broken forth by his Son to enlighten the children of men in the heart. His spirit and great power hath been stronger than the power of darkness, pulling down and spoiling the works of the old adversary, yea, and binding and casting him out; fitting the creature for his heavenly building, to be as a stone or a pillar in this his latter house, which God is building of living stones, disallowed indeed by the worldly wise of this day, but approved of God, who is the Chief Corner Stone, and Lord of all.

In faithfulness all will end well. God's care tacy. Blessed be God, who is the Spirit of over his children and people is the same in light and of purity, and hath now eminently every age. I am a witness of it, a poor worm, an unprofitable servant; for if I have obeyed his command, it is but what was, and is, my reasonable duty. The Scriptures are verified, where it is said; "His eye is over the righteous, and his ear is open to their cry;" for he is the God and Father of mercies, and delights to meet with his own to do them good. He takes no pleasure in afflicting the children of men, further than to bring them into subjection to his Son; and that they thereby may come to know the state of sonship, and learn submission to his heavenly will. His will is, We read of some of old, who said, “What that all men everywhere repent, and come to shall we do, that we may work the works of the knowledge of the truth, and be saved with God? And the answer was by one who well an everlasting salvation; saved from sin, and knew: "This is the work of God, that ye befrom the wrath due to the same. This is lieve in Him whom God hath sent." Oh! it freedom indeed, to be made free by the Lord is a matter of sorrow, to think that men and of all power, who said to the Jews, "If the women should be so backward in their belief Son make you free, then you are free indeed." on the Son of God, in his spiritual appearance Oh! that men would strive for this freedom, in the heart; but blessed be God, a remnant and believe in the sufficiency of that grace have believed, and thereby can cry" Abba, that is come by Jesus Christ, and appears in Father," because he hath done that in them, the heart to convince of sin in its first bud- and for them, by the operation of his mighty ding! By the strength of this grace, it may power, which no other could do. Thereby be crushed as the cockatrice egg, and be cast we know that the Son of God is come and has out by the assistance of the spirit, which is given us an understanding, that we may know one with the grace of God. The effect of the Him that is true, even Christ in us, the hope of grace and coming of Jesus, is indeed to save glory; which is as an anchor, sure and stead. people from their sins; and to them who will fast, and never failed when the wind blew, or be his, and believe that he has all power com- the rain descended, and floods of affliction mitted to him in heaven and earth, and had swelled high. No, no, it never failed, for the the victory over the world, the flesh, and the foundation is a tried one, a rock immoveable devil, he can, and doth give power. Stronger in every age. All that have built on it, and is he that is in us, to wit, Christ by his spirit, so continued, have stood fast and sure; while than he that is in the world; and more pow-those who have built upon the sand have suf erful is Jesus to save, than the devil is to compel men to sin; for he can but tempt. Yielding to his temptation brought misery upon our first parents; and yielding is the cause of misery still.

fered great loss, when time has come to an end, and their foundation has been tried, and found to be but sand. Oh! it will be dreadful to go out of time into eternity, in the displeasure of an angry, yet long-suffering and just The second Adam, the Lord from heaven, God; who will be just in all his ways, and the Restorer of mankind, did not say, that we render to the foolish virgins and sandy buildshould not be tempted, or have no onset in the ers, and slothful servants, a reward according field, where this usurper goeth, and hath his to their doings, even the sentence pronounced food-the earth and the dust thereof. He that in the Scripture; "Depart from me, ye workwas so bold as to approach and tempt the Lord ers of iniquity, I know you not." It makes of glory, will no doubt assault his followers: my heart melt within me, to think how dismal and the Lord, who well knew what we should a state it is, to be banished from the presence meet with, advised and counselled to watch of a glorious God, who long strives with men and pray, that we enter not into temptation; by his good spirit. But how is it to be lawhich was as much as if he had said, "If mented, that by far too many have refused the anything that is evil trouble you, touch it not; offers of his love, and have chosen their own but pray to me, and I will assist you:" so that ways, and hated to be reformed! Therefore, it is the Lord who worketh this deliverance. great will be the condemnation of such, and God must have the praise, who is worthy, for dreadful will the worm gnaw, when they conhis own works praise him, because they are sider how time is over, and all means of grace wonderfully made manifest in this age of the are gone. Then shall such see how they have world, after so long and dark a night of apos-missed the favour of a good God, by choosing

who will not, or do not believe in the light of Christ, and in the sufficiency of it; such must lie down in sorrow. And to all who assert,

their own ways, and doing their own work. Oh! lost time, the field, and the pearl also! Therefore, better will it be to mind the work of God, that by faith in the Son, you may that there is no state of redemption from sin witness him to work all your works in you, to be witnessed on this side of the grave, Į and for you, of his own good pleasure. There is nothing for man to boast, or glory in; he is to be pliable as the clay in the hand of the potter, till he is made a vessel to his praise. God hath no delight in the death of him that dieth, but rather that men should obey his commands and live; or surely, he would not set life and death, good and evil, before them, and say, "Choose ye." This seems to render it very plain, that there is a choice for mankind, and an offer of salvation while in this world; so that men and women may choose life, by believing in Christ; or refuse it, by unbelief, which leads from God and the Lord Jesus, into death and darkness.

