Afterward he had an with weakness several years, in which time evening meeting in the town, and went next day he wrote several papers to Friends. Some to Long Sutton, to visit Friends; and to some time before he died, he removed his habitation | other places; and was at the Monthly Meeting to Street, near the meeting-house; and our meetings both for worship and business, were many times held at his house, which was a great comfort to him, for he was very glad of the company of honest Friends; and sometimes when they asked him how he did, he would say, "Weak in body, but strong in the Lord-all is well." He was borne up in his spirit beyond what could be expected, to bear a living testimony in our meetings, being attended with that Divine power which made his soul sing praises to the Lord, to the comforting of the faithful in Christ. He was a great help to us in our Monthly Meetings, in managing the affairs of the church; being favoured with the continuance of his understanding and memory. We greatly miss him, and although his pain sometimes sharper than death; and it is our loss, yet we believe it is his everlast- said, how well it would be if the Lord would ing gain, and that he is gone to rest with the be pleased to remove him hence. Many faithful in Christ. And now, since it hath Friends and others coming to visit him, he pleased the only wise God, in his infinite wis- had a large testimony to them, by way of exdom, to take unto himself this our dear friend, hortation; and a few hours before his death, his faithful servant, and minister of the ever- said how well it was to have nothing to do lasting Gospel, it is the desire and supplication but to die. At another time he said, he was of our hearts, unto the great Lord of the har-assured it would be well with him and that he vest, that it may please him to raise many should end in the truth, as he began. He was at Puddimoor, and had a large testimony to Friends; and also at Yeovil, and was well accepted; after which he returned home. Most Friends thought he would not have been able to undertake such a journey, being between twenty and thirty miles, by reason of his weakness; but he could not be satisfied without it. On the 2nd of the seventh month, as he was walking in the yard, he was taken with a pain in his back, which, by degrees, went downward into his feet, and proved to be the gout. It was very painful for several days before his death; yet he would often say, until the last, that notwithstanding all his pain, his soul did praise and magnify the Lord, for his goodness towards him, though he thought very sensible to the last; and, after all his pains, had an easy passage, on the 6th of the eighth month, 1710, and is gone to rest; aged seventy-three years and two months. He was a man that feared God, wrought righteousness, loved truth above all, and his friends with all his heart, and served them faithfully to the end. I am satisfied he hath laid down his head in peace, and rested from all his labours. He was a true help-meet to me, and we lived almost fourteen years to gether; five of which he was under great Street, in Somersetshire, the place of my abode, JOURNAL OF JOHN BANKS; SHOWING the manner of my education and convincement, how I came to receive the knowledge of God, and of his blessed truth; the travail of my soul under judgment; how I came through the same, to obtain mercy at the Lord's hand, for sin and transgression: and how in his time, I was called forth into the ministry; of my travels and exercises in that work and service; together with my imprisonments and sufferings: also an abstract of letters to my wife, children, and servants, and my wife's to me. OF MY EDUCATION. I CAME of honest parents-my father's name was William, and my mother's name Emme. I was their only child, born in Sunderland, in the parish of Issell, in the county of Cumberland; and my father having no real estate of his own, took land to farm; and by trade was a fellmonger and glover. In some years after, he removed within the compass of Pardshaw meeting, where both my parents received the truth some time after me, and lived and died in it, according to their measures. To this meeting I belonged above forty years. Though my parents had not much of this world's riches, yet according to their ability and the manner of the country, they brought me up well, and in good order; and were careful to restrain me from such evils as children and youth are apt to run into; and especially my dear mother, she being a zealous woman. Their care therein for my good, had a good effect on me; and so will it have, we may hope, on all who perform their duty as they ought to their children; if not, they will, it is feared, be found guilty in the day of account. of I was put to school when I was seven years age and kept there until I was fourteen; in which time I learned both English and Latin, and could write well. When I was fourteen years of age, my father put me to teach school one year at Dissington; and after that at Mosser Chapel near Pardshaw, where I read the Scriptures to people who came there on the first-day of the week, and the homily, as it is called, and also sung psalms and prayed. I had no liking to the practice; but my father, with other people, persuaded me to it. For this service my wages from the people was to be twelve pence a year from every house, of those who came there to hear me, and a fleece of wool, and my table free, besides twelve pence a quarter for every scholar I had, being twenty-four. This chapel is called a chapel of ease, the parish steeple-house being some miles off. Amongst the rest of the people who were indifferent where they went for worship, came one John Fletcher, a great scholar, but a, drunken man; and he called me aside one day, and said, "I read very well for a youth; but I did not pray in form, as others used to do," and that he would teach me how to pray; and send it me in a letter, which he did. When it came, I went out of the chapel and read it; and when I had done, I was convinced of the evil thereof, by the light of the Lord Jesus, which immediately opened to me the words of the apostle Paul concerning the Gospel he had to preach, that he had it not from man, neither was he taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. In answer to which it rose in me: "But thou hast this prayer from man, and art taught it by man, and he one of the worst of many." So the dread of the Lord fell upon me, with which I was struck to my very heart, and I said in myself, I shall never pray on this wise. It opened in me, Go to the meeting of the people in scorn called Quakers, for they are the people of God and so I did the next first-day after, which was at Pardshaw. This being before the end of the year, when I was to receive wages of the people for such service as I did, I could take none of them, being convinced of the evil thereof; nor did I ever read any more at the chapel. lies in, and that I was partaker thereof; but by taking heed thereto, through watchfulness and fear, I came to be sensible of the work thereof in my heart, in order to subdue and bring down the wild nature in me, and to wash and cleanse me from sin and corruption, that I might be changed and converted. But before I came to witness this work effected, oh the days and nights of godly sorrow and spiritual pain I travelled through for some years! The exercise I was under bore so hard, both upon my body and mind, that I left off the practice of teaching school, which, although good and lawful, yet was not agreeable to me in my condition then. I put myself to learn my father's trade, with something of husbandry, which I followed with diligence; and lived with my parents, who some time after, came joicing to my soul. As I travelled under the ministration of condemnation and judg ment for sin and transgression, great was the warfare I had with the enemy of my soul, who, through his subtlety, sought to betray me from the simplicity of the truth, and to persuade me to despair, as though there was no mercy for me; yet in some small measure, I knew the Lord had showed mercy to me, which he mixed with judgment, for my sins past. But the experience I had gained in the travail of my soul, and the faith begotten of God in my heart, strengthened me to withstand the enemy and his subtle reasonings. When about sixteen years of age, in the tenth month, 1654, it pleased the Lord to reach to my heart and conscience, by his pure living Spirit, in the blessed appearance thereof in and through Jesus Christ; whereby I received the knowledge of God, and the way of his blessed truth, by myself alone in the field, before I ever heard any one called a Quaker preach; and before I was at any of their meetings. But the first-day that I went to one, which was at Pardshaw, as aforesaid, the to receive the truth, which was great reLord's power SO seized upon me in the meeting, that I was made to cry out in the bitterness of my soul, in a true sight and sense of my sins, which appeared exceeding sinful: and the same day, as I was going to an evening meeting of God's people, scornfully called Quakers, by the way, I was smitten to the ground with the weight of God's judgment for sin and iniquity which fell heavy upon me, and I was taken up by two Friends. Oh! the godly sorrow that took hold of me that night in the meeting; so that I thought in myself every one's condition was better than mine. A Friend, who was touched with a sense of my condition and greatly pitied me, was made willing to read a paper in the meeting, which was so suitable to my condition, that it helped me a little, and gave some ease to my spirit. I was now very much bowed down and perplexed, my sins being set in order before me; and the time I had spent in wildness and wantonness, out of the fear of God, in vanity, sport, and pastime, came into my view and remembrance. The book of my conscience was opened, for I was by nature wild and wanton; and though there were good desires stirring in me many times, and something that judged me and reproved me, and often strove with me to restrain me from evil, yet not being sensible what it was, I had got over it. I was like those who make merry over the witness of God, even the witness and testimony of his Holy Spirit, in and through Jesus Christ his Son, made known in God's great love to the sons and daughters of men. This was that, whereby the Lord many times strove with me, until at last he prevailed upon me. So that I may say, as a true witness for God, and the sufficiency of his power and quickening spirit, I did not only come to be convinced by the living appearance of the Lord Jesus, of the vanity, sin, and wickedness which the world VOL. II.-No. 1. I overcame the wicked one, through a diligent waiting in the light, and keeping close to the power of God, waiting upon him in silence among his people, in which exercise my soul delighted. Oh! the comfort, and divine consolation we were made partakers of in those days; and in the inward sense, and feeling of the Lord's power and presence with us, we enjoyed one another, and were near and dear one unto another But it was through various trials and deep exercises, with fear and trembling, that thus we were made partakers. Blessed and happy are they who know what the truth has cost them, and hold it in righteous ness. Waiting diligently in the light, and keeping close to the power of God, which is therein received, I came to experience the work thereof in my heart, in order to effect my freedom from bondage, which by degrees went on and prospered in me, and so I gained ground more and more against the enemy of my soul, through faith in the pow er of God; without which no victory is obtained. My prosperity in the truth I always found was by being faithful to the Lord, in what he 2 |