But blessed be God, who hath brought a remnant to the knowledge of his light, and to obedience also; such are made living witnesses of the sufficiency of his grace, like the apostle of old, who, when in great buffetings and temptations, found it effectual; though we find he had been in a state, whereof he cries out, "Oh! wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" And again, “I am carnal, sold under sin." This was a mournful state with Paul for a season: when sorrow possessed his heart, he cried to God, who was able to help him, and in due time he came to witness the sufficiency of his grace to bring him out of that state, to know a better condition, and to say, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; for the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Oh! the blessed freedom that came to believers in that early day, by Jesus Christ; and blessed be God, it is the same in this day as it was then; for this grace, which is come by Jesus Christ, doth not only enlighten men and women, to let them see their sinful condition, but gives power to the soul to help it out of thraldom. And as there is faithfulness in the creature, the sufficiency of the grace is still witnessed, to lead from one degree of strength to another: so that here they have to thank God, as the apostle did, and can say, "In Him there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning," for he is the same as ever, to those who believe and follow Christ Jesus, Paul's and all the apostles' leader, and still the true believer's guide. And every faithful follower of Jesus hath this to say, and that not boastingly, that revelation has not ceased, nor is the Gospel hid, but to them that are lost by unbelief, and VOL. II.-No. 3.

say, such have great reason to cry out, that they are full of putrefied sores, and that they have no soundness in them. These are sad complaints indeed; and how can it be otherwise, while they plead for the devil's kingdom, which is sin and darkness, and confusion? Oh! therefore, let me prevail with all to be reconciled to God, by believing in his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, and by and through whom you may find acceptance, who is the Advocate indeed; of which a remnant are living witnesses, blessed be God, even those who have believed in the power of his inward appearance, in which there is victory obtained over the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Oh! happy souls, that can thus believe in his name; these shall be baptized with Christ's own baptism, even with the Holy Ghost and with fire; that is, by his pure spirit and word entering into their hearts, as a fire against every appearance of evil, to burn it up, and destroy it in its first appearance.

Oh! that the children of men would be wise, and fear God, and call upon his name, while the door of mercy is open, that their souls may live. For this I heartily pray, because I have tasted of the good word of God, and have known something of the power of the world to come: and, having tasted both of his mercy and judgment, I can do no less than invite and entreat all to be faithful to the Lord, and to all his requirings; that, in the winding up of all things, God may have the praise, who is everlastingly worthy; and our poor souls find the joy and comfort that none else can give or take away.

A Testimony from our Monthly Meeting at Tot

tenham, held the 25th day of the Eleventh month, 1720, concerning our deceased Friend, ALICE HAYES; with an account of some of her dying sayings.

OUR dear and well-beloved Friend, Alice Hayes, was born of honest parents at Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire, in the year 1657, who educated and brought her up in the profession of the church of England, as appears by her own account.

It pleased the Lord to make known his truth to her, by that servant of the Lord, Elizabeth Stamper, sister to Francis Stamper, about the year 1680. She was called forth into the work of the ministry, and concerned to visit the churches in several parts of this nation.

11

ing God, and mighty Jehovah, send the angel of thy power and presence to conduct my soul into thy heavenly mansion, my holy King, where there is joy and rejoicing, and singing of praises for evermore. Into thy arms, Lord Jesus Christ, I offer up my soul and spirit."

The last words she was heard to say, her voice being low, were, "The Lord my God will help me."

this is love that may be felt: my God, thy goodness is wonderful; my soul praises thee for the overflowings of thy love at this time; an opportunity unexpected:" with many more sweet heavenly expressions. She tenderly acknowledged the kindness of her friends in that visit; and taking leave in brokenness of spirit, desired "the Lord to be with them, and to strengthen them, to be valiant for his truth, and to keep their meetings in his name and She was a lover of peace and unity, and power:" saying, "Oh! what comfortable times promoted it to the utmost of her understandwe have often had in our week-day meetings ing. Her ministry was very plain and powerhow have our cups overflowed with the love ful; but, to the disconsolate, it often dropped of our heavenly Father!" with more very af-like rain, and ran like oil to the wounded: she fecting expressions; exhorting "to abide in had a word in season to most or all conditions, the unity of the Spirit of Christ, every mem- and often in our week-day meetings, her adber keeping in its proper place, and concerned for the honour of truth, in maintaining good order in the church," &c.

vice hath dropped like dew. Our cups have been filled, and have overflowed with praise to the great Fountain, and we have been encouraged in a holy perseverance in the way of the Lord.

But she is now removed, and has no doubt entered into that joy and bliss prepared for the righteous.

At another time, near her end, she desired "her dear love might be remembered to all Friends, wishing well to them, and to their posterity." She desired those about her, when they should see her going to breathe her last, "to be very still and inward with the Lord in She greatly desired that the Lord's good their spirits, breathing for her easy passage:" presence might attend the meeting at her inadding, “all will be well: I am going home, terment; which was eminently answered. I am going home: I have done with the world, The body was accompanied by Friends and } and all that is in it; but breathe that the Lord others to Winchmore-hill meeting, where semay pour out his spirit upon a young genera- veral living testimonies were borne, the way tion, that they may serve him in cleanness of of salvation opened, and many hearts tendered heart." And further said, that "she had by the Lord's power.

fought the good fight, and should obtain the She departed this life the 8th day of the crown immortal :" adding, "My beloved is seventh month, 1720, aged about sixty-three mine, and I am his: he is my all in all." years, and was buried the 13th of the same, in And then she prayed sweetly, "Oh! everlast-Friends' burying-ground, at Winchmore-hill.

THE END.

JOURNAL OF THE LIFE

OF

THAT WORTHY ELDER AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST,

WILLIAM EDMUNDSON.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Psal. xxxvii. 37. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev. ii. 10. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. Rev. iii. 12.

PREFACE.

Friendly Reader,

law, and leaned upon outward observations; wherefore their offerings, sacrifices, sabbaths, set feasts and solemn assemblies, although re

Ir hath pleased Almighty God, in the riches quired and appointed in that dispensation, beof his love and mercy, from the time trans- came loathsome and an abomination to the gression first entered, whereby man lost his Lord; but such who in uprightness of heart primitive state of felicity with his Creator in observed the law, were accepted of God, yet paradise, to give some manifestation of his looked for a more glorious dispensation to good spirit, and revelation of the promised come.

Seed; in order to man's restoration from The visible dispensations of God to men death to life, whereby the serpent's head hath have been various, as by angels, the law from been bruised in some, through faith therein, mount Sinai, the ministry of the prophets and as by holy record doth appear; of which John the Baptist, sent in the spirit and power number, in early time, righteous Abel was of Elias, to prepare the way of the Lord. All one, whose offering and person the Lord ac- which dispensations had a glory in them for cepted, and had respect unto. There were their time, though but preparative to one more also some others, in the succeeding genera- glorious yet to be revealed. Then, in the tions before the flood, as Enoch, who walked fulness of time, Christ Jesus, the Seed of the with God in well-pleasing; and Noah, a woman, the Messiah and hope of Israel, was preacher of righteousness; although the un- manifested in the flesh, whose day many progodly world in general rebelled against it, to phets and righteous men desired to see, and their destruction and overthrow. could not, only by faith at a distance, by rea

After the deluge, the holy patriarchs, Abra- son of death. ham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and others, by faith Now was salvation brought nigh, the kingin this holy Seed, were sanctified, obtained a dom of heaven at hand, and the glad tidings good report, and wrought righteousness in of the Gospel preached to the seed of Abratheir generations, before the law was given ham; the glory of former dispensations began from mount Sinai. And even in the time of to wax dim, to such as beheld his glory, which the law, righteous men and prophets had faith excelled, even the glory of the only begotten therein, being inspired thereby; yet many of of the Father, full of grace and truth; yet the Jews, who had the law, and were zealous many of the Jews could not see it so, nor unin the outward performances thereof, not hav- stand his voice, preaching the kingdom of God ing a due regard to the Seed or Word nigh in in parables, and uttering things that had been their hearts, recommended by Moses, which kept secret from the foundation.of the world; would have sanctified them, and made their or believe on Him, concerning whom, Moses hearts contrite before the Lord, rebelled against in the law and the prophets did write; but dehim who gave them of his good spirit to instruct them; and though zealous for the ceremonies, yet rejecting their immediate Monitor, they neglected the weightier matters of the

spised and rejected Him, although the mighty works, and great miracles which he wrought among them, by the power of his Father, declared him to be the Son of God